Arm Crank

4/26/15

In Bike News, New Bike, New Product, Report // 7:26 PM // Leave a Comment

New Bike: Canfield Brothers Riot

Canfield Brothers again releases a new 29er bike, with a slacker and aggressive geometry, which is also able to perform better in both climbing and descend way. The frame is offered in two different version of the rear shock; Cane Creek Inline and or Cane Creek Double Barrel Air CS and ready for the market in August 2015.

Canfield Brothers Riot is a 140mm travel frame with the Canfield Balance Formula Suspension, and for customization, the brand offers various color options for the link to be macthed with another parts.

Canfield Brothers Riot Features

● 7005 aluminum

● Patent pending Canfield Balance Formula Suspension

● 200mm x 57mm Cane Creek Inline included, DB Air CS upgrade option available

● 140mm travel

● Super short 414mm chainstays

● 142 x 12mm Maxle rear axle

● Stealth seatpost compatible

● Tapered headtube

● 15mm pivot bearings

● Anodized black and factory raw frame options

● Six link color options

● Available in Small, Medium, Large and X-Large

$2100 USD, with Cane Creek Inline

$2275 USD, with Cane Creek DB Air CS

4/23/15

In Event, New Product, New Technology, Report // 6:18 AM // Leave a Comment

Sea Otter 2015: No More CTD, Fox Introduces the FIT4

CTD is one of the most well known features on the Fox suspension, which is an adjusment setting for the Climb, Trail, and Descent option.

But, Fox makes a big step in the Sea Otter Classic 2015 event when they decide to stop the CTD feature and make a development with their newest feature on their newest suspension product. This feature will be known as Fox Isolated Technology 4 (FIT4) damping.

The FIT4 feature will be used in the 2016 Fox suspension products. Basically the FIT4 feature is the newest generation of the FIT RC2, but Fox modifies this to the next level. On the Sea Otter Classic 2015 event, Fox brings their 2016 product lineups with the FIT4 feature.

Fox 34 Series will come in lighter chassis, a 160 mm in 27,5. But for the 2016 model - 32, 34, and 40 series - Fox will give a new spring that offer better performance. (Picture: VitalMTB)

4/22/15

In Bike News, New Bike, New Product, New Technology, Report // 9:27 PM // Leave a Comment

Sea Otter 2015: Specialized and Pivot Updates

It will be a new trend? Maybe that question is on everyone's mind related to the new style of "+", due to so many brands release their new bike with the "+" size on their tires. As well as the Specialized that also come into the competition of this new style with their newest bike in the "+" in their Specialized Fuse.

The trend of "+" size tire is really massive, pretty similar with the trend of 650b before. And Specialized confidentally comes to the market when the Fuse is already appear on the Sea Otter Classic 2015. The Specialized Fuse is a hardtail bike with the 27,5+ tire size, with the unique design of chain stay which is called as Diamond Stay Design.

On this new Fuse, Specialized claims that their new hardtail is offer better performance. The Boost148 standard also comes in this bike. In other words, despite a hardtail is simple bike, the Specialized Fuse is a hardtail with many new mountain bike features on it.

Then, same with Spez, another popular brand Pivot also comes in the Sea Otter Classic 2015 with their new "+" hardtail. Pivot Les Fat, which is basically a fatbike from Pivot, has been modified by the manufactur to come into the competition of the "+" tire size. Pivot Les Fat Carbon version, and still using the Rockshox Bluto, which is originally a fatbike fork.

Pivot makes the Les Fat will be suitable for both 27,5+ and 29+. The usage of the Bluto fork, Pivot says that this bike can be functional bike; when the winter comes, just replace the "+" tire and will be ready for the fat tires, and vice versa. In conclusion, the Pivot Les Fat will be all around bike, which is ready for any terrain in any situation.

Picture:

Specialized and Pivot

4/19/15

In Event, New Bike, New Product, Report // 8:33 PM // Leave a Comment

Sea Otter 2015: Ellsworth and Bulls New Bikes

Ellsworth releases their newest bike in the Sea Otter Classic 2015 event, a prototype bike with the name Ellsworth Moment 27,5 - a 160 mm rear travel with the adjustment setting on the front suspension, for 160 - 180 mm. The Ellsworth prototype Moment is a full carbon bike with alloy rocker link.

About the mass-release, Ellsworth says that the new Moment 27,5 will be ready in summer this year and same as the prototype, the Moment will be offered in carbon frame. About the price, there is no more information about the price yet.

Bulls bike also brings new products on the Sea Otter Classic 2015 event with their latest new bike, with their Wild Edge Team 29er bike. This bike is the further development of the previous version of the same bike which is used in the race by Team Bulls at Cape Epic. The Wild Edge Team 29er will be priced at $6000, as this bike is completed with high components to support its performance.

4/17/15

In Event, New Bike, New Product, Report // 8:27 PM // Leave a Comment

Sea Otter 2015: New Bikes and Prototype

Sea Otter 2015 surely the best spot for the brands to announce their new products, new bikes, and also prototypes. Some new bikes and prototypes are revealed such as like Santa Cruz with their new slopestyle which is specially built for Logan Peat. Some bad news about this bike is that there is no further information from the manufacturer for making this bike as mass production.

This may be a bit dissapointing for the fans but this is really good bike. And let's wait to see how Logan rides this bike and making an action with this new Santa Cruz slope style bike.

Another new slope style also revealed by another brand, the limited edition of Shaun Palmer Intense slope style bike. Like the Santa Cruz, as limited edition, this Intense slope bike is only two bikes out there, and one of the bike is built specially for the Sea Otter 2015 event.

Photo: VitalMTB

In Bike News, Event, New Product, Report, Suspension System // 8:04 PM // Leave a Comment

Sea Otter 2015: Marzocchi's Update News

It seems that the trend of 27,5+ will be booming in the recent days, since the first introduction of the 27,5 wheels few times ago. Some suspension brands soon launch their newest suspension products to support the 27,5+ size tires. Fox already in, and in the Sea Otter Classic 2015, it's the Marzocchi's turn to introduce their newest product to enter the competition in 27,5+ tires market.

Marzocchi is coming with their 350+ fork for the 27,5+ tires. This new Marzocchi's fork is a 160 mm travel fork, with the compressing and rebound features. The Marzocchi's feel also can be seen on the EspressoShot Coating, which gives not only good in the appearance but also in the performance.

Marzocchi 350+ Fork Features

650B Enduro-Fork

160mm Travel (140mm via Spacer)

CR (Compression- and Rebound Adjustment)

AER Air Chamber System

Air Preload and Negative Spring

Tapered Headtube

35mm Aluminium-Stanchions with Gold Race Coating

6“ Post Mount (max. 203mm)

QR15 axle

Colour: Flat black

Marzocchi also gives this 350+ fork with DBC (Dinamic Bleed Cartridge) which is claimed to be the most effective and efficient damping system that combines the benefit of the open and close oil. This feature will make this fork to be strong enough in various terrain, even the toughest terrain.

Marzocchi also releases the new dropper post along with the fork in the event, with the EPD or Espresso Push Dropper, this dropper post will be good match with the fork. The EPD will be offered in two models, the internal and external cable.

Source: EnduroMTB

4/16/15

In Event, New Bike, New Product, Report // 6:02 AM // Leave a Comment

Sea Otter 2015: Rocky Mountain Sherpa

The Sea Otter 2015 event just opened, and this event will be perfect booth for many brands to promote their newest products, as well as the Rocky Mountain that use this event to introduce their newest bike, which is quite different; with the 27,5+ tire size, this bike is success to get people's attention.

The idea to build this bike is the adventure. Rocky Mountain creates a bike that be able to explore any terrain, from mountain to dessert, that's why this bike is using 27,5+ tire, a new trend in biking world. With the 120 mm travel front and 95 mm rear travel, Rocky Mountain Sherpa will be able to be used in any track, as this is not a cross country bike, or enduro bike despite it has riser bar on it.

Rocky Mountain Sherpa Parts Spec

Frame: Smoothwall Carbon, custom hydroformed rear end

Shock: Manitou McLeod custom valved, 95mm travel

Fork: Manitou Magnum 27.5+, 120mm. TPC Absolute+ damper

Headset: Cane Creek Fifteen Series

Brake Levers: Shimano M506, I-Spec

Brakes: Shimano M506, 180mm rotors

Cassette: Shimano HG50 11-36T 10spd

Chain: KMC X10 10spd EcoProtect Anti-Rust

Cranks: Race Face Turbine Cinch, 170-175mm, 38/24T

Bottom Bracket: Race Face Cinch 30mm BB92 PressFit

Shifters: Shimano SLX Rapid Fire I-Spec 2x10spd

Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore E Mount 2x10spd

Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT Shadow Plus Direct Mount, 10spd

Front Hub: SUNringlé SRC Plus / Fat Fork Specific, 15x110mm

Rear Hub: DT Swiss 350, 12 x 142mm axle / Star Ratchet freehub

Spokes: DT Swiss Competition

Rims: WTB Scraper i45 27.5+ TCS Tubeless Ready

Tires: WTB Trailblazer 27.5+ TCS 27.5" x 2.8" Tubeless Ready

Handlebar: Race Face Evolve 3/4 Riser x 725mm x 9° Sweep

Stem: Race Face 6° x 70-100mm

Grips: Rocky Mountain LockOn Mushroom

Saddle: WTB Volt Race

Seatpost: Rocky Mountain XC 30.9mm x 400mm

The Rocky Mountain Sherpa is a classic-looking bike, with ornamental design on the frame; mythical creature lie on the body. Overall, the Rocky Mountain Sherpa is very suitable for the riders that also like to bike camping, because this is all rounder bike. Backpackers maybe need to try this, the Bikepackers.

4/15/15

In Bike News, New Bike, New Downhill Bike, New Product, Report // 8:50 PM // Leave a Comment

New Bike: Intense Launches M16 2016 DH Bike

Intense finally launches their newest downhill bike, the next generation of their popular downhill bike in the market, the M Generation with M16 2016 model. This new Intense downhill bike is continuing the success of the M generation since the first M rules the race in the period of 1990's until 2000's. Now, with the new M16 Intense which is some upgrades are provided there, Intense wants to get all back.

Intense M16 2016 Downhill Bike Highlights

27.5-inch wheel size

215 or 240mm (8.5 or 9.5-inches) of adjustable rear travel

Two levels of adjustable shock progression

Virtual Pivot Point (VPP) suspension

Hydroformed aluminum construction

9.5 x 3.0-inch Cane Creek Double Barrel coil shock

157mm rear hub spacing

Comes with 12x157 locking collet axle

Threaded bottom bracket with ISCG 05 tabs

Tapered headtube

Serviceable pivot points featuring collet bolts and grease ports

Molded FLK-GRD protection

External cable routing

Integrated fork bump stops/cable guides

Intense Red and Black colors

Made in the USA

Weight: 11.5-pounds (Large frame with shock)

MSRP $3,399 frame with shock

One interesting about this new Intense M16 DH bike, this bike is adopting the VPP suspension system, which can also be found in another downhill bike from Santa Cruz, the V10. It offers the adjustable travel from 215 or 240. The shock will be supported by Cane Creek Double Barrel coil.

In Bike News, New Product, New Technology, Report // 6:50 PM // Leave a Comment

New Product: New Shimano Deore XT 11 Speed Drivetrain

After a while since Shimano first announce their 11 speed version of Shimano XTR drivetrain, now Shimano finally launches their next 11 speed with new Shimano Deore XT. As many know that Shimano Deore XT is one of their most popular drivetrain from Shimano in the all mountain/enduro/trail mountain biking scene as well as their XTR model. For the new Deore XT 11 speed, Shimano offers it as three options; 1x11 speed, 2x11 speed, and 3x11 speed.

This various speed is special offered from Shimano that the new Shimano Deore XT 11 speed will suitable for XC to DH discipline. The difference between them is the tooth, 11x40T cassette will be for the 2x11 and 3x11. While the 1x11 speed will get 11x42T cassette, which is the biggest cassette from Shimano.

The new Shimano Deore XT crank will be available in carbon chainrings, and it's a bit similar with the XTR 11 speed crank. In the 1x11 crank will use special tooth to increase the chain retention up to 150%. The crank also available to accomodate the 148mm freehub, with two version of bottom bracket; both standard and pressfit.

On derailleur department, the new Shimano Deore XT rear derailleur is a bit difference with its predensor, with shorter cage. Shimano keeps its feature with shadow plus technology. Another updates on the derailleur is the pulley which is built to get better shifting.

New Shimano Deore XT Derailleur Updates

• New Shadow design with optimized, shallow slant angle

• Extremely low profile design

• Reduced shift effort

• Improved driving and shifting stability

• External adjusting clutch tension

• 1x11 and 2x11 compatible GS and 3x11 compatible SGS options

• High efficiency pulleys

• Direct mount compatible

• FD-M8020 2x11 and FD-M8000 3x11 options

• Light, crisp shift action

• New structure with current mounting options and new cable routing

• High clamp, Low clamp, D-type, E-type (without plate)

• Increased tire clearance allows for shorter chainstays

The shifting updates includes on its function as the trail mountain bike, to give simplicity for the riders to shift without make an effort. Shimano uses the OPTISLICK cable which is have big use to improve the ease of shifting.

• 20% lower shift effort with new OPTISLICK cable

• Improved vivid index mechanism

• New ergonomics

• Textured levers

• Multi / Instant and 2-WAY release

While as many know that Shimano Deore XT brakeset is one of the most popular trail brake in the market, Shimano gives new improvements on its new Shimano Deore XT 11 speed. One of the new improvement is that the new Deore XT brake is lighter than before.

New features on the new Shimano Deore XT brakeset

• Trail rated for power

• Servo Wave levers offer high power and short stroke

• Integrated master cylinder is lighter, cleaner and more durable

• Refined Servo Wave for improved feel and feedback

• Narrow clamp band offers increased adjustment

• Free stroke and tool-free reach adjust

Shimano also build two different version of their XT wheels, as their different function, which is race and trail. These both rims are wider and lighter, with the option 20 mm and 24 mm option of internal width respectively.

Shimano Deore XT Wheelset Updates

• Tubeless aluminum options

• Trail (WH-M8020) with 24C tubeless rim

• Race (WH-M8000) with 20C tubeless rim

• New lightweight hubs feature

• 28 butted spokes front and rear

• Hand-built Shimano quality

4/10/15

In Bike News, Carbon Mountain Bike, New Bike, New Product, New Technology, Report, Suspension System // 7:13 PM // Leave a Comment

New Bike: Bold Linkin Trail

Bold maybe an unfamiliar bike brand among the bike fans, but they are already confident to enter the market with a really different bike - which they call Bold Linkin Trail, a full suspension bike, though we cannot find where the rear shock is. Full suspension bike without rear shock? Basically, this bike is using rear shock as this is full suspension bike, but Bold make it hidden inside its carbon frame. And for this innovation, Bold claims that this is very first in the mountain biking world, and they call it as Internal Suspension Technology.

Bold is a brand new from Swiss with the name Bold Cycles Ltd. Bold then claims that their suspension system which is called Internal Suspension Technology is the world first technology. This technology offers a rearshock inside the seat tube. As plan, this bike will be participated on the Solothurn's Bike Days event on 8th-10th May 2015.

The Bold Linkin Trail will be offered in four different sizes, and as the standard this bike will come in 29er. It has three different frame sizes, and also three different length of the stem. As their first, Bold makes this bike as premium and exclusive, such as packed with wooden box to keep the bike in a good condition.

4/9/15

In Bike News, Carbon Mountain Bike, New Bike, New Product, Report // 6:14 PM // Leave a Comment

New Bike: GT S AMG Hardtail 29er 2015

Though the name of the bike is GT - which is one of the famous bike brand - the GT S AMG 29er is not from GT Bikes, but this bike is the result of the big collaboration from two brands, the Germany Rotwild and AMG. This GT S AMG 29er 2015 model is their third bike as the collaboration, as they also built two previous bikes before.

As also their previous project on partnership project, they again create a not-only-good-bike, but also the aestethic aspect, high performance, and surely, the exclussiveness. Using carbon material for the frame, they finally use the black carbon color and be combined with yellow. As special bike, the GT S AMG 29er 2015 model will be supported with high-end parts such as Pro Tharsis Carbon bars, and the Shimano XTR Di2 electronic shifting.

For addition, they also make some kind of "bonus" which is match with the bike and also limited edition. The bonus will be the Thule Round Trip Pro Bike Case, Topeak Suspension Setup Pump, Ergon BX2 Backpack Rotwild Limited Edition, and also Topeak Rescue Kit.

This collaboration between Rotwild and AMG will be resulting limited edition bike, just only 100 exclusive bikes in small, medium, and large size. This bike will be available in May 2015 and will be priced at $10,776.