MTB News Mix is a weekly update of all things mountain biking where we cover new products, pro race results, trail news, and more.
Trek updates the Top Fuel
Hot on the heels of Pivot’s updated XC bike, Trek released the new version of their own World Cup XC bike, the Top Fuel. If last year was the year of the long-travel 29er, this year seems to be the year of the short-travel ripper. But still, 29ers.
The new Top Fuel has 115mm of rear travel and 120mm of fork travel. The geometry gets more aggressive with a 67.5-68-degree head angle and a 75-75.5-degree seat angle, depending on the geometry position, adjustable thanks to Trek’s flip-chip system, Mino Link.
Even though World Cup racers like Jolanda Neff and Emily Batty will race the Top Fuel, it’s still made for everyday trail riding. Each build includes a dropper post, frame clearance for 2.4-inch tires, and a modern cockpit with a 13-degree stem that can be flipped for either a trail feel, or slammed for an XC feel.
Pricing starts at $3,300 for the aluminum version.
Kate Courtney wins XCO round in Albstadt
Fresh off her first season racing the women’s elite field and snagging the World Champs jersey, Kate Courtney got her first UCI World Cup win. Courtney is the first American in 20 years to win a gold medal in an XCO World Cup.
Despite the course builders’ best efforts to mitigate mud by dumping gravel throughout the trail, it was still a wet, muddy, and slippery day. Jolanda Neff and Kate Courtney took off from the line first, but Courtney out-powered Neff and gained a huge lead on her. It was a big enough lead that when Courtney’s front wheel slipped out on a wooden feature and she crashed, she was able to pick her bike up without Neff gaining on her.
Neff followed Courtney to second place, and Yana Belamoina finished third. American Chloe Woodruff also had a career best and finished 6th.
It’s clear Nino Schurter won’t have a perfect season like he did in 2017. He finished in 6th. Mathias Fluckiger won gold, Mathieu van der Poel finished second, and Jordan Sarrou, Titouan Carod, and Florian Vogal finished in 3rd, 4th, and 5th.
The second round of the World Cup will take place this weekend in Nove Mesto na Morave, Czech Republic.
Bold Cycles partners with Scott Sports
Innovative bike brand Bold Cycles has partnered with Scott Sports. Vincenz Droux, the head of Bold will continue to lead Bold Cycles, but the company will get assistance from Scott with sourcing, logistics, and global marketing and distribution.
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“With Bold, we want to remain at the forefront of innovation and surprise the bike world with new products,” said Droux. “Within the SCOTT Sports Group we find the best conditions for this objective and we will be able to concentrate even more on product development.”
Pivot replaces Mach 4 and Mach 429 SL with Mach 4 SL
Pivot Cycles released a new XC bike that replaces two in their lineup. The Mach 4 SL is a 29er with a 100mm travel DW-link controlled rear end, with either a 100mm or 120mm fork. Read our first ride review here.
