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

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

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

New Thule Chariot

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thule Paramount Pannier Backpack

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

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

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

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

thule.com

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The Truing Stand as Abbey puts it, is more than just a device to hold the wheel while you turn the nipples. Built from the ground up to allow for obsessively precise wheel building, the design is perfectly mirrored from side to side so you can build a wheel with perfect dish regardless of hub or rim width.

Built with a substantial machined aluminum base plate, Abbey founder Jason Quade tells us that from the beginning, they wanted the foundation of the tool to be included – not some DIY option that was added after the fact. The 6061 aluminum base is an inch thick, and includes four adjustable feet that can be used to perfectly level the truing stand.

The arms are machined from aluminum as well and will accept thru axle hubs without the need for adapters. The truing stand will still accept standard QR hubs and bolt-on hubs with axles up to 14mm, but thru axle hubs can use the integrated cones eliminating the step of placing an adapter in the hub end caps. The cones will work with thru-axles up to 25mm as well, so even your old Maverick hubs will fit. It will also fit hubs from 70mm to 220mm in width, so even those who build fat bike wheels will be set.

And in the case that you have some crazy hub that doesn’t work with the existing stainless steel plates, Abbey can custom machine additional plates based on the need.

The dropout plate also features an insert for truing disc brake rotors from 140-220mm in diameter. Since the truing arms are mirrored from side to side, you could also swap the arms around if you wanted the brake truing indicator on the other side, and on the back of the arm.

At first, the indicator arms may look similar to the typical truing stand, but that ends when you view it from the back. Not only do the indicator arms ride on sealed bearings, but they are a push-pull design which makes it ridiculously fast to move through the adjustment range. The knob is so smooth and balanced, that you can give it a spin, and it will spin for another few rotations. Coupled with the fact that you can move the main arm that the indicator is mounted to without any sort of knob or dial, The Abbey Truing Stand should save professional wheel builders a good amount of time over the long run.

The vertical arms use a linear rail system for incredibly smooth movement, which is helped by an Igus Drive bushing for the main lead screw. Abbey found that a different solution worked better for the pillow blocks, but the whole system is designed to run dry – no need for any lube or oil that will collect dust in the shop.

When it comes to using the indicators themselves, they will fit rims 15-65mm wide, and tires somewhere in the 2.6-2.8″ range (the production indicator arms aren’t finished). The green 3D printed arms will be metal for production, and are not capable of being used individually, but if you want to use just one indicator, or need to work on rims wider than 65mm, you can use the single dial indicators on the red multi-adjustment arms to measure just one side of the rim. That same indicator can also be used to measure vertical runout – either below, or even on top of the rim in the casse that the tire is still mounted.

The truing stand will be sold in different configurations, one with a single ‘feeler guage’ type radial indcator, with either mechanical or digital Mitutoyo indicators, or with the Islandix digital system.

Abbey decided to work with Islandix to offer the system as an option after demoing the system themselves. Essentially a real-time digital output of vertical and horizontal runout, the system connects digital sensors to your computer or connected device so you can see a visual representation of the wheel build. There’s also a spoke tension component that can be added aftermarket, making it an impressive way to build insanely precise wheels. It also will run $2,350 for the full setup.

The kit also includes a foot pedal to work the system while you’re truing so you don’t have to take your hands off the spokes.

Abbey plans to sell the truing stand in batches, and is taking pre-orders for the first batch now. They expect to have only single digits of exess stock from each batch, so if you really want one, you should get in on the pre-order. Pricing starts at $1,450, and all models include a customized name plate – whether that’s your name, or a character from your favorite movie…

Pre-orders placed now should ship in September, with Abbey planning on deciding the size of the first run around July 9.

abbeybiketools.com

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The new MT500 Burner Lite kit includes pants (for men and women) and a long sleeve jersey, offering full body coverage while keeping things light and breathable for summer shredding.

Endura MT500 Burner Lite Pant:

The new MT500 Burner Lite pant was designed to be just as comfortable and durable as the Burner pant, but offer a much lighter and more ventilated construction. These pants are an ideal choice for summer bike park laps or trail riding, and they’re available in men’s and women’s models (all construction features are the same, but with different tailoring for guys and gals).

The pants main fabric offers four-way stretch, and the legs feature laser cut ventilation on the inside and outside areas just below the knees. Behind the knees are flexible and breathable mesh panels. The MT500 Burner Lites are treated with a durable, PFC-free water repelling finish.   

The Burner Lite pants offer a slim overall profile, but the legs are cut to allow ample room for kneepads. For storage you get a pair of zippered hand pockets with zipper pulls for easy operation with gloves.

At the waist Endura provides a zip fly with a single button closure, and they’ve included a fabric hood to keep the zipper from touching your belly. Velcro waist adjuster straps provide simple size adjustments, and Endura’s Clickfast buttons allow for a solid connection with the brand’s compatible liner shorts or bibs.

The Burner Lite pants sell for $149.99. Men’s color options are black, olive green or Atlantic (blue) and sizes range from S-XXL.  Women’s color choices are black or Blueberry, and sizing goes from XS-XXL.

MT500 Burner Lite LS Jersey:

Like the pants, the new MT500 Burner Lite long sleeve jersey is a lighter, airier version of Endura’s MT500 Burner jersey. This new jersey is only available in a men’s model.

The MT500 Burner Lite jersey’s main body is constructed with breathable, moisture-wicking mesh fabrics, with durable stretch woven fabrics across the sleeve panels to ensure durability where needed. At least 50% of the fabric used in these jerseys is recycled material.  

The Burner Lite jersey features laser cut ventilation on the forearms, and a silicone shoulder print to provide some grip for backpack straps. It offers a simple rounded collar, and a lean, flap-free cut that can still accommodate slimmer body protection underneath.

MSRP for the MT500 Burner Lite jersey is $79.99. Men’s sizes S-XXL are available, and color options are black, Tangerine or Blueberry.

endurasport.com

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Leatt 3.0 Enduro Helmet: convertible half-shell, 3/4 & full-face

We actually got a sneak peek at the new Leatt 3.0 Enduro Helmet first last summer, then a bit more detail at the start of this year. Taking their convertible MTB 4.0 Enduro full-face helmet to the next level, the new 3.0 adds a third mode in-between half shell & full face – a 3/4 protection helmet with removable ear guards. And surprisingly, it does so at a lower price-point.

The new 3-in-1 design “can be worn as a half shell open face helmet for light trail riding, or in the jet style with the addition of the over-the-ear guards for added coverage, or clip on the full chin bar for maximum protection. One helmet, three levels of protection for any trail.“

But why?

The convertible 4.0 was already popular with enduro riders who could remove the chin bar for climbing transitions, then pop it back into place for racing stages. But there are a lot of times in between where you might not feel the need for full-face protection. In between a bit of extra over-the-ears security will make you feel more confident picking technical lines, and matches up nicely with a pair of goggles for wraparound protection, while keeping air flow to your mouth and nose unobstructed.

The Leatt 3.0 Enduro then is the happy medium, where you can customize your coverage depending on how you feel, and what the conditions warrant.

Just press the easier-to-use push-button system to securely add or remove the ear guards or chin bar.

Tech details

The new helmet features a standard in-mold polycarbonate shell over EPS foam for protection, adding a Powerbridge internal reinforcement at the top of the helmet for better impact force distribution.

Like other Leatt helmets, the new convertible 3.0 Enduro features 360° Turbine Tech pads to help absorb energy, reduce brain rotational acceleration, and isolate non-linear impacts. It gets top-tier dial retention at the back, and a premium Fidlock magnetic buckle for easy one-handed claspin, plus an adjustable visor and a sunglasses docking port in its upper rear vents.

Just like the 4.0, the Leatt 3.0 Enduro gets an ASTM DH-certified chin bar so you can be sure of the highest level of protection when you need it. And the base open-face half-shell is AS/NZS, EN & CPSC certified on its own. It doesn’t appear there’s any specific middle-ground certification for when the ear guards are installed.

The half-shell alone is said to weigh just 360g, while adding the chin bar brings it up to 700g.

Leatt 3.0 Enduro – Pricing, options & availability

The new Leatt 3.0 Enduro helmet sells for $270 / 290€ including both the removable ear guards and chin bar, as standard. Ride it however you feel most comfortable, depending on the trail.

The 3.0 Enduro helmet comes in all-black, black & white, grey & black, and red with pine green with red detailing, in 3 sizes (S51-55, M 55-59 & L 59-63cm).

There’s also a Leatt 2.0 Enduro version of the same exact convertible full-face helmet, minus the Fidlock buckle, sold a bit cheaper without the new ear guards.

Leatt.com

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Crafted from the same stainless steel used for their Crombie tool heads, the T-Way is designed to be more robust than the 4-Way for constant shop or traveling mechanic use. When we first saw the tools at Sea Otter, Abbey was still trying to decide on the final knurling pattern for the grip. According to their post on facebook, the final decision was inspired by feedback from John Hall, going with one of the finer patterns. Initially it feels smooth to the touch, but it’s surprising grippy when you put pressure on it.

The tools on display at the show were part of a collaboration with SRAM, hence the red accent at the top. The production tools will carry the classic Abbey Tool green shown above.

When it comes to the actual configuration of the bits, you have a few options. Two stock bit configurations will be offered with either 4, 5 & T25 or 5, 6, & T25 bits glued in place for $60. A third option gives you the choice of 3 custom bit choices, also glued in for $65.

Finally, you can order the tool with 10 bits and magnetic sockets so you can swap the bits as you please. The bit holder is also magnetic so you can mount it to your work stand, bench, etc. This option increases the price to $120.

The first batch of tools is already sold out, but Abbey is taking pre-orders for the second batch which will start shipping in July. Based on the first round, these will probably go quick.

abbeybiketools.com

The post Abbey Bike Tools T-Way is Part T-Handle, Part 3-Way appeared first on Bikerumor.

Rooted in cycling, but dedicated to outdoor pursuits that motivate athletes year-round, Pinebury apparel is made in the USA, helping to ensure that the products meet environmental standards, fair labor practices, and safe working conditions while preserving traditions and manufacturing capabilities.

Staying sharply focused on craftsmanship through American manufacturing minimizes environmental impact, reduces waste, and strengthens their community.

The launch of Pinebury’s Spring/Summer Collection is manufactured with the innovative Nuyarn Merino, a bike industry first for cycling jerseys and apparel. Nuyarn is a spinning technology that “releases the natural performance characteristics of wool fiber twisted out by traditional spinning methods”. The result, Nuyarn says, is “wool products made from natural fibers that outperform synthetics”.

Making gear that is inspired by a love of four-season adventures, Pinebury’s use of natural fibers fits perfectly with the activities natural to the coastlines, mountains, and trails of Maine

The Spring/Summer Collection offers a range of cycling and multi-sport apparel that harnesses the cutting-edge technology of the Nuyarn Merino. Because Nuyarn is drafted not “twisted”, it “absorbs better in the vapor state, managing moisture more, as it does in its loftier fiber state (or on the sheep’s back)”.

Nuyarn Merino is 5x faster to dry, 8.8x more durable and has 85% more elasticity/stretch than conventional ring or core-spun Merino (the industry standard).

The Pinebury Collection

Including jerseys for either road or gravel and high-performance multi-sport tops in either long or short sleeves, the collection is tailored for optimal fit, breathability, and freedom of movement. The Pinebury collection is also non-gendered, allowing the end user to choose a product that is based on their measurements to get the best fit.

Kyle Rancourt, Founder and President of Pinebury had this to say:

“For our initial launch collection, Nuyarn emerged as the ideal natural materials partner, they are surpassing all other merino and natural fiber technologies in terms of performance and longevity. The potential of this technology is boundless and we are merely scratching the surface of what it can achieve. This is just the beginning for us.”

Pinebury Cycling Jersey

Pinebury says they believe in apparel that “provides comfort and durability to all athletes in changing conditions”. Choosing to focus on products that offer a comfortable fit, and are able to adapt to moisture and temperature fluctuations while feeling great on your body, instead of the most compressive fit for aero gains which are virtually meaningless to non-professional cyclists.

Made in the USA

Retail: $158 (short sleeve), $168 (long sleeve)

Colors: Granite, Atlantic Blue, and Pine

Sizes: XS, SM, MD, LG, XL, XXL

Jersey Sizing Chart

Pinebury Performance Tee

Springtime can be a challenge when doing outdoor activities, one day it’s sunny and hot, and the next it’s breezy and chilly. These Springtime performance tees are made from Nuyarn Merino wool offering the perfect warmth-to-weight ratio to keep you comfy from late Winter through early Summer.

Pinebury says that they can be worn while running, hiking, or cycling. You can also use them as a base layer in colder conditions. Nuyarn Merino wool is 53% more wind resistant than conventional Merino.

Made in the USA

Retail: $88 (short sleeve), $98 (long sleeve)

Acadia Tee (no front pocket) Portland Tee (w/ front pocket)

Colors: Granite, Atlantic Blue, and Pine

Sizes: XS, SM, MD, LG, XL, XXL

Performance Tee Sizing Chart

Pinebury Signature Merino Wool Arm Warmers

The Signature Merino Arm Warmers have been proven to be an integral piece of cool and cold weather kits for cyclists and runners alike. Providing compression and warmth for those cold starts, while offering the versatility to be removed as you warm up.

These arm warmers are made in collaboration with DeFeet to offer the user an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio while providing moisture-wicking, durability, and comfort.

Pinebury says that this Merino wool blend is ideal for both Spring and Fall conditions with a temperature range of 35F to 60F (2C -16C)

Made in the USA

Retail: $38

Colors: Gray (stripes are Forest Green) and Loden (stripes are Forest Green)

Sizes: SM/MD, LG/XL

Pinebury Signature Merino Wool Socks

A good pair o’ socks are the unsung hero of a comfortable day in the saddle, a long trail run, or a technical hike. The Pinebury Signature Socks are comfortable in all conditions. These socks are engineered in collaboration with DeFeet to offer a thin, yet warm and comfortable that wicks moisture and remains durable to last a long time. This makes for an ideal piece of year-round footwear

It uses a low profile meta-pad, unique textured weave cuff, and a no-feel toa seam.

Made in the USA.

Retail: $24

Colors: Navy, Loden Green, Blue, and Natural

Sizes: SM, MD, LG, XL

Check out more below.

Pinebury.us

The post Pinebury Spins Out USA-Made Nuyarn Merino for Spring/Summer Apparel appeared first on Bikerumor.

Musguard Handlebar Harness light roll-up bikepacking carrier

Much like the Slovenian company’s roll-up fenders, MusGuard figured they could stamp out and roll-up a simple and ultralight solution to carrying gear in a bar bag for bikepacking. Their Handlebar Harness takes the classic bikepacking harness+bag concept and pares it back to the basics.

The harness doesn’t really have to carry the load itself. Instead, Musguard’s solution can work by simply cradling whatever you want to haul, and let their single strap looped over your stem distribute the tightening force AND keep the loaded harness from moving over bumpy terrain.

How does it work?

What makes the EU-made Musguard Handlebar Harness unique is its lightweight simplicity.

The key is a classic 2-loop design that mounts the lightweight roll-up plastic harness to your bars, kept off the bar so there is room for your finders on the top with a set of foam spacers like many bikepacking bar bags & harnesses. But that’s not what secures or stabilizes your gear.

Instead, a long single strap winds its way through slots on one side of the harness, then loops over your stem, then the loops on the other half of the harness, then looped under your stem from the top before finishing in a locking ratchet and buckle. At first, it seems kind of like a convoluted solution to use one strap, but it makes for a really simple, super secure setup. (In fact, the over-under stem-loop stabilization is the same concept as on the more complex QR bar bag from Ortlieb that I really like, once I figured out its stem straps.)

Ride as hard as you want off-road over bumpy terrain, and as long as you have that one strap secured, your gear shouldn’t bounce, and won’t hit your headtube or your front tire!

Tech details

The whole harness setup weighs just a claimed 148g. There’s no bag included in that, but the 350mm wide harness x 400mm in wrap-around length is designed to haul all types of bike adventure-ready gear. Stick a tent bag, a sleeping bed roll, a stuff-sack, or even a bundle of firewood in there – and pedal away.

The harness itself is made of 0.8mm thick recycled polypropylene (PP) plastic with a few extra holes to help secure your gear. But it is the 173cm long heavy-duty strap that gives it the heavy load capacity. Musguard says they haven’t quite found the weight limit for their new Handlebar Harness, since it’s more of a volume limit – that strap length means you can carry about a roll of about a max 25cm in diameter.

A G-shaped aluminum hook on the end makes it easier to loop in all of your gear, and a nylon locking cam buckle helps you make it all secure. Plus, when you don’t have anything to haul you can just roll it all up and ride with a much smaller frontal profile.

Musguard Handlebar Harness – Pricing, options & availability

The made-in-Slovenia Musguard Handlebar Harness sells for 49€ in black only for now. But they’ve also shown us an orange & a blue version to match some of their gravel fenders, and we can imagine it would be too long until they offered other colors, if you ask nicely.

That includes the recycled plastic harness, 2x silicone backed loop & 4x 1cm EVA foam spacers to mount it to your bar, and the 1.73m long strap & buckle to secure your bundle. Musguard does not have a stuff sack / roll-top bag to offer with the harness yet, but one is apparently in the works.

Musguard.com

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Nonetheless, the Elicit Ti is technically the lightest sunglass POC has ever built. The wire earpieces are a “truss” design. Using titanium salvaged from used medical instruments under claims of sustainability, the company has officially defeated its previous lightest sunglass, the Elicit, by one gram — 23 to 22g.

The savings represent two years of progress.

I’m admittedly low-tech, but the Swedish brand layers claims of curation onto the sunglasses in a way that’s so saccharine, so naked, there is no way not to lampoon it.

With a “perfect balance of rigidity and weight,” POC “creates a unique product with optimal stiffness, comfort, and balance.”

This is not a rear triangle. It’s a pair of sunglasses.

Team EF Education-EasyPost tested the Elicit Ti at the Giro d’Italia, and landed one rider in the top 50.

Cyclists at large, though, responded avidly to the glasses. The special model was limited to just 365 pairs, and was sold out as of this writing (at $400 MSRP).

pocsports.com

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In designing the new Sanction 2s Bell focused on providing a good fit, breathability, and offering good value. Both the new Sanction 2 and Sanction 2 DLX are ASTM certified for DH and BMX racing, and the base model comes in an XXS size for younger shredders.

Sanction 2 DLX

The redesigned Sanction 2 DLX features an ABS shell and an EPS liner. The new shell has a sleek, fully updated design with a nicer overall look than the outgoing Sanction full face (especially the chin bar and front vent, IMHO). Bell says the Sanction helmets’ face opening allows for good compatibility with goggles.

To keep air flowing freely, the Sanction 2 DLX boasts 14 vents and Bell’s Ventilated DH Air padding. While you can see the rear ventilation was inspired by the top-tier Full 10 helmet, the Sanction 2 DLX doesn’t offer the same huge rear vents. It does appear the smaller rear/side vents follow the same principle of drawing air out of the back of the helmet (this design proved very effective in the Full 10 I tested last year).

The Sanction 2 DLX comes with MIPS Essential (which is the ‘standard’ MIPS system with the visible yellow slip-plane liner) to reduce rotational forces in a crash.  

The DLX also includes a Fidlock magnetic chin buckle and an Adjustable Flying Bridge visor. The visor is shaped to aid airflow through the helmet, and designed to flex to help manage energy in an impact.

Other features of the DLX model include quick-drying Ionic+ antimicrobial padding with silver metalized yarn to fight odor buildup, and removable cheek pads (intended for easy washing; they’re not the emergency pull-out type).

A size medium Sanction 2 DLX weighs a claimed 1080g. They are available in seven colorways/graphics, and in sizes XS/S, M, L, and XL.

Sanction 2

The base model Sanction 2 offers the same ABS shell and EPS liner as the DLX, with the same Ventilated DH Air padding and removable/washable cheek pads, however, the padding is not Ionic+. The base model includes Bell’s Adjustable Flying Bridge visor but does not get the MIPS Essential liner and uses a traditional chin buckle instead of a Fidlock.

Good news for younger and smaller riders; the Sanction 2 is available in an XXS size (in select colors), fitting heads as small as 48cm, and certified for anyone aged five and up. Without the MIPS liner, the Sanction 2 weighs slightly less than the DLX model at 1040g for a size medium. The Sanction 2 is available in five colors, and the same sizes as the DLX (plus the select XXS options).

The Sanction 2 DLX retails for $180 (or $200 for upcoming special colorways and signature models). MSRP for the Sanction 2 is just $120. Both models are now available online and at Bell retailers across the USA.

Bell is planning to send me both models of the Sanction 2 helmets for testing, so keep an eye on Bikerumor for a comparative review later this summer.

bellhelmets.com

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State Bicycle Co. x The Beatles 4130 Abbey Road Bike: $649

The Abbey Road bike is State Bicycle Co.’s 4130 Road model, but with a unique Abbey Road inspired paint job. The sets of four stripes and the logo font are subtle but obvious references to the album cover, while the Abbey Road chain guard is a louder accent.

The 4130 Road’s chromoly frame features double butted tubing, and one retro component on this build is the set of down tube shifters that control an 8-speed drivetrain. The drivetrain also features a CNC machined crank with a 44t front ring and an 11-28t cassette.

The stock Lo-Pro rims come with 28c tires, but the bike can run up to 32mm widths. The wheels include sealed bearing hubs and quick-release axles. Front and rear caliper brakes handle stopping duties.

One key modern feature on this retro ride is a 1 1/8^th threadless headset, and a timeless addition is the ever-popular Brooks B17 leather saddle. The 4130 Abbey Road bike is finished with a rear pannier rack and a set of Wellgo alloy pedals.

Available frame sizes are 49/52/55/59/62cm, covering riders from 5’1” to 6’6”. The complete bike (with a 55cm frame) weighs 22lbs 10oz. Through State Bicycle Co.’s website, customers can add optional accessories like locks, lights, bottle cages, tools and cargo bags at the time of purchase.

Yellow Submarine Klunker: $450

This limited edition of State Bicycle’s Klunker is adorned with a Yellow Submarine-themed paint job and graphics. Beatles fans will recognize the port-hole graphics on the top tube, the pointing hand and font on the State downtube logo, and the yellow submarine graphic on the bright red saddle.

The Klunker’s frame and fork are made from steel, and the one-size frame is suitable for riders from 5’5” to 6’3”. In the spirit of old-school simplicity, the Klunker runs a single-speed drivetrain with a coaster brake. The front chainring is a 42t, and the rear cog is 22t.

The Klunker rolls on durable 36 spoke 27.5” wheels with 2.4” CST Patrol MTB tires. A Leatherette comfort saddle provides a cushy perch, and the bike comes ready to ride with a set of flat pedals… and last but not least State Bicycle’s frame mounted bottle opener!

Optional accessories for the Yellow Submarine Klunker include lights, bike locks, bottle cages, foot straps, handlebar bags or a Klunker-specific frame bag.

Jerseys and Tech Tees:

Yellow Submarine Jersey: $69.99

The graphics on the Yellow Submarine jersey are simply awesome! Rainbows, polka dots, and bright colors surround The Beatles’ signature characters and phrases from their quintessential psychedelic rock album.   

The Yellow Submarine jersey provides a slim Race Fit. It features three rear pockets, a premium full-length front zipper, and grippers on the sleeves. All of SBC’s The Beatles collaboration jerseys or tech tees are available in sizes S-3XL.

If the jersey is too performance-oriented for you, there is also a Yellow Submarine Tech Tee available. These casual riding tops offer a t-shirt style fit, with ventilated side panels and a zippered rear pocket for comfort and convenience. The Tech Tee sells for $59.99.

The Beatles Retro Style Wool Jersey: $79.99

For cooler rides, State Bicycle Co. offers the retro-style wool jersey, featuring a simpler look with The Beatles’ logo up front and center. Other accents include the white collar and sleeve hems, a ‘Love Me Do’ heart on the sleeve, and SBC’s logos on the chest and back.

Made from a proprietary wool blend, this jersey features a quarter-length zipper, a gripper on the lower hem, and three pockets on the back.

Magical Mystery Tour Cycling jersey: $59.99

Take yourself on a pedal-powered magical mystery tour of your city, and show your love for The Beatles with this album-inspired jersey. From the front you can see the colorful collar and side panels, while the back shows off the whimsical Magical Mystery Tour graphic.

This jersey offers a full-length front zipper, a gripper at the lower hem, and wide hems on the sleeves. Three pockets on the back carry your ride essentials.

The Magical Mystery Tour graphics are also available on a tech tee. Construction details are identical to the Yellow Submarine version described above, and the price is the same at $59.99.

statebicycle.com

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Carbon-Ti X-Rotor SteelCarbon 3 6-bolt or Centerlock rotors

We got most of the details right, but we had seen the new Carbon-Ti X-Rotor Steel Carbon 3 rotor itself, or its new centerlock adapter.

We also now know that Carbon-Ti has the new rotors in three sizes 140mm, 160mm & 180mm to bring lightweight stopping to all bikes. And they made sure to develop a low-profile centerlock adapter solution that should work with all hubs and all thru-axle standards, on- and off-road.

What’s new?

The newest key bit of tech here is that Carbon-Ti has shaped the machined interface of their carbon carrier to fit perfectly with a new aluminum 6-bolt adapter on the hub side and an all-new ridged titanium spacer on the outside, with an alloy lockring with a super thin steel compression washer to tighten everything securely in place.

But equally important, Carbon-Ti has also completely revamped the stainless steel braking surface, too vs. their previous 2nd generation. The new brake track uses the same shaped cutouts, but the webs between each hole are wider for enhanced braking power, better heat dissipation, longer brake pad life, and greater rotor durability.

Carbon-Ti also thinned the braking surface by a tenth of a millimeter to 1.8mm thick – while still allowing a max 0.3mm of wear before the rotor needs to be replaced. Lastly, the outer sawtooth shape has been smoothed out a bit, and Carbon-Ti has machined the edges round for improved rider safety and compliance with UCI road racing regulations.

Tech details

Contrary to the look of the sanded-down UAE rotors, the stock Carbon-Ti X-Rotor SteelCarbon 3 features the same matte 3K carbon weave for the new center carrier, and the same Grade 5 titanium rivets & washers that connect the steel brake track for the semi-floating design. The rotors are still 100% made in Italy.

With the improved braking surface performance and updated carbon carrier design, the new X-Rotor SteelCarbon 3 rotors gain on average about 3g per rotor over gen 2.

Carbon-Ti X-Rotor – Pricing, options & availability

You can buy the new Carbon-Ti X-Rotor SteelCarbon 3 rotors now in three sizes – 140, 160 & 180mm – either as a 6-bolt setup for 185€ or as a centerlock setup including the new adapter for 220€ (same pricing for all sizes). If you are going 6-bolt, you can also pick up a set of 6 titanium T25 rotor mountain bolts for 25€ (7.8g for the set, per wheel). Or if going centerlock, the complete 23g adapter kit sells for 38€, or just the 8g lockring for 18€.

Find Carbon-Ti components at dealer bike shops around the globe and through a number of online retailers.

Carbon-Ti.com

The post Carbon-Ti X-Rotor SteelCarbon 3 Ultralight Disc Brake Rotors Become Real for 6-bolt & Centerlock appeared first on Bikerumor.

Silca Ultimate Chain Stripper and Wax Prep makes you faster

We’ve pretty much all come to accept that waxed chain lubrication is the path to the lowest drivetrain friction and the fastest-spinning drivetrain on our bikes. But getting a properly waxed chain isn’t easy.

Starting from a factory-greased chain, it often requires multiple degreasing and ultrasonic cleaning steps to get the chain clean enough to make wax lubes properly stick. And if you skimp on this step, the wax lubrication won’t properly penetrate and adhere to your chain, so you won’t get those magic speed benefits. If you are starting with a used chain that’s already seen time on your bike, the process is even more fraught. Only by removing the chain, and restarting the degreasing & ultrasonic cleaning process do you have any hope. And our own experience suggests that truly getting a used chain fully clean again is a pipedream.

So what’s new here?

Silca’s new solution makes it super simple to clean away that old grease on your chain and make the leap to better wax lubrication…

The new highly-concentrated, biodegradable degreaser that makes up the ‘Ultimate Chain Stripper’ part of this new mix cleans away all of your existing chain lube. Then, the ‘Wax Prep’ part acts as a primer on the metal of your chain to help adhere your new wax lube with a single quick application.

Up until now, the biggest hurdle for cyclists looking to upgrade to wax based lubricants has been the time, chemicals, and containers necessary to properly strip the factory grease from the chain. Some of the recommended methods use as many as 3 separate chemicals and can take up to 2 full days to complete. By taking a totally different approach with this product, we’ve developed something that not only strips the chain completely of other lubricants, but actually leaves the metal prepped for optimal adhesion of the wax. This is a huge win on both fronts, we’ve ultimately increased application longevity and performance of the lubricant, while reducing the preparation time to achieve this from hours to minutes!

– Josh Poertner, Silca CEO

How do you use it?

Still on your bike, first brush all the gunky debris off your chainring, cassette & derailleur pulleys so you have a reasonably clean slate to work with.

Next, just apply a single drop of the new magic sauce onto each roller of the chain, let it sit for 5 minutes, then apply one more drop to each roller, then wait another 5 minutes. After that, simply rinse it off with a hose – no pressure washers please, but plenty of water flow to flush out all of the degreased residue. Then, simply apply a drip-on lube like Silca’s Secret Chain Lube – aka Hot Melt Wax in a bottle – and away you go with a faster chain.

The good news here is that it is compatible with other drip-on wax-based lubes, too – not only Silca’s. And if you are looking to hot wax a chain, this on-bike cleaning process is designed to better clean a used chain before you take it off, do the ultrasonic bath, and dip it into melted solid wax for extra long-lasting speed.

Silca Ultimate Chain Stripper – Pricing, availability & options

The new US-made Silca Ultimate Chain Stripper and Wax Prep is available in the USA now and will be coming very soon to Europe, too.

It comes in two sizes, but the smaller one only in a bundle with Silca’s secret lube. For $36 / 44€ you get a small 4oz/118ml bottle of Ultimate Chain Stripper and Wax Prep combined with a small 4oz/118ml bottle of Super Secret Chain Lube. That is said to be enough to clean around 4 chains, and make them super-fast.

The bigger 16oz/473ml bottle of Ultimate Chain Stripper and Wax Prep sells for the same $36 / 44€ as the bundle, but will be better suited for cleaning and prepping more than a dozen chains. Just to be clear, you should only need to do this clean & prep work once on a chain before you first apply a wax-based lubricant to it.

Silca.cc

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On top of its ASTM 1952-15/2032-15 certification for downhill mountain biking, and its NTA 8776 certification for eBiking, the Vanguard Core also gets a 5 Star rating from the independent helmet testers at Virginia Tech. Its actual score? Virginia Tech don’t publish that until the helmet is available in stores so, not until early July.

Priced at $350 USD, the Vanguard Core nears the top-end of the spectrum for a helmet in the lightweight full face enduro lid category, but it boasts a couple of neat features that, if well-executed, could make the extra dollars worth it. Here’s an overview.

Bluegrass Vanguard Core Full Face Enduro Helmet

The Bluegrass Vanguard is available in a MIPS-equipped Core Edition that retails at $350 USD (330 €), or a more basic version that lacks any rotational impact protection – that one comes in at a more affordable price point of 270 €.

It’s not just MIPS that sets them apart; the Core Edition also benefits from a removable mud-grill that covers the main vent on the chin guard, while the basic model lacks one entirely. The Core Edition also gets a Fidlock buckle at the chinstrap, whereas the basic model has an “easy-to-use ratchet buckle”.

Aside from those points, the two helmets are identical. A polycarbonate shell sits at the exterior with an EPS layer underneath taking charge of impact absorption. It is of the modern day in-mold construction.

The Vanguard boasts an impressive 24 vents with internal air channeling, something that has become a bit of a must-have in recent years with the rise of enduro racing. It has spurred on the creation of this category of helmet that needs to offer downhill-level protection in a package that is light enough and well ventilated enough to be worn on all-day missions in the heat of summer.

Bluegrass supply two sets of cheek pads with the Vanguard and Vanguard Core, offering up different thicknesses – 25mm and 35mm – to fit varying jaw shapes. Importantly, these are shaped such that they don’t block airflow through the massive air vent that runs down the side of the chin guard.

Though the construction may make you wonder otherwise, the Vanguard chin piece is actually fixed in place. It will flex inwards to a maximum of 30mm during an impact; that’s in the context of the maximum of 60mm flex permitted by the ASTM testing.

The peak also has a fixed position, though it is designed to break away easily in the event of a crash to prevent it causing undesirable neck rotation.

For retention, the Vanguard relies upon the so-called Safe-T Heta system which can be cinched down via a dial at the rear. The position of this 360° head belt can be adjusted vertically, too.

Pricing & Availability

The Bluegrass Vanguard Core retails at 330 € | £290 | US $350 | CAD $450 | AUS $450, and is available in White Black Matt, Black Matt Glossy, Blue Fluid Matt and Green Fluid Matt.

Meanwhile, the more basic model, simply named the Vanguard, is priced at 270 €. That one is available in Black Matt, Blue Ochre Matt, Solar Gray Matt and Lime Matt. Both models are due to be available this coming July.

Vanguard Specifications

• Weight M size (Vanguard Core): 725g
• Weight M size (Vanguard): 690g
• Sizes: S (52-56cm) | M (56-58cm) | L (58-61cm)
• Certifications: ASTM 1952-15/2032-15 | NTA 8776 | CE | AS/NZS | US

met-helmets.com/bluegrass

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For me, there’s a clear parallel between increasingly flexible multitools, and the “Master Builders” of those family films, who assemble spaceships and Batmobiles in seconds using only colorful toy blocks. (And wouldn’t you know it, an enterprising designer just created a LEGO multi-tool in December.)

MetMo’s Pocket Driver, however, aims for real-world Master Builders who want a ratchet tool they can take anywhere. It’s an attempt to capitalize on the success of the larger Metmo Driver, which the U.K.-based company released on IndieGogo last year.

That two-handed ratchet tool raked in £1.3 million — and its smaller successor may bring in even more support. The one-handed Pocket Driver has already raised nearly a million dollars on Kickstarter, with 30 days left in the campaign, as of May 26.

Whether you’re looking for an on-the-go ratchet tool for your bike, a handy tool for spur-of-the-moment repairs, or “a fun toy to fiddle with,” the Pocket Driver can drive the distance, MetMo says.

MetMo Pocket Driver: Details

Both the original Driver from last year and the newer Pocket are a hybrid design of “the hand braces of old (the pre-cursors to electric drills) and modern ratchet screwdrivers,” MetMo explained on its IndieGogo page last year.

The company’s designers took inspiration from Conrad Baumann’s ratchet driver from the 1950’s and what they called its “mesmerising exposed ratchet mechanism.” They ended up with what they called “the most powerful and compact driver in existence.”

With the Pocket, MetMo is essentially offering the same tool in a smaller size. The Pocket works with any 1/4 inch hex bit and can store 2 x 25mm bits internally. Its flexible metal arm can be arranged into four different grips, and the makers say its smaller size makes it ideal for handling screws in hard-to-reach places.

It’s perfect for “light/ medium duty tasks like assembling furniture or tightening up a loose bike seat,” MetMo said.

MetMo offers eight different versions for those interested in buying the tool on Kickstarter. The most basic version, in black, costs £89, or about $110. A version completely in solid stainless steel costs £165 ($204). And if you need to have the most bling of all the Master Builders, you can fork over £350 ($432) for a version plated with 24k gold.

Now that’s screwing in style.

MetMo.co.uk

The post MetMo Pocket Driver: An Innovative Take on Ratcheting Multitools appeared first on Bikerumor.

Wolf Tooth direct mount chainrings for Shimano eBike motors have a 55mm chainline and are compatible with all Boost and Super Boost bikes that use the Shimano EP8, E8000, and E7000 e-bike motor splines.

That gives Shimano pedal-assisters a Wolf Tooth option, which comes in 32 and 34t sizes and, of course, with Drop-Stop teeth.

Use Drop-Stop ST for use with Shimano 12-speed Hyperglide+ and 12-speed KMC chains. Use Drop-Stop B for all 9, 10, and 11-speed chains or 12-speed SRAM Eagle, SRAM Flattop Road or Transmission (T-Type), KMC, Connex, or Wippermann chains.

But what about riders cranking other mid-drive rigs?

Wolf Tooth doesn’t stop at Shimano — it also dropped direct mount rings compatible with TQ motors found on Trek ebikes like the new Fuel EXe. These come in 30 or 32t.

Prices for the eBike rings are on the upper end of Wolf Tooth average. You’ll pay $85 MSRP for each unit. Like all of their chainrings, Wolf Tooth manufactures these in the United States.

woolftoothcomponenets.com

The post Wolf Tooth Introduces New eBike Chainrings for Shimano & Trek TQ Motors appeared first on Bikerumor.

For $499 MSRP, you get a post with either 170mm or 200mm of travel, in either 31.6 or 30.9mm diameter. (Stack height is 225mm.)

With those dimensions, TranzX aims for better compatibility across more bikes, and to max out the benefit of the post’s travel, it said in a press release.

Bluetooth compatibility links the post’s function to your dropper lever, via two remotes. You may not pay the price in dollars, but you’ll pay it in grams: claimed weight is a hefty 730-748g depending on diameter (200mm travel version).

In a description fitting a company known for traditional dropper posts, the EDP01 “focuses on simplicity, value, and reliability,” TranzX said.

Full specs on TranzX’s website.

tranzx.com

The post TranzX Announces $499 Wireless Dropper Post appeared first on Bikerumor.

So what do you get when you mix Revolutions and AeroLites? The result is a spoke that combines lightweight, increased stiffness, and improved durability – an ideal balance for building light & strong off-road wheels.

DT Swiss RevoLite lightweight & strong, semi-bladed steel spokes

Can I just nerd out for a few minutes on why DT Swiss created these truly all-new RevoLite spokes? I mean, who among us thought that we really needed a completely new cold-forged steel spoke shape that was somewhere between aero and not, in an effort to increase strength and keep weight down at the same time?

I build all types of wheels for my own use – for road, cyclocross, gravel, touring, XC, trail & enduro – and I was perfectly happy with either picking DT AeroLite spokes when I wanted to build something more aero or really stiff, or picking a DT Revolution spoke when I wanted a lightweight wheel with a bit more give for riding harder off-road, and with fewer sharp edges. Sure, I’d sometimes build a wheel with Sapim spokes, but I never felt like DT’s offerings didn’t do everything I needed for a stainless steel spoked wheel build.

Plus, if I wanted something ultralight, I’d likely task a more experienced builder to try something silly like flexible fiber or bladed carbon spokes.

OK, spoke nerd rant over.

What’s Actually New?

The RevoLite is made by DT Swiss in a new, and tightly-guarded process similar to their top bladed spokes. As we saw when we toured DT Swiss’ HQ in Switzerland a few years ago, coils of stainless steel wire get straightened and cut into spoke lengths. Then, premium double-butted spokes go through a cold-forging process where automated rotating and oscillating hammers smash the straight spoke blanks to make them skinnier and give them butts – making the spoke a smaller diameter in the middle than the ends, effectively increasing elasticity. This process aligns the structure of the metal and increases its density (also a bit longer).

Premium DT AeroLite spokes then go through a 2nd flat cold-forging step that hammers them another time to give their central butted section the aerodynamic blade, also making it stiffer and increasing tensile strength.

Now like those AeroLites, the new RevoLites also combine these multiple round & flat forging techniques (although DT is vague on their precise patented process). This time though, it seems a specially shaped mandrel must be used to create the new spoke’s unique pseudo-cross-shaped cross-section. The resulting fluted shape in section appears to have a thing circular middle, crossed with a box-shaped wing.

DT says this creates a spoke that is extra stiff like an aero wing spoke, lighter overall due to the thinner section from the cold-forged butting, and still as durable against repetitive stress like a round-butted spoke because of the constant circular section through the thinnest part of the spoke.

Where does it sit in the DT spoke lineup?

DT calls the new RevoLite the best mix of durability and lightweight in their MTB spokes. That’s an important delineation, as the on-road-focused AeroLite is lighter and equally as stiff, and it is also not the absolute lightest in the MTB line-up.

Weight-wise, DT claims the stiffer bladed RevoLite to be 4.45g per spoke (260mm), compared to the simply double-butted Revolution at 4.42g (264mm) or the thicker but still butted Competition Race at 4.88g (260). Compared to the aero-bladed road spokes, the butted AeroLite is lighter at 4.34g (264), while the thicker but still butted AeroComp is 5.9g (264).

Price-wise among DT Swiss standard silver steel spoke offerings, per 20-pack of spokes the new RevoLite is effectively the same price as the top aero spoke at ~50€ for the AeroLite. The AeroComp costs ~30€, Revolution ~22€, and Competition Race cost around 18€ for the same set of 20.

Unsurprisingly with it more complex cold-forged shaping, the RevoLite is clearly the top-tier of spokes for off-road wheels, while only giving up about a 2.5g weight penalty over their absolute lightest spoke in a complete modern wheelbuild.

Tech details

The DT Swiss RevoLite is a double-butted, bladed (fluted?) stainless steel spoke – 2mm in diameter at either ends, and first butted to approximately 1.57mm in the middle before the bladed shaping. The resulting bladed/fluted cross section in the middle is 1.3mm across in the smaller dimension (the circular central shape) and 2.3mm across in the wider dimension so it will still fit through regular round spoke holes in your hubs.

All spokes get a DT stamp on their head. J-bend spokes feature a 90-95° head with a low 6.2mm head height (from outside of the head to outside of the spoke) to ensure a smooth, tight fit against modern thin hub flanges. Threads are rolled on the 2mm spokes to FG 2.3mm.

Even with the unique new bladed shape, DT assures us that the new RevoLite spokes can be built up and tensioned with a standard aero spoke holder. And wheel builders can use their regular spoke tension meters. DT has updated the ideal tension numbers in the charts for their Tensiometer for the new spoke.

DT Swiss RevoLite – Pricing, availability & options

The DT RevoLite spokes are available in 194-316mm lengths with a traditional J-bend or a straight pull head, in classic silver or more stealth black. Officially they sell starting at $70 / 50€ for packs of 20, or $350 / 251€ in packs of 100. Get them now wherever you buy DT Swiss wheelbuilding components, or have a reputable wheel builder laced them into your next mountain bike wheelset. I’ll for sure build some new off-road wheels this summer with the new RevoLites.

DTSwiss.com

The post New DT Swiss RevoLite Spokes Strike Fluted Balance of Lightweight, Extra-Strength & Aero appeared first on Bikerumor.

Above, Kuat introduced their Ibex overland collection for pickup trucks, with a telescoping design and multiple frames to fit different trucks from Toyota, Dodge/RAM, Ford, Chevy/GMC, Nissan, and more. It’s designed as a shell, with plenty of accessories to customize it however you want.

Cross bars fit any of their roof trays, holding bikes, skis, snowboards, etc., and MOLLE-style side panels can be added to fit other gear on the inside and outside. You can even attach a single-bike tray to the side to keep it lower for (slightly) better gas mileage and (much) easier loading.

Their new HUK tailgate pad comes in five sizes to hold from 2 to 6 bikes, with straight and curved models to fit different truck beds more precisely. It has a soft-touch backing with and extra 1″ of padding along the top to keep your bike safer, and a flip-up panel maintains back-up camera visibility when needed.

A looped strap system lets you position the bikes where you want, and have metal G-Hook buckles for quick attachment and release. It’s a welded construction with smooth-touch finish, has a 3-year warranty, and when it’s finally worn out, it’s fully recyclable and biodegradable!

The new Piston rear hitch rack launched prior to Sea Otter and uses their easy-release pneumatic wheel cradles, just without the Kashima coating and rear lights to bring the price down. Check our full coverage for all the details, but here’s a closeup of the quick-adjust arms that let it fit everything from full-size mountain bikes to 20″ kids bikes, with a fender adapter placement to more easily hold bikes with a front (or rear) fender.

There’s an e-bike ramp accessory that telescopes to provide an easy way to roll heavier bikes onto the ramp, and Kuat’s smooth, consistent tray shape makes it really easy to roll the bike all the way into place. Then just pop the ramp off and throw it in your trunk. If you have e-bikes and routinely carry more than 2 bikes, this makes it much, much easier to get those first bikes on versus trying to maneuver the bike and yourself around a 3-4 bike rack.

Railias

Upstart Railias has a unique take on the truck tailgate pad. You can use it like normal, with soft, shaped cradles cuddling your downtube as it rests on the tailgate. Or, use their strap in mounts to attach fork mounts, a shade tent, or a repair stand:

The repair stand clamp telescopes, and can pop in and out of the mounting tray easily, so you can secure it inside the vehicle when you’re out riding, but make easy repairs when necessary. Note the small storage pockets integrated into the padding, too…great for keeping brake pad spacers on hand.

The design is more clever than it looks. Without the repair stand there, you can position the fork’s axle higher up on the tailgate (or not), and then just close the tailgate and it rolls your bike backward into the bed. So, you don’t have to drive with the tailgate open if you’re storing other stuff in the bed, too. Other accessories let you mount base plates to a wall or van floor, too, so you can use the same fork mounts and accessories elsewhere.

Inno Racks

Inno Racks has a new base rack system coming, using a modular approach that makes it really easy to move and remove bike trays, letting you position them to more easily nest two bikes together. But, it also lets you use the same base for cargo:

Using lockable quick release clamps, you can add a storage box to the rack, too.

A similar system is coming for their roof rails, too, starting with a base tray that can hold bike trays or this locking cargo box that…

…slides off and has wheels and a handle for easy transport. Sized like a large suitcase, it could make family travel and camp setup a lot easier by being able to take everything down for easier access, or just rolling it right into the hotel or rental. Price and availability TBD.

North Shore Racks

North Shore Racks had a few new items and updates, like this small two-bike model of their original hanging hitch rack.

Their proprietary fork crown cradle gets updated to fit the larger diameter crowns coming on enduro and e-MTBs, reinforced to handle heavier bikes.

That cradle design has always been specifically for suspension forks, leaving roadies out of the picture. But now they have a fork-mount adapter that lets you attach your road bike with the thru axle, then hang the adapter in their cradle and strap it into place. Works for gravel bikes, too…or any bike with a thru axle front and non-suspension fork.

Yakima

Yakima wasn’t showing brand new racks, but had a few things I hadn’t seen before, like the SafetyMate light-and-license plate kit for their StageTwo hitch mount bike rack. You’ll want (need) a trailer wiring harness to make it work, but it adds better visibility (and possibly legality) to your tray rack.

Their OnRamp is designed specifically for e-bikes, with a 66lb-per-tray load capacity and single-pole clamp system that can be adjusted for oddly shaped and sized bikes. That design works particularly well for the popular compact cargo e-bikes that have fenders, lights, racks, and other things that make wheel cradles unusable. A built-in ramp makes loading easy.

The new SkyBox NX has an easy-mount system that fits almost any cross bar, but its real trick is the nearly perfectly flat bottom. A full metal handle and SKS locking system secures things inside and makes it easy to open and close, and it holds 16 cubic feet of stuff.

Thru.bike

Thru.bike isn’t a rack company, it’s a bicycle shipping and delivery service. Originally created for triathletes that didn’t want to pack and ship their bike, they’ve now expanded their van network to carry any bike for anyone, even brands. They pick up the complete bike, load it into their custom-outfitted moving vans, and deliver it where needed, fully intact.

Brands can use it to deliver customer bikes fully built, and you can use it to get your bike to a race or vacation destination without having to do so much as loosen a single bolt. They use a hub-and-spoke delivery system, much like UPS or FedEx, so it may move between multiple vans, but their custom-built wall racks keep the bike safe and secure in transit.

Thule

The new Thule Epos rear rack has a very European look, with integrated lights and a folding design with wheels to make it easier to transport and store when not on your car.

Rather than the usual wheel cradles, it straps an arm to the top of the rear wheel to stabilize the bike, with wheel straps in the tray to keep the bike on board. Longer straps are available separately for fat bike wheels.

Abus cable locks, e-bike ramps, and other goodies are available to customize the rack to your needs. Hit that link for our full tech coverage.

Bike eRack

If you love hanging racks but have heavy e-bikes (or even motos!!!), the Bike eRack has a wireless remote controlled electric rack that lowers to make it easy to load them, then raises with the flick of a switch.

It lowers to the ground so you can just roll your front wheel into the cradle, strap it in, then effortlessly raise it up until the rear wheels come to rest on the bottom bar. Strap those on and you’re ready to go. You can even partially lower it with bikes fully attached to access a rear lift gate, and they offer a variety of anodized colors to match your rig.

Saris

Saris’ MHS Rack uses clamp-on attachments to make it really easy to add or remove bike trays, cargo baskets, and anything else they think of down the road. We reviewed this a while back, but the cargo basket is new (and coming soon).

The other big news for their MHS (Modular Hitch System) racks is that they’re now rated to carry bikes up to 80lbs when put on a standard vehicle with 2″ hitch, or up to 230lbs total with the three-bike base plus 1 bike attachment (4 bikes total). The bolt-on extra bike mount is limited to 35lbs. And it’s also now rated for RV use with up to two bikes (160lbs total).

The rack itself didn’t change, they just put it through more testing to see what it was capable of, so if you already own one, go nuts.

Bike Rac

The Bike Rac claims to be the most versatile wall-mounted bike rack in the world. It’s angle adjustable and uses a simple two-bar, gravity-fueled design to hold your bike without clamps. The base bolts into your wall studs (or anywhere you feel secure bolting it).

1UP USA

1UP’s new XD Rack’s name means “Xtreme Duty”, and to test that, they took their modified Porsche Cayenne off-roading for the photo shoot. Designed to carry up to 150lbs per tray, it’s overbuilt and rated for holding e-motos while overlanding.

Deeper trays, thicker ratchets, and extra bolts and thicker beams give the all-aluminum tray a much bigger, stronger appearance to match its capability. Price and availability are TBD.

Wanna check out that Porsche? We have a full roundup of overland, vanlife, RV, and tricked out show cars from Sea Otter!

The post Rack Roundup! New Hitch, Roof & Home Bike Racks appeared first on Bikerumor.

The product descriptions for Phoozy include several names for their patented approach to keeping smart phones safe from the elements. When the company’s two founders appeared on Shark Tank last year to present their NASA-inspired phone cases, the judges (sorry, that’s “sharks” in the show’s parlance) were initially skeptical.

But eventually, two of them — Lori Greiner and Robert Herjavec — agreed to invest in the company.

So what makes the cases special? Well, as any outdoorsy person with a smart phone can attest, the devices don’t hold up well against extreme temperatures. So Phoozy cases use materials “adapted from those designed by NASA to protect astronauts in the extreme temperatures of space,” the website claims.

They call their tech a Chromium Thermal Barrier (patent pending, folks) and claim it reflects more than 90 percent of solar radiation. But that’s not all. The case actually sends those heat waves “back into space,” according to the website’s zealous marketing copy. The sleeve — also called a capsule, remember — insulates the device from cold, floats when dropped in water and provides “military-grade drop protection.” (If you’re wondering whether military drop tests actually mean anything, it’s likely they don’t, according to Digital Trends.)

In cold temperatures, the Phoozy’s insulating materials claim to extend battery life by four times compared to a normal case. (As someone whose phone always dies in the mountains after just a few hours, I can attest to this problem.)

The cases, which do look like sleeves, come in several colors, including seafoam green, cosmic black, and pink-accented camo. With the Apollo and Apollo II, seemingly the company’s flagship products, it’s hard not to notice the silver and gold versions. For $40 MSRP, the Apollo II + Antimicrobial sports a spacesuit-like texture and reflective metallic colors that certainly capture the Space Age aesthetic (while also channeling a bit of Versace).

Without some hands-on testing, it’s hard to say how well the cases actually hold up to the sun. That being said, it’s probably more protection than the one-third of Americans who still avoid sunscreen.

We all have our priorities.

phoozy.com

The post A Spacesuit for Your Phone? With ‘Shark Tank’ Investment, Phoozy Cases Aim For Outdoor Protection appeared first on Bikerumor.

Ekoï C-4 Full Real Carbon vented road cycling shoes

For more than 20 years, Ekoi has carved out their cycling helmet, sunglasses, clothing & shoe niche based on solid performance at attainable prices, all delivered directly to cyclists around the world. And tying their fast product development with feedback from pro road, triathlon, and now even mountain bike riders, they’ve continued to ratchet up the high-performance aspect while retaining affordable prices.

“In 2023, EKOÏ will be alongside the Cofidis, Arkéa-Samsic, Israel-Premier Tech and Lotto-Dstny teams in the most prestigious races of the season.“

Now, it seems their road shoes are the latest to benefit.

Stiffness is one of the major factors in the pedaling force transcription, especially when pushing. Power transfer is improved thanks to this brand new entirely made of carbon sole. There is also carbon in the ATOP® finish metal buckles, which undoubtedly gives the shoe a kind of elegance. Today, I am proud to offer the most perfectionist cyclists a product that meets their expectations and that will allow them to further increase their level of performance.

– Raphaël Dalle, Ekoï Shoes R&D Engineer

What’s new?

I was a bit surprised to read that the new Ekoi C-4 is their first pair of road shoes with a real full-carbon sole, but until now they’ve delivered adequate stiffness with carbon-reinforced soles. Now though, the C-4 builds off an ultra-stiff UD carbon fiber sole with integrated vents, plus fixed heel & toe pads for walkability. The carbon soles use the standard road cleat 3-bolt layout and include printed markings to help align your cleats.

On top of the carbon sole, the Ekoi has created an almost entirely open, ventilated upper thanks to a structured woven mesh material with minimal stretch for maximum breathability and security. It then heat-bonds reinforcement around the tongue and 2 premium aluminum & carbon Atop wire retention dials for precise fit adjustability.

At the back of the C-4, an internal heel structure ties in the overall stiffness from the sole and helps retain the fit together with those Atop dials. On the outside, more heat-bonded overlay protects the rear of the shoe, while a rubber toe bumper protects the front.

Ekoï C-4 Carbon – Pricing, Options & Availability

The new woven mesh Ekoï C-4 carbon soled road shoes sell for 300€ a pair, and come in either all-black with small red accents, or a predominantly red version that is actually selling now for 35% less than the black ones if you buy today. The new carbon C-4s have a claimed weight of just 260g, per shoe. Get them now in whole EU sizes 39-46, direct from Ekoï and delivered for free around the world.

Ekoi.com

The post Ekoï C-4 Woven Mesh Road Shoes Stiffen Up Value with First Full Carbon Construction appeared first on Bikerumor.

This month, the bike tire maker announced its first-ever bike tube recycling program in the United States. Named Cradle-to-Cradle, the initiative focuses on waste reduction in the cycling industry, according to a company press release.

A pilot program starts June 1, with Schwalbe accepting used tubes from select dealers throughout the United States. Company leaders hope to add hundreds of dealers by the end of this year. 

Millions of bike tubes end up in landfills every year, Schwalbe said. The materials take hundreds of years to decompose while making new ones contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.

To avoid that waste, the company will transform discarded bicycle tubes into new, “top-quality” tubes, it said. When compared to using the same amount of virgin materials, tube recycling reduces energy consumption by over 80%, including transport, Schwalbe claimed. 

How Does It Work?

For Schwalbe, the program has already proven successful in Europe, where the company has recycled 9 million tubes from five countries, the press release said. Every tube from the company incorporates 20 percent recycled content, and Schwalbe aims to increase the amount of recycled material in the future.

The closed-loop recycling process begins with collecting used tubes from various brands and manufacturers, gathered from bike shops and cyclists.

Once a bike shop accumulates up to 45 pounds of used tubes (or 20,000 tires), they can schedule a shipment, free of charge, via a custom UPS portal back to Schwalbe. The collected tubes are then transported to Schwalbe’s recycling plant in Indonesia, where the rubber is recovered for later use.

“It is estimated that nearly 10 million used inner tubes find their way to US landfills each year,” Sean Cochran, representative of Schwalbe North America, said in the press release. “Instead of considering them as trash, we regard them as valuable resources to produce new, high-quality tubes. We are proud to announce the launch of our tube recycling program in the US.”

schwalbetires.com

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Luckily, Unbound is exactly what Shimano had in mind with the release of its new gravel shoes. Three entries of the Flint Hills Edition RX8 and RX6 riff on the sunrise, sunset, and moonlight that blanket Kansas when the Unbound gravel race descends on it each June.

The shoes, Shimano said, “celebrate the early mornings and late nights that riders undertake while pushing their limits in Kansas each summer.”

Cyclists have spun on Shimano’s RX race platform for years. In the words of BikeRumor’s Cory Benson, the RX8 was “Shimano getting serious about gravel from a proper race perspective” back in 2019.

But you could never get a pair until now in “Twilight” — or the more moderate-spec RX6 in either “Sunrise” or “Moonlight.”

The designs mostly speak for themselves, in their gradient color palettes. The course maps on Sunrise and Moonlight are a cool touch. Meanwhile, “Twilight” brings the focus on the course in tighter: You’ll notice detail that resembles rolling hills on its pink and purple, perforated upper.

In a decisive departure from the shoes’ Kansas theme, Shimano has given each one its own haiku.

I present:

“Twilight,” by Shimano.

If it’s your thing, the RX6 variants also have their own poems — of whatever merit. (They appear to be confined to Shimano’s press release, so I’ll liberate them here):

What you can’t do, as of this writing, is get any shoe except the Sunrise in women’s sizes.

Find all specs at Shimano’s website. A pair of Flint Hills Edition RX8’s will set you back $275, and the two RX6 versions check in at $180 MSRP. Cleats are sold separately.

shimano.com

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Fizik Vento Antares on-road & off-road racing saddle, revised

The Fizik Antares is the brand’s top racing saddle, across pretty much all non-gravity-focused disciplines. And that’s why it has been the platform for their most technical innovations in recent years – highlighted by their Concepts prototype project that eventually became a fully-fleshed-out range of Adaptive saddles. But ultimately, 3D-printed saddles are super expensive and still not the lightest possible.

Coming in up to 30% lighter and still cheaper, or just a shade lighter but nearly half the price of that top Antares Versus Evo 00 Adaptive saddle, the carbon-railed 00 & R1 versions of the revamped Antares deliver top-tier performance with more conventional padding, now with improved ergonomics for greater rider comfort. Plus, there are R3 & R5 versions that get the performance boost, but for much more accessible pricing at the cost of a few tens of extra grams.

What’s New? An updated ergonomic Antares shape

Like that revamped endurance Aliante saddle that had also been around for more than two decades, the new Antares gets the same theory of updates:

Again, the most visible shape change for the Vento Antares is its ergonomic cutout, now extending wider and further into the nose vs. the Antares Open for improved blood flow and pressure relief. To make that work, the new Vento Antares also gets a slightly wider nose. The mid-section of the saddle now features narrower ridges on either side of the big cutout, thanks to new dual-density foam padding that tapers up to a flatter nose, and offers more firm support in the back under the sit bones.

The thought process here seems to be that it gives the flexible, competitive rider a longer area at the front of the saddle to move back-and-forth in a tucked aero position, while maintaining the same comfort and elimination of hot spots.

The new 270mm long Vento Antares – Vento is Fizik-speak for Racing products – saddle range includes four tiers 00, R1, R3 & R5. All feature this new shape with dual-density foam padding, all come in 140 or 150mm widths (slightly smaller than the 141/153mm combo of the previous generation), all get WingFlex in the front edges of the rear wings of the shell to move with your thighs as you pedal, and the two top-tier swap to standard 7x9mm oval carbon rails for more universal seatpost compatibility.

The new generation of Antares saddles highlight the constant innovation we see every day at fizik. We recognize the importance of maximising comfort and appreciate the varied needs of road riders no matter what their style of riding

– Fizik product manager Alex Locatelli

Fizik Vento Antares – Pricing & Options

The top model of the new Antares is the $300 / 300€ Fizik Vento Antares 00 featuring a unique EVA padding injected directly onto the full carbon shell, with its one-piece carbon loop rails for max stiffness and absolute lightest weight.

The 00 saddles have claimed weights of just 118g (140mm) or 124g (150mm), making them 50g/47g lighter respectively than their 3D-printed Adaptive analogs – and ninety bucks cheaper.

The 2nd-tier $225 / 200€ Fizik Vento Antares R1 might be the real value winner of expensive saddles here, though. It gets more conventional dual-density padding with a synthetic cover, a carbon-reinforced nylon shell, and two-piece oval carbon rails. And it still weighs a claimed 161g (140mm) & 166g (150mm). That makes it 7g/5g lighter than the Adaptive 00 saddles, but up to 190€ cheaper. Or compare it to the same level Adaptive R1 saddle and it is 19g/17g lighter, and still up to 100€ cheaper.

But if you want the same performance without breaking the bank, the $150 / 150€ Fizik Vento Antares R3 is a pretty solid deal with the same carbon-reinforced nylon shell but round K-ium hollow ti rails for about thirty-five extra grams, claimed 195g (140mm) & 202g (150mm).

And lastly, the $130 / 110€ Fizik Vento Antares R5 still gets a carbon-reinforced nylon shell, but swaps to solid S-Alloy rails for just fifteen grams more, claimed 210g (140mm) & 217g (150mm).

Fizik.com

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And this commuter full-face has already smashed through its funding goal in its first day of crowdfunding… literally in the first hour!

The Beam Virgo MIPS, a safer full-face helmet for commuter ebiking

The Beam is calling the new full-face Virgo helmet project “the safest cycling helmet for e-bikes”, and it’s hard to argue with their logic. With low coverage in the back, an integrated chin-bar up front, built-in visors, hi-viz lighting, and MIPS protection & dial-retention inside… the idea of a full-featured full-face helmet for urban ebike commuting simply makes a lot of sense.

The only real downside to the extra protection lent by a full-face helmet even off-road used to only really be that they were too hot and too heavy. But modern helmets -full-faces especially- are now so much lighter and better ventilated that those aren’t as good excuses any more. And if you are getting ebike pedal assist, you might as well get the extra protection if you are less likely to be fully working up a sweat.

OK, so who are The Beam & Virgo Move again?

The Beam is a young French commuter cycling product start-up with established manufacturing ties in South Korea for a few years. We’ve already covered their simple bar end plug Corky flip-out rearview mirror that they partnered with CloseTheGap to get out to a bigger audience. And there was also their lightweight Corky X, a modern update to the classic randonnerdy yet functional clip-on mirror for your glasses.

Remember the Ventoux road full-face concept a few years back from Studio-Accent? Yeah, that is the designer behind the new Virgo Move project, too. He just now is working together with The Beam to step things up a notch with the Virgo.

Why an ebike full-face helmet?

No beating around the bush, ebikes mean more people riding on two wheels, often many that aren’t necessarily experienced cyclists. More people on bikes is great, but statistically, it means more people getting in bike accidents, too. Plus, while regulated ebikes don’t really make you a lot faster, they are heavier, a bit more difficult to manage, and do make it easier for inexperienced riders to go faster than they would pedal otherwise. And we all know there are plenty of ebikers riding around town in the gray areas with their pedal-assist speed limiters bypassed.

So let’s make them, and ourselves, safer.

Tech details

So, the new Virgo full-face ebike helmet offers as much protection as you could ask for. The Beam calls it the “ultimate balance of protection and comfort combining lightness, optimal airflow, and complete protection of head and face“. That’s clear, right?

The Virgo full-face helmet features classic in-mold construction with an ABS plastic shell over a light EPS foam core. Then, a more flexible structure of the thin reinforced chin bar is also in-molded between the ABS & EPS, for a smoothly unified design offering added protection to the rider’s face without obstructing airflow or being anywhere near as bulky as an off-road full-face.

Inside, an optional MIPS Evolve Core liner under the helmet’s pads helps absorb non-linear impacts, but also integrates a rear dial-retention system for a secure fit.

The commuter full-face helmet is described as well-ventilated with 5 forward-facing openings connected through internal air channels to 4 rear exhaust ports, plus large openings at your ears to help dissipate heat away from the rider’s head.

And it also comes with three different magnetically attached visors to protect your eyes while riding in all conditions – mirrored, smoke shaded & clear lenses. The Virgo also has a magnetic attachment at the back to snap on or off a removable, USB-C rechargeable taillight with an accelerometer brake light function for added visibility day & night.

The end result is a safer full-face helmet that “offers multi-impact protection zones in the areas most likely to be hit in a fall in case of a frontal crash” with claimed weights from 600-650g for the two sizes XS/S & M/L. The Virgo helmet is designed to meet the higher-speed pedelec (45kph/28mph) requirements of European regulation NTA-8776, and also complies with standard EN 1078 / CPSC bike certification.

The Beam x Virgo full-face – Crowdfunding pricing, options & expected availability

The Virgo ebike full-face helmet is available to back now on Kickstarter, through the end of June. The Beam x Virgo helmet is available either without the extra anti-rotational protection from 99€ with super-early-bird pricing, or in what looks like the best deal, with an integrated MIPS Evolve Core liner from just 129€.

The helmet includes the removable visor & light, and is available in four matte colors – black, white, midnight blue, and warm sand tan – in sizes XS/S or M/L. The Kickstarter campaign anticipates first deliveries as early as August 2023, although The Beam suggests more conservatively that they will have full production stock available in the middle of autumn.

TheBeam-Europe.com & VirgoMove.com

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Fast forward two years, and the German company made good on its vision. A successful Kickstarter campaign led to 1,000 pre-orders from over 30 countries, and now the grips are available on demand from Personomic’s website. The secret sauce is their material choice, combined with the individual fit made possible by Personomic’s proprietary smartphone-scanning technology.

The design is now getting more eyeballs — a 94,000-person German survey ranked Persomic at the top of the list in terms of bike grips. On top of that, the company just struck a deal with sizable German cycling wholesaler Paul Lange & Co. (a major Shimano distributor throughout Central Europe), meaning riders in Germany can now order Personomic products directly from their local bike shop.

That range could also soon include a whole other category of customized cycling touchpoint products — Schulz and his co-founders told us expansion into the saddle market is right around the corner.

‘Digital Twins’ and Saddles in the Wings

Here’s how Personomic’s technology works. Place your hand on a sheet of computer paper and snap a photo. Send that photo to Personomic as a part of the ordering process — where you can also choose from five grip and locking ring colors, as well as your preferred texture pattern.

The company uses the paper as a reference point and creates a “digital twin” of your hand — an actual 3D model. Personomic then uses this digital twin to print a plastic mold of your personalized grip, then fills in that mold with silicon. When the silicon is set, employees remove the mold, package your grips, and stick them in the mail.

Personomic claims its use of silicon over rubber or plastic results in grips that are hard-wearing, vibration-dampening, and non-sticky. Pair that with a grip that perfectly matches your hand, and you’ve got a seemingly winning combo.

“The whole idea behind using 3D printing is that a custom bike grip will fit each cyclist’s hands perfectly, which will lead to better distribution of pressure across the hands. This prevents widespread issues such as numb fingers when cycling,” Personomic co-founder Andreas Schulz explained to BikeRumor by email.

Now, it aims to resolve other common pain points for cyclists.

“Although currently we only sell bike grips, we are a 3D-printing start-up at heart,” Schulz said. “We are currently also developing a custom bike saddle that is adapted to the individual cyclist and want to become the go-to cycling brand for customized, ergonomic bike accessories.”

Customization and the potential comforts therein do come with a price: a pair of Personomic grips start at around $97 MSRP, and shipping outside the EU costs another $4.

Personomic.de/en

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All of Tifosi’s cycling sunglasses sell for under $100 USD. That’s despite the fact that the brand uses many of the same high-quality materials as their much more expensive competitors. Furthering their value proposition, Tifosi offers a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects, and makes replacement parts available so you can potentially extend the life of your shades, even if you are rough on them.

Tifosi Optics Rivet: $79.95

The new Tifosi Rivet is a lightweight, half-frame sunglass designed to offer adequate coverage with a sleek look. The lenses are made from shatterproof and scratch-resistant polycarbonate, and they offer 100% UVA/UVB protection. The lenses have their own vents to prevent condensation, and they’re ideal for medium to large faces, with each measuring 42.1mm x 71.5mm. The Rivet’s frames are 137mm wide overall, arms are 120mm long, and the bridge measures 15mm.  

With an ultralight and durable Grilamid TR-90 frame the Rivets weigh just 28g. Their adjustable nose and ear pads are made from hydrophilic rubber so they actually get grippier as you sweat.

The Rivet offers five different lens/frame combinations – one suggested option for cyclists is this Satin Vapor frame with a Clarion Blue Fototec photochromic lens. This lens ranges from nearly clear to a smoke tint with blue mirror when exposed to sunlight, which Tifosi says is ideal for riding in varying light conditions.

Between the six available frame colors, other lens options include Clarion lenses (which repel moisture), Enliven Golf lenses (specifically tuned for green contrast on golf courses), and Tifosi’s Interchange models come with three different lenses to cover bright, low light, and no light situations.

The Rivet’s MSRP remains the same for all different lens/frame options – which seems like an especially good value on the photochromic lenses. Each pair comes with a zippered hardshell case and a microfiber cleaning bag.

Tifosi Optics Rail Race: $79.95

In October of 2022, the frame-less Rail Race was launched as a limited edition model – an update to the Rail XC that we just reviewed this spring. But after selling out quickly, now it is now being re-released as a regular part of Tifosi’s lineup. The re-released models now feature top and bottom vents, and laser etching on their rimless frames.

The Rail Race’s temples/arms are also made from light & durable Grilamid TR-90, and the sunglasses claim a weight of 32g. Like the Rivets above, they include shatterproof, scratch-resistant polycarbonate lenses that provide 100% UVA/UVB protection, just here with extra coverage. The Rail Race also shares Tifosi’s adjustable hydrophilic rubber ear and nose pieces.

Ideal for larger faces, the Rail Race measures 131mm wide, the arms 121mm long, and the nose bridge is 15.5mm wide. For ample eye protection, the lenses are on the taller side at 59.5mm, measured top-to-bottom.

The Rail Race sunglasses also come in three frame colors, and each includes two interchangeable lenses – one clear and one shaded (all selling for the same price). Available combinations are Satin Vapor frames with Clarion Red/Clear lenses, Crystal Clear frames with Clarion Rose/Clear, Matte White with Clarion Blue/Clear, and a special anniversary edition Chrome frame with Clarion Blue/Clear. A hardshell case and microfiber cleaning bag are included with each pair.

TifosiOptics.com

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One thing is for sure; this new helmet is an all-rounder that has already proven effective in many different cycling disciplines. Aero road isn’t just for on-road anymore.

KASK Elemento aero road bike helmet, but more…

This all-new KASK Elemento is a top-tier offering from the Italian helmet manufacturer. A design which aims to help make elite athletes faster competing in the world’s best road, cross-country, cyclocross, and gravel events. To phrase it simply — any cyclist who is driven by the quest for ultimate speed $ performance.

Elemento Development

KASK started the journey of the Elemento back in 2020, when they conducted an in-depth analysis of numerous scientific studies on how athletes’ performances varied as their body temperatures changed. The study illuminated that an athlete’s thermal comfort (helmet-wise) is as essential as a helmet’s weight and aerodynamics.

INEOS Grenadiers Testing and Design

KASK immediately began working with INEOS Grenadiers on the Elemento, across all racing disciplines.

The INEOS Grenadiers squad and the KASK design team looked to produce a helmet that was not only super aerodynamic but also offered high levels of safety and improved ventilation. A helmet that fits great and does everything well…easy, right?

Elemento Fluid Carbon 12 tech

Fluid Carbon 12 is a new KASK composite technopolymer capable of absorbing more energy from an impact than traditional materials. The material of the Fluid Carbon 12 shell absorbs the impact and then can distribute that force more evenly across the helmet.

With this new technology, the design team at KASK can increase the size of the Elementos internal channels without worrying about neglecting safety. Increasing the internal vents improves the helmet’s ventilation while simultaneously reducing the size of the ventilation holes, which also makes the helmet more slippery in the wind.

3D-Printed Multipod padding & safety technologies

Multipod is a new KASK-designed structure that is 3D-printed and used for the Elemento’s internal padding. Think of it as an elastomer-like material with more airflow and comfort – just like we’ve seen with 3D-printed saddle padding. These Multipods are a direct result of KASK’s own Rotational Impact WG11 Testing. The WG11 is the internally-developed test protocol performed at KASK to address non-linear impact forces on a rider in a crash. After many tests, KASK found their new Multipods enable the helmet to withstand linear and rotational impacts better. The Multipod structure also has isotropic properties, meaning it’s equally strong in all directions, the same thing that makes 3D-printed saddles so popular.

That characteristic property helped the new Elemento receive a five-star review from Virginia Tech’s highly authoritative test lap.

Octofit+ and No More Leather Strap

KASK’s new helmet fit and adjustment system is now dubbed OCTOFIT+, offering easy on-the-fly adjustments and sturdy attachment to the rider’s head.

The Elemento also uses the KASKs “Pro” chinstrap, the same ultra-lightweight chinstrap used by INEOS. Bidding arrivederci to the iconic leather strap, that has been a mainstay on KASK helmets for years.

KASK Elemento Details

• Sizes: SM (50 – 56), MED (52 – 58)*, LRG (59 – 62) *tested
• Weight: 260 grams (size M)
• Colors: Classic Black or White, New metallic finishes: Beetle Green, Oxford Blue (pictured), Red, and Silver.
• Price: USD $400, EUR 375€, GBP £335.

KASK Elemento — Initial Thoughts

We’ve had very little time in the KASK Elemento, but what we tell so far is that it is exceedingly comfortable. The helmet disappears on your head, especially when the wind cuts through it on the open road.

The styling and fit are what you would expect from KASK, and the updated metallic color is excellent. The shape is refined enough to keep it out of overly aero-offputting designs and into the good-looking all-around territory. Paired next to the matte Fluid Carbon 12, the shell has a powder-coated look with a deep rich color — very nice.

The helmet is straight-up breezy in the wind, with zero to no wind chatter or slight whistly noises that can accompany some aero helmets.

We look forward to more rides in the new KASK Elemento, especially as the summer heat starts. Stay tuned for a full review coming shortly.

KASK.com

The post All-New KASK Elemento Aero Helmet Could Be The One For All Disciplines appeared first on Bikerumor.

Bikepacking Scotland is the second book by BikepackingScotland.com founder, bikepacking adventuerer, and stunning filmaker Markus Stitz. The first was Great British Gravel Rides, published last year. In his most recent volume, Stitz concentrates on the country he’s called home for 14 years, getting cyclists further off the main roads and onto tracks less travelled.

Bikepacking Scotland — a guidebook for adventurous cyclists

“For me, cycling is one of the purest ways to discover Scotland off the beaten track, leaving no other trace than a few tire marks. All the bikepacking adventures I have had in Scotland have created lasting memories, even though at times it was a steep learning experience,” Stitz said in a press release.

“Scotland isn’t an easy country to cycle in when it throws its weather at you. You will fondly remember the first time you sink your feet into its famous bog, or when a cloud of midges surrounds you. But you will also be blown away by the wonderful scenery, no matter where you go,” the author continued.

Even though Scotland is roughly the size of South Carolina, you won’t be stuck for route choices. Bikepacking Scotland offers 20 multi-day routes in a range of difficulties, lengths, and bike types — road, gravel, and mountain bike-friendly routes are all represented.

This is a news story, not a review — I haven’t read the book and can’t vouch for things like if the stated difficulties align with reality, or if the information presented is accurate. But I like that the routes cover the whole country and offer experiences from epic Highland pedaling in Cairngorms National Park to whisky-sipping rides on Islay.

Each route in the book comes with a description, an overview map, points of interest, food and lodging recommendations, and a link to downloadable GPX file.

Stitz also went out of his way to plan carbon-friendly routes — a choice that also benefits travelers in the country who may not have access to a car.

“Fourteen of the routes are directly accessible by train or bus services that transport bikes, four routes start and finish within two kilometers from a train or bus station, and only two itineraries require a longer cycle to either start or finish,” the book’s press materials state.

Bikepacking Scotland officially drops later this week on May 18, timed to coincide with Scotland’s hosting of the Cycling World Championships. But you can already pre-order purchase a signed copy at Stitz’s website for £20. And if you live in Edinburgh, Markus will probably deliver it to you by bike!

BikepackingScotland.com

The post New Cycling Guidebook Helps Bikepackers Explore Scotland’s Mountains and Glens appeared first on Bikerumor.

The company introduced their first women-specific mountain biking outer shorts to us in a simple overview. They’re a redesign of its A.T. (All Time) Plus shorts, and they come in only one color (for now), plus five sizes from 0/2-10/12.

Handup Hot Lap women-specific mountain bike shorts

It’s the first time Handup has built shorts specifically for women. But anyone who thought the A.T. Plus were good shorts will likely think the same here.

Virtually nothing changes between the A.T. Plus and the Hot Lap — there’s the same 90% nylon, 10% Spandex fabric, the same pocket setup, the same belt loops. Just, the Hot Lap’s inseam is 7 inches “to ensure no seat chafing,” Handup said.

Stated purpose: “adventures that put a beating on your gear,” or “margarita happy hour as well!”

Nothing like a sun-splashed happy hour with HandUp.

You can get the Hot Lap shorts for women in obsidian now for $49 MSRP.

HandUp.com

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Bib shorts, gloves, and jerseys are all officially on the menu. Although, we’re not entirely sure where the gloves fit in the conversation since they lack the collection’s namesake contour lines.

But, the bibs and jerseys are cool enough…

PEARL iZUMi Contours

The Contours collection gets the familiar $150 PRO Mesh Jersey that PEARL iZUMi rolls out under a wide array of varyingly bright and quirky plumages.

Then there’s the Expedition PRO Bib Shorts. Man, you’d better really want a fancy pair of bibs covered in colorful impressionist squiggly lines, because these fetch a healthy $265. PI says the bibs are “next level” with their top Levitate PRO Chamois (peace, chafe city) and “luxurious” Italian PRO Transfer fabric.

The Levitate chamois seeks to spread pressure across the broadest possible surface area through a layering methodology PEARL took from suspension forks. Instead of putting the densest layer closest to the saddle and the softest one near the rider’s bits, PI flipped it upside down. The result, it said in an email, “distributes pressure evenly across a wider area to prevent hot spots, create more support, and prevent the bottom out effect.”

From testing out another pair of Expedition Pro bibs, BikeRumor knows the “luxurious” Italian fabric gives a snug fit that’s not especially stretchy compared to others in the category. PEARL’s material breakdown is 46% recycled nylon, 38% polyester, 16% elastane.

The hand protection is PI’s $35 Full-Finger Expedition Glove. The gloves have a gel pad in the palm to help protect from nerve damage, which can occur on prolonged rides, or if your bars or hoods don’t fit your mitts quite right. They’re the only part of the kit actually without the “contour” lines, but will match your yellow squiggles.

The fresh roundup joins a few previous PEARL iZUMi releases geared toward coloring life in, which effectively share the same tech, yet with other unique styling.

PearlIzumi.com

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