Cannondale jumps full steam into the cargo ebike market with the new Cargowagen Neo and Wonderwagen Neo. Pick from a more compact long tail cargo ebike (not so dissimilar to Globe’s new Haul LT), or go all-in with a big box out front to haul more kids and bigger objects out front. Either way then, it looks like two more reasons for urban & suburban families to seriously consider adopting the #onelesscar concept..

Cannondale Cargowagen & Wonderwagen Neo cargo ebikes

Cannondale is fully embracing (small) two wheels and e-mobility as alternative transportation with their two new cargo ebikes. No matter where you stand on the ebikes on the road & trail debate, cargo ebikes are awesome – that is assuming you have somewhere to park these behemoths.

Ditch the car, and go for a ride instead!

Tech details

Both the new Cargowagen Neo & Wonderwagen Neo cargo ebikes start with heavy-duty SmartForm C2 alloy step-through frames, wide tires on burly 20″ wheels, and short-travel 80mm cargo forks to smooth out the road.

The Cargowagen opts for a long tail rear end with an extended structural rack to haul up to 80kg of groceries, gear, or a kid out back. Total load rating of 200kg/441lb including ebike, rider & anything you can strap on.

The Wonderwagen takes it to the other extreme, bolting a giant plastic box up front that can carry 100kg, plus another 27kg on the burly rack out back. It also uses cable-driven steering instead of a linkage to keep the cargo box and all that weight low. All-in, the Wonderwagen can haul 3 kids in addition to the driver/rider – with a max total load rating of 250kg/551lb (ebike, rider & load).

Powering it all, Cannondale gives these two e-cargo setups Bosch ebike motors to get ’em moving. In Europe, that’s the 25kph limited high-torque Bosch Cargo Line. On the other hand, in the US, it’s the high-speed 28mph-limited Bosch Performance Speed electric motor.

Both get powerful integrated lighting – check out the cool headlights on the Wonderwagen, full-coverage fenders, dropper seatposts, kickstands, a built-in glove box, and integrated locks. Plus, then there’s lots of other accessories to choose from, including optional dual-battery setups and even a trailer hitch. The rear racks are designed to clip on a traditional kids’ seat, a cargo cage, or pannier bags. The Cargowagen can even add an extra min front rack. And the Wonderwagen can opt for an extra integrated rain cover, too

2023 Cannondale Cargo eBikes – Pricing, options & Availability

Out of the new Cannondale cargo ebikes, the long john box Wonderwagen Neo & long tail Cargowagen Neo are both available now across Europe, both at 2 spec levels.

The Wonderwagen Neo 2 retails for 6500€ with Shimano Deore 10sp & a 545Wh battery. Then, the Wonderwagen Neo 1 goes for 7500€ with a stepless Enviolo HD internally geared rear hub and a bigger 725Wh battery for extended-range.

The Cargowagen Neo 2 retails for 4700€ with Deore LinkGlide and a 545Wh battery. And then, the Cargowagen Neo 1 sells for 5500€ with a stepless Enviolo HD hub gear and larger 725Wh battery.

In North America though, Cannondale will only carry the $4300 Cargowagen, coming this winter in the level 2 spec.

Cannondale.com

The post Cannondale Hauls More with Cargowagen & Wonderwagen Neo Cargo eBikes appeared first on Bikerumor.

Rose Bikes is kind of killing it right now with good-looking practical bikes that are easy on your wallet, and this new Sneak hybrid alloy commuter is another no-nonsense example. Calling it an “urban fitness bike with a sense of aesthetics”, the new Sneak is an affordable bike for zipping around town, with all the latest modern integrated standards and gravel-like tire clearance to guarantee a versatile ride…

Rose Sneak modern aluminum hybrid urban commuter bike

Rose officially calls the Sneak an “urban fitness bike”, but make no mistake, this is another lovely take on the modern hybrid – like the Hobo. Then, extend that down to the availability of traditional and step-through frames for easy usability.

Meanwhile, this new Sneak isn’t actually an ebike like Rose’s more-swoopy and unsurprisingly heavier & more expensive Sneak+.

The last few years have taught us to call that a flat bar gravel bike. But really, this just is that no-nonsense universal bike for both cyclists and non-cyclists to use to get around town during the week, then hit the bike path, or explore a bit further on gravel roads over the weekend.

So what makes it unique?

The Sneak sneaks pretty much all the best modern features you’ll find in top-tier road & gravel bikes, and drops them into a bike for the masses.

So, you get integrated 68cm wide flat bar cockpits – 1 piece carbon combos with integrated SP Connect mounting for your smartphone on the top models. You get fully integrated internal cables routed through the headset.

There’s a sleek hydroformed alloy frame and full carbon fork with 12mm thru-axles. Besides, the Sneak also gets proper 40mm gravel race tires, 3 cage mounts, plus even hydraulic flat mount disc brakes and modern wide gravel-ready drivetrains.

All in all at affordable prices, and weights under 10kg.

Tech details

The Sneak features quick-handling gravel-like geometry in 4 sizes (S-XL) and conventional ‘HighStep’ or step-through ‘MidStep’ frame styles.

These Sneak frames feature a BSA threaded bottom bracket, full 1.5″ headset & 31.6mm seatpost. Additionally, all Sneaks ship with Knog Oi bells. The bikes get rear rack and kickstand mounts, but no reference to full-coverage fender mounts.

Rose Sneak – Pricing, Options & Availability

The Rose Sneak comes in 4 sizes, 2 frame styles, 3 models & 3 colors. Pick from Faded Denim blue, Light Mint green, and Chalk grey.

Complete bike builds start at 1400€ for the Sneak 1 with an extra durable Shimano Cues 2×11 LinkGlide groupset. Or, on the other hand, there’s the other mechanical shift Sneak 2 for 1800€ with a GRX 810 2×11 drivetrain and the 1-piece carbon cockpit.

Then, at the top-tier, the Rose Sneak 3 upgrades to SRAM Rival XPLR wireless 1×12 for 2600€.

The new hybrid flat bar city commuter gravel bikes can be pre-ordered directly from Rose now. Then, deliveries start in 4-12 weeks’ time, depending on spec.

RoseBikes.com

The post Rose Sneak Hits the Streets with Simple, Sleek Modern Hybrid City Bike appeared first on Bikerumor.

Ever since the launch of the short ST this spring, we knew a long tail Specialized Globe Haul LT cargo ebike was inevitable. Now the Haul LT, Long Tail is here, promising 50% more pannier carrying capacity thanks to 2x the rear rack space. That means room for up to three passengers, making this ebike a real family hauler…

Specialized Globe Haul LT long tail cargo ebike

Teased for almost a full year, hauling everything from cacti to kids and groceries, the small-wheeled Globe Haul ebike platform has promised a viable car alternative from the big bikemaker.

But now it’s really ready for the long haul with an extra-long wheelbase and almost three-foot-long rear rack!

Tech details

Like the ST, the Globe Haul LT is built on a heavy-duty one-size-fits-all alloy frame and 20″ wheels with 3.5″ wide semi-slick tires. A 700w rear hub motor, and the same 772Wh battery powers the Haul LT cargo ebike. That means up to 60 miles of Class 3 ebike pedal-assist at up to 28mph. Apparently, there’s also an optional plug-in throttle adapter. Now that should help you zip around town up to 20mph without needing to pedal. On the one hand, that effectively turns the Haul into a low-speed electric motor scooter. But it also improves rideability when heavily loaded.

Spec-wise the LT is almost exactly the same as the ST. Globe builds it up the same down to the components, brass bell, built-in LED lighting, and MIK rack accessory compatibility.

Yet, thanks to the bigger, beefier & longer frame, the LT bumps up carrying capacity to 200kg / 441lb (including ebike, rider & gear). That’s up 22lbs from the ST. The LT rear rack itself can now haul up to 80kg / 176lb of gear or passengers.

Globe Haul LT – Pricing, options & availability

The new extended Globe Haul LT long tail cargo ebike is now available from your local US Specialized dealer. Pricing starts from $3500, before you start accessorizing. Specialized backs the Haul LT with the same lifetime frame warranty & 2-year ebike system protection as the ST.

Thus, that should reassure your shift into alternate transport.

You can almost infinitely customize it. Pick from optional pannier adapters, a front platform rack, basket & pannier buckets, kids’ seats, a bigger Crew Cab rear passenger seat, new huge rear adjustable cargo rails for the 31″ long rear rack, extra long 30″ rear side bags, and now full-length running boards for multiple rear passengers, too.

Stock is limited of both the new Globe Haul LT and the original ST, according to Specialized. So, act fast if you are feeling like one less car is in your immediate future.

Specialized.com/Globe

The post Specialized Globe Haul LT Cargo eBike Extends a Long Tail to Haul More Passengers appeared first on Bikerumor.

Apidura’s new Packable Visibility Vest makes sure you are seen without weighing you down or flapping uncontrollably in the wind. That is whether you are racing (and winning) The Transcontinental Race, bikepacking for a long weekend, or just riding your home roads. Apidura adapted lessons learned in developing lightweight hydration vests & backpacks for the Visibility Vest. They created a well-fitted hi-viz vest, so you are seen from all directions while riding from dusk, all through the night, and into the dawn.

You don’t have to be an ultra-distance Audaxer to benefit from extra visibility on dark roads…

Apidura Packable Visibility Vest, fitted road cyclist hi-viz vest

Hi-viz vests are a staple of road workers and bicycle commuters alike for one simple reason. Being seen by drivers is a big first step towards staying safe while sharing the road. That’s why Audax rules often require a certified hi-viz vest. And it’s why Apidura developed their Packable Visibility Vest for regular bike commuters, casual road cyclists, and serious long-distance racers.

It’s a lightweight hi-viz solution that packs down into a tiny built-in pouch. That way, you can always have it on those long rides that extend into the dark. It’s also EN 17353 certified so you can use it for your Paris-Brest-Paris audaxing, or just for morning & evening commutes. It’s 360° nighttime visibility that won’t get in the way of you enjoying road riding – year-round and around-the-clock.

Tech details

The minimalist Apidura Packable Visibility Vest is certified to EN 17353:2020 Type B3 standard. That designation is for safe night-time visibility for “medium risk” situations like cycling on unlit roads. That basically means plenty of reflective detailing so you can be seen from all angles. But few cycling-specific solutions are actually EN 17353 certified. And most EN 17353 certified solutions are bulky, unnecessarily heavy, or just uncomfortable to ride in for long distances. The newer EN 17353:2020 Type B3 certification seems to mean it is also compliant with legacy EN 1150 & EN 20471 standards, too.

There are countless visibility vests outside of the cycling world that are often fine for casual cycling after dark, but there’s nothing that offers full legal compliance and lightweight materials, packability and a race fit. We know riders and event organisers alike find it frustrating, so we decided to explore how our packable and racing design experience could be brought to bear. EN compliance was essential, but we also wanted to replicate the convenience of a lightweight gilet and make sure the vest was as unobtrusive as possible both while riding and when not in use.

– Betsy Seed, Head of Product, Apidura

From my point of view, riding at night is fundamental to endurance racing. It also offers riders the opportunity to experience empty roads, moonlit vistas, and mountain dawns. At Lost Dot we firmly believe that the responsibility for road safety lies firmly with the drivers of vehicles, but we’re also pragmatic and retroreflective garments make a huge difference.

– Andrew Phillips, Race Organizer, Lost Dot

Apidura’s Packable Visibility Vest uses the same anatomic shaping as their Hydration Vest (and newer Hydration Backpack) for a good fit. It uses similar lightweight material & minimalist design as the other Packables. And it features two of the same Packables adjustable sternum straps so it can fit over a thin jersey or a warmer puffy jacket, too. The vest includes no zippers and no velcro – just 2 plastic buckles on straps adjustable to fit different body shapes and genders.

Protection from the wind or rain was not in the design brief. Instead, the vest focuses only on visibility. But that makes it suitable for year-round use, too.

The hi-viz vest weighs just 106g (claimed for S/M). It packs down into its own 8x12cm rear pocket, to easily fit in a standard jersey pocket. (Specifically, can you spot the tiny packed vest in Christoph Strasser’s TCRNo9 race-winning bikepacking kit grid above?)

Apidura Packable Visibility Vest – Pricing & availability

The Apidura Packable Visibility Vest comes in two sizes – a S/M for 90-105cm & L/XL for 106-122cm chest circumferences. The Visibility Vest is available now direct from Apidura for £45 / $58 / 52€, and through their retail partners.

My question meanwhile is, could Apidura just add all that hi-viz yellow and extra visibility to their regular Racing Hydration Vest to meet that same EN 17353 certification? And make every ultra-distance racer safer in the process?

More Hi-Viz is better if we are sharing the road with cars, right?

Thus, here’s a parting enquiry for road & gravel readers:

Would you prefer to have the added visibility all the time? Additionally, would you mind if your regular hydration vest were always hi-viz, even for daytime gravel rides? I suspect most mountain bikers don’t always want a hi-viz hydration pack. That is, based on the number of black, blue, green & red Camelbaks I’ve encountered over the years. Maybe though, for those times roadies & gravel riders do put a pack on their back, they (like me) may actually prefer hi-viz.

So, let us know in the comments below.

Apidura.com

The post At Home or Winning Transcontinental, Be Seen in Apidura Packable Visibility Vest appeared first on Bikerumor.

Rose sees their new steel Hobo gravel commuter as a bit of a mix of retro and modern tech – topped off with a killer direct-mount modular front rack. A comeback for steel to their bike frame lineup, the affordable flatbar Hobo can be built up as a simple mixed-surface commuter or kitted out with an integrated modular rack, rack bag, fenders, and lights… you know, like a hybrid.

Rose Hobo steel flatbar hybrid gravel bike

Long live the hybrid. For a couple of decades, hybrid was a dirty word in the bike biz, but this new steel Rose Hobo do-it-all urban/gravel bike is everything that made hybrids the workhorses they were, just now updated with bigger tire clearance, capable modern brakes, better 1x drivetrains, and more braze-on mounts than you can shake a stick at.

Oh yeah, and it looks a lot cooler now, too.

What is it?

At its core, the affordable Rose Hobo is a simple modern 4130 chromoly steel gravel bike frame, built up with a full carbon fork and a flat 14° backsweep ergonomic handlebar with ESI Chunky silicone grips.

And it gets the option for a well-thought-out & unique modular front rack that direct mounts to the side of headtube.

You can run it with the optional alloy Hobo Rack, either a conventional narrow front rack, a wide-body porteur-style rack about the footprint of a pizza box with mini side rails, or even with a perfectly-fitted suitcase front rack bag that doubles as a backpack and also has a removable insulated liner to keep your post-ride adult beverages cool – or groceries, we won’t judge.

The Hobo features quick handling but still reasonably stable geometry with short chainstays, paired to long Reach and tall Stack for an upright chill ride position.

Tech details

It features modern standards for modern builds – 44mm headtube for tapered forks, classic internal cable routing through the front triangle, flat mount disc brakes, 12mm thru-axles, and a UDH rear end. Yet it keeps some solid classics like a 27.2mm round seatpost, a good ‘ol seatpost clamp, a threaded BSA bottom bracket, a mid-bike kickstand, and an outer chainring plate to keep your pants leg out of the chain.

Plus, it gets 3 cage mounts inside the main triangle, a mount under the downtube, 3-pack anything cage mounts on each fork leg, and mounts for full coverage fenders front & rear.

A real core feature of any modern ‘gravel bike’ is tire clearance, and Rose gives the Hobo space for up to 650b x 2.1″ (55mm tires). All Hobos are intended for 650b wheels and built with great WTB 47mm Road Plus tires on 25mm internal tubeless-ready alloy rims, but… If you were looking to pop some road wheels in there, that 55mm tire is essentially a ~695mm outer diameter, which would equate roughly to a 700c x 37mm tire meaning you could swap in some fat slicks or skinny 700c gravel tires without changing the ride or risking tire rub, since there’s almost certainly space for bigger 700c gravel tires, too.

Rose Hobo – Pricing, options & availability

All three of the Rose Hobo builds are affordable – picking from 1x mechanical 10 or 11-speeds or a limited edition wireless 1x12sp build. The Shimano Deore 10sp build is the most affordable starting at 1600€, with a claimed weight of 11.7kg. Stepping up to GRX810 11sp brings the price up to 1800€, and weight down 100g. Then there’s a limited edition of just 500 bikes built up with SRAM Rival eTap AXS XPLR wireless 1×12 for 3000€ at 11.3kg.

But it’s the accessories that really make the Hobo. That dual-mode Hobo rack adds 150€, the Hobo Rack Bag another 100€ (even in leopard print!), SKS custom Hobo fenders 40€, and the Knog Blinder MOB lights an extra 100€ including the rack mounting bracket.

So, pimp your ride with the full urban Hobo setup for just under 390€ over the standard bike prices.

Get ’em all now, consumer-direct from Rose.

RoseBikes.de

The post Rose Hobo Reinvents the Hybrid. Is a Versatile Steel Flatbar Urban Gravel Bike Right For You? appeared first on Bikerumor.

Sometimes riders get so caught up in the mechanical specs of their bikes that they neglect the components that take a much more significant toll on their bodies.

Sure, having the latest Di2 or eTap systems installed, saving a few grams with a set of carbon handlebars, or swapping out tires may seem like logical upgrade choices, but if your contact points on the bike are uncomfortable, little else is going to matter.

Bike saddles, pedals, shoes, and grips come in as wide a variety of options as the hands, feet, and backsides that mount them. But a lot of people gloss over these critical elements until they encounter a noticeable problem. Even when that happens, many riders resort to guesswork, trying tons of products with different widths, shapes, and sizes until they arrive at a Goldilocks moment, or at least get close to one.

SQlab, a leading industry purveyor of all things ergonomic including saddles, grips, handlebars, bar ends, pedals, and more, has worked for years to cut out that trial and error. For example, in 2002, the brand claims it was the first manufacturer to design a system that measures a rider’s sit bones, the key contact points with the saddle. This helps dial in the correct saddle width.

While that system used to require folks to travel to a local SQlab retailer, the brand now offers the aforementioned at-home measurement kit. which can help riders measure their contact points with the bike, including the sit bones, hands, and feet.

According to SQlab, its kit includes everything a rider needs to measure each contact point.

First, for the sit bone measurement, SQlab uses a piece of corrugated cardboard that riders place on a flat surface and sit on. After that, they can measure the distance between the imprint left by their sit bones to find their perfect saddle width. The last step assigns a value for the individual sitting position. This result matches the rider’s saddle size with one of the brands’ five different widths.

The right saddle can increase performance and blood circulation, keeping nerves, fibers, and blood vessels sufficiently supplied, according to the brand. A saddle that doesn’t fit right can lead to a host of issues including back pain, knee pain, and numbness.

Saddles with a flat, or even upwardly bent surface, can create high pressure on the perineal area, resulting in pain and numbness; (photo/SQlab)

According to SQlab, only an optimally sized saddle guarantees that the sit bones can fully be supported. This relieves the sensitive perineal area, which is a common area of complaints in both women and men.

The measuring kit can help with common misconceptions such as a softer saddle fixing comfort issues. SQlab states extremely soft bike saddles are only recommended for rides up to 30 minutes, as they cannot offer support and damping for the sit bones. Instead, the sit bones sink into the soft material, which irritates deeper-lying, sensitive tissue, such as muscle and tendon attachments.

Starting with a good idea of your measurements can help riders avoid nagging issues.

To measure the hands for the right grip, SQlab gives riders a sheet they can use to measure the distance from the tip of the middle finger to the crook of the thumb, which informs which diameter, length, and shape of grip will best suit a rider.

SQlab grips come in up to four different sizes, all of which vary in length, shape, and diameter. Finding the right fit can make long rides far more comfortable, and reduce the risk of injury from being in the wrong position.

Finally, SQlab includes another sheet that helps riders measure the shape of their foot, leg axis, and foot length. This measurement helps riders identify the best insole to fit the unique profile of their foot.

For a sport considered by most to be “low-impact,” a rider’s feet are subjected to a ton of pressure, shock, and vibration. A reliable, stable platform at the feet tends to translate to increased comfort throughout the rest of the body, while the same is true for an unreliable and unstable platform — discomfort.

The best news about the SQlab system is that it’s free throughout North America and the European Union. Anyone who wants to find a better fit on the bike can go to sq-lab.com to get a measurement kit.

Order your home measurement kit now for free:

North America

European Union

Once riders have their measurements, SQlab offers detailed explanations for each of their products and the concepts behind them on their website. To simplify the decision-making process, products can be filtered according to their area of use, and any further questions can be answered by SQlab’s specialist retailers.

You can find your next specialist bike shop through SQlab’s store locater for either North America or the European Union.

This post is sponsored by SQlab. Visit sq-lab.com to learn more about ergonomics and measurements.

The post SQlab Helps Dial in Ergonomics at Home 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.

I’ve had this top tube bag on my Masi Incanto for about 200 miles now and I’ll tell you, I’ve never had a bag this easy to open while riding, not any type of bag… ever. The Orucase Top Tube Bag is a game changer when it comes to accessing your goodies with only one hand while you ride, as it offers true one-step/one-handed access to get what you need from the bag.

Whether it be nutrition bars, a small banana, a plethora o’ lil’ snacks, or your phone, they’ll all be super easy to grab and use thanks to the way the Orucase Top Tube Bag opens and closes. The bag uses a magnetic ‘zipper’ that allows you to just plunge your hand into the bag to pull out what you need. So simple.

I chose the Orucase to replace the top tube bag that I bought for the Incanto when doing my Dream Build last October, and I’ll tell you why.

The Rouge Panda Alamo Top Tube Bag in the “Gordo” size retails for $90, and has some nice features, like a foam-padded bottom that hid the screw heads and protects your phone from unnecessary damage. And it had a waterproof zipper… not really a big deal here in Southern California where I live, but nice regardless.

After I rode a few rides with it, I realized that my phone didn’t fit all that well in the bag in spite of measuring length-wise to make sure it would.

Look, I love taking photos with my phone while out for rides. Other than just being fun to do, it can also be part of my job at times. Regardless, I just like having really easy and quick access to my phone while on the bike. And, not having to stop every time I see a shot, is a big deal to me.

It turns out I didn’t take the downward curve along the top of the bag into consideration when measuring to make sure my phone (Google Pixel 6 Pro) fit before making the purchase. While on the first ride with the Gordo top tube bag, I found myself forcing my phone in and out of the bag, sometimes needing to take both hands off of the handlebars to zip it back up.

Other than that, it was a good lil’ bag.

So, the search for a new top tube bag started, as I wanted something that will fit my phone and still be rather small on the top tube.

Using the Orucase

There was an article on Bikerumor about the Orucase “Design Labs” Mini Frame Pack a while back, which used a combination of conventional zippers and magnetic zippers. I was intrigued and checked out Orucase’s website. I found that their Top Tube bag was the right shape and size to fit my phone, and it doesn’t look too bulky on the top tube. Plus, it had a magnetic zipper for super quick and easy access!

The Orucase Top Tube bag comes with two hook and loop straps and two oval grommets on the bottom (updated for 2023 along with a slightly larger size). These give you the option of either mounting it to your top tube via straps or water bottle bosses. There is a non-slip material along the base and a line-loc paracord strap to go around the steerer to help keep the bag in place.

There is a cable port in the front of the bag as well, allowing for the use of headphones, or charging your lights or computer via a battery bank kept in the bag. The Top Tube bag, like all of Orucase’s products, comes with a Lifetime Warranty.

I received one of their Top Tube bags in black and immediately installed it on the bike. I ditched the included Velcro straps and opted to use the frame’s bottle boss mounts to secure it to the top tube. It was really easy to install, but I noticed it didn’t have a protective cover for the mounting screws…

That seemed a little odd to me that the screws are left exposed. My phone, however, has a case on it (doesn’t everyone’s?) and so far, that has kept the phone protected while in the bag, even on the super rough stuff.

Also, the magnetic zipper is super convenient and a really great (my favorite) feature of the Orucase, it looks like it will only keep a little water out of the bag, as it’s not really “sealed”. So, if your top tube bag needs to be 100% waterproof, the Orucase Top Tube bag may not be for you.

One other little thing, and it may just be my OCD acting up, but I found the bag leaning to the left a bit when just carrying my phone. I noticed that the Line-Loc paracord that goes around the steerer sits a little low on the bag. There was another opening for it a little higher on the bag that allowed me to move it up, making the bag a lot less slouchy.

OK, on to it… out on the bike, the Orucase Top Tube bag, so far has been, dare I say, close to perfect. It holds quite a bit, even my Showers Pass windbreaker without issue. Usually, I have a bandana, some nutrition, and my phone, with a little room to spare.

It is the easiest bike bag I’ve ever had to get into while riding. It’s true one-handed access is so convenient, especially when you roll up on a potential photo and need your phone pronto – just reach in grab your phone, snap the shot and slip it back in, remove your hand and it closes itself back up, Bob’s yer Uncle, your back in business.

Orucase Top Tube Tech Specs and Retail

Retail: $50

Construction

• Durable and lightweight Challenge Sailcloth EPX material
• Magnetic zipper

Dimensions

• 9″ x 4.5″ x 2″
• 1-liter capacity

Organization

• 1 main compartment with 1 handed access
• Cord port for charging lights and computers

Attachment

• 2x Velcro straps
• Adjustable headtube paracord Line-Loc
• 1/4″ oval grommets for top tube bolts

In Conclusion

As I had just mentioned, the Orucase Top Tube bag is the easiest bike bag I’ve ever used when it comes to accessing your stuff while riding. It has a well-thought-out design, the magnetic zipper being a highlight of said design. It comes with adjustable mounting options, so it will work with a lot of different frames.

I really like the size of the Orucase Top Tube bag as well, it’s big enough to hold the largest phones, while staying trim in its width, and not too tall on the top tube, helping it to “disappear” while riding, until you need it, of course. Fifty dollars seems like a very fair price for a product that is so well-designed and useful. It seems to be durable and I can see it withstanding many miles of use and abuse.

I would absolutely recommend this top tube bag to anyone in the market for one.

Check out all that Orucase has to offer by hitting the link below.

OruCase.com

The post The Orucase Magnetic Top Tube Bag is a Lil’ Game Changer appeared first on Bikerumor.

The Danish bicycle company, Coh&Co Copenhagen, has a goal to bring new riding experiences, with quality and sustainability to urban cycling. That’s what brings us the Siggi foldable bicycle.

Believing that when you start a new brand, bringing your own ideas and innovations to the table, you must ask yourself, “How you can do it better?” Coh&Co was founded by Paul Harder Cohen and Mette Walsted Kristiansen. Both with backgrounds in product design and engineering are committed to bringing a wealth of design, technology, and craftsmanship to every Coh&Co product.

“The inspiration for Siggi came when we realized that there are a lot of advantages to small wheels that we can also put into the urban environment without making all of the compromises that often come with it. It is born not out of a need to fold, it is born out of a need to ride.” – Paul Harder Cohen

To enhance your riding experience and everyday convenience, Coh&Co says Siggi is packed with functional features. When they designed it, they strived to create the ideal urban bicycle – a bike that provides a responsive and comfortable ride while adapting to everyday urban life.

The Siggi has 20″ wheels which help in making it easy to fold and store, making it easy to bring on a train, pack in the truck of your car, or store in your home or office.

The stout, but short top tube pulls dual purpose as a handle as well.

The bicycle’s handlebar and cockpit are also fully adjustable, making it easy to find the right fit.

The rear rack looks to serve as a rack and a stand for the Siggi when it’s folded. It even incorporates rollers to help maneuver it into position once folded.

The Siggi also has a carbon “lefty” fork, which plays a key part in keeping the total weight of the bike lower as well as aiding in Siggi’s elegant fold.

In the pictures, it looks like the Siggi will have an elastomer-based rear suspension system, as well as whatever the suspension system is on the fork. According to their website, there will be an electric Siggi available as well.

“Designing Bicycles for Life”

• StoneWeave Frame: “Siggi’s frame is made of StoneWeave, our proprietary frame material technology. It is a special blend of carbon and basalt rock. On top of being lightweight, super durable, and stiff, it is recyclable at the end of its life span”.
• Designed in Copenhagen: “We’re called Coh&Co Copenhagen for a reason. All our designs are focused on functionality in the urban environment. We’ve designed high-quality urban bikes for 8 years already.“
• Sustainability: “When buying Siggi, you’re investing in a high-quality riding experience you can enjoy for years and years. After a minimum of 10 years, we take Siggi back to either refurbish and resell it or to recycle and repurpose the frame material.“
• Sleek Aesthetics: “Siggi is not just designed with functionality in mind. We know how much looks play into how we connect with our everyday objects, which is why Siggi displays a sleek and clean design”.

I didn’t find any information on the weight, or specs of the Siggi on their website. But you can check out their Indiegogo by hitting the link below.

Siggi.Cohandco.Com

The post A “Lefty” Fork on a Foldable Bike Made of Carbon & Basalt Rock? Meet Siggi appeared first on Bikerumor.

Swiss-based bicycle company by the name of GOrilla Urban Cycling releases their new all-terrain bike the GOAT, and they say it’s specifically designed for “those that want to go everywhere, in every terrain, at any time”. The company specializes in frames and complete bikes for all riders. Their complete bikes focus on a simplistic approach needing very little maintenance.

GOrilla Urban Cycling designs and builds steel frames and complete bikes that they say have “innovative setups and comfortable drive systems for the urban bicycle rider”. The GOAT is manufactured with Columbus Zona tubing and TIG welded in Italy.

The Swiss company seems to have a key focus on the comfort aspect of urban cycling and puts that philosophy into play on all of its bicycles. They use components from many high-end component companies, such as; White Industries, Gilles Berthoud, and MKS Pedals.

They use RAL Colors for the frame finishes, and you can pick and choose how you want your GOAT finished. GOrilla Urban Cycling has a warranty that covers frames for 5 years and parts for 2 years from the original date of purchase… you can read about it here.

If you’d like to individualize your frameset you can reach out to them at info@gorillabicycles.com

GOAT Frameset Features

GOAT Frameset Retail: $1678

• Frameset: Columbus Zona – TIG welded
• Fork: 1″ – dedicated Columbus blades for Disc
• Wheel Size: 700c
• Tire Clearance: 700x38mm w/ fenders, 700x42mm without fenders.
• Rear Spacing: 12x142mm thru-axle
• Front Spacing: 12x100mm thru-axle
• BB: BSA – English threaded 68mm
• Brakes: Flat Mount disc, 140mm or 160mm rotors recommended
• Seatpost size: 27.2mm
• Front Derailleur Size: 28.6mm
• Water bottle mounts: Top Downtube and bottom downtube
• Eyelets: seat stay (each two) – bridge – bottom bracket – fork crown – fork blades (each two)
• Rear Brake Routing: Easy internal routing for the rear brake cable in the downtube and external on the chainstay.
• Adapter Eyelets: Downtube for Cable stop 1x and 2x  
• Weight frame: 1830g Fork 900g

GorillaBicycles.com

The post GOrilla Urban Cycling Polishes Their New GOAT ATB Frameset 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.

Thule’s slogan is ‘Bring Your Life.’ Dogs are certainly a big part of a lot of people’s lives, and now you can bring them too – thanks to the new Thule Bexey dog trailer.

Introduced on the first day of Eurobike 2023, the Bexey joins a substantial revamp of the Chariot child trailer, a new Paramount backpack pannier bag, and the new Epos rack which we saw a bit earlier in the year. All of these products still have substantial time until they hit the market, but we got some first looks at early samples from the show.

Part of a complete new category for dogs, the Bexey will be joined by dog crates (September 23) and harnesses to make it easier than ever to bring your pup out on your next adventure.

To create the Bexey trailer, Thule enlisted the help of dog experts to create a product that was not only easy for humans to use, but something canines would quickly become used to as well. That includes a 3D molded floor that can be made completely flat for training your dog to get comfortable with the idea of riding in a trailer. The Bexey will be available to consumers somewhere around this time next year.

New Thule Chariot

Over on the human child side of things, the Thule Chariot trailer has gotten a massive redesign with some very interesting features. The new design is said to be around 95% new, and is intended to make it easier to use, more comfortable for the child, and more visible (safe) for everyone involved.

Starting with the attachment of the trailer to the bike, the new quick release mount makes it easier than ever. The mounting plate stays on the bike, and the tower basically just snaps into place when you line the two up. To remove it, just press the grey button and slide upwards. There’s still a lock core so you can secure the trailer to the bike, and a new shock cord safety tether.

At the other end, the tow bar easily clicks into the trailer frame and there’s another lock core to again prevent theft of the trailer when parked. One of the big improvements to the design is how the stroller wheels are stowed – you no longer have to remove them to flip them over. Now simply open the quick release lever, spin them 180º, and fasten the QR. The design will make it a snap to go from stroller to trailer mode, and you are never without the stroller wheels.

Another huge improvement is the option to run just one or two seats in the same trailer. Previously, if you were only using the trailer for one child, the empty seat couldn’t be removed, so you ended up with a child sitting to one side making a bit cramped and unbalanced ride. Now, you can simply remove the second seat, and position the remaining seat in the center giving better weight distribution, and more elbow room for the child.

Finally, in the age of the distracted driver, every bit of increased visibility matters. The new design features an elegant integrated LED light that stretches across the entire back of the trailer.

Like the Bexey, you’ll have to wait for the new Chariot to arrive with Canada seeing them around March 2024, and the US getting them later in 2025.

Thule Paramount Pannier Backpack

On the bag side, the popular Thule Paramount backpack is getting a pannier upgrade. We’ve seen a few different pannier/backpack combinations, but the trick is always how to make it comfortable as a backpack, and yet still functional as a pannier. The Thule Paramount does that with a brilliantly designed removable backplate with backpack straps on one side, and a locking pannier mechanism on the other.

To swap back and forth, there is a single zipper that unzips the top half of the back plate, while the bottom slots into a socket on the bag. When it’s flipped to pannier mode, there is an additional buckle strap to anchor the bottom of the bag against the rack. The Paramount uses the same pannier hardware as the Thule Shield which includes a clamp that actually grips the bar on the rack to prevent any rattling, and is compatible with 8-16mm diameter bars.

The Paramount Pannier also includes a full size rain cover that is reflective to keep the contents dry, and yourself visible. Expect to see these in stores around August this year.

It’s already been a big year for Thule, and there’s more in the pipeline. Stay tuned.

thule.com

The post Bring Your Dog with New Thule Bexey Trailer + New Chariot Kids Trailer, Paramount Pannier appeared first on Bikerumor.

Eurobike is back tomorrow, returning for 2023 in its second iteration in downtown Frankfurt, Germany. Saddle up with Bikerumor as we dive deep into the trade show halls to see what new bike tech we can uncover. We’re always searching for true next-gen innovative technologies – and there’s certainly been a lot of focus on the growing ebike market. But it’s not all ebikes, we’ve already spied new road wheels, new gravel bike updates, new mountain bike tires, new tools, new kids’ bikes, and much more.

Buckle up, there’s a lot of new bike tech on the horizon…

Eurobike 2023 tech teasers from Frankfurt

The cycling industry still feels like it’s in a transition out of a few years of unpredictability, so we’re not sure exactly what to expect. And again, the show is in a slightly different time of year – pushed a few weeks earlier this time, maybe better aligned with bike companies’ purchasing schedules for next year?

What we do know is that a lot of gear has been in the development pipeline for a while, and it’s itching to hit the market. But rumor has it that many bike companies have a lot of extra products still waiting to be sold, so there’ll likely be a number of products we had seen hints of before that are actually finally available to buy now.

We’ve received a bunch of embargoed news in the past week or so that is scheduled to go live on Wednesday. And there’s already been plenty of early pre-Eurobike launches – like Bosch’s new lightweight SX ebike motor, Pinion’s potentially revolutionary ON.E ebike motor and gearbox combined into one, last week’s debut of SRAM affordable 12-speed Apex XPLR/Eagle/AXS.

So what’s new? What’s coming soon?

Frantically pulling bike boxes out of moving vans, UPS & DHL deliveries coming down to the wire, furiously building bikes and expo stands… most brands aren’t quite ready. But we spotted some goodies…

Like this new ultra-aerodynamic carbon track bike from Aero Design Swiss. We’ve been following this small company since they debuted a wildly adjustable aero cockpit setup six years ago. And it looks like their track bike concept has become real, now that UCI frame and fork regulations have relaxed in recent years.

Will this be ready for the Paris Olympics? We’ll find out this week.

More and more braking systems have evolved in recent years to improve rider safety. This latest one for cargo bikes is Magura’s new CBS combined braking system, where both brake levers activate both front & rear brakes in an optimized ratio designed for maximum stopping power and maximum safety.

OK, I’m a sucker for a no photos sign – it is after all why journalists are allowed to enter the tradeshow. But even better than the no pictures please pictogram under this Moustache bikes integrated mid-drive gravel ebike prototype… the handwritten sign asking the event cleaning crew to please DO NOT CLEAN their dusty display bike.

Here’s a sneaky sneak peek. Notice anything special about this new 3T Exploro Ultra gravel bikepacking and adventure bike? 3 important bits:

1. It is actually labeled as an Exploro Extrema Italia, which means a new model name AND that it is made-in-Italy with 3T’s unique automated fiber winding construction.
2. It has no visible cables. So far, only the 3T Strada road bike has gotten a fully-internal routing option thanks to wireless-only drivetrains needing just to route the brake lines inside.
3. That’s also a new 3T stem that cleanly routes those brake lines into the frame. The smooth shaping suggests it might be carbon, and a tiny Italian tricolore flag on top suggests it is also made in-house by 3T.

What does Re-cycling mean for Igus, makers of a lot of the bushings that go into your bikes?

Igus has been working with other cycling industry producers to create more bike components that are made of recyclable and recycled plastics in an effort to lower the carbon footprint of the bikes we all ride. We’re curious to see how they are getting along.

A premium Riese & Müller commuter ebike or cargo bike is expensive. So the German brand is introducing a subscription service – where for around 100€ a month you essentially lease the ebike you need including a service program – all without having to buy what are often 6-10,000€ setups. Then, you can always swap out to a new version when your needs change.

I’m also a sucker for new tools. Unior has more than a dozen bits labeled as ‘NEW’ on the wall of their workshop. It looks like 2 out of 4 of these are for opening beers while working on bikes. I don’t disagree with that as a worthwhile function.

But I’ll check out what other functional bike tools are new too, since I’m pretty sure I can already open a beer with either those pliers, zip-tie nips, or even that BB wrench.

What do two of the most successful recent road racers to retire do when they hang up their cleats?

For Marcel Kittel & Tony Martin, it’s developing bikes to make sure their kids and yours stay safer when they ride. Their new li:on brand of kids’ bikes feature integrated high-visibility lighting, retroreflective paint, and tech meant to communicate with active collision avoidance systems in modern cars. Plus, the bike is made of recycled AND recyclable carbon composites, and they are built tough to survive the abuse that kids put their bikes through.

OK, we all need an ebike to pull our Airstream trailer, right? If so, Benno bikes has got you covered. Remember, aluminum Airstreams are light.

How about some new mountain bike drivetrain tech?

We first covered the complete TRP EVO 7-speed & 12-speed MTB groupsets back in March. Now it looks like they are finding a bit more traction, and we’ll see what bikes spec the all-new shiny gold drivetrain for the coming year.

Gas Gas may be a moto brand for many, but as part of the Pierer group that also includes Husqvarna, KTM motorcycles (but not bikes or ebikes), and also Felt… they’ve now got some well-developed eMTBs too.

OK, let’s leave it at that. There are still plenty of empty spots to get filled out in the next few hours. The show officially kicks off Wednesday.

There will be a lot of new tech to delve deeper into in the coming days and weeks ahead.

Stay tuned. Maybe even follow our Eurobike tag for the latest hits as they drop.

Eurobike.com

The post Eurobike 2023 Sneak Peek: Get Ready for a Flood of New Bike & eBike Prototype Tech! appeared first on Bikerumor.

Schwalbe has today launched the Green Marathon bicycle tire, 70% of which is made from recycled and renewable materials. In this bold move toward a circular economy, the brand claim it is the first bicycle tire that “closes the loop” – the recycled tire itself being recyclable at the end of its usable life. As compared to its predecessor, production of the Green Marathon is said to require 34% less CO2.

In a state-of-the-art pyrolysis process that takes place in Germany, Schwalbe is taking discarded tires – be they bicycle or automotive – and breaking them down into their constituent components ready to be reformed into new Green Marathon tires.

The recovered materials are then shipped to Vietnam and Indonesia where they are used to produce the Green Marathon. Even with this extra step of shipping, the overall carbon footprint is reduced as compared to that of the outgoing Marathon.

The Green Marathon is currently the only Schwalbe tire produced in this way. However, it being the brand’s best-selling tire of all time, it seems a great place to start in reducing impact on the environment.

And, they’re not stopping at the Marathon; Schwalbe plans to roll out this more socially and environmentally responsible approach to tire production to more of its bicycle tires in future. For now, let’s take a closer look at the Green Marathon, and the steps required to produce this first-of-its-kind recycled tire.

Schwalbe Green Marathon

Schwalbe Marathon fans will note that the switch to this greener manufacturing process comes with a significant tread pattern update. While the outgoing Marathon saw a slick center tread cap, the Green Marathon is more textured in this region, offering up more edges to bite into softer terrain. Despite this, we are told the Green Marathon is in fact slightly faster rolling than its predecessor.

The Schwalbe Green Marathon is intended for a wide variety of bicycles, from touring bikes to urban commuters and eBikes. With its launch, new sizes are added to the line-up, including higher volume options that are better suited to eBikes.

So, what is it made of?

Seventy-percent (by weight) of the Schwalbe Green Marathon is produced from recycled and renewable materials. But, what does that really mean?

Let’s break it down.

We first got wind of Schwalbe’s intention to produce a recycled tire back in March, when they announced receipt of a supply of recycled carbon black (rCB) from their recycling partner, Pyrum Innovations AG. Carbon black is used as a pigment and reinforcing phase in tire manufacturing, but its manufacture is environmentally damaging – it comes from the incomplete combustion of coal and coal tar. So, isolating this essential component from old tires is preferable, from an environmental standpoint, to continuing its production from fossil fuels.

The Green Marathon’s new Addix ECO rubber compound is the first production tire from Schwalbe to contain the rCB from Pyrum Innovations AG – 100% of its carbon black is rCB.

The rubber itself consists of a combination of natural virgin rubber, as well as recycled rubber, while the silica – an important filler necessary for grip in wet conditions – comes from rice husk ash. That latter aspect does not compete with food production. We are told the rubber is 98% pollutant-free – what that 2% is, we are yet to learn.

One third of the Green Marathon’s puncture protection belt, GreenGuard, is made from recycled latex products, while the the other two thirds are Fair Rubber. Finally, the bead core wire is made of recycled steel.

Despite use of such a large proportion of non-virgin rubber, the Schwalbe Green Marathon is said to be equal in performance and durability to the not-so-green Marathon that it replaces.

“The Green Marathon combines innovation and environmental friendliness on a new level. It is the result of years of research work that we have carried out together with our production partner Hung-A. We at Schwalbe are immensely proud to be able to present a model on the 40th anniversary of the popular Marathon that represents a milestone in terms of ecological responsibility. And most importantly, the Green Marathon doesn’t compromise on performance in any way and continues to lead the way in puncture protection and mileage”.

Frank Bohle, CEO of Ralf Bohle GmbH, the company behind Schwalbe

What about the remaining 30%?

The remaining 30% of the Schwalbe Green Marathon tire is virgin material, i.e. new rubber that does not come from a recycled source. To source this in a socially responsible manner, Schwalbe work with fairrubber.org, an organization that ensures the South East Asian communities working to harvest the raw material – latex – from the rubber trees, get more money for their work.

Money that comes from Schwalbe – an extra 0.50 € per kilo of natural rubber – is paid to the farming communities responsible for harvesting the raw material from rubber trees at the very beginning of the supply chain. The money doesn’t go directly into the pockets of individuals – rather, it goes to community cooperatives that appropriate the funds as they see fit – the building of new schools, for example.

“Taking responsibility is a natural part of our business. We are a family-owned company. We are operating within the cycling industry and, as most of us know, the bicycle promotes an efficient, healthy and emission-free mobility. So, we think it is our job, our duty, to make the bicycle as socially and environmentally responsible as possible. Some of these initiatives include the well-being of our employees and their families, the higher fair working standards in our supply chain. And of course, part of the reason why we are here today; products that are circular and as eco-friendly as possible”.

Felix, head of the Corporate Social Responsibility Team at Schwalbe

Clearly, there is a huge amount of information to be unpacked here, particularly around the details of the recycling process and the logistics of production. Overall, this appears to be a good step in the right direction toward more sustainable tire production, and we hope other tire brands and manufacturers will take note.

As we head into EuroBike week, time is short. We hope to bring you a more detailed explanation of the process, with a background to Schwalbe’s decision-making around this new eco-friendly approach, in due course. For now, we leave you with a quick Q&A session that was held following the press conference.

Bikerumor: Can the Schwalbe Green Marathon be recycled at the end of its life?

Schwalbe: Yes.

Bikerumor: What is the limit in terms of the quality of the rubber that you can produce from the recycling process, in terms of performance?

Schwalbe: Honestly speaking, the limit right now is unknown. We are in the middle of research and development, and what we are presenting today is a tire that lasts just as long as the old Marathon, which is known to last for thousands and thousands of kilometers. In the background we are also testing tires for other segments as well. Hopefully we will be able to show you more in the future.

Bikerumor: How are you controlling the consistency of the final product, when there must be such a large variation in the batches of recycled tires that you receive to begin the process?

Schwalbe: That is the great challenge when you use recycled materials. With virgin materials, you have one input and one consistent output. With recycled materials, we have many different varying inputs, which can lead to different outputs. So, we have quality controls on our side. We have to say, our recycling partner, Pyrum Innovations, have done a lot of investment and development in showing that we have one continuous constant output, so that we don’t have any changes in quality in our output.

Bikerumor: Is there much waste along the way? Do you have to discard a certain proportion of the tires you are given to recycle because they don’t meet a certain quality, or does everything go in?

Schwalbe: Some tires – like some spike tires, we currently can’t recycle. But this is also something that we are working on right now so that all tires can be recycled.

Bikerumor: Is the final rubber compound slightly different in its properties to the compound on the outgoing Schwalbe Marathon?

Schwalbe: It is nearly the same. There is a slight difference in rolling resistance, but it is only slightly better. The durability is the same. So we tested – this is quite interesting – more than any other product we have launched yet. We tested it in practice of course, we tested it in our laboratory too.

We also made so-called segment tires, where we had the tread pattern of the Green Marathon tire, with the compound of the old Marathon on one half and the compound of the Green Marathon on the other half. Then we tested it on daily commuters for 40,000-50,000 kilometers – then we analysed the tire. So we can say performance wise, and the durability of the tires, is quite the same as the old one.

Pricing & Availability

Price of the Green Marathon tire is equivalent to that of the outgoing model; there is no financial penatly associated with the switch to a more environmentally conscious manufacturing method – at least not one that is passed onto the consumer.

• EUR: 30,90 €
• UK: £30.99 GBP
• US: $32.00 USD

schwalbe.com

The post Schwalbe Green Marathon is a Recycled Tire Made from Old Bicycle Tires appeared first on Bikerumor.

Ditch the car and Haul Stuff Daily. That’s what urban mobility specialists, Tern Bicycles want you to do with the new, completely reworked Tern HSD compact cargo bike. This newly upgraded HSD is now equipped with the Bosch Smart System

Since its first appearance, back in 2019, the Tern HSD has helped families and businesses around the world replace their car trips with bike trips. The new HSD keeps its small stature and many convenient features but is now both stronger and smarter.

“The HSD is for the people who want the hauling capacity of a cargo bike, in a package that is much easier to ride and easier to handle“, stated Josh Hon, Tern Team Captain. “This new generation HSD adds improvements based on feedback we’ve collected from riders and our own team over the last 4 years. Plus, the new Bosch Smart System is a fantastic upgrade in pure power and also electronic smarts“.

The HSD is Just Right

Most traditional cargo-specific bikes are large, heavy and for some, tough to navigate. Whereas a typical “city” eBike is smaller, lighter, and easier to handle with the trade-off being that they don’t offer much in cargo capacity.

HSD comes in and saves the day for the riders that want all of the benefits of a cargo bike in an easy-to-ride, compact package. Shorter than a regular city eBike, and capable of carrying a max gross weight of 397lbs (180kg), the HSD is just right.

Brains and Brawn

Tern says that HSD’s new aluminum frame is 15% stiffer at the head tube and 39% stiffer at the bottom bracket. An upgraded rear rack has also been upgraded, and now can carry up to 176 lbs (80kg). That means you could carry an adult passenger, and that the HSD will ride smoother and handle better when hauling a heavy load.

With Bosch’s latest Performance Line motor, the new HSD delivers up to 50% more torque than the previous generation of HSD. That translates to easier climbing up hills, even when fully loaded.

Your Phone is Command Central

The Bosch’s new Smart System your smartphone becomes the hub to control all aspects of the HSD, from electronic locking and unlocking, to tuning the motor’s performance. You can also track your location, and update using over-the-air firmware updates.

Then there’s the Flow app’s ability to track fitness data like calories, heart rate, and watts. You can also map your cycling routes while integrated with other apps like Strave or Komoot.

HSD S-Class models include the Bosch ConnectModule that provides enhanced security features, like motion sensors, a high decibel alarm, push notifications, and GPS location tracking.

Fitting your Needs

In addition to the new upgrades, your HSD still has all of the features that Tern cargo bikes are known for…

• Verticle parking: The HSD can stand upright, making it easier to go into elevators and small spaces like apartments.

• FlatFold: Expanding your travel range, the HSD’s seat post lowers and handlebars fold to fit into an SUV or train compartment

• Adjustable cockpit: You can resize your HSD in seconds without tools, making adjusting to fit riders 4’11” to 6’5″ a breeze.

• Accessory Ecosystem: You can outfit your HSD with one or many of the wide range of modular accessories to match your specific needs.
• Ready for business: The HSD is built to last and to carry heavy loads, making it a great alternative for businesses, whether as a delivery vehicle, part of a larger commercial fleet, or as a lil’ side hustle.

Safety First

Tern wants to ensure a reliable ride, day after day. So, the HSD is made to withstand the already demanding German standard for cargo bikes (DIN 79010:2020-02). All of the structural components as well as the frame and fork have been tested for durability and strength at EFBE Prüftchnik – one of Europe’s leading bicycle testing labs. Here, that uses a custom testing protocol that builds upon this standard but adds even stricter requirements.

The Bosch Motor System has also been tested and certified to the UL 2849 safety standard for protection against potential fire hazards.

“Safety is so critically important with cargo bikes, especially if you are using them to carry your kids,” stated Hon. “Yet there are no mandatory cargo bike test standards—and we see lots of brands claiming really high loading weights. The best thing out there right now is the German Cargo Bike standard, and that’s why we’ve worked with EFBE to create custom tests for our bikes that are based on that new standard“.

Features, Models, and Colors

• RearStop Brake light: This light activates when you press on the brakes to slow to a stop. It remains on always, day or night.

• Ignis Headlight: A 700-lumen light that casts a strong and wide beam providing extra visibility when riding after dark or in inclement weather. Also has a one-touch high/low beam, putting more light at your fingertips.

• Hydraulic Disc Brakes: Superior braking is required when riding a bike with heavy loads, and the power of a good hydraulic brake system is a must.

Models and Specs

Colors

The New HSD Retail and Availability

The new HSD models start at $4299. Tern says prices may vary according to the region.

Production has already started with bikes arriving in Europe this Summer and in North America in the Fall, with other markets following.

TernBicycles.com

The post TERN Releases Newly Reworked HSD Cargo Bike w/ Bosch Smart System appeared first on Bikerumor.

I have a confession… I love me some Ronnie Romance (aka Turbo Romance, Ultra Romance, Papi, or Ultranicus). His ability to not take himself or cycling too seriously is refreshing to me. I like his whole deal, from his bike’s aesthetics to his actual philosophy on riding and cycling culture. His ability to take all of it and apply it to the unique products he’s been having made and selling through Ron’s Bikes and Ultradynamico has been fun to watch as it grows.

A while ago I wrote a piece on Ron’s new cycling shoe collaboration with Stomp Lox. The SPD-compatible bicycle shoe was called Slack. It was a cycling shoe that sported a nice alternative look when compared to a typical cycling shoe. Plus it looked like it had a nice, wide-toe box… I really dug the looks of it and wanted to try a pair.

Unfortunately, Ron wasn’t able to send over a pair of the brown top grain model for me to review but was able to introduce me to Mamyia at Stomp Lox Japan directly to get a pair of the olive suede style sent over to me to try out.

Note: The version of the Stomp Lox Slack that’s sold through Ron’s Bikes is made exclusively for them in Japan, and comes in sizes 8 through 13. Ron’s Bikes version has the LeRon Tulip label on the tongue and comes with brass hardware. The version of the Slack that I got directly from Stomp Lox is made in China, and doesn’t have brass hardware, or the tulip label, and only comes in black suede or olive suede.

Slack Out of the Box

When I received the Slack and opened the box, I found that the shoe looked much narrower than the photos. They were packaged well and arrived undamaged. I was surprised that the shoes didn’t come with a rubber “block” or cover for the cleat area, in case you didn’t want to use them to clip in.

The Slack is made of durable genius suede cow leather for the outside of the upper and uses a breathable, wear-resistant pigskin on the inside.

These shoes are compatible with any 2-bolt cleat system, come with cleat plates, and are pre-laced and ready to roll. The Vibram sole seems to be a nice touch and looks thick and durable. The suede is not waterproof and Stomp Lox suggests that they should be sprayed with waterproofing spray before use.

I received the Slacks way back in February and have finally gotten through some other reviews and was able to slip these on and take them for a first ride.

The Slack’s First Few Rides

One of the things that attracted me to these shoes, besides their looks, (I love the way they look like they just walked off the Dolomites circa 1966), was the wide-toe box and laces. I honestly hate the way most cycling shoes feel on my feet. It’s one of the reasons I had switched to flat pedals, after 25+ years of riding clipping in

The traditional cycling shoe is like everything else the bike industry offers in wearable goods, they seem to be made with only smaller individuals, who race, in mind.

The Slack has a medium stiff sole which has proven good for on or off-the-bike walking as well as the few hike-a-bike sections I have in my riding area.

I ordered the USA 11, and the fit seems pretty true to size. They hold my foot snugly without having to crank down on the laces to tighten them. On the first few rides, I noticed zero heel lift and no hot spots on my foot.

The Slack’s full leather upper and supple pigskin made them really comfy right out of the box. I would imagine that the shoes may stretch, making the shoes even more comfortable as they get worn in.

The Slack’s Vibram sole is part of Stomp Lox’s Power Ride Core System. This is a system that offers the “perfect balance of stability and flexibility”. Stomp Lox says the Vibram sole is also replaceable.

Upon my initial impression and the first few rides, the shoes checked all of the boxes for me.

They’re comfy right out of the box, they have a great non-traditional look to them, they’re made with quality material and they have laces, which I feel are infinitely more adjustable than other fastening systems for varying foot sizes and needs.

They’re really quite comfortable off of the bike. They seem to be made well, which is to be expected with the lofty price tag. Overall they seem to be a great pair of bicycle shoes. We’ll see how they continue to perform when we get into more detail in my full review in the next few months.

The Slack Sizing and Retail

Retail: $250 (Stomp Lox version direct)

Color: Olive suede or Black suede

The Slack comes in two shapes; “normal fit and Asian fit”

The sizing is as follows:

USA: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13

UK: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 11.5

EU: 40.5, 42, 43, 44.5, 46, 46.5

Japan: 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31

Stay tuned here at Bikerumor for my full, long-term review of the Stomp Lox Slack!

StompLox.com

The post Stomp Lox Slack, a Bicycle Shoe for the Rest of Us appeared first on Bikerumor.

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

The post Beat The “Sore” Out with the Ekrin Bantam Mini-Massage Gun appeared first on Bikerumor.

We’ve all been there. You slip a pedal, or catch your leg with the pedal while walking your bike – leaving tell-tale bite marks on your shin. You could be more careful, or you could apparently just slap some closed-cell foam pedals on your ride.

Created by Intrinsic Cycles, the Bumper Pedal is exactly that. Starting with a traditional steel pedal axle with either 1/2″ or 9/16″ threading, the pedal bodies are then encased in closed-cell foam to make them soft to the touch. That is said to make them the “safest pedal in the world” that won’t damage your shins, doorways, car interiors, etc.

What about grip? The company claims that the pedals offer all the grip you need thanks to the Jessup brand grip tape applied to both sides of the pedals (sort of like these wooden pedals, but even more shin-friendly). Even with the grippiest grip tape in the world, these aren’t going to provide the same level of grip as a premium pair of flat pedals, but for many casual riders, it seems like it could be plenty.

Currently offered only through an IndieGogo campaign (that is already fully funded), pairs of Bumper Pedals start at $45 and are estimated to ship in July 2023.

indiegogo.com

The post These Foam Bike Pedals Promise to Be Shin-Friendly, Yet Grippy in All Weather? appeared first on Bikerumor.

Red Bull Racing may immediately bring F1 racing to mind, but Red Bull sponsors a number of different power sports – or in this case, wind sports. As the official ebike partner of the competitive sailing Alinghi Red Bull Racing Team, Stromer has released this limited edition ST7 ebike in the team’s colors. With only 350 of these bikes to be made, this is a pricey limited edition toy for those who can afford it; but for your money, you do get some of Stromer’s best technology.

The ST7 ARBR edition boasts Stromer’s most powerful motor and battery (offering a 110-mile maximum range), an electronically shifted Pinion 12-speed gearbox, a Gates carbon drive belt, and Blubrake’s ABS system on the front brake.

Stromer ST7 Alinghi Red Bull Racing:

The ST7 ARBR edition is built on Stromer’s aluminum Sports frame, which will be available in three sizes (M/L/XL) and is covered by a ten year warranty. The base version of the bike comes with a rigid aluminum fork.

For those who ride rougher surfaces, you have the option to add an inverted Wren suspension fork (which was developed specifically for Stromer) and/or a Kinekt suspension seatpost. There are more add-on accessories available, so check out all the options on Stromer’s website.

The ARBR edition comes in the team’s official Racing Blue color, and features a laser-engraved Alinghi Red Bull Racing logo on the top tube. As a bonus buyers also get a leather carrier bag that features the team logo. 

This top-tier e-commuter is powered by Stromer’s strongest motor- a Syno II Sport rear hub motor, putting out 750w and 52Nm of torque. The motor provides assist up to 28mph (or 45km/h), and has a Sport mode for extra thrust. Providing power is Stromer’s most powerful BQ1440 48V, 1440Wh battery, which provides an impressive maximum range of 110 miles.  

The ST7 ARBR edition offers 12 gears provided by an electronic Pinion C1.12 Smart. Shift drive unit with a low maintenance Gates carbon belt. This system’s push-button electronic shifting offers quick reliable shifts, plus it can shift gears under load and at a standstill. You can also select a starting gear, and the display unit shows what gear you’re riding in. Despite its fancy capabilities, Stromer says this system is virtually maintenance-free.

The ST7 ARBR rolls on Stromer’s 27.5” wheels (made by DT Swiss) with Pirelli Angel ST Sport tires. TRP provides 4-piston brakes with 203mm rotors front and rear and a Blubrake ABS system up front.  

The bike comes with Supernova front and rear lights that offer daytime running light, high beam and brake light functions. The ST7’s on-board electronics also include a horn.

Finishing touches include a Brooks Cambium C17 saddle and Cambium ergonomic grips, front and rear fenders, a rear carrier rack, side mirrors, and a stem-mounted cell phone bracket.

Stromer’s OMNI app provides a host of features like automatic locking and unlocking via Bluetooth, over-the-air updates, a GPS bike locator, service reminders, crash alerts, motor setting customization, ride metrics, and more.

The ST7 Alinghi Red Bull Racing Edition will be available in June. MSRP for the base model is $13,999. See Stromer’s website to request a bike through your local dealer and for add-on accessory pricing.

stromerbike.com

The post From Competitive Sailing to eBikes: Stromer ST7 Alinghi Red Bull Racing Limited Edition appeared first on Bikerumor.

Turner might not be turning out full suspension bikes in aluminum or carbon any longer, but that doesn’t mean Dave isn’t still designing bikes. In fact, Turner Bicycles seems to have hit its stride focusing on titanium bikes like the Nitrous and Cyclosis Ti. Now, Turner is adding another, more aggressive hardtail to the mix along with an interesting cruiser prototype.

Called the Scrub, this bike was a direct result of customers’ requests for a more capable Ti hardtail from Turner. Designed around a 160mm travel suspension fork and either 29 x 2.5″ or 27.5 x 2.8″ wheels and tires, the titanium frame features a low-slung top tube for increased standover height. There are also gussets on the seat tube/top tube and head tube/down tube since this bike is built to get rowdy.

Frame details include a 64.5º HTA and 435mm chainstays, an ISCG mount for the T47 bottom bracket shell, UDH, a 180mm post-mount rear standard, and no seat post bottle bosses – that keeps the seat tube completely open, so you can insert the longest dropper posts, or slam a long rigid post in the case you’re not running a dropper. That seat post insertion is 280mm on the Regular size, or 320mm on the Tall frame!

Pricing and availability are TBA.

DeWulf Prototype Cruiser

The DeWulf cruiser is a prototype titanium frame that has a bit of a poignant, yet inspiring back story. The bike gets its name from Dave’s longest employee Greg Wulff. Due to some health issues, Greg hasn’t been able to ride like he used to, so they put together this beautiful titanium cruiser frame that can be run geared or single speed.

The geometry is exactly the same as the Turner Nitrous Ti, and features a T47 bottom bracket, a 160mm rear brake mount that can fit up to 180mm rotors, and 27.5 x 2.8″ tires for stability. DT told us that they do have plans for production for the DeWulf cruiser, though the bike shown above is still a prototype.

turnerbikes.com

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