2026 MTB Tech Rumors and Innovation - Longer and Slacker

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doktor_jawn
Posts
24
Joined
10/9/2019
Location
State College, PA US
2/11/2026 9:18am
I find it really hard to believe they sold more v10s than nomads and Hightowers.  But I’d agree with the sentiment that more people are in...

I find it really hard to believe they sold more v10s than nomads and Hightowers.  But I’d agree with the sentiment that more people are in the dh market than say pre pandemic and a lot of people who’d be buying a new nomad are springing for a bullit instead.  Would be awesome to get some product managers in here with some sales percentages across their models.

 

NO shot they sold more V10s. They may have sold them quicker, but that is because quantity is lower. Even as some DH market grows, it is still very small compared to all the other full squish bikes. 

Sucks to see spec dropping the alloy demo. Such a good bike and value. See tons of them everywhere. But i guess they are trying to go after high market only. Really wish they would have made a fuckin s5 for that alloy demo. Jerks. 

10
1
sprungmass
Posts
236
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Location
Calgary, AB CA
2/11/2026 9:23am
metadave wrote:
I just ordered a Chisel. Originally was going for an Epic Evo but there were none. Went for an Epic and then a Chisel Evo as...

I just ordered a Chisel. Originally was going for an Epic Evo but there were none. Went for an Epic and then a Chisel Evo as well. The only thing left in stock in medium between anything in the Epic/Chisel line under 8k was a Chisel comp in one color, so I'm guessing something's coming down the pipe for those models as well unless specialized is finally doing a low stock year to try and kill old inventory. There were a mix other sizes but for bread and butter level bikes in mediums and larges were all low or out of stock

Based on my experience, Specialized stock levels in Canada for sought after models is a joke. When the Epic Evo first came out, no Canadian shop had a sworks frameset available. I had to do a 10 hour round trip to the US, do two COVID tests to cross the border and pick one up. Funny enough the relatively small US shop had plenty of frames and completes just sitting around. 

4
2/11/2026 9:31am
I find it really hard to believe they sold more v10s than nomads and Hightowers.  But I’d agree with the sentiment that more people are in...

I find it really hard to believe they sold more v10s than nomads and Hightowers.  But I’d agree with the sentiment that more people are in the dh market than say pre pandemic and a lot of people who’d be buying a new nomad are springing for a bullit instead.  Would be awesome to get some product managers in here with some sales percentages across their models.

 

NO shot they sold more V10s. They may have sold them quicker, but that is because quantity is lower. Even as some DH market grows, it...

NO shot they sold more V10s. They may have sold them quicker, but that is because quantity is lower. Even as some DH market grows, it is still very small compared to all the other full squish bikes. 

Sucks to see spec dropping the alloy demo. Such a good bike and value. See tons of them everywhere. But i guess they are trying to go after high market only. Really wish they would have made a fuckin s5 for that alloy demo. Jerks. 

I talked to a Santa Cruz rep at a local festival and they said their high highest selling non-E bike was the V10. Now it’s crazy as I also saw the stock list of what would be available in 2025 and it was about 125 units for every single   two colors four frame sizes and two builds.  I feel like that’s incredibly low especially when I see a good 10% of people at Whistler are riding them( at least it feels like). 

3
alannz
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1/26/2025
Location
California, CA US
2/11/2026 9:34am
SnusDog wrote:
Dont know if this has been posted yet, but the Demo page on specalized.com has been down for a few days.  
Screenshot 2026-02-10 at 15.26.43

Dont know if this has been posted yet, but the Demo page on specalized.com has been down for a few days. 
 

semi related/unrelated. Hope we get Brembos released soon with that Demo

Lacanuck24 wrote:
There's a team spec model with the Brembos, so it's just a matter of when they're released. Seems like the brake launch is tied to the...

There's a team spec model with the Brembos, so it's just a matter of when they're released. Seems like the brake launch is tied to the bike launch. Curious if the DH transmission launch will be at the same time as Sram was involved in the Demo's development. In Korea, we're only getting the team spec, S-works, and frame-only, so no info on any other models, which makes me curious if Brembo will have a 2nd-tier model at launch.

Brembo has their own booth at Sea Otter, and I'd be very surprised if they don't announce the release date for their brakes during the expo.

4
Evwan
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109
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11/18/2025
Location
Sunnyvale, CA US
2/11/2026 9:37am
DylanJM wrote:
I been thinking about his for a while. I think they would be stupid to drop such a well known product name/line but at the same...

I been thinking about his for a while. I think they would be stupid to drop such a well known product name/line but at the same time I don't think they see a huge market for that type of bike. My thoughts are they will most likely repurpose the Enduro name at some point for a line of long travel emtbs but not right now. Perhaps in a year or two when motor/battery tech takes a leap. 

Specialized (Sinyard) has been anti-reusing normal bike names for normal bikes. He said something to that effect on a podcast, like "Fuck no, we're not sullying the name of the stumpjumper with a motor"... I'm paraphrasing. 

I find it bizarre that they've neglected an update on the enduro and the kenevo product lines. Those are exactly the bikes I would be most interested in, but the Levo and the stumpy probably outsell them dramatically, so I assume they are investing where the ROI is. 

2
ebruner
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339
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3/29/2018
Location
Tustin, CA US
2/11/2026 9:45am
TEAMROBOT wrote:
Feels like a "dump the whole line" mood from the big S on this one. Which would leave a shockingly thin lineup of full suspension pedal...

Feels like a "dump the whole line" mood from the big S on this one. Which would leave a shockingly thin lineup of full suspension pedal bikes- Epic, Chisel, Stumpy, Status... that's it.

Everyone keeps talking about how long travel non-assisted bikes just aren’t selling. People are buying e-bikes in that category. I wouldn’t be surprised if they aren’t...

Everyone keeps talking about how long travel non-assisted bikes just aren’t selling. People are buying e-bikes in that category. I wouldn’t be surprised if they aren’t in a rush to fill that enduro spot. 

I saw something the other day, that said last year the blur and v10 were Santa Cruz’s best selling bikes without motors. The mid to long travel segments are really going to e-bikes these days. Wouldn’t be surprised if specialized isn’t the only one going oops we forgot about our enduro bike for a few years. 

Blur and V10 are their best selling non ebikes?! Maybe I'm in a bubble in the northeast US, but I know 4 people who bought a...

Blur and V10 are their best selling non ebikes?! Maybe I'm in a bubble in the northeast US, but I know 4 people who bought a SC bike in the past year and they are all Nomads. And others already owned Bronsons. All the middle aged and old guys around here with Santa Cruz ride Tallboys or Hightowers. Can't remember the last time I saw a Blur, and Nomads are so good in the park that only the hardcore DH racers buy V10s. 

Did those nomad buyers pay full price and were they full bikes or frame only?  My experience is that the kind of people that buy freeride/park bikes are industry adjacent or shredders that are very savvy with regards to buying things with a hookup or on deep discounts.  I too bought a nomad 6... but for 1,900 dollars.  No way I would pay full price at 3,500 for that frame.  

Afaik, the biggest pedal bike sellers for SC are  bronson/hightower, tallboy and nomad a distant 4th. The vala/bullit outsells all of those.  

6
jonkranked
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1175
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Location
Norristown, PA US
2/11/2026 9:49am
I talked to a Santa Cruz rep at a local festival and they said their high highest selling non-E bike was the V10. Now it’s crazy...

I talked to a Santa Cruz rep at a local festival and they said their high highest selling non-E bike was the V10. Now it’s crazy as I also saw the stock list of what would be available in 2025 and it was about 125 units for every single   two colors four frame sizes and two builds.  I feel like that’s incredibly low especially when I see a good 10% of people at Whistler are riding them( at least it feels like). 

just curious - in this context did "highest selling" mean total number of units sold, or percentage of inventory sold? 

4
2/11/2026 9:50am

I bought a V10 last year and it was very difficult for my shop to source one and they said that mine would likely be the only V10 that the sales rep would be seeing for the year.  I also had no choice in color or the model or a whether a frame only could be an option.  I also heard from Evolution Whistler that Santa Cruz only had 3000 V10 frames made in total for the year and that included what the race team would be getting.  Evolution themselves had probably 10 V10s for their rental fleet, which I did happen to rent from up there.  Take all that for what it's worth but hopefully for '26 SC makes more V10s it's a killer bike.

3
Trocko
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Location
Rocky, CO US
2/11/2026 10:13am

What’s the eta on these maxxis tires coming out?

IMG 3332.png?VersionId=
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2/11/2026 10:18am
Trocko wrote:
What’s the eta on these maxxis tires coming out?

What’s the eta on these maxxis tires coming out?

IMG 3332.png?VersionId=

Usually when we see a new maxxis tire it's around a year from when they're first sighted, correct me if I'm wrong. Theo Erlangsen said in a video these are the new DHF, and I'm assuming will release with the radials maxxis are developing (You can tell which tires they are by the "NEW DH" hotpatch where the model/casing would normally be). I've seen bike checks with pros that are running that casing where they didn't want to answer tire pressure questions lmao

5
saskskier
Posts
324
Joined
11/4/2017
Location
Calgary, AB CA
2/11/2026 10:50am
I find it really hard to believe they sold more v10s than nomads and Hightowers.  But I’d agree with the sentiment that more people are in...

I find it really hard to believe they sold more v10s than nomads and Hightowers.  But I’d agree with the sentiment that more people are in the dh market than say pre pandemic and a lot of people who’d be buying a new nomad are springing for a bullit instead.  Would be awesome to get some product managers in here with some sales percentages across their models.

 

NO shot they sold more V10s. They may have sold them quicker, but that is because quantity is lower. Even as some DH market grows, it...

NO shot they sold more V10s. They may have sold them quicker, but that is because quantity is lower. Even as some DH market grows, it is still very small compared to all the other full squish bikes. 

Sucks to see spec dropping the alloy demo. Such a good bike and value. See tons of them everywhere. But i guess they are trying to go after high market only. Really wish they would have made a fuckin s5 for that alloy demo. Jerks. 

I really like the idea of the alloy Demo, but at 6'4, there is no way it would ever be an option. I guess it is what it is...

3
2/11/2026 11:04am
Trocko wrote:
What’s the eta on these maxxis tires coming out?

What’s the eta on these maxxis tires coming out?

IMG 3332.png?VersionId=

This was being discussed in the tire thread yesterday and this morning. Sadly, Maxxis is off the back with production, and it sounds like the wait will be many more months for the new tread and casings. 

Maxxis was already developing a new DH casing (it's in the current HR3 tire only). But I think they went back to the drawing board after the Radials dropped and are currently trying to redo all their more burly casings to have a bit more Radial feel to them (even more than the current HR3). Which has caused further delay on this casing project. The part about returning to the drawing board is debatable, but the new casings are definitely coming--just not soon enough. 

And the new DHF2/hybrid tread that will be on all the World Cup DH bikes this season is still a ways out for widespread distribution. Ronan and Jackson used it at Hardline (I think Troy as well). As I've said before, it will become more popular than the Assegai for DH racing. 

1
doktor_jawn
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Location
State College, PA US
2/11/2026 11:13am

Following this, Vee Tires is releasing radial casing DH tires, called RAD-Core for the casing. PB had a blurb about it. Attack FSX, Attack HLP, and the WCE MK2 are all getting the radial casing option. and for right around $80. 

4
RaggedEdge
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12/5/2017
Location
Austin, TX US
2/11/2026 11:16am Edited Date/Time 2/11/2026 3:03pm

Nice review! Curious how is Push retuning, what exactly is being changed?

1
yzedf
Posts
239
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1/27/2015
Location
Hebron, CT US
2/11/2026 11:41am
jonkranked wrote:

just curious - in this context did "highest selling" mean total number of units sold, or percentage of inventory sold? 

United would be my guess. The real question is how many were to individual customers versus bulk sales to bike parks for rental fleet use. 

1
2/11/2026 11:42am
Trocko wrote:
What’s the eta on these maxxis tires coming out?

What’s the eta on these maxxis tires coming out?

IMG 3332.png?VersionId=
This was being discussed in the tire thread yesterday and this morning. Sadly, Maxxis is off the back with production, and it sounds like the wait...

This was being discussed in the tire thread yesterday and this morning. Sadly, Maxxis is off the back with production, and it sounds like the wait will be many more months for the new tread and casings. 

Maxxis was already developing a new DH casing (it's in the current HR3 tire only). But I think they went back to the drawing board after the Radials dropped and are currently trying to redo all their more burly casings to have a bit more Radial feel to them (even more than the current HR3). Which has caused further delay on this casing project. The part about returning to the drawing board is debatable, but the new casings are definitely coming--just not soon enough. 

And the new DHF2/hybrid tread that will be on all the World Cup DH bikes this season is still a ways out for widespread distribution. Ronan and Jackson used it at Hardline (I think Troy as well). As I've said before, it will become more popular than the Assegai for DH racing. 

18.34% of this is accurate.

18
Robstyle
Posts
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1/2/2023
Location
Invercargill NZ
2/11/2026 11:45am
Following this, Vee Tires is releasing radial casing DH tires, called RAD-Core for the casing. PB had a blurb about it. Attack FSX, Attack HLP, and...

Following this, Vee Tires is releasing radial casing DH tires, called RAD-Core for the casing. PB had a blurb about it. Attack FSX, Attack HLP, and the WCE MK2 are all getting the radial casing option. and for right around $80. 

Vee tires go real good, they're just impossible to find. I'd be keen to try their new stuff.

6
JVP
Posts
207
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4/20/2016
Location
Seattle, WA US
2/11/2026 11:52am
Robstyle wrote:

Vee tires go real good, they're just impossible to find. I'd be keen to try their new stuff.

A number of years ago I ran e.thirteens (made by Vee) with their MOPO rubber. Excellent rubber! As good as anything from the big dogs. I disliked the squared off profile on the e.thirteens so only ran one set.

If Vee's 40 rubber is the same as MOPO I'd happily rock those as a front. Not sure if they have a good rubber option for the rear tire that'll wear better and roll faster.

6
2/11/2026 12:00pm
Trocko wrote:
What’s the eta on these maxxis tires coming out?

What’s the eta on these maxxis tires coming out?

IMG 3332.png?VersionId=
This was being discussed in the tire thread yesterday and this morning. Sadly, Maxxis is off the back with production, and it sounds like the wait...

This was being discussed in the tire thread yesterday and this morning. Sadly, Maxxis is off the back with production, and it sounds like the wait will be many more months for the new tread and casings. 

Maxxis was already developing a new DH casing (it's in the current HR3 tire only). But I think they went back to the drawing board after the Radials dropped and are currently trying to redo all their more burly casings to have a bit more Radial feel to them (even more than the current HR3). Which has caused further delay on this casing project. The part about returning to the drawing board is debatable, but the new casings are definitely coming--just not soon enough. 

And the new DHF2/hybrid tread that will be on all the World Cup DH bikes this season is still a ways out for widespread distribution. Ronan and Jackson used it at Hardline (I think Troy as well). As I've said before, it will become more popular than the Assegai for DH racing. 

18.34% of this is accurate.

"So you're saying there's a chance..."

/moviequote

5
TEAMROBOT
Posts
1348
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9/2/2009
Location
Los Angeles, CA US
2/11/2026 12:11pm
RaggedEdge wrote:

Nice review! Curious how is Push retuning, what exactly is being changed?

Great question. I don't know yet. I'm going to ride the fork when it gets back without any additional info, and then follow up with Push to get the details. Whenever possible, I try to know less during a product test so I can hopefully avoid confirmation bias.

26
Carraig042
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69
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3/4/2013
Location
Jonesborough, TN US
2/11/2026 2:10pm Edited Date/Time 2/11/2026 5:51pm
Trocko wrote:
What’s the eta on these maxxis tires coming out?

What’s the eta on these maxxis tires coming out?

IMG 3332.png?VersionId=

Back in the fall or early winter I found a maxxis site (maybe the aussie one, could be wrong) that had a dhf2 page, but had the regular dhf pictured. It was taken down pretty quick after I posted about it. Does not help with a timeline but was interesting. 

1
2/11/2026 4:40pm

I'm honestly kind of bummed about all this e-bike tech and innovation and the lack thereof with analog bikes. 

E-bike tech and GLP-1 tech both seem to be getting popular at the same time, and I wonder why... 

11
16
seanfisseli
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Santa Cruz, CA US
2/11/2026 6:39pm Edited Date/Time 2/11/2026 6:51pm
I'm honestly kind of bummed about all this e-bike tech and innovation and the lack thereof with analog bikes. E-bike tech and GLP-1 tech both seem to...

I'm honestly kind of bummed about all this e-bike tech and innovation and the lack thereof with analog bikes. 

E-bike tech and GLP-1 tech both seem to be getting popular at the same time, and I wonder why... 

Where do analog bikes need innovation? Also how is adding a motor not a massive innovation to bikes, akin to suspension and gears?


Edit: these are sincere questions. Curious what you think…

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5
2/11/2026 7:03pm

Half tech rumor half team rumors. I’ve seen quite a bit of free ride athletes now wrapping fox instead of marzocchi. Reed Boggs, Johnny salido Jaxson riddle with no suspension sponser (semi not surprised and all he does is 10 mins of video a year plus rampage at this point). I can’t think of them all but is something going on with marzocchi?  There were massive sales recently too. Like almost 50% off 

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2/11/2026 8:18pm Edited Date/Time 2/11/2026 8:19pm
Where do analog bikes need innovation? Also how is adding a motor not a massive innovation to bikes, akin to suspension and gears?Edit: these are sincere...

Where do analog bikes need innovation? Also how is adding a motor not a massive innovation to bikes, akin to suspension and gears?


Edit: these are sincere questions. Curious what you think…

So, to preface what I'm about to say is that I am not anti-e-bike and that I'm ready for the downvotes. I don’t disagree that adding a motor is a huge innovation; my point is more about where the innovation energy is going and how uneven it feels right now. 

When I say “analog bikes lack innovation,” I don’t mean there’s none. Things like improved materials, better tolerances, frame designs, wireless shifting, etc. are all real advancements. But compared to the explosive pace of e-bike development, it feels like the entire industry’s R&D gravity has shifted dramatically toward electrification and software.

And the timing feels interesting when compared to what’s happening with GLP‑1 drugs: Both are technologies aimed at making physically demanding tasks easier. Both are attracting huge investment because they expand the market to people who previously felt excluded. 

So my point isn’t that nothing has been done with analog bikes; it's more about all the money and excitement pouring into making things easier, whether that’s biking or weight loss, rather than improving the “pure,” human‑powered versions. 

I genuinely don’t have a fully formed answer. It just makes me wonder about broader cultural trends around convenience, effort, and what kinds of technologies we prioritize.

13
7
Uncle Cliffy
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Location
Medford, OR US
2/11/2026 9:10pm Edited Date/Time 2/11/2026 9:10pm
B Rabbit wrote:
As its all but confirmed at this stage that the Enduro is not getting an update any time soon, I find it curious on the Spesh...

As its all but confirmed at this stage that the Enduro is not getting an update any time soon, I find it curious on the Spesh US site that when you search for 'Enduro' you only get two bikes, both low in stock, no Sworks and no frame kit are available any more. 

I wonder if they'll continue to stock it going forward with yearly spec and colour changes or just dump the whole line? 

Holy Mandela effect Batman! I feel like it was mentioned multiple times in the old rumors thread that Specialized already had the new Enduro design. Bunch of them in boxes ready to build, but they were waiting until the previous Enduro sold out. 

image 26.gif?VersionId=7PZGUBzof6vtX0 O62Ad92op

6
boozed
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647
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6/11/2019
Location
AU
2/11/2026 11:05pm
B Rabbit wrote:
As its all but confirmed at this stage that the Enduro is not getting an update any time soon, I find it curious on the Spesh...

As its all but confirmed at this stage that the Enduro is not getting an update any time soon, I find it curious on the Spesh US site that when you search for 'Enduro' you only get two bikes, both low in stock, no Sworks and no frame kit are available any more. 

I wonder if they'll continue to stock it going forward with yearly spec and colour changes or just dump the whole line? 

Holy Mandela effect Batman! I feel like it was mentioned multiple times in the old rumors thread that Specialized already had the new Enduro design. Bunch...

Holy Mandela effect Batman! I feel like it was mentioned multiple times in the old rumors thread that Specialized already had the new Enduro design. Bunch of them in boxes ready to build, but they were waiting until the previous Enduro sold out. 

image 26.gif?VersionId=7PZGUBzof6vtX0 O62Ad92op

I think that ended up being the Stumpjumper 15?

3
1
B Rabbit
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Location
Sydney, NSW AU
2/11/2026 11:45pm
B Rabbit wrote:
As its all but confirmed at this stage that the Enduro is not getting an update any time soon, I find it curious on the Spesh...

As its all but confirmed at this stage that the Enduro is not getting an update any time soon, I find it curious on the Spesh US site that when you search for 'Enduro' you only get two bikes, both low in stock, no Sworks and no frame kit are available any more. 

I wonder if they'll continue to stock it going forward with yearly spec and colour changes or just dump the whole line? 

Holy Mandela effect Batman! I feel like it was mentioned multiple times in the old rumors thread that Specialized already had the new Enduro design. Bunch...

Holy Mandela effect Batman! I feel like it was mentioned multiple times in the old rumors thread that Specialized already had the new Enduro design. Bunch of them in boxes ready to build, but they were waiting until the previous Enduro sold out. 

image 26.gif?VersionId=7PZGUBzof6vtX0 O62Ad92op

Really? I don’t remember seeing it in the previous thread. 

News to me, and no one in the know I’ve spoken to has heard boo about a new Enduro, quite the opposite actually. 

1
seanfisseli
Posts
562
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Location
Santa Cruz, CA US
2/11/2026 11:59pm Edited Date/Time 2/12/2026 12:03am
Where do analog bikes need innovation? Also how is adding a motor not a massive innovation to bikes, akin to suspension and gears?Edit: these are sincere...

Where do analog bikes need innovation? Also how is adding a motor not a massive innovation to bikes, akin to suspension and gears?


Edit: these are sincere questions. Curious what you think…

So, to preface what I'm about to say is that I am not anti-e-bike and that I'm ready for the downvotes. I don’t disagree that adding...

So, to preface what I'm about to say is that I am not anti-e-bike and that I'm ready for the downvotes. I don’t disagree that adding a motor is a huge innovation; my point is more about where the innovation energy is going and how uneven it feels right now. 

When I say “analog bikes lack innovation,” I don’t mean there’s none. Things like improved materials, better tolerances, frame designs, wireless shifting, etc. are all real advancements. But compared to the explosive pace of e-bike development, it feels like the entire industry’s R&D gravity has shifted dramatically toward electrification and software.

And the timing feels interesting when compared to what’s happening with GLP‑1 drugs: Both are technologies aimed at making physically demanding tasks easier. Both are attracting huge investment because they expand the market to people who previously felt excluded. 

So my point isn’t that nothing has been done with analog bikes; it's more about all the money and excitement pouring into making things easier, whether that’s biking or weight loss, rather than improving the “pure,” human‑powered versions. 

I genuinely don’t have a fully formed answer. It just makes me wonder about broader cultural trends around convenience, effort, and what kinds of technologies we prioritize.

Analog riders are the new kooky single speeders. If you think motors make riding too easy then please don’t do the math for how much mechanical advantage gears give you. There isn’t a lot of juice to squeeze from frames since we’re mainly hitting human rights issues on how good a frame can be while still being affordable. We’re still probably not paying the true price for bike when you factor in environmental and human effects of the manufacturing process. That’s where I see the biggest need for innovation.

It’s amazing to me though that you unironically list electronic shifting as an area that needs innovation when you are arguing against e-bikes. How do you reconcile that in your mind?

and regarding the medication bit, bikes and meds help humans break down barriers that exist within and without us. Some people have fewer obstacles than others. Some have more strengths than others. We’re all using technology to improve our lives. Why do you look down on people who have different problems than you?

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