2026 MTB Tech Rumors and Innovation - Longer and Slacker

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Etney
Posts
122
Joined
12/23/2024
Location
Frankfurt, DE
8/6/2026 8:06am
Etney wrote:
So anyone has an explanation for this? Flight attendant module on a fox fork. Dont think the Sid 35mm cartridge fits a 34 fox fork. So...

So anyone has an explanation for this? Flight attendant module on a fox fork. Dont think the Sid 35mm cartridge fits a 34 fox fork. So has someone modified a 32mm sid sl cartridge to fit a fox 34?

Or is rockshox/sram doing something we dont know about yet? Apparently there was a flight attendant "event" yesterday at different dealers. I've heard that they are bringing out different levels of that suspension, so its not only on the ultimate stuff - Could they have made a flight attendant unit that fits other forks/brands as well..?

Obviously it can be just an ai/photoshop edit. But its posted by a bikeshop called "movefree" in portugal
7a983c1d71ddc55d0cd4d0087cc551bf 17
8da10ff206e9799c9502d28c5277de18 2

FullSend wrote:
Some employees of Intend BC have also been riding Intend forks fitted with modified Flight Attendant damper modules. It's probably not too difficult to make Flight...

Some employees of Intend BC have also been riding Intend forks fitted with modified Flight Attendant damper modules. It's probably not too difficult to make Flight Attendant work with non-Rockshox forks.

Yes, that has been known for a while

Intend specifically makes a fork, and has done for probably 5 years, that accepts a sid damper/cartridge. (I believe I even posted about it here 1+ year ago) And mounting the flight attendant module requires only some filing to remove like 1mm of material from the FA control unit.

Mounting it to a fox fork however, is not something i've seen before, and not sure how it works. 

And if you've looked at a flight attendant module, its also not very easy to understand how someone would fit it to a fox damper. So chances are, either rockshox has made a new one that works with aftermarket suspension - Or this guy has fitted a sid damper into the fox. 

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ahleic09
Posts
93
Joined
7/25/2018
Location
Bend, OR, USA
8/6/2026 8:18am

While we are on this topic, what are everyone's favorite  Boa laced flat shoe? I'm on Giro Trackers, and they are meh

Fox union boa 

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5
2supple
Posts
155
Joined
1/23/2022
Location
Denver, CO, USA
8/6/2026 8:28am

While we are on this topic, what are everyone's favorite  Boa laced flat shoe? I'm on Giro Trackers, and they are meh

I've had zero complaints with Five Ten Freerider Pro Boa

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jones007
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12/9/2025
Location
SEASIDE, CA, USA
8/6/2026 8:53am
sluette wrote:
Dangerholm already put it in an Intend USD Fork, should be possible ... 

Dangerholm already put it in an Intend USD Fork, should be possible ...

 

Screenshot 2026-08-06 131647 0.jpg?VersionId=.IK p7Th9m .9jVBsTDJ48k

On the same frame as well.

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Whattheheel
Posts
204
Joined
6/11/2014
Location
Spearfish, SD, USA
8/6/2026 9:55am
sluette wrote:
Dangerholm already put it in an Intend USD Fork, should be possible ... 

Dangerholm already put it in an Intend USD Fork, should be possible ...

 

Screenshot 2026-08-06 131647 0.jpg?VersionId=.IK p7Th9m .9jVBsTDJ48k

Yeah but his downhill bikes are heavy sooo….😂

1
TEAMROBOT
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1581
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9/2/2009
Location
Los Angeles, CA, USA
Fantasy
8/6/2026 11:15am

Quite the contrast to sram sponsored enduro riders running flight attendant with it turned off just to please sponsors…

Where did you see that? Could you share a link, because I'm curious if this is confirmed or just a rumor.

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Fred_Pop
Posts
250
Joined
11/26/2017
Location
FR
8/6/2026 12:56pm
Nobble wrote:
I’d like to see someone design a full blown skidplate. It could clamp to the BB cups and be positioned by the ISCG tabs. Trials bikes...

I’d like to see someone design a full blown skidplate. It could clamp to the BB cups and be positioned by the ISCG tabs. Trials bikes had similar things decades ago.


You could mount a ton of weight down there and you'd get the advantage of a full width skidplate.

I'm having one done on my next custom steel frame. One sided bash guard just makes no sense.

3
Fred_Pop
Posts
250
Joined
11/26/2017
Location
FR
8/6/2026 1:02pm

While we are on this topic, what are everyone's favorite  Boa laced flat shoe? I'm on Giro Trackers, and they are meh

I was a Five Ten fanboy for years but after Adidas took over I bought one pair of Freeriders and noticed the rubber wasn't the same. I'm currently on a pair of Neatt (Alltricks.fr) which looks like a Freerider Pro with a Specialized sole. Been running them for +6months with no problems whatsoever and have ridden them in -10ºC to +35ºC weather.    

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afreak
Posts
19
Joined
11/4/2025
Location
Big Sky, MT, USA
8/6/2026 3:53pm

That Alltricks website is horrible. Can’t tell if you’re ordering flats vs clips. Looks like 2fo dh not roost, right?

2
monarchmason
Posts
327
Joined
5/24/2022
Location
Nevada City, CA, USA
8/6/2026 6:12pm

Quite the contrast to sram sponsored enduro riders running flight attendant with it turned off just to please sponsors…

TEAMROBOT wrote:

Where did you see that? Could you share a link, because I'm curious if this is confirmed or just a rumor.

Wasnt there a pro downhill racer or multiple that were using flight attendant but the indication lights were different from consumers? I wonder if they were not using it but the lights were just present to make it seem as so. 
I could be huffing some shit and full of it but I feel like I remember people being confused about that last season

1
tsewhsoj
Posts
13
Joined
1/29/2024
Location
La Grande, OR, USA
8/6/2026 6:51pm

While we are on this topic, what are everyone's favorite  Boa laced flat shoe? I'm on Giro Trackers, and they are meh

I’m on RC Tallacs, the ones with the Velcro by the toes. Wearing them with the insole removed gets close to the fit of my everyday foot shaped shoes. 

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Jakub_G
Posts
384
Joined
8/7/2019
Location
SK
8/7/2026 2:45am
I wish someone (@CascadeComponents? OneUp? WRP?) would make a bash guard that's just made of lead or steel. No unsightly straps and would offer...

I wish someone (@CascadeComponents? OneUp? WRP?) would make a bash guard that's just made of lead or steel. No unsightly straps and would offer more protection than the plastic ones we have now.

I had custom made guide+bash made out of 5mm steel, it was around 300g, so maybe 200- 250g heavier than usual alu one. The single sided(ness) of it surely wasn't noticeable lol, but to be honest neither was those 200grams. You also have to realize that plastic bash dampens some of the load and can be fail safe part to prevent damage to BB area or at very least iscg mounts. I wouldn't recommend using super stiff steel one on carbon frame like I did on my dune xr.

2
Jakub_G
Posts
384
Joined
8/7/2019
Location
SK
8/7/2026 2:50am Edited Date/Time 8/7/2026 2:50am
Nobble wrote:
I’d like to see someone design a full blown skidplate. It could clamp to the BB cups and be positioned by the ISCG tabs. Trials bikes...

I’d like to see someone design a full blown skidplate. It could clamp to the BB cups and be positioned by the ISCG tabs. Trials bikes had similar things decades ago.


You could mount a ton of weight down there and you'd get the advantage of a full width skidplate.

Well, trial bikes were actively using those bash plates to land on if obstacle was too high or to far to land on wheels. And despite being designed for it plenty of frames cracked around the mounting points. The way orbea designed their frame or mentioned orange before it  is pretty Elegant way of doing it. The best solution for frame protection is still crank mounted bash like we used to run 10 years ago and that SRAM reinvented recently. No direct stress on frame mounts, no problem.

3
boozed
Posts
722
Joined
6/11/2019
Location
AU
8/7/2026 2:54am
I wish someone (@CascadeComponents? OneUp? WRP?) would make a bash guard that's just made of lead or steel. No unsightly straps and would offer...

I wish someone (@CascadeComponents? OneUp? WRP?) would make a bash guard that's just made of lead or steel. No unsightly straps and would offer more protection than the plastic ones we have now.

Lead is problematic for multiple reasons.  If you need something around the same density (i.e. steel isn't doing it for you) then I suggest 10 carat gold.

14
Primoz
Posts
4680
Joined
8/1/2009
Location
SI
8/7/2026 2:58am
Nobble wrote:
I’d like to see someone design a full blown skidplate. It could clamp to the BB cups and be positioned by the ISCG tabs. Trials bikes...

I’d like to see someone design a full blown skidplate. It could clamp to the BB cups and be positioned by the ISCG tabs. Trials bikes had similar things decades ago.


You could mount a ton of weight down there and you'd get the advantage of a full width skidplate.

Jakub_G wrote:
Well, trial bikes were actively using those bash plates to land on if obstacle was too high or to far to land on wheels. And despite...

Well, trial bikes were actively using those bash plates to land on if obstacle was too high or to far to land on wheels. And despite being designed for it plenty of frames cracked around the mounting points. The way orbea designed their frame or mentioned orange before it  is pretty Elegant way of doing it. The best solution for frame protection is still crank mounted bash like we used to run 10 years ago and that SRAM reinvented recently. No direct stress on frame mounts, no problem.

But direct stress on the BB bearings. 

Any kind of protection plate would also have to come with a rethought mount interface that would be stronger than the current ISCG tabs. 

1
Jakub_G
Posts
384
Joined
8/7/2019
Location
SK
8/7/2026 4:23am
Primoz wrote:
But direct stress on the BB bearings. Any kind of protection plate would also have to come with a rethought mount interface that would be stronger than...

But direct stress on the BB bearings. 

Any kind of protection plate would also have to come with a rethought mount interface that would be stronger than the current ISCG tabs. 

In the real world, that stress means very little, even on trials bikes bottom brackets were rarely a problem, and that was in good old square tape/isis days.

3
ioni
Posts
33
Joined
1/18/2024
Location
Villa De Alvarez, Col., MX
8/7/2026 4:37am
Nobble wrote:
I’d like to see someone design a full blown skidplate. It could clamp to the BB cups and be positioned by the ISCG tabs. Trials bikes...

I’d like to see someone design a full blown skidplate. It could clamp to the BB cups and be positioned by the ISCG tabs. Trials bikes had similar things decades ago.


You could mount a ton of weight down there and you'd get the advantage of a full width skidplate.

Jakub_G wrote:
Well, trial bikes were actively using those bash plates to land on if obstacle was too high or to far to land on wheels. And despite...

Well, trial bikes were actively using those bash plates to land on if obstacle was too high or to far to land on wheels. And despite being designed for it plenty of frames cracked around the mounting points. The way orbea designed their frame or mentioned orange before it  is pretty Elegant way of doing it. The best solution for frame protection is still crank mounted bash like we used to run 10 years ago and that SRAM reinvented recently. No direct stress on frame mounts, no problem.

Primoz wrote:
But direct stress on the BB bearings. Any kind of protection plate would also have to come with a rethought mount interface that would be stronger than...

But direct stress on the BB bearings. 

Any kind of protection plate would also have to come with a rethought mount interface that would be stronger than the current ISCG tabs. 

I wouldn’t think there is much stress on the bearings at all. It’s only the bike weight, if you hit something with a crank mounted bash-guard. The bearings carry all your body weight, load under heavy pedaling, the pull of the chain… I’d think all these stresses are much higher on the bearings than when the bike weight hits the bearings by hitting the crank-mounted bash guard. The only thing is that the impact is quick and hard. If the frame hits something, the body/bodyweight isn’t as rigid and will “give” in the direction of movement. If that makes any sense. 

5
8/7/2026 6:19am
Konda wrote:
Specialized 2FO flat shoes seem to be out of stock everywhere. Is revised version due? Or have they pulled out of the shoe game after being...

Specialized 2FO flat shoes seem to be out of stock everywhere. Is revised version due? Or have they pulled out of the shoe game after being a legit contender/improvement to 5.10s?

Apologies if I've missed an announcement from them, but various searches didn't give me anything...

Damn, end of an era for sure. Best shoes ever but I see why selling shoes for $50 that are more durable than most everything on...

Damn, end of an era for sure. Best shoes ever but I see why selling shoes for $50 that are more durable than most everything on the market didn't work out. Really is a shame because the 2FO are the only shoes I'd actually pay industry prices for.

Nobble wrote:
More durable?I had two pairs fail in less than 30ish rides total. The first pair delaminated at the toe and the second pair had a lace...

More durable?


I had two pairs fail in less than 30ish rides total. The first pair delaminated at the toe and the second pair had a lace blow out an eyelet.


Didn’t even bother to warranty the second time, I found freerider pros on sale for cheap.

I’m a heavy guy with wierd shaped feet.  I’m pretty hard on shoes.


the 2fo soles are infinitely more durable than the 5 10 free riders.  

I have a pair of 2f0 dh shoes that have seen Multiple seasons of all weather riding and a season of wet riding and it still works flawlessly.  Also had some delaminating but that was easily fixed by regular ol grocery store super glue.  

Freerider pros would have severe damage to the soles and holes in the uppers.  I know cause I threw them out once they get to the point I have to worry about getting impaled by debris on trails.  They also have been suspect to occasional  construction issues.  And use lower quality laces.


I really hope if specialized isn’t going to make it somebody does.  Cause while I have a bit of a supply built up due to the blow out I’ll eventually need another pair and I’d buy them at a typical price.

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1
8/7/2026 6:55am

I thought I saw a photo of some 2FOs with like reusable zip tie  to strap it down. Can't remember the name of them. But the current stock was from like 2022 or something. Probably solid shoe for msrp of 120 vs some of the others. But they did have a ton of stock of the Demo pants that I loved and finally cleared those all out more than a year ago. I guess they released a Traction line of mtb clothing, but haven't seen anyone really talk about it. 

I would figure they'd keep the in-house clothing at least because of their increased specialized-owned retail stores. Like what else would they carry? 

1
8/7/2026 7:21am

Instead of bash guards, just get the 5 dev crank spindle and heavy cranks

3
1
Evwan
Posts
144
Joined
11/18/2025
Location
Sunnyvale, CA, USA
Fantasy
8/7/2026 10:03am
Trocko wrote:
Watch this yesterday and reminded me of the forgotten “why” gearboxes won’t be a serious contender until they can figure out how to shift under heavy...

Watch this yesterday and reminded me of the forgotten “why” gearboxes won’t be a serious contender until they can figure out how to shift under heavy load. The need to decrease power in order for the gearbox to shift will turn too many people off, especially on a pedal bike. Makes what Leif Rodgers is accomplishing at the ews even more impressive. Have to wonder if there is seconds lost after 30+ minutes of racing from him adjusting his power in order to shift. 

Does anyone know if there is info out there on what wattage output the pinion gearbox system is limited to shifting under?

MrDuck wrote:
You out of touch M8.Sorry to break it out to you but there's literally 10+ times the amount of gearboxes in Whistler compared to last year.Some...

You out of touch M8.

Sorry to break it out to you but there's literally 10+ times the amount of gearboxes in Whistler compared to last year.

Some people aren't as attached to whatever hasn't improved in decades and actually try things instead of justifying their purchase of a dated system.

 

Kind of over talking gearboxes on the Internet, but I'll just say in the past 12 hours I put my G3 in a rack by a pub and notice another G3. I go to the office and there's another. I literally walk upstairs and there's mr Wooley with guess what. 

Fck derailleurs on MTB.

Been in Whistler all summer and I've seen like 5 people on Archibalds and a handful on G3's. 

When I look around, I see a lot of v10 / Supreme V5 / Demo / Session / random enduros or trail bikes. 

I don't think the gearbox revolution is here just yet. 

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1
8/7/2026 10:11am

Instead of bash guards, just get the 5 dev crank spindle and heavy cranks

Use a sheet of stick-on car wheel balance weights as BB down tube protection. Speed weights are the new speed holes.Adhesive1-mp4-1131166146.jpg?VersionId=n

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Jotegr
Posts
380
Joined
6/28/2024
Location
Interior, BC, CA
8/7/2026 11:59am

I know those have some actual heft to them but the fact they are stick-on is giving me flashbacks to when some pros were running those anti-vibration "crystals" aka stickers on their bikes. 

5
matmattmatthew
Posts
406
Joined
6/14/2014
Location
Fresh Prince of Bel Air, MD, USA
8/7/2026 12:13pm
Jotegr wrote:
I know those have some actual heft to them but the fact they are stick-on is giving me flashbacks to when some pros were running those...

I know those have some actual heft to them but the fact they are stick-on is giving me flashbacks to when some pros were running those anti-vibration "crystals" aka stickers on their bikes. 

Apparently they rebranded and are still around. 

https://wizardstickers.li/index.php/en/home-en/

3
Eae903
Posts
466
Joined
10/20/2023
Location
Not Saying., WY, USA
Fantasy
8/7/2026 12:22pm
Jotegr wrote:
I know those have some actual heft to them but the fact they are stick-on is giving me flashbacks to when some pros were running those...

I know those have some actual heft to them but the fact they are stick-on is giving me flashbacks to when some pros were running those anti-vibration "crystals" aka stickers on their bikes. 

Apparently they rebranded and are still around. 

https://wizardstickers.li/index.php/en/home-en/

My only take away from that site is that Thomus bikes must be unbearable to ride if a fake vibration damping sticker makes an improvement. 

4
Big Dos
Posts
65
Joined
11/7/2016
Location
AU
8/7/2026 12:58pm
Jotegr wrote:
I know those have some actual heft to them but the fact they are stick-on is giving me flashbacks to when some pros were running those...

I know those have some actual heft to them but the fact they are stick-on is giving me flashbacks to when some pros were running those anti-vibration "crystals" aka stickers on their bikes. 

Apparently they rebranded and are still around. 

https://wizardstickers.li/index.php/en/home-en/

1000012983

 

Same same

4
ntm95
Posts
114
Joined
12/25/2024
Location
Lloydminster, AB, CA
8/7/2026 1:00pm

I'm surprised that nobody is doing a lead shot/epoxy fill in the bb area.

2
rgard
Posts
58
Joined
5/2/2024
Location
pemberton, BC, CA
8/7/2026 2:19pm
Jotegr wrote:
I know those have some actual heft to them but the fact they are stick-on is giving me flashbacks to when some pros were running those...

I know those have some actual heft to them but the fact they are stick-on is giving me flashbacks to when some pros were running those anti-vibration "crystals" aka stickers on their bikes. 

The real move is anti-vibration stickers on your tuned mass damper. Science. 

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