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Looks like but probably isn't.
Does however look like less space for in frame storage than the V4.1.
New Bronson tomorrow. Release videos are already scheduled on Santa Cruz youtube.
Any idea when the new nomad will be coming?
At least a full year out since they just released new colors.
The rumour was a mx/29 (bronson/hightower) platform but there doesn't look like there are any flip chips (apart from the usual very minimal one at the shock).
Maybe it will be a separate mullet link you have to buy instead of just a flip chip?
Some more pictures.
I love my Bronson V4 I don‘t know how it could be better. From Trail/Enduro rides to Bikepark it is perfect.
Can anyone spot a shifting cable or they went full electric too?
You can see shift housing here, on the XTR-equipped bike.
The brown one has shimano and a full compliment of cables. And has room for an X2.
Well, the last Spark I Seviced has been through all conditions, and the paste/grime from the headset/spacers was found all the way to the shock entrance.
Regardless, if a headset, at the highest point, has holes in it, just riding in the rain will cause water to find its way in, it follows the cables and goes in since its not sealed, its not hate towards the system ( also ) but I mean it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure it out.
Already on the normal ones crap finds its way in, how can a system with openings not facilitate dirt entrance
This is what I was thinking. For the smoother stuff my Spur [with 140 fork and DPX2 shock] is awesome, but when I get onto a "BC" blue with some jumps and chunder, it makes funny [bad] noises and feels rough, especially at speed. Such a fun bike, but maybe a Smuggler would be better? 🤔
Yes, they copied SC first, but then SC copied them back!
IDK how popular this opinion is, but all else equal, if I wanted a VPP I would prefer the uniqueness of steel over a big box brand. Maybe I'm biased because of how many SCs I see in Utah. They do ride very well.
You mean like this? - https://thesuspensionlab.nz/blog/2021/1/31/effects-of-temperature-on-suspension-performance
I ran those tests about 5 years ago, it just took a while to get round to writing them up. It was mostly comparing different oils to see how much affect they had but overall the changes were pretty minor. I've found on the trail that shocks heat up pretty rapidly to around 20*c (even bouncing around the carpark will warm it up alot) and then starts to taper off and typically reach an equilibrium between 30 and 40 degrees. Through that range the different in damping is negligible. There might be some cases where the rate of heating exceeds the cooling from air flow but that would be pretty extreme, ie several minutes of massive repeated boulders at high speed! Changes in air spring are much greater so more likely what people feel during a run, or maybe the increase in IFP pressure for some shocks (and yes my tests were normalise to remove gas pressure across the range)
Typically the highest amount of energy comes from higher bike speeds so the cooling is automatically increased and the issue self-corrects for the most part
An aluminium shock body will feel crazy hot at only 50 degrees so even the most extreme shock temps people see aren't really that hot. Much hotter than that would become an actual burn hazard for people too! I still want to do some more trail tests (rate of heating could be an interesting metric for how a bike is set up too..) but I think there is actually a pretty safe margin and enough headroom that overheating isn't a major issue. Even Scott bikes have a cooling duct for the internal shocks which seems to channel enough air to keep it under control, especially when all the air through the hole will get directed straight on to the shock. Still a terrible idea for other reasons but heat isn't one of them!
https://www.pinkbike.com/news/spotted-new-shimano-brakes-and-dh-drivetrain.html new shimano stuff from the other site, sometime 2025 should be time for a new gen Shimano
One on the left looks like it might be mullet. X2 and a 38 so that might be the new nomad. Pretty early to see a pic of it if it wont release for a year
I assume the calipers/levers will carry over to xt/xtr and they look pretty much production spec. Shimano are VERY good at keeping stuff hidden ,so release must be imminent.
from what i've heard early 2025 👀
found on facebook, never seen before
Regarding the SC Bronson/Hightower picture posted, both the dark red and pink have 36 fork which would confirm they are indeed Bronson and Hightower and not Mega/Nomad. 100% sure older Hightower couldn't fit a X2 and Bronson was able to fit a coil but not high volume air shock like X2 or Vivid. The new big window above the BB is most likely to give access to air valve at the middle of the shock and easier access to rebound on most coil shock (rotate 180deg the lower eyelet to have access from the bottom for the rebound dial). The flare above the window looks much wider to give more space for bigger shock.
Like that they used the same axle design for the top shock eyelet as for the lower link but no trunion. Also like that they brought back the 2016 pink Bronson colorway.
The closeup shot of the BB area is with a XO AXS groupset so it could be possible that CC frameset are wireless only (stock CC build currently are already all wireless AXS builds) and the C version frameset has mechanical cable port. So still possible for the Syndicate riders to run their current build kit of Shimano XTR mech and Fox.
Glovebox space might be more limited but I think we will just use more of the space near the headset which is rarely used on the current glovebox even with both bag filled.
Still look to be using 31.6mm seatpost, threaded BB and similar suspension bearing size as current Bronson/Hightower which would mean you can't transform a Bronson into a Hightower with a different link since Bronson use 6902 (15x28x7mm) bearing and Hightower uses 6900 (10x22x6mm) bearing.
With all the Interviews, FAQ for DI2 recently and now the spyshots, I‘m sure the release is just around the corner.
https://youtu.be/zebFOJnrdTE?si=MqFn4sS0LlUTlbx-
MX wheels
- 150 mm VPP rear travel
- 160 mm fork
- Progressive geometry
- Available in Carbon C & CC
- Color: Kalimotxo & Gloss Root Beer
- Sizes: S-XXL
- Lifetime frame & bearing warranty
It would be very bizarre for the C frames to have cable ports and CC frames not to, my understanding was the moulds were the same and just the quality of the carbon and slight layup differences between C and CC, not that they have actually different shapes (i.e moulds).
Maybe it was guerilla anti-marketing from Specialized speculating that Santa Cruz also ditched shimano drivetrains on their carbon frames?
Design reminds me of my Range. Hopefully that idler is narrow-wide or something.
Edit: the top picture it looks like it is.
Santa Cruz needed to lose some weight.
Weight on Hightower/Bronson is in line with other similar bike. Same for Nomad/Mega. The one I would most likely to see lose weight is the tallboy. Current frame weight of the tallboy is 2.8kg and Hightower is just slightly higher at 2.9kg because of the heftier piggyback shock.
Why are we assuming that it isnt an ice pack wrapped around the Demo shock?
Old Bronson could fit both a vivid and x2. I had the vivid and Elliot Jackson ran the x2 if you look up his bike check