2026 MTB Tech Rumors and Innovation - Longer and Slacker

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thegromit
Posts
225
Joined
11/19/2015
Location
Durango, CO US
4/16/2026 1:25pm
comatosegi wrote:

No clue, you have someone in mind?

Not really. Just thought it would be kind of neat.

Thank you

2
Loche
Posts
26
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2/16/2021
Location
CA
4/16/2026 1:34pm

Intense teasing their Tazer.
Don’t really care about the eMTB, but happy to see that they are moving their bikes towards the Scoresque Spider design.


image 672

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1
4/16/2026 1:41pm
TEAMROBOT wrote:
Hey all, I can finally take off my very sneaky blue tape camouflage to reveal that yes, I’m reviewing the new Nomad.Because I’ve spent so many years...

Hey all, I can finally take off my very sneaky blue tape camouflage to reveal that yes, I’m reviewing the new Nomad.

IMG 2522IMG 2524 copy.jpeg?VersionId=BN8zoztxtGSxKLn8Qk2g3bSo

Because I’ve spent so many years on the old Megatower, I’m framing this as a Megatower vs. Nomad comparison. Especially interesting for me because of the rumors that the Megatower is going away and the new Nomad does not take 29” rear wheels. I only have a couple rides in on the new bike, but so far the geometry feels really good and the bike feels solid and stout. Weirdly I haven’t been able to figure out the new Zeb yet (it feels like it's not linear enough for me right now), but I’m gonna talk to SRAM/Rockshox at Sea Otter and try some other things.

Here are my quick first impressions, in no particular order:

  • It's really blue. I do not advise pairing it with a schoolbus yellow Ohlins, red Rockshox, orange or pistachio Fox, or a nuclear neon green DVO fork.
  • Geometry feels invisible, in a good way. It feels like a bike, without any outliers.
  • The 140mm head tube on my XL size is awesome. Wish more companies did this.
  • It’s way too early to say anything meaningful about the suspension feel, but so far so good.
  • It’s kind of weird that the Nomad comes with a Super Deluxe instead of a Vivid, just from a product alignment standpoint. 170mm travel seems like a pretty clear “Vivid” application using SRAM’s product framework. Worth mentioning, I don’t think it will really matter, because I think the Super Deluxe is a great shock, but it's kind of a weird/noteworthy pick nonetheless.
  • I’m particularly curious to test climbing on the mullet Nomad vs. full 29” Megatower. I typically ride one bike for everything, which is why I’ve loved the Megatower. In my experience, it avoided a lot of compromises as a “do everything” bike.
  • The new Maven B1 brakes feel great
  • I’m stoked to see mechanical cable routing
  • Not stoked to see “ISCG05 Minus 1” and the proprietary chainguide. It should really be called “ISCG05 Plus 1,” because the OneUp top guide mounts to what looks like a proprietary two-bolt interface.

Let me know if you have any questions about the new bike in the meantime!

One of the reviews that came out yesterday (I can't remember which) talked to the product manager and asked about the Vivid and his answer was...

One of the reviews that came out yesterday (I can't remember which) talked to the product manager and asked about the Vivid and his answer was basically they wanted to differentiate the lower spec builds from the higher spec builds which have a coil and the Vivid would blur those lines too much.

One of the other things I'm pretty sure influences that choice is the fact that the large-negative volume air shocks don't play well with highly progressive enduro bikes - they are either too soft or too progressive. They suit DH bikes or trail bikes with less progression, but don't seem to be ideal in very progressive frames. They also require super high pressures, especially the Vivid and I have a feeling a lot of people would be maxing out the pressure rating in a Vivid, which is something I observed in a few bikes lately. I notice there is no float X2 specced on the Nomad either.....

5
Evwan
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116
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11/18/2025
Location
Sunnyvale, CA US
4/16/2026 1:47pm
iceman2058 wrote:

Kind of - the e-enduro is really the Kenevo, but perhaps spesh is dropping that line?

It's a shame because the Kenevo SL is a great bike. If it had hot swap batteries and full power, it would be a top tier option IMO. 

I'd like to see them do dual crown ebikes again, but specialized doesn't seem interested. 

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4/16/2026 3:30pm
ahleic09 wrote:
1llumA wrote:
If I like this does it mean I might be a closet singlespeeder ?

https://bikepacking.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/salsa-fargo-32-steel-2.jpg

If I like this does it mean I might be a closet singlespeeder ?

Nope. That bike is sick. It's the first one I've seen where I've though "I'm on-board with this 32" thing."

Will it fit me? No way. My 30" inseam strikes again.

...but I'd be down to get that sort of thing if it were a 29" setup!

1
4/16/2026 4:21pm Edited Date/Time 4/16/2026 4:24pm

Did some estimations of yoke length based on difference in BB height between the regular and evo Levos since I don't have the evo yoke in hand. The yoke length is almost certainly off by a mm or two, but that doesn't change leverage curve much.

Screenshot 2026-04-16 161904
17
kcw72
Posts
30
Joined
8/24/2022
Location
AU
4/16/2026 5:14pm
johann377 wrote:
Never been more curious about how a bike feels to ride. That geo is insanely interesting, S4 is the only size where the chainstay isn't longer...

Never been more curious about how a bike feels to ride. That geo is insanely interesting, S4 is the only size where the chainstay isn't longer than the reach.

Up to a few years ago most size small bikes had longer cs than reach. 

2
B Rabbit
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1/13/2024
Location
Sydney, NSW AU
4/16/2026 7:03pm
IMG 0595 0
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1
63expert
Posts
196
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9/10/2022
Location
Beaver, WV US
4/16/2026 7:10pm
B Rabbit wrote:
IMG 0595 0

Production bike 100% SRAM, or does it have Brembos?

1
boozed
Posts
656
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Location
AU
4/16/2026 7:21pm
63expert wrote:

Production bike 100% SRAM, or does it have Brembos?

Looks like a Maven caliper and an HS2 rotor on the rear

6
seanfisseli
Posts
564
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Location
Santa Cruz, CA US
4/16/2026 7:26pm
ahleic09 wrote:
1llumA wrote:
If I like this does it mean I might be a closet singlespeeder ?

https://bikepacking.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/salsa-fargo-32-steel-2.jpg

If I like this does it mean I might be a closet singlespeeder ?

I think we’ve all been curious about how it feels to ride something so big. Totally normal thoughts/feelings Smile

4
ahleic09
Posts
76
Joined
7/25/2018
Location
Bend, OR US
4/16/2026 8:33pm Edited Date/Time 4/16/2026 8:35pm
ahleic09 wrote:
1llumA wrote:
If I like this does it mean I might be a closet singlespeeder ?

https://bikepacking.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/salsa-fargo-32-steel-2.jpg

If I like this does it mean I might be a closet singlespeeder ?

Nope. That bike is sick. It's the first one I've seen where I've though "I'm on-board with this 32" thing."Will it fit me? No way. My...

Nope. That bike is sick. It's the first one I've seen where I've though "I'm on-board with this 32" thing."

Will it fit me? No way. My 30" inseam strikes again.

...but I'd be down to get that sort of thing if it were a 29" setup!

This has me wondering what a 32" bike with 29" wheels would be like. Thinking it could be Long (CS) / Low (b b) / Tall (Stack)😽

Also 32" means 29+ ain't dead

5
Glory831Guy
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Location
Santa Cruz, CA US
4/16/2026 10:16pm Edited Date/Time 4/16/2026 10:23pm
B Rabbit wrote:
IMG 0595 0

S Works with RockShox?! I wonder how Ohlin's feels about this, lol. Welp, I guess this means there's a $12,000 build of the Demo for us peasants 😂

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1
Primoz
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4542
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Location
SI
4/16/2026 11:02pm
B Rabbit wrote:
IMG 0595 0
63expert wrote:

Production bike 100% SRAM, or does it have Brembos?

There's a Maven in the back. 

1
4/17/2026 3:18am
B Rabbit wrote:
IMG 0595 0
S Works with RockShox?! I wonder how Ohlin's feels about this, lol. Welp, I guess this means there's a $12,000 build of the Demo for us...

S Works with RockShox?! I wonder how Ohlin's feels about this, lol. Welp, I guess this means there's a $12,000 build of the Demo for us peasants 😂

Feels like to be pushed in the 2nd Row…but I would hope to see a Team edition with Öhlins. 

1
4/17/2026 5:01am
iceman2058 wrote:
tombola33 wrote:

New enduro?

iceman2058 wrote:

Rumor has it they're adding it to GTA6 😂

Hahah! My local Spesh dealer said they aren’t doing a new enduro as there is no market for it anymore. Yet Henry from Quarter HP said in the stumpy video that it’s a well known secret its being in development for some time. Can’t help but feel Charlie Murray wants something longer travel for the chunky EWS tracks 

8
peecee
Posts
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Joined
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Location
Brisbane AU
4/17/2026 5:11am
B Rabbit wrote:
IMG 0595 0

Years and years of prototypes and testing, probably one of the most anticipated DH bikes in years and by the looks of it Specialized lost hundreds of sales with a terrible paint job! 

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27
4/17/2026 5:59am
B Rabbit wrote:
IMG 0595 0
peecee wrote:
Years and years of prototypes and testing, probably one of the most anticipated DH bikes in years and by the looks of it Specialized lost hundreds...

Years and years of prototypes and testing, probably one of the most anticipated DH bikes in years and by the looks of it Specialized lost hundreds of sales with a terrible paint job! 

I dig it.  If you want the bike in any color grab a rattle can, tape, and sandpaper from your local hardware store.  Paint job should be the last reason to not want a bike.

7
9
FullSend
Posts
186
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Location
DE
4/17/2026 6:02am Edited Date/Time 4/18/2026 4:37am
tombola33 wrote:

New enduro?

iceman2058 wrote:

Rumor has it they're adding it to GTA6 😂

tombola33 wrote:
Hahah! My local Spesh dealer said they aren’t doing a new enduro as there is no market for it anymore. Yet Henry from Quarter HP said...

Hahah! My local Spesh dealer said they aren’t doing a new enduro as there is no market for it anymore. Yet Henry from Quarter HP said in the stumpy video that it’s a well known secret its being in development for some time. Can’t help but feel Charlie Murray wants something longer travel for the chunky EWS tracks 

The next-gen Specialized Enduro definitley does exist - at least theoretically. I've seen a very refined and finished-looking prototype at Denk Engineering's facility (aka Specialized Innovation Center). 

Wheter or not it will ever be released is probably a different question, though. I tend to agree that there's probably not much of a market left for "enduro"-bikes these days, the enduro hype seems to be well and truly over.

5
6
Eae903
Posts
359
Joined
10/20/2023
Location
Laramie, WY US
4/17/2026 6:16am
iceman2058 wrote:

Rumor has it they're adding it to GTA6 😂

tombola33 wrote:
Hahah! My local Spesh dealer said they aren’t doing a new enduro as there is no market for it anymore. Yet Henry from Quarter HP said...

Hahah! My local Spesh dealer said they aren’t doing a new enduro as there is no market for it anymore. Yet Henry from Quarter HP said in the stumpy video that it’s a well known secret its being in development for some time. Can’t help but feel Charlie Murray wants something longer travel for the chunky EWS tracks 

FullSend wrote:
The next-gen Specialized Enduro definitley does exist - at least theoretically. I've seen a very refined and finished-looking prototype at Denk Engineering's facility (aka Specialized Innovation...

The next-gen Specialized Enduro definitley does exist - at least theoretically. I've seen a very refined and finished-looking prototype at Denk Engineering's facility (aka Specialized Innovation Center). 

Wheter or not it will ever be released is probably a different question, though. I tend to agree that there's probably not much of a market left for "enduro"-bikes these days, the enduro hype seems to be well and truly over.

"Enduro" is dead, time to dust off "All Mountain". 

29
4/17/2026 6:27am
B Rabbit wrote:
IMG 0595 0
S Works with RockShox?! I wonder how Ohlin's feels about this, lol. Welp, I guess this means there's a $12,000 build of the Demo for us...

S Works with RockShox?! I wonder how Ohlin's feels about this, lol. Welp, I guess this means there's a $12,000 build of the Demo for us peasants 😂

The S-Works is a full Sram build. The drivetrain was developed with Sram so it makes sense, plus the S-brands have had a long history of being tight. The Team Replica is, well, a team replica: Ohlins, Brembo, DT Swiss, etc...  There's a dark grey paint job that has the same marble(?) like texture that looks pretty slick with a red Boxxer and coil. 

3
FullSendy
Posts
14
Joined
4/3/2026
Location
High St, IL US
4/17/2026 7:18am

No Brembo, though. 

1
4/17/2026 8:32am
tombola33 wrote:
Hahah! My local Spesh dealer said they aren’t doing a new enduro as there is no market for it anymore. Yet Henry from Quarter HP said...

Hahah! My local Spesh dealer said they aren’t doing a new enduro as there is no market for it anymore. Yet Henry from Quarter HP said in the stumpy video that it’s a well known secret its being in development for some time. Can’t help but feel Charlie Murray wants something longer travel for the chunky EWS tracks 

FullSend wrote:
The next-gen Specialized Enduro definitley does exist - at least theoretically. I've seen a very refined and finished-looking prototype at Denk Engineering's facility (aka Specialized Innovation...

The next-gen Specialized Enduro definitley does exist - at least theoretically. I've seen a very refined and finished-looking prototype at Denk Engineering's facility (aka Specialized Innovation Center). 

Wheter or not it will ever be released is probably a different question, though. I tend to agree that there's probably not much of a market left for "enduro"-bikes these days, the enduro hype seems to be well and truly over.

Eae903 wrote:

"Enduro" is dead, time to dust off "All Mountain". 

“Aggressive All Mountain”

10
63expert
Posts
196
Joined
9/10/2022
Location
Beaver, WV US
4/17/2026 8:40am Edited Date/Time 4/17/2026 8:41am
FullSend wrote:
The next-gen Specialized Enduro definitley does exist - at least theoretically. I've seen a very refined and finished-looking prototype at Denk Engineering's facility (aka Specialized Innovation...

The next-gen Specialized Enduro definitley does exist - at least theoretically. I've seen a very refined and finished-looking prototype at Denk Engineering's facility (aka Specialized Innovation Center). 

Wheter or not it will ever be released is probably a different question, though. I tend to agree that there's probably not much of a market left for "enduro"-bikes these days, the enduro hype seems to be well and truly over.

Eae903 wrote:

"Enduro" is dead, time to dust off "All Mountain". 

“Aggressive All Mountain”

Mountenduro

6
2
4/17/2026 9:58am
FullSend wrote:
The next-gen Specialized Enduro definitley does exist - at least theoretically. I've seen a very refined and finished-looking prototype at Denk Engineering's facility (aka Specialized Innovation...

The next-gen Specialized Enduro definitley does exist - at least theoretically. I've seen a very refined and finished-looking prototype at Denk Engineering's facility (aka Specialized Innovation Center). 

Wheter or not it will ever be released is probably a different question, though. I tend to agree that there's probably not much of a market left for "enduro"-bikes these days, the enduro hype seems to be well and truly over.

I reckon we’ll see it under mr Murray for at least a year before release. Much like the DH bike

5

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