MTB Tech Rumors and Innovation

Related:
seanfisseli
Posts
568
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
804
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
86
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
99
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
4555
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
4555
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
659
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
380
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
4555
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
6103
Joined
6/26/2009
Location
Boise, ID US
Fantasy
9/8/2025 7:16am

pinkbike

(did the vital break yet?)

46
monarchmason
Posts
289
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
289
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
jonkranked
Posts
1185
Joined
5/5/2016
Location
Norristown, PA US
9/8/2025 7:36am
Primoz wrote:

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

is ridemonkey voldemort?

3
9/8/2025 7:38am
sspomer wrote:

pinkbike

(did the vital break yet?)

Binkpike?

9/8/2025 7:39am
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...

5
Cougar797
Posts
100
Joined
7/25/2012
Location
Bentonville, AR US
9/8/2025 7:56am
JVP wrote:
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. 

3
Cougar797
Posts
100
Joined
7/25/2012
Location
Bentonville, AR US
9/8/2025 7:58am Edited Date/Time 9/8/2025 8:00am
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. 

iceman2058 wrote:
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. 

5
kperras
Posts
161
Joined
12/19/2012
Location
CA
9/8/2025 8:13am

Can we get the origins story of the name Littermag? 

Jotegr
Posts
343
Joined
6/28/2024
Location
Interior, BC CA
9/8/2025 8:21am
Evil96 wrote:
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?

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

As far as I'm aware it's a running change using slightly more carbon to make a slightly stronger rim. 

2
9/8/2025 8:41am Edited Date/Time 9/8/2025 8:41am
JVP wrote:
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.

 

Cougar797 wrote:
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..

9
sspomer
Posts
6103
Joined
6/26/2009
Location
Boise, ID US
Fantasy
9/8/2025 9:52am

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

7
9/8/2025 10:14am
MTBrent wrote:

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..

1
Post a reply to: MTB Tech Rumors and Innovation

This forum thread has been locked.

The Latest