Mountain biking at the Olympic level showcases the athletes' skill and determination and their bikes' cutting-edge technology. These high-end bikes, which can cost a small fortune, are decked out with custom paint jobs and top-of-the-line components. For us riders in Cuyuna, it’s thrilling to see what's being ridden at the pinnacle of the sport.
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot’s Dogma XC Hardtail (Photo: Jared C. Tilton)
Olympic Mountain Bikes: Fast Facts
Top Brand: Pinarello (2 gold medals)
Top Model: Specialized S-Works Epic World Cup (2 silver medals)
Full Suspension Bikes: 5
Hardtails: 1
Bikes with Dropper Seatposts: 6
Shimano Mechanical Drivetrains: 4
SRAM Electronic Drivetrains: 2
Electronic Suspension Systems: 2
Bikes with Berd String Spokes: 3
Women’s Podium Bikes
Gold: Pauline Ferrand-Prévot’s Dogma XC Hardtail - $12,500
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot dominated the women’s cross-country race on her Dogma XC hardtail. This 12-time World Elite Champion took the lead early and maintained it, showing the power of a lightweight, efficient bike on a fast course. Key features include a Suntour Axon 34 Werx Boost EQ suspension fork, Suntour Vertical helium dropper seatpost, Princeton Carbonworks P1 Race Tech rims with Berd’s ultralight spokes, and a Shimano XTR drivetrain. While her exact build is around $12,500, you can get close with an $11,200 production version.
Silver: Haley Batten’s S-Works Epic World Cup LTD - $16,000
Haley Batten’s second-place finish is a historic achievement for Team USA. She rode a Specialized S-Works Epic World Cup, a hybrid design combining the lightweight benefits of a hardtail with minimal rear suspension. Her bike featured SRAM’s XX Eagle Transmission drivetrain and the Flight Attendant electronic suspension system. This race-ready setup is estimated at $16,000, but a similar LTD edition retails for $14,000.
Bronze: Jenny Rissveds’ Ibis Exie - $12,500
Jenny Rissveds, the 2016 gold medalist, secured bronze this year on her Ibis Exie, a bike known for its robust 120mm front and 100mm rear suspension. Key components include prototype Ibis carbon wheels, an Inpeak power meter, Shimano’s XTR drivetrain, and a Fox Transfer SL dropper seatpost. The top-end build is priced around $12,500, with a comparable version available for $12,200.
Men’s Podium Bikes
Gold: Tom Pidcock’s Dogma XC - $17,000
Tom Pidcock, a versatile cyclist with accolades in cyclocross and mountain biking, defended his gold medal on a Pinarello Dogma XC full suspension. Despite initial course criticisms, Pidcock’s bike, equipped with Suntour’s electronic Tact suspension system, Shimano XTR drivetrain, and Princeton Carbonworks wheels, proved optimal for victory. His build costs around $17,000, with a production version available for $14,000.
Silver: Victor Koretzky’s S-Works Epic World Cup LTD - $14,000
French rider Victor Koretzky earned silver on a Specialized S-Works Epic World Cup, choosing a cable-actuated lockout system over electronic controls. This setup included a 110mm RockShox SID fork, 75mm rear suspension, and lightweight Roval Control SL 29 wheels. His build mirrors the stock LTD edition, retailing for $14,000.
Bronze: Alan Hatherly’s Cannondale Scalpel LAB71 Special Edition - $16,000
Representing South Africa, Alan Hatherly rode a Cannondale Scalpel LAB71 Special Edition to secure bronze. This bike featured a unique paint scheme, 120mm front and rear travel with a Lefty Ocho fork, Shimano XTR group, and Berd PolyLight spokes. The custom build costs about $16,000, with the production version costing $14,000.
Bringing Olympic Tech to Cuyuna
While the price tags might be steep, the technology and innovations seen in these Olympic-level bikes trickle down to more accessible models. For those of us riding in Cuyuna, it’s inspiring to see what’s possible at the highest levels and to dream about incorporating some of these features into our rides. Whether it's the latest drivetrain or an advanced suspension system, there's always something to enhance our local trails and push our limits. Happy riding!
Source: Outside Magazine