DogVet profile

Never fails to amaze me, I have an ex World Cup 4x rider mate whom we built a bike up for, he took it out with no set up at all, ( in fact probably no idea how to set it up) and proceeded to spank most folks time on the trails, jumps, corners, off camber sections, in fact anywhere… which has proved to me that it is the rider and no matter how many dials, tweaks, fancy damping you can buy, someone on a hugely badly set up bike will make you wish you had taken up golf!!

But, yes, for everyone else, the perceived or actual benefits are out there to be purchased.

Looks very much akin to the Giant Maestro linkage, the detail of course in the exact pivot location.

There are a few companies that are started by Ex WC DHers, Dan Critchlow @ Burgtec, the Atherton family in the UK.

Ooops ok,” across the pond” any better?!!

Either way get a ticket and ride some of Italy’s finest, as well as see it’s incredible scenery in the Alps-Maritime

I first saw an MDE ridden by the guide Adi in Molina de Triori, was a beautifully crafted bike back then(2011)

I believe they offer a custom frame build as well.

Would suggest to all you states side have a trip to Italy and ride Molini and Finale if you get a chance.

A mate of mine was at Sea otter this year, speaking to the engineers, they expect 1 in 5 to 1 in 10 frame failures, very often Bb carbon interface. The R and D on most carbon bikes is done by the punter as it’s too expensive to make a mold then test a frame, alloy mules aren’t quite up to the speed. 

The engineers are getting a hard on for the Atherton bikes as they are so much easier to make multiple frame sizes without resort to molds, winner !!

Try that with an E bike, 19 bearings including wheels, shock, fork services, brake pads, full chainset on an annual basis, cost £750 pa 1500 km UK riding!!!and that’s with a shop owners discount!!

My other bike is a single pivot… ha ha

Too many sniper tree stumps in Uk not to have a shoe with a decent toe box, broken my big toe 3 x with softer shoes!! Ouch

Precisely! Orange Switch Six, does everything for me in the Uk. ( I live in the north west UK, close to Welsh hills, so need a bit more travel than Marty who lives in the relatively flat south) plus a FS E bike, which is exquisitely expensive to run!!

A 5010 would be better for those super talented riders. 

Short travel is fine with good geometry, but in the uk, rutted multiple muddy hits soon brings fatigue, particularly where there is little ability to carry speed in order to perform a manoever/ jump over obstacles,  so slightly more travel or a longer travel mullet gives a great blend of speed, balance etc and reduces fatigue levels.

Orbea wild fs team.

1500 km 12 months  in Uk ridden all conditions, I am not a fanatical cleaner of bikes, as they get ridden too often!

Needed full bearing replacement 19 in total including wheel bearings 

Needed complete drive train 

Due lower leg and shock air can service ( every 6 months)

Multiple brake pads, don’t bother with finned versions for winter riding.

Even being a non exec director of a small bike shop this adds up!!

Do the mathematics, it’s expensive to run an E bike!