Tom Pidcock Won Olympics on What Looks Like Electronic Prototype Suspension from SR Suntour

Jul 27, 2021
by Alicia Leggett  
Thomas Pidcock performs at UCI XCO World Cup in Les Gets France on July 4th 2021
The wire from the fork is routed into the frame, with no handlebar controls. Photo: Red Bull Content Pool, Les Gets XCO

Tom Pidcock's mysterious suspension system was first spotted in Nove Mesto when he showed up at the short track race on a bike with surprisingly few cables. Although his bike in several events, including Sunday's XCO just a few days later, featured suspension with standard cable-actuated handlebar remotes, Pidcock appeared to be testing electronic suspension in the XCC event on his unbranded BMC Fourstroke, which he rides because team Ineos Grenadiers' bike sponsor, Pinarello, doesn't make a mountain bike.

Yesterday, he rode the same bike and electronic suspension setup to Olympic victory, which gave us a few more photos to analyze.

While his fork had the same SR Suntour branding as his standard Axon, a thin, electronic-looking cable spouted from the crown and disappeared into the bike's frame instead of the usual mechanical connection to a handlebar remote. On the rear, he rode an unmarked black shock with a much larger diameter than the SR Suntour Edge shock he has often sported. Seated right behind the shock, there was some type of control with another cable routed into the frame near the bottom bracket.

The third shot in this series has a decent view of the control box and the wiring. Note the large shock diameter.

The most likely explanation is that it's a prototype for something similar to the Fox Live Valve or the Specialized Brain, but we've had some back and forth about who is responsible. It would be plausible for Pinarello to be working on a mountain bike, which isn't out of the question considering the brand now sponsors the Olympic XC men's champion, plus Pinarello already makes a road bike with electronic suspension. Next, since it's a BMC frame, it would be possible for BMC to work on creating something to compete with Specialized's Brain. Lastly, SR Suntour would have plenty of incentive to compete with the Fox Live Valve by entering the electronic suspension scene.

If Pinarello re-entered the mountain bike market, they'd have to top this infomercial.

We can rule out it being a Pinarello project simply because of the amount of collaboration it would take between Pinarello and BMC to develop such a system using a BMC frame. Along a similar vein, if BMC were developing an electronic suspension system, the testing would probably be done by sponsored riders like Pauline Ferrand-Prevot and the rest of the Absolute-Absalon team, but that crew is Rockshox'd out. It makes the most sense for it to be a SR Suntour project, but we'll admit that the unbranded shock combined the branded fork had us scratching our heads.

Fortunately, today, SR Suntour all but claimed the project:


This looks like a complete redesign compared with SR Suntour's current cross country offering, the Edge. The prototype has a very different silhouette from the Edge, and obviously the difference between an electronic and a mechanical control is significant.

We have reached out to SR Suntour for comment and will keep our eyes on Tom's bike to keep you updated on all the latest.

Posted In:
Reviews and Tech Spotted XC Racing Shocks Suspension Fork SR Suntour Tom Pidcock Tokyo Olympics


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146 Comments
  • 464 2
 2022 SR Suntour XC forks - now with ramp removal detection technology!
  • 26 3
 Savage.
  • 4 4
 @MikeyMT nice! I camp to make a suspension ramping up joke, you beat me to it
  • 14 4
 too bad the Fox fork MVDP was running didn't have it...
  • 26 1
 Ramp Control?
  • 4 4
 Fantastic
They had electronic lockout in 2008. But wrong sode of the fork for ramp control.

www.srsuntour.com/af/company/company-history

@DC1988:
  • 2 0
 Where do you camp though? @Beaconbike:
  • 7 1
 Gold medal for this comment
  • 3 0
 @enduroNZ: well my sausage fingers camp on the wrong spot of this tiny keyboard all the time.
  • 7 0
 You got downvoted twice: 1. Mathieu van der Poel 2. Ramp company
  • 1 0
 You are either in the "MVDP was told about the ramp camp" or the "MVDP was not told about the ramp camp"
  • 1 0
 @Beaconbike: sausage fingers haha, I've got dims sims for fingers lol
  • 3 0
 @gcrider:

JOKE

--------------------------------------------------------->>


Your head.
  • 2 0
 Lol. To both jokes.
I got it. but posted comment there like a know it all dick head. Ruining everyones fun. @hellanorcal:
  • 108 4
 Fox fan boys mad cause he won on Suntour
  • 25 83
flag SATN-XC (Jul 27, 2021 at 18:00) (Below Threshold)
 Fox fanboy here…would totally give Suntour a shot if their forks looked better. Just looks like something that belongs on a base level bike
  • 172 14
 @SATN-XC: orange and kashima look like ass together.
  • 40 21
 @fruitsd79: black and kashima looks soooo good though.
  • 33 56
flag onemanarmy FL (Jul 27, 2021 at 18:50) (Below Threshold)
 Meh. Fox did just fine this week.

Swept hardline podium,
Neff was on fox.
Luca and Hrastnik both on Fox.
Jackson was on fox for Canadian junior champs.
Rude and naughton both in fox

Plenty of podiums for fox... I’d venture to guess no one else even came close to them..,
  • 37 10
 @SATN-XC: “how do you like your fork? Is it dialed?”

“I dunno…but it’s purdy”

You k is what looks better than Kashima?

Gold
  • 21 3
 Sr suntour are the worlds largest cycling suspension manufacturer. And supply many leading brands. I would not be surprised if Sr Suntour do their magnesium castings for them.
  • 53 2
 @onemanarmy: Neff rides Rockshox SID.....
  • 7 4
 Fox forks are pretty solid all around if you don't like fast rebound. I literally run every fox fork wide open rebound, or max 3 clicks. I like that the adjusters aren't susper-disposable like Rockshox stuff, but Fox's stock rebound tune is super, super slow. I own a factory 34 and an oldschool coil Fox40 BTW.
  • 13 2
 @onemanarmy: Neff is SRAM/Rockshox.
  • 3 24
flag onemanarmy FL (Jul 27, 2021 at 20:11) (Below Threshold)
 @BrambleLee: neff was on a trek supercaliber.
  • 5 19
flag onemanarmy FL (Jul 27, 2021 at 23:00) (Below Threshold)
 @Demoguy: neff rides a super caliber. That’s a fox shock in that frame.
  • 6 2
 @onemanarmy: RockShox SID Ultimate SL.
  • 5 18
flag onemanarmy FL (Jul 27, 2021 at 23:38) (Below Threshold)
 @Augustus-G: I can see just fine. I never said it’s not a sid. What I did say is she’s on a fox shock and she is. The supercaliber comes with a fox shock. Not really sure how much more clear I can state that.
  • 7 0
 @Glory831Guy: this just simply isn’t true lol
  • 2 2
 @nvranka:
Well, literally every comparable RockShocks and Marzocchi fork I've ever tried has had faster rebound than the Fox Stuff, but YMMV.
  • 7 8
 @SATN-XC: past tense. Looked so good in 2015. It’s 2021 now. The days of Kashima looking cool are long gone.
  • 22 8
 I love Kashima coating, it helps you spot who has more money than sense when it comes to buying bike stuff
  • 7 2
 @jaame: what about that classic, heck timeless look of showing up all Fox’d out with 3 different Kashima coatings…

Freaking forks, shocks and droppers always have different color Kashima coatings from each other.
  • 6 4
 @FrankS29: I had the 36 and Transfer on my 3rd gen Nomad in 2015. The colours were exactly the same and it looked the tits with the orange spring on the DHX2. That was a sexual bike, which encapsulated every part of MTB style in 2015. Then 2017 came, and 2018. The thing that made it look bang up to date and modern started to make it look tired and dated. Kind of like an 80s perm, power suit or moustache. Like ice blue Levi’s or a metallic brown Ford Cortina.

The Kashima had to go. In a way I was sad to see the back of it because I lost a lot of money on that bike, but I was not sad to hear the back of it. I’m sure the new owner felt the same about the creak creak creak. It would no doubt make the Kashima bittersweet, knowing that it came with that awful sound and that the two were inseparable.

On to the next. Rockshox is where it’s at these days anyway. Nothing fancy but they are quiet and reliable.
  • 5 1
 @Glory831Guy: I don’t want to alarm you, but Marzocchi and Fox are now the same company and use the same dampers.
  • 35 0
 Imagine caring what brand of suspension someone else prefers lmao.
  • 3 0
 @kilz: this! Anyone who has ridden a lot and takes the sport seriously will know that many of the offerings are great, but certain people seem to get along with different technology better, even if it’s on a marginal level. Confidence is everything.
  • 2 1
 @Glory831Guy: I was wondering if it was just me or Fox in general. My rebound on my 36 is wide open and holy shit is it slow. It really hasn't held me back that I can tell, but knowing it is this slow is disappointing.
  • 3 4
 I'm a fan of Fox Suspension because it has always worked really well for me. Not opposed to any other brand that works really well though. Currently running the Fox Factory Orange/Kash combo that I have very recently learnt looks like "ass" (see comment above in this thread). Bottom line is if you are buying a suspension product based on how it looks you might be missing out. But hey, do what floats your boat and doesn't hurt others. If aesthetics are #1 on your list and it brings you joy...cool...but Fox make really good suspension regardless of how you think they look...as do many other makers right now so also not upset to see other brands, under exceptional (understatement) talent doing well. For real do you really think Pidcock wouldn't have crushed it with a RS or Fox?
  • 1 2
 @Drew-O:
There's still plenty of pre-Fox Marzocchi products out there in the wild. The pre-Fox 380 in particular has way faster rebound than my old Fox40.
  • 3 3
 @snl1200: you should offload the orange/gold combo while you still can - it’s literally the worst colour combo available of any fork on the market!
  • 4 0
 @jaame: Good call. Any lines on a good Oil Slick coloured fork? Make and model not important... it's all about the colour.
  • 1 0
 @snl1200: take my money!!!!
  • 3 0
 @ReformedRoadie: bahaha... (Related side note: don't ever change Pinkbike... no...seriously. Don't. These comment sections are so strangely and abrasively diplomatic)
  • 2 3
 @snl1200: it's absolute comedy. You can pretty much predict which posts will and won't get downvotes.

Speak the truth or use common sense... be prepared to get smashed. It's entertainment for sure. @snl1200: it's absolute comedy. You can pretty much predict which posts will and won't get downvotes.

Speak the truth or use common sense... be prepared to get smashed. It's entertainment for sure.
  • 3 1
 @onemanarmy: dude this is selfishly entertaining knowing what you do, and knowing your time in the mtb game. reading this stream of comments is like listening to a coop of chickens telling an eagle how to fly. keep cluckin!
  • 1 0
 @obee1: that was a weird post error.
  • 2 0
 @SATN-XC: accidentally gave you an upvote and now I hate myself
  • 2 0
 @nvranka: Yeah, it is. Rockshox have a much wider range of rebound adjustment. I had to have my 34 custom tuned and replaced the stock oil with a lighter one to get faster rebound. I weigh 180 lbs and can't imagine what a lighter rider has to deal with for rebound. If you ride in the cold, you're even more screwed. I've owned about 20 high end forks over the years and Fox has changed for the worse in this regard.
  • 1 2
 @Ridefaster: thanks for your anecdote....lol, want mine? I’m 165 and run rebound relatively slow on my 40, 36 and 38.

I run upper end of recommended pressure, usually a tad higher, and multiple spacers in all of my forks.

Sorry, but your need for faster rebound probably stems from running low pressure in your fork / a less progressive setup.

I can’t speak for people who don’t ride aggressively + mostly ride steep dh tracks...but I am 15lbs lighter than you and run relatively slow rebound on all my fox products.

I mostly use my 36 (on trail bike) for less aggressive fitness loops, and run a very middle upper pressure of recommended, 80psi and 3 spacers. Again, relatively slow rebound, but maybe a click outside of recommended...can’t remember, somewhere around 2-3clicks of hsr and maybe 4 lsr.

Have had pretty similar experiences when I used to have some rock shox forks...last one was a lyrik, popped latest charger damper and air spring in it...was running 80-85psi and 3 spacers. Slow rebound just like my 36.

Are you also one of those muppets or runs their tire pressures as low as you can and your bars as wide as they’ll produce them? Ha
  • 1 2
 Lol, 165 pounds on a 36. Hope that's not what you consider a "trail bike." Your trail bike should have a 34 at most bro-bruh.
  • 1 1
 @Glory831Guy: skips what I wrote and tells me what fork i should be running, hahah typical PB clown.

What do you consider a stumpy Evo? certainly isn’t an enduro rig by today’s standards...I consider it a trail/AM bike. For what and how I ride, it would be massively under forked with a 34.

Anyways, I’m done with you. Feels gross to even engage with low life form gapers who think they know shit.
  • 2 1
 @nvranka: Whatever bro. There's three people in this comment section who own Fox products saying that their forks have slow rebound. For some reason you feel the need to defend Fox's honor against these scathing remarks like some kind of groupie lol..
  • 65 4
 Mechanical doping, you read it here first! It takes the mechanical action of the suspension and converts it into electricity which runs the secret little motor. It self destructs and gets ground up by the crank on the last lap. He got the idea from the SuperWheel.
  • 7 1
 seems viable.
  • 7 0
 Confirmed: VW engineers took jobs at Suntour after dieselgate.
  • 27 1
 That pinarello dogma video is still up there if not still at the top of the worst bike related video ever made
  • 6 1
 It's almost as bad as the 2021 pinkbike Canada cup video coverage.
  • 3 0
 It’s hilarious. Watching it you can tell they wrote the copy in Italian and then just Google translated it word for word to English. The voiceover guy must’ve been like “wait you want me to say what??”
  • 2 0
 So many bulls#it acronyms in that video I was laughing about it for ages when I first spotted it. Just the kind of thing I imagined a road bike maker would come out with. Pure comedy. So many laughable design choices that seem more interested in being different than actually being better eg the lower shock mount among others.
  • 19 6
 How much longer until we get wireless brakes? I really need to get to work on my barspins.
  • 3 2
 Okay I have seen magura mention wireless brakes and have not put much thought into it as it seems it will be a while before it is actually here. But if its not a hydraulic line obviously, how would it supply braking power?
  • 27 2
 @chillrider199: That's the engineers' problem to figure out.
  • 8 0
 @chillrider199: stepper motor in caliper, actuator in the remote (lever). Force doesn't have to be physically tied to the lever/hand.
  • 7 0
 @chillrider199: There would be a remote slave cylinder that's independent of the lever. Brembo has a pretty good website that explains how it works on cars, not sure if on a bike you'd bypass the hydraulic system and just make the caliper servo operated somehow.

www.brembo.com/it/BBW/index.html
  • 10 6
 to dangerous. There is reason there is no wireless brakes on cars.....
  • 2 2
 There’s nowhere to get air in Florida though…
  • 2 0
 @chillrider199: maguras system isn't wireless, its just totally integrated
  • 1 0
 @FloridaHasMTBToo: it seems there already working on it
  • 6 0
 Not something I want to leave in the hands of a battery
  • 22 0
 Surprised his team Ineos Grenadiers let him use Disc brakes Wink
  • 1 0
 mysmartbrake.com/category/smart-brake/kits-sb/bikes
  • 7 0
 @chillrider199: a lot of new cars use brake by wire. ECU uses brake pedal position sensors to actuate the hydraulic system
  • 2 1
 @JoshMatta: Literally look at the post above yours...

I would however like to see a wireless version. Seems viable, SRAM and Shimano might already be working on it...
  • 1 0
 @chillrider199: same physical principle as "hose-less showerheads" I guess...?
  • 11 0
 Economic theory means wireless MTB brakes won't happen, it's the 'Dentist Paradox': "Dentist paradox occurs when the only person who can afford an item is a dentist, but the item is something a dentist would never buy"
  • 12 1
 @AFunFox: I've got a patented design for wireless brakes, the lever is actually directly mounted to and actuates the caliper itself on the disk. You simply reach down and grab a handful of front brake when required. Completely wireless tech. PM for details/ OEM enquiries
  • 1 0
 @JoshMatta: This is a common thought in the industry and largely driven by what I've been told is legislation in much of the world that requires a vehicle to have mechanically connected steering apparatus and brakes. Which seems a bit antiquated given today's technology.
  • 1 0
 @salespunk: Lots of failsafes built into the system and also not communicating wirelessly
  • 2 0
 Relevant Donut media:
"Electronic Brakes Have a Terrifying Problem"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=82UH7MQ42W0
  • 1 0
 @pourquois-pas: "todays technology." Ill give u that. . . But I think its more "reliability" w/ todays tech thats at issue here. . . Electronic glitch ---> dead.
  • 1 1
 @respect-my-authorita: and for 100 yrs a mechanical glitch = dead. Ironically, today my daughter's friend was en route to visit and the brakes failed on their truck - corroded rear brake line. And a few hours before I passed a disabled car on the side of the road - broken tie rod.

drive-by-wire has been tested for over 20 yrs and is used in many other applications. The safety argument is moot at this point.

www.thedrive.com/news/37391/did-you-know-mercedes-tested-a-twin-joystick-control-system-in-the-1998-sl-class
  • 15 2
 Won on what looks like a bike. Can’t tell these days
  • 10 1
 What happened to Shimano's wireless update that was thought to be unveiled during the Olympics? Are they waiting for the show stopper Tour of Spain? I don't get it. Glad SR Suntour is doing their part.
  • 7 0
 Pinarello's infomercial is so much BS that it becomes both funny and embarrassing.
  • 3 0
 little off topic, but:
Would also be great if Continental came up with a bigger, safer Race King in the next Time.
This tire thread hasnt really changed since 2008, which speaks for itself in case of speed and has been my choice for many years. Switched to maxxis due to the not working tubeless setups in 2019.
So please make better carcasses and finally get the tubeless thing done. Bigger volume would also be well appreciated.. Smile
  • 1 0
 RaceKing got new knobs in 2019 and the Protection-version works great for tubeless. Agree on the volume. It needs to be bigger.
  • 1 0
 @magnusc: 2.4"?
  • 2 0
 pirelli XC RC have a similar design, but with large side knob and 2.4 volume
  • 3 0
 @ilyamaksimov: I don’t want large side knobs. They slow down the tire when it is used at low pressures because the side knobs digg into the ground. Wonder how Nino would do if he used RaceKing (which would save him more than 10 watts over Aspen) in this race.
www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/mtb-reviews/compare/continental-race-king-protection-2020-vs-maxxis-aspen-exo-tr
  • 2 0
 I ride the updated Race King protection and it was a piece of cake to setup and holds air as good as any Maxxis I’ve ever used. Maybe I was lucky because I tried it after the update, but I wouldn’t hesitate to buy them again. That being said, you’re spot on about size. If It was available in 2.3 or 2.35 I’d buy that instead of the 2.2.
  • 1 0
 @Rich-Izinia and i even have my doubts about that 2.2 width... if you look at similar Maxxis or even Michelin,they are waay wider.
  • 1 0
 @jetos: Aspen 2.25 are wider than RaceKing 2.2, but not by much. I have measured them both on the same rim at the same pressure (tubeless.) I would also like them at 2.35.
The old RaceKing Protection was also very easy to set up tubeless, and had better puncture protection between the knobs. I like the old version better than the new.
  • 2 0
 @magnusc: They weren't riding on a road so this lab test is meaningless. Lower pressures are known to be better off-road but this test tells us the opposite because the drum is too smooth and they didn't go below 25 psi.

Also, traction increases with lower pressure so it is a win-win.
  • 1 1
 @bogey: The optimal pressure obviously depends on what kind of conditions you are riding on. A lot of races are run at 25 PSI. It all depends on the track. My last XCO race I used 18 PSI front and back with tubolight in the back. I agree that the test should include examples with lower PSI.

With lower pressure ( 20 PSI) my experience is that the difference is even bigger between RaceKing and Aspen etc, because Aspen and most other tires have big side knobs that digg into the ground creating even more rolling resistance.
  • 3 0
 Suntour seems like they could make the best suspension out there, if they wanted to. Are they just happy where they are?? I hear their stuff really is not that bad, just have not made the push to give us what we are looking for?
  • 4 0
 Nothing wrong with Suntour stuff, I've had a couple of their forks (currently on an Auron RC2 which I like a lot). Their higher end stuff is competitive with the slightly-below-top-tier offerings from RS and Fox IMO, but let's be honest, customers want to see Fox, RS, Ohlins, etc on a flagship-level bike so idk if it's worth it to them to try and compete in that price point. Especially when they probably make all their money selling 1000x as many XCRs and XCMs on budget bikes, and (if the rumors are true) they're a supplier to Fox and RS.

Seemed like they were making a real effort at marketing to the PB crowd as an aftermarket option a few years ago but it's been quiet for a while. Don't think the PB reviewers loved the Durolux or Auron, which was a little surprising IMO because Vital gave the TriAir, Durolux, and RUX good reviews.
  • 1 0
 Maybe so but also perhaps they make 90% of their revenue from the low end oem market and competing effectively and profitably against fox, sram, etc in an already crowded space takes a ton of investment and marketing dollars.
  • 1 0
 @bkm303: they are for sure supplier for a lot of other companies.

Hint: The Suntour Triair has green pieces inside ;-)
  • 1 0
 @NotNamed: haha yeah didn't know about the insides but I heard about that one!

Really curious how that came about. If DVO designed it I wouldn't think they'd let Suntour sell it. So is it an open mold/catalog part? How many premium components are picked from a catalog??

Fun to think about Smile
  • 1 0
 @bkm303: The tri-Air and the Topaz are super similar. From my understanding the primary difference is the standard vs. bladder IFP.
  • 2 0
 Correct me if I'm wrong, but those also look a little like s-works shoes? Is that for team GB along with the lazer helmet or is he secretly using those over Ineos's sponsor sidi?
  • 6 0
 yeah he was using s-works shoes
  • 1 0
 I don’t think Ineos have a shoe sponsor. Thomas wears Fizik, which is the Ineos saddle sponsor, and Carapaz wears Sidi, for example. Don’t think Pidcock would be allowed to use anything Specialized when in Ineos kit, though. He wore Fizik shoes during the WC when competing for Ineos.
  • 3 0
 Ineos often use non sponsor correct equipment. Especially wheels. I think it Also depends the riders and sponsors contract and if their sponsor is willing to make custom shoes or not.
I would guess that Aaron has made more $$ than loic in recent years because he uses sponsor correct tyres. Dont think it helped his performance though. He does have a nice view from his sh.tter. @rsbromley:
  • 2 0
 @rifu: Not surprising. Remember up until this year Pidcock was on the Trinity Team which is a Specialized supported team.
  • 1 0
 There are a LOT of teams throughout the years in road using s-works shoes de-logo'd.
  • 4 0
 Pinarell’s geometry name is Peeen-o-fit, and I can’t think of anything better.
  • 4 4
 Pretty sure you have to apply for prototype usage of any kind so it shouldn't be that hard to find out what he's on. Otherwise I'm pretty sure everything has to be available for purchase to the public.
  • 3 1
 I think that is a road UCI rule, not mountain. Road bikes get a UCI label where I’ve never seen it on a mountain bike. Plus on the downhill circuit brands like Intense & Commencal have top racers on bikes they they have said there are no current plans to bring this to market. Just testing.
  • 1 0
 @avg-roadie: interesting. Counter to my experience. Personally I like it. Run what you brung.
  • 1 0
 I've heard about this rule many times but never seen it applied and some say it doesn't even exist anymore?
  • 2 0
 @SonofBovril: Prototype equipment must be approved for use and can only be used for 12 months before being put on sale.

From the UCI regs:
Any equipment in development phase and not yet available for sale (prototype) must be
subject of an authorization request to the UCI Equipment Unit before its use. Authorization
will be granted only for equipment which is in the final stage of development and for which
commercialization will take place no later than 12 months after the first use in competition.
The manufacturer may request a single prolongation of the prototype status if justified by
relevant reasons.
  • 1 0
 @melonhead1145: Does the UCI even have jurisdiction on events during the Olympics? Genuinely asking....
  • 1 0
 @Breeconay: good question, I don't know. basically the regs say you can use prototypes for 12 months
  • 3 1
 @melonhead1145: Found some info here: www.uci.org/docs/default-source/equipment/clarification-guide-of-the-uci-technical-regulation-eng.pdf

They mention olympic games approvals through the UCI so I'm guessing its a weird sort of olympics endorsed by the UCI kind of situation.

And I quote:

"ARTICLE 1.3.006
“Equipment shall be of a type that is sold for use by anyone practicing cycling as a sport.
Any equipment in development phase and not yet available for sale (prototype) must be
subject of an authorization request to the UCI Equipment Unit before its use. Authorization
will be granted only for equipment which is in the final stage of development and for which
commercialization will take place no later than 12 months after the first use in competition.
The manufacturer may request a single prolongation of the prototype status if justified by
relevant reasons.
When assessing a request for use of equipment which is not yet available for sale, the UCI
Equipment Unit will pay particular attention to safety of the equipment which will be
submitted to it for authorization.
The use of equipment designed especially for the attainment of a particular performance
(record or other) shall be not authorised.
Upon expiry of the authorized period of use of a prototype (equipment not yet available for
sale), any item of equipment must be commercially available in order to be used in cycling
events. The requirement of commercial availability shall be understood as equipment having
to be available through a publicly available order system (whether with manufacturer,
distributor or retailer). Upon an order being placed, the order shall be confirmed within 30
days and the relevant equipment shall be made available for delivery within a further 90-day
deadline. In addition, the retail price of the equipment shall be publicly advertised, shall not
render the equipment de facto unavailable to the general public and shall not unreasonably
exceed the market value for equipment of a similar standard."

UCI, probably

I found this part particularly interesting:

"No minimum production quantity or minimum price is defined for either bicycles or any
component parts."
  • 1 0
 @melonhead1145: That was my understanding. Solid digging.
  • 1 0
 I see 4 cables/housing coming off the cockpit. Does that mean the Olympic XC champ did not run a dropper and used mechanical shifting? Can someone confirm, pls?
  • 1 0
 He ran a dropper that is dropped with compressed air. Uses presta valve i think. You can see the drop on the photos of him at the finish area after the race.
  • 1 0
 @gcrider: is that what the “saddlebag” was?
  • 2 0
 No. Everyone had a saddle bag. I think it is a gps transponder for rider identification on the broadcast. Shown on helicopter shots above the terraced lawn/ garden thing There is also a the normal timing transponder on the fork. @lewiscraik:
  • 1 0
 www.bmc-switzerland.com/rad
  • 1 0
 Photo of clean part of post at end of race

www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/other-sport/tokyo-olympics-no-rest-for-leeds-gold-medallist-tom-pidcock-as-he-targets-vuelta-a-espana-3324482
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 @gcrider: thanks, that makes sense.
  • 1 0
 4 cables/hoses.
2 brakes, one shifter, one dropper.
In the pics it looks like he's not using a dropper because on the 4-Stroke the dropper is integrated into the frame, so looks like a fixed seatpost.
www.bmc-switzerland.com/rad
  • 2 0
 I don't want anything fancy, just a switch on the handlebar to go wirelessly from open to locked out suspension.
  • 2 1
 It's too bad his parents didn't name him Stuart. Then his tagline could be stupidcock
  • 1 0
 Didn’t the mountain cycle San Andreas have a fork stopper in exactly the same position from 1998 onwards?
  • 1 0
 Pinarello has made mountain bikes until very recently,Google Dogma XC and Dogma XM. Overpriced POS if you ask me.
  • 14 0
 I actually got a chance to test ride a Dogma XC (Hardtail) a few years ago. It was stupid light, and I actually thought the asymmetrical seat stays helped a ton with rear end compliance. As far as pure XC hardtails go, I was very impressed. Overpriced? Sure. POS? Definitely not.
  • 1 0
 So somehow different to their overpriced heavy road frames?
  • 1 1
 They went for asymmetrical seat stay as the non drive side failed on many bikes before this design change Prob due to pedeling forces i think@imcc1228:
  • 1 1
 The guy won the olympics and still doesn't have a real mountain bike sponsor? Seems like he's still got a lot invested in the road side...
  • 7 0
 He rides for a road team and their frame sponsor doesn’t have a mountain bike frame (Pinarello)
  • 2 0
 Running Euro brake set up too.
  • 2 0
 Pinarello... 2010 want his graphics and design back
  • 1 0
 About time Pinarello made a MTB....It's a massive market, so why ignore it? I think Colnago are similar.....
  • 1 0
 And while we're at it, we need a Brompton MTB too...
  • 1 1
 I ask myself if RAF has done some "fine tuning" at the frame. There is always some misterious alchemy when British riders use those blacked out bikes
  • 1 0
 So much fan boy/ no colour choice!
But Tom can win with out need for, remote suspension mapping?
  • 2 1
 Now if SR Suntour could just fill the orders...........
  • 1 0
 That is the best looking seat clamp I have ever seen.
  • 1 0
 So my Proflex Electric Shock from 2000 is getting a revival!
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