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I'd like to see that linkage...
In my rabbit hole, I noticed that kryptotal was written on both of the tread patterns, so not sure what the final plan is. They've done a good job keeping the wraps on the bts of this one.
Just need to wait and see how close or off the bike I will be from this.
PH
(which is copying trek… kinda)
Beyond that, even if the design is similar, Neko gets a frame exactly to his size, not sure if intense will really make custom sizes for each rider, or just take the overall bike fitted for AG and change the reach for other riders.
And finally, in his second video Neko suggests he might switch between a standard FSR or mid-high pivot depending on the track, which wouldn't be an option at Intense.
About copying what Neko's doing, there are about four proven winning DH bikes (not saying there ar just a few podium capable bikes, I'm just thinking about who won this year, correct me if I am wrong), so the chance of copying the same platform is quite large. VPP probably doesn't allow to "easily" get a rearward axle path which is something to experiment with for sure, while the new supreme is quite complex. That's leaves the Sender/Demo and the Session.
To do a VPP HP design with counter rotating links to maintain the brand aesthetic is not crazy difficult, but in their case, it would likely require paying someone who really knows what they are doing to design it properly, and it isn't likely to be something they could patent either.
The 4-bar horst link design they seem to be going with is a lot easier to prototype and test before investing in something like the VPP HP version. I'm also curios that Santa Cruz hasn't done any VPP HP prototype that I'm aware of yet, you would think the Syndicate would at least want to test the idea?
Neko does not appear to be involved with intense at all at this point. He mentioned being a part of intense testing frames with Aaron and speaking both of those guys had their best results on a session it isn’t too hard of a coincidence they came to a similiar conclusion. I also believe going by his last frameworks episode neko is leaning towards a standard pivot 4 bar where as intense seems committed to hp at this point.
John hall seems to have taken a new role where he will have a bigger role in frame devolopment with intense. My guess is Jeff is still welding prototypes and they will use outside teams like cesar to carbonize their designs for production. But at least with the dh bike it seems the numbers are going to mostly be in Aaron’s and john’s hands now.
-Neko already knows what Intense is developing. He helped them find the direction last year when they tested all the competitors bikes. He's also been riding with Gwin recently and has maintained a friendship with him. So he knows exactly what Jeff is welding up at Intense.
-The Intense bike will likely look just like Neko's bike and obviously the session. The render above is great. Although that long rocker link is a throwback in the early 2000's haha.
-In the Vital podcast with Gwin a year or so ago, it's clear that one reason he joined Intense was so that he could get rapid frame development. That never materialized and he was clearly frustrated with that. I'm assuming that in his contract renewal he demanded new frames and development.
-Assuming that while Neko thought they may eventually see new frames, he thought it was safer to go out on his own and get EXACTLY what he wanted and as has been pointed out many times, could get on tires that put him on the same playing field as the rest of the racers. Meanwhile Gwin, who's riding for a large bike brand is getting on his prototype bike months after Neko and running Vee tires, which may prove to be good, but again only have 1-2 main DH tire tread patterns to choose from vs. 5+ at Maxxis. Crazy that Neko is probably more comfortable and setup with his setup then Gwin is right now.
-As has been mentioned, it's possible they could still use the VPP linkage with the high pivot but it would take more advanced engineering.
-Speaking of that, I'm sure Santa Cruz was testing some high pivot V10s at their camp last week. Greg is likely set on the existing VPP V10 as it's suited him well for so long. But they may be doing testing or full on new gen development with the new guys and gal coming onto the team. Everyone has either gone high pivot or is experimenting. Specialized experimented last winter. Mondraker (Laurie's previous team) is now running/testing HP, etc.
What did Specialized test? An idler or an actual high-ish pivot?
EDIT: found it, it appears the demo did have a different frame and a higher main pivot. The Mondraker just has an idler to lower the pedal kickback it appears.
Even though high pivots are touted as be all, end all, there are riders saying it's not exactly like that. QED, Martin Maes, though for enduro, and you have the world champion, the GOAT, running a standard forward axle path bike.
It might just turn out some people like a more rearward axle path while other don't as a rearward axle path might be messing with the balance, weight distribution and the like while going through the travel. A forward rear axle path doesn't do that.
Plus, an important point, regarding the kinematics, the current crop of high-ish pivots (a-la session) likely brought the axle path to a just slightly more rearward path compared to 26" bikes. With the transition to larger wheels, to not get a ton of pedal kickback, the axle path had to become more and more forward due tot he BB being lower in regards to the axle height.
On that note, how is BB drop measured on a mullet bike?
Is that an Assegai in the title shot? I'm not up to speed with Vee/Kenda treads so can't judge it, but it looks soooooooo much like an Assegai. The knobs, the number of them, the gap tot he side knobs, the curvature of the profile, etc.
That may be true for 29ers, but most racers are now running mullets. If you measure BB drop from the rear, 650b wheel, its a pretty minor difference from 26" bikes with a fixed BB height
In other news, any updates on when Push is going to release their own fork?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7-S0YZM67Q