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A few thoughts on switchgrade.
I also agree when gradients are mellow (non-granny gear climbs), it doesn't prove much benefit (or too much of a benefit).
But the biggest reason why the switchgrade has been worth it for me was to alleviate back pain. My hips and spine are in a much more neutral position and whether it's causation or correlation, I've had a full year of riding without back pain after I've ridden with a switchgrade, which is a first in a while.
Think about how all proper dirt jumpers and DH bikes have the nose up? When your saddle is lower your hips rotate so that a more leaned back saddle meets up more comfortably with your junk/hips instead of making a pressure point on your sit bones.
Yup, plus how many XC bikes have the nose down for the climbs. Win-win IMHO.
I can def see the nose down benefit from climbs.
Going the other way, doesn't it add a bunch of seat stack (for lack of better term) and cancel out the benefit of going nose up?
It’s not a sexy answer, but I was awaiting a to be released product and had to make do. Now, the switch grade is on a different bike with limited insertion depth.
I already have my saddle nose down in the optimal position for climbs.
I don't sit on it for the descents.
Yes, if I didn't have a dropper and the saddle was always down, like a DJ or DH, it would be nose up.
But I do have a dropper.
What am I missing
Question for the Switchgrade users who adjust on the fly:
As you’re rolling, do you go for the ass or the crotch?
Let’s not let the OG rumors thread saga end talking about folks saddle nose angle preference.
In the nature of rumors:
- heard rumblings from a brand that makes a flex pivot XC bike of pushing the flex pivot into larger travel aka trail categories. Could be a replacement for the tallboy. Bringing the Blur LT back?
- spotted a production looking fox 40 in the wild - generative arch - regular sticker kit and gloss - new 40 and 38 release before sea otter? Back to back days like the 36 and 34sl?
FWIW, my Modus operandi is to point the seat towards the bars. Then it's just a question of the relative height of one vs. the other.
At some point, the purpose of a system is what it actually does
What’s hiding in finale?
That BB area?.... Rallon?
The vital community still has 1 day left to crack the code on this one to maintain undefeated status. Or else, may it forever be locked away in history. 😎
Greetings from 2026! Smells about the same...
Have we finally found the ideal chainstay length, or is that for 2027?
A new year, new hot takes on chainstay length, and why everyone else is flat out wrong!
Looks like a horse to me.
About that Switchgrade?
I am a bit Curious how many of you have ridden dh bikes- like a fuktonne, like that’s all you ride for 3 seasons ??? Because that kicked back angle on the saddle is a huge contact point for me when I’m hauling freight in the hard stuff….. and I’d love to have that stupid climbing angle “turned off” for my winch and plummet- every day Rocky Mountains type- neverending -shit air -uphill garbage.
The answer, of course, are dynamic chain stays.
Like that Cannondale from the 90s. Or the return of the Magic Link. However it works, it needs electronics and annoying patents on it as well.
A small screw drive in each stay to adjust the chainstay length on the fly.. Sram will introduce this as part of the next Gen Filght Attendant..
Trail forbidden. Low pivot - could be a rocker link like the e-bikes
It's 2026, the crab is ascendant.
They inverted their inverted 4 bar?
thank you all who participated in this tech rumors thread! i'm going to lock it now, but we're carrying on with annual tech rumors - find the 2026 tech rumors thread here (starting on page 7 at the time of this post). YEW!
https://www.vitalmtb.com/forums/hub/mtb-tech-rumors-and-innovation-long…