Santa Cruz has decided that the perfect time to test a full carbon version of the already half carbon V-10 is at the Val Di Sole.  

For more info and pictures check out Dirt Mag.

Just like Semenuks custom Boxxer 2 years ago, the boys at SRAM's BlackBox Labs have created another one off Boxxer, this time for Cam Zink.

Kona has posted some more photos of their 2012 bikes including this production version of the 2012 Operator.  Check out all the photos on Kona's Facebook Page.

Specialized has used Crankworx to debut their new Pro DH platform pedal.  At 500g +, they are not the lightest pedal, but they are thin at just 10mm thick.

Check out bikerumor.com's full write up on the new pedal from Crankworx.

Features:

• Infinite travel adjustment from 180mm to 225mm (new patent)
• Infinite Bottom bracket adjustment from 13.5 to 14.5 (new patent)
• Infinite wheelbase/chainstay adjustments from CS 16.7 to 17.6 inch (new patent)
• Low friction Uni Axes suspension system with ultra stiff mono arm (new patent)
• Estimated weight with Fox DHX 5.0 Air is said to be around 9 pounds

For 2012, the top end Demo 8 gets a CCDB out back, but wheres the carbon?

Pretty sure Specialized is giving kids LSD and letting them pick their new colors.  This one looks like Ronald McDonalds spaceship, that or Sam Hill has really gone off the deep end and wanted a bike to match his TLD kits.

Also, it appears as though the legendary Big Hit is no more.  Now replaced with the new "Status".  You think people are taking social networking a little too seriously?

While most companies are working on getting carbon versions of their DH bikes to market, GT has gone the other direction for 2012 and has introduced a alloy version of the Fury.  The bike features the exact same geometry as the carbon version ridden by Mick Hannah and will be priced right around $3100 complete.

FRAME:
 NEW Monocoque / Hydroformed, 6061 Aluminum Frame, 210mm Travel Independent Drivetrain™ Suspension System w/ Forged Linkage, Pivots, Forged Bottom Bracket, Dropouts, and 1 1/2″ Head Tube

FRONT SUSPENSION: 
Marzocchi 888 RV w/200mm Travel 20mm, Adjustable Rebound

REAR SUSPENSION:
 Marzocchi Roco R w/210mm Travel, Adjustable Rebound

CRANK: FSA Gravity MotoX Mega Exo 36

DERAILLEUR (F/R):
 e.thirteen LS1+ w/ 40T Bashguard / SRAM X5, Mid Cage

REAR COG:
 SRAM PG-950, 11-28T, 9-Speed

BOTTOM BRACKET:
 FSA Mega Exo, 83mm

SHIFTERS:
 SRAM X5 Trigger (Rear Only)

CHAIN:
 KMC X9, 9-Speed

RIMS:
 ALL TERRA DD32 32 Hole

HUBS:
 ALL TERRA Alloy Sealed Bearing Thru Axle Disc 32 Hole

SPOKES: 
DT Swiss Champion

TIRES:
 Maxxis Minion DHF, 2.5″, Dual Ply, 3C

BRAKE LEVERS:
 Avid Elixir 3

BRAKES: 
Avid Elixir 3, 200mm (F/R)

HEADSET:
 FSA Orbit E 1.5R/12.8, 1.5 to 1 1/8″

STEM:
 ALL TERRA DH 3D Forged, 50mm

HANDLEBARS:
 ALL TERRA DH Riser, 6061-T6, 785mm

SEATPOST:
 SDG Micro I-Beam AL6061, 31.6mm x 350mm

SADDLE:
 SDG Formula FX I-Beam

PEDALS: ALL TERRA Slim Line, Cast Alloy w/ Replaceable Pins

Of course they are still making the carbon version also.

For more info, keep an eye on GT Bicycles.com

To check out the entire new 2012 Kona lineup, check out the Kona Cog

Czech Republic's Shaman Racing has unveiled 2 new chainguide systems, the Thor and the Graft.  Both are designed to be super light weight coming in at just 160g and 47g respectively. Doesn't look like they are available Stateside, but are available through European distributors.  For more info, check out shamanracing.com 

We knew it was only a matter of time, and honestly I am surprised it didn't happen until half way through the World Cup season, but Aaron Gwin was sporting a new carbon Session DH for practice at Mont Sainte Anne this morning.  Keep an eye on Dirt Mag for more photos and info.

Looks like SRAM is testing a DH specific X.0 group by the looks of the derailleur attached to Minnaar's V10.  No word whether it is 9 spd or 10 spd.

South Korea's Fierce Bicycle Components are showing off their new Fox 40 crowns with integrated stem.  There isn't a whole lot of info about them, or a whole lot of possibility that these will ever make it State side, but they are pretty swank looking.

While I have seen this many times with Fox DHX Air's and RP23's, I have never seen it with a Rock Shox air shock, let alone in person but on Saturday, opening day of Sunrise Park Resort here in AZ, this is what AZFR Mike-E got to deal with before he even hit the lift.  He pulled his Demo 8 out of his truck, sat on the bike and "pop", instant 100% sag.  Here's to hoping that Rock Shox takes care of it and it isn't a sign of a larger problem with the Vivid Air.

Over the weekend at the US Open, Fox decided it was time to give everybody something to talk about.  During one of the early morning practice runs, they strapped this prototype inverted fork to the front of Gee Atherton's bike and sent it down the hill, and other than giving everyone a little peek at speed, they refused to say anything else about it.

What has been unveiled, as well as a lot of speculation can be found over on PinkBike.com

You don't really see a lot of bikes from the old Soviet Union, but they actually have a pretty big scene and by the looks of it, some manufacturing, the biggest being "Forward Bikes" and this is their new "DH" model.  Although there isn't a ton of info about any of these bikes, you can read (In Russian) about the Forward DH over at twentysix.ru.

Specifications:

• Frame NEW SUPREME DH v3 200mm
• Shock FOX RC4
• Fork FOX 40 RC2 FIT
• Headset Tange Seiki IS24 Campy style
• Stem Pro Atherton series direct mount
• Bars Pro Atherton series Os 745mm
• Grips COMMENCAL Deluxe Lock-On
• Brakes Shimano saint 203/203
• Shifters Shimano Saint right
• Front Mech E13 SRS
• Rear Mech Shimano SAINT
• Bottom Bracket Shimano Press Fit
• Cranks Shimano Saint 38t 170mm
• Chain Shimano HG
• Cassette Shimano ultegra 12-25
• Rims MAVIC EX 721 Black
• Hubs Shimano Saint 20mm front, 12mm rear
• Spokes Stainless 64p 3x lacing
• Tires Maxxis Minion DHF 26×2.5
• Seatpost Pro Atherton series
• Saddle Pro Atherton series
• Color Cyan Blue
• Weight 40.3 lbs
• Sizes S, M, L

RockShox just posted this picture on their Twtter Page, which appears to be the Blackbox Edition Boxxers for all the WC teams and their upcoming Fort William outing.  Guessing the first 2 are for the Santa Cruz Syndicate and the 2nd 2 are for team Specialized Monster Energy, but I guess we'll just have to wait until Fort Bill to tell who is rocking which one of these beauties.

Brodie Bikes has released picts of its prototype gearbox DH bike based around the SR Suntour V-Boxx and apparently will be testing it at Whistler this year.

From the Brodie Bikes blog:

We’re proud to announce we’re teaming up with Whistler Mountain Bike to test/demo/ride our prototype Downhill SR Suntour Internal Gear V-Boxx. The big green mean machine will be ridden by Chris of Whistler Mountain Bike throughout the Spring in the Whistler Bike Park.

Gearbox bikes were developed to eliminate common problems associated with a derailleur based system. Although adding a significant amount of weight, the mass is centralized in at the core of the bike and down low; thus giving it a very stable and balanced feel.

Check out www.brodiebikes.com for future announcements and information.

While I generally would probably recommend against having the ano stripped off your new $1600 Boxxer stanchions for the sake of aesthetics, I do salute those who have the cojones to just go for it.  Such is the case with the red custom anodized stanchions on this 2010 Boxxer WC which I have to say, looks pretty bling.

Be sure to pick up this months Decline Magazine which features Gnar Gnar Tours own Late Drop Bob looking svelte for the new Kali Protectives ad.  The photo was taken by Justin Miller back in January while in Phoenix shooting Josh Bender as well as Dante and Jackie Harmony for Kali Protectives.  Apparently you don't need no stinkin pros when you got the great pumpkin.  Nice work Bob!

Photo Credit: Pasch's iPhone

The boys from Gnar Gnar getting gnar on the gnar in the land of gnar. Gnar.

Tomac was showing off their new DH rig, the Pimer 200 at Sea Otter over the weekend.  The bike is a significant redesign from the former Primer 220 and is said to be nearly 3lbs lighter than the old version as well.  Production models are set to retail for around $1600 for the frameset.

Keep an eye on www.tomac.com for upcoming info.

KHS Bicycles has finally announced the availability and specs of their new KHS DH300.  The bike that Logan Binggeli was piloting last year will become available at the end of April with one exception, it will not be sold in the United States. (Thanks DW!).

Here is the official release, albeit translated from Italian so bare with it.

"After three years of gestation, a successful season for Logan Binggeli, a rising star in the world of gravity and cutting edge KHS Gravity Racing Team, which competed in 2010 with a prototype here is finally available the new 300 DH downhill which is called to replace the glorious DH 200. The bike has been completely renovated in the frame, the geometry and components. Starting from the case in 6061, certainly lighter but no less robust due to the massive use of the pipe processing through the hydroforming process, we can find a 210mm rear travel guaranteed by the Dual-link pattern and the shock Fox DHX RC4 240mm ; relatively all'ammortizzzatore KHS provides a different spring for size, starting from 350lbs to 450 for the S to L. Another change from the past, the massive presence of members of the Kore, fast-growing brand in Taiwan due to the quality of design and lightness of its products. The DH 300 is equipped with wheels, seat, seatpost, handlebars and stem to direct attack on the fork RockShox BoXXer all of Kore. Provided unique colouration, 3 sizes available."

Specs are as follows:

• Frame: 6061 hydroformed aluminum, 210mm travel, 12mm axle rear, ISCG-05 standard
• Fork: RockShox BoXXer R2C2 with 200mm travel, 20mm through axle, sleeve from 1.5?
• Shock: Fox DHX RC4 with 350 lbs spring from the chassis to fit S, M to 400lbs by spring, spring from 450lbs to L
• Headset: FSA Orbit Z 1.5
• Wheels: Kore Torsion -
• Tires: Kenda Nevegal 26 × 2.5? - 60TPI, Kevlar
• Front derailleur: none
• Rear derailleur: Sram X9
• Shifters: Sram X7
• Chain: KMC Z99 with Missing Link
• Crankset: Truvativ Holzfeller 1.1 with bash guard, 36 teeth, 170mm cranks
• Chain guide: E-Thirteen Components oem LS1 B 105, 32-40 teeth, ISCG-05
• Bottom Bracket: Truvativ Howitzer by 83mm
• Cassette: Sram PG-950, 11-26 teeth, 9 speed
• Handlebar: Kore Torsion Race, 20mm rise, 800mm length
• Stem: Kore RockShox Direct Mount, length 50mm
• Grips: Weirwolf W175
• Saddle: Kore Rail T Big Nose white with gray inserts
• Seat post: Aluminum Kore, zero offset 31.6x300mm
• Brakes: Avid Elixir 5 hydraulic disc brakes with 203mm rotors
• Available Sizes: S (15), M (15.5), L (16)

Mountain Cycles just offered up a sneak peak at it's Shockwave Two DH bike which will be on show at Sea Otter this weekend.  Check out the Mountain Cycle Facebook Page for more updates.

The big hype all over the internet over the past week has been the DiamondBack DH prototype that propelled rider Kyle Thomas to victory in the 2011 Double Down Hoe Down a few weeks back. Everyone is comparing it to Transitions TR450, although the linkage is a completely different setup and actually a lot more similar to the now dead Soul Cycles DH proto bike. (See Below).  What is amazing is the comparison to Massi's new DH bike and the TR450.  Both Massi and Transition are manufactured by Astro Engineering in Taiwan and by the looks of it, Astro has sold out the TR450's design to the open market.  Is this a case of Transition not designing the bike in the first place, or even worse a case of Astro duplicating it and offering it up to other customers?  Either way, it's just another in the long list of sorted stories about making bikes in the orient.

The now dead Soul Cycles DH proto.

Adjustments:

• Reach – 47.5mm to 57.5mm
• Height – +2mm about the topcrown to -8mm below the topcrown

Weight:

• 132g claimed

Colors:

• Anodized Black
• White Powdercoat