2026 MTB Tech Rumors and Innovation - Longer and Slacker

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4/20/2026 9:10am

Thoughts on neko winning with his mega mullet

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hairyyy
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4/20/2026 9:21am

Thoughts on neko winning with his mega mullet

That it's not for the tech section. 

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overbiked
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4/20/2026 9:21am
yahmon wrote:
IMG 4003

Looks to say Torrent on the top tube, makes sense as the bike was last updated in 23, but going from a hardtail to a freeride bike is pretty weird imo

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4/20/2026 9:41am
Johnboy wrote:
The use of analog to describe mountain bikes is ironic AF

The use of analog to describe mountain bikes is ironic AF

1000045073.png?VersionId=VW4HN2A6C

Of all the dumb ebike comments in this thread, this one really got to me. 

"Ebike motors are controlled by analog PWM signals. So they are actually analog by the literal definition of analog." 

For the 18 people who up-thumbed this, care to explain what the fuck an "analog PWM signal" is? 

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Eae903
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4/20/2026 10:16am Edited Date/Time 4/20/2026 10:19am
Johnboy wrote:
The use of analog to describe mountain bikes is ironic AF

The use of analog to describe mountain bikes is ironic AF

1000045073.png?VersionId=VW4HN2A6C
Of all the dumb ebike comments in this thread, this one really got to me. "Ebike motors are controlled by analog PWM signals. So they are actually...

Of all the dumb ebike comments in this thread, this one really got to me. 

"Ebike motors are controlled by analog PWM signals. So they are actually analog by the literal definition of analog." 

For the 18 people who up-thumbed this, care to explain what the fuck an "analog PWM signal" is? 

I think the confusion comes from the idea that anolog is the opposite of electronic. The extra stupid thing is that PWM (assuming pulse width modulation) is digitally controlling and analog output. So yeah, the motor is an analog output, but it's still an electric motor controlled by a digital signal sent by a computer, and not the same thing as a non-motorized bike. 

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4/20/2026 10:33am
Eae903 wrote:
I think the confusion comes from the idea that anolog is the opposite of electronic. The extra stupid thing is that PWM (assuming pulse width modulation)...

I think the confusion comes from the idea that anolog is the opposite of electronic. The extra stupid thing is that PWM (assuming pulse width modulation) is digitally controlling and analog output. So yeah, the motor is an analog output, but it's still an electric motor controlled by a digital signal sent by a computer, and not the same thing as a non-motorized bike. 

Calling bikes without a motor "analog" is dumb. Calling PWM "analog" is just incorrect. PWM is a digital signal. 

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bikelurker
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4/20/2026 10:47am

Every one of us is dumb to someone else at least once a year

Can we just keep rumoring and innovationing now? Please. Thanks 🙂

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Gravitycat
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4/20/2026 10:51am

What's the scoop on the new Saint?
Rallon DH has it listed...

Screenshot 2026-04-20 at 10.50.45%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=h4FeUI
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bnsleit
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4/20/2026 11:10am
Gravitycat wrote:
What's the scoop on the new Saint?Rallon DH has it listed...

What's the scoop on the new Saint?
Rallon DH has it listed...

Screenshot 2026-04-20 at 10.50.45%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=h4FeUI

SO happy to see that derailleur cable

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jorvay
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4/20/2026 11:35am
Gravitycat wrote:
What's the scoop on the new Saint?Rallon DH has it listed...

What's the scoop on the new Saint?
Rallon DH has it listed...

Screenshot 2026-04-20 at 10.50.45%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=h4FeUI

Weird to see a new Saint build but XTR brakes.

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4/20/2026 11:44am
Gravitycat wrote:
What's the scoop on the new Saint?Rallon DH has it listed...

What's the scoop on the new Saint?
Rallon DH has it listed...

Screenshot 2026-04-20 at 10.50.45%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=h4FeUI
jorvay wrote:

Weird to see a new Saint build but XTR brakes.

Probably the DH XTR that Jackson Goldstone has had for the past year. Not sure why Shimano felt the need to make 2 different types of DH capable brakes. 

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Jotegr
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4/20/2026 12:30pm
yahmon wrote:
IMG 4003
overbiked wrote:
Looks to say Torrent on the top tube, makes sense as the bike was last updated in 23, but going from a hardtail to a freeride...

Looks to say Torrent on the top tube, makes sense as the bike was last updated in 23, but going from a hardtail to a freeride bike is pretty weird imo

Especially when they have SO MANY legendary freeride/dh bike names available dripping in heritage. Come on Norco. 

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4/20/2026 1:12pm

Something new from sram DH tmw. Evolution of the OChain?IMG 1084

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chriskief
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4/20/2026 1:24pm
Something new from sram DH tmw. Evolution of the OChain?

Something new from sram DH tmw. Evolution of the OChain?IMG 1084

Likely the Demo drivetrain

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4/20/2026 1:54pm
Something new from sram DH tmw. Evolution of the OChain?

Something new from sram DH tmw. Evolution of the OChain?IMG 1084

chriskief wrote:

Likely the Demo drivetrain

Demo is supposed to drop tomorrow so that would mesh.

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4/20/2026 2:20pm
Something new from sram DH tmw. Evolution of the OChain?

Something new from sram DH tmw. Evolution of the OChain?IMG 1084

chriskief wrote:

Likely the Demo drivetrain

Yep. As soon as i posted this i looked at it again and was like oh that’s the demo. 

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CNutt
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4/20/2026 2:45pm
Something new from sram DH tmw. Evolution of the OChain?

Something new from sram DH tmw. Evolution of the OChain?IMG 1084

chriskief wrote:

Likely the Demo drivetrain

Demo is supposed to drop tomorrow so that would mesh.

 

IMG 3048

Frame only starting at $6,500?

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Ambushell
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4/20/2026 2:53pm
chriskief wrote:

Likely the Demo drivetrain

Demo is supposed to drop tomorrow so that would mesh.

CNutt wrote:
 Frame only starting at $6,500?

 

IMG 3048

Frame only starting at $6,500?

doubtful they will do a frame only since it needs a special snowflake Sram drivetrain to work. that's probably a low-spec Comp or Elite build

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B Rabbit
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4/20/2026 3:34pm

Doesn’t it just use a standard derailleur? 
The only thing odd you need with with bike is two chains joined into one. 

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4/20/2026 3:44pm
Something new from sram DH tmw. Evolution of the OChain?

Something new from sram DH tmw. Evolution of the OChain?IMG 1084

Looks like a cassette based kickback device?

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FullSendy
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4/20/2026 4:09pm

Demo is supposed to drop tomorrow so that would mesh.

CNutt wrote:
 Frame only starting at $6,500?

 

IMG 3048

Frame only starting at $6,500?

Ambushell wrote:

doubtful they will do a frame only since it needs a special snowflake Sram drivetrain to work. that's probably a low-spec Comp or Elite build

I think you underestimate how bougie specialized is, especially with this bike. 

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dolface
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4/20/2026 4:41pm
Something new from sram DH tmw. Evolution of the OChain?

Something new from sram DH tmw. Evolution of the OChain?IMG 1084

Looks like a cassette based kickback device?

Am I wrong in thinking this would be a big deal? If you can get the benefits w/ just a cassette (or maybe an aftermarket hub driver) there's very little reason not to give it a shot (I know I would but I wouldn't buy an OChain or dedicated hub).

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chriskief
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4/20/2026 4:52pm
Something new from sram DH tmw. Evolution of the OChain?

Something new from sram DH tmw. Evolution of the OChain?IMG 1084

Looks like a cassette based kickback device?

dolface wrote:
Am I wrong in thinking this would be a big deal? If you can get the benefits w/ just a cassette (or maybe an aftermarket hub...

Am I wrong in thinking this would be a big deal? If you can get the benefits w/ just a cassette (or maybe an aftermarket hub driver) there's very little reason not to give it a shot (I know I would but I wouldn't buy an OChain or dedicated hub).

I'll be very impressed if they've built in some type of pedal kickback mechanism into the Demo drivetrain.

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63expert
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4/20/2026 5:48pm Edited Date/Time 4/20/2026 5:54pm

God I wish my Sight was raw. Also its interesting that he is using a performance fox shock instead of a Marz something.

63expert wrote:

Might be a RAD shock. Those usually don’t have Kashima. 
Also, Marzocchi stickers on the fork, but that is not a production Zoke casting. 

jonkranked wrote:
Marz has been using prior gen 40 lowers since the acquisition (among other parts). Newest 40 has an updated casting, so the marz fork will likely...

Marz has been using prior gen 40 lowers since the acquisition (among other parts). Newest 40 has an updated casting, so the marz fork will likely be getting the last gen 40 lowers.

My buddy bought a Zoke 58 last year and it had the old “M” casting and no pressure relief ports. 

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sspomer
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4/20/2026 6:02pm

@TEAMROBOT hot takes from sea otter

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FullSendy
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4/20/2026 6:21pm Edited Date/Time 4/20/2026 6:22pm

Looks like a cassette based kickback device?

dolface wrote:
Am I wrong in thinking this would be a big deal? If you can get the benefits w/ just a cassette (or maybe an aftermarket hub...

Am I wrong in thinking this would be a big deal? If you can get the benefits w/ just a cassette (or maybe an aftermarket hub driver) there's very little reason not to give it a shot (I know I would but I wouldn't buy an OChain or dedicated hub).

chriskief wrote:

I'll be very impressed if they've built in some type of pedal kickback mechanism into the Demo drivetrain.

Wouldn't the 'gearbox,' or second chain, to drive the chainring do that, just like Pivot's DH bike? 

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Evwan
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Sunnyvale, CA US
4/20/2026 6:38pm
dolface wrote:
Am I wrong in thinking this would be a big deal? If you can get the benefits w/ just a cassette (or maybe an aftermarket hub...

Am I wrong in thinking this would be a big deal? If you can get the benefits w/ just a cassette (or maybe an aftermarket hub driver) there's very little reason not to give it a shot (I know I would but I wouldn't buy an OChain or dedicated hub).

chriskief wrote:

I'll be very impressed if they've built in some type of pedal kickback mechanism into the Demo drivetrain.

FullSendy wrote:

Wouldn't the 'gearbox,' or second chain, to drive the chainring do that, just like Pivot's DH bike? 

The things you're describing can mitigate chain growth that results in pedal kickback, but they are not "pedal kickback devices" in that they do not provide a consistent deadband before the drivetrain is engaged (like an ochain or sidekick hub would). 

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Kusa
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4/20/2026 8:06pm Edited Date/Time 4/20/2026 8:08pm
image 679.png?VersionId=5KqeMOKtM

image 682

 

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