Aaron Gwin threw down one of the most impressive runs in downhill racing history at
Mont-Sainte-Anne last year, hitting his lines in the middle of a downpour as if he was back in sunny California on his way to take the win. Unfortunately, he's still recovering from a thumb injury suffered earlier in the season and won't be racing this weekend, but it does look like he has a new bike to keep him entertained.
By all appearances, that's a 29” YT Tues sitting in that parking garage, although the angle of the fork and the lack of markings on the tires make it a little trickier to be 100% certain. Still, I'm willing to bet that it is in fact a 29er – remember, Gwin still hasn't won a World Champion title, even after all these years of trying. Bigger wheels certainly aren't going to hurt his chances in Lenzerheide, and he'll have the La Bresse World Cup stop to put the new bike to the test beforehand.
Gwin's already proven this season that wheel size isn't necessarily the deciding factor when it comes to who wins a race, but it's going to be very interesting to see what type of results he's able to achieve on his new ride.
Ride what ever the F you want.. and stopped thinking anyone is saying you have to ride any one or the other.
I'm 44, grew up BMX on flats, rode clips for 20 plus years, and now find myself back on flats for 90% of my riding. Super long XC trips, with lots of climbing, I clip in. Right tool, right job, OR what ever makes you feel comfortable. I could care less either way. I just find it amusing everyone gets some bent out of shape over it or thinks somehow one is better than the other. Sam kicks ass and his enduro results show it. However, he was getting pretty crap finishes in DH his last few years. Was it his motivation was gone? Likely. Would Rude, Maes and a few other miraculously smoke Sam if the went flats? Probably not. It's the rider. Sam is still in his prime, with new motivation.
Rubber side down folks. Kick ass this weekend, see you guys at Whistler next week. Maybe we can all try the old toe clips for shits and giggles and see what a real death trap is.
But we shouldn’t forget that 29” wheels doesn’t necessarily equate to Moar winning. SH beats plenty of em at every race. I think he’ll continue to do so for some time yet.
Some riders have done really well on the 29er and others...not so much, well at least not so different to their performance on 27.5”.
I think it will be very interesting to see which side Gwin falls on. It’s hard to see how he could possibly be any faster but you never know!
Sabotage?
P.S. f*ck roadies.
I'm reasonably sure that most hardcore flats vs clipless debaters would be more improved by taking their debate time and riding than by switching pedals.
First, let me remind you that It's a tradition for manufacturers to display the stripes on their bikes when one of them wins the Worlds.
Second, edited - I didn't realize you're just a kid til I looked at your profile. I don't f with kids >
Works for me.
I am on a 27.5 trail and DH and fine. But I am not on the 'hate all 29" bikes' bandwagon either
Any trick to make it look bigger, right?
Same. 29ers good for short wheelbase bikes like hardtails and trail bikes. I’ve had a few long travel 29ers and now gone back to 27.5 for the long travel - just a lot more fun to ride...
For those who say it doesn't matter, I have a lot of bikes. Which one I'm riding has a huge impact on how fast I can ride on what kind of terrain, and I see no reason to think it's different for pros.
I think uci should make a rule about everyone using only one wheel size.
Or maybe we could be like motocross (26 / 27.5 / 29) ( 125 / 250 / 450)
Clearly taller people have an advantage using 29.
Smaller people can't benefit from 29ers as a taller person can.
That's not fair...
If Gwin fits fine on a 29er i think it's an end game.
Who knows, maybe a 30” wheel will come out? Ha!
Is 29" a 'bro' , DJ, or street wheel size? No. But it might be a good fit for DH racing (AKA get to the bottom the fastest). Nothing stopping you from riding 26" All DJ bikes still are 26" Countless great deals on 26" bikes in great shape still out there. Maxxis and Fox still have new, 2019 26" tires and forks in production right now.
The bitching and crying is a joke. Get over it. Only constant is change.
I personally think he should be at MSA, since he doesn't have to go all the way to Europe to hang in the pits. At the end of the day his fans want to see him whether he is racing or not. But I don't blame him for staying home either.
Alright old timer, whatever you say. But that definitely sounded like the sort of comment a keyboard warrior who knew very little would make. Just saying.
2018. The year Dh went a little old school and it's caught a few out.
Negative prop me yanks and kids. Bring it on. Hopefully Dh has moved a little away from the bike park racing of the Gwin era for a while
I guess everyone hasn't watched cathrovision.
I have done thumbs, rolondo fracture being the worst. 7 out of 10 fingers. Dislocations to fractures to staves. They all hurt.
How did Gee get on today?
What a race BTW.
Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh. I haven't watched yet. I have been riding and watch later. hahaha