Originally Posted by
HTupolev
What's the full context? If they were riding down on bikes they raced up, then wouldn't the bikes be uphill-racing bikes, regardless of what a rider would normally prefer on a descent? I'm not sure that the distribution of brake styles would change much, but it's an important distinction in terms of what a given distribution means.
About 200 were fondo riders. I expect they were riding their regular bike.
In addition to that 200, the open class had 30 racers, and then there were about 70 in all the other classes - racing.
Most (>80%) those were riding their normal racing/training bikes. This was not a TT and there is a minor, but real distinction. Brakes and the big gears were used by some on the assent.
Also there were juniors, women, older age classes.
And to the "racer" part. USA racers can ride what they want. Braking is an important part of racing. 90% of racer riding time is spent not racing. They are normal every day riders - going faster. They would logically have more need for better brakes. And they do.
If performance racers don't need them, or choose them for training, going down hill, why do "normal riders"? If anything it should be the opposite.