We got a very early sneak peek at the all-new Rondo Ruut 2nd-generation carbon gravel bike back in February when it leaked out of a dealer-only preview event with its unique interrupted seattube design. But now at Eurobike, the new Ruut CF carbon bike has been brought out from under cover for a closer look. And its more conventional aluminum Ruut AL sibling has been unveiled too, with its own bit of unique design features…

The unmistakable novelty of the new second-generation Rondo Ruut is that interrupted seat tube design, which replaces the conventional and traditionally-structural two-triangle design that we all know and love for its simplicity. Rondo had already put a couple kinks in those triangles since the first iteration of their carbon gravel bike, but in more recent years they’ve gotten even more adventurous with angular, unconventional shapes.

Rondo Ruut CF 2nd-gen carbon gravel bike

While this broken seat tube promises to “tremendously” boost rider comfort thanks to controlled vertical flex – the same basic premise we saw in a Specialized patent the day before our Ruut 2.0 sneak peek, and then their Sirrus commuter bike – Rondo also has used the unconventional design as a springboard for even more wild shaping throughout the front half of their new carbon gravel bike. As their product designer explained it to me… “it also looks cool”.

We already knew plenty of details this year about the more integrated carbon bike with its carry-over adjustable geometry thanks to the fork axle flip-chips and five frame sizes (XS-XL), fully internal cables, nowhere to mount a front derailleur, a deeply aero fork that shields the front disc caliper, an asymmetric T47 BB & round 27.2mm seatpost. We also now know that at least three builds will be made available later this year, all with SRAM AXS wireless gravel drivetrains & Hunt wheels.

The top Rondo Ruut CF0 (green above) will get a Force XPLR group & special Rondo crossover branded Hunt Limitless aero carbon gravel wheels. Then, a Ruut CF1 will get Rival XPLR with Rondo+Hunt X-Wide alloy gravel wheels. While tire clearance for the bike is set at a max 45mm for 700c or 50mm for 650b, both of these get 700c wheels wrapped in racy 40mm gravel tires.

Again, Rondo will make another cyclocross race spec of their gravel bike. This time the Ruut X will get the latest affordable SRAM Apex XPLR AXS groupset but with tighter 10-36T gear spacing and Rondo+Hunt Aero Wide Alloy wheels covered with 33mm cross tires.

Rondo Ruut AL 2nd-gen alloy gravel bike

Not quite as dramatic-looking as the carbon bike, the new aluminum Ruut AL also has a few tricks up its sleeve. Geometry and TwinTip fork flip-chip adjustability are the same. And Rondo also made a few odd design decisions, just to make it “look cool”.

The alloy gravel bike sticks with more conventional modern frame tube shaping, slightly dropping its seatstays for comfort, hydroforming top & down tubes for stiffness & aero gains, and dropping both chainstays for big tire clearance.

The Ruut AL also gets fully internal cables routed through the headset, but this bike retains front derailleur compatibility (especially important for lower-cost GRX builds). It also gets more mounts all around – 2 standard cages in the front triangle, toptube bag & under downtube mounts, plus rear rack mounts, fender mounts, and anything cage mounts on each leg of the fork.

That new Ruut G3 carbon fork is also quite interesting. From the side, it looks to share the narrower taper, swept forward profile of current Ruut forks, but is curiously asymmetric from the front.

Rondo’s designer said that’s ‘just because’. The asymmetry at the crown made it a little simpler and cleaner to locate a grommet for internal dynamo wiring routing to exit heading to a headlight either high up under the bar or lower over the front tire. But really, it was just a fun design choice to make it look different.

Looking down lower on the frame – under a PF86 bottom bracket – we noticed some clean semi-internal cable routing for the rear derailleur through a machined chainstay yoke, but also something else poking out below…

Rondo has given the Ruut AL a little integrated toolbox under the bottom bracket.

A plastic insert that bolts onto the open bottom of the aluminum downtube & bottom bracket houses a good-sized multi-tool and a separate chain breaker that both come with the bike you buy. Heavy-duty magnets hold the tools securely in place, and a fitted rubber door securely closes the lower opening to keep dirt, mud & water out.

Plus, with the tools out and toolbox removed, internal routing is much easier to get to when you need to replace that mechanical rear derailleur cable & housing.

2024 gravel bike pricing & availability is still TBD

OK, so we know just a bit more about what really makes these new 2nd generation Rondo Ruut gravel bikes different than the first generation that introduced us to the brand all the way back in 2017. But we’re still waiting for word on official pricing and model availability timing. The bike rumor has it that they are realistically more of a model year 2024 bike, rather than MY23 as we originally thought. But with that said, we are still expecting them to be available sometime this autumn, and hopefully will get on one for some test rides soon.

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The ebikes of the future may have no drivetrain at all. Just look at this wild concept bike from Look, of all brands. The bike was on display at the Cixi booth, the French company behind the drive-less drivetrain.

Formula One fans will be familiar with KERS, but here, Cixi is working on their PERS – Pedaling Energy Recovery System. Essentially, the system is a transmission by wire. Up front where the typical ebike motor and crankset would be, you’ll find a similar-looking contraption, just without any sort of chain or belt attached to the crankset.

When you pedal a bike with PERS, you’re actually pedaling against resistance to make it feel like you’re pedaling normally, and that resistance is charging the battery. The system then transmits the signal from the pedals to the rear hub motor, propelling the bike based on the speed that you are pedaling. Out back, there’s also regenerative braking which further charges the battery.

There aren’t any gears in the system, just a continuously variable ‘transmission’ as the algorithm automatically adjusts the “crankset behavior”. You can also adjust how hard it is to pedal based on how you’re feeling. Another interesting feature is that the PERS can control several motors at the same time – or a motor that is very far from the pedals.

That leads into Cixi’s dream – everyone on a bike. Even if that bike is a three-wheel, covered two-seater that can do 120kph and is certified for highway use (kind of like the Canyon Future Mobility Concept). That’s the story behind this wild Vigoz prototype that was also in the booth. The bike/car hybrid has an automatic tilting feature when cornering, and claims to have a 160km battery range that is rechargeable in 6h on standard 220v sockets. You can learn a lot more about Vigoz here, but they expect that it should be available by 2025. Interestingly, they say Vigos will only be available by subscription.

Look Cycle does already offer a few ebikes, but this is radically different than something like the E-765 Gotham. Featuring a low standover height, and striking industrial design, the bike has everything you’d need to make a solid commuter bike – except the drivetrain.

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Czech bike maker Superior is expanding focus for the next year with three new versatile bike platforms that can blur the lines between going race fast or simply enjoying the ride. With a new toned-down aesthetic across the board and new lowercase sans-serif branding, Superior is returning to the basics where their bikes can stand alone on solid value and performance.

Superior XF MTB, iXF eMTB & X-Road road+ bikes

What I noticed first when I looked at the new Superior bikes, was their lack of over-the-top logos. For years Superior has been building race-winning XC & sprightly road bikes all the way down to affordable entry-level hardtails, but outside of some camouflaged prototypes, they all had big blocky graphics that didn’t even seem easy to read. Now with a new look to the brand, Superior is dialing it back and letting their new bikes stand for themselves again.

Their new full-suspension XF mountain bike still has its eyes set on XCO & XCM World Cup wins in carbon, but a stretched out longer-travel DC version in alloy will make for a much more affordable trail shredder too. On the ebike side of things, the completely new iXF extends travel even further combined with the latest lightweight Bosch SX powertrain for a nimble & natural eMTB ride. And round that up on the road with one X-Road bike that can be built up as an endurance kilometer crusher with high-volume race slicks, or as a fast gravel race bike with 40mm low-profile knobbies.

New Superior XF carbon cross-country race bike

The new XF is Superior’s top race-tuned carbon cross-country bike which already has had a soft roll-out on the World Cup mountain bike circuit this spring & summer. Now upgraded with more travel to 110mm front & rear, the new XF generally features the same proven linkage-controlled flex-stay single pivot suspension design tweaked with much more modern progressive geometry to face ever more difficult XCO & XCM racecourses.

Now with a slacker 66.5° head angle, steeper 76.3° seat angle, and more than 1cm longer Reach across all sizes, the carbon XF is a more capable race bike. Superior keeps most of the overall look to the XF, but has redesigned the upper suspension linkage so the shock is now driven off an extension of the chainstays via a new forged alloy link. The result they say is a full 172g of weight savings over the outgoing XC race bike – down to ~1550g.

The new carbon XF will be offered in 5 complete bike builds starting with alloy wheels & mechanical XT. Next to the top is this 8200€ Superior XF 9.8 Team build with mechanical XTR, DT 232 One suspension, and DT XRC carbon wheels. But there’s also a 9.9 Team build that goes full SRAM XX Eagle AXS Transmission to take advantage of the direct mount UDH style derailleur mounting.

New XF DC carbon or alloy downcountry trail bikes

Lastly with the same platform – and maybe even more interesting from my point of view – is the XF DC, a longer travel trail version of the cross-country race bike in either carbon or aluminum. The 130mm XF DC adds twenty millimeters of travel front & rear, with the rear simply increasing travel with a longer stroke shock of the same eye-to-eye length (190x45mm for the XF DC vs. 190x40mm for the new XF).

The resulting move to a longer 130mm fork sits the XF DC a little bit higher, raking out the front end to a 65.6° headtube angle while also raising frame Stack and shortening Reach a tiny bit.

There are three 9-series XF DC trail builds with the same exact carbon frame as the XF race bikes (all with mechanical Shimano groups & RockShox suspension. But there are also two much more affordable 6-series bikes with all aluminum frames. This 3500€ Superior XF 6.6 DC is the top-tier alloy bike, built up with a Pike Select fork, Deluxe Select+ shock, and a mixed Shimano XT build.

New Superior iXF lightweight eMTB

The carbon iXF is an all-new segment for Superior, who hadn’t really devoted so much effort into ebike development since they were mostly focused on bikes targeting race-oriented riders. That meant their urban, touring & eMTB lineup seemed more like an afterthought. But now with more lightweight motor options, improved natural ride feel, and rider acceptance of lighter, smaller batteries, Superior looks to be fully onboard with the light eMTB movement.

Their new iXF stretches out the same 4-bar suspension of the XF platform again, now to 140mm of rear wheel travel paired to 150mm up front. Geometry looks pretty capable for a trail/all-mountain ebike with a 64.5° head angle, 78° seattube, 450mm chainstays, and long frame Reaches (490mm for the L).

Powertrain for the Superior iXF is the new Bosch SX motor powered by a small 400Wh internal battery in the slightly oversized downtube, and expandable with an extra 250Wh via a range-extending external water bottle battery.

The top-spec iXF 9l8 retails for a cool 9999€ with the newest DT Swiss F535 One & R535 One suspension, a new SRAM X0 Eagle AXS Transmission, and carbon DT Swiss HXC1501 wheels. But there are also a couple of versions with more affordable XT or Deore mechanical groups and alloy wheels that can bring the cost down, too.

X-Road road and gravel bikes

The Superior X-Road is probably best described as a fast carbon all-road bike – just in the middle between road & gravel. With fast endurance road geometry – 72° head angle, 73° seat angle, 70mm of BB drop & 406mm chainstays – paired with clearance for 40mm slick or semi-knobby tires, the X-Road builds up into a solid long-distance gran fondo endurance road bike or a fast-paced gravel racer. Either option gets all the core modern carbon dropbar bike tech, including: fully internal cable routing, aero-optimized shaping, 1x or 2x compatibility, flat mount disc brakes, 12mm thru-axles, a BB86 PressFit bottom bracket, an integrated clamp for the aero seatpost, and hidden mounts for full coverage fenders.

Superior offers many build options, but the top X-Road 9.8 GF road build with a Shimano Ultegra Di2 groupset and 30mm Schwalbe Pro One slicks on wide DT Swiss ERC1400 aero carbon wheels sells for 6300€. Or pick a high-value gravel build at just 3500€ with the exact same frameset paired to a mechanical GRX group and 40mm Schwalbe G-One Allround tires on alloy DT ER1600 wheels. There’s even a more affordable alloy version of the X-Road available in gravel builds.

Check with your local Superior dealer for exact availability dates, coming soon this autumn.

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Hidden in a box hanging on the wall of their booth, was KMC’s newest product range. Already known for being one of the main producers of quality bike chains, now KMC is aiming for the gears as well.

Their new React cassette line will be e-bike compatible, and will initially be offered in 8, 9, 10, and 11-speed options (12-speed is in the works). Full details aren’t given yet, but each will use a Shimano HG freehub spline, and has a black coating on each cog. These are aimed towards the mid-level cassettes, similar to Shimano Deore. No pricing has been given yet, but with Deore-level as the target, these should be pretty affordable.

Cassette Gearing

8-speed: 11-13-15-18-21-24-28-32T

9-speed: 11-13-15-17-19-21-24-28-32T, 11-13-15-18-21-24-28-32-36T

10-speed: 11-13-15-17-19-21-24-28-32-36T, 11-13-15-18-21-24-28-32-36-42T

11-speed: 11-13-15-17-19-21-24-28-32-36-42T, 11-13-15-18-21-24-28-32-36-42-50T

Chainrings, Too

KMC has offered chainrings for Bosch ebikes for a while now, but it seems that there are plans to expand that range. Some rings will use what they call an “R-Shape” tooth pattern for chain retention, though KMC mentioned that even without it, they were not seeing dropped chains thanks to the tooth profile. Previously, the chainrings were only for Shimano or Bosch ebike motors, but one of the chainrings we were shown was clearly for a more standard BCD which indicates use on a typical crankset.

More when we have it.

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It seems like it was only a matter of time before Camelbak brought their bag expertise to the world of bikepacking & long-distance gravel. That’s exactly what they brought to Eurobike in their new M.U.L.E. On Bike bag range. However, it was the metal podium bottle on the wall behind the bags that first attracted our attention.

For those who prefer a metal bottle to plastic, Camelbak will soon offer their Podium bottle design in Stainless Steel and Titanium. While Camelbak already offered stainless steel bottles in their Everyday collection, this is their first use in the Podium series.

The bottles use a dual-wall insulated construction that is said to keep drinks cold for 14-18h. Inside is a flexible straw, however, the straw is the vent, not something you drink out of. If you turn the bottle upside down, water will simply flow out of the valve without needing to suck.

Stainless steel podium bottles will be offered in two sizes, 18 ($35) and 22oz ($40), while Titanium will only be offered in the 18oz size for $100. Yes, a $100 bottle. It is titanium though.

M.U.L.E. On Bike Bags

The new M.U.L.E. On Bike Bag line is a five-piece collection that covers the bases for most bikepacking & long-distance gravel rides. The standout for us is the M.U.L.E. Frame Pack with Hydration, which includes the new 2L Quick Stow bladder with a QuickStow Cap on the other end with an on/off valve for easy water dispensing at camp. It’s also compatible with the Lifestraw filters, so you can filter the water at camp directly into the bladder. 

The bag itself has two sizes and multiple attachment points along three sides so you can place the velcro straps where you need them. Built with a water-repellent fabric and waterproof zippers, the water compartment has two zippers to make it easy to load the bladder, and the other side has a separate pocket for other goods.

There are also two sizes of saddle packs with the M.U.L.E. 1 and M.U.L.E. 9, the 9 being the 9L bikepacking variant.

Up front, the M.U.L.E. 12 Handlebar Pack is a cavernous bag to run on your bars. There’s also a M.U.L.E. stem bag with the option to run an additional bottle or have quick access to food or gear. Expect to see these for sale around March 2024, with pricing below.

M.U.L.E. On Bike Pricing:

New Chase Vests + Podium Flow 2

If that wasn’t enough, Camelbak also has two new Chase hydration vests and a new hip belt as well. The New Chase Race 4 ($115) includes a 1.5L hydration bladder and is meant for racing. The Chase Adventure 8 ($130) has a 2L reservoir and a lot more storage for adventure riding where less than a full hydration pack is still desired.

Finally, the Podium Flow 2 Belt gets the same revised middle bottle position as the recently revamped Podium Flow 4 Belt. The new positioning makes it easier to get the bottles in and out, and the Flow 2 will sell for $55.

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Whyte Bikes has been around since 1999, but two years ago, they got a little boost. That boost came in the form of a new “strategic partnership” and investment from the UK investment firm Cairngorm Capital Partners LLP.

That investment has also given a boost to their bicycle development, which is being shown in the form of their new prototype eMTB. According to Whyte Bikes, this is the first bike developed end to end under the new ownership, and they’re coming out swinging.

While the brand is no stranger to eBikes, this is their take on the light weight, mid-torque, full power trail ebike. Built around the new Bosch SX motor system, expect 55Nm of torque, and around 600w of peak power. Complete bikes will include a 400 Wh internal battery, and an optional range extender will push that to 650 Wh. The prototype above weighs in at 16.9kg, but Whyte tells us the production models will be a bit lighter thanks to a mostly UD carbon finish.

This bike will be built around a 140mm suspension fork with 130mm travel at the rear, while a more burly 150/140mm version is also in the cards. The lower shock mount hides a geometry adjustment allowing you to run high or low BB settings. There’s also an aftermarket shock link if you want to run mixed wheel sizes – the bike is built around 29/29″, but with the link swap you can run 29/27.5″.

Being a British company, Whyte Bikes need to survive properly wet conditions and this bike will be no different. We’re told that everything is sealed – from the seat tube, to the head tube, to the charging port which is positioned inside the frame on the front of the seat tube to protect from spray. All of the bearings are phosphate coated and packed with marine grease, and they’re also covered bike a lifetime pivot bearing warranty.

The cable routing is another interesting feature. Production bikes will come shipped with the rear brake line routed through the headset (with ports on either side depending on your brake orientation). But what if you don’t want headset routed hoses? The frame also has internal routing ports on either side of the headtube that are sealed from the factory with rubber plugs. If you want to use them, you can open the correct plug and then switch out the headset cover for a sealed version. It will still take some work to reroute it, but once it’s done you will have your preferred routing.

Expect complete bikes to be built with full length dropper posts, four piston brakes, and 800mm bars. Expect to see limited quantities of the bike available for sale this December, with full availability expected in early Spring 2024.

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This new Thok Project 4 eMTB prototype claims to be the world’s first 3D-printed metal full-suspension mountain ebike, and signals a new design direction for the ebike maker. Project 4 is the first real lightweight eMTB for Thok, powered by the latest Bosch SX motor and designed to plug-and-play any of 4 different smaller batteries under the downtube to keep weight to a minimum and tailor pedal-assist range to individual rider needs.

Thok Project 4 lightweight 3D-printed alloy eMTB

Both in carbon and aluminum, the existing Thok eMTB lineup has relied almost exclusively on powerful motors and large capacity batteries to give ebike riders as much support off-road. But the Thok Project 4 signals a new shift in focus to also include the option for a more natural style of trail riding in a lighter full-suspension ebike platform.

3D-printing development

Taking advantage of the almost limitless design possibilities of additive manufacturing with Belgian partner Materialise – the same people who printed this sustainable Canyon hardtail – the Thok ebike development team used Selective Laser Melting (SLM) to quickly 3D-print AlSi10Mg aluminum to create the unique shapes of the Project 4 ebike. Working directly with alloy, SLM allowed Thok to more quickly create a functional prototype of their next generation of eMTB that they could ride test, also with less material waste.

As we’ve seen with a number of 3D-printed alloy track and road bikes, SLM allows for unique complex frame shaping, as well as sophisticated structural design not always outwardly visible. But in the case of a full-suspension bike, Thok was also able to print each individual element of the frame and suspension as 1-piece, then machine their interfaces – all while also incorporating features like flip-chips, internal routing, more integrated electronics, and the ability to use modular battery and powertrain protection covers.

Tech details

Project 4 is still officially in development, but Thok sees light ebikes as a key market they plan to expand into for next year. The plan now is to power the Thok Project 4 with the newly launched 2kg Bosch Performance Line SX motor that cranks out 55Nm of mid-drive torque with a more natural pedaling sensation.

Thok will deliver this new lightweight eMTB platform with max battery modularity and weight kept low under the downtube. Buyers will be able to choose from 400Wh, 500Wh, 626Wh, or 750Wh batteries each with their own specific secure cover to integrate into the frame’s design – plus any ebike rider will be able to add on a 260Wh range extender bottle battery for longer pedal-assist support.

Technical details aren’t yet set in stone, but this prototype is built up with 29″ wheels, 150-160mm of travel between a RockShox Lyrik Ultimate fork & Deluxe Select+ shock, and a flip-chip at the upper sock mount to either tweak ride height or rear wheel travel. Final geometry is still being refined too, although we’re told it will be a bit longer and more progressive than current Thok all-mountain ebikes.

Thok Project 4 – Availability

Thok hasn’t yet revealed a concrete timeline for when the Project 4 prototype will transition into a commercially available ebike – whether that is 3D-printed in metal or molded in carbon. But they have said that their lightweight full-suspension eMTB derived from this development project is expected to officially launch in 2024.

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Looking for a light weight XC race tire that is properly wide? The new Goodyear Peak SL looks like it will fit the bill with a 29 x 2.4″ size that checks in at a claimed 710g. That light weight also doesn’t come at the expense of sidewall protection either…

Thanks to the addition of ‘Mono fabric’ at the sidewall, their M:Wall Sidewall protection layer should give the 120 tpi casing a boost in durability (at the highest product level). Note that the tire will be offered in 29 x 2.25 or 29 x 2.4″. Claimed weight for the 2.25″ version is just 680g, with the 2.4″ version bumping up to 710g.

Using an updated low profile tread pattern from the Peak Ultimate tires, the Peak SL tires should also be even lighter weight. Traction is delivered through their DYNAMIC: A/T compound, meant to work in conjunction with the tread to deliver a fast tire with low rolling resistance.

The Peak SL will be offered in two versions, with the SL using a 60 tpi casing without the M:Wall protection, and the SL Race running the 120 tpi M:Wall casing. Pricing is set for $65 for the Peak SL Race.

Goodyear MTB Dirt & Park

For those who still roll around on 26″ wheels (raises hand), Goodyear has some attractive new tires for dirt jump, pump track, street, or park action.

The MTB Dirt and MTB Street tires are exactly as they sound with the Street tire running a smooth tread with plenty of siping, and the Dirt tire running a low profile knobby tread. Run them however you need – Dirt/Dirt, Street/Street, or Dirt in the front and Street in the back for the best of both worlds.

These will be offered in 26 x 2.2 initially, and are likely to sell for $45-50 each.

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Eurobike 2023 felt a bit like a return to form. Wandering the packed halls elicited feelings of past trade shows full of excitement about the future of bikes. While it was definitely e-bike-heavy as usual, there was still quite a bit to be found for any type of cyclist.

Looking back on all that we uncovered, it’s time to sum up the best of the show. Call them the Eurobike hangover awards if you wish, these are our top picks for the most interesting bit of new tech we found, and a signal of the direction of the cycling industry for the next year and beyond…

MTB: Rock Machine Whizz Modular Platform

What makes Rock Machine’s new Whizz modular mountain bike most interesting to us is that it isn’t trying to be the lightest, fastest, or burliest mountain bike – or its divisive angular looks. Instead, the aluminum Whizz concept is about building a bulletproof platform that can adapt to the rider’s needs and can be built in a more resource-efficient way. One all-mountain / enduro / park bike that can be adjusted to 140mm, 160mm, or 180mm of travel; 27.5, mullet or 29er; head angle and chainstay length can be adjusted if needed; a 200mm dropper can fit every rider and style, internal or external cable routing; a different standard of dropout could even be bolted in; and there are even SUV-style build accessory mounting possibilities. Plus, from a materials perspective, one rear triangle can be used in both pedal-only and ebike versions, and one dramatically-shaped hydroformed top tube can be used on all sizes of both bike & eMTB variations.

Road Bike: Pilot Cycles’ Seiren 3d-Printed Titanium Bike

3D-printing technology is improving all the time (just look at some of the other items in this list). But we’ve still seen just a handful of bikes that are completely 3D-printed, and even fewer of those are completely 3D-printed in titanium. The Seiren from Pilot Cycles is one of, if not the first fully 3D-printed titanium road bikes we’ve seen.

Thanks to the use of 3D-printing, the frame has a number of custom details including embossed logos, optional braze ons & accessory mounts, custom geometry options, and more. Pilot Cycles tells us that the frame is printed in 3 parts that are then bonded together which includes the Trek Madone-esque seat tube, though Pilot claims that this was the result of the need for frame alignment rather than rider comfort.

Initially, the stratospheric price tag of $18k+ will prevent anyone but the most wealthy from owning one, but this award is more about the advancement of 3D-printing tech that will eventually trickle down to more affordable levels.

Gravel: SRAM Apex 12-speed Gravel Groupset in 4+ More-Affordable Options

SRAM’s new entry-level Apex upgrade debuted just a couple of days before the start, but it really came into its own at Eurobike where you could find all sorts of gravel bikes kitted out with this latest tech, but at more affordable prices. What makes Apex unique is that it gives you all the 12-speed gearing options of SRAM’s top-tier gravel groups – be that XPLR or Eagle cassettes – BUT it also gives you the choice of picking the easy-to-use wireless AXS electronic shifting system or sticking with a much more affordable mechanical shift setup. On top of that, the new Apex is mix-and-match compatible with all other XPLR or Eagle components, opening up the possibility for lower-cost replacements to existing groups or the ability to upgrade one part at a time as you go. Plus, that compatibility means there are flat bar options for each of the 4 build possibilities – AXS XPLR, AXS Eagle, mechanical XPLR, Mech Eagle – making this likely to be the groupset we’ll see across the widest range of ‘gravel’ bikes from commuter to race builds.

Apex is also actually the first SRAM road/gravel/dropbar groupset to get 12-speed mechanical shifting, itself an important milestone in bringing top performance to a more accessible level. Complete groupset pricing starts as low as $680 / 784€ for flat bar Apex Eagle mechanical and tops out at $1294 / 1460€ for dropbar Apex AXS Eagle.

We expect to see the new Apex on complete bikes that sell from around $1850 up to around $3000.

EBike Motors/Drive Systems: Pinion ON.E eDrive Combined Gearbox & Motor

What makes the Pinion ON.E so interesting is that this is a component that is both better than the sum of its parts AND has the potential to be transformative to a number of different ebike segments. Gearboxes have been around for years; and certainly, Pinion has established itself as one of the performance & reliability benchmarks for mid-drive solutions. And there are more ebike motor possibilities than you can shake a stick at. Combining a powerful motor with a gearbox (which critically doesn’t really shift under load) in a compact mid-drive solution barely larger than competitor ebike motors was no easy feat. Getting it to shift while being simultaneously loaded by ebike rider pedal input and/or motor power input is impressive. Transformative is that an ebike rider’s entire enclosed drivetrain and powertrain will only require an oil change every 10,000km when combined with a no-maintenance belt drive – all with no rear derailleur or cassette to wear or be subject to external damage. Then, from a suspension design perspective, that ~1kg of unsprung derailleur & cassette weight is moved to a more central balanced location in the frame, where it is now sprung mass that the suspension can be tuned for, opening the door for eMTB designers to have much more control on how their suspension actually performs when combined with optimized battery placement.

eMTB: Crossworx Trip 290

Now, it won’t be to everyone’s taste, but we are loving the use of alternative drivetrain technology on the Crossworx Trip 290 eBike. Still under development, this linkage-driven single pivot delivers 140mm of rear wheel travel on an aluminum frame that is built in Germany.

It combines the 55 Nm torque of the latest Bosch Performance Line SX motor – that itself weighs just 2 kg – with the durability of a Gates Carbon Drive. You’ll see a single sprocket at the rear, but the Classified Powershift Hub makes this a two-speed eBike thanks to the hub’s internal gearing. Yes, the Pinion Mission ON:E offers 12 discrete gears inside its neatly-packaged MGU, but it comes at the expense of an additional 2 kg and a much wider Q-Factor.

Classified have rolled out this technology for road, gravel and more recently to regular derailleur-operated 12-speed mountain bike drivetrains – making them 24-speed, of course. Word is, the Commencal Enduro Team are testing it out for use on the Meta SX V5 race bikes destined for the UCI-EDR Series.

I digress. The Crossworx Trip 290 just speaks to me (Cory). I really want this unusual collection of drivetrain parts to work well together. The relative simplicity of it is really quite appealing; there’s no derailleur to fret about, there’s a maintenance-free belt-drive, and the only gearing you have is neatly packed away inside a sealed hub.

On this bike, the 48T chainring is paired with a 24T cog on the hub to give a gear 2:1 ratio. But, the Classified Powershift Hub delivers a second gear ratio of 1:0.7, giving an effective chainring size of 24T.

I do question the ability of the Bosch SX motor to put up with the very wide range of rider cadences that a limited two-speed offering will give rise to. However, I think there is potential here for the Crossworx Trip 290 to be all the eBike that many folks could ever need.

Suspension: Motion Engineering’s 120mm Linkage Fork

Motion Engineering are developing a 120mm travel linkage-fork that is set to weigh around the 1,200 gram mark – a weight that will make it around 185g lighter than Intend’s Samurai CC which currently holds the accolade for the world’s lightest suspension fork of that travel length.

And, its unusual linkage design that makes use of a braking torque arm is said to make it completely neutral under front wheel braking; which compares to traditional telescoping forks that have a tendency to dive a little.

In the world of cross-country where weight is a big deal, to have a 120mm fork offering that is ~ 346 grams lighter than the commonly raced RockShox SID is nothing to be sniffed at. The fork’s half-crown design and one-piece monocoque carbon steerer and crown go a long way to making its weight so competitive.

It does not have a leaf-spring, as we see on Motion’s La City fork. Though we couldn’t really get a good view of it on the 3D-printed prototype on display at Eurobike, this 120mm fork will make use of a standard air shock. In theory, that makes the design as tuneable as the vast array of rear shocks on the market – so long as they fit, of course.

In practice, Motion plan to work closely with bike manufacturers to develop forks around each frame specifically. Word is, this will initially be an OEM-only product, but we’ve no doubt that could change if aftermarket appetite proves to be high. More info on this one here.

Manufacturing: Trickstuff x Trumpf 3D-Printed Bike Parts

We’re a little off-piste here, but it would be rude not to provide mention of Trickstuff’s 3D-Printed titanium levers for their Piccola and Direttissima. We call these out not only because they are impressively lightweight and rather aesthetically pleasing, but also because of the relative economy of the additive manufacturing method used to create them. Bare with.

Trickstuff are currently working closely with Trumpf, a company that produces the laser-sintering machines that are responsible for the beautiful array of titanium levers you see before you, but also for the 6061 aluminum bottom bracket-seat tube cluster of a prototype six-link Intense downhill bike.

Trumpf approached Trickstuff with the offer of a machine on loan to allow the team to see firsthand how their additive manufacturing systems can be used to create bicycle components. As compared to CNC-machining, 3D printing has the capacity to produce a greater diversity in the shape of parts that could ultimately offer performance advantages; just think about that in terms of the oil path inside a hydraulic brake caliper, for example.

Chris Lengwenat, a representative of Trumpf, tells us that their additive manufacturing systems offer advantages over comparable systems, both in terms of the structural integrity of the final product, but also in terms of the processing time required post-manufacture.

That’s because these machines have the ability to pre-heat the build plate to 500°C, which is said to result in a reduction in the internal stress in the parts and the deformation that would otherwise occur during the welding process by up to 80%. As a result, the dimensional accuracy of the parts is increased and their mechanical properties are such that, part-dependent, heat treatment is often not required afterwards.

The method also requires fewer support structures to be created with the part – structures that need to be removed after manufacture in a labor-intensive process. In turn, the cost of production can be reduced quite significantly. The suggestion seemed to be that this method of manufacture has the potential to bring the cost of printed titanium parts to a point at which they will be almost competitive with the cost of CNC-machined aluminum counterparts.

Urban: Riese & Müller Subscription Leasing Program

Riese & Müller’s city commuter ebikes range from high-speed single-occupant pedelecs to slow-moving cargo ebikes designed to haul your whole family around town. But no matter how you look at it, they are expensive – you can easily 6-8,000€ on your ideal setup. Their new subscription plan means for about 100€ per month, you can subscribe to something of an ebike lease that will get you the perfect setup that fits your needs without a big outlay of cash up front, then as your needs change, you can shift to a different Riese & Müller ebike that better fits how you ride. We suspect most of Riese & Müller’s customers are urban families buying family movers. And as your family grows and your kids get bigger, we see this as a great way to always have the perfect car-free setup to haul the little ones around as you run to get groceries, and then scale up when you have more kids or your kids outgrow smaller child seats to ride on their own. Plus, our friends in Germany say it is essentially the same price or cheaper than many public transit pass options.

Components: Astral Seatpost with O.N.S.

Do you ride into remote areas on a regular basis? Would you be prepared if you had an emergency and had to spend the night? That’s the idea behind the Astral O.N.S. package or One Night Saved. The lightweight kit packs up neatly and fits inside the Astral 27.2 or 31.6mm seat posts. Inside, you’ll find a flashlight, whistle, waterproof matches, strike paper, fire starter, water purification tablets for 3 quarts, and a space blanket. The O.N.S. package has been available from Astral for a bit, but this was the first time we’ve seen it in person, and it seems like a great idea for your bike without a dropper post.

Tires: Schwalbe Aerothan Tire Concept

If, and this is a big if, Schwalbe’s Aerothan road bike tire concept delivers on its promises, it has the potential to be a game changer for road tires. With the potential for “super low rolling resistance, a more supple ride, and puncture protection on par with tubeless tires”, all of a sudden road riders have a tubed tire option that will rival tubeless. Oh, it’s also just 165g for the tire and 100% recyclable.

Clothing: Leatt All//Mntn 3.0 Tech Riding Pants

Designed to cross disciplines as many all-mountain bikers do, the techy tapered-leg Leatt All//Mntn 3.0 riding pants (and shorts too) feature 3 or 4 different core materials to give a balance of lightweight performance and protection. Leatt’s brand is built on protection – mostly from big impacts – but their functional clothing doesn’t always get as detailed a look as helmets, neck braces & pads. These multi-colored cargo pants have abrasion-resistant panels where you are likely to scuff them up, all the cargo pockets you could hope for – but still well-placed and slim enough to ride comfortably, plus a unique stretchy loop at the back to carry the removable shin bar from their convertible full-face helmets. The light pants promise moisture control breathability via a mix of lightweight softshell fabrics then DWR coated so they will keep you dry even in some lightly rainy conditions, and SPF 50+ rated to keep the sun at bay too. They also come in two-tone grey, two-tone red/orange, and a more subtle black for riders looking to blend in.

Accessories:

Eyewear: Automatic Transition Lenses from Out Of & React

Described as an entirely new category in eyewear, both Out Of and React were showing futuristic shades which instantly transition to the ambient light. Photochromic lenses are nothing new, but the process usually takes a while, which can mean that by the time your lenses have adapted, the lighting has changed again.

This new generation of adaptive lenses changes that by using an LCD screen laminated with a solar cell which provides power without the need to recharge or plug-in. Both companies seem to have similar performance, with React claiming their lenses change in 0.1 seconds while Out Of claims 0.09 seconds.

The result seems to be lenses that truly change as quickly as the lighting conditions, for a potential game-changing product in the eyeglass world. We haven’t tested either of these in person yet (we hope to), but demonstrations at Eurobike seemed to back up the claims.

Bags/Packs: CamelBak Mule On-Bike Frame Pack

It’s no surprise that as more gravel racers and bikepackers are stuffing hydration bladders into frame bags, Camelbak has taken notice. It’s also not much of a surprise that Camelbak’s first hydration-specific frame pack looks really well-designed. Known for creating hydration packs that adapt to a wide range of bodies, their new Mule On-Bike Frame Pack looks like it will conform to a wide range of frames just as well.

Part of a new line of Mule On-Bike bags, the Eurobike Award-winning Frame Pack is built in tandem with a new 2L Quick Stow reservoir. The bag is also designed to use without the reservoir if you’d like, but the pack is also built with hydration in mind. The new reservoir includes a hose to drink from while riding the bike, but it also has a QuickStow Cap on the other end with an on/off valve for easy water dispensing at camp. It’s also compatible with the Lifestraw filters, so you can filter the water at camp directly into the bladder.

The bag itself has two sizes and multiple attachment points along three sides so you can place the velcro straps where you need them. Built with a water-repellent fabric and waterproof zippers, the water compartment has two zippers to make it easy to load the bladder, and the other side has a separate pocket for other goods.

Tools: Clever Standard Bacon Bullet

It’s not often that we need tire plugs, but when we do, there’s a good chance we don’t have the right size plug for the hole. The Bacon Bullet concept from Clever Standard addresses those issues by giving you multiple tip sizes with the option of mixing and matching bacon tubeless strips to best fit the puncture.

The result is a tubeless plug that uses more affordable inserts, can be inserted with almost any 2-3mm allen wrench, offers a patch that can’t be pulled out, and uses tips that are reusable once the tire has reached the end of its life.

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When it comes to fixing a tubeless flat, all punctures are not created equal. Some are small pin holes, while others are large gashes – which can make it challenging to plug with a one-size-fits-all tire plug. As usual, Clever Standard has come up with a better way.

Amusingly called the Bacon Bullet (which we got a sneak peek of here), Clever’s tubeless solution is built to use existing ‘bacon’ tire plug strips in multiple combinations. With two or three different sizes for the ‘bullets’ (production is yet to be finalized), you can choose the number and size of bacon strips to suit the puncture. That includes the smaller 1.5mm strips, or the larger 3.5mm strips.

Not only does this allow you to utilize commonly-found bacon strips which are more affordable than specialty tire plugs, it means that you can insert multiple plugs at once which could be ride-saving for larger holes.

It also means that it’s nearly impossible for the plug to pull out once the bullet is fully inserted into the tire. Clever mentioned that they have been testing prototypes with Mark Weir, who has been loving how secure the tire plugs are once they’re in place.

And when it’s time for a new tire? Simply cut out the Bacon Bullets, clean out the bore, and you can reuse them almost indefinitely.

When it comes to actually inserting the Bacon Bullets, they are designed to fit on top of standard Allen wrenches so you can use almost any multi tool with a 2-3mm Allen as a plugger. Certain tools will work better than others in terms of comfort in your hand, so just dial in your setup at home ahead of time.

The Bacon Bullet isn’t yet available as Clever Standard is looking for a company to partner with, but when they are, it seems like it will be one of the better tire plug options on the market.

Captain Hook

Another smart little tool that Clever Standard had to show was their new Captain Hook. The colorful valve caps not only serve as valve core wrenches, but they have another tool that anyone with stuck valve nuts will love.

The bottom of the tool is shaped to fit the flat found on most valve nuts on tubeless valves. While using one tool to hold the valve core from spinning, you can use the other to loosen the valve nut in cases where it’s stuck with tire sealant, road salt, sea salt, etc.

Additional features include a 3.23mm spoke wrench at the hook side, and a 3.30mm spoke wrench at the valve side. Additionally, the size of the tool allows brands or bike shops to include their logos and a QR code in the laser etching.

This one is also not quite available yet, but you can stay up to date one the Clever Standard Facebook page or bibcreative.bigcartel.com.

The post Clever Standard’s Bacon Bullet Tire Plugs are Brilliant, Reusable, and Won’t Pull Out appeared first on Bikerumor.

MIPS’ latest rotational impact protection technology, Integra Split, is soon(ish) to be available on an open-face helmet for the very first time. That helmet is the Fox Speedframe RS, a new top-of-the-range variation on the brand’s best-selling mountain bike helmet.

Fox Speedframe RS with MIPS Integra Split

It’s not the first time we’ve seen Fox implement MIPS Integra Split. Indeed, it actually debuted on the DH-certified Fox Proframe RS last Fall. However, the Fox Speedframe RS will be the very first half shell helmet to benefit from the technology. And, Fox will have exclusive use of it for at least one year post launch.

So, what is MIPS Integra Split?

It is very similar to MIPS Spherical, in that it is essentially a two-layer system wherein two distinct layers of EPS are separated by the MIPS liner that connects the two via small elastomers that MIPS refer to as “woofers”, owing to them having a shape similar to that of a sub-woofer. The woofers allow for 10-15mm of free movement between the two layers, movement that is critical to managing rotational forces experienced by a rider during an impact.

Also, the two EPS layers are of differing densities; the inner layer is designed to manage energy involved in low speed impacts, while the top layer that is in-molded into the helmet’s outer shell is composed of a higher density EPS that is designed to absorb energy involved in higher speed impacts. Clearly, that is a very simplistic way of describing it, as it all works in concert, but that is the basic gist.

How MIPS Integra Split differs to MIPS Spherical is very simple; the inner layer of EPS is actually split into two intercalating plates that can move independently to one another. This can be clearly seen on the model we saw at Eurobike a couple weeks back.

The movement between the two inner halves is quite subtle, but we are told that it allows helmet manufacturers to shape the liner around the headform to produce a better, more consistent fit, with a more consistent amount of EPS foam between the skull and the outer shell.

Of course, there’s a lot more to the Fox Speedframe RS than its MIPS Integra Split.

Other updates include use of a BOA Fit System at the cradle, a new easy-adjust visor that has a single, centrally-positioned anchor point to avoid accidental crooked positioning, as well as the addition of sunglasses-stowage under the visor. A grippy runner will be placed where the arms slide in to add a bit of friction for a secure hold.

The helmet is finished off with Fidlock’s magnetic closure for the chin strap, with an Ionic+ comfort liner that has been treated to impeded microbe growth, and thus the production of sweat-associated faust.

Pricing & Availability

The Fox Speedframe RS isn’t due to hit stores until April 2024. It will retail at $279.95 USD, 249.99 € and £249.99.

foxracing.com

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Last summer we got a tease of Rock Machine’s adaptable Whizz concept mountain bike – a vision of a bulletproof aluminum shared bike AND eMTB platform that can be set at 140mm, 160mm, or 180mm of rear wheel travel, whatever wheel sizes you want, and with future-proof adjustable geometry. Whizz… one bike to rule them all.

Rock Machine Whizz modular alloy all-mountain bike

The idea of a single bike to adapt across multiple travel disciplines isn’t exactly a new concept. A number of XC bikes already have a longer travel TR trail version, as well as plenty of enduro bikes with shorter, lighter all-mountain builds. In fact, Czech bikemaker Rock Machine’s new Whizz is built as the successor to their popular Blizzard family – already an affordable alloy range of 120mm light trail, 140mm all-mountain, and 160-170mm enduro bikes that share the same general design.

But this one takes adaptability to a next level – a more progressive, more capable platform & more adjustable platform designed to be ridden hard for years to come.

What Rock Machine really does best is build affordable bikes that are fun to ride and built to last.

140, 160, or 180mm and all the adjustability

Their new short-link floating-pivot Whizz aims to up the fun factor by bumping up travel over their Blizzard family – now to 140mm for trail riding, 160mm for enduro, and 180mm as a park bike. As our riding gets more aggressive, a do-it-all MTB platform has to get more progressive and more capable to keep up!

Three travel settings are interchangeable via 3 possible rear shock stroke lengths mounted in one of three flip-chip positions at the upper shock mount inside the split toptube – coil or air shocks. The open toptube also includes a forward mounting point (not so dissimilar to the recent Canyon Torque:ON) that can be used for a tool mount or some other future bag or hydration accessory.

Presumably, there’s more suspension curve & geometry adjustability available through linkage tweaks, too. The lower pivot mount on this prototype also includes another flip-chip. Modern long, low & slack geometry carries through for each setting, with the longer forks slackening out the front end a bit.

But there is also a hugely oversized headtube to fit a headset that can be adjusted either for headtube angle or frame Reach depending on rider need. Another reason for that massive headtube is structural… Rock Machine has designed a front rack that will attach with 4-bolts on the front of the bike or ebike and be able to haul a crate of beer! And for when the bolts are not it use, those bolts be hidden with a big ol’ head badge.

Out back a single one-piece rear triangle suits all travel and frame sizes, while bolt-on dropouts allow Rock Machine to customize chainstay length as needed, and also means they can create different dropouts to stay on top of every changing standards. This one doesn’t have a UDH mount for SRAM transmissions, but that obviously will be possible on the production bike.

And of course with all that adjustability also comes all the wheelsize options too. Rock Machine says the Whizz is designed to accommodate 27.5″, mullet, or full 29er wheel combos depending on rider preference and riding style. No word exactly how the bike will adapt to that – different short links, more flip-chip adjustments, or separate dropouts – but the options will be there.

A few last details… Rock Machine has built the Whizz to be durable, that means big user-serviceable bearings across all the pivots, plus a threaded BB & ISCG mounts. It also means the bike can be set up with external cable routing through modular mounts down the side of the downtube, or there are conventional internal routing ports if you prefer a more tidy bike build. Lastly, an integrated mount for a mid-body kickstand – it doesn’t really add much weight apparently and will be helpful when you’ve parked with your SUV build bike with a bunch of beers on the front rack.

One bike to rule them all.

One of the driving factors of the Whizz project was to make Rock Machine’s new bike a more efficient platform too – both environmentally and from a production standpoint. That dramatically shaped split top tube is a big part of that efficiency. Reimagined from Rock Machine’s Adrenaline DH bike in the early 2000s, the open/split top tube helps lower the bike’s center of gravity, while also improving standover clearance. That last bit combined with 200mm dropper posts means that more riders can fit on one bike. Paired with Reach adjustability in the headset, Rock Machine figures they can fit more riders on two sizes of the new Whizz than typically fit on conventional 3-size offerings.

With that, Rock Machine will have to just hydroform one single open toptube, just one headtube, and build just one single rear triangle, that can all be shared across all frame sizes of both bikes and ebikes, and at all travel levels. There only the seat & down tubes will differ, reducing waste.

Plus, one ebike too, a Whizz eMTB

The ebike version of the Whizz is coming a bit later than the pedal-powered one. Rock Machine hinted that some of the tech that will propel this one forward is official MY25 gear, so it will wait until at least the end of next summer for a more official roll-out. Interestingly of note, a German ebike motor maker asked to hide its name & future battery capacity from Rock Machine’s Eurobike booth, which left Shimano compatibility shown. Rock Machine says they designed the modular eWhizz to be able to work with multiple ebike motor systems so they wouldn’t need to be locked into one supplier – a feature pretty unique in the eMTB market.

And in the meantime before that future motor & battery model are ready to test, Rock Machine is already out dialing in geometry, suspension & setup on the eWhizz ebike prototype with dummy ballast providing the same weight & weight balance as the final eMTB, just using bikepark uplifts until the motor is available to test in the new ebike.

Rock Machine Whizz – Options, potential pricing & availability

Technically the Rock Machine Whizz is still a prototype, even though it’s in the functional ridable prototype stage – a big step up from the 3D-printed mock-up we saw last summer. And Rock Machine doesn’t officially do standard model-year bikes, so anticipating a real availability date in shops is guesswork. We’ve been told the pedal-powered one is pretty much dialed in, and Rock Machine are working on industrializing the bike – that means setting up production for the final hydroformed tube shaping and getting ready for sample bikes to iron out manufacturing kinks. My guess is that means a Whizz could be available as early as the middle of 2024.

We’ll be keeping an eye out for sure, and I’ll likely head to Rock Machine’s HQ and assembly factory this fall to get a closer look, and to give some pre-production Whizz bikes a first ride test or two.

RockMachineBikes.com

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Last summer Selle Italia debuted their first 3D-printed saddle padding for their top road SLR 3D, but this year two more saddles get the same treatment – the split-nosed Watt triathlon TT saddle and the all-rounder Novus Evo endurance road & gravel saddle. Plus, their eco-friendly, affordable, and 100% made-in-Italy Greentech family gets a new off-road Model Y saddle with more conventional titanium rails.

Selle Italia Watt 3D-printed triathlon & TT saddle

Designed primarily as a triathlon saddle, the new Selle Italia Watt 3D reimagines the Italian saddle maker’s top-tier tri perch with all the tunable comfort and support benefits of 3D-printed padding. Construction-wise, the new Watt 3D uses the same Digital Light Synthesis 3D-printed TPU padding on top of a super lightweight Kit Carbonio carbon shell & rails as you find in the SLR Boost 3D saddle – and Specialized Mirror and Fizik Adaptive saddles.

What’s new of course, is adapting that tech to the unique forward position of triathlete and time trial racing where the longer the rider can stay in a single tucked aero position, the faster they go.

For the flat-topped Watt 3D, that meant a tighter-spaced, stiffer diamond-shaped structure especially under the racer’s sit bones from the rear to middle of the saddle, but also through the narrow split nose of the saddle. And since racing against the clock often means long periods of time spent trying to maintain a forward position on the nose of the saddle, Selle Italia designed the Watt 3D with closed grippy triangle ridges along the inside of the nose to help hold the rider in place.

Selle Italia also sweated the little details, too. Underneath, the Watt 3D saddle gets a soft grippy 3D-printed TPU lattice designed to keep your triathlon bike hung securely in place over the bike rack rails often used in the transition zone, so you can quickly move from swim to bike, but more importantly just toss your bike onto the rack before the run without having to worry about your fancy, slippery carbon saddle sliding off the rack.

The overall narrow U3 idmatch 133mm wide by short 255mm sizing remains unchanged from the standard Watt saddles. We don’t have official pricing on the Watt 3D yet, but expect the top Kit Carbonio version to sell for the same 450€ as the SLR. No word if a cheaper ti-railed version will also be offered.

Selle Italia Novus Boost Evo 3D-printed endurance road saddle

More in the realm of everyday riding, Selle Italia has also given its latest Novus Boost Evo endurance road saddle – introduced just last spring – the 3D treatment as well. The wave-shaped Novus Boost Evo 3D again gets its own completely unique 3D-printed TPU pattern design, reinforcing the flexibility of the DLS additive manufacturing process while achieving the same general result of varied degrees of rider support vs. comfort throughout different zones on the saddle.

The new Novus 3D saddle comes in two different variants, both sharing the same short fit L3 idmatch shape – 145mm wide by 245mm long. The top Selle Italia Novus Boost Evo 3D Kit Carbonio Superflow saddle sells for 430€ with a claimed weight of 181g thanks to a full carbon shell and 7x9mm oval rails. The Novus Boost Evo 3D Ti 316 Superflow saddle is a bit more affordable at 340€ with a reinforced composite shell and tubular titanium rails, at an estimated of 216g.

Selle Italia Model Y eco-friendly Greentech off-road saddle

Last up in the new Selle Italia line-up is another Greentech saddle, again intriguing me with how Selle Italia can leverage more-automated manufacturing to decrease a product’s environmental footprint with less waste & no adhesives, while also drastically reducing the price to consumers, and bring manufacturing 100% back to Italy.

This time the new Model Y is an off-road-specific saddle with a middle-of-the-road shape – not quite curved, but not entirely flat – and just a subtle pressure relief channel down the middle of the padding AND a hidden Superflow pressure cutout underneath in the shell itself. No mud o rear tire spray getting a direct line to your rear end. Again, at its core is an injection-molded reinforced plastic shell, with dense padding molded directly on top of that.

But what’s really new on this Greentech saddle is that it sticks with more conventional hollow titanium saddle rails that are molded directly into the reinforced plastic shell. That makes for a tougher saddle than the alloy & plastic-railed Model X, but does slightly bump up to carbon footprint.

The new L1 142mm wide x 246mm long Model Y is still made 100% in Italy – all within 15km of Selle Italia’s Treviso HQ – and comes out to 2.06kg of equivalent CO2 in its entire production. That’s still a -34% reduction compared to a similar saddle made in Asia, but more than 2x the footprint of the Model X thanks to those tougher titanium rails.

Designed for gravel and mountain bike riding, the new Selle Italia Model Y is still pretty cheap at just under $95 / 80€, and a good bit lighter than the X at a claimed 277g.

Get the new Novus Boost Evo 3D & Model Y saddles now through regular dealers or direct from Selle Italia, while the Watt 3D will be available later this summer.

SelleItalia.com

The post Selle Italia 3D-Prints New Watt TT & Novus Evo Endurance Saddles, Plus Eco-friendly Model Y 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

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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

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While mountain bike forks & shocks might not be the first thing you think of when someone says DT Swiss, the unique position-sensitive damping and mini-coil+air technology inside the 535 suspension family has been delivering supple DT trail and all-mountain performance for 5 years now. Some of that tech is even licensed by one of the 2 biggest MTB suspension makers. And now an upgraded 535 family is even better, with more refined damping, bigger volume air springs, and a new more affordable 535 version to complement the top-tier 535 One.

DT Swiss 535 MTB suspension fork & shock

The new 535s look quite a bit different – with new more conventional crown designs that make 35mm stanchion fork setup and adjustment more straightforward – but inside the technologies are for the most part conceptually unchanged. But that’s not really a downside – DT’s mountain bike suspension has quietly been innovating for decades as a small fish in the big suspension game.

The 535 already introduced two impressive core technologies back in 2018 – the Plushport that varies compression damping through the fork’s travel, and Coilpair where a tiny coil shock works together with the main air spring to deliver immediately supple travel that counteracts air spring seal stiction, eating up tiny trail chatter.

Plushport updated position-specific compression damping

One of the first core updates of the new DT Swiss mountain bike forks is a refined evolution of the Plushport in their right leg damper cartridge.

A patented series of oil ports inside the low-speed compression circuit of the 535 One & 535, Plushport allows compression damping to be open for roughly the first 1/3 of the fork’s travel so you get unmatched small bump sensitivity and optimal traction. But then as the fork compresses, that Plushport is gradually closed, stiffening up the fork to resist trail impacts for more support through the middle and end of fork travel. And once fully closed, the Plushport effectively diverts oil in the damper through the high-speed compression damping circuit instead making for a progressive, bottomless feel that DT says complements the revised large-volume air springs.

Effectively, the progressive Plushport compression damping should allow you to ride the 535 forks with normal low air spring pressure, and benefit from extra small bump control and plush early travel, while maintaining support in the middle travel which you use most of the time out on the trail, and smoother bottom-out protection as you push the fork to its limit.

The top 535 One forks pair the Plushport damper with ODL 3-position compression damping lock-out remotes, while the standard 535 keeps it simpler with OL 2-position open or locked levers.

Coilpair combination between coil & air spring benefits

In the left leg, DT Swiss gets a little creative (at least on the 535 One) by combing a coil spring and an air spring for the best of both worlds – their patented Coilpair.

The tiny ~25mm long steel coil spring doesn’t add much weight, but since it starts to move immediately and linearly when any force impacts the axle, the little coil eliminates the lag of an air shock that must overcome seal stiction. Together, the Coilpair (coil + air) both work to smooth out the first 30mm of fork travel. Working side-by-side with the Plushport in the oil damper side, the result is better small bump sensitivity without having to run extra low pressure or suffer from compromised mid-travel support & pedaling efficiency to get real sensitivity.

Look a bit closer at the Coilpair tech, and like us you might notice that it looks similar in concept to a Buttercup – that’s because the DT Swiss patented design is licensed by RockShox for their premium trail and all-mountain forks, too. So, even though DT makes a lot fewer forks than RockShox, you may have already from benefited from DT Swiss suspension development tech.

Other Tech Details

Beyond the refined Plushport in all the 535 family forks, and the Coilpair carrying-over to the top 535 One fork, but not the more affordable 535 – all forks & shocks get increased air volume that DT is calling Lineair tech. Essentially revised large-volume air spring chambers are able to provide more linear suspension travel both front & rear in a lightweight setup, better mimicking coil shock performance. And the bigger space inside can always be reduced with volume spacers to create a more progressive feel for riders looking to ramp up support through their travel.

As for the rear shocks, the tech sounds a bit less hi-tech, but follows the same line of updates. Larger volume positive & negative Lineair air springs improve the linear spring curve to better mimic coil shock performance. The shocks also get an updated self-balancing bypass that provides higher negative pressure at top-out for reduced breakaway force and better small bump sensitivity, while then delivering more support from mid-stroke to the end of rear wheel travel. It’s a bit simpler on the air side, but works in a similar, complimentary way to Plushport up front. Damping-wise the new 535 shocks get 3-position ODL compression damping – Open, Drive & Locked-out – for maximum pedaling and descending efficiency.

DT Swiss 535 Suspension – Pricing, options & availability

The new 535 series forks are now 29″ only with 120-160mm of travel in 10mm increments to fit all disciplines from XC & trail to enduro. I’ll just call this sweet spot all-mountain again. The top 535 One forks sell for $1150 / 1150€ including the Coilpair, larger volume air spring, and 3-position compression lock-out on top of the crown – open, ride & closed.

The all-new 535 fork is a bit lower-priced at $989 / 989€ with the big volume air spring and a 2-position compression lock-out on top of the crown – open or closed. Both with claimed weights from 2090g, the 29″ forks all get boost thru-axles, 44mm offset, post mount 180mm brakes, and max 130kg/287lb rider+bike weight limits. DT even approves them for ebike systems up to 150kg/331lb.

Matching the front end, there are also updated dual-air chamber 535 One and all-new standard 535 rear air shocks as well. Here the updated shocks come in pretty much any length your trail bike could need in Trunnion or conventional mounts – 165-230mm overall and 40-65mm stroke, in six increments of each. The top R 535 One shocks sell for $449 / 449€ with weights from 300g with 3-position lockouts.

And the standard R 535 shocks retail for $399 / 399€ also with weights from 300g with 2-position lockouts, all with the latest slippery self-lubricating DU bushings.

DTSwiss.com

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Being committed to environmental protection is not something new to Germany’s Ergon. Since 2010, with its GreenLab initiative, they’ve been bringing sustainable products into the market. Now the ergonomics specialist has expanded this program and launched its new sustainability program “GreenLab Circular”. At Eurobike, Ergon was showing the first proofs of concept with the SR Allroad Core Circular saddle and GXR Circular grips.

Ergon’s head of Technical Product Development, Andreas Krause, wanted to make products that “have a finite useable life, and could be wholly returned to their original material to act as future ingredients”.

Starting with a saddle made the most sense to them. And with the collaboration between Ergon’s team, and BASF’s plastics and coating expertise, they are “creating new possibilities for sustainability and production of bicycle accessories in the future”.

“Our goal was to construct a saddle that comes entirely from a family of similarly-engineered materials because only then is there the capability of completely recycling a product in its entirety,” explains Krause. “Thanks to our network of manufacturers and resources in Germany, this dream was also realized very quickly“.

The new SR Allroad Core Circular saddle takes Ergon’s focus on recycling and waste avoidance to be the first proof of concept in the GreenLab Circular program. Every component of this new saddle can be recycled and returned to the material cycle when its service life ends.

The Ergon SR Allroad Core saddle with CORE HD technology has a unique “ergonomic core” construction that’s made from BASF Infinergy. So, with the new proof of concept, all plastic parts of the SR Allroad Core Circular belong to the BASF polyurethane and can be recycled in one piece.

The steel (Tinox) rails can be removed by hand. Color pigments (undyed look) and surface coating have been removed, allowing for a higher quality recyclate. BASF’s NovaCoat-D is a sustainable alternative to a conventional cover.

GXR Circular Grip

Using the new GreenLab Circular sustainability program, Ergon has also released the new GXR grip. This is the same GXR grip in terms of shape, but instead of using new material, it’s made using excess material from the production of other GXR grips.

New Grips Outside of Greenlab Circular

Ergon was also showing a number of products that were not specifically part of the Green Lab Cirular initiative, like the new GXR Lava grips. After changing the color out of the in-molding process to create the grips, Ergon realized the mixed colors looked interesting. So they made some changes to create the Lava series. Because of the process, the colors will always be a bit different, and are still made in Germany.

Working with Vali Holl, Ergon has developed a new GDH Team grip specifically for DH riding. This is their first made-in-Germany DH grip, and will be available in one size and color with a single locking core.

For the hybrid/touring crowd, the new GT1 grip offers a wealth of hand positions in the funky looking grip. Inside, ther is a plastic internal wing for support, as well as an internal locking collar to keep it from twisting.

RM Touring Mirror

In a collaboration with Busch + Müller, Ergon is introducing the RM Touring Mirror that is typically loaded with detail. The shape of the mirror is designed to give you an idea of whether the oncoming vehicle is close or far based on where it shows in the mirror, and the mirror is designed to rotate inward for storage while preserving your adjustments. Because of the premium features, the mirror will sell for $50.

SR All Road Saddle

In addition to the Green Lab Circular SR Allroad Core saddle, Ergon also had new SR All Road saddle on display. This saddle is notable for two reasons – first, it’s the first saddle in the current offering made in Europe, and second, it’s 2cm shorter than the other All Road saddles. Ergon has said that they won’t produce a snub-nosed saddle, but they seem to realize that shorter saddles are the trend. The saddle also features a more aggressive deep channel with a full cutout, and chromoly rails. It’s avaialble in men’s only for now, with a women’s version on the way.

ErgonBike.com

The post Ergon Molds Recyclability Into SR All Road & GXR Circular, Adds New GT1, GDH & GXR Lava Grips! appeared first on Bikerumor.

The not-quite-sufficiently air-conditioned halls of Messe Frankfurt oozed with new cycling tech in the 2023 edition of the Eurobike trade show. Some of it could change the industry forever. Some of it may never see the light of day. For one reason or another, all of it is interesting. We have heaps to show you guys over the coming days (and probably weeks), but here’s a quick round up of some rad new eMTBs and mountain bikes we’ve had the pleasure of seeing in the flesh.

Rotwild R.X 1000 with Pinion ONE:E MGU

Coming soon is the new Rotwild RX 1000 complete with the all-new Pinion Mission ON.E Motor Gearbox Unit. A 960 Wh battery powers an 85 Nm Motor with an integrated transmission, delivering a 12 Speed eBike without a derailleur.

On this chain-driven eBike, an appendage is still mounted to the dropout, but this chain tensioner is much smaller and thus less vulnerable than a traditional derailleur; it serves to take up the chain slack created as the Rotwild’s effective rear center length varies through its rear wheel travel.

Details on the Rotwild R.X 1000 eMTB are a little thin for now, but we reckon it’ll deliver around 140/150mm of rear wheel travel via its four-bar linkage, pairing that with a 150mm fork. More details to come on this innovative new eBike.

Right now, the Pinion Mission ON:E MGU eDrive can be found on Rotwild, Simplon, Bulls, Flyer, and Pegasus bikes, but we get the feeling this system will become a very common sighting on the trails in years to come.

Scott Endorphin Race Concept Bike

From prototypes to concept bikes, we bring you a complete Red Herring. Scott had some folk hook, line and sinker with one. Alas, I was reliably informed that if I were to ride it off a small curb, it would likely break in half. This 3D printed Scott Endorphin is merely a concept, designed to recreate the original Endorphin race bike of 1996 in a more modern aesthetic.

Allutech Armageddon eMTB

Moving onto somewhat more rideable bikes, at the DT Swiss booth we saw an Allutech Cycles Armageddon eMTB with a 57° head angle. The frame kit for the acoustic version is yours for 2,999 €, so expect the eBike to retail at something far north of that. A story will follow with more details on the German brand’s latest electric bike.

Built around the 85 Nm Shimano EP8 motor, the made-in-Germany Allutech Armageddon frame delivers its rear wheel travel via a four-bar linkage, with damping taken care of by the DT Swiss 535 ONE shock. Chainstay length can be adjusted at the dropout. More to come on the updated suspension components from DT which are said to have improved small bump sensitivity over their predecessors.

Myotragus Dorothea DH Bike

The Mallorcan Myotragus Dorothea prototype fronted the Trickstuff booth. This 200mm travel downhill bike delivers an almost straight-line rearward axle path via its virtual high-pivot twin-link design. We previously got the development story with founders Roger Pisà and Juan Bujosa.

The Myotragus was home to the highly-acclaimed Trickstuff Direttissima brakes; this set benefiting from 3D printed titanium levers developed in partnership with Trumpf, creators of additive manufacturing systems.

Nicolai Saturn 11 Swift eMTB

Nicolai has a couple of new eMTBs under the name, Swift. Both are built around the Bosch Performance Line SX Motor that launched last week. The 2 kg motor augments rider input to the tune of 55 Nm torque, and is powered by a 400 Wh battery. The 110mm travel Saturn 11 Swift (above) and the 140mm travel Saturn 14 Swift (below) can also make use of the 250 Wh range extender that fits onto water bottle mounts in the front triangle.

CDuro Enduro Bike Made by CompoTech

Intend BC had their own booth at Eurobike for the first time. Among other high-end parts, proprietor Cornelius Kapfinger was showing off a prototype USD carbon fork that he is developing in conjunction with Czech company, CompoTech. The prototype fork is currently living on a machine-made carbon fiber frame from CompoTech’s bike brand, CDuro.

The frame is made with carbon composite materials, manufactured through an automated process known as Integrated Loop Technology. We are told the process involves automated fiber winding, so the risk of human error is eliminated.

The prototype fork is very much based on the Intend Edge fork for enduro riding, but the new carbon uppers shave a not-insignificant 100g on the overall weight. Cornelius is still working on developing a secure press fit for the carbon uppers (traditionally, lowers) into the machined aluminum crown.

Prototype GasGas Enduro eMTB with Unidentified Motor

At the GasGas booth we saw a prototype long-travel eMTB that was home to an unidentified motor. While most of the GasGas eBikes are powered by a Yamaha motor, this one is not. No one was on hand to divulge information on the bike, never mind its motor, so we are left to speculate. Given that the bike was home to AXS components with the SRAM T-Type Derailleur and flat-top chain, we know which brand we’d wager on.

Commencal Meta AM V5 Enduro Bike with Classified Powershift

High up on the wall of the Classified Cycling booth was the new Commencal Meta V5 Enduro bike, rocking the Classified Powershift Hub. Word is, the Commencal Enduro Project Team (including Alex Rudeau) is testing out the system for possible use on the race bikes later this season.

For those unfamiliar, the Classified Powershift Hub essentially delivers a 2x drivetrain without the need for a front derailleur, or two chainrings. That’s thanks to the internal gearing of the hub that offers two possible ratios through the full range of the cassette you wish to pair it with. Thus, the Commencal Meta V5 with the Classified Powershift Hub and 12 speed cassette actually boasts 24 gears.

Some advantages of the system include the use of a more compact 12 speed cassette (11-40T), with the 24 gears bumping range up to 530%. It also allows for use of a less vulnerable short-cage derailleur and a shorter chain.

However, the major advantage for mountain bikers, and especially those in a hurry, is the ability to shift under load. Switching gear using the Powershift hub gives you an effective shift through 2-3 gears when compared to a traditional 1x drivetrain. That’s going to be especially helpful when you need to step on the gas following a tight, technical corner, or when rolling into a surprise steep technical climb. It’ll be interesting to see how Alex and co get on with this one.

Nicolai Nucleon 16 with Lal Bikes Supre Drive

Not especially new, but still noteworthy, is the Nicolai Nucleon 16, a high-pivot enduro mountain bike designed in conjunction with the Lal Bikes Supre Drive. With a 230mm eye-to-eye shock, with a 60mm or 65 mm stroke, the Nucleon 16 Supre can deliver 165mm or 178 mm of rear wheel travel. It is designed around a 29″ wheelset, but can also be configured as a mullet.

For now, it remains the only production bike available with the alternative drivetrain. Briefly, the Supre Drive splits the two major roles of a traditional derailleur into two entities that work in unison with one another to deliver gear shifts and manage chain tension.

We covered the Supre Drive in detail last year when Lal Bikes proprietor, Cedric Eveleigh, first announced it. The Supre Drive seen here is updated with cnc-machined aluminum derailleur links, as compared to the 3D printed plastic links we saw on the Nucleon 16 at Eurobike in 2022. The derailleur, chain tensioner and idler pulley are all made at Lal Bikes’ own production facility in BC, Canada.

One interesting feature of the Supre Drive is its hydraulically-damped chain tensioner. The tube containing the damper fluid is tucked up inside the downtube.

Crossworx Trip290 x Gates Belt Drive x Classified Powershift

In continuation of this theme of alternative drivetrains, at the Gates Carbon Drive booth we saw a Crossworx Trip 290 eBike prototype, complete with Bosch SX Motor, 400 Wh CompactTube Battery, Gates Carbon Drive and the Classified Powershift Hub. At first glance, this one looks to be a single-speed eMTB, but thanks to the Classified Powershift Hub it is actually, rather stealthily, running a two-speed drivetrain. The bike, as pictured here, weighs a claimed 20.2 kg.

For us, the Crossworx eMTB was definitey one of the show highlights – more details on this innovative new eBike here.

The post Eleven Rad New Mountain Bikes and eMTBs of Eurobike 2023 appeared first on Bikerumor.

Schwalbe has certainly been busy lately. There’s new Tacky Chan DH tires, 70% recycled content commuter tires, plus an all-new logo and branding. 

As if that wasn’t enough, Schwalbe was showing a few additional concepts at Eurobike including the eye-popping Aerothan road tire concept. The eye-popping bit comes from the weight of the tires, since it otherwise looks like a normal Schwalbe road tire. That’s due to the fact that even though this tire replaces the rubber in the casing with their Aerothan nylon-coated TPU material, it still uses traditional rubber tread to maintain the traction you expect out of a high-performance tire.

By replacing the rubber in the casing with TPU, Schwalbe is able to claim a weight as low as 165g for a road tire. Perhaps more importantly than the weight, the tube-type-only Aerothan casing results in a super low rolling resistance, a more supple ride, and puncture protection on par with tubeless tires. If all that turns out to be true, all of a sudden you have a better option for riders who haven’t yet adopted tubeless road.

As an added bonus, the tire could also be 100% recyclable. We’re told that the Aerothan tire concept could be just a year out.

On the eMTB side, Schwalbe was showing what they call their eMTB Uphill Concept.

Obviously, the tires will still be designed to perform while riding downhill, but now more attention is given to the tread design for uphill riding. The thought is that since it’s an ebike, you don’t have to worry as much about ramped tread designs that decrease rolling resistance and make it easier to pedal.

Instead, you can design the leading edges of the tread blocks to provide better grip when climbing. The tread patterns will be directional with uphill and downhill-focused tread blocks for better traction all around.

Finally, Schwalbe was showing their new Airmax Tire Pressure Monitoring System. The Airmax valve mounts to any standard presta rim, and offers real-time tire pressure monitoring with the Schwalbe Airmax app. The app allows you to set an optimum value, so it will send you and alert if the tire pressure deviates. The valves can be connected to GPS computers from Garmin and Wahoo, so if you’re riding or racing, you can get a real-time alert that you might have a slow leak giving you time to get to the pit, or stop to find the hole and plug it before you lose all the air.

The app also guides you to their Pressure Prof tire pressure guide allowing you to dial in your ideal tire pressure settings. The app is availalble now, and the valves will be coming soon.

schwalbetires.com

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You didn’t have to know where the Branchy booth was at Eurobike – you could hear it. The constant whack, whack, whack was a successful way of gaining attention, which drew show goers to a derailleur guard getting a repeated spanking. 

That guard is the Branchy, a plastic derailleur guard that mounts to your bike’s chain stay to protect it from damage. The simple guard weighs just 35g, and attaches with both a 3M VHB adhesive strip, and three burly zip ties. 

Sitting in front of the rear derailleur, Branchy is designed to deflect grasses, sticks, rocks, and anything else that might tangle or damager your derailleur. The guard is flexible enough not to break (the guard or your chain stay), but stiff enough to deflect sizable impacts. 

Made in Spain, Branchy sells for 49 Euro and ships direct in environmentally friendly cardboard packaging. 

branchyprotection.com

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