Because riders are kindling for the fire in the company chimney. Not blocks in the foundation of the chimney. Expendable.
Have never heard of a bike company offering riders/racers the option to purchase stock or ownership in the company.
Maybe companies like Crestline have the opportunity to give riders/racers something to build & take pride of ownership in.
They just have to outpace internet consumerism to succeed.
Because riders are kindling for the fire in the company chimney. Not blocks in the foundation of the chimney. Expendable.
Have never heard of a bike...
Because riders are kindling for the fire in the company chimney. Not blocks in the foundation of the chimney. Expendable.
Have never heard of a bike company offering riders/racers the option to purchase stock or ownership in the company.
Maybe companies like Crestline have the opportunity to give riders/racers something to build & take pride of ownership in.
They just have to outpace internet consumerism to succeed.
Look dude, I agree with a good portion of your points, but maybe don't go on the internet while drunk
Wokeness.
Bike companies railroad riders & racers all day, every day. You could be the easiest to work with, but the bike company is going to...
Wokeness.
Bike companies railroad riders & racers all day, every day. You could be the easiest to work with, but the bike company is going to shaft you at some point. No way around it. When they want out, they do that passive aggressive post about "Positive Vibes Past. Positive Vibes Moving Forward. Wish "x" well."
Zink & me probably wouldn't be able to stand each other long but I LOVE that guy. He got the heck out of Cali, loves his family, doesn't take crap, gets rowdy & stupid as needed & knows how to calculate risk vs reward.
Long Live Zink!
Screw the Industry butt munches!
Weren’t you gonna take a break from posting stuff like this?
glad to see Zink excited for his future. He deserved some consequences for his...
Weren’t you gonna take a break from posting stuff like this?
glad to see Zink excited for his future. He deserved some consequences for his actions (dropped from shimano, hyper pulled out of a frame deal). But he seemed genuinely to be sorry and accept his faults and try to change for the better. I may very well end up with a set of his sig cranks on my dh bike. And sensus meaty paws are my favorite grips. Hope cam continues keeping it clean, shredding, and enjoying the good life with his family. His riding speaks for itself and he seems to me to want to be a better role model going forward.
I met Cam whilst riding in the last 12 months and find it hard to believe all the negative takes on him, he was by far the most down to earth, open with information and genuinely interested pro i have ever met; to myself and the guys i was riding with.. which is a stark contrast to some of the other industry big dogs that i have met that have massive media presences but are way less accomplished
Because riders are kindling for the fire in the company chimney. Not blocks in the foundation of the chimney. Expendable.
Have never heard of a bike...
Because riders are kindling for the fire in the company chimney. Not blocks in the foundation of the chimney. Expendable.
Have never heard of a bike company offering riders/racers the option to purchase stock or ownership in the company.
Maybe companies like Crestline have the opportunity to give riders/racers something to build & take pride of ownership in.
They just have to outpace internet consumerism to succeed.
Offering riders stock options or equity would be a significant pivot towards worker ownership, aka a co-op or distribution of the means of production. (I would hope under this arrangement, the same would be offered to all employees, not just riders.) Pretty socialist idea you’ve got there — just about the apex of “woke.”
Because riders are kindling for the fire in the company chimney. Not blocks in the foundation of the chimney. Expendable.
Have never heard of a bike...
Because riders are kindling for the fire in the company chimney. Not blocks in the foundation of the chimney. Expendable.
Have never heard of a bike company offering riders/racers the option to purchase stock or ownership in the company.
Maybe companies like Crestline have the opportunity to give riders/racers something to build & take pride of ownership in.
They just have to outpace internet consumerism to succeed.
Offering riders stock options or equity would be a significant pivot towards worker ownership, aka a co-op or distribution of the means of production. (I would...
Offering riders stock options or equity would be a significant pivot towards worker ownership, aka a co-op or distribution of the means of production. (I would hope under this arrangement, the same would be offered to all employees, not just riders.) Pretty socialist idea you’ve got there — just about the apex of “woke.”
Which way is it, bizutch?
Did I say employees were left out of the employee ownership dream world?
Weird flex.
I met Cam whilst riding in the last 12 months and find it hard to believe all the negative takes on him, he was by far...
I met Cam whilst riding in the last 12 months and find it hard to believe all the negative takes on him, he was by far the most down to earth, open with information and genuinely interested pro i have ever met; to myself and the guys i was riding with.. which is a stark contrast to some of the other industry big dogs that i have met that have massive media presences but are way less accomplished
I see Zink talk pop up every two years or so and I always hold my tongue, but this time I just want to put my experience with him out there because I’d bet I’ve interacted with him more than 90% of the people on here.
I second your experience. I grew up outside of Reno and have bought 3 frames from Zink and ridden/dug at the local trails a few times with him. He is a great guy. I’ve had in depth discussions with him about previous frame sponsors (first bike I bought from him was in 2011 and was his spare felt compulsion from 09). He was made huge promises by a lot of different frame companies that rarely followed through (think signature frames that never left the planning stages, downhill/slopestyle frames that never even got prototyped, travel budgets that never got approved, etc)
Most of his ‘big disses’ after leaving companies were things said to friends that got leaked. He’s definitely got a bit of the old school free ride bro mentality, so it’s not surprising that he would half jokingly bash old companies that dicked him over when speaking to friends. He ‘bashed’ felt when he left, and when I showed up at the local on the compulsion, the trail boss out there was like ‘Yo is that Zinks old compulsion? He loved that thing!’ And continued to tell me stories about young Zink blowing up a frame pumping the shock up above the max psi, and how much he loved it after he figured out you can’t do that. He also told me about how hard it was for Zink when felt pulled the rug out from under him, and how it could lead to what he said in passing to a friend at his new company afterwards.
Through the old school bro front, he’s a super caring and genuine dude. The last frame I got was an ‘Evil’ branded corsair prototype bike. I hadn’t seen the dude in over a year (away at college) and when I showed up at his house, he asked me how school was going and almost remembered the school name (he was off by a letter). He asked about my major, made jokes, gave me a tour of his garage, let me touch his rampage bikes, he was just so genuine and nice the whole time.
I’m also openly gay, and was bummed when I saw the earlier ‘scandal’ but in my interactions with him he was never rude or dismissive of anyone that I had noticed. He never made me or anyone else feel less welcome. Then he dropped his response and it cleared all doubt in my mind. Stand up guy. Everyone makes mistakes. Owning it and doing better is everything, and he more than did that. I cannot support the guy enough.
Now to the rumors because obviously I'm a bit of a Zink fan;
From what I remember, he was starting working on Vacay bikes after YT dropped him. He was getting close to finishing a trail/enduro bike when Davinci reached out with a one to two year loose support contract. It was late enough in the season that Zink shelved vacay and decided to rep Davinci for a rampage or two while he worked out some kinks with starting a company. I don’t think it was meant to ever be a long term deal with Davinci. Zink’s ultimate goal seems to be Vacay bikes. It looks like now the trail bike is finished and should be announced soon, but I heard there were no immediate plans for a downhill frame. Zink has already been seen riding a Frameworks in the off season. It would make sense for him to partner with (or ride a downhill frame from) another local US based frame maker for a solid downhill frame. Then he has time to get his company launched and a first bike out before he can turn his focus to making his own downhill bike.
The end bit is just my theory though. Only time will tell. Whatever he does I’ll be cheering him on all the way! Go Cam Zink!
People read too much into a pic of Zink on a Frameworks. He was at Rock Creek being shown around by Neko. Why wouldn't he take it for a rip?
Who hasn't handed a buddy a rig for some runs?
When three of history’s greatest DH riders are on their big bikes, fully padded and in full face helmets…to rock up on in a tshirt and half shell on an enduro eeb…this is true heroism!
When three of history’s greatest DH riders are on their big bikes, fully padded and in full face helmets…to rock up on in a tshirt and...
When three of history’s greatest DH riders are on their big bikes, fully padded and in full face helmets…to rock up on in a tshirt and half shell on an enduro eeb…this is true heroism!
Zink is probably a little more challenging than a lot of riders to deal with because he is so business minded. I don’t think gwin’s record...
Zink is probably a little more challenging than a lot of riders to deal with because he is so business minded. I don’t think gwin’s record is really much different, which would make sense for the same reason. Cam is just a little rougher around the edges so it comes off a little different. I have listened to quite a few podcasts with him and he has never been disrespectful to anyone that I have heard though.
So business minded that he does understand a frame sponsors business?
With 2 world cups left the rumour mill must be firing up, what you got?
No way Loris is back on Trek. He is still top ten in the world, but he was an odds on favorite to win 2 years ago. He's not fading in talent, he's at a plateau.
Loris was...or is...of the most beloved riders personality wise, the Dialed episodes of him are legendary.
I think his personality is suffocated by the business operation that is Trek. Loris needs a team that is going to be able to build his confidence back up, look at what's going on at mondraker. Dak flying, Ronan maturing, Pinky coming into his own.
A place where personalities can shine is where you will see Loris next season
No way Loris is back on Trek. He is still top ten in the world, but he was an odds on favorite to win 2 years...
No way Loris is back on Trek. He is still top ten in the world, but he was an odds on favorite to win 2 years ago. He's not fading in talent, he's at a plateau.
Loris was...or is...of the most beloved riders personality wise, the Dialed episodes of him are legendary.
I think his personality is suffocated by the business operation that is Trek. Loris needs a team that is going to be able to build his confidence back up, look at what's going on at mondraker. Dak flying, Ronan maturing, Pinky coming into his own.
A place where personalities can shine is where you will see Loris next season
But he has said in the past that he prefers a more professional set up, didn’t work at Santa Cruz because of the lack of testing seemingly. Having done a lot of testing pre-season when he was team mates with Loic.
you could be right……. But where would he go that’s got a set up that suits him?
No way Loris is back on Trek. He is still top ten in the world, but he was an odds on favorite to win 2 years...
No way Loris is back on Trek. He is still top ten in the world, but he was an odds on favorite to win 2 years ago. He's not fading in talent, he's at a plateau.
Loris was...or is...of the most beloved riders personality wise, the Dialed episodes of him are legendary.
I think his personality is suffocated by the business operation that is Trek. Loris needs a team that is going to be able to build his confidence back up, look at what's going on at mondraker. Dak flying, Ronan maturing, Pinky coming into his own.
A place where personalities can shine is where you will see Loris next season
But he has said in the past that he prefers a more professional set up, didn’t work at Santa Cruz because of the lack of testing...
But he has said in the past that he prefers a more professional set up, didn’t work at Santa Cruz because of the lack of testing seemingly. Having done a lot of testing pre-season when he was team mates with Loic.
you could be right……. But where would he go that’s got a set up that suits him?
No way Loris is back on Trek. He is still top ten in the world, but he was an odds on favorite to win 2 years...
No way Loris is back on Trek. He is still top ten in the world, but he was an odds on favorite to win 2 years ago. He's not fading in talent, he's at a plateau.
Loris was...or is...of the most beloved riders personality wise, the Dialed episodes of him are legendary.
I think his personality is suffocated by the business operation that is Trek. Loris needs a team that is going to be able to build his confidence back up, look at what's going on at mondraker. Dak flying, Ronan maturing, Pinky coming into his own.
A place where personalities can shine is where you will see Loris next season
But he has said in the past that he prefers a more professional set up, didn’t work at Santa Cruz because of the lack of testing...
But he has said in the past that he prefers a more professional set up, didn’t work at Santa Cruz because of the lack of testing seemingly. Having done a lot of testing pre-season when he was team mates with Loic.
you could be right……. But where would he go that’s got a set up that suits him?
But he has said in the past that he prefers a more professional set up, didn’t work at Santa Cruz because of the lack of testing...
But he has said in the past that he prefers a more professional set up, didn’t work at Santa Cruz because of the lack of testing seemingly. Having done a lot of testing pre-season when he was team mates with Loic.
you could be right……. But where would he go that’s got a set up that suits him?
With 2 world cups left the rumour mill must be firing up, what you got?
Heard from someone who knows about the negotiations.... a lucky rider has just stolen away in the Scottish night with a new contract for an impressive payday.
No way Loris is back on Trek. He is still top ten in the world, but he was an odds on favorite to win 2 years...
No way Loris is back on Trek. He is still top ten in the world, but he was an odds on favorite to win 2 years ago. He's not fading in talent, he's at a plateau.
Loris was...or is...of the most beloved riders personality wise, the Dialed episodes of him are legendary.
I think his personality is suffocated by the business operation that is Trek. Loris needs a team that is going to be able to build his confidence back up, look at what's going on at mondraker. Dak flying, Ronan maturing, Pinky coming into his own.
A place where personalities can shine is where you will see Loris next season
But he has said in the past that he prefers a more professional set up, didn’t work at Santa Cruz because of the lack of testing...
But he has said in the past that he prefers a more professional set up, didn’t work at Santa Cruz because of the lack of testing seemingly. Having done a lot of testing pre-season when he was team mates with Loic.
you could be right……. But where would he go that’s got a set up that suits him?
Don't think it's anything to do with the team structure, but moreso the lack of healthy teammates at the moment to test and do laps with to bounce ideas off of or just push you out of comfort zones or past sticking points in training.
As for next season, someone young may or may not already be under contract for next year.
As with Loris, what about a Lapierre Factory revival/reunion possibility with a young Falquet teammate. It was his first ride with Loic and it's a very very French brand.
As with Loris, what about a Lapierre Factory revival/reunion possibility with a young Falquet teammate. It was his first ride with Loic and it's a very...
As with Loris, what about a Lapierre Factory revival/reunion possibility with a young Falquet teammate. It was his first ride with Loic and it's a very very French brand.
Unlikely to see any team expansions from Lapierre, quite the opposite possibly...
Because riders are kindling for the fire in the company chimney. Not blocks in the foundation of the chimney. Expendable.
Have never heard of a bike company offering riders/racers the option to purchase stock or ownership in the company.
Maybe companies like Crestline have the opportunity to give riders/racers something to build & take pride of ownership in.
They just have to outpace internet consumerism to succeed.
Look dude, I agree with a good portion of your points, but maybe don't go on the internet while drunk
I met Cam whilst riding in the last 12 months and find it hard to believe all the negative takes on him, he was by far the most down to earth, open with information and genuinely interested pro i have ever met; to myself and the guys i was riding with.. which is a stark contrast to some of the other industry big dogs that i have met that have massive media presences but are way less accomplished
Offering riders stock options or equity would be a significant pivot towards worker ownership, aka a co-op or distribution of the means of production. (I would hope under this arrangement, the same would be offered to all employees, not just riders.) Pretty socialist idea you’ve got there — just about the apex of “woke.”
Which way is it, bizutch?
Did I say employees were left out of the employee ownership dream world?
Weird flex.
I see Zink talk pop up every two years or so and I always hold my tongue, but this time I just want to put my experience with him out there because I’d bet I’ve interacted with him more than 90% of the people on here.
I second your experience. I grew up outside of Reno and have bought 3 frames from Zink and ridden/dug at the local trails a few times with him. He is a great guy. I’ve had in depth discussions with him about previous frame sponsors (first bike I bought from him was in 2011 and was his spare felt compulsion from 09). He was made huge promises by a lot of different frame companies that rarely followed through (think signature frames that never left the planning stages, downhill/slopestyle frames that never even got prototyped, travel budgets that never got approved, etc)
Most of his ‘big disses’ after leaving companies were things said to friends that got leaked. He’s definitely got a bit of the old school free ride bro mentality, so it’s not surprising that he would half jokingly bash old companies that dicked him over when speaking to friends. He ‘bashed’ felt when he left, and when I showed up at the local on the compulsion, the trail boss out there was like ‘Yo is that Zinks old compulsion? He loved that thing!’ And continued to tell me stories about young Zink blowing up a frame pumping the shock up above the max psi, and how much he loved it after he figured out you can’t do that. He also told me about how hard it was for Zink when felt pulled the rug out from under him, and how it could lead to what he said in passing to a friend at his new company afterwards.
Through the old school bro front, he’s a super caring and genuine dude. The last frame I got was an ‘Evil’ branded corsair prototype bike. I hadn’t seen the dude in over a year (away at college) and when I showed up at his house, he asked me how school was going and almost remembered the school name (he was off by a letter). He asked about my major, made jokes, gave me a tour of his garage, let me touch his rampage bikes, he was just so genuine and nice the whole time.
I’m also openly gay, and was bummed when I saw the earlier ‘scandal’ but in my interactions with him he was never rude or dismissive of anyone that I had noticed. He never made me or anyone else feel less welcome. Then he dropped his response and it cleared all doubt in my mind. Stand up guy. Everyone makes mistakes. Owning it and doing better is everything, and he more than did that. I cannot support the guy enough.
Now to the rumors because obviously I'm a bit of a Zink fan;
From what I remember, he was starting working on Vacay bikes after YT dropped him. He was getting close to finishing a trail/enduro bike when Davinci reached out with a one to two year loose support contract. It was late enough in the season that Zink shelved vacay and decided to rep Davinci for a rampage or two while he worked out some kinks with starting a company. I don’t think it was meant to ever be a long term deal with Davinci. Zink’s ultimate goal seems to be Vacay bikes. It looks like now the trail bike is finished and should be announced soon, but I heard there were no immediate plans for a downhill frame. Zink has already been seen riding a Frameworks in the off season. It would make sense for him to partner with (or ride a downhill frame from) another local US based frame maker for a solid downhill frame. Then he has time to get his company launched and a first bike out before he can turn his focus to making his own downhill bike.
The end bit is just my theory though. Only time will tell. Whatever he does I’ll be cheering him on all the way! Go Cam Zink!
People read too much into a pic of Zink on a Frameworks. He was at Rock Creek being shown around by Neko. Why wouldn't he take it for a rip?
Who hasn't handed a buddy a rig for some runs?
https://youtu.be/8q8pF5FqXqA?si=nI61uBPjwvZma84d
When three of history’s greatest DH riders are on their big bikes, fully padded and in full face helmets…to rock up on in a tshirt and half shell on an enduro eeb…this is true heroism!
Well there mid season…
I also choose DH bike every time it’s an option.
Still: it was fantastic to see. What a roster, too!
So business minded that he does understand a frame sponsors business?
With 2 world cups left the rumour mill must be firing up, what you got?
No way Loris is back on Trek. He is still top ten in the world, but he was an odds on favorite to win 2 years ago. He's not fading in talent, he's at a plateau.
Loris was...or is...of the most beloved riders personality wise, the Dialed episodes of him are legendary.
I think his personality is suffocated by the business operation that is Trek. Loris needs a team that is going to be able to build his confidence back up, look at what's going on at mondraker. Dak flying, Ronan maturing, Pinky coming into his own.
A place where personalities can shine is where you will see Loris next season
But he has said in the past that he prefers a more professional set up, didn’t work at Santa Cruz because of the lack of testing seemingly. Having done a lot of testing pre-season when he was team mates with Loic.
you could be right……. But where would he go that’s got a set up that suits him?
Canyon & Fabien.
And ... Aren't they short a guy from daprela? And didn't loris and Luca get along really well at SC...
But nah.... that's not it.
Heard from someone who knows about the negotiations.... a lucky rider has just stolen away in the Scottish night with a new contract for an impressive payday.
Don't think it's anything to do with the team structure, but moreso the lack of healthy teammates at the moment to test and do laps with to bounce ideas off of or just push you out of comfort zones or past sticking points in training.
As for next season, someone young may or may not already be under contract for next year.
Any rumours if the foes team will be at the next edr ? Sam and Nigel have been lapping the pleney the past few days
As with Loris, what about a Lapierre Factory revival/reunion possibility with a young Falquet teammate. It was his first ride with Loic and it's a very very French brand.
no reason to waste 2025 rumors in the 2024 thread, so here is the 2025 Team Rumors thread. Have at it!
https://www.vitalmtb.com/forums/hub/2025-team-rumors
Unlikely to see any team expansions from Lapierre, quite the opposite possibly...
Nocturnal arboreal primate leaves the hiking assembly and begins clean-up.
Loris off Trek and on Muc-off/Commencal
whoa
Wooow, if this is true….congrats to commencal.
Loris back on fox & maybe we can see him tell jordy what he wants lol.
@sspomer can we please close this thread so that the new rumors will be posted in the 2025 thread? it‘s a bit annoying jumping around
Post a reply to: 2024 TEAM RUMORS