New Bike: Vitus Sommet Carbon Prototype and Bergamont En-Core Prototype

Vitus may not as famous as Santa Cruz or Specialized but day by day they start to build good product. One of their popular bike, the Sommet finally gets carbon touch with the newest Vitus Sommet Carbon Prototype. As carbon, the new Sommet is lighter than the alloy up to 300 gr, and Vitus says that this bike will be available during 2016 with the price not too far with alloy model. 

As prototype, there's still limited information about the bike like the geometry or suspension system used, but the new Sommet looks slack. SRAM supports almost parts for the bike in this prototype, including suspension system, groupset, and dropper post.

Like Vitus, Bergamont also releases their prototype with 27.5 wheels and provides 160 mm front travel and 165 mm rear travel. Like other new bike nowadays, Bergamont En-Core Prototype will use internal cable route. En-Core Prototype is using longer linkage than its Trailster. This linkage also made from carbon material.

But there's no information abou this bike for global availability and also the price. Bergamont En-Core will available in various size with the biggest up to XL size. (Pinkbike.com)

Read More

Product Tested: Funn Tenacious Crankset

Funn is a brand that have various products on mountain biking scene, such as handlebars, stems, saddles, seatpost, pedals, and also crankset. Their products also spread in various scenes from cross country to downhill. They may not as popular as another brands with same products, but they have products with good price, and they can be the alternative for good product at good price.

Special for cranks, they have several products such as Hooka, Carbonation, Ridge, and also Tenacious. The last one is the product that we will talk about in this article. Funn Tenacious cranks is crank that specially built for XC to AM, with triple chainrings and various color options for the customization.

Appearance

Funn Tenacious is a simple cranks, with the several color option available; black/blue, black/yellow, and black/orange. The arm is built from AL7050 material and AL7075 for the rings. This crank can be the alternative for the lower price crank but still with the up to date technology such as hollowtech II. The teeth rings are 24-32-42, with overall weight about 935gr to 960gr.

Durability

For the durability, the Tenacious crank that have been tested is used for several months, and brought in any terrain start from road until heavy all mountain track. First impression, this crank works well both on the road and offroad. For additional information, this crank is combined with Shimano SLX drivetrain. A bit problem comes after several months of usage after being used in the hard track with various obstacles, uphill and aggressive descent track.

The problem comes in the bearing, when it starts to get out of tuned. For road usage the problem is not appear, but in extreme uphill the bearing releases disturbing sound. So, this crank may better to be used in cross country only, at least at light all mountain. Another information, the hollow tube of this crank is bigger than Shimano, so when the BB in an error, the solution is only replace the bearing with same size or replace with new Funn BB. And it seems that Funn not sell their BB as independent, in other words we have to buy a complete package of crankset and the BB.

Conclusion

Overall about Funn Tenacious crank is fair. This product can be the alternative for anyone who want to use non SRAM-Shimano cranks with reasonable price. Despite the manufacture says that this crank is designed for cross country to all mountain biking scene, it's better for using this crank in cross country than all mountain, due to the durability of the product. And also important to be remember, alternative product sometime is more difficult to be maintain than mainstream products, because the part is limited.

But for anyone who want to be different, this product have really good price under $100 which is very fair for the quality. The various color of the crank also make this product can be the alternative, for make a customization with the bike.

Read More

New Bike: Specialized Stumpjumper FSR 2016

Okay, Specialized is one of the biggest player on the mountain biking world in all different scene, from road to downhill, they are already there. And in this medio 2015, Spez releases their newest model of their popular model, the Stumpjumper FSR 2016. The new Stumpjumper will be available in both 27.5 wheels and 29 wheels.

Spez makes many development for the new Stumpy, such as new frame design with the basic from the old Stumpy. The FSR is still the suspension system that they used for this bike, as reflected on the name of the bike, the Stumpjumper FSR 2016. But for the 2016, the EVO model on this Stumpy will be no more.

Specialized Stumpjumper FSR 2016 650B and 29 Highlights

- Carbon and alloy models 

- 150/135mm travel (650b/29) 

- FSR suspension 

- New seatstay and shock extension design 

- Rx Trail shock tune 

- Sealed cartridge bearings 

- Integrated SWAT technology (carbon models only) 

- Removable downtube protection 

- 12x142mm rear end, 142+ wheels 

- Slacker headtube angles at 67/67.5° (650b/29) 

- Internal cable routing through molded carbon tubes 

- 2X compatible with the Taco Blade 

- New Command Post IRcc and wide Roval Traverse Fattie rims on all models 

The model of the new Stumpjumper both in 650b and 29er will be S-Works Carbon ($8,600), Expert Carbon ($5,900), Elite ($4,300), Comp Carbon ($3,800) and Comp ($2,900). But, maybe for following the new trend, Spez also build the Stumpjumper 2016 in the 27.5+ model.

On the frame design, this new Stumpjumper has many secret weapon, such as the hole under the bottle cage which is called "SWAT door" (SWAT; storage, water, air, tool). This hole is functionable, it can be used to keep the tool such as pump. 

Read More

New Bike: BH Lynx 4.8 Carbon

It comes from Spain to the Riva Bike Fest, BH introduces their latest model of their trail bike, the Lynx 4.8 carbon, with 650b wheel, 120mm travel, and adopting the Split Pivot suspension system. BH builds this model in four different specifications, started from €3.497.

As with carbon material, BH makes this bike more lightweigth with interesting frame geometry. This BH trail machine is equipped with high performance parts; Shimano components, Magura, Fox suspension, and also the dropper post - something a must have in a trail bike nowadays.

One makes interesting, the Split Pivot suspension system that be adopted in this bike looks a bit unique, due to the usage of assymmetrical position of the rear shock. To accomodate the different riders, the Lynx 4.8 will be available in four different size. For availability, this new mountain bike will be shipped in June with the price range 3,497€ – 6,783€.

Read More

NS Bikes Releases Limited Edition Fuzz DH

Again, NS Bikes is making an unique approach to attract the fans, by releasing another their popular downhill bike, the Fuzz 2015 Limited Edition. Just like the Limited Edition Snabb, this Fuzz Limited Edition also comes in a few bikes worldwide; the manufacturer is only build ten bikes worldwide. This bike will be distributed only in selected countries with special price €4999.

As limited edition bike, the Fuzz 2015 Limited Edition will come with unique numbers. Overall, as limited edition, this bike is really nice to be owned. Dark theme on the frame combined with the Marzocchi suspension both front and rear espresso coating with titanium spring for the fork.

Read also: NS Bikes Releases Limited Edition Snabb 

NS Bikes Fuzz DH Limited Edition Features

Frame: NS Fuzz LTD w/203mm (8”) rear wheel travel, AL6061-T6+AL6066-T6 custom formed and butted tubes, internal cable guide routing option

Shock: Marzocchi Moto C2R2 VA, 240x76mm (9.5×3.0”)

Fork: Marzocchi 380 C2R2 TI w/200mm, titanium spring, 20mm axle, aluminium steering tube

Stem: NS Direct Mount LTD 31.8 (40-48mm / 2 positions)

Handlebar: NS Monogram Plus carbon (800mm / 31.5” wide)

Grips: ODI SDG bolt-on

Brakes: Shimano Saint w/ cooling fins, 203mm Shimano ice-tech rotors

Shifters: SRAM X01 7spd

Derailleur: SRAM X01 X-Horizon DH 7spd

Crank: SRAM X01 DH carbon crank, 36t chainring, w/o bash,165mm, with 83mm GXP BB

Chainguide: Mozartt Presto with bashguard

Chain: KMC, 11 spd

Cassette: SRAM XG-795, 11-24 DH 7spd miniblock

Rims: NS Enigma 650B 32h

Hubs: NS Rotary 20 disc (sealed bearing), NS Rotary Cassette 157mm (sealed bearings)

Spokes: 1.8mm/2.0mm double butted w/ 14mm nipples

Tires: Schwalbe Magic Mary 27.5×2.35

Seatpost: NS Stealth

Saddle: SDG Circuit MTN Ti-Alloy

Bike weight: 15.9 kg (w/o pedals)

Size: available in 3 frame sizes

NS Bikes really makes this bike a limited edition with almost parts used are NS Bikes parts. Moreover, the high specs are ready to support this bike to execute every trail, so this is not only just nice-looking bike but also sweet-looking monster. More information about the bike, availability and another related to the bike visit NS Bike Fuzz Limited Edition. Find the difference of this limited edition Fuzz with previous NS Bikes Fuzz.

Read More

NS Bikes Releases Limited Edition Snabb

The Snabb basically is not a really new bike, as this model from the NS Bikes have been introducing to the fans several times ago, and the Snabb is such a great bike just like what NS Bikes build. But for this mid of 2015, NS Bikes releases again the special edition of Snabb, moreover this 2015 edition of Snabb is limited edition. Just 15 bikes available worldwide!

One of the most biggest difference is the finishing design. The previously Snabb is a bright bike, but this 2015 Snabb is a dark but elegant bike. Equipped with high spec in each departments will make this bike is ready for the roughest trail out there.

NS Bikes Snabb Limited Edition 2015 Main Features

Frame: NS Snabb Enduro LTD w/ 163mm rear wheel travel,

AL6061-T6+AL6066-T6 custom formed and butted tubes, internal cable routing option

Shock: Rock Shox Monarch Plus Debonair RC3, 216x63mm

Fork: Rock Shox Pike RCT3 27,5” fork w/160mm, 15mm axle, aluminium taper steering tube

Stem: NS Magneto LTD 31.8, 47mm

Handlebar: NS Monogram Light carbon (760mm / 30” wide)

Grips: ODI SDG bolt-on

Brakes: Shimano XTR w/ cooling fins, 180mm Shimano ice-tech rotors

Shifters: SRAM X01 11spd

Derailleur: SRAM X01 X-Horizon, 11spd

Crank: Sram X01 carbon crank, 32t chainring, w/o bash, 170mm crankarm, 73mm GXP BB

Chain: SRAM PC1170, 11 spd

Chainguide: Mozartt S3

Cassette: Sram XG-1180, 11 speed 10-42

Wheel option-1: Crankbrothers Iodine 3

Wheel option-2:

Rims: NS Enigma 650B, 32h rear, NS Enigma Lite 650B, 32h front

Hubs: NS Rotary 15 disc (sealed bearing), NS Rotary Cassette 142mm (sealed bearings)

Spokes: CN MAC 1.8mm/2.0mm double butted, w/ 14mm nipples

Tires: Schwalbe Hans Dampf 27.5×2.35 front, Rock Razor 27.5×2.35 rear

Seatpost: Rock Shox Reverb Stealth 150mm

Saddle: SDG Circuit MTN Carbon

Bike weight:

12.7 kg Crankbrothers wheelset

12.9 kg Enigma wheelset

Sizes: Available in 3 frame sizes S (15,5”), M (17.0”), L (19”)o.

Special price €4899

The Limited Edition Snabb will comes with different number, and the manufacturer also gives an option for make the Snabb looks more dark with the option of Crankbrothers Iodine 3 wheels. For more information about the bike and the availability, visit NS Bikes Snabb. 

Read More