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probably not going to be as applicable for MTB purposes, but I'm always interested in seeing new / different ways for freehubs to engage
https://bikerumor.com/lauf-rear-hub-patent-design/
Interesting, reminds me of the LoopsDrive concept (aside from where it's housed):
https://bikerumor.com/soul-kozak-loopsdrive-crafts-ultra-high-poe-tensi…
Not trying to sell anything here but RMB makes SM and XS bikes with smaller wheels, lower standover heights, and lightweight kinematics to favour lighter riders. Some brands do offer these bikes. 2021 Instinct SM in 27.5 size for ex (we offer a SM in 29 as well; it's own, distinct frame design).
What else could it be with that nipple sticking out of the main body? surely cant be an IFP port.
Yes, only the majority of humans on earth would fit on a Scout.
It's a bit strange, you see other brands like Norco with the sight youth offering it in a one-size, likewise with Rocky with the youth Reaper (you can't tell me that renamed thunderbolt is the same model as the other reaper, Ken!). Transition has gone seemingly all-in on this one, offering three distinct frame sizes to cover all the possible "youth" sizes.
I'm honestly a bit baffled that the medium exists at all when that rider is clearly in regular-bike territory. Why is a parent buying this "youth bike" new in medium for $4,500 when, at that pricepoint (or less), the market is flooded with new, new-discounted, and used models that should work just as well? They obviously felt they wouldn't sell enough 27.5 bikes in large to add another size and call it a not-youth bike, so why do they think the medium will work? It's strange!
Does anyone know exactly what they did to kinematics? Looking at the geo it is actually the same as the old scout but with the top sizes taken off. Im also wondering if the cascade link would still fit it cause it looks pretty much the same if you fit a medium or under.
I think for someone looking for a 27.5 bike that actually doesnt look too bad for the price. Shimano xt, DT swiss wheels, and marzocchi suspension. Might not be great value compared to some of the discounts but it isnt bad
different rocker link, but no specifics other than that.
feature is on homepage
I would guess that it has a higher initial and over all leverage ratio so you don't have to run the shock at super low pressures and can tune better using the rebound and compression adjustments.
Sure, but:
1. why not make a large then? They already have the tooling!
2. having sold a ton of "expensive" bikes to parents, I see this as a hard sell because the majority of parents are going to be cross shopping with things on discount as well as bikes they perceive as having an easier resell when their kid outgrows it. The true full suspension kids bikes seem to retain their value better than most comparable adult bikes, but I doubt an adult sized kids bike would in the same way. At my shop this thing would be going up against a ton of discounted bikes as well as the flooded used market - honestly a rough time to launch a premium youth bike at all, to be honest.
The Reaper 27.5 is indeed a XS Instinct Alloy frame, just rebranded. We did this to appeal to the kids market. I mean, who wouldn't want a bike with this saddle on it?

It even says in the main article " XS (tested), Small and Medium (cough, cough, slalom anyone?) sizes ". That higher leverage is also good for bottom out right? So it could make it a fun slalom or slopeduro build.
By all appearances, it is the exact same frame as the previous "adult" Scout with a linkage that has been tweaked to provide 150 mm of travel with a 57.5 mm stroke as opposed to 62.5 mm. So I'm 99% sure the link would still fit and have the exact same specifications for a given shock stroke.
TIL, all these years I thought it was the last vestige of the Thunderbolt living on! Cheers Ken, should have worked a bit harder on the PK day.
That would depend on the overall progression of the frame. Higher leverage ratio means easier to get into the travel, essentially it means you have a longer lever arm to compress the shock, more of a mechanical advantage. If it stays higher through the whole travel, and isn't as progressive, like it starts with a 3.5 lr and goes to a 2.5 lr at the end and the larger bike starts at 3.0 and goes to 2.0, assuming a linear curve, that's 28% progressive vs 30%. If the shock volume and pressures the same, the 28% would have less bottom out resistance than the 30%. That's over simplifying it by a lot, but for dual Slalom, I would want a bike that is firmer across the board, so a lower leverage ratio for the same shock pressures, so I can push into the bike and pump.
1. This is just a guess but i wouldnt be surprised if they looked at sales numbers and large and up wernt selling well. How many people over 5'11" do you think are buying full 27.5? And the ones that are how many do you think by a medium anyway for a jump bike
2. I think this is basically an adult bike marketed more towards yound adults. Teenagers may not be growing out of bikes as quickly. I could see that with the Ripcord and Bandit more than the scout. The scout is probably more for when they are say 16 and trying to get more into the sport and might have it for a couple years. Very true though that competing with some of the discounted bikes is difficult. Great pricing for some decent spec right now.
I think the Medium is probably for a kid on the smaller end to grow into. I don’t see someone 5’9” starting on a Scout even though they’re in the recommended size range. If you’re already in the size range of “adult” bikes then you should start there.
In my opinion, dual 27.5 bikes for average sized riders (and larger) are pointless; and they are dying out for a good reason. Unless you’re doing X-ups and barspins you’re not going to notice the loss of “playfullness” with a mullet and you will benefit from the extra rollover.
That’s my hot take and I will die on this hill. Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.
Not arguing, just curious, but benefit from the extra roll over how? Smoother ride? Able to clean features easier? Is this the same for tight and steep trails?
The bigger wheel rolls faster because rocks, roots, etc. are smaller relative to the size of the wheel.
This means you’ll carry more speed downhill, and wont have to work as hard on the uphill.
Is it? They make small and XS
Purely cosmetic for our enjoyment 😏
Intend responded to someone on IG and said that they will release more on that shock soon.
I respect your hill but as the owner of a full 29, 29/27.5 mullet, full 27.5, and a 27.5/26 mullet, I can confirm that switching between each brings a whole lot more fun into my life than pigeon-holing myself into only riding wagon wheels. To each their own!
Mini-mullet should be a thing already, what's holding freeride from coming back?
Rampage is 🤷😚
And sales numbers.
Sorry to bring this back to actual tech rumors but has anyone heard anything on a reverb AXS longer than 170mm being released soon? Seems past due now.
As adults we had this pointless argument about front wheel size for years, and now the kids get to have it! At least the kids might actually be doing 360s and "need" it (As if they would speak that way. We could learn a lot from them...)
There were photos a while back of a RS employee's bike with a dropper with the battery at the collar (a la Fox Neo). Have to assume it's imminent.
I actually know several adults that do the flips and 360 stuff. (not me). I've seen 95% of it done on 26 and 27.5 only.