Apidura’s latest little Expedition Waist Belt is as simple a wearable storage solution as you could wish for. It’s the most minimalist hip pack imaginable. And it might just save your gravel, bikepacking, or even enduro mountain biking woes.

So, if you’ve taken to riding in more relaxed fit clothes for greater comfort, modesty, or just better style on the bike, Apidura can bring back the classic benefits of 3 good ‘ol rear jersey pockets…

Apidura Expedition Waist Belt add-on jersey pockets

Apidura specializes in helping you carry more on your bike rides. Their niche is lightweight, rackless bikepacking. The biggest part of that is probably gravel and off-road adventure riding, where trends are generally moving away from classic fitted lycra jerseys, and more in the direction of more comfortable, looser-fitting shirts and jerseys that also transition well off-the-bike.

But ditching the dedicated cycling jersey for a tech tee often means losing all your pockets, too. Or bikepackers end up overstuffing what pockets they have, from shirts & jerseys to bib shorts cargo pockets.

So, enter a set of strap-on jersey pockets, with a simple adjustable belt & buckle.

Or as Apidura calls it, the Expedition Waist Belt.

Tech details

The breathable 4-way-stretch padded mesh Apidura Expedition Waist Belt offers 1L of combined storage in 3 jersey-style pockets. Two smaller side hip pockets angle slightly forward, compared to the larger full-height ~13cm tall center pocket. None get any secure closure (like a zip or velcro), instead relying on the stretchy fabric to keep your gear in place.

Claimed weight for the on-bike anatomically cut waist belt is just 70g for S/M or 75g for L/XL

Apidura Expedition Waist Belt – Pricing, Options & Availability

The belt comes in two sizes S/M to fit 75-95cm (29.5-37″) or L/XL to fit 90-105cm (35-41″) circumferences. Keep in mind then, that’s not your waist size necessarily. You need to measure overtop of whatever you want to wear under the waist belt – after all, maybe that’s a pair of bib shorts, just some regular shorts, or several more layers of clothing. You decide.

It may be simple and light, but the Apidura Expedition Waist Belt still sells for $49 / 38 / 44€ – available from today. Sure, that’s not exactly cheap, but it does give any shirt or jersey classic pockets again.

Apidura.com

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How do you get the most premium, high-performance mountain bike powermeter possible? SRM USA suggests it’s their latest PM9 direct mount spider power meter paired with a titanium Cane Creek eeWings MTB crankset. Light, stiff, and benchmark accuracy. What more could you want? Hopefully, your budget is pretty big, though…

Add a SRM powermeter to Cane Creek eeWings MTB cranks

SRM sent us an email announcing a new “Cane Creek and SRM partnership” to pair the lightest and stiffest titanium crankset on the market, with the most trusted & most accurate power meter out there. Sure, you could mount a Power2Max spider to your eeWings, too.

But is anyone buying a titanium crankset and a power meter spider really looking to save just a few bucks? You might as well splurge and get the 9th-generation SRAM PM9 powermeter, which is pretty much considered the industry benchmark, right?

How much will it cost you?

Buyers in the US can pick up a complete setup from SRM for just $2100, or $2175 with a chainring included, and a delivery lead-time of 4-5 weeks.

Wow, only twenty-one hundred dollars you say?

If you had to buy them separately, that would be $1100 direct from Cane Creek for just the 400g eeWings ti MTB crankarms & axle, plus another $1300 for the compatible SRAM 3-bolt direct mount PM9 spider on its own. Or $2400 without a chainring or bottom bracket. That’s what buyers outside of the US will have to do anyway.

SRM.de

Want more Cane Creek bling for your classic road bike, too?

Hunt some Ltd Cane Creek eeBrakes in Monarch red, white & blue

OK, so these sold out in minutes when they debuted at the end of August. But Cane Creek says you may still be able to find a set if your local bike shop snapped them up. Cane Creek standard mount road eeBrakes are always sought after for classic rim brake builds. And the limited editions are always a rare treat. These patriotic beauties would have set you back $780 for the pair.

Maybe, you’ll still find a pair if you dig deep enough? But maybe it’ll cost you even more. Still cheaper than an SRM powermeter, though.

CaneCreek.com

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French ceramic bearing and oversized derailleur pulley maker CyclingCeramic drops the cost of buying those ‘Free Watts’ to make your bike’s drivetrain faster. You get the same carbon cages, machined alloy pulleys & ceramic bearing kits or simply derailleur pulley wheels themselves for 20% less cash outlay, thanks to improved manufacturing efficiencies…

CyclingCeramic rear derailleur upgrades get more affordable

More speed, for less money. Win, win, right?

According to CyclingCeramic, it comes down to overall optimization of how they produce their pulley wheels and cage upgrade kits, as well as improved economies of scale from actually selling more upgrades. That meant they could deliver the same quality for less. And so they are passing on those savings. That’s then more than 20% off discount for their popular Oversize Cage kits and replacement Pulley Wheels.

No compromises on quality or durability, just improved manufacturing efficiency. And their upgrades are still handcrafted in France.

How much do you save?

That then means their standard 11 & 12T machined alloy replacement Pulley Wheels with ceramic bearings now sell from 99€, down from 125€ for the pair. Pick from 11- or 12-speed replacement pulleys for Campagnolo Chorus, Record & Super Record; Shimano 105, Ultegra & Dura-Ace; and SRAM AXS Road. Or choose their slightly more expensive (but still cheaper than before) Narrow (& wide) 14T replacements for on- & off-road. Choose from Shimano GRX, XT & XTR and SRAM Road, XPLR gravel & Eagle MTB. Get ’em all in black, blue, gold, or reed ano for a little derailleur customization.

Also, their Oversize Cage kit consisting of carbon cages with oversized machined alloy pulleys and ceramic bearings now sell for 269€, down from 349€. So, there you can upgrade almost all Campy, Shimano & SRAM road and gravel rear derailleurs. Then, get bigger 14 & 19T pulleys for decreased drag – and in some pretty colors, too.

CyclingCeramic maintains their “Flexible Return Policy” with attention to minimizing the risk of trying something new. Additionally, they’ve even extended warranties from 2 to 4 years for all products now, making the buying decision even easier.

Free Watts just got a little more affordable.

CyclingCeramic.com

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Bikepacking bag maker Restrap debuts a new versatile Travel pack range with two size adjustable Rolltop Backpacks and a great little Utility Hip Pack that transitions nearly seamlessly from your waist to your handlebar. I’ve just got the hip pack and larger 22L backpack in, and have already put them to use on & off the bike. Take a closer look…

Restrap Travel Packs, a waterproof hip bag & two backpacks

Restrap adding a new Travel Range is their way of blurring the lines between what you carry on or off the bike, adapting lessons learned making bikepacking bags for use while not necessarily cycling. Both the new hip pack and backpacks are meant to be used off-the-bike, but Restrap certainly tweaked them for use while cycling, too.

Restrap Utility Hip Pack – 6L

Let’s start with the hip bag.

Depending on when you look at it, the new 6L Utility Hip Pack could be confused for a pretty common fanny pack or a mini roll-top handlebar bag. It’s the way it transitions back and forth so smoothly that makes it unique. Sure, I’ve seen ‘hacks’ of people strapping their hip bag to the bar. And I’ve seen bar bags attached to a regular belt to carry them off-the-bike. But this solution is so much cleaner and more satisfying.

The secret is that the rear mesh back pad that sits against your waist is actually hinged from the top and secured in place with a big velcro patch.

In bar bag mode, the proper padded waist belt gets folded securely out of the way. Then, you just tighten the two Restrap Fast Straps around your bar, and loop the bungee cord around your stem to keep it from bouncing.

In hip pack mode, the waist belt comes out, the little bungee gets tucked under the velcro, and away you go.

Tech details, Pricing

Material-wise, Restrap makes the hip pack from a heavy-duty durable TPU fabric, with taped seams for a fully waterproof construction, and bright orange lining. It gets a full-width top opening roll-top, with a plastic structure around the opening to help close it, and a magnetic Fidlock buckle closure. And reflective stitching in the straps boosts low-light visibility.

The boxy bag is 24x18x12cm overall for 6L of storage including the two outer mesh side pockets. Restrap claims a weight of just 361g, but my sample bag weighed a bit more at 403g including the two 17cm orange Fast Straps to secure it around the handlebar.

The new Restrap Utility Hip Pack is available today direct from Restrap for $143 / £95 / 114€ in either this white or an all-black version.

Restrap Rolltop Backpacks – 22L & 40L

Restrap calls these the “ultimate backpack for use both on and off the bike”, designed for bike commuter use or just any time you want to carry goodies on your back.

Available in two sizes, the Rolltop Backpacks are built to be waterproof, comfortable cycling or walking, and tough enough to stand up to everyday use & abuse. Then, external compression straps on each side let you cinch the backpacks down so they don’t flop around even when they aren’t stuffed full of gear.

The two sizes each include an internal padded 15″ laptop sleeve and an internal mesh side organizer pocket with a key lanyard, both with external zip access and Restrap’s small “safety retention loop to protect against theft”. The larger 40L pack also adds an extra internal side pocket and another outer side pocket for further organization.

Tech details, Pricing

Materials are essentially the same as the hip pack. Restrap makes the backpacks from the same heavy-duty TPU fabric, and tapes the seams for fully waterproof construction. Everything inside is lined with slippery orange nylon that makes it easy to find items inside and slip things in & out. The backpacks get full-width roll-top openings, closer with an adjustable strap & magnetic Fidlock buckle.

They also feature a fully padded flat airmesh back panel and shoulder straps, plus a removable waist belt, and 3-position adjustable sternum straps to provide stability. Then, there are also various extra D-rings and Molle system daisy chain attachments to mount other accessories, too. Again, some limited reflective stitching in some of the straps and the small paracord zipper plus improve night visibility.

The smaller max 22L bag is 45cm tall when closed, 26cm wide & 15cm deep, with a claimed weight of 770g. The larger max 40L bag is 50cm tall when closed, 30cm wide & 22cm deep, with a claimed weight of 980g. But, our sample 40L bag was again quite a bit heavier than anticipated at 1130g.

The new Restrap Travel range Rolltop Backpacks are available today from direct for $278 / £185 / 222€ for the smaller 22L or for $315 / £210 / 250€ for the larger 40L variant. Both come in either this white or an all-black version.

First Looks

Thinking about it I have to say, I’m a bit surprised that Restrap hadn’t really gotten into ‘on-body’ bags yet, after testing out a number of their ‘on-bike’ backpacking bags. I’ve been impressed with almost every Restrap bag I’ve tried. Generally, a bit on the heavier side – prioritizing craftsmanship & durability over ultra-lightweight or flimsy fasteners – they’ve all held up well to my sometimes rough abuse. And while they aren’t cheap, Restrap’s prices are competitive, and the bags are actually all handmade in the UK at a time when most gear is still made anonymously somewhere on the other side of the planet.

These bags seem to hit on all of that, in all the best ways. Sure, they aren’t cheap, but they feel really well-made and durable.

I get the sense that this backpack is going to become my new favorite for my regular travels. It has plenty of good pockets to keep me a bit organized, without going overkill. And the external access for both the laptop sleeve and the mesh internal side pocket feels great. Plus, it compresses down so neatly that I feel like it can go from carrying just 10 or 20L on a regular basis, then balloon up to the full 40L when needed. And it looks good both compressed and fully maxed out.

It even stays put and feels good on the bike.

As for the Utility Hip Pack, well that’s a more complicated story. But still a very good one.

I had lower expectations of this bag and a bit of skepticism to be honest. You know – a jack of all trades, master of none – kinda thing. But it has proven me wrong, ending up as versatile and functional in both on-bike and on-body modes. Anyone remember the expanded ‘original‘ version of that figure of speech? I’ve only really started to use the Utility Hip Pack and to test what I can carry comfortably and securely.

But already it warrants a more detailed review. I think I like it a lot, and will certainly keep playing with it.

Restrap Travel – Availability & a bonus

In the meantime, all three new Restrap Travel packs are available now directly from Restrap and their partner retailers.

Restrap also has one extra bonus gadget hidden in with this release – a new $11/ £6 / 9€ Light Mount. It’s really just a small plastic cylinder that can bolt onto any unused frame or fork rack, fender, or cage braze-on to give you somewhere else to attach any accessory meant to strap around a handlebar of seatpost.

Since Restrap specializes in making bikepacking bags, they know that when you strap bags on your bike oftentimes you lose good spots to mount forward- or rear-facing lights. So this little 15g plastic doodad creates a mounting spot you can add away from any bags in the way. It also includes teeth that will fit the plastic Shimano crank axle/BB pre-loader in case you ever need to tighten or remove a crankset on the go.

Restrap.co.uk

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A lot of hitch-mount bike racks offer accessory ramps to make it easier to roll your heavy e-bikes onto them, but QuietKat takes it a step further by turning the rack itself into one giant ramp.

The QuietKat Pivot Pro Hitch Rack mounts a custom rack onto a swiveling base that lets it tilt side to side. The tire cradles open wide, extending to the ground to create mini-ramps leading onto the tire trays. As you push the bike onto the rack and into the opposite tire cradle, it rocks back to level and locks into position so you can secure the rear wheel.

The entire rack is overbuilt to handle heavy bikes, up to 100lbs per tray with a total static tongue weight of 280lbs (including the rack itself, which weighs 52-82lbs depending on number of trays).

While it was made with QuietKat’s fat-tired e-mountain bikes in mind, they say it works great for everything from kids bikes to road bikes to DH MTBs, too, from 24″ to 29″ wheels.

The tire cradles use a quiet, ratchet-less design that opens and closes without any clickety-clackety sounds. The mostly steel construction and heavy-duty pivot points should keep the rest of the rack quiet and solid, too.

It’s available in 1-bike and 2-bike configurations for 2″ hitches only. MSRP is $599 to $949, available for pre-order now and shipping in September, 2023. You can start with the one-bike model and add the second tray later for $349.

A locking wheel pin is available separately for $24.

QuietKat.com

The post QuietKat hitch rack tilts for easier e-bike loading appeared first on Bikerumor.

With GoPro, Insta360, and DJI all having similar stabilization, 4k frame rates, and shooting modes, the one thing a brand needs to win the action camera wars, it’s better low-light image quality. The best way to do that is increasing sensor size, and that’s exactly what the new DJI Osmo Action 4 did.

Compared to GoPro HERO 11 Black (1/1.9″ sensor) and Insta360 ONE RS (1/2″ sensor), that’s massive – 46% bigger than HERO 11, and 65% bigger than their Action 3. DJI seems to take full advantage of that by jumping up to 10-bit D-Log M color (same as HERO 11), meaning it should capture all of the color and way more light than anything else on the market as of August 2023.

Other new features include an optional GPS Bluetooth Remote that adds more data (location, speed, elevation) to your video and, obvi, lets you start and stop recording remotely.

It attaches to their excellent magnetic mounts, of which there are plenty of options, but there’s a new Horizontal/Vertical (H/V) Protective Frame that lets you attach the camera vertically, too. Once snapped into place vertically, it’ll natively record vertical video so you can bump your Stories and TikToks to the next level without having to do any post-production cropping. Just pull the video straight from the camera to your phone with their app and watch those likes swarm in.

It keeps their impressive -20° to 45° C (-4° to 113° F) operating range, and they say the battery is protected enough to give you up to 150 minutes of recording at the bottom end of that range. It charges quickly, getting 80% full in just 18 minutes.

Lastly, waterproofness increases to 18m from 16m without any extra case needed.

Other tech features are fairly standard now and include:

• 120fps high frame rate in 1080p, 2.7K 16:9, and 4K 16:9
• 4K60fps with 155º ultra-wide FOV
• Hydrophobic coating on lens and screens
• Up to 2.5 hours recording time
• Auto Color Balance even adjusts for underwater filming
• RockSteady 3.0 image stabilization
• 360º horizon leveling
• Invisible Selfie Stick mode

The standard package ($399) includes the camera, their extreme battery, H/V protective frame, quick release adapter mount, adhesive base, mounting screw, charging/sync cable, lens hood, and anti-slip pad. An Adventure Combo ($499) adds two more batteries, an extension handle, a battery case, and a few other bits. Available now.

DJI.com

The post DJI Osmo Action 4 camera Lights Up w/ Massive New Sensor appeared first on Bikerumor.

When you’re bombing down a rough, technical descent, keeping your handlebars pointed where you want them can wear down your arms quickly. Enter the KIS (Keep It Stable) steering stabilizer.

Created by Jo Klieber, the founder of Syntace and Liteville, the KIS system helps automatically re-center your handlebars as your wheel deflects off rocks and roots, especially when they’re off-camber. Since Canyon helped work on the integration of the KIS system, they’ll be the only brand (aside from Liteville) to offer it on their bikes until next year. Canyon debuted the system on their Spectral all-mountain bike, but they now have it on a demo fleet of Strive:ON eMTBs too.

Last fall, our EU Tech Editor Cory Benson got the chance to ride both Canyon’s Spectral MTB and Liteville’s 301CE eMTB with the KIS steering stabilizer, so you can check out his initial impressions of the system. Since Canyon was at Crankworx Whistler, I took the chance to get a feel for the steering stabilizer myself. After one ride my perspective on the idea went from “If no one has done it yet, is it worth doing?” to “This is something that could catch on”.

KIS System – The Basics:

If you’re not familiar with the KIS system, check out Cory’s article covering all the technical details here. To sum it up, it’s basically made of a sliding tension adjuster, two springs, two straps, and a cam that clamps onto the fork’s steerer tube. In finished form, all of this is hidden inside the bike’s top tube except for the small slider that sits on top. The entire system does add weight to a bike, but nothing crazy at about 120g.

The system shown on the demo bike I rode is not the finished product consumers get: The demo bikes were all set up with an external version of the KIS system that allows test riders to see how it works, and make easy adjustments without the Allen key the integrated version requires. I should also note the external system I rode looked a bit different from the one Cory tried on the Liteville (which uses lighter springs than Canyon’s KIS bikes).

Ride Impressions: Climbing

While my intro line suggests the KIS system is mainly beneficial on descents, it does help on climbs too. When I first hopped on the bike, the system’s tension was set in the middle position and I barely noticed any effect from it. I didn’t feel any extra effort while steering the bike, and overall handling seemed pretty normal. Then, at Canyon’s MTB Gravity Brand Manager (and my ride guide) Jack Noy’s suggestion, I completely de-tensioned the steering. Right away I could tell the KIS system was indeed helping me out.

We started our climb on a steep road filled with loose rocks, and when I removed all tension from the KIS system I immediately noticed my front wheel squirming left and right more than it did with the system engaged. Those loose, rolling rocks were pulling my front wheel left and right, and my arms had to work to keep the wheel pointed straight.

Once I put the tension back to the middle position, it was obvious again that it was helping. The front wheel floated nicely over those loose rocks and clearly wanted to stay straight, even when I purposely kept my hands light on the grips. We only did one shorter ride, but I’m convinced on longer loops this system would reduce arm fatigue. It definitely requires less effort to keep your wheel straight, and with the KIS system, it becomes easier to sit upright and give your arms a break as the bike will resist wheel flop. Overall it takes less energy to keep the bike pointed, yet the system works subtly enough that I didn’t feel like I had to change the way I was riding at all.

Descending:

When we pointed the bikes downhill, I kept the KIS system in the middle position to start. The trail we rode was a perfect test for the system, as it is littered with rocks and off-camber roots from start to finish. In the middle tension position, I noticed some very slight resistance in the steering, but not enough to require extra effort. I could feel how my front wheel was lightly resisting deflections, but again the effect was subtle enough that I was handling the bike normally. 

In an effort to make the system’s effects obvious, I bumped up the tension by two notches. At this point, I could really feel the difference it was making. This setting produced noticeable steering resistance (although still a long way from making it hard to steer), and I did detect something Jack mentioned about cornering: If the system is set up too tight, it slows down your steering slightly and the bike doesn’t lean in as nicely as a normal bike would. I felt this on one corner, so I dialed the system back one notch.

With the KIS system, it is important to find the level of tension that works best for you. I expect most riders should be able to accomplish this, as I (at 150lbs) wasn’t even close to maxing out the tension. I’d expect the range of adjustment would be ample for much larger or stronger riders than me.

The setting I was now in seemed perfect for me – I could feel the wheel fighting to stay straight over rocks and roots, and it was easier than usual to hold a line through the rough. It took no noticeable extra effort to steer, and the cornering felt normal. On the descent, it occurred to me that like the climb, this system makes it a bit easier to take a break when needed. On moderate sections of trail, you could get away with sitting up and lightening your grip more than a normal bike would allow. This could be great for enduro racers tackling several long descents in a row.

One thing the KIS System was designed not to do is make it feel harder to steer the more you turn the handlebars. I’d say Syntace achieved this, as I didn’t feel a difference between tight corners or wider berms. The KIS system was also designed not to straighten the wheel with any obvious clunk or engagement in the middle, and I would agree I did not notice any such effect.

One thing Cory mentioned is how the auto-centering steering gave the Canyon Spectral an odd tendency when jumping. The trail I rode was a technical descent that didn’t offer much airtime, so I can’t comment on the bike’s handling in the air… give Cory’s article a read for his explanation of how the KIS system attempts to straighten the bike out if you turn your handlebars in mid-air. 

My only final thought is this; I wonder if a two-position KIS system would be beneficial. I was quite happy climbing with the tension set dead in the middle, but when I got to our highly technical descent I preferred a bit more tension to help fight off wheel deflection. I liked how subtle the effects were on the uphill section, but also enjoyed feeling that something was definitely happening on the downhill. The bottom line is I do think Syntace and Canyon are on to something, and wouldn’t be surprised to see the idea gain traction in the MTB world.

canyon.com

The post Can the KIS Steering Stabilizer Keep Canyon’s Strive:ON eMTB Steady on Whistler’s Trails? appeared first on Bikerumor.

Billed as the first shoe designed using computational fluid dynamics, the VeloVetta Monarch backs up that screentime with wind tunnel testing to become the most aerodynamic shoe for road and triathlon.

The shoe features a streamlined cover, which is to be expected, but how they achieve that while still having a solid retention system is the real trick to their design, which also allows the upper to have mesh sections for breathability, which you won’t get pulling an aero cover over your shoe.

On the back is a heel lever that opens to release, but as it closes, cables running through the sole, then upward to a flap covering the upper foot, pulls tight to secure your foot. The desired tension is pre-set by the rider, and the whole thing takes just a second to open or close, making them a fast option for triathletes trying to speed through transitions.

That lever also doubles as an aerodynamic feature, smoothing airflow off the back of the shoe, too. And the outsole is smoothed and sculpted to further reduce overall drag.

Tested at the A2 Wind Tunnel against the Bontrager Ballista, Shimano TR9, and Specialized S-Works 7, the chart above shows the results with a 30mph wind ranging from +/-12.5º. Compared to the others, the Monarch averaged a power savings of 8.6 to 14.2 watts.

They say that’s good for 32 seconds in a 40k time trial versus the S-Works 7, which was actually the closest in performance to the Monarch. Against the TR9 shoe, they estimate a 4m 20s savings over an Ironman bike leg.

“We designed the shoe to be fast,” says CEO Ed O’Malley, “but equally important it is designed to be comfortable all day, with a unique heel closure mechanism that makes transitions fast and easy, (with) power transfer to rival any other shoe.”

The upper and tongue are padded, and they say it pulls downward to hold your foot without squeezing it from the sides.

O’Malley, who is an engineer with experience working on the International space station and hydrogen fueled engines, says he noticed people taking whatever shoes they had to the wind tunnel just to see which were the most aero, and decided he could make something that was intentionally, rather than accidentally, aerodynamic.

“Athletes spend a lot of time trying to figure out which shoe is aerodynamically the fastest,” O’Malley said, “but no one had made a serious analytical effort at designing one. The Monarch is the first shoe designed using the same technology and techniques as bike frames, helmets, and yes, aircraft.”

While based in Boulder, CO, VeloVetta’s shoes are made in Treviso, Italy, at a well-known shoe manufacturer. They’re available in sizes 38 thru 47 with limited half sizes. MSRP is $405, available in black or white/gray.

VeloVetta.com

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BiKASE’s original ABC (Any Bottle Cage) used an expandable cage design with a ratcheting closure to secure the contents, allowing you to fit something larger, like a Nalgene bottle. Or, attach it to your fork legs and stow a small tent, sleeping bag, or dry bag.

Now, their Sidewider ABC tilts things to allow for side entry, making it possible to slip larger bottles (or gear) into frames with less space inside the front triangle. Whether that’s a kids’ bike, or just a really small frame or challenging full suspension layout, now you have more options and a system that’ll hold the contents tight no matter what the terrain.

The Sidewinder can be flip-flopped for right or left side entry, and the opening goes from 2.25″ up to 4.75″. MSRP is $29.99.

BiKASE.com

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AMP’s original product was the Carbone brake pads, which use a full carbon fiber backing plate to provide the ultimate thermal shielding and vibration reduction. They claim the carbon fiber has 38x lower heat conductivity than steel and 280x lower than aluminum, the two materials most commonly used for disc brake pads. The result is that they run cooler and won’t dump braking heat into the pistons, then calipers, then fluid.

The Carbone pads come in at 13.7g, but the new AMP Carbone SL chop that to 8.8g for Dura-Ace/Ultegra brake pads, including the spring. SRAM brakes are just a hair heavier at 9.7g, all of which is much lighter than the 17g stock Shimano pads with the cooling fins.

The Carbone SL versions use a carbon-backed alloy backplate design, yet AMP says these provide similar heat reduction as the full carbon ones. They’re offered in limited quantities and fit Shimano DA/Ultegra and 2020 and newer SRAM road brakes, and come with their Ceramic pad material, which is designed for high intensity, long duration braking power. MSRP is €45 per wheel.

AMP Podium disc brake pads

Coming in much less expensive are the all-new AMP Podium brake pads, which range from €15-35 depending on brake model and pad material. Choose from Organic or Metallic (Sintered) and they have options for Shimano, SRAM, Formula, Hope, Hayes, and Magura.

Aimed at the broader trail and gravity market, they’re offered in 2- and 4-piston models (some of which also fit Shimano road brakes) and use a ceramic-coated steel back plate.

Why not carbon? They say that extremely steep terrain where you’re moving slower and braking harder doesn’t allow enough air flow to move the heat off the pads, and since it’s not going into the carbon, it just didn’t make sense here.

AMP says the WinShield Ceramic Coating still reduces the amount of heat moving into the caliper 5-10% more than traditional brake pads will – enough to keep the system in equilibrium but still provide better braking performance.

RideAMP.com

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The last time they made some, there were leftover handles, which they must’ve found when they started rooting through their warehouse to sell off “new old stock”. So, they made more bases and once again the Chris King Espresso Tampers are available for $150…while supplies last.

The tamper has a solid yet balanced heft to it, which you’ve likely appreciated have you had the chance to compact your coffee grounds with one.

Thanks to the industry-wide glut of products on the market, they had a bit of a lull in production and used that time to create one of their favorite non-bike passion project parts. Because they love coffee.

The handles were un-anodized, so you’ll find some of their more recent colors like Matte Turquoise and Matte Jet.

Much like the Campagnolo corkscrew, no serious cyclist’s kitchen is complete without one of these. Grab one while you can, then pass it down to your kids, and their kids, and…

ChrisKing.com

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The CNC’d Kogel Kolossos pulley cages with oversized wheels has been racking up a few podiums under Lidl-Trek in this year’s Tour de France. While they might be running them on higher-end groups, the product has trickled down to the working man’s Shimano 105 groupset now, and they’re teasing an aero version that shields those giant pulleys from the wind.

Kogel Aero Kolossos

Kogel’s (and everyone else’s) oversized pulley systems aim to reduce drivetrain drag by reducing the amount of articulation each chain link goes through as it moves and the pulleys. Larger wheels mean less chain link rotation, which means less drag. Adding ceramic bearings helps, too. Now, Kogel is helping reduce wind drag also by partially shielding the pulley wheels and smoothing the exterior surface with a structural fairing.

The Aero Kolossos mounts the 12/19-tooth pulleys directly to the aero cage, which is still in the prototype phase. They showed it off at Sea Otter, and they’ve been testing it, but it’s still a few months off from production.

If you want the Aero Kolossos Next Level Experience, they’re offering options to join them in Texas in October to have the product installed on your bike, meet the team, and join them for rides, food, and more.

Kogel Kolossos for Shimano 105 R7000/7100

Designed around their standard machined aluminum cages, the Kolossos for 105 upsizes to a 12-tooth upper pulley and 19-tooth lower, both rolling on ceramic bearings. It fits both short (SS) and medium (GS) cages, and works on the mechanical R7000 and Di2 electronic R7100 rear derailleurs.

As with most, they say you may need to replace your chain to add a bit of length. MSRP is $475, available in Black, Gold, and Red, plus custom ($525) that lets you choose different anodized colors for each part of the cage. They come with a 2-year warranty.

Kogel.cc

The post Kogel Aero Kolossos Sheds Wind Drag, too, Plus new Shimano 105 Option appeared first on Bikerumor.

Rohloff’s Speedhub E-14 system combines their 14-speed internally geared hub with their electronic shifting controller, and now they’ve teamed up with Bosch to offer bike brands a synchronized system that can (sort of) shift automatically based on rider input and output.

Designed perfectly for mid-motor designs, the Rohloff Speedhub packs 14 distinct gears inside the rear hub, with a sealed design that boasts hundreds of thousands of kilometers between service intervals. It’ll deliver a 526% range, and you can shift without pedaling, making it easy to get in the right gear at a stop sign or while coasting and descending.

Their E-14 system gives it electronic shifting, moving between gears in just 180ms, with a small up/down button set on the handlebar, and now it’s compatible with the Bosch Smart System for e-bikes. Technically, it will be compatible, as it’s billed as a 2024 offering for OEM (bike brand) customers to integrate into their bikes.

The combo will let you use the new E-14 App to setup custom auto-downshift between certain gears, which could make the bike automatically shift to an easier gear when effort reduces or stops. It’ll also let you reverse the button function if you want to change the ergonomics and deactivate the multi-shift function.

Once paired with the Bosch BES 3 Smart System, it opens up more autoshift functions for a smoother, easier riding experience. Details are still light (we’ve reached out for more info), presumably you’ll be able to set the shift points, and there’s some integration with the Bosch ABS braking system, too.

UPDATE: The automatic downshifting appears to be the only automatic shifting, it’s not able to shift gears based on cadence or effort during normal riding. The ABS “integration” is simply that Rohloff offers their proprietary 4-bolt disc brake hub with the slotted ABS channel built into it, making it compatible with Bosch’s anti-lock braking system.

For commuters looking for the simplest experience, the technology further eliminates reasons for anyone not to commute by bike.

Rohloff.de

The post Rohloff Speedhub Syncs with Bosch Smart System for Automatic Shifting appeared first on Bikerumor.

These all-new superlight and aero Syncros 1-piece full-carbon Capital SL road bike wheels actually get their racing debut today with a special edition in the Tour de France time trial. They are the real reason that Syncros has debuted their ultralight and aerodynamic Capital SL road wheelsets today. Extending their cockpit partnership with Team DSM-Firmenich just for the time trial, Syncros developed a special version of their new monocoque carbon road wheels for TT racing – a combination of the deeper 60mm Capital Aero SL wheel up front and the lighter, shallower 40mm Capital SL in the rear with an ultralight carbon disc shell for maximum aerodynamics…

Syncros Capital SL time trial wheels for DSM at TdF TT

DSM – or more specifically Team dsm-firmenich – have already been racing Scott bike (Syncros’ parent company) and Syncros cockpits, seatposts & saddles for years. Now, even though they have a regular wheel sponsor, Syncros was able to develop a faster TT wheel setup based on their new Capital SL road wheels with SIlverton SL monocoque carbon tech inside.

We are excited that the partnership continues to grow with Team dsm-firmenich as we today announce our extended sponsorship for the Time Trial wheels. The innovative Capital SL wheels will bring a real benefit to the team, and I really look forward to the future, as the team goes from strength to strength.

– Pascal Ducrot, SCOTT Sports VP

We’re thrilled to expand our partnership with Syncros. We worked intensively with the engineers of Syncros, who share the same holistic approach to aerodynamics. This has resulted in an extraordinary set of TT wheels that align perfectly with other aerodynamic elements. We can’t wait to race with the Syncros TT wheels from tomorrow onwards.

– Narelle Neumann, Team dsm-firmenich, Head of Science

Tech details

Starting today, DSM men & women with both race their Scott Plasma RC TT bike in time trials, fitted with special monocoque carbon Syncros wheels. The special edition Syncros Capital SL TT wheelset includes a standard 590g Capital Aero SL 60mm front wheel and a custom-built Capital SL Disc wheel at a claimed 970g.

Together, that’s apparently a full 500g weight savings in wheels vs. DSM’s previous TT setup.

That Capital SL Disc wheel is actually a 40mm deep Capital SL wheel, wrapped in a pair of carbon shells to create the disc, making it one of the lightest and stiffest disc time trial wheels in the pro peloton. That’s perfect for today’s 22.4km Tour de France TT stage that finishes with a substantial climb.

But is the Syncros Capital SL TT wheelset actually available?

For the time being, that is a no. Syncros has custom-made the Syncros Capital SL TT wheelset for Team DSM to race for the remainder of this season, so that special Capital SL Disc rear wheel is not yet commercially available. But… UCI rules suggest that it will need to be available to the public at some point, so we suspect Syncros to make the disc available sometime next year, too.

In the meantime, you can already get the 60mm Capital Aero SL front wheel (or wheelset), or its 40mm deep Capital SL siblings.

Syncros.com

The post Le Tour Debut for Syncros Capital SL Carbon Wheels with Custom-Made Team DSM TT Disc appeared first on Bikerumor.

The Aleck Tocsen crash sensor is a little rechargeable stick-on gadget that will call for help if you are in a serious accident and can’t communicate, literally making any helmet safer if you often ride alone. And soon, you’ll be able to get the same Tocsen tech integrated directly into your Smith helmets. Plus, Aleck also has new Punks that strap onto any helmet, a near-ear wireless audio and communication solution that lets you listen to music and/or talk to other connected riders without losing the ability to hear what’s going on around you…

Aleck Punks near-ear wireless audio and communication

The newest bit of tech from Aleck that we uncovered at Eurobike over the weekend are actually not the crash sensors, but these all-new Punks near-ear communicators. Essentially a set of wireless headphones that you attach to your helmet straps, the Punks let you listen to music while riding without blocking out the sounds of the environment around you.

Or you can use them as rider-to-rider communicators with other cyclists with a set of Punks, thanks to push-to-talk functionality over unlimited distance (they use your paired phone and data network for rider-to-rider communication via the Aleck app).

Aleck describes the Punks as the “first near-ear wireless audio and communication system dedicated to cyclists”. They promise “crystal-clear sound” in any outdoor conditions, thanks to “expertly tuned, near-ear drivers and dual wind-blocking mics”.

The Punks are available for pre-order now for $150 / 150€ for a single pair (left & right) or $280 / 280€ for two sets – left & right pairs for you and your favorite riding buddy to keep in touch. Global shipping is free, and delivery for pre-orders is slated from early August. A pair of USB-C rechargeable Punks is said to have a 19-hour runtime, with each side weighing just 16g in the 5.7×2.7x1cm box attached to the strap of any open-face helmet.

Aleck Tocsen stick-on crash sensor

The stick-on $60 / 60€ Tocsen helmet crash sensor isn’t the first gadget of this type – we covered a similar tiny low-cost solution from Cratoni a couple of years back, not to mention the original but more expensive IceDot or Specialized helmets with integrated ANGi crash sensors. Even this Tocsen sensor has actually been around on the German market since around 2019, having been bought by US-based outdoor gadgets company Aleck earlier this year.

If you crash, it first gives you a chance to verify that you are OK, before using your phone to send out your location to preset emergency contacts via SMS/TXT. It also pairs with Aleck/Tocsen’s own Heroes Nearby network, to alert any other user of their free mobile safety app within a 3km/1.8mi radius of the accident. So even if you aren’t riding with someone, if there’s another Tocsen user nearby, they could be your best & fastest first responder.

It doesn’t require a subscription to work, and can stick-onto virtually any cycling or snowsports helmet. The tiny Aleck Tocsen crash sensor is also USB-micro rechargeable with 40hr battery life/1.5 month standby, and weighs just 10g.

Aleck + Smith development collaboration

The newest Aleck Tocsen crash sensor new officially debuted now that Eurobike is behind us, as Smith has announced a strategic development partnership that will see crash sensors integrated into four of their cycling helmets next spring. They’ll be the first helmet brand in North America to include the Tocsen crash sensor tech in 2024. No word yet which helmets will get the new crash sensors, other than a reference to premium Smith helmets, suggesting it could likely include the Mainline full-face & Forefront 2 half-shell mountain bike helmets, plus the all-rounder Trace & aero Ignite aero road helmets?

Aleck Tocsen crash sensors are already available in Europe on select Alpina, Ekoi & Uvex helmets.

Aleck.io

The post Aleck Punks & Tocsen Crash Sensor Make Every Helmet Safer, Coming Soon to Smith appeared first on Bikerumor.

We got a good detailed look at the SR Suntour TACT automatic suspension on Tom Pidcocks’s World Cup-winning Pinarello mountain bike just a few weeks ago. But now SR Suntour has made this automate electronically-controlled XC MTB suspension official, and shared a good bit more detail with us. We were already impressed with its race-winning performance. But now, having a better look at how surprising simplicity makes it all work, I’m more intrigued than ever.

Plus, now we know how much it will cost and when it’s coming to a bike near you…

SR Suntour TACT automatic electronic XC MTB suspension

When I caught up with the new Pinarello Dogma XCs of Tom Pidcock and Pauline Ferrand-Prevot in Nové Město na Moravě, I was first surprised to see such tidy integration into their cross-country race bikes – just one small wire exiting the fork crown and just one wire coming off a slightly larger control box on the rear shock. But really caught my eye was what was missing – the system had no external buttons, no display, and no bulky external control units or battery. These two top riders obviously could trust that the automated suspension control would work so reliably, that they couldn’t even deactivate it during a race if they felt they weren’t getting the most out of the system.

Now, knowing that just one 3-axis accelerometer controls the entire system makes that even more impressive.

What makes up an automated TACT suspension setup?

The SR Suntour system is comprised of three simple elements, each wired together for the fastest performance, fastest communication, and long battery life:

1. the Axon 34 Werx Boost EQ 29er fork with a hollow carbon crown, magnesium lowers, plus the single TACT accelerometer sensor, the brains of the automated suspension system, and a compression valve actuator in its right leg on top of the PCS hydraulic damper – available with 100-120mm of travel and with external low-speed rebound adjuster;
2. the Edge TT rear 2-chamber air shock with a compact external integrated actuator box – with external low-speed rebound adjuster; and
3. a USB-C rechargeable central battery that is wired to both sock & fork – SR Suntour provides an external solution that integrates under a special water bottle cage, but Pidcock & Ferrand-Prevot race with an internal battery that can be charged via the external wiring points.

How does it work?

The system simply works by using the single 3-axis accelerometer in the fork crown to determine the angle of attack of the bike (is it going uphill, on the flat, or downhill), monitor impacts coming in from the front wheel, and differentiate force applied from the rider at the bar into the fork. From that input data and a 1-8 TACT support level preselected by the rider via a mobile app, the suspension automatically opens and locks out to maximize efficiency – varying both fork & shock low-speed compression depending on need, not just fully open or fully locked but also a medium in-between pedal platform mode, too.

It all happens so fast – a claimed 4 milliseconds – that the suspension apparently remains active on technical climbs to absorb every impact but is able to stiffen itself up as the rider’s pedal stroke comes down again, or the moment they get out of the saddle to stomp up a climb.

You don’t have to think about the suspension at all. Just pedal.

SR Suntour tells us that on the technical 3.8km long XCO course in Nové Město, Pidcock’s TACT suspension automatically changed position 150 times each lap. 

TACT suspension still requires a regular air pressure setup to dial in rider weight (with the compression settings open), and you still get external rebound adjustment to tune in for the desired terrain. Then in the SR Suntour TACT companion app on a mobile phone, the rider picks a level from 1-8: 1 & 2 offering max comfort, middle settings balancing comfort with efficiency, and 7 & 8 prioritizing XC-race-ready pedaling efficiency above all else. But once it is set via built-in Bluetooth connectivity, the TACT system does not require a mobile phone or app to function. It is always on – activated by movement, and returning to sleep mode when the bike doesn’t move – and will stay in the preset mode until you change it.

The rumor is that the pro racers tend to stay near the higher numbers, but sometimes pick a lower TACT Mode level for more technical racecourses – think: maybe 8 for XCC & 6 for XCO.

Tech Details & Who is it for?

TACT is a fully-automated electronic 3-position low-speed compression suspension control system – open, medium, firm – that operates both front & rear suspension from a single sensor and single processing unit – an example of SR Suntour’s refined simplicity guiding principle… “high performance made simple“. TACT is a standalone system that does not need any other device to control it, but it can be custom configured via an iOS/Android mobile app. It is offered on the 100/110/120mm Axon 34 Werx Boost EQ 29er fork and the Edge TT rear shock (available in 165×40/45mm, 190×40/45mm & 185×50/55mm). Total additional weight compared to a non-electric cable-activated remote suspension lockout system front & rear is an extra 198g.

Obviously, XC racing is the most obvious application since it has been raced to 4 XCO World Cups and an Olympic XCO Gold medal all by Tom Pidcock in the last two years. But SR Suntour describes the automated TACT suspension system as delivering “more traction, more control and improved focus on riding“, making it a technology suitable for “every type of bike user“.

The trick is, the tech is only available now in super top-level XC racing suspension components, is only currently tuned for 3 top-tier XC race bikes, and the control algorithms that make it work are tuned exclusively for short-to-mid-travel cross-country bikes.

SR Suntour TACT suspension – Pricing, options & availability

And since this isn’t exactly something you can just go down to your neighborhood bike shop and bolt on as an upgrade, it’s still going to be limited in application. But SR Suntour has given us a retail cost for the automated TACT suspension system – 4990€ gets you the Axon34 Werx TACT fork, the Edge TT TACT shock, and the bottle cage with the integrated external battery & wiring.

Officially, it will be available starting late this summer through “TACT Pioneer Program Member” bike companies. We are told to expect that to mean ultra-limited edition OEM builds through bike makers who have already partnered with SR Suntour for racing development, and likely some even more limited retrofit availability. It should already at least be able to be installed on the new Pinarello Dogma XC, current Scott Spark, and probably the previous generation BMC FourStroke Pidcock raced last year.

But let’s also put it this way… even though there is now a TACT cage & battery to fit most bikes, TACT isn’t officially in the 2024 SR Suntour product catalog just yet.

SRSuntour-cycling.com

The post SR Suntour TACT Automatic Electronic Mountain Bike Racing Suspension Gets Real appeared first on Bikerumor.

Back in April, I wrote about a really cool bike storage system by Stashed Products that I saw at the Sea Otter Classic. The system is called the SpaceRail Bike Storage System, and it’s a pretty ingenious concept that uses a weighted hook that can slide and rotate allowing the user to alternate the bikes in an ass-to-tea-kettle type of spacing, to get them as close together as possible.

And, look…I don’t know what ass-to-tea-kettle is – it’s something my dad used to say… but, I think you get the gist.

All of the parts that make up the Stashed SpaceRail System are 100% made in the UK, even the custom extrusion for the Space Rail itself. They are expanding into the US and are very proud of their innovative packaging.

They use only cardboard when packaging and shipping their goods which was surprising to me when they told me that they have a 100% success rate on the delivery of the last 1000 systems that were sent “across the pond”.

Stashed sent me two space rails and enough hooks for 6 bikes (4 of my own with 2 hooks left over for review bikes). The package came to me through DHL, and when I opened the box, I noticed there weren’t a lot of small, loose parts to deal with, and that the packaging was efficient, clean, and minimal.

Of course, I had just moved, the garage was a mess, and I was very excited to try out the system if anything just to get the bikes out of the way. Anywho, to my disappointment, I got it all installed without snapping one pic of the clever packaging. Sorry guys.

The SpaceRail System

Stashed Products offers three different mounting options for their SpaceRail system with a Ceiling Mount, Angled Mount, and Wall Mount. I was sent the Ceiling Mount. And as I mentioned earlier, it came with enough hooks to hang 6 bikes.

The parts to get the system installed were only a few, with the really small hardware organized in a separate bag.

• 2ea. SpaceRails (one Space Rail can hold up to 4 bikes)
• The bike hooks
• Spacer kits (for between the hooks)
• The specific mounts for the Ceiling application
• Two Space Rail end caps
• One SpaceRail Joining Kit
• All of the necessary small mounting and installation hardware

SpaceRail System Installation

The included instruction booklet… yes, a booklet, was complete and thorough, with really good illustrations. I started by getting all of the pieces laid out and separated.

I started by sliding the hardware for the Ceiling Mounts into place to match the distance of the ceiling joists where they will hang. When that was done, I added the rail’s end cap on the far end that wasn’t getting the extension. It was easy to mount the first rail to the ceiling by myself.

The actual SpaceRails are one-piece aluminum and I found them light enough to hold in place while installing the mounting plates to the ceiling. But, that being said, I’m not sure if that would be the case if you were attempting to screw the long wood screws in with just a handheld screwdriver… if that were the case, you’d need another person to hold the SpaceRail.

I did predrill pilot holes in the joists so that when using a drill to install the included wood screws, they installed quickly and easily without splitting the wood.

I then added the end cap to one end and the SpaceRail Joining kit to the other end of the installed SpaceRail. After making another joist location measurement, I slid one end of the second SpaceRail into the Joining kit and attached the mounting plates to the joists.

That was it. It took me approximately 30 minutes to get the two SpaceRails installed and ready to accept the six bike hooks. Hooks are easily installed by simply keeping one end free of the end cap and sliding them into the Space Rail. Once they are all slid in, install the end cap and it is ready to store your bikes.

SpaceRail Performance

Once I got the SpaceRails installed on my ceiling, and ready to install the bike hooks, I noticed that the instructions stated that I should measure the width of the axel/fork leg width. They said that if that measurement is less than 150mm, I won’t need to install the included spacers…. and if it’s over 150mm to install them.

I confess that I didn’t take the measurement… I just assumed I would need the spacers. So, I initially installed them on every other hook, but after a few days of placing and removing the bikes from the hooks, I found that didn’t actually need them.

Removing them (obviously) allowed the bikes to squeeze in tighter than they did with the spacers installed. And, having the bikes stored closer to each other is something that I felt I needed in my tight little area of the garage.

The hooks are, more or less, “locked” in place when there is no weight on them. This allows for the hook to stay stationary while lifting your bike onto the hook… keeping the hook from being bumped and sliding down the rail away from where you need it.

Once loaded down with the weight of the bicycle, the hooks “free up” to slide and rotate freely in the SpaceRail with very little resistance.

Stash Products Pedal Wraps

Believe it or not, one of my favorite items during my review of the SpaceRail System is the cool Pedal Wraps. These are handy little neoprene and Velcro wraps that conveniently wrap your pedals to keep them from damaging the neighboring bike upon sliding them together.

Stashed sent me a pair of large, medium and small. They are easy to install and remove from the pedals. I used the large size for my wife’s large DEV5 flat pedals…

…and the medium for my Shimano XT Trail pedals, and the small size for my Shimano XTR pedals. A very simple solution that works very well.

There are also little “outboard” hooks on the outside of the bike hooks that allow you to hang your helmet, wet jacket, gloves, or whatever you think of.

SpaceRail Storage System Features & Pricing

Features

• Free UK shipping over £50. Free European shipping over €350. T&C apply.
• Universal hooks to store every type of bike, including e-bikes
• Saves up to 50% space, with easy bike access
• Simple to install using just four screws & basic DIY skills
• A single SpaceRail (1200mm / 4ft) can hold 120kg (30kg / 65lbs per hook) *good for most eBikes*
• Easy Load system with Auto Lock Tech

Pricing

One 4′ section of SpaceRail can hold up to 4 bikes. You can add additional SpaceRail Bike Hooks to your one-bike system for an additional $83ea. This allows you to use just what you need, adding hooks as your quiver grows.

If you were to grow past 4 bikes, you would just need to buy the SpaceRail Extension Kit for an additional $128, allowing for up to an additional 4 bikes. See some examples below.

1ea. SpaceRail kit for one bike (includes rail, 1-hook, and mounting hardware): $204

1ea. SpaceRail kit for four bikes (includes rail, 4-hooks, and mounting hardware): $382

Pricing is set where you can store as many as 24 bikes for $2099

*Price as tested (includes 2-rails, 6-hooks, 1-SpaceRail Joining kit, and mounting hardware): $598

All Stashed Products carry a 2-Year unlimited warranty.

In Conclusion

Stashed Products’ ingenious system is easy to use, and won’t damage your beloved bicycles as you get them up and out of the way. I love that you can swivel the bikes to stagger them and get them really close. I’ve got 5 bikes stored that only span 4’7″ wide… that’s impressive and an overall pretty small footprint considering one bike has the 810mm wide Tumbleweed Persuader Bar and another bike’s got the Redshift Sports 50cm Kitchen Sink Bar.

I found the system a snap to install and even easier to use on a daily basis as it’s a breeze to slide the bikes apart, pick your steed and pull it down for a ride. The quality of all of the parts seems top notch and I have zero reason to believe that they won’t last a good long time.

The hooks have a replaceable protective polymer cover that doesn’t seem to be marring my rims. Also, the hook trolleys are rebuildable, which is refreshing.

I wouldn’t just recommend this system for anybody that is space challenged when it comes to storing their steeds, I would recommend it to anybody in need of bike storage solutions, as it is a well-thought-out, safe way to store your bicycles.

Check ’em out at the link below.

StashedProducts.co.uk

The post Hang, Slide & Rotate Bikes Effortlessly with the Stashed SpaceRail Bike Storage System appeared first on Bikerumor.

Pinion’s new mission is the ON.E ebike edrive system – the first self-contained ebike transmission – combining both a powerful mid-drive motor & a wide-range electronic shift gearbox into a single lightweight, compact, and durable solution to both drivetrain AND powertrain. Until now, pretty much every geared ebike on the market had essentially just added a powerful new motor into an existing bicycle drivetrain initially designed solely for human pedal power, with various levels of shifting success. Now, Pinion leverages their internal gearbox expertise to combine motor and gearing into a single integrated ebike drive system designed to provide powerful, smooth pedal-assist support and the simplicity & security of direct chain or belt drive to a rear wheel without a derailleur.

Pinion Mission ON.E combined ebike motor & gearbox

Pinion’s ON.E drive is truly the first mainstream self-contained ebike powertrain – electric pedal-assist motor & electronically shifing transmission in one. Pinion calls it a MGU solution: motor + gearbox unit. A development project 12 years in the making, now all ebike drive components – motor, shifting system, sensors, and control tech – have been developed from the ground up as a single system, designed to work seamlessly together.

Connected as one, the MGU of the Pinion ON.E eDrive system always knows what gear the rider is in, what cadence & pedal-power the rider is inputting, and can adjust the speed & motor power support accordingly for perfect internal shifts & smooth power output to the rear wheel. The ON.E means an ebike that “knows when to shift, shifts precisely, reliably, instantaneously and – depending on the setting – can even shift for you“. Pinion says the result is an ebike with “unmatched reliability and performance in a package of similar size and weight as other current mid-motor e-bike drive systems with external shifting components“.

This is what the e‑bike world has been waiting for for years! Drive and gearbox in one housing. The benefits are so obvious that it was clear that sooner or later this product had to come. The fact that Pinion, a German medium-sized company, is outsmarting the global corporations and being the first to come onto the market with a motor-gear unit is not just a nice underdog story, but also proof of its innovative strength.

– Arne Bischoff, Pressedienst-Fahrrad

Tech details

The new made-in Germany Pinion ON.E integrated both a ‘wear-free’ brushless motor and transmission into a single lightweight die-cast magnesium housing that protects both sealed systems from outside weather and trail contamination.

At just around 4kg complete, it also is one of the lightest ebike systems available, factoring in both motor and gearing combined in one.

Pinion rates their new powertrain as outputting a max virtual 85Nm of torque to compare it to other systems (based on a 1:1 gearing ratio.) Since their system actually combines motor and gearbox in one, its real torque varies by what gear you are in – it tops out at a real 160Nm at the rear wheel. But that also means that you don’t lose nearly as much energy/torque/power in the drivetrain itself. It’s also the same reason why comparing ebike hub motor and mid-drive motor torque is difficult, so we’ll assume Pinion’s 85Nm figure is comparable to standard mid-drive motors.

And of course, one of the most important features of even a standard Pinion gearbox is its combined low maintenance and longevity. For the new Pinion ON.E eDrive system, all you have to do is change the oil inside every 10,000km.

Pinion offers the new ON.E system in their typical 9-speed (568% gearing range) or 12-speed (600% overall gear range) options to suit wide applications from city ebikes to aggressive eMTB, too. Each model is also available in both the standard 25km/h speed-limited version with 600W peak power output, and the higher speed S-series with 800W short-term maximum power for S-Pedelecs. The ON.E system is rated not only for high-speed, but also pretty heavy ebikes – with max allowable system weight up to 180kg/400lb!

Pinion ON.E eDrive availability

Of course, either a motor or a gearbox needs an ebike/bike to make it work, so you can’t just go out and buy a new Pinion ON.E eDrive system on its own.

It doesn’t just bolt into the same holes as other mid-drive ebike motors – and uses a new larger bracket relative to existing pedal-power-only Pinion-ready bikes.

As of today, several new ebikes from city commuters to mixed-surface trekking & touring ebikes to high-performance trail eMTBs can be found from well-known ebike producers including Bulls, Flyer, Pegasus, Rotwild, Simplon, Tout Terrain, and several others.

Pricing is generally expected to be at the mid- to high-end of ebikes, just as you would see with Pinion gearbox box bikes. We’ll dig into a few new Pinion ON.E eDrive powered ebikes in the coming days and weeks for more detail.

To me the combined ON.E powertrain seems like one of the first genuinely innovative solutions in the ebike sphere in a long time, and I’m curious to ride it, and see how the ebike market adapts to more integrated drive solutions.

Pinion.eu

The post Pinion Mission ON.E eDrive is a True eBike Transmission – Motor & Gearbox in One! appeared first on Bikerumor.

While we’re almost certainly moving to stealthy, fully internally routed cables on our mountain bikes, one of the holdups to every brand adopting it is that holes in the upper headset cover allow water, dirt, dust, etc., to get into the frame. Considering the cables are then wiggling and twisting around in a potential slurry of contaminants, it’s no wonder some folks are weary of it.

The other approach, which is far more common on road/gravel bikes, is to run everything into the handlebar, then directly into the stem and through the steerer tube. While clean, it gets more complicated when you’re dealing with an alloy steerer tube on a suspension fork.

The new Sixpack Millenium ICR (Internal Cable Routing) stem takes a different approach, routing cables into a sleeve underneath the stem, with the entry point sealed off with rubber cable ports to block dust, dirt, and water from entering. It still lets you run cables (mostly brake hoses, these days) close to the bar and stem, so it works with the latest SRAM Stealth brakes .

It’s designed specifically for use with the Acros ZS56 ICR Headsets or Acros Angle-Headsets with an additional aftermarket compression ring (11.52.106R2-AM).

Other than the lower portion that hides the cables, there’s nothing proprietary or fully integrated. It’s available in 35mm and 50mm lengths, both with 35mm clamp diameter. Included split-spacers allow easy height adjustment of your cockpit, even after the ICR system is mounted. Just loosen the stem, pull it up, and add or remove the split spacers around the steerer tube. You could even just use the stem like normal on any bike, too, without using the cable ports and extra parts.

Included in the box are:

• 1x CNC-milled stem, designed specifically to optimize the HS cable routing experience
• 1x top cover
• 1x horizontal rubber cable router seal with 4 cable ports
• 2x split spacers for easy height adjustment of the stem (each 5 mm height)
• 1x head tube cover with seal, compatible with Acros ZS56 ICR Headsets or Acros Angle-Headsets with additional aftermarket compression ring (11.52.106R2-AM)
• 1x stem adapter for use with regular headsets

The stem is CNC’-mille’d from AL 7075 in Germany and comes in Midnight Black and Raw. The cable routing parts are made of glass-fiber reinforced PA (Polyamide) in cooperation with Acros.

Sixpack-Racing.com

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Right off the bat, I will tell you that I had never heard of Ekrin Athletics when they reached out to me to review the Bantam, their new mini-massage gun. My initial reaction was not to review it, but then I thought that you all probably use a massage gun of some sort, as I do, and maybe this is a nice device. So I said yes to the review request. Plus my latest Amazon special massage gun had just given up the ghost a few weeks earlier.

We who ride the bicycle know that muscle recovery is important, and I am not a stranger to the benefits that a massage gun can offer. But, I didn’t know that much about Ekrin Athletics, so I did a lil’ homework to get familiar with the company.

According to the Ekrin website, they have a lot of professional athletes using their products, from the WMBA, and NHL, to the NFL. I didn’t see any cyclists though, which I felt was a little surprising.

Do massage guns work? They seem to, I’ve personally found benefits while using a massage gun after both long rides and rides with big efforts. I even use the gun on the no-ride days that fall between the riding days. I use it on my back and neck as well. It works well, and I am a proponent of the tech.

But, let’s talk a little bit about percussive therapy.

Some Thoughts from UCLA Health

According to UCLA Health, percussive therapy, which is also called percussive massage, uses “rapid and repetitive pressure combined with vibration therapy. The massage head moves quickly and forcefully, applying pressure directly to your soft tissue, while the vibrations engage the outer layer of skin”.

A good massage has been proven to help with stress reduction, easing pain, and improving circulation, says UCLA Health. But, not everyone can afford or has the time to partake in a professional-level massage. For this reason, a massage gun is a great “DIY” alternative. But before purchasing one, UCLA Health suggests the following features to consider:

• Speeds: More options give the gun versatility.
• Weight: Since you could be holding the gun for up to 10mins, they suggest a gun falls in the 2 to 4 lbs range.
• Noise: This may affect where you use it and how “relaxing” the experience is.
• Battery: How long the battery lasts between charges can affect whether it’s ready to use when you need it.

Benefits of Percussive Therapy

You don’t have to be an elite athlete to enjoy the benefits of percussive therapy. Some of the gains you achieve are just good for your overall health. Contrary to what you may think, I am not a medical professional, and I won’t be doing a super deep dive into the full medical benefits of percussive therapy, I will however list a few that UCLA Health mentions:

• Improved mobility – Stiff necks, sore back or aching muscles may be due to fascia, layers of tissue and fluid that can surround and stabilize your bones, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels can lead to limited mobility. The repeated pressure at high speeds of percussive therapy thins and distributes the thickened fascia fluid helping your muscles move easier.
• Reduced post-exercise soreness – Lacitic acid builds up in muscles after exercise which causes pain and soreness. A massage gun’s percussion forces the muscle fibers to release lactic acid reducing the soreness you’ll feel.
• Decreased delayed onset muscle soreness – The pain and soreness that we feel 24 to 72 hours after doing a new exercise, or unfamiliar physical activity like moving or lifting something heavy is called delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) resulting from tiny muscle fiber tears. Research has shown that vibration therapy increases skin temperature, blood flow, and hormonal response to reduce inflammation and pain associated with DOMS.

To summarize… it is safe to use a massage gun, before a workout, after a workout, or whenever you have muscle tension or stress. UCLA Health does say that if you are suffering from ongoing muscle soreness or stiffness, reach out to your primary care physician.

On with the Review Already

Being the lil’ bro to the B37, the Ekrin Bantam massage gun is the smallest, most compact massage gun that they offer, weighing in at a little under 500g (1.1lbs)… half the weight of the bigger B37.

On top of being lightweight, it’s really compact and easy to use. The carrying case is small measuring 7.5″ x 7.5″. Being lightweight, the Bantam made for an ideal on-the-go massage companion… although I haven’t had a reason to use it like that very much. But the times that I did travel with it, it packed away nicely in my suitcase.

It’s even small enough to actually fit (without the case) in my wife’s purse with zero problems. It’s really small and light enough to take with you on a long bike tour or bikepacking adventure if that suits your needs. Backpacks and gym bags would also be a perfect match for the Bantam.

When it comes to dealing with my pre/post-ride muscle routines, I usually rely on stretching to relieve any muscle aches, but I’ve used the Bantam quite a bit in the last 8 months since receiving it, and that’s changed the game a little. And after actually reading about the benefits of percussive therapy, I’m going to be using the Bantam much more often and on a regular basis.

Right away I noticed that despite its small stature, the Bantam packs way more “punch” than my Amazon special, which was almost twice the size. With its quiet motor, quality build, and rubberized grip area, the Bantam is easy and relaxing to use.

It came with four attachments:

• Flat (silicone): For overall use
• Bullet: Pinpoint usage for hands, feet, and knots
• Round (silicone): Low impact for treating sensitive and sore areas
• Fork: Designed to treat spine and neck

These attachments quickly and easily can be pulled from or snapped into the gun without the need for tools or any real effort. It also uses a USB Type-C charging cord making it easy to charge anywhere. Erkin says they use a premium lithium-ion battery and claims a 6-hour battery life.

I can attest to the 6-hour battery life claim, as the battery in my Bantam lasts a very long time between charges. The power didn’t fade while I used it two or three times a week for weeks at a time without having to charge it. However, it does have a convenient indicator light on the bottom of the gun, that will let you know when it needs to be charged and when it’s done charging.

The Bantam uses a redesigned brushless motor that has three speeds, low (2000 rpm), medium (2600 rpm), and high (3200 rpm). I found all three speeds to be the perfect amount for me. All three of the speeds were useful, and I found it easy to find the right speed for the task at hand. In contrast, when compared to my Amazon special gun’s 5 speeds, where basically only two of its speeds were useful.

Ekrin Athletics Bantam Features and Retail

Retail: $150 (free shipping)

• Compact Design
• USB Charger
• 4 Attachments
• 6 Hour battery life
• Slim, Easy-Grip handle
• Three speeds (2000 to 3200 rpm)
• Travel case included
• Ultra Lightweight (1.1pounds)

Conclusion

I am a firm believer in the benefits of percussive therapy, I have been using and enjoying the results of massage guns for the better part of three years. The Erkin Bantam is the best one I’ve used. I love that it’s so small and can go anywhere I may need to bring it. Its power is unmatched when compared to the other massage guns I’ve used. It doesn’t bog down when applying a lot of pressure to trouble areas. It’s a great little massage gun that’s not terribly expensive and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone in the market. Its lightweight, and quality build will no doubt last a long time.

Check out Ekrin’s other massage gun options and accessories below.

ErkinAthletics.com

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