MTB Tech Rumors and Innovation

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lando
Posts
76
Joined
4/6/2017
Location
Missoula, MT US
9/6/2025 8:21am

I knew you would say that, that’s why I gave the F150 example. Why be mad that rich people subsidize our sport?

sr_34 wrote:
I'm not mad, I don't know why people tend to assume that if someone shares his opinion which differs from another they're mad. I like Spesh...

I'm not mad, I don't know why people tend to assume that if someone shares his opinion which differs from another they're mad. I like Spesh and been on S-Works Models (Stumpy '19, Evo, Stumpy 15 and Enduro) the last 6 years, just recently switched to a Bronson. I want that brand to do well cause it drives the market.

veefour wrote:
I  kinda think it's a natural reaction. What I like about this site is we mostly appear to be grownups and things get diffused. On the...

I  kinda think it's a natural reaction. What I like about this site is we mostly appear to be grownups and things get diffused. On the other one it usually escalates.

It feels ridiculous to type this out, but somehow there's a nicer vibe here.

Sorry for the derail.

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.

19
1
veefour
Posts
855
Joined
7/31/2016
Location
Cinderford GB
9/6/2025 8:40am

I knew you would say that, that’s why I gave the F150 example. Why be mad that rich people subsidize our sport?

sr_34 wrote:
I'm not mad, I don't know why people tend to assume that if someone shares his opinion which differs from another they're mad. I like Spesh...

I'm not mad, I don't know why people tend to assume that if someone shares his opinion which differs from another they're mad. I like Spesh and been on S-Works Models (Stumpy '19, Evo, Stumpy 15 and Enduro) the last 6 years, just recently switched to a Bronson. I want that brand to do well cause it drives the market.

veefour wrote:
I  kinda think it's a natural reaction. What I like about this site is we mostly appear to be grownups and things get diffused. On the...

I  kinda think it's a natural reaction. What I like about this site is we mostly appear to be grownups and things get diffused. On the other one it usually escalates.

It feels ridiculous to type this out, but somehow there's a nicer vibe here.

Sorry for the derail.

I might have to revisit this statement after seeing how the BK/Jenna thread goes over the next few days. 🤣

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8
Dave_Camp
Posts
462
Joined
8/25/2009
Location
CO US
9/6/2025 10:32am
vinny4130 wrote:
I have not ridden a lot of the newest forks out there these days, but I have have long believed a progressive rear suspension with a...

I have not ridden a lot of the newest forks out there these days, but I have have long believed a progressive rear suspension with a coil, and a air fork, especially one with a tunable negative spring to be the best setup. even to the point of modding forks that didn't have it. 

So to bring my ramblings back, is independent air chambers seen as too old school? Or is it the masses just can't handle two Schrader valves?

 

It’s hard to keep the independent air chambers from leaking one way or another.  Ie neg leaking into positive.  


Dimple resets any leak every stroke.  It’s huge for durability. 

8
seanfisseli
Posts
576
Joined
4/16/2024
Location
Santa Cruz, CA US
9/6/2025 12:04pm
Literally cannot hurt to have coil as an aftermarket option or spec option on a-la-carte style builds. Air is the obvious choice for OEM still but...

Literally cannot hurt to have coil as an aftermarket option or spec option on a-la-carte style builds. Air is the obvious choice for OEM still but many people (including me) would enjoy the option to buy a coil if we wish.

I mean, how many bikes are specced stock with a coil shock? It seems like they might as well spec coil forks on those builds…

I think what you should maybe say is “for those of us who don’t ride at a level where a progressive spring curve is essential; be...

I think what you should maybe say is “for those of us who don’t ride at a level where a progressive spring curve is essential; be it through a linkage or an air spring, it might be nice to have the option to spec a genuine rockshox coil fork. 
Coil forks are great until you find their limit, and then they are really not great.

Ok I see your post in two ways now. You’re right, a linear fork is not the same as a coil shock, since a good rear setup will have progressive linkage to counter the linear spring. 

But on the other side is the fact that my post was about the more linear coil bikes (stumpy 15, etc) and how you might as well have a linear front end to match, without assessing performance, and that overall there are enough riders enjoying coil forks and coil conversions that a suspension brand has reason to develop a coil version of their air forks.

1
9/6/2025 12:48pm Edited Date/Time 9/6/2025 12:49pm

I mean, how many bikes are specced stock with a coil shock? It seems like they might as well spec coil forks on those builds…

I think what you should maybe say is “for those of us who don’t ride at a level where a progressive spring curve is essential; be...

I think what you should maybe say is “for those of us who don’t ride at a level where a progressive spring curve is essential; be it through a linkage or an air spring, it might be nice to have the option to spec a genuine rockshox coil fork. 
Coil forks are great until you find their limit, and then they are really not great.

Ok I see your post in two ways now. You’re right, a linear fork is not the same as a coil shock, since a good rear...

Ok I see your post in two ways now. You’re right, a linear fork is not the same as a coil shock, since a good rear setup will have progressive linkage to counter the linear spring. 

But on the other side is the fact that my post was about the more linear coil bikes (stumpy 15, etc) and how you might as well have a linear front end to match, without assessing performance, and that overall there are enough riders enjoying coil forks and coil conversions that a suspension brand has reason to develop a coil version of their air forks.

You might be right, linear to match linear - have you tried a coil fork? I think if you want more linear front suspension you’re better off with a dual air chamber design, my experience and that of my riding group is that coil forks feel great initially but lead to issues in large G-out scenarios, maybe due to the mismatched progression front to rear 🤷‍♂️ unsure. 
 

1
1
9/6/2025 3:07pm

Linear forks (and shocks) work best with higher amounts of damping like an Ohlins, or Avy setup, essentially anything with more damping than a stock rockshox or Fox damper. The extra damping dissipates more energy consistently through the stroke  meaning you can still run a spring with great small bump and have less bottom outs as it takes more total energy to achieve a bottom out. 

But also, sometime you just clap your forks, it happens, it's not the end of the world 

7
1
9/6/2025 3:53pm
Linear forks (and shocks) work best with higher amounts of damping like an Ohlins, or Avy setup, essentially anything with more damping than a stock rockshox...

Linear forks (and shocks) work best with higher amounts of damping like an Ohlins, or Avy setup, essentially anything with more damping than a stock rockshox or Fox damper. The extra damping dissipates more energy consistently through the stroke  meaning you can still run a spring with great small bump and have less bottom outs as it takes more total energy to achieve a bottom out. 

But also, sometime you just clap your forks, it happens, it's not the end of the world 

I found that my fox 38 forks provide an adequate amount of damping, in that you can really feel when you're missing a few clicks. Maybe not to the level of an Ohlins shock, but they're quite well tuned to the fairly linear air spring they have. Maybe that would fall apart if I were to drop a coil in them, but my suspicion is that they would work fine.

1
1
JVP
Posts
215
Joined
4/20/2016
Location
Seattle, WA US
9/6/2025 4:31pm

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.

 

5
Goose80
Posts
12
Joined
8/8/2019
Location
NZ
9/6/2025 5:13pm
kkpp wrote:
What pedals are these? https://www.pinkbike.com/photo/28698351/

I think Daks been on the YOSHIMURA prototypes all season

5
9/6/2025 5:28pm
vinny4130 wrote:
I have not ridden a lot of the newest forks out there these days, but I have have long believed a progressive rear suspension with a...

I have not ridden a lot of the newest forks out there these days, but I have have long believed a progressive rear suspension with a coil, and a air fork, especially one with a tunable negative spring to be the best setup. even to the point of modding forks that didn't have it. 

So to bring my ramblings back, is independent air chambers seen as too old school? Or is it the masses just can't handle two Schrader valves?

 

Having worked with marzocchis from 20 years ago with 3 or 4 air valves - anything beyond 1 valve adds exponential complication for set up with negligible benefit, at least none that couldn't be achieved in a simpler way. Adjustable negative springs only work up until you have the same pressure as the positive chamber or else they lose travel. And that's just the same as using a dimple. I think negative spacer clips are a tidier solution - not sure why that one hasn't been used more!

3
9/6/2025 6:51pm
vinny4130 wrote:
I have not ridden a lot of the newest forks out there these days, but I have have long believed a progressive rear suspension with a...

I have not ridden a lot of the newest forks out there these days, but I have have long believed a progressive rear suspension with a coil, and a air fork, especially one with a tunable negative spring to be the best setup. even to the point of modding forks that didn't have it. 

So to bring my ramblings back, is independent air chambers seen as too old school? Or is it the masses just can't handle two Schrader valves?

 

Having worked with marzocchis from 20 years ago with 3 or 4 air valves - anything beyond 1 valve adds exponential complication for set up with...

Having worked with marzocchis from 20 years ago with 3 or 4 air valves - anything beyond 1 valve adds exponential complication for set up with negligible benefit, at least none that couldn't be achieved in a simpler way. Adjustable negative springs only work up until you have the same pressure as the positive chamber or else they lose travel. And that's just the same as using a dimple. I think negative spacer clips are a tidier solution - not sure why that one hasn't been used more!

It's not as simple as a clip, but I've just adjusted negative volume by adding or removing the top out bumper, as most dampers have enough rebound to negate a top out clunk anyway. 

The rockshox HBO feature on the zeb is an interesting one, as I don't think we've seen any of the prototype forms with a coil spring from what we can tell, it would certainly be a possibility with the HBO feature though. 

The parent application only included air springs, so maybe we won't see a Zeb coil anytime soon

seanfisseli
Posts
576
Joined
4/16/2024
Location
Santa Cruz, CA US
9/6/2025 7:31pm
vinny4130 wrote:
I have not ridden a lot of the newest forks out there these days, but I have have long believed a progressive rear suspension with a...

I have not ridden a lot of the newest forks out there these days, but I have have long believed a progressive rear suspension with a coil, and a air fork, especially one with a tunable negative spring to be the best setup. even to the point of modding forks that didn't have it. 

So to bring my ramblings back, is independent air chambers seen as too old school? Or is it the masses just can't handle two Schrader valves?

 

Having worked with marzocchis from 20 years ago with 3 or 4 air valves - anything beyond 1 valve adds exponential complication for set up with...

Having worked with marzocchis from 20 years ago with 3 or 4 air valves - anything beyond 1 valve adds exponential complication for set up with negligible benefit, at least none that couldn't be achieved in a simpler way. Adjustable negative springs only work up until you have the same pressure as the positive chamber or else they lose travel. And that's just the same as using a dimple. I think negative spacer clips are a tidier solution - not sure why that one hasn't been used more!

It's not as simple as a clip, but I've just adjusted negative volume by adding or removing the top out bumper, as most dampers have enough...

It's not as simple as a clip, but I've just adjusted negative volume by adding or removing the top out bumper, as most dampers have enough rebound to negate a top out clunk anyway. 

The rockshox HBO feature on the zeb is an interesting one, as I don't think we've seen any of the prototype forms with a coil spring from what we can tell, it would certainly be a possibility with the HBO feature though. 

The parent application only included air springs, so maybe we won't see a Zeb coil anytime soon

Might be that there is already an hbo patent for coil?

1
Evil96
Posts
798
Joined
8/21/2014
Location
Portogruaro, VE IT
9/6/2025 11:49pm

Did I miss something?

This is from Fanatik, there’s no info online or on WAO website about it, was a v2 released at some point? What’s new?

IMG 3345.jpeg?VersionId=RL2QGC4XLXE8Ao
Robstyle
Posts
85
Joined
1/2/2023
Location
Invercargill NZ
9/7/2025 12:30am

I know they expanded the convergence line, but I thought the original ie triad's etc stayed the same. Maybe they improved them too. 

1
2
Posts
20
Joined
7/11/2025
Location
Auckland NZ
9/7/2025 4:46pm Edited Date/Time 9/7/2025 4:54pm

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. 

1756249378790.png?VersionId=asbGa09z
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

 

1757279265986.png?VersionId=QLIQRQ69HP76DDp9PUOS1757279280534 2

1757279249173.png?VersionId=4Yeg d

4
9/7/2025 5:32pm

Someone will figure out a way around that peak power limit...

2
Posts
20
Joined
7/11/2025
Location
Auckland NZ
9/7/2025 6:34pm

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)

529384927 24596391226631492 3429444900219889923 n.jpg?VersionId=jIb1uJXey0FnRmzB74P1
IMG 20250805 121633
 

1
2supple
Posts
105
Joined
1/23/2022
Location
Denver, CO US
9/8/2025 1:50am Edited Date/Time 9/8/2025 2:02am
lando wrote:
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.

21
9/8/2025 3:55am
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. 

Primoz wrote:
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. 

Vorsprung and Ohlins coil kits can change coil in parking lot with 1 or 2 tools. Coil is great but not always the answer, there are...

Vorsprung and Ohlins coil kits can change coil in parking lot with 1 or 2 tools. Coil is great but not always the answer, there are pros and cons.

Z1's too. 

RS Coil kits aren't that hard to make... 

10000187871000018790.jpg?VersionId=MNMse91IHPCbEHUqFvGVZpY2ce
2
9/8/2025 4:00am Edited Date/Time 9/8/2025 4:01am
2supple wrote:
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. 

39
Primoz
Posts
4599
Joined
8/1/2009
Location
SI
9/8/2025 5:03am

This other site, that happens here too, is such a weird thing. We're not talking about Voldermort... 

15
Primoz
Posts
4599
Joined
8/1/2009
Location
SI
9/8/2025 5:03am
Primoz wrote:
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. 

Vorsprung and Ohlins coil kits can change coil in parking lot with 1 or 2 tools. Coil is great but not always the answer, there are...

Vorsprung and Ohlins coil kits can change coil in parking lot with 1 or 2 tools. Coil is great but not always the answer, there are pros and cons.

Johnboy wrote:
Z1's too. RS Coil kits aren't that hard to make... 

Z1's too. 

RS Coil kits aren't that hard to make... 

10000187871000018790.jpg?VersionId=MNMse91IHPCbEHUqFvGVZpY2ce

Is this diy? 

1
boozed
Posts
679
Joined
6/11/2019
Location
AU
9/8/2025 5:20am Edited Date/Time 9/8/2025 5:29am
Primoz wrote:

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.

1
9/8/2025 5:42am
Primoz wrote:

Is this diy? 

Yes it is

Uncle Cliffy
Posts
396
Joined
3/11/2010
Location
Medford, OR US
9/8/2025 5:48am

Regarding “tHe oTheR sITe,” I think we all know why we are over here. I mean, I still have this URL bookmarked “Littermag.” 🤣

17
Primoz
Posts
4599
Joined
8/1/2009
Location
SI
9/8/2025 6:03am
Primoz wrote:

Is this diy? 

Johnboy wrote:

Yes it is

Care to share the deets? 

2
sspomer
Posts
6189
Joined
6/26/2009
Location
Boise, ID US
Fantasy
9/8/2025 7:16am

pinkbike

(did the vital break yet?)

46
monarchmason
Posts
305
Joined
5/24/2022
Location
Nevada City, CA US
9/8/2025 7:21am

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. 

1
monarchmason
Posts
305
Joined
5/24/2022
Location
Nevada City, CA US
9/8/2025 7:23am
sspomer wrote:

pinkbike

(did the vital break yet?)

Only if Outside bought it. 

4
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