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I think Chris Canfield has a patent pending and some prototypes out in the wild doing exactly this. With three positions actually.
"CF3" with the main pivot able to rotate around the rear axle/pivot so geo doesn't change when the main pivot changes. He talked about it on Bike Rumor's podcast I think.
https://suspension-formulas.com/
https://patents.google.com/patent/US20210380195A1/en?assignee=Suspension+Formulas%2c+LLC
So he wants to patent te ability to move the main pivot along the seat tube? Geez the US patent system needs to die a horrible death as soon as possible.
EDIT: No wonder why that patent got rejected...
you can find fox tools made by individuals that are notably less expensive than the official fox version on ebay, etc. i have a couple and they work just fine.
Long shot, but anyone hear whether the new 2024 spesh “epic evo” will move to S sizing, specifically whether it will be offered in S6?
Not sure on the EVO, but I've seen the dealer sheet for the "regular" 2024 Epic and they are keeping with S, M, L, XL sizing. The regular Epic is getting SWAT storage, so I'm pretty confident that the Evo will get SWAT as well. Which, in my opinion, will make an already amazing bike, even better.
I haven’t heard anything about “S” sizing either, but can also confirm Swat on both models. No more brain and 120/120mm on the standard Epic, 130/120mm on the Evo.
I’ve heard the same. I think they are dropping “Evo” from both the Epic and Stumpjumper lines. The Stumpjumper Evo will just be the Stumpjumper and fill the 140-160 category. The Epic Evo will become the Epic 130 and will sort of blend the old Epic Evo and “regular” stumpjumper into one bike.
I recently got one.
I'm a bigger dude who always goes to max on shock pressure and its sooooo nice.
The "No Release" chuck head takes some getting used to. Lots of air in the line, so even if you disengage the pump side from the shock side, when you wind the head off the shock it feels like it's losing a ton of air. It's all in the line.
I should've bought one years ago, honestly.
Its actually so cool to see XC evolving to be more aggressive in all fronts of riding. Not just climbing and efficiency. Hell, make tracks a little more crazy and itll be like watching massive 4X races. Id watch that live.
Bummer, as a big boy (6’6”/198cm) I was really hoping they would do the same frame sizes as the current SJ evo.
Found the spec sheet after some sleuthing (ok not that much required). Sadly it looks like us Clydesdales will be SOL on the epics, though the geo chart in the spec sheet does seem to have some glaring errors (sizes are wrong) so who knows….
other site just posted a wrapped up proto HP canyon sender. looks like the chain/seat stay has a pivot concentric to the axle. also, idler + ochain.
Since the new epic evo/130 or whatever they call it will (likely) also be replacing the regular stumpjumper, I could see them having S sizing on that model. However, if it shares the same frame as the standard 120/120 Epic then I’d imagine the sizing would also carry over too. I’d prefer different sizing as well, I was in between L and XL when I bought my Epic Evo. I wanted the reach of the XL but didn’t want the seat tube length. I ended up getting a L which allowed me to run a 170mm dropper. I know it’s not apples/apples but I also have an S4 enduro and the reach on that is like 30mm longer than the Epic.
I’m hoping the new Epic Evo is a completely dedicated frame with different geometry from the regular 2024 Epic. If so, that will likely be my next frame.
Big and tall folks should also pay attention to listed rider weight limits on Specialized XC bikes as some models in the past have had relatively low max weights for someone of your height. It would probably be fine either way, but you'd basically get no warranty coverage
So the OLD patent from the Honda days was for a literal internal derailleur and traditional cassette. The cassette can be moved horizontally to help with chainline and shifting. This dual, opposing cassettes idea is different enough that I doubt there would be any over lap....
UNFORTUNATELY, just last year Shimano applied for another patent that exactly matches my idea.
https://www.bike198.com/shimano-gearbox-patent/
The new Epic and Epic Evo will share frames. The only difference will be 10mm more fork travel on the Evo. Sorry to burst your bubble.
Epic pic looks to be xc flight attendant as well. Not sure if there have been shots of that previously on here.
It looks like there is a pivot below the chainring. This going to have suspension like the new Demo?
That’s only mildly terrifying…hopefully an “evo” type thing, aka downcountry, wouldn’t have one, as imho the whole point of those bikes is to get yourself into stupid stuff you have no business doing on an XC bike.
Patent discussions make me wonder what happened to Wheelbased. Looks like he went quiet about a year ago.
Looking like this is the lineup for '24 Specialized
Epic World Cup: Released last year
Epic: Dropping very soon (120 rear, builds with 120 and 130mm forks for XC or Downcountry/Trail) w/SWAT and S sizing
Stumpjumper: un-released but basically same frame (but without motor) as the recently release Tubro Levo SL
Enduro: Re-designed last minute to incorporate the design of the Demo prototype. Late summer/fall release for MY25?
Demo: Un-changed until production available, full carbon, late '24 or early '25.
talking this one, not the lightweight
https://www.norco.com/bikes/e-mountain/e-trail/fluid-vlt/2023-fluid-a1-…
Not sure if they keep the full powered fluid for 24
No news on the Turbo Levo replacement at all?
They aren't going to keep the heavy Fluid with the big motor.
Did I miss it? Has someone already posted about the HP Canyon prototype? Looks to be a split pivot, which only makes sense (to me) to get around I-Tracks patent. Why would they have to worry about that for a prototype?
Stop forcing bikes to wear diapers.
Lizard Skins is expanding its product offering
If anyone remembers me mentioning a new canfield prototype I saw at a jump park in Salt Lake a little while back.. it looked a LOT like that design.
Does anyone know when the new Canyon Torque is coming?
Does anyone else think that those Saint calipers look a bit bigger than the normal ones? Also it looks like the direct mount Saint cranks are getting a lot closer to being available given how many bikes they've been showing up on recently. I'd be intrigued to see if they make anything shorter than 165mm following Laurie Greenland's not so secretive usage of Hope's 155m cranks with Saint stickers on them.