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I know, I just pointed it out to differentiate from what the Athertons are using where they do have a pivot at the rear axle vs. Pivot not having one (ha). I intentionally said DW5 to differentiate a flex-stay version from the pivoted version.
?
I didn’t say this was an Atherton bike.
Looks like a spacer to move the chainring inboard so that the “idler” can be at the proper offset for correct chainline?
After looking at esker it looks like it could be one of theirs. There is room for a 170/170 above the woodsy…
I know, just pointing out additional factors to not consider this as something from the Atherton stable. Going along the lines of asking 'who uses DW4'. Athertons do, but on their machined bikes.
Spacer/custom chainring. It's normal for DW's patented high pivot suspension design and is also used on the Phoenix.
https://www.pivotcycles.com/en-us/bikes/phoenix
its a 230x60/65 shock and im 100% certain its the firebird. just compare it to the phoenix side by side. nearly identical. in person it looks basically production ready. all lugs, pivots, links and tubes are pretty smooth and polished. honestly you can just throw paint on it and sell
I get what you're saying but... Has Pivot EVER used rock shox suspension?
The Esker Orion feels like a good bet surely? Dave weagle already does their suspension
Any chance it’s an alloy phoenix, maybe they’re going the route of convertible DH/park/enduro?
Surprised Cascade hasn’t looked into making a 230x65mm shock link for the Phoenix yet. Basically make it the firebird dual idler with shorter stroke shock. @CascadeComponents 👀
I'm recalling some article somewhere that someone talked with the owner or someone high up at Phoenix and it was confirmed that some folks ride prototype mules that never go to production but are still worth riding because they're sick bikes. I find it crazy that they'd already be proto-ing a new firebird after they just released an updated version (that had updates to the frame, so new carbon moulds I'm assuming), just doesn't seem likely or feasible.
My money's on this is either a firebird prototype they built to test the principles from the phoenix that didn't end up winning what they went to production with, or something from another brand entirely. Esker would be sick.
Maybe I'm mistaken, but before the current Firebird released (after the Phoenix) we saw photos of a carbon prototype of a 2 chains Firebird, that obviously they didn't continue with.
This is either and old prototype, or another brands bike in my opinion.
@Trocko I think people are staying away from aftermarket Phoenix parts seeing how the frames are doing a good job of disassembling themselves, they don't need extra help.
I was curious if the new design Esker bikes are using would work well on an DH bike as it looks like a good system, when I asked in a comment on instagram it fell on deaf ears
I find it hard to believe that this would be an Esker, simply because the design is more complicated than what is on brand for them. A huge part of their ethos is simplicity: Every bike they sell has external cable routing. Why would they do internal routing, especially if this was a prototype or validation frame? With how much the industry is struggling (Esker themselves have had a bunch of their bikes on sale, including their suspension bikes they just brought back this past year), I would be surprised that they would be trying to expand outside their core market. With that said, Priority also made the Vanth out of nowhere, so what do I know? 🤷
What is a DW5? Are you just talking about DW6 with a flex stay? Because that’s still DW6 linkage. It just has a flextstay instead of a pivot on the chain stay.
No shade here, I’m legit asking if DW5 is a thing I’m unaware of.
To be honest, I think the flex stay variant might have been referred to as DW5 at some point (here on the forums) and I only verified that it is in fact called DW6 on the Phoenix after posting. But as I said in another post, it kinda makes sense to differentiate between the two by using DW5 somewhat tongue in cheek.
Sorry for the confusion...
The Radavist just published an article testing out a prototype Manitou 32" Mattoc. Didn't really go much into the fork and more into 32" wheel stuff.
The description of the fork mentioned that the lowers were cut and sleeved to extend them. Sounds like a one-off (or small-batch) thing for testing purposes.
https://www.morningstar.com/news/pr-newswire/20260107ne55744/segway-unveils-industrys-first-automatic-dropper-post-along-with-the-brands-first-integrated-radar-kit-for-e-bikes-at-ces-2026
Seems to be proprietary to their e-bikes for now (and needs an e-bikes battery for power), but if I’m understanding it correctly it’s a motor controlled dropper that will drop on its own?
DJI style?
Ibis is planning to release a Ripley SL in a 120/130 configuration. Will lean more XC than the current Ripley (130/140). Release is expected around April, from what I've heard. Was unable to find out if the HD6 was going to be offered as an all-29 option.
Pivot have said previously all prototypes will be carbon. So unless Pivot is coming out with an AL option, I don't see this being a Pivot.
As mentioned, there is an Orion sticker inside the rear triangle in the third spy shot. Esker puts their logo there on other models.
Seems like no one is willing to pay for tooling yet because no one knows whether 32“ wheels will be a commercial success (- personally, I think it won’t be).
who needs tooling when you cnc everything anyways? 😁
https://www.intend-bc.com/shop/edge-32/
Who needs tooling? OEMs. Intend are boutique and have a low sales volume compared to Manitou, Suntour, Rockshox and Fox.
Looking to make the jump from Shimano XT 12 speed + 4 pot brakes over to Sram Eagle GX transmission + Maven Silver. It's not an urgent upgrade so has anyone heard rumours of changes coming to those components this season?
Make the transition to Shimano levers and Maven Calipers. Or, wait for Sea Otter maybe? Think SRAM could be announcing some changes to the lineup and some new shiny products then.
As far as I know there will be xc forks ready for OEMs to build MY27 bikes
Yeah just order some maven calipers. Way cheap and people are loving the combo
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