MTB Tech Rumors and Innovation

Related:
Blake_Motley
Posts
215
Joined
11/14/2013
Location
Chula Vista, CA US
8/6/2025 9:23am
So it squeezes the “headtube” off the fork to stiffen it? Assuming this actually does anything to stiffen the steel steerer tube, would this not just...

So it squeezes the “headtube” off the fork to stiffen it? Assuming this actually does anything to stiffen the steel steerer tube, would this not just transmit more forces to the CSU and lead to creaks/failures?

I guess the idea is that their little rod has less elasticity than a steerer, but I don’t think a steerer meaningfully stretches in a way that contributes to flex. Idk, we’re clearly already putting more thought into this than they are. Go buy a stiffmaster https://www.intend-bc.com/products/stiffmaster/?v=0b3b97fa6688

2
TimBud
Posts
542
Joined
2/29/2012
Location
GB
8/6/2025 9:27am

How to destroy your headset bearings before you even get to the first corner

4
8/6/2025 10:25am

I just torque my headset cap to 50Nm. 

16
Kusa
Posts
282
Joined
6/25/2010
Location
CH
8/6/2025 10:37am

Looks like an innovation from a big corporate. Fix nothing but promises a better world.

Simcik
Posts
449
Joined
8/1/2009
Location
Loma, CO US
8/6/2025 11:37am

Yeah had the Azonic headlock, Rock Shox Turncoat (more about routing cable for front brake and barspins), and even the Chris King one when 1.5" headsets first came out. None offered up claims like this...

3
DServy
Posts
244
Joined
5/28/2015
Location
Jackson, WY US
8/6/2025 12:07pm Edited Date/Time 8/6/2025 12:07pm
So it squeezes the “headtube” off the fork to stiffen it? Assuming this actually does anything to stiffen the steel steerer tube, would this not just...

So it squeezes the “headtube” off the fork to stiffen it? Assuming this actually does anything to stiffen the steel steerer tube, would this not just transmit more forces to the CSU and lead to creaks/failures?

I guess the idea is that their little rod has less elasticity than a steerer, but I don’t think a steerer meaningfully stretches in a way...

I guess the idea is that their little rod has less elasticity than a steerer, but I don’t think a steerer meaningfully stretches in a way that contributes to flex. Idk, we’re clearly already putting more thought into this than they are. Go buy a stiffmaster https://www.intend-bc.com/products/stiffmaster/?v=0b3b97fa6688

Has anyone actually used the Stiffmaster 500000? Was curious on if it actually did anything meaningful. 

2
metadave
Posts
1251
Joined
2/15/2016
Location
Revelstoke, BC CA
Fantasy
8/6/2025 12:44pm

Its just a ploy by big present trying to sell you new old 

artworks-dYl5LqsneSS64xvC-2AtKJw-t500x500.jpg?VersionId=QMXBa.gWzws9Nak3qedS4ewhvyZq

 

9
Simcik
Posts
449
Joined
8/1/2009
Location
Loma, CO US
8/6/2025 12:55pm
metadave wrote:
Its just a ploy by big present trying to sell you new old   

Its just a ploy by big present trying to sell you new old 

artworks-dYl5LqsneSS64xvC-2AtKJw-t500x500.jpg?VersionId=QMXBa.gWzws9Nak3qedS4ewhvyZq

 

It is a cyclical industry in some ways. The new Podium fork fender looks a lot like a THE front fender from the late 90s. 

2
ahleic09
Posts
80
Joined
7/25/2018
Location
Bend, OR US
8/6/2025 2:13pm
Simcik wrote:
Yeah had the Azonic headlock, Rock Shox Turncoat (more about routing cable for front brake and barspins), and even the Chris King one when 1.5" headsets...

Yeah had the Azonic headlock, Rock Shox Turncoat (more about routing cable for front brake and barspins), and even the Chris King one when 1.5" headsets first came out. None offered up claims like this...

actually looks pretty similar to the current specialized swat headtube tool.

the only thing I've seen and want to try that might make meaningful difference is the intend stiffmaster headset 

4
8/6/2025 2:20pm Edited Date/Time 8/6/2025 2:20pm

I'm just waiting for someone to release a do it yourself carbon fiber frame stiffening kit.

p5pb26654036.jpg?VersionId=
11
8/6/2025 3:01pm
chriskief wrote:
I'm just waiting for someone to release a do it yourself carbon fiber frame stiffening kit.

I'm just waiting for someone to release a do it yourself carbon fiber frame stiffening kit.

p5pb26654036.jpg?VersionId=

I’ve actually looked into this quite a bit and asked a handful of frame designers and carbon layup people. I bought a carbon repair kit and unidirectional carbon so you couldn’t get the flex in the direction you want and rigidity in the direction you want.
https://predatorcycling.com/products/carbon-repair-kit?variant=3497962691&country=US&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20752596660&gclid=CjwKCAjw-svEBhB6EiwAEzSdri0JImhT8u9AvMqygQvJm7hiqnxftUPmRIErmUKwakLlvMqzZIJ7KxoCQ9oQAvD_BwE


I haven’t done to my rear end yet because we found other ways to make the stiffness gains I was looking for.  In my opinion most frames come too stiff. I end up cutting off material to get more flex in areas.

Ai simulation photo for attention 😅

DD68414F-5F58-4A41-B049-9CF664851FA7
3
12
yzedf
Posts
251
Joined
1/27/2015
Location
Hebron, CT US
Fantasy
8/6/2025 3:02pm
chriskief wrote:
I'm just waiting for someone to release a do it yourself carbon fiber frame stiffening kit.

I'm just waiting for someone to release a do it yourself carbon fiber frame stiffening kit.

p5pb26654036.jpg?VersionId=

Carbon fiber repair kits are pretty cheap online. 

2
monarchmason
Posts
305
Joined
5/24/2022
Location
Nevada City, CA US
8/6/2025 5:00pm

I just torque my headset cap to 50Nm. 

You measure? What a nerd. I just go until the bolt head strips or the tool bends. 

9
8/6/2025 5:04pm
chriskief wrote:
I'm just waiting for someone to release a do it yourself carbon fiber frame stiffening kit.

I'm just waiting for someone to release a do it yourself carbon fiber frame stiffening kit.

p5pb26654036.jpg?VersionId=
yzedf wrote:

Carbon fiber repair kits are pretty cheap online. 

Sure... but has anyone invented (aka renamed it) a frame stiffening kit?

1
yzedf
Posts
251
Joined
1/27/2015
Location
Hebron, CT US
Fantasy
8/6/2025 5:41pm
chriskief wrote:
I'm just waiting for someone to release a do it yourself carbon fiber frame stiffening kit.

I'm just waiting for someone to release a do it yourself carbon fiber frame stiffening kit.

p5pb26654036.jpg?VersionId=
yzedf wrote:

Carbon fiber repair kits are pretty cheap online. 

chriskief wrote:

Sure... but has anyone invented (aka renamed it) a frame stiffening kit?

The bike specific one is about triple the cost…

5
ioni
Posts
30
Joined
1/18/2024
Location
Villa De Alvarez, Col. MX
8/6/2025 5:48pm

It’s about that prototype we’ve been seeing I assume?

IMG 1307
15
8/6/2025 5:51pm
yzedf wrote:

Carbon fiber repair kits are pretty cheap online. 

chriskief wrote:

Sure... but has anyone invented (aka renamed it) a frame stiffening kit?

yzedf wrote:

The bike specific one is about triple the cost…

Now that's the type of innovation I'm looking for.

1
8/6/2025 6:10pm
ioni wrote:
It’s about that prototype we’ve been seeing I assume?

It’s about that prototype we’ve been seeing I assume?

IMG 1307

My bank account is not ready for a new spire.

5
8/7/2025 1:21am
ioni wrote:
It’s about that prototype we’ve been seeing I assume?

It’s about that prototype we’ve been seeing I assume?

IMG 1307

My bank account is not ready for a new spire.

wonder what changes would be made? steeper HTA? in frame storage? bit higher BB? really curious as I just picked one up a few months ago and absolutely love it.
1
AgrAde
Posts
214
Joined
5/21/2015
Location
. BV
8/7/2025 2:15am

It's really nice to be in a place where newer bikes aren't necessarily better, and we're not sure of the obvious path to take to make a bike better.

Not good for brands, but certainly good for us.

20
8/7/2025 3:25am
ahleic09 wrote:
actually looks pretty similar to the current specialized swat headtube tool.the only thing I've seen and want to try that might make meaningful difference is the...

actually looks pretty similar to the current specialized swat headtube tool.

the only thing I've seen and want to try that might make meaningful difference is the intend stiffmaster headset 

Reset Racing EC44 moves the headset bearings further apart, so in theory you have less unsupported steerer tube.

EXT have reinforced steerer tubes (needs a special star nut), which make a big difference, much like the ND tuned ones

1
8/7/2025 4:03am
chriskief wrote:

Sure... but has anyone invented (aka renamed it) a frame stiffening kit?

It should only ever be named a ding kit. That's what they use on surfboards and they're basically made of the same thing as carbon bikes (minus the fibreglass and carbon weaves of course)

mtbthe603
Posts
8
Joined
3/21/2023
Location
Bellingham, WA US
8/7/2025 5:00am
ioni wrote:
It’s about that prototype we’ve been seeing I assume?

It’s about that prototype we’ve been seeing I assume?

IMG 1307

My bank account is not ready for a new spire.

wonder what changes would be made? steeper HTA? in frame storage? bit higher BB? really curious as I just picked one up a few months ago...
wonder what changes would be made? steeper HTA? in frame storage? bit higher BB? really curious as I just picked one up a few months ago and absolutely love it.

I doubt anything is coming anytime soon. And I wouldn't expect it to become any less spire-ish. The whole reason the sentinel got a steeper STA and was able to be shifted back to being more on the "all-mountain side of enduro" in this most recent version was that when the last version was first released the spire hadn't launched yet so the sentinel had to be their big enduro bike. But, with the launch of the spire, the sentinel could now be a bit less of a super slack, hard charger. My guess is that the spire gets the same frame storage upgrade and maybe a bit more adjustment.

My thought would be the "freeride bike" with the new, machined link we've seen images of launches before any new spire. Or, in the complete opposite speculation, maybe the "freeride bike" is the new spire and they're combining the patrol and spire into a single bike (both have been out for awhile and this seems to be a common bike company trend to cut costs) but I'm not sure they could get this much adjustability in a single bike and the seat tube angle and dropper insertion on the rumored shots doesn't look like that of a pedal-able bike.

8
8/7/2025 5:44am Edited Date/Time 8/7/2025 5:45am
ioni wrote:
It’s about that prototype we’ve been seeing I assume?

It’s about that prototype we’ve been seeing I assume?

IMG 1307

My bank account is not ready for a new spire.

wonder what changes would be made? steeper HTA? in frame storage? bit higher BB? really curious as I just picked one up a few months ago...
wonder what changes would be made? steeper HTA? in frame storage? bit higher BB? really curious as I just picked one up a few months ago and absolutely love it.

If I had to guess is they’ll make it more friendly to mullet.  Frame storage.  And stiffen up the head tube area a touch.  Potentially a mullet dual crown option in addition to the single crown 29er build.

4
8/7/2025 6:03am

My bank account is not ready for a new spire.

wonder what changes would be made? steeper HTA? in frame storage? bit higher BB? really curious as I just picked one up a few months ago...
wonder what changes would be made? steeper HTA? in frame storage? bit higher BB? really curious as I just picked one up a few months ago and absolutely love it.
mtbthe603 wrote:
I doubt anything is coming anytime soon. And I wouldn't expect it to become any less spire-ish. The whole reason the sentinel got a steeper STA...

I doubt anything is coming anytime soon. And I wouldn't expect it to become any less spire-ish. The whole reason the sentinel got a steeper STA and was able to be shifted back to being more on the "all-mountain side of enduro" in this most recent version was that when the last version was first released the spire hadn't launched yet so the sentinel had to be their big enduro bike. But, with the launch of the spire, the sentinel could now be a bit less of a super slack, hard charger. My guess is that the spire gets the same frame storage upgrade and maybe a bit more adjustment.

My thought would be the "freeride bike" with the new, machined link we've seen images of launches before any new spire. Or, in the complete opposite speculation, maybe the "freeride bike" is the new spire and they're combining the patrol and spire into a single bike (both have been out for awhile and this seems to be a common bike company trend to cut costs) but I'm not sure they could get this much adjustability in a single bike and the seat tube angle and dropper insertion on the rumored shots doesn't look like that of a pedal-able bike.

I couldn’t agree more. I bought my spire to be a park bike that I could climb or use the lift with and my god does it ever shine in the park. It eats the rough while still being pretty poppy for the geo numbers it has. I think it’s perfect the way it is. 

guess we just wait and see. 

1
8/7/2025 6:47am Edited Date/Time 8/7/2025 6:47am

Hoping they add a 170/180mm bike with a dual crown build at some point. Given the general vibe of Transition and the sheer amount of Spires and Patrols being used as park bikes (me included) it's a crime Specialized has a dual crown park bike and Transition does not! (the Status 170 park is a great bike though)

2
Post a reply to: MTB Tech Rumors and Innovation

This forum thread has been locked.

The Latest