This week, it’s a good split between road and mountain bikes. The new Moots shows off how integrated titanium bikes can be, BMC’s not far behind with their new e-road bike, and Esker adds mounts for everything on a new ti gravel bike. For MTB, there’s an expensive new Yeti “downcountry” bike and a very affordable new Marin trail bike, plus unbelievably light AMS grips. And LOTS of fun news and bits in the Small Bites section! Here’s the best new bikes and tech this week:
- Moots Vamoots CRD
- BMC Roadmachine AMP X
- Esker Lorax Ti gravel bike
- CyclingCeramic OS Campy pulley
- Tacx Neo Bike Plus
- Yeti SB120 XC bike
- Marin Rift Zone trail bike
- AMS 18g (!!) MTB grips
- Fezzari Overland expo
- More group ride apps
- Yep, Black Friday deals
Moots Vamoots CRD road bike gets serious integration
The Moots Vamoots CRD (Complete Road Design) is a pure road bike, starting with their premium double-butted RSL titanium tubesets and pencil-thin 6/4 seatstays, but adds big updates. The T47 BB, 3D printed dropouts, and 1400g frame start things off , but the new internal cable routing with integrated cockpit is the showstopper.
An ENVE AR handlebar with Integrated Aero stem feeds cables through an OEM-only Chris King Aero 3 headset (note the aero top cap that blends directly into the stem), hiding everything inside the frame. It’ll fit up to 700x32mm tires. Three builds range from $13,086 to $15,927.
BMC Roadmachine 01 AMP X e-road bike
The new BMC Roadmachine 01 AMP X takes their top of the line all-road endurance bike and gives it the ninja-quiet TQ HPR50 motor for up to 28mph of electric assistance (U.S. market. Sorry rest of the world, you get a Class 1 version up to 25km/h). The top-level carbon frame, integrated cockpit, and miniature TQ system make it hard to differentiate from the standard version.
Clever features include a tunable MTT suspension stem, integrated rear light powered by the bike, hidden fender mounts, and clearance for up to 700×38 tires. Both get 1×12 SRAM AXS XPLR drivetrains with narrow Rotor cranks. Available now, the ONE (12.9kg / 28.45lb) runs €8,499 / $8,899 USD and the TWO (13.3kg/29.3lb) is €7,499 / $7,899.
Esker Lorax Ti gravel bike seeks for the trees
Offering a 3/2.5 titanium frame and neutral geometry, the Esker Lorax Ti gravel bike aims to be the bike for any backroad adventure. The frame has three bolt points on top and bottom of the downtube, full rack and fender mounts, and bolt attachment points for frame bags.
Bolt-on cable guides and internal dropper post routing add versatility, as does compatibility with a range of rigid and suspension forks with up to 60mm of travel. Fits 700×50 (29×2.0) tires. Sold as a frameset only for $2,300 with headset, collar, Portage dropouts, and rear axle. They also just released the Walden Ti fat bike.
CyclingCeramic adds Campagnolo OS pulley cage
CyclingCeramic says their new oversized pulleys for Campagnolo 11-speed and 12-speed derailleurs are the only ones available for Campy 12sp mechanical units. They’re equipped with 14/19 tooth counts, Grade 3 ceramic bearings, and are available for both EPS electronic and mechanical derailleurs in four colors. MSRP is $291.
Tacx NEO Bike Plus indoor training cycle
The new Tacx NEO Bike Plus upgrades their original indoor smart bike trainer with programmable virtual shifters to mimic the feel of jumping to another gear with SRAM, Shimano, or Campagnolo levers. Pair it with the Tacx app’s video routes and it can simulate the feel of climbing, coasting, descending, and even cobbles and gravel!
It accurately measures power, cadence, and even measure leg imbalances to help you refine your training. Customize the fit, including crank length, to match your regular bike while other users can quickly change it to fit them, too. Interactive fans match your output with “wind” speed. Available in January for $3,999.
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Yeti SB120 mountain bike gets longer travel, lower frames
Sitting lower than the SB115 it replaces, Yeti uses the same updated Infinity Switch sliding main pivot to eke out a bit more travel on the new Yeti SB120. Designed to climb like an XC bike, the 120mm bike adds room for up to 200mm dropper posts and a bigger bottle inside the front triangle.
With a 130mm fork, it adds up to a bike designed to go just as fast downhill as up. Six frame sizes, two levels of carbon fiber, and complete bikes from $6,300 to $12,100 are available. Last week it was the new SB160, wonder what’s coming next week…
Marin Rift Zone alloy trail bikes upgraded, still very affordable
The new Marin Rift Zone bumps travel to 130mm rear with 140mm forks, and streamlines the frames & spec across all sizes, from 24″ junior bikes to 26″ youth to 27.5 & 29er mountain bikes. Smoother tube shapes with clean cable routing and updated geo make it a fully modern bike.
Marin’s special sauce is the ability to spec them for maximum shredability at minimal cost. Marzocchi and X-Fusion forks, Maxxis and Vee tires, and SRAM & Shimano groups deliver the goods with complete bikes ranging from $1,799 to $3,499. I’ve ridden it, and it’s a very fun, capable bike.
18g All Mountain Style Extralight mountain bike grips
And that’s 18g for the pair! Using an ultralight foam, the AMS Extralight grips are the lightest MTB grips I’ve seen. Describe them as feeling like “Crocs for your hands”, they say the texture provides good grip in wet/humid/sweaty conditions…something that other foam grips can’t say (at least when riding without gloves).
They measure 30mm external diameter when mounted and are 130mm wide. Complete weight with supplied bar end plugs is 24g. MSRP is $37, black only.
Fezzari Overland & Offroad Event
If you’re anywhere near SLC this weekend, head to Fezzari’s HQ for their first (hopefully annual) Overland & Offroad Vehicle Expo. It’s free, and there are workshops, demos, and killer vehicles from 46 brands!
Link My Ride & Chasing Watts update their “group ride” apps
Upstart Link My Ride, created by a couple of former pros, just added a Spanish language version and is working on several other languages to speed up expansion thru Europe.
Chasing Watts, which launched just before the pandemic, has just announced v3.0 that adds iOS & Android versions with improved syncing, better profile management, and the ability to add multiple routes to a ride. It’s a surprisingly robust app for something running under the radar for so long. Both are free.
Black Friday cycling deals
We posted a mega-roundup of all the Black Friday / Cyber Week deals on bikes, components, gear, and kit we could find. We’re adding more as they pour in, and I added an explanation of why everybody posts a Black Friday deals roundup.
Small Bites
- Ratio teases a direct-mount SRAM rear derailleur upgrade kit
- RadPower recalls 30k bikes for faulty rim strips & bad tires
- Trek is matching up to $500k in donations to World Bicycle Relief
- Dynamic workout planner Reddiyo is shutting down
- The California Cowboy AprésSki Robe is perfect for ‘cross heckling
- The 2023 Life Time Grand Prix expands to 7 events w/ $250k purse
- 2023 Park Tool Community Grants application period is now open
- HED’s ultralight carbon fat bike wheels are back, for now
- KHS XXL “Big & Tall” and Big Friendly Giant 36″ MTBs are back
- NYC lawmakers seeking better e-mobility battery safety
- woom’s AutoMAGIC 2-speed kids bike shifts automatically
- Bentonville, AR, is spearheading a statewide gravel routes network
- Wolf Tooth Morse Code cage now comes in copper…finish
- Take Hammerhead’s Solstice Challenge & you could win a Karoo 2
- Watch the Red Bull Pump Track World Championship on 11/19
- KMC now offers chainrings for Shimano, Bosch e-bike motors
- Race Face adds Lifetime Warranty, crashing included, on most parts
- Cane Creek releases suspension service tech & tools to dealers
- Aurum’s new Polar White color highlights our melting ice caps
- New Transition TR11 DH bike gets an alloy frame w/ cleaner cables
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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