Mitch Ropelato has just won a us dh race.
On a 29er stumpjumper……
Beating Aaron Gwin………
Wtf.
It’s a pedaly course, but, wtf……
Is it still april 1st in america.
That’s going to be an April fool. They keep saying how official results have yet to be confirmed. Besides if he was going to do it on a spec that’s not a dh bike surely he’d take the enduro.
I foresee this thread being a lot more active once it’s official whether it is indeed a joke with posts like “well that was bloody obvious, only a fool would believe it” or vice versa.
Paceman – Member
its not out of the question, 75% of the track did appear to be fire road after all.
You can only race on and against what’s put in front of you. DH races aren’t won on the fireroad sections.
Unless it’s 75% of the course then it’s a race that goes down a hill 🙁
If a race is won on a stumpy then it’s not a proper DH race it’s XC with some manly bits
True but DH races, at least at World Cup level, don’t usually have that long a flat section in them. Pietermaritzburg might be an exception and we saw plenty of people using dropper posts, lock outs and semi slick tyres there in the past. If it is an April fools its very clever precisely because it does look very plausible.
If it was the same course from the PB helmet can footage above then why not?
A nice light XC 29er could be gotten through the rocky top section swiftly if under a skilled rider, and then the relatively smoother bottom part of the course would reward a bike that peddles and rolls well…
Unless it’s 75% of the course then it’s a race that goes down a hill
If a race is won on a stumpy then it’s not a proper DH race it’s XC with some manly bits
Keep making up the excuses… You haven’t ridden one of those Stumpy Evo’s have you?
I wonder how many doubters they’ll be when Curtis Keene starts kicking ass on the 29″ Enduro. No doubt the forum heros on here will still have their excuses.
DH races aren’t won on the fireroad sections.
That’s a statement from someone who never raced at mount ashcombe.
Never raced any DH but love watching it. Time will tell I suppose but I doubt it’ll be long before there’s a mix of wheel sizes battling it out at DH and Enduro events, much like there is already at marathon and XC. In my opinion, baring bad luck with mechanicals, the fittest and most skilful rider usually wins. They’re likely to be riding whatever wheel size their sponsor is currently pushing.
Makes me wonder….wouldn’t surprise me if they start to tailor the courses to suit 29ers..ie more flat pedally sections…the way the industry is going it really would not surprise me! They will eventually kill off true downhill! 🙄
JCL – Member
Unless it’s 75% of the course then it’s a race that goes down a hill
If a race is won on a stumpy then it’s not a proper DH race it’s XC with some manly bits
Keep making up the excuses… You haven’t ridden one of those Stumpy Evo’s have you? I wonder how many doubters they’ll be when Curtis Keene starts kicking ass on the 29″ Enduro. No doubt the forum heros on here will still have their excuses.
POSTED 5 HOURS AGO # REPORT-POST
Yes but it will never happen on a true dh course will it!
Keep making up the excuses… You haven’t ridden one of those Stumpy Evo’s have you?
I wonder how many doubters they’ll be when Curtis Keene starts kicking ass on the 29″ Enduro. No doubt the forum heros on here will still have their excuses.
Yay I was wondering when you’d show up! Forget the wheel size, it was a DH race won on an XC bike, that tells you everything you need to know about the course. The same could well happen at Sea Otter with its tame as anything track. But if you truly believe that the top guys are gonna switch to 29ers for the World Cup season, then you knock yourself out big guy!
From Ridemonkey:
You guys have seen fontana right? It’s a couple of rocky sections with some wind sprints, one on totally flat ground. I’m actually surprised mitch rode a suspension bike. It probably slowed him down.
pussywillow – Member
Makes me wonder….wouldn’t surprise me if they start to tailor the courses to suit 29ers..ie more flat pedally sections…the way the industry is going it really would not surprise me!
Have you actually ridden a decent 29er FS Trail Bike?? Flat trails suit smaller wheels, bigger wheels eat rock gardens and roots. I’m not suggesting they’re suitable for DH racing, but seriously you’re talking rubbish.
Looking on my phone, but it looks like no chain device either.
XX1 innit.
Makes me wonder….wouldn’t surprise me if they start to tailor the courses to suit 29ers..ie more flat pedally sections…the way the industry is going it really would not surprise me! They will eventually kill off true downhill!
Brilliant, so when 29ers/650b do start to succeed in DH racing its because they’re making courses to suit and ‘killing off’ DH. How do you hear with your head that deep in the sand?!