MTB Tech Rumors and Innovation

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pinkrobe
Posts
155
Joined
5/16/2015
Location
Revelstoke, BC CA
12/11/2022 9:25pm

So, Darco (aggro trail), Darco Ti (aggro bling), and Lowdown (freeride)?

1
ShapeThings
Posts
31
Joined
8/19/2018
Location
Emeryville, CA US
12/11/2022 11:05pm
pinkrobe wrote:

So, Darco (aggro trail), Darco Ti (aggro bling), and Lowdown (freeride)?

I think the Darco is only 120 or 130 rear?

12/11/2022 11:43pm
metadave wrote:
My views on headset routing aside, I am starting to dig the tight to the bar levers. They'd be out of the way a bit more...

My views on headset routing aside, I am starting to dig the tight to the bar levers. They'd be out of the way a bit more during a crash, smaller hose loops to get snagged and maybe stiffer? May end up with cleaner Cable/hose management with more traditional routing as well.

Totally agree. And with AXS dropper and shifting, easier to fit number plates without getting creative.

12/12/2022 1:04am
Maxipedia wrote:
Question: has anybody seen the prices actually go down at some point, for some reason? It seems that as soon as people get used to certain...

Question: has anybody seen the prices actually go down at some point, for some reason? It seems that as soon as people get used to certain prices for stuff, the industry just keeps the status, because it is not in their interest to shrink them. But this is only my perception, I could be wrong.

I can give one example, I don't know how relevant it is though: the gas prices in my country are pretty much only rising. Even when the international market is down, they either stay put or shrink in minimal increments. Because people are still buying, no matter what. It's almost a joke.

Speaking of MTB prices, I remember the days when there was no Euro and top end bikes from major producers were around 9000 Deutsche Mark. When the Euro became reality, its value was around 2 DM for 1 EUR. Now, I am looking at my '22 Mondraker Foxy RR Carbon and its MSRP is at 7500 EUR and it's not even the top end bike of theirs. We are talking about how an S-Works Enduro with Flight Attendant, a Far East made bike, will be 13K next year and everything is cool. I am seriously wondering, has the value of money decreased so much in the last 20 years or are there more factors to consider? Is it justified?

Cheers,
Mx

There were some price cuts from some german brands: https://www.mtb-news.de/news/fahrrad-boom-preise-sinken/

Also during the autumn/black friday there were some really good prices on 2021 models.

matmattmatthew
Posts
298
Joined
6/14/2014
Location
Fresh Prince of Bel Air, MD US
12/12/2022 6:04am

Is it just me or do the Saddles on those Chromag's look out of proportion?  I'm getting early 2000's Azonic Seat vibes...

4
12/12/2022 6:11am

All this talk about internal cable/headset routing on the new SRAM brakes but that  super high-end world cup ready BMC still uses that multiple cable non-ergonomical lock-out lever...priorities...

12/12/2022 6:18am

I see the sense in positioning the cables and reservoir closer to the bar for crash reasons (and I guess routing reasons too) but I still just think SRAM makes some ugly looking levers when you compare them to other brands.

2
PisgahGnar
Posts
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Location
Hendersonville, NC US
Fantasy
1724th
12/12/2022 6:40am

Is it just me or do the Saddles on those Chromag's look out of proportion?  I'm getting early 2000's Azonic Seat vibes...

I have always thought the Chromag saddles are a bit bulky. 

1
dolface
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CA US
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610th
12/12/2022 6:47am

I think the Darco is only 120 or 130 rear?

Correct, I20mm rear, 150mm up front

Here's the geo

1
Yoda
Posts
90
Joined
9/24/2021
Location
IT
Fantasy
56th
12/12/2022 7:15am
Dodgems wrote:
Look at this crazy german concoction:  https://www.mtb-news.de/news/craft-bike-days-2022-alutech-armageddon-v2/   Looks crazy and sweet! Anyone knows anything about the brakes?  

Look at this crazy german concoction: 

https://www.mtb-news.de/news/craft-bike-days-2022-alutech-armageddon-v2/

 

Looks crazy and sweet! Anyone knows anything about the brakes?

 

Italian company (I think?) called Braking

https://www.braking.com/

although their website doesn’t seem to be working for me at least…

Website working for me. Their products are starting to pop up here on the Italian scene as I've seen a few ebikes with them as well as shops marketing them. 'Braking' is a subsidiary of Sunstar (moto sprocket mfg) and a sponsor of various MXGP factory teams including Yamaha and Kawasaki.

700eur for 2-piston brakes... not a new product: Freni da MTB e Ciclismo Braking | LORDGUN Bicycles

Use google translate for review: TEST BRAKING INCAS 2.0: QUANDO I FRENI CAMBIANO UNA BICI - Pianeta Mountain Bike

 

Dodgems
Posts
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Location
Antwerp BE
Fantasy
425th
12/12/2022 7:18am
Dodgems wrote:
Look at this crazy german concoction:  https://www.mtb-news.de/news/craft-bike-days-2022-alutech-armageddon-v2/   Looks crazy and sweet! Anyone knows anything about the brakes?  

Look at this crazy german concoction: 

https://www.mtb-news.de/news/craft-bike-days-2022-alutech-armageddon-v2/

 

Looks crazy and sweet! Anyone knows anything about the brakes?

 

Italian company (I think?) called Braking

https://www.braking.com/

although their website doesn’t seem to be working for me at least…

Yoda wrote:
Website working for me. Their products are starting to pop up here on the Italian scene as I've seen a few ebikes with them as well...

Website working for me. Their products are starting to pop up here on the Italian scene as I've seen a few ebikes with them as well as shops marketing them. 'Braking' is a subsidiary of Sunstar (moto sprocket mfg) and a sponsor of various MXGP factory teams including Yamaha and Kawasaki.

700eur for 2-piston brakes... not a new product: Freni da MTB e Ciclismo Braking | LORDGUN Bicycles

Use google translate for review: TEST BRAKING INCAS 2.0: QUANDO I FRENI CAMBIANO UNA BICI - Pianeta Mountain Bike

 

Yeah, site worked with me too. Looks cool, quite expensive though. 

currans
Posts
6
Joined
5/23/2010
Location
Braintree, VT US
12/12/2022 7:37am

I think the Darco is only 120 or 130 rear?

dolface wrote:
Correct, I20mm rear, 150mm up front Here's the geo

Correct, I20mm rear, 150mm up front

Here's the geo

Huh, thats one of the largest XL's out there. Funny sizing compared to most, but I like it.

Curious about the lowdowns intended use.

2
TimBud
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GB
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12/12/2022 8:24am Edited Date/Time 12/12/2022 8:25am

Interesting 

4
gbcoke
Posts
75
Joined
1/6/2016
Location
US
12/12/2022 10:54am

If Shimano's answer to AXS 2nd gen is just an electrical wired (to the battery,wireless from the shifter) XTR/XT der

they can just call it quits and focus on Alivio/Deore level systems.

They are so far behind Sram its not even funny...

6
5
dolface
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12/12/2022 11:18am
gbcoke wrote:
If Shimano's answer to AXS 2nd gen is just an electrical wired (to the battery,wireless from the shifter) XTR/XT der they can just call it quits...

If Shimano's answer to AXS 2nd gen is just an electrical wired (to the battery,wireless from the shifter) XTR/XT der

they can just call it quits and focus on Alivio/Deore level systems.

They are so far behind Sram its not even funny...

IIRC SRAM owns the patent on having the battery in the derailleur...

1
LookinForIt
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CA
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12/12/2022 11:42am Edited Date/Time 12/12/2022 11:43am

Chromag uploaded the bikes to their facebook shop, dropping them tomorrow.  The Darco (non-ti) seems well priced in today's market, which is promising (prices in CAD)

1
12/12/2022 11:53am

Italian company (I think?) called Braking

https://www.braking.com/

although their website doesn’t seem to be working for me at least…

Yoda wrote:
Website working for me. Their products are starting to pop up here on the Italian scene as I've seen a few ebikes with them as well...

Website working for me. Their products are starting to pop up here on the Italian scene as I've seen a few ebikes with them as well as shops marketing them. 'Braking' is a subsidiary of Sunstar (moto sprocket mfg) and a sponsor of various MXGP factory teams including Yamaha and Kawasaki.

700eur for 2-piston brakes... not a new product: Freni da MTB e Ciclismo Braking | LORDGUN Bicycles

Use google translate for review: TEST BRAKING INCAS 2.0: QUANDO I FRENI CAMBIANO UNA BICI - Pianeta Mountain Bike

 

Dodgems wrote:

Yeah, site worked with me too. Looks cool, quite expensive though. 

A riding buddy of mine had a set for the last season, he’s enjoyed them. Build quality is really nice, they look gorgeous, lever feel is super solid and short throw. Power was good but not crazy. He’s tried most brakes available right now (mt7, cura4, dominions, now he’s waiting for some Trickstuff’s and Hope T4 v4’s). Paul Aston also has a brief review on his site on these as well. 

gbcoke
Posts
75
Joined
1/6/2016
Location
US
12/12/2022 1:37pm
gbcoke wrote:
If Shimano's answer to AXS 2nd gen is just an electrical wired (to the battery,wireless from the shifter) XTR/XT der they can just call it quits...

If Shimano's answer to AXS 2nd gen is just an electrical wired (to the battery,wireless from the shifter) XTR/XT der

they can just call it quits and focus on Alivio/Deore level systems.

They are so far behind Sram its not even funny...

dolface wrote:

IIRC SRAM owns the patent on having the battery in the derailleur...

Don't know about the patent,but we're talking about a company with a revenue of almost 5billion $$$ 

Surely there are ways to solve this...

O1D4
Posts
61
Joined
10/20/2018
Location
Vancouver CA
Fantasy
1002nd
12/12/2022 2:17pm
Maxipedia wrote:
Question: has anybody seen the prices actually go down at some point, for some reason? It seems that as soon as people get used to certain...

Question: has anybody seen the prices actually go down at some point, for some reason? It seems that as soon as people get used to certain prices for stuff, the industry just keeps the status, because it is not in their interest to shrink them. But this is only my perception, I could be wrong.

I can give one example, I don't know how relevant it is though: the gas prices in my country are pretty much only rising. Even when the international market is down, they either stay put or shrink in minimal increments. Because people are still buying, no matter what. It's almost a joke.

Speaking of MTB prices, I remember the days when there was no Euro and top end bikes from major producers were around 9000 Deutsche Mark. When the Euro became reality, its value was around 2 DM for 1 EUR. Now, I am looking at my '22 Mondraker Foxy RR Carbon and its MSRP is at 7500 EUR and it's not even the top end bike of theirs. We are talking about how an S-Works Enduro with Flight Attendant, a Far East made bike, will be 13K next year and everything is cool. I am seriously wondering, has the value of money decreased so much in the last 20 years or are there more factors to consider? Is it justified?

Cheers,
Mx

While certainly not back down to pre-covid prices, gas prices here (BC) have recovered quite a bit... So there's that at least.

1
Simpancz
Posts
21
Joined
5/19/2022
Location
CA
12/12/2022 3:02pm
Maxipedia wrote:
Question: has anybody seen the prices actually go down at some point, for some reason? It seems that as soon as people get used to certain...

Question: has anybody seen the prices actually go down at some point, for some reason? It seems that as soon as people get used to certain prices for stuff, the industry just keeps the status, because it is not in their interest to shrink them. But this is only my perception, I could be wrong.

I can give one example, I don't know how relevant it is though: the gas prices in my country are pretty much only rising. Even when the international market is down, they either stay put or shrink in minimal increments. Because people are still buying, no matter what. It's almost a joke.

Speaking of MTB prices, I remember the days when there was no Euro and top end bikes from major producers were around 9000 Deutsche Mark. When the Euro became reality, its value was around 2 DM for 1 EUR. Now, I am looking at my '22 Mondraker Foxy RR Carbon and its MSRP is at 7500 EUR and it's not even the top end bike of theirs. We are talking about how an S-Works Enduro with Flight Attendant, a Far East made bike, will be 13K next year and everything is cool. I am seriously wondering, has the value of money decreased so much in the last 20 years or are there more factors to consider? Is it justified?

Cheers,
Mx

O1D4 wrote:

While certainly not back down to pre-covid prices, gas prices here (BC) have recovered quite a bit... So there's that at least.

Sorry for OT, but I do not believe the gas prices will stay low here longer than end of this year.

PisgahGnar
Posts
228
Joined
6/30/2021
Location
Hendersonville, NC US
Fantasy
1724th
12/12/2022 5:01pm
PisgahGnar wrote:

Only the full build pricing is shown (in C$), anyone know the frame only pricing for the lowdown? 

From the email they sent out, you’ll have to email Chromag about frames. 
 

“Complete bikes in all sizes are ready to ship or be picked up from our HQ. Frame-only options are available in both steel and Ti in small quantities. 

These will not be available online so don't hesitate to reach out to our sales team if you have questions or need a hand placing an order.”

12/12/2022 6:00pm

I got a chance to pedal the new FS Chromag's around in their parking lot this past summer. They are super well built and seem super fun. Will be excited to see them on bike shop showrooms. 

lloyd506
Posts
145
Joined
7/10/2016
Location
CA
Fantasy
154th
12/12/2022 6:33pm

Have been riding a Darco since June, its a great little bike.  Well balanced and stable.  

2
Uncle Cliffy
Posts
281
Joined
3/11/2010
Location
Medford, OR US
12/12/2022 8:03pm
PisgahGnar wrote:
From the email they sent out, you’ll have to email Chromag about frames.    “Complete bikes in all sizes are ready to ship or be picked...

From the email they sent out, you’ll have to email Chromag about frames. 
 

“Complete bikes in all sizes are ready to ship or be picked up from our HQ. Frame-only options are available in both steel and Ti in small quantities. 

These will not be available online so don't hesitate to reach out to our sales team if you have questions or need a hand placing an order.”

They must’ve changed their minds since that email. Using the blog link from above, I can put a Darko Ti frame in my shopping cart at the moment. About $4475 US shipped. 

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