There’s a lot this week, but we’re just warming up for the pre-Otter barrage that’s coming. So, fair warning, I’m probably going to have multiple editions the week of Sea Otter Classic because everybody embargoes everything until that Tuesday & Wednesday.
Well, not everyone, because here’s a rad new commuter from Specialized, more capable Mosaic road bike, new gravel bikes from Rocky & Cannondale, fairly light cranks, ultralight wheels, and a ridiculously light bottle cage, and other fun things.
Here’s the best new stuff this week:
- Specialized Sirrus Carbon
- Mosaic RT-1 ITR
- Rocky Mountain Solo
- Cannondale LAB71 Topstone
- FSA aero gravel cockpits
- Giant Trance E+
- Lightweight alloy cranks
- CarbonTi X-Wheels
- Campy Hyperon Ultra
- Topeak 10g bottle cage
- Silca Unicorn bottle cage
- Wolf Tooth rotor lockrings
- Kask Utopia Y
- FastChain Aesthete
Specialized Sirrus Carbon
Designed to go fast whether you’re commuting, exploring, or just out for fitness, the new Specialized Sirrus Carbon’s Compliance Junction uses vertical flex to take the edge off bumps. A Future Shock suspension steerer handles front impacts, combining for a comfortable ride on a high-performance bike.
Tons of accessory, bag, rack & fender mounts add versatility, a wide range 1x MTB drivetrain & hydraulic disc brakes keep it simple and functional, and 42mm tire clearance lets you take it almost anywhere. Six sizes, two models, prices from $2,250 to $3,000.
Mosaic RT-1 ITR road bike gets modernized
Mosaic’s top road bike gets two key updates with wider 700×35 tire clearance and full internal routing. It uses ENVE’s integrated cockpit and fork to hide brake hoses from view, with a new chainstay design to keep it inside the frame from lever to caliper.
Frames are double-butted 3/2.5 titanium, for electronic shifting drivetrains only. All bikes are made-to-order and come in 9 stock sizes, but prices include custom geometry and choice of finishes, so…go nuts.
Rocky Mountain Solo gravel bikes
The new Rocky Mountain Solo comes in carbon and alloy versions with 10-12 mounting points on the frame, plus fender mounts, and eight more on the fork, let your bring a lot with you. Built-in seat tube flex (on carbon models) keeps it comfy.
Max tire clearance is 700×50 (650Bx2.2). All bikes get 1x groups with 10-42/44 cassettes rather than MTB mullet drivetrain builds, but it uses the UDH standard for the latest MTB group compatibility. Complete bikes from $1,699 to $6,499. (video here)
Cannondale LAB71 Topstone gravel bike drops 160g
Cannondale’s LAB71 Topstone is the second frameset to get the ultralight treatment, shedding 160g with refined layups & better carbon fibers. It keeps the ~30mm travel flex rear end with Kingpin pivot on the seat tube, plus a SAVE flex seatpost for added comfort & traction. Frameset only for $4,500. (check the LAB71 SuperSix here)
Full Speed Ahead aero gravel handlebar kits
FSA has two new aero gravel cockpits coming this summer. The two-piece carbon K-Force Loop AGX starts with a more flared (25º, 50mm offset) version of their incredibly ergonomic K-Wing AGX handlebar, then adds a carbon extension with forearm pads for easy tucks. 42-44-46 sizes, 320g.
The one-piece alloy Pro-Wing AGX builds the aero extension directly into the bar and has the same flare and sizes. Claimed weight is 472g. Prices and availability for both are TBA.
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Giant Trance X eMTB blends full power w/ light weight
Hitting an interesting middle ground between ultralight eMTBs and heavy, full-power ones, the new Giant Trance X Advanced E+ Elite e-mountain bikes use a mid-sized battery with highly efficient Panasonic cells that deliver 400Wh in a smaller, lighter package.
Output from the Yamaha SyncDrive Pro 2 motor’s 85Nm is app controlled, so you can prioritize range or power. Combined with a light carbon frame & cleverly adjustable one-piece cockpit, the top model is just 41lb (18.8kg), but costs $14,000. Also available in Liv Intrigue women’s versions. Both have mixed wheel builds and 140mm rear travel w/ 150mm forks.
New lightweight alloy cranks from e*Thirteen & PINND
e*Thirteen’s Helix Race cranksets are high end aluminum offering “enduro strength at downcountry weights” at just 556g to 574g (165-170-175mm arms) with 30mm spindle. Add their direct-mount chainring for Boost & SuperBoost compatibility on a polished bronze or black finish. MSRP $280.
Known for their pedals, the fully CNC’d 7075 alloy PINND e-bike cranks are very light despite being Enduro rated, and they’re available in really short lengths – 145mm (450g), 155mm (472g), 165mm (496g). Optimized for Bosch Gen2/4 motors, they also fit Brose & Yamaha. MSRP $164, ships in April.
CarbonTi 1148g XC & 1200g road wheels
Built by PippoWheels with Duke Racing’s Lucky Jack rims and Sapim CX-Ray spokes, the new X-Wheels lineup marries CarbonTi’s ultralight hubs to create a very lightweight wheel lineup. Three MTB wheels range from 1,148g to 1,330g for XC to Trail use, with inner rim widths of 28-30.5mm.
X-Wheel Baccara Road & Gravel wheels get 23mm inner widths with 36-42-48mm rim depths and weights from from 1,200g to 1,315g. For “extreme” gravel, the World Runner series gets 25mm inner widths and 27-38mm depths, fitting bigger tires but coming in at just 1,175g to 1,330g. All are €1,990 MSRP inc. VAT.
Campagnolo Hyperon Ultra climber’s wheels
Equally light but far more expensive are the new 1,240g Campy Hyperon Ultra road wheels. With a 37mm deep rim with 23mm inner width, they balance aerodynamics, lightweight, and modern tire compatibility.
Spoke nipples are fully internal to optimize aerodynamics, and the rim bed has no holes, so no tape is required (saves weight & easier tubeless setup). CULT ceramic bearings and a lighter alloy N3W cassette body round out the package. MSRP from €3,650.
Topeak Feza R10S bottle cage weighs only 10 grams
Using a Kevlar-reinforced carbon fiber tube structure with a tiny carbon backstop, the Topeak Feza R10S is the lightest of three new cages. Replacing the R10 with this “short” version, the lower stop’s placement is updated to help it fit two of them on more (smaller) frame sizes.
The G12 is a 12g version for gravel bikes, and the M16 is a 15.5g version for mountain bikes. Unfortunately, they’re only available in select markets, and the US isn’t really one of them.
Silca Unicorn Ti Bottle Cage
Just like their regular (and awesome) titanium Sicura bottle cages, except with a rainbow “Unicorn” anodized finish. Each one’s finish is unique, too. MSRP is $85, weight is 30g.
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Wolf Tooth Centerlock Rotor Lockring w/ Internal Spline
There are two types of lock ring for Centerlock rotors – ones with external splines that the wrench slides over, or internal splines that use a cassette lock ring tool. Internal ones are far more secure, can’t scratch your rotors, and look sleeker & more aero. And now Wolf Tooth makes those, too, in lots of colors.
Kask Utopia Y aero road bike helmet
The new Kask Utopia Y has the same aero shell and shaping, but adds ultra-wicking Resistex Carbon padding, a wider rear retention mech to cradle the cranium, and a larger adjustment dial to bring improved fit and comfort. MSRP $300, six colors.
FastChain Aesthete indoor trainer bike frame
Apparently I’m not the only one who’s dreamt of an attractive frame for riding indoors. The FastChain Aesthete is a custom-made wood “bicycle” frame meant to look good indoors so you can just leave it on the trainer. It’s in beta, but at £3,000 I think I’d just by a sweet steel adventure bike and a smart trainer and have money left over.
Pro Tip
“For Enduro racing, run your suspension softer than you would on your home trails. You want to bottom out a little, because you’re only getting one practice run and then racing it. You’re not going to know the trails, so you want a bit more traction and margin for error. It’ll also save your hands and grip.
Also, a softer, grippier tire will save you more time than anything else. You’re always cornering, so if you can save time in the corners, it’ll make a bigger difference than almost anything else.”
– Seth Sherlock, Intense Factory Racing
On Stage
Y’all shreddy for this?
Small Bites
Bikes, Gear & Tech
- Alchemy’s longer travel Arktos MTBs are now shipping
- Leatt teases a new XC/Gravel endurance helmet range
- Ioklin makes serious f’ing handmade steel eye candy
- Starling Cycles has to change names. Hello, Puffin Pedalers!
- Ibis now offers Lifetime Warranty on frames, rims & wheels
- Shimano and TRP are developing direct-mount derailleurs, too
- New Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro portable power pack is huge
- Now you can use your Apple Watch as a power meter
- Gary Fisher is launching an e-bike battery company
- Streiv App lets you overlay Strava ride data on your videos
Random Cool Stuff
- Time Bicycles to open the US’ largest carbon bike factory in SC
- Register for the MyWhoosh virtual race, there’s a $1MM purse
- Maybe Discovery’s ’23 cycling coverage will be OK after all
- Bianchi’s Giro Reflections short film wins some awards
- Walmart is encouraging employees to bike (or walk) to work
- Enter to win Super Coffee & Athletic Brewing prize package
- DIY teardrop camper build (if you trust a Harbor Freight trailer)
- The 2,200mi Pony Express bikepacking route is ready for you
- Here’s a culinary cycling tour in Italy led by a Top Chef winner
Deals
- Get a FREE extra battery w/ Aventon Abound e-cargo bike
- Wahoo’s Spring Sale is almost over, save up to 40%
- Get 40% off analog Detroit Bikes models while they last
- REI has a huge sale on really good cycling accessories
- EVO still has some Santa Cruz/Juliana MTBs 20% off
- Backcountry has Yeti MTBs 30% off, bigger deals on gear
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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