Tech Randoms: Val di Sole DH World Cup 2018

 I'm confused as to why Eddie Masters changed frames instead of just growing his arms longer . . . ???

 @Waldon83: That's what happens when you only run a front triangle.

 That's a bold strategy, Cotton. Let's see if it pays off for him.

 @BobbyLite: Yesss hahahaha

 Hold my beer, front wheels are overrated...

 Good eye, I noticed that as well.

 Thats quite shifty of them!

 Sure looks like it does.

 LOL... "Still no concrete band name to associate it to" Then provides a close-up pic. Um... yep, good eyes.

 Even if it is a TRP barrel adjuster, that doesn't necessarily mean they're making the actual shifter...

 Yep. Seems like the most obvious take really. Not sure why the comment under it doesn't reference it in any way. Hiding in plain sight.

 It definitely says Yanny.

 *brand name*, not band name

 @funkendrenchman good eyes. Updated.

 @mikekazimer: Also it would be a bit weird since they don't make cranksets. Especially now that e13 just made an upgrade for 12 speed.

 @mikekazimer: could that mean that they ara making barrel adjust?

 You mean that E-thirteen shifter?

 I don't think it's TRP, the T looks like am M o N, the R is not the same and the P is also not the same as the TRP logo above on the brake.

 Eh, I'm retarded. They make barrel adjusters so it probably is TRP

 @PinkyScar:

Ik think you are right, MRP it seems to be...

 I saw that too!

 Makes sense they're not on his bike. Ever tried them?

 @PinkyScar: I have them on my enduro bike for about 2 months now. The AG2s are like ODI ruffians with grippier rubber and extra padding on the outside inch of the grip. Got them because I wanted to try a thinner grip. So far love them.

 He was unhappy with the molding and durometer of the material. Funny they are still sold in production - he was straight forward about not digging them...

 Actually he has been using them. He used them at the first 3 races this year and my guess as to why they are not on his bike this race is something to do with his hand injury.

@Soilsledding I believe you are mistaking for the original AG grips.

 At least he has good taste: ODI Elite Pro's are the best grips on the market.

 He's still nursing a thumb injury, so I'm sure that has a lot to do with a grip change. And he's probably just changed both sides to keep the feeling consistent left to right.

 @Thustlewhumber: after going from those Elite Pros back to Renthal Glue Ons, i really cant believe pro athletes with factory mechanics elect to use clamp on grips. the renthals have SO much more feel.

 Yeah that seems weird... In my experience the hub will still work just fine, with a few watts more drag.

 @grgsmith: if you think a few watts of drag is not an issue at this level, you're sorely mistaken.

 Maybe give them a call from home and explain to the pro mechanic, "You're doing it wrong, bro..."

 Even pro mechanics can get it wrong, and this is wrong. Not the bike will explode wrong, but also not perfect. When I've done frame up builds (and I was a career wrench for a long time) details from fastener torque to housing/hose length to correct grease/anti-seize/threadlock application were exactly right. Overgreasing DT drivers will cause extra drag and can cause shear (where the hub slips a tooth, sometimes chipping teeth before engaging). The grease will work its way away from the faces reducing that effect within a few rides, but then it'll still be gumming up the freehub.

However, if a WC mechanic cares to chime in on the virtues of packing excess grease into a DT hub, I'm amenable to changing my stance on this one.

 I was thinking the same thing. I have over greased my 350 hub. It looked a little like that

 @peleton7: why are all "career wrenches" douchebags

 @peleton7: I've re-greased my DT 350 hub a number of times, and never know what the right amount of grease it. I was thinking that didn't look like that much...

 @AlanMck: And why am I a db? Because I called out a poor practice from a WC wrench? People look at photos like that as a guide to servicing their own bikes. If there's a good reason for the mechanic to have done it this way, it'd be good to share that information. If not, this kind of work should be called out.

And I only mentioned being a "career wrench" when my (valid) comment was dismissed.

 @Fresh1: Use just enough grease to lightly coat the teeth on your driver rings. The little tub you get with a new hub or set of rings is enough to last a decade-even with regular servicing.

 a tasty layer of chainstay carbon missing 1 minute in.

 It's probably just you. Given that it's not a weekend warrior hub service feature, but a World Cup racers mechanic pulling it apart - probably for the 30th time this year.

 I don't doubt this works but don't copy at home as it specifically warns against this. I notice the grease is not on the teeth however but still

 All X2’s do

 I hope they now use a bladder like DVO to prevent mixing oil and air and to do all the service at home!

 Because it's Hope and every so often they go a bit crazy and call the bluff of everyone who asks for more powerful brakes.

 ^^^ That, and there are a few people (myself included) who weigh 230lbs and ride fast. 6 pistons to me would feel like 4 to someone who weighs 50lbs less than me. I'd buy these in a heartbeat if I could (edit: I'll buy these in a heartbeat as soon as Hope starts selling them!!!)

 You should ask them directly because nobody around here is fast enough to even consider 6 pistons.

 So all the little people can have a moan and scratch their heads. If you are big and ride fast its not hard to find the limits on a lot of 4 pot brakes now. and you need it on 29"

 Because fanboys love it !

 Everyone thinks it's a power thing. According to hope it's a heat dissipation thing. As a big guy who rides long runs, heat dissipation is pretty important so I'd be curious to give them a go.

 @nickel: indeed, larger pads, more swept area, smaller pistons, more fluid volume, all good for heat dissipation.

 I had multiple sets of the original hope 6 pots and they were so unreliable, and even when they did work, the stopping power wasnt great. i have used a fair few sets of newer hopes and never bene a great fan. Shimano just seem to wor k and have had no problems with any of my sets, from deore to xt.

 Hope have never stopped making the vented rotors, they've had them since the moto v2, through the tech v2 and tech v4. Its the 6 pot caliper that's not been since around 2006 since the mono 6 ti.

 @inked-up-metalhead: I like the double sided vented rotors, the only problem is aftermarket pads are thicker and don't fit in the V4 calliper when using them. There's a bees dick of gap between rotor and pad even with stock pads.

 Whatsa matter? Is not like Luca or Minnaar have had any problems with flats... calm yourself...

 Last year Bruni rode a few races on a set with gold stanchions......... they were sick!

 Maybe it is a floating caliper? Doesn't look like it indeed, but I'll always defend Pinkbike. Yeah I'm actually having lots of fights with myself when I don't agree with them. We're having therapy now. That's me and me.

 so much ... agreed the Nukeproof dropped for 4x looked most mad of all .

 Agreed. For some reason those Mavic wheels give it a high end look even if the colors dont match at all.

 'I wish my brakes weren't so good' said no one, ever.

 Guess someone was lacking braking power... This should do the trick.

 I think TRP do already make and sell barrel adjusters, but they're for brakes, not shifters.

 That's Santa Cruz copying Specialized actually ????

 @yzedf: my point is confirmed

 Since the AssGuy tire was developed