What all of those solutions miss out on is that a gearbox has consistent chain-line across all the gears. That allows you to rip technical decent...
What all of those solutions miss out on is that a gearbox has consistent chain-line across all the gears. That allows you to rip technical decent with heavy braking while in 1st gear without having to deal with heinous chaingrowth/pedal kick.
Not to derail with ebike talk but I have used the Avinox auto shift feature which in practice functions pretty similar to the intend/wrp stuff and it’s still really nice to have
But the name of thos thread is 2026 MTB Tech Rumors and Derailment
No Session full builds showing on the Trek website makes me think the new model is ready to go. I wonder if they're holding out for...
No Session full builds showing on the Trek website makes me think the new model is ready to go. I wonder if they're holding out for a big world cup result from TFR before they pull the trigger?
Same with the top fuel. No full builds available but it is a much fresher frame, last update was 2024. Maybe too soon for next gen.
The Tallboy was often proclaimed the "the downhiller's XC bike." The last Blur was very race-focused, whereas this one seems to have gone a little but towards "trail" –– the opposite direction, but same destination, as the latest Tallboy, ironically. People seem to be a bit upset about the weight gain, but the weight remains towards the top of the class if I'm not mistaken. I'm more skeptical of the slackening of the HA, but maybe the "pros" of that outweigh the "cons" for the target audience, and it's now close to the Epic –– it's most direct and common competitor.
I'm interested to see if these are still sought after by serious, training and tech-obsessed masters class racers now that Keegan changed teams. His success in the LTGP (and elsewhere) over the last few years definitely helped moved some units to a demographic I wouldn't otherwise associate with the Santa Cruz vibe.
No Session full builds showing on the Trek website makes me think the new model is ready to go. I wonder if they're holding out for...
No Session full builds showing on the Trek website makes me think the new model is ready to go. I wonder if they're holding out for a big world cup result from TFR before they pull the trigger?
Same with the top fuel. No full builds available but it is a much fresher frame, last update was 2024. Maybe too soon for next gen.
I heard Trek is hurting financially and are having some issues with debt/credit. Not sure how true it is but sounds like they need to keep moving old product before they get some new in.
Exactly, the argument of "der-in-a-box didn't get traction because The Industry™ won't allow us to have nice things" has been buried side by side with these...
Exactly, the argument of "der-in-a-box didn't get traction because The Industry™ won't allow us to have nice things" has been buried side by side with these patents for a long time.
Weight is still the main deterrent for massive gearbox adoption IMHO.
Exactly, the argument of "der-in-a-box didn't get traction because The Industry™ won't allow us to have nice things" has been buried side by side with these...
Exactly, the argument of "der-in-a-box didn't get traction because The Industry™ won't allow us to have nice things" has been buried side by side with these patents for a long time.
Weight is still the main deterrent for massive gearbox adoption IMHO.
Going back and forth between my ebike and enduro bike, I have really come to appreciate parts that add weight down low by the BB. It helps noticeably for finding grip in loose, blown out trails. OChain, bashguard, alu cranks, large platform pedals, non-SL spring on the coil... all "good" weight besides their other performance benefits.
No Session full builds showing on the Trek website makes me think the new model is ready to go. I wonder if they're holding out for...
No Session full builds showing on the Trek website makes me think the new model is ready to go. I wonder if they're holding out for a big world cup result from TFR before they pull the trigger?
I heard Trek is hurting financially and are having some issues with debt/credit. Not sure how true it is but sounds like they need to keep...
I heard Trek is hurting financially and are having some issues with debt/credit. Not sure how true it is but sounds like they need to keep moving old product before they get some new in.
I've been waiting on Session frame for warranty replacement since December 2025. Word is that the Session frames were embroiled in this whole forced labour dispute and are therefore stuck sitting in a shipping container in port somewhere.
First, Trek said they'd deliver the replacement session in February Then that was delayed to May. Then that was delayed to November. Then that was delayed until "Sometime in 2027"....
Needless to say, this was pretty ridiculous, so they ended up giving me a Marlin+ e-bike instead of the Session frame. And I'm now in the market for a new DH frame.
No Session full builds showing on the Trek website makes me think the new model is ready to go. I wonder if they're holding out for...
No Session full builds showing on the Trek website makes me think the new model is ready to go. I wonder if they're holding out for a big world cup result from TFR before they pull the trigger?
Is the average rider these days actually adding weights to their bike for better descending?
Kinda. See: the rise of alloy enduro bikes. The 40lb enduro bikes aren’t that heavy because of unsprung weight. Now we are further evolving to consciously get that weight exactly where it’s most beneficial.
Kinda. See: the rise of alloy enduro bikes. The 40lb enduro bikes aren’t that heavy because of unsprung weight. Now we are further evolving to consciously...
Kinda. See: the rise of alloy enduro bikes. The 40lb enduro bikes aren’t that heavy because of unsprung weight. Now we are further evolving to consciously get that weight exactly where it’s most beneficial.
Idk, with the new maxxis dhx it's easier than ever to build up a 40 pound enduro bike, with huge unsprung mass....
Kinda. See: the rise of alloy enduro bikes. The 40lb enduro bikes aren’t that heavy because of unsprung weight. Now we are further evolving to consciously...
Kinda. See: the rise of alloy enduro bikes. The 40lb enduro bikes aren’t that heavy because of unsprung weight. Now we are further evolving to consciously get that weight exactly where it’s most beneficial.
No Session full builds showing on the Trek website makes me think the new model is ready to go. I wonder if they're holding out for...
No Session full builds showing on the Trek website makes me think the new model is ready to go. I wonder if they're holding out for a big world cup result from TFR before they pull the trigger?
I heard Trek is hurting financially and are having some issues with debt/credit. Not sure how true it is but sounds like they need to keep...
I heard Trek is hurting financially and are having some issues with debt/credit. Not sure how true it is but sounds like they need to keep moving old product before they get some new in.
Snip (worth reading the whole thing) "Trek has access to capital and is very large, but if I were to pick one company that doesn’t survive this era, its Trek. At a point, the market can no longer support this many big companies that are offering things people just aren’t buying."
I think the same review (tanihwa review maybe?) that mentioned the shifting with a servo motor under full power on the assembly line also mentioned that...
I think the same review (tanihwa review maybe?) that mentioned the shifting with a servo motor under full power on the assembly line also mentioned that you could preload a shift and it would click in when you let off the pedals. That doesn't work with electronic shifting though, just like regular shifting, with a cable you have a lot more feel.
As gor spacing out or delaying shifts, again it's like letting up on the pedals, it's just good practice. Running a Garbaruk cassette this becomes more important as it's not as tolerant to multi shifts to easier gears as stock Sram Eagle cassettes are, but still, letting the chain wrap around a ring at least a little before shifting again makes sense and lowers the stress on the chain. I think a big reason we have the ability to shift 3 or 4 gears on trigger shifters is marketing and we'd be better off having only single click ebikeesque trigger shifters.
That's a wild take. Are you saying in 2026 we shouldn't expect to be able to shift multiple gears at a time? If that is not a baseline you are giving the industry far too much of a break.
I heard Trek is hurting financially and are having some issues with debt/credit. Not sure how true it is but sounds like they need to keep...
I heard Trek is hurting financially and are having some issues with debt/credit. Not sure how true it is but sounds like they need to keep moving old product before they get some new in.
@jeff.brines has a great round-up here: https://jeffbrines.substack.com/p/q2-outdoor-industry-roundup Snip (worth reading the whole thing)"Trek has access to capital and is very large, but if I were to...
Snip (worth reading the whole thing) "Trek has access to capital and is very large, but if I were to pick one company that doesn’t survive this era, its Trek. At a point, the market can no longer support this many big companies that are offering things people just aren’t buying."
One other issue for Trek... Giant makes a good number of bikes for Trek... And there are now reports that the Giant situation may not be cleared up for months..
Thinking that shifting across multiple gears is a marketing thing because it doesn't work in practice is just admitting you have no idea how to use a mechanical drivetrain lol.
I heard Trek is hurting financially and are having some issues with debt/credit. Not sure how true it is but sounds like they need to keep...
I heard Trek is hurting financially and are having some issues with debt/credit. Not sure how true it is but sounds like they need to keep moving old product before they get some new in.
@jeff.brines has a great round-up here: https://jeffbrines.substack.com/p/q2-outdoor-industry-roundup Snip (worth reading the whole thing)"Trek has access to capital and is very large, but if I were to...
Snip (worth reading the whole thing) "Trek has access to capital and is very large, but if I were to pick one company that doesn’t survive this era, its Trek. At a point, the market can no longer support this many big companies that are offering things people just aren’t buying."
One other issue for Trek... Giant makes a good number of bikes for Trek... And there are now reports that the Giant situation may not be...
One other issue for Trek... Giant makes a good number of bikes for Trek... And there are now reports that the Giant situation may not be cleared up for months..
Can confirm, Top Fuel is now being made of unobtanium.
Can confirm, Top Fuel is now being made of unobtanium.
So are Ripley SLs, they've basically canceled all the XL sizes of the frame and the blue colorway, not sure exactly what is going on, but I've heard that something is going on with the carbon supplier and some government snatching up the carbon allocated for Ripley frames for themselves. Weird stuff.
So are Ripley SLs, they've basically canceled all the XL sizes of the frame and the blue colorway, not sure exactly what is going on, but...
So are Ripley SLs, they've basically canceled all the XL sizes of the frame and the blue colorway, not sure exactly what is going on, but I've heard that something is going on with the carbon supplier and some government snatching up the carbon allocated for Ripley frames for themselves. Weird stuff.
I saw a LinkedIn post from someone regarding their carbon orders getting canceled too..
So are Ripley SLs, they've basically canceled all the XL sizes of the frame and the blue colorway, not sure exactly what is going on, but...
So are Ripley SLs, they've basically canceled all the XL sizes of the frame and the blue colorway, not sure exactly what is going on, but I've heard that something is going on with the carbon supplier and some government snatching up the carbon allocated for Ripley frames for themselves. Weird stuff.
Is it bad that I’m hesitant to pick up the new Fuel LX because “it’s just a Trek” even though it checks so many boxes and has been well received basically across the board? Or does speak to what Jeff is speculating?
I think the same review (tanihwa review maybe?) that mentioned the shifting with a servo motor under full power on the assembly line also mentioned that...
I think the same review (tanihwa review maybe?) that mentioned the shifting with a servo motor under full power on the assembly line also mentioned that you could preload a shift and it would click in when you let off the pedals. That doesn't work with electronic shifting though, just like regular shifting, with a cable you have a lot more feel.
As gor spacing out or delaying shifts, again it's like letting up on the pedals, it's just good practice. Running a Garbaruk cassette this becomes more important as it's not as tolerant to multi shifts to easier gears as stock Sram Eagle cassettes are, but still, letting the chain wrap around a ring at least a little before shifting again makes sense and lowers the stress on the chain. I think a big reason we have the ability to shift 3 or 4 gears on trigger shifters is marketing and we'd be better off having only single click ebikeesque trigger shifters.
That's a wild take. Are you saying in 2026 we shouldn't expect to be able to shift multiple gears at a time? If that is not...
That's a wild take. Are you saying in 2026 we shouldn't expect to be able to shift multiple gears at a time? If that is not a baseline you are giving the industry far too much of a break.
Clearly you should expect it. But look at it from the other side. Why does a single click eagle shifter exist? Why did Sram program in a delay in the shifting on Transmission AXS derailleurs? Surely shifting more and faster is the better option, so why go against it?
Don't get me wrong, I pull multiple gears very often. But never when there's any sort of load going through the drivetrain. When under power it's a single shift only. As I said, running a Garbaruk cassette exacerbates this, but still it applies to all modern wide range cassettes. More so in the bigger rings than in the smaller ones as the cross-chaining is a lot less severe in the smaller rings, so shifting speed isn't such a problem there plus with the front to rear ratios the shift happens "faster" there than it does in the 40T ring range of the cassette. Also you can shift "under full power" - going from the 37Tto the 44T you can still pull more or less one pedal stroke until the crossed over chain gets to the top of the cassette and you need to ease off. At the same time you can pull the shift to 52T and all will be fine. Having a single click shifter is plenty for that and also prevents the (ab)user from pulling two gears from the beginning and churning everything.
Having multiple shifts is not a problem if you know when and how to use them. Shifting while pedalling at full power with strategic lifts in power also works perfectly fine if you know when and how to do it. If you know how derailleur drivetrains work and work around the limitations. QED, we never had multiple shifts when we had 3 front chainrings even though we already had multiple rear shifts (when the cassettes were also smaller and this wasn't as much of an issue).
Or maybe I have no idea how everything works as @AndehM says and mashing gears with snapping and churning noises and riders yelling at slipped chains is just a sacrifice at the altar of shifting performance to ensure smooth shifts for the rest of us...
Thoughts on the new Blur? Still the downhiller's XC bike?
Blur – Santa Cruz Bicycles
But the name of thos thread is 2026 MTB Tech Rumors and Derailment
Same with the top fuel. No full builds available but it is a much fresher frame, last update was 2024. Maybe too soon for next gen.
The Tallboy was often proclaimed the "the downhiller's XC bike." The last Blur was very race-focused, whereas this one seems to have gone a little but towards "trail" –– the opposite direction, but same destination, as the latest Tallboy, ironically. People seem to be a bit upset about the weight gain, but the weight remains towards the top of the class if I'm not mistaken. I'm more skeptical of the slackening of the HA, but maybe the "pros" of that outweigh the "cons" for the target audience, and it's now close to the Epic –– it's most direct and common competitor.
I'm interested to see if these are still sought after by serious, training and tech-obsessed masters class racers now that Keegan changed teams. His success in the LTGP (and elsewhere) over the last few years definitely helped moved some units to a demographic I wouldn't otherwise associate with the Santa Cruz vibe.
I heard Trek is hurting financially and are having some issues with debt/credit. Not sure how true it is but sounds like they need to keep moving old product before they get some new in.
Looks pretty solid but I already have Rocky Mountain Element with Float X/grip X at home.
"You sure about that"
Also https://www.instagram.com/reel/DT3vCMXErU3/
Going back and forth between my ebike and enduro bike, I have really come to appreciate parts that add weight down low by the BB. It helps noticeably for finding grip in loose, blown out trails. OChain, bashguard, alu cranks, large platform pedals, non-SL spring on the coil... all "good" weight besides their other performance benefits.
Is the average rider these days actually adding weights to their bike for better descending?
I've been waiting on Session frame for warranty replacement since December 2025. Word is that the Session frames were embroiled in this whole forced labour dispute and are therefore stuck sitting in a shipping container in port somewhere.
First, Trek said they'd deliver the replacement session in February Then that was delayed to May. Then that was delayed to November. Then that was delayed until "Sometime in 2027"....
Needless to say, this was pretty ridiculous, so they ended up giving me a Marlin+ e-bike instead of the Session frame. And I'm now in the market for a new DH frame.
Yep, 2027 Top Fuel is the same frame; but 140mm front 130mm rear (+10mm over 2026)
So they're coming "long travel" stock I guess, eh? Trek's going to be pushing that superfly I take it.
Kinda. See: the rise of alloy enduro bikes. The 40lb enduro bikes aren’t that heavy because of unsprung weight. Now we are further evolving to consciously get that weight exactly where it’s most beneficial.
Idk, with the new maxxis dhx it's easier than ever to build up a 40 pound enduro bike, with huge unsprung mass....
Sarcasm
hey @sprungmass can you verify this?
@jeff.brines has a great round-up here: https://jeffbrines.substack.com/p/q2-outdoor-industry-roundup
Snip (worth reading the whole thing)
"Trek has access to capital and is very large, but if I were to pick one company that doesn’t survive this era, its Trek. At a point, the market can no longer support this many big companies that are offering things people just aren’t buying."
Whyte bikes dh prototype?
A yoke 🤮
That's a wild take. Are you saying in 2026 we shouldn't expect to be able to shift multiple gears at a time? If that is not a baseline you are giving the industry far too much of a break.
One other issue for Trek... Giant makes a good number of bikes for Trek... And there are now reports that the Giant situation may not be cleared up for months..
Thinking that shifting across multiple gears is a marketing thing because it doesn't work in practice is just admitting you have no idea how to use a mechanical drivetrain lol.
Can confirm, Top Fuel is now being made of unobtanium.
So are Ripley SLs, they've basically canceled all the XL sizes of the frame and the blue colorway, not sure exactly what is going on, but I've heard that something is going on with the carbon supplier and some government snatching up the carbon allocated for Ripley frames for themselves. Weird stuff.
I saw a LinkedIn post from someone regarding their carbon orders getting canceled too..
Pretty sure that was Dustin from WA1/I9, referencing Toray pulling a lot of material from the sporting goods industry in favor of other industries.
Is it bad that I’m hesitant to pick up the new Fuel LX because “it’s just a Trek” even though it checks so many boxes and has been well received basically across the board? Or does speak to what Jeff is speculating?
Clearly you should expect it. But look at it from the other side. Why does a single click eagle shifter exist? Why did Sram program in a delay in the shifting on Transmission AXS derailleurs? Surely shifting more and faster is the better option, so why go against it?
Don't get me wrong, I pull multiple gears very often. But never when there's any sort of load going through the drivetrain. When under power it's a single shift only. As I said, running a Garbaruk cassette exacerbates this, but still it applies to all modern wide range cassettes. More so in the bigger rings than in the smaller ones as the cross-chaining is a lot less severe in the smaller rings, so shifting speed isn't such a problem there plus with the front to rear ratios the shift happens "faster" there than it does in the 40T ring range of the cassette. Also you can shift "under full power" - going from the 37Tto the 44T you can still pull more or less one pedal stroke until the crossed over chain gets to the top of the cassette and you need to ease off. At the same time you can pull the shift to 52T and all will be fine. Having a single click shifter is plenty for that and also prevents the (ab)user from pulling two gears from the beginning and churning everything.
Having multiple shifts is not a problem if you know when and how to use them. Shifting while pedalling at full power with strategic lifts in power also works perfectly fine if you know when and how to do it. If you know how derailleur drivetrains work and work around the limitations. QED, we never had multiple shifts when we had 3 front chainrings even though we already had multiple rear shifts (when the cassettes were also smaller and this wasn't as much of an issue).
Or maybe I have no idea how everything works as @AndehM says and mashing gears with snapping and churning noises and riders yelling at slipped chains is just a sacrifice at the altar of shifting performance to ensure smooth shifts for the rest of us...
That does look like a lock of Shucksmith hair under that helmet
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