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The smaller the chainrings are, the higher the forces in the chain for a given power load. Because the two primary chainrings are fairly small (around 20t), the loads in the chain are high. Thus, apparently, the need for two of them. So it's not a patent circumvention thing...

https://www.sram.com/en/life/stories/specialized-highgear-co-development From the outset, the core challenge was clear: transmitting full downhill sprint and impact loads through an extremely compact system. Traditional solutions such as belts or meshing gears were quickly ruled out due to inefficiency, packaging limitations, suspension constraints, and durability concerns. Chains remained the most efficient and proven option, but early analysis showed that a single chain could not withstand elite downhill loads within the desired compact gearing and envelope. That insight led to the project’s defining architectural decision: a two chain system. Two parallel chains could theoretically share the load, but ensuring equal load distribution introduced a...

is this gonna be a daily driver in „UK winter conditions“ though?

TQ is developing a new motor, a bit smaller/lighter than the current one but with 100 Nm if I am correct. I should be out next summer not before. So it could be the reason. It is a shame for Santa to go away from the VPP system ... :-(

In typical fashion, the target market is whoever wants one bad enough. The Demo is a legacy product just like a V10, Supreme, Glory etc. There will always be brand loyal fans eagerly awaiting the new-new. The fact it has exclusive cutting-edge technology will only add to the demand. Specialized knows the people will pay, and their pricing has always reflected this for new releases. For racing, a couple of my closest friends are on a race team that has been in line to get frames for months. I’m excited to see them when they arrive!

I think this is as close to a „for racing purposes only“ bike we’ll get from specialized. Who is the realistic target group for this? A few age groupers, the occasional dentist and maybe some kids sponsored by their rich parents. The ones who want it will buy it anyways, other than that I see it as an engineering exercise and podium representation at the World Cup for spesh. Low production numbers, complex molds and layup, high structural requirements and engineering costs, it was never gonna be price competitive and i don’t think specialized will care about the hardtail dad...

While I’ll never own one, I have to give credit to specialized for creating this. It’s giving me nostalgia vibes from the late 90’s/early 00’s when there was a lot of weird and wacky experimentation in DH. The fact that after 3+ years of development, this is an actual production frame (regardless of cost) is pretty cool.

I should have written „for a whole ride“. Your post sounds a bit harsh imho. ;-) And no doubt, there are people who ride their emtbs like regular bikes. And folks who can ride (again) because of emtbs. Cool! And I don’t even judge, as long as people enjoy emtbing, I am happy. Regular bikers can also be fun OR problematic, no worries. But to me it feels more and more like a different sport. It’s not biking it’s biking with a motor… If I am on an emtb, I sure ride differently. And most bikers who were bikers before...

I dig it. If you want the bike in any color grab a rattle can, tape, and sandpaper from your local hardware store. Paint job should be the last reason to not want a bike.

Hahah! My local Spesh dealer said they aren’t doing a new enduro as there is no market for it anymore. Yet Henry from Quarter HP said in the stumpy video that it’s a well known secret its being in development for some time. Can’t help but feel Charlie Murray wants something longer travel for the chunky EWS tracks

Rumor has it they're adding it to GTA6 😂

New Maxxis 32'er tires. I think it's safe to assume if Maxxis is confident enough to create 5 new molds, 32'ers will be somewhat "mainstream" in due time.

My thought was if they are launching a 29 inch XC right now in the midst of this flurry of 32 inch releases maybe they want to try to sell their smaller wheel size as being about control? Similar to how 27.5 bills itself as the more playful wheel size… Edit: nvm, just heard it’s an eeb. Maybe it’s the eDemo? Kenevo? New demo platform with a motor? God that would be sick…

Sounds like a Demo launch.

Heard the new speci launching this week is all about “control at speed.” Not sure what that means, heard it’s a race bike though

Thoughts on the latest Forbidden clip? Also, interesting that Canyon have removed the Strive from the website entirely. No enduro bike currently advertised.

Looks like a mechanical version of the XT 12 speed is coming on the Clash Fox bulid