2016 UCI ELITE Mountain Bike Teams Announced

"The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has today published the list of UCI Mountain Bike Teams for 2016.

In total, 129 teams from 30 countries have been registered for the 2016 season. Two nations – Luxembourg and Malaysia – have registered a team for the first time, while Mexico returns with a team after an absence of four years.

As in previous years, 30 teams (15 Endurance teams and 15 Gravity teams) have been awarded UCI ELITE Mountain Bike status. Invitations to join this higher tier of teams were issued to the 12 top Endurance (XC) teams and 12 top Gravity (DHI) teams of a special ranking which was established on the basis of the individual UCI points won by the riders up until December 31^st 2015. The three additional teams of each format (XC and DHI) offered UCI ELITE status were selected at the discretion of the UCI.

UCI ELITE Mountain Bike teams benefit from advantages including free entry to all races on the UCI Mountain Bike International Calendar in the discipline in which the team has ELITE status. This includes free entry, and an obligation to enter at least one rider, into all rounds of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup presented by Shimano.

The 2016 UCI ELITE Mountain Bike teams must confirm their status to the UCI and pay the corresponding fee by February 24^th."

2016 UCI ELITE Mountain Bike Teams

Endurance

• Specialized Racing

• Trek Factory Racing XC

• BH-SR Suntour-KMC

• CST Superior Brentjens Mountainbike Racing Team

• Focus XC Team

• Stöckli Pro Team

• Multivan Merida Biking Team

• SCOTT-ODLO MTB Racing Team

• BMC Mountainbike Racing Team

• Cannondale Factory Racing XC

• Luna Pro Team

• Novus OMX Pro Team

• Ghost Factory Racing

• Kross Racing Team

• Versluys Team

Gravity

• Trek Factory Racing DH

• Santa Cruz Syndicate

• MS Mondraker Team

• Commencal / Vallnord

• Madison Saracen Factory Team

• Specialized Gravity Powered by SRAM

• Kona Factory Team

• Polygon UR

• Bergamont Hayes Factory Team

• The YT Mob

• Radon Magura Factory

• Specialized Racing

• Pivot Factory Racing

• Transition Factory Racing / FMD

• RRP

Transition Bikes Announces The Triple

Transition Unveils a Bold New Wheelsize Standard - 26" Regular

Transition gets back to it's slopestyle short travel roots with the new Triple. You don't have to wear skinny jeans and flip whip like an FMB pro to have fun on this bike. The Triple pays homage to our past Slopestyle models like the BottleRocket and Double with some serious modern day engineering that will make your brain hurt. Stuff like a concentric bottom bracket pivot and an ultra progressive leverage rate curve for maximum boost-ability. If you like your bike packed with features than look no further. The Triple's adjustable dropouts and zero chain growth allows you to run singlespeed without a tensioner, and how about a downtube shifter mount so you can barspin for days without having to worry about your shifter. All this with updated geometry and 'one size fits all' so you don't have to rack your brain over what size to get.

• Zero Chain growth Concentric BB Pivot
• Ultra short 390mm Chainstay Length
• Adjustable 10x135 Dropouts for Gears or SingleSpeed Drivetrains
• Tapered Headtube
• Threaded 73mm Bottom Bracket Shell
• Removable Downtube Shifter Mount
• Frame Weight: 6.2 lbs

Transition Triple Geometry

Complete Bikes

• FRAME/SUSPENSION: Triple Frameset (Neon Green, Poppy Red) / RockShox Monarch R Rear Shock
• RockShox Pike DJ 100mm Fork
• COCKPIT: Kore Rivera (42.5mm) Stem / Kore Torsion (760mm x 50mm) Handlebar / FSA No.57SC Headset / Velo Single Clamp Grips / Transition Pivotal Saddle Saddle w/ Matching Artwork / Plastic Pivotal Seatpost
• BRAKES: SRAM DB1 Brakes / SRAM G2 CS (160mm) Rotors
• DRIVETRAIN: Transition 3 piece Chromo Crank 25t (170mm) / 12t Singlespeed Cog / KMC HL710 Chain
• WHEELS: Kinlin DDT32 Rims / Joytech Singlespeed Rear Hub, 15mm Front Hub / Kenda Small Block 8 26x2.1 60tpi Tires
• PRICE: $2599 USD*

2016 Transition Triple

The All New 2016 Pivot Phoenix DH Carbon

Set your racing on fire. With input from the Pivot Factory racing team, the new Phoenix DH Carbon is 2/3 of a lb lighter, and offers more go-fast features than any other gravity offering on the market. In this video, rider Bernard Kerr, Eliot Jackson and Emilie Siegenthaler offer their input and feedback on what makes the new Phoenix their choice for the 2016 World Cup and Crankworx season.

For 2016, the new Phoenix Carbon has dropped over 300 grams. Pivot’s frame shapes are 100% driven by our pursuit of the perfectly tuned ride, the cleanest design, the strongest product and the lightest possible weight. With our own hollow core, internal, high compression carbon molding process we can deliver on the performance requests of our top athletes by finding the perfect combination of composite materials and shapes for the best possible ride qualities. For us, it means that we put months of engineering and testing into the update, for you (and Bernard Kerr), it means a sub 31lb downhill bike that can land a 30 ft gap into a nose wheelie with confidence. 

2016 Pivot Phoenix Features

27.5‐inch wheels for the fastest runs, bigger tire contact patch, increased stability and steering quality

204mm dw‐link® suspension

Fox Float X2 shock with Evol

157mm X 12mm rear end

Designed to work with forks from 200mm in travel

Full length internal cable routing with Pivot's exclusive cable port system

Adjustable +/‐ .75 degree headset option

Internal dropper post compatible

Cold forged alloy linkages with Enduro Max Cartridge Bearings

Extensive, highly durable, rubberized molded downtube and swingarm protection

180mm rear carbon post mounts disc brake mounts for precision and weight savings

Carbon ISCG‐05 tabs

107mm full carbon BB shell

Available in sizes S, M, L, XL for riders between 5'4" and 6'7"

Dave Weagle, the brains behind dw‐link® and Chris Cocalis, Pivot’s president and founder, have worked together to produce incredible suspension designs since Pivot was launched. For the Phoenix Carbon, they have created a bike that uses the best attributes of the dw‐link® for the ultimate in downhill performance. With the dw‐link’s anti squat and variable wheel travel path and we were able to develop a bike that pedals better than anything else in the downhill category. Because the Phoenix Carbon doesn’t squat or bob under pedaling force we are able to lower the bottom bracket height and slacken the head angle to achieve the best performance in the most technical sections while also maintaining precise handling on the faster sections of the course.

2016 Pivot Phoenix Geometry

For 2016, and as a direct result of feedback from our athletes, the Phoenix Carbon comes with the Fox Float X2. While still coil compatible for riders who prefer that set up, our racers have found that the Fox Float X2 air shock offers better control and a plusher feel allowing them to go faster with greater confidence. The X2 shock features include independent high and low speed compression and rebound adjustments, an EVOL air sleeve for better sensitivity through the reduction in the amount of force it takes to initiate travel, exclusive Kashima coat for durability and friction reduction and the new RVS (Rod Valve System) for a seamless transition between the response to small and large impacts and less harshness. * **

(Float X2 on the Expert build features hard anodized body and independent low speed compression and rebound adjustments)

With the air spring and volume adjust spacers, the Fox Float X2 is far more tunable for rider weight and course conditions than is a coil shock with a selection of springs. After a full season of racing on both shock types, our athletes and in house test riders universally chose the Float X2 as their preferred option.

The Phoenix features 204 mm of travel and is designed to be at the forefront of World Cup racing geometry – long and low – with a range of reach measurements to accommodate a wide range of rider sizes and riding styles. We’ve carefully designed our frames so that both riders who want a racing stance meant for the steeps and those who seek a shorter, more playful fit can find exactly the right Phoenix Carbon.

Every size frame has the same headtube length and seat tube lengths. Riders who want a shorter top tube can go down a size for a playful bike that handles the park with style – perfect for the next Whip-Off World Championships. Riders who want a missile on the racecourse may select a larger size with a longer toptube. For sharper handling with a longer frame, the angled headset offers a plus minus ¾ degree adjustment, especially with the Phoenix 30mm stem option.

The Phoenix Carbon features ultra short 440mm chainstays, and 27.5” wheels. This ultra compact rear triangle rivals 26”wheel designs for handling characteristics with the speed and roll over of 27.5 inch wheels. Additionally, the larger wheels offer a significant increase in contact patch size and stability – even if the course puts you in the back seat, your front wheel is going to track where you want it.

We’ve designed this full carbon frame with the obsessive detailing you expect from Pivot. New for 2016 is the significant increase in tire clearance. A direct result of requests from our racers – this new Phoenix Carbon has tons of room for big knobs and mud for the best performance on messy tracks.

In addition to challenges from terrain and weather, downhill bikes are subject to incredible abuse in a season – from racing to crashing to training shuttles, smart frame protection will give long life to your investment. For this new Phoenix frame, we carefully studied wear patterns on frames ridden everywhere from the World Cup to the backcountry of Colombia, and added updated rubberized frame protection. Now in addition to the molded rubber downtube protector, the seatstay protector on the drive side has doubled in length and we’ve incorporated new protection on the front upright of the rear triangle – all while still dropping an incredible amount of weight.

The Phoenix Carbon also features integrated rubber fork stops at the headtube for even more protection. These same stops do double duty as a part of the Pivot Cable Port System for internal routing. This is the easiest to use internal routing system available and keeps the bike looking clean and functioning perfectly. The 2016 Phoenix features 2 new paint options – Team Blue or Stealth Black.

See more at: http://www.pivotcycles.com/bike/Phoenix-Carbon

Action images by Colin Meagher

YT Joins The World Cup with Aaron Gwin and Angel Suarez

The bike manufacturer YT finally shares its secret and presents its first Downhill World Cup racing team named “The YT Mob”. None other than American Aaron Gwin along with Spanish Youngster Angel Suarez will stir up the downhill world, while the team will be operated by 23 Degrees Sports with Martin Whiteley as Team Director.

Exactly one week ago the terrible news about the death of YT team rider Kelly McGarry made headlines all around the globe. The team at YT is still at a loss for words regarding the sudden loss of this extraordinary character. Unsure about the right moment to release the much-anticipated news about Aaron Gwin and the downhill team, YT has now decided to make it official: Aaron Gwin is coming to Forchheim!

After an extensive search, the 28-year-old downhill superstar has decided to join the German bike manufacturer. Aaron Gwin’s team mate is 20-year-old Angel Suarez from Vigo, who can look back on a very successful motocross career and who has already showcased his immense downhill racing potential with a top 20 finish at the World Cup in Lenzerheide in 2015. With the Mob, YT joins the World Cup circus for the first time in its history.

Finally, the long-awaited wish to send the TUES onto the world’s toughest tracks to prove that the downhill machine is not just a top-notch freeride beast, but also a proper racing tool is now coming true. With his distinctive racing focus and his untamed will to win, Aaron Gwin adds a new dimension to the YT family. It was particularly important for Gwin that his new bike sponsor shares the same passion and dedication for downhill as he does. With YT he has a like-minded crew on his side, one that is completely committed to the gravity aspect of mountain biking. The set-up of the bikes out of Forchheim could not be any better: The kinematic concept and the geometry of the TUES convinced the multiple World Cup winner already after the first ride. There will be no changes made to the frame itself, Gwin will ride all the World Cup races with a stock TUES frame.

So, has YT had a change of heart, deviating from their Good Times mentality to now only heavily focus on nothing but rankings and podiums? “No way”, says CEO Markus Flossmann. “Good Times is also the motto of our YT Mob. We are going to offer our riders the best bikes and conditions, so they can focus on doing their thing. The fun of racing will always come first, because eventually the rider who can stay relaxed and calm during the heat and stress of racing will take the win. We are beyond thrilled to have Aaron and Angel joining us.”

Gwin is also excited about his new sponsor: “The unbelievable hype that we’ve seen over the last few weeks and the feedback of the fans were incredible, but I am really happy to finally announce the news. We are a great match because the guys at YT share the same passion for mountain biking as I do. I am sure we will have a great time together. The TUES is perfect and I am really happy to officially ride it from now on.”

In addition to YT as title sponsor, the YT Mob will have the following co-sponsors: e*thirteen, Onza Tires, TRP, Renthal, SDG, Motorex, ODI, Cane Creek and Alpinestars.

About YT Industries:
In 2008, CEO Markus Flossmann founded YT with the aim to build competition-ready, affordable dirt jump and slopestyle mountain bikes for talented young riders. After only eight years, the product range includes high-end downhill and enduro bikes, which are awarded with renowned prices on a regular basis. The secret of success: high quality products, fair prices, the direct selling method which eliminates the profit margins of middlemen, an unmatched reputation and last but not least world-class team riders like Cam Zink, Andreu Lacondeguy and Aaron Gwin, who have joined the YT family.

By now, YT has established distribution channels in Europe, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Asia and Africa.

Aaron Gwin Joins YT Bikes

We knew the news would be out soon and now it is official YT bikes welcomes AG to the team!

"The best downhill rider in the world right now meets YT? We’d say Good Times ahead. The multiple downhill World Cup winner, Aaron Gwin decided to join the YT Family. Aaron is one of the coolest and most professional riders of the World Cup circus: Aaron holds his nerve like none other, and gets on the top step of the podium even under the most ridiculous circumstances. He is always pushing his limits and is known for keeping his composure when things get gnarly - like his legendary chainless World Cup win in Leogang, for example. His fourteen World Cup victories and three overall World Cup titles have already made him a living legend.

To finally lay claim to the long-desired and much-awaited World Championship title, Aaron has chosen YT and the TUES after a long search. Everything has got to be on point now. The TUES and Aaron is a match made in heaven as the geometry and suspension concept of the TUES correspond exactly to Aaron’s preferences. The conditions for winning a World Championship title could not be any more favorable. Go for it, Aaron!"