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As someone who took part in a flexstay design project, I can confirm that: - The spring force of the flex stay is minimal, relative to the spring force of the shock. As in it barely registers in a meaningful way to the ride quality of the bike. This was measured with instrumentation. The shock tune is all that matters here. - We benchmarked the 2021 Epic EVO when we began our 2025 Rocky Mountain Element project, and yes that EVO frame rides stiff. There was a ton of trail feedback, and the anti rise that results from their flexstay...

This is derailing tech rumours a bit but the chattery feeling is almost certainly due to the effects on braking and not from the impact on the spring rate at the shock. Torsional revolute is the correct model but it's a fairly high rate. With a long lever arm (and a very small angular displacement) like a seat stay this results in low forces at the shock but it transfers big portions of the brake torque from the seatstay to the chainstay. Makes the braking much closer to a single pivot in feel. And before someone else says it this...

I just received my 2nd order of Pendulums. Outlier updated them a bit since the first batch - they have new sealed bearings that spin better and should require less frequent maintenance, and the body has been reshaped a little for better self-leveling. Pins are now M4 with smooth tip. I never had problems with stepping on the wrong side in my hundreds miles on them, but these updates may be very welcome by some. They sent me replacement bearings not only for the new order but also for the original 1st set, free of charge. Bottom line - they...

BREAKING NEWS: Maxxis MTB Division releases 10,000th tread pattern, earns commemorative wrist watch from corporate headquarters in Cheng Shin to mark event:

After 20+ years, will we see a Minion DHF 2?

so what's happening to the mechanical options? any word on that? will the current products stay in the lineup? are they planning to release new mechanical stuff in the future? (2030 maybe?)

Looks like Troy's on Freedom Coast levers?

As long as it works in the rider's head... Sometimes, it's just to go with the flow, if the rider feels it makes a difference, even though physics and data might prove otherwise, the teams/mechanics will roll with it. I'm not surprised mental coaches are so important now at their level, if you have an edge "in your head", chances are it'll work on the track. I've seen it before, and I'll see it further on

2022+ XC bike starter pack *Linkage driven single pivot w/ flex stay *Top tube mounted shock *Two bottle cage mounts *Bring your own logo: Specialized/Cervelo/Pinarello/SantaCruz/Transition/Kona/Trek/Cannondale/Orbea/KTM etc Blueprint:

not 32" but prototype giant XC bike from VDS pits today

Lighten up, Francis! These will look great on my Porsche ebike.

Brembo brakes official

post removed at request of brand. -sspomer

Izanagi Teru V2 prototype. V3 coming soon...

No need to split the tube, just go lower

I'm waiting for Deity to offer $100,000 to the first elite XC racer to win a WC running 80mm rise bars upside down.

Absolutely horrific. Scott will love it. Can't wait for a new steerer standard to solve the issue of the taper getting in the way of the stem.

you're all helping them figure out 32" way too much with these suggestions 🤣

I'm just spitballing here, but one of the limiting dimensions that does not help gain wheel size or suspension travel is headtube length. What if for 32" bikes, the head tube was split, in which case it only needs to house a bearing on each end, and the stem attached in between? Scott does so much integration hell already that I'd bet they'd be into this.

the saddest thing about plus tires is that they are so good for beginners and for riders who dont really push their bikes, but no one wants to admit that they are in those classes of riders. no matter our level we still model ourselves after the racers and the aggro riders, or maybe just the fastest person in the group. I would bet that the absolute average rider and below (in terms of aggressive riding/trail conditions) would be so well served by plus tires, but so many of the more advanced/aggressive riders have trashed on the concept so hard...