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The glovebox on the Stigmata has the same "bump". I'd theorize it gives more room inside, since the mechanism for the door would fight for space with the frame bag if you packed it tight on my MT V2. I'm pretty bummed if the Megatower is going away. A friend said they think it isn't, new one is launching soon but I haven't seen anything to indicate that.

Interesting that they describe it as "aggressive all-mountain" rather than just enduro. Wonder if it's become a bit of a dirty word since the professional side of racing has effectively collapsed and brands want to paint their bikes as more all-round performers

Norco Optic A and Sight A

The only problem is that it’s as heavy as a Meta v5

Honestly, thank god... I couldn't care less about 32" wheels. Im closer to buying a 27.5" bike 32" one.

I can confirm that Specialized will reveal a new generation of the Specialized Epic this month. I can also confirm that the new model definitively rolls on 29" wheels. From what I'm hearing, the folks at Specialized who executively get to make the decision on these kinds of things are not convinced that 32" wheels are universally beneficial for all XC racers and see them as more of a niche solution for very specific scenarios.

No I can't handle all this Avinox garbage and a mainstream bike going to 32" in such close succession. Make it stop.

in scandal mag, jim bland, luca's mechanic, thinks 32" front wheels are coming (in what i would assume is DH since he's a DH mechanic). seems like it wouldn't be hard for any of the inverted brands to make a 32" fork for this upcoming season (assuming tires are available, which i bet they are). he also says cone valves in forks, so maybe some other hint development? #nonEbikeRumors

Ya know, I'm changing my tune about 32" wheels. I don't really have all that much interest in owning a 32" bike, and I fully expect most, if not all of the first 32" bikes to not be in my wheelhouse... But right now, I'd kill for anything that isn't related to an ebike to read about. Never before have I yearned to digest some bike stuff that just involved the measly 250w that I struggle to put out. So... bring on the 32" content please, I am primed and ready for it.

WHAT!! Then why are we posting here??

I’ve said it a couple times so apologies if it’s a broken record . The problem for me isn’t 150nm, or 1500watts. It’s 800% assist . Humans fundamentally make different choices when things are easy vs. hard . I can maybe go 20mph uphill on a trail on my meat bike , but only for an instant, then I’m gassed . So I never do that . When there’s suddenly no disincentive (it being exhausting) the total time spent of people going 20mph on blind single track is going to be much higher, thus the probability of isssue increases. At...

I know this is a controversial take, but I don't think the power numbers really matter with respect to trail access. What matters is how we limit speed and whether that limit is consistently hacked or not. Even that is something I'm less and less convinced has a huge real-world impact. What had a big impact was letting e-bikes on trails that were otherwise closed to motorized access (dirt bikes) in the first place. By allowing that, everything changed. I frankly don't care if you can put 150Nm to the rear wheel or 75Nm. Both change the equation relatively equal...

I spent a good chunk of last night trying to evaluate DJI's move through the lens of business and corporate strategy. While it might sound far-fetched, I genuinely believe DJI could be making a move that fundamentally changes the landscape of the e-mtb industry. A few thoughts: Amflow: I have it on good authority that Fox's number one customer is Amflow. If true, that should signal to the industry that Amflow is not a demo product. It's a company going after the likes of Specialized, Trek, Giant and other major incumbents. To add, there is nothing holding them back from...

I highly doubt that any self-respecting bike brand would equip their bikes with S500 or S200 over Transmission. Even bike shops will have to explain to their customers why they can't just replace worn parts with the same new ones. IMO this is just a sales push towards Transmission, period, probably needed because the ole good Eagle works a bit too well.

That chart is misleading as heck. There are no direct XX1 and X01 alternatives anymore.

I'm equal parts bummed and intrigued by the new/revamped eagle lineup. On one hand, SX/NX can die in a fire, and their death is just as exciting to me as new product is in certain ways. On the other, X01 eagle was probably the best all around drivetrain as a package over any other I've ever used. Each component of that drivetrain was stellar; cassette, chain, derailleur and shifter. That being said, while I still have a bike in the garage with that setup... I wouldn't be selecting it as a new build. I guess in that case, it makes...

I'm not a fan of the size and weight of the T-Type mechanical offerings. I fall pretty deep into the weight-weenie category though, so perhaps a minority here. They just seem so unnecessarily massive. I would have been totally fine if they just kept making the same old X01 and XX1 gear.

Stocking up on XX1 chains. Really unhappy with the new SRAM offerings. Next bike might be Shimano. Edit: shoot - are people unhappy with me because I'm not wild about the latest SRAM drivetrain components replacing Eagle, or because I suggested moving from one "S" company to the other?

S500 is chrome plated, as X01 and XX1 are (were), but is solid pin, so a bit heavier. What can I say, load up on X01 shifters? Looks like they are going the way of the dodo...

If the XX1 chains go away, this is super bad news. I assume S200 will be at the shitty GX level, if that. Edit: looks like there is still the S500 chain that replaces the old XX1. The S200 chain is crap, as is SRAM's replacement matrix.