SRAM Force // i9 // Cannondale // Colnago // Specialized // Last // Fezzari & more!

new sram force axs road bike group with lighter one-piece chainrings and more ergonomic brake levers

Dang, I thought last week’s post was full! Definitely coming into the busy season with an revamped Force AXS and rainbow Red bits, Cannondale’s ultralight new SuperSix EVO, a wild new urban assault eMTB from Specialized, Industry Nine headsets, affordable e-cargo and eMTBs from Aventon and Fezzari, plus new pedals, hubs, hydration options, and lots more! Here’s the best new stuff this week:

  • SRAM Force AXS & more
  • Cannondale LAB71 SuperSix
  • Colnago C68 Allroad
  • Mondraker Dusty
  • Specialized Turbo Tero X
  • Aventon Cargo Bike
  • Last Tarvo enduro bike
  • Fezzari Timp Peak eMTB
  • Crank Bros Mallet Trail
  • Industry Nine Headsets
  • Cane Creek IL shocks
  • Berd String Hubs
  • Hydrapak’s redesign
  • The 34oz water bottle!

SRAM Force AXS group gets lighter & shinier

closeup of new sram force axs shifter levers with smaller, more ergonomic hoods and lever reach

The new SRAM Force AXS group gets lighter and better by borrowing the best features of Red and Rival, and a sparkly new Unicorn Gray finish that shimmers in the sun. The crankarms carry over, but get a Red-level one-piece 2x chainring that saves a lot of weight, with or w/o integrated power meter.

The hoods borrow Rival’s slimmer shape and bring the levers closer to the bar. A new, textured shift paddle is longer so it’s easier to tap, but shallower so it won’t hit the bar or your fingers when braking hard. Combined, it adds up to a group with better performance, ergonomics & looks that drops 94g (and the eTap moniker!).

new sram force axs xlpr gravel bike group with integrated spindle power meter and carbon cranks

The SRAM XPLR gravel group officially becomes part of the Force family, with all-new carbon crank arms (with spindle-based, single-side power meter option) and one-piece 1x chainrings (38t-46t). Those, plus the new levers, save 101g over the prior XPLR group with power meter. It also adds larger aero 48t & 50t aero chainrings so you can run the 1x crankset on TT/Tri bikes.

Lastly, there’s also a new Rainbow finish for SRAM Red cassettes (10-28 & 10-33; $377, pre-order now) and chain ($77, pre-order now), plus a new 4-battery USB-C AXS rapid charger ($120, pre-order now).

Campenaerts to race Classified internally geared hub

victor campenaerts Lotto Ridley race bike with 62-tooth 1x chainring and classified powershift internally geared hub

Lotto DSTNY’s Victor Campenaerts likes a big chainring, and by switching to Classified Cycling’s Powershift wireless, internally geared 2-speed hub, he was able to race a massive 62-tooth chainring at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Now he’s planning to use it in more spring classics. Basically, the system provides 2x range with a 1x setup. Read his interview to hear why he likes it.

Cannondale LAB71 SuperSix EVO super bike unveiled

new cannondale lab71 supersix evo ultralight aero road bike with MOMO design handlebars and hidden battery
Click any image to enlarge.

Cannondale’s LAB71 launches with the all-new SuperSix EVO road bike, which is more aero and lighter than before. Designed as a system, the cockpit, wheels & frame all work together to reduce drag, and everything else is minimized get to just 770g for a fully painted, ready-to-build 56cm frame.

The fully integrated cockpit uses an oblong steerer to minimize frontal area, capped with a stunning MOMO Design handlebar. New HollowGram 50mm wheels and aero bottles & cages round out the LAB71 package…and it fits up to 30mm tires!

The new SuperSix EVO comes in three frame levels – LAB71, HiMod, and Carbon. LAB71 is frameset only for $6,000; complete HiMod & Carbon bikes range from $5,500 to $15,000. (video here)

Colnago C68 Allroad endurance bike

new Colnago C68 Allroad endurance road bike is designed for riding dirt roads, cobbles and long distances

Borrowing all the tech from the C68 Road bike, the new Colnago C68 Allroad fits larger 700×35 tires and sits a little more upright for improved comfort on longer, bumpier rides. Reshaped downtube and stays toughen it up to handle dirt roads, paths, cobbles, and chunky asphalt.

It fits electronic shifting drivetrains only, with Campy, Shimano & SRAM builds topping out at €15,335. A blockchain-powered NFC tag embedded in the downtube proves ownership and provides tech data on each bike.

Mondraker Dusty e-gravel bike

mondraker dusty gravel e-bike with customizable motor output and massive range

With a user-tunable 55Nm Mahle X20 motor and 350Wh battery proving range up to 180km (122mi) before adding the 171Wh range extender, the new Mondraker Dusty gravel e-bike says “how much time you got?” and MTB-inspired handling says “where you wanna go?”

Dropped, bent seatstays act like a micro rear suspension, and the top model comes with a Rockshox Rudy fork & Reverb XPLR AXS dropper post. It fits 47mm tires, 1x or 2x, has fork cage mounts, and full internal routing so you can strap any bag anywhere on the frame.

Specialized Turbo Tero X is a true adventure eMTB

2023 specialized turbo tero x full suspension urban e-bike with mountain bike tires and fork

Built around Specialized’s 2.2 motor, the new Turbo Tero X provides up to 400% assist on a bike meant to go anywhere while hauling all the toys you need when you get there. With 130mm travel forks, 120mm rear travel, and meaty MTB tires, “there” can be anywhere.

The rear rack holds up to 20kg, and a front rack can be mounted by removing the head badge. Full metal fenders and integrated lights make it all season, all day and night. Use their Mission Control app to custom tune the assist modes. Three models offered, all Class III (where allowed) to assist up to 28mph. Yeehaw!

Aventon Abound mini cargo e-bike

aventon abound compact cargo e-bike with huge rear basket and front rack with step-thru frame

With a 440lb total cargo capacity (incl. rider), the compact new Aventon Abound e-cargo bike hauls it all for just $2,199. The step-thru design, 20″ wheels, and quick-adjust dropper seatpost help it fit anyone, and the integrated storage bag holds your essentials.

A 750W rear hub motor is metered by torque-sensor at the pedals (or just use the throttle), powered by a 720Wh battery, and assists up to 20mph and up to 50-mile range. Integrated lights, fenders & turn signals improve safety. Front and rear racks and tons of other accessories outfit it for carrying kids, groceries, whatever.

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Last Tarvo is more than the lightest enduro bike

last tarvo v2 enduro mountain bike with ultralight carbon frame

The made-in-Germany Last Tarvo V2 claims a 2.1kg (4.7lb) with 160mm travel rear, or 170mm with a 27.5 rear wheel. Swap the rocker link, fork & shock and you can convert it between an enduro, all-mountain, trail, or downcountry bike…essentially 4 bikes in 1.

The new V2 gets in-frame storage (bags incl.), titanium lower shock mount, carbon downtube protection (that’s bonded on, not bolted, to save weight), size-specific anti-squat kinematics, and a raw finish that saves 90g over paint (but they’ll paint it if you want, for +€399). Only 100 are made per year.

Fezzari Timp Peak e-nduro mountain bike

2023 fezzari timp peak enduro e-mountain bike with Shimano EP8 motor

The new 170mm Fezzari Timp Peak e-mountain bike combines the La Sal Peak’s enduro geometry with the smooth power of a custom-tuned Shimano EP8 motor and low-mounted battery to create a real ripper. The full-carbon 29er frame (incl. linkage) has a flip chip so you can run it mullet-style, too.

An upright seat angle & long droppers provide a powerful pedaling position, but make it easy to get behind it on the descents. Three builds from $5,999 to $7,499 w/ TRP DH-R EVO brakes and Rockshox Ultimate or DVO Onyx E1 suspension, plus custom-tuned Fox, MRP, Push & EXT upgrade options.

Crank Brothers Mallet Trail MTB pedals

crank brothers mallet trail mid-sized platform pedal for mountain biking

Hitting that perfect not-too-big, not-too-small size, the new Mallet Trail pedals (344g/pair) save 75g off the larger Mallet E(nduro), but are just 24g heavier than the Candy.

Enduro MAX bearings & custom Igus bushings keep them spinning, and the chamfered alloy body scoots off rocks. They sit 5mm wider than the Candy for better heel clearance w/ wider “trail” shoes. $179.99/pair.

Industry Nine launches iRiX headsets

industry nine iRiX headsets available in 11 colors for road, gravel, and mountain bikes

The new Industry Nine iRiX headsets come in three version to fit almost any frame. With 11 colors that you can mix and match between upper and lower cups, top cover, and stem cap, they’ll also fit in with almost any color scheme you’ve got going on.

Inside are Enduro stainless steel bearings w/ lifetime warranty, replaceable double-lip seals, and two spacer rings to customize frame clearance for the top cover. Choose from 5mm or 15mm top covers. MSRP from $165-$215.

Cane Creek Inline shocks get slimmer, tougher

new cane creek air IL and coil IL inline rear shocks with slimmer bodies to fit more mountain bike frames

Cane Creek’s Air IL & Coil IL rear shocks get slimmer valve bodies to fit more frames, but thicker, stronger inner damper tubes. External Hi/Lo compression & rebound damping controls are easier to adjust thanks to a built-in tool that doubles as the Climb Switch. Coil preloads add detents for more precise tuning.

Berd Talon string hubs

Berd Talon hubs with hooked flanges for easy lacing of their composite string hubs

Berd’s composite fiber spokes are ultralight (2.5g), but require warranty-voiding modification of your hub’s spoke holes to thread them through. Their new Talon hubs have hooks instead of holes, making wheel builds fast and simple. Hubset is ~466g with 36- or 54-tooth ratchet ring internals. (video here)

Hydrapak bladders better than ever

updated hydrapak bladders for hiking and cycling backpacks and hip packs get a new carrying handle

Already the bladder of choice for most not-Camelbak brands, the updated Hydrapak reservoirs add a handle to make filling easier, and the Slide-Seal gets a universal hook to attach to more packs.

The Contour packs move the valve ports to the side, and angle the hip-pack one sideways, for more direct hose routing. The bite valve gets a new open/close lever for easier one-handed use, and they come with a magnetic hose clip, too!

Trek Voda 34oz water bottle

The trek voda 34oz is one of the biggest bike water bottles

No pack for you? How about a Litera water? ( ←⃪ wait for it ). The new Trek Voda 34 holds 34 ounces. That’s basically one liter. In one water bottle. It’s 30cm (12″) tall, which is the same size as The Big Guy 28oz insulated bottle.

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