MTB Tech Rumors and Innovation

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Big Bird
Posts
2290
Joined
2/1/2011
Location
Oceano, CA US
11/19/2025 9:21am

If I may interrupt the bickering... This page says 998, but the Hub says 999. Either way, we're close to a thousand pages in this thread! Who's buying the keg and where will it be?

17
11/19/2025 10:12am
Big Bird wrote:
If I may interrupt the bickering... This page says 998, but the Hub says 999. Either way, we're close to a thousand pages in this thread...

If I may interrupt the bickering... This page says 998, but the Hub says 999. Either way, we're close to a thousand pages in this thread! Who's buying the keg and where will it be?

Imagine if page 1000 is just arguing about this proto lol

20
11/19/2025 10:22am
Big Bird wrote:
If I may interrupt the bickering... This page says 998, but the Hub says 999. Either way, we're close to a thousand pages in this thread...

If I may interrupt the bickering... This page says 998, but the Hub says 999. Either way, we're close to a thousand pages in this thread! Who's buying the keg and where will it be?

Imagine if page 1000 is just arguing about this proto lol

We can only hope that a new crab link bike is dropped today so it takes its rightful place as the centrepiece of page 1000

14
storm.racing
Posts
307
Joined
2/15/2022
Location
Silverton, CO US
11/19/2025 10:37am

I am here for semi meaningless contribution on the road to 1000. Back to the Demo... let's dig deeper into the chain routing and what we feel is being hidden and will be revealed soon. What is behind the housing that we cannot see? I know the links are more hidden for protection but there's more going on in there..........

3
chriskief
Posts
736
Joined
4/15/2017
Location
New York, NY US
11/19/2025 10:54am
I am here for semi meaningless contribution on the road to 1000. Back to the Demo... let's dig deeper into the chain routing and what we...

I am here for semi meaningless contribution on the road to 1000. Back to the Demo... let's dig deeper into the chain routing and what we feel is being hidden and will be revealed soon. What is behind the housing that we cannot see? I know the links are more hidden for protection but there's more going on in there..........

Maybe something to do with the idler that appears to sit on the bottom bracket axle?

1
chriskief
Posts
736
Joined
4/15/2017
Location
New York, NY US
11/19/2025 10:56am
I am here for semi meaningless contribution on the road to 1000. Back to the Demo... let's dig deeper into the chain routing and what we...

I am here for semi meaningless contribution on the road to 1000. Back to the Demo... let's dig deeper into the chain routing and what we feel is being hidden and will be revealed soon. What is behind the housing that we cannot see? I know the links are more hidden for protection but there's more going on in there..........

chriskief wrote:

Maybe something to do with the idler that appears to sit on the bottom bracket axle?

Screenshot 2025-11-19 at 1.55.56%E2%80%AFPM
2
11/19/2025 11:05am

We can only hope that a new crab link bike is dropped today so it takes its rightful place as the centrepiece of page 1000

This, kids, is how we summoned the Holy Crab 

13
storm.racing
Posts
307
Joined
2/15/2022
Location
Silverton, CO US
11/19/2025 11:12am
I am here for semi meaningless contribution on the road to 1000. Back to the Demo... let's dig deeper into the chain routing and what we...

I am here for semi meaningless contribution on the road to 1000. Back to the Demo... let's dig deeper into the chain routing and what we feel is being hidden and will be revealed soon. What is behind the housing that we cannot see? I know the links are more hidden for protection but there's more going on in there..........

chriskief wrote:

Maybe something to do with the idler that appears to sit on the bottom bracket axle?

chriskief wrote:
Screenshot 2025-11-19 at 1.55.56%E2%80%AFPM

Definitely! Thanks for the solid linked pic as well!

Yeah, thats what I am trying to wrap my head around because there's definitely more beneath the surface on that one... Be freaking cool if its a way inside that they can totally isolate the drivetrain from suspension 

1
11/19/2025 11:30am
chriskief wrote:

Maybe something to do with the idler that appears to sit on the bottom bracket axle?

chriskief wrote:
Screenshot 2025-11-19 at 1.55.56%E2%80%AFPM
Definitely! Thanks for the solid linked pic as well!Yeah, thats what I am trying to wrap my head around because there's definitely more beneath the surface...

Definitely! Thanks for the solid linked pic as well!

Yeah, thats what I am trying to wrap my head around because there's definitely more beneath the surface on that one... Be freaking cool if its a way inside that they can totally isolate the drivetrain from suspension 

It still has a rear derailleur, so it's not a gearbox.. I'm thinking a 2 chain deal like the Pivot, just a different location on the main pivot ..

3
JCordell
Posts
11
Joined
4/10/2020
Location
Denver, CO US
11/19/2025 11:45am

I'm just excited for the 2028 Enduro that takes cues from the DH bike.

13
bikelurker
Posts
178
Joined
3/23/2023
Location
Bilbao, Vizcaya ES
11/19/2025 11:56am

I'm just exited for the next 1000pages of this thread, always a good read!

6
Whattheheel
Posts
192
Joined
6/11/2014
Location
Spearfish, SD US
11/19/2025 12:10pm

I am just excited for my next beer!!  Oh wait…🍻

5
11/19/2025 12:12pm

Normally the easiest way to identify the brand is where it's been ridden. If it's Bellingham it's Evil or Transition, Colorado it's a Yeti etc etc. 

But it's safe to say that the proto isn't coming to market. Full carbon frame in 2023 and we haven't seen it again since? They tested it and for whatever reason didn't continue with that design. 

12
j0lsrud
Posts
95
Joined
7/20/2021
Location
NO
11/19/2025 12:23pm
Big Bird wrote:
If I may interrupt the bickering... This page says 998, but the Hub says 999. Either way, we're close to a thousand pages in this thread...

If I may interrupt the bickering... This page says 998, but the Hub says 999. Either way, we're close to a thousand pages in this thread! Who's buying the keg and where will it be?

Imagine if page 1000 is just arguing about this proto lol

We can only hope that a new crab link bike is dropped today so it takes its rightful place as the centrepiece of page 1000

A crab bike, without size specific chain stays, and a 64º head angle.

4
joowon49
Posts
1
Joined
2/6/2016
Location
Washington, DC US
11/19/2025 1:50pm
pnwhut wrote:
On the topic of 6 bar pedal bikes, anyone got info on this? Spotted at my local trails a while back, seems pretty dialed for a...

On the topic of 6 bar pedal bikes, anyone got info on this? Spotted at my local trails a while back, seems pretty dialed for a proto…. GPTempDownload

That proto frame goes way back. I shot this photo of it in the early fall of 2023. Sorry for poor quality. The obvious heel rub...

That proto frame goes way back. I shot this photo of it in the early fall of 2023. Sorry for poor quality. The obvious heel rub and linkage swap-out (on your more current photo) shows it's seen a lot of hours. The guy riding it started working for a different bike company, so he may have offloaded this one to another industry friend. At the time, I was thinking it was maybe a Diamondback prototype that got canceled/never saw the light of day. He was fairly open with it; it was spotted at local Seattle area watering hole(s), etc. rig1.jpg?VersionId=v3fsw8zeKRFTokHm1HpBC
 

ahleic09 wrote:
Could it be a salsa proto ?-cable ports and frame layup look similar to carbon cassidy/blackthorn - salsa has previously used split pivot so a jump to...

Could it be a salsa proto ?

-cable ports and frame layup look similar to carbon cassidy/blackthorn 

- salsa has previously used split pivot so a jump to another DW system wouldn’t be a huge leap 

Totally agree that this looks most closely like a DW6 linkage arrangement.  The referenced Yeti patent lacks a link on the chain stay and Sixfinity is a has a different linkage configuration

2
storm.racing
Posts
307
Joined
2/15/2022
Location
Silverton, CO US
11/19/2025 2:12pm
JCordell wrote:

I'm just excited for the 2028 Enduro that takes cues from the DH bike.

2028?! Very optimistic of you. I like your optimism 

2
storm.racing
Posts
307
Joined
2/15/2022
Location
Silverton, CO US
11/19/2025 2:13pm
chriskief wrote:
Screenshot 2025-11-19 at 1.55.56%E2%80%AFPM
Definitely! Thanks for the solid linked pic as well!Yeah, thats what I am trying to wrap my head around because there's definitely more beneath the surface...

Definitely! Thanks for the solid linked pic as well!

Yeah, thats what I am trying to wrap my head around because there's definitely more beneath the surface on that one... Be freaking cool if its a way inside that they can totally isolate the drivetrain from suspension 

It still has a rear derailleur, so it's not a gearbox.. I'm thinking a 2 chain deal like the Pivot, just a different location on the...

It still has a rear derailleur, so it's not a gearbox.. I'm thinking a 2 chain deal like the Pivot, just a different location on the main pivot ..

Could be for sure. Definitely eager to find out

Seems that bike sure is working very well 

2
11/19/2025 2:29pm
It still has a rear derailleur, so it's not a gearbox.. I'm thinking a 2 chain deal like the Pivot, just a different location on the...

It still has a rear derailleur, so it's not a gearbox.. I'm thinking a 2 chain deal like the Pivot, just a different location on the main pivot ..

It was said somewhere, I wish I could remember where, that it has an internal jack drive from the BB to the upper pulley. 

5
11/19/2025 2:30pm

Could be for sure. Definitely eager to find out

Seems that bike sure is working very well 

I would guess that there's room for future development within the design... 

2
peecee
Posts
425
Joined
5/12/2013
Location
Brisbane AU
11/19/2025 2:45pm

I wouldn't be mad if @sspomer didn't let this thread get to 1000 pages and admin did some house keeping, lets be honest if it happened this forum would be on about 300 pages of actual meaningful info and spy shots. 

18
Froman1331
Posts
57
Joined
1/1/2022
Location
Framingham, MA US
11/19/2025 3:22pm
peecee wrote:
I wouldn't be mad if @sspomer didn't let this thread get to 1000 pages and admin did some house keeping, lets be honest if it happened...

I wouldn't be mad if @sspomer didn't let this thread get to 1000 pages and admin did some house keeping, lets be honest if it happened this forum would be on about 300 pages of actual meaningful info and spy shots. 

I appreciate what you have to say, but being a moderator doesn't mean wielding a club to bash people when they post something when they think it is wrong. It is a larger picture that must be taken into account. And I am sure there are times when the moderators of these forums want to say something, but are unable to in order to keep the peace and not disrupt the flow that takes place within these digital pages. Being moderator is a horrible position to be in as you have to answer to ownership, management, and the consumer. In the words of Sergant Hulka, "Relax Francis"

12
11/19/2025 3:28pm

I'm excited to see what the next 1000 pages have in store!

5
11/19/2025 5:58pm

I'm excited to see what the next 1000 pages have in store!

TLDR.

Lots of.......

crab-1625011407
23
nskerb
Posts
341
Joined
3/3/2020
Location
Kelso, WA US
11/19/2025 6:20pm
peecee wrote:
I wouldn't be mad if @sspomer didn't let this thread get to 1000 pages and admin did some house keeping, lets be honest if it happened...

I wouldn't be mad if @sspomer didn't let this thread get to 1000 pages and admin did some house keeping, lets be honest if it happened this forum would be on about 300 pages of actual meaningful info and spy shots. 

Ho’s mad

3
11/19/2025 6:26pm

Funny thing about a four bar system.. It maybe generic at this point,  but there's enough data out there on them that it's not too hard to make it work decent.. 

2
pinkrobe
Posts
264
Joined
5/16/2015
Location
Revelstoke, BC CA
11/19/2025 7:06pm
Funny thing about a four bar system.. It maybe generic at this point,  but there's enough data out there on them that it's not too hard...

Funny thing about a four bar system.. It maybe generic at this point,  but there's enough data out there on them that it's not too hard to make it work decent.. 

Consensus crab.

5
11/19/2025 7:18pm

Hi awesome vital community, in my math class I am doing a math project about mountain biking in which I need some data about you awesome riders, please take 2 minutes to fill out this short survey: Mountain Biker Demographic Survey – Fill out form Thanks everybody!

1
5
11/19/2025 7:22pm
Funny thing about a four bar system.. It maybe generic at this point,  but there's enough data out there on them that it's not too hard...

Funny thing about a four bar system.. It maybe generic at this point,  but there's enough data out there on them that it's not too hard to make it work decent.. 

pinkrobe wrote:

Consensus crab.

This may have been covered already, but would a linkage driven single pivot be imitation crab?

4
RaggedEdge
Posts
83
Joined
12/5/2017
Location
Austin, TX US
11/19/2025 7:28pm

Krab it is

pinkrobe
Posts
264
Joined
5/16/2015
Location
Revelstoke, BC CA
11/19/2025 7:47pm
Funny thing about a four bar system.. It maybe generic at this point,  but there's enough data out there on them that it's not too hard...

Funny thing about a four bar system.. It maybe generic at this point,  but there's enough data out there on them that it's not too hard to make it work decent.. 

pinkrobe wrote:

Consensus crab.

This may have been covered already, but would a linkage driven single pivot be imitation crab?

Surimi Pivot to be technical, but Krab Link has a nice connotation.

2
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