{"id":52930,"date":"2023-08-07T18:24:32","date_gmt":"2023-08-07T16:24:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=742258"},"modified":"2023-08-07T18:35:49","modified_gmt":"2023-08-07T16:35:49","slug":"10-stand-out-downhill-bikes-from-the-world-championship","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/10-stand-out-downhill-bikes-from-the-world-championship\/","title":{"rendered":"10 stand-out downhill bikes from the World Championship"},"content":{"rendered":"

We take a look at some of the most striking tech and paint schemes from Fort William <\/p>

By James Costley-White\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Monday, 07 August 2023 at 16:24 PM<\/p>

\n\n

The World Championship is a key event in the downhill calendar, with riders representing their country on arguably the biggest stage in mountain biking.<\/p>\n

This year, the UCI World Championships were held together in Scotland, with the downhill taking place at Fort William for the first time since 2007.<\/p>\n

As with other UCI World Championship winners, the victor will get to adorn his or her jersey with rainbow stripes for the next year.<\/p>\n

Charlie Hatton took gold in the Elite Men\u2019s race for Great Britain, with Vali H\u00f6ll taking the win in the Elite Women\u2019s.<\/p>\n

The World Championships is also a time for athletes to test the latest and greatest tech innovations, with this year being no exception as many riders showed off prototype bikes.<\/p>\n

Riders are also allowed to race in colours that are different from their usual sponsors, with the grid awash with patriotic paint schemes and custom graphics.<\/p>\n

Here are 10 stand-out bikes from this year\u2019s UCI DH World Championship.<\/p>\n

Matt Walker\u2019s Saracen Myst prototype<\/h2>\n
\"Matt<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
To celebrate the host nation, Walker has his Saracen painted in British Racing Green.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Matt Walker\u2019s Saracen has an eye-catching British Racing Green paintjob with marbled finish and Shropshire flag (his Scottish teammate Greg Williamson\u2019s is blue with a tartan motif), but the bike underneath is pretty special, too. It\u2019s a new Myst, designed to remain more active under braking.<\/p>\n

\"Matt<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Saracen has followed other manufacturers and given the Myst a concentric rear-axle pivot.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

On the team\u2019s previous race bikes, this was achieved by attaching a floating brake arm. Here, Saracen has added a concentric rear-axle pivot \u2013 a design also used by Trek and Pivot. This effectively turns the Myst from a single-pivot design with linkage-actuated shock into a four-bar linkage bike. The shock is now driven by a system of three links.<\/p>\n

\"Matt<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The British Racing Green of the frame was complemented by a CNC-machined linkage.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

The first prototype of the bike was tested at European races early in the year. This is the second iteration, which, according to Matt\u2019s mechanic Ewan Collier, should be in production soon.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe wanted to improve the ride balance and separate the suspension from braking to suit modern shorter but increasingly fast tracks, without completely redesigning the frame,\u201d he explains. Apparently, brake jack is much reduced compared to the old Myst, which was built with more of a focus on pedalling.<\/p>\n

Neko Mulally\u2019s Frameworks Racing\/Cotic colab prototype<\/h2>\n
\"Neko<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Neko Mulally was running an O-Chain to deal with pedal kickback.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

As part of Neko Mulally\u2019s ongoing project to develop the ultimate downhill bike for himself and his Frameworks Racing team, the American has teamed up with Cy Turner of UK brand Cotic.<\/p>\n

After a lengthy conversation with Turner about the benefits of ferrous tubing at last year\u2019s Les Gets World Cup, Mulally was keen to see how the bike would ride with a steel front end. Apparently, he was looking to improve durability, but was also interested to see if there was any performance advantage in terms of grip.<\/p>\n

\"Neko<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The steel of the frameset still showed signs of welding on race day.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Cotic created a steel front triangle for him, to be paired with the carbon fibre swingarm and alloy rocker link of the v1 Frameworks prototype.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, Neko never got to ride it, because he broke his hip, but other testers gave favourable feedback, so when Frameworks moved on to a v2 prototype, Turner offered to make a steel front end for that, too, creating the bike you see here.<\/p>\n

The down tube and main pivot are the same as on Cotic\u2019s RocketMAX<\/a> enduro bike, the seat tube is similar but not quite the same, and the top tube is non-ovalised and thicker-walled.<\/p>\n

In addition to the usual small gussets at the junctions of the head tube and top and down tubes, there\u2019s a large plate gusset. Turner admits erring on the side of the caution with this, having never designed a downhill bike before, but points out: \u201cThey [Frameworks] had to add one to the V1 alloy frames to get them to last.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brook Macdonald\u2019s Mondraker Summum prototype<\/h2>\n
\"Brook<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Brook Macdonald says the new bike has been designed from the ground up.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

We brought you news of a new Mondraker prototype at the season-opening Lenzerheide World Cup<\/a>, but the shrouds have now been removed and MS Mondraker race engineer Jake Ireland was able to give us the lowdown.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe started with a blank slate,\u201d he explains. \u201cAlthough it still looks like a Mondraker and still uses a twin-link design, it\u2019s about as different from the old bike as it could be.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Brook<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The rear shock now appears to attach directly to the rear triangle.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

There\u2019s a new suspension setup, designed to get the best from modern coil-sprung dampers, with the shock now attaching to the rear triangle, not the lower link.<\/p>\n

Plenty of adjustability is built in, too \u2013 you can change the reach of both sizes by 21mm and the chainstay length by 10mm, bolt on different bottom bracket shells to change BB height and location, and flip a chip in the shock mount to tweak the initial leverage ratio.<\/p>\n

Bolt-in weights can also be added, to fine-tune the balance of the bike. These slide into the base of the down tube.<\/p>\n

\"Brook<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The bike features Mondraker\u2019s iconic Forward geometry.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

\u201cThe last bike was built with more of a focus on pedalling,\u201d says Ireland. \u201cWe need to make sure it pedals well, but it\u2019s more important that it\u2019s balanced.\u201d Geometry is similar to the previous Summum, although the team are taking advantage of the extra adjustability to run the BB higher, at 350mm, compared to 340mm.<\/p>\n

Bernard Kerr\u2019s Pivot Phoenix prototype<\/h2>\n
\"Bernard<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Bernard Kerr\u2019s Pivot Phoenix prototype featured Ferrari-inspired decals on the top tube.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Another bike first spotted at Lenzerheide, we now have some more details on Bernard Kerr\u2019s Pivot \u2013 which was given a special World Championship paintjob to match the classic yellow Ferrari Testarossa he\u2019s recently purchased.<\/p>\n

Apparently, the bike handles a lot better than the car.<\/p>\n

While its lugged carbon construction has seen inevitable comparison with the Atherton Racing bikes, Kerr is at pains to point out this is only so he can try out different tube lengths and thicknesses during testing, and that production bikes will be built using carbon fibre moulds.<\/p>\n

Also, the carbon tubes are created in-house and the lugs are painstakingly machined \u2013 a process that took 90 hours for this bike, contributing to its high cost (tens of thousands of pounds, according to Kerr) \u2013 rather than 3D printed.<\/p>\n

\"Bernard<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
There is very little information about the bike\u2019s suspension linkage, though it appears to be using a Dave Weagle designed six-bar system.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

The Atherton comparisons aren\u2019t quietened by the use of a similar DW6 suspension design \u2013 although Kerr argues Pivot\u2019s version is more of a \u201cDW5-and-a-half\u201d because it uses flex-stays instead of a rear pivot.<\/p>\n

\"Bernard<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Two chains are used on the drivetrain.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

It\u2019s configured very differently, too, with a high main pivot for improved performance over square-edged bumps, an idler wheel to combat pedal kickback and dual chains. Links can be swapped to make the suspension more progressive or more linear.<\/p>\n

\"Bernard<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Bernard Kerr uses a WTB gravel saddle because he says it provides more cushioning than traditional downhill saddles.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Asked about the thinking behind the changes to the Phoenix, Kerr says simply: \u201cI want to make a fast bike\u201d. He\u2019s running some special kit, too, including custom pedal pins, a new fork damper (which can\u2019t be bought yet) and a WTB Gravelier saddle, which is aimed at gravel riders, but he likes because of its short back.<\/p>\n

Aimi Kenyon\u2019s Santa Cruz V10<\/h2>\n
\"Aimi<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Aimi Kenyon\u2019s Santa Cruz V10 was painted in a quintessentially Scottish colourway.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Scottish Junior Aimi Kenyon may have narrowly missed out on a medal, finishing fourth behind the all-Kiwi top three, but her V10 stole the show. What could be more fitting for a World Champs in Scotland than an Irn Bru-themed bike?<\/p>\n

\"Aimi<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Aimi Kenyon was using Manitou\u2019s Dorado fork and Iron Bru coloured grips.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

According to Pinkbike Racing \u2018team dad\u2019 Ben Cathro, Kenyon herself came up with idea \u2013 partly because of the sugar-laden drink\u2019s connection with her homeland, but also because she likes a can or two.<\/p>\n

Fat Creations did the paintwork, which even incorporated the bubbles in the beverage, along with a flaming unicorn \u2013 a nod to some previous artwork by Kenyon\u2019s dad, as well as Scotland\u2019s national animal.<\/p>\n

\"Aimi<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
An EXT Arma shock is used at the rear of the bike.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

The bike itself is a stock size-large Santa Cruz V10, even down to the standard tune on the shock (Kenyon had been running a custom tune, but wanted a firmer setup, having built up speed during the season).<\/p>\n

There\u2019s some less common kit bolted on, though, in the form of an \u2018upside-down\u2019 Manitou Dorado fork, an EXT Arma shock and some spiky STFU Stay Guard chainstay protection.<\/p>\n

Rachel Atherton\u2019s Atherton Downhill.200<\/h2>\n
\"Rachel<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Rachel Atherton\u2019s bike was understated, with gold frame accents making reference to her previous successes.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Rachel Atherton\u2019s DH.200 was one of the sleekest-looking bikes at the Worlds, with its gold decals\/details and stealth-black frame. We\u2019ve covered Atherton Bikes<\/a>\u2019 lugged carbon construction and DW6 suspension design in depth before,\u00a0so we won\u2019t go into that here.<\/p>\n

\"Rachel<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Atherton\u2019s Downhill.200 uses a similar suspension design to Pivot\u2019s Firebird prototype.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Atherton rides a standard size-six bike, the most notable addition here being the Ochain Active Spider seen on a lot of riders\u2019 bikes at the Championships. This enables the chain to move a small amount independently of the chainring, to help combat pedal kickback and keep the suspension super-smooth.<\/p>\n

Atherton used this for the first time in Lenzerheide and is enthusiastic about its benefits, even if her brother Dan isn\u2019t sold on the idea.<\/p>\n

\"Rachel<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Rachel Atherton \u2018s Atherton Downhill.200 DH bike turned plenty of heads.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Unfortunately, Atherton dislocated her shoulder in practice \u2013 in her words, \u201cI cased a jump and it popped out\u201d \u2013 but she managed to roll down the hill in qualification, heavily strapped up by the Red Bull physio, and was determined to ride in the final.<\/p>\n

Mike Huter\u2019s Gamux Sego prototype<\/h2>\n
\"Gamux<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Gamux Sego prototype was one of the more radical designs present at Fort William.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Gamux Factory Racing\u2019s gearbox-equipped, belt-driven bike was one of the most out-there creations being raced in Fort William. While we were able to take this spy shot of Junior racer Mike Huter\u2019s bike, we weren\u2019t able to get any details from the Swiss brand.<\/p>\n

\"Gamux<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Gearbox drivetrains centre the weight in the middle of the bike, while reducing unsprung mass from the rear wheel, theoretically resulting in better suspension performance.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

It uses a Pinion gearbox and a Gates belt drive instead of a chain \u2013 something only allowed in UCI competition since the start of this year.<\/p>\n

\"Gamux<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Belt drives have the advantage of being quieter than chains, while also being stronger.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

The swingarm appears to be CNC-machined from aluminium billet, while the front triangle has a similar look to the old cast-aluminium Empire bikes. Intriguing stuff\u2026<\/p>\n

Tahnee Seagrave\u2019s Canyon Sender<\/h2>\n
\"Tahnee<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Seagrave had some tartan woven into her bike.<\/span><\/figcaption> Steve Behr<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Interestingly, while the Canyon CLLCTV and FMD Racing teams opted to use the German brand\u2019s latest KIS steering-stabilising tech at earlier World Cup rounds, they ditched it for Fort William. This was on the basis that it isn\u2019t well-suited to the Fort William track, once renowned as one of the roughest on the circuit.<\/p>\n

The teams have access to a version that can be attached or removed, but performance manager Fabien Barel says on production bikes it\u2019ll be built-in, albeit adjustable.<\/p>\n

The tartan design on Tahnee\u2019s frame is carried over onto her Fizik saddle \u2013 a nice touch.<\/p>\n

Jordan Williams\u2019 Specialized Demo<\/h2>\n
\"Jordan<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Jordan Williams embraced the venue with a custom paint scheme on his Specialized Demo.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

While teammate Lo\u00efc Bruni was riding the same shrouded, stealth-black prototype frame first seen in Lenzerheide, young Brit hopeful Jordan was no such shrinking violet with his tartan-inspired red and blue standard Demo.<\/p>\n

Laurie Greenland\u2019s Santa Cruz V10<\/h2>\n
\"Laurie<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Laurie Greenland had his Santa Cruz V10 set up as a mullet for Fort William.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

The Syndicate team all had matching themed bikes \u2013 including Jackson Goldstone, missing due to injury. Greg Minnaar\u2019s was South African green and gold, Bristol-based Greenland\u2019s blue and red, and Nina Hoffmann\u2019s the black, red and gold of the German flag.<\/p>\n

\"Laurie<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Laurie Greenland\u2019s Santa Cruz V10 features a tartan-esque paintjob on the down tube.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Attention to detail extended all the way to coloured spoke nipples. Head coach Steve Peat was on hand to spur the riders on, along with his wife Adele and two sons, plus Santa Cruz founder Rob Roskopp and former team manager Kathy Sessler.<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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