All

Then…don’t buy it. Wild that some people think this way and are allowed to use the internet lol

28h built well with an assymmetric rim will be pretty damn close to the same strength as a 32h with a symmetric rim. a 4mm offset in the spoke location evens out the spoke tension drastically and makes for a MUCH stronger wheels. That and the increase in quality products over the years, there is less and less reason to need to run 32h wheels.

The criticism here isn't that the frame broke; in the XC race market, if your frame can survive a decent huck to flat with a dad-bod on it, that means your frame is heavier than it needs to be. The criticism is the damage control instead of just addressing it. "Ya, we had a frame break. We wish it didn't happen, but sometimes it does. We stand behind our frames and our warranty"

Robert from The Loam Wolf here. I was the one who broke the Scalpel, and I’m not surprised I did - overshot the landing of a large jump for an XC bike, landing in the pocket between the landing and the flat ground after it. Huge bottom out. I corrected Kaz at Pinkbike’s quote - he had flatteringly guessed me to be 190lbs, whereas I am 220lbs. Nothing fishy. I wholeheartedly believe the Scalpel is fit for purpose and that it was my fault! Was having far too much fun and got carried away.

To be fair, they also had ads referencing the Santa Cruz Blur and Specialized Epic.

DAMPER

I never really had a trip paid for by an event, The FMB mandates accommodations and breakfast. Rampage now pays 7500, but to be honest that covers your expenses for the event if your from north America, and some if you're from off continent The rest you're on your own. Only exemptions to that where events in China, those they covered everything, and paid well. As the organizers saw it more as a marketing exercises than an event. And the Nissan Qashqi events in 2008 where i got 1500 euros travel support.

Oh man, I could beat this topic with a broken stick until it returned back to life. Rampage athletes get an appearance fee ever since 2015. Why not the slope guys? Most the slope guys dont actually make that much. I did Pretty good for 15 years. Id average probably 65K USD all said and done over those 15 years. Less when I started and the bigger years in the middle. That is sponsorships and winnings and any travel budgets. BUT I would spend at least 30k of that on traveling and expenses. So that 3k a month before taxes...

I can assure you that the new Altitude rides like like a Rocky Mountain, but better! We wanted that firm feeling again; had to go back to our roots.

Chirs Canfield / Vampire Bikes' (sometime) upcoming bike with CBF + CF3 + I-Track from the 'gram:

or maybe there’s just more mentally sane people here than in your Truth Social filter bubble. now get the turd that is US politics out of here and let’s talk about bikes and bikers again

#VitalEquestrian Anyway, this thread cannot end until Sam Hill says so

take the politics to the off the bike forum.

In other news, Mathieu van der Poel has extended his contracts with both his current team Alpecin-Deceunink (until 2028) and Canyon (until 2034, one of the longest deals in cycling history). https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/im-still-hungry-for-more-mathieu-van-d… https://www.globalcyclingnetwork.com/racing/news/mathieu-van-der-poel-s…

I'm not sure an Mtb forum is really the best venue to argue about rape conviction rates to be honest.

Wouldn't be surprised if the novelty of bonded frames is a marketing/sales benefit over welding frames... A factor of standing out from the crowd and a possible justification for a higher price (thus possibly a higher margin).

Both of you…

name checks out

Washing tri bikes before I would touch them was the role of the youngest kid in the shop.