It’s been an enormous week for SRAM.
The Chicago-based element producer launched its new-look Crimson AXS groupset to fairly the fanfare. But additionally being the house of Zipp, it parlayed its headline launch with a handlebar designed to work at the side of the up to date Crimson shifters.
And it didn’t cease there. Clearly the thought of designing particular merchandise to work at the side of different particular merchandise is one thing SRAM is sizzling on. It is teamed up with rubber specialists Goodyear to create a street tire only for its Zipp 353 NWS and 303 collection wheels. We give each the once-over.
Elsewhere we check out Rene Herse’s made-in-Japan bar luggage, and MAAP’s up to date Alt-Street line – each of which ought to serve the off-road adventurer nicely.
Zipp builds handlebar round SRAM Crimson
(Picture credit score: Zipp)
Whereas SRAM’s launch of its up to date Crimson AXS groupset took centre stage this week, the US model additionally launched a few different new merchandise – together with the SL 80 Race handlebars, from sister model Zipp.
Created as a race bar for the street, Zipp says they’re “explicitly designed to be used with the Crimson AXS groupset”. How so? Apparently it’s all within the marriage between the form of the bar and the shifters, which Zipp describes as a ‘easy mix’. The end result, it says, is that the palms have a simple attain to the levers alongside a snug place when within the drops. Given that each one of SRAM’s groupset levers now share a commonality, the SL 80s ought to work simply as seamlessly with the newest Pressure, Rival and Apex AXS shifters.
(Picture credit score: Zipp)
Visually, the bars have a wing form that’s designed to enhance aerodynamics, whereas additionally offering better consolation when using on the tops. The bars include a heat-shrink grip that may be utilized to keep away from the problem triggered when unwrapped carbon meets sweaty palms. There are additionally designated spots for SRAM blips, each on the underside of the tops and the drops.
As for the scale, the bars characteristic an 80mm attain and a 125mm drop, which has a 5 diploma flare. They’re obtainable in widths starting from 36cm to 44cm, with a claimed weight of 250g for the 42cm measurement. Retail value is $/£340.
Goodyear create Zipp-specific tires
(Picture credit score: Goodyear)
One other product launched alongside SRAM Crimson AXS, Goodyear VectorR tires are optimised round Zipp’s 353 NSW wheelset and its 303 household of wheels. This makes them the primary to be designed particularly for the model’s 25mm hookless, tubeless rims. To attain this, Zipp says it labored with the Goodyear designers to make sure that the tire casing “plies in the best place” in addition to having the tire measure ‘true to measurement’ on the extensive rims.
(Picture credit score: Goodyear)
The VectorR Z30 NSW is a 700x30mm tire designed for the Zipp 353 NSW. It contains a 150 TPI casing that’s designed to be supple but in addition makes use of Goodyear’s R:Protect breaker for puncture safety. The textured tread sample is geared toward offering grip in quite a lot of situations whereas the Dynamic:UHP compound is claimed to decrease rolling resistance. Claimed weight for the tire is 280g.
Whereas the VectorR Z30 and Z35 SW tires share lots of the similar attributes, they’ve been developed “with quantity and sturdiness in thoughts”. Presumably that is to greatest match the utilization of the 303 household of wheels, equivalent to the 303 S, which is much less race-orientated than the 353. Right here the claimed weights rise to 325g for the 30mm and 365g for the 35mm model. As for costs, the entire tires retail at $/£90.
MAAP expands its Alt_Road assortment
(Picture credit score: MAAP)
Clothes designed particularly for gravel using and bikepacking is now a longtime – however nonetheless rising – biking attire class. Aussie package maker MAAP was fairly early to the celebration and has now expanded its Alt_Road assortment.
Of the brand new merchandise simply launched there are a pair that catch the attention – the Overshort and Cargo Bib Liner. Designed to work at the side of one another, they have been created to provide the consolation and carry capability of cargo bibs however with the extra relaxed aesthetics of path shorts. The liner contains a triple pocket system on the rear, with two massive zip pockets layered beneath a single open-topped pocket.
(Picture credit score: MAAP)
There’s additionally a brand new wind jacket and vest, each designed to be mild and simply stowable. They characteristic a two-way zip that I’ve used on different merchandise and discover to be a fairly useful addition. Topping off the recent additions to the road is a zipper tee. In essence, this seems to be like one of many vary’s current ‘tech tees’ however has the added performance of a zipper plus a bonded rear pocket with a zipper closure. The entire Alt_Road line is on the market now.
Inexpensive bar luggage from Rene Herse
(Picture credit score: Rene Herse Cycles)
The standard bar bag has been having fun with one thing of a resurgence. Whereas it’s just about omnipresent on most gravel bikes I see out within the wild, I’ve additionally seen a good few connected to street bikes. And it’s no shock. They provide you extra space than most saddlebags and forestall you from having to overstuff your rear jersey pockets.
The roll bag from US model Rene Herse seems to be to be a advantageous instance within the minimalist mould. Accessible in three sizes, it’s an easy affair that’s well-suited to riders who don’t wish to connect a extra complicated bikepacking-style bag to their bars. Made in Japan from Ecopak, a 100% recycled material, it’s designed to be mild, waterproof and sturdy. The waterproof zipper contains a pull tab and there’s reflective trim too.
(Picture credit score: Ren Herse)
The small, 1-litre bag is claimed to have sufficient room for a few tubes, a mini-pump and extras, equivalent to a pockets and keys. Its claimed weight is simply 60g and prices $62.
Subsequent up, is the medium bag. It has a 1.7-litre capability that’s designed to carry the entire above plus a rain cape and a few power bars or gels. It additionally comes with a stiffener that enables the bag to carry its form when solely partially stuffed. It weighs a claimed 85g, with the stiffener including an extra 38g. The retail value is $72.
The massive bag holds 3.7 litres and is designed for all-day adventures – suppose all of your experience necessities plus some additional room for a digicam and extra clothes. It additionally advantages from a separate facet compartment. It weighs a claimed 157g, with the stiffener once more including slightly extra to this whole if used. The worth tag is $98.
