SRAM X01: 7 Speed SRAM DH Groupset and Price

One of the main player and the big brand in mountain bike, SRAM again releases their new groupset that special for the downhill race, and this groupset is called SRAM X01 DH Groupset. With seven speed, this groupset has been tested and be used by Steve Smith on 2013 World Cup Downhill Championship. 

These are the complete specification of the SRAM X01 DH Groupset, and the price:

XG-795 X01 DH MINI BLOCK 7-speed Cassette

10 to 24-tooth gearing (10-12-14-16-18-21-24)

2-tooth steps are safer in shifting than 1-tooth steps under big loads

Durable JET black finish

Currently fits any XD compatible wheel and driver body

Machined steel with JET finish, alloy spoke protector

Weight: 136 grams

Price: $303, € 269

X01 DH X-HORIZON Rear Derailleur

7 or 10-speed options

12-tooth X-SYNC pulley wheels

X-HORIZON technology

X-ACTUATION with more cable pull

Two cage lengths for various applications, including abnormally long chain stay growth

ROLLER BEARING CLUTCH

CAGE LOCK

Aluminum outer cage

Red and Black

Weight: Med cage – 263 grams // Short cage – 257 grams

Price: $277, € 245

X01 7-Speed Trigger Shifter

Multi-adjustable trigger shifter

MatchMaker X compatible

Aluminum cover and adjustable forged aluminum pull lever

Includes discrete clamp

Weight: 91 grams

Price: $143, € 125

X01 DH X-SYNC Carbon Crank

Carbon composite / aluminum spider

AL-7075-T651 CNC alloy single ring - 94 BCD, 30, 32, 34, 36, or 38 teeth

Compatible with SRAM 1X 7- and 10-speed DH drivetrains

Alloy pedal lug

165, 170 and 175mm arm lengths

Red and Black

Carbon guard available

Weight: 740 grams with BB

Price: GXP: $315, € 280 // BB30: $347, € 310

X-SYNC Chain Rings

X-SYNC technology with alternating thick/thin tooth profile

Tall, square tooth design

Rounded chamfer edges

30-, 32-, 34-, 36-, or 38-tooth single ring

CNC machined 7075, two-tone anodize

Mud-clearing recesses for the inner chain links and rollers

XD Driver Body

Allows use of SRAM cassette with a 10-tooth small cog

Provides a more stable hub connection

Weight: XD driver body is 6-8 grams lighter than a standard freehub body

PC-XX1 Chain

1X specific chain

HARD CHROME finish

11-speed power lock

Weight: 252 grams

Price: $63, € 57

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REEB: Hardtail for All Mountain

Bike technology is getting complicated today, and almost new bikes from whole brands are full suspension bikes. It means that the price will be growth for the additional parts, like the rear shock or rear suspension. This is an expensive part, especially when you buy it from the brands like FOX or Rockshox, the two main players in bike suspension technology. A high-end rear suspension maybe can be used to buy a starter bike or mid-end bike. With that fact, hardtail bike becomes more simple, and old-looked; with the off-roads riding trends today, hardtail slowly left and the riders start to use full suspension bike. But wait, dude! I hope you don't underestimate the hardtail bikes, even when you are off-road rider.

Hardtail is just for on-road, maybe light off-road. Better you erase that sentence, and open your eyes because there are many high-quality hardtail bikes that can be used even for all-mountain, even free-ride!

One of the brands that produce hardtail bike for all-mountain and trails purpose is the REEB, with their new hardtail product for all-mountain and trails! This is regarded as single speed chain 29er with steel frame. Why this bike is using single speed chain, it said by Chad Melis, the Marketing Manager, that they want something different.

The hardtail it stronger than full suspension bike in the ability to climb, and the REEB cycles make that the pedaling is smooth, with big chainring there. But, this bike also claimed strong in a down-way, though it is a single-speed, hardtail, and 29er bike. It may that the 140mm fork is very helpful for this bike for a down-way. For the information, this bike is using part:

Gates Carbon Centertrank Drivetrain

140mm travel FOX Float 34

Schwalbe Hans Dampf

X-Fusion Hilo Dropper

Photo Credit: Tal Robert and Pinkbike.com

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Eric Carter in Collaboration with SR Suntour

Eric Carter, the Californian rider has been testing the new downhill fork from SR Suntour, the newest SR Suntour RUX and SR Suntour Auron, a 200mm and 160mm fork travel. These forks are the most used fork by Eric Carter today, and he shared his impression when he rides with these two forks. Basically, Eric is asked by the brand to join a collaboration and develop these products. And then Eric tested the fork on his custom bike from Hyper, the Carter 650B prototype.

After tested the forks, Eric has an interesting statement about the competition in the high-end suspension technology, with the two main players, FOX and Rockshox. He said that SR Suntour will be able to enter to the competition between them, especially in the World Cup. He also said that SR Suntour is the biggest suspension producer in the world, but the brand needs to make some development and improvements for their products.

This will be interesting to see the competition between these brands to get the people's attention, and let's see what can be done by SR Suntour at the further.
Photo Credit: Dan Severson and Pinkbike.com

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Welcoming the Dartmoor 2014 Parts Lineup

For the preparation of 2014, Dartmoor finally finished some of the products that regarded for next year; there are some new parts and new frames, beside the improvement of the their most popular hardtail frame, and now, let's welcoming the Dartmoor 2014 parts lineups! Maybe the people's attention will be focused on re-design of Dartmoor Hornet, the most popular of all purpose bike, with the not-too-expensive price. The Hornet 2014 edition has better artwork on the body, but if you want a special Hornet for 4X, you will get it with Dartmoor Hornet 4X. 

Dartmoor Hornet 4X is special frame which is combining the stability of Hornet and the geometry of the Dartmoor Phantom. For the artwork design, the Hornet 4X is very similar with Hornet; you can see the "4X" on the frame. Like another 4X bike, this fork will be gain its maximum performance with a hundred travel fork. 

Dartmoor also releases the newest hardtail frame, which is regarded as younger brother of Hornet, you can called him Dartmoor Primal, that also has nice artwork design: the most color is black, but you can choose the strips in any color you want. 

The Primal is available for 26" and 27.5", to follow the trend of the development of wheelsize. The recommended fork use is the fork with the travel 100-120mm. Ride Your Way!!!

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Cycling Tips #10: Set Up the Tire

Like other parts, the tire on your mountain bike have to set correctly before you use it. Also, you have to consider first about the type of your mountain bike then decide what kind of tire, or what tire that you want to install into your bike. In addition, today the trend of the wheel size is various, from 26" to 29", so you have to be wise when choosing the right tire on your bike. Here are the tips that can be used to help you decide what kind of tire you want to install on your bike. 

#1 - The Terrain

This is the simplest way to decide what kind of tire you want to use; there are different type of tires for different usage. Nobody forbid you when you place the downhill tire for you XC bike, for example, but it can decrease the ability the tire and the bike. And you, as the rider. So, the best way to choose tire is watching into your bike.

#2 - Size

Okay, just adjust the tire with the rims to make it properly. I guess you are understand about this point.

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How to Make Your Bike Lighter

Several bikes are made from lighter material but it may that the stiffness is less than the heavier material; the most popular material used for frames are aluminum, hi-ten, and chromolly, and recent days with the carbon fiber in certain bikes. Aluminum is the lighter but at the same time is the weakest than another. But, are there any ways to make the bike lighter without take an attention to the frame? One thing you should remember, that the bike is the combination of several parts which is become one nation, so, you can make the variation in the parts, beside the frame. There are several things you have to remember to make your bike is lighter, check the list below.

#1 - Choose Tire Carefully

Several tires are heavier than others, and you have to choose carefully when you want to install new tire in your mountain bike. Consider also the type of the tire, what kind of bike you want to ride? 29er, 650b, or 26"? You have to decide it first for this, because these wheelsets are different in the weight. Check the previous article about 29er, 650b, and 26" bike here to help you decide what bike is best for you.
#2 - Use Suspension Fork
Of course this part is more expensive than rigid fork, but suspension fork is lighter than rigid fork. Pay attention before you choose suspension fork, because some forks are still heavy enough, so choose carefully the fork as your bike needed.
#3 - Try Tubeless
This no need long explanation, just try and feel the different by yourselves.
#4 - Diet
Hmm..this is dilemma, when your bike is light enough, but you are big, you will face the same problem: it's hard to control the bike. So, before you change the part of your bike with the lighter, I recommend you to reduce your fat first. Sorry to say this, but when you have slim body, you will feel comfortable in doing any activity, include riding activity.

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Cycling Tips #9: Things to Consider - Flat Pedal Shoes

Riding activity is a great activity to spend your weekend after a long day in the office or school, maybe. This activity today becomes more popular in almost around the world with the massive progression of the new bike brands. But, in the riding activity, you have to aware about the safety, not only just happiness, because the riding activity today start to the rocky track, or maybe roots everywhere. Across the jungle till downhill in the unbelievable track. So, the rider have to wear protection kit from head to the foot to protect the body contact or maybe if the rider fall down because the extreme track. Helmet, knee and elbow protector, gloves, and also shoes are the kit that will protect you from the incident you won't expect. Special for shoes, it is quite difficult to choose where shoes is better than other, so, this article will help you to decide where shoes you have to buy, with the several consideration in some aspects of the shoes.

#1 - Rubber Sole

First of all, watch carefully about the sole of the shoes because this is important. Better you choose the shoes that use rubber for the sole, because it can improve the control and stability and leech-like grip while in pedaling. 

#2 - Howling Dogs

Extreme riding activity sometimes will bring you to the muddy and wet place, and of course your shoes will be muddy and wet. If your shoes is like that, you have to do a little treatment for your shoes to avoid your shoes become smell.

#3 - Tread Carefully

Different brand of flat shoes usually have their own method about the way to tread the shoes after the usage, and you have to obey the method to make your shoes have longer time to accompany you across the jungle.

#4 - Size

I think I don't have to explain this. In other words, you are the one who knows about your leg. Find the shoes that comfort in your feet.

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