Gearheads, rejoice! After a quiet spell that just about lowered us to twiddling our thumbs, the biking tech world is again in full swing, simply in time to rev issues up earlier than Sea Otter Basic 2024 hits the shores of the US. Whereas our North American Editor, Anne Marjie Rook, is on the bottom on the world’s largest biking competition searching down essentially the most attention-grabbing tech, many manufacturers have already launched new merchandise.
Zipp has up to date the long-lasting Tremendous 9 disc wheel, Categorized has teamed up with Enve to offer new groupset choices on the brand new Fray, and Specialised has launched a brand new E-gravel bike. That and a complete host of different releases, so let’s waste no time.
New releases from Sram
Yesterday, Zipp debuted the discharge of two new variations of the Tremendous-9 disc wheel, one for the highway, and one for the velodrome. The brand new disc is claimed to ‘add pace by way of environment friendly energy switch, stiffness, and sturdiness’ – a step away from the wind tunnel claims we’ve gotten so used to listening to about during the last 5 years.
(Picture credit score: Zipp)
That stated, the SRAM subsidiary model claims that it spent in depth time within the wind tunnel testing seven prototypes and in contrast them with a number of premium disc wheels in the marketplace. This, in addition to testing the brand new disc with a number of common TT and observe frames in the marketplace, and Zipp is assured that its wheel is flexible in numerous situations.
The highway going model of the Tremendous 9 includes a hookless rim design, and claims to be optimized for a 28mm tyre width, which apparently, is the narrowest tyre width ETRTO and ISO requirements would recommend you employ alongside the wheels 23mm inside rim width.
The brand new disc weighs simply 999g, and helps a most tyre strain of 73psi.
(Picture credit score: Zipp)
The observe particular Tremendous 9 includes a totally different rim profile. Optimized for a a lot narrower 23mm tyre setup, the observe wheel nonetheless makes use of a clincher design, with a 19mm inside rim width and hooked rim development.
Concurrently the Zipp launch, Time additionally launched a whole overhaul to its pedal line up. The model, which was acquired by SRAM in early 2021 has up to date a complete of 8 pedals throughout its vary, largely focussing on the mountain bike finish of the spectrum.
For these of us on the sleek stuff, nonetheless, the Time has refreshed the Xpro 12 SL.
(Picture credit score: Time)
The brand new pedals boast claims of being the ‘lightest in the marketplace’, weighing in at a feathery 87g per pedal – that is round 30 grams lower than a Dura-Ace equal. Time hit’s this weight by utilizing titanium spindles, ceramic bearings, and a proprietary carbon fiber pedal physique.
For extra info, go to the SRAM web site.
Reynolds’ new wheel vary
Aero wheels are nice. They’re quick, more and more light-weight, and go well with the aesthetic of many trendy bikes at this time – however there are particular events that warrant a set of light-weight set of hoops.
Enter the brand new 25mm wheel vary from Reynolds.
(Picture credit score: Reynolds)
Reynolds has launched a complete of three new wheelsets within the 25mm depth, the AR25, BlackLabel Professional 25, and range-topping BlackLabel Professional 25. The latter is claimed to tip the scales at 1,251g. For a wheel of this depth the load is not significantly groundbreaking, nonetheless, that is not the principal purpose of this wheelset from the American wheel producer. It claims that at this weight, it will probably nonetheless provide its efficiency and lifelong assure of the structural integrity of the rim.
(Picture credit score: Reynolds)
The wheels all function a hooked rim profile, with 30mm exterior and 21mm inside rim width, and the BL Professional wheelset rolls on Business 9 hubs. Whereas the BL Professional wheelset retails for £2,200, the BL Professional and AR25 wheelsets will set you again a extra modest £1,800 and £1,350 respectively.
For extra info, go to the Reynolds web site.
Enve x Categorized
Categorized Biking has introduced a worldwide partnership with premium bike and element model Enve. The Belgium-based drivetrain model might be bringing its proprietary inside hub shifting know-how to carbon wheel and body producer ENVE’s premium merchandise, together with the SES and G sequence wheelsets.
The 2-speed rear hub permits riders to benefit from the gearing vary of a 2x system similtaneously the simplicity and aerodynamic benefits of a 1x system.
(Picture credit score: Enve)
The partnership marks a brand new chapter for Categorized, who appear to have been verging on mainstream for quite a few years now.
“We glance to ENVE as a benchmark of premium biking manufacturing and this partnership represents our continued pursuit of innovation and efficiency within the trade,” stated Mathias Plouvier, CEO of Categorized. “By working along with ENVE and our different companions, we are able to make our know-how accessible to extra riders than ever, giving them entry to a brand new stage of shifting efficiency and flexibility whether or not they trip on the highway, gravel or path.”
New merchandise might be supplied in a spread of various choices. Standalone wheelsets might be out there from €1.499 / $1,100 with Enve’s Basis sequence, whereas the SES Sequence wheelsets will set you again €2.999 / $2,450 and extra.
Possibility 2 is a rolling chassis. Enve is making the Melee, MOG and model new Fray out there as rolling chassis choices fitted with Categorized hubs, ranging from €7.699 / $8,000. For European clients, there may be additionally the choice to purchase the bike as a full construct ranging from €10.899.
Fizik x Pas Regular Studios
If Sting was into biking, these, absolutely, are the sneakers he would use. This new collaboration from Fizik and Pas Regular Studios would definitely have a look at house ‘strolling on the moon’, however what’s new about this partnership-exclusive shoe?
(Picture credit score: Fizik)
The Mechanism PNS x Fizik collaboration is the most recent between the Danish premium biking equipment model and Italian shoe producer and includes a smooth polyurethane-laminated higher development that’s mixed with a mesh to offer ‘lengthy lasting foot assist’ in accordance with Fizik.
The sneakers are constructed off of Fizik’s R2 carbon fiber outsole, which includes a stiffness index score of 10 and in addition function a large inlet channel for improved air flow.
The claimed 235g sneakers will hit the cabinets for €450 / £390 / $490, and extra info might be discovered on the Fizik web site.
New Restrap bottles and cages
Restrap has migrated from bike-packing luggage to bottles and cages with its newest launch. The British bike-packing specialist has unveiled a lineup of water bottles and cages designed to suit simply into smaller frames, and bikes with body luggage in use.
To deal with the pesky clearance difficulty for adventurers, Restrap has adopted the likes of Topeak in making a side-loading bottle cage, which permits the bottle to be eliminated in a twisting movement, quite than pulling it up and right into a body bag.
(Picture credit score: Restrap)
The cages ship with a sliding plate that enables for 25mm of adjustment to the bottle cage, significantly helpful on frames the place the bottle cage bosses aren’t optimally positioned. The aspect loader cages will set you again £14.95.
Alongside the cages, Restrap has additionally launched 500ml and 750ml bottles which are made utilizing 100% recyclable BPA/F/S free polyethylene.
For extra info, go to the Restrap web site.
Specialised Creo SL E5 Comp
Again in September of 2023, Specialised launched the Creo 2 e-bike, and it is honest to say we had been fairly impressed on first inspection. Nonetheless, when it initially launched, the gravel-focused e-bike was solely out there in range-topping carbon fashions – till now.
(Picture credit score: Specialised)
Specialised has introduced the identical geometry, and motor unit to an all new premium E5 alloy frameset priced at a way more palatable £4000. This new alloy Creo options Specialised’s personal SL 1.2 motor unit, which may give you 320 watts of energy at 50Nm of torque.
(Picture credit score: Specialised)
This as much as 120 mile vary is complimented by Specialised third technology Futureshock, which gives a small quantity of vertical journey on the handlebars, which ought to take the sting of rougher highway using.
You could find out extra on Specialised’s web site right here
