New Bike: Transition Scout Carbon Press Release

Since its first appearance few times ago, together with its siblings, the Transition Patrol and the bigger Transition Smuggler, the Scout also gets big attention. And now, since they come in alloy version (Patrol has Carbon), the company announces the press release about Transition Scout Carbon. Here's the press release:

Press Release: The Scout has been one of our more overlooked bikes in our line. People are now just starting to catch on to how fun and capable this little bike is and now it's available in carbon. Touting all the great features and geometry of the aluminum Scout with a large reduction in weight and no compromise in strength. The carbon front triangle, seatstays and chainstays provide an amazingly playful feel on the trail or playground. Featuring the same dialed geometry and GiddyUp suspension as the alloy version, the carbon Scout is even better at turning trails into playgrounds. The fully guided internal cable routing for rear brake and derailleur are easy to use and rattle free. The collet main pivot keeps the rear end stiff and the threaded bottom bracket is a mechanics dream. All with around a 600-gram weight savings over the aluminum Scout.

Loaded With Features Such As:
    Not 27.5+ Compatible. Fit's up to 2.5" tire with plenty of clearance for mud.
    Playground Specific Geometry - Long, Low and Snappy
    Giddy Up Link Suspension, 125mm Rear and 140mm Front
    Integrated Rubber Chainstay Protection
    Collet Style Main Pivot Hardware
    ISCG05 Chainguide Mounting
    Full Size Water Bottle Fits Inside Front Triangle
    User Friendly 73mm Threaded Bottom Bracket
    Tubes Inside Tubes Internal Cable Routing for Easy Setup
    Medium Frame Weight With Rear Shock: 6.2lbs.

More information about the bike, please visit transitionbikes.com.

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Look Closer: Canyon Sender Downhill Bike

When Specialized releases their new generation of Demo, people are shocking with its assymetrical frame, and curious about its performance. Beside of that, the new Demo offers slacker frame which is at the first sight the bike looks so hot.

After a while with the euphoria of the new Demo, Canyon fights back and releases the sexiest downhill bike, with their new downhill bike Canyon Sender. While their all-mountain/enduro machine the Strive is known as one of the best machines, the Sender comes with different sensation.

Let's look closer to the Sender.

SUSPENSION SYSTEM

Based on the company, Sender is using four-bar suspension system which they called as MX-Link Suspension System. This system inspired from motocross setup, and the link will enable to tune the leverage ratio. This moto-inspires link is also known as Triple-Phase-Suspension, i.e:

Phase 1: Air shocks require more force for activation than coil shocks. The MX Link transmits high power at the start of the stroke to overcome this. The result is outstanding responsiveness, small bump sensitivity and traction around the sag point equal to riding a coil shock.

Phase 2: Lower power through the mid-stroke provides a stable platform to reduce momentum loss. This enables the rider to actively pump for more track speed and make pinpoint line choices. 

Phase 3: We combine the progressiveness of air shocks with a moderate progression at the end of the stroke to avoid blowing through the travel and give the suspension its bottomless feel.

(source - Canyon web)

GEOMETRY

Canyo calls the geometry of the Sender as Geo-Tune, which might be the combination between geometry and tuning. As we know, tuning is a way to adjust or make it 'in tune'. That's the concept and Canyon builds this geometry to be able to match with the terrain or tracks.

How?

In the faster and steeper terrain, it can use the standard 63 degree head. The chainstays also can be adjusted based on the rider's riding style. For technical race with tight corners, the shorter chainstays 430 mm setting can be used. While the riders want to get more speed, the longer 466 mm chainstays can be used.

MATERIAL
It's a bit different with another flagship machines from other brands, Canyon builds the Sender with the combination of carbon in the front triangle and alloy in the rear triangle. Some brands also use this combination like Polygon on their newest DH9 machine.

They have their own reason for using this combination, but they said that they don't seek for saving weight, but for the strenght and vibration damping. While the aluminum 6066 T6 material claims can handle the rough crash and damage.

Those materials then joined with high quality bearings, an industrial grade bearings to make it performs in the high level. The Sender has oversized bearings on the main triangle to deal with the high lateral force that may happen in this part.

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New Product: Dialed Tuning Apps from Cane Creek

If you are mountain biker, forget about Pokemon Go when you are in the bike. Even, it might be better for not installing it. Despite this very popular game is very fun to play, but it will be dangerous in a bike. You-Know-Why.

Rather than Pokemon Go, you better try this apps. This is very useful apps for mountain bikers. Cane Creek Dialed Tuning Apps. Yes, this apps is from Cane Creek. With this apps, everyone of you can turn the smartphones into tuning tool, to help the riders in the setup. Both iOS and Android can install this apps.

To use the apps is quite simple. Users will be given simple questions such as selecting user's bikes - more than 6.000 bikes, shock type and also user's weight. As this information is used for the tuning, better to give real information. Users can choose their bike based on the brand name, and the model. But, like its name the available shock is shock from Cane Creek only.

But still, this apps is very useful for Cane Creek shock users. The users can choose base tuning or even personal tuning. This apps is designed to be easy to be used, so the beginner riders will be able to turn into "expert" riders. Overall, this apps is very useful for riders who have Cane Creek shock in their bike.

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New Bike: Commencal's 2017 Range and Rocky Mountain Prototype Enduro Bike

Commencal finally releases their new range for 2017, with several new bikes. Not really new, because they are the bikes that already exist before, but Commencal makes them better than before. Like others, Commencal also sell the bikes directly to the customer, that gives more advantages, both for the company and the customers. So, the fans, please welcome the new Commencal bikes for 2017.

COMMENCAL META SX V3

This is the bike that already exist few times before, and it makes a comeback for 2017. With new finishing details and also the latest parts. The new Meta SX V3 comes with 160mm rear travel combined 170 mm front travel. The fullbike version offers the combo Rockshox Lyrik Solo Air and Monarch R Plus. It also equipped by SRAM's kit, Level T Brakeset and NX 1x11 drivetrain.

COMMENCAL META TR V3

The shorter version of the first bike. It has 130mm rear travel and 140mm front travel. Commencal says that the Meta TR V3 is their entry level, but later they continue with "But that doesn't mean it's low-end!". Same with the higher version, it also equipped by SRAM's kit - Rockshox Sektor 140 mm, Monarch R, SRAM X5 2x10 speed. The brakeset is the exception, with the Tektro brakeset.

COMMENCAL META HT TR

One of the most fun hardtail bike out there, the Meta HT TR also gets updates. The brand says "With the Meta HT TR, we’ve concentrated primarily on the frame, then the forks and then finally, the transmission. Equipped with SRAM and RockShox components, the new Meta HT TR is ready for the trails..." For more information about those bikes, keep watching their website.

While Commencal is on their press release, another big brand in mountain bike industry the Rocky Mountain seems also ready to build a new enduro machine as their prototype bike is spotted in La Thuile. There are not many information about the bike, but at the sight it seems that the Maiden DH is the inspiration. This photo taken from a forum in VitalMTB web.

This Rocky Mountain enduro prototype has similar Smoothlink suspension design just like their DH machine. As this prototype comes with carbon material, it maybe needs no long time to see the complete bike of this prototype. Keep watching it, guys.

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New Bike: Giant Releases New Trance 2017

Giant Trance has been one of the most popular trail bike of the company, and always get update almost each year. Last year, the Trance also includes in the line up (Read: New Bike - Giant 2016 Line Up). And for the next year, there will be new Trance, with some upgrades of course. Giant chooses the Eurobike Media Days in Kirchberg to introduce their newest trail weapon.

Giant Trance 2017 Details:

• 27.5" wheels

• 140mm travel, Trunnion mount shock

• Internal cable routing

• Boost spacing front and rear

• 92mm Powercore B.B.

• 6 models; two Advanced Carbon and four alloy models

• Available September 2016

• S, M, L, XL 

• MSRP: Approx. €1800 - €6500 TBC

• www.giant-bicycles.com

As stated above that there will be six models (yes, six models!) for the fans. Two carbon and alloy for the rest. The highest spec is the Advanced, finished with combination black and blue, pretty similar with last year's Reign. While the Advanced version of last year Trance has more colors, black, orange, and blue.

But, along with the Trance 2017, Giant also introduces the 2017 Anthem and their flagship hardtail the XTC. All those also get few upgrades, and the XTC will get the plus tire. Their women specific Liv, also there for the fans. (pic: pinkbike.com)

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New Bikes: Scott Spark and Scale for 2017

Scott is the big brand in mountain biking sport scene especially, though they also making another bikes like road bike. Some of their bikes are very popular in gravity bikes with the Gambler and Voltage. But in the shorter travel, they have also good products and for the 2017, Scott introduces the short travel bikes with the new Scott Spark and Scott Scale. Both are famous in Cross Coutry mountain bike, with only a different; Scott Spark is full suspension and Scott Scale is hardtail. What's new?

SCOTT SPARK PLUS 2017

Scott redesign the Spark radically for 2017. Even this is really different bike with the previous Spark. And Scott really puts a detail on this new bike, by releasing some versions of the new Scott Spark. One of the biggest different with previous Spark is the new Spark will get higher travel, up to 130 mm on the front.

Scott Spark Plus 2017 Details
• Intended use: XC / trail riding
• Travel: 130mm front, 120mm rear
• 27.5+ wheels
• 110mm Boost front and 148mm Boost rear
• 66.9° head angle
• HMF carbon main frame, link and swingarm
• Fox 34 Float FIT4-3 forks
• Fox NUDE trunnion mounted shock
• Scott Twinloc TSP Suspension system
• SRAM XX1 Eagle transmission
• Internal cable routing
• Weight: 11.6kg / 25.5lb (Size M w/tubes)
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL

Scott will build two versions, and they are Scott Spark Plus and Scott Spark RC. Each versions has several models. Scott Spark Plus model line up Spark 700 Tuned, Spark 710, Spark 720, and Spark 730. As stated above, the new Spark gets redesign and uses new suspension design - they call the link as Rocker Link.

SCOTT SPARK RC 2017

For the RC version, the models are Scott Spark RC 700 and Scott Spark RC 900. Each models has another types, the SL, Ultimate, World Cup, and Pro. What is the different with the plus version? The Spark RC version is a bike that will be compatible with both 29er and or 27,5 wheels. But the SL version, 900 SL and 700 SL is different. The first is 29er and the second one is 27.5 wheels.

SCOTT SCALE 2017

The Scott most popular hardtail model, the Scale also gets new touch for 2017. Like Spark, the new Scale also available in several models, Scale 950, 960, 965, 970, 750, 760, 765, and 770. So many choices. Amazingly, all those models are available for both 29er and 27,5 wheeled. To build these new bikes, Scott again completes the bike with Syncross parts. (pinkbike.com)

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New GT Bikes 2017

GT bikes has great bikes last year and get more people's attention with those bikes. And after few races, GT bikes finally releases several new bikes, some of them are really brand new, and it means that some of their popular bikes such Fury and Sanction will not be here. But, new bikes are new bikes, it always interesting to see new bikes.

GT Helion 9er

GT Helion is one of their popular bikes, and for 2017 they build a new Helion with bigger wheels. GT Helion is 29er now. Basically the 2017 GT Helion is based on their previous 27,5 inch Helion which is success in the market as trail bike. 

GT Helion 9er Details

• Progressive geometry provides a longer front-center 

• Carbon front triangle, 6069 alloy rear 

• 29" wheels

• Boost front, 142mm rear 

• Carbon Expert (shown), Expert and Elite “9er” models

• S, M, L, XL

• MSRP: TBC

As stated above, the 2017 Helion will be introduced in few models, with the highest spec is 9er model. With bigger wheels, the 2017 Helion has shorter travel than its predensor with 100 mm travel, reduced from 110 mm travel in the previous.

GT Pantera 27,5+

When we talk about GT's hardtail, the first bike to be considered surely the Zaskar line, but now GT has prepared a new bike, not really new, though but this will be great hardtail from GT. GT Pantera, now with 27,5+ wheels to make it fresh. The 120 mm suspension is equipped with Rockshox Revelation with Boost. 

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