Reece Wilson's Gamux Sego: The Undisputed King of World Cup Wildness!
In the electrifying world of downhill mountain biking, where every millisecond counts and innovation is paramount, one bike consistently steals the spotlight: Reece Wilson's Gamux Sego. While many teams tinker with developmental machines, Wilson's Sego is a true outlier, a testament to his relentless pursuit of speed. But here's where it gets truly fascinating: it's not just the cutting-edge components, but the unconventional thinking behind them that makes this bike a legend.
The Cockpit Conundrum: A Stem That Defies Convention
Prepare to do a double-take when you look at the front of Wilson's bike. The most striking feature is his bizarre backwards stem. Glancing over the frame, you'll notice the handlebars connected to a 25mm stem that's been flipped around and mounted on rising plates. This seemingly radical setup, which Wilson explains provides a -15 degrees of reach, is a direct influence from his motocross background. He found inspiration in BMB's Raised Reversed stem, realizing this configuration makes the bike feel more intuitive and manageable, much like a motocross bike where your hands naturally sit behind the steering axis.
Wilson admits he's "underqualified to explain it properly," but the effect is undeniable: "something happens that fundamentally changes how the bike feels – and it’s a much better feel in my opinion." He even claims this innovative setup eliminates the need for a steering damper, leading to reduced head shake and allowing for a lighter grip on the handlebars. While the stem is reversed, the stack height is kept high, enabling Wilson to adopt a more upright, commanding position on the bike. But here's where it gets controversial... Many have questioned if this reversed stem setup hinders proper front-wheel weighting. Wilson, however, vehemently disagrees, stating, "this concept needs to be burnt and thrown out of the window." He asserts that he has never experienced more traction, grip, and front-end confidence than with this setup. What do you think? Is this a game-changer or a gimmick? Let us know in the comments!
Unleashing the Beast: Unparalleled Adjustability
The Gamux Sego, though not new, continues to turn heads as it rockets down the track. Its design philosophy is centered around extreme adjustability, meaning virtually every geometry and stiffness parameter is open to fine-tuning. Beyond the typical rear-end stiffness adjustments seen on other bikes, the Sego allows Wilson to manipulate the torsional stiffness of the front triangle through the use of bonded stiffening plates. Furthermore, he can customize the chainstay length, pivot point, anti-squat, and anti-rise characteristics. The suspension itself offers further customization, with the ability to replace the link for more progressive or linear suspension curves. Currently, the bike is equipped with a Manitou Mara air shock for its 197mm of travel, though Wilson hints at an upcoming coil variant from Manitou. Up front, a Manitou Dorado upside-down fork delivers a massive 200mm of travel. We even spotted what looked like a prototype Dorado fork featuring tiny tuned mass dampers on each leg, further showcasing the pursuit of refined control.
The Heart of the Machine: Pinion Gearbox and Gates Belt Drive
At the core of this marvel is the Pinion C1.9 gearbox. This ingenious system allows for gear changes without pedaling, a crucial advantage for Wilson, enabling him to focus on corner entry without the distraction of pre-setting gears for the exit. The gearbox's central placement also significantly lowers the bike's center of gravity and reduces unsprung mass by eliminating the cassette and derailleur. The result? Enhanced handling and more responsive suspension. And let's not forget the practical benefit: no more vulnerable derailleur to get bashed by rocks! Complementing the Pinion gearbox is a Gates belt drive. This partnership puts Wilson in contention for the £100,000 Belted Purse if he clinches a World Cup victory this year! To safeguard the belt from sharp impacts, Wilson has ingeniously crafted a small protective cover bolted to the underside of the bike.
The Tiny Crank Conundrum: A Quest for Symmetry
And this is the part most people miss... Wilson has also been experimenting with shorter cranks, a departure from the usual trends in cycling. Unlike road cyclists who might use them for aerodynamics or efficiency, Wilson's motivation is rooted in achieving symmetry. He points out that sports like motocross, horseriding, and skiing, where the legs move together, require a side-by-side foot position, a natural state that traditional mountain biking doesn't always facilitate. To explore this, NSB has created custom cranks for Wilson, ranging from a mere 100mm to 140mm. He reports a noticeable improvement, finding turns against his dominant foot feel significantly more balanced. This is a truly unique approach to biomechanics in cycling, isn't it? What are your thoughts on this pursuit of symmetry? Does it make sense to you, or do you see it as an unnecessary complication? Share your opinions below!
