snotrag

If you ever want a demonstration of what sets the top elite XC riders apart from very, very, very fit amateurs - the last lap of the mens with Martin/Azzaro/Boichis sprinting directly up a literal ski piste, is it. Astounding.

Superb racing this week, proper graft from so many riders who hit the deck pretty hard.

10/10, Gold star to Marin for getting the relationship between reach and seat tube length right! So many people still doing this badly and putting dumb seat tube extensions on their size large.

See my other response about Bold - but yes, it does. The shock stays basically perfectly clean and I've had minimum seal wear.

My Trail bike (that I've done XC and endurance racing on!) is a Bold Linkin - which is exactly where a lot of the design features of this bike comes from (Bold / Scott = Lexus / Toyota). I often thought about swapping it for the now-previous gen Spark, but there were a few things that didnt quite work, such as the reduced post insertion yet tall seat tubes. Looks like they've absolutely nailed it with this one. From my experience - - Sag indicator with little magnet - works great, havent lost one yet. - Integrated cockpit- wonderful, great for putting numberboards on, maintenance is only difficult for ham fisted numpties and bike shop mechs under pressure to build a complete bike in 20 minutes like we used to in 2001. - Save the day kit - brilliant, zero noise, everything there you need hidden from view. - Bearing life, particularly the big one around the BB has been great, no issues. - Want to pull the shock? Two bolts, just like any other bike. - Buld quality, carbon finish, paint finish - exemplary, way better than my old Santa Cruz for instance. I'm totally sold, one the cheaper builds get announced for the UK I may well be in...

The Last Man Standing format is absolutely genius, I bet thats a riot!

His Instagram is quite amusing, usually posting as he's relaxing in the off season by skinning up the alp behind his house. XC skiing being well known as a sedate, relaxed pastime...

Someone has moved the little wooden bridge. I'm out....

@razor: you'd think he'd maybe concentrate on actually doing some top level XCO racing if he is serious about winning that Gold.