2026 MTB Tech Rumors and Innovation - Longer and Slacker

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ebruner
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421
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3/29/2018
Location
Tustin, CA, USA
7/28/2026 9:17am

I like that WTB rim tape solution.  I have in the past used the zipp 3zero moto and zipp xplor rim strips to do this, mostly because they were sitting around.  I'm not a huge fan of those tbh as they are pretty rigid plastic and hard to get to sit flat and not impact the sealing of the rim tape.  

2
Jotegr
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Interior, BC, CA
7/28/2026 9:52am Edited Date/Time 7/28/2026 10:32am
Trocko wrote:

Jesse gives first impressions on the RMU night train and a few other components mentioned in the past few pages 

https://youtu.be/Hz7ZJv9h15o?is=CYMhI8FHTbgYXrEQ

Can you give us a text summary?


Edit: Never mind, he provided his own. 

3
rgard
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pemberton, BC, CA
7/28/2026 10:10am
Trocko wrote:

Jesse gives first impressions on the RMU night train and a few other components mentioned in the past few pages 

https://youtu.be/Hz7ZJv9h15o?is=CYMhI8FHTbgYXrEQ

Jotegr wrote:

Can you give us a text summary?


Edit: Never mind, he provided his own. 

He likes it. 

His speed on that rock section at the top of Dark Crystal in the pouring rain is mind blowing. I know pro rider and yada yada but I can't ride it that fast when it's bone dry. 

5
Grave
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Location
Marquette Heights, IL, USA
7/28/2026 11:15am

Satin sandstone as a frame only option.

stumpy 0
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jones007
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SEASIDE, CA, USA
7/28/2026 11:34am
Dave_Camp wrote:

Never.

 

Heavy, commodity parts are what I need.

jones007 wrote:
Then carry on.These have been rapidly gaining popularity in the XC world, with top places at the last Olympics. I think they now have a heavier...

Then carry on.

These have been rapidly gaining popularity in the XC world, with top places at the last Olympics. I think they now have a heavier duty version advertised for enduro. Has anyone seen them in EDR or DH events yet? 

 

Edit: Google says no.

Evil96 wrote:

Im pretty sure that’s what Jesse was racing at the Whistler enduro the other day 

Looks like BERD spokes on the FW but not the rear.

image 762image 767
3
7/28/2026 11:36am
I used to do this but stopped as that extra mm is critical for mounting tires on Flow EX3 and Reserve rims. The new Schwalbe Radials...

I used to do this but stopped as that extra mm is critical for mounting tires on Flow EX3 and Reserve rims. The new Schwalbe Radials are not easy to mount either and basically require a Cush Core Bead Bro. (The previous gen radials weren’t bad though) I just check my spokes periodically and if ones broken, try to bend it around another or unscrew it from the nipple if I have my pliers. If all else fails I carry a Tubolito tube which is so small and light it could fit in your pocket. I don’t see them talked about much in the core MTB circles but Tubolitos are fantastic and have saved me from flats on tubed rental bikes more than once.

Out of curiosity, has it been with the Trail or gravity radials? I have found that I have pretty good luck getting the trail pro casing radials mounted on most rims, but I also run Kapton tape on my rims, so it's quite thin. 

 

Also, agreed. Tubolito is great. Small and light. 

3
mjlee2003
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San Luis Obispo, CA, USA
Fantasy
7/28/2026 1:43pm

Anybody know about the validity of the claims of dual chain high pivots about better chain efficiency over one chain? Articles and such on the RMU and Phoenix and Demo 11 claim that it's more efficient or they say it's more efficient but they don't really say why or prove it. It seems fishy like theres still all the articulation on the first chain around the idler and then more articulation on the shaft between the first chain and second chain and then around the chainring? 

5
AndehM
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El Granada, CA, USA
Fantasy
7/28/2026 2:01pm
mjlee2003 wrote:
Anybody know about the validity of the claims of dual chain high pivots about better chain efficiency over one chain? Articles and such on the RMU...

Anybody know about the validity of the claims of dual chain high pivots about better chain efficiency over one chain? Articles and such on the RMU and Phoenix and Demo 11 claim that it's more efficient or they say it's more efficient but they don't really say why or prove it. It seems fishy like theres still all the articulation on the first chain around the idler and then more articulation on the shaft between the first chain and second chain and then around the chainring? 

I think the efficiency claims are vs. a high pivot/idler setup.

1
mjlee2003
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Fantasy
7/28/2026 2:13pm
mjlee2003 wrote:
Anybody know about the validity of the claims of dual chain high pivots about better chain efficiency over one chain? Articles and such on the RMU...

Anybody know about the validity of the claims of dual chain high pivots about better chain efficiency over one chain? Articles and such on the RMU and Phoenix and Demo 11 claim that it's more efficient or they say it's more efficient but they don't really say why or prove it. It seems fishy like theres still all the articulation on the first chain around the idler and then more articulation on the shaft between the first chain and second chain and then around the chainring? 

AndehM wrote:

I think the efficiency claims are vs. a high pivot/idler setup.

Sorry that's what I was referring to if it wasn't clear. 

2
matmattmatthew
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Location
Fresh Prince of Bel Air, MD, USA
7/28/2026 2:23pm

I know it's the highest spec model, but it's still a little refreshing to see a longer travel (enduro light?) complete bike that is around 30lbs.  Nowadays, it seems like downcounty bikes are hovering around 30lbs and longer travel bikes are 35+.  As someone who likes to do big days in the saddle, it's nice to see some new bikes attempt to keep the weight down. 

5
lickmycrinkle
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Beverly Hills, CA, USA
7/28/2026 2:52pm
Trocko wrote:
This bit is hilarious to me

This bit is hilarious to me

image 764

My goodness that is tragic marketing. At least commit to the bit and change the sag markings...

8
2
Jotegr
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Location
Interior, BC, CA
7/28/2026 3:07pm Edited Date/Time 7/28/2026 3:09pm

From 2009:

DRCV
18
7/28/2026 3:24pm
Jotegr wrote:
From 2009:

From 2009:

DRCV

not like a regular shock, its a cool shock

4
jones007
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Location
SEASIDE, CA, USA
7/28/2026 4:00pm
mjlee2003 wrote:
Anybody know about the validity of the claims of dual chain high pivots about better chain efficiency over one chain? Articles and such on the RMU...

Anybody know about the validity of the claims of dual chain high pivots about better chain efficiency over one chain? Articles and such on the RMU and Phoenix and Demo 11 claim that it's more efficient or they say it's more efficient but they don't really say why or prove it. It seems fishy like theres still all the articulation on the first chain around the idler and then more articulation on the shaft between the first chain and second chain and then around the chainring? 

AndehM wrote:

I think the efficiency claims are vs. a high pivot/idler setup.

mjlee2003 wrote:

Sorry that's what I was referring to if it wasn't clear. 

Probably partly due to less active clutch on the dual chain setups. The lower chain line grows and shrinks a lot during suspension travel on high-pivot, single-chain setups, but the lower chain line on dual chain systems shouldn't change much, if at all under sus travel.

3
boozed
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AU
7/28/2026 4:50pm
This bit is hilarious to me

This bit is hilarious to me

image 764

Why does this remind me of Pinocchio

3
2supple
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Location
Denver, CO, USA
7/28/2026 4:54pm
This bit is hilarious to me

This bit is hilarious to me

image 764

Before penis enlargement pump

After penis enlargement pump 

8
12
ex-ballz
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Ouagadougou, EH
7/28/2026 5:12pm Edited Date/Time 7/28/2026 5:14pm
This bit is hilarious to me

This bit is hilarious to me

image 764
2supple wrote:

Before penis enlargement pump

After penis enlargement pump 

I just saw your contribution to a discussion at the pink site. Are you 13 yo?

1
14
2supple
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7/28/2026 5:17pm
ex-ballz wrote:

I just saw your contribution to a discussion at the pink site. Are you 13 yo?

Relax bud 

6
4
Jotegr
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Location
Interior, BC, CA
7/28/2026 5:45pm Edited Date/Time 7/28/2026 5:45pm
This bit is hilarious to me

This bit is hilarious to me

image 764
2supple wrote:

Before penis enlargement pump

After penis enlargement pump 

ex-ballz wrote:

I just saw your contribution to a discussion at the pink site. Are you 13 yo?

Oh look here's ballz criticising a penis joke

 

Sorry guys I couldn't help it.

58
TEAMROBOT
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Location
Los Angeles, CA, USA
Fantasy
7/28/2026 5:59pm
mjlee2003 wrote:
Anybody know about the validity of the claims of dual chain high pivots about better chain efficiency over one chain? Articles and such on the RMU...

Anybody know about the validity of the claims of dual chain high pivots about better chain efficiency over one chain? Articles and such on the RMU and Phoenix and Demo 11 claim that it's more efficient or they say it's more efficient but they don't really say why or prove it. It seems fishy like theres still all the articulation on the first chain around the idler and then more articulation on the shaft between the first chain and second chain and then around the chainring? 

One reason would be that the cog on the RMU or Pivot is much larger than the average idler. I think the Pivot is a 24 tooth? The average idler cog is more like a 16 tooth. That makes a suprisingly large difference on pedaling efficiency.

And yes, as jones007 mentioned, it will also feel much better as the suspension cycles because the rear derailleur cage doesn't have to accommodate as much chain growth.

1
2supple
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Location
Denver, CO, USA
7/28/2026 6:00pm Edited Date/Time 7/28/2026 6:02pm

Getting lectured about maturity by a guy named Ballz is a new one 

19
Kusa
Posts
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CH
7/28/2026 6:57pm Edited Date/Time 7/28/2026 6:59pm

Propain teasing a new/updated DH bike

IMG 1877 0
5
ahleic09
Posts
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7/25/2018
Location
Bend, OR, USA
7/28/2026 8:02pm
mjlee2003 wrote:
Anybody know about the validity of the claims of dual chain high pivots about better chain efficiency over one chain? Articles and such on the RMU...

Anybody know about the validity of the claims of dual chain high pivots about better chain efficiency over one chain? Articles and such on the RMU and Phoenix and Demo 11 claim that it's more efficient or they say it's more efficient but they don't really say why or prove it. It seems fishy like theres still all the articulation on the first chain around the idler and then more articulation on the shaft between the first chain and second chain and then around the chainring? 

TEAMROBOT wrote:
One reason would be that the cog on the RMU or Pivot is much larger than the average idler. I think the Pivot is a 24...

One reason would be that the cog on the RMU or Pivot is much larger than the average idler. I think the Pivot is a 24 tooth? The average idler cog is more like a 16 tooth. That makes a suprisingly large difference on pedaling efficiency.

And yes, as jones007 mentioned, it will also feel much better as the suspension cycles because the rear derailleur cage doesn't have to accommodate as much chain growth.

Yeah keen to try one. More efficient? Maybe. More like a normal drivetrain? Definitely. 

I’ve been in a high pivot for several years and have been annoyed with shifting precision and noisy clutches. This seems like a nice way to remove these issues, and more chain wrap all around is another nice bonus 

3
Primoz
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8/1/2009
Location
SI
7/28/2026 9:15pm
mjlee2003 wrote:
Anybody know about the validity of the claims of dual chain high pivots about better chain efficiency over one chain? Articles and such on the RMU...

Anybody know about the validity of the claims of dual chain high pivots about better chain efficiency over one chain? Articles and such on the RMU and Phoenix and Demo 11 claim that it's more efficient or they say it's more efficient but they don't really say why or prove it. It seems fishy like theres still all the articulation on the first chain around the idler and then more articulation on the shaft between the first chain and second chain and then around the chainring? 

It's legit in principle. It's not articulation perse, it's the angle of rotation of the link that determines the losses. The bigger the chainring, the smaller the rotation. 

Dual chains uses larger rings compared to the idler of a high pivot bike. 

Actual values of losses of one system vs another would have to be calculated and/or measured. 

2

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