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.

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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.

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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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About author
knut7
Knut Nes
Started mountainbiking in the 90s. Moved to emtbs in 2014 and have been reviewing them since 2016. Contact me here https://emtb.no/contact/

Comments

knut7
I edited this response. The article I linked to was a leak, it's not publicly available, so I removed it.
 
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RickBullotta
RustyMTB said:
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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Well, Specialized scaled back their program quite a bit - and that's because "they're in the best position to judge". I'm skeptical that it really moves the needle, at least in the MTB world.
 
G
I do like the look of the new Canyons not sure Sam would tempt me into getting one so I can do tailwhips but I do think they’ll have some great projects.
 
Yamanote
His exit from Haibike was sad. He should have been more respectful as they paid him for so long. There are always sponsorships transitions and it's not too smart to burn bridges at each transition.
 
G
Yamanote said:
His exit from Haibike was sad. He should have been more respectful as they paid him for so long. There are always sponsorships transitions and it's not too smart to burn bridges at each transition.
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I didn't think he was at all disrespectful. Sure the thumbnail for the video had a slightly shocking banner but that's the nature of grabbing attention on YouTube.

I wouldn't buy a Canyon because of Sam, but when I was looking for a bike they were a brand I kind of "forgot about", looked at everything at local shops and listed at big online retailers, but being direct sales I forgot about Canyon until quite a long way into the process. Sponsoring Sam will definitely raise brand awareness.
 
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