All

DHF sucks. Always wash out unless you really commit to the lean and never ride berms

It's a good question, because how we define and categorize these terms can hopefully spare us from another dreadful, circular, definitional forum argument. I think the two scenarios you describe are two completely different qualities, which I would describe as 1) rolling speed and 2) cornering grip (or maybe just "cornering" generally). For instance, for all our friends in the American SE who ride on super hardpacked, smooth, and relatively flat decomposed granite, rolling speed is super important for having any fun at all on your bike ride. A MaxxGrip DH casing Assegai is going to carry great speed through...

Wouldn't this just be a slower, less exciting version of hard enduro racing?

with significantly expanded access to various outside the norm construction techniques.... will more small boutique makers be able to ramp their mfg capacities in the shrinking market? combined with inflationary affects and DTC sales, it seems like we could see a bunch of weird bikes being better available int he coming years, if the economy doesn't kill the makers and designers off..... wound carbon, epoxy and printed lugs seems like I could do it, and im an idiot.

Dudes in their mid 30s will shit on Lycra then go out wearing skinny jeans. Brother the call is coming from inside the house!

For what it's worth: I'd still rather have all my tech rumors in one place instead of having to subscribe to a new thread for every new rumor. The current concept of one, singular annual tech rumors thread would work beautifully well if everyone just stuck to posting actual tech news and rumors. The problem is the guys endlessly talking themselves in circles or posting e-bike content (-for which there is a separate thread) or starting completely redundant discussions (like the 78th discussion on the feasibility of gearboxes). Maybe, what this thread needs is a more hands-on approach to moderation...

@dwhere you're better off starting new threads for new topics. tech rumors and long-form threads aren't very efficient these days

Gearboxes, the “fusion energy” of MTB.

Try 25 years. Ever since the first Rohloff hub integrated frames that Nicolai built. I agree that I don’t think they will see widespread popularity, but the key ingredient to their design is how tough and low maintenance they are. All you really have to do is change the oil. Anecdotal example is a friend of mine who has an Archibald. Hasn’t had to do anything to that gearbox, and he’s been pounding it for two years The benefits go beyond just a broken rear derailleur. No more clutching that contributes to suspension action, and there’s a lot of sprung...

I swear this is SRAM propaganda: "It just doesn't make sense to add a more complex, harder-to-maintain, more expensive option that's locked to your frame and that no one has parts for." More complex to maintain? The Pinion service interval is 6,200 miles — people race entire seasons without touching their gearbox. Meanwhile derailleur drivetrains need constant adjustment and eat consumables, especially on ebikes. Gearboxes will take over ebikes within a few years — the motor negates the efficiency loss, the weight is low and centered, and ebike torque destroys conventional drivetrains anyway. DH won't be far behind (less unsprung...

People have been saying gearboxes are the future for what, a decade now or more? I think they are really cool and innovative, but they aren't going to see widespread adoption or replacement of current drivetrains. They are heavier and less efficient, the frame also has to be built around it, which means if you don't want it for some reason, that frame is out for you. They are more complicated to maintain, shops don't have the expertise to deal with them widely across regions, and do the smaller brands like Pinion have the facility to deal with large scale...

All the reviewers who rode that bike (Priority) said it was a slog to ride, but got slightly better over time with miles put on so the gears break in. I wonder if there's a reason that Pinion doesn't pre break-in their gearboxes before shipping them out. It would likely make the consumer experience much better.

my attempt at a palete cleanser to get this forum back on track. Scott XC team is wearing some new interesting looking helmets. Caught my eye is this weekend. Is the black piece another attempt at the canyon breakaway helmet, is it just a fancy sunglass holder, maybe aero? Couldn't find a great photo but its odd looking.

I think it’s important to remember in the tech rumors forum that we all have dope bikes, tailored specifically for where we ride, and that it’s never the same everywhere for everyone and that minion DHF is still the best tire ever always

Bike industry surprises everyone with new tech. Forum discusses its innovative nature and implications. Members start complaining about the relevance. Rinse and repeat.

Can we rename this thread and make a new rumors and tech one? This one is tainted now.

So it’s a gearbox debate thread now