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I'm sure I read they were going to keep making the A1 generation calipers/brakes etc going forward for people who wanted that.

We use the term in Motocross, and it applies to the ease/quickness with which one can maneuver the bike, while in motion, from one attack position to another, while moving forward and retaining control. For moto - Some say flick-ability is weight related, and some say the rider triangle is the key, and others say it's engine size or weight distribution, or center mass or weight bias and of course these are accurate, but not all, the variables change - introduce a new one and others may be eliminated, example would be to enlarge the rear sprocket a tooth and...

I mean thats a fair question. there are SO MANY variables we can change to alter the ride characteristics. Id be curious what someone would say about the playfulness of a bike if we were to lets say, increase CS, increase stack a lot, and raise the BB a fair amount. Look at the lets say a medium V10.8 and its F/R ratio and geometry numbers and that bike is considered by most a more playful DH bike than most. Case in point- Jackson Goldstone. That sucker is only a handful of MM shorter in CS than my XL 29...

Specialized Turbo Levo R

The term “flickable” was first used back in the 80s to characterize roadracing or sport bikes that could quickly transition cornering directions. It was in the 80s that engineering, manufacturing, and tire technology improved to the point that roadracing bikes, especially GP machines could be ridden with sudden extreme force of input without the bike trying to spit the rider off. This was accomplished with ultra-rigid frames, steep head angles, and well damped suspension. This tech trickled down to street bikes and soon bikes like the Kawasaki GPz-550 were deemed flickable. The true test was a near violent transition from...

Longer rear centers of course! Really though a longer rear helps quite a bit when climbing and climbing plays an outsize role in xc performance. Personally I think there is really something on the table there.

@jessemelamed rules

We'll eventually just get to aerodynamics and I'd bet better electronic suspension. And doping. I KIND OF think 32" wheels is going to usher in a wave of even faster-rolling tires. The larger contact patch will give us more grip so the tread will get even smaller. Why do I think that? Just vibes. I think XC racing and Gravel racing are going to veer towards each other indefinitely. The XC/Gravel merger is the singularity Ray Kurzweil was talking about.

I think the use you describe is possibly some weird artifact of a couple threads here on Vital. I’ve read a lot of the posts you’re referring to and agree it’s been the modus operandi recently. However, in my own life and groups of riding friends it’s always been used more how I described. Really used when comparing two bikes, i.e., I liked the Trek Fuel more than the Raaw Jibb because it felt more “flick-able” on Trail A. My own experience isn’t too helpful here now though I suppose. Hope you can work out a satisfactory answer! Cheers