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These carbon rims don't appear to be tubeless ready. Only Enve's 29er XC rims seem to be, so far. All the others I have seen have curved bead seats, instead of shelves, so they probably aren't easily convertible either.

A little brake squat isn't bad, but stiffening under braking (brake jack) is something I was afraid of. They should move the rear disc brake mount off the main pivot arm, IMO. That'd likely better isolate the brake. Look at how much the brake caliper moves during compression in this video, due to the main pivot arm swinging: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2KRlsBwa9Q&feature=player_detailpage#t=… The Devinci Wilson has a very elegant solution to that, with its Split Pivot design, which has its chainstay on the outside and brake attached to that, which also has a high main pivot.

I really didn't know just how much of a legend this guy is. He still races locally and everyone expects him to podium. Didn't know how old he was either. I was wondering why he wasn't racing internationally. I actually rode with him with on a local trail in a big group ride at Sycamore Canyon in Riverside, CA. His trail bike on that ride was a GT Force Carbon, if anyone wanted to know. Now that I think about it, I actually meet a lot of MTB celebs in SoCal. I saw Brendan Fairclough, among others. Had a good...

ianjenn, you make that sound like an achievement just to ride through all that. I often do runs like that on Mammoth on a trail bike (steering clear of Technorocks and Bullet). I was hoping for a much bolder answer, such as exclaiming, "I brake late on all my corners, braking bumps are nothing, steep really tight, twisty, and gnarly shit np."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2KRlsBwa9Q&feature=player_detailpage#t=… I am still curious about this bike's performance while braking.

Shop Mechanic, I had a similar experience. I was on my ABP bike going down stairs, almost at track stand speeds, modulating the brakes, and it felt like a smooth ramp on my ABP bike. Those square edge hits were like nothing. No wonder Gwin did so well on his Trek! JK! Hopefully Shop Mechanic was JKing too.

@csermont: Pedal neutral aspect: http://www.rdrop.com/~/twest/mtb/pathAnalysis/#PCL It's much too wordy to explain it. In a nutshell, chain tension wants to pull the rear axle forward. Vertical wheel paths don't let the chain tension affect suspension, such as found some dual links like Maestro and some 4-bars like FSR. C shaped wheel paths, such as found on single pivots (APP, faux bar, anything without a pivot between the main pivot and the axle) and S shaped wheel paths, such as some dual link bikes (VPP, DW Link, etc) will squat or anti squat depending on which gear you are in and the...

This is an old design that was deemed ahead of its time and is still probably ahead of its time, with this modern execution. One definitely to watch as it matures and gains favor, as I believe derailleur based shifting's days are numbered. I definitely think it's a smarter way to design rear suspension on a bike, from a suspension performance perspective instead of a normal XCish or AM trail riding perspective. High pivot performance that swallows big square edged hits, about as close as 100% active as you can get with the chain forces not affecting suspension, without the...

Chart orgasm right there for nerdy engineer types. Yeti's taking a huge step forward, IMO. It would have taken something like this to really make it worth switching from the lightweight simplicity of their modified single pivots, that's been tuned over the years to mesh well with the shocks available. I've been waiting for a pedal efficient dual link. Also, great article Vital; best opening coverage on the SB-66 I've seen. Consider this a huge/rare compliment. LaBourde brings up a good point that I was wondering too. Which 140mm DW-Link and VPP frame do those curves belong too. Not all...

Looks like it still has the CA plate. Looks like a "Grey/Black" Freerider just in "Black/blue". It has the same mesh over the toe, instead of the perforated leather. That mesh can blowout from toes or from catching on thick brush or whatever. I guess it keeps your feet better ventilated for low speed open environments when doing "urban trials/freeriding" or whatever you call D-mac's riding style.

Why a clipless interface with 5.10 soles? Cause it sucks walking in most other clipless shoes, with their super hard lugs that you end up walking on the tips/edges of your shoes with? I dunno, it's been a while since I've been on clipless, but I think that's one reason why I didn't like it. I'd like to go back to clipless one day, but not with roadie shoes with lugs attached to the underside.

Well, I personally like the benefits armor and I hate poorly designed armor that's simply uncomfortable and makes you not want to wear it. This is more of a Yes and No deal for me... Hate to see it required, but it protects the pros since they're at substantial risk pushing it to the limits. If it slows them down in regards to pedaling performance, better to slow 'em all down to make sure they're racing responsibly. If it makes them take even greater risks and go even faster, that'd be amazing from a spectator's perspective. By requiring it, it'll...