Seriously cool new bikes and tech this week! Fox unveils its next generation Live Valve, e*Thirteen has a magic new hub that destroys pedal kickback, and Lauf unveils their first-ever mountain bike! Plus, more new MTBs, retro-modern Mongoose reboots, a micro cargo bike, better bike phone mounts, and more! Here’s the best new stuff this week:
- Fox Live Valve NEO
- Lauf Elja
- Devinci Troy
- Mondraker Sly
- e*Thirteen Sidekick hub
- Xtracycle Hopper
- Mongoose Classics
- Stan’s Biobased bike care
- Quadlock Mini Mounts
Fox Live Valve NEO is a faster wireless suspension controller
The new Fox Live Valve NEO departs from the original’s wired sensors for a completely wireless system that boasts near zero latency (14ms), much faster than Bluetooth (~200ms) and “20x faster than their nearest competitor”.
By measuring inputs 400x per second, it basically reacts in real time, sensing a bump at the fork and opening the rear shock before the back tire hits that same bump. Customize your tune and prefs with their app, download new tunes as Fox develops them, and even share your favorite tunes with friends via QR code.
Compared to Flight Attendant’s (FA) internal sensors, NEO puts tiny sensors at both axles, mounted to the brake calipers, so they sense the terrain before any suspension, and send that signal to the fork and shock in just 1ms.
The other difference is there’s no middle “Pedal” mode like FA, it’s either Open or Firm, just like the original Live Valve. This lets them use a much faster solenoid, which is how it can react so quickly, but it can only move between two positions.
And, it’s only on rear shocks for now but it works for both Float X air and DHX coil shocks. MSRP is $949-$999 for the shock, plus $399 for the sensor/battery/charger kit.
Why not forks? Because for now, the NEO shocks are aimed at hard trail to enduro/DH riders, where hits are big and fast. Fox says that even 14ms is noticeable on the front and, for this type of riding, any efficiency gains from a firm suspension are coming from the rear. My hunch is an XC version will come in the future, though. (Videos: explainer & ride action)
Lauf Elja brings surprising simplicity & 3.0″ tires to XC & Trail bikes
The all-new Lauf Elja looks like a simple single-pivot mountain bike, but there’s so much more to it than that. It’s spec’d with new Goodyear Peak 29×2.6″ tires, bigger than most bike’s 2.4″ spec, but it fits up to 3.0″ tires!
Rear travel is 120mm, with either 120mm SID or 130mm Pike forks up front. Wireless drivetrains only, and every build has a wireless Reverb AXS dropper post, too. Top builds get full Flight Attendant at about 40% lower pricing than most competitors, too.
What really sets it apart is the suspension’s design. The pivot has a massive 29mm diameter, same as DUB crank spindles, just wider. So, they use a DUB bottom bracket for the pivot bearings, making it easy to service and source, but also incredibly robust.
The frame sections are massive, making the whole thing very stiff. But, all suspension frames flex some, so to handle that thinner carbon “fingers” to drive the shock forward but can flex side to side to take up any lateral loads before they can stress the shock.
I rode this bike at their launch and it’s phenomenal. We didn’t know what to expect, but everyone there came away impressed, and it’s surprisingly light, too. Claimed painted frame weight is just 1,920g, and complete bikes are under 26lbs. Available early 2025. (good video overview here)
Devinci Troy alloy trail bike gets longer (and shorter)
Now available in two versions, the 150mm trail bike (160mm fork) and 130mm ST (140mm fork), the updated Devinci Troy keeps their Split Pivot suspension and made-in-Canada alloy but ramps up the performance.
Rear axle is now Boost (because the original launched 10 years ago!), geometry is updated (slacker head, steeper seat), cable routing is internal, and there’s downtube storage in the frame. It also has adjustable geo to fit 29″ or 27.5″ rear wheels. There’s only one GX AXS build at launch (more coming next year), MSRP $5,299 – $5,549. (video here)
Mondraker Sly is a stealth alloy eMTB
The new Mondraker Sly alloy trail eMTB gets the lighter Bosch SX motor and 400Wh battery (250Wh range extender available). What makes it special is their floating shock suspension (shock mounts on upper and lower linkages rather than fixed points on the frame), and a compact design with smooth welds that make it hard to tell its an e-bike…and that its aluminum.
Travel is 150mm w/ 160mm forks, comes in five sizes, and weighs under 21kg (~46lbs). Two builds, both with AXS groups and droppers up to 210mm. 29×2.5″ tires and 800mm bars let you get rowdy. MSRP $5,599 – $6,599. (video here)
e*Thirteen Sidekick hubs disconnect drivetrain from pedal feedback
Pedal kickback is when suspension compression extends the chainstay length, thus pulling the top of the chain backward, which can snap forward crank upward quickly, causing harshness & fatigue.
The new e13 Sidekick hubs use a unique inner “pusher” that lets the three main pawls completely retract from engagement while you’re coasting. That means the hub can’t engage to pull the chain backwards unless you’re actively pedaling. Or, at least, until the suspension forces it to rotate backward more than the pre-set amount.
The design lets you clock the pusher at 12º, 15º or 18º of free rotation to best match your bike’s design. That does mean you have 12-18º more deadband before it engages when pedaling, so that (and their steel axle and 452-652g weight) make them better for enduro and gravity riders. MSRP $500-$590, also available on new Grappler & Sylvan wheels for Aggressive-Trail, Enduro, Downhill, and eMTBs. (video here)
Xtracycle Hopper compact e-cargo bike
Measuring just 24″ x 80″, the Xtracycle Hopper is a mini e-cargo bike that hauls up to 500lbs, assists up to 28mph for up to 60 miles, yet fits in 25% of the space of a car. A quick-start throttle helps the 750W hub motor get you going from standstill when fully loaded, and integrated torque sensor smooths power delivery.
It has a suspension fork and dropper post to take the edge off, helpful with smaller 20″ wheels, and it fits up to 2.5″ tires if you want. Includes the rear cargo cage, front platform rack, foot rails, lights, and double kickstand. MSRP $2,999, save $500 thru 10/13 with code HOP500.
Mongoose Classics reboots ’70s BMX bikes & wheels
Celebrating 50 years, Mongoose is releasing special Classics editions of their FS-1 freestyle bike and Supergoose BMX race bike. Both have 4130 chromoly frames, alloy rims, and Diacompe spec, just like the originals…well, except that the FS-1 gets their five-spoke nylon wheels. And pegs!
They’re also rebooting the Motomag III, but with fully modern sealed bearings and freewheel compatibility for a more universal fit. Available in silver, red, and yellow. Bikes are both $549.99, wheels are $299.99, and all come in retro-correct packaging, too. Available October 2024.
Stan’s adds eco-friendly Biobased Bicycle Care
The new Stan’s Biobased bike care line includes wet & dry chain lubes, bike wash, grease, degreaser, suspension oil, and Forkboost, a unique take on suspension performance. On the stanchions it helps remove dirt and improve seal life. Internally, you can soak the foam seals to cut the grease for reduced friction.
Products are made for them by Whistler Performance Labs and are biodegradable, non-toxic, PTFE-free, and USDA-certifed biobased. Bottles are made from 100% recycled sea plastic, too!
Quad Lock adds stem cap phone mount
Quad Lock is my favorite phone case and mounting system, I have them everywhere. They’re rock solid, with a security tab to keep them from flying off on rough terrain. Now they have two new stem cap versions, one that’s fixed for longer, flatter stems, and one that’s adjustable for shorter, taller MTB stems.
They’re forged aluminum for strength, with their twist-to-lock mounting interface that works with all of their phone cases. MSRP is $39.99-$49.99. Order by 11/13 and get a free 3-month sub to Ride w/ GPS, too.
Small Bites
- BMC’s Masterpiece edition Teammachine is just 810g
- New Strava Quick Edit gives more control over shared data
- Here’s a very cool custom Unno MTB build & paint
- New BH Lynx SLS XC race bike looks super sleek
- Here’s how celeb cyclist chef thinks about food while riding
- This guy’s got some serious freestyle skills
- Colnago has a heavily modded V4Rs Tadej edition for $17,500
- Check eeWings limited edition Raven Matte & Aegean Ti cranks
- Here’s how to make a floating paddle bike
- Velocio has sweet new ultralight wind vests
- And Gore has Thermo Spinshift Jacket & Bib Tights for winter
- OneUp’s Giveback donations just hit $1 million to cycling groups
- Apparently, Motion Instruments is out of business
- But Giant bought Stages Cycling out of bankruptcy
- Atlanta is building an $8MM bike park!
- Full-size RVs are finally going electric
Hot Deals
- Skratch Labs is 20% off sitewide thru 9/29
- Free chain lube w/ Wolf Tooth chainring w/code WT1LastsLonger
- Up to $1,900 off new bikes in Ari’s Fall Sale
- 20% off any full-price item at Competitive Cyclist w/code SEP20
- The Pro’s Closet is shutting down, Going Out of Biz sale on now
- 15% off Mission Workshop until midnight with code RONDEL15
- REI COOP members get an extra 25% off select gear thru 9/30
Parting Thoughts
Two things.
First, my friends at Feedback Sports need help rebuilding their Insta content. Their account got hacked recently, and the thieves wiped all of the content and Meta wiped all their followers. So, they’re starting from scratch and offering 20% off if you follow their account, just click on the “Follow Us” pop-up at FeedbackSports.com. DM them any content showing off their products and they may feature you, too!
Second, I found out that Bob Parlee passed away.
Apparently he was also batting cancer, and for quite some time. I’m sure those closest to him knew, but most didn’t, so the news came as a surprise.
If you’re not familiar with Bob, he and wife Isabel launched Parlee Cycles about 20 years ago and have been making some of the best riding carbon road bikes ever since.
Bob also pushed the industry forward with ideas like aero fairings over brake calipers, complex-yet-manufacturable aero tube shapes, modular steering spacers to improve bike fit, in-house custom paint, and more. He was also a really nice guy.
Luckily, he was still here to see the amazing new Taos and Ouray launch, both of which take things another step forward with an incredibly precise and beautiful monocoque layup that’s able to be done at scale.
People like Bob matter because they do more than just make a few tweaks to something in a supplier’s catalog, change the color, drop ship through Amazon, and call it a brand.
People like Bob start from scratch, make things themselves, and innovate. They do the hard work of thinking about what’s next and what can be better, then figure out how to make it real.
I like people like Bob, and we should celebrate those people more.
Ride in Peace, Bob.
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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