MTB Tech Rumors and Innovation

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7/3/2025 9:39pm
It still seems silly to me to put a floating brake mount on a Horst link bike. 

The Cube floating brake arm is is a beast.

It still seems silly to me to put a floating brake mount on a Horst link bike. 

I don’t think it’s silly if a rider wants a different character than the frame was designed with.Neko made a video testing different AR configurations and...

I don’t think it’s silly if a rider wants a different character than the frame was designed with.


Neko made a video testing different AR configurations and basically said its rider dependent on what they want.

I think people believe that certain frame designs like horst link or split pivot have no influence from the brake on the suspension, so a floating brake wouldn't do anything. The marketing from some of those frames kind of gave that impression. Really they (floating brakes) can alter the braking characteristic of almost any bike in either direction as well (more or less anti rise)

5
chriskief
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7/3/2025 10:53pm
TEAMROBOT wrote:
Hey y'all something going on in these Maven levers in the pits at La Thuille. Heard from Alan Muldoon at MBR that the Canyon DH...

Hey y'all something going on in these Maven levers in the pits at La Thuille. Heard from Alan Muldoon at MBR that the Canyon DH team had these same gold cams in their Mavens at Leogang. Any theories? More leverage? Less leverage? More ramp? Less ramp?

Based on where that 2mm bolt sits, it looks like they've reworked the SwingLink (26 in first diagram) to be more like the Pushrod (18 in second diagram) in the Base lever. Appears that it's adjustable as well. More/less leverage is my guess.

Ultimate / Bronze

ultimate 0.jpg?VersionId=9GpRnSVFAUltrzU8H6UjEPjiHa

Base

base.jpg?VersionId=emE
21
seanfisseli
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7/3/2025 11:04pm

So I assumed that the Base was going to be different from the other Mavens, but maybe we will see the first case of Trickle Up Technology? At least, maybe the popularity of the base has sent the team off in search of a solution that will give the Ultimate users a chance to adjust leverage the same way we have been able to adjust bit point, throw, etc?

7
lickmycrinkle
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7/4/2025 1:11am

 

Ochain / SRAM is official.

4
TimBud
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7/4/2025 1:28am

So Sram are playing with a lighter pull setup... Even though "everyone" swears blind that the heavy pull is the bESt thINg EvAr. This U-turn is nearly as funny as the "we will never make a mineral oil brake".

They would make an incredible political party with plays like this.

 

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4
7/4/2025 4:34am
TimBud wrote:
So Sram are playing with a lighter pull setup... Even though "everyone" swears blind that the heavy pull is the bESt thINg EvAr. This U-turn is...

So Sram are playing with a lighter pull setup... Even though "everyone" swears blind that the heavy pull is the bESt thINg EvAr. This U-turn is nearly as funny as the "we will never make a mineral oil brake".

They would make an incredible political party with plays like this.

 

It's really funny that SRAM's sponsored elite riders are going for a setup that's less bitey with a lighter lever feel, because I got downvoted to hell on the other site for saying that the initial heavy bite was a bad thing.

12
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TimBud
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7/4/2025 4:42am
It's really funny that SRAM's sponsored elite riders are going for a setup that's less bitey with a lighter lever feel, because I got downvoted to...

It's really funny that SRAM's sponsored elite riders are going for a setup that's less bitey with a lighter lever feel, because I got downvoted to hell on the other site for saying that the initial heavy bite was a bad thing.

Well yeah you dared to share a negative thought about Sram 😅🤷🏽‍♂️

It such a contrary thinkg that all of a sudden a heavy lever is seen as a positive. Lets get rid of power steering and bring back heavy clutches in cars too 😬

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3
7/4/2025 4:55am
TimBud wrote:
Well yeah you dared to share a negative thought about Sram 😅🤷🏽‍♂️It such a contrary thinkg that all of a sudden a heavy lever is seen...

Well yeah you dared to share a negative thought about Sram 😅🤷🏽‍♂️

It such a contrary thinkg that all of a sudden a heavy lever is seen as a positive. Lets get rid of power steering and bring back heavy clutches in cars too 😬

I refuse to be gaslit into believing that a heavy lever action with a super strong bite point isn't a recipe for disaster

6
2
mfoga
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7/4/2025 6:46am

 

Ochain / SRAM is official.

Wonder if that means no more compatibility with other cranks 

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7/4/2025 6:55am

I would love to hear the feedback they got that lead to the Maven.. I haven't ridden them much, but they sound like the Saints I rode that the bite was right away.. Granted, that bite point had a tendency to change during the run... Tryin  to drag that brake took a really light touch. For me, my older TRP Quadiums are pretty much perfect.. I can feel the contact point and if I need more power, I squeeze a bit harder..I never need more than one finger on the lever. I did put in a set of Sram 2mm rotors so they hit a bit sooner.. Only downside is a bit of pad rub with fresh pads, but it goes away pretty quick..

1
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seanfisseli
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7/4/2025 7:14am
I would love to hear the feedback they got that lead to the Maven.. I haven't ridden them much, but they sound like the Saints I...

I would love to hear the feedback they got that lead to the Maven.. I haven't ridden them much, but they sound like the Saints I rode that the bite was right away.. Granted, that bite point had a tendency to change during the run... Tryin  to drag that brake took a really light touch. For me, my older TRP Quadiums are pretty much perfect.. I can feel the contact point and if I need more power, I squeeze a bit harder..I never need more than one finger on the lever. I did put in a set of Sram 2mm rotors so they hit a bit sooner.. Only downside is a bit of pad rub with fresh pads, but it goes away pretty quick..

I think the feedback is that a large percentage of riders were looking for the most powerful brakes/brake combo they could find. If you’re developing brakes you think “well what’s the far extreme of braking power look like? What does it look like if we make the most powerful brake on the market by a wide margin?” To some the power is unusable, but to others it’s exactly what they have been chasing after. Either way they kick the reputation they earned of having underpowered brakes.

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1
7/4/2025 7:48am
I think the feedback is that a large percentage of riders were looking for the most powerful brakes/brake combo they could find. If you’re developing brakes...

I think the feedback is that a large percentage of riders were looking for the most powerful brakes/brake combo they could find. If you’re developing brakes you think “well what’s the far extreme of braking power look like? What does it look like if we make the most powerful brake on the market by a wide margin?” To some the power is unusable, but to others it’s exactly what they have been chasing after. Either way they kick the reputation they earned of having underpowered brakes.

I didn't feel Codes were really under powered, but im not a WC DH racer.. However,  the first thing I did on those was turn in the contact adjustment.. Still a bit spungey on the lever, but controllable.. That's what I like about my current setup.. It really feels in between a Sram and Shimano.. Good initial bite with the ability to add more power as needed without feeling too squishy at the lever.. Sounds like the Maven base wight be pretty similar going off the PB review..

2
DServy
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7/4/2025 7:58am
TimBud wrote:
So Sram are playing with a lighter pull setup... Even though "everyone" swears blind that the heavy pull is the bESt thINg EvAr. This U-turn is...

So Sram are playing with a lighter pull setup... Even though "everyone" swears blind that the heavy pull is the bESt thINg EvAr. This U-turn is nearly as funny as the "we will never make a mineral oil brake".

They would make an incredible political party with plays like this.

 

It's really funny that SRAM's sponsored elite riders are going for a setup that's less bitey with a lighter lever feel, because I got downvoted to...

It's really funny that SRAM's sponsored elite riders are going for a setup that's less bitey with a lighter lever feel, because I got downvoted to hell on the other site for saying that the initial heavy bite was a bad thing.

It’s almost like people prefer different things out of their brakes and that it would be beneficial to the company to provide as many different lever feels out of a brake as possible. What a novel concept! The fact that they can provide as many different options with the same general architecture is a sign of some pretty damn good engineering, and I want to highlight when things are done well in the bike industry. I like the feel of Mavens as is, so does everyone I talk to. Some people might not and guess what? All those opinions are okay.

What grinds my gears is this dogmatic approach people have to everything around how their bikes are set up. Like their preferences are the only truth in the world. So you think the mavens level pull is heavy? I don’t. Is it worth derailing tech rumors to talk about how vindicated you feel and how its proof that SRAM engineers are a bunch of crayon eaters who “don’t bike no good?” 

In times like this I’m always reminded of the fact that “Opinions are like Aholes, everyone has them and their full of poop.”

Now: Back to the rumors.

What do you think is the likelihood of a 30t compatible OChain is? 

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9
7/4/2025 8:15am
DServy wrote:
It’s almost like people prefer different things out of their brakes and that it would be beneficial to the company to provide as many different lever...

It’s almost like people prefer different things out of their brakes and that it would be beneficial to the company to provide as many different lever feels out of a brake as possible. What a novel concept! The fact that they can provide as many different options with the same general architecture is a sign of some pretty damn good engineering, and I want to highlight when things are done well in the bike industry. I like the feel of Mavens as is, so does everyone I talk to. Some people might not and guess what? All those opinions are okay.

What grinds my gears is this dogmatic approach people have to everything around how their bikes are set up. Like their preferences are the only truth in the world. So you think the mavens level pull is heavy? I don’t. Is it worth derailing tech rumors to talk about how vindicated you feel and how its proof that SRAM engineers are a bunch of crayon eaters who “don’t bike no good?” 

In times like this I’m always reminded of the fact that “Opinions are like Aholes, everyone has them and their full of poop.”

Now: Back to the rumors.

What do you think is the likelihood of a 30t compatible OChain is? 

5
DServy
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Jackson, WY US
7/4/2025 8:31am
DServy wrote:
It’s almost like people prefer different things out of their brakes and that it would be beneficial to the company to provide as many different lever...

It’s almost like people prefer different things out of their brakes and that it would be beneficial to the company to provide as many different lever feels out of a brake as possible. What a novel concept! The fact that they can provide as many different options with the same general architecture is a sign of some pretty damn good engineering, and I want to highlight when things are done well in the bike industry. I like the feel of Mavens as is, so does everyone I talk to. Some people might not and guess what? All those opinions are okay.

What grinds my gears is this dogmatic approach people have to everything around how their bikes are set up. Like their preferences are the only truth in the world. So you think the mavens level pull is heavy? I don’t. Is it worth derailing tech rumors to talk about how vindicated you feel and how its proof that SRAM engineers are a bunch of crayon eaters who “don’t bike no good?” 

In times like this I’m always reminded of the fact that “Opinions are like Aholes, everyone has them and their full of poop.”

Now: Back to the rumors.

What do you think is the likelihood of a 30t compatible OChain is? 

Man, I emailed them like 3 times on the 30T compatibility of the Nero version and never got a consistent answer. I just chalked it up to being lost in translation and I didn’t want to sink a bunch of money into a new Ochain that is basically the same as my current one. 

1
7/4/2025 8:36am Edited Date/Time 7/4/2025 8:40am
DServy wrote:
It’s almost like people prefer different things out of their brakes and that it would be beneficial to the company to provide as many different lever...

It’s almost like people prefer different things out of their brakes and that it would be beneficial to the company to provide as many different lever feels out of a brake as possible. What a novel concept! The fact that they can provide as many different options with the same general architecture is a sign of some pretty damn good engineering, and I want to highlight when things are done well in the bike industry. I like the feel of Mavens as is, so does everyone I talk to. Some people might not and guess what? All those opinions are okay.

What grinds my gears is this dogmatic approach people have to everything around how their bikes are set up. Like their preferences are the only truth in the world. So you think the mavens level pull is heavy? I don’t. Is it worth derailing tech rumors to talk about how vindicated you feel and how its proof that SRAM engineers are a bunch of crayon eaters who “don’t bike no good?” 

In times like this I’m always reminded of the fact that “Opinions are like Aholes, everyone has them and their full of poop.”

Now: Back to the rumors.

What do you think is the likelihood of a 30t compatible OChain is? 

Kinda like was Cascade comes out with a link.. It doesn't mean the stock linkage sucks, but they made something to make it feel good according to their preferences.. When you get to the WC level, those rider's are looking for 10ths and 100ths of second and tweaking things in a way a lot of us wouldn't understand..

As for the 30t Ochain, wouldn't a 104 bcd 30t ring work? Or is there something with the Ochain design that prevents that? Haven't looked at one enough or in person to know..

4
chriskief
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7/4/2025 8:43am
Kinda like was Cascade comes out with a link.. It doesn't mean the stock linkage sucks, but they made something to make it feel good according...

Kinda like was Cascade comes out with a link.. It doesn't mean the stock linkage sucks, but they made something to make it feel good according to their preferences.. When you get to the WC level, those rider's are looking for 10ths and 100ths of second and tweaking things in a way a lot of us wouldn't understand..

As for the 30t Ochain, wouldn't a 104 bcd 30t ring work? Or is there something with the Ochain design that prevents that? Haven't looked at one enough or in person to know..

Speaking of Cascade... the Levo 4 is going long.

5
TimBud
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7/4/2025 8:45am
DServy wrote:
It’s almost like people prefer different things out of their brakes and that it would be beneficial to the company to provide as many different lever...

It’s almost like people prefer different things out of their brakes and that it would be beneficial to the company to provide as many different lever feels out of a brake as possible. What a novel concept! The fact that they can provide as many different options with the same general architecture is a sign of some pretty damn good engineering, and I want to highlight when things are done well in the bike industry. I like the feel of Mavens as is, so does everyone I talk to. Some people might not and guess what? All those opinions are okay.

What grinds my gears is this dogmatic approach people have to everything around how their bikes are set up. Like their preferences are the only truth in the world. So you think the mavens level pull is heavy? I don’t. Is it worth derailing tech rumors to talk about how vindicated you feel and how its proof that SRAM engineers are a bunch of crayon eaters who “don’t bike no good?” 

In times like this I’m always reminded of the fact that “Opinions are like Aholes, everyone has them and their full of poop.”

Now: Back to the rumors.

What do you think is the likelihood of a 30t compatible OChain is? 

No one here actually said anything even remotely close to what you’re saying.

But you have highlighted my point that Sram users cannot bear to hear anything negative about their components… even when Sram themselves quietly release an update to improve them.

Literally every review has commented on the Maven levers being heavy. They’ve also ALL said that it’s not an issue and you get used to it, so why get so butthurt and try to deny it?

 

3
11
7/4/2025 8:53am
Kinda like was Cascade comes out with a link.. It doesn't mean the stock linkage sucks, but they made something to make it feel good according...

Kinda like was Cascade comes out with a link.. It doesn't mean the stock linkage sucks, but they made something to make it feel good according to their preferences.. When you get to the WC level, those rider's are looking for 10ths and 100ths of second and tweaking things in a way a lot of us wouldn't understand..

As for the 30t Ochain, wouldn't a 104 bcd 30t ring work? Or is there something with the Ochain design that prevents that? Haven't looked at one enough or in person to know..

Raw machined > Forged any day (in the looks department)

5
7/4/2025 8:54am
chriskief wrote:

Speaking of Cascade... the Levo 4 is going long.

Anyone else not surprised to see this?

3
7/4/2025 8:54am
DServy wrote:
Man, I emailed them like 3 times on the 30T compatibility of the Nero version and never got a consistent answer. I just chalked it up...

Man, I emailed them like 3 times on the 30T compatibility of the Nero version and never got a consistent answer. I just chalked it up to being lost in translation and I didn’t want to sink a bunch of money into a new Ochain that is basically the same as my current one. 

If it's helpful, I'm running an OChain N with a 30T RaceFace chainring and it works great.

3
7/4/2025 9:01am

I don’t mind the bite point of the mavens, but i would be curious if the change gives it a lighter lever feel. I’ve been on Hayes for a few years now on all my bikes, but recently got a set of maven ultimates for free so i gave them a shot.  I just did 4 days at Whistler in a row, and i swear the “muscles” in my rear brake finger were sore. That was nothing i had ever experienced before. It does take a bit more work to pull them, especially compared to the dominions. I didn’t feel like it caused any arm pump, because they are so strong you can def pull later/less, but my actual finger itself feels it. 

2
7/4/2025 9:02am

Raw machined > Forged any day (in the looks department)

Can't really fault that logic...

1
seanfisseli
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Santa Cruz, CA US
7/4/2025 9:21am

i am wondering if adjustable leverage on the mavens would give riders the kind of adjustability that compression dials on suspension gives? different leverage for different riding conditions/trails? would any of you find it beneficial to be able to dial up or down leverage ("power") on different rides?

1
Primoz
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7/4/2025 9:51am Edited Date/Time 7/4/2025 9:53am
It's really funny that SRAM's sponsored elite riders are going for a setup that's less bitey with a lighter lever feel, because I got downvoted to...

It's really funny that SRAM's sponsored elite riders are going for a setup that's less bitey with a lighter lever feel, because I got downvoted to hell on the other site for saying that the initial heavy bite was a bad thing.

TimBud wrote:
Well yeah you dared to share a negative thought about Sram 😅🤷🏽‍♂️It such a contrary thinkg that all of a sudden a heavy lever is seen...

Well yeah you dared to share a negative thought about Sram 😅🤷🏽‍♂️

It such a contrary thinkg that all of a sudden a heavy lever is seen as a positive. Lets get rid of power steering and bring back heavy clutches in cars too 😬

Heavy lever pull is bad. Heavy lever pull as a consequence of a progressive leverage ratio that gives a lot of pad retract AND a lot of power is a good thing. You can't have everything... 

As for variable leverage ratio (lever feel), Lewis actually does this... 

21
1
krabo83
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7/4/2025 10:22am

damn 260€… must be with titan axle, couldn‘t find it in the description.

2
dolface
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CA US
7/4/2025 10:35am
ente wrote:
krabo83 wrote:

damn 260€… must be with titan axle, couldn‘t find it in the description.

I see 209,99€, which is in-line w/ pricing of the current model (USD$220): https://ride.shimano.com/products/pd-m9120?srsltid=AfmBOoqwMwnUMVxlHBl_…

 

2
krabo83
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7/4/2025 10:44am
ente wrote:
krabo83 wrote:

damn 260€… must be with titan axle, couldn‘t find it in the description.

dolface wrote:

I see 209,99€, which is in-line w/ pricing of the current model (USD$220): https://ride.shimano.com/products/pd-m9120?srsltid=AfmBOoqwMwnUMVxlHBl_…

 

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