This week, I’ve been out in the desert with family & friends, enjoying some time away from the computer and *gasp* bike, instead hiking and living the RV life…
Christmas week is light on launches, so I’ve been saving some killer MTB edits to watch after unwrapping presents. But first, there were a few new things launched this week…
- Cycling Ceramic MTB pulleys
- Scott Solace e-Gravel bike
- Vertical’s ultralight dropper
- Stages’ Shimano Power Meters
- UCI 2023 MTB schedule
Cycling Ceramic has odd new pulleys for MTB & gravel bikes
The new Cycling Ceramic alloy MTB/gravel pulley wheels use 14-teeth with a “narrow-wide” pattern, but one tooth is wider than the others. Six of the “wide” teeth are narrower than normal, combining with the narrow teeth to reduce friction as much as possible.
The 7th “wide” tooth remains wider to push dirt and dust out of the chain, helping maintain a clean drivetrain. Naturally, they get ceramic bearings. Available in red, blue, gold, and black for Shimano & SRAM 11/12-speed road, mountain, and gravel derailleurs. MSRP is $160 for the set.
Scott launches lightweight Solace Gravel & Road e-Bikes
Using the same ultralight TQ HPR50 motor system as their recent Lumen eMTB, the new Solace eRide road & gravel bikes is inspired by the Addict models. Both share the same ~1,200g frame (plus motor and battery system), the difference lies in the spec.
The Solace Gravel e-bike gets 1x drivetrains, up to 700×50 tires, and flared handlebars, weighing as little as 27lbs. The Solace Road e-bike gets 2x drivetrains, up to 700×38 tires, and standard cockpits.
Basically, pick the drivetain you want, then swap tires and wheels to suit the terrain. MSRP from $6,099 to $11,999, with fender, kickstand & light kits available separately. A range extender battery pack is available, too, but if you run out, don’t worry, it rides like a regular bike if the power is off.
Vertical Helium is the lightest dropper post available
With a unique locking cartridge design and carbon outer tube, Vertical’s new Helium dropper seatpost comes in about 150g lighter than standard posts, and on par with the Race Face Turbine SL/Fox Transfer SL. The difference is it removes the keyed slots, which prevents the saddle from twisting, from the outer stanchion and puts them inside the cartridge. They say reduces stress on the sliding tubes for smoother, longer-lasting performance.
It only comes in 60mm and 90mm travel models, so it’s aimed at XC and gravel riders that don’t need a lot of travel. But with four lengths and 30.9/31.6 diameters, they’ll fit a wide range of frames and riders. Captured titanium hardware makes saddle adjustments quick & easy. MSRP is €399.
Stages now shipping dual-sided Dura-Ace R9200 power meters
Stages is now shipping their Dura-Ace R9200 dual-sided power meters, giving owners of the latest Di2 group a way to add power measurement for both legs to stock cranks. The add-on strain gauges are factory installed on new cranks at Stage’s facility, add only 15g, and have +/-1.5% accuracy.
MSRP including a complete, new R9200 crankset is $1,190 (DA) with multiple crank arm length and chainring combo options. If you’re already purchased the left-side unit, you can upgrade to a right-side crank arm unit separately. No word on when or if you’ll be able to send your existing cranks in for installation.
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UCI releases 2023 MTB coverage schedule
Here’s the full schedule of 2023 UCI MTB World Cup events, including all XC and DH disciplines, and also now Enduro since they took over the EWS events. Everything will now be televised (or streamed?) by Warner Brothers/Discovery Networks (at least for the U.S. market).
On Stage
If you need an escape from holiday festivities or just need a little inspiration to get out and ride, here are some of the best mountain bike videos from December.
Nothing will get me on the trainer faster than watching the Scott/SRAM MTB Racing team recap their 2022 racing season.
Until there’s a solid VR cycling video game, there’s Fabio Wibmer showing us what a real-life Grand Theft Bike game could look like.
If you haven’t seen Danny MacAskill’s Postcard from San Francisco, watch it now, and then watch this series from behind the scenes that prove he is, in fact, mortal. Here’s Ep1 of the Back of the Postcard, then watch: Ep2, Ep3, Ep4, Ep5, Ep6, and Ep7.
With permission from the Simpcw First Nation, Graham Agassiz journeys to the North Thompson River region to ride terrain he (and we) could only dream of.
Josh Bryceland shreds Cannondale’s Moterra Neo Carbon LT eMTB at Royal Hills Bike Park in the south of France, showing big bikes with big electric motors can just plain go big.
Jumping is cool, but my mission in 2023 is to learn how to spray dirt in the corners like Vero Sandler in her “mix tape” video, also featuring dirt digs at home in Wales and also in Royal Hills Bike Park, France.
Here’s what it’s like for a pro to race Crankworx Whistler. Follow Bernard Kerr wtih POV through the Whip Off, Slopestyle and more of his events that week.
Small Bites
- Custom-painted Fizik Tempo Artica R shoe auction benefits WBR
- Telemos Capital invests, takes majority stake in Vittoria to fuel growth
- King Cage now makes their Iris Bottle Cage in titanium
- Get up to 50% off bags, slings & kit in Chrome’s Winter Sale
- Esker’s Walden Ti fat is now available as a complete bike
- Here’s what shop mechanics really think of internal headset routing
Thanks for reading. I really enjoy distilling the weekly launch cycle into a short list of the very best stuff. If you enjoy reading it, the best gift you could give me is subscribing to the newsletter and sharing it with your riding buddies.
Thanks, and I hope you have a very Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays. Here’s hoping you get all the great bike bits you’ve wanted, and the time (and weather!) to ride them!
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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