2026 MTB Tech Rumors and Innovation - Longer and Slacker

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storm.racing
Posts
285
Joined
2/15/2022
Location
Silverton, CO US
4/8/2026 2:50pm
Dot fluid and 4 18.5mm pistons. Haven't heard of Hustok before  
1000001134

Dot fluid and 4 18.5mm pistons.

 

Haven't heard of Hustok before

 

They posted this and got ripped in the insta comments haha 

those comments made my brain hurt haha. that was wild........

2
Eae903
Posts
346
Joined
10/20/2023
Location
Laramie, WY US
4/8/2026 3:00pm
Dot fluid and 4 18.5mm pistons. Haven't heard of Hustok before  
1000001134

Dot fluid and 4 18.5mm pistons.

 

Haven't heard of Hustok before

 

They posted this and got ripped in the insta comments haha 

those comments made my brain hurt haha. that was wild........

Don't use Instagram anymore, what do they think is wrong with them? Looks like they're a new player out of Spain 

3
storm.racing
Posts
285
Joined
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Location
Silverton, CO US
4/8/2026 3:01pm

They posted this and got ripped in the insta comments haha 

those comments made my brain hurt haha. that was wild........

Eae903 wrote:

Don't use Instagram anymore, what do they think is wrong with them? Looks like they're a new player out of Spain 

its everyones brothers mother pissing and moaning at each other about brake fluid. that was almost entirely all the comments

6
boozed
Posts
644
Joined
6/11/2019
Location
AU
4/8/2026 4:46pm

those comments made my brain hurt haha. that was wild........

Eae903 wrote:

Don't use Instagram anymore, what do they think is wrong with them? Looks like they're a new player out of Spain 

its everyones brothers mother pissing and moaning at each other about brake fluid. that was almost entirely all the comments

I have my preference but I'm pretty ambivalent about it.  These people need to chill out.

1
4/8/2026 5:11pm
Eae903 wrote:

Don't use Instagram anymore, what do they think is wrong with them? Looks like they're a new player out of Spain 

its everyones brothers mother pissing and moaning at each other about brake fluid. that was almost entirely all the comments

boozed wrote:

I have my preference but I'm pretty ambivalent about it.  These people need to chill out.

Of all the hills people want to die on in this industry, I think brake fluid is probably the stupidest one......

37
monarchmason
Posts
283
Joined
5/24/2022
Location
Nevada City, CA US
4/8/2026 8:35pm

its everyones brothers mother pissing and moaning at each other about brake fluid. that was almost entirely all the comments

boozed wrote:

I have my preference but I'm pretty ambivalent about it.  These people need to chill out.

Of all the hills people want to die on in this industry, I think brake fluid is probably the stupidest one......

I kind of get it. I mean who wants to drink brake fluid that is not your favorite flavor? Not I.

3
Primoz
Posts
4519
Joined
8/1/2009
Location
SI
4/8/2026 9:47pm

its everyones brothers mother pissing and moaning at each other about brake fluid. that was almost entirely all the comments

boozed wrote:

I have my preference but I'm pretty ambivalent about it.  These people need to chill out.

Of all the hills people want to die on in this industry, I think brake fluid is probably the stupidest one......

It has a nice view from the top... 

2
Primoz
Posts
4519
Joined
8/1/2009
Location
SI
4/8/2026 9:48pm Edited Date/Time 4/8/2026 9:52pm
rugbyred wrote:

Was that the half coil half air shock? I remember it only being available to people in the EU, which I’m not. 

Primoz wrote:
I think so. Is the problem of the Hover the diameter of the shaft? I can imagine it being a bit thin for being the only supporting...

I think so. 

Is the problem of the Hover the diameter of the shaft? I can imagine it being a bit thin for being the only supporting structure and possibly buckling and breaking in half under heavy loads (and sideloads coming from the frame). Coil shocks only handle the damping forces through the shaft (the coil spring acts directly on the eyelet via the flange) and classic aircan-over-damper air shocks have the aircan and spring piston adding to the stiffness compared to the Hover.

Etney wrote:
The new shock coming is most likely the half air, half coil. I would guess its similar, if not identical to the one that came with...

The new shock coming is most likely the half air, half coil. I would guess its similar, if not identical to the one that came with the moto v2 set.

I believe that the "built in" neutralization of the chambers on this new monocoque shock is one of the reasons you cant run high pressures, as you can run higher pressures with the old Hover where you manually closed a valve between the chambers in the shock. (I have both the old versions, and the new monocoque)

So the new "hybrid" shock is most likely an answer to this, where the coil can take up an extra bit of weight since you cant run the same high pressures. There might be some more changes to it also, guess we'll see. 

The diameter of the shaft is not an issue for the weight, plenty of heavy people ran the previous gen hovers, which use the same shaft/piston - And Intend has publically said that they have zero broken shafts reported, even on stumpjumpers, which have broken/bent the shaft on quite a few shocks of other brands. (I've ran my shocks on both a levo and a stumpy 15 for quite a while now, without issues, and I am a big boy)

While the Moto V2 shock was marketed for "big boys" - Probably mostly running big e-bikes, team rider Lena Arndt has been running the hybrid coil shock for a few months now if you look at her instagram, so it might work for lighter people too. Since the Moto V2 one was for riders between 85-130kg. 

6a21fddcc09f8767cc1c7d5202995810.jpg?VersionId=XxypRnsHvi8PWeNu7EVWGoTC

Now we just need them to release the dropper post also - Last I heard it was planned for January, but i've now heard its May. Dont think there is much to revolutionize when it comes to dropper posts. So we can just hope for a solid, light, easily servicable dropper post, with a decent price tag. 

Ah, it's the pressure limiting the weight, got it. Thanks for clearing that up. 

As an aside, does Bearclaw's bike have two main pivot positions?

1000009331.png?VersionId=IkyAG1e6bQIG.UEiQD8
1
shreda
Posts
207
Joined
10/2/2018
Location
GB
4/8/2026 10:35pm

New AM Flow longer travel bike and YT Decoy Avinox (AL?) launching later today.


IMG 6098IMG 6093.jpeg?VersionId=p16wcj6 LrrW XvhCu0knlnJdvy

2
DylanJM
Posts
34
Joined
7/2/2024
Location
Frederiksberg DK
4/8/2026 11:25pm
shreda wrote:
New AM Flow longer travel bike and YT Decoy Avinox (AL?) launching later today.

New AM Flow longer travel bike and YT Decoy Avinox (AL?) launching later today.


IMG 6098IMG 6093.jpeg?VersionId=p16wcj6 LrrW XvhCu0knlnJdvy

The new Amflow is still a 150/160 bike but is now a mullet as standard. 

2
4/9/2026 1:28am

Someone needs to tell Amflow 2015 called and wants it’s looks back.  (I actually kind of dig it, getting very bored with how much everything kind of looks the same anymore)


Though at least a lot of companies are doing good paint jobs again.  For a while there it was sooooooo boring.

1
AgrAde
Posts
196
Joined
5/21/2015
Location
AL US
4/9/2026 3:09am
Why is anyone still asking this question/giving wrong answers?Clearly stated by AgrAde here.Smart Shift Pinion requires a charging port running up to the front of the...

Why is anyone still asking this question/giving wrong answers?

Clearly stated by AgrAde here.

Smart Shift Pinion requires a charging port running up to the front of the bike. It's not rocket science.

Aww I was appreciating the novelty of being ignored and was hoping for a good 5 pages of speculation of what it could be

4
ballz
Posts
464
Joined
7/30/2024
Location
Ouagadougou EH
4/9/2026 7:58am
Crap, I changed my mind. I’m thinking now about the majority of their business being b2b and thinking about what comes specced on bikes, and what...

Crap, I changed my mind. I’m thinking now about the majority of their business being b2b and thinking about what comes specced on bikes, and what new bike customers are looking for in a bike. That GX/XO1 mashup customer just doesn’t exist in bike shops, it’s all forum nerds. People tended to fall into “let me buy the cheapest bike” or “let me get the nicest bike.” The riders in the middle don’t really seem to sweat drivetrain, they were moreso just looking for better suspension/brakes I guess? Kind of just like the upgrade bike without having all of their weird idiosyncrasies like we do.

In those cases, the SRAM offering is kind of perfect. They lose some of us weirdos from the forums, but we were never really their customers anyways. We will figure out how to cobble together our perfect set up or become bitter old riders. I guess either way we’re gonna become bitter old riders lol

I highly doubt that any self-respecting bike brand would equip their bikes with S500 or S200 over Transmission. Even bike shops will have to explain to their customers why they can't just replace worn parts with the same new ones. IMO this is just a sales push towards Transmission, period, probably needed because the ole good Eagle works a bit too well.

6
4/9/2026 8:14am

Somewhat buried in the sea of e-bike news today, Moots & White Industries launched a new welded titanium crankset for the low, low price of $1349. 

4
One Ghost
Posts
159
Joined
8/1/2009
Location
Tacoma, WA US
4/9/2026 8:33am


I’m just going to leave this right here.

IMG 2814
4
2
63expert
Posts
187
Joined
9/10/2022
Location
Beaver, WV US
4/9/2026 8:54am
One Ghost wrote:
I’m just going to leave this right here.


I’m just going to leave this right here.

IMG 2814

CNC’d gizmo6000?

6
ebruner
Posts
339
Joined
3/29/2018
Location
Tustin, CA US
4/9/2026 9:04am
IMG 0628.png?VersionId=EPltxgHq56jSMbJpGMk39B85iJbuj

What the?  How does the belt get into the rear triangle?  

10
Loche
Posts
24
Joined
2/16/2021
Location
CA
4/9/2026 9:06am Edited Date/Time 4/9/2026 9:08am

New Commencal coming April 14th per their website.

These look like very, very long chainstays.

Enhance anyone?!

image 664.png?VersionId=fl
12
bkent136
Posts
7
Joined
1/19/2026
Location
Melbourne, FL, FL US
4/9/2026 9:34am
Loche wrote:
New Commencal coming April 14th per their website.These look like very, very long chainstays.Enhance anyone?!

New Commencal coming April 14th per their website.

These look like very, very long chainstays.

Enhance anyone?!

image 664.png?VersionId=fl

New Clash? Overlaying that image with the current Clash, it doesn't look too much longer.

3
Loche
Posts
24
Joined
2/16/2021
Location
CA
4/9/2026 9:37am
Loche wrote:
New Commencal coming April 14th per their website.These look like very, very long chainstays.Enhance anyone?!

New Commencal coming April 14th per their website.

These look like very, very long chainstays.

Enhance anyone?!

image 664.png?VersionId=fl
bkent136 wrote:

New Clash? Overlaying that image with the current Clash, it doesn't look too much longer.

The Clash V2 is already on their 2027 Lineup page:

https://www.commencal.com/ca/en/search?cgid=range2027

2
seanfisseli
Posts
559
Joined
4/16/2024
Location
Santa Cruz, CA US
4/9/2026 9:46am
Crap, I changed my mind. I’m thinking now about the majority of their business being b2b and thinking about what comes specced on bikes, and what...

Crap, I changed my mind. I’m thinking now about the majority of their business being b2b and thinking about what comes specced on bikes, and what new bike customers are looking for in a bike. That GX/XO1 mashup customer just doesn’t exist in bike shops, it’s all forum nerds. People tended to fall into “let me buy the cheapest bike” or “let me get the nicest bike.” The riders in the middle don’t really seem to sweat drivetrain, they were moreso just looking for better suspension/brakes I guess? Kind of just like the upgrade bike without having all of their weird idiosyncrasies like we do.

In those cases, the SRAM offering is kind of perfect. They lose some of us weirdos from the forums, but we were never really their customers anyways. We will figure out how to cobble together our perfect set up or become bitter old riders. I guess either way we’re gonna become bitter old riders lol

ballz wrote:
I highly doubt that any self-respecting bike brand would equip their bikes with S500 or S200 over Transmission. Even bike shops will have to explain to...

I highly doubt that any self-respecting bike brand would equip their bikes with S500 or S200 over Transmission. Even bike shops will have to explain to their customers why they can't just replace worn parts with the same new ones. IMO this is just a sales push towards Transmission, period, probably needed because the ole good Eagle works a bit too well.

what price point are you imagining here? do you know how many brands had SX and NX bikes? Do you know how many of those bikes were sold and still ridden to this day? 

2
Ambushell
Posts
29
Joined
3/30/2020
Location
Aurora, CO US
4/9/2026 9:49am
IMG 0628.png?VersionId=EPltxgHq56jSMbJpGMk39B85iJbuj
ebruner wrote:

What the?  How does the belt get into the rear triangle?  

I saw the original post and read the comments, user stated it was a split belt.

If you guys post insta screenshots make sure to include the username or hyperlink so people can take a look for themselves.

22
ahleic09
Posts
76
Joined
7/25/2018
Location
Bend, OR US
4/9/2026 9:49am

Spec. Epic 9 sometime in April

5
GRM50
Posts
27
Joined
4/30/2024
Location
Lebanon, NH US
4/9/2026 9:58am

Stumbled across these on instagram, someone had them plastered all over different parts of their DH bike.  I wonder how they compare to more mainstream TMDs or if it's just snake oil. $350 CHF is insane for some stickers regardless of the claimed benefits. 
Screenshot 2026-04-09 at 12.53.14%E2%80%AFPM

6
drakefan705
Posts
75
Joined
12/22/2022
Location
North Vancouver, BC CA
4/9/2026 10:07am
GRM50 wrote:
Stumbled across these on instagram, someone had them plastered all over different parts of their DH bike.  I wonder how they compare to more mainstream TMDs...

Stumbled across these on instagram, someone had them plastered all over different parts of their DH bike.  I wonder how they compare to more mainstream TMDs or if it's just snake oil. $350 CHF is insane for some stickers regardless of the claimed benefits. 
Screenshot 2026-04-09 at 12.53.14%E2%80%AFPM

lol this again

26
4/9/2026 10:08am
IMG 0628.png?VersionId=EPltxgHq56jSMbJpGMk39B85iJbuj

Not a Gates belt and the teeth on the crank cog look either misformed with every other tooth joing, poorly 3d printed or just straight up hallucinated. 

5
1
storm.racing
Posts
285
Joined
2/15/2022
Location
Silverton, CO US
4/9/2026 10:21am
IMG 0628.png?VersionId=EPltxgHq56jSMbJpGMk39B85iJbuj
ebruner wrote:

What the?  How does the belt get into the rear triangle?  

Sorry, I guess the other pics didn’t load for me! I’ll try again. 
It’s a split belt, custom made set up to get it to work

IMG 0627IMG 0626
10
storm.racing
Posts
285
Joined
2/15/2022
Location
Silverton, CO US
4/9/2026 10:22am
IMG 0628.png?VersionId=EPltxgHq56jSMbJpGMk39B85iJbuj
ebruner wrote:

What the?  How does the belt get into the rear triangle?  

Ambushell wrote:
I saw the original post and read the comments, user stated it was a split belt.If you guys post insta screenshots make sure to include the...

I saw the original post and read the comments, user stated it was a split belt.

If you guys post insta screenshots make sure to include the username or hyperlink so people can take a look for themselves.

I just put above. I usually try to do that for sure cuz I understand the value of digging haha

My internet was being whack and only 1 of my 3 screenshots uploaded on that first go.

Just got the other two to go up above 

7

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