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Sure, but folks were suggesting that bikes might not use a belt if it weren't for the Gates prize. Zerode, as an example, was using them 4 years before Gates offered up the prize, so clearly, not the driver for them. As mentioned a few times before, I think GBs and belt drives are an interesting solution for gravity sports. Unclear, in my mind at least, if they are definitively better than conventional drive systems, even in that area. It's pretty tough to decipher all of the politics and contractual obligations that might prevent some of the winningest DH teams...

single speed and internal gear hub guys are gonna be pissed at you for saying that! I think they’ll be best served if nobody wins it. Right now we say their name every week. If someone finally scrapes out a win it’ll be the end of the story. Red Sox became really boring once they finally won.

The prize is for the belt, not the gearbox. It just happens you need a gearbox if you want to run a belt.

Ext aria v2 coming soon.

Right foot forward and the only time I broke a derailleur was when I jumped and landed sideways when I was in the largest cog. The derailleur was pulled into the spokes and that was it. An old 9spd X9 derailleur. What I have done multiple times is park the derailleur sideways into a rock, onto a wooden ledge, bent the hanger, etc. but always just straightened the hanger and rode on. For the past 7 years exclusively on X01 derailleurs (two separate ones on 2 separate bikes.

Could you imagine a DH series with no pedaling allowed? I think they do that for the pump-track world series. We also have a chainless category for our local beer league DH series and it's the most fun. 10/10 would support a move to chainless DH races. Ha ha.

Wasn't Zerode using GBs years before the Gates prize showed up.

I'm waiting for drivetrain-free systems to catch on. Aaron Gwin demonstrated the benefits of pedal-free DH long ago, but sponsorship for that approach seems to be lacking. Imagine, no DR, no cassette, no chain, freedom to use any crank length or even pegs if you want.

I'll get excited when it's on Asa, Gwin and Anna's bikes

I too am a left foot forward guy. I have had pretty good luck over the years with derailleurs and hangers. If all of a sudden, they were gone, a whole new world of line choices would open up for me. I think I have always given an extra bit of caution to that side of the bike. Also, would not mind the improved rear suspension feel without that additional weight back there. Color me gearbox curious for sure.

Ha, I ride left forward, often break derailleurs, and since I put flat pedals on the ebike I've bashed and broken two right pedals! I never thought to put two and two together

Taken from PB, new TRP brakes in the works (or at least calipers)

Dh rear mechs & cassettes are pretty dang light.

Hear me out, a little solenoid integrated into the shock to extend a high pivot design when you pedal, call it the inchworm drive, print money.

That $100k was also for the rider not the team wasn't it?

I ride left foot forward and I’ve gone through plenty of derailleur hangers.

Gates also sponsors the teams that are running the gearbox / belt. I suspect cash was involved, not just product.

Probably true, but it can't be ignored either. It's certainly an awful coincidence...

Getting weight in the bottom bracket area is currently en vogue anyway and due to their production technique I don't think it was that much of a hussle to get it done, so I think the carrot is working for Atherton. Probably more valueable is the free marketing and the attention their getting - plus it makes them seem more innovative as well.

Is 100k actually a carrot? Hardware development is expensive, I'm certain Atherton didn't developed their gearbox bike for less than 100k. I feel like riding a winning platform is more valuable than the prize money.