2026 MTB Tech Rumors and Innovation - Longer and Slacker

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5/29/2026 7:59am
krabo83 wrote:

sb 160/140 dropped in september 2022, so my guess will be around the same time frame this year.

That was what I would have guessed, too. The sb130/sb150 also came out around that time 3 years earlier. 

5/29/2026 8:16am
2supple wrote:
It’s a Pivot 🤣Someone needs to teach that guy how to lie to bike nerds better… at least call it a Specialized or any brand that’s...

It’s a Pivot 🤣

Someone needs to teach that guy how to lie to bike nerds better… at least call it a Specialized or any brand that’s not married to DW link… rookie

Poleczechy wrote:

"So, you're telling me that Pivot came all the way to Golden Colorado, a mere 1.5miles from Yeti's HQ to telemetry test one of their bikes?"

When everyone knows new bikes are to be tested in Transition's parking lot

41
5/29/2026 8:40am

just get a different length bolt and you can go up and down without having to worry about steerer tube length. 

Not exactly. Adjustment range would mostly depend on the length of the bearing seats. Since bearing spacing is mostly fixed to your headtube, you can only raise the top crown as much as there is space on the upper bearing post thingy to put a spacer on top of the bearing, to be able to raise the crown but keep bearing in same position. Or maybe im overthinking it. 

3
5/29/2026 10:01am
Goupil wrote:

When everyone knows new bikes are to be tested in Transition's parking lot

Do you think there was a potential ooops moment by a former Transition employee who lives in that area that also wrote the review? Or, maybe the PB guy who's also up that way? Either one most likely had that bike in the time frame that pic showed up...

3
5/29/2026 11:02am
Goupil wrote:

When everyone knows new bikes are to be tested in Transition's parking lot

Do you think there was a potential ooops moment by a former Transition employee who lives in that area that also wrote the review? Or, maybe...

Do you think there was a potential ooops moment by a former Transition employee who lives in that area that also wrote the review? Or, maybe the PB guy who's also up that way? Either one most likely had that bike in the time frame that pic showed up...

  1. Transition has the dank taco truck thing going on 
  2. Everyone in Bellingham works for transition or evil or Kona 
  3. Santa Cruz marketing was absolutely tempting transition to post that photo on purpose 
  4. Becasue the embargo was like a week away and the bike was ready to ship
  5. We got them all looking for ways to sneak the obvious and make it look sneaky or obvious 
  6. Nobody got fired and many Tallboys have been sold 
  7. Smugglers still heavier and spur geo Is conservative compared to tb 
  8. Tacos. It’s all about tacos. 
24
5/29/2026 11:07am
Goupil wrote:

When everyone knows new bikes are to be tested in Transition's parking lot

Do you think there was a potential ooops moment by a former Transition employee who lives in that area that also wrote the review? Or, maybe...

Do you think there was a potential ooops moment by a former Transition employee who lives in that area that also wrote the review? Or, maybe the PB guy who's also up that way? Either one most likely had that bike in the time frame that pic showed up...

It’s a moto concept and ubiquitous there; rise is In the stem / bars setup, and the clamps are only used to determine the upper tube (not stanchion) clamping dimension - thus stiffness and or length of upper tubes is a clamp function. 

Fred_Pop
Posts
235
Joined
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Location
FR
5/29/2026 11:28am
dwhere wrote:

Did anyone read the new Dorado doesn't have a steerer tube, just a threaded rod to compress the bearings? Pretty interesting concept. 

Do you mean Reece Wilson's custom Dorado with NSB crowns? Those won't be production.

5/29/2026 11:28am
sspomer wrote:
nukeproof DH bike from pit bits that will be fully live soon

nukeproof DH bike from pit bits that will be fully live soon

20260527 UCI EDRDH WC  Loudenvielle SR39391

5 bar! Juuuuust the riiiiiiight amount of baaaaaaaahhhs

Primoz wrote:

Linkage driven 4bar. For a 5bar you also need a flex pivot for it to actually move in space. 

It was a joke. 

1
5/29/2026 11:29am
Transition has the dank taco truck thing going on Everyone in Bellingham works for transition or evil or Kona Santa Cruz marketing was absolutely tempting transition to post...
  1. Transition has the dank taco truck thing going on 
  2. Everyone in Bellingham works for transition or evil or Kona 
  3. Santa Cruz marketing was absolutely tempting transition to post that photo on purpose 
  4. Becasue the embargo was like a week away and the bike was ready to ship
  5. We got them all looking for ways to sneak the obvious and make it look sneaky or obvious 
  6. Nobody got fired and many Tallboys have been sold 
  7. Smugglers still heavier and spur geo Is conservative compared to tb 
  8. Tacos. It’s all about tacos. 

I think the tacos explain everything.. Also, isn't there a bike reviewer who wheelies everything also up that way? Was the bike in the parking lot a medium or an XL?

4
5/29/2026 1:22pm
sspomer wrote:

at 5:52, this shows some of the specialized R&D/engineering department (before that it's just team stuff)

STOKED to see Alpinestar working with them on MTB algo for the airbags! Been stoked on that concept for as long as it's been publicly seen...

STOKED to see Alpinestar working with them on MTB algo for the airbags! Been stoked on that concept for as long as it's been publicly seen for years and been ready for its release to moto. Intend on buying one this spring going into DH season. Means we should hopefully see an MTB algo we can update it at some point. I still think the Moto algo will work great for DH application and be a great product for protection at a higher level

Sounds like it came into play for Loïc today. 

7
Eae903
Posts
409
Joined
10/20/2023
Location
Laramie, WY US
Fantasy
5/29/2026 3:13pm

Here's something neat, came on a DH Rallon. UDH direct mount Shimano saint derailleur. Not sure if orbea is the one making this or Shimano but interesting to see. 1000026625

15
5/29/2026 3:16pm
Transition has the dank taco truck thing going on Everyone in Bellingham works for transition or evil or Kona Santa Cruz marketing was absolutely tempting transition to post...
  1. Transition has the dank taco truck thing going on 
  2. Everyone in Bellingham works for transition or evil or Kona 
  3. Santa Cruz marketing was absolutely tempting transition to post that photo on purpose 
  4. Becasue the embargo was like a week away and the bike was ready to ship
  5. We got them all looking for ways to sneak the obvious and make it look sneaky or obvious 
  6. Nobody got fired and many Tallboys have been sold 
  7. Smugglers still heavier and spur geo Is conservative compared to tb 
  8. Tacos. It’s all about tacos. 

Outpost Eats - throwing out a crazy rumour like "taco truck," so I had to investigate cause I've never had a taco there, and I love tacos. After some elite internet detective work, I am sad to say it's just quesadillas and bowls. The lemongrass pork bowl absolutely slaps, and the beer selection goes hard. Some Orbea folks who call Bellingham home are also fans of the Transition HQ. 

7
5/29/2026 3:46pm
Transition has the dank taco truck thing going on Everyone in Bellingham works for transition or evil or Kona Santa Cruz marketing was absolutely tempting transition to post...
  1. Transition has the dank taco truck thing going on 
  2. Everyone in Bellingham works for transition or evil or Kona 
  3. Santa Cruz marketing was absolutely tempting transition to post that photo on purpose 
  4. Becasue the embargo was like a week away and the bike was ready to ship
  5. We got them all looking for ways to sneak the obvious and make it look sneaky or obvious 
  6. Nobody got fired and many Tallboys have been sold 
  7. Smugglers still heavier and spur geo Is conservative compared to tb 
  8. Tacos. It’s all about tacos. 
Outpost Eats - throwing out a crazy rumour like "taco truck," so I had to investigate cause I've never had a taco there, and I love...

Outpost Eats - throwing out a crazy rumour like "taco truck," so I had to investigate cause I've never had a taco there, and I love tacos. After some elite internet detective work, I am sad to say it's just quesadillas and bowls. The lemongrass pork bowl absolutely slaps, and the beer selection goes hard. Some Orbea folks who call Bellingham home are also fans of the Transition HQ. 

Taco enjoyers visiting Bham have to check out Mi Rancho, tacos are a dollar for some flavors and very cheap otherwise. Netos across the street if you like burritos. (please don't ban me for a taco based derailment)

7
5/29/2026 6:29pm
Transition has the dank taco truck thing going on Everyone in Bellingham works for transition or evil or Kona Santa Cruz marketing was absolutely tempting transition to post...
  1. Transition has the dank taco truck thing going on 
  2. Everyone in Bellingham works for transition or evil or Kona 
  3. Santa Cruz marketing was absolutely tempting transition to post that photo on purpose 
  4. Becasue the embargo was like a week away and the bike was ready to ship
  5. We got them all looking for ways to sneak the obvious and make it look sneaky or obvious 
  6. Nobody got fired and many Tallboys have been sold 
  7. Smugglers still heavier and spur geo Is conservative compared to tb 
  8. Tacos. It’s all about tacos. 
Outpost Eats - throwing out a crazy rumour like "taco truck," so I had to investigate cause I've never had a taco there, and I love...

Outpost Eats - throwing out a crazy rumour like "taco truck," so I had to investigate cause I've never had a taco there, and I love tacos. After some elite internet detective work, I am sad to say it's just quesadillas and bowls. The lemongrass pork bowl absolutely slaps, and the beer selection goes hard. Some Orbea folks who call Bellingham home are also fans of the Transition HQ. 

Taco enjoyers visiting Bham have to check out Mi Rancho, tacos are a dollar for some flavors and very cheap otherwise. Netos across the street if...

Taco enjoyers visiting Bham have to check out Mi Rancho, tacos are a dollar for some flavors and very cheap otherwise. Netos across the street if you like burritos. (please don't ban me for a taco based derailment)

La gloria

5/29/2026 7:48pm
Transition has the dank taco truck thing going on Everyone in Bellingham works for transition or evil or Kona Santa Cruz marketing was absolutely tempting transition to post...
  1. Transition has the dank taco truck thing going on 
  2. Everyone in Bellingham works for transition or evil or Kona 
  3. Santa Cruz marketing was absolutely tempting transition to post that photo on purpose 
  4. Becasue the embargo was like a week away and the bike was ready to ship
  5. We got them all looking for ways to sneak the obvious and make it look sneaky or obvious 
  6. Nobody got fired and many Tallboys have been sold 
  7. Smugglers still heavier and spur geo Is conservative compared to tb 
  8. Tacos. It’s all about tacos. 
Outpost Eats - throwing out a crazy rumour like "taco truck," so I had to investigate cause I've never had a taco there, and I love...

Outpost Eats - throwing out a crazy rumour like "taco truck," so I had to investigate cause I've never had a taco there, and I love tacos. After some elite internet detective work, I am sad to say it's just quesadillas and bowls. The lemongrass pork bowl absolutely slaps, and the beer selection goes hard. Some Orbea folks who call Bellingham home are also fans of the Transition HQ. 

Taco enjoyers visiting Bham have to check out Mi Rancho, tacos are a dollar for some flavors and very cheap otherwise. Netos across the street if...

Taco enjoyers visiting Bham have to check out Mi Rancho, tacos are a dollar for some flavors and very cheap otherwise. Netos across the street if you like burritos. (please don't ban me for a taco based derailment)

Just get us a photo of the newest yeti 5 bar analog bike at the taco stand and it’s not a derailment 

I think I’d settle for a Horst Kona at a burrito bar 

Or a carbon evil revolt 29 at a cake shop 

10
5/30/2026 12:16am
Eae903 wrote:
Here's something neat, came on a DH Rallon. UDH direct mount Shimano saint derailleur. Not sure if orbea is the one making this or Shimano but...

Here's something neat, came on a DH Rallon. UDH direct mount Shimano saint derailleur. Not sure if orbea is the one making this or Shimano but interesting to see. 1000026625

9
5/30/2026 9:01am
Goupil wrote:

When everyone knows new bikes are to be tested in Transition's parking lot

Do you think there was a potential ooops moment by a former Transition employee who lives in that area that also wrote the review? Or, maybe...

Do you think there was a potential ooops moment by a former Transition employee who lives in that area that also wrote the review? Or, maybe the PB guy who's also up that way? Either one most likely had that bike in the time frame that pic showed up...

No they all talk and it was planned. Plus most people who work for a bike company who lives Bellingham thinks their shit doesn’t stink.  It was just a clickbait title to get more people Hyped. 

11
5/30/2026 9:48am
Goupil wrote:

When everyone knows new bikes are to be tested in Transition's parking lot

Do you think there was a potential ooops moment by a former Transition employee who lives in that area that also wrote the review? Or, maybe...

Do you think there was a potential ooops moment by a former Transition employee who lives in that area that also wrote the review? Or, maybe the PB guy who's also up that way? Either one most likely had that bike in the time frame that pic showed up...

Transition has the dank taco truck thing going on Everyone in Bellingham works for transition or evil or Kona Santa Cruz marketing was absolutely tempting transition to post...
  1. Transition has the dank taco truck thing going on 
  2. Everyone in Bellingham works for transition or evil or Kona 
  3. Santa Cruz marketing was absolutely tempting transition to post that photo on purpose 
  4. Becasue the embargo was like a week away and the bike was ready to ship
  5. We got them all looking for ways to sneak the obvious and make it look sneaky or obvious 
  6. Nobody got fired and many Tallboys have been sold 
  7. Smugglers still heavier and spur geo Is conservative compared to tb 
  8. Tacos. It’s all about tacos. 

didn't the SC brand manager literally say thanks to transition in a instagram story post-release?

5/30/2026 9:48am
No they all talk and it was planned. Plus most people who work for a bike company who lives Bellingham thinks their shit doesn’t stink.  It...

No they all talk and it was planned. Plus most people who work for a bike company who lives Bellingham thinks their shit doesn’t stink.  It was just a clickbait title to get more people Hyped. 

So, Transition dropped a spy shot of the new Santa Cruz to hype up the release of a competitors new bike? Unless Pon is buying Transition, that doesn't make much sense...

3
5/30/2026 10:44am
No they all talk and it was planned. Plus most people who work for a bike company who lives Bellingham thinks their shit doesn’t stink.  It...

No they all talk and it was planned. Plus most people who work for a bike company who lives Bellingham thinks their shit doesn’t stink.  It was just a clickbait title to get more people Hyped. 

So, Transition dropped a spy shot of the new Santa Cruz to hype up the release of a competitors new bike? Unless Pon is buying Transition...

So, Transition dropped a spy shot of the new Santa Cruz to hype up the release of a competitors new bike? Unless Pon is buying Transition, that doesn't make much sense...

Some brands thrive on camaradery instead of rivalry.

10
5/30/2026 11:48am
No they all talk and it was planned. Plus most people who work for a bike company who lives Bellingham thinks their shit doesn’t stink.  It...

No they all talk and it was planned. Plus most people who work for a bike company who lives Bellingham thinks their shit doesn’t stink.  It was just a clickbait title to get more people Hyped. 

So, Transition dropped a spy shot of the new Santa Cruz to hype up the release of a competitors new bike? Unless Pon is buying Transition...

So, Transition dropped a spy shot of the new Santa Cruz to hype up the release of a competitors new bike? Unless Pon is buying Transition, that doesn't make much sense...

Some brands thrive on camaradery instead of rivalry.

So, will we see a new Smuggler show up in the SC parking lot at some point? 

2
1
monarchmason
Posts
305
Joined
5/24/2022
Location
Nevada City, CA US
5/30/2026 12:32pm
So, Transition dropped a spy shot of the new Santa Cruz to hype up the release of a competitors new bike? Unless Pon is buying Transition...

So, Transition dropped a spy shot of the new Santa Cruz to hype up the release of a competitors new bike? Unless Pon is buying Transition, that doesn't make much sense...

Some brands thrive on camaradery instead of rivalry.

So, will we see a new Smuggler show up in the SC parking lot at some point? 

In VPP no less.

16
SilentG
Posts
42
Joined
8/5/2019
Location
Prescott, AZ US
5/30/2026 1:43pm

Some brands thrive on camaradery instead of rivalry.

So, will we see a new Smuggler show up in the SC parking lot at some point? 

In VPP no less.

As long as there are tacos around is all good. You can't go wrong with tacos, even bad tacos are better than no tacos. Bikes are just bonus items for tacos.

7
1
26aintdead
Posts
23
Joined
10/19/2022
Location
Rossland, BC CA
5/30/2026 3:43pm
676e4e59ba01a52d37ae4dba157c90fa 0
hayes

Looks like top loading brake pads, nice

4
5/30/2026 4:13pm Edited Date/Time 5/30/2026 4:18pm
thresh wrote:
Anyone got a better picture of a Gamux proto with those new Dominions? What's interesting is that there are two hoses getting out, and I don't really...

Anyone got a better picture of a Gamux proto with those new Dominions?

 

telegram-cloud-photo-size-2-5244930117199403957-y.jpg?VersionId=ojdi88fq89.08sn7fvSEX9NHqfzT

What's interesting is that there are two hoses getting out, and I don't really see a shifter or something else mounted on another photo:

https://ep1.pinkbike.org/p5pb29781434/p5pb29781434.jpg

ufka_pen15 wrote:

Intersting!

Are there 2 seperate brake lines coming out of the lever?

dolface wrote:

Charging cable for the Pinion shift gizmo iirc...

“What is the wire on Reece’s brake line?” is the new “What are the whistles for?”

Also, are there really 2 adapters and 6 caliper bolts holding that brake on?!? Reminds me of the hilarious brake mount on the Commencal race bikes circa 2018 (I think). Comical that the bike with custom fork crowns has that many Legos under the rear brake.

5
storm.racing
Posts
334
Joined
2/15/2022
Location
Silverton, CO US
5/30/2026 5:28pm
sspomer wrote:

at 5:52, this shows some of the specialized R&D/engineering department (before that it's just team stuff)

STOKED to see Alpinestar working with them on MTB algo for the airbags! Been stoked on that concept for as long as it's been publicly seen...

STOKED to see Alpinestar working with them on MTB algo for the airbags! Been stoked on that concept for as long as it's been publicly seen for years and been ready for its release to moto. Intend on buying one this spring going into DH season. Means we should hopefully see an MTB algo we can update it at some point. I still think the Moto algo will work great for DH application and be a great product for protection at a higher level

BGoldstone wrote:

Sounds like it came into play for Loïc today. 

Glad to see it worn and more importantly, doing its job and helping with safety! He mentioned today that it most likely saved him big time.

1
Evil96
Posts
798
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8/21/2014
Location
Portogruaro, VE IT
5/30/2026 7:41pm

there is also a 2.3mm Gakfer Shark on the Pinkbike pictures

1
motomike
Posts
94
Joined
10/12/2009
Location
Linville, NC US
5/31/2026 3:52am
Goupil wrote:

When everyone knows new bikes are to be tested in Transition's parking lot

Do you think there was a potential ooops moment by a former Transition employee who lives in that area that also wrote the review? Or, maybe...

Do you think there was a potential ooops moment by a former Transition employee who lives in that area that also wrote the review? Or, maybe the PB guy who's also up that way? Either one most likely had that bike in the time frame that pic showed up...

My neighbor, a Santa Cruz rep for the southeast, told me the SC marketing guy lives in Bellingham.  

4
1

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