I don’t think it’s that Santa Cruz actively chose to discontinue the htsqd - I think it’s that Specialized made Keegan an offer he couldn’t refuse…
1 Like
I definitely see Specialized discontinuing the World Cup, but Trek seems to have put all of their eggs in the Super Caliber basket & it’s the only bike their pros ride. I guess they could discontinue it if they totally redo the Top Fuel as an XC racer as others have implied—but does anyone any real insight into that actually happening?
I wouldnt say overblown… Have you seen how most cockpits are cobbled together for nearly the whole women’s field? It’s clearly not ideal, but there’s no other options left.
Their XC WC racers use the Top Fuel somewhat frequently.
Also, Evie Richards was spotted this year riding a flexstay version of the Top Fuel:
https://www.pinkbike.com/news/spotted-trek-is-developing-a-flex-stay-top-fuel.html
4 Likes
Has this been comfirmed?
1 Like
I don’t think there has been any indication of that, it’s just a proposed narrative that people think makes a good story so they repeat it.
1 Like
Do you know when the specialized event is? E8 seems to have released March 2024, so seems a year early for the E9 … however I would not complain if that meant that the E8’s got discounted in 2026.
To me, the E8 seems to still be dominating numbers (amongst forum members and at events), and no real challenge to take that market share (although the new Giant could take some sales here and there). But I could see if Specialized made the E9 have flight attendant factory for most of the range, that’d ensure the E9 would be the bike to get. The giant starts higher than the E8 comp, so they could even bump the comp up $1k and have FA across the range.
Really curious about inventory for Specialized and Santa Cruz with the blurs too. If new ones are coming, you’d think they’d be getting close to sold out, given it’s not the bike buying season. The EE7 to E8 changeover left so many EE7 Comps around that Specialized had them selling at $2400 each (which I stupidly didn’t jump on).
Was curious if there was a chance I’d see Epic 9’s out being tested on the local trails, but sounds like not. T
I was going to say the same, the Top Fuel is used a lot, had an upgrade this year but I wonder if it was just a custom rear triangle for shed some weight bc it’s a beast. A much needed bike to improve on. Seems like it’s 10 years old.
Well it seems many of the Trek XCO racers didn’t take to it (as many swapped back to the supercaliber). I wonder what Amos could do on an Epic. 
1 Like
Sure, as a female rider myself, the women’s field is my main reason for skepticism. I’d say 29ers aren’t an issue for the whole women’s field, but I think it begins to get tricky for many of those closer to 5’. I suspect it would only be worse for 32” wheels. I’m 5’6” myself, and a 29er is fine, but I think getting comfortable on bigger wheels than that would be hard.
Riley pretty consistently switched back and forth between the 2 bikes (standard, not flex stay top fuel) so I wouldn’t say he didn’t take to it. Evie raced it pretty much exclusively I think. I agree it’d be nice to see it lighten up but they all seem to get along reasonably well with the current iterations.
True. I remember reading that he was frustrated with the bike the first few races and made the switch. (I tried to find the article but couldn’t so might be remembering wrong).
Still Trek needs some work to be competitive on the xco circuit and the market (both weight and cost). And for what it’s worth others are in the same boat. For example, the Santa Cruz Blur. Great bike, up there with the Epic. I just don’t know where the extra 3 pounds come from.
1 Like
The problem with the Top Fuel design is the lack of space for 2 bottles. Pro’s don’t care, but for many amateurs, who actually buy the bike, that is important. It is part of the reason Giant changed their design.
3 Likes
This is quite an interesting watch discussing the development of the new Anthem
1 Like
Almost no chance. Enduro tracks are getting tighter and tighter. They need nimbleness over all out speed that 32” would help with. I could see a DH team experiment with a front 32” though.
2 Likes
A 32/27.5 mullet would look… ehm… interesting
2 Likes
I could see a bike that being great in DH
I really like my Cervelo ZFS-5. Maybe a refresh on it is due.
I suspect Cervelo is done with MTB - and Santa Cruz will be the MTB part of the firm (same owner)
1 Like