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Must we, every 3 months, have this same tired drivetrain discussion. You like what you like, I like what I like. No one cares. Start a new topic if you guys want to duke it out about how terrible the wireless world is. Back to the rumors: 30T ochains on more builds in the future from a few brands.

It’s weird - sram can release an ecosystem of groups with proprietary cassettes, derailleurs, chains, rings, that have stratospheric prices and persistent issues (speed, shift calibration limitations, QC issues, cassettes that need to be installed multiple times to settle, battery pins corroding etc etc), plus compromises they try and correct release to release. Maybe that’s ok, it’s up to the rider. At the same time, Shimano releases a new di2 ecosystem that uses their existing(and awesome) cassettes, chains, rings, has the industry leading shifter for ergonomics. A sealed battery compartment, but its perceived to be noisy on some bikes, but...

It was promising- less chainslap in general but on very large impacts chainslap was worse as you'd pull the derailleur into the weaker spring zone. Shifting was actually improved- less tension on the chain going into big cogs. Think the best would be a massive torsion spring to add tension everywhere and then use the cam over spring to mostly subtract tension going into the large cogs. I believe that is the limiter on cage tension. Once you have too much- the derailleur doesn't like shifting into the big easy cogs. I filed paperwork to patent, begged, pleaded, told everyone...

Parallel cam-over spring so it adds chain tension in the small cogs and subtracts it in the large cogs. Edit: pulled the pics- don't want to make trouble.

He needs a proportional water bottle!

lebron and canyon prove 32" wheels are best for tall people 🤣 (non MTB...it's crazy how proportionally correct it looks)

It all depends on the bike, tbh. I've ridden all the new Di2 stuff on a ton of different bikes, and I've found that chain sizing really matters. I've tested T-Type and the new Di2 back-to-back on the same bikes, and while SRAM does do a slightly better job of keeping the spazzing to a minimum, it's certainly not perfect. The dual-spring on Shimano takes about 5-6 lbs of force to break free when in the smallest cog on the cassette, and the SRAM T-Type clutch takes about 7.5-8 lbs to break free no matter what cog. The major difference...

Funny enough, this video showed up in my YT feed this morning:

Yep. That is actually my crux 5 frame in the picture. I also checked an aethos 2 and tarmac sl9 which both have the same updated dropout. So Specialized has been doing this update for awhile given the Aethos came out in October 2025. I have not checked my epic 9 frameset but plan on looking to see if they did the same on the MTB side.

Afaik its a new version of their already adapted UDH hanger that has been seen on some bikes - Its just an UDH hanger but with a small pin on it. Lets hope that its just that, and nothing more. I dont see manufactuers going back to doing different seat/chainstay molds for shimano and sram bikes. But maybe they have something completely different in the pipeline, but I think thats a miss from them then. Some pics borrowed from mtbr/weightweenies - Frame is a crux 5, so spesh has already implemented this.

That looks like the production boxxer, so I would think that it's a mistake, the only fork in the world cup right now that has more than 203mm is the Dorado proto that Aon is on, and I believe that it's 210mm

Yeti didn't get the memo.

Nice detailed pics!

Really cool. I understood (italian is pretty good but technical stuff goes over my head) the goal is to optimize suspension performance for every phase of cornering- opening compression under braking, back to neutral/baseline while rider is neither braking nor pedaling, then stiffening compression when the crankset is under forward load to maximize forward drive. I.e. theoretically providing gains on both corner entry and exit. Proper active suspension system.

My Italian is a little rusty, but it seems this was made using a servo from the RC world, connected to some kind of stroke measuring device on the brake lever blade. The idea being to change the compression settings of the shock under different types of braking events.

I am pretty shit on jumps and as far as I can tell in bikeparks I am far from alone. I wonder how well the system can recognise the shit "in air technique" of your average rider and distinguish it from a WC DH pro about to lose control...

Bummed to see this

And I bet that downhill bike will be the Norco team! Should good timing to release that with the World Cup just happening and hardline right around the corner and having riders and both! This is just speculation but I can’t imagine they’re being a more perfect release time for any Bike right now

System with it apparently available in europe on the Astars site, available in the US by end of year. And the article says downloadable via the app. 'Il sistema Tech-Air® MX con l’algoritmo MTB Downhill è disponibile in Europa sul sito ufficiale Alpinestars e presso i rivenditori autorizzati, con debutto previsto negli Stati Uniti entro la fine dell’anno.' Alpinestars presenta l'algoritmo dedicato al Downhill per il sistema airbag Tech-Air MX | MTB Mag