MTB Tech Rumors and Innovation

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11/25/2024 4:46am
TimBud wrote:
Don’t take this as defence of Lewis.But since when were 5dev the pioneers of cnc’d cranks and lattice structures.Pretty sure guys like Goldtec played with stuff...

Don’t take this as defence of Lewis.

But since when were 5dev the pioneers of cnc’d cranks and lattice structures.

Pretty sure guys like Goldtec played with stuff like that in the late 90’s that was just as snappy. 
 

Of all the companies to copy Lewis have really chosen badly this time. At least Trickstuff are expensive and work bloody well. Apart from being on Neko’s bikes 5dev’s reputation is not glowing.

I've always thought Frameworks tagline should be, "Frames that make sense, with cranks that make none."

10
mmmartin
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11/25/2024 5:57am
TwinTurbo wrote:
Despite liking the design of the Pendulum pedal I'm wondering if their claim that the plattform sits 12mm below the axle can be true?The outer diameter...

Despite liking the design of the Pendulum pedal I'm wondering if their claim that the plattform sits 12mm below the axle can be true?

The outer diameter of the threads is 9/16 inch which is roughly 14.3mm - for me the distance between the axle and the plattform would be less than half of that so rather 6 or 7mm. Or did I get something wrong?

image 95

Not a major flaw but they should have their numbers right for 300$ Wink
If it wasn't that expensive I would really like to try them - they look really interesting.

Btw the Loam Ranger made a video about them.

It all depends on how you measure, this is how the "12mm below" could be achieved...

12mm

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ufka_pen15
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11/25/2024 7:27am
TwinTurbo wrote:
Despite liking the design of the Pendulum pedal I'm wondering if their claim that the plattform sits 12mm below the axle can be true?The outer diameter...

Despite liking the design of the Pendulum pedal I'm wondering if their claim that the plattform sits 12mm below the axle can be true?

The outer diameter of the threads is 9/16 inch which is roughly 14.3mm - for me the distance between the axle and the plattform would be less than half of that so rather 6 or 7mm. Or did I get something wrong?

image 95

Not a major flaw but they should have their numbers right for 300$ Wink
If it wasn't that expensive I would really like to try them - they look really interesting.

Btw the Loam Ranger made a video about them.

I would see it like this:

The pendulum flat pedal plattform is approximately 12mm lower than your normal/most flat pedals with an axle going through the whole pedal body. and since the axle is most of the time somewhere around 6-8mm in diameter, on top of which there is still some aluminium body above it, its lower.

Not 12mm under the center of the pedal axle but 12mm under normal flat pedal plattform.

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TEAMROBOT
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11/25/2024 7:35am
ufka_pen15 wrote:
I would see it like this:The pendulum flat pedal plattform is approximately 12mm lower than your normal/most flat pedals with an axle going through the whole...

I would see it like this:

The pendulum flat pedal plattform is approximately 12mm lower than your normal/most flat pedals with an axle going through the whole pedal body. and since the axle is most of the time somewhere around 6-8mm in diameter, on top of which there is still some aluminium body above it, its lower.

Not 12mm under the center of the pedal axle but 12mm under normal flat pedal plattform.

This. My preferred flat pedal is 17mm thick at the center, so these drop pedals would sit 14.5mm lower than my pedals. Which is a ton! That's over half an inch, and it's almost a whole pedal lower than my pedal.

But I agree, "12mm below the axle" isn't an accurate or clear sentence. Hope that's not what they go with for final copy on their website.

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MTBrent
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11/25/2024 8:04am
TEAMROBOT wrote:
This. My preferred flat pedal is 17mm thick at the center, so these drop pedals would sit 14.5mm lower than my pedals. Which is a ton...

This. My preferred flat pedal is 17mm thick at the center, so these drop pedals would sit 14.5mm lower than my pedals. Which is a ton! That's over half an inch, and it's almost a whole pedal lower than my pedal.

But I agree, "12mm below the axle" isn't an accurate or clear sentence. Hope that's not what they go with for final copy on their website.

"Center of the axle" is indeed what it says on their site.  I think "top" of axle may be more accurate with the given numbers?

Regardless, it lowers your pedal quite a bit.  Between that and the big ol' openness under foot, I'd love to try them.

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JVP
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11/25/2024 8:49am

As a taller guy who runs too many headset spacers with a 50mm rise bar and high COG, I'm really interested in these. I'm not sure they'll hold up, I'm an axle bender and thin pedal axles have never survived long. The standard bearings should be an easy swap when they inevitably toast themselves. But I'm dubious that they'll hold up given the amount of leverage on those bearings. I'll try them if I can buy a spare left axle from day 1.

Say it's a 15mm drop from my existing Scarabs. That's 15mm less rise on the bars/spacers, 15mm lower saddle, it more than makes up for the 10mm shorter cranks I'm running, and without bottom pins rock clearance should be fine.

I'm not sure they'll work out, but the upsides make this an experiment worth trying.

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metadave
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11/25/2024 9:39am
JVP wrote:
As a taller guy who runs too many headset spacers with a 50mm rise bar and high COG, I'm really interested in these. I'm not sure...

As a taller guy who runs too many headset spacers with a 50mm rise bar and high COG, I'm really interested in these. I'm not sure they'll hold up, I'm an axle bender and thin pedal axles have never survived long. The standard bearings should be an easy swap when they inevitably toast themselves. But I'm dubious that they'll hold up given the amount of leverage on those bearings. I'll try them if I can buy a spare left axle from day 1.

Say it's a 15mm drop from my existing Scarabs. That's 15mm less rise on the bars/spacers, 15mm lower saddle, it more than makes up for the 10mm shorter cranks I'm running, and without bottom pins rock clearance should be fine.

I'm not sure they'll work out, but the upsides make this an experiment worth trying.

I ride 95% of my time in the area where they were developed and tested. The riding at Moose Mtn and Prairie View(Husky), two opposing hill sides, is no joke. Its steep, with concrete hard clay with loose on top and has some big moves all over the place, and the guys riding them the last two years testing them take advantage off all of all of it. From my understanding, the pedals have held up very well and everyone who's ridden them have been hooked. 

Also, come ride here Smile

https://www.trailforks.com/region/moose-mountain/

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NoahColorado
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11/25/2024 9:43am

This pedal is one of those ideas that seemingly makes obvious sense – it's incredibly baffling that it hasn't been done. I wonder if there'd be advantages to a clipless implementation. 🤔

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Primoz
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11/25/2024 9:47am Edited Date/Time 11/25/2024 9:47am

It's been done before. Shimano had clip ins that were similar 40 years ago in the 80s with a special thread which made them a non-start because it required a special Dura Ace crank. 

There was another option, a commuter variant, linked in the Tioga Fly Paper thread on Mtbr.

Clipless wise, I'd say yes because of stability which should make it less tiring? 

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amaranth
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11/25/2024 10:02am

Put in an order for a pair. The 2 most immediate benefits that come to mind are a lower center of gravity on any given bike and the ability to glance off pedal strikes. No too excited about the "pendulum cradling effect" these will have, I think if you're in the chunk going fast you will get blown off regardless of using these or regular pedals - happy to be proven wrong though! 

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Primoz
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11/25/2024 10:08am

There is a benefit. Maybe not as much if you run thin pedals (think OneUp aluminium), but there is a benefit. Even pedalling up. I do roll my pedal going up in the technical, steep stuff sometimes, less so with drop pedals. 

11/25/2024 11:09am
Primoz wrote:
It's been done before. Shimano had clip ins that were similar 40 years ago in the 80s with a special thread which made them a non-start...

It's been done before. Shimano had clip ins that were similar 40 years ago in the 80s with a special thread which made them a non-start because it required a special Dura Ace crank. 

There was another option, a commuter variant, linked in the Tioga Fly Paper thread on Mtbr.

Clipless wise, I'd say yes because of stability which should make it less tiring? 

From over 40 years ago.
shimano dd pedal 2

17
Suns_PSD
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11/25/2024 11:25am

I ordered a set of pendulums and some 5mm shorter cranks and the shortest available for my bike at 155s (e-bike, so e13 cranks for Black Friday are only $74). I've dreamt of these pedals for years.

The price of the pedals was $214 shipped to the USA after conversion.

IME, how big a crank feels/ effectively is while pedaling is determined strictly from the distance from the BB to the top of the pedal while during the powerstroke. That's all that matters in my experience, not the overall circle/ oval. For instance, 165mm cranks feel like clown cranks when I'm on clipless pedals, yet 165s feel like 170s (or larger) when on flats, just because the foot is 5-10mm closer to the pedal spindle even on flats.

Standard pedals spin in an oval, the Pendulums with the foot surface in line with the pedal axle, should be perfect circles. I suspect that they make cranks feel longer. A lot longer. In fact you could add that at the bottom the cranks are longer when you are considering the length of the lever.

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Suns_PSD
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11/25/2024 11:26am
Primoz wrote:
It's been done before. Shimano had clip ins that were similar 40 years ago in the 80s with a special thread which made them a non-start...

It's been done before. Shimano had clip ins that were similar 40 years ago in the 80s with a special thread which made them a non-start because it required a special Dura Ace crank. 

There was another option, a commuter variant, linked in the Tioga Fly Paper thread on Mtbr.

Clipless wise, I'd say yes because of stability which should make it less tiring? 

Tim Horton wrote:
From over 40 years ago.

From over 40 years ago.
shimano dd pedal 2

I mean, why did this ever go away? From where I sit, it's clearly a superior design.

TimBud
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11/25/2024 11:29am
Suns_PSD wrote:
I ordered a set of pendulums and some 5mm shorter cranks and the shortest available for my bike at 155s (e-bike, so e13 cranks for Black...

I ordered a set of pendulums and some 5mm shorter cranks and the shortest available for my bike at 155s (e-bike, so e13 cranks for Black Friday are only $74). I've dreamt of these pedals for years.

The price of the pedals was $214 shipped to the USA after conversion.

IME, how big a crank feels/ effectively is while pedaling is determined strictly from the distance from the BB to the top of the pedal while during the powerstroke. That's all that matters in my experience, not the overall circle/ oval. For instance, 165mm cranks feel like clown cranks when I'm on clipless pedals, yet 165s feel like 170s (or larger) when on flats, just because the foot is 5-10mm closer to the pedal spindle even on flats.

Standard pedals spin in an oval, the Pendulums with the foot surface in line with the pedal axle, should be perfect circles. I suspect that they make cranks feel longer. A lot longer. In fact you could add that at the bottom the cranks are longer when you are considering the length of the lever.

So I was only 95% wrong 😅

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amaranth
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11/25/2024 11:46am
Suns_PSD wrote:
I ordered a set of pendulums and some 5mm shorter cranks and the shortest available for my bike at 155s (e-bike, so e13 cranks for Black...

I ordered a set of pendulums and some 5mm shorter cranks and the shortest available for my bike at 155s (e-bike, so e13 cranks for Black Friday are only $74). I've dreamt of these pedals for years.

The price of the pedals was $214 shipped to the USA after conversion.

IME, how big a crank feels/ effectively is while pedaling is determined strictly from the distance from the BB to the top of the pedal while during the powerstroke. That's all that matters in my experience, not the overall circle/ oval. For instance, 165mm cranks feel like clown cranks when I'm on clipless pedals, yet 165s feel like 170s (or larger) when on flats, just because the foot is 5-10mm closer to the pedal spindle even on flats.

Standard pedals spin in an oval, the Pendulums with the foot surface in line with the pedal axle, should be perfect circles. I suspect that they make cranks feel longer. A lot longer. In fact you could add that at the bottom the cranks are longer when you are considering the length of the lever.

Don't think pedals spin in an oval. If your foot sits on top of the axle for a traditional flat pedal, it basically does that throughout the whole circular motion. The only catch here is that your circle center is not the center of the BB, it's offset by the same amount your feet is off the axle of the pedal. image 101The black circle is what the crank/pedal spindle spins, at the center of that is the BB. Red is what you might be experiencing with a traditional flat pedal today, where you're offset positive at the same amount for the whole rotation. Blue is what might be possible with the pendulum pedals, where you're still offset the same amount, just negative. 

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amaranth
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11/25/2024 11:52am

PS - when you order shorter cranks, you're just drawing a smaller circle. The offset is the same. 

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Snfoilhat
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11/25/2024 12:05pm

If lower rider-bike-system COG mattered, riders could bend their knees a few degrees more and achieve lower COG than a new gadget offers. So much about mountain biking, beyond seated spinning on a regular surface, includes dynamically increasing and decreasing your ‘weight’ on the touch points.

I’m hoping someone offers some evidence that this static COG picture of bike performance matters at all, now that ebike companies are touting it. I can’t think of a single reason it would matter in tbe context of moutain biking.

2
3
11/25/2024 12:12pm
DServy wrote:
Not that I have to tell the crowed on this form anything, but once again I get irked with people who try to pass off cheeper...

Not that I have to tell the crowed on this form anything, but once again I get irked with people who try to pass off cheeper "knock offs" as just as good as the real thing because "they are all made in the same factory." I mean, they probably are, but by paying for the actual product instead of the knock off you're also paying for the engineering (and marketing) that goes into the product, and at least the engineering portion of it is worth paying for. Granted, if you genuinely can't afford it and its your only option then... sure. Go for it, biking is expensive and I rather see folks on bikes than off of them. But if you're just being a cheapskate then you should really think about where your dollar goes and who it goes to. 

I remember I had a couple friends who went out and bought cheeper carbon rims because of the "same factory" argument and they were just the stiffest piles of poor ride quality, and the little bit of time I spent on them trying them out made me appreciate compliance in a wheel set more so than I ever have done before. To this day they complain about harshness every time I ride with them. 

NOW BACK TO RUMORS!

A little birdie told me Forbidden has a few new bikes coming out to fill out their line up. Taking their "one ride" geo philosophy to some other categories. 

I, for one, welcome our new long chain stay overlords. 

 

you mean Forbidden going E with the DJI motor?  

4
11/25/2024 12:20pm
This pedal is one of those ideas that seemingly makes obvious sense – it's incredibly baffling that it hasn't been done. I wonder if there'd be advantages...

This pedal is one of those ideas that seemingly makes obvious sense – it's incredibly baffling that it hasn't been done. I wonder if there'd be advantages to a clipless implementation. 🤔

Please no, I don't want to have to buy new pedals

1
brash
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11/25/2024 12:56pm

those pedals look really interesting, I'm a big boy, I can bend a few sets of DMR Vaults a year. That's a lot of stress in 2 bearings and no axle. 

If it's has proven reliability, I will get some.  

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Primoz
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11/25/2024 1:09pm
Primoz wrote:
It's been done before. Shimano had clip ins that were similar 40 years ago in the 80s with a special thread which made them a non-start...

It's been done before. Shimano had clip ins that were similar 40 years ago in the 80s with a special thread which made them a non-start because it required a special Dura Ace crank. 

There was another option, a commuter variant, linked in the Tioga Fly Paper thread on Mtbr.

Clipless wise, I'd say yes because of stability which should make it less tiring? 

Tim Horton wrote:
From over 40 years ago.

From over 40 years ago.
shimano dd pedal 2

Suns_PSD wrote:

I mean, why did this ever go away? From where I sit, it's clearly a superior design.

Bearings. 

One big caveat with drop pedals is about 40 mm added (20 mm either side) to the Q factor. For people that don't like inboard bearing bulges (ala OneUp) these are probably a no go. 

4
Primoz
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11/25/2024 1:11pm
Suns_PSD wrote:
I ordered a set of pendulums and some 5mm shorter cranks and the shortest available for my bike at 155s (e-bike, so e13 cranks for Black...

I ordered a set of pendulums and some 5mm shorter cranks and the shortest available for my bike at 155s (e-bike, so e13 cranks for Black Friday are only $74). I've dreamt of these pedals for years.

The price of the pedals was $214 shipped to the USA after conversion.

IME, how big a crank feels/ effectively is while pedaling is determined strictly from the distance from the BB to the top of the pedal while during the powerstroke. That's all that matters in my experience, not the overall circle/ oval. For instance, 165mm cranks feel like clown cranks when I'm on clipless pedals, yet 165s feel like 170s (or larger) when on flats, just because the foot is 5-10mm closer to the pedal spindle even on flats.

Standard pedals spin in an oval, the Pendulums with the foot surface in line with the pedal axle, should be perfect circles. I suspect that they make cranks feel longer. A lot longer. In fact you could add that at the bottom the cranks are longer when you are considering the length of the lever.

amaranth wrote:
Don't think pedals spin in an oval. If your foot sits on top of the axle for a traditional flat pedal, it basically does that throughout...

Don't think pedals spin in an oval. If your foot sits on top of the axle for a traditional flat pedal, it basically does that throughout the whole circular motion. The only catch here is that your circle center is not the center of the BB, it's offset by the same amount your feet is off the axle of the pedal. image 101The black circle is what the crank/pedal spindle spins, at the center of that is the BB. Red is what you might be experiencing with a traditional flat pedal today, where you're offset positive at the same amount for the whole rotation. Blue is what might be possible with the pendulum pedals, where you're still offset the same amount, just negative. 

This is true If the angle of your foot to the ground is constant around the rotation. In actuality you rotate it back And forth and because the platform is above (or below) the axle, the circle gets skewed. Slightly, but skewed nonetheless. 

2
hookem34
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11/25/2024 2:24pm
DServy wrote:
Not that I have to tell the crowed on this form anything, but once again I get irked with people who try to pass off cheeper...

Not that I have to tell the crowed on this form anything, but once again I get irked with people who try to pass off cheeper "knock offs" as just as good as the real thing because "they are all made in the same factory." I mean, they probably are, but by paying for the actual product instead of the knock off you're also paying for the engineering (and marketing) that goes into the product, and at least the engineering portion of it is worth paying for. Granted, if you genuinely can't afford it and its your only option then... sure. Go for it, biking is expensive and I rather see folks on bikes than off of them. But if you're just being a cheapskate then you should really think about where your dollar goes and who it goes to. 

I remember I had a couple friends who went out and bought cheeper carbon rims because of the "same factory" argument and they were just the stiffest piles of poor ride quality, and the little bit of time I spent on them trying them out made me appreciate compliance in a wheel set more so than I ever have done before. To this day they complain about harshness every time I ride with them. 

NOW BACK TO RUMORS!

A little birdie told me Forbidden has a few new bikes coming out to fill out their line up. Taking their "one ride" geo philosophy to some other categories. 

I, for one, welcome our new long chain stay overlords. 

 

you mean Forbidden going E with the DJI motor?  

Another little birdie also mentioned to me that the Forbidden E-Bike is going to be “very special”. If it comes with the DJI motor, it will indeed be very special.

8
Jotegr
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11/25/2024 2:24pm Edited Date/Time 11/25/2024 2:39pm
Tim Horton wrote:
From over 40 years ago.

From over 40 years ago.
shimano dd pedal 2

Suns_PSD wrote:

I mean, why did this ever go away? From where I sit, it's clearly a superior design.

Primoz wrote:
Bearings. One big caveat with drop pedals is about 40 mm added (20 mm either side) to the Q factor. For people that don't like inboard bearing...

Bearings. 

One big caveat with drop pedals is about 40 mm added (20 mm either side) to the Q factor. For people that don't like inboard bearing bulges (ala OneUp) these are probably a no go. 

Can I run them on my fatbike?

 

Another thing to consider is you might lose dropper post max drop if you're already at- or near- maxed. 

 

EDIT: Regarding this self-righting feature, can they reliably be crank flipped? 

2
kperras
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11/25/2024 3:27pm Edited Date/Time 11/25/2024 3:27pm
Snfoilhat wrote:
If lower rider-bike-system COG mattered, riders could bend their knees a few degrees more and achieve lower COG than a new gadget offers. So much about...

If lower rider-bike-system COG mattered, riders could bend their knees a few degrees more and achieve lower COG than a new gadget offers. So much about mountain biking, beyond seated spinning on a regular surface, includes dynamically increasing and decreasing your ‘weight’ on the touch points.

I’m hoping someone offers some evidence that this static COG picture of bike performance matters at all, now that ebike companies are touting it. I can’t think of a single reason it would matter in tbe context of moutain biking.

BB Drop has a bigger effect on handling than system COG if weights remain constant. In theory these pedals could solve a high BB height / low BB drop problem that a rider is having, with the platform height being 12mm lower than the BB when the crank arms are level. I'm not sure on the effect of the offset pedal body to the center of BB would ride like, so the ride feel is likely not equivalent to riding the same frame but with 12mm in BB drop difference.

On the flip side if you have issues with pedal strikes, best steer clear of these.

2
jofish
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11/25/2024 3:39pm

I get why they would feel more grippy when your heels are dropped but what about literally everywhere else? Pedalling, jumping, pumping and any time you need to shift your weight forward is surely going to feel weird AF?

2
11/25/2024 4:08pm
Snfoilhat wrote:
If lower rider-bike-system COG mattered, riders could bend their knees a few degrees more and achieve lower COG than a new gadget offers. So much about...

If lower rider-bike-system COG mattered, riders could bend their knees a few degrees more and achieve lower COG than a new gadget offers. So much about mountain biking, beyond seated spinning on a regular surface, includes dynamically increasing and decreasing your ‘weight’ on the touch points.

I’m hoping someone offers some evidence that this static COG picture of bike performance matters at all, now that ebike companies are touting it. I can’t think of a single reason it would matter in tbe context of moutain biking.

kperras wrote:
BB Drop has a bigger effect on handling than system COG if weights remain constant. In theory these pedals could solve a high BB height /...

BB Drop has a bigger effect on handling than system COG if weights remain constant. In theory these pedals could solve a high BB height / low BB drop problem that a rider is having, with the platform height being 12mm lower than the BB when the crank arms are level. I'm not sure on the effect of the offset pedal body to the center of BB would ride like, so the ride feel is likely not equivalent to riding the same frame but with 12mm in BB drop difference.

On the flip side if you have issues with pedal strikes, best steer clear of these.

Depending on the pedal you are comparing they might not actually hang too much lower

Screen Shot 2024-11-25 at 4.07.17 PM
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kperras
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11/25/2024 4:10pm

Good point; I didn't think about the thickness differences. 

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