Comments on: Coming Products, Rumors, and Predictions

By: Dirt McGirt

Dirt McGirt — Wed, 21 May 2008 19:03:45 +0000

GT- Been there, done that, haven’t gotten my t shirt from our outside rep yet.

I’ve been assembling E2 equipped fuel ex’s and remedies for months now. But, in reality, I really just don’t want to see that on Fishers yet. Just like I don’t want to see Future Shock 29er stuff from Specialized yet either. My view on the whole E2 thing is that it didn’t really work for Gary Klein in the 90’s, why bring it back (2″ to 1 1/4″!! YES!!!) Not to mention that a carbon frame is GOING TO HAVE an integrated HS. Yay! Fun times!

I mean, we’ve already had someone wanting to switchout the E2 lyric on his Remedy 8 last week. Sorry, homeboy, good luck selling that thing cuz we don’t want it either!!!!

I guess buying 2 sets of headset bearings just doesn’t appeal to some, namely me.

My prediction is that we will see the E2 setup on 69ers from Trek. But please please please don’t touch my Fishers, damn it!

Nooch.

By: Guitar Ted

Guitar Ted — Wed, 21 May 2008 01:03:36 +0000

Dirt: Check out the Fox E2 on the Remedy 9; http://www.trekbikes.com/int/en/bikes/2008/mountain_full_suspension/remedy/remedy9/

Also, a pdf file appeared on a thread on mtbr.com for a spell, (since pulled down at the behest of Fox) that was detailing all of Fox’s ‘09 product. It was clearly showing schematics and specs on an E2 steerer Fox F-29. Pretty obvious that something is up with a Fisher bike, since Trek doesn’t do 29″ers, although it is possible that this would be a 69er fork as well.

Anyway, all that to say that it’s a sure bet that we’ll see an E2 steer tube 29″er fork on something. I’m guessing it to be a FS 29″er.

By: Dirt McGirt

Dirt McGirt — Wed, 21 May 2008 00:51:59 +0000

N8rhino:
Probably no-go on both of those. C-dale and Trek don’t mix very well at all. Plus, Fox hasn’t been doing E2 Steerers as yet, nor have I seen any yet.

Not to say that it won’t happen, but I don’t think so.

By: Willie

Willie — Wed, 21 May 2008 00:25:30 +0000

Utility 29er! I agree. In fact I am on a builder’s waitlist for exactly such a bike.
How do you believe the geometry will be different from Mountain XC hardtail 29ers?
Longer wheelbase, longer chainstays, slacker HT angle?
Wisemen, what are your thoughts?

By: Ascent

Ascent — Tue, 20 May 2008 22:47:17 +0000

Just got the first ride on the 2009 Fox 100mm Black fork. Very nice, I have just come off a Fox X cart fork and have to tune the RLC a bit more to get it set up, but the first ride was very nice. I will keep you posted.

By: Kosmo

Kosmo — Tue, 20 May 2008 16:38:52 +0000

Fingers crossed that the new, longer travel Fisher is on the Fuel EX rear suspension platform. It is one sweet riding system, and needs to be available in the 29er world!

And the really good news from Fox (heavily sarcastic tone) is that apparently several F-series forks will be available in TA mode. 20mm? Oh no, of course not. A new 15mm standard. It would be awful if the TA front wheel from a Reba-forked bike could also serve as a spare on a Fox-forked bike!

By: Guitar Ted

Guitar Ted — Tue, 20 May 2008 13:00:49 +0000

Angus: While I don’t doubt that Specialized will come out with something special in 29″ers, the tapered “E2″ steer tube on the Fox fork was not licensed by Fisher, but by Trek, if I recall correctly. I don’t believe Fisher had a E2 bike in their line up for 2008. For sure not in a 29″er.

The information I’m hearing is that Fisher will indeed have an exclusive on the 29″er E2 fork. Specialized has been doing it’s own forks, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see them go that route on the 29″er forks in the future. It doesn’t speak well to the 26″er forks if Specialized continues to spec other brands forks on it’s 29″ers. I look for a Specialized 29″er fork to make an appearance soon.

By: Angus

Angus — Tue, 20 May 2008 05:04:30 +0000

I think your missing the clue with the Fox 1-1/8 to 1-1/5 fork. the deal with fisher was for the 2008 run only. so there is no reason to assume that fox would stay exclusive a second year(maybe the offset will stay with GF)

I first saw the Fox plans months ago, and my first impression was Specialized was going to bring forth a carbon 29er with this set up as the are running 1/8 to 1/5 on several of there 26″ bikes (most with Fox Forks)

Here is my prediction a 29″ Carbon Hard tail that is lighter than the Superfly and a Carbon 29er Epic, you heard it from me first……

By: Oderus

Oderus — Mon, 19 May 2008 18:53:08 +0000

N8rhino, the spec I saw of the 09 Superfly does not have those changes. The biggest was cosmetic. That could very easily change though. I agree that with you GT that we will see more 29ers used for longer backwoods rides as well as commuting. I use my 29er for commuting 30 miles a day right now and I much prefer it over a road bike. It’s comfy, fast and reliable. It can handle bumps and pot holes way better that any road bike ever could.

By: N8rhino

N8rhino — Mon, 19 May 2008 18:09:24 +0000

Does anybody want to speculate, if the Superfly will have a BB30 and the 11/5- 11/8 headtube?
I’m interested in getting one and would be willing to wait if that’s the case.