All

First round of the ewsdr or whatever they are callling it this year next weekend and the course map has been released. Around 100km and 3100m of climbing over 2 days so looks like they are going back to bigger days out again.

I decided to jump back in the lions den and test Schwalbe's Tacky Chan again - https://www.vitalmtb.com/product/guide/tires/schwalbe/tacky-chan-65346#… I've read mixed opinions on the tire in this thread, and I experienced mixed performance from the tire the past few months on a decent mix of terrain. It's a sweet tire sometimes, and sucks other times. Biggest takeaway was how much braking bite and control it offers despite its heavy ramping. It's become another go-to rear tire for me next to a DHR II or a Kyrptotal RE, or Vee Attack FSX.

Hi DWM, From an industry perspective, getting product out to media for early review is time intensive and not always doable based on product arrival dates. With the current Tariff disruptions making timing harder it might not have been something they could do? It's usually a good move to have reviews come out at your product launch date, since that gets you clicks and hopefully dollars, but there's lots of reasons you might not want to drive a ton of traffic all at once.

DESCRIBE THE THING!!! My brother in christ you are posting spy shots of some byb telemetry device that nobody knows about. Stop being cryptic, nobody here likes that. Tell us what you know about it if you're allowed.

Just imagine listen for yourself https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxyDWPPbVj0YW6T738eHcmRZqy8bCH7Tl8?si=Ed9YL9…

Shrinkflation, just like the box of cookies. Pay the same get less.

Strava. It effectively hurts many egotistical emotions at the same time. LOL.

Don't forget the NOS systems. On the subject of the Ari theft, I saw an article on BikeRumor that offered more detail than the other articles I'd seen. I'd assumed the trucker stopped for lunch and someone snatched the trailer, or emptied it out, but it was actually a more sophisticated operation where the thieves impersonated a real trucking company, and picked up the container at the port as if it was just a regular day on the job: https://bikerumor.com/ari-bikes-truck-theft/

STFU guides. They actually work. They also help with the mythical pedal kickback. External cables with proper guides/clamps. Lastly a silent rear hub. But none of it really matters when you ride solo with earbuds in 90% of the time.

Agree. I think running a chainguide with a lower roller helps a ton, it eliminates a lot of metallic clinking noise of the chain tapping on the chainring as it bounces around.

My $8000 bike I bought a year ago with a clutch derailleur still sounds like garbage so I think they still need to work on it.

I did. But I still expect better. We are talking five figure bikes that can be solved with some clamps and mastic tape or a little oval thing. Why is that left to the customers to figure out where it goes?

Some of you never rode when we had no clutches so the loose, flopping chain smashed against every part of your aluminum bike and the fork knocked in the 1 1/8th head tubes and then echoed through your monocoque frame and it shows. I can barely hear my current bike compared to the 3rd grade marching bands on wheels we used to ride pre-2012. I didn't even know you could hear what your tires were doing for the first 10 years I rode.

Not really a tech rumour but a tech wish: since we’ve somewhat stabilized on geo development and are looking at new ways to innovate, can companies put more effort into silencing bikes? It’s kind of embarrassing that a $10k bike sounds like a shopping cart.

I really wish Spesh could incorporate fixed HS cups. I too fall in that "vast minority" (according to spesh) of having to repeatedly "resolve" the headset creaking/popping issue on my Levo (which is virtually the same HS config as the SJ15). Compounding this issue is the addition of the E13 Sidekick rear hub which has made the whole entire ride much more quieter BUT!!! I now hear every little shit that comes out of the rest of the bike that were once drowned by louder ratcheting hub and all. The quest for perfection ensues.... Ps. Thanks for the carbon paste...

funny, same thing happens if i happen to stumble upon a post with your avatar next to it, coincidence?

No, I love the Lefty too. Dual crown, inverted, great torsional stiffness, all at that cost of having to deal with Cannondale's customer service. All these forks have the air spring on just one side anyways, so why not put the damper over there too and dump the other leg? What patents does Cannondale still hold on it?