Video: Digit's Prototype Datum Trail Bike and Clever Hidden Shock - Sea Otter 2022

 I really really like it. I like how it looks, I like how unique it is and I love the simplicity and serviceability. Bit rich for my taste but so is most stuff in this hobby, so whatevs.

 Only scary thing is the massive hole at the steertube...

 @Zany2410: Take a look at observed trials frames, their machined out head tubes look skeletal by comparison, and they're designed to be endo'd and levered on from every concievable direction. Here's one: trial-bikes.com/39685/jitsie-varial-26-frame.jpg

 @DirtBagTim: Well i sell ebikes where the battery goes in the frame thru this hole, but its commuter bikes not enduros. tbh i guess i will never ever see one of these here in germany or are likely to ride one

 @Zany2410: I think the only time I’ve seen those observed trails bikes was in Germany at Eurobike. I’m hoping to get some European distributors for Digit, so hopefully you’ll eventually see them in Germany again (“again” because the frame in the video went to Eurobike last year and won the Eurobike Gold and Start-Up awards).

 Pay us monies to read about a shock you can’t afford. PretentiousAF. Tired of the Beta shtick.

 Ok, fine. I've been reluctant to post this. Most paywalls are designed for the common browsers used: chrome, safari, etc...Step 1: Google is your friend. Hint: it involves firefox.

 My guess: "EXT poised to disrupt market by creating whole new pricing tier above existing options"

 @AndrewHornor: That is the opposite of market disruption.

 The only time the Beta paywall thing has legitimately ticked me off was the article about progression of adaptive cycling and athletes. Those dudes (and dudettes) don't get enough exposure as it is, so it sucks that an article celebrating the growth of the sport is stuck behind a paywall.

 @AndrewHornor: their coil shock is cheaper than a PUSH but almost 200usd.

 Use reader mode on safari if you want to see the full article.

 You’re not missing much, basically an E-Storia with a two chamber airspring like a Mezzer. There’s about another thousand words of breathless blather which is rather pointless. But that’s the gist of it

 @EdSawyer: Beta seem to be doing lots of these rubbish fluff pieces. Great titles, very thin superficial reads. a bit rubbish.

 @ahootes: totally agree. I regret paying the money. Won't renew at this rate

 007

 @EdSawyer: thanks man.
Honestly, my desire to read is mostly hecause I dig the brand, I have used their shocks since 2018, and… I listened to the wwc podcast with the ext boss.. You’ll be more inclined to spend your money into well designed not highly compromised pieces, believe me.. like 80% the stuff is out there .. pretentious market dominators..anyway, If the money of the paywall would go to the brand i read of, i would pay it..

 @WasatchEnduro: There will plenty of reviews once it’s actually available. PB wants to make money, that’s the gist.

We know two things without doing any reading:
EXT makes good stuff.
EXT is expensive

I’m never gonna pay for Beta, it’d have to be significantly better than what PB already offers.

Yeah, not worth it.

 This story here too:

betamtb.com/news-issues/why-its-ok-that-the-digit-datum-has-a-proprietary-rear-shock

 did y'all see? There's now a PB review of the production bike: pinkbike.com/news/review-the-digit-datum-delivers-on-most-of-its-promises.html

 Hey look its a high pivot!

 Maverick bikes did it again early 2000's.

 a pinkbike users wet dream

 @ShredTilBed: underrated pun

 @ReformedRoadie I've been riding with 1800ml in two bottles, a tube and CO2 under the saddle (the mullet allows clearance over a 29er), and an EDC pump/tool. It's enough for 5 hours in the SoCal heat without a pack. Beyond that, for BIG rides, I could carry another liter under the down tube, and of course I can ALSO wear a hydration pack.

 I dig it, dat um... Digit Datum...

 No. www.pinkbike.com/news/the-outlier-the-full-story-of-the-wild-resistance-insolent-dh-bike.html

 I plan on building a full line of bikes.

If it affects your perception of the price, there’s $225 of headset and BB included. Made in USA in small volumes conspires against a low price. If y’all can help buy buying boatloads of bikes I’ll be able to drop the price .

 @DirtBagTim: helpful and proactive comments won’t get you anywhere with this user base, you need to bring the sarcasm I’m afraid.

 @pimpin-gimp: I think I’m allowed to be either sarcastic, or a grammar and spelling pedant, so:

@DirtBagTim, surely you mean ‘by buying’, not ‘buy buying’.

 @DirtBagTim: damn, calling out your own posts. That’s some big dick energy right there.

 Pinkbike comment of the year contender right here!!!

Thanks @sonuvagun, you rule too.

 Production frames will be anodized. This is well used a prototype with helicopter tape over the decal.

It’ll look more like image #4 here: digitbikes.com/bikes/p/datum

 The production bikes use 148mm OLD.

The shock needs about as many psi as the rider weight in lbs. 1:1.

 @DirtBagTim: What's the max PSI on the shock?

 @RusMan: I don't have an official answer for that yet, I'd have to do some some tests, safety margin calculations, legal review etc before making an official statement.

However, anecdotally, based on preliminary tests of prototype parts, the air spring chamber has survived 1200psi (which corresponds to bottom out for a rider weighing about 450lb). Most bikes and standard safety tests are developed around a 300lb rider weight limit, and the Integer air spring wall is similar in thickness to other shocks which are rated for 350psi, so TLDR, the max PSI likely isn't an issue. I suspect the I'll end up just saying the max psi is 350psi.

HEY LAWYERS: THIS POST IS DISCUSSION, NOT AN OFFICIAL ANSWER.

 @DirtBagTim: thanks!

 Thanks to your comment, all the information given in the previous 190 seconds was wiped out in the last 10. I think the bike was black and something something headtube.

 The sloped top surface of the link shown here digitbikes.com/concentric-bb>; is intended to direct mud/dirt/water to the non-drive side of the bike rather than into the pivot or drivetrain #antiloamshelftechnology

 There’s hope! I plan on building a full line of bikes.

 A 29er if coming soon, here's the info: digitbikes.com/ring

 There’s a handful of reviews* here: digitbikes.com/bikes/p/datum#Reviews

The Beta review isn’t paywalled. It’s a good read I think.

*Those reviews are of an earlier prototype, the production strut has less stiction, a larger negative air chamber, and many other improvements. I’ll have production bikes in about a month, and I’m hoping to get some long term reviews then.

 I've tried my best to describe it here: digitbikes.com/concentric-bb

 The Integer strut is the upgrade.