Whistler Mountain Bike Park Teams Up With Giant & SRAM

Jan 31, 2012 at 17:23

Other new partnerships include RockShox Suspension and AVID Brakes while WMBP's longstanding relationship with SRAM continues...

Danny Hart at Whistler on the Giant Glory - photo by Sterling Lorence

Whistler Mountain Bike Park and Giant Bicycles are excited to announce they will be working together for the 2012 bike season. Giant, one of mountain biking’s top bike manufacturers, will become the official bike partner of the Whistler Mountain Bike Park. Additionally the Whistler Mountain Bike Park is pleased to announce they will be working with RockShox suspension and AVID brakes this year, while continuing their partnership with SRAM and TRUVATIV.

Giant Bicycles is one of the biggest, and arguably best, mountain bike manufactures in the world, and the Whistler Mountain Bike Park is stoked to work with them. Giant's line of gravity mountain bikes are second to none, and we are extremely happy to partner with Giant, RockShox and AVID to supply premium mountain bike products to our customers. - Bike Park Manager Brian Finestone

Giant's Andrew Neethling on his way to winning the A-Line Downhill at Crankworx this past year.

Whistler Mountain Bike Park’s rental fleet of Giant bikes will consist of 150 Glory and Faith models. 50 of them will be set up for the expert or bike “fanatic” who wants to rent a top of the line race or gravity machine, while the remaining 100 will be set up for the novice to intermediate rider.

Whistler Mountain Bike Park is not only the biggest and best lift-accessed bike park in the world, but it is also a great place to connect with riders from around the world. The incredible terrain in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park is the perfect testing ground for our mountain bikes. - Paul Nash of Giant Canada

The Giant bikes will be equipped with the latest DH specific components from SRAM, RockShox, AVID and TRUVATIV. The addition of Easton Havoc DH wheels and Maxxis tires results in an exceptional rental fleet for any type of rider. Each bike will be meticulously maintained by Whistler Mountain Bike Park mechanics who will be completing SRAM Technical University (STU) training and will have a thorough knowledge of the Giant bicycles.

The Whistler Bike Park Giant Glory's will also come in a custom Bike Park color edition.

Andrew Neethling took home second behing Steve Smith today at the Canadian Open.

Andrew Neethling racing in the Canadian Open on his Giant Glory.

With over 2,500 employees, offices in over 15 countries and a focus on getting people on bikes, SRAM is thrilled to continue an almost 11 year relationship with the Whistler Mountain Bike Park.

We consider Whistler Mountain Bike Park to be the most established and progressive mountain bike park in the world and we are always excited to continue to work with them. We had an extremely successful year working with Giant's Global Race Team last year, and we are thrilled to welcome Giant to the SRAM and Whistler Mountain Bike Park family. - David Zimberoff, SRAM Global Marketing Director

The Whistler Mountain Bike Park rental fleet will be composed of some of the most elite mountain bikes on the market. SRAM is a leader in the downhill mountain bike industry and we are delighted to continue to team up with them. - Brain Finestone

The Whistler Mountain Bike Park is currently under a few feet of snow, but expect to see the all-new Giant bicycles in Whistler Blackcomb’s rental stores in the spring of 2012. Opening day for the Whistler Mountain Bike Park’s 2012 season is expected to be in May.

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82 Comments

Score Time

+ 30

rhys-the-rider (Feb 1, 2012 at 0:06)

i think thats a good move on both their parts, BUT SO MANY CHANGES THIS YEAR!!!!!
p.s the blue on the glory looks soooo good!

+ 16

SHARK555 Plus (Feb 1, 2012 at 0:22)

everyone got a 8 ball for christmas.

+ 25

Dhracer97 (Feb 1, 2012 at 6:48)

This is a GIANT step for whistler Wink

Great to hear!

- 61

octalex1 (Feb 1, 2012 at 8:11) (Below Threshold) show comment

danny hart can lick balls

- 20

stinky-deluxe-smith (Feb 1, 2012 at 9:19) (Below Threshold) show comment

is there gunna be a carbon glory?

+ 20

pinityoufairy (Feb 1, 2012 at 11:03)

this is so sick. definitely beats the horde of konas

+ 11

HMBA106 (Feb 1, 2012 at 15:11)

^ And their marzocchi forks and hayes brakes...

lumpy12 (Feb 1, 2012 at 17:27)

EEEWW KONA BARF BARF! finally no more brake bumps at that amazing bike park!

despar66 (Feb 1, 2012 at 20:46)

so you guys are saying you would reject a free kona operator? wow, the world is ending.

HMBA106 (Feb 1, 2012 at 20:49)

I don't think anybody said that...

despar66 (Feb 1, 2012 at 20:56)

Lumpy just said he throws up over konas, that basicly means if he got one for free he would throw up on it soo....

xpirimint (Feb 2, 2012 at 0:42)

I was wondering how a bike park like Whistler was renting bikes like Konas. I like how it took Kona for EVER to step up their game after many broken frames and overall crappy designs. Well this year they're looking a lot better, but only because they're looking more like Giant hahahaha

Look at the newer kona bikes, you'll see just what I'm talking about.

stinky-deluxe-smith (Feb 2, 2012 at 9:24)

why did i get such low props for asking if there will be a carbon glory?..

octalex1 (Feb 2, 2012 at 12:15) (Below Threshold) show comment

why did i get such low props for saying danny hart can lick balls

+ 12

stinky-deluxe-smith (Feb 2, 2012 at 13:01)

cause your an idiot

octalex1 (Feb 2, 2012 at 17:10) (Below Threshold) show comment

ur mom

StinkyD-509 (Feb 3, 2012 at 17:46)

@ xpirimint, there is more simularity with suspension designs between Kona and Trek than Kona and Giant

xpirimint (Feb 4, 2012 at 1:02)

I agree, completely. Just saying I think Kona is trying to get as close to Giant as possible w/o getting in trouble.

rhys-the-rider (Feb 4, 2012 at 3:17)

HAHAHAHA, that just sounds like giant is a 15 year old girl and kona is a dirty paedophile...

stinky-deluxe-smith (Feb 4, 2012 at 9:59)

you have a wierd fetish?..

octalex1 (Feb 4, 2012 at 10:55)

your mom thats the reason your here

SHARK555 Plus (Feb 4, 2012 at 14:29)

HAHAHAH! oh wow, did you come up that all by yourself! you must have so many friends with OG jokes like that!

rhys-the-rider (Feb 6, 2012 at 1:32)

if it's a weird fetish to want to ride young giants all day and of the night then yes, i have a weird fetish.

[Reply]

+ 29

flatlandgod (Feb 1, 2012 at 5:10)

See ya later kona. Maybe this means no more brake bumps

Spanishfly (Feb 1, 2012 at 10:22)

This is the best comment in here.....lol Smile

thelumberjack (Feb 1, 2012 at 10:51)

I agree top comment - but are(n't the braking bumps mostly caused by (slow) riders dragging down the trails?

peterman1234 (Feb 1, 2012 at 22:14)

i thought it was from noobs skidding?

thelumberjack (Feb 2, 2012 at 5:30)

same thing - when will they learn Wink

[Reply]

+ 23

SHARK555 Plus (Feb 1, 2012 at 0:20)

"2012, the world as we know it will end"

MY GOD! its happening!

[Reply]

+ 19

kfitz (Feb 1, 2012 at 6:24)

Its funny how everybody disses giant, even when they make frames for almost every bike manufacture

mountguitars (Feb 1, 2012 at 8:54)

and they also don't know or maybe tend to forget that giant is the world's biggest bike manufacturer, merida playing 2nd to the title.

robc10 (Feb 1, 2012 at 13:23)

Giant glory frames have gotta be one of the nicest out.. my freind rides one and i love the square tubes instead of the normal circular straight downtube

larryssman7 (Feb 1, 2012 at 20:07)

isnt trek the biggest?

FlailingChimp (Feb 2, 2012 at 1:25)

most of trek's comfort fleet/hybrid/all around low-end fleet is manufactured by giant. I work in a Trek delaer and anytime a bike say sub-$500 comes in the tag says Giant Corp. on the shipping label.

Good to see whistler stepping up the quality of their fleet.

BobbyJr271 (Feb 3, 2012 at 12:07)

Giant makes 9 out of 10 Trek (see made in Taiwan) Not just low end but high end as well. They are by far the largest bike manufacturer in the world. And they are filled with some great people who ride quite often that are definitely not slouches. wow I sound like I work for them I'll stop now.

[Reply]

+ 18

WhistlerMountainBikePark (Feb 1, 2012 at 0:42)

Welcome to the team Giant, RockShox and Avid!

[Reply]

+ 12

highstreet (Feb 1, 2012 at 7:43)

All that matters is what they said at the bottom of the article, "Opening day for the Whistler Mountain Bike Park’s 2012 season is expected to be in May." Only 4 Months left!

[Reply]

+ 12

neimbc (Feb 1, 2012 at 5:08)

See what one insane run and a crazy whip can do to sell bikes! Giant loves Danny!

[Reply]

+ 10

genericmk (Feb 1, 2012 at 8:19)

Bummer for Canada; it's weird that they don't have a deal with one of the many bike manufacturers that are Canadian!

NORTHender Plus (Feb 1, 2012 at 14:21)

You're right, It should be Devinci!

RedShredder (Feb 1, 2012 at 16:23)

As awesome as it would be to have a Canadian brand supply WMBP with their bikes, it's not really feasible. For a company of Devinci's size it would be worth way too much (for Whistler and Devinci) to provide 150 Wilsons. Rocky Mountain "might" be able to pull it off, but Giant just so huge! It's easy for them to keep prices low on a fleet.

[Reply]

ChainsawGeoff (Feb 1, 2012 at 0:07)

Overdrive steerer tubes for everyone!

thelumberjack (Feb 1, 2012 at 1:24)

lol

cedrico (Feb 1, 2012 at 5:48)

there isn't overdrive on the double crown models (glory) because there is no stiffness gain due to the connection of the stem to the top crown.

mountguitars (Feb 1, 2012 at 8:56)

well, the other point of having an oversized head tube is bigger weld points for either the down tube and/or top tube which makes the bike stiffer and/or durable.

UncleCliffy (Feb 1, 2012 at 14:00)

He said steer tube. Not head tube...

mountguitars (Feb 3, 2012 at 22:16)

haha, sorry about that. its just that there are no patented Overdrive steerer tubes to begin with. its always been Overdrive head tubes. so the first thing that came to my mind are the head tubes. LOL!

[Reply]

b-mcclelland (Feb 1, 2012 at 8:06)

I'll get excited about rental bikes when WBP teams up with a brand from this side of the border.

HMBA106 (Feb 1, 2012 at 15:13)

Devinci! I'd love to ride a Wilson!

[Reply]

o2beland (Feb 1, 2012 at 0:18)

Glad to see the bike mechanics will be completing a SRAM course a couple of mechanics last year were idiots

[Reply]

lacykemp (Feb 1, 2012 at 11:18)

Here's what you can do on a Giant on A Line... if you're Danny Hart. http://contour.com/stories/danny-hart-jeep-air-dh-crankworx-2011--2

[Reply]

hurtinunit (Feb 1, 2012 at 9:49)

Good riddance Kona!
Gone are the days of riding my AM rig instead of renting a Stinky.
Can't wait to trash a Glory at Whistler!

[Reply]

PeytonP (Feb 1, 2012 at 7:05)

This is exactly where I want to visit and progress on a Glory and Faith. Cool news.

[Reply]

bikerguy222 (Feb 1, 2012 at 16:13)

The custom paintjob for whistler's glorys looks better than the new 2012 graphics!

[Reply]

GRIEVE12 (Feb 1, 2012 at 18:14)

Looks like I've got a place to go on holiday (of course I'd be leaving my bike at home)

[Reply]

fatcatdj (Feb 1, 2012 at 1:21)

what? no more garbanzos with the meal?

[Reply]

jctoupin (Mar 8, 2012 at 22:34)

cracking frames invasion good think giant have good warranties

[Reply]

shom1 (Feb 4, 2012 at 12:45)

theyre going to be rebuilt constantly

[Reply]

DragRider (Feb 1, 2012 at 3:27)

Make them more durable !! Wink

[Reply]

shralper831 (Feb 1, 2012 at 11:47)

yeah wat about that

[Reply]

octalex1 (Feb 4, 2012 at 8:04)

Sorry guys but the demo 8frame is the best bike around

[Reply]

LTmtb (Feb 1, 2012 at 15:54)

Dislike. Giants are too steep.

[Reply]

faultlinetv (Feb 1, 2012 at 0:05)

What is happening to the world?

MingMtnMedia (Feb 1, 2012 at 8:58)

Sounds a lot Gianter then Kona!

betsie Plus (Feb 1, 2012 at 15:14)

Glad the news is out. Nobody asking the question.... Why?

NORTHender Plus (Feb 1, 2012 at 17:00)

Giant is sponsoring Whistler! Win Win for both parties.

faultlinetv (Feb 1, 2012 at 17:27)

Hey I wasn't saying it was a bad thing. There have just been a lot of major changes this year. Kona has been with Whistler for a while now so its interesting to see them out, and Giant in.

[Reply]

betsie Plus (Feb 1, 2012 at 15:14)

Glad the news is out. Nobody asking the question.... Why?

[Reply]

shom1 (Feb 1, 2012 at 14:43)

i feel bad for the mechanic who have to rebuild those boxxers

NORTHender Plus (Feb 1, 2012 at 16:58)

Why's that?

[Reply]

Below threshold threads are hidden

- 11

Creamy (Feb 1, 2012 at 5:37)

"Giant Bicycles is one of the biggest, and arguably best,"

Gag, yeah right

+ 13

yeahbro (Feb 1, 2012 at 7:11)

You ride an 04 bighit and your bashing the 2012 faiths and glory's...

[Reply]

hoolydooly (Feb 1, 2012 at 0:47)

Meh.

[Reply]

cameronbikes (Feb 1, 2012 at 3:50)

Like how they photoshopped out the beer can that Hart was whipping. Makes it look a little more professional. Sorry for Kona. Good luck giant.

redrook (Feb 1, 2012 at 4:06)

Nah it's a different whip. During the whip contest a crankworx, he threw many that day.

[Reply]

yoyomateehee (Feb 1, 2012 at 8:31)

rockey mountain is way better then giant

bomberdave (Feb 1, 2012 at 9:38)

although the flatline is a very nice bike, you clearly have no idea what your talking about. Giant is THE biggest company with some of the best tech available. Those purdy Trek session 88's? built in the same factory as the Glory, with a big ol' Giant sign on it.

Sorry though for Kona, those guys are awesome to deal with. I love my Operator and Hei Hei and the support that come with them. To all the people that complain about Kona, In my shop days I've dealt with far worse from "better" and more popular company's. Also if your a solid rider, you'll know that the brake bumps aren't caused by bike's, but shitty riders that can't handle their speed.

yoyomateehee (Feb 2, 2012 at 14:23)

ill give ya that but i still like RM better

[Reply]

richardsouthernextreme (Feb 1, 2012 at 2:36)

I pity those mechanics....

[Reply]

Bashment (Feb 1, 2012 at 3:30)

no kona ? tought kona was part of the D.N.A of whistler

[Reply]

dtrainmiller (Feb 1, 2012 at 2:54)

Not like I care, but, what about Kona. Are they no longer gonna be in partnership with Whistler bike park???

[Reply]

spoonyman (Feb 1, 2012 at 5:22)

"Giant Bicycles is one of the biggest, and arguably best,"

I think not: http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/7252177/

http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/7252181/

I reckon Whistler might have a few (around 149) warranty claims to make this year!

[Reply]