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@Eae903 my two cents on designing suspension when you are currently studying engineering... I know it takes more time, but you have the math background. Try and work out kinematics outside of linkage. You'll learn a ton. Travel is the integral of leverage curve, leverage is the derivative of axle position (usually in the y axis, but leverage curves can be made for any axis). All you really have to do is find axle path and the rest comes easy. It's like how they don't want you to use calculators or computers in math class until you understand the math...

I worked with Frank The Welder when I was in high school so he was the first one I reached out to. He’s most recently come back into the spot light working with Neko and Frameworks. https://www.frankthewelder.com/ But I just completed a steel DH frame project with Adam Prosise who did an incredible job. He’s got an unbelievable attention to detail. Was able to get 3d printed steel parts for my frame also. Instagram- @prosisemetalworks

Awesome. I was in a similar position as you 2 years ago and was talking with a frame builder about a custom DH bike. Eventually I decided to put my money towards buying and selling multiple frames to test. I learned so much this way to learn what a bike feels like and what it looks like mathematically. Say, I have “lost” $5,000 over 2 years buying and selling but I’ve been able to own and try 6 different frames. Also getting laps on friends bikes. It’s much more economical to make sure you test and know what you’d like...

I guess I just wonder what your goal is. That leverage ratio looks very different, Anti-rise is pretty different. Also axle path slightly changed and migration of the instant center is opposite. I understand you are messing around and seeing what works. Just need to figure out what is important to you.

Ohlins announced coil conversions for both the RXF38 and DH38, nothing for the RXF36 though

You guys need to try the new Conti's... I'll never got back to Maxxis.

New Yeti sb165 MX (in french) https://fullattack.cc/desormais-mullet-mx-le-nouveau-yeti-sb165-affirme…

https://www.marzocchi.com/products/super-z?variant=40997171331174 The new Super Z is up on Marzocchi's website. I'm personally bummed that there is no coil version. The Z1 coil is one of the best forks I've ever ridden.

Those look dead on the Lewis LH4

The fork sort of matches some of the cat at least.

Insightful interview... Interesting to see Fox lean into improved damping control vs. air spring improvements. Seems like they're taking a page from EXT/Ohlins in managing suspension control through proper damping. Was thinking about swapping my Fox 36 for a RXF 36, but I may just try giving the new damper a try first.

Gen 6 Knolly Fugitive: https://knollybikes.com/en-ca/products/fugitive-140?variant=40906299310… $5799 for the XT/ Fox Factory build down to $4599 for the Deore/ Marzocchi build, with frame/ Fox Float X Factory at $2499

If I got paid to run them and/or was given them for free I’d stifle my voice. Certainly won’t be purchasing them to use, buy i’m tempted to buy them and put them in the stash for when they become collectible

Honestly feel bad factory riders have to run that awful gold fork. Looks terrible on 95% of bikes.

Update to the DHX?

We recorded some chats with FOX engineers while we were at FOX. There is some overview of the Grip line, along with a deeper dive into X2. But the best part is a 30-minute chat with Sergio Avanto (Manager of Product Performance), talking about his long career working in Supercross. https://www.vitalmtb.com/features/vital-podcast-grip-damper-breakdown-f…

Race Face ERA bars release tomorrow...

Seems like it's less expensive to buy a fork that's currently on sale and a grip x2 damper than it is to buy a 2025 fork that is basically the same.

Here’s one for real...