New 2009 Commencal Mini DH

The news and pictures have been out for some time now about the new Commencal Supreme DH for 2009, in fact we were the first to bring you those pictures here at Tractionmag. Now the new juice is the 2009 Mini DH. Rebadged as the "Supreme" for 2009 it will lose it's DH letters. (thanks Jean) This bike is particularly important to this guy because I have been riding the thing for a few years now and absolutely love it. Sea Otter would be the debut of the new bike and after some digging and searching we finally found some insider pics on the new bike. The Athertons have been riding the bikes for a few weeks now and they are dotted with the new Saint componentry.
The new frame has deep seeded roots in the new DH platform which has a change in shock mount position and stand over clearance. With a shorter, squat swingarm and the new pivot system it will offer much more lateral stability in the rear end. We look to get our hands on a bike stateside in a few months. As for the new DH Supreme they should be in our grubby little hands in a couple of weeks.
Here is a video of Nicholas from Commencal riding the new Mini DH, pardon his french.

Supreme V2 sélectionné dans Sports et VTT

Old Bigfoot or New Yeti?

Yeti showed off the newest incarnations of the "Rail System" they have incorporated the design into the the 4X frame, geared to be a Slope Style bike. The frame also has the new "Buy 2 Headsets Headtube" we like to call it the B2HH system. They also had a new ASX on hand featuring a revised swingarm design to mate with the new design. The frames should boast a dramtic increase in lateral stability and offer more smoother travel. Some of the ASX's at the Otter were spotted with a new prototype Fox DHX shock. You can see more detailed pics of the science prjects at the newly revamped Yeti site.

New Bits

By now you should have seen pics of the new Trek Session 88. While it is a nice looking bike what really got us excited was the new Fox 40 top crown with direct mount stem capabilities.
Have not gotten word on its release and the details of it yet. We will keep pushing.
SRAM had a lot of stuff going on. HB was on hand to help MC the introduction of the new Stylo OCT cranks, Elixir brakes, Stylo, Noir and Boobar handlebars. They have a new thru-axle Revelation that has been bumped to 140mm of travel. The Truvativ Direct Mount stem was spotted on all the Syndicate riders downhill bikes. (In the background on the V10) No close-ups as of yet but we should have some info soon.
Hayes has new four piston brakes with the Stroker lever and the company was showing off the new Manitou Dorado, upside down is back. For all you Risse lovers who feel it never really left in the first place, your crazy.

Spying

Hill has windows on his head now.

See Udder

It happened again this year. Lopes really did ride an Ibis. The ground was dry and dusty. Minnaar is fast and versatile. Bryn smashed his chin. CVD is testing his rigs-on-rig setup and its looking good. New offerings from SRAM and more proof that all the laid off NASA employees have gone to work for Yeti. Gee washed his front wheel and couldn't make up the 1.5. He looked good in practice though. Vories scored a well deserved fourth place. Marla Streb got the edge-out from Ms. Atherton. Dainese was there too.

Dave was not the biggest fan of the "Cackle Factor."

Sea Odor

CVD with his Rigs-on rig setup.Gee didn't make it but he is sporting a new helmet, no more Bell.
The ladies were a plenty.
Busted chin for Bryn...not a good endorsement for THE.
Looks like Dainese is fighting for more market share by making the product more available.

2009 Saint Group

Sea Otter will be the debut of the new 2009 Saint Group. It has been revamped quite a bit. Gold accents on all the trinkets and new branding will have the design gods happy. The newly designed rear der. will be able to be attached to any frame, regardless of your axle...thats was screwy and heavy. They have a double ring setup that will be offered in the freeride friendly, 83 shell. The new hubs will be center-lock like the older ones but the center-lock mechanism will be actuated with an X-Type BB tool. The shifter, well it's a shifter...oh thats right. They give you some extra mounting positions. Keep a keen eye on the Cannondale tent at "Ze Otter" I believe they will have the only bike with a full Saint setup. The new Moto maybe or the a Judge? Take pictures and send them to me. Lighter weight, compatibility and new look, I believe that Shimano may have done something right for once.
For those of you offended by that last statement...get a life its the internet.