New Trek Slash+ with the TQ HPR60 has been quietly released in some markets. Similar release to the Kenevo SL2 in the sense that the frame is identical, it's just the motor and a few components that have been updated.
At least for the prior models the motor can be upgraded/replaced. Always thought it was kinda shitty of specialized with the Kenevo SL to not let customers buy the new motor when purchasing it out of warranty even though the bolt pattern and battery was identical.
Someone will figure out a way around that peak power limit...
It'll be interesting to see how Trek handles this, especially now that they've released the 2026 Slash+. That new bike has the more powerful HPR60, and with it, a new plastic part to accommodate the cooling fins. The supposed reason the 2025 bikes were limited to 300W was for heat management without those fins.
Now that an official part exists, it should be possible to retrofit the full-power motor into the previous models without having to cut away at the plastic like others have done online. Trek will have to decide whether they intentionally hobble the previous models to sell the new ones, or or build goodwill by allowing existing customers to upgrade.
(Image below from the Slash+ FB group, somebody got a warranty HPR60 and cut away at the plastic to fit the cooling fins, same for the EXE below)
I prefer Vital because people are allowed to have different opinions here—most people seem to remember we’re just talking about expensive toys for grownups on this...
I prefer Vital because people are allowed to have different opinions here—most people seem to remember we’re just talking about expensive toys for grownups on this site. I can’t go to pinkbike anymore because of the holier-than-thou attitude on all topics, and if you don’t agree you are treated like a leper. I don’t have extreme opinions by any means, but it feels like I do on PB since everyone’s reaction there is so vitriolic.
Thanks for being real, Vital.
Does anyone seriously believe that 99% of the people in this thread aren’t also in the PB comments.
The irony of claiming PB is filled with virtue signalers, while simultaneously saying Vital is better than PB.
Both sites have their differences and are staples.
I see your point, but coils are significantly more difficult/intimidating to swap in a fork than in a shock. You have to deal with oil and...
I see your point, but coils are significantly more difficult/intimidating to swap in a fork than in a shock. You have to deal with oil and somewhat specialty tools, whereas a coil on a shock can be swapped in the trailhead parking lot by Gary with a multitool and no wrenching experience.
Is there anything stopping someone to make a parking lot exchangeable coil spring fork? The bottom piston can stay inside, you remove the coil from the...
Is there anything stopping someone to make a parking lot exchangeable coil spring fork? The bottom piston can stay inside, you remove the coil from the top and drop in a new one.
Does anyone seriously believe that 99% of the people in this thread aren’t also in the PB comments.The irony of claiming PB is filled with virtue...
Does anyone seriously believe that 99% of the people in this thread aren’t also in the PB comments.
The irony of claiming PB is filled with virtue signalers, while simultaneously saying Vital is better than PB.
Both sites have their differences and are staples.
I wonder how many people freaked out when Kaz said something to the effect of, "It's funny when people in the chat refer to Vital as the other site.. Like you can't say their name here.. We don't care if you visit more than one site. In fact, you should. Get another opinion before spending your money..." This was on the podcast within the last few weeks.
Is there anything stopping someone to make a parking lot exchangeable coil spring fork? The bottom piston can stay inside, you remove the coil from the...
Is there anything stopping someone to make a parking lot exchangeable coil spring fork? The bottom piston can stay inside, you remove the coil from the top and drop in a new one.
This other site, that happens here too, is such a weird thing. We're not talking about Voldermort...
It makes a nice little joke if you're familiar with the Westminster tradition of parliamentarians referring to the house of parliament in which they don't sit as "another place", but it might not make much sense to users not from Commonwealth countries...*
But like Kazimer I've always found it funny (and slightly frustrating) when people are overly cryptic about where they read something. Just speak plainly and stop making me guess!
* It could be widespread, but it could also be limited to the UK, I don't actually know.
Why do companies not make coil forks with progressive coil springs like how CC/DVO/MRP have done for their rear shocks? It feels wonderful for those who are about that. At least as far as rear shocks go. But I have yet to buy a coil fork because I love a lot of progression and I worry Id get one and there would definitely be very little support.
Why do companies not make coil forks with progressive coil springs like how CC/DVO/MRP have done for their rear shocks? It feels wonderful for those who...
Why do companies not make coil forks with progressive coil springs like how CC/DVO/MRP have done for their rear shocks? It feels wonderful for those who are about that. At least as far as rear shocks go. But I have yet to buy a coil fork because I love a lot of progression and I worry Id get one and there would definitely be very little support.
Coil forks inherently behave very differently to coil shocks, simply because the shock is driven by some kind of linkage that greatly affects how it feels in different sections of the stroke whereas the fork is 1 to 1 in terms of wheel travel to fork stroke (the stroke IS the travel). Coil forks ramp up a fair bit more than you'd think, reading all the "coil is linear" comments. "Linear" doesn't mean that it lacks ramp...it just means that it doesn't get PROGRESSIVELY harder to compress. You still need way more force to compress the last bit of coil travel compared to the first. I don't feel like there's a huge need for progressive fork springs, but some kind of HBO device would indeed be cool...especially if it could kick in quite early in the stroke to be used to add mid-to-end stroke support while running a lighter coil...
Anyone else having flashbacks to the sounds of old Marzocchi forks bottoming? KLANG!!! Hmm, guess I better add another capful of fork oil to each side...
Anyone else having flashbacks to the sounds of old Marzocchi forks bottoming? KLANG!!! Hmm, guess I better add another capful of fork oil to each side. Miss/don't miss those old beasts.
I mean it was just the old school way of adding volume tokens. Plus oil actually lubricated the forks better so it served a purpose. I wish we'd see more forks with greater lubricating bath volumes again. I'd absolutely take the weight for the huge loss in friction.
Why do companies not make coil forks with progressive coil springs like how CC/DVO/MRP have done for their rear shocks? It feels wonderful for those who...
Why do companies not make coil forks with progressive coil springs like how CC/DVO/MRP have done for their rear shocks? It feels wonderful for those who are about that. At least as far as rear shocks go. But I have yet to buy a coil fork because I love a lot of progression and I worry Id get one and there would definitely be very little support.
Coil forks inherently behave very differently to coil shocks, simply because the shock is driven by some kind of linkage that greatly affects how it feels...
Coil forks inherently behave very differently to coil shocks, simply because the shock is driven by some kind of linkage that greatly affects how it feels in different sections of the stroke whereas the fork is 1 to 1 in terms of wheel travel to fork stroke (the stroke IS the travel). Coil forks ramp up a fair bit more than you'd think, reading all the "coil is linear" comments. "Linear" doesn't mean that it lacks ramp...it just means that it doesn't get PROGRESSIVELY harder to compress. You still need way more force to compress the last bit of coil travel compared to the first. I don't feel like there's a huge need for progressive fork springs, but some kind of HBO device would indeed be cool...especially if it could kick in quite early in the stroke to be used to add mid-to-end stroke support while running a lighter coil...
Also, with coil forks there already is and you can absolutely generate more ramp up with oil volume, (see my comment above). You dont need physical coil progression, there is still an air filled chamber that is compressing to add curve as well. People forget this.
Also, HBO is far superior to any bumper system i've ridden. I see no reason hbo isn't in all high end suspension pieces.
Anyone else having flashbacks to the sounds of old Marzocchi forks bottoming? KLANG!!! Hmm, guess I better add another capful of fork oil to each side...
Anyone else having flashbacks to the sounds of old Marzocchi forks bottoming? KLANG!!! Hmm, guess I better add another capful of fork oil to each side. Miss/don't miss those old beasts.
I mean it was just the old school way of adding volume tokens. Plus oil actually lubricated the forks better so it served a purpose. I...
I mean it was just the old school way of adding volume tokens. Plus oil actually lubricated the forks better so it served a purpose. I wish we'd see more forks with greater lubricating bath volumes again. I'd absolutely take the weight for the huge loss in friction.
It was amazing during my time with Marzocchi how many times I had to explai that raising the oil level did not mean changing the oil weight.. I would say raise the oil height by 5mm and 9 times out of 10 the response would be, "I put in 10wt oil.." That air space was a secondary spring. So, yes, adding oil was the same as adding a token today..
The absolute best was seeing a cartridge split open when someone decided 20wt oil was the answer.. Pushing peanut butter through a pin hole..
Unless the market gets over the extra weight of the old oil bath forks, I don't see that returning. Even if they did perform better and had longer service intervals..
Why do companies not make coil forks with progressive coil springs like how CC/DVO/MRP have done for their rear shocks? It feels wonderful for those who...
Why do companies not make coil forks with progressive coil springs like how CC/DVO/MRP have done for their rear shocks? It feels wonderful for those who are about that. At least as far as rear shocks go. But I have yet to buy a coil fork because I love a lot of progression and I worry Id get one and there would definitely be very little support.
Smashpot V2 is dual rate with HBO in 180mm+.
Progressive coils do exist in motos, we actually pulled them out for linear on the road side. Might be a lack of volume, too niche within a niche sport.
I know they expanded the convergence line, but I thought the original ie triad's etc stayed the same. Maybe they improved them too.
New Trek Slash+ with the TQ HPR60 has been quietly released in some markets. Similar release to the Kenevo SL2 in the sense that the frame is identical, it's just the motor and a few components that have been updated.
At least for the prior models the motor can be upgraded/replaced. Always thought it was kinda shitty of specialized with the Kenevo SL to not let customers buy the new motor when purchasing it out of warranty even though the bolt pattern and battery was identical.
2026 Slash+ 9.7
2026 Slash+9.9
Someone will figure out a way around that peak power limit...
It'll be interesting to see how Trek handles this, especially now that they've released the 2026 Slash+. That new bike has the more powerful HPR60, and with it, a new plastic part to accommodate the cooling fins. The supposed reason the 2025 bikes were limited to 300W was for heat management without those fins.
Now that an official part exists, it should be possible to retrofit the full-power motor into the previous models without having to cut away at the plastic like others have done online. Trek will have to decide whether they intentionally hobble the previous models to sell the new ones, or or build goodwill by allowing existing customers to upgrade.
(Image below from the Slash+ FB group, somebody got a warranty HPR60 and cut away at the plastic to fit the cooling fins, same for the EXE below)
Does anyone seriously believe that 99% of the people in this thread aren’t also in the PB comments.
The irony of claiming PB is filled with virtue signalers, while simultaneously saying Vital is better than PB.
Both sites have their differences and are staples.
Z1's too.
RS Coil kits aren't that hard to make...
I wonder how many people freaked out when Kaz said something to the effect of, "It's funny when people in the chat refer to Vital as the other site.. Like you can't say their name here.. We don't care if you visit more than one site. In fact, you should. Get another opinion before spending your money..." This was on the podcast within the last few weeks.
This other site, that happens here too, is such a weird thing. We're not talking about Voldermort...
Is this diy?
It makes a nice little joke if you're familiar with the Westminster tradition of parliamentarians referring to the house of parliament in which they don't sit as "another place", but it might not make much sense to users not from Commonwealth countries...*
But like Kazimer I've always found it funny (and slightly frustrating) when people are overly cryptic about where they read something. Just speak plainly and stop making me guess!
* It could be widespread, but it could also be limited to the UK, I don't actually know.
Yes it is
Regarding “tHe oTheR sITe,” I think we all know why we are over here. I mean, I still have this URL bookmarked “Littermag.” 🤣
Care to share the deets?
pinkbike
(did the vital break yet?)
Why do companies not make coil forks with progressive coil springs like how CC/DVO/MRP have done for their rear shocks? It feels wonderful for those who are about that. At least as far as rear shocks go. But I have yet to buy a coil fork because I love a lot of progression and I worry Id get one and there would definitely be very little support.
Only if Outside bought it.
is ridemonkey voldemort?
Binkpike?
Coil forks inherently behave very differently to coil shocks, simply because the shock is driven by some kind of linkage that greatly affects how it feels in different sections of the stroke whereas the fork is 1 to 1 in terms of wheel travel to fork stroke (the stroke IS the travel). Coil forks ramp up a fair bit more than you'd think, reading all the "coil is linear" comments. "Linear" doesn't mean that it lacks ramp...it just means that it doesn't get PROGRESSIVELY harder to compress. You still need way more force to compress the last bit of coil travel compared to the first. I don't feel like there's a huge need for progressive fork springs, but some kind of HBO device would indeed be cool...especially if it could kick in quite early in the stroke to be used to add mid-to-end stroke support while running a lighter coil...
I mean it was just the old school way of adding volume tokens. Plus oil actually lubricated the forks better so it served a purpose. I wish we'd see more forks with greater lubricating bath volumes again. I'd absolutely take the weight for the huge loss in friction.
Also, with coil forks there already is and you can absolutely generate more ramp up with oil volume, (see my comment above). You dont need physical coil progression, there is still an air filled chamber that is compressing to add curve as well. People forget this.
Also, HBO is far superior to any bumper system i've ridden. I see no reason hbo isn't in all high end suspension pieces.
Can we get the origins story of the name Littermag?
As far as I'm aware it's a running change using slightly more carbon to make a slightly stronger rim.
It was amazing during my time with Marzocchi how many times I had to explai that raising the oil level did not mean changing the oil weight.. I would say raise the oil height by 5mm and 9 times out of 10 the response would be, "I put in 10wt oil.." That air space was a secondary spring. So, yes, adding oil was the same as adding a token today..
The absolute best was seeing a cartridge split open when someone decided 20wt oil was the answer.. Pushing peanut butter through a pin hole..
Unless the market gets over the extra weight of the old oil bath forks, I don't see that returning. Even if they did perform better and had longer service intervals..
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOWOkXljpIn/?igsh=MXhkM3VlZHU3YnNucQ==
Ti Revel coming in hot?!
The Weekend from World Champs by Lawlor. Lots of bike setup talk and discussion.
Video contents
0:00 - Intro
0:46 - Antoine Pierron's Bike Setup, Commencal
3:41 - Aaron Gwin's Bike Setup, Crestline
7:12 - Benoit Coulanges' Bike Setup, Scott
9:49 - Practice and Bike Changes
13:26 - Qualifying
My guess is lug and tube construction in a way that's somewhat modular so that you can change the geo.
Or, just offering custom geometry on the Ti frames where they can adjust tube lengths..
Perhaps a custom Ti front triangle (since they already make Ti hardtails) mated to the existing carbon rear triangle?
Although the shape of the rear end around the dropout, from what I can glimpse in that video, does look slightly different to their existing frames.
Smashpot V2 is dual rate with HBO in 180mm+.
Progressive coils do exist in motos, we actually pulled them out for linear on the road side. Might be a lack of volume, too niche within a niche sport.