Ok, so is that 490g claim for the alloy or carbon models? 490g for 275" alloy seems pretty competitive, for carbon it seems pretty burly. I'd also like to know if the alloy models will get offset spoke drilling as well. I'd love some lightweight alloy asym rims in 28h.

The pictures shows the new Arc rims available in both carbon and aluminum with the same weight and cost, which seems like a typo. I also wonder if Race Face will offer asym alloy rims.

There are a few things going at Tantrum that are really cool: 1) Innovative suspension design 2) swap dropouts that allow different wheel/tire combinations 3) big clearances for 3.25 tires 4) quick turn around on consumer input into production models. Honestly, if Brian built a basic Horst-Link bike with those last 3 features (swap dropouts, big clearances, good consumer feedback) I'd be just as happy to buy such a bike, even if it didn't have the fancy suspension system that increases prices. There is definitely demand for more ICB (internet community) type bikes.

With the onslaught of 27.5+ tires, shorter chainstays (or even adjustable ones) are a major improvement in keeping a 29er playful and a 275x2.8 in line with most others. I wish more companies utilized swap drops that would allow you to run a full suspension 29er (with ability to run 275x3.25 tires) at 430 or 450. Combine that with adjustable shock linkage and you could have a bike that be ran with 275x2.8 and 160mm or 29x2.3 and 130mm. Long or short stays. A bike for every occasion.

Never know when you might need that line that's 1" closer to the tree.

"Even you can become an bicycle suspension engineer!"