Report: Seriously? Aaron Gwin Leaves Specialized?

This year, Atherton's leaves GT after a while and make a partnership with Trek. We also remember that Jared Graves also leaves Yeti and he goes to Specialized. But, it seems to be the most surprisingly; It is official, and Specialized have been announced it to public. Aaron Gwin will not race with Specialized again.

For mountain bike fans, the name Aaron Gwin is identic with Specialized for long time. They have awesome relationship, and with Spez, Gwin gets amazing races. We still remember the time when he rides tireless. On different race, he runs his bike without a chain, and he still win. But sadly, this year, just few days to go to the 2016, Aaron Gwin and Specialized will not race together again. And yes, it's official.

So, what about the next season? 

It is interesting to see which factory. There are many speculations about where Gwin will take a part. Gwin says that he have good relationship with Spez and there are no conflicts among them. This is pure professional, and Gwin later says that it is normal for any riders to change the teams. And that's happen with many riders. (photo: pinkbike.com)

Just keep watching on this.

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New Bike: Kona Precept 150

Kona finally starts to introduce one of their new line up for 2016, which is enduro specific mountain bike; the Precept 150. This bike will be suitable for anyone who want to rides enduro but stuck on the budget; as we all know that enduro mountain bike now goes fast on technology which is make the bike higher. So, the Kona Precept 150 means enduro on a budget. Let's check this bike.

On first sight, the appearance of this Precept 150 2016 is fresh; black in most parts and combined with blue and orange, which seems to be popular color for bike. The bike comes in aluminum frame, and some good quality parts from well known manufacturers such as RockShox.

Kona Precept 150 2016 Edition

Fork: RockShox Sektor Solo Air 150 mm

Rear Shock: RockShox Monarch RT

Drivetrain: SRAM X7

Brakes: Shimano

Seatpost: KS Eten R

Tyres: Maxxis High Roller II 2.40

Wheelsize: 27.5″

Hubs: Shimano Deore

Rims: WTB SX25

Price: € 2,299

Mostly, this bike is really good for anyone who want to start enduro riding, but for real enduro, some parts should be changed. There are good of course, but to get better peformance, the parts should be upgraded. But for everyday riding, this bike is more than enough. So, what would you do next for this bike? (enduro-mtb.com)

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New Bike: Airdrop Edit Enduro Bike

The enduro mountain biking scene develops so fast, and get big attention among the mountain biking fans. There are many options for the fans to choose which bikes are best; specs, prices, and for some, the brand to get people's attention. Without a doubt, people would give their attention when someone is riding a bike from Specialized, or Santa Cruz, or Trek, or another. But, for the riders that don't care too much about brand, there is another alternative to be chose.

Airdrop Bikes is a really brand new bike brand that trying to enter to the stiff competition in enduro mountain biking scene. And as the first step, they are just releasing their very first bike, an enduro bike the Airdrop Edit Enduro, which has 150mm of travel. The Sheffield brand gives a different style, but this is very simple bike, but in a same time, effective.

Airdrop Edit Enduro Bike Highlights

6061-T6 Heat Treated Alloy Tubing

150mm Plush Rear Wheel Travel

27.5″ (650b) Wheels

Built For 1x Drivetrains

Tapered Headtube

142x12mm Rear Axle

Threaded BB With ISCQO5 Tabs

Replaceable Dropouts

Replaceable Hanger & Brake Mount

Designed In Sheffield

Frame & Shock from € 1,314

Frame Bundles from € 2,006

Bikes from € 3,460

As really brand new bike, Airdrop Bikes offers many interesting programs for the fans. The frame bundle here means that the fans can choose what suspension will be used, both rear and front, plus the seatpost and saddle. For frame only option, the fans can choose what shock installed on the frame, and also custom decals. Yes, Airdrop Bikes receives the custom decals request.

As really fresh bike, the information about the bike is still limited, mostly on the performance and riding impression. More information about the bike, just visit Airdrop Bikes.

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New Bike: Intense Tracer Shaun Palmer Special Edition

Shaun Palmer will receive their own version of popular enduro bike from Intense; awesome custom color and support from Fox suspension and DT Swiss, the Intense Tracer Palmer Edition is really stunning. The good news is, the brand will make this Palmer Edition Tracer into public, but in limited numbers. So, if you want to get this awesome bike sleeps in your garage, prepare yourself and keep watching about the mass production. The features of the Palmer Edition Tracer such as carbon monocoque chassis, custom DT Swiss wheelset, custom paint - great paint job, awesome - ISCG 05 compatible, water bottle, and 5 year frame warranty. And this Tracer Palmer Edition will be priced $7,499.

Intense Tracer Palmer Edition Spec

Frame: 27.5” Tracer Full Mountain Carbon Front and Rear Triangle, JS Tuned Suspension, Internal Derailleur, Brake & Dropper Post Routing, ISCG05 Mount, Downtube Flak Guard Armor, 140 -160 mm travel

Fork: FOX FACTORY 36 FLOAT, 3 Pos Lever w/ Open Mode Adj, 27.5” 15QR Thru Axle, 160 mm Travel

Shock: FOX FACTORY FLOAT X, 3 Pos Lever w/ Open Mode Adj, LV EVOL, 200 x 57 mm

Wheels: DT Swss E1501

Hubs: 28 Hole DT Swiss 240 15 mm Front Hub; 142 x 12 Rear Hub w/ XD Driver, 6 Bolt

Rims: DT Swiss E 1501 Spline One 27.5", Tubeless Ready

Spokes: DT Competition 2.0/1.8/2.0

Tires: Maxxis High Roller II, 27.5 x 2.3“, EXO TR

Shifters: SRAM X1, 11-speed

Rear Derailleur: SRAM X01, 11-speed

Crank: E13 TRSr Carbon

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

Chain: SRAM X1, 11-speed

Chain Guide: AU ONLY, E13 XCX

Bottom Bracket: PF92

Saddle: Fabric Scoop Radius Pro

Seatpost: RockShox Reverb Stealth, 31.6 mm x 420 mm, zero offset, 125 mm of travel

Handlebar: RENTHAL FatBar Carbon 20 mm - 760 mm

Stem: Renthal Duo Stem 50 mm

Headset: Cane Creek, 40, alloy cartridge, 25 mm of spacers

Brakeset: Magura MT8 Disc Brake, 180 mm rotor front and rear

Grips: Intense Dual Density Lock-On

As custom bike, Intense builds the bike nicely. Most covered in white with some black on the frame. The suspension both are from Fox. The combination of white, black and gold from Fox's Kashima makes the bike looks luxurious. But still, despite the bike is looking beautiful, this is still a monster. The emblem "P" for Palmer is shown in several parts, such as the head tube and the hubset.

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New Product: SR Suntour Durolux R2C2 27.5 2016

SR Suntour probably not a huge brand in suspension industry, but the brand is 'huge' by its own way, and now slowly they can run aside between another big players in mountain bike suspension industry. Several times ago, SR Suntour redesigns their Durolux fork, and release it together with the new Rux, Auron and Aion forks. With their QLoc axle, SR Suntour continues their show.

Those forks slowly become the alternative suspension forks for the riders that want to get good performance at a slower price than the competitors. SR Suntour also completes their products with Quick Service Product, that really help the riders to maintenance their forks by themselves. Now, SR Suntour again makes some updates for the Durolux as one of their high-end forks in the market.

SR Suntour Durolux R2C2 Highlights

160, 170, or 180mm travel (internally adjustable)

27.5-inch only

Air sprung with new air volume adjustment system and two step coil negative spring

Fully sealed R2C2 cartridge damper with new Piston Compensator System (PCS)

External high and low-speed rebound, high and low-speed compression adjustments

Additional RC2 (high and low-speed compression, low-speed rebound) damper option

Air bleed/lubrication holes

Quick Service Product (QSP)

Black 36mm 7000 series alloy stanchions

Hollow forged crown

20mm Q-LOC2 axle

180mm post brake mount

Tapered 7000 series alloy steerer

Integrated/removable mud fender, carbon optional

Black and white colors

Weight: 2,337 grams (5.2-pounds)

MSRP: $800 for R2C2 model, $700 for RC2 model

The new Durolux fork first comes in 35 mm black stanchion, but now on 2016 model the stanchion is bigger. It now about 36 mm of 7000 alloy stanchion. But the greatest news about the 2016 Durolux is the price. The manufacturer keeps the price of this fork to be lower than the competitors. Internal adjustable makes the new Durolux as all-rounder forks; trail - enduro - freeride riders can enjoy various terrain in a single fork.

Sounds promising, huh?

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