EWS Round 1 Tech: Crankworx Rotorua 2017

 looks odd, almost like someones just modified a brake lever master cylinder

 @stuiewarrior: I hope not, it looks ungodly. But...... is it improved? P.S. Not a ride goes by that I don't wonder wtf they were thinking with their original design.

 IT is a new remote for reverb should be in stores in may. It is what reverb needed for so long time to be best seatpost out there. It works and it is comfy and ergonomical....

 @b-wicked: the best out huh? Sorry but there's a reason it's still the only hydraulicly actuated post, totally unnecessary. there's no need when modulation isn't even a factor like for brakes.

 @andnyleswillriot: This. Let it die Rockshox.

 @andnyleswillriot: I'm with you tbh. I like the look of this new lever, the reverb needs something for sure but they should have just gone to a good old cable.

 @b-wicked: any idea on the price for the remote?

 Couldn't care less with so many equally bad solutions out there.

 @kanasasa: obviously you could have cared less. You took the time to comment.

 Yes, but look how big the damn thing is, its comically huge. Instead of having the worst remote on the market it looks like theyre going to have the 2 worst remotes on the market. Why are the so obsessed with making it hydraulic?

 i still dont get why they keep trying to use a hydraulic line, they might be gettign royalties from thier bulk-oil supplier

 @richierocket: I think the button was to fit the control around shifters, but there were a lot more suspension lockouts too.

 @b-wicked: You know what the Reverb needs in order to be the best seatpost out there?

Replaced with the best seatpost out there.

 @TheRaven: QUOTH THE RAVEN

 i've had the Reverb for 2 years, haven't bled it once, no service either aside from cleaning
still works like a charm
@andnyleswillriot the beauty of the hydraulic system is that it eliminates dealing with a cable and all that involves IMO it's a better system, but it's just my opinion i guess

 What's wrong with the old one? Just by a right hand one and mount it on the left underneath the bar and it is perfect, I have been running the same one for about four years and have not touched it once.

 @StiT25: all it involves? You mean if a cable breaks and all you have to do is slide a new one in and cut it? Yeah so much harder than bleeding a hose... get real!

 @andnyleswillriot: And any bike shop anywhere can sell me a cable and housing if I need it.

 @kjacometti: This guy understands things. Both my Reverbs are external hose right hand remote mounted on the left.

 @gonecoastal: it's not simply the issue of bar placement - you're not the only ones that figured that one out ;-) the bigger issue is that the reverb remote lever is about the least ergonomic thing ever created and a long ways off feeling symmetrical to our right-hand gear shifters. "Well I've never had a problem" I hear you cry, well lucky for you. I'll admit the current design 'works' but that's all it does, there is vast room for improvement in situations where you need to drop or raise the saddle quick and you're struggling to hang on to the bars let alone find a 10mm square button to push.

 @ThomDawson: I agree. My thumb and likely whole hand needs to move to actuate the Reverb remote. More now that I'm using Shimano brakes clamped close to the grip compared to when using SRAM brakes with the levers much further inboard.

 @gonecoastal: yeah I have the same issue, the lever itself is rubbish but I've never been able to even get it even roughly the right place...likely down to my preference of Shimano brakes. I had been planning to do a cable conversion and use a modded Shimano I spec shifter for the remote with a de:hy kit. Maybe now I won't need to...the de:hy jobby ain't cheap!

 @ThomDawson: Next bike I'll go a different route, either Thomson, Transfer or maybe splurge on a 9poin8 post. That WolfTooth Components remote is getting the call regardless.

Now can we talk about that Michelin tire?!?!?!?!?!?!

Seriously, Michelin needs to get back into the DH/FR tire game. I'd go Wild Rock'R2 but unsure how they perform in the wet?

 I really want to use a paddle type lever, ripped a whole in my shorts climbing up a steepy on the lever and it's also a promble and inconvenient to use the lever on a longer enduro stage

 @PAmtbiker: Any bike shop can bleed a hose.

 @kjacometti: I do that. It's better, but it's still far from great ergonomically.

 Still hydraulic actuation - not interested.

 @skelldify: All those whinig dude about hydraulics but why you dont use some cable brakes?

 @b-wicked: that's completely apples to oranges. Like I mentioned above, the reason you use hydraulic brakes is due to modulation among other things. There is absolutely nothing on your dropper that needs be modulated that particularly close. It goes up and goes down, that's it.

 @andnyleswillriot: I like how smooth and reliable hydro is just install it properly and use as long as you want no stretched or seized cables no bent housing always silky smooth. And installation straight forward, run it thru frame, cut as long as you need then maybe bleed it..,

 2nd! Can't find anything else on this. Who was riding it...???

 @stiingya:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uzc-36se5-8 SPY SHOT AT 10:40!!!!!!

 @pipotte: Sweet dude! Must be an "official unveiling" already in the works and the media was already given the info early with the request to stay quiet until then?

That close up picture of the water bottle made it seem like it was an unmarked frame and somebody just got lucky and spotted it. But obviously with a big Rocky Mountain logo on a Teal main frame and orange 36 fork and orange coil nobody was missing that new Rocky Mountain riding around...???

Might even be a 29er wheel on that? 11:56? Or maybe that guy's just short...

 @stiingya: Pretty sure it's a 650b because on the picture in the article, the bike is mounted on Maxxis Ingnitor on the back and this tire is only available in 2.10 in 29''... impossible Jesse Melamed, the rider, is riding with 2.10 on a muddy EWS track... There will probably be an article on this bike very soon because RockyMountain is already teasing us on Instagram....

 @stiingya: "Official" unveiling is rumored to be at Sea Otter at the end of April.
It's definitely a 27.5 bike. 160mm front/150mm rear. Dealers have had spec sheets and line drawings for several months, but these are the first photos I've seen. I think Vaea Verbeeck was riding one as well as Jesse Melamed. Not sure about the rest of the Rocky team.

 @Maverickdh00: They've edited it now, it did state he had 150mm rear travel.

I would not be surprised if he's got more than the stock 127mm travel, and is running a longer stroke shock to achieve it. SB5 comes stock with a 200x50 shock so will accommodate a 200x57, giving ~150mm travel.

 @Maverickdh00: It said 150mm before they corrected it. Thanks for the kind words and the generalisation.

 @svenie: Yep, our bad. 5" = 127-ish. Running on fumes!

 @AJBarlas: No worries! Thanks for the awesome content, was just curious about the set-up.

 @svenie: the moment full bike nerd makes you a hero

 That bontrager pack is amazing..picked one up to replace the dual bottle one I had, for shorter rides. Best part is the phone holder that had the neoprene will fit smaller smart phones up to the plus sized ones and you can access everything without pulling it off. Keeps the bottle tight as well. Well thought out design.

 I heard manchild just shakes his massive forearms at a cloud until it rains in his mouth

 Fanny Pack.

 It also has the 4 way (or 9?) adjustable geometry chip, exactly the same as most rocky mountains have too. Enough evidence? I think so.

 New reverb remote would be good. Got my wife a Bronson for Christmas with the reverb. Couldn't believe how dumb that button design thingy was. I've been riding a Thomson dropper for the past 2 years at least (another Christmas present) and I thought they all worked really smooth and supple like the Thomson. I hadn't tried any others cos my wife just got me the Thomson) I was surprised with the reverb being the standard and all.

 @coolskidz: And that color is the current Altitude purple, right?

 Well done boys. My point was that Pinkbike based the statement on the waterbottle. They made no mention of the suspension linkage etc

 Someone further up posted a link to a video that shows the whole bike in a different colour, Rocky Mountain logos and all.

 He does and yes he does looked super cramped!

 @SintraFreeride: Bar width and bike length are all about personal feeling and comfort. Sam is 175cm (5"7) rides A Medium bike with a 750mm bar width. Rude and Graves who are beefy also ride short bikes with 740mm bars. Ratboy is about 185cm (6"1) and ride a short reach bike for his height. So many amateurs ride their bikes too long and with bar too wide where it really depends of your riding style and background (moto, BMX). For an example I'm 6"1 rides a L 2016 Giant Glory and come from moto so am used to ride a lot over the frontcause you have to charge a lot the front in moto, the longer bike made me push too much over the front with a tendency to lose the front end and not having enough weight on the bike (you can handle that on the moto cause you have the throttle), I decided to shorten my stem and raise my bars and it's much better. But with a 460mm (a little less now maybe 450mm) the "industrie" tells me my reach is too short fo me.
The same for bar width, tried 780mm (790 with grips), wasn't that bad for handling and really good for stability but with the long and low front end I couldn't do a proper and efficient bunny without killing my back. Cut it to 760mm, it's incredible how only 20mm change the game. My bike is now stable and found his playfulness back. Hell if Wyn Masters has his bars cut to 760mm why should I go wider. At least I tried and have seen the benefits and the drawbacks. I have seen so many pics in here lately of good national riders having 10mm or more of bars left each side of their hands. That's not a deadly sin we can handle that if you're hands are at the good place for you but they're pics, you have proofs. These are 20mm that could save you from being a tree hugger one day. It becomes more of a problem if you ride them too large and it's detrimental to your riding. So to sum it up, personal preference and tryouts over trend.

 @TMV2: absolutely agree some common sense don't just follow the trend, flat bars were hurting me, now 20mm riser, perfect..

 I believe that for the majority of average Joes (like me) a longer reach, slightly wider bar too perhaps is a good way to go. The stability and confidence is fantastic, you feel like a hero because you can pretty much smash into anything and you're fine. But for this guys in the upper tiers of the sport, not just the racers a more measured approach to geometry can allow for quicker handling and skill can take up the slack in out and out smashability.
I do agree though that we should all just ride whatever the f ever, it's cool to look at the pros and what they're using etc but for most of us; try as wide a variety as possible and don't let anyone tell you what you should be doing.
Same goes for technique to some degree, there are ways and means that are accepted as a good way to corner (for example) and rightly so but if you look at the pros some of the best and some of the most exciting riders don't always necessarily do it by the book.

 @TMV2: Well, 175 cm is 5'9", not 5'7".

 @cool3: You're right sorry, I made a mistake using the convertion chart, he's a about 5'9" not 5'7".

 I'm not sure that I get what some of you are saying. My body don't care about what I like, if the fit is not right it going to hurt (I'm talking about the position when being seated like Sam Hill in that picture).

 @TMV2: With that said. Greg Minaar bars at like 820..among some others. However, your point is pretty spot on.

 @TMV2: I'm both impressed and disturbed by how many details you know. Nevertheless I agree, I'm 6'5" and am all about my 760mm

 @Longtravel: Minaar is the extreme of the spectrum. They're in fact only few guys with bars from 800mm and higher. The biggest names are Gee who is riding a 800mm, Minnaar at 820mm indeed and the other one is retired now, that's Peaty.
Have you seen Bryceland trying Greg's bike in one of santa cruz video a the beginning of last season? He couldn't even wheelie and looked like a total goon.
I do love technique and bike checks and I noticed that they all tried to go longer and larger but a lot are slowly going back and narrower like between 760 and 780mm. Gee went far concerning reach when he was on GT and admitted it was counter productive at a pount.
@ThomDawson
I do get what you mean cause I'm coming from a Cannondale Jekyll with 425mm of reach and 740mm bars and going longer at 6'1" (460mm of reach) was a huge step for the better. I litteraly used to have my head above the front wheel and had no room for mistakes. It was a dirt sampling fest to often for my taste .
All I'm saying is don't go wider and longer because you or your friend have seen Peaty go super wide and extremely long. It won't necessarely work for you. Try friends bike and see what's comfortable and the more efficient for you.
To me every brands should just do the Commencal way, adjustable reach with cups and size should be made as the M with the longest cup should be close to an L with short cups, but I get it's difficult with forks tube standards and all. And for DH bikes, adjustable stem would be a plus, that's what's mounted on the Glory and tha'ts really cool (40mm to 50mm). The feel is really different from between the shorter and longer position. Steering is different and weight distribution also. Yes, I'm quite finicky, lol!

 @TMV2: I said he looked super cramped but did not imply he could not ride that bike to the best of his abilities. It works for him so I have nothing to add to that. Yes sizing depends on style but it is also true that we have been riding short bikes for years and are only now getting the chance to try longer bikes. I personally prefer longer and tell other people to give it a go but I am not trying to ram it down anyone's throat. My 2cents.

 @TMV2: Yup. I rode a slightly small bike for years, and loved how maneuverable and quick handling it was. Bought into the latest trend with my new bike and went big, and it is super stable, but I can't change direction for crap. Faster in a straight line, but less fun overall. I am still getting used to it, it's been about 10 rides, so hopefully my opinion will change.

 @SintraFreeride: I understand it was just something I had in my mind for a while and wanted to discuss and both of you gave me the opportunity.

 I used to hang mine below the saddle until I came to use it one day and it was punctured. Rocks flicking up from the tyre had nicked it....lesson learned

 Fashion? Tubes (and other bits) taped to the frame for racing has been around for as long as I can remember. Saves weight and time to just rip it off.

 @Rubberelli: wether it´fashion or not is not the point, and other bits make sense, but Im talking about tubes

 But it's sssooo enduro

In all seriousness I always thought having your tube stuck to the frame was asking for trouble, either by what's been thrown up at it or what ends up transfer in to the tyre once used. Is a back pack really that hard to wear?

 @stefanfresh: well, it's been done for decades and still done to this day by the very tops in the sport, so it probably works just fine.

 @stefanfresh it's totally fine.

 BackcountryResearch.com makes some fantastic minimal straps for carrying tubes etc.

 @stefanfresh: I don't they ride with the same tube day after day. Put a fresh tube on before each day and your good to go.

 @pcmxa: Yeah, I imagine... I still think it´s pointless not to caryy it in some kind of bag, you spend thousands on dollars developing bikes, thousands of hours training, thousands of hours setting up your bike... and then you leave something up to a mechanical like puncturing your replace tube if you are unlucky...

 @sevensixtwo: that´s pretty sweet

 @sevensixtwo: Do they have "Hope" written on them for extra cool?

 I think he rides XL

 Ritchie has been riding a Large Sb6 for quite a while now.

 Hahahahahahahahahaha the valve stems on his front tire aren't perfectly lined up between the xx's of @Maxxis

 dude, follow 50to01 and Cedric Gracia on youtube, they have been roadtriping for like a month in NZ, you will get tired of seeing so much Santa Cruz

 they have a few pics of it, I think they are calling it an "intense" or something, Jack Moirs was riding it.

 It's because they're not allowed to show any other brand but they're sponsors. They might get jealous! Those look like they could be some serious techy bits.

 And extremely ugly, orange is trick but looks like sh•t

 @jimmythehat: Ironic Orange is back? I was hoping it was gone for good

 New Altitude

 Interesting that whatever it is, its coil driven rather than air like the Slayer - and goes back to their older suspension design (at least at first appearances). Very interesting decision.

 @ratedgg13: think you'll find that's just the choice a certain rider is using here, again a good choice for the wet and how slippery it will get on the roots on the off camber, soft off the top to grip and rip will be everything come tomorrow!

 @Maverickdh00: Normally I'd agree, except its clearly a totally different linkage than on the current altitude (way further back and L shaped rather than the normal simple swing bar). If they're testing a new altitude with a coil shock over air, it could be because its designed around one - not for sure, but its a possibility.

 @ratedgg13: It also looks like the Ride 9 chip is in that rear L shaped linkage instead of in front of the shock link on the current model. And everything I've heard so far is the consumer model will be air shock, not coil.

 hope there is a bit more real-estate for a water bottle in the new one (without the reservoir hitting the top of the water bottle, causing the water bottle to rub/scratch the frame).

 www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uzc-36se5-8 SPY SHOT AT 10:40

 Text him mate, sure he'd appreciate the input ;-)

 I live in Colorado, lots of rocks. I have ran an Aggressor all last season. Several bike park days, two enduros and two weekends out in Moab (two Whole Enchilada runs) and no issues.

 Aggressor w/ DD casing is a very tough tire. Mine hasn't flinched!

 They are hawt right now fer sure!

 Sorry, wanted to give + prop and ended giving neg prop. Agreed, Yetis are some of the best looking bikes ever!

 Ratchet or screwdriver?

 Giro Switchblade without the chinbar. I have one and it is awesome.

 I heard may... i need that remote badly

 Fashion? Seriously?

 How can you worry about his tires when he was interviewed wearing white shorts and a white jersey?

 @AdobeAwesome: With Brosnan gone, somebody over there has to make the bold choices kit-wise...

 Half steel, half aluminum