MTB Tech Rumors and Innovation

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7/10/2025 11:19am
It’s hard to say what’s “better”, Jackson just won 4 in a row on low pivot, Gracey won 2 on high pivot, Max in junior won...

It’s hard to say what’s “better”, Jackson just won 4 in a row on low pivot, Gracey won 2 on high pivot, Max in junior won on mid pivot.  But I do agree things are settling around the mid pivot area where you can get the best of both worlds.

We could go back in time and try this dual pivot? Low speed impacts the axle moves vertically and high speed impacts the axle moved backwards

IMG 7234

Wouldn't this need an idler and have really weird pedalling characteristics?

Primoz
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7/10/2025 11:20am
Kusa wrote:

edited by sspomer - brand asked this post be removed.

edited by sspomer - brand asked this post be removed

mntnmrtn wrote:
Knolly wanted to sue Intense for less than this a few years ago, apparently they patented the seat tube-downtube intersection at a specific angle... we'll see...

Knolly wanted to sue Intense for less than this a few years ago, apparently they patented the seat tube-downtube intersection at a specific angle... we'll see what they do with this one 😬 

"This patent describes a rear suspension system with at least four inches of travel and a seat tube that can accommodate a dropper seat post with at least four inches of travel. The patent also states that the seat tube intersects the downtube above the bottom bracket at an angle between 50° and 75° relative to the horizontal."

https://www.vitalmtb.com/forums/The-Hub,2/Knolly-Suing-Intense-Claiming…

Make the seattube more than 76°, do not infringe the patent and do not have a stupidly slack seat tube. Win win. 

10
ahleic09
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7/10/2025 11:24am Edited Date/Time 7/10/2025 11:54am
It’s hard to say what’s “better”, Jackson just won 4 in a row on low pivot, Gracey won 2 on high pivot, Max in junior won...

It’s hard to say what’s “better”, Jackson just won 4 in a row on low pivot, Gracey won 2 on high pivot, Max in junior won on mid pivot.  But I do agree things are settling around the mid pivot area where you can get the best of both worlds.

We could go back in time and try this dual pivot? Low speed impacts the axle moves vertically and high speed impacts the axle moved backwards

IMG 7234

Didn’t FTW have a proto with a similar concept?

 

There's a throwback, I always wanted to try a splinter

234043IMG 4495.JPG?VersionId=9.

 

or whatever this was going to be (similar to FTW above)

passion litt 0.jpg?VersionId=Q8021Me.Iro1UEB
2
Fred_Pop
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7/10/2025 12:29pm
Carraig042 wrote:
 EXT with a new or refreshed fork.
1000003812

 

EXT with a new or refreshed fork.

38mm ERA 😴

2
1
jonkranked
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7/10/2025 12:57pm
ahleic09 wrote:
There's a throwback, I always wanted to try a splinter or whatever this was going to be (similar to FTW above)

There's a throwback, I always wanted to try a splinter

234043IMG 4495.JPG?VersionId=9.

 

or whatever this was going to be (similar to FTW above)

passion litt 0.jpg?VersionId=Q8021Me.Iro1UEB

ah yes, the sinister passion.  fukkin' shame that bike never saw the light of day.  

3
7/10/2025 1:10pm Edited Date/Time 7/10/2025 1:10pm
Carraig042 wrote:
 EXT with a new or refreshed fork.
1000003812

 

EXT with a new or refreshed fork.

Fred_Pop wrote:

38mm ERA 😴

speculation or fact? Love my ERA fork, only way 38mm would make sense to me it would be for an ebike specific fork. 

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1
7/10/2025 2:02pm
It’s hard to say what’s “better”, Jackson just won 4 in a row on low pivot, Gracey won 2 on high pivot, Max in junior won...

It’s hard to say what’s “better”, Jackson just won 4 in a row on low pivot, Gracey won 2 on high pivot, Max in junior won on mid pivot.  But I do agree things are settling around the mid pivot area where you can get the best of both worlds.

We could go back in time and try this dual pivot? Low speed impacts the axle moves vertically and high speed impacts the axle moved backwards

IMG 7234

Didn’t FTW have a proto with a similar concept?

 

The idea of the variable path was what he was going for, but not the high and low speed shaft movements doing different of axle paths. It was called VST. I’ve talked to Frank about this and even asked him about making one for me.  He said the axle path almost looked like a football shape, it would move backwards up and then forward and you can pump it railroad track and just generate speed.

This is an old image and screen grab I found off of a forum from the early 2010s

IMG 7080
17
peecee
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7/10/2025 2:39pm

It wouldn't surprise me if something like that popped up again..

GRM50 wrote:
Cannondale had that split/dual shock proto a few years ago that never really saw the light of production. 

Cannondale had that split/dual shock proto a few years ago that never really saw the light of production. 
max Leo19 o5a2411 833200.jpg?VersionId=yeAe2

One of my faves the 1998 Scott FX-DH/High Octance 

scott.jpg?VersionId=dVLvISnOrfKBdPGbIjYv8drqpDSNQc

 

3
7/10/2025 3:36pm
It’s hard to say what’s “better”, Jackson just won 4 in a row on low pivot, Gracey won 2 on high pivot, Max in junior won...

It’s hard to say what’s “better”, Jackson just won 4 in a row on low pivot, Gracey won 2 on high pivot, Max in junior won on mid pivot.  But I do agree things are settling around the mid pivot area where you can get the best of both worlds.

We could go back in time and try this dual pivot? Low speed impacts the axle moves vertically and high speed impacts the axle moved backwards

IMG 7234

All this talk of "variable axle path" reminds me of my old Magic Link coilair. A 190mm travel bike that pedals like a 140mm bike, geo would vary too. It slackened out when on the brakes, rear wheel moved truly rearward on bumps, it was a great bike for 2010. The 455mm chainstays made it faster than my DH bike too (455 was huge for that time and 26 inch wheels). Too bad it was a Kona so I cracked two of them. 

Review Kona Coilair Supreme With Magic Link Suspension

Kona Coilair | BIKE

15
boozed
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7/10/2025 3:55pm Edited Date/Time 7/10/2025 3:56pm
It’s hard to say what’s “better”, Jackson just won 4 in a row on low pivot, Gracey won 2 on high pivot, Max in junior won...

It’s hard to say what’s “better”, Jackson just won 4 in a row on low pivot, Gracey won 2 on high pivot, Max in junior won on mid pivot.  But I do agree things are settling around the mid pivot area where you can get the best of both worlds.

We could go back in time and try this dual pivot? Low speed impacts the axle moves vertically and high speed impacts the axle moved backwards

IMG 7234
All this talk of "variable axle path" reminds me of my old Magic Link coilair. A 190mm travel bike that pedals like a 140mm bike, geo...

All this talk of "variable axle path" reminds me of my old Magic Link coilair. A 190mm travel bike that pedals like a 140mm bike, geo would vary too. It slackened out when on the brakes, rear wheel moved truly rearward on bumps, it was a great bike for 2010. The 455mm chainstays made it faster than my DH bike too (455 was huge for that time and 26 inch wheels). Too bad it was a Kona so I cracked two of them. 

Review Kona Coilair Supreme With Magic Link Suspension

Kona Coilair | BIKE

Was the little secondary spring damped or free?  (Is that a damping adjustment knob sticking out the front?)

Even if this discussion is not really either rumour or innovation, the last couple of pages are fascinating and one of the reasons I subscribe to the thread.

7
7/10/2025 4:02pm

From PB IG Story; Best photo of the Commencal TMD. Looks like preload adjustment maybe? The mount says “KODST”

IMG 7310
1
jeff.brines
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7/10/2025 4:45pm

Blast from the past; 

Things Alex Morgan was working on in 2001 (ish)

-Carbon Fiber DH Bikes
-High pivot DH Bikes (w idler)
-Dual shock high pivot DH bikes (variable axle path)
-Lugged design so he can make changes quickly
-29" wheels on DH bikes (2004 ish)
Composites Archive BCD Buffalo Composite Designs Carbon Bicycle Repair

24
7/10/2025 4:59pm
It’s hard to say what’s “better”, Jackson just won 4 in a row on low pivot, Gracey won 2 on high pivot, Max in junior won...

It’s hard to say what’s “better”, Jackson just won 4 in a row on low pivot, Gracey won 2 on high pivot, Max in junior won on mid pivot.  But I do agree things are settling around the mid pivot area where you can get the best of both worlds.

We could go back in time and try this dual pivot? Low speed impacts the axle moves vertically and high speed impacts the axle moved backwards

IMG 7234
All this talk of "variable axle path" reminds me of my old Magic Link coilair. A 190mm travel bike that pedals like a 140mm bike, geo...

All this talk of "variable axle path" reminds me of my old Magic Link coilair. A 190mm travel bike that pedals like a 140mm bike, geo would vary too. It slackened out when on the brakes, rear wheel moved truly rearward on bumps, it was a great bike for 2010. The 455mm chainstays made it faster than my DH bike too (455 was huge for that time and 26 inch wheels). Too bad it was a Kona so I cracked two of them. 

Review Kona Coilair Supreme With Magic Link Suspension

Kona Coilair | BIKE

boozed wrote:
Was the little secondary spring damped or free?  (Is that a damping adjustment knob sticking out the front?)Even if this discussion is not really either rumour...

Was the little secondary spring damped or free?  (Is that a damping adjustment knob sticking out the front?)

Even if this discussion is not really either rumour or innovation, the last couple of pages are fascinating and one of the reasons I subscribe to the thread.

I think the spring was only there to return the link to the "normal" position, and the dial was preload to tune the crossover point. The idea was when descending the link moved backwards to make a longer travel/more progressive linkage, then when you started pedalling the chain tension would pull it forwards back in to the high/steep position. I think a bit like canyon shapeshifter but automatic

9
7/10/2025 5:03pm
From PB IG Story; Best photo of the Commencal TMD. Looks like preload adjustment maybe? The mount says “KODST”

From PB IG Story; Best photo of the Commencal TMD. Looks like preload adjustment maybe? The mount says “KODST”

IMG 7310

Might be a proof of concept, but combined with the plastic mount and zip ties I do wonder how effective that would be as a TMD....

tube.jpeg?VersionId=wWtH.fVKhT0t6.Py2JbYZMwh
11
TEAMROBOT
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7/10/2025 5:21pm
Might be a proof of concept, but combined with the plastic mount and zip ties I do wonder how effective that would be as a TMD....

Might be a proof of concept, but combined with the plastic mount and zip ties I do wonder how effective that would be as a TMD....

tube.jpeg?VersionId=wWtH.fVKhT0t6.Py2JbYZMwh

Conspiracy theory: it's just filled with sand and works like a deadblow.

17
7/10/2025 6:04pm

After hearing Team Robot mention this bike during the Podium video, I want a Mountain Cycle Shockwave 9.5 with modern geometry and 29in wheels.. I had one and I loved it.. Especially since the linkage looked like it came out of the Pro Circuit catalog.. Replaced the 5th Element with a Romic (The ROCO wasn't available yet..) and added the floating brake arm... It was a plow monster.. About 10 years ago I saw the bike.. A friend of a coworker bought it off the guy i sold it too..Screenshot 20250710 180031 Facebook.jpg?VersionId=roFfqr8YsUcI.6FdalYcz5Y

3
Fox
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7/10/2025 7:14pm

Alex Morgan was WAY ahead of his time. When I see all these pics from the past I am still amazed that even with so many creative smart dudes working on all this stuff it still took us so long to get to the modern geo we have today. Look at the HTA on that bike! There was barely anyone riding carbon like that in the 90's and he was makin those bikes himself. Alex was such an interesting dude. I hope he has continued to be so productive. 

one of the best things about todays modern age is how you can buy an freakin amazing bike that is not much different than a factory team bike for not even all that much money- and now with unprotected riders at the world cup DH's we are seeing some day job dudes mixing it up again prime time on the weekends in the summer. Enduro seems to level out the equipment advantages even more. 

4
7/10/2025 7:16pm

Just noticed Dakota is off the Yoshimura prototype clip in pedals back on to Mallets. 

7
1
7/10/2025 8:29pm Edited Date/Time 7/10/2025 8:30pm
Carraig042 wrote:
 EXT with a new or refreshed fork.
1000003812

 

EXT with a new or refreshed fork.

Looks interesting. Would like to see 38mm stanchions and a fully once piece CSU. 

2
Big Bird
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7/10/2025 9:42pm
TEAMROBOT wrote:

Conspiracy theory: it's just filled with sand and works like a deadblow.

Common sand? Don't be such a peasant. Surely it's lead shot.

4
TEAMROBOT
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7/10/2025 10:26pm
After hearing Team Robot mention this bike during the Podium video, I want a Mountain Cycle Shockwave 9.5 with modern geometry and 29in wheels.. I had...

After hearing Team Robot mention this bike during the Podium video, I want a Mountain Cycle Shockwave 9.5 with modern geometry and 29in wheels.. I had one and I loved it.. Especially since the linkage looked like it came out of the Pro Circuit catalog.. Replaced the 5th Element with a Romic (The ROCO wasn't available yet..) and added the floating brake arm... It was a plow monster.. About 10 years ago I saw the bike.. A friend of a coworker bought it off the guy i sold it too..Screenshot 20250710 180031 Facebook.jpg?VersionId=roFfqr8YsUcI.6FdalYcz5Y

The geo was whack but the rear suspension was amazing (to my 17-18 year old self at least).

Also, mega points for the O.G. Intense sticky rubber shoes.

3
2
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7/11/2025 1:07am Edited Date/Time 7/12/2025 6:54am
Kusa wrote:

edited by sspomer - brand asked this post be removed.

edited by sspomer - brand asked this post be removed.

14
7/11/2025 1:31am
2 wrote:

edited by sspomer - brand asked this post be removed.

Yes!!!!! Modularity!!!! I actually love this idea, and I love the idea that they have the Slash as a high pivot and Fuel as a low pivot, but both can be set up with similar travel numbers.

10
Any0ng
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7/11/2025 1:52am Edited Date/Time 7/11/2025 2:02am

I think every bike brand will do this at least for their non-e-bikes pretty soon. I am honestly still amazed that there as many non-e-bike options as there are right now.

In germany 2024 non-motorised MTBs are merely about 3% of total non-e-bikes sold (if you compare it to the actual bike sales (E-Bikes + Non-E-Bikes) which is about 3,9 million bikes its even more evident - 1,3 %). In total numbers thats about 54.000 MTBs (over all makes and MTB types). Thats cargobike terretory - lol

 Source ZIV

Am I the only one thinking this can't be profitable over the long term?

8
Evil96
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7/11/2025 2:09am

The carbon version actually looks sick with those paint jobs 👀

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2
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7/11/2025 2:19am
Evil96 wrote:

The carbon version actually looks sick with those paint jobs 👀

I thought the last gen Trek Fuel EX-e looked better than the non-e version last time as well tbh. The EX-e looks a bit more resolved around the BB area where the EX has an empty space that doesn't seem to serve any real purpose. 

FuelEXe98XT 23 36375 A Primary.jpeg?VersionId=.HkorvKjBwTstkBiFuelEX99XOAXS-24-41576-A-Primary-2.jpeg?VersionId=IvEqXO5jvIbMHUH8vUckY03
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TimBud
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7/11/2025 2:20am
Any0ng wrote:
I think every bike brand will do this at least for their non-e-bikes pretty soon. I am honestly still amazed that there as many non-e-bike options...

I think every bike brand will do this at least for their non-e-bikes pretty soon. I am honestly still amazed that there as many non-e-bike options as there are right now.

In germany 2024 non-motorised MTBs are merely about 3% of total non-e-bikes sold (if you compare it to the actual bike sales (E-Bikes + Non-E-Bikes) which is about 3,9 million bikes its even more evident - 1,3 %). In total numbers thats about 54.000 MTBs (over all makes and MTB types). Thats cargobike terretory - lol

 Source ZIV

Am I the only one thinking this can't be profitable over the long term?

Germany is not a good example in that respect

4
2
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7/11/2025 2:35am Edited Date/Time 7/11/2025 2:38am
Any0ng wrote:
I think every bike brand will do this at least for their non-e-bikes pretty soon. I am honestly still amazed that there as many non-e-bike options...

I think every bike brand will do this at least for their non-e-bikes pretty soon. I am honestly still amazed that there as many non-e-bike options as there are right now.

In germany 2024 non-motorised MTBs are merely about 3% of total non-e-bikes sold (if you compare it to the actual bike sales (E-Bikes + Non-E-Bikes) which is about 3,9 million bikes its even more evident - 1,3 %). In total numbers thats about 54.000 MTBs (over all makes and MTB types). Thats cargobike terretory - lol

 Source ZIV

Am I the only one thinking this can't be profitable over the long term?

I'm pretty sure both Trek and Specialized have said they're aiming to reduce the number of SKUs they sell. It already looks like the Kenevo and Kenevo SL, for example, won't be getting updated. And the Stumpjumper 15 has taken the place of both the regular Stumpy and the Evo, I think we will see more of this consolidation as we go on.

I think this could lead to a market where small, boutique brands continue to make limited runs of high-end bikes, while the mid-range options become more scarce as the economics get difficult for the bigger companies.

It reminds me of something I read once: the engineering challenge of a VW Golf is much bigger than a Bugatti Veyron. Making something that is both good and affordable to manufacture is far more difficult than throwing the kitchen sink at a small run of incredibly expensive cars that will only ever be bought by a select few. It’s easy to make something awesome without a price target; the real challenge is making something great that’s also affordable. Probably similar to how there are still plenty of sports cars in the high end but a very limited range of mid to low end sports cars as it just isn't an easy market to compete in.

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Any0ng
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7/11/2025 2:36am

Are we a good example for anything lol? Is it really that different in other european countries?  Could be, would be good for the non-motorised MTB.

2
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