Considering how far bike technology has come in recent decades, it’s kind of crazy we’re still using a chain-driven system that first came about in (quick Google search) 1885.
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It doesn’t make sense to pick one thing and divorce it from the whole in an attempt to show how little it matters. Many factors go into a win, tires are a significant one.
Wertz ran Rene Herse tires at Unbound and suffered immensely due to flats. His day, at that event, would have been significantly different with different tires.
A racer needs to be in the proper place to exhibit their skills, to engage in tactics to win. Tires, maybe more than any other equipment choice, affect the ability to get to those places.
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Bit OT, but the lack of wide ranging options (pun intended) is not for lack of trying. As a hobby from college, I dug into alternatives and have keep moderate tabs on the options over the many decades of bike drivetrains.
Long story short, a chain remains because it is superior to the alternatives for a number of reasons even though it’s ancient in essence and remains flawed in some ways.
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Well, I guess it is good thing I didn’t do that then. 
Pointing out that his winning move was likely not based on his tire choice doesn’t negate everything that happened before it.
As I think it has been brought up in this thread… it probably matters less than we think it does. But in the end it is best just to run what gives you the most confidence.
I do think a narrower, slick tire is faster on the pavement. You just got to make it to the pavement first.
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The mechanical efficiency of a chain remains unmatched for bicycle systems…efficient, versatile and durable.
Sometimes you just get it right early. 
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He won because of his tire choice.
good thing you aren’t singling one thing out and divorcing it from all the others. 
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3mm of clearance is not enough
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Also having a 54 tooth big ring and a 500 watt ftp doesnt hurt for fast downhill finish
Incredible picture
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One of these things is not like the others…
That’s an important observation. Down sizing to a Medium and then tweaking fit with bar/stem/spacers may make for a litlte more lively handling bike.
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Chain drives are incredibly efficient and versatile, with great durability and modularity. the roller chain is a really great invention.
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They said any damage or issues that arise from running tires larger than spec would void the warranty. Pretty clear cut.
Decided to order the Seigla Ultimate in Medium and get both the rigid fork and the suspension fork. Figure that will be a super veratile setup and super easy to swap back and forth given the external routing. Assuming I don’t hate it, I’ll likely put the Checkpoint SLR up for sale as it likely would be redundant.
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Thanks for follow up. I suspected as such…which goes back to my initial point above in that these brands get to post / claim their bikes fit race winning MTB tires yet us plebeians are SOL if we damage anything. Anyway, curious to hear what you think of the Lauf!
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I don’t agree with this sentiment. Showcasing what a pro has decided to do with their setup is not the same as endorsing it being done by everyone.
Trek can share a video of Riley Amos sending a massive tabletop on his Supercaliber but I have no expectation that if I go out and try the same and bin it and destroy the bike that Trek is in any way to blame.
They pretty clearly state on their website/specs what the recommended tire sizes are. Decisions beyond that are up to user discretion. Furthermore, even if you do run their recommended sizes and then have the frame damaged in a muddy race, that wouldn’t be a legitimate warranty claim either?
I’m just not agreeing that showing us what a motivated pro is willing to do on their bike in any way entitles us to do the same with blame then placed on the manufacturer for issues that arise?
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I don’t think it is that clear-cut. If a manufacturer uses footage of a pro doing crazy things on their bikes, they cannot completely shirk responsibility. Advertisements have to be grounded in reality. On some car commercials you see small captions that mention a “professional driver” was behind the wheel and “Don’t do this at home!”
I haven’t seen the commercial, but taking your word for it. To me that crosses the line, i. e. Trek is IMHO implying that you can use your XC machine for jumps and the like.
While some manufacturers occasionally show photos of the bikes with the riders and larger tires, it’s often pretty hard to make out the actual tire size. It usually takes a lot of instagram sleuthing to find the occasional post which is clear enough to read. Sometimes you can see the brand name, so a search on that model, and see sizes available.
With that amount of work, someone is likely knowledgeable enough to know what their frame is rated for and what the potential risks are in going larger. Since this small group is having the discussion, I think it’d be unreasonable to try and claim ignorance when reaching out to trek for some type of warranty claim.
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Yup.
The only exception are stipulations by many manufacturers that you should not use your bike on the trainer. Some, like Canyon, go a step further and sell trainers on their website, proudly displaying their bikes on the trainer. @dcrainmaker had a funny article about it. Fortunately, trainers do not break bikes (when used properly).
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