All posts filed under: News

New Framed Bootlegger XC Bike

Published by Matt Stenson

Minnesota based Framed Bikes has long been associated with a whole slew of fat bike options including full suspension fat bikes and to a lesser extent 27.5+ hardtails and road and adventure bikes. Now framed has launched in a new direction with their Bootlegger Carbon, full suspension XC bike. The Bootlegger features a horst link 4 bar linkage suspension system with 100mm of travel. It’s also designed to be run with a 100mm fork up front. The geometry chart checks out as being in line with the latest crop of XC race rockets, 68 degree head tube angle, 438mm chainstays and 428mm reach on a medium. The Framed Bootlegger comes in 3 different builds. The base model is the “NX 1×12 – Rockshox with Alloy Wheels” build and retails for a very tempting $2,299.95. The next build up is the NX 1×12 – Fox with Alloy Wheels build that goes for $2,599.95. The final build that goes for $2,999.95 is the NX 1×12 – Fox with Carbon Wheels. A Carbon XC bike with for 3000 …

MicroSHIFT Announces a New 9 Speed System With Clutch

Published by Matt Stenson

Hot on the heels of SRAM announcing the $2000 AXS system, a relatively unknown drivetrain maker, Microshift, has something on the other end of the spectrum. The $125, 9 Speed, Microshift Advent. This is definitely not a drivetrain that you’ll be trying to impress your mates at the trailhead with and no it doesn’t have it’s own app. But, the Microshift Advent does present an extremely affordable, clutch drivetrain that offers a 381% range. For comparison’s sake that’s the same as SRAM’s NX 11 speed offering. So what does $125 of drivetrain buy exactly? Well you get a $59.99 derailleur, a $39.99 cassette, and a $24.99 shifter. The most interesting part of this drivetrain is probably the derailleur. It features a clutch that uses a proprietary ratchet-and-pawl tension assembly. The clutch features a modular design that is also easily adjustable and fully repairable. Having a clutch at this pricepoint means 1x retrofits are in theory much more affordable while still being reliable. The cassette provides an 11-42 range which as noted, is the same range …

SIXSIXONE Adds MIPS to its Affordable Full Face Helmet

Published by Matt Stenson

SIXSIXONE has been known for offering protective equipment for mountain biking at a reasonable cost. Their RESET helmet has been one of the more affordable options available for full-face coverage. Now the company has added MIPS technology to the RESET helmet. MIPS Technology adds a low friction layer that allows independent movement between the outer shell of the helmet and the wearers skull. This ability to absorb rotational forces helps to reduce the change of head injuries in the event of a crash. The RESET MIPS is available in two colorways and seven sizes (yes, you heard that right, seven). Claimed weight for a medium is 1100g (size medium). They are available today for $150.

PNW Has a New $150 Dropper

Published by Matt Stenson

PNW Components has a new dropper post called, “The Ridge” that just popped up on their website. PNW is known for their their high performance yet affordable droppers. The $150 price tag though is especially enticing. Thanks to TrailFeatures for the tip on this one. The Ridge dropper post has 125mm of travel and comes in both 31.6mm and 30.9mm diameters. This dropper uses a sealed hydraulic cartridge and a coil spring to reduce cost and hopefully make it very reliable. The routing is internal and it utilizes a front derailleur compatible lever design. The kit includes the lever, cables and all required hardware to install. What’s even more exciting is this $150 dropper comes with the same 3 year warranty that other PNW droppers come with. For $150 this may set a new bar in the budget dropper market. You can order you own here. The PNW product page can be found at: https://www.pnwcomponents.com/collections/affordable-trail/products/the-ridge-dropper-post

New Fezzari Wasatch Peak XC Hardtail for 2019

Published by Matt Stenson

Direct to consumer brand Fezzari has announced a new hardtail bike, the Wasatch Peak. The Wasatch Peak is designed for 29″ or 27.5+” wheels and features 120mm of travel out front. Fezzari stayed relatively conservative in the geometry department with a 68 degree head tube angle, a 418mm reach on a medium and 435mm chain stays. These numbers make me think more of a XC bike than a modern trail hardtail, which is a fine thing for those that need this type of bike. The frame is constructed of F29B formed alloy and features internal cable routing. The bottom bracket is threaded and the hub spacing is 148mm-boost. Dropper post routing is also provided for internal droppers. The base model is an affordable $999. For this price, you have the choice of 29 or 27.5 plus wheels. You also get a Shimano Deore 10 speed drive train, Shimano MT-200 brakes and SR Suntour XCR 34. Unfortunately, the $999 spec does not include a dropper post. Fezzari is unique though, in that it offers a dropper …

Canyon’s New Strive 2.0 Is Here for 2019

Published by Matt Stenson

Canyon has released its new shape-shifting enduro bike, the Strive. This year though, it sports 29er wheels instead of 27.5 wheels and comes only in carbon builds. The most unique feature of this bike though is it’s Shapeshifter Stage 2.0 suspension system. The shapeshifter is a gas spring integrated into the suspension pivots that allows the rider to adjust the rear travel from 135mm up to 150mm. Along with this the geometry of the bike is modified in the longer travel mode. The bottom bracket height is lowered and the wheelbase is extended. Because the shapeshifter physically changes the suspension pivots it also changes the kinematics. Switching from 150mm to 135mm mode increases anti-squat. This in theory should help the bike be a more spritely climber. Beyond the shapeshifting the geometry numbers are pretty standard and are comparable to other bikes in this category like the Specialized Enduro. With the shapeshifting technology come some inherent complexity. It will be interesting to see if the more complex system really provides benefits a standard 3 position lockout …

The New YT Jeffsey Is Here

Published by Matt Stenson

After a strikingly unique teaser video featuring Christopher Walken the new YT Jeffsey MK2 is here. Much has changed with both the 29er Jeffsey and the 27.5 Jeffsey. The geometry of the bikes is revised and build kits are revised as well. We won’t try to go over every change of every build in detail here. But here are some highlights of the geo changes. The 29er version of the Jeffsey has seen the most dramatic changes. The seat tube angle has been steepened from 74.5 to 77 degrees while the headtube has been slackened out by 1 degree from 67 to 66 degrees. The reach has also been lengthened for each size. On the 27.5 version, the changes have been less drastic but you do still get a seat tube that is steeper by 1 degree and a head tube slackened out half a degree from 66.5 to 66. degrees. The reach has been bump up slightly as well. The the build kit side the base aluminum model no longer comes with a mix …

Nukeproof Announces Its 2019 Training Bike For Mountain Bikers

Published by Matt Stenson

Nukeproof has announced its new version of the Digger dropbar bike. Generally known as a mountain bike specific company building enduro sleds for riders like Sam Hill and Elliot Heap, Nukeproof has released the Digger as a bike aimed directly at mountain bikers who want a training bike that matches their riding style. The bike comes specced with WTB Sendero 650x47C tires but the frame can clear 27.5×2.3″ or 29×2.1″ mountain tires. The frame features rack mounts, internal cable routing and dropper post routing. A removable seat stay bridge allows you to create more mud clearance or run full length mudguards. The frame is a triple-butted, hydroformed alloy paired with with a carbon fork. It features through axles, a threaded bottom bracket and geometry that is ready for gravel/singletrack/road/training adventures. The Digger comes in two builds, the Digger Pro and the Digger Comp. Both feature 1x drivetrains and hydraulic brakes. The Digger Pro gets a SRAM Rival 11-Speed speed build and includes a Brand X Ascend internal, 120mm dropper. The Comp version has a fixed seatpost and …

Handup Adds No-nonsense Riding Flannels and Pants

Published by Matt Stenson

Handup has made a name for itself as a maker of bold, no-nonsense cycling gloves. Now Handup is expanding its line to include full kits of riding apparel, but in a unique style that fits what Handup represents. The new FlexTop Flannel and A.T. Pant combine to provide riders with apparel that fits in equally well on the trail, at work or the bar. The FlexTop Flannel is a button down flannel shirt with some unique, rider focused features. As the name suggests, the “FlexTop” is a cotton/polyester blend patch, stretching from chest to back, so the shirt flexes while riding. The FlexTop also features an extended back to keep your rear covered in all situations. Beyond this Handup has chosen to keep these shirts simple in design. Adding just enough features to make them rider friendly while keeping the cost at an extremely reasonable $44. The A.T Pant (All Time Pant) follows a similar design philosophy. Featuring zippered pockets and a super stretchy Poly/elastane blend of fabric, Handup seems to be hitting the most …

MTB Crash Detection: Two New Products

Published by Matt Stenson

Many mountain bikers ride alone and a fear many riders (and their loved ones) share is crashing hard in the woods and never making it back out. Two new products claim to offer a digital solution to adding some safety while riding solo. Specialized ANGi A new line of helmets from Specialized will be featuring ANGi (Angular and G-force indicator). This devise, features an accelerometer and gyroscope as well as a bluetooth radio to connect to your phone. Without that phone connection it appears that the ANGi won’t really do anything. The key is the Specialized Ride app that connects to the ANGi sensors alerts your loved ones when a crash is detected. This feature of course relies on your cell phone having signal in order to send a text. Many areas where I ride, cell signal is spotty at best. To try to get around this the Specialized Ride app allows you to also set an expected ride time. If you go over your ride time, the app will alert your loved ones with your …