blcpdx

40% off a helmet is a LOT cheaper than learning to talk again!

@davemays: yurp. SC Jackal has tensioning system built into dropouts, which also allows brake caliper mount to move with it. Revel's sliding IS rear brake mount looks like it might be a nightmare to adjust.

@betsie: Yeah, I've heard from friends that the TQ motor is eerily quiet, so I'm interested to check it out. TQ motor is a great example of what I'm talking about, re: technology evolving over time. I think the BB junction will be the epicenter of innovation, e.g. a BB junction that is completely replaceable/swappable between a TQ style motor and standard 73mm BSA BB threaded junction. During and before COVID, brands probably would have preferred to release two different bikes, and capitalize on dealers/users needing to buy both to get both. But after the nuclear winter brands are about to have, they might be inclined to actually operate in ways that translate to efficiency at the retail level, i.e. make products which appeal to multiple markets.

@betsie: Yeah, if frame and power-train technology can evolve such that a frame can be used with or without a motor with almost no functional changes, bike brands will benefit by being able to develop and offer a bike in either configurations. So instead of developing the next Bronson, and then some other eBike, Santa Cruz could develop the new Bronson, and offer it in a 'e' version, where the motor is installed, along with appropriately tuned shock, and then you can add or remove the motor via a kit, similar to recently released bike that allow for mullet or 29er setups with flipchips or different links. Trying to achieve this could result in some pretty cool new designs, though there certainly will be some duds!

A majority of Santa Cruz's US business comes from between the Rockies, to the West Coast. In those places, driving to riding destinations is feasible, preferable, and/or the only way to access them (e.g. Denver to Moab) This is part of why "van life" culture is very strong in the US (a natural extension of our legendary car culture.) It seems kinda silly to have a $150k built out sprinter, but you can definitely properly utilize and enjoy it (even if most owners don't) It seems like mainland Europe has a pretty developed camper van culture for the same reason? So, this might be a miss with people who need to fly to where riding is, but I don't think that's their target audience, so they'll gladly concede those sales to other brands, if they can pull competitors' market share from the aforementioned markets with a superior riding experience, at the expense of battery removal.

Toyota's on it https://www.thedrive.com/news/toyotas-manual-shifting-ev-will-debut-in-2026

came to say the same thing. Nice to have in the toolbox anyway for when you realize you've got clawz

@spankthewan: @ReserveWheels are your AL rims painted? I would think they'd be anodized, but hey what do it know

haha yeah, and in full lycra. Not a cohesive visual story. Then again, looks like it might be a Raptor, which *is* the new mid sized SUV in California.