Now that Eurobike’s madness has died down, this week is comparatively light on launches, though there’s some Tour de France parts and neat apps & tech in the mix. I also found some really cool stories and tidbits to share in the Small Bites section at the bottom, I hope you’ll check them out. Here’s the best new stuff this week:
- ENVE prototype bar-stem
- Cafe du Cyclist framebags
- Pirelli Gravel RC X
- Vecnum suspension stem
- Praxis LYFT carbon cranks
- Specialized P-Series
- Zefal under-cage tool
- CeramicSpeed’s killer app
- Strava’s TdF training data
- Zwift Climb Portals
- Loop’s stealthy phone mount
- Theft-proof e-bike axles
Pogacar rides prototype ENVE one-piece bar/stem
Tadej Pogacar is racing the Tour de France on a new one-piece ENVE handlebar-stem that is an adaption of the current SES Aero Road Handlebar and will be available later this year.
It’ll have internal routing like the current two-piece IN-Route bar and stem system, which is designed specifically for the Chris King Aeroset 3 headset, but they say they’re working on additional spacers and fitments to work with other headsets & frames by the time it launches. (images from @fizzaazzif and ENVE’s Instagram)
Cafe du Cyclist bikepacking frame bag collection
The new Cafe du Cycliste “Bike Luggage” collection includes a 10L saddle bag, 4L frame bag, top tube bag, handlebar roll, and a small tool pouch. They’re made with durable, waterproof materials, heat-sealed seams, and YKK Aquaguard zippers.
They have expandable compartments & anti-vibration features (aka wide, thick Velcro straps), mostly come in an olive green color, and have their flying fish logo. Prices from €45 to €170.
Pirelli Cinturato Gravel RC X tires get extreme
Designed with the same tread pattern as the standard RC model, the new Pirelli Cinturato Gravel RC X gets structural updates to make it tougher for rough courses and loaded bikepacking.
The new TechWALL X 60tpi casing has more sidewall overlap for more cut and puncture protection, but with the same grippy race rubber and fast-rolling center setion with taller side knobs. Available in 700 x 35/40mm sizes, weights from 480-560g, with a 700×45 coming later.
Vecnum FreeQENCE suspension stem
Unlike single-pivot suspension stems that change the angle of your handlebar as they compress, the Vecnum FreeQENCE stem’s parallelogram design maintains your cockpit’s angles so it won’t feel like it’s pitching you forward.
Available in 90/105/120mm lengths, it has 30mm travel (via replaceable elastomers) and claims to reduce vibrations & impacts by 75%. It’s adjustable to support riders weighing from 50-120kg (110-264lbs), claimed weight is 287-317g. MSRP €299. (video here)
Praxis G2-LYFT carbon cranks get sleeker & lighter
The 2nd generation Praxis LYFT cranks get reshaped to better fit (physically and visually) modern mountain bikes, and weigh in at just 420g for the 175mm length, including their alloy preload ring and 30mm spindle.
That’s about the same weight as Race Face ERA cranks, but for about $80 less at $420. They’re rated for XC/Trail riding, are compatible with any 3-bolt (SRAM-style) chainrings, and come in 165/170/175 lengths.
Specialized P-Series DJ bikes get all the sizes
Whether you’re riding street, bowl, pump track, or dirt jumps, the expanded Specialized P-Series bikes now offer four sizes to fit any size rider.
The hardtails get a new Boost-spaced sliding rear dropout w/ 15mm adjustment, singlespeed or geared compatibility, dropper post routing, and suspension-ready geo, even on the smallest 20″ model. MSRP $650 – $2,100, wheel sizes 20″, 24″, 26″ and 27.5″.
Zefal hides a multitool under your bottle cage
The Zefal AFA 8 Plus uses a slim holster to hide a strong 8-function mini tool under your water bottle cage. The design makes it quick and easy to remove for repairs, and the tool itself looks very robust and well-designed.
It can be mounted as shown, or with the tool sitting below the bottle. System weight is 154g, and if you count the bottle opener and chain tool, it actually has 10 tools on board. MSRP €45, but possibly (unfortunately) only available in France. (video here)
CeramicSpeed app aligns your handlebar, tracks mileage w/ Strava
Pair the new CeramicSpeed app with your Strava account and it’ll recommend maintenance based on your mileage without any extra effort on your part. But the real killer feature is that it’ll help you align your handlebar and front wheel using your smartphone’s camera.
It’s free, available on iOS and Google Play, and also lets you register your CeramicSpeed products’ warranties, get chat text support, and will be updated with more features and tech assistance over time.
Here’s how Pros train for the Tour de France
Strava has compiled (and anonymized) the training data logged from January through June 2023 by 37 pro cyclists who are competing in the Tour de France, here’s what they found (averaged per rider):
- 450+ hours of training
- 188,720m (592,913ft) climbing
- That’s like Everesting more than 21x
- 266km (165mi) longest ride
- 400,000+ calories
So, you know, try harder?
Zwift Climb Portal lets you mimic famous Tour climbs
Ride through one of the new Zwift Climb Portals in Watopia and you’ll be magically transported onto a floating road that winds upward, mimicking the Col du Tourmalet and other famous climbs from this year’s Tour de France and TdF Femmes races.
Eight climbs will be released periodically through July 31, with stages and challenges letting you earn badges (yay). Other famous climbs will be added to the portal later, too.
Loop Micro Mount phone holder
Like your current case? Want to keep a stealthy look and clean cockpit? The new Loop Micro Mount stem cap flips out to hold your phone, is compatible with almost any case, and disappears when not in use.
It’s on Kickstarter, and the company has successfully launched two other mounts and sold 43k+ of them. MSRP will be about $50, but back the already fully funded project for a pre-order discount.
HexLox locking thru axles now fit e-Bike hub motors
The new HexLox Hexnut M12 thru axles secure your e-bike’s hub motor with a locking design that requires a special tool to remove. The magnetic tool engages the end cap and lets you unbolt it, otherwise it just spins freely so thieves can’t remove your wheel.
It’s also available in 15mm front thru axles and for standard bikes, too, plus solutions for seatposts and saddles.
On Stage
If we can’t laugh at ourselves…
Small Bites
- The Eraser Men de-cock the Tour de France
- Here’s a list of all the breweries along the 2023 TdF route
- Interesting Strava segments from TdF Unchained documentary
- Also, Strava premium members now have full FATMAP access
- You can still get your Rob Warner UCI MTB fix on Red Bull TV
- More? Here’s an f’ing brilliant interview with Rob Warner
- Trek’s UCI World Cup ‘cross race is back on 10/13-15 & it’s free
- Lightweight Wheels’ owner Carbovation has acquired Tune
- Here’s a pop-up inflatable rooftop tent
- And here’s an interesting lightweight linkage MTB fork
- Check out Cabo Verde’s trails with Kona’s Tito Tomasi
- The Atherton’s new DYFI track Flow State opens to the public
- The Ritchey Ultra hardtail is now available in Honey Mustard
- Don’t worry, Kyle Strait is back, and he’s fine
Deals
- Trek Fest is on with bikes, components & gear all on sale
- Industry Nine wheels are 25% off, sale ends tonight (7/7)
- Get up to 60% off Sportful cycling kits
- Buy an ENVE alloy stem & M-series MTB bar, get a free jersey
- Save up to $700 on Gazelle e-bikes at Competitive Cyclist
- They have kits & components up to 50% off, too
- Get up to $3,500 off Alchemy Bikes’ prior models
- Get 20% or more off Salsa Cycles thru 7/31
Parting Thoughts
While most of my interest lies in the bikes, components, and tech, I’ve really enjoyed Rouleur’s race coverage. From the Giro to Le Tour, their storytelling style really appeals to me.
I have no relation to Rouleur, but I wanted to give kudos where it’s due.
As a writer who’s written (maybe millions of) words for almost 20 years, it’s refreshing to see others crafting them together well and in ways that I don’t.
While I think I’m pretty good at covering the tech, they’re pretty good at covering the people and the human interest stories. Actually, really good. Better than I will ever be, and I’m OK with that.
Because as much as I enjoy reading those types of stories, I have no interest in writing those types of stories.
My strengths are what they are.
I used to get jealous. I wanted to beat someone rather than celebrate their successes. All eyes on me, please. It’s easy to be critical, it’s much harder to be kind.
But, as Van Der Poel is proving in Le Tour, success is not a zero sum game. So I’m trying to channel my inner Ted Lasso.
Sharing other’s work in the Small Bites is my baby step toward personal growth. I hope you enjoy them, there’ve been some really fun, weird nuggets of awesomeness in there.
If you’ve done something cool, or found something neat, please share it. Hit reply with the link and I may include it in a future issue.
Kudos and Ride Ons,
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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