It’s like everyone’s trying to get all their new stuff out before October! Grab your espresso, here’s what’s new this week:
- Santa Cruz Tallboy & Juliana Joplin
- Merida OneSixty enduro bike
- Lapierre ProRace CF hardtail MTB
- Mosaic MT-2 ti hardtail
- Ministry Cycles prototype CNC MTB
- Evil Wreckoning gets Lightly Salted
- ENVE x Selle Italia saddles
- Race Face Turbine cranks updated
- Wild HED JET 180mm deep wheel
- Roval & Corima drop new wheels
- New WTB, Pirelli & Specialized tires
- Zwift adds handcycles (here’s how!)
…and (believe it or not) more!!! It was a big, big week of new bikes & bits!
Santa Cruz Tallboy trail bike refined, not remade
The new 2022 Santa Cruz Tallboy V5 is simply a refinement of the prior model. The suspension curve is more linear with lower starting leverage to sit higher early in the travel, but with drastically reduced anti-squat to maintain small bump sensitivity. Hopefully, that helps reduce pedal strikes for those of us riding rooty, rocky trails.
The end of the curve has more leverage, making the suspension more sensitive deeper in the travel for more active bump eating. It keeps the 120mm rear/130mm front travel and slack 65.5º head angle, but adds a downtube “glovebox” storage compartment. The Juliana Joplin women’s version gets the same tweaks and, arguably, better colors.
Merida OneSixty, OneForty adjust suspension by frame size
Merida has refined almost every aspect of their OneSixty enduro bike, giving it their Flexstay linkage that changes kinematics across frame sizes so larger riders get more support, and smaller riders can actually use their suspension. And it lets you easily swap between 29″ and 27.5″ rear wheels. Updated geo gives it a wider range of reach sizes, steeper seat tubes, and much slacker head angles.
The OneForty trail bike (not shown) also gets the Flexstays and updated geo, and improves its climbing ability. It’s 29er only. Both come in carbon and alloy, have integrated tool storage, and Merida’s adjustable travel dropper seatposts that go up to 230mm!
Ministry Cycles Psalm 150 cutting its way to trail bike nirvana
Ministry Cycles’ Psalm 150 prototype 29er trail bike is the latest incarnation of Chris Currie’s wildly efficient 3VO suspension platform. Earning high praise on Jamis models, they’ve made it lighter, more efficient, and more versatile for their own brand.
The 7075-T6 front triangle is machined in sections, then bonded together to create a stronger, lighter & straighter frame (vs. cutting & welding tubes). It also reduces inventory and lead times. Modular dropouts and head tubes allow for geo changes and future-proofs against new standards. Still in development, they’re looking for manufacturing partners now.
Evil Wreckoning LS gets minor convenience updates
In addition to two new matte earth tone colors, the Evil Wreckoning LS (Lightly Salted) updates with a SRAM UDH, captured Trunnion shock spacers, and now comes with free annual bearing replacement. The 166mm rear travel, 170mm forks, 157mm Super Boost rear axle, and everything else stays the same.
Lapierre Prorace CF XC hardtail
The new Lapierre Prorace CF hardtail, er, softail mountain bike gets lighter frames thanks to higher-end Toray carbon and new, rigid mandrels that give them better compaction. Claimed frame weights are 845g (Team, -225g from prior model) and 970g (Standard, -100g).
Borrowed from their road bikes, the split seatstays around the seat tube allow both to flex vertically, adding compliance and comfort, further enhanced by a 27.2 seatpost. Geo gets the longer/lower/slacker treatment, making it a modern XC race bike. Five models, €2,299 to €6,499.
Mosaic MT-2 Ti hardtail unveiled alongside “Batch Built” program
The new Mosaic MT-2 titanium hardtail gets “modern XC geometry with a hint of rowdy” thanks to 120mm suspension forks, 29×2.6″ tires, and dropper posts in mind. Size-specific tubing helps keep that sweet, sweet ti ride quality.
It, along with the GT-2 45 gravel bike, introduce Mosaic’s Batch Built stock sizing program. By forgoing custom, they can turn frames around in 2-4 weeks (rather than months). Frames start at $4,200 (MT-2) to $4,500 (GT-2 45) with raw finish, custom ano or paint is extra.
Race Face Turbine cranks get sleeker & lighter
Last updated in 2014, the new Race Face Turbine cranks keep the smash-anything 7000-series alloy construction (and demeanor) but drop 20g thanks to a sleeker profile and narrower Q-factor.
They also get an improved pre-load collar and now have a lifetime warranty. Claimed weight is 595g for a 170mm crankset w/ 32T chainring. MSRP is $179.99 ($219.99 CAD).
ENVE Selle Italia Boost SLR saddles
If you’re a fan of ENVE and Selle Italia’s Boost SLR saddles, now you can get one with ENVE’s branding. Originally created at the request of ENVE dealers for their super fans, it’s the same shell and rails (available in carbon or titanium) but gets a custom-perforated SofTek PU cover. MSRP from $275 to $400.
Zwift adds handcycles
Zwift’s first adaptive bike for their indoor cycling training brings with it specific events and, eventually, unique training plans. It’s another step in creating a more inclusive environment that lets cyclists of all types and abilities feel more represented.
For the racers, handcyclists can draft each other and regular bikes; not so much the other way around. Available now for everyone to use.
Here’s what that looks like. This bike and setup belongs to Josh Sweeney, who lost both legs to an IED in Afghanistan, and now he makes these custom brackets to invert the Wahoo KICKR. He’s the first handcyclist to complete the 102-mile course at Rebecca (Rusch)’s Private Idaho race.
And here’s Mike Sale’s setup, using a Wahoo KICKR mounted upside down in a wood frame. His handcycle is mounted directly to it, holding it at the same height as with the wheel on. Thus far, he’s logged almost 20k miles this way and has won the Paracycling Road National Championships as a result.
HED JET 180 deep aero wheel for when full discs won’t work
If you don’t want (or aren’t allowed to use) a full disc rear wheel, the wild new 180mm deep HED JET 180 rear wheel is the solution. Despite its looks, it’s designed to perform on Kona’s notoriously crosswindy 180km triathlon course.
Available in rim- or disc-brake models, it’s 21mm wide internal with a max 32.5mm external width, and is tubeless-ready. Weights are 1229g (disc brake) and 1258g (rim brake), price is $1,900 with a 4-6 week lead time.
Roval Rapide CL II wheels bring aero gains to a lower price
Using the same front- and rear-specific 51mm rims as the higher-end Rapide CLX II, the new Roval Rapide CL II simply downgrade the components to DT Swiss 350 hubs and Competition Race spokes. They lose the ceramic bearings, too. At $1,750 for the pair and 1,590g, they’re only 70g heavier (and mostly at the hubs!) than the CLX II but $1,100 cheaper.
Corima Essentia 40 all-road wheels drop French smoothness…
…to a new low price. Corima’s aren’t cheap, but dang do they roll well. The new Essentia 40 wheels bring Corima’s smooth-rolling house-made hubs, structural-foam-core carbon rims, and unique spoke lacing to a “budget” (for them) price of $1,590.
A 23mm wide (internal) hookless rim fits anything from 700×28 road tires to 700x50mm gravel tires. A brand-new 36-tooth ratchet hub with 10º engagement is built specifically to handle the extra torque of wide-range cassettes on steep grades. Weight is 1,600g, available with XDR, HG & Campy freehub bodies.
Specialized S-Works Turbo road tires get faster, lighter & tougher
Yes, faster, lighter AND tougher. Seems impossible, but the new Turbo S-Works 2BR (Tubeless Ready) tires use a new, low-rebound T2 rubber on a smooth center patch to roll incredibly fast, with grippier T5 on the sides for better traction. Both get a 120tpi casing with a new 8% tougher (yet also lighter) Blackbelt puncture protection layer running bead to bead.
The standard version has a 3-ply Blackbelt under the tread, plus raised nubs for more cornering grip and comes in 26/28/30mm widths (260g/280g/300g) for $80. The racier S-Works Turbo RapidAir minimizes the side nubs and uses a leaner 2-ply Blackbelt to make it more supple and lighter (230g, 700×26 only, $90). There’s also a tube-type version for $70. (Pre-order from Performance Bike)
WTB Vulpine gravel tire gets wider
The fast-rolling WTB Vulpine gravel tire now comes in a 40mm wide dual-compound version. Originally only in 700×36, the new 700×40 size comes in 60tpi with black (445g) or tan (425g) sidewalls, or a black 120tpi version (454g) with SG2 puncture protection. $65.95 to $76.95.
Pirelli Cinturato Gravel S all-conditions tire
The new wet-to-dry conditions Pirelli Cinturato Gravel S prioritizes control in adverse conditions, sand, and technical terrain over straight-line speed, making it the tire to choose when you just can’t decide. It uses their SpeedGrip compound, but puts it over a 60tpi casing with a bead-to-bead puncture protection layer. Offered in 40/45/50mm widths (540-600g), retail is ~$84 each.
Sena R2X helmet pairs w/ Alexa
Forget to lock your front door? Close your garage? Just wanna turn on the lights before you get home? The new Sena R2X bicycle helmet uses its built-in walkie-talkie mic & speakers, plus a connection to your phone, to link with Alexa and give you voice control over any connected devices. Naturally, it’s available on Amazon.
Link My Ride group ride app from Tom Pidcock
The free Link My Ride smartphone app (iOS and Android) lets you create, plan, and find group rides anywhere in the world. It’s a killer concept, but I recommend hiding your location and using it to find rides at first. A paid plan for Clubs makes membership management, communication, and route sharing easy and secure. It’s the brainchild of pro cyclists Pidcock and Sauvagnargues.
Small Bites
- Join Enduro at Rapha Boulder on 10/5 for brews & bearing chat
- Most people descend Moab’s Whole Enchilada trail. This guy climbed it.
- Enter to win a 3-night, $7000 MTB vacation in Durango, CO
- Natural Selection Proving Grounds MTB flic streams free this weekend
- RideWithGPS now records & navigates from Apple Watch
- Backcountry’s Winter Clearance Sale has gear up to 60% OFF
- HandUp Gloves has official RealTree Camo gloves, tees & more
- You can ride the full Santos Tour Down Under on Wahoo SYSTM
- We bet Felt starts spec’ing Syntace parts now that they merged
- Cervelo is recalling lots of bikes & stems b/c of the faceplate
The Lunch Ride is a weekly recap of the best new cycling products and tech, served up here and via email. SUBSCRIBE HERE to get it in your inbox every Friday.
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