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i added to my post above with more clarification, FYI. IMO it doesn't come down to shimano (or any brand launching a product) being the problem in this case. they have a launch coming up (they said, june 5). they have to get their product and info in the right places before the launch. it's a kook or two at these places (OE, shops, brands, media, who knows) who are posting things they don't have a right to post. if shimano asks vital to remove stuff but not other outlets, it must mean our viewers are actually important 🤣

Can we at least get a [post deleted for embargo reasons] or something, as a placeholder? It would make the forum threads a lot less confusing. Your backend is in php right? I'd do it for free!

sure. from now on, we'll do something like that.

Totally support this - it sucks when people who have been given privileged information choose to leak it just so they can feel cool - We all complain when dealers aren't properly informed on launch day, but info getting out in advance can be really damaging in certain situations. So when it gets leaked it just makes it harder the next time, around since the brand has to tighten up what that put out. And what do people gain by knowing about a thing a few days early? nothing......

This exact issue was addressed 3 months ago when the Fox Podium got leaked here and Sspomer deleted the post and explained why. Vital playing by the rules means they get access to product early, so we get great reviews and also fosters good will in these forums where a lot of industry people come and contribute. Why jeopardize the best MTB tech forum there is so we can see shots of a product 5 days early? Also note the leaks from the factory via weight weenies didn't get deleted?

that's still their sixfinity setup.

I think it's Sixfinity, there's a lower link that rotates too so not a pivot on the front triangle. If Yeti did a run of regular bikes 150 to 170mm travel with that suspension I'd definitely be interested.

I rarely think most modern bikes are actually interesting, some are cool, but not actually interesting. That Rallon is awesome and huge props to Orbea for making something that looks amazing and has features that actually benefit riders.

That bike is beautiful, huge step up from the previous designs. Hope they make a Rise with this silhouette.

Also the best implementation of a Neo Shock to date. Build a bike with great descending characteristics and use the shock to sort out the climbing.

Looks like Freedom Coast. In another shot I saw the little flag etching near the pivot.

Few details about new Fox USD fork

Oops, similar situation TQ HPR60 search and Yeti's new eeb just popped up.

Copying the 5Dev cranks tells you everything you need to know about a company. All they care about is looks. The originals are a horrible engineering design. They should have copied Came Creek EEwings. But that would require some skilled welders and not just feeding a CNC machine. Innovation would be using ultra high strength steel from the automotive industry and make a tubular crank that uses the same axles as RF, Cannondale , FSA and all the others that use that same axle.

Apologies for the double post. I recall a story once told by an American craft brewer (who I don't recall...): "If a bottle of your beer costs you 25c to make, why am I paying $5 for it?" "Because making the first bottle cost me $1 million".

Lol I cant wait for the comments of wealthy 200lb beginners say the USD Fox is not stiff enough for their riding when there is a 200lb pro racer taking golds on the fork.

You answered your own question - good products take work and you make more money by not having to invest in developing a product when you can copy/paste the existing best in class and not care about sanctity/safety/reputation. Agreed it needs some int'l controls, or at least an industry-wide pact to never use any of that stuff for OEM or team sponsorships

We really, really need to bring the hammer down on this IP theft. Not only are they stealing ideas and patents from people who have spent good r&d money on developing their ideas, they haven't done the r&d, so there's far less understanding of the decisions that led to the original design. It's wholly unsafe and not to be mistaken for simply reverse engineering existing components. I don't understand why they can't just make new stuff???

Yup - I remember returning to tech industry last year after a decade in bikes and thinking "holy sh** people have budgets, forecasts and turn profits?!?"