Eminent Onset MT finally lands with 29″ wheels, revised AFS suspension, Fox 38 suspension

Eminent pretty much let the cat out of the bag two weeks ago, but now it’s official. The Onset MT is their latest model, and it rolls on 29″ wheels. The enduro focused machine is the spiritual successor to their original 27.5″ wheeled Haste, and it’s poised to take Eminent’s AFS suspension platform to new heights.

One of the most recognizable features of Eminent Cycles is their patent pending AFS (Active Float System) suspension. Now reconfigured to offer a full 155mm of rear travel, the Onset gets an MT specific shock link that is shorter to allow for a longer 230mm eye to eye shock. This apparently allows for the frame to be reconfigured as a 140mm travel LT or 120mm travel ST  by swapping out the shock, shock link, and changing fork travel.

Along with changes in travel, the Onset MT’s AFS suspension linkage has been tweaked to reduce the anti-squat numbers by 120%. Eminent claims this results in better suspension performance when you’re pedaling through rough terrain without taking too much from the system’s all around pedaling efficiency.

The system still uses their floating brake mount which reduces brake jack when braking in rough conditions.

The new unidirectional carbon frame design includes a revised chainstay which was beefed up in key areas thanks to the help of FEA. The result is an 11% increase in stiffness, while keeping the relatively long 442mm chainstay length which Eminent claims is better for traction balance and rear sensitivity. Longer travel means there’s more rotation at the drop out pivots so Eminent modified the seat stay clevis cavities slightly to allow for this, and again optimized the structure using FEA.

Up front, a 17mm deep press-in headset cup recess allows for the use of a 1-degree slacked ZS 44/ZS 56 headset on the MT which adjusts the head tube angle to 64.5°.  This gives the option of playing with different head tube angles or adjusting the angle to accommodate different fork lengths.

The two highest end builds, the Advanced and the Pro, will include Fox’s new 38 suspension fork in 160mm with an X2 rear shock. But the frame also has the ability of running 170mm if desired. The entry level Comp build will use a Fox 36 and DPX2.

The original Eminent frame design didn’t allow for internally routed dropper posts which as you might imagine, doesn’t go over well in the current market place. As a result, the new Onset MT frame has been revised to allow for full internal cable routing including the 30.9mm dropper post.

Additional frame details include Boost 148mm rear spacing, a Pressfit 92 bottom bracket, ISCG 05 tabs, integrated seat post binder, downtube carbon armor, and a single bottle cage mount inside the front triangle. The frames will run up to a 29 x 2.6″ tire, but stock bikes will include a 29 x 2.4″ rear tire, while the front runs 29 x 2.6″.

Big news for the Onset MT is the addition of an XL size which also gets a 1° steeper seat tube at 76°. Otherwise, the frames have a 64.5° head tube angle with 75° seat tube angle. Reach numbers are on the shorter side for a long travel enduro bike these days with 405mm for the small, and 488mm for the XL.

Offered in three builds, pricing will range from $4899 to $8499. The top end Pro build gets a full Shimano XTR M9120 1×12 drivetrain and Fox Factory suspension. Available now.

Features:

• 155mm rear wheel travel, via MT specific Onset frame revisions
• 160mm front fork, with ability to run 170mm, if desired
• 64.5mm HTA
• Full internal cable routing, including seat post
• 442mm chain stays with improved layup for added stiffness
• Offered in sizes S-XL
• AFS Suspension
• New Limited-Edition Blue/Gold Color as well as Gray/Orange & Black/Gray Options
• 2021 Fox 38 and X2 rear shock spec to meet the rigors of full enduro riding on Advanced and Pro level bikes. Comp bikes will receive the tried and true 36 Rhythm and DPX2
• Three Pricing options: $4899 – Comp, $6499 – Advanced, and $8499 – Pro

eminentcycles.com