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Not sure if this was caught by anyone else, but Open might have just leaked some details on a new Shimano derailleur while promoting a new gravel frame of theirs? https://opencycle.com/blog/new-direction-for-up-and-upper

Not to be too negative, but at first glance I feel like the main design priority was no Shimano motor (although the EP801 is great IMO). I'm sure it rides exceptionally well for a crab-link though

Or like all gas powered cars (and trucks) ended up with turbo 4 cyl engines. Best configuration for the job (Edit: according to the product manager and bean-counters).

Don't take it back! You have a point! You'll still find plenty of interesting stuff out there, but you'll probably have to pay (a lot more) for it and it will get pushed more and more to the edges of the market. That's all.

Personal opinions aside, in most markets you'll see a convergence of design. This is especially true with a market that is heavily influenced by performance of a product or system being most heavily valued by the consumer of the product. The more the underlying form needs to adhere to very rigid design criteria for an intended function, optimization will likely yield at most a handful and at least a single design that will win out. Straying from this "best" design will put you at a significant disadvantage, especially when the product itself is intended to do something more than just...

Definitely RS stanchion. The air sleeve looks like either a prototype version of the new Linear XL air can, or the next generation of it (the XL portion looks even longer). I wouldn't mind that new rebound adjuster, the dial adjust on the top right now has the clicks very close together and they're pretty fine. In some frames where access is tough it can be hard to count clicks. I wonder if they're reworking the damper end to include TouchDown? I just tried a Linear XL air can on my SD compared to my Vivid, and while there's some...

Good eye. I got excited about the shock and cropped the dropper… amateur hour. Here’s the full photo with the dropper

Interesting take- I'm kinda the opposite. I like seeing the convergence of designs and features. At this point companies have to sweat the details and provide superior value to get business. I want a reliable, good value that does what it's supposed to do... Don't care if the bike is different or rare.

2025 Trek Rail+ 160/160 MX Bike still not up on website, I guess it'll drop at 12PM EST ?

Norco soft-launching their new VLT CX (with the new Bosch motor just announced today): https://www.vitalmtb.com/news/press-release/new-norco-sight-vlt-cx-drop….

Bosch with a bunch of improvements to their CX Performance line: https://www.vitalmtb.com/news/press-release/power-meets-control-bosch-a….

This guy right here, looking at reflections, is why I keep coming to this post :D

I agree with this. Spent 4 years on DW link from Turner, Ripmo V1 and V2. Then 3 years on horst links from Transition, Norco, and Specialized. (with single pivot from a Nukeproof Giga thrown in there) I did instantly feel the "magic" of VPP pedaling my Santa around on pavement after I built it, but if say SC made the leverage curve much more linear like Spesh did with the SJ 15 I'm out. I scroll linkagedesign.blogspot.com in the same way I scroll Vital or the other site. Moderate interest in electronic shocks but very happy letting engineering and...

Spotted this in the wild. Any ideas? New super deluxe ultimate?

No labels and zipped tied rear hose, can anyone name this frame? update, Just had a better look at home, rocker pivot says transition

It’s a nitrate. Did it long before fox. Fox doesn’t own kashima either

Got to ride my countershox today for the first time: There‘s definitely a noticeable change in how the front end rides and tracks, not comparable to anything I could achieve with suspension setup or something else. The front wheel is in contact with the ground a lot more times and it takes the harsh impact out of big compressions. Only did a couple runs but keen to try it more over full days when arm pump becomes an issue. I want to try to make a mount for the rear swingarm to try how it feels on the unsprung mass...