It must be grand tour season because the TT stuff is starting to trickle out. And we’re getting lots of “special edition” eye candy from Colnago, Canyon, and Ridley, plus an all-new Specialized Turbo Levo SL trail eMTB. There’s also some faster road wheels and tires, weird bikepacking and kids bike stuff, new bags, and other goodies, too. Here’s the best new stuff this week:
- Canyon Aeroad Tokyo Edition
- Colnago Gioiello C68
- Ridley Black Edition
- Aurum Manto gravel bike
- Specialized Turbo Levo SL 2.0
- Prototype Pinarello MTB
- Scott Plasma TT
- POC Procen TT helmet
- Fulcrum Speed 42/57
- Pirelli P-Zero 4S TLR
- Snek’s new frame bags
- QUOC x Restrap Sandals
- REBOUND gravel party rides
- Early Rider Super Velio
Canyon CFR Aeroad Tokyo Edition anime-ates the streets
Canyon has Manga-ged to impress me more than the other custom bikes here by creating Japanese comic book-style graphics showing off trials star Tomomi Nishikubo trick riding on Tokyo’s streets…on a lightweight aero road racing bike.
The Canyon Aeroad Tokyo Edition will come with Dura-Ace Di2, DT Swiss ARC 1100 DiCut carbon wheels, and fully integrated cockpit. MSRP €9,499, available May 25 while supplies last (possibly in limited markets).
Colnago goes for gold. Like, real, actual gold.
WIth real gold leaf finish and 3D printed bottle cage mimicking the Giro d’Italia Trofeo Senza Fine, the 50-piece limited edition Colnago Gioiello C68 is a masterpiece of detail work.
It gets custom ENVE SES 3.4 wheels, Carbon-Ti X brake rotors w/ carbon spider, TiN-coated 3D-printed Ceramicspeed titanium pulleys, gold-logo’d Pirelli P-Zero Race tires, and more. Numbers 2-50 are for sale for €22,000, but #1/50 will be unveiled with other special details on May 8.
Ridley Black Edition road, gravel & mountain bikes
Ridley’s given several of their more popular models the stealth all-black treatment, and including a €300 voucher for apparel with purchase.
Choose from multiple builds of the Ignite hardtail mountain bike, the Kanzo A (aluminum) and Kanzo Speed (carbon) gravel bikes, and their top-of-the-line Helium SLX climber’s road bike.
Aurum Manto is Contador’s new gravel race bike
Aurum is a Spanish brand launched by Alberto Contador and Ivan Basso, focusing on lightweight, high-performance bikes. Their new Manto Gravel Bike borrows the NACA-profile aero shaping, size-specific layups, and oversize BB and downtube from the Magma road bike, but fits 700x45mm tires.
Geometry is adjusted for gravel riding, too, and it adds top tube bag mounts. A straight 1.5″ steerer tube & headset makes room for hidden cable routing, and it gets stealth thru axles with UDH compatibility. Framesets €3,499; framekits w/ cockpit €3,999.
Specialized Turbo Levo SL is like a Stumpjumper eMTB
The 2nd gen Specialized Turbo Levo SL gets more progressive geo to mirror the handling and poise of the Stumpjumper, with just enough power to make big days a lot bigger (and more fun).
The upgraded SL 1.2 motor is dramatically quieter while boosting torque 43% to 50Nm and power 33% to 320 watts. An integrated 320Wh battery can be expanded with 160Wh range extenders. While those numbers don’t sound huge, they’re good for 4-6+ hour days using plenty of assist.
The new monocoque one-piece carbon front triangle is stiffer, with size-specific geo, kinematics, and layup. It gets 160mm forks and 150mm rear travel with piggyback shocks on all but the smallest size.
Gone is the sidewinder shock brace, making shock adjustments easier. It comes as a mixed-wheel 29/27.5 build, but flip the rear chip and it’ll take a 29er in the back, too. An adjustable head angle (64º-65º-66º), BB height, and the Mission Control app let you customize handling, output, and modes. Claimed weight is 39.6lb (S4, S-Works). MSRP $14,000. (video here)
Pidcock races full suspension Pinarello MTB prototype
Tom Pidcock and Ferrand Prevot have been racing a prototype full suspension Pinarello mountain bike. Prior to this, the INEOS Grenadier riders used unlabeled bikes from other brands b/c team sponsor Pinarello got out of the MTB game years ago.
This could mark the return, but it probably won’t come with the prototype SR Suntour fork and shock with electronic lockout, which is something they’ve been testing for at least two years but won’t tell me any details about it.
• Like this? Share it with a friend! •
Scott Plasma RC TT bike
The 2023 Scott Plasma RC TT bike uses three novel design concepts to get faster and easier to ride. The top tube actually slopes up because they found that a shorter seatpost decreased drag with rider on board.
Shorter fork offset lengthens trail for a more stable ride and steadier handling, easing hand transitions between horns and bars, but also helping the rider stay in their optimum aero position for longer.
A slotted headset passes cables directly through it, so they could make a narrower headtube. 30mm tire clearance and massive height, width, and angle cockpit adjustability top things off. The frame is 12% lighter and saves 33 seconds (40km TT) over prior model. Frameset w/ cockpit €7,999. (video here)
POC Procen TT helmet sucks air through it
POC’s third-generation TT helmet, the Procen has three key features. First, the lens pulls away from the helmet to prevent fogging while you’re standing in the start gate, then pushes into place just before they push you down the ramp. It’ll break away in the event of a wreck.
Second, it’s shape redirects air away from your shoulders to reduce drag. Third, three massive vents let air in to reduce high-pressure zones at the front, and the smaller space inside creates a Venturi effect to suck air thru for better cooling. Size M only (with extra pads to tune the fit), available too late for you to use this season (ships in September). MSRP $/€400.
Fulcrum’s wider, deeper, faster Speed 42 & 57 road wheels
The new Fulcrum Speed 42/57 wheels are 2mm taller than their predecessors, but jump from 19mm to 23mm internal width. The nose has a wider radius for better aerodynamics, and the wheels get laterally stiffer but also improved “ride feel”.
The rim bed has no holes, and they polished the inner surface to help tubeless tire beads slide into place for easier setup. Hubs get smaller shells to improve aerodynamics, but the ratchet inside gets bigger with more teeth for quicker engagement. Weights are up to 85g lighter than the 40/55 models – 1,410g (42mm) / 1,495g (57mm) / 1,460g (mixed). MSRP ~$2,700 / €2,265.
Pirelli P-Zero Race 4S TLR upgrades all-weather tubeless performance
Made in Italy using the same new Aramid-enhanced 120tpi SPEEDCORE casing as the Race tire, the new Pirelli P-Zero Race 4S TLR adds a bit more side siping and more of their SmartNET silica to improve grip in wet and cold conditions.
It’s available in 28-30-32mm widths, claimed weights are 330-365-395g. Designed to be a high-performance road tire for any condition, make sure you see the “TLR” in the name if you want the tubeless-ready version. MSRP $99.90.
Snēk’s rolltop saddle bag fits your frame, too
Snēk Cycling’s new rolltop saddle bag uses a Voilé strap to cinch itself to your seat rails or a frame tube, with an elastic strap keeping things securely inside but easy to access.
There’s also a new top tube bag with mesh side pockets for easy access to snacks, and both have three color options that match their handlebar bag, too.
QUOC x Restrap bikepacking sandals
QUOC makes cycling shoes, Restrap makes frame bags, and now they’ve partnered to make cycling sandals that strap around a saddle bag so you have aprés ride kicks w/o taking up pack space.
They have an anatomic footbed with grippy lugs and microfiber uppers, with adjustable straps with a locking buckle so you can secure them on the bike. The heel strap rotates up so you can just slide them on, too. Questionable sock-plus-sandle pairing up to you. MSRP $130 (video here)
Early Rider Super Velio spherical balance bike
Designed for the youngest riders, the Early Rider Super Velio uses 8″ spherical EVA foam wheels to eliminate tipping points, letting the bike “roll” side to side as toddlers scoot and sway on it.
The low-slung design and lightweight magnesium frame makes it easy to handle. It has an adjustable saddle and soft-touch rolled handlebars designed for kids as young as 10 months, with an adjustable Active Balance Control that helps them stay upright as they learn. An optional handle lets adults push and steer when they give up. MSRP $299.
REBOUND is a global gravel event in your backyard
On June 3, Shimano and Live Slow Ride Fast want you to join REBOUND, the world’s largest gravel party ride. It’s free, and there will be prizes.
There are also rules: You must start at 6am local time, have a maximum of two stops, and enjoy a mandatory post-ride celebration. Do that (and register on their website) and you could win Shimano RX6 gravel shoes, tickets to the TdF, and a whole lot more!
On Stage
It’s a bike. It’s a boat. It’s a camper. And apparently, it’s The Future.
Small Bites
- Today’s Cinco de Mayo & Athletic Brewing has NA Cheladas
- Tomorrow’s Free Comic Book Day
- The 2023 Giro d’Italia starts on Saturday, too
- And you’ll have to pay GCN to watch it (in the US, anyway)
- Hammerhead’s Karoo 2 GPS computer now speaks Spanish
- And Wahoo’s BOLT & ROAM can show upcoming climbs in color
- Chrome’s new Gay’s Okay collection is literally brilliant
- Swiftwick has new Moab, Asheville, Tahoe, Sedona & JH socks
- Velocio’s new Unity kits support mental health services
- Kogel finally has Purple Ano oversized derailleur pulleys
- Wolf Tooth adds Brown Fat Paw & Karv foam mountain bike grips
- Tifosi launches new 28g Rivet shades, Rail Race model returns
- Here’s Esker Cycles’ 2023 demo schedule
- North Carolina’s Year of the Trail means more singletrack
Deals
- Race Face Spring Sale has parts up to 50% off (incl. carbon cranks)
- Get up to 60% off FiveTen MTB shoes thru May 11
- Try Gnarly’s new Hydrate flavors 15% off w/ code GETGNARLY15
- Free shipping on WOOM kid’s bikes plus 20% off accessories
- REI’s clearance deals have sweet gear up to 70% off!
- Handup AT Pants & Flex Flannels 45% off w/code ENDOFSEASON23
- Get 10% off new Alchemy Arktos in size XL w/code XLSAVINGS
- Club Ride’s kits are 20-40% off when you bundle tops & bottoms
- Get 20% off one full-price item at Competitive Cyclist w/code GIRO20
Happy Cinco! Thanks for making it all the way to the bottom! I just wanted to share that I’m working on something.
It’s small, but I think it’s going to be big. And the only way you can get it is to keep a keen eye on these emails. I can’t say when, because it’s a work in progress, but it’ll be free, and it’ll be worth the wait. Pinky promise.
In the meantime, could you forward this to a friend? Sharing is caring; it’s how good things grow.
Thanks, and 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.
Disclosure: Some links are affiliate links for which we may receive a small commission if you buy something.