Yeti's new 303 WC Carbon
 

Jared Graves and his new ride:

http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p4pb7831206/p4pb7831206.jpg

There, ya happy, Dan?

Carbon front triangle only for now; alloy swingarm. Now, mind you, the 2012 alloy 303 WC is 9.9 lbs, down over half a pound from the 'little brother' 303R - - now the folks at Yeti, without getting into specifics, are saying this one should be 1½-2 lbs. lighter than it. So that should put it in the . . . errr . . . 8-8½ lb. range. Wow.

More here: http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Yeti-30...World-Cup.html

BEEFY! What's up with the square tubing? Yeti trademark, stability?

Dunno why the square-ish profiles. I'm sure Peter (Zawistowski - - Yeti's design engineer) has his reasons. It's not a Yeti thing but they are known for being pretty inventive with their tube shapes/manipulations. Check out at some of the forms on the 303R.

Saw the Pinkbike post on it. Seems like a great ride. All black like that is mean looking as well.

Whats the point of a carbon DH bike?

Less weight to pick up to hang on the lift?

^^ Haha! . . . I know you're being facetious but I'm going to answer straight anyway, because it raises some good points:

• A lighter bike jumps/maneuvers in the air better.
• It's easier to pedal. Yeah, downhillers pedal . . . a lot, believe it or not. One run down the Sea Otter DH course will make you a believer of that.
• Biases the center of gravity lower - - most of the lower, heavier parts (drivetrain, rear suspension, wheels) make up a greater percentage of the bike's weight.
• Allows you to finesse some lines rather than having to just hang on and plow sections
• Humor - - lets others laugh at the hack who bought one thinking it would make him faster (unless, of course, you ARE Danny Hart or Jared Graves).

One thing I did notice when I was watching the race was how much louder the carbon bikes are.

Not as loud as these wheels!

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6015/5...d226ee49_z.jpg

You could always tell when Tomac or Herrbold were coming.

Yep.