2026 MTB Tech Rumors and Innovation - Longer and Slacker

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Buckets Up
Posts
255
Joined
10/18/2010
Location
Hancock, MI, USA
8/9/2026 7:41am Edited Date/Time 8/9/2026 3:13pm
Excuse my ignorance, why is the Tomac a big deal? I see the appeal, the bike has that retro look and I dig it. But this...

Excuse my ignorance, why is the Tomac a big deal? I see the appeal, the bike has that retro look and I dig it. But this is the first in my 28 years I have heard Tomac… 

John Tomac is widely considered one of the greatest (American) mountain bike racers of all time. During the early years of international racing he won numerous DH and XC events.

He went on to be the namesake and involved with Tomac bikes. The 204 DH frame in the photo was their flagship model. The bike company then ceased to exist (in the late 2000s?).

I also believe he helped coach several (a lot?) of racers over the years including Aaron Gwin for a time.

Finally, if you’re into motocross, he is the father of Eli Tomac.

Basically, John Tomac was a legendary figure in the early development of mountain bike racing and Tomac Bikes were highly sought after when they existed.

22
ahleic09
Posts
93
Joined
7/25/2018
Location
Bend, OR, USA
8/9/2026 10:39am
owl-x wrote:

Dammit dude we’re trying to be all tech here!

 

yzedf wrote:

Proof of concept first, then go for something that’s nicer, quieter etc. 

Jakowitz wrote:

Water is pretty heavy

I’ve been thinking about a water bottle with adjustable baffles to be some sort of po-boy TMD

2
Whattheheel
Posts
206
Joined
6/11/2014
Location
Spearfish, SD, USA
8/9/2026 11:04am Edited Date/Time 8/9/2026 11:05am
Excuse my ignorance, why is the Tomac a big deal? I see the appeal, the bike has that retro look and I dig it. But this...

Excuse my ignorance, why is the Tomac a big deal? I see the appeal, the bike has that retro look and I dig it. But this is the first in my 28 years I have heard Tomac… 

🤦‍♂️

4
5
matmattmatthew
Posts
408
Joined
6/14/2014
Location
Fresh Prince of Bel Air, MD, USA
8/9/2026 11:30am

On the Tomac subject, does anyone remember there were rumor and even pictures I think, of Tomac and a few engineers with one of the Honda Bikes at a bike park in Colorado doing testing.  This was a year or two after Honda folded, apparently Honda loaned the bike to Tomac with the idea that Tomac might bring the bike to the masses.  I’m pretty sure there was a Ridemonkey thread about it. (Yes, I’m old) 

7
Blake_Motley
Posts
252
Joined
11/14/2013
Location
Chula Vista, CA, USA
8/9/2026 12:18pm
On the Tomac subject, does anyone remember there were rumor and even pictures I think, of Tomac and a few engineers with one of the Honda...

On the Tomac subject, does anyone remember there were rumor and even pictures I think, of Tomac and a few engineers with one of the Honda Bikes at a bike park in Colorado doing testing.  This was a year or two after Honda folded, apparently Honda loaned the bike to Tomac with the idea that Tomac might bring the bike to the masses.  I’m pretty sure there was a Ridemonkey thread about it. (Yes, I’m old) 

5
dolface
Posts
1717
Joined
10/26/2015
Location
USA
8/9/2026 12:58pm
Excuse my ignorance, why is the Tomac a big deal? I see the appeal, the bike has that retro look and I dig it. But this...

Excuse my ignorance, why is the Tomac a big deal? I see the appeal, the bike has that retro look and I dig it. But this is the first in my 28 years I have heard Tomac… 

Buckets Up wrote:
John Tomac is widely considered one of the greatest (American) mountain bike racers of all time. During the early years of international racing he won numerous...

John Tomac is widely considered one of the greatest (American) mountain bike racers of all time. During the early years of international racing he won numerous DH and XC events.

He went on to be the namesake and involved with Tomac bikes. The 204 DH frame in the photo was their flagship model. The bike company then ceased to exist (in the late 2000s?).

I also believe he helped coach several (a lot?) of racers over the years including Aaron Gwin for a time.

Finally, if you’re into motocross, he is the father of Eli Tomac.

Basically, John Tomac was a legendary figure in the early development of mountain bike racing and Tomac Bikes were highly sought after when they existed.

He's also was a large part of how Yeti became a top-tier brand and remains very desirable for riders of a certain age...

There's a good overview here: https://www.theproscloset.com/blogs/news/from-the-vault-the-life-times-…

1
Uncle Cliffy
Posts
422
Joined
3/11/2010
Location
Medford, OR, USA
8/9/2026 1:29pm
Buckets Up wrote:
John Tomac is widely considered one of the greatest (American) mountain bike racers of all time. During the early years of international racing he won numerous...

John Tomac is widely considered one of the greatest (American) mountain bike racers of all time. During the early years of international racing he won numerous DH and XC events.

He went on to be the namesake and involved with Tomac bikes. The 204 DH frame in the photo was their flagship model. The bike company then ceased to exist (in the late 2000s?).

I also believe he helped coach several (a lot?) of racers over the years including Aaron Gwin for a time.

Finally, if you’re into motocross, he is the father of Eli Tomac.

Basically, John Tomac was a legendary figure in the early development of mountain bike racing and Tomac Bikes were highly sought after when they existed.

Besides being one of the last racers to compete in cross-country and downhill on the same weekend, he’s the last one to podium both events... Won the 1991 XC World Championship, then took silver in DH. Ciocco, Italy

10
smelly
Posts
228
Joined
3/7/2016
Location
Colorado Springs, CO, USA
8/9/2026 1:56pm

Being a mountain biker and not knowing who John Tomac reminds me of this scene

12
peecee
Posts
429
Joined
5/12/2013
Location
Brisbane, AU
Fantasy
8/10/2026 2:17am Edited Date/Time 8/10/2026 2:19am

This is the first 204 prototype back in early 1998

 

5
8/10/2026 5:01am
On the Tomac subject, does anyone remember there were rumor and even pictures I think, of Tomac and a few engineers with one of the Honda...

On the Tomac subject, does anyone remember there were rumor and even pictures I think, of Tomac and a few engineers with one of the Honda Bikes at a bike park in Colorado doing testing.  This was a year or two after Honda folded, apparently Honda loaned the bike to Tomac with the idea that Tomac might bring the bike to the masses.  I’m pretty sure there was a Ridemonkey thread about it. (Yes, I’m old) 

RIDEMONKEY 🥲

 

Can we start a memories thread?

3
8/10/2026 9:39am

Again, why not just go with the 5dev solution and heavy crank arms? No point in littering the trails with fishing weights (like car tire balance weights on the side of the highway that I see when walking to the state liquor store)

5
3
8/10/2026 10:00am
Again, why not just go with the 5dev solution and heavy crank arms? No point in littering the trails with fishing weights (like car tire balance...

Again, why not just go with the 5dev solution and heavy crank arms? No point in littering the trails with fishing weights (like car tire balance weights on the side of the highway that I see when walking to the state liquor store)

because its cheap.

9
TEAMROBOT
Posts
1598
Joined
9/2/2009
Location
Los Angeles, CA, USA
Fantasy
8/10/2026 10:55am Edited Date/Time 8/10/2026 10:57am
Again, why not just go with the 5dev solution and heavy crank arms? No point in littering the trails with fishing weights (like car tire balance...

Again, why not just go with the 5dev solution and heavy crank arms? No point in littering the trails with fishing weights (like car tire balance weights on the side of the highway that I see when walking to the state liquor store)

Yeah, I get your concern about littering trails with cheap stick-on weights as they inevitably fall off. Littering is lame. There are a lot of possible solutions to that though, by wrapping anything around the weights and the downtube, like tape or cloth or what have you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI27HM81SS0 

3
bnsleit
Posts
139
Joined
9/27/2021
Location
Missoula, MT, USA
8/10/2026 3:14pm
Again, why not just go with the 5dev solution and heavy crank arms? No point in littering the trails with fishing weights (like car tire balance...

Again, why not just go with the 5dev solution and heavy crank arms? No point in littering the trails with fishing weights (like car tire balance weights on the side of the highway that I see when walking to the state liquor store)

TEAMROBOT wrote:
Yeah, I get your concern about littering trails with cheap stick-on weights as they inevitably fall off. Littering is lame. There are a lot of possible...

Yeah, I get your concern about littering trails with cheap stick-on weights as they inevitably fall off. Littering is lame. There are a lot of possible solutions to that though, by wrapping anything around the weights and the downtube, like tape or cloth or what have you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI27HM81SS0 

There won't be any littering because anyone that drops a weight by accident will INSTANTLY notice the change in suspension performance

30
f.i.t.nj
Posts
45
Joined
3/7/2020
Location
Englishtown, NJ, USA
8/10/2026 3:45pm
Again, why not just go with the 5dev solution and heavy crank arms? No point in littering the trails with fishing weights (like car tire balance...

Again, why not just go with the 5dev solution and heavy crank arms? No point in littering the trails with fishing weights (like car tire balance weights on the side of the highway that I see when walking to the state liquor store)

TEAMROBOT wrote:
Yeah, I get your concern about littering trails with cheap stick-on weights as they inevitably fall off. Littering is lame. There are a lot of possible...

Yeah, I get your concern about littering trails with cheap stick-on weights as they inevitably fall off. Littering is lame. There are a lot of possible solutions to that though, by wrapping anything around the weights and the downtube, like tape or cloth or what have you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI27HM81SS0 

bnsleit wrote:

There won't be any littering because anyone that drops a weight by accident will INSTANTLY notice the change in suspension performance

With a single either 1.5 or 2kilo scuba weight - yes you will absolutely notice. Luckily zip ties and things like the MRP b-rad frame bags make losing one very unlikely. 

Yes the 5 dev lead insert is cool but it's only 500g. I'm not sure there are any cranks that would weigh 1500-2000g more than what I'm already running. Even if there were they mostly don't have a 155mm arm at that weight. 

Agreed small shot or stick on stuff is not the way.

1
3
Trocko
Posts
195
Joined
11/23/2010
Location
Rocky, CO, USA
8/10/2026 3:46pm Edited Date/Time 8/10/2026 3:48pm

Why doesn’t someone just make a weighted insert that fits into a hollow spindle? Could play with weights and even take it out if it’s not needed

IMG 5247.jpeg?VersionId=TmvPbG77PW 8J88ZFkKM OR9q
17
Eae903
Posts
468
Joined
10/20/2023
Location
Not Saying., WY, USA
Fantasy
8/10/2026 5:10pm Edited Date/Time 8/10/2026 5:14pm
Trocko wrote:
Why doesn’t someone just make a weighted insert that fits into a hollow spindle? Could play with weights and even take it out if it’s not...

Why doesn’t someone just make a weighted insert that fits into a hollow spindle? Could play with weights and even take it out if it’s not needed

IMG 5247.jpeg?VersionId=TmvPbG77PW 8J88ZFkKM OR9q

You could just use lead shot for fishing and then use an expander plug to stop up the hole. Might rattle a bit but you could wrap it up in tape to make it tubed and mute the sound. 

2
1
monarchmason
Posts
328
Joined
5/24/2022
Location
Nevada City, CA, USA
8/10/2026 6:24pm Edited Date/Time 8/10/2026 7:23pm
Trocko wrote:
Why doesn’t someone just make a weighted insert that fits into a hollow spindle? Could play with weights and even take it out if it’s not...

Why doesn’t someone just make a weighted insert that fits into a hollow spindle? Could play with weights and even take it out if it’s not needed

IMG 5247.jpeg?VersionId=TmvPbG77PW 8J88ZFkKM OR9q

Ironically Sram could sell a snap into tungsten insert and it would probably sell out. No idea how having that would be for the given volume but who cares right? 

Edit: Well I did not realize that the amount to fill that bottom bracket would probably weigh over 25 pounds so disregard that dumb idea haha

2
1
matmattmatthew
Posts
408
Joined
6/14/2014
Location
Fresh Prince of Bel Air, MD, USA
8/10/2026 7:53pm
Trocko wrote:
Why doesn’t someone just make a weighted insert that fits into a hollow spindle? Could play with weights and even take it out if it’s not...

Why doesn’t someone just make a weighted insert that fits into a hollow spindle? Could play with weights and even take it out if it’s not needed

IMG 5247.jpeg?VersionId=TmvPbG77PW 8J88ZFkKM OR9q

Or a horizontally mounted Mass Tuned Damper.  Reduce lateral vibrations and add weight down low.  Win win.  

6
Digit Bikes
Posts
188
Joined
9/22/2021
Location
Irvine, CA, USA
8/10/2026 8:50pm
Ironically Sram could sell a snap into tungsten insert and it would probably sell out. No idea how having that would be for the given volume...

Ironically Sram could sell a snap into tungsten insert and it would probably sell out. No idea how having that would be for the given volume but who cares right? 

Edit: Well I did not realize that the amount to fill that bottom bracket would probably weigh over 25 pounds so disregard that dumb idea haha

A 4" x 0.7" diameter rod of tungsten would weigh about a pound.

6
8/11/2026 1:50am
bnsleit wrote:

There won't be any littering because anyone that drops a weight by accident will INSTANTLY notice the change in suspension performance

Bro, how much additional unsprung mass (AUM) you runnin’? 
Life starts at +5kgs. 

What is tweaking sprung/unsprung mass ratio really achieving that could not be done with the traditional suspension parameters. An over sprung and under damped system? Static and/or dynamic friction? 
 

I get that heavier bikes -> greater inertia -> harder to knock around off line. Is it as simple as this? 

Enlighten (get it?) me. 

2
mattlgree
Posts
16
Joined
4/23/2013
Location
Manchester, GB
8/11/2026 2:02am
Trocko wrote:
Why doesn’t someone just make a weighted insert that fits into a hollow spindle? Could play with weights and even take it out if it’s not...

Why doesn’t someone just make a weighted insert that fits into a hollow spindle? Could play with weights and even take it out if it’s not needed

IMG 5247.jpeg?VersionId=TmvPbG77PW 8J88ZFkKM OR9q

One of the syndicate mechanics does these as a side hustle along with rotor guards - at Preorder stage currently and only for Saint cranks, unsure if the plan would be to offer any SRAM variants.  g10prjct.com

 

18
Jakub_G
Posts
385
Joined
8/7/2019
Location
SK
8/11/2026 2:34am
mattlgree wrote:
One of the syndicate mechanics does these as a side hustle along with rotor guards - at Preorder stage currently and only for Saint cranks, unsure...

One of the syndicate mechanics does these as a side hustle along with rotor guards - at Preorder stage currently and only for Saint cranks, unsure if the plan would be to offer any SRAM variants.  g10prjct.com

 

Well, it's nicely made, sure, but almost 300 bucks for adjustable one is ambitious. The basic one for 100, still not cheap considering price of brass rod and how easy its to machine, but I guess there could be a market for someone who doesn't have access to lathe or a friend who does.

3
ioni
Posts
35
Joined
1/18/2024
Location
Villa De Alvarez, Col., MX
8/11/2026 4:34am

Why not, instead of crank arms, make crank discs? Solid 304 stainless steel. You could put several holes in there, offset, so you can choose different “crank lengths” just by switching your pedals into different threaded holes. Adds weight, centered right around the bottom bracket. Ultimate bash guard as well! I should be an engineer. I’d succeed big time (or not).

10
jorvay
Posts
9
Joined
7/14/2021
Location
CA
8/11/2026 5:34am
ioni wrote:
Why not, instead of crank arms, make crank discs? Solid 304 stainless steel. You could put several holes in there, offset, so you can choose different...

Why not, instead of crank arms, make crank discs? Solid 304 stainless steel. You could put several holes in there, offset, so you can choose different “crank lengths” just by switching your pedals into different threaded holes. Adds weight, centered right around the bottom bracket. Ultimate bash guard as well! I should be an engineer. I’d succeed big time (or not).

Until you lean your bike into a turn with your inside pedal up and still smash the crankarm/disk into the ground and go flying...

It should would look interesting though.

2
bnsleit
Posts
139
Joined
9/27/2021
Location
Missoula, MT, USA
8/11/2026 6:04am
bnsleit wrote:

There won't be any littering because anyone that drops a weight by accident will INSTANTLY notice the change in suspension performance

Bro, how much additional unsprung mass (AUM) you runnin’? Life starts at +5kgs. What is tweaking sprung/unsprung mass ratio really achieving that could not be done with the...

Bro, how much additional unsprung mass (AUM) you runnin’? 
Life starts at +5kgs. 

What is tweaking sprung/unsprung mass ratio really achieving that could not be done with the traditional suspension parameters. An over sprung and under damped system? Static and/or dynamic friction? 
 

I get that heavier bikes -> greater inertia -> harder to knock around off line. Is it as simple as this? 

Enlighten (get it?) me. 

Oh I have no idea about any of that, I was just being sarcastic. I just know Kevin Malone voice heavy bike fun at park, light bike fun on trail

3

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