Giant downhill Mountain bikes

A go through the technology behind the monster Glory Advanced of UCI World Cup driver Marcelo Gutierrez.

Marcelo Gutierrez is without question Colombia's best ever DH hill cycling export. Nevertheless when it comes to harnessing his raw skill and amazing physical fitness, he needs a really certain device. We trapped with large Factory Off path staff mechanic, Paul Miles, to get the interior range on one of the quickest bicycles regarding the UCI World Cup circuit.

Marcelo Gutiérrez's Giant Glory Advanced DH cycle © Bartek Woliński/Red Bull Content Pool

Gutierrez trips a size big monster fame which all-in guidelines the machines at 35lb 10oz (16.17kg) entirely race trim. Weight is a fragile balancing act in downhill, as bikes should be fast and manoeuvrable, whilst to be able to soak up incredible stresses and impacts.

The Glory functions 27.5in wheels and 203mm (7.9in) of back wheel suspension system travel. Perhaps the spoke tensions in Marcelo's rims tend to be adjusted to allow the bike to better bite to the track.

Carbon fibre front triangle © Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Information Pool

The leading triangle of Marcelo's bicycle is made from carbon fiber, unlike manufacturing cycle, that will be created from alloy. Carbon could be less heavy, however in most cases in DH bicycles, it's regularly market tightness unlike lowering size.

Observe such a thing strange? We Are Going To come back to it... © Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Information Pool

Could you spot something only a little strange within the preceding picture?!

The monster team tend to be sponsored by elements huge, SRAM, and thus most of the bits on the bicycle come from the business's numerous off-shoot brands. Marcelo's bicycle works a Vivid R2C shock from RockShox.

The superlight SA Springs are rated at 325lb (pressure it will require to compress it an inch) and has now a big synthetic spacer on top of it. This spacer rotates under compression to allow the spring to maneuver because effectively that you can.

SRAM XO DH cranks and 38T X-Sync chainring © Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Content Pool

SRAM X0 DH 7-speed rear cassette © Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Content Pool

Top-flight DH bikes are merely ever-going is pedalled (you guessed it!) downhill and also as quickly as you can. Because of this, numerous pro's ditch the bigger, much easier gears making simply the seven toughest to push numbers for if they are up to speed.

Marcelo works SRAM's expert X0 DH groupset, which features carbon fibre cranks, and a special X-Sync chainring (38T) which effectively 'grips' the chain positioned over rough landscapes.

SRAM XO DH 7-speed back mech © Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Information Pool

Clutch technology is prominent now in most modern-day hill bicycles. The rear mech has a roller bearing clutch constructed into it, which stops the mech from travelling up and striking underneath associated with the frame once the going gets loose.

The result is a quieter ride and much more secure shifting.

RockShox Boxxer World Cup hand © Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Content Pool

The Boxxer World Cup is a RockShox hand steeped in race-winning history. The latest incarnation, as raced by Marcelo in addition to remaining large staff, features 200mm (7.87in) of suspension travel.

Custom-tuned by SRAM specialists, their fork features 90cc of oil level which makes it excessively modern in experience.

Avid Guide RSC braking system lever © Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Information Pool

Avid CODE backside braking system caliper on well-used rotor © Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Content Pool

While most of this componentry is practically the same as what you could buy over-the-counter at your local bike shop, Marcelo's brake system tend to be a bit different. He runs Avid Guide RSC levers (from an even more enduro-focused braking system) with meaty CODE calipers. The result is the best of both worlds; a great deal of energy with dangerous accurate lever experience.

a heavily altered SRAM X0 DH flash shifter © Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Content Pool

"Marcelo has large thumb knuckles, " Paul describes whilst pointing toward greatly modified SRAM X0 DH shifter lever.

The removal of some of the material from about it provides him a bit more approval for his fingers whilst keeping the shifter within reach should he should dump several cogs.

The grooves are simply just to supply even more grip, particularly in wet or dirty problems.

Tape over Marcelo's shock © Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Information Pool

Tape over Marcelo's compression adjuster © Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Content Pool

And lastly... Did you spot it?!

Paul has actually taped on the adjusters on both their back surprise and fork. It stops his cost from fiddling because of the dials or, much more likely, them getting modified in a collision or by any errant pit friends.