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Yeah, the V10 was always lower link driven and that's why SC wanted to move the whole lineup to that layout, because it had benefits to the suspension performance. But the way the V10 is laid out makes sense for a DH bike, but not for something that needs a long dropper post and a water bottle. That's why it took so long for the rest of the lineup to move over.
And then they said, “Oh, hell with that, we gotta put a motor there!”
12 speed til´infinity
Intend dropper features in their happy holidays newsletter.
Aenomoly coming out with an updated switchgrade with 8 steps and ability to use limit screws to define rotation limits.
That info released on vital already
https://www.vitalmtb.com/news/press-release/aenomaly-unveils-switchgrad…
I wonder how many people asked for eight steps. I am not always 100% confident in which of the three positions my saddle is when things get busy, I can't imagine dealing with eight.
1 position is enough, 3 is a luxury. 8 is a need for diversification, to keep the lights of a good business on, but also, an offer asking to appeal for a different market, people looking at longer distances and Endurance riding, a totally different, still extreme discipline, where every small advantege counts, where comfort will make a huge diferencie
To me it’s like a dropper post, it’s almost always up or down.
Word on the trails is an aluminum 170 travel bike with DJI motor. I’d assume they will call is S.170.E or E.170. Pre-order starts in Jan and I bet delivery is spring/summer.
TBH as an average height sort of guy in NA I'm kind of shocked they've gone ahead with it and keep it going.
I have taken a deep hole..I mean a good insertion depth for granted, as I've ridden a bike that could take a long dropper since before I even had a dropper.
But when that bike went out of production in 2021 and I needed a replacement, I was surprised, and rather disappointed when I looked for a frame of similar reach, same or lower seat tube and a slammed 180 dropper.
5 years later and it's still a thing that disqualifies a majority of bikes from my scope of even caring.
I may have some pretty specific needs for a bike, but I also see the market moving in the same-ish direction because I'm a goof who wants to feel fast but also safe, and a lot of goofs(gooves?) wanna feel safe. Being able to get the shaft out of the way just helps a lot when things get hectic..or when I want to turn actually. Clearly there's companies taking very different approaches, but the fact the biggest "mainstream" companies make bikes I just can't even ride in what I consider a safe matter feels a bit far fetched?
Don't think that's a big problem with the tubes.
In case they go the Carbon route they could team up with CompoTech like Kavenz is doing currently. CompoTech is the parent company of CDuro which already did a prototype of an eBike with the Maxon Motor.
And Aluminium is also easy. You get the tube parts bend as needed and weld them or go the hydroforming route. Buddy of mine did the bending and welding for a prototype eBike he is currently working on.
You do realise that:
A) Atherton is closely working with Renishaw to handle 3D printing of the lugs, so Compotech wouldn't give them the advantage you think they would (it would be a clash of interests in fact)
And
their aluminium bikes are cnc milled precisely to avoid the hydroforming/bending of tubes and subsequent welding.
I’m still hoping they’re developing a wireless bar actuated Switchgrade. There’s real biomechanical advantage to be had in XC racing. Would also get rid of the need for crazy low drop stems we already see and that are only gonna get lower with 32in wheels. Those racers already take the weight penalty of an electronic drivetrain which offers zero biomechanical advantage. A bar mounted way to actuate the Switchgrade could also be sold to the all mountain guys like us quite easily.
Has Atherton Bikes actually said anything about avoiding hydroforming? It shouldn't preclude the existing lugged construction methods.
So basically a version of the Spesh Command Post BlackLite that works? (I know you're talking about a separate component but to me it makes sense to integrate into a dropper so it can share a remote/battery)
tech rumors forum update - you've spoken and have been heard
we'll lock out this thread at the end of the year (no matter what, it's just too darn big now), and will carry on with yearly tech rumors threads that will be stickied for easy participation.
the 2026 thread is already underway here (not yet stickied)
i just want to thank everyone for their feedback and insight on what this piece of the vital community means.
Awesome, thanks Spomer and the Vital team!
Looks like Pinnd is working on a set of brakes. Apparently launching mid 2026.
Full titanium construction, apparently "good braking power".
Fully developed by an external design agency, as posted by the designers on linkedin.
"Development of a set of high-end mountain bike hydraulic brakes. The set includes both a completely new developed lever and 4-piston caliper. The brakes are manufactured in small series on 5-axis CNC machines in titanium. Testing showed good braking power and excellent heat management.
our role: design strategy, concept development, full 3D engineering, sourcing of components, prototyping, testing."
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/alskar-design-bv_alskardesign-alskar-bicycledesign-activity-7407857123352829953-0L4J
God bless you Spomer, this community is the best.
I don't get the tilting saddle hype. It's a nice to have, but only a little bit.
Whelp, that rounds out a crappy year for me.
And so the year finishes by hamncheez posting something that I actually agree with!..... Fuck. 🤯
Since this has been one of the most prolific threads on the site, thanks for anyone who got things going, kept us informed or on the hook, or tossed everyone off the scent of that's was really happening until it did. And thanks for the Vital crew for switching to a yearly thread like team rumors.
andi kolb is also riding it on his new v10, saw him last week.
my guess is around upcoming spring.
IME it’s awesome on bikes with shorter droppers, where the rearward tilt provides meaningfully more effective drop. Can turn 180 drop into 200+.
Doesn’t matter for a bike with >=200 drop where the saddle is far enough out of the way even when tilted forward. Then adjusting it just becomes an annoyance IMO and I would rather have a saddle oriented for climbing all the time.
Thanks so much for listening, you guys are awesome!