2026 MTB Tech Rumors and Innovation - Longer and Slacker

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saskskier
Posts
324
Joined
11/4/2017
Location
Calgary, AB CA
2/25/2026 6:55am Edited Date/Time 2/25/2026 6:56am
Gotta say, while not a huge specialized fan, there was a while there where i had to be like, don’t love em, but no denying they...

Gotta say, while not a huge specialized fan, there was a while there where i had to be like, don’t love em, but no denying they are doing good shit, but i think the stumpy and all their recent e-bikes have really missed the mark. 

I’m sure the new demo will be good, but that was developed back when all the good shit was being developed. 

Wonder if there were big changes over there, or they just missed. 

ntm95 wrote:
It would seem they've lost the plot entirely. Hard to believe that they went from fairly revolutionary designs ( for their time ) like the enduro...

It would seem they've lost the plot entirely. Hard to believe that they went from fairly revolutionary designs ( for their time ) like the enduro and kenevo sl, to well polished garbage like the levo 4.

Only thing I can think of is that they're running a very long (6 year) design cycle or something. Hopefully they buy a little credibility back by releasing the downhill bike soon.

 

metadave wrote:
If you hate all their other new stuff and how much it costs, just wait until you see the pricing on that new Demo... it's not...

If you hate all their other new stuff and how much it costs, just wait until you see the pricing on that new Demo... it's not going to be nice.

Soon, you'll be able to buy a new vehicle and live like you did when you were 20 and your bike was 3x more expensive than your car.  Maybe they'll roll out a subscription service for the suspension system Loic is running. Every bike will come equipped with it, but you have to pay for every level of adjustment. 

I'm also sorry if I put a thought in a product manager head with that. Please never do this. It's my red stapler. 

bubbles-is-milton-waddams-mind-blown-v0-62iynx41chib1

a) I have that red stapler and it's worth burning the place down over. 

b) In the 2026 prediction thread, I called the Demo setting a new precedent on dh bike pricing. Curious how high into the teens it's gonna go (especially if they give it the full Ohlins/Brembo treatment)

4
jonkranked
Posts
1175
Joined
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Location
Norristown, PA US
2/25/2026 6:56am
Anyone received this as well and kno what Hayes are cooking? Next gen Dominions? 😁


Anyone received this as well and kno what Hayes are cooking? Next gen Dominions? 😁

IMG 7804.png?VersionId=twVzKxFYH2M3nF1Jd12TF1h3K

i got it too, the image above the one you posted in the email has the reynolds logo in the corner, so guessing something wheel related. 32" rims?

chriskief
Posts
720
Joined
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Location
New York, NY US
2/25/2026 7:30am
ntm95 wrote:
It would seem they've lost the plot entirely. Hard to believe that they went from fairly revolutionary designs ( for their time ) like the enduro...

It would seem they've lost the plot entirely. Hard to believe that they went from fairly revolutionary designs ( for their time ) like the enduro and kenevo sl, to well polished garbage like the levo 4.

Only thing I can think of is that they're running a very long (6 year) design cycle or something. Hopefully they buy a little credibility back by releasing the downhill bike soon.

 

metadave wrote:
If you hate all their other new stuff and how much it costs, just wait until you see the pricing on that new Demo... it's not...

If you hate all their other new stuff and how much it costs, just wait until you see the pricing on that new Demo... it's not going to be nice.

Soon, you'll be able to buy a new vehicle and live like you did when you were 20 and your bike was 3x more expensive than your car.  Maybe they'll roll out a subscription service for the suspension system Loic is running. Every bike will come equipped with it, but you have to pay for every level of adjustment. 

I'm also sorry if I put a thought in a product manager head with that. Please never do this. It's my red stapler. 

bubbles-is-milton-waddams-mind-blown-v0-62iynx41chib1
saskskier wrote:
a) I have that red stapler and it's worth burning the place down over. b) In the 2026 prediction thread, I called the Demo setting a new...

a) I have that red stapler and it's worth burning the place down over. 

b) In the 2026 prediction thread, I called the Demo setting a new precedent on dh bike pricing. Curious how high into the teens it's gonna go (especially if they give it the full Ohlins/Brembo treatment)

Is the frame alone going to be higher than the Pivot Phoenix ($5200)?

3
saskskier
Posts
324
Joined
11/4/2017
Location
Calgary, AB CA
2/25/2026 8:08am
metadave wrote:
If you hate all their other new stuff and how much it costs, just wait until you see the pricing on that new Demo... it's not...

If you hate all their other new stuff and how much it costs, just wait until you see the pricing on that new Demo... it's not going to be nice.

Soon, you'll be able to buy a new vehicle and live like you did when you were 20 and your bike was 3x more expensive than your car.  Maybe they'll roll out a subscription service for the suspension system Loic is running. Every bike will come equipped with it, but you have to pay for every level of adjustment. 

I'm also sorry if I put a thought in a product manager head with that. Please never do this. It's my red stapler. 

bubbles-is-milton-waddams-mind-blown-v0-62iynx41chib1
saskskier wrote:
a) I have that red stapler and it's worth burning the place down over. b) In the 2026 prediction thread, I called the Demo setting a new...

a) I have that red stapler and it's worth burning the place down over. 

b) In the 2026 prediction thread, I called the Demo setting a new precedent on dh bike pricing. Curious how high into the teens it's gonna go (especially if they give it the full Ohlins/Brembo treatment)

chriskief wrote:

Is the frame alone going to be higher than the Pivot Phoenix ($5200)?

I have no actual information, but I'm going to guess that's going to be a yes. 

2
2/25/2026 8:20am
metadave wrote:
If you hate all their other new stuff and how much it costs, just wait until you see the pricing on that new Demo... it's not...

If you hate all their other new stuff and how much it costs, just wait until you see the pricing on that new Demo... it's not going to be nice.

Soon, you'll be able to buy a new vehicle and live like you did when you were 20 and your bike was 3x more expensive than your car.  Maybe they'll roll out a subscription service for the suspension system Loic is running. Every bike will come equipped with it, but you have to pay for every level of adjustment. 

I'm also sorry if I put a thought in a product manager head with that. Please never do this. It's my red stapler. 

bubbles-is-milton-waddams-mind-blown-v0-62iynx41chib1
saskskier wrote:
a) I have that red stapler and it's worth burning the place down over. b) In the 2026 prediction thread, I called the Demo setting a new...

a) I have that red stapler and it's worth burning the place down over. 

b) In the 2026 prediction thread, I called the Demo setting a new precedent on dh bike pricing. Curious how high into the teens it's gonna go (especially if they give it the full Ohlins/Brembo treatment)

chriskief wrote:

Is the frame alone going to be higher than the Pivot Phoenix ($5200)?

I posted the Korean market prices a few pages back. We are only getting the top builds, so these are the only prices I know. Based on today's exchange rate, these numbers line up pretty close to the price of the Pivot Phoenix.

$4800 for the frame + I believe a crank, 

$10k-ish  S-Works - SRAM build

$11.8k-ish Team Replica - Ohlins, Brembo, SRAM

8
2/25/2026 8:20am

🤔 why is everything so expensive now, and why did it appear to start in 1971? 🤔

 

If only there was a website dedicated to this

14
2
metadave
Posts
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Location
Revelstoke, BC CA
2/25/2026 9:21am

Those are Rookie numbers from what I have heard. We're going second mortgage on this one. 

8
Zuestman
Posts
189
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10/27/2014
Location
Seattle, WA US
2/25/2026 9:56am

So something to note on pricing that is coming through. and this is not meant to be a political post. but the new steel tariffs HIGHLY affect bike prices. ESPECIALLY e-bikes. basically all the bike companies have to figure out the percentage of steel in a bike (HS, bearings, cassette, motors) and then that times the pricing of the bike etc.  And these are not cheap... like some bikes increasing close to $1k just on tariff prices.... 

 

(cross posted to bike economics thread)

11
2/25/2026 12:29pm

Seeing as SRAM has not released a derailer that doesn’t have that direct amount. I wonder how that’s going to affect downhill bike frame design because most downhill bikes have adjustable chain, stay with a flip chip so bikes like the V10  I would say the most sought after downhill  don’t have the ability to run the new downhill transmission. I know the last generation TR 11 is also a Flip chip as well  it looks like all bikes are gonna have to go toward modular dropouts like forbidden  otherwise you’re stuck only being able to offer the older drivetrain till they inevitably take that away or get stuck with Saint, which in this day and age actually is pretty terrible in terms of chain retention

10
1
TEAMROBOT
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Location
Los Angeles, CA US
2/25/2026 12:32pm
Seeing as SRAM has not released a derailer that doesn’t have that direct amount. I wonder how that’s going to affect downhill bike frame design because...

Seeing as SRAM has not released a derailer that doesn’t have that direct amount. I wonder how that’s going to affect downhill bike frame design because most downhill bikes have adjustable chain, stay with a flip chip so bikes like the V10  I would say the most sought after downhill  don’t have the ability to run the new downhill transmission. I know the last generation TR 11 is also a Flip chip as well  it looks like all bikes are gonna have to go toward modular dropouts like forbidden  otherwise you’re stuck only being able to offer the older drivetrain till they inevitably take that away or get stuck with Saint, which in this day and age actually is pretty terrible in terms of chain retention

This is a great point. The Transmission derailleur is what doomed adjustable chainstays on so many single crown bikes, including my beloved SCB Megatower. I'm sure SCB and many others will either ditch adjustable stays on their DH bikes or go with a full modular dropout configuration like Banshee or Forbidden.

8
chriskief
Posts
720
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Location
New York, NY US
2/25/2026 12:41pm Edited Date/Time 2/25/2026 12:50pm
Seeing as SRAM has not released a derailer that doesn’t have that direct amount. I wonder how that’s going to affect downhill bike frame design because...

Seeing as SRAM has not released a derailer that doesn’t have that direct amount. I wonder how that’s going to affect downhill bike frame design because most downhill bikes have adjustable chain, stay with a flip chip so bikes like the V10  I would say the most sought after downhill  don’t have the ability to run the new downhill transmission. I know the last generation TR 11 is also a Flip chip as well  it looks like all bikes are gonna have to go toward modular dropouts like forbidden  otherwise you’re stuck only being able to offer the older drivetrain till they inevitably take that away or get stuck with Saint, which in this day and age actually is pretty terrible in terms of chain retention

The switch to UDH has been going on for a little bit now. There are some notable exceptions like the V10 and Supreme V5 (although there's a new Supreme on the way, Jason was riding it in the review videos).

Here's a few using UDH...

New Specialized Demo
Pivot Phoenix
Atherton S.200 / A.200
Canyon Sender
Scott Gambler
Forbidden Supernought
YT Tues
Trek Session
Frameworks
Intese M1
Orbea Rallon

7
lickmycrinkle
Posts
210
Joined
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Location
Beverly Hills, CA US
2/25/2026 12:52pm
There's a new RockShox spare parts catalog out, and there's some nice vice blocks listed in the new Boxxer section.Their description gives this text:10 mm for...

There's a new RockShox spare parts catalog out, and there's some nice vice blocks listed in the new Boxxer section.

Their description gives this text:

10 mm for Pike / SID / Lyrik / ZEB air shaft, Charger damper shaft,
14 mm for Lyrik / ZEB / BoXXer air shaft,
25 mm for Rush Damper IFP,
27.3 mm for Charger RC Damper IFP,
29.06 mm for Charger 3.2 Damper IFP,
30.6 mm for Lyrik Twin Tube,
34 mm for ZEB / BoXXer Twin Tube,
20 mm for ButterCup

 

To me, that sounds like Zeb and Lyrik will get this new sleeved air spring from the new Boxxer.

Primoz wrote:

Link please? I can only find the 2026 catalogue. 

image 599

This is what i'm looking at to find the vice blocks. Right there on the SRAM service page.

1
sprungmass
Posts
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Location
Calgary, AB CA
2/25/2026 12:59pm Edited Date/Time 2/25/2026 12:59pm
Seeing as SRAM has not released a derailer that doesn’t have that direct amount. I wonder how that’s going to affect downhill bike frame design because...

Seeing as SRAM has not released a derailer that doesn’t have that direct amount. I wonder how that’s going to affect downhill bike frame design because most downhill bikes have adjustable chain, stay with a flip chip so bikes like the V10  I would say the most sought after downhill  don’t have the ability to run the new downhill transmission. I know the last generation TR 11 is also a Flip chip as well  it looks like all bikes are gonna have to go toward modular dropouts like forbidden  otherwise you’re stuck only being able to offer the older drivetrain till they inevitably take that away or get stuck with Saint, which in this day and age actually is pretty terrible in terms of chain retention

TEAMROBOT wrote:
This is a great point. The Transmission derailleur is what doomed adjustable chainstays on so many single crown bikes, including my beloved SCB Megatower. I'm sure...

This is a great point. The Transmission derailleur is what doomed adjustable chainstays on so many single crown bikes, including my beloved SCB Megatower. I'm sure SCB and many others will either ditch adjustable stays on their DH bikes or go with a full modular dropout configuration like Banshee or Forbidden.

RAAW addressed this issue by using modular dropouts. They first did it with their Yalla DH bike which has now trickled down to their Madonna v3.2. This is what the DH industry might head towards to accommodate UDH. Also can we take a moment to drool over how the black and silver SRAM design works with the RAAW frames 🤤

Screenshot 2026-02-25 155753.png?VersionId=p5oEC84VI
29
jofish
Posts
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Location
GB
2/25/2026 4:01pm

New tld 3/4 lid or has he just chopped a stage?

6
TannerVal
Posts
128
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2/6/2016
Location
Hampton, NH US
2/25/2026 4:45pm
jofish wrote:

New tld 3/4 lid or has he just chopped a stage?

The Ronald McDonald kit is… interesting.

6
PhoS
Posts
34
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Location
PNW, WA US
2/25/2026 4:52pm
jofish wrote:

New tld 3/4 lid or has he just chopped a stage?

Dork lid. 

8
7
storm.racing
Posts
285
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Location
Silverton, CO US
2/25/2026 6:14pm

Bring back the D2 open face! looks way better

4
MrDuck
Posts
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Location
CA
2/25/2026 6:20pm Edited Date/Time 2/25/2026 6:41pm
Jof wrote:

was digging around on srams website just now and came across this 

Oh cmon I really want to hate it because derailleurs are so 1932 but I can see why they hired Pete outta the park :D

Also, is there a side effect of gearboxes rolling in, now that old school dh drivetrain costs as much as a gearbox?

On another side note, check out this wild theory seeing y'all talk about mavens. (I have ridden way too many brakes from all brands about):
I think people on mavens are only just about finding out that their brakes need to be well bled because these brakes actually do $h1t. I've ridden way too many codes, guides and shimanos to understand that they all "pump" and "wander" the same, but somehow the guides and codes have so low braking power at normal lever pull that you hardly even know when it started braking. That means you've pulled far enough to figure out when it'll actually do something meaningful (Mind you I live in squamish and we may have decent grades on average trail..and my trail bike has a boxxer so that's a bias).
If that's what people call modulation, then I'm gonna call it wandering modulation with just as wandering bite point but 2cm of lever pull to find it.
Nice

@Digit Bikes The whole 157 body on 148 axle isn't all that new - look at Hope and DT (and some chinese that I know of) single speed hubs. Honestly I wish this was more common across all sizes, or that I could easily find it at local shops. Whether you run a 7sp downhill or a singlespeed, or maybe a geer boks because you're so cool, it makes all the sense for DH. Coming from a guy with 142 DH and 157 trail bike..I wish I could just do 142 all over the shop so more downvotes!

@Lacanuck24 Seems on par with 2015 S-Works Demo. Was 6200 in canada and 4700 in us.

6
Trocko
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Location
Rocky, CO US
2/25/2026 8:25pm
IMG 3422.png?VersionId=36qkuPyfuhyasbOwkR8CzuEQ34
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alannz
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California, CA US
2/25/2026 8:29pm
Trocko wrote:
IMG 3422.png?VersionId=36qkuPyfuhyasbOwkR8CzuEQ34

Looks like the new Forbidden downcountry bike? 

17
Yoda
Posts
127
Joined
9/24/2021
Location
IT
2/25/2026 11:36pm

Troy lee confirmed they were working on that open face helmet in a podcast last year. I'm definitely disappointed that it doesn't look like they are releasing the D5 this year that was also mentioned but the paint jobs on the D4 are also quite sick- it's clear he's back heavily involved in the brand. 

2
2/26/2026 1:40am
Yoda wrote:
Troy lee confirmed they were working on that open face helmet in a podcast last year. I'm definitely disappointed that it doesn't look like they are...

Troy lee confirmed they were working on that open face helmet in a podcast last year. I'm definitely disappointed that it doesn't look like they are releasing the D5 this year that was also mentioned but the paint jobs on the D4 are also quite sick- it's clear he's back heavily involved in the brand. 

The new jersey and helmet kits are a total throwback to the Troy originals. Honestly, those new flame helmets are straight fire. It’s awesome to see Troy Lee back.

7
schowny
Posts
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Location
Victoria, BC CA
2/26/2026 6:16am
Trocko wrote:
IMG 3422.png?VersionId=36qkuPyfuhyasbOwkR8CzuEQ34
alannz wrote:

Looks like the new Forbidden downcountry bike? 

Indeed in fact the new downcountry bike. Saw the colourways for that, the Druid, dreadnought, the whole lineup. Should be coming sometime middle March possibly. Most shops have received the emails in regards to this. 

6
2/26/2026 7:02am
Seeing as SRAM has not released a derailer that doesn’t have that direct amount. I wonder how that’s going to affect downhill bike frame design because...

Seeing as SRAM has not released a derailer that doesn’t have that direct amount. I wonder how that’s going to affect downhill bike frame design because most downhill bikes have adjustable chain, stay with a flip chip so bikes like the V10  I would say the most sought after downhill  don’t have the ability to run the new downhill transmission. I know the last generation TR 11 is also a Flip chip as well  it looks like all bikes are gonna have to go toward modular dropouts like forbidden  otherwise you’re stuck only being able to offer the older drivetrain till they inevitably take that away or get stuck with Saint, which in this day and age actually is pretty terrible in terms of chain retention

TEAMROBOT wrote:
This is a great point. The Transmission derailleur is what doomed adjustable chainstays on so many single crown bikes, including my beloved SCB Megatower. I'm sure...

This is a great point. The Transmission derailleur is what doomed adjustable chainstays on so many single crown bikes, including my beloved SCB Megatower. I'm sure SCB and many others will either ditch adjustable stays on their DH bikes or go with a full modular dropout configuration like Banshee or Forbidden.

Basically what I’m getting  here is I definitely don’t want the ability to run one specific derailer to be a factor  how somebody designs a downhill bike. That’s why Dane bikes are so awesome or they have the least amount of design constraints and now they just put a huge one on them again.

4
Mr.Nally
Posts
654
Joined
1/2/2021
Location
AS
2/26/2026 7:15am

Looks like the new Vivid air with all same changes as vivid coil(externally at least) exists. But just wasn't launched for some reason?

 

1000098590 0
15
majorjake
Posts
33
Joined
5/25/2018
Location
Burlington, VT US
2/26/2026 7:19am
Trocko wrote:
IMG 3422.png?VersionId=36qkuPyfuhyasbOwkR8CzuEQ34
alannz wrote:

Looks like the new Forbidden downcountry bike? 

schowny wrote:
Indeed in fact the new downcountry bike. Saw the colourways for that, the Druid, dreadnought, the whole lineup. Should be coming sometime middle March possibly. Most...

Indeed in fact the new downcountry bike. Saw the colourways for that, the Druid, dreadnought, the whole lineup. Should be coming sometime middle March possibly. Most shops have received the emails in regards to this. 

Any changes to the Druid aside from colorway?  

2
krabo83
Posts
713
Joined
12/26/2017
Location
AT
2/26/2026 7:27am
Mr.Nally wrote:
Looks like the new Vivid air with all same changes as vivid coil(externally at least) exists. But just wasn't launched for some reason? 

Looks like the new Vivid air with all same changes as vivid coil(externally at least) exists. But just wasn't launched for some reason?

 

1000098590 0

comes probably with the new ZEB.

10
2/26/2026 7:40am
alannz wrote:

Looks like the new Forbidden downcountry bike? 

There was a nice shot of it earlier in this thread:

 

17247.jpg?VersionId=8VQeMmeefXFpgPRR0jHFWJQQ4eXDxi8
6
piratetrails
Posts
281
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8/28/2021
Location
Arcadia, VA US
2/26/2026 7:43am
metadave wrote:
If you hate all their other new stuff and how much it costs, just wait until you see the pricing on that new Demo... it's not...

If you hate all their other new stuff and how much it costs, just wait until you see the pricing on that new Demo... it's not going to be nice.

Soon, you'll be able to buy a new vehicle and live like you did when you were 20 and your bike was 3x more expensive than your car.  Maybe they'll roll out a subscription service for the suspension system Loic is running. Every bike will come equipped with it, but you have to pay for every level of adjustment. 

I'm also sorry if I put a thought in a product manager head with that. Please never do this. It's my red stapler. 

bubbles-is-milton-waddams-mind-blown-v0-62iynx41chib1
saskskier wrote:
a) I have that red stapler and it's worth burning the place down over. b) In the 2026 prediction thread, I called the Demo setting a new...

a) I have that red stapler and it's worth burning the place down over. 

b) In the 2026 prediction thread, I called the Demo setting a new precedent on dh bike pricing. Curious how high into the teens it's gonna go (especially if they give it the full Ohlins/Brembo treatment)

chriskief wrote:

Is the frame alone going to be higher than the Pivot Phoenix ($5200)?

I’ll never forget when I was last in Morzine the shop I rented from had a Phoenix frame in the window for 5400 euros. I chuckled each day I went to pick up the bike. On the final day that frame was replaced with an Amflow.

3

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