MTB Tech Rumors and Innovation

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4/7/2025 7:50am
majorjake wrote:
Looks like the Forbidden eMTB (I'm assuming) will be 'landing' at Sea Otter.

Looks like the Forbidden eMTB (I'm assuming) will be 'landing' at Sea Otter.

image 263
image 265.png?VersionId=mWZSAwmf

nskerb wrote:
Did you get those launch coordinates from a group chat you were recently added to?

🔥🦾🏴‍☠️

1
metadave
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4/7/2025 8:05am
slimshady wrote:

Newsflash: not everyone can afford/needs kashima and 6377364 knobs in their suspension.

metadave wrote:
I'm aware, and have an understanding that 90% or more of riders have no business touching high speed compression or rebound knobs. There are many suspension...

I'm aware, and have an understanding that 90% or more of riders have no business touching high speed compression or rebound knobs. There are many suspension company's making fantastic stuff for cheap. Suntour, Rockshox, Marzocchi and X-fusion all knock it out of the park with close to $500 suspension products for every day riders from XC to freeride. I love my Z1 and rarely do I find it unable to keep up to my 38 Factory while it does double duty on a hardtail on the same trails. And the Domain has been a reliable smasher of a park and freeride fork for 10+ years, 

I'll elaborate on my question so there's not another mistaken shot at elitism. Where do they come from and why do they seem to pop up every 8 years or so? They seem to come out with a meh attempt to have a mid level fork or forks come to market, it reviews poorly and has absolutely zero support in any way other than a small US office that tried their best but ultimately it just wasn't doable and then they disappear again, making ok entry level stuff that seems to come and go on OEM stuff. In Canada it was like pulling teeth to get support for the Aquila, which was a half decent entry level fork that came on almost every 2017/18 hardtail, but if there was an issue with it, it was new fork time which was frustrating to customers. 

I'm all fork RST to come out swinging to release a good product, but where Suntour, who i view as their classic competitor, dug deep and built the RUX and Durolux by beating their heads into the ground very publicly and ended up with a pretty dang good product, RST hasn't delivered the same way. It seems odd to have so many products to compare and test against but always come up short. 

slimshady wrote:
Excellent points. Up until maybe 10 years ago, you could find RST products in local bike brands of third world countries (I'm speaking from experience here...

Excellent points. Up until maybe 10 years ago, you could find RST products in local bike brands of third world countries (I'm speaking from experience here, I'm Argentinian). Then, SunTour started to gain market share. These days most entry/supermarket bikes have unbranded or same-brand-as-the-bike forks, mostly AliExpress basic stuff.

 

Still, RST seems to be big in the APAC area, and in some way, in Brazil. You have to understand there's no way for a guy with a basic income of less than 250 USD to get the kind of money necessary to buy a brand new Fox 40 or Rockshox Boxxer.

 

They RST 8-year resurrection cycle has more to do with the way tech trickles down and gets cheaper to produce. Still, they do awful stuff such as making parts that should be metal in plastic. I understand, you have to cut some corners to offer a double crown fork with an hydraulic cartridge for less than 600 bucks, and you won't notice the flaws until something breaks, but they still survive by being cheaper than most brands.

 

The zero support statement is also true outside the US, but still, when you have a big (and mostly, unnoticed for the big media) chunk of the DH/freeride movement building their bikes from the frame up by buying grey market components from AliExpress/eBay (such as in Russia, Eastern Europe, Brazil, Mexico, South America, APAC), you need to understand zero support means nothing when you get the same level from the big brands, simply because there's no official rep in any of those regions, and the local guy importing/smuggling spare parts would charge you three times the retail value in the US/EU, and you have to pray for the exact spare you need to be in stock. 

 

Also, to buy a big-brand suspension product in the countries I mentioned before, either you order it from USA/EU and deal with the customs and taxes, or it comes stock in a bike, or you buy it from someone who bought a complete bike and is stripping it down for profit. There's practically ZERO brand representation for Fox, Rockshox, SunTour, etc. The wholesale bike suppliers/importers would bring in whatever is cheaper or in stock at the time of ordering. So, in essence, the importers are basically using RST to fill the gaps there.

 

I see RST doing these product releases just to still keep some of their '90s prestige. Here in Argentina (and most of the third world), when all SunTour had to offer was the spring based 7007 and Rockshox had the Quadra and Mag 21, RST had decent elastomer basic forks, and they made a name for themselves for being dependable enough to justify buying a complete bike if it had one of their products. They still lack any kind of formal/regular media presence though.

Thats great info, thanks! 

3
4/7/2025 8:29am

Fork lowers look very similar to Ohlins to me, especially the dual pinch bolt setup and overall design.

Eae903 wrote:

I looked at ohlins thinking that it might be it, but I thought the arch was different! Good catch

Lacanuck24 wrote:
Almost certain that isn't an Ohlins. The crown machining and shape don't match. There are no negative surface cuts at the arch or the axle like...

Almost certain that isn't an Ohlins. The crown machining and shape don't match. There are no negative surface cuts at the arch or the axle like an Ohlins. Look at the top caps/adjusters. Nothing looks similar to anything from the major players. Potentially a new lower casting, maybe a new fork from FAST?

Also looks like there are no rebound or ramp chamber valve on the either of the lowers, looks like they are just bolts to me.

2
seanfisseli
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4/7/2025 8:54am
dolface wrote:

For those who don't wanna click:

Price: $549 USD / €600 EUR / $945 AUS / £535

nskerb wrote:
Is that really that good? IDK man.. I have pretty much just rode whatever dropper comes on my bike, I just don't really care to buy...

Is that really that good? IDK man.. I have pretty much just rode whatever dropper comes on my bike, I just don't really care to buy a nicer one but isn't like the best of the best cable droppers costing around 250 bucks?

But this one has Active Ride

in an ironic twist of fate my one up now has Active Ride

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4/7/2025 10:36am
nskerb wrote:
Is that really that good? IDK man.. I have pretty much just rode whatever dropper comes on my bike, I just don't really care to buy...

Is that really that good? IDK man.. I have pretty much just rode whatever dropper comes on my bike, I just don't really care to buy a nicer one but isn't like the best of the best cable droppers costing around 250 bucks?

But this one has Active Ride

in an ironic twist of fate my one up now has Active Ride

Free upgrade!

7
4/7/2025 11:14am

Wow I've never considered an Ari until that new Timp Peak. Nice to see an ebike being sold as a frame, even if it is expensive, but transferrable lifetime warranty?! (this is a first for a DTC brand to do lifetime warranty at all right?) 

Also, 600wh or 800wh battery that can be swapped or range extended, so all of us should be happy in some configuration.

Vertical mount crab link without trunion.

It would be really hard to buy a Vala or a Regulator over this if you can come to grips with owning an Ari.

15
kcw72
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AU
4/7/2025 1:09pm

There were pictures of that e Druid online yesterday for a hot minute, can’t remember if it was in here or somewhere else but they got removed pretty quickly. I think everyone kinda knows what’s coming anyway. 
Couple fade to black fade colours and a full black one. 

4/7/2025 1:29pm
kcw72 wrote:
There were pictures of that e Druid online yesterday for a hot minute, can’t remember if it was in here or somewhere else but they got...

There were pictures of that e Druid online yesterday for a hot minute, can’t remember if it was in here or somewhere else but they got removed pretty quickly. I think everyone kinda knows what’s coming anyway. 
Couple fade to black fade colours and a full black one. 

Find it back boys. 🙃

1
Nicolas M.
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Steinheim, DE
4/7/2025 1:41pm

Looks like Specialized Gravity are riding for a different brake company this year. Does anyone know what brand it is?

3
Nicolas M.
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4/7/2025 1:45pm
IMG 2388 1
10
Finkill
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GB
4/7/2025 1:55pm

Are these the rumoured Brembo brakes, would make sense as they are already sponsored by Ohlins?

15
Etney
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Frankfurt, DE
4/7/2025 1:56pm
Nicolas M. wrote:
IMG 2388 1

I know Brembo was rumored earlier, especially since they've bought Öhlins. Not sure if these are them, but someone else might have more info.

2
4/7/2025 2:21pm

The clamp design on those looks very similar to the new TRP brakes released last month.

Image for comparison: 

1000001598
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2
4/7/2025 2:26pm
The clamp design on those looks very similar to the new TRP brakes released last month.Image for comparison: 

The clamp design on those looks very similar to the new TRP brakes released last month.

Image for comparison: 

1000001598

It looks like a trp before it hits the lathe and has all the extra material taken off to give it some style. It's just machine billet at this point. 

5
4/7/2025 3:40pm

2 Chainz spotted on Finn Iles' story? My brain tells me it functions in a similar way to that zoceli vysoko.

1000025969 0
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1
4/7/2025 3:44pm
The clamp design on those looks very similar to the new TRP brakes released last month.Image for comparison: 

The clamp design on those looks very similar to the new TRP brakes released last month.

Image for comparison: 

1000001598

Looks to me like they both use the Matchmaker design. Which is a good thing, IMHO. Dialing in ergonomics with MM is less fiddly than with any of the iterations of I-Spec.

6
1
jsray
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4/7/2025 6:34pm

really want to believe forbidden saw the crab link convo in here and gave us a little nod with this one. 
 

IMG 3740 0.jpeg?VersionId=QFGij7raVlsV3bO53BkCmqrjl9FrZe
50
B Rabbit
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Sydney, NSW, AU
4/7/2025 7:47pm Edited Date/Time 4/7/2025 7:49pm
kcw72 wrote:
There were pictures of that e Druid online yesterday for a hot minute, can’t remember if it was in here or somewhere else but they got...

There were pictures of that e Druid online yesterday for a hot minute, can’t remember if it was in here or somewhere else but they got removed pretty quickly. I think everyone kinda knows what’s coming anyway. 
Couple fade to black fade colours and a full black one. 

Find it back boys. 🙃

I screen shoted the photos of the Forbidden ebike. Are we sure this bike is using the DJI Avinox motor? I can’t see any motor in the photos which leads me to believe it’s hidden behind the chainring, so either a) a new model DJI motor or b) it’s a TQ. 
Unless the photos are edited/not accurate. 

Edit- could also be the Fazua. 

1
hookem34
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Texas Y'all, TX, USA
Fantasy
4/7/2025 7:49pm
kcw72 wrote:
There were pictures of that e Druid online yesterday for a hot minute, can’t remember if it was in here or somewhere else but they got...

There were pictures of that e Druid online yesterday for a hot minute, can’t remember if it was in here or somewhere else but they got removed pretty quickly. I think everyone kinda knows what’s coming anyway. 
Couple fade to black fade colours and a full black one. 

Find it back boys. 🙃

B Rabbit wrote:
I screen shoted the photos of the Forbidden ebike. Are we sure this bike is using the DJI Avinox motor? I can’t see any motor in...

I screen shoted the photos of the Forbidden ebike. Are we sure this bike is using the DJI Avinox motor? I can’t see any motor in the photos which leads me to believe it’s hidden behind the chainring, so either a) a new model DJI motor or b) it’s a TQ. 
Unless the photos are edited/not accurate. 

Edit- could also be the Fazua. 

I have it on very good authority that it’s a DJI motor.

4
justshrddin
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Location
Australia, SA, AU
4/7/2025 8:05pm

Find it back boys. 🙃

B Rabbit wrote:
I screen shoted the photos of the Forbidden ebike. Are we sure this bike is using the DJI Avinox motor? I can’t see any motor in...

I screen shoted the photos of the Forbidden ebike. Are we sure this bike is using the DJI Avinox motor? I can’t see any motor in the photos which leads me to believe it’s hidden behind the chainring, so either a) a new model DJI motor or b) it’s a TQ. 
Unless the photos are edited/not accurate. 

Edit- could also be the Fazua. 

hookem34 wrote:

I have it on very good authority that it’s a DJI motor.

From a while back from Forbidden's founder's IG, can clearly see "DJI" on the screen

image 266.png?VersionId=w0yrvH 9yKN9I
9
AgrAde
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., BV
4/7/2025 11:24pm

DJI Avinox, 800Wh.

3
Flo7
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Biedermannsdorf, AT
4/7/2025 11:51pm
Bildschirmfoto 2025-04-08 um 08.10.11.png?VersionId=pUYPaH4wICYZ7e

 

Bildschirmfoto 2025-04-08 um 08.10.19.png?VersionId=SP.bsWP5vQnR0OpY
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1
ShapeThings
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Oakland, CA, USA
4/8/2025 2:20am

So a more traditional crab high-pivot like the Norco's. Glad they ditched the shock tunnel, giving you the option for a longer dropper (and easier access to the shock). I can only fit a 175 in my Druid v2. 

5
peecee
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4/8/2025 2:21am Edited Date/Time 4/8/2025 2:24am
2 Chainz spotted on Finn Iles' story? My brain tells me it functions in a similar way to that zoceli vysoko.

2 Chainz spotted on Finn Iles' story? My brain tells me it functions in a similar way to that zoceli vysoko.

1000025969 0

Carbon rear also ? 

IMG 9614IMG 9615IMG 9612.jpg?VersionId= bEZhIZgHgQbKvmAS1cWtoMJIMG 9613.jpg?VersionId=o7s3Z2PkYJWSeoi7db0yFGQP1YWME
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4/8/2025 3:04am
Flo7 wrote:
 
Bildschirmfoto 2025-04-08 um 08.10.11.png?VersionId=pUYPaH4wICYZ7e

 

Bildschirmfoto 2025-04-08 um 08.10.19.png?VersionId=SP.bsWP5vQnR0OpY

Looks like an orbea wild and norco sight VLT had a baby. Neat.

4
majorjake
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Location
Burlington, VT, USA
Fantasy
4/8/2025 3:59am
So a more traditional crab high-pivot like the Norco's. Glad they ditched the shock tunnel, giving you the option for a longer dropper (and easier access...

So a more traditional crab high-pivot like the Norco's. Glad they ditched the shock tunnel, giving you the option for a longer dropper (and easier access to the shock). I can only fit a 175 in my Druid v2. 

What size V2 do you have?

4/8/2025 4:55am
2 Chainz spotted on Finn Iles' story? My brain tells me it functions in a similar way to that zoceli vysoko.

2 Chainz spotted on Finn Iles' story? My brain tells me it functions in a similar way to that zoceli vysoko.

1000025969 0
peecee wrote:
Carbon rear also ? 

Carbon rear also ? 

IMG 9614IMG 9615IMG 9612.jpg?VersionId= bEZhIZgHgQbKvmAS1cWtoMJIMG 9613.jpg?VersionId=o7s3Z2PkYJWSeoi7db0yFGQP1YWME

And a much higher Damper position in general. 

chriskief
Posts
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Location
New York, NY, USA
Fantasy
4/8/2025 5:02am
2 Chainz spotted on Finn Iles' story? My brain tells me it functions in a similar way to that zoceli vysoko.

2 Chainz spotted on Finn Iles' story? My brain tells me it functions in a similar way to that zoceli vysoko.

1000025969 0
peecee wrote:
Carbon rear also ? 

Carbon rear also ? 

IMG 9614IMG 9615IMG 9612.jpg?VersionId= bEZhIZgHgQbKvmAS1cWtoMJIMG 9613.jpg?VersionId=o7s3Z2PkYJWSeoi7db0yFGQP1YWME

And a much higher Damper position in general. 

Been posted a few times…

IMG 1051
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4/8/2025 5:29am
peecee wrote:
Carbon rear also ? 

Carbon rear also ? 

IMG 9614IMG 9615IMG 9612.jpg?VersionId= bEZhIZgHgQbKvmAS1cWtoMJIMG 9613.jpg?VersionId=o7s3Z2PkYJWSeoi7db0yFGQP1YWME

And a much higher Damper position in general. 

chriskief wrote:
Been posted a few times…

Been posted a few times…

IMG 1051

Aye, but it's useful information to know that the whole team are moving to this prototype and it's not a one off. My theory is that a lot of teams are going to switch to the high pivot "4+2 bar" linkages as they switch their focus from geo (we've kinda reached peak geo) to anti-rise, anti squat and leverage rates. With the shock linkage, you can fine tune leverage rate separate to the axle path and anti-rise. With the idler, you can tune anti-squat independently of these values too.

Neko Mulally at Frameworks has kind of gone in the opposite direction, he's baked in a leverage rate and anti squat that he likes, but he's got a brake arm to test out different levels of anti rise.

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