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Olympic mountain bike race

 
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oh2guy

Aug 24, 08 8:28

Post #1 of 7 (223 views)
Olympic mountain bike race Can't Post
I'm watching the Olympic mountain bike race and noticed that most of the riders are using hardtail bikes. In fact, I don't think I saw any full suspension bikes. It's been quite a few years since I last went mountain biking and was surprised to see that they were using hardtails. Why is that? Are Xterra athletes doing the same thing?


Twitchslow

Aug 24, 08 8:50

Post #2 of 7 (200 views)
Re: Olympic mountain bike race [oh2guy] [In reply to] Can't Post
In Reply To
In fact, I don't think I saw any full suspension bikes.

There were some riders using full suspesion bikes, e.g. Cannondale-Vredestein team riders Roel Paulissen (Belgium), Jakob Fuglsang (Denmark) and Kashi Leuchs (New Zealand).
Roel Paulissen was leading the race at some time in the first part of the race, so he was televised a lot at that time.

http://cyclingnews.com/...ics08/?id=results/38
Quote

Roel Paulissen (Belgium)
Photo ©: Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com


Jakob Fuglsang (Denmark)
Photo ©: Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com


Kashi Leuchs (New Zealand)
Photo ©: Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com
 
http://cyclingnews.com/...s/olympic_tech_01_08
Quote
Cannondale equips its Olympians with 19lb Scalpel

Cannondale has outfitted Cannondale-Vredestein team riders Roel Paulissen (Belgium), Jakob Fuglsang (Denmark) and Kashi Leuchs (New Zealand) with a special superlight Olympic Edition Scalpel claimed to weigh just 8.8kg (19.4lb).
The 'Zero Pivot'-equipped Scalpel chassis is already light as is but Cannondale has augmented the special machines with higher modulus carbon fibers (which allow for a lighter frame with comparable rigidity) and a raw finish with minimal decaling (because paint is surprisingly heavy). Likewise, the 'ride tuned and race optimized' Headshok Lefty has been pared down as well although we're not exactly sure how other than with the unorthodox rubber sleeve which replaces the stock accordion boot.
We can't confirm the spec on Fuglsang and Leuchs' bikes but Paulissen's machine is definitely tricked out in terms of componentry (Christoph Sauser would be proud). Mavic and Vredestein have provided prototype carbon-spoked Crossmax tubulars and matching Black Panther rubber, rear suspension duties are handled by DT Swiss' ultralight carbon-bodied shock, and Cannondale fits the bottom bracket with ceramic bearings and a 2x9 spider.
That chainring spider is fitted with a carbon-and-titanium Carbon-Ti outer ring though (and controlled with a SRAM Force road front derailleur), and the German exotica continues with the ultralight carbon post (which appears to be an AX-Lightness) and aluminium-and-carbon FRM stem. The rest of the running gear is fairly standard, including the SRAM X.0 rear derailleur and twist shifters, Avid Juicy Ultimate hydraulic disc brakes (with stainless steel rotors front and rear), KMC X9SL chain, Cannondale aluminium bar ends, a fi'zi:k Arione CX saddle, an FSA K-Force carbon flat bar, and Crankbrothers Egg Beater 4Ti pedals. Yowza.

Cannondale rider Roel Paulissen (Belgium) will set off on a special-edition Scalpel.
Photo ©: Cannondale


Cannondale engineers shaved some weight from the frame and fork with upgraded carbon, a raw finish and a few internal tweaks.
Photo ©: Cannondale


Paint is surprisingly heavy so Cannondale's riders will go with a raw carbon finish and minimal decals.
Photo ©: Cannondale


A simple rubber sleeve substitutes the accordian boot on the Headshok Lefty.
Photo ©: Cannondale


Cannondale Olympic-edition Scalpels are ultralight at sub-9kg.
Photo ©: Cannondale
 
The Liam Killeen (Great Britain) and the regin World Champion Christoph Sauser (Switzerland) who was also in the front of the race for a long time was also riding a full suspension bikes from Specialized: http://cyclingnews.com/...ics08/?id=results/38

Quote


Christoph Sauser (Switzerland)
Photo ©: Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com




Liam Killeen (Great Britain)
Photo ©: Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com


Liam Killeen (Great Britain) fought his way up from last to seventh.
Photo ©: Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com
 

Most MTB'ers switch between full suspension and hardtail depending on the course.


(This post was edited by Twitchslow on Aug 24, 08 9:15)


indytri

Aug 24, 08 9:04

Post #3 of 7 (189 views)
Re: Olympic mountain bike race [oh2guy] [In reply to] Can't Post
Part of it came down to, the original course they had during the test event last year was like a dirt road the whole way through. So most guys were going to use HTs. They beefed up the course this summer. Most guys didn't realize how much more tech it was, and were stuck with the HT they brought. This race is a bit different since they don't have their unusual trade team support there, so they didn't have the choice of bikes like normal.


flying wombat

Aug 24, 08 9:15

Post #4 of 7 (179 views)
Re: Olympic mountain bike race [oh2guy] [In reply to] Can't Post
It comes down to the course usually, on a smooth non tech course like Beijing was a hardtail will work as well, and be lighter. On other courses they may opt for full suspension. What would be usefull would be increased use of powermeters so riders can pre ride a course with a couple of bikes and see what bike is faster. Absalon who won the Gold is an amazing bike handler so he can probably get away with a hardtail on courses that might benefit other riders on FS bikes.
Both the World Championship XC and Marathon this year were won on full suspension bikes.
tri-mesa.com

paragoncycling.com


Twitchslow

Aug 24, 08 9:21

Post #5 of 7 (172 views)
Re: Olympic mountain bike race [flying wombat] [In reply to] Can't Post
In Reply To
on a smooth non tech course like Beijing

The course was changed a lot since last years test ride where a lot of riders were complaning that the course was too easy and alsmot like a road course.
The organizers changed the court a lot based on the feedback and made it a lot harder and put in a lot of rocks etc. And now at the Olympics the riders were complaning it was almost made too hard now - the hardest Olympic MTB course ever.


(This post was edited by Twitchslow on Aug 24, 08 9:23)


indytri

Aug 24, 08 9:33

Post #6 of 7 (155 views)
Re: Olympic mountain bike race [Twitchslow] [In reply to] Can't Post
Thats' what happens when you let a guy that builds world cup four-cross courses beef up your XC course. You get a proper mountain bike course....:)


ttocsmi

Aug 24, 08 9:36

Post #7 of 7 (152 views)
Re: Olympic mountain bike race [Twitchslow] [In reply to] Can't Post
Watching the women's race on tv, the course didn't look THAT hard. Except for the long switchback climb.

At a few points, they weren't going very fast at all. Heck, even I can ride that fast. After a quick reminder that these are some of the best riders in the world, it shows that television coverage is deceiving.
_

All of a sudden, I found myself in love with the world
So there was only one thing that I could do
Was ding a ding dang my dang a long ling long