2026 MTB Tech Rumors and Innovation - Longer and Slacker

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Primoz
Posts
4673
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8/1/2009
Location
SI
7/28/2026 8:36am

This is what I have off aliexpress. Does it seal by just pushing it in? Or does it consume tons of sealant to get sealed? 

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FullSendy
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47
Joined
4/3/2026
Location
High St, IL, USA
7/28/2026 9:09am
Primoz wrote:

This is what I have off aliexpress. Does it seal by just pushing it in? Or does it consume tons of sealant to get sealed? 

Per their site, 'Not for use with tubeless application.'

They are meant to be used in lieu of rim tape for when you run tubes. But the previous post was saying you can install them first, then put your tubeless tape on the rim like you normally would. Ideally it would do the work to prevent any spoke popping through the rim tape.

I don't think I have ever had it poke through the tape, but we saw at least 3 at the last dh race we were at. And gorilla tape will not stop it on its own. The mechanic will also hate you unless you bring in enough gorilla tape to replace it, since it isn't coming clean enough for regular tubeless tape. 

 

2
ebruner
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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
Posts
54
Joined
5/2/2024
Location
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
6
jones007
Posts
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Location
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? 

4
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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San Luis Obispo, CA, USA
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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401
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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...

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

From 2009:

DRCV
17
7/28/2026 3:24pm
Jotegr wrote:
From 2009:

From 2009:

DRCV

not like a regular shock, its a cool shock

4
jones007
Posts
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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
Posts
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1/23/2022
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 

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12
ballz
Posts
546
Joined
7/30/2024
Location
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
13
2supple
Posts
145
Joined
1/23/2022
Location
Denver, CO, USA
7/28/2026 5:17pm
ballz wrote:

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

Relax bud 

5
3
Jotegr
Posts
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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 

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.

56
TEAMROBOT
Posts
1570
Joined
9/2/2009
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
Posts
145
Joined
1/23/2022
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 

18
Kusa
Posts
294
Joined
6/25/2010
Location
CH
7/28/2026 6:57pm Edited Date/Time 7/28/2026 6:59pm

Propain teasing a new/updated DH bike

IMG 1877 0
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