Hello Vital MTB Visitor,
We’re conducting a survey and would appreciate your input. Your answers will help Vital and the MTB industry better understand what riders like you want. Survey results will be used to recognize top brands. Make your voice heard!
Five lucky people will be selected at random to win a Vital MTB t-shirt.
Thanks in advance,
The Vital MTB Crew
Wyn isn’t even trying to hide that prototype gt anymore. Release coming soon?
I actually rode the current XXL Capra (might have even been an XL actually) and compared to my ride, it's horrible for pedalling up a hill.
2021 Shimano saint details
M820 is the good ol' Saint.
Same colour, same link, etc., and you can see here that the idler height is not that extreme compared to the top of the chainring, while you can see in the wheelie video that the chain is relatively far up from the chainstay, which isn't that usual on modern bikes - chains are usually much closer on idlerless bikes. The same could be true on an idler equipped bike, but the GT has a relatively low chainstay position compared to the idler.
I don't have personal experience, but I know a few people that do and that follow the topic quite in-depth (in multiple owners groups across the internet).
It might be blown out of proportion, but at first glance it seems quite rampant. And the replacement strategy seems like putting out fires kind of strategy, though it might be connected to stocking issues as well.
I've seen the PB threads about cracks, and check the frame once a week. I do know someone who cracked one, and got a replacement from spec in about 10 days.
In short, the machine learning model is designed to output an 'assist ratio' to a motor and gearbox so the rider is always in a 'comfort zone' when riding, based on sensed information around the bike. Then, the system will periodically ask you whether you liked the settings or not, and will adjust the machine learning model as you answer questions. Over time, the bike will learn you, and only you, for an optimal ride. Not sure if this is interesting or scary. Either way, here's proof that bike research is far beyond where the public thinks we're at. It's only a matter of time before we have legitimate smart-bikes.
https://wheelbased.com/2021/04/29/output-device-method-for-generating-a-machine-learning-model-and-a-computer-program-by-shimano/
While I'm a massive geek (I have a complete separate, self-setup TrueNAS NAS machine with two additional SBCs running Pi-Hole on my network besides the main workstation and an additional simulation/compute machine waiting for some parts to build it up, all of it mostly for fun, not for profit or anything), I do intend to keep my bike mechanical for the foreseeable future. Which means smart bikes aren't really a factor for me
I get that it might (and probably will) improve bike handling and experience and I'm all for advancements and improvements (hell, I'm riding a 1292 mm wheelbased XL 29er trailbike at 150 mm of travel front and rear, I went fully 'advanced'), but there is also a point to be made to improve your technique instead of improving the technology you put between your legs.