MTB Tech Rumors and Innovation

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matmattmatthew
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Fresh Prince of Bel Air, MD US
7/7/2025 6:18am

Conspiracy Theory Hot Take -  Now that SRAM owns O-chain will Non-SRAM sponsored athletes be asked by their drivetrain sponsors not to run them?  Or will mechanics just get out the Sharpie?

14
monarchmason
Posts
288
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Location
Nevada City, CA US
7/7/2025 6:46am
Conspiracy Theory Hot Take -  Now that SRAM owns O-chain will Non-SRAM sponsored athletes be asked by their drivetrain sponsors not to run them?  Or will...

Conspiracy Theory Hot Take -  Now that SRAM owns O-chain will Non-SRAM sponsored athletes be asked by their drivetrain sponsors not to run them?  Or will mechanics just get out the Sharpie?

If I was a betting man, Id put my money on the part where Sram is going to make the product only work with their cranks anyways. So sharpie kickback hubs may be the easier option here. 

6
Shinook
Posts
141
Joined
12/29/2015
Location
Asheville, NC US
7/7/2025 7:29am
Shinook wrote:
Level of Future has released a website that goes into more info on their Flexstab bars: https://leveloffuture.com/Not much info on availability for the public. I've...

Level of Future has released a website that goes into more info on their Flexstab bars: https://leveloffuture.com/

Not much info on availability for the public. I've reached out, these may save riding for me, so I'm pretty anxious to get more info on when they'll be available. They look really promising for people with wrist/hand/elbow problems.

swoopswoop wrote:

Is there a plain image of the bars anywhere? I tried finding it on their website but on mobile that thing is a nightmare.

https://www.instagram.com/level_of_future/# has lots of photos/videos on them. Their website just went live a few days ago so it needs work - for instance the contact page doesn't seem to work and the email address on the English site bounces. Will just have to be patient and wait for them to catch up.

I've reached out a few different ways and haven't heard back yet on availability. It's really hard to gauge their intent - the PB video mentions they were looking to sell the technology/license it for others to manufacture, but some of their content seems to indicate they will be making them themselves and selling them (or both). AFAIK they haven't publicly stated any intention to release to the public or make them generally available yet, but most of their posting is in Polish so it may be I missed it.

I've reached out to them a few different ways to try and get an answer, these could be game changing for me and possibly save riding for me altogether, so I'm really anxious to get more info but so far haven't gotten a reply.

1
Digit Bikes
Posts
180
Joined
9/22/2021
Location
Irvine, CA US
7/7/2025 8:42am
Shinook wrote:
https://www.instagram.com/level_of_future/# has lots of photos/videos on them. Their website just went live a few days ago so it needs work - for instance the contact page...

https://www.instagram.com/level_of_future/# has lots of photos/videos on them. Their website just went live a few days ago so it needs work - for instance the contact page doesn't seem to work and the email address on the English site bounces. Will just have to be patient and wait for them to catch up.

I've reached out a few different ways and haven't heard back yet on availability. It's really hard to gauge their intent - the PB video mentions they were looking to sell the technology/license it for others to manufacture, but some of their content seems to indicate they will be making them themselves and selling them (or both). AFAIK they haven't publicly stated any intention to release to the public or make them generally available yet, but most of their posting is in Polish so it may be I missed it.

I've reached out to them a few different ways to try and get an answer, these could be game changing for me and possibly save riding for me altogether, so I'm really anxious to get more info but so far haven't gotten a reply.

What's with all the stabbing? Last week we had the launches of Flex Stab and Stab Lead.

6
Digit Bikes
Posts
180
Joined
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Location
Irvine, CA US
7/7/2025 9:47am

A sales manager at Shimano just built up a Digit Ring and sent me some photos.

It has an unusual Pro Tharsis handlebar which I've not seen any reporting on*. I gets fatter each side of the stem, and it's not round each side of the stem either. A fatter diameter normally indicates a stiffer structure which I'd normally be wary of, but I'm told the shaping makes this is as compliant as the OneUp handlebar. It does look pretty sick.

Both the bar and stem have cable-tourism routing - but they don't seem to be noticeable on my cable-into-the-downtube frame. 

image 389.png?VersionId=yCe1tx0sZHQZnACLYUY0sKpR4tQnOimage 390.png?VersionId=e1EAX8WOckNmH

*The bar and stem aren't embargoed, but the photo here really doesn't show what's going on.

14
Primoz
Posts
4534
Joined
8/1/2009
Location
SI
7/7/2025 10:53am
A sales manager at Shimano just built up a Digit Ring and sent me some photos.It has an unusual Pro Tharsis handlebar which I've not...

A sales manager at Shimano just built up a Digit Ring and sent me some photos.

It has an unusual Pro Tharsis handlebar which I've not seen any reporting on*. I gets fatter each side of the stem, and it's not round each side of the stem either. A fatter diameter normally indicates a stiffer structure which I'd normally be wary of, but I'm told the shaping makes this is as compliant as the OneUp handlebar. It does look pretty sick.

Both the bar and stem have cable-tourism routing - but they don't seem to be noticeable on my cable-into-the-downtube frame. 

image 389.png?VersionId=yCe1tx0sZHQZnACLYUY0sKpR4tQnOimage 390.png?VersionId=e1EAX8WOckNmH

*The bar and stem aren't embargoed, but the photo here really doesn't show what's going on.

3
7/7/2025 10:54am
A sales manager at Shimano just built up a Digit Ring and sent me some photos.It has an unusual Pro Tharsis handlebar which I've not...

A sales manager at Shimano just built up a Digit Ring and sent me some photos.

It has an unusual Pro Tharsis handlebar which I've not seen any reporting on*. I gets fatter each side of the stem, and it's not round each side of the stem either. A fatter diameter normally indicates a stiffer structure which I'd normally be wary of, but I'm told the shaping makes this is as compliant as the OneUp handlebar. It does look pretty sick.

Both the bar and stem have cable-tourism routing - but they don't seem to be noticeable on my cable-into-the-downtube frame. 

image 389.png?VersionId=yCe1tx0sZHQZnACLYUY0sKpR4tQnOimage 390.png?VersionId=e1EAX8WOckNmH

*The bar and stem aren't embargoed, but the photo here really doesn't show what's going on.

It looks kinda square? I've never seen bars like that before

3
lloyd506
Posts
251
Joined
7/10/2016
Location
CA
7/7/2025 11:12am
lloyd506 wrote:
Can confirm alloy stumpy 15 is heavy. Bought alloy and built up, ext era fork, Storia coil, xo transmission, carbon rims with king hubs, dh casing...

Can confirm alloy stumpy 15 is heavy. Bought alloy and built up, ext era fork, Storia coil, xo transmission, carbon rims with king hubs, dh casing tires comes in at 36 lbs in a S3. 

maxwrbike wrote:

That is not heavy brother 

Alloy frame, coil sprung, DH tyres and he's upset that it's 16kg? Help! Waiter! My steak is too juicy and my lobster is too buttery! 

I am not upset about the weight and nowhere was I complaining. I simply stated what I built and the weight. It’s about 2 lbs heavier than the carbon frames, that’s what the conversation topic was about. 
 

8
2
7/7/2025 1:09pm
A sales manager at Shimano just built up a Digit Ring and sent me some photos.It has an unusual Pro Tharsis handlebar which I've not...

A sales manager at Shimano just built up a Digit Ring and sent me some photos.

It has an unusual Pro Tharsis handlebar which I've not seen any reporting on*. I gets fatter each side of the stem, and it's not round each side of the stem either. A fatter diameter normally indicates a stiffer structure which I'd normally be wary of, but I'm told the shaping makes this is as compliant as the OneUp handlebar. It does look pretty sick.

Both the bar and stem have cable-tourism routing - but they don't seem to be noticeable on my cable-into-the-downtube frame. 

image 389.png?VersionId=yCe1tx0sZHQZnACLYUY0sKpR4tQnOimage 390.png?VersionId=e1EAX8WOckNmH

*The bar and stem aren't embargoed, but the photo here really doesn't show what's going on.

It looks kinda square? I've never seen bars like that before

More sort of a "D" shape I think?

2
dolface
Posts
1662
Joined
10/26/2015
Location
CA US
7/7/2025 1:27pm

But with a round clamping area? Am I seeing things or does the D-shaped part overlap the stem?

image 391
3
HexonJuan
Posts
375
Joined
6/10/2015
Location
WI US
7/7/2025 1:36pm
A sales manager at Shimano just built up a Digit Ring and sent me some photos.It has an unusual Pro Tharsis handlebar which I've not...

A sales manager at Shimano just built up a Digit Ring and sent me some photos.

It has an unusual Pro Tharsis handlebar which I've not seen any reporting on*. I gets fatter each side of the stem, and it's not round each side of the stem either. A fatter diameter normally indicates a stiffer structure which I'd normally be wary of, but I'm told the shaping makes this is as compliant as the OneUp handlebar. It does look pretty sick.

Both the bar and stem have cable-tourism routing - but they don't seem to be noticeable on my cable-into-the-downtube frame. 

image 389.png?VersionId=yCe1tx0sZHQZnACLYUY0sKpR4tQnOimage 390.png?VersionId=e1EAX8WOckNmH

*The bar and stem aren't embargoed, but the photo here really doesn't show what's going on.

New version of the PRO Tharsis line, the EVO model I b'lieve. The rumor site had a shpiel on it back in June. Sorry to say it is not named Stab.

6
7/7/2025 2:41pm
The bar height from the axle is, yes, but he also has his BB set lower than nearly everyone else. The stack:body height ratio for Dak...

The bar height from the axle is, yes, but he also has his BB set lower than nearly everyone else. The stack:body height ratio for Dak is more akin to the Women (and Jacko) than the other riders of a similar height to him. Regardless of short head tubes and stuff he still has a very unique setup that puts him in a more upright position than anyone else his size.

I was going to say the same thing. Jackson gets even more upright by riding a larger bike in relation to his body size. His bars look...

I was going to say the same thing. 

Jackson gets even more upright by riding a larger bike in relation to his body size. His bars look super wide if you look at how little bend he has in his elbows, but it obviously works 

Dak is riding a smaller bike in relation to his size.

Dak is larger but both are riding roughly similar sized bikes. Add in the low stack of the Mondraker and that's how you end up with the big riser bars.

kadenride wrote:

Dak is not really on a small bike his reach is north of 490mm 

But Dak is a good bit larger (4-5" taller?) than Jackson. That was the point I was trying to make. 

I think they are looking for similar positions but Jackson is getting there on a "more normal" looking setup because he is smaller. 

 

4
1
Primoz
Posts
4534
Joined
8/1/2009
Location
SI
7/7/2025 11:28pm
A sales manager at Shimano just built up a Digit Ring and sent me some photos.It has an unusual Pro Tharsis handlebar which I've not...

A sales manager at Shimano just built up a Digit Ring and sent me some photos.

It has an unusual Pro Tharsis handlebar which I've not seen any reporting on*. I gets fatter each side of the stem, and it's not round each side of the stem either. A fatter diameter normally indicates a stiffer structure which I'd normally be wary of, but I'm told the shaping makes this is as compliant as the OneUp handlebar. It does look pretty sick.

Both the bar and stem have cable-tourism routing - but they don't seem to be noticeable on my cable-into-the-downtube frame. 

image 389.png?VersionId=yCe1tx0sZHQZnACLYUY0sKpR4tQnOimage 390.png?VersionId=e1EAX8WOckNmH

*The bar and stem aren't embargoed, but the photo here really doesn't show what's going on.

It looks kinda square? I've never seen bars like that before

Dave Waugh wrote:

More sort of a "D" shape I think?

It's round. Look at the link I posted on the previous side. 

1
Digit Bikes
Posts
180
Joined
9/22/2021
Location
Irvine, CA US
7/8/2025 7:33am

It looks kinda square? I've never seen bars like that before

Dave Waugh wrote:

More sort of a "D" shape I think?

Primoz wrote:

It's round. Look at the link I posted on the previous side. 

You’re both right! It’s both round and D-shaped. I grabbed this shot from the video in your link @Primoz 
image 392

5
7/8/2025 7:50am
Poleczechy wrote:

Interesting caliper on Jackson's bike. Prototype Saint? 

 

May I ask @CascadeComponents why they made such an exotic adapter for rear brake just to put caliper back, over axle? Any influence on suspension?

1
synBike
Posts
46
Joined
3/15/2021
Location
North Vancouver, BC CA
7/8/2025 8:08am
Poleczechy wrote:

Interesting caliper on Jackson's bike. Prototype Saint? 

 

May I ask @CascadeComponents why they made such an exotic adapter for rear brake just to put caliper back, over axle? Any influence on suspension?

Caliper position makes no difference on suspension at all. Only thing that matters is which link the brake attaches too. 

Very strange looking adapter. Only real differences between adapters are:

- Position: aesthetic and clearance related
- Stiffness: has impacts on vibration and noise

That to me looks like someone is either using some very optimized shapes to control the natural frequency (unlikely) or they are trying to shield the caliper slightly from air/mud/etc. 

8
chriskief
Posts
727
Joined
4/15/2017
Location
New York, NY US
7/8/2025 8:24am
Poleczechy wrote:

Interesting caliper on Jackson's bike. Prototype Saint? 

 

May I ask @CascadeComponents why they made such an exotic adapter for rear brake just to put caliper back, over axle? Any influence on suspension?

That's the stock V10.8 brake adapter for 200mm rotors. It allows for the 3 rear axle positions. They also have a 220mm rotor verison.

Screenshot 2025-07-08 at 11.18.26%E2%80%AFAMScreenshot 2025-07-08 at 11.18.20%E2%80%AFAMScreenshot 2025-07-08 at 11.21.28%E2%80%AFAM
20
Sir HC
Posts
168
Joined
7/5/2014
Location
GB
7/8/2025 8:25am
Poleczechy wrote:

Interesting caliper on Jackson's bike. Prototype Saint? 

 

May I ask @CascadeComponents why they made such an exotic adapter for rear brake just to put caliper back, over axle? Any influence on suspension?

Mount is sliding to allow for wheelbase adjustment, hence the shape for clearance to the seatstay and the sliding mount

4
bmiliu
Posts
6
Joined
6/16/2011
Location
CA
7/8/2025 10:45am Edited Date/Time 7/8/2025 10:47am

Anybody notice the new-ish looking Zeb on the Devinci instagram annoucement for tomorrow?

If you look at the non-driveside leg there's something funky there ... looks partially blocked and the naming is blocked out.

image 393
kperras
Posts
156
Joined
12/19/2012
Location
CA
7/8/2025 10:53am

That's the current Zeb.

3
1
bmiliu
Posts
6
Joined
6/16/2011
Location
CA
7/8/2025 11:01am

Nah there's something funky on the left leg. Enhaaaaance!

 

4
earleb
Posts
351
Joined
3/23/2023
Location
North Vancouver, BC CA
7/8/2025 11:21am

New Zeb has a different arch, would does ENHANCE show there? 

1
bmiliu
Posts
6
Joined
6/16/2011
Location
CA
7/8/2025 11:49am

Looks a little diff than the one on the website.

 

versus ... not sure if it's just lighting. But perhaps it's not new.

 

bmiliu
Posts
6
Joined
6/16/2011
Location
CA
7/8/2025 1:26pm

up you're right .. but there's something funky going on on the lowers.

2
7/9/2025 10:05am

There are probably multiple things going on here with the Zeb: 
1. Because of litigation with Fox and the bleed valves, they've move the new location to the bottom of the lowers for all future lower leg castings. This includes a running change with the 'old' zeb uppers, etc. 
2. There is a new Zeb coming that will also have new uppers ('26+) 
3. The new Zeb Ultimate may have shockwiz built into the lower leg (what they're covering up) 
4. The new Zeb has something funky with the new crown (either more pressure relief area, or something else sneaky like torsional stiffness option or vibration damping, etc. 

1
7/9/2025 10:32am
There are probably multiple things going on here with the Zeb: 1. Because of litigation with Fox and the bleed valves, they've move the new location to...

There are probably multiple things going on here with the Zeb: 
1. Because of litigation with Fox and the bleed valves, they've move the new location to the bottom of the lowers for all future lower leg castings. This includes a running change with the 'old' zeb uppers, etc. 
2. There is a new Zeb coming that will also have new uppers ('26+) 
3. The new Zeb Ultimate may have shockwiz built into the lower leg (what they're covering up) 
4. The new Zeb has something funky with the new crown (either more pressure relief area, or something else sneaky like torsional stiffness option or vibration damping, etc. 

Probably a new Ochain device built in the lowers 

23
7/9/2025 11:49am
There are probably multiple things going on here with the Zeb: 1. Because of litigation with Fox and the bleed valves, they've move the new location to...

There are probably multiple things going on here with the Zeb: 
1. Because of litigation with Fox and the bleed valves, they've move the new location to the bottom of the lowers for all future lower leg castings. This includes a running change with the 'old' zeb uppers, etc. 
2. There is a new Zeb coming that will also have new uppers ('26+) 
3. The new Zeb Ultimate may have shockwiz built into the lower leg (what they're covering up) 
4. The new Zeb has something funky with the new crown (either more pressure relief area, or something else sneaky like torsional stiffness option or vibration damping, etc. 

tarekfahmy wrote:

Probably a new Ochain device built in the lowers 

I've been noticing a lot of pedal kickback riding my trailbike equipped with a Pike Ultimate. I didn't know how to describe it besides "when the fork goes into compression I crash a lot more often."

Who knew that the fork lowers were directly tied to the cassette? I know I didn't. But it explains all my crashes.

THAT is probably why I'm crashing all the time, right?

Right?

Definitely not a skill issue.

13
7/9/2025 5:03pm

A more refined version of Mondraker's proto DH bike seen in a Fast AF* vid from Andorra today. Can't tell if they still have the modular bb set up, but does look to have changeable drop outs to change CS length. Carbon version expected later this summer Wink  

https://youtu.be/VJUh_1DSiIM?si=6FVF3dvJUTX3ZwW6&t=2322 

Screenshot 2025-07-09 at 4.59.07%E2%80%AFPM
11
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