This week we have three killer new mountain bikes, the world’s longest dropper post, super-fast gravel wheels, lighter road tires, lots of new shoes from Trek, and a friendly way to get a discount on Strava. Also, I just launched the first video version of The Lunch Ride, check it on our YouTube channel, then subscribe so you don’t miss next weeks! Here’s the best new stuff this week:
- Trek Top Fuel
- Kona Process 153 & 134
- Rocky Mountain kid’s eMTB
- Wolf Tooth Resolve v2
- Feedback RAKK 2.0
- Salsa Cutthroat
- Parcours FKT gravel wheels
- Maxxis High Road SL 2
- reTyre carbon neutral bike tires
- Trek Circuit METNET shoes
- Trek gravel & MTB shoes, too
- Pearl Izumi R-Cool jersey
- Super Pacific SBO
- Strava “Family” Plan
Trek Top Fuel is a leaner, meaner downcountry pinner
Slotting between the Supercaliber XC race bike and Fuel EX trail bike, the new 4th gen Trek Top Fuel is for riders who want to shred themselves uphill then shred dirt downhill. This new model is lighter, with leaner tubes saving ~220g on both carbon and alloy models without giving up internal cable tunnels and now-better/bigger downtube storage with lighter bags.
It’s also more aggressive. Base setting is a 29er with 120mm rear travel & 130mm forks, with the option of bumping that to 130/140mm. Or put a 120mm fork on it for a more XC feel. A four-position lower shock mount flip chip lets you change both geometry and the shock’s leverage rate. This lets you run it MX with a 140mm fork for an even more aggressive/playful ride, and tune its handling to suit the trail.
Head angle is 0.5º slacker, chainstay lengths are now size specific, and a straighter seat tube allows longer dropper posts. Only thing it loses is the Knock Block in the head tube, which prevented over-turning the handlebar in a wreck. Complete bikes from $2,699 to $10,499. (video here)
Kona Process 153 & 134 trail bikes
The Kona Process trail-to-enduro bikes are updated, with a slacker front end, shorter seat tubes for better standover, longer post insertion for longer droppers, and a flip chip that let’s you run it 29er or mullet. Bottle cage placement is improved, and there are now tool mounts under the top tube.
The Process 153 has 153mm travel with 160mm forks, and the 134 has 134mm travel with 140mm forks. Both come in two carbon & two alloy models, and the alloy bikes use external cable routing except for the dropper. Prices from $2,499 to $5,499. (video here, definitely worth watching)
Rocky Mountain Reaper Powerplay is a proper eMTB for kids
Powered by a “Mini” version of their proprietary Dyname motors, the new Rocky Mountain Reaper Powerplay is a downsized, appropriately-power e-mountain bike for kids. It has 40Nm of torque, about half that of a full-power adult bike, with a 300W motor and 240Wh battery, making it good for a couple hours of family shredding. And parents can set max speed and power to keep things in check.
The alloy frame has 130mm rear travel and is available with 24″ (120mm forks) and 26″ (140mm forks) wheels, so you can go bigger as the kids grow by adjusting the rear axle and shock linkage flip chips. Headset allows 10mm of reach adjust, too. MSRP $4,599 to $4,899. (video here)
Wolf Tooth Resolve 2.0 dropper post goes to 242mm
OK, so it’s only 2mm, but the Wolf Tooth Resolve 2.0 can claim to be the longest-travel traditional dropper seatpost on the market. Main updates are 25% lighter actuation thanks to a new valve on the bottom, and even better self-bleeding to keep it from ever sagging, which is one of their key differentiators – every time you drop it, it purges any air from the cartridge.
It comes in 125/160/200/242mm travel, each adjustable in 5mm increments up to a 35mm reduction. Diameters are 30.9, 31.6, and a new 34.9mm. Weights 441-711g, MSRP is $350-395, or upgrade your current Resolve post with the new internals for $79.95. ReMote Pro lever sold separately for $69.95.
Feedback Sports RAKK 2.0
Feedback’s spring-loaded bike display stand has caught up with modern bikes, now fitting up to 29×4.5″ tires. It’ll also hold from 20×1.5 to 700×23, too, with adapters available to hold smaller 16″ wheels.
The base is wider and longer, and the lever arm taller, for more stability with bikes up to 75lbs (34kg). MSRP is $60 for RAKK 2.0, and $70 for RAKK 2.0 E, which adds a cradle for your e-bike’s charging brick and cable management features.
This week’s newsletter presented by:
The Wolf Tooth EnCase Pump has best-in-class weatherproofing, big volume, and compact size for easy inflation of high volume tires. The pump stores EnCase multi-tools for quick access to everything you need on your ride.
Salsa Cutthroat gets a brand new bag (and UDH)
It also gets a UDH derailleur hanger, tougher abrasion-resistant frame protection on the downtube, BB shell, and chainstays, and a full carbon steerer tube on all models. The first Salsa Cutthroat build to get everything is this SRAM Rival/GX AXS Transmission bike for $5,499.
All those bags on the bike? They’re part of the new EXP collection for this bikepacking legend and includes the Cholla Frame Bag ($90), Saguaro Seat Bag, which comes in two sizes ($120-$140 for the shell, $50-$55 for dry bag), and Agave Pannier ($90/side). All will fit non-Salsa bikes, too.
Parcour FKT gravel wheels are aero-optimized for 40mm tires…
…and specifically the Panaracer GravelKing X1, with more general aero benefits across a range of 35-45mm gravel tires. To do this, the new Parcours FKT wheels are 40mm wide externally and use a “hybrid truncated virtual wind foil” that mimics a deeper NACA shape with a truncated shape, but one that’s modified to be aero on the back half of the wheel when the rim is the leading edge, too.
Unlike their asymmetric wide aero road rims, these use symmetrical, matching front and rear rim designs because they found the (slightly) lower speeds of gravel didn’t benefit from different profiles on either end of the bike. The hookless rim’s edge uses a softer resin to absorb impacts to prevent damage from rock strikes.
Internal width is 27mm (requires a minimum 35mm wide tire), depth is 47mm, and weight is 1,500g. MSRP $1,599. Also available with a Classified 2x rear hub. (video deep dive here)
Maxxis High Road SL 2 tires save weight w/ moto tech
Most tubeless bicycle tires use a single piece of casing that’s layered to create three plies under the tread cap. But the new Maxxis High Road SL v2 uses their TurnUp construction, which is two separate casing pieces to create a double ply. This saves weight – the 700×25 is 45g lighter at 250g – and makes the tire more supple & decreases rolling resistance, even with a 150tpi casing instead of the original’s 170tpi.
Each ply wraps around the bead and extends a few millimeters up the sidewall, which improves pinch flat protection and offers more sidewall support for less squirm at low pressures. They also added sidewall protection and their stronger-than-Aramid K2 puncture strip under the tread. Available soon, also in 700×28 (280g). MSRP TBA.
reTyre goes green w/ algae & bullet proof vests
The reTyre carbon-neutral bicycle tire mixes a wide variety of very interesting materials to deliver the “future of eco-friendly tire technology”. The bead and puncture protection come from used Para-Aramid body armor. The nylon casing is made of recycled fishing nets collected from the ocean. Altogether, it’s made from 100% reclaimed materials, post-consumer waste and…algae.
Algae in the tread is not only a renewable raw material, it’s harvested from algae blooms that would have otherwise harmed aquatic ecosystems and released lots of methane, and using this actually gives it a net-negative carbon footprint. Transportation and production are near-zero emissions, and when it’s worn out, the entire tire is recyclable. Very cool.
Trek Circuit METNET affordable road shoes…
The new Trek Circuit METNET shoes bring their very-comfortable new design down to a $139 price point, which is a big win for roadies on a budget. The broad toe box gives feet room to breathe, and the unique METNET shape of the vent holes helps the synthetic upper mold to the shape of your foot without tightness or hot spots.
They have a BOA L6 dial plus Velcro strap, nylon composite sole that’s stiff but walkable, and a cool 2-bolt/3-bolt combo cleat mount, so you can run road or MTB pedals. Available in unisex sizes 36-48 in white, black, and shiny dark purple.
…and new Trek gravel & MTB shoes, too
Trek has spread the METNET design across their performance MTB shoes, too, which double as great gravel options. All three get their grippy Tachyon rubber tread, GnarGuard rubberized toe coating, removable toe & heel spikes, and use a mix of recycled/renewable materials. Left to right:
RSL Mountain – Race shoes with a very stiff OCLV carbon sole and dual BOA Li2 dials for micro-adjustments and high-performance fit. The exterior finish sheds mud, dirt, and debris. MSRP $450.
Cambion – The Cambion has been one of my favorite shoes for years, a perfect blend of performance & adventure-ready comfort, and now it looks even better. It has a slightly less stiff carbon composite sole and dual BOA L6 dials. MSRP $260.
Foray – More comfortable with a roomier upper and hike-a-bike friendly nylon composite sole, with a single BOA L6 plus a Velcro strap. Also available in Wide sizing. MSRP $150.
Pearl iZUMi In-R-Cool kits cool you in the sun
Feeling a little hot yet? This summer is blazing, but Pearl iZUMi’s Attack Air Jersey and PRO Air bibshorts both use ultralight, breathable fabrics combined with their In-R-Cool IR tech to cool you in the sun by embedding infrared-reflective yarns that bounce the sun’s heat off to keep the fabric cooler.
The bib panels are laser cut and bonded, so there are no seams to chafe, and have their excellent PRO Levitate chamois, and they have a long 10.5″ inseam, perfect for taller riders. The jersey’s UPF 50+ sleeves are longer, too, which helps block sun.
Super Pacific HuckPack Seat Back Organizer
Super Pacific just launched a variety of Huckpack gear organizers, including a duffel bag with modular packing cubes, but the star of the show is this Seat Back Organizer. The back panel is soft Velcro so you can stick the smaller pouches on however you like, all of which are made of durable Challenge UltraGrid 100 material with YKK zippers and glow-in-the-dark zipper pulls.
Strava might as well call it “Friends & Family” Plan
The new Strava Family Plan is a $139.99/year Premium subscription that lets you add up to four people. Current single-user rate is $79.99, so it’s a deal even if you just get one friend to join you, but drops as low as $35 each with four people. As long as everyone lives in the same country, you can invite whoever you want to join your “family”.
Small Bites
- State’s $899 steel all-road bike now comes in Matte Olive Green
- TRAVERSE Tanzania is a 5-day backcountry cycling adventure
- Here’s a custom Ass Saver fender for Posedla 3D-printed saddles
- Crusher in the Tushar is cancelled this year b/c of forest fires
- Pivot Vault Team XPLR gravel bike builds got a price cut
- Hannah Otto set a new FKT on the Kokopelli Trail
- Head to NW Tuneup this weekend for beers, bikes & live music
- Bahati Foundation’s summer cycling kit is hype
- New Trek Verve comfort hybrid bikes are here
- Here’s how the Ibis Ripley came to be (and got its name)
This week’s newsletter presented by:
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Parting Thoughts
First off, huge thanks to Wolf Tooth Components for sponsoring this week’s recap. If you haven’t checked out their dropper and new EnCase mini pumps, they’re rad…give ’em a click! They also make some great bar tape for gravel, versatile titanium bottle cages, and excellent 1x chainrings.
Second, I’m really excited to launch the video version of The Lunch Ride. The first episode is now live! Check it out, hit subscribe, and leave a comment to let me know what you think!
Thanks for reading and for sharing this with your friends, I appreciate it!
Have a great weekend,
The Lunch Ride is a weekly TL;DR recap of the best new cycling products and tech, written for Riders, not Algorithms. SUBSCRIBE HERE to get it in your inbox every Friday.
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