Sam Pilgrim abandons Haibike

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As announced today, Pilgs is moving away from Haibike. Honestly, it wasn't a big surprise. Haibike kept discontinuing the ebikes he prefered riding. He did his "worlds first" tricks on the sDuro AllMtn 10.0. A reasonably lightweight, relatively short wheelbase emtb with a 500Wh external battery. Tom Cardy rode that bike too, and he just rode it in one of his latest vids. Haibike discontinued that bike.

samQuitH04.jpg

Photo: Sam Pilgrim Youtube channel

Fortunately for Sam, the entry-level sDuro AllMtn 2.0 was still around for 2020, so he rode that one. Then 2021 happened. Haibike took away that bike too. But Sam found the less known Full Seven model. This was a tad heavier, being an internal battery bike. But it was still a 27.5" bike. Guess what happened for 2022. Yeah, it goes without saying.

samQuitH02.jpg

Photo: Sam Pilgrim Youtube channel

Haibike kept sending him heavier and heavier 29er emtbs. Sam did a video when he got one, and apparently gave it to his brother, Monsieur Lubes I believe. They were putting out fewer and fewer videos featuring emtbs. So, it really was no surprise the releationship came to an end. With his SoMe presence, I believe most bike brands would want to sign Sam. And I'm sure the new brand would make bikes he like, not just discontinuing them.

But, what team has he signed for? There are a few hints in his latest video



So, it's the biggest brand. I thought that was Giant, but they're probably just the biggest frame manufacturer. The new brand got bikes in all the categories he enjoys riding, also emtbs. I'm not sure Giant have got that? And by the way, he's not riding Conti tyres any more. Is he going to a brand with their own line of tyres?

Coud it be Specialized or Trek? What do you think? Anyone out there believe they know where he's heading? He's making the announcement january 4th.
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Knut Nes
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Comments

Lee c
I’m thinking trek… pretty massive brand with all sorts of bikes, and they have a huge team of riders and racers …? Actually saying that probably specialized 😂
 
RustyMTB
Do Spesh still do the P series dirt jumpers? No way will Pilgs ride for a brand that won't give him a DJ frame at the very least.
 
thecremeegg
It's Canyon - he was at the Canyon Head Office a few weeks ago when I was there picking up my bike. He was walking out with two brand spanking new bikes and was chatting with the Marketing guys. Said hello to him as he watched me struggle to get my bike into my impractical car. Nice guy, will be fun to see him with a Canyon!
 
SwampNut
Do many people truly buy bikes because some YouTuber or pro rider talks it up? I know that I am not, and will not ever be at their level, so their reviews are completely irrelevant. In fact in some cases it's negative because they'll say something that I know is counter to my amateur needs.
 
thecremeegg
SwampNut said:
Do many people truly buy bikes because some YouTuber or pro rider talks it up? I know that I am not, and will not ever be at their level, so their reviews are completely irrelevant. In fact in some cases it's negative because they'll say something that I know is counter to my amateur needs.
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Probably I guess? It's like any advertising, it must work otherwise they wouldn't do it.
 
Lee c
thecremeegg said:
It's Canyon - he was at the Canyon Head Office a few weeks ago when I was there picking up my bike. He was walking out with two brand spanking new bikes and was chatting with the Marketing guys. Said hello to him as he watched me struggle to get my bike into my impractical car. Nice guy, will be fun to see him with a Canyon!
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What are the odds of that!! Awesome inside info 😎
 
RustyMTB
thecremeegg said:
It's Canyon - he was at the Canyon Head Office a few weeks ago when I was there picking up my bike. He was walking out with two brand spanking new bikes and was chatting with the Marketing guys. Said hello to him as he watched me struggle to get my bike into my impractical car. Nice guy, will be fun to see him with a Canyon!
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Haha love this place, it never misses.
 
thecremeegg
Hah yes I was a bit surprised myself! I was in the foyer waiting and thought I recognised the registration of the van outside. Then I could hear Pilgs talking and he was in the warehouse next to me getting his bikes. Came out with the Canyon guys and said hello etc, just as nice in person as you'd expect. He had at least 1 dirt jumper, maybe 2, but no eeb!
 
G
thecremeegg said:
It's Canyon - he was at the Canyon Head Office a few weeks ago when I was there picking up my bike. He was walking out with two brand spanking new bikes and was chatting with the Marketing guys. Said hello to him as he watched me struggle to get my bike into my impractical car. Nice guy, will be fun to see him with a Canyon!
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Imagine Sam and Fabio Wibmer in a video - set in the West Country that would be cracking.
 
rzr
Does Giant have slopestyle bikes?
Trek has. Specialized ? didn't see new P bikes.
But I see someone mentioned Canyon.
 
W
SwampNut said:
Do many people truly buy bikes because some YouTuber or pro rider talks it up? I know that I am not, and will not ever be at their level, so their reviews are completely irrelevant. In fact in some cases it's negative because they'll say something that I know is counter to my amateur needs.
Click to expand...
George Foreman sold grills, Michael Jordan sells basket ball attire, no reason Sam won't sell bikes.
 
James_C
Is Canyon one of the bigger bike manufacturers? Sam described the new people as one of the larger if not the largest bike manufacturer, and will a full range of types of bikes.
 
JStrube
haha, I called it first... before the insider posted! every so often, a blind squirrel finds a nut...
 
RickBullotta
Does anyone actually think that personalities sell bikes though? I can't think of ever being influenced to buy a specific brand by an athlete. After buying the bike I want, I might be a fan of a sponsored athlete (e.g. I ride Santa Cruz stuff and cheer for Minaar), but that's after the fact.
 
RustyMTB
The manufacturers do, since they're all at it & I'd take a swing at them being in the best position to judge. Besides on any measure, the investment is tiny. A few bikes, a small travel budget, maybe the odd tin pot video outfit knocking up a pro edit here & there.
 
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