This week we have a lot of high-tech new gravel and mountain bikes. Both Santa Cruz & Norco use a new version of the 85Nm Bosch Performance Line CX motor that just came out – it has the same output & size, but is quieter & about 64g lighter with more refined power delivery.
There’s also a retro-modern Fixie from Ritchey to balance things out, Colnago puts old bikes on the Blockchain, Tifosi has new MTB shades, and a few more cool little things. Plus, my first weekly “Recommendation” mini review! Here’s the best new stuff this week:
- Santa Cruz Vala
- Norco Sight VLT CX
- Pivot Phoenix
- Ridley ASTR & Kanzo Adventure
- Marin Larkspur E
- Ritchey Garden City
- Tifosi Moab
- Colnago Retrofitting
- Zwift Tour de Watopia 2024
Santa Cruz Vala full-power trail eMTB with… FSR?
The new Santa Cruz Vala is their first full suspension bike on an FSR (four-bar) platform rather than their signature VPP design, and that’s to make room for the new full-power Bosch CX motor. It comes with a big 600Wh battery with room for a 250Wh bonus pack, and has 150mm rear travel with 160mm forks.
A rigid one-piece rocker arm plus a seatstay bridge to keep it all stiff, and MX wheels keep it playful. It’s made for wireless shifting only, but has ports for the rear brake hose and shock lockout. Two flip chips (lower shock mount and upper seatstays) let you adjust both progression and geometry independently. MSRP $7,299 to $12,799. (video here)
Norco Sight VLT CX eMTB gets a lot lighter, but has more power
Nearly 20% lighter than before, but with a larger battery (I’m guessing 800Wh) and the new Bosch CX drive system, the 2025 Norco Sight VLT CX will have the same MX wheel setup and 150-160mm rear travel.
Details are sparse, but it loses the cross brace by switching to an upright shock position, has a much smaller BB cluster above the motor, and it looks like there’s less paint, which likely helps the significant weight loss. It’s not available until Spring 2025, but here’s a teaser video.
New Pivot Phoenix DH bike has two chains
To go fast, you have to go slow, so Pivot took their time on the new Phoenix, saying even a 1% improvement here and there adds up to winning times. It uses Dave Weagle’s new DW6 (six bar) high-pivot suspension with a dual-chain design that completely isolates suspension performance from pedaling and braking, plus better square-edge performance with a more rearward axle path.
It has 210mm rear travel with a MX wheel setup, adjustable suspension progression (lower shock mount flip chip), high/low geometry settings (upper rocker flip chip), and adjustable reach using +/- headset cups. Four sizes fit riders 5’1″ to 6’7″. MSRP $6,899 to $8,499; framesets $4,799.
Ridley ASTR RS & Kanzo Adventure gravel bikes
For racing, the new Ridley ASTR RS is a new lightweight, aero gravel race bike that fits 52mm tires. Geometry and details are pure speed, with a lower stack height (shorter head tube) with steep 71.5º angle, low bottom bracket (lower CoG), and ultra-short chainstays. It’s also 2x compatible, though tire clearance drops to 47mm with a front derailleur.
An integrated diffuser on the headtube and a fork crown designed to pass air through it and around the downtube aid aerodynamics, along with the stealth hose routing. Add the custom-designed Apidura frame packs to the integrated mounting points and it gets even more aerodynamic. A lightweight layup and lack of extra mounts keep frame weight to just 890g.
The ASTR RS took 4th in Unbound this year under Piotr Havik. It’s available with Classified 2x hubs, too. There’s also a standard ASTR model with the same frame shapes but heavier layup and round seatpost, and a lower price. (ASTR RS video here, and ASTR vid here)
For more casual rides, the new Ridley Kanzo Adventure A (for Alloy) is a more affordable gravel bike with a lot more mounts (12 frame, 6 fork). It fits 700×47 tires, fenders, and dynamo hubs with internal fork wire routing. Geometry is the same as their carbon model, but price is just €1,990 to €2,890.
Marin Larkspur E “adventure mixte” e-bike
The Marin Larkspur E is a special thing, with a chromoly step-thru frame, bit 27.5 x 2.35″ tires, full coverage alloy fenders, Shimano CUES 1×10 drivetrain, and Bosch Active Line Plus motor (50Nm torque, 545Wh battery, Class 1 speed)…and a dropper seatpost.
Extra mounting points let you add racks for cargo, panniers, etc., and it has a rear-mount kickstand and steering stabilizer. Basically, it’s a bike for having fun on mixed surfaces and whipping around town. Three sizes, MSRP $2,999.
Ritchey Garden City track bike
Don’t want a motor? Or gears? Or brakes? The new Ritchey Garden City track bike is a modern take on the classic fixie. The heat treated, triple-butted steel frame has an ultralight forged-then-machined straight 1-1/8″ head tube, open-ended sliding dropouts, and fits 700×38 tires.
It has two bottle cage mounts, and rim brake mounts in case you want to add those for commuter use. Frame weight is 1,950g (size L), and the included carbon fork is 525g. Sold as a frameset with WCS headset. MSRP $1,199, only 100 will be offered worldwide.
Tifosi Moab full frame cycling sunglasses
The new Tifosi Moab shades are just 31g despite having a full frame around the lenses. Four vents reduce fogging, and adjustable hydrophilic nose and arm pads keep them in place even through sweat.
Frames are available in four colors with either Fototec (photochromic) or Clarion (hydrophobic) lenses in multiple tints, including clear. MSRP $79.95, and most versions include three lenses.
Colnago Retrofitting puts your classic bike on the Blockchain
For a small fee, Colnago’s new Retrofitting Service will certify the authenticity of your classic Colnago bike and send you a certificate and register your bike on their Blockchain, which creates an unalterable and un-fakeable proof of ownership. And they’ll send you a decal for the frame that can be scanned to prove that you own it, which is handy in case of theft.
The program also grants you access to their special club, which might get you preferred staging at sponsored gran fondos, meetups, and other Colnago-sponsored events.
2024 Zwift Tour of Watopia & FREE Play Controllers
The 2024 Zwift Tour of Watopia will have a new surprise map starting November 12 for Stage 5 as part of their 10th Anniversary celebration, along with Big Birthday Bash Rides between October 3-7, where you can ride with pros like Mathieu van der Poel.
But this weekend (ends 10/6), you can get a FREE set of Zwift Play controllers with purchase any trainer on Zwift.com, which work with most modern smart trainers to let you “shift” virtually, give Ride Ons, and use power boosters without moving your hands.
The Recommendation – Lauf Elja
My last hurrah before shoulder surgery was a trip to Iceland for Lauf’s Elja launch, and it was a great ride. The bike delivers excellent traction climbing and descending, whether hammering or braking. And it’s incredibly robust while being within ~100g of the lightest XC bike’s frame weights.
I love Lauf’s straightforward approach to design, using a super-simple single pivot design but adding smart details like a DUB BB for pivot bearings & flexible carbon “fingers” to eliminate lateral stresses from the shock. And making room for 29×3.0″ tires on a 120mm bike dramatically expands its use cases, especially when opting for the 130mm Pike fork…or run 2.4-2.6″ tires with 120mm forks for an XC rocket.
We rode everything from racy singletrack to bermed bike park runs with jumps to backcountry sheep trails, across dirt, lava rock, and pencil-thin grooves through the brush, and it excelled at all of it. It doesn’t ship until early 2025, but when it does it’ll be a steal even with the full Flight Attendant package. Highly recommend checking it out. (launch coverage here; Lauf’s website here)
Small Bites
- Bikepacking Roots unveils the Fayetteville Bikepacking Route Network
- Shimano’s UNSUNG shows how Unbound comes together behind the scenes
- Wild Rye’s new F/W24 women’s MTB/active wear looks great
- Now you can add forward offset to your Reverb AXS dropper post
Hot Deals
- Up to $1,900 off Ari road, gravel & mountain bikes in Fall Sale
- Trek Fuel EXe eMTBs are awesome, and they’re up to 30% off
Parting Thoughts
This week was the first week in a long, long time that I actually got this newsletter completely prepped and scheduled on Thursday!
So, if something new popped up on Friday, I’ll add it next week, but as you’re reading this I’m in Virginia at Overland Expo East for coverage on my other site, AdventurousWayOfLife.com. If you’re into overland, vanlife, and adventure travel, check it out.
Fortunately, this area of Virginia didn’t get crushed like so much of North Carolina’s Appalachian area.
I’m happy to say that everyone at Cane Creek, Industry Nine, Gulo, and the other Western NC companies I’ve heard from are all safe. They’re all dealing with damage, power outages, lack of water, and spotty cell service, but at least they’re safe.
I think about this sometimes…what if I had to evacuate and all my stuff was damaged or gone when I got back?
I mean, I’d probably bring a couple bikes with me if I could, but I have a lot of bikes and some hard decisions would have to be made.
But in the end, I’d be OK with it. I do love my bikes, but they’re just things, and things can be replaced. Or upgraded if you think in terms of silver linings.
It’s also a reminder to enjoy the things I have while I have them, because you never know. I bet no one in the greater Asheville area thought a hurricane would come in and helicopter their life.
So, I’m going to enjoy my weekend hanging with friends, checking out awesome adventure rigs, learning vehicle recovery, test driving new vehicles, and being grateful for the chance to do so.
And I hope you enjoy your weekend with the things and people around you, too.
Cheers,
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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