Bike Check: Andi Kolb's Gamux DH Prototype
Andi Kolb showed up to the iXS NotARace Test Session with a prototype DH bike from Gamux, a Swiss company that's focused on creating customized products via 3D printing that are tailored to the end customer or, in terms of their Factory Team, their riders.
At this point, Kolb's workhorse doesn't even have an official model name. Two options have made it into the final selection process, which one it is will be revealed at the official presentation in September, originally planned for the Lenzerheide World Cup. Since that has just been cancelled, we’ll get updated on the new plans.
Trying to keep production as local as possible, the frames are welded in Europe. All frames feature custom built geometries within a range of parameters that Gamux feels are representative of their brand.
Andi reduced his reach compared to his last year’s Commencal Supreme down to 470 or 475mm, depending on the offset he’s using. He felt that he was a bit too stretched on his old bike in tighter corners, and with longer chainstays on the Gamux they kept the wheelbase the same length. Kolb was also asking for a low bottom bracket height, which now sits at 347mm.
At this point, Kolb's workhorse doesn't even have an official model name. Two options have made it into the final selection process, which one it is will be revealed at the official presentation in September, originally planned for the Lenzerheide World Cup. Since that has just been cancelled, we’ll get updated on the new plans.
Trying to keep production as local as possible, the frames are welded in Europe. All frames feature custom built geometries within a range of parameters that Gamux feels are representative of their brand.
Andi reduced his reach compared to his last year’s Commencal Supreme down to 470 or 475mm, depending on the offset he’s using. He felt that he was a bit too stretched on his old bike in tighter corners, and with longer chainstays on the Gamux they kept the wheelbase the same length. Kolb was also asking for a low bottom bracket height, which now sits at 347mm.
Andreas Kolb // Gamux Factory Racing
Age: 24
Hometown: Moosheim (close to Schladming), Austria
Height: 184 cm / 6'0"
Weight: 75kg / 165lbs.
Instagram: @andreas_kolb66
Age: 24
Hometown: Moosheim (close to Schladming), Austria
Height: 184 cm / 6'0"
Weight: 75kg / 165lbs.
Instagram: @andreas_kolb66
Head angle is sitting at 63 to 63.5 degrees, depending on setup and adjusted ride height of the fork. They ran prototypes as slack as 62 degrees, but didn’t get along with that feel.
When the bike is launched riders will be able to choose their preferred wheel size. Usually, Andi rides 29” wheels front and rear. At the NotARace test session, he was trying out a smaller 27.5” rear wheel for the first time to see if he could add to the bike’s agility while still remaining stable due to the long chainstays.
Gamux DH Prototype Details
Frame: Gamux DH Prototype
Shock: Öhlins DH38, 200mm travel, 120psi main chamber/ramp up chamber 245psi, 1 spacer negative chamber, 1 spacer ramp up chamber, custom tuning
Fork: Öhlins TTX22M, 200mm travel, 480 lb/in spring, custom tuning
Wheels: Pancho aluminum 29” front, 29” or 27,5” rear (testing at the moment)
Tires: Maxxis Minion DHR II, Prototype
Drivetrain: Shimano Saint 9 Speed, 36t chainring
Brakes: Shimano XTR, 200 mm discs
Handlebar: TAG T1 Aluminum 780mm
Stem: PRO Tharsis 9.8, 50mm
Weight: About 17kg/37.4lbs.
More info: www.gamuxbikes.com
Frame: Gamux DH Prototype
Shock: Öhlins DH38, 200mm travel, 120psi main chamber/ramp up chamber 245psi, 1 spacer negative chamber, 1 spacer ramp up chamber, custom tuning
Fork: Öhlins TTX22M, 200mm travel, 480 lb/in spring, custom tuning
Wheels: Pancho aluminum 29” front, 29” or 27,5” rear (testing at the moment)
Tires: Maxxis Minion DHR II, Prototype
Drivetrain: Shimano Saint 9 Speed, 36t chainring
Brakes: Shimano XTR, 200 mm discs
Handlebar: TAG T1 Aluminum 780mm
Stem: PRO Tharsis 9.8, 50mm
Weight: About 17kg/37.4lbs.
More info: www.gamuxbikes.com
 | I thought that I would run into trouble on the straights coming from a super stable Commencal Supreme, but with our suspension and geometry setup on the Gamux there are zero problems. |
Andi is running a chainstay length of slightly more than 460mm.
The dropouts are 3D-printed, to easily make adaptations to wheel sizes and chainstay length.
The links are also 3D-printed, allowing Gamux to quickly adjust or individualize kinematics.
Shimano Saint drivetrain with XTR brakes and 200mm rotors front and rear.
Kolb is picky about his tires, almost exclusively riding Maxxis DHR II on the front and rear and only switching to Shortys in extremely muddy conditions. In this case, he's testing some Maxxis prototypes.
Andi likes to run his bar with a lot of back sweep, but is currently trying to rotate it forward again to avoid dropping his elbows.
Kolb is very picky about his grips. TAG T1 Braap models suit him fine.
Andi prefers his setup on the stiffer side, running the rear end with 22 to 23% sag.
Welded in Europe, massive gusset on the top tube included.
Author Info:
Member since May 10, 2010
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Can't you just drill 2 holes?
Indeed until I started with ProCore, I only used tubes (no tubeless) with Schrader and always drilled out my rims. ProCore is nice but their own tubes are absolute horror with the two way Presta valve. So soon enough I drilled a second hole for the tube and the original hole got a Pepi valve. Still stupid though. I switched from Presta to Schrader well over fifteen years ago, as occasionally the valve core would come out along with the valve cap. Now I occasionally still have that when I unscrew my (Leyzine) mini pump. I just don't get what people like about Presta. Even more odd, I don't get how we're being downvoted by simply stating we prefer Schrader over Presta. Would love to see one of those downvoters collect the courage, step up and explain how they were offended and what's superior about Presta.
Adding sealant is easy using schrader and a Stans injector - you just inject once the tyre is seated.
I wouldn't go back to tubes, I would be fixing pinch flats and thorn holes constantly.
I agree just tubes will always be quicker to install and if you're happy with what you have then don't feel forced to convert. Back in November I ordered the Tannus Armour system. It is a foam that goes between the tube and the tire, so the actual tire doesn't need air. I was willing to give that a shot and try it in a spare wheel. After I ordered it, they told me it would take another three weeks as it was quite busy. Ever since I've tried to contact them a good couple of times, no response yet. Seems like a nice middle ground between just tubes convenience and something that goes towards tubeless performance. Still seems like an interesting concept and once it drops I'm definitely going to try it. You'd just need patience. Like, a lot of patience. Eight months of patience and counting...
Your eyes for sure are up to something here.
GAMUX uses the DH-Link system, developed by Federico Biora from MDE, but the Bikes are not produced by MDE and the manufacturing is completley independent from MDE.
So let's say GAMUX has taken the excellent kinematics from MDE and modified the frame to suit our riders needs.
Cheers
Seems to be the second option that is mentioned in the second paragraph here. The front triangle from the video looks way more refined and seems to lend at least the top tube from the MDE Damper. Looking forward to see how this develops.
You sure have deep MTB-knowledge
You are right, we are trying some different tubings right now to modify stifness and durability of the frames.
GAMUX uses the DH-Link system, developed by Federico Biora from MDE, but the Bikes are not produced by MDE and the manufacturing is completley independent from MDE.
So let's say GAMUX has taken the excellent kinematics from MDE and is now searching for the ideal frame and tubing style, modifing the frame to suit our riders needs.
Cheers
*EDIT* OK, I can see the lines on the brake mount.
And all in all in that case I don't see what advantage 3D printing would bring over CNC, though I don't know the cost of each.
(Which is totally fine and MDE makes some pretty milling)
IF for example the links were printed I would at least expect them to eliminate the pockets so they don't collect dirt...
Their statement is definitely not adding to the credibility
As opposed to atherton's lugs I also don't see the benefit of 3D printing those links
@Pedro404: looks like they just brushed the surface with sand paper a bit to make these lines
Why make all these falls statements while just straight up using MDE frame?
By the way, why shifting cable not attached to derailleur on this bike (photo about rotor size) ?
Your eyes did not fool you, the linkages on the bike are not printed (Editorial mishap by the writer i ques). But you can find picuters of the printed parts here:
www.pinkbike.com/news/tech-randoms-notarace-ixs-cup-test-session.html
We are currently testing different suspension layouts with different linkage configurations. 3D printing is helping us to acheieve this in a very short time without having to re-calibrate a CNC machiene for a single link. Also it allowes us to fully use AI-based generative design to develop stronger but lighter parts. This would not have been possible with CNC due to it's manufacturing limitations.
Cheers
You are right, GAMUX uses the DH-Link system, developed by Federico Biora from MDE, but the Bikes are not produced by MDE and the manufacturing is completley independent from MDE.
So let's say GAMUX has taken the excellent kinematics from MDE and is now searching for the ideal frame and tubing style, modifing the frame to suit our riders needs.
Cheers
More seriously, if by "all of a sudden" you mean as on every recent Santa Cruz and some other bikes, probably because it's a good place for the shock (low CoG) and also for kinematic (to have a good antisquat/IC with a VPP the links have to point in that area, therefore the shock can't be much further in the frame, or you'll add weight/links, etc) and technology may be better now to do it. I'm not sure Santa Crue could have done their current frames 8 years ago.