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Evwan Added a reply to Are sram mavens really this hard to get working.
2/17/2026 10:42am FYI some of the Pro kits do not come with the "Bleeding Edge" fitting, which is required for bleeding mavens. Make sure to pick up that fitting separately (mineral oil version) if your pro kit doesn't have it.
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Evwan Added a reply to 2026 MTB Tech Rumors and Innovation - Longer and Slacker
2/17/2026 10:04am I wouldn't put much weight in the enduro mag test findings - the results don't make any sense. I see a few issues: 1. Shimano XTR, XT, and SLX all have the same mechanical and hydraulic power output, but the test results show them as being wildly different. 2. They also show TRP DHR evo as dramatically underperforming XTR. Having...
TEAMROBOT Liked a reply to forum topic Stem Length
2/15/2026 9:29am
I think this thread confirms that there is absolutely not a consensus on where to have your grips in relation to the steering axis.
This forum topic has 91 replies.
Evwan Added a reply to Stem Length
2/15/2026 9:28am I would argue that long stem lengths can be thought of as analogous to positive rake on skateboard trucks, which generally results in inherent instability and quicker turning. That analogy is reasonable until you consider that mountain bikes don’t only operate on flat ground. We are frequently going down steep hills and weighting the bars from back to front, which...
Evwan Added a reply to 2026 MTB Tech Rumors and Innovation - Longer and Slacker
2/11/2026 9:37am Specialized (Sinyard) has been anti-reusing normal bike names for normal bikes. He said something to that effect on a podcast, like "Fuck no, we're not sullying the name of the stumpjumper with a motor"... I'm paraphrasing. I find it bizarre that they've neglected an update on the enduro and the kenevo product lines. Those are exactly the bikes I would...
Evwan Added a reply to Shimano/TRP Maven - S-tier braking (Shaven/Traven)
2/10/2026 7:32pm This sounds like a setup issue. I have used both saint and xt levers on the maven calipers and the lever reach was no different from using the XT calipers.
Evwan Added a reply to Shimano/TRP Maven - S-tier braking (Shaven/Traven)
2/7/2026 9:53pm Modulation is similar to saint if you have ever used those, just with way more power. That is to say, very little modulation. A shit ton of power upfront, followed by even more power when you pull more. If you are used to yarding on brakes to get usable power, you're going to have an adjustment period moving to maven...
Evwan Added a reply to Shimano/TRP Maven - S-tier braking (Shaven/Traven)
2/7/2026 9:51pm If the bite point has your fingers way far out away from the bars, just dial it back with the normal shimano lever reach adjust. As for on/off feel - yeah they lack modulation. They provide a smack you in the face amount of power. I love it, but it's not for everyone.
AndehM Liked a reply to forum topic 2026 MTB Tech Rumors and Innovation - Longer and Slacker
2/4/2026 9:19pm
Bullit / Vala are slightly different frames. While you can put a 65mm stroke shock in the Vala, it won't get you 170mm travel, and the geo will be different. The shock orientation is visually different side by side - Bullit's is slightly angled whereas Vala's is more vertical.
This forum topic has 5541 replies.
AnttiH Liked a reply to forum topic Nerding out on Brakes shall we? Not another tech deraliment
2/4/2026 12:17pm
I've discussed these kinds of brake combos with him and he persistantly insists that they don't have a lot of throw (which just isn't true). The brake will have tons of power but will naturally have lots of throw. I tried a Radic/Gustav setup and the lever throw was 28mm with the pads against the rotor. For some reason he likes to mislead.
This forum topic has 2928 replies.
Evwan Added a reply to 2026 MTB Tech Rumors and Innovation - Longer and Slacker
2/2/2026 9:58am The bullit and the vala share the same frame right? IMO it won’t be a surprise if Santa Cruz continues to consolidate their non-eeb line similarly.
TEAMROBOT Liked a reply to forum topic Nerding out on Brakes shall we? Not another tech deraliment
2/2/2026 9:32am
I guess the question is how picky are you? No disrespect intended, but I think this forum is an assembly of the nitpickiest nitpickers in the world when it comes to brake lever feel and power. The new XT and XTR brakes are totally adequate for mountain biking and ebikes, and if you need more power, you can pair them with a big thick rotor (like a 220mm/2.0mm SRAM HS2). However, they are less powerful than some of their newest competitors* (Maven Ultimates, TRP DHR EVO, Hope Tech4 V4, etc), and the lever feel is less crisp than the classic...
This forum topic has 2928 replies.
Newnan3 Liked a reply to forum topic Favorite DH Knee pads
1/31/2026 2:50pm
OP, Was going to recommend these since you mentioned them in your original post but see you found them. I ran these in 90+ degree summer heat and they weren’t any hotter than the Ion zips I was using before. I bought mine on eBay for $40 shipped NIB.
This forum topic has 48 replies.
Evwan Added a reply to Nerding out on Brakes shall we? Not another tech deraliment
1/31/2026 2:53pm I’ve a good amount of experience on xt, trp, saint, Lewis LHT, shaven. Never used hope. The trp / maven combo has a long throw but it’s not crazy. Maybe closest to Hayes because those have a decently long throw also
Evwan Added a reply to 2026 MTB Tech Rumors and Innovation - Longer and Slacker
1/29/2026 11:24am Avinox m2 motor is the worst kept “secret” in the bike industry
Evwan Added a reply to Nerding out on Brakes shall we? Not another tech deraliment
1/29/2026 11:02am The lever throw with trp/maven setup is slightly longer than a stock trp Dhr evo setup. Not unusable by any means, but it’s a decent amount of lever throw for sure. Modulation and power were top tier though.
Evwan Added a reply to Nerding out on Brakes shall we? Not another tech deraliment
1/29/2026 11:00am Are you saying that kaha lever throw with mace caliper was longer than stock kaha setup, or longer than stock maven setup? I’m curious about this combo but it’s not worth trying if the kaha lever ends up with super long throw.
Evwan Added a reply to Nerding out on Brakes shall we? Not another tech deraliment
1/28/2026 4:20pm According to Omakacycle " The free stroke is shorter, and the post-bite lever travel is the same as the stock Maven." I agree with you though, it doesn't add up. I used TRP levers on maven calipers and the free stroke was quite long. I don't see how the radic lever would be any different as the master cylinder is...
Evwan Added a reply to 2026 MTB Tech Rumors and Innovation - Longer and Slacker
1/22/2026 9:38am "The battery is fully housed inside the downtube for protection and clean design." Impressive that they managed to fit a battery inside of the downtube. I'm curious if it is a stock 600w/800w avinox battery or if they needed to design their own.
Evwan Added a reply to Shimano/TRP Maven - S-tier braking (Shaven/Traven)
1/21/2026 2:56pm Shimano BH90 with sram stealthamjig barb/olive at the caliper. There is no banjo fitting with the maven bronze.