MTB Tech Rumors and Innovation

That’s just the thing though. These bigger companies don’t want you to have a choice. I figured most of us would’ve accepted that by now.

Re: wireless only frames... as with everything in life the answer is likely it's a bit of everything.  Innovation slowing in areas like geo, suspension and overall product improvement from generation to generation lead to looking for notable and small gains.  Wireless shifting is likely one place where brands feel that they can offer something different and new to people that have bikes that don't have it... ie sell bikes.  

There is likely a bunch of other small influencers to this.  MFG cost, assembly cost, design cost, overall bike prices being so high that an extra 200-300 usd for an electronic drivetrain is an easy extension.  

One thing I was considering the other night, is how the sales data at each tier/part of this industry is aggregated and viewed.  The IBD's see the front lines this or that decisions and get feedback from the end consumer on if this decision is driving or breaking sales.  The mfg's likely have a mixed level of insight to that depending on how much they communicate or have a pipeline with the IBDs on what's happening on the ground.  My hunch, is that the bulk of their decision making is based off of their own ship/ibd volume.  To that end, the ibd's are likely placing their orders with the mid/higher tier builds and mfg's data is pointing to electronic drivetrains outselling the mechanical drivetrains.

For example, in discussing something similar to this with my LBS owner on a ride, he mentioned that he tries his best to only stock the floor with bikes that have performance elite level suspension (equivalent) or better.  Stating that he feels that's a better value proposition for the consumer, but also those bikes sell faster based on his data.  That, by extension, means electronic drivetrains are the majority of those sales at this moment because of the product manager/mfg spec.  

You know what would be rad?  Bikes with electronic shifting as shipped from the MFG, but with provisions for external cable routing.  Let's face it, most of the stalwarts at this point that don't want electronic shifting, also likely would prefer service and function over form and would want external brake and routing anyway.  At least, I think that would be rad.  

Pro choice ended a couple years ago 

Am I the only one who thinks the empty holes for cable housing on wireless equipped bikes looks rad? (FWIW, I don't think Jeeps with the doors missing look rad lol)

I'm totally fine with wireless drivetrains if they can make it cost $200 like my 11sp Deore. I don't break derailleurs too often, but when I do I really love that they're $45 from my local shop and even cheaper (around $30) grey market. I just don't think I'd hang $100+ from the most vulnerable part of my bike. That money is better spent on literally any other component of the bike imo.

Sad to hear the news about SC going wireless only. Guess this 5010 (my favorite bike I've ever owned) will be my first and last SC. (Again, unless Shimano pulls some wizardry and gets their Deore wireless derailleur under $100)

This wireless drivetrain debate is silly, when your new bike comes with transmission (which it likely will) I very much doubt you will be clamoring to get something cable actuated.   

contrary, it would be the first thing on marketplace, old cable eagle for the win, tried many of both and old eagle is still the best for me

You say that, but I pulled a fresh XT 12 speed drivetrain off a bike a month ago in favour of 10 speed deore link glide. 100% I'd pull transmission too, no doubt in my mind.  

I've done the same - 12S XT to an XT/Deore based, 10S linkglide mix. 

Got a new bike with GX Transmission and immediately pulled it off and replaced it with 12-speed Shimano Deore XT. Thankfully it had ports for the shift cable 😉

I love the mechanical nature of my bikes and understanding how it works. It’s some how less appealing to me when it all goes into a little black box.

Assuming people (especially in this forum) don't buy framesets and swap the parts they already have (and love) is silly lol. Last 8 years building from frames only the drivetrain is the ONE component that has been able to transfer from bike to bike. That's why this feels like a step back. Pay $500-$1000 more for the frame and now you've gotta open your wallet again and drop another rack on a wireless drivetrain that I'm sure is nice, but I can (and will) live without.

Smells like MTBR in here.

Link glide/Cues is down right amazing and the cost of the groups is less than a transmission derailleur. We were having issues with someone blasting through cassettes and one bike brand's high torque output skipping under super heavy loads. Linkglide groups solved those and many other issues this year. My Rootdown is getting linkglide this winter for Christmas so I never have to worry about it again.

What we really need is someone to buy a wireless frame and a Transmission drivetrain then mod it all to run on cables. External glued on cable guides. Remove the Transmission tiny motors and jb weld in some bits n bobs to have it cable actuated. Just a right ugly hack with horrible cable routing and all. 

It could be you if you just don't put routing options on your next frame.  

Been there done that. My first full suspension frame I built back in 2014 I used electrical tape for the cables on the front triangle. The frame did last year I just had zipties. We need someone to commit to just electrical taping on cables on a new S-Works Stumpy. 

New Slash+ lightweight e bike is live below. 20.5kg for this build with the trail casing tires supposedly: 

https://www.kibaek-cykler.dk/cykler/mountainbikes/e-mtb/trek-slash-9-7-slx-xt

 

Can anyone disclose the release date for the Specialized Stumpy 15 Alloy?

Should definitely route through the headset, heard it looks best that way

Let’s get this back on track. Seen at whistlert

That's a Ransom

Still only 50nm. Shame TQ havent figured out a power boost for that motor. 

As has been mentioned in this topic before, we are not the average customer. Just the other day, mentioning the wireless only Santa Cruz rumor to a friend of mine in the gym, another guy overheard us (a Santa Cruz ebike rider) and instantly commented how awesome his GX Eagle AXS is. And he's far from the only one giving out comments like that. 

People like gimmicks overall, they like things that are "better". QED the love for the punching of the AXS derailleurs bad the clutch action of the mechanism. While I had to basically spell out multiple times here that it's nothing special compared to cable actuated drivetrains, except it being a necessity and, at the bottom line, a complication to make it work. But that's how it goes in this world... 

Now, back to rumors. 

lol @the Slash+ Ad on pinkbike that leads on a 404. I guess the ad team got the timing wrong (or treks web team)

ohhh nooo, someone might have to actually pedal

How about an eMTB Tech Rumors and Innovation  thread stickied to the top to discuss batteries and motors? 

This link works, at least for me. https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/mountain-bikes/electric-mountain-bikes/slash/c/B347/

Any other insight here? Will they be direct mount? Will they feature the battery-less shifter outlined in one of Shimanos patents? https://wheelbased.com/2021/12/16/operating-device-battery-less-wireles…

I spent a day on Transmission on a rented bike the other day and it did shift impressively.

Still, I remain a bit of a caveman and as such I prefer X01 11 speed on my Relay (all steel cassette, light, cheap, great shifting) and an XTR 11 speed on my Smuggler.

It's not a money issue though. It's ground clearance and weight which notably effects rear suspension performance. But also, my previous AXS ruined 2-3 rides due to battery issues and losing a day of riding to have a .1% cleaner shift, is not a tradeoff I want to ever make again.

Regarding the new SJ, I'm sure it's a rocket. But for my tastes it has several geo issues plus the lack of the cabled shifting, makes it a total deal killer for my tastes.

It's almost like people form and have their own opinions based on their experience