New Product: FOX Air DH Shock Prototype

FOX Racing Shox develops new downhill shock and still a prototype, and due to this product still a prototype, there will be limited information about this shock, but from the picture below the fans can observe some features on it.

Based on picture, the Fox Air DH Prototype at least will have these following features;
-- Different piggyback shaft-side with another Fox shock, but it closer to another downhill shock out there.
-- Dual compression (high-low) and rebound adjustment.
-- More negative air volume for better bump.
-- and more.

More information about this product just visit the Ridefox.

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New Bike: Antidote Lifeline Downhill Bike

Antidote now starts to begin the journey by releasing new downhill machine; and this Poland manufacture is really concern to build a good product and they now have a new downhill machine, the Antidote Lifeline DH Bikes. They are using uncommon material for their frame - a combination between carbon and a material called vectran. With this combination, Antidote is success to build a 205 mm travel downhill bike.

The Lifeline DH also using titanium pivot hardware and anodized aluminum suspension links - the links will available in multiple colors. The Lifeline DH also adopt the independent suspension system that developed by Antidote and this suspension system is unique enough to see. The frame only of the Lifeline will be available at price 2,999 Euro without shock, but if the fans will going out with the shock the price will need more 400 Euro. The shock option is available for DVO or BOS.

One interesting, the vectran used in this frame. Will this material become massive and common material that be used by another brands? What is vectran? Vectran, or vectran fiber which is known before as the material for the tires, is known due to its stability at high temperatures, high strength, and good at chemical stability. Vectran often be combined with another material such as polyster and polyurethane. Vectran also have high resistance with ultraviolet radiation so it often used in outdoor activity, and stronger than Kevlar. But it must be noticed also that vectran will tends to get fractures when get high stress.

But this maybe an innovation from Antidote to use uncommon material for their bike; besides that they also develop their own suspension system for the Lifeline DH, with the FDS Suspension System. FDS System is "Floating Damping System", with the ability to pinch the pivot spot in both lower and upper links, and this ability gives the frame a play changeable. (Photo: Pinkbike)

Antidote Lifeline DH Details

• Intended use: downhill 

• Travel: 205mm

• Wheel size: 26'' 

• Material: carbon fiber, vectran 

• Aluminum links, titanium hardware

• Hub spacing: 150mm 

• Bottom bracket: 73mm, threaded

• Head tube: 1.5'', semi-integrated 

• ISCG 05 chain guide tabs

• Frame weight: 6.6lb (w/o shock)

• Complete weight: 34lb (custom build)

• MSRP: 2999 EUR (without shock)

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Look Closer: Polygon's FS2 Suspension System (Part 2)

The first part about Polygon's FS2 Suspension System explained a bit about this suspension system works related to the riders and the efficiency of pedaling, and in this part the explanation about the FS2 Suspension System also still related to that, but a bit deeper. The design of the FS2 Suspension System is giving many benefits to the riders, such as it can delay the Lactic Treshold effect for the riders.

The delaying effect of lactic treshold on the riders is due to the pedaling efficiency that can be adjusted with the riders character, and the suspension setting is needed to get perfect match between the riders and their bikes. The FS2 Suspension System from Polygon also offers the Cardio-Respiratory that can increase the pedaling efficiency, it means on the pedaling process the bike's suspension is performing in neutral position.

With that system, it can save more energy of the HR Max and VO2 Max, for example in a kilometers off-road pedaling process, the RPM from the monitor shows 130x/minutes, much better than about 2-% than the other bikes. With this result, the FS2 Suspension System gives more benefits for the riders, mostly the older riders because this suspension system can save the energy better.

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New Bike: Pivot Mach 429SL

Pivot gives the bigger wheels for their most popular cross country bike, The Mach, and Pivot also makes the new Mach is ready to race with the Shimano Di2 electronic shifters. It has 100 mm travel, and the overall weight of the Mach 429SL is 2,4 kg with shock. Some departments have been updated for the bike, and Pivot prepares this bike in various version.

Like another current bikes, the Mach 429SL adopted the internal cable route system and this cable route is compatible with the electronic shifter technology from Shimano, the Di2. The bike is available is both frame only and also full bike.

Frame only of the Mach 429SL will be priced at $2,999 with Fox Float CTD, while the complete bike is about $4,599 with Shimano XT/SLX package. The highest version of the Mach 429SL is $10,400 with Shimano XTR Di2 electronic shifting and carbon wheelset from Reynolds.

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New Bike: Stanton Switchback Ti

The UK brand Stanton finishes their newest titanium hardcore bike, the Swithback Ti and will be available both as frame only and also full bike. Stanton Switchback Ti will be the next titanium bike from the brand after they also build the titanium bike of the Slackline.

The Switchback Ti is adopted the 64 degrees of head angle and the recommended fork is up to 140 mm, which is with this scheme makes the Switchback becomes one of the slackest hardtail on the market currently. 

The complete bike version of Stanton Switchback Ti will be equipped with really awesome parts such as Bos Deville fork, SRAM 11 speed drivetrain, e*thirteen wheels, Shimano brakes, and Reverb dropper post. They also have the "upgrade" version of the Switchback, and the bike will have ENVE wheels combined with Chris King hubs, RaceFace carbon bar and stem, which is be called "Carbon King Upgrade."

The price of the frame-only of Stanton Switchback Ti is around 1,599 pounds, while the full bike version is about 5,890 pounds.

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New Bike: Santa Cruz V10 Carbon 2015

Santa Cruz finally releases their carbon version of their most popular downhill bike, the V10 which become the new V10 2015 Carbon edition. The 2015 V10 Carbon version is the sixth generation of the V10 and since that this bike have get many development. For the newest version, the V10 have difference design on the suspension platform with before.

The 27.5 inch wheels is used in this new V10, with longer front end, and adjustable geometry and Santa Cruz also build the "carbon c" version which claimed to be more affordable. The price confirmed about this bike, from $5,699 to $10,799.

Complete Specification of New V10 Carbon 2015 Edition

Full carbon frame and swingarm

Carbon C and Carbon CC frame options

216mm (8.5") VPP suspension

27.5" wheels

Adjustable geometry with HIGH & LOW settings

Double sealed pivots for long bearing life

Dual grease ports on lower link for easy maintenance

Integrated fork bumpers with cable guide

Molded clip-on chainstay and upright protector

Full carbon dropouts and disk mounts

Angular contact bearings maximize stiffness

Collet axle pivots lock in place without pinch bolts

Molded rubber swingarm and downtube protection

157mm rear axle spacing

Threaded BB for creak-free riding and easy installation

ISCG-05 tabs for chainguide compatibility

Sizes: S, M, L, XL

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New Bike: Patrol 871 DH 2015

Another Indonesian bike brand is starting to enter the world mountain biking sport, and after the Polygon now the new brand named Patrol will try to make it happen. Known before as United, the trio of the famous bike brand in Indonesia beside Polygon and Wim Cycle, now have new line up in downhill scene, and this bike, the Patrol 871 DH 2015 will be used by Patrol DH Team for the World Cup.

Basically the Patrol is the model of the highest series from United, and the Patrol 871 (and Patrol 872) is their first downhill bike. Before with the United name, they have free ride bike, the United Patrol 781. They use the number to make their specification for the bike, and the number that started by 7 is freeride bike, and the 8 is the downhill bike.

And they now have also the carbon bike for cross country scene, with less price than another famous brand. One thing to be revised maybe is the cable route in the bottom of the downtube. The last picture is its brother the Patrol 781 FR.

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New Bike: Mondraker Foxy XR 27.5

After they launched the new downhill machine few days ago, again Mondraker releases the new bike from their Foxy line up, which came with XR name and got the 27.5 inch wheels. Still adopted their famous "forward geometry", the Foxy XR 2015 edition will ready for the market at the price about 3,599 euro in aluminum version.

And the Foxy XR is pretty confident with the Zero Link suspension platform, the suspension system that they've developed and used in many of the bikes, with a bit different on rear triangle. The 140 mm frame travel is combined with the 160 mm front suspension travel and this combination is ready to go to any trail riding.

The Foxy XR 2015 27.5 edition comes in two version, aluminum and carbon version. There're no much differences between two version except the materials and also the parts to be used. The alloy version comes with Fox Float CTD shock and Pike RC, Mavic Crossroc XL Wheelset with Maxxis Ardent tires. The drivetrain will be supported by SRAM X9 and Formula brakes.

While the carbon version comes with the Crankbrothers Iodine 3 wheelset with Maxxis Ardent tires. The suspension department is using the product from FOX. SRAM 1x11 is the drivetrain lineup and will be completed with Formula T1 brakes. The carbon version will be priced at 5,999 pounds. Photo: bikeradar.com

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New Bike: Trek Slash 9.8 2015 Edition

Since its first appearance, the Slash model from Trek is one of their most popular bike; and since that the development to increase the performance of the bike continuously taken and for the 2015 the Slash model will be the Slash 9.8 2015 Edition. In this 2015 model, the Slash 9.8 have front carbon triangle which is combined with aluminum rear triangle. The higher version, the Slash 9.9 will have carbon on whole frame.

Overall appearance of the Slash 9.8 2015 edition is like the best machine, but thanks for the design with internal cable routing and slacker head angle. The 160 mm travel both rear and front suspension by the support from Pike RC travel adjust and Monarch Plus RC3 Debonair. SRAM 1x11 speed will be the best option on drivetrain for a bike.

The Slash 9.8 2015 Edition will be priced at $5769 and $6399 in Canada. With better performance and some of the upgrades the price is competitive. Photo: Kaz Yamamura on NSMB.

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New Bike: Cannondale 2015 New Bikes

Cannondale makes the upgrades for their popular hardtail cross country bike, the Cannondale F-Si, still with their lefty fork, but now the F-Si is available with the slacker headtube. The bike also comes with the direct mount for the front derailleur, and the wider tires will be accepted in this bike.

Cannondale introduces a system which be called System Integration concept; which is designed for the F-Si. It also have the shorter chainstay. The new Cannondale F-Si will be available in various models, and the price is up to 10.000 Euro for the highest model of the F-Si.

Not only the F-Si, Cannondale also introduces the new Trigger for the 2015, with bigger wheels size 27.5 inch. It has also the lefty fork, and the new FOX DYAD shock with better performance for both uphill and downhill due to the two separated air chambers. And the setting for shock can be performed from the remote on the bar.

There's no much information about the price for the new Cannondale Trigger 2015, but seems that it will be released sooner or later. Photo: Bike-Advisor.

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New Bike: NS Bikes Releases Snabb Enduro and Trail

Welcoming the new year, the European brand NS Bikes finally finishes their work on two new models of Snabb, which is be purposed for the enduro riding and trail riding. The enduro model will come in 160 mm travel while the trail will come in 150 mm travel, these bikes claim to be more reliable and better in many aspects, with an inspiration from the Fuzz.

The Snabb Enduro is the E1; which is a bike with 160 mm travel both fork and frame travel, and be completed with Rockshox Pike RC, and most of the parts are using the NS Bikes parts. The E2 model also available with the combination of Rockshox Monarch R and X-Fusion Sweep.

Complete Specification of the NS Bikes E1 Enduro

163mm rear wheel travel

160mm RockShox Pike RC fork

RockShox Monarch Debonair RT3 shock

AL6061-T6+AL6066-T6 custom formed and butted tubes

Smooth ‘double pass’ welding in all critical areas

Internal or external cable guide option

Headtube: tapered 1.5 ZS (ID 44/56mm), headset included with frame.

Hub spacing 142 x 12mm, NS axle included

Threaded 73mm BB with ISCG-05 mounts

1x10 speed setup with 42t climbing cog and 34t narrow/wide chainring

Sram Guide R disc brakes

NS Bikes sealed hubs

Enigma rear rim, new Enigma Lite front rim

Schwalbe Hans Dampf / Rock Razor

Bike weight: 13.6kg (30,0-pounds, w/o pedals)

Frame weight: 3.05kg (6.72-pounds, w/o shock, w/o axle)

The trail version of the Snabb is the T1; which is a bike with better ability of the uphill and also the down way. With 150mm travel of Rockshox Revelation and combined with 140mm Monarch Debonair RT3, this bike is ready for that. And the T2 model will come in simpler parts such as Rockshox Sektor and Monarch R.

Complete Specification of the NS Bikes T1 Trail

142mm rear wheel travel

150mm RockShox Revelation RL fork

RockShox Monarch Debonair RT3 shock

AL6061-T6+AL6066-T6 custom formed and butted tubes

Smooth ‘double pass’ welding in all critical areas

Internal or external cable guide option

Headtube: tapered 1.5 ZS (ID 44/56mm), headset included with frame.

Hub spacing 142 x 12mm, NS axle included

Threaded 73mm BB with ISCG-05 mounts

1x10 drivetrain with 42t climbing cog and 32t narrow/wide chainring

SRAM Guide R disc brakes

NS Bikes sealed hubs

New NS Enigma Lite rims

Schwalbe Racing Ralph / Nobby Nic

Bike weight: 13.1kg (28.9-pounds, w/o pedals)

Frame weight: 2.9kg (6.40-pounds, w/o shock, w/o axle)

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New Bike: Mondraker Summum Carbon Pr 2015 DH

Mondraker has been finished their newest downhill bike, which is the upgrade version of the previous edition but now this new downhill bike is already a carbon machine and this time for the Mondraker Summum Carbon Pro 2015 edition. Adopting the "Forward Geometry" from the result of the partnership with Fabien Barel, this new downhill bike will ready to race. 

As the update version of the aluminum version of the same Summum which is coming earlier, the 2015 Summum Carbon Pro regards as the third generation of the first Summum which come in 2009. The first prototype which come in 2009 has been tested by Fabien Barel on the World Cup in Maribor, and for the 2015 the team will come with new riders; Danny Hart and Emmeline Ragot.

The Mondraker Summum Carbon 2015 Pro is adpoting the "Zero" suspension system, which is a suspension system platform from Mondraker by creating a multi link virtual pivot layout, to get the more efficient pedaling with small bumps only. The Summum Carbon Pro 2015 is 203 mm travel bike.

The new Mondraker Summum 2015 will available in two versions and also frame only version to give the fans more chances to build the bike as they want. The version available is the Team Version which will come in 8,099 Euro ($10,000) and the regular version will come in 5,999 Euro ($7,500). Mondraker makes for the North American distributor for now, and they do not make distribution for US at this point. The Summum Carbon Pro 2015 will be started for distribution in December 2014.

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New Product: OneUp Components Product Updates

OneUp Components is a new brand that facilitate to the riders to enjoy different things on their bikes, with their products; RAD Cage derailleur, which is the way to enjoy the more speed with spend less money than buying the 11-speed drivetrain. On first appearance, the respond about this product is good, and now they have finished the update for the RAD Cage derailleur, and a new narrow wide chainring.

One interesting thing about the RAD Cage is this product will compatible with fit with the Shadow+ with any length of the cage, though the newest edition of the RAD Cage is specially designed for Shimano Saint and ZEE, but it will be perform well on any Shadow+ Shimano derailleur. The updated RAD Cage is priced about $55.

Beside the updated RAD Cage, they also build new narrow wide chainring, which is compatible with the newest Shimano toolless nut design, and it can be set in two or three chain setting with a bit adjustment. The new narrow wide chainring is about 40g weight on 30T, 54g on 34T, and 2g (4x shims). This chainring also compatible with 9, 10, and 11 speed drivetrain.

For SRAM, the direct mount GXP rings are on the progress and SRAM derailleur do not need RAD Cage for upgrade.

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