Video: Aaron Gwin’s winning DH run from Windham UCI World Cup 2015

WFO. That was killer.

I’ve never ridden a DH bike (I know, I know…) but I’ve got to imagine stuff like sells DH bikes for Specialized. I mean, Gwin must be fantastically skilled, but the suspension setup has got to matter some, no? He tore through that rock garden like it wasn’t there.

Jake, Gwin runs the stiffest suspension on the WC, by far, like F1 stiff. A fact Rob Warner has mentioned several times on RBTV. Unless you’re racing at that level, no one would want suspension that stiff.

That was awesome. I still think running SS would be a good way to drop weight and risk; no way there’s any shifting going on there. Find the right cog during practice runs, set it and forget it.

@Ryan, there’s not a lot of shifting going on, but the gear you use coming out of the start gate and what you use when you’re trying to hammer towards the finish line are absolutely different. And when hundredths of a second can matter, having those gears will matter. In addition, with limited practice runs, wasting one or more on gear selection is going to be practical. Lastly, you still have to deal with chain tension on a full-suspension bike somehow.

@Ryan, I get where the thought is coming from, but from my point of view, the weight savings wouldn’t be worth it. Even in DH, there’s a benefit to having some gear selection.

@justin weight has a HUGE impact on handling. the days of heavy DH bikes are long over. most pro’s are on bikes in the 32-34 lb range. point of reference, the s-works demo 8 comes stock at a touch over 33 lbs.