2026 MTB Tech Rumors and Innovation - Longer and Slacker

Related:
Eae903
Posts
346
Joined
10/20/2023
Location
Laramie, WY US
3/23/2026 3:52pm
Dealer just sent this out

Dealer just sent this out

att.aHxcay xGJL-OSMbbpr MvupNLKovRECq1tF6RHul3catt.PEX6j11DXlCwFj50FBepb-N1tuYzS4cNS0yq -lvHZwatt.l7OQe2XBrhISUjmvtfZYo1pj5TYNiglg cK8U4NdwgE

Without the green, it just looks like Rockshox with extra steps

10
1
Riipper
Posts
4
Joined
5/1/2014
Location
CA
3/23/2026 4:56pm

From Kirk McDowall’s instagram story today. Another look at Norco’s DH proto. Hopefully they’re moving to production soon!

IMG 4510

2
Eae903
Posts
346
Joined
10/20/2023
Location
Laramie, WY US
3/23/2026 9:55pm

I'm seeing that Reynolds is starting to do aluminum wheels now, and they seem to be the Sun Ringle rims and hubs according to the specs on their site, is Hayes shuttering Sun Ringle and rolling everything into Reynolds? 

5
3/24/2026 12:36am

Speaking of the Hayes group, no one commented a few pages ago on the mentioning of possible new Mezzer and updated Dorado - no one has any inside info on this? Smile

11
Big Dos
Posts
35
Joined
11/7/2016
Location
AU
3/24/2026 1:44am

Minor detail, but that integrated fender on the new Diamond looks tough

1
Jrp
Posts
110
Joined
2/22/2019
Location
Derby , TAS AU
3/24/2026 3:06am Edited Date/Time 3/24/2026 3:08am
Big Dos wrote:

Minor detail, but that integrated fender on the new Diamond looks tough

Their old mudguards were so bad that it’s a very welcome change. Looks like the onyx gets one too which is sweet. They just posted a tonne of new stuff on instagram 

2
GRM50
Posts
27
Joined
4/30/2024
Location
Lebanon, NH US
3/24/2026 6:05am
Dealer just sent this out

Dealer just sent this out

att.aHxcay xGJL-OSMbbpr MvupNLKovRECq1tF6RHul3catt.PEX6j11DXlCwFj50FBepb-N1tuYzS4cNS0yq -lvHZwatt.l7OQe2XBrhISUjmvtfZYo1pj5TYNiglg cK8U4NdwgE

Genuine question, not trying to be facetious, what is the point of DVO?

From my understanding they're under the same umbrella as Fox, so are they just supposed to be the more budget focused option within their organization?

2
13
chriskief
Posts
720
Joined
4/15/2017
Location
New York, NY US
3/24/2026 6:19am
Dealer just sent this out

Dealer just sent this out

att.aHxcay xGJL-OSMbbpr MvupNLKovRECq1tF6RHul3catt.PEX6j11DXlCwFj50FBepb-N1tuYzS4cNS0yq -lvHZwatt.l7OQe2XBrhISUjmvtfZYo1pj5TYNiglg cK8U4NdwgE
GRM50 wrote:
Genuine question, not trying to be facetious, what is the point of DVO?From my understanding they're under the same umbrella as Fox, so are they just...

Genuine question, not trying to be facetious, what is the point of DVO?

From my understanding they're under the same umbrella as Fox, so are they just supposed to be the more budget focused option within their organization?

Sounds like you've got DVO confused with Marzocchi.

26
GRM50
Posts
27
Joined
4/30/2024
Location
Lebanon, NH US
3/24/2026 7:05am
Dealer just sent this out

Dealer just sent this out

att.aHxcay xGJL-OSMbbpr MvupNLKovRECq1tF6RHul3catt.PEX6j11DXlCwFj50FBepb-N1tuYzS4cNS0yq -lvHZwatt.l7OQe2XBrhISUjmvtfZYo1pj5TYNiglg cK8U4NdwgE
GRM50 wrote:
Genuine question, not trying to be facetious, what is the point of DVO?From my understanding they're under the same umbrella as Fox, so are they just...

Genuine question, not trying to be facetious, what is the point of DVO?

From my understanding they're under the same umbrella as Fox, so are they just supposed to be the more budget focused option within their organization?

chriskief wrote:

Sounds like you've got DVO confused with Marzocchi.

Yep, my bad

3
HexonJuan
Posts
375
Joined
6/10/2015
Location
WI US
3/24/2026 8:05am
Eae903 wrote:
I'm seeing that Reynolds is starting to do aluminum wheels now, and they seem to be the Sun Ringle rims and hubs according to the specs...

I'm seeing that Reynolds is starting to do aluminum wheels now, and they seem to be the Sun Ringle rims and hubs according to the specs on their site, is Hayes shuttering Sun Ringle and rolling everything into Reynolds? 

Was wondering the same thing. There aren't a lot of co's speccing Sun product from what I see aside from the wares from the Junit lineup. Reynolds has some decent upmarket spec, so that brand may carry a cache value for consumers and product managers alike.

1
ws2186
Posts
6
Joined
5/2/2024
Location
Perris, CA US
3/24/2026 10:45am
Riipper wrote:
From Kirk McDowall’s instagram story today. Another look at Norco’s DH proto. Hopefully they’re moving to production soon!

From Kirk McDowall’s instagram story today. Another look at Norco’s DH proto. Hopefully they’re moving to production soon!

IMG 4510

Looks quite a bit different from the version Gracey Hemstreet was riding at Hardline. Really looking forward to seeing what they come up with. 

2
overbiked
Posts
49
Joined
10/23/2024
Location
Park City, UT US
3/24/2026 10:53am
Speaking of the Hayes group, no one commented a few pages ago on the mentioning of possible new Mezzer and updated Dorado - no one has...

Speaking of the Hayes group, no one commented a few pages ago on the mentioning of possible new Mezzer and updated Dorado - no one has any inside info on this? Smile

Gracias amigo, wanted to know earlier because I want one of the heavily discounted mezzers, but not if theres a new one around the corner. 

2
nskerb
Posts
335
Joined
3/3/2020
Location
Kelso, WA US
3/24/2026 11:17am

Norco and spesh in a silent competition to see who can take the longest to release their DH bike to the public 

26
Brian_Peterson
Posts
1130
Joined
4/26/2011
Location
Canyon Country, CA US
3/24/2026 11:30am
Eae903 wrote:
I'm seeing that Reynolds is starting to do aluminum wheels now, and they seem to be the Sun Ringle rims and hubs according to the specs...

I'm seeing that Reynolds is starting to do aluminum wheels now, and they seem to be the Sun Ringle rims and hubs according to the specs on their site, is Hayes shuttering Sun Ringle and rolling everything into Reynolds? 

HexonJuan wrote:
Was wondering the same thing. There aren't a lot of co's speccing Sun product from what I see aside from the wares from the Junit lineup...

Was wondering the same thing. There aren't a lot of co's speccing Sun product from what I see aside from the wares from the Junit lineup. Reynolds has some decent upmarket spec, so that brand may carry a cache value for consumers and product managers alike.

Maybe keep Sun Ringlè as the hub brand and slide the rims all into the Reynolds brand? Outside of some nostalgia with some older peeps, the Sun Ringlè name doesn't seem to have the luster it once did.. But, consolidation under one name would make sense...

3
Jotegr
Posts
339
Joined
6/28/2024
Location
Interior, BC CA
3/24/2026 11:48am
Riipper wrote:
From Kirk McDowall’s instagram story today. Another look at Norco’s DH proto. Hopefully they’re moving to production soon!

From Kirk McDowall’s instagram story today. Another look at Norco’s DH proto. Hopefully they’re moving to production soon!

IMG 4510

ws2186 wrote:

Looks quite a bit different from the version Gracey Hemstreet was riding at Hardline. Really looking forward to seeing what they come up with. 

Honestly hard to tell, Kirk is like 6 feet or over and Gracey is tiny. Definitely a different front triangle than to what Kirk was running in the past but its very hard to compare an XS-S to L-XL bike for subtle differences that can't simply be attributed to sizing. . 

1
ballz
Posts
464
Joined
7/30/2024
Location
Ouagadougou EH
3/24/2026 11:49am

Sun Ringlè Mulefut rims still rule the fat world.

4
ws2186
Posts
6
Joined
5/2/2024
Location
Perris, CA US
3/24/2026 12:33pm
Riipper wrote:
From Kirk McDowall’s instagram story today. Another look at Norco’s DH proto. Hopefully they’re moving to production soon!

From Kirk McDowall’s instagram story today. Another look at Norco’s DH proto. Hopefully they’re moving to production soon!

IMG 4510

ws2186 wrote:

Looks quite a bit different from the version Gracey Hemstreet was riding at Hardline. Really looking forward to seeing what they come up with. 

Jotegr wrote:
Honestly hard to tell, Kirk is like 6 feet or over and Gracey is tiny. Definitely a different front triangle than to what Kirk was running...

Honestly hard to tell, Kirk is like 6 feet or over and Gracey is tiny. Definitely a different front triangle than to what Kirk was running in the past but its very hard to compare an XS-S to L-XL bike for subtle differences that can't simply be attributed to sizing. . 

Seat tube gusset looks great, hopefully that'll be on all the production bikes

1
Pappas717
Posts
39
Joined
1/13/2022
Location
Port Washington, NY US
3/24/2026 2:56pm
nskerb wrote:

Norco and spesh in a silent competition to see who can take the longest to release their DH bike to the public 

That did make me Lol..But I would bet $1000 usd to any and all takers that Specialized beats Norco to it. There are B riders already on them..

4
HexonJuan
Posts
375
Joined
6/10/2015
Location
WI US
3/24/2026 4:02pm
Eae903 wrote:
I'm seeing that Reynolds is starting to do aluminum wheels now, and they seem to be the Sun Ringle rims and hubs according to the specs...

I'm seeing that Reynolds is starting to do aluminum wheels now, and they seem to be the Sun Ringle rims and hubs according to the specs on their site, is Hayes shuttering Sun Ringle and rolling everything into Reynolds? 

HexonJuan wrote:
Was wondering the same thing. There aren't a lot of co's speccing Sun product from what I see aside from the wares from the Junit lineup...

Was wondering the same thing. There aren't a lot of co's speccing Sun product from what I see aside from the wares from the Junit lineup. Reynolds has some decent upmarket spec, so that brand may carry a cache value for consumers and product managers alike.

Maybe keep Sun Ringlè as the hub brand and slide the rims all into the Reynolds brand? Outside of some nostalgia with some older peeps, the...

Maybe keep Sun Ringlè as the hub brand and slide the rims all into the Reynolds brand? Outside of some nostalgia with some older peeps, the Sun Ringlè name doesn't seem to have the luster it once did.. But, consolidation under one name would make sense...

Right. It really doesn't make a lot of sense to have two wheel brands now that one is producing an alloy option. However, if they updated the Modo for modern times my tune may pitch higher.

 

2
HexonJuan
Posts
375
Joined
6/10/2015
Location
WI US
3/24/2026 4:05pm
ballz wrote:

Sun Ringlè Mulefut rims still rule the fat world.

You sir ain't wrong. Bang for the buck that rim kills.

3
3/24/2026 5:18pm
GRM50 wrote:
Genuine question, not trying to be facetious, what is the point of DVO?From my understanding they're under the same umbrella as Fox, so are they just...

Genuine question, not trying to be facetious, what is the point of DVO?

From my understanding they're under the same umbrella as Fox, so are they just supposed to be the more budget focused option within their organization?

chriskief wrote:

Sounds like you've got DVO confused with Marzocchi.

GRM50 wrote:

Yep, my bad

But it’s very intertwined with Suntour…

So there is room to discuss how bad Suntour could be after all or how good of a fork you can build on a maybe not so good chassis…not saying Suntour chassis are bad and idk how much the current models share.

3
Jrp
Posts
110
Joined
2/22/2019
Location
Derby , TAS AU
3/24/2026 5:24pm
DorianKane wrote:
But it’s very intertwined with Suntour…So there is room to discuss how bad Suntour could be after all or how good of a fork you can...

But it’s very intertwined with Suntour…

So there is room to discuss how bad Suntour could be after all or how good of a fork you can build on a maybe not so good chassis…not saying Suntour chassis are bad and idk how much the current models share.

Looks like this drop of DVO product shares very little if anything 

1
3/24/2026 6:06pm
DorianKane wrote:
But it’s very intertwined with Suntour…So there is room to discuss how bad Suntour could be after all or how good of a fork you can...

But it’s very intertwined with Suntour…

So there is room to discuss how bad Suntour could be after all or how good of a fork you can build on a maybe not so good chassis…not saying Suntour chassis are bad and idk how much the current models share.

Jrp wrote:

Looks like this drop of DVO product shares very little if anything 

Or we haven’t seen the Suntour drop yet 😅

 

7
Outlawed
Posts
55
Joined
3/29/2023
Location
Vancouver Island, BC CA
3/24/2026 8:09pm Edited Date/Time 3/24/2026 8:52pm
Riipper wrote:
From Kirk McDowall’s instagram story today. Another look at Norco’s DH proto. Hopefully they’re moving to production soon!

From Kirk McDowall’s instagram story today. Another look at Norco’s DH proto. Hopefully they’re moving to production soon!

IMG 4510

ws2186 wrote:

Looks quite a bit different from the version Gracey Hemstreet was riding at Hardline. Really looking forward to seeing what they come up with. 

Supposedly for this upcoming race season the Norco proto DH bike has undergone an "evolution", still no official word on a production version but birds be suggesting sooner rather then later though.

3
3/24/2026 8:37pm
Riipper wrote:
From Kirk McDowall’s instagram story today. Another look at Norco’s DH proto. Hopefully they’re moving to production soon!

From Kirk McDowall’s instagram story today. Another look at Norco’s DH proto. Hopefully they’re moving to production soon!

IMG 4510

ws2186 wrote:

Looks quite a bit different from the version Gracey Hemstreet was riding at Hardline. Really looking forward to seeing what they come up with. 

Jotegr wrote:
Honestly hard to tell, Kirk is like 6 feet or over and Gracey is tiny. Definitely a different front triangle than to what Kirk was running...

Honestly hard to tell, Kirk is like 6 feet or over and Gracey is tiny. Definitely a different front triangle than to what Kirk was running in the past but its very hard to compare an XS-S to L-XL bike for subtle differences that can't simply be attributed to sizing. . 

Erice was running a identical looking front triangle but obviously much smaller at crankworx.

2
Brian_Peterson
Posts
1130
Joined
4/26/2011
Location
Canyon Country, CA US
3/24/2026 9:22pm
DorianKane wrote:
But it’s very intertwined with Suntour…So there is room to discuss how bad Suntour could be after all or how good of a fork you can...

But it’s very intertwined with Suntour…

So there is room to discuss how bad Suntour could be after all or how good of a fork you can build on a maybe not so good chassis…not saying Suntour chassis are bad and idk how much the current models share.

They are assembled on their own line in the Suntour factory.  Suntour makes some parts for DVO.. Maybe most, but I'm not sure.. I believe Suntour helps with some of the engineering, but the design work is DVO..

2
3/25/2026 3:30am
Speaking of the Hayes group, no one commented a few pages ago on the mentioning of possible new Mezzer and updated Dorado - no one has...

Speaking of the Hayes group, no one commented a few pages ago on the mentioning of possible new Mezzer and updated Dorado - no one has any inside info on this? Smile

overbiked wrote:

Gracias amigo, wanted to know earlier because I want one of the heavily discounted mezzers, but not if theres a new one around the corner. 

Yeah, the discounted Mezzers were a strange sight, to be honest - if I was in the market for an enduro-fork, I’d be all over them (but having a dh-bike, I don’t see the point of an enduro fork taking place up front instead of my Dorado! 😁). In the previous rumors thread, we were discussing the possibility of Manitou making a double-crown version of the Mezzer, to go along with the single crown and the Dorado. The market for such a model is there - Intend, Formula and MRP are lurking in it. Manitou has the experience of having a sc- and a dc-versions of 1 model - the Travis. I can certainly see the point in a dc-Mezzer with boost hub spacing, 190-200mm travel (especially if the updated Dorado comes out capable of the rumored 220mm travel), and 2.3-2.5kg weight! Wink

10
3/25/2026 4:44am Edited Date/Time 3/25/2026 4:45am

Very good look for higher pivot frameworks from vital g-out pics. can see at neko's bike the main pivot way above the chainring, while on gwin's bike its lower and behind chainring/guard.

also noticed gwin had no chain but running ochain, maybe wanting to repeat leogang? that must feel amazing!! Tongue

6GOUT neko2GOUT gwin.jpg?VersionId=pDXTGF2wFdpQ
16
mickey
Posts
239
Joined
2/19/2010
Location
Roanoke, VA US
3/25/2026 4:57am

Looks to me like Neko is just still riding the Loctite/Faction bonded frame from last season.  Gwin, on the new production frame.

6
saskskier
Posts
323
Joined
11/4/2017
Location
Calgary, AB CA
3/25/2026 6:35am

Is it just me, or is Gwin missing a chain again? 

11

Post a reply to: 2026 MTB Tech Rumors and Innovation - Longer and Slacker

The Latest