SPOTTED: See What's Coming from Manitou and SUNringlé

Nowhere else in the world are prototype components more common than Whistler during Crankworx. By keeping your eyes open and tapping into product knowledge you are almost guaranteed to spot something new in the Village or lift line. Fact is, Whistler is an excellent place to test new products. This particular Trek Slash test bike was left out in plain view, allowing an early look at what's likely coming from the Hayes family of companies – including SUNringlé, Manitou, and ProTaper (formerly Answer).

For a company that makes rear shocks, however, it is surprising to see a RockShox product out back. Competitor testing, perhaps? Dig in!

Let's see. Prototype long-travel Manitou fork, new Manitou dropper, Hayes Dominion A4 disc brakes, and... purple hubs?

The unnamed fork features Manitou's reverse arch design on steroids. Clearly a very stiff chassis was a design goal.

Brake routing out front and another view of the integrated fender. The stanchions are also quite large, likely 36mm or more.

IRT translates to Infinite Rate Tune in Manitou speak. It adds a third chamber to the air spring that controls mid-stroke rate independent from bottom-out. VTT is new, though. Variable Terrain Tune likely offers familiar open-firm-firmest compression settings. Low-speed adjust in the center.

Did you know that Manitou makes a dropper?

Has SUNringlé ever done a carbon rim? Not to our knowledge. Tubeless ready and they look like a good width.

SUNringlé and the color purple. Classic combo on these straight-pull hubs.

Given the size of it, there's likely something intriguing going on inside the rear hub.

Nice ride. The ProTaper bars and stem tie it all together.

Hayes recently launched the Dominion A4 disc brake, and the prototype components on this test bike make it appear that they're on track to make improvements and add variety to their other product lines as well.

Keep an eye on Hayes, Manitou, SUNringlé, and ProTaper for more details in the future.

Manitou