MTB Tech Rumors and Innovation

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AndehM
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10/14/2025 8:13am
jsray wrote:
 https://youtu.be/bTRtJqu-Xt4?si=eGPK0y83k04IRZnj
Evil96 wrote:

Damn it’s private. Did you see geo and travel?

He mentioned the seat angle got way steeper, that it was 77.7 even after running the 170 Zeb/Vivid build.  That should put the 160 Lyrik/SD build at like a 78.1 STA.  Only other number I recall was that the chainstay length grew to 437 (compared to old Offering at 432).  I don't recall anything about mullet options or head tube angle, but I'd hazard a guess that it won't have a ridiculous XC-ish 66 HTA anymore.  Looked like it had in-frame storage.  I think he said there was a high/low flip chip but didn't say how much a change it made.  It was a very quiet sounding bike from the video - didn't hear any rattles or slaps, and he commented on that.

5
2supple
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Denver, CO US
10/14/2025 8:52am Edited Date/Time 10/14/2025 8:54am
bermed wrote:
Ok here is my unified semi-conspiracy theory that explains the proto V10, Jackson Goldstone's bike weights, the mysterious lack of a Specialized Enduro, the development journey...

Ok here is my unified semi-conspiracy theory that explains the proto V10, Jackson Goldstone's bike weights, the mysterious lack of a Specialized Enduro, the development journey of the Demo, lagging enduro enthusiasm from bike companies in general, and even the Orbea Rallon.

Manufacturers think that e-bikes are the future and are orienting themselves toward dedicating a majority of their efforts toward producing them. They have the following assumptions about e-bikes:

-E-bikes have shown that the weight of the motor under the bottom bracket can actually play a positive role in how a bike handles. It drives the front tire into the ground and affects cornering positively. Jackson Goldstone's bike lends further credence to this at the highest level.

-Pedaling performance will matter less and less, especially as battery and motor weights continuing dropping.

From these two assumptions, you can see how bike companies feel like there's less development insight they can gain from enduro bikes (which have to make compromises between suspension performance and pedaling performance) vs downhill bikes, which jettison the limitations of pedaling performance considerations and are exclusively focused on suspension performance.

Take a look at what the V10 proto, Demo, and Rallon have in common: they can fit a water bottle cage.

Racing is meant as marketing and to help develop bikes. Right now, DH racing is serving that dual purpose better.

So here are my predictions for 2026/2027:

-Santa Cruz, Specialized, and other companies will introduce an e-bike platform based off their DH prototypes. They will probably come in as the new Megatower and Enduro, but basically be the V10 and Demo plus motors.

-Once this new crop of DH-inspired e-bikes comes to market, enduro racing will get folded into e-enduro, and sponsor money will pour in again as it becomes better suited for both marketing and product development.

You heard it here first

 

Can almost guarantee the bike Nina is on is not a "V10 prototype" - it's likely the next version of the Nomad, which may do what many have been asking for, accommodate a dual crown fork. Seems crazy to me that the current version Nomad cannot handle a dual crown. 

Speaking from personal experience, having a dedicated downhill bike is hard to justify for 99% of riders. But what makes a ton of sense is an Enduro bike that can also run a dual crown fork and properly cover park duties. Much more utility. 

I don't think this has anything to do with ebikes. 

21
10/14/2025 9:24am
sspomer wrote:
signature launched a new alloy bar and stem. $99 eachhttps://signature.bike/components

signature launched a new alloy bar and stem. $99 each

https://signature.bike/components

Screen Shot 2025-10-14 at 8.26.18 AM.png?VersionId=

We deserve a separate thread for stem and handlebar rumors

We need a deep dive analysis between these and Cast components.

12
grinch
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CA
10/14/2025 10:30am

I can't entra the stem page. I thought there was a direct mount stem as well

ballz
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477
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Ouagadougou EH
10/14/2025 10:41am
Would make a lot of sense to make the mega tower mulletable and move nomad into bottle rocket territory.  Especially if they were to offer a...

Would make a lot of sense to make the mega tower mulletable and move nomad into bottle rocket territory.  Especially if they were to offer a more affordable aluminum option (something Santa has lacked in recent years).

 

ballz wrote:

Especially when the Bronson 5 can be overshocked way past 150mm.

bermed wrote:

How much more?

175mm with the Cascade C. links. It might clear 165mm with the factory links if your shock does not hit the "bath tub" around it.

2
AndehM
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Fantasy
10/14/2025 10:43am
ballz wrote:

Especially when the Bronson 5 can be overshocked way past 150mm.

bermed wrote:

How much more?

ballz wrote:

175mm with the Cascade C. links. It might clear 165mm with the factory links if your shock does not hit the "bath tub" around it.

MTBR thread indicated that big can shocks like Vivid Air are limited to 60mm on med & large frames before they hit the frame.

2
ballz
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Ouagadougou EH
10/14/2025 10:58am Edited Date/Time 10/14/2025 10:58am
bermed wrote:

How much more?

ballz wrote:

175mm with the Cascade C. links. It might clear 165mm with the factory links if your shock does not hit the "bath tub" around it.

AndehM wrote:

MTBR thread indicated that big can shocks like Vivid Air are limited to 60mm on med & large frames before they hit the frame.

I had no problems with 65mm coil shocks on a med frame but I also didn't huck 10ft to flat just to bottom out all the way. The CC link is nice. The extra progression and +6mm rear end are noticeable.

1
AndehM
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10/14/2025 11:06am
ballz wrote:

175mm with the Cascade C. links. It might clear 165mm with the factory links if your shock does not hit the "bath tub" around it.

AndehM wrote:

MTBR thread indicated that big can shocks like Vivid Air are limited to 60mm on med & large frames before they hit the frame.

ballz wrote:
I had no problems with 65mm coil shocks on a med frame but I also didn't huck 10ft to flat just to bottom out all the...

I had no problems with 65mm coil shocks on a med frame but I also didn't huck 10ft to flat just to bottom out all the way. The CC link is nice. The extra progression and +6mm rear end are noticeable.

I had a Cascade link on my Heckler SL and just sold it.  I'm not a fan of the really high 3.5 starting LR, but maybe it's because I use air shocks. It just gives up too much of the early/mid-stroke support.  Maybe it feels better with coil.

2
10/14/2025 11:10am
AndehM wrote:

MTBR thread indicated that big can shocks like Vivid Air are limited to 60mm on med & large frames before they hit the frame.

ballz wrote:
I had no problems with 65mm coil shocks on a med frame but I also didn't huck 10ft to flat just to bottom out all the...

I had no problems with 65mm coil shocks on a med frame but I also didn't huck 10ft to flat just to bottom out all the way. The CC link is nice. The extra progression and +6mm rear end are noticeable.

AndehM wrote:
I had a Cascade link on my Heckler SL and just sold it.  I'm not a fan of the really high 3.5 starting LR, but maybe...

I had a Cascade link on my Heckler SL and just sold it.  I'm not a fan of the really high 3.5 starting LR, but maybe it's because I use air shocks. It just gives up too much of the early/mid-stroke support.  Maybe it feels better with coil.

Coil works much better when paired with those high leverage links.

1
10/14/2025 11:22am

Damping needs to be adjusted to compensate for the change in leverage ratio regardless of what shock is being run.

17
Glory831Guy
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Santa Cruz, CA US
10/14/2025 11:32am Edited Date/Time 10/14/2025 5:17pm
Nico_Hrndz wrote:

Somebody on the USD forks topic mentionned it was probably a taiwanese oem fork, with 32mm stachions only. A shame if that is verified info

If that's the case, it's a few decades behind the times..

KYB and Showa always use steel stanchions. WP had a 52mm Cone Valve fork with aluminum stanchions for pro racing, but most of their riders stopped using it.

Edit: 

Stanchions are actually aluminum on the KYB mtb fork. I'm guessing the wall thickness, or bushing overlap is pretty different than most mtb forks if they landed on that 32mm number through testing.

1000000977.jpg?VersionId=NgpAbquY9fDvbt422Lbg93Z4kzGXdk1000000978 0

1000000979

1
Kusa
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10/14/2025 12:34pm
math wrote:
Nina riding a new bike in msa

Nina riding a new bike in msaIMG 7969 0.jpeg?VersionId=aS3AMD4 W9eq XxNIJHe9DI9SwyRd

Its just me that the headtube looks shaped/sized to accommodate reach adjustment cups?

3
Primoz
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10/14/2025 1:11pm

It is not just you. 

2
10/14/2025 4:32pm
sspomer wrote:
signature launched a new alloy bar and stem. $99 eachhttps://signature.bike/components

signature launched a new alloy bar and stem. $99 each

https://signature.bike/components

Screen Shot 2025-10-14 at 8.26.18 AM.png?VersionId=

99$ USD would usually mean 150$ CAD with current exchange rate and additional logistic but I am surprised that for once it is somewhat cheaper at 125$ CAD. Decent price and the handlebar seems to have the shaping for additional flex like OneUp and Title Form.

 

10/14/2025 4:44pm
1llumA wrote:
99$ USD would usually mean 150$ CAD with current exchange rate and additional logistic but I am surprised that for once it is somewhat cheaper at...

99$ USD would usually mean 150$ CAD with current exchange rate and additional logistic but I am surprised that for once it is somewhat cheaper at 125$ CAD. Decent price and the handlebar seems to have the shaping for additional flex like OneUp and Title Form.

 

I was looking at thier apparel a while back, I think the posted US rate adds in 30% tariffs. It's not just an even CAN to US exchange rate becasue there's no tariff line in the shopping cart.

jonkranked
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Norristown, PA US
10/14/2025 5:06pm
math wrote:
Nina riding a new bike in msa

Nina riding a new bike in msaIMG 7969 0.jpeg?VersionId=aS3AMD4 W9eq XxNIJHe9DI9SwyRd

Kusa wrote:

Its just me that the headtube looks shaped/sized to accommodate reach adjustment cups?

Probably not an uncommon feature for a test bike 

12
Kusa
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CH
10/14/2025 7:23pm
math wrote:
Nina riding a new bike in msa

Nina riding a new bike in msaIMG 7969 0.jpeg?VersionId=aS3AMD4 W9eq XxNIJHe9DI9SwyRd

Kusa wrote:

Its just me that the headtube looks shaped/sized to accommodate reach adjustment cups?

jonkranked wrote:

Probably not an uncommon feature for a test bike 

Yeah that make sense. Would be cool to see more adjustments on SC frames but they unfortunately go the opposite way.

1
10/15/2025 12:26pm
Kusa wrote:

Its just me that the headtube looks shaped/sized to accommodate reach adjustment cups?

jonkranked wrote:

Probably not an uncommon feature for a test bike 

Kusa wrote:

Yeah that make sense. Would be cool to see more adjustments on SC frames but they unfortunately go the opposite way.

The V10 has a lot of adjustments…

7
10/15/2025 3:32pm
jonkranked wrote:

Probably not an uncommon feature for a test bike 

Kusa wrote:

Yeah that make sense. Would be cool to see more adjustments on SC frames but they unfortunately go the opposite way.

manny.bike wrote:

The V10 has a lot of adjustments…

Flip chip city

2
jazza_wil
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whistler, BC CA
10/15/2025 8:04pm Edited Date/Time 10/15/2025 8:07pm
No info, just saw on IG

No info, just saw on IG

IMG 8515.jpeg?VersionId=xmQX6uIMG 8516
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1
10/15/2025 9:08pm Edited Date/Time 10/15/2025 9:16pm

New Knolly incoming?? Interesting to see they may have moved away from they’re traditional 4x4 setup. SS’s taken from one of their athletes instagram.

IMG 3241.png?VersionId=6CPXxceb5IKKDSRIMG 3242IMG 3244.png?VersionId=VT0h7ZQHNfhuJL

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2
10/15/2025 9:14pm
New Knolly incoming?? Interesting to see they may have moved away from they’re traditional 4x4 setup. SS’s taken from one of their athletes instagram.

New Knolly incoming?? Interesting to see they may have moved away from they’re traditional 4x4 setup. SS’s taken from one of their athletes instagram.

IMG 3241.png?VersionId=6CPXxceb5IKKDSRIMG 3242IMG 3244.png?VersionId=VT0h7ZQHNfhuJL

IMG 3248 1.png?VersionId=WaHaUT9NgLNSk1ST0u
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10/15/2025 9:32pm

Actual Knolly prototype, or just Knolly stickers on a Santa Cruz/Crestline/similar? 

Would be quite surprised to see Knolly make such a drastic move away from their existing suspension platform, design language, materials, etc. 

18
10/15/2025 10:32pm

Sure looks like a V4 Nomad

28
10/15/2025 10:52pm Edited Date/Time 10/15/2025 10:59pm

Never mind, that's a V4 Nomad.

storm.racing
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Location
Silverton, CO US
10/15/2025 11:01pm
New Knolly incoming?? Interesting to see they may have moved away from they’re traditional 4x4 setup. SS’s taken from one of their athletes instagram.

New Knolly incoming?? Interesting to see they may have moved away from they’re traditional 4x4 setup. SS’s taken from one of their athletes instagram.

IMG 3241.png?VersionId=6CPXxceb5IKKDSRIMG 3242IMG 3244.png?VersionId=VT0h7ZQHNfhuJL

IMG 3248 1.png?VersionId=WaHaUT9NgLNSk1ST0u

Yeah saw that bike in the lift line this weekend at Whistler and it definitely threw me off! First thought was oh rad, someone custom painted a Santa Cruz (I love custom painted bikes) and then when he shifted, I saw the Knolly on it and got confused.

4
10/16/2025 1:10am
New Knolly incoming?? Interesting to see they may have moved away from they’re traditional 4x4 setup. SS’s taken from one of their athletes instagram.

New Knolly incoming?? Interesting to see they may have moved away from they’re traditional 4x4 setup. SS’s taken from one of their athletes instagram.

IMG 3241.png?VersionId=6CPXxceb5IKKDSRIMG 3242IMG 3244.png?VersionId=VT0h7ZQHNfhuJL

I have 2 major questions. 

Why would Knolly abandon the layout they're known for, that works well for them?

Why would someone put Knolly branding on their custom painted Santa Cruz?

7
10/16/2025 2:55am

For those who have had problems with the Santa Cruz V10 headset, now the last units are with this screw in the piece.

IMG 5652 0
IMG 5651

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1
10/16/2025 7:16am
New Knolly incoming?? Interesting to see they may have moved away from they’re traditional 4x4 setup. SS’s taken from one of their athletes instagram.

New Knolly incoming?? Interesting to see they may have moved away from they’re traditional 4x4 setup. SS’s taken from one of their athletes instagram.

IMG 3241.png?VersionId=6CPXxceb5IKKDSRIMG 3242IMG 3244.png?VersionId=VT0h7ZQHNfhuJL

I have 2 major questions. Why would Knolly abandon the layout they're known for, that works well for them?Why would someone put Knolly branding on their custom...

I have 2 major questions. 

Why would Knolly abandon the layout they're known for, that works well for them?

Why would someone put Knolly branding on their custom painted Santa Cruz?

Now that I take a closer look at it you guys are definitely right about it being a Nomad. Realistically he probably snapped his Warden and is waiting on a replacement, that guy goes through frames like you wouldn’t believe.

1
schowny
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Location
Victoria, BC CA
10/16/2025 7:29am
Actual Knolly prototype, or just Knolly stickers on a Santa Cruz/Crestline/similar? Would be quite surprised to see Knolly make such a drastic move away from their existing...

Actual Knolly prototype, or just Knolly stickers on a Santa Cruz/Crestline/similar? 

Would be quite surprised to see Knolly make such a drastic move away from their existing suspension platform, design language, materials, etc. 

Not a proto. Have seen this around whistler all summer and it’s just a Santa Cruz that’s been painted / decals removed. No proto from knolly anytime soon.  

4
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