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RE: Trek, the owned retail is a massive problem. I know that Trek owned stores in the EU numbered 32 in 2021, 62 in 2022, was planned for 112 by end of '23, 162 by end of '24, and 212 by end of '25. I don't know how many they actually acquired or opened, or how many remain open. I have to imagine the numbers in the US are considerably higher.

Pretty sure there are international discount codes, Escape has tons of members in Australia and Europe. Nobody has even mentioned their podcasts, which to me are worth the price of membership alone.

So very true. Been a member since it's inception. Real Journalism. The UCI really hates that publication. They have a five episode podcast about the Covid-boom that is really eye opening.

I have extremely high expectations right now of a throw back theme bike between Brage, Norco and Marzocchi......

Their Member Purchase program (what they call their member discounts) are worth the subscription alone (note they are NOT affiliate links, just a straight discount): https://escapecollective.com/member-purchase-program/ Add in Dave Rome's excellent tech/tool coverage and the Ask a Wrench segment in his podcast and to my mind it's a bargain (although I've spent a lotta money on tools because of him...) That being said, it's LOT of roadie stuff w/ a sprinkling of CX, gravel and XC; you can get a monthly sub for $13/mo if you wanna try it out.. Edit: This should give you a view of the business/industry...

Half degree slacker-65.5 with 130mm travel up front as standard, 625mm stack on medium, 1 degree steeper SA, guided cables, snacklebox or some such thing, 2 bottles on a medium, and hear me out, flip chip to run it as a mullet .....and lets throw in a reasonable price if we are making a wish list...

Make it lighter would be nice. But alas, it is now 130 up front and a heavier frame. But at least it has in frame storage... so thats nice?

Eliminate the loam shelf under the shock and make internal cable guides. Seat tube angle 1* steeper, but that’s just preference, not actually better. I wouldn’t mind the HA being a tad steeper too, but the industry disagrees. Want more travel? Get a smuggler. Want it racier? Go pick from a hundred different choices. Drop weight and it loses its party. Add weight and it’s a Smuggler. Slacken it out and it’s a smuggler. Ditch the flex stay and it’s a Smuggler. Lengthen the rear end and you lose playfulness and technical prowess. Can’t even conceive of a way to...

I also would love the Reya if they could bring the weight down, but that isn't really Forbidden's thing. But, yeah, longer rear center on the spur would maybe make it ride a bit better for the larger sizes. Maybe then I wouldn't feel as off on the XL then. I still just don't think I love over 500mm reach at 6'2" based off sizing down the s5 enduro to s4 and it was awesome. Plus, it just feels that much longer with the lower stack of a 120mm fork.

Personally hoping for a longer rear center for size large frames and up. I would really like to ride an XC bike that has a longer wheelbase but stays true to short travel and good pedaling manners. There is hope as this is what I imagine Forbidden will be doing but there is nothing really like that out there at the moment.

They could call it a ‘Camber’

I think someone is trying to hide their disappointment that Rachel is with someone else..

Evan Medcalf on COMMENCAL SCHWALBE BY LES ORRES And looks like Frameworks added a couple juniors to the main team. Jack McCredie and Zanna Logar

Why can I picture a video of a seal team grabbing him off a surf board, bringing him to the US, and Trump proclaims, "We got Greenland! "

start a new freaking thread if you want to talk about that stuff.