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Trek World Racing Testing Prototype 650b Sessions for Down Hill

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It looks like the Instagram “leak” from Brook Macdonald last week was a bit of a precursor to the official press release today from Trek World Racing. Not that anyone was doubting the merit of the bright red 650b prototype, but now it is official – the team will be starting the season on 650b prototypes of the Team Issue Session 9.9. Trek mentions that the goal is not to replace 26″ wheels in the gravity category, but to investigate the benefits that 650b wheels may provide in a World Cup level setting. Trek’s MTB Product Manager John Riley had this to say,  “After all of the research we’ve invested in wheel size performance characteristics at Trek, we believe 26” wheels absolutely still have a place in the gravity category. We’re keen on understanding the possibilities of 650b as well, so we’re evaluating that option with some of the world’s best riders on Trek World Racing.” All of the 26″ Sessions will still be available in the coming year including the Race Shop Limited Session Park.

From Trek:

World Cup team to test performance merits of new wheel size in 2014

Trek’s World Cup downhill team, Trek World Racing, will start the season aboard a new 650b prototype version of the team-issue Session 9.9. The team is evaluating the merits of 650b wheels in World Cup downhill racing. In five quick years of competing at the World Cup level with Trek World Racing, the current Session has been ridden to 30+ podium finishes, three World Cup Overall Titles, and a World Championship; an unprecedented run for a single bike platform. With George Brannigan’s (NZL) run to the New Zealand National Championship aboard the 650b proto this past weekend, testing has gotten off to a fast start. Previously, Trek World Racing, along with the overwhelming majority of downhill pros have raced almost exclusively on 26” wheel downhill bikes.

Trek’s athlete-driven development philosophy of racing to make bikes better will be put into action as the team publicly explores the merits of the slightly larger 650b wheels in downhill. Throughout this research period, Trek will continue to offer riders around the world the 26” wheeled Session 8, 88, 9.8, 9.9, and the recently announced Park edition. According to Trek’s MTB Product Manager, John Riley “After all of the research we’ve invested in wheel size performance characteristics at Trek, we believe 26” wheels absolutely still have a place in the gravity category. We’re keen on understanding the possibilities of 650b as well, so we’re evaluating that option with some of the world’s best riders on Trek World Racing.”

Through two highly popular new product offerings over the past year, along with a significant research effort, Trek has become a leader in 650b wheel development. In 2013, the brand unveiled two new 650b wheel platforms in the technical trail category with the Remedy and Slash. “Our hope is that the new 650b Session will provide a performance advantage to our riders and continue to keep them on the podium,” continued Riley. “We also know that these athletes will test the extreme limits of the bike and provide us with invaluable feedback as we continuously evaluate and refine the Session.” The full line of Sessions will continue to be available including the Race Shop Limited Session Park, a model with shorter chainstays and reduced travel perfect for gravity park riding. Trek encourages riders to watch as the bike evolves throughout the season. The team will begin testing the prototype at this weekend’s New Zealand National Championships.

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10 years ago

why does this sound like: “please buy our 26″ versions so we aren’t stuck with them next season”

wako29
wako29
10 years ago

If they wanted to do that, then they would have kept the new 650b version a secret. To me it kind of sounds like they are saying “26” wheels? Those are rad. 650b wheels? We’re trying them out, but they are gonna be rad too” Which is pretty much how I feel. All bikes are cool, but in racing the little improvements matter. Trek is able to experiment with this, so why not? Props to them.

pornitswhatlwouldratherbmaking
pornitswhatlwouldratherbmaking
10 years ago

27.5 is the future so people better get on board.

bin judgin
bin judgin
10 years ago

much 650b
such enduro

Butch
Butch
10 years ago

Glad they are getting away from the 29er prototype sessions…

peacemachine
10 years ago

They dont even have any 26 sessions in stock at all, and they said none for the rest of the year….. Called yesterday!

Nick
Nick
10 years ago

These will be in production before long. They didn’t open carbon molds simply to produce a handful of frames for their team riders, these are pre-production test frames to iron out the kinks for 2015 production

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