Something has been brewing in the world of Trek Factory Racing. Since its inception, the program has slowly been working to consolidate all three MTB disciplines into one factory race program. This season, Trek has finally realized their vision with the addition of a Trek Factory DH team and the future is looking bright.
So what happens when you bring all three squads to a bike park in Spain for a pre-season team camp?
Well, if you take them for a day of “team-building exercises,” you will quickly discover just how competitive these athletes are. There are massive paellas to eat, jump jams in the evening, hi-jinx, near constant Kendama competitions, and plenty of time for the all of the riders to get well-acquainted before spending the upcoming season under one tent.
While most of the time off the bike is light-hearted, the athletes are here to work. There is testing to be done, settings to dial in, and new gear to get familiar with. Jolanda Neff had to sit this one out due to a viral infection but was sorely missed by her new teammates and the extended Trek family.
The pieces are all in place and the season is fast approaching.
Honestly what really shows that Re:Activ isn't what Trek wants it to be is seeing that there is not a Re:Activ shock on any of the Full Suspensions XC race bikes. they boast that the shocks special valve stays closed while Pedaling forces are introduced to the system but when a new force beyond that standard pedal force is applied to the shock the valve opens up fast enough where you can't feel it and allows the suspension to stay active and keeps the tire on the ground.... Right so if thats true why not run it on the XC race bikes that literally need this advantage at all times???
I love me some trek bikes, they have always been good to me but this continued bullshit rear shock tech they have been trying tp hustle people with for the last 10 years needs to just f*ck off. It changes every 3 years with something new and yet they have all just suck and ultimately fail on everyones bike at some point.
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If I had to pick between the two Id rather just have the Re:Activ shock over the Thru-shaft as its less new shit to have go wrong and the wait times to get the the new thru-shafts fixed/ service is kinda crap as getting parts for them can take time even at SRAM tech centers.
I think Trek should leave suspension tech to the Pros and just stop with this proprietary crap.... But in saying that on the Fuel this shock is a pretty nice piece of tech for the type of rider choosing that bike (when the shock is working perfectly) I just wish its consistency and its Failure rate wasn't so bad!
But either way putting this shit on long travel race bikes is no Bueno.
I have noticed Fox rear shocks seem to have a more aggressive feeling lockout but thats not cause they are the only ones who can do it it just what they feel is a better choice for what they are looking to do.
I just feel If trek is working along side the Sram techs to design and build this shock a slight re-valve to make an even stiffer lockout would be achievable and still keep the Re:Activ tech. XC race courses more and more demand the riders to be on full suspension bikes as the courses are getting tougher and tougher. I wouldn't be surprised if many riders have opted for a tiny bit extra squish in their rear shocks just to keep tires on the ground at all parts of the track that are just getting rougher and rougher in general.
Their bikes are solid performers and for me are the feel and response I like from a bike... I just know that I'll be spending a bit to drop the stock rear shock and put on what I like.
I am still usually able to get good money for the OEM shocks as many people keep an eye out for them on PB.
For a second I thought the XC team was riding DVO suspension (because of the color). Is anyone still riding their suspension in these top teams?
Is it common to wear helmets like that when climbing walls? I get you don't want to hit your head when you fall and collide with the wall even though I've never worn them for climbing. My bicycle helmet manual says I'll hang and kill myself when I'd wear it for climbing.
It´s not common to wear them indoors or on climbing towers like the one shown in the pictures. But you never now... and safety first!
Have a nice weekend.
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I see it on eBay all the time.