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For what it's worth - here's Google's AI snippet asking about belt CVT efficiency: Belt-driven CVTs are 80% to 88% efficient in cars, and 70% to 75% efficient in scooters. They are less efficient than traditional manual transmissions (which hit 97%) because they rely on sliding friction to transfer power. However, their ability to keep the engine at its most optimal power zone balances out these losses.

Just because it's patented doesn't mean it works or is a good idea.

I switched from the Edge to the 38, and the difference in lateral stiffness is pretty significant. Of course, the added weight is noticeable too—it took me a little while to get used to it. But I don't notice it anymore, not even on sharper, more technical sections. It goes exactly where I point it, without hesitation

As a follow-up to my questions earlier in this thread, I ended up getting a flash 38 with 20mm axle (was debating between a flash/infinity/dorado). I decided I didn't want to pedal a dual crown around; mostly out of fear of being a "poser" if I wasn't sending everything in sight. I'm stoked on my choice. The flash is insane. Broke it on a week-long trip to Squamish and Whistler. It started off butter-smooth; after a day and a half, it somehow got even better. I did feel some torsional flex a couple times - once when landing a jump...

me over here in my poverty spec D4 Polyacrylite that I picked up for $250 bucks that weighs 1130g. I've debated the DOT vs DH certification a few times because of a few of my moto riding buddies will use mtb dh helmets for wood/trail riding up in big bear in the heat of the summer. I'm a bit paranoid and have only done it once and I have to admit, I felt pretty exposed but the 400g of less weight was really nice. I will say that I fail to see the difference between what sort of incidents I...

I love that chris Canfield is dropping weird bikes all the time now . Titanium DH bikes with gearboxes ? I’m Here for it.

Speaking for myself - it's not that I don't want a GB - it's that I don't want a worse drive-system than I currently have. If GBs get to the point where the weight penalty is small and efficiency is comparable, I'll be riding them. I think many of the folks you think are Luddiltes are really just people how value performance and don't break a lot of DRs (I've been riding since the late 80's, and I've yet to break one).

Everybody serving the gearbox coolaid and how ebikes are getting them and how that will trickle down to pedal bikes, remember that the Avinox and Gaobao or whatever they are called have a CVT gearbox using two electric motors. That kind of a "gearbox" (integrated variable transmission to be precise) is wholly incompatible with bikes that do not have batteries. The only viable gearbox option covering both ebikes and bikes is the Pinion which is, functionally (speaking in volumes), non existent in both camps. As @Shinook and @Uncle Cliffy have said, the future has been promised for years now with...

Gearboxes, the “fusion energy” of MTB.

To conclude the gearbox talk from me, I think it's very likely ebikes will have some sort of gearbox in the future, but I doubt that will happen for pedal bikes. I think 1x11 and for sure 1x12 drivetrains were the nails in the coffin of gearboxes. Traditional drivetrains work too well and don't have the negatives (drag and weight) the gearboxes have. Furthermore, ebikes with the current crop of powerful motors need a gearbox due to the power getting out of control. Plus SL bikes are going away so emtb is becoming a different sport to regular pedal bikes...

nah that's when Shimano Saint was released

pit bits la thuile - https://www.vitalmtb.com/forums/hub/pit-bits-2026-la-thuile-world-cup-d…

If you had asked me a couple of weeks ago, "What are the chances you buy a Yeti in the next 6 months?" I would have said 0%. Today, 80%.

As though the the gearbox wasn't also invented in the 1800s... Feel free to hate the lightest, simplest, most serviceable, most efficient method of changing gears on a bicycle that humanity has invented so far, but the rest of us will accept derailleurs where they make sense.

Had to say it.

Know of any carbon XC bikes that use a gearbox? For the downhill and adventure crowd, gearboxes may be a reasonable solution, but the current offerings are not great for those of us that like to pedal a lot. Maybe they'll get there eventually, but at the moment they would add about 3.5 lbs to my 22 lb bike, while costing me a bit on efficiency. I'll stick with the 1860's technology until something observably better comes along.

and most people don't care. They just want the best thing at the best price. Again; and this is where I'm pretty sure your assessment doesn't universally apply. Over here, people sort-of do care and it will take companies like XDS years if not decades to lose the China-stigma - even if they offer a good product at a good price, backed by perfect after-sales support. You need real product management, strong engineering, credible distribution, at least some kind of dealer or service network, and a serious effort to show customers that you are going to stand behind the product...