The MTB World Cup returned to the scenic venue of Lenzerheide, Switzerland this past weekend. Close in proximity to some innovative companies, it was bound to provide a good showing of new tech. While there are plenty of interesting things happening in the world of cross-country, we couldn't help but share some of the downhill-focused tech, too.
While not something usually found on the pages of Escape Collective, downhill has long served as the sport’s cutting edge where new ideas are trialled, either to eventually become a thing on all of our bikes (disc brakes anyone?) or fade away until they become a relic of the past (such as Shimano’s air-powered Airlines shifting).
Either way, if you’re a mountain bike-loving tech nerd, downhill isn’t one to ignore. Let's dive in.
Cube prototype bike
Cube has a prototype bike in action this season – an updated model of the AMS running 115 mm of travel in the rear, up from 100 mm, and with 120 mm at the front, an increase from 110 mm. The bike also has a few changes to the rear triangle – adjusting the kinematics from the old one – along with some subtle geometry changes too.
The frame is not quite getting the full tucked-into-the-top-tube treatment to be on trend but there is a small scallop in the top tube for a bit of clearance as the shock moves upwards towards it. Cube is also sticking with a full, four-bar suspension system, choosing to optimise suspension performance instead of dropping the chainstay pivot for a lighter flex stay design.
A few other standouts are the 3D-printed computer mount that glues onto the stem, and a clean little CNC’d chain guide providing some minimalist chain security.
I was told by a mechanic that this bike is unlikely to see full production as Cube has something bigger in the works. I’ve heard this rumour a bit, but I’ve also heard that Cube’s new big thing isn’t quite as big as other brands' big new things.
A new standard? I really hope this isn’t the case and Cube just has a regular 32er in the works. Only time will tell.
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