World exclusive first ride on the world cup winning sensation – the 2012 Carbon Trek Session 9.9…
From Dirt Issue 116 – October 2011
Words and photos by Steve Jones.
In four seasons Trek have created and put together one of the best off–the–shelf downhill bikes, picked up two World Cup downhill titles and crowned a World Champion along the way. The exact dynamics behind all three are a complex mix of engineers, racers, designers and fabricators working together – suffice to say a job incredibly well done.
You might also have heard that Trek have a replica carbon team bike available in 2012? Well sort of, the detail will tell you that the team actually use different components and have a Fox technician following their every move. Whatever. That the bike has succeeded in a vast variety of environments and conditions will guarantee that it will certainly meet your requirements given that the heart of this eight and a bit inch downhill speed machine is the very same chassis used by those at the coalface.
Remember this bike is now the fourth incarnation of the original model, an evolution of the 2008 bike that sold for £3500, a bike that, although not quite perfect in terms of damping, was well on the way. Steady improvements followed, the frame was stiffened, the damper given a smoother transition. This season the bike had progressed into an unbeatable package. Looking ahead the price has doubled for this new carbon version in 2012. I’m kind of beginning to think if evolution costs this much I’m with God.>>
