MTB Tech Rumors and Innovation

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Jakub_G
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381
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Location
SK
6/7/2025 9:51am
TEAMROBOT wrote:
Weird shock I haven’t seen before on YT junior William Pugh’s bike (I think?), spotted at the top of qualifying yesterday and then in the pits...
IMG 0091IMG 0111

Weird shock I haven’t seen before on YT junior William Pugh’s bike (I think?), spotted at the top of qualifying yesterday and then in the pits today. When I asked about it at the pits they said they couldn’t talk about it. Looks like they borrowed the dials from a microscope or maybe a hunting scope. 

It's been mentioned here couple of times, robots need better database lol. And it's Bilstein, I guess it was only matter of time since their partner company H&R started to sell SLS shock springs few months ago 🤷🏻

2
tsewhsoj
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Joined
1/29/2024
Location
La Grande, OR, USA
6/7/2025 10:24am

Heard about an updated transition spur recently, similar design language as the new sentinel, still has a flex stay and seems to be 120/120. No word on release date.

8
dolface
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USA
6/7/2025 7:01pm

Interesting tidbit from Dave Rome's interview w/ the XTR PM: the infamous pad rattle is caused by the pads hitting the retaining pin, not the caliper. New pads have an ovalized hole (so they can rock back and forth but not up and down) which supposedly fixes the issue.

9
TimBud
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GB
6/8/2025 3:16am

Can we move this to the suspension thread please 

34
f.i.t.nj
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3/7/2020
Location
Englishtown, NJ, USA
6/8/2025 5:22am
sethimus wrote:

Reckon it's a Williams Racing Products ratchet

juliusk wrote:
That has a lot shorter engagment than in the video. About the same as a standard 36T Ratchet.

That has a lot shorter engagment than in the video. About the same as a standard 36T Ratchet.

I have the WRP zero drag kit. That's exactly how mine engages. 

2
6/8/2025 5:52am

Reckon it's a Williams Racing Products ratchet

juliusk wrote:
That has a lot shorter engagment than in the video. About the same as a standard 36T Ratchet.

That has a lot shorter engagment than in the video. About the same as a standard 36T Ratchet.

f.i.t.nj wrote:

I have the WRP zero drag kit. That's exactly how mine engages. 

I thought the WRP has instant engagement? But will disengage the paws with a slight back pedal

1
dolface
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USA
6/8/2025 7:47am

"In almost all riding situations, the mere act of stopping pedalling and the momentum from the cassette is enough to kick the system into its disengaged “zero drag” mode."

"The hub still engages with what’s effectively the same 36T ratchet rings as a modern DT hub."

https://escapecollective.com/review-wrp-zero-drag-kit-a-silent-upgrade-…

3
Roots_rider
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Location
Jackson, WY, USA
6/8/2025 8:13am
SnusDog wrote:

Also def a few people riding the hidden the hidden shakeweights / rimpact tmd - at least Troy, Craik, and Breeden that i know of

TEAMROBOT wrote:
Agreed, it’s super hard to tell what you can’t see with mass dampers. Saw lots of number plates with a big vertical fold/bulge in the middle...

Agreed, it’s super hard to tell what you can’t see with mass dampers. Saw lots of number plates with a big vertical fold/bulge in the middle, so I couldn’t actually spot a TMD but it looked like it would be there. I didn’t include those as a TMD bike in my final count.

Similarly, added mass is almost impossible to tell from your eyeballs on an Orbea or Scott. I remember a few years back Brendan was stuffing lead weights in his crank spindles. Hard to see that with your eyeballs.

As mentioned by someone else, same with the new DT hub internals from WRP. Saw a lot of DT hubs yesterday, but who knows what’s in them?

I didn’t see any particular pattern in who was running PK devices, like low pivot or high pivot. I was surprised that none of the Giant Factory riders had one, because I think of Maestro/DW Link bikes as traditionally having higher AS levels. Wondering if that was a choice by the riders, but because zero of them had it, I wonder if the higher ups at Giant or Shimano told the riders no, or if they just can’t because they are on the old Saint crank. I did see a rider with XT cranks on their DH race bike specifically so they could mount a PK device, which was interesting. 

Was going to mention the DT internals from Mic. He stated that multiple riders are running them, but didn’t point towards who. 

As for the steer tube shake weights, I think you need to just start causally sliding your finger into some tubes….definitely keep a tally for reactions to that one please.  

9
6/8/2025 9:37am Edited Date/Time 6/8/2025 9:38am
I'm a little surprised at the cost of the new Shimano drivetrain. I would consider it to replace my XO1 AXS shifter and derailleur (and move that...

I'm a little surprised at the cost of the new Shimano drivetrain. 

I would consider it to replace my XO1 AXS shifter and derailleur (and move that to another bike) that I've been running with an XT chain and cassette. 

Almost $1,000 for shifter and derailleur is higher than I was expecting. 

Dogboy wrote:

I'll be interested to see how the XT pricing compares. We'll know soon enough and it's a more comparable kit to X0.

yup because I just got a GX derailleur, cassette, chain, chainring and 160 cranks for $750, granted I found a code that seems like it probably shouldn't have worked and mysteriously is no longer available on the site.... 

i have to say, i like the short cage option on the xtr stuff. 

1
TEAMROBOT
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Los Angeles, CA, USA
Fantasy
6/8/2025 10:43am
Was going to mention the DT internals from Mic. He stated that multiple riders are running them, but didn’t point towards who. As for the steer tube...

Was going to mention the DT internals from Mic. He stated that multiple riders are running them, but didn’t point towards who. 

As for the steer tube shake weights, I think you need to just start causally sliding your finger into some tubes….definitely keep a tally for reactions to that one please.  

lol so good. I expect reactions would be... unique.

8
Fantaman
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NL
6/9/2025 3:11am
505465036 9077985195637176 6482331877796490470 n

 

DVO's most recent post on their Instagram page saying ''Should we bring back the OG?'' 

18
acambo
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AU
6/9/2025 4:43am
sethimus wrote:

Reckon it's a Williams Racing Products ratchet

Mic commented on that post and claimed he has nothing to do with whatever is going on in that dt hub. Something dt is likely working...

Mic commented on that post and claimed he has nothing to do with whatever is going on in that dt hub. Something dt is likely working on

Spoke with the mechanic for a certain yt mob member at Cannonball about the WRP freehub kit and they said that DT had something similar in the works for them later in the year.

5
veefour
Posts
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7/31/2016
Location
Cinderford, GB
6/9/2025 8:08am Edited Date/Time 6/9/2025 8:11am
Was going to mention the DT internals from Mic. He stated that multiple riders are running them, but didn’t point towards who. As for the steer tube...

Was going to mention the DT internals from Mic. He stated that multiple riders are running them, but didn’t point towards who. 

As for the steer tube shake weights, I think you need to just start causally sliding your finger into some tubes….definitely keep a tally for reactions to that one please.  

I dunno man, talk of anyone surreptitiously sliding body parts into anything at a World Cup can lead to huge amounts of online speculation.

3
Suns_PSD
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Location
Austin, TX, USA
6/9/2025 10:55am
Splayleg wrote:
I’m up in the ochain gang too. OO and some of the other mob were on ochain but are not this year. Pretty sure I read...

I’m up in the ochain gang too. OO and some of the other mob were on ochain but are not this year. Pretty sure I read on here about a dt Swiss sidekick style hub so maybe he’s on that. Can anyone confirm the dt system or was I just tripping?

krabo83 wrote:
must have been me who spilled the beans. yes, DT is working on a sidekick style hub as i have been informed, but looking at how...

must have been me who spilled the beans. yes, DT is working on a sidekick style hub as i have been informed, but looking at how expensive that e13 sidekick hub is i think o-chain might be the better and service-friendlier option (no new wheel to lace up).

boozed wrote:

O-chain is certainly the trail-friendly choice with the option of external control over the float.

I've been watching the 'pedal-kickback space' and trying to determine which is the best route to go for me on my next bike, if at all.

 

Anyways, here is what E-13 says on the topic of crank based solutions vs. hub: There is a misconception that the effects of pedal kickback are something always perceptible to the rider. Pedal kickback and its knock-on effects dramatically degrade suspension performance even when riders don’t feel it happening. Sidekick is the first and only solution that isolates the drivetrain from suspension while freewheeling. This eliminates pedal kickback in nearly all riding situations, silences chain and freewheel clatter, and provides a whisper-quiet freehub ratchet. Other crank spider-based solutions attempt to eliminate pedal kickback but do not disconnect the drivetrain from the frame suspension. In fact, while helpful in damping pedal kickback forces, with this type of solution, kickback, and chain vibration must happen for the device to function.

 

Beyond that, I would say that the Sidekick hubs appear to be very reliable and also roll very freely, where-as the O'Chain seems to be pretty maintenance intensive. I plan to build a new set of wheels based around the SideKick hubs next time, but it'll be on an e-bike. I'll just stick with my good old Carbon Ti hubs for my trail bike.

4
1
6/9/2025 11:04am Edited Date/Time 6/9/2025 11:05am
krabo83 wrote:
must have been me who spilled the beans. yes, DT is working on a sidekick style hub as i have been informed, but looking at how...

must have been me who spilled the beans. yes, DT is working on a sidekick style hub as i have been informed, but looking at how expensive that e13 sidekick hub is i think o-chain might be the better and service-friendlier option (no new wheel to lace up).

boozed wrote:

O-chain is certainly the trail-friendly choice with the option of external control over the float.

Suns_PSD wrote:
I've been watching the 'pedal-kickback space' and trying to determine which is the best route to go for me on my next bike, if at all. Anyways...

I've been watching the 'pedal-kickback space' and trying to determine which is the best route to go for me on my next bike, if at all.

 

Anyways, here is what E-13 says on the topic of crank based solutions vs. hub: There is a misconception that the effects of pedal kickback are something always perceptible to the rider. Pedal kickback and its knock-on effects dramatically degrade suspension performance even when riders don’t feel it happening. Sidekick is the first and only solution that isolates the drivetrain from suspension while freewheeling. This eliminates pedal kickback in nearly all riding situations, silences chain and freewheel clatter, and provides a whisper-quiet freehub ratchet. Other crank spider-based solutions attempt to eliminate pedal kickback but do not disconnect the drivetrain from the frame suspension. In fact, while helpful in damping pedal kickback forces, with this type of solution, kickback, and chain vibration must happen for the device to function.

 

Beyond that, I would say that the Sidekick hubs appear to be very reliable and also roll very freely, where-as the O'Chain seems to be pretty maintenance intensive. I plan to build a new set of wheels based around the SideKick hubs next time, but it'll be on an e-bike. I'll just stick with my good old Carbon Ti hubs for my trail bike.

"Sidekick is the first and only solution..."
Gunna point out that Tairin has been doing this for a few years prior to e13.  Except Tairin is perfectly silent as it pulls back ALL the pawls (or star ratchet) instead of using one to help reengage.

7
6/9/2025 12:56pm
Suns_PSD wrote:
I've been watching the 'pedal-kickback space' and trying to determine which is the best route to go for me on my next bike, if at all. Anyways...

I've been watching the 'pedal-kickback space' and trying to determine which is the best route to go for me on my next bike, if at all.

 

Anyways, here is what E-13 says on the topic of crank based solutions vs. hub: There is a misconception that the effects of pedal kickback are something always perceptible to the rider. Pedal kickback and its knock-on effects dramatically degrade suspension performance even when riders don’t feel it happening. Sidekick is the first and only solution that isolates the drivetrain from suspension while freewheeling. This eliminates pedal kickback in nearly all riding situations, silences chain and freewheel clatter, and provides a whisper-quiet freehub ratchet. Other crank spider-based solutions attempt to eliminate pedal kickback but do not disconnect the drivetrain from the frame suspension. In fact, while helpful in damping pedal kickback forces, with this type of solution, kickback, and chain vibration must happen for the device to function.

 

Beyond that, I would say that the Sidekick hubs appear to be very reliable and also roll very freely, where-as the O'Chain seems to be pretty maintenance intensive. I plan to build a new set of wheels based around the SideKick hubs next time, but it'll be on an e-bike. I'll just stick with my good old Carbon Ti hubs for my trail bike.

I love the idea that bike performance/suspension can be "dramatically degraded", but the rider can't feel it happening. What? 

8
2
6/9/2025 1:22pm
krabo83 wrote:
must have been me who spilled the beans. yes, DT is working on a sidekick style hub as i have been informed, but looking at how...

must have been me who spilled the beans. yes, DT is working on a sidekick style hub as i have been informed, but looking at how expensive that e13 sidekick hub is i think o-chain might be the better and service-friendlier option (no new wheel to lace up).

boozed wrote:

O-chain is certainly the trail-friendly choice with the option of external control over the float.

Suns_PSD wrote:
I've been watching the 'pedal-kickback space' and trying to determine which is the best route to go for me on my next bike, if at all. Anyways...

I've been watching the 'pedal-kickback space' and trying to determine which is the best route to go for me on my next bike, if at all.

 

Anyways, here is what E-13 says on the topic of crank based solutions vs. hub: There is a misconception that the effects of pedal kickback are something always perceptible to the rider. Pedal kickback and its knock-on effects dramatically degrade suspension performance even when riders don’t feel it happening. Sidekick is the first and only solution that isolates the drivetrain from suspension while freewheeling. This eliminates pedal kickback in nearly all riding situations, silences chain and freewheel clatter, and provides a whisper-quiet freehub ratchet. Other crank spider-based solutions attempt to eliminate pedal kickback but do not disconnect the drivetrain from the frame suspension. In fact, while helpful in damping pedal kickback forces, with this type of solution, kickback, and chain vibration must happen for the device to function.

 

Beyond that, I would say that the Sidekick hubs appear to be very reliable and also roll very freely, where-as the O'Chain seems to be pretty maintenance intensive. I plan to build a new set of wheels based around the SideKick hubs next time, but it'll be on an e-bike. I'll just stick with my good old Carbon Ti hubs for my trail bike.

O-chain is not maintenance intensive in my experience. I'm on a used one for the past 2 park seasons and have had no reason to open it up yet. If the DT option performs like the Sidekick then I could see myself running that and selling the O-Chain to fund putting the DT Sidekick on all my bikes.

5
Losifer
Posts
409
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9/12/2017
Location
Sandia Park, NM, USA
Fantasy
6/9/2025 2:12pm
tsewhsoj wrote:
Heard about an updated transition spur recently, similar design language as the new sentinel, still has a flex stay and seems to be 120/120. No word...

Heard about an updated transition spur recently, similar design language as the new sentinel, still has a flex stay and seems to be 120/120. No word on release date.

Definitely interested...

2
dolface
Posts
1714
Joined
10/26/2015
Location
USA
6/9/2025 2:16pm

Jesse hinting at something in development from RS and/or Canyon?

"There’s a lot of work that happens behind the scenes and while we all love the work, it’s always nice to reward it. Maybe one day you’ll see what I’m talking about 👀"

3
6/9/2025 2:47pm
dolface wrote:
Jesse hinting at something in development from RS and/or Canyon?"There’s a lot of work that happens behind the scenes and while we all love the work...

Jesse hinting at something in development from RS and/or Canyon?

"There’s a lot of work that happens behind the scenes and while we all love the work, it’s always nice to reward it. Maybe one day you’ll see what I’m talking about 👀"

Maybe. Could also just be talking about the amount of time and effort that riders/mechanics/companies put into training, tuning, & testing. 

6
jsray
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5/20/2017
Location
Gilbert, AZ, USA
Fantasy
6/9/2025 3:16pm
IMG 4010
17
storm.racing
Posts
365
Joined
2/15/2022
Location
Silverton, CO, USA
6/9/2025 5:28pm
jsray wrote:
IMG 4010

Been waiting years for more info on that fork (shock too)
Cool to see something!

4
Suns_PSD
Posts
394
Joined
10/7/2015
Location
Austin, TX, USA
6/9/2025 6:25pm Edited Date/Time 6/9/2025 6:26pm
Suns_PSD wrote:
I've been watching the 'pedal-kickback space' and trying to determine which is the best route to go for me on my next bike, if at all. Anyways...

I've been watching the 'pedal-kickback space' and trying to determine which is the best route to go for me on my next bike, if at all.

 

Anyways, here is what E-13 says on the topic of crank based solutions vs. hub: There is a misconception that the effects of pedal kickback are something always perceptible to the rider. Pedal kickback and its knock-on effects dramatically degrade suspension performance even when riders don’t feel it happening. Sidekick is the first and only solution that isolates the drivetrain from suspension while freewheeling. This eliminates pedal kickback in nearly all riding situations, silences chain and freewheel clatter, and provides a whisper-quiet freehub ratchet. Other crank spider-based solutions attempt to eliminate pedal kickback but do not disconnect the drivetrain from the frame suspension. In fact, while helpful in damping pedal kickback forces, with this type of solution, kickback, and chain vibration must happen for the device to function.

 

Beyond that, I would say that the Sidekick hubs appear to be very reliable and also roll very freely, where-as the O'Chain seems to be pretty maintenance intensive. I plan to build a new set of wheels based around the SideKick hubs next time, but it'll be on an e-bike. I'll just stick with my good old Carbon Ti hubs for my trail bike.

I love the idea that bike performance/suspension can be "dramatically degraded", but the rider can't feel it happening. What? 

I took it as felt in the form of pedal kickback, but point taken.

 

PS. Love the Username!

9
1
Glory831Guy
Posts
153
Joined
10/21/2023
Location
Santa Cruz, CA, USA
6/9/2025 8:31pm Edited Date/Time 6/9/2025 8:33pm
jsray wrote:
IMG 4010

Pretty interesting how moto suspension companies do their "A Kit" suspension with DLC, or TiN for the stanchions, and Kashima is used on the shock bodies/fork chassis, but none of the moving parts. If I had money to blow, I would try to buy those KYB forks and shock tomorrow.🤑

4
3
6/9/2025 8:56pm
dolface wrote:
Jesse hinting at something in development from RS and/or Canyon?"There’s a lot of work that happens behind the scenes and while we all love the work...

Jesse hinting at something in development from RS and/or Canyon?

"There’s a lot of work that happens behind the scenes and while we all love the work, it’s always nice to reward it. Maybe one day you’ll see what I’m talking about 👀"

i read that as Jesse criticizing the lack of enduro coverage. I definitely didn't see it. 

5
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