As the downhill World Cup got underway at Fort William, mountain bikers were in awe of the new technology on display after a long off-season. One of the highlights was Martin Maes’ non-ebike ebike, the Rockshox Foxxer, which caught attention. Another standout was Amaury Pierron’s Commencal Supreme with its modified rear end and gold Boxxer on the bike.
While some questioned the practicality of Pierron’s choice of gold Boxxer, others were impressed by its appearance. Cube has also been teasing a production bike for some time now, and it seems like it may finally be ready to hit the market. The brake-arm on the bike reduces anti-rise, giving riders more control when braking hard for turns.
Another exciting development in the world of mountain biking is Kenda’s introduction of a new tire similar to the popular Assegai style. This shows that imitation is indeed a form of flattery in this competitive industry. Taking a closer look at the Commencal Supreme reveals a thin chainstay that offers adjustments for stiffness. Amaury Pierron seems to be experimenting with different ways to control how the bike flexes, possibly aiming to optimize performance by isolating the flex away from the shock. Overall, there are many intriguing developments in mountain biking this season that are worth keeping an eye on.