Whoa! This week has some major new wheel launches, with a LOT of interesting options for gravel, plus an entirely new ENVE M-Series mountain range. Plus two new gravel handlebar setups, a new gravel race bike, two new eMTBs, a super sleek commuter e-bike, retro-fab road shoe, solid lube bearings, and a gravel event worth the road trip! Here’s the best new stuff this week:
- Lapierre Crosshill CF
- Duke Baccarra WRX
- Hunt 40 Limitless Gravel Aero
- Mavic Allroad SL Carbon
- ENVE Hex gravel tire
- FSA AGX gravel bar & loop
- Redshift Kitchen Sink bars & bags
- Apacheria Gravel
- Sidi Tenacia
- Specialized Vado SL 2 Carbon
- ENVE M Series
- Marin Rift Zone EL
- Orbea Wild
- Enduro Max Solid Lube bearings
Lapierre Crosshill CF gravel race bike
Using a split seatstay design that connects well forward of the seat tube, the new Lapierre Crosshill CF has up to 12% more vibration damping than a traditional frame. The geo is suspension ready for 40mm forks to soften the front end, and it fits 700×45 tires (ships with 44s!).
Frame is 1000g, fork is 404g (size M, raw finish), and compared to the alloy model, both the top tube and chainstays are shorter for a more compact, sporty ride, but the BB is 4-5mm higher for more ground clearance. An interesting mix for sure. Mounting points on the fork and frame hold fenders and accessories, with routing for droppers, too.
Duke Baccarra WRX ultra wide gravel wheels
Duke Wheels are a popular item in Europe but less known in the States. Their new Baccarra WRX rim range is worth a look for its two “extreme” designs. The WRX Aero 42 has a massive 43mm external width, with 27mm internal, giving it huge bead widths to reduce pinch flats and create a smoother transition from wide tires to the rim.
The shallow WRX 27 with a huge 29mm internal width for adventure riding on fat tires. The 27mm depth makes it more compliant over rough terrain, and it’s just 310g. Complete wheels as low as 1130g with Extralite hubs.
They’re also launching the WRX 36 (all-rounder), WRX 42 & WRX 48 (aero-light) rims for more all-purpose builds. These are 28mm internal. All rims are available a la carte or built as complete wheels with your choice of hubs and spokes.
Hunt 40 Limitless Gravel Aero are lighter & faster w/ wider tires
Designed for the pointy end of gravel racing’s elite level solo breakaways, the new Hunt 40 Limitless Gravel Aero racing wheels use front and rear specific profiles to optimize aerodynamics and crosswind stability with 40-45mm tires…Schwalbe G-Ones specifically.
Front is 36mm wide (27mm internal), rear is 35mm wide (26mm internal), both hookless with thick 4.5mm rim beads to reduce pinch flats. The complete wheelset is just 1328g with 20/20 count UD carbon spokes for $2,279. Upgrade to CeramicSpeed bearings for $710 more, or go with bladed alloy spokes (1431g, 24 spokes/wheel) for $1,849.
Mavic Allroad SL Carbon gravel wheels
Compared to the others here, the new Mavic Allroad SL Carbon gravel wheels seem quite normal with 42mm deep, 25mm wide (internal) hookless rims. Designed for 30-65mm tires, they’re just as comfortable on pavement as gravel. Weight is 1,550, MSRP is just $1,550 (€1,499).
They’re laced to Mavic’s excellent ID360 Infinity hubs with auto bearing preload and same-length spokes on both sides, front and rear. A removable sound damper lets you choose between quiet and loud freewheel noise.
ENVE Hex gravel tire
The new ENVE Hex gravel tire looks a lot like Schwalbe’s G-One series, but with a few differences. The blocks are hexagonal, not round, and each is more obviously ramped to help it roll faster but with a sharp braking edge. The tiny nubs also help the tire conform to the ground more easily than larger, connected tread blocks would.
A puncture strip under the grippy “nano-particle-enhanced” tread rubber and extra chaffer strip around the bead help prevent punctures and pinch flats. Available in 40mm (430g) & 44mm (450g)widths, MSRP $75.
FSA K-Force AGX handlebar and aero loop
The FSA K-Force AGX handlebars are one of my favorite gravel bars, and this new one has a 25º flare for 50mm wider grip in the drops. It keeps the ergonomic indents and shaping that I love, with a 10mm rise for more comfort on the tops. Weight is 320g.
The new AGX Loop aero extensions give you somewhere to rest your arms on long straights, and more mounting points for bags on bigger adventures. The front has a standards 22.2mm diameter for light/computer mounts, and the length, armrest position, and height are adjustable. Also 320g.
Redshift adventure handlebars add road flare & bar bag
Redshift’s Kitchen Sink (integrated aero bar) and Top Shelf (riser w/ cross bar) handlebars have typically come with a lot of flare and wider widths. Now, the Top Shelf has a low flare version for more pavement-oriented rides, and both come in a new 41cm width.
The new Top Shelf handlebar bag fills the space in front of that crossbar with an angular shape that’s less floppy than typical burrito bags. A magnetic lid makes single-handed access easy, and an optional top mount gives you somewhere to put your cycling computer.
Apacheria Gravel explores Arizona’s borderlands
Need somewhere to ride all that new gravel stuff? Many years ago, promoter Mike Miller put on some of the most epic mountain bike races ever with the Mountain States Cup.
Now, he’s back with Apacheria Gravel, a mid-length romp through Arizona’s borderlands with Douglas, AZ, and Cochise Country as the base. You’ll literally be riding right along the Mexican border Use code GYGO_20-24 for 20% off Long/Medium course registration (plus bonus merch). The event is late November, the perfect season for exploring the southwest.
Sidi Tenacia is made just for toe clips
Aimed specifically at the retro-classic Eroica crowd (where you need to ride period-correct vintage bikes from the 1970s, down to the last detail), the new Sidi Tenacia road cycling shoe has a thin, grippy outsole and rounded shape optimized for old-school pedals with toe clips. MSRP €189.
Specialized Vado SL 2 Carbon
The Specialized Vado SL 2 Carbon is basically a bike that thinks it’s a sports car and I want one. It has up to 5 hours ride time per charge, fits front and rear racks, can pull a trailer, and has up to 41 kg/90 lb cargo capacity. All while assisting up to 28mph!
Oh, and it’s just 14.9kg (32.8lbs) in its lightest trim with integrated lights, computer, 20mm Future Shock suspension, and 47mm tires. You can customize output and remotely shut it down with the app, and integrated Find My lets you track it. Equipped versions available with integrated fenders and rear rack, too. MSRP $6,000 to $8,000.
ENVE M-Series mountain bike wheels go pro
ENVE’s M-Series wheels kinda reinvented mountain bike wheels when they launched years ago, introducing the concept of a wider bead profile to reduce pinch flats.
The new M-Series have updated the rim profiles with front- and rear-specific shapes & widths to give more support and higher volume in the front while increasing rolling speed and impact resistance in the rear. Shallow 20mm rim depths aid compliance, and their molded spoke holes increase total rim strength.
Available in XC (M5 Pro), Trail (M6), Enduro (M8) and Gravity (M9 Pro), they vary in width and wall thickness by discipline, with the M9 keeping their added rim strip to further protect against pinches and damage (also eliminates rim tape). All are built on ENVE’s Innerdrive hubs and have a 5-year warranty.
Marin Rift Zone EL lightweight alloy trail e-MTB
Marin’s new Rift Zone EL is their aluminum take on a lightweight, mid-power trail e-bike. The heavily shaped frame holds a 55Nm Bosch motor and 400Wh CompactTube battery for complete bikes starting around 46lbs. Add the 250Wh external battery for more range.
It uses their proven (enduro-winning) MultiTrac 4-bar suspension with 140mm rear travel, 150mm forks, 29″ wheels w/ 2.5″ tires, and a mix of components from SRAM, Shimano, Magura & e13 to deliver good performance and value. I’ve ridden one and it’s a solid bike with predictable geo that made it easy to go fast and stay nimble. Bikes from $4,799 to $6,999.
Orbea Wild gets more aggressive, more capable & more lighter
Now with race-tuned kinematics and 170mm of travel, the Orbea Wild eMTB also comes in a hair lighter with the latest full-power 85Nm Bosch CX drive system. A 600Wh battery option saves more weight over the 750Wh standard, both 250Wh range extender compatible. Run it 29er or mullet with geometry flip chips.
Too much? A new 150mm trail version dials it back a bit and switches to an alloy frame, 29er only. Six models available from $5,399 to $11,999. (video here)
Enduro Max Solid Lube bearings for suspension pivots
The new Enduro MAX Solid Lube Black Oxide suspension pivot bearings replace typical grease or oil with a lubricant-infused foam polymer injection-molded into the bearing assembly. This fills the entire cavity, leaving no room for contaminants or moisture to penetrate and create friction.
Double-lip LLU full contact seals and a tough, surface-penetrating Black Oxide/Magnetite bearing race treatment to increase corrosion resistance, too. Available in ten popular sizes, they have a 2-year warranty and should clean up the slop in your old mountain bikes.
The Recommendation – Crank Brothers XCT Carbon MTB wheels
I’ve been riding the Crank Brothers Synthesis XCT Carbon MTB wheels for a while and they’re light, fast, and planted. The combination of low-profile rims with front- and rear-specific designs keep them tracking true without feeling harsh over chattery sections. I tend to bash through rock gardens and root sections, and haven’t had any problems or pinch flats…and I’m not a small human.
I’m also running 2.35 tires on them, so nothing crazy. They’re built on Industry Nine Hydra hubs for super quick engagement, Enduro bearings for durability, and easily-serviced J-bend Sapim spokes. They’re a little pricey at $2400/set, but I think you get what you pay for, and these are good.
Small Bites
- Tiny lightweight phones are the new gravel racing thing
- Considering Industry Nine wheels? Now’s the time.
- New 45NRTH Oland Boot looks damn fine off the bike, too
- Ass Savers x Jody Barton fender kit is funky & beautiful
- Bikepacking Roots unveils Fayetteville, AR, route network
- Primal Pink Floyd collection sees dark side of the moon
- Here’s Kyle Strait’s custom Ari Superior Peak Rampage bike
- And here’s Brendog’s Scott Gambler Rampage bike
- This takes leaf surfing to a new level
- Check this Zombie Skin color for Spot’s Mayhem trail bike
- Strava’s AI (Athlete Intelligence) explains your training data
- Here’s a faster, easier way to mount stubborn tires
- Groupetto makes your phone a networked cycling computer
- Muc-Off has a sleek waterproof case for your phone
- New Zwift Racing Score to make virtual events more competitive
Parting Thoughts
I actually a had few more little things that I saved for next week.
Why? Because I want to show them to you, not just put a bullet point in Small Bites…they’re pretty cool.
But once I listed out everything for this week, I had to cut it down a bit. Sometimes, too much really is too much, and it’s better to digest a smaller portion and focus on it. There’s a lot of new wheel tech up there, and some interesting new gravel stuff that I think deserves to have its own minute.
Unrelated, as some of you may have noticed, I’ve stopped doing the video versions of this newsletter. If you subscribed to our YouTube channel, I sincerely appreciate it, but it was literally a full day of work to make a 10 minute video, and it’s just not worth it. Sorry, not sorry.
Also unrelated, I’ve been cranking out coverage from Overland Expo East over on AWOL. If you’re into overland or vanlife, please check it out. Or share it with a friend who is.
Thanks, and have a great weekend!
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