The XC World Championships were due to take place in Albstadt this past weekend and right at the sharp end of the favourites list were likely to be Scott's spearhead of Kate Courtney and Nino Schurter. Nino is reigning champion for the men, after picking up his 8th Elite Rainbow Jersey in Mont Sainte Anne while Kate would be looking to add to her collection having won her first in Lenzerheide in 2018.
Neither have taken to the race track yet this year but will no doubt be hard in training for the truncated season that's scheduled to kick off in September. Scott have fired over these pictures of their race bikes so we can know what to expect when racing does resume. Here, Nino's was set up for the Cape Epic, which requires a slightly different bike than World Cups, but we've included his World Cup numbers wherever there's a difference.
The RidersFrameSuspension2 different forks for the 2 racers. Kate goes with the Sid SL at 100mm of travel with 32mm stanchions while Nino goes with the more burly Sid Ultimate with 35mm stanchions pared down to 110mm travel.
WheelsNino and Kate run different treads, with Kate on the prototype, low profile Aspen ST we saw at some World Cups last year and Nino the regular version. Nino runs the same tread at World Cups or the Cape Epic.
CockpitDrivetrain
Look at that stupid syncros handlebar they sell, full nino spec. I dont know anyone who would ride it or is interested, but Nino rides it, so Scott is going to sell it. Do you honestly think if Nino wanted to ride a 10-32 cassette that SRAM would let him? You dont think that would affect sales? Imagine trying to sell top of the line spec, but nino wont touch it, but it's the best, but your top rider isnt on it.
These guys change chain ring size according to the average speed of the race course so they can stay in the middle of the cassette most of the time.
I don’t know exact numbers but it’s a big difference in wattage requirements running 15mph with a straight chai line and the same speed with a sideways line. It’s quite a common practice in XC racing.
Now let’s see an Enduro or DH racer ride with those pressures without spooning the rim.
Ok I'll see myself out.
I bet close to 23 pounds for Nino's.
Sram sould have produced a smaller version of his cassette, not that 52t...
1. Take a wiz while riding without getting urine on their tires ( obviously)
2. Calculate the ideal tire pressure for the rider, terrain and riding style. ( no more guess work)
TireWiz Plus will adjust the pressure to the optimum continuously to be released in 2021.
Compatible with your windows or blackberry phone, iphone and android release delayed due to covid.
Works only on 26 inch bikes up to 2.4 width
www.sram.com/en/quarq/series/tyrewiz
www.vitalmtb.com/interstitial?page=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vitalmtb.com%2Fvideos%2Fmember%2FLearn-Nino-Schurters-Bike-Handling-Skills-and-Tips%2C37813%2FBHowell%2C45918
Did she not win any races for Scott yet?
Can I ride your bike please?