|
|
Shaun Palmer returns to Intense Cycles
by brule
Posted: Jul 13, 2009
Source: Intense Cycles
Legendary rider, Shaun Palmer makes his return to mountain biking the same way he made his debut: on an Intense Cycles downhill bike. Palmer and Intense first made history together in 1995 when the rookie rider rode the flagship Intense M1 to a series of surprise victories, launching both Palmer and Intense into the forefront of the sport.
Legendary rider, Shaun Palmer makes his return to mountain biking the same way he made his debut: on an Intense Cycles downhill bike. Palmer and Intense first made history together in 1995 when the rookie rider rode the flagship Intense M1 to a series of surprise victories, launching both Palmer and Intense into the forefront of the sport.
Nearly fifteen years later, both Palmer and Intense remain household names in mountain biking. And with Palmer's return to downhilling, Intense Cycles President, designer and founder, Jeff Steber looks forward to collaborating with the rider who helped refine the M1 and redefine the sport.
"Something that not many people know about Shaun is that he is really technically savvy," says Steber. "He understands what works and can give specific feedback on how to improve the bike's performance. He is a great R&D guy and I'm really excited about working w/ him again."
A great R&D guy and not a bad racer, either. After a decades absence from the sport, Palm finished 2nd last weekend at the California Golden State Championships in Fontana. He is planning to use mountain bike racing as training for his attempt later this year at a spot on the US Olympic bordercross team.
"I have always done better in my sports when I stayed involved in two or three at a time. The worst thing for me is for my bad brains to sit around idle. I have to stay busy and the panic of racing downhill will keep me sharp and help me to achieve my Olympic dreams", says Palmer. " Of course, I miss being at the races and I miss the fans but mostly I miss hanging out with my friends, especially Peaty."
Palmer could have had any bike but he says he chose Intense because of his relationship with the brand and Steber's ability to build anything Palmer wants in a bike, anytime. "Plus, I'm 40 now and I want to be involved with a brand that will allow me to use my design abilities now and in the long run." Palmer says.
If you think that sounds like a hint that there will be future collaborations between Palmer and Intense in the years to come, you might be right. But for now, as Palmer simply puts it "let's just haul ass this season w/o me smashing my nuts. See ya'll at the races!"
"We make what we race"
"Something that not many people know about Shaun is that he is really technically savvy," says Steber. "He understands what works and can give specific feedback on how to improve the bike's performance. He is a great R&D guy and I'm really excited about working w/ him again."
A great R&D guy and not a bad racer, either. After a decades absence from the sport, Palm finished 2nd last weekend at the California Golden State Championships in Fontana. He is planning to use mountain bike racing as training for his attempt later this year at a spot on the US Olympic bordercross team.
"I have always done better in my sports when I stayed involved in two or three at a time. The worst thing for me is for my bad brains to sit around idle. I have to stay busy and the panic of racing downhill will keep me sharp and help me to achieve my Olympic dreams", says Palmer. " Of course, I miss being at the races and I miss the fans but mostly I miss hanging out with my friends, especially Peaty."
Palmer could have had any bike but he says he chose Intense because of his relationship with the brand and Steber's ability to build anything Palmer wants in a bike, anytime. "Plus, I'm 40 now and I want to be involved with a brand that will allow me to use my design abilities now and in the long run." Palmer says.
If you think that sounds like a hint that there will be future collaborations between Palmer and Intense in the years to come, you might be right. But for now, as Palmer simply puts it "let's just haul ass this season w/o me smashing my nuts. See ya'll at the races!"
"We make what we race"
61 Comments
- + 35
rynute
(Jul 14, 2009 at 0:10)
welcome back bro
i was reading wondering if this was the same shaun palmer as the pro snowboarder... On my gameboy game.
Yep.
Yep.
WATCH THIS!!! Littermag.com has done several postings about him testing out the V10 and Evil bikes at Sol Vista in Colorado. He will be racing this weekend at the US Nationals there. Also check out the DH course. BIG JUMPS.
http://www.littermag.com/2009/shaun-palmer-returns-to-downhill-mountain-bike-racing/
http://www.littermag.com/2009/us-nationals-pro-dh-track-jumps/
http://www.littermag.com/2009/shaun-palmer-returns-to-downhill-mountain-bike-racing/
http://www.littermag.com/2009/us-nationals-pro-dh-track-jumps/
Thanks for the news flash bikounet... Watch the video, then comment. He tested several bikes, and then choose the 951.
)
f*ck yeah welcome back. If he can compete I'm all for this. Love tight competition in DH riding. Though I'm sure most riders here won't care or know who he is since this is DJ/Urban bike nowadays.
[Reply]
[Reply]
i love these names...sorry to be random.
but Mike Metzger, dj rider, and also there is a pro dirtbiker by the same name.
and Shaun Palmer, dh rider, and also the name of a pro snow boarder
so coincedental to me i think
welcome back to where you began though shaun, welcome back
but Mike Metzger, dj rider, and also there is a pro dirtbiker by the same name.
and Shaun Palmer, dh rider, and also the name of a pro snow boarder
so coincedental to me i think
welcome back to where you began though shaun, welcome back
Funny thing is you're talking about the same Shaun Palmer. He races all sorts of things. Boardercross, skiercross, downhill mtb and even MX.
COME ON PEOPLE!!! There is ONLY ONE PALMER. And he owns it on a Snowboard, DH, MX, and Skis. Do your research and learn a little about the worlds greatest athlete and one of the most influential people in extreme sports.
And the time he won the Pike Peak Car race in a suped up Cadillac......Race Car Driver, Skateboarder, yadda yadda..........
Although the Mike Metzger one is a coincidence, Shaun Palmer the DH rider IS Shaun Palmer the pro snow boarder and Shaun Palmer the MXer and Shaun Palmer the "I'll do awesome at whatever other sport I decide to do-er".
This should be interesting. The guy is pure badassery.
This should be interesting. The guy is pure badassery.
There are TWO Mike Metzgers out there. One is the dirt jumper and the other is the former motocross rider turned DH racer turned Super Motard racer turned Tattoo guru.
Rumors have him racing in MSA and Bromont so you may be lucky. He will have to qualify though and that could be a problem as we don't really know how fast he is.
He is racing US Nationals at Sol Vista, CO this weekend, and Bromont for sure. Watch the video:
http://www.littermag.com/2009/shaun-palmer-returns-to-downhill-mountain-bike-racing/
http://www.littermag.com/2009/shaun-palmer-returns-to-downhill-mountain-bike-racing/
He was testing the V10 and Evil DH bikes out and choose the Intense, so I have to assume that it rides even better (at least according to Palm).
Other than mentioning a race at Fontucky they dont say where or when he's going to race. He should do the last of the WC rounds and maybe throw in the World Championships to boot, I'd bet top 10 for sure. I still have his poster hanging in my garage..............Napaaalllmmm!
[Reply]
Shaun Palmer as never been one of my favorite ,never could get around the caracter and the attidue he as.
but he is quite and atlete and deserve high recognition and respect.
he MADE snowboard , hands down.And took the sport of downhill mountain biking to where it is today (the coolest sport ever !!!IMO)
personnaly , i just think it's super nice to see a 40 year old getting back into the sport and really aiming for the highest level.
i'm pretty sure he will be in St-Anne and Bromont , cant wait to see Napalm in action.
immagine that , Peaty , MIchael Pascal and Napalm racing and ROb Warner commentating , this is 2009 !!!
this post probably dont mean a lot to the younger readers , but people that have been folowing DH racing in the 90's can relate !...
but he is quite and atlete and deserve high recognition and respect.
he MADE snowboard , hands down.And took the sport of downhill mountain biking to where it is today (the coolest sport ever !!!IMO)
personnaly , i just think it's super nice to see a 40 year old getting back into the sport and really aiming for the highest level.
i'm pretty sure he will be in St-Anne and Bromont , cant wait to see Napalm in action.
immagine that , Peaty , MIchael Pascal and Napalm racing and ROb Warner commentating , this is 2009 !!!
this post probably dont mean a lot to the younger readers , but people that have been folowing DH racing in the 90's can relate !...
having done an interview with palmer, im a massive fan, he talks to people like they talk to him, be a punk, he will be one back, real sound guy, good to have him back
WOW! It was a suprise seeing that name! Palmer was littered all over the biking articles back in the day 1998....takes me back haha
Yeah he was doing pretty smooth moves through alot of difficult courses. Good to see my old neighbor from 16 years ago.
Yeah is quite an inspiration, i' m 34 now and I remember when this guy appeared from "nowhere" with a blasting attitude and speed ... is only problem was the Nico' s Era.
Now at 41 I think is possible to showoff talent, no doubt . Francois Gachet was world champion at 30 and Peaty is the life prof that age may not be a problem in this sport and at this level.
Welcome back!
Now at 41 I think is possible to showoff talent, no doubt . Francois Gachet was world champion at 30 and Peaty is the life prof that age may not be a problem in this sport and at this level.
Welcome back!
a little bit of JohnnyT, too. Don't think Missy'll make bail. Nico for sure! It is cool for the Palm to be back! the sport needs him back for a little, as badluckbiker put it, badassery.
[Reply]
[Reply]
Yes, Palm and Tomac have always been the best in my opinion. I remember when they rode Xvert carbons so I went out and bought a set.....loved them.
[Reply]
nice
I read about him coming back in Decline and it appeared in there that he was gonna ride for santa cruz, guess i was wrong
awesome that he's coming back
awesome that he's coming back
[Reply]
I agree with a coment before this one about him acting like a punk and puting on his pimp jacket and gold crown when wining but riding the downhill course in Switzerland World Championships in 1997 even though Nico won the race,Palmer and Peaty were the smoothest most styliest riders there. Now remeber, he is doing DH again to cross train for the snowboard, not to do all races.
Great to see him back!!!!
Great to see him back!!!!
niiice to see he is coming back full circle. he and Missy Giove were the true free spirits of MTB'ing back in the day. right thurr is one of the OGs, respect. GO NAPALM!!!
i thought he ended up diggin the Evil bike most. Doesn't matter..nothin' like Napalm on the mountain!
I dont know why he wouldn't go with the evil. We got one of 3 prototypes up here in Spokane, Washington. Those things are crazy. You can like change the headtube angle and all this other stuff. Pretty cool to see Shaun Palmer rides dh though.
Nice to see man.. Palmer will get to the bottom of all these young punks with tight pants.. Stoked to see him on a bike again, and can 't wait to see him snowboarding..
Post A New Comment
Why was a comment deleted?
1. add additional on topic info to the article that other users will find useful
2. add props and support/encouragement for the video/photo/article/product/story
3. add and explain constructive criticism for the video/photo/article/product/story
1. add additional on topic info to the article that other users will find useful
2. add props and support/encouragement for the video/photo/article/product/story
3. add and explain constructive criticism for the video/photo/article/product/story
RSS
