New Bike: Stanton Switchback Titanium Mark 2

Hardtail mountain bike ain't dead. Popular brands now are very massive to build new full suspension mountain bike is a fact, but there is still a space in mountain biking activity for hardtail mountain bike. Anti-mainstream brands are still producing hardtail, even some companies are making their hardtail as an artwork. Stanton Bikes is one of them. Again they release a new hardtail bike, which is a titanium hardtail named Switchback Titanium Mark 2.

Some said that hardtail is the real bike, it gives the rider a step closer to the nature. Stanton Bikes is a company which creates many hardtail bikes. For now, Stanton is again releasing a new hardtail mountain bike frame. Made of titanium, the bike called Switchback Titanium Mark 2 or can be shortened as Mk 2 Ti.

Stanton Switchback Titanium Mark 2 Details
1. 3AL-2.5V titanium 44mm head tube, gusseted down tube and our super-sweet alloy head badge.
2. ISCG 05 mounts and 73mm BB shell, Custom designed CNC’d Yoke that accommodates standard 27.5” or 27.5+ 2.8 tyre set-up.
3. Super-short chainstays (415mm) made from 3AL-2.5V aerospace-grade titanium tubing.
4. Custom CNC’d Swapout dropouts (12 x 142, 10 x 135 or horizontal). Comes supplied with 12 x 142 as standard unless you specify different dropouts with your order.
5. Triple-butted 3AL-2.5V aerospace-grade titanium tubing with custom seat tube. Full internal routing takes full-length gear outer for consistent, weather-proof shifting.
6. 31.6 stealth routing dropper-compatible seat tube (34.9 clamp) with custom tubing.

The Switchback Mk 2 Ti is a hardtail but this is really beautiful bike, one of the most beautiful hardtail on the market today. The bike will accept fork from 120-160mm travel. It has two versions, the 27.5 and 27.5+ which is start to be popular now. With only 1.9 kg, the bike comes in four different size option. The frame only Switchback Ti will be priced about  £1,649. Switchback Mk 2 Ti is now ready for pre-order if the fans want to get the bike sooner. (pic: dirmountainbike.com)

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New Bike: Pivot Phoenix DH Carbon 2016

Few times before the World Cup series be started, Pivot releases their newest downhill machine, the New Pivot Phoenix DH Carbon. When the previous version of Phoenix stated as one of the lightest downhill bike on the market, the new Phoenix 2016 is even lighter! Not enough, Pivot also gives the bike some upgrades to make the bike better than before. Let's see.

Pivot Phoenix DH Carbon 2016 Features

Full carbon frame

Pivot’s proprietary hollow core internal molding technology

27.5-inch wheels

204mm dw-link suspension Fox Float X2 shock with Evol

157x12mm rear end

Designed to work with forks from 200mm in travel

Full length internal cable routing with Pivot’s exclusive cable port system

Adjustable +/- 0.75-degree headset option

Internal dropper post compatible

Cold forged alloy linkages with Enduro Max Cartridge Bearings

Rubberized molded downtube and swingarm protection

180mm rear carbon post mounts disc brake mounts

Carbon ISCG-05 tabs

107mm press fit bottom bracket

Available in sizes S, M, L, XL for riders between 5'4" and 6'7"

Available in Team Blue or Stealth Black 

Surely, the biggest difference is the new color scheme: Team Blue and Stealth Black. The Team Blue makes this bike is very light. But, as stated above that the new bike is lighter than the previous version, it's because the bike is using the new material, and this material is success to decrease the weight about 300 g in the frame. But, when the bike is getting lighter, at the same time this new Phoenix is stiffer.

Another updates is the Fox Float X2 Evol shock that replaces the old shock. This shock is used because the manufacturer have been discussed with the team and found out that the Fox Float X2 is better than previous shock. The Kashima coat is guarantee, but the new feature RVS (Rod Valve System) makes the shock way better. 

Overall, the new Pivot Phoenix DH Carbon 2016 is much better bike than before. It has more space for tire clearance, it also has frame protection and integrated fork bumper. And as listed on the details, the frame will available in four size, from small to extra large to fit the need of big riders. But all size has same headtube and seat tube length. 

The most interesting about the new Phoenix 2016 is the manufacturer allows the fans to make a custom for the build kit for the bike. The complete Phoenix bike will be priced $7,599 US with the Shimano Saint build kit, $5,499 with Shimano Zee build kit, and if the fans want to build full custom bike, the frame only option will be priced about $3,299. Special offer, if the fans want to get same wheels as the Team used, there will be more $900 addition. All are ready to be shipped now, except the extra large option, which is ready in March.

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Core Bike 2016: New Bikes from Transition Bikes and Evil Bikes

Transition Bikes gets huge attention with their Transition Patrol and the carbon version of the same bike that be released few times ago. And now at Core Bike 2016, Transition just build the new generation of their most popular slopestyle bike - the Double - by releasing brand new bike the Transition Triple. Just like another mountain bike scene, the slopestyle mountain bike scene is also growing rapidly, and Transition gets this as chance to get more massive attention.

The Transition Triple basically is a brand new slopestyle bike from Transition, which is a 100 mm of travel with the Rockshox Monarch as the shock. Transition creates the Triple as a slopestyle, real slopestyle so this bike isn't suit to smash the rock or roots. But the Triple is a monster in the huge jump and huge landing.

As a slopestyle bike, the Transition Triple is looking awesome and clean. The Triple is adopting the concentric bottom bracket pivot, which is used by many slopestyle bikes. This new Transition bike also adopts the cable routing which is able for rider to make a trick in the air such as bar spin easily. The bike also can be a custom bike, depend on the riders, with or without rear derailleur. But, the fans must be patience because the manufacturer still not confirming about the availability of the bike yet.

Following another brand, Evil bikes also released a brand new bike under the name Evil The Wreckoning. But different with Transition, Evil Bikes creates the Wreckoning as a big monster, a 29er but not a cross country bike. But, we can see the ability of the Evil Following and the power of Evil Insurgent in one bike; The Wreckoning.

Still adopting the DELTA Link Suspension system as its predensors, the Wreckoning is a really stunning bike. The Wreckoning will come in three different sizes, started from Medium to Xtra Large, the bike will suit the big riders. Just keep an eye to watch more information about the bike. (pinkbike.com)

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New Bike: Brand New Santa Cruz Hightower

When Santa Cruz bike gets massive popularity around the world with all of their bikes line up in many ranges, started from cross country to downhill, they once again release another brand new bike. Not an upgrade of the existing bikes, but Santa Cruz builds a really brand new bike. It says that this new bike can fill the space that left by Santa Cruz Tallboy LT in the past. So, please welcome the brand new Santa Cruz Hightower.

Santa Cruz Hightower Details

• Travel: 135mm

• 29" or 27.5+ wheels

• Carbon frame

• 67° head angle

• 433mm chainstays

• 12 x 148mm rear spacing

• Threaded bottom bracket

• Sizes M, L, XL

• Weight as shown: 26.9 pounds. Frame only: 5.88 pounds.

• Colors: Sriracha red, matte carbon & mint

• Price: $4599 - $7799 USD (ENVE wheel upgrade available)

Santa Cruz Hightower is available in two version and there are many upgrade option for the parts. The Hightower C and Hightower CC is the big two models but as mentioned before, there are many parts available for the fans to make the bike more custom. For the part option, the fans can choose what kit to be used on the bike by scrolling down to the Bike Builder on Santa Cruz web.

As brand new bike, the Hightower will be available in 29 inch and 27.5+ wheels size only. Just like another Santa Cruz bike, the Hightower will come in high price. It also available in frame only option with $2,899. Still adopting their popular VPP link suspension just like its siblings. For the Hightower C there will be two different option, the 29 inch and 27.5+ wheels with the same price $4599. While the Hightower CC, there will be four different specs, two 29er and two 27,5+ wheels. For the CC version, the price is started at $6,499.

More information about the Santa Cruz Hightower, the availability, specs information, or maybe Bike Builder, please visit Santa Cruz web here. 

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