MTB Tech Rumors and Innovation

Related:
sspomer
Posts
6109
Joined
6/26/2009
Location
Boise, ID US
Fantasy
1/14/2025 9:19am Edited Date/Time 1/14/2025 10:13am

race face going short on crank length

rf era 160mm hero desktop 4320x2400-2100x1167-39440c09-2db0-46b4-a39e-8fab90b9dc71.jpg?VersionId=aDRoWgrf turbine 160mm hero desktop 4320x2400-2100x1167-9ec393a5-be64-4fc1-bdc4-4351515a46f8
160MM CRANKS. Get shorty. 
Have you ever wondered if you’d benefit from shorter cranks? Along with reducing the chance of a pedal strike, shorter cranks can improve bike fit and alleviate knee pain, all while improving descending performance. You can now get the new 160mm length in our flagship Era carbon and Turbine alloy cranks. All cranks are covered by our Lifetime Warranty, crashes included. 
 
DEFY CARBON CONVENTION 
Let your cranks do the talking. 
Era is the strongest, stiffest and most durable carbon crank ever created by Race Face. One of the lightest in its class with boots to match your chosen colour, Era will outlast your bike while staying scuff-free and looking great. Get them now in 160mm.
 
THE ALLOY ANSWER 
Praise the workhorse. 

The most trustworthy alloy crank on the trails, thirty years running. Turbine delivers an incredibly stiff and responsive ride with uncompromised durability. Go ahead and get rowdy. Turbine has your back. Now in 160mm.

Era Crankset MSRP: $499 USD / $649 CAD / 489 EURO

Turbine Crankset MSRP: $180 USD / $220 CAD / 230 EURO

11
Cougar797
Posts
100
Joined
7/25/2012
Location
Bentonville, AR US
1/14/2025 9:40am
sspomer wrote:
race face going short on crank length 160MM CRANKS. Get shorty.  Have you ever wondered if you’d benefit from shorter cranks? Along with reducing the chance...

race face going short on crank length

rf era 160mm hero desktop 4320x2400-2100x1167-39440c09-2db0-46b4-a39e-8fab90b9dc71.jpg?VersionId=aDRoWgrf turbine 160mm hero desktop 4320x2400-2100x1167-9ec393a5-be64-4fc1-bdc4-4351515a46f8
160MM CRANKS. Get shorty. 
Have you ever wondered if you’d benefit from shorter cranks? Along with reducing the chance of a pedal strike, shorter cranks can improve bike fit and alleviate knee pain, all while improving descending performance. You can now get the new 160mm length in our flagship Era carbon and Turbine alloy cranks. All cranks are covered by our Lifetime Warranty, crashes included. 
 
DEFY CARBON CONVENTION 
Let your cranks do the talking. 
Era is the strongest, stiffest and most durable carbon crank ever created by Race Face. One of the lightest in its class with boots to match your chosen colour, Era will outlast your bike while staying scuff-free and looking great. Get them now in 160mm.
 
THE ALLOY ANSWER 
Praise the workhorse. 

The most trustworthy alloy crank on the trails, thirty years running. Turbine delivers an incredibly stiff and responsive ride with uncompromised durability. Go ahead and get rowdy. Turbine has your back. Now in 160mm.

Era Crankset MSRP: $499 USD / $649 CAD / 489 EURO

Turbine Crankset MSRP: $180 USD / $220 CAD / 230 EURO

Wish they'd do the AeffectR in the 160s too. I've had the 165s on the pedal bike for several years now and they are the best price per weight per tough cranks I've owned. 

9
1
1/14/2025 9:53am

Is AP4 cooking something new or trolling?

IMG 5238.jpeg?VersionId=BEHo9a4G.
3
sprungmass
Posts
237
Joined
3/1/2023
Location
Calgary, AB CA
1/14/2025 9:54am
jonkranked wrote:
<enhance>

<enhance>

image 132
Simcik wrote:

Electrical tape, the Maxxis tire sharpie of brake calipers

It could be just tape to cover the caliper due to mucky conditions. I do that for riding in the snow. 

1
1/14/2025 10:03am
Is AP4 cooking something new or trolling?

Is AP4 cooking something new or trolling?

IMG 5238.jpeg?VersionId=BEHo9a4G.

I would assume it could be a new FRS, new Meta power with bosch gen 5, new clash, that kinda thing?

2
jonkranked
Posts
1185
Joined
5/5/2016
Location
Norristown, PA US
1/14/2025 10:03am
Robbie420 wrote:
It straight up works. Why change it? Man bike riders are a fickle bunch, not happy when a good product doesn't get updated or revised, not happy...

It straight up works. Why change it? 

Man bike riders are a fickle bunch, not happy when a good product doesn't get updated or revised, not happy when a part constantly changes. 

I was simply pointing out its age, and also as a reminder that saint is now shimano's longest running unchanged grouppo. 

1
Fred_Pop
Posts
224
Joined
11/26/2017
Location
FR
1/14/2025 10:33am
sspomer wrote:
race face going short on crank length 160MM CRANKS. Get shorty.  Have you ever wondered if you’d benefit from shorter cranks? Along with reducing the chance...

race face going short on crank length

rf era 160mm hero desktop 4320x2400-2100x1167-39440c09-2db0-46b4-a39e-8fab90b9dc71.jpg?VersionId=aDRoWgrf turbine 160mm hero desktop 4320x2400-2100x1167-9ec393a5-be64-4fc1-bdc4-4351515a46f8
160MM CRANKS. Get shorty. 
Have you ever wondered if you’d benefit from shorter cranks? Along with reducing the chance of a pedal strike, shorter cranks can improve bike fit and alleviate knee pain, all while improving descending performance. You can now get the new 160mm length in our flagship Era carbon and Turbine alloy cranks. All cranks are covered by our Lifetime Warranty, crashes included. 
 
DEFY CARBON CONVENTION 
Let your cranks do the talking. 
Era is the strongest, stiffest and most durable carbon crank ever created by Race Face. One of the lightest in its class with boots to match your chosen colour, Era will outlast your bike while staying scuff-free and looking great. Get them now in 160mm.
 
THE ALLOY ANSWER 
Praise the workhorse. 

The most trustworthy alloy crank on the trails, thirty years running. Turbine delivers an incredibly stiff and responsive ride with uncompromised durability. Go ahead and get rowdy. Turbine has your back. Now in 160mm.

Era Crankset MSRP: $499 USD / $649 CAD / 489 EURO

Turbine Crankset MSRP: $180 USD / $220 CAD / 230 EURO

How progressive of them to offer cranks 5mm shorter...

10
Jotegr
Posts
343
Joined
6/28/2024
Location
Interior, BC CA
1/14/2025 10:47am

The move to 160mm is irrelevant if, like the 165mm Turbine, they are eternally and perpetually out of stock in the spindle size needed at any given moment. 

9
Primoz
Posts
4556
Joined
8/1/2009
Location
SI
1/14/2025 11:07am
Primoz wrote:

What's wrong with their aluminium flats? They've been solid for me since they dropped the three small outboard bearings... 

29 wrote:
I went through three pairs of them, at some point the bearings or axle eats itself and the pedal gets stuck to the point where I...

I went through three pairs of them, at some point the bearings or axle eats itself and the pedal gets stuck to the point where I had one unscrew itself from the crank. Couldn’t even remove the axle anymore in some cases. Those might have been the old versions though. 

Customer service has been great, they got me fresh pedals every time, but after getting almost stuck in some remote valley I switched to Nukeproof SH enduros and eventually back to Shimano SPDs. On the hope clip pedals right now and they’re great as well. 

The upside for shimano pedals imo is that you can get spares in every bike shop. Don’t know if the oneups can get on that level. 

I bought the first set in 2019 and grenaded the small bearing to the point one of them fell apart and the outer ring remained in the pedal bore. Got sent a new set but then managed to get the outer ring out of the original one and rebuilt it with the bushing rebuild kit. I even have some needle roller bearings at home, but never had correct spacers made to make it work.

I bought a new set for the new bike in 2023, so I have a total of three sets, but the pain was that I bent the axles on the older two sets where I only have one good axle out of the four. OneUp doesn't have the axle as a spare parts (which seems daft to me), so a replacement set of Ti axles from Switzerland was the saviour (2 sets were still cheaper than 1 new set of pedals). One Ti set is a backup and one is in use on my GFs bike (with the newest pedal bodies while I built a new axle-old body set for myself).

2supple
Posts
99
Joined
1/23/2022
Location
Denver, CO US
1/14/2025 12:53pm
jonkranked wrote:

I was simply pointing out its age, and also as a reminder that saint is now shimano's longest running unchanged grouppo. 

Nine year old component is like a century ago in bike years. What other components that have withstood the test of time that long? maybe some grips/pedals. 

Having to ride tires from 9 years ago sounds like a blast.  

1
1
1/14/2025 1:12pm
2supple wrote:
Nine year old component is like a century ago in bike years. What other components that have withstood the test of time that long? maybe some...

Nine year old component is like a century ago in bike years. What other components that have withstood the test of time that long? maybe some grips/pedals. 

Having to ride tires from 9 years ago sounds like a blast.  

WinterParkLOOP18x24

Had some of the first Minion DHF 29" samples in 2012. Prior to that 29" options were pretty grim, the best we could do were WTB Weirwolf LT 2.55" and Maxxis Ardent 2.4" (probably what I had on the rear in this photo).

 

6
Uncle Cliffy
Posts
382
Joined
3/11/2010
Location
Medford, OR US
1/14/2025 1:24pm
Had some of the first Minion DHF 29" samples in 2012. Prior to that 29" options were pretty grim, the best we could do were WTB...

WinterParkLOOP18x24

Had some of the first Minion DHF 29" samples in 2012. Prior to that 29" options were pretty grim, the best we could do were WTB Weirwolf LT 2.55" and Maxxis Ardent 2.4" (probably what I had on the rear in this photo).

 

As a delivery driver, it was a banner day getting to deliver one of them to my frame builder buddy. 😎

IMG 2134
14
1/14/2025 1:58pm
2supple wrote:
Nine year old component is like a century ago in bike years. What other components that have withstood the test of time that long? maybe some...

Nine year old component is like a century ago in bike years. What other components that have withstood the test of time that long? maybe some grips/pedals. 

Having to ride tires from 9 years ago sounds like a blast.  

Thomson everything. I think Bruni still runs the seatpost?

2
Simcik
Posts
431
Joined
8/1/2009
Location
Loma, CO US
1/14/2025 2:14pm
Had some of the first Minion DHF 29" samples in 2012. Prior to that 29" options were pretty grim, the best we could do were WTB...

WinterParkLOOP18x24

Had some of the first Minion DHF 29" samples in 2012. Prior to that 29" options were pretty grim, the best we could do were WTB Weirwolf LT 2.55" and Maxxis Ardent 2.4" (probably what I had on the rear in this photo).

 

I mean the Minion DHF celebrated a 20th anniversary. If that is not longevity in this industry, IDK what is. They have been my favorite tire nearly the entire time I have ridden bikes seriously. I try something new every year or so and end up back on the DHF. Three wheelsizes later and I am still going after DHFs for my preferred tire.

Speaking of wheelsizes, saw a post by DirtySixer showing 32" wheeled bikes 😒

10
1/14/2025 2:19pm
2supple wrote:
Nine year old component is like a century ago in bike years. What other components that have withstood the test of time that long? maybe some...

Nine year old component is like a century ago in bike years. What other components that have withstood the test of time that long? maybe some grips/pedals. 

Having to ride tires from 9 years ago sounds like a blast.  

jofish wrote:

Thomson everything. I think Bruni still runs the seatpost?

Certain hubs, spokes, EX471's are 9 years old this year. There's a bit when you look around 

4
thresh
Posts
115
Joined
10/18/2023
Location
San Jose, CA US
Fantasy
1/14/2025 2:33pm
sspomer wrote:
race face going short on crank length 160MM CRANKS. Get shorty.  Have you ever wondered if you’d benefit from shorter cranks? Along with reducing the chance...

race face going short on crank length

rf era 160mm hero desktop 4320x2400-2100x1167-39440c09-2db0-46b4-a39e-8fab90b9dc71.jpg?VersionId=aDRoWgrf turbine 160mm hero desktop 4320x2400-2100x1167-9ec393a5-be64-4fc1-bdc4-4351515a46f8
160MM CRANKS. Get shorty. 
Have you ever wondered if you’d benefit from shorter cranks? Along with reducing the chance of a pedal strike, shorter cranks can improve bike fit and alleviate knee pain, all while improving descending performance. You can now get the new 160mm length in our flagship Era carbon and Turbine alloy cranks. All cranks are covered by our Lifetime Warranty, crashes included. 
 
DEFY CARBON CONVENTION 
Let your cranks do the talking. 
Era is the strongest, stiffest and most durable carbon crank ever created by Race Face. One of the lightest in its class with boots to match your chosen colour, Era will outlast your bike while staying scuff-free and looking great. Get them now in 160mm.
 
THE ALLOY ANSWER 
Praise the workhorse. 

The most trustworthy alloy crank on the trails, thirty years running. Turbine delivers an incredibly stiff and responsive ride with uncompromised durability. Go ahead and get rowdy. Turbine has your back. Now in 160mm.

Era Crankset MSRP: $499 USD / $649 CAD / 489 EURO

Turbine Crankset MSRP: $180 USD / $220 CAD / 230 EURO

I wonder where the price difference for the aluminium cranks between US and EU is coming from, tariffs? Pretty much the same for carbon.

Era Crankset MSRP: $499 USD / $649 CAD / 489 EURO

Turbine Crankset MSRP: $180 USD / $220 CAD / 230 EURO

1/14/2025 2:43pm Edited Date/Time 1/14/2025 2:47pm
jonkranked wrote:

I was simply pointing out its age, and also as a reminder that saint is now shimano's longest running unchanged grouppo. 

Uhm actually Shimano Dura-Ace Track 7700 launched in 1996 is the longest running unchanged shimano gruppo. /nerd

And yeah most spokes versions are 20+ years old. D-light was 2010 and CX-Ray was 1997 for Sapim.

12
2supple
Posts
99
Joined
1/23/2022
Location
Denver, CO US
1/14/2025 2:49pm Edited Date/Time 1/14/2025 2:50pm
2supple wrote:
Nine year old component is like a century ago in bike years. What other components that have withstood the test of time that long? maybe some...

Nine year old component is like a century ago in bike years. What other components that have withstood the test of time that long? maybe some grips/pedals. 

Having to ride tires from 9 years ago sounds like a blast.  

Had some of the first Minion DHF 29" samples in 2012. Prior to that 29" options were pretty grim, the best we could do were WTB...

WinterParkLOOP18x24

Had some of the first Minion DHF 29" samples in 2012. Prior to that 29" options were pretty grim, the best we could do were WTB Weirwolf LT 2.55" and Maxxis Ardent 2.4" (probably what I had on the rear in this photo).

 

Correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t it a different tire today? I would imagine both construction and compound have been updated. Whereas I believe the saint derailleur is literally the same one from 9 years ago.

 

1
1
owl-x
Posts
888
Joined
3/23/2016
Location
Shell Beach, CA US
1/14/2025 4:27pm

My jerseys are all (both?) from like 15 years ago

12
jonkranked
Posts
1185
Joined
5/5/2016
Location
Norristown, PA US
1/14/2025 5:37pm
1llumA wrote:
Uhm actually Shimano Dura-Ace Track 7700 launched in 1996 is the longest running unchanged shimano gruppo. /nerdAnd yeah most spokes versions are 20+ years old. D-light...

Uhm actually Shimano Dura-Ace Track 7700 launched in 1996 is the longest running unchanged shimano gruppo. /nerd

And yeah most spokes versions are 20+ years old. D-light was 2010 and CX-Ray was 1997 for Sapim.

honest question - is the 7700 track grouppo still in active production? it seems to have been delisted from the shimano website

 

1/14/2025 6:19pm
jonkranked wrote:

honest question - is the 7700 track grouppo still in active production? it seems to have been delisted from the shimano website

 

Pretty sure 7600 track cog, 7700 octalink & square taper BB are still being produced even if they are not listed on shimano consumer site and the chainrings are still listed and produced but good chance the actual 7700 crankset are now discontinued.

Digit Bikes
Posts
181
Joined
9/22/2021
Location
Irvine, CA US
1/14/2025 6:47pm
jonkranked wrote:

honest question - is the 7700 track grouppo still in active production? it seems to have been delisted from the shimano website

 

1llumA wrote:
Pretty sure 7600 track cog, 7700 octalink & square taper BB are still being produced even if they are not listed on shimano consumer site and...

Pretty sure 7600 track cog, 7700 octalink & square taper BB are still being produced even if they are not listed on shimano consumer site and the chainrings are still listed and produced but good chance the actual 7700 crankset are now discontinued.

The track parts are all available and are still stocked by Shimano USA. NJS Keirin races have inflexible equipment rules which effectively prohibit changes to the groupset - tech rumors and innovation are outlawed!!!

9
metadave
Posts
1247
Joined
2/15/2016
Location
Revelstoke, BC CA
Fantasy
1/14/2025 7:18pm
jonkranked wrote:

honest question - is the 7700 track grouppo still in active production? it seems to have been delisted from the shimano website

 

1llumA wrote:
Pretty sure 7600 track cog, 7700 octalink & square taper BB are still being produced even if they are not listed on shimano consumer site and...

Pretty sure 7600 track cog, 7700 octalink & square taper BB are still being produced even if they are not listed on shimano consumer site and the chainrings are still listed and produced but good chance the actual 7700 crankset are now discontinued.

The track parts are all available and are still stocked by Shimano USA. NJS Keirin races have inflexible equipment rules which effectively prohibit changes to the...

The track parts are all available and are still stocked by Shimano USA. NJS Keirin races have inflexible equipment rules which effectively prohibit changes to the groupset - tech rumors and innovation are outlawed!!!

The voice I read this in

 

sddefault
6
1/14/2025 10:45pm
1llumA wrote:
Uhm actually Shimano Dura-Ace Track 7700 launched in 1996 is the longest running unchanged shimano gruppo. /nerdAnd yeah most spokes versions are 20+ years old. D-light...

Uhm actually Shimano Dura-Ace Track 7700 launched in 1996 is the longest running unchanged shimano gruppo. /nerd

And yeah most spokes versions are 20+ years old. D-light was 2010 and CX-Ray was 1997 for Sapim.

jonkranked wrote:

honest question - is the 7700 track grouppo still in active production? it seems to have been delisted from the shimano website

 

Some compo from the full ine-up (BB's, Chainrings) have been discontinued but I can confirm the cranks and hubs are still actively being produced in Japan.

3
MrDuck
Posts
71
Joined
2/2/2021
Location
CA
1/15/2025 12:13am
2supple wrote:
Nine year old component is like a century ago in bike years. What other components that have withstood the test of time that long? maybe some...

Nine year old component is like a century ago in bike years. What other components that have withstood the test of time that long? maybe some grips/pedals. 

Having to ride tires from 9 years ago sounds like a blast.  

Had some of the first Minion DHF 29" samples in 2012. Prior to that 29" options were pretty grim, the best we could do were WTB...

WinterParkLOOP18x24

Had some of the first Minion DHF 29" samples in 2012. Prior to that 29" options were pretty grim, the best we could do were WTB Weirwolf LT 2.55" and Maxxis Ardent 2.4" (probably what I had on the rear in this photo).

 

2supple wrote:
Correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t it a different tire today? I would imagine both construction and compound have been updated. Whereas I believe the...

Correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t it a different tire today? I would imagine both construction and compound have been updated. Whereas I believe the saint derailleur is literally the same one from 9 years ago.

 

Not too different. 

3c has been introduced about 10ish years ago, but before that there were Super Tacky and even Slow Reezay tires that used same durometer rubbers you'll find on the MaxxGrip. I don't know if there was a significant change in the compound, but you could buy a full 40a tire while now you just get 40a on side knobs and 42a on main tread. 

I don't think it's fair to compare Saint to a rim or a spoke. Of all the parts that stood the test of time mentioned here, it's by far the most complex. I do still run my 2013 set of brakes and they're absolutely my favourites, yet while I got 5 seasons out of my first RD-M820, I've been getting less than a season out of the last few. So I gave up on DH derailleurs.

2
1
jonkranked
Posts
1185
Joined
5/5/2016
Location
Norristown, PA US
1/15/2025 6:39am
jonkranked wrote:

honest question - is the 7700 track grouppo still in active production? it seems to have been delisted from the shimano website

 

1llumA wrote:
Pretty sure 7600 track cog, 7700 octalink & square taper BB are still being produced even if they are not listed on shimano consumer site and...

Pretty sure 7600 track cog, 7700 octalink & square taper BB are still being produced even if they are not listed on shimano consumer site and the chainrings are still listed and produced but good chance the actual 7700 crankset are now discontinued.

The track parts are all available and are still stocked by Shimano USA. NJS Keirin races have inflexible equipment rules which effectively prohibit changes to the...

The track parts are all available and are still stocked by Shimano USA. NJS Keirin races have inflexible equipment rules which effectively prohibit changes to the groupset - tech rumors and innovation are outlawed!!!

thanks for the insight, learn something every day (or try to). 

1
1/15/2025 9:13am

Chris Canfield starting to roll out new frames to customers

Bicycle frame Bicycle Land vehicle Bicycle tire Wheel

21
jonkranked
Posts
1185
Joined
5/5/2016
Location
Norristown, PA US
1/15/2025 9:27am

from the other site.... what appears to be the atherton 200g

photo

14
1/15/2025 9:34am
overbiked wrote:
Chris Canfield starting to roll out new frames to customers

Chris Canfield starting to roll out new frames to customers

Bicycle frame Bicycle Land vehicle Bicycle tire Wheel

Can someone make an optional high pivot bike with a straight seat tube? These seem to have worse insertion than even the new spicy.

5
Post a reply to: MTB Tech Rumors and Innovation

This forum thread has been locked.

The Latest