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Whelp, that rounds out a crappy year for me. And so the year finishes by hamncheez posting something that I actually agree with!..... Fuck. 🤯

tech rumors forum update - you've spoken and have been heard we'll lock out this thread at the end of the year (no matter what, it's just too darn big now), and will carry on with yearly tech rumors threads that will be stickied for easy participation. the 2026 thread is already underway here (not yet stickied) i just want to thank everyone for their feedback and insight on what this piece of the vital community means.

So basically a version of the Spesh Command Post BlackLite that works? (I know you're talking about a separate component but to me it makes sense to integrate into a dropper so it can share a remote/battery)

You do realise that: A) Atherton is closely working with Renishaw to handle 3D printing of the lugs, so Compotech wouldn't give them the advantage you think they would (it would be a clash of interests in fact) And their aluminium bikes are cnc milled precisely to avoid the hydroforming/bending of tubes and subsequent welding.

Intend dropper features in their happy holidays newsletter.

12 speed til´infinity

I'm a multiple bikes that match the purpose type of guy. I could likely trim down to just the hightower... but I do like having a long travel bike for park duty. XC/Gravel = Kona Ouroboros Trail/AM = Hightower 4 Park/Shuttle = Nomad 6 Ebike = Bullit 2

My Druid V2 can technically do it all, but I lack the skill to really let it buck on black trails at the bike park and on rowdier stuff. It always seems like my skills are the limiting factor... 🤔

Warning! AI Slop Forbidden testing out their new high-heel suspension platform:

Any particular reason you think these are radials?

Quarter HP just did a revisit on the Titan, and seat post insertion was one of the knocks on a six year old frame.. Considering that 170 was long at that point, that's not bad..

I believe the two "oldest" bikes on the market right now are S Enduro (2020) and Banshee Titan (2019) and they are both still perfectly relevant going into 2026... I'd say Titan became even more popular as the time went by which is pretty funny in modern times but I'd say there are more and more of us who dont really buy into latest trends of blingbling marginal gains and are perfectly happy with a simple, capable, reliable and affordable bike and Banshee ticks all of those.

I'm surprised we don't talk about the weight difference between AXS stuff and cable more. I'm no weight weenie (36 lb alloy Norco Sight w 2 lb of lead), but I'm certainly not interested in adding unsprung mass to my bike when I can avoid it. Seems odd, especially on a DH bike where suspension sensitivity is the whole point. I just checked, and a 90 series rear mech is about a 100g lighter than a GX T-type (incl battery). Better yet, an XT 12-speed mechanical rear mech is another 110 grams lighter than the 90 series. Not totally against...

RAAW is a german company, last year, the total numbers of all MTB sold in Germany was about 80k, that number is getting smaller and smaller in the last years. now look at EMTB sold, that was 800k, 10x as much as non motorized MTB. so they exist in an ever shrinking market if they don’t adapt to the new reality..,

Mondraker proto DH bike will be in production for 2026, Also comes with a 2026 Boxxer, which has Charger 3.2 and "air preload" (I assume this is that bump in the left lower) And DH transmission will be under the XX label, with new cranks ,

Unovation? I vote for the SRAM 70/90 mechanical derailleurs. The average rider has no idea that their bent derailleur hanger is ruining their shifting. In terms of performance improvement for the masses, this is one of the best advances ever.

what was not newsworthy (because nobody buys ads or sends free product for "review"): how a small company from freiburg, germany with a few employees beats the big companies in fork and brake performance and quality craftmanship

Yup, this thread is what brought me to Vital. So far I've just enjoyed reading, but with the impending closure, I decided it was worth making an account to cast my vote for annual versions of the tech-rumors thread.

Agree with others, closing the thread with no alternative is hard to wrap my head around. Alternatively, and I'm fully ready to get downvoted for this, but the "Crab" thing was getting really overplayed, I'm ready for that to chill out. Funny joke while it lasted, doesn't need to be repeated every day in response to every topic.

It’s wild to have your cranks disappear into the frame at a spot different from your chainring. Kinda really totally have to ride one of these…