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Dale just posted a comprehensive deep dive into Lewis brakes. The "Counterfeit Origins" chapter is super interesting. Solid investigative work! https://youtu.be/59xC6Q51po8?si=iWQy3wxS_URGbXqT

Not sure if it's been shown already.

You're correct on wheel size/material differences. I do think the new carbon rims had a positive effect during high-frequency chatter and muting that type of feedback. I'd say the front rim provided more benefits in those situations than the rear. I was focusing on a few corners with deep, repetitive compressions, one rock garden section, and high-speed braking straightaway with some bumps to hone into how each hub rode differently. The change from the DT240 to the Sidekick was most noticeable in these moments, as the suspension was freer off the top and was less jarring on big hits. It...

I know this site is more big bike centered but Corey Wallace (Kona endurance racer...) spotted on a proto g3 Hei-Hei. Proof that Kona is still alive!

Only going to correct 1 thing on this statement and that is the geo is corrected for the 160 fork on that version. They've listed the same geo with 150 on 27 vs 29 rear wheels.

What I find confusing about the new Stumpjumpers is they offer it in a coil version with a 27.5 wheel and they've corrected geo for the smaller wheel using the upper link just like with the previous Stumpjumper, which significantly reduces progression. So the most linear bike in the entire lineup comes with a coil.

Okay, so I'm shooting for racing Breck Epic in 2025, so if anyone is wondering why I'm posting about XC bikes lately. Lauf will be releasing a 120/130 XC bike on the 25th, and my guess is that it will have a carbon leaf spring version of Spot's Living Link https://spotbikes.com/pages/technology I have one of their (rigid) gravel bikes, and it's really nice for the money. It'll be interesting to see what they do in the MTB space.

2025 Hightower V4 dropping tomorrow. Santa Cruz Hightower - Are we there yet? (youtube.com)

Ha, literally staring at my full cart right now. Been on a Kavenz for 4 seasons, now that the Smartshift Pinion is available I think I’m finally ready to pull the trigger on a gearbox bike.

B Practice from Worlds is live! Show Notes 3:06 - Dak's wild week at Worlds 4:56 - Race day game plan 7:52 - Where it all went wrong 15:08 - Dealing with the heartbreak of crashing at Worlds 23:29 - Bike setup for Andorra 23:48 - Loudenveille setup and approach 26:22 - Tire choice in Andorra 27:31 - Dak's "stock" tire pressure 30:39 - Unintentional Maxxis sponsor plug - DH casing convo 33:47 - Tuned mass damper hearsay 42:36 - New (Shimano) brakes 46:27 - Dak's current bar height, stem length, stack height 57:06 - Industry Buzz Report: John's thoughts...

I ran an O-chain all summer in Whistler on my Kavenz, which theoretically should have minimal kickback, and was very happy I did. It definitely still does something to quiet down the bike and reduce feedback through the pedals, possibly just by dampening chain movement.

Haro's France IG page just released a pic of an upcoming carbon version of the Daley, 150/140 rig, she clean: And they have some pics of a very tidy enduro rig as well, not sure what got in the water at Haro but I'm here for it.

pit bits photos 2 - https://www.vitalmtb.com/features/pit-bits-2-2024-world-championships 🤯

did you guys try Ohlins with the volume spacer taken out of the negative air spring?

I rode my ebike a lot the first year, then got kinda bored. Most people I used to ride all mountain with on normal bikes are now riding more enduro on ebikes and it's not my thing. I don't care much about going fast either up or down, I care more about being in movement through the landscape. I wanted an ebike to make the ride longer (and less painful), not faster and steeper. I mostly ride my rigid fatbike now. But the whole group I used to ride with has changed, kinda exploded with covid. Well I think we're...