With the UCI World Championships running through this weekend, we’re seeing a lot of new XC bikes for the main MTB event. For road, new Specialized and Ridley bikes get nose cones thanks to relaxed UCI design rules, Rose and Bianchi unveil more affordable road bikes, Litespeed US-made budget Ti gravel bike, plus the usual assortment of new tech, gear, and other bikes. Here’s the best new stuff this week:
- Trek Supercaliber
- Pinarello Dogma XC
- Cervelo ZFS-5
- Specialized Tarmac SL8
- Ridley Dean Fast
- Bianchi Sprint & Oltre
- Rose Reveal AL
- Litespeed Flint
- UCI XCO MTB
- Revel RW30 MTB wheels
- Aventon Solterra 2.0
- Kali Interceptor
- Minimum HUD sunglasses
- Peaty’s tool wrap
Trek Supercaliber v2 gets more travel & lots lighter
The original had just 60mm rear travel, but the 2nd gen Trek Supercaliber grows that to 80mm and bumps fork travel to 110mm to handle modern XCO race courses. It keeps the single-pivot flex-stay design, swapping the Fox shock for a new Rockshox SID Luxe IsoStrut rear shock with a longer stroke.
The frames now have SL and SLR versions, the latter dropping 200-250g by skipping internal cable guides and using higher modulus carbon for a claimed ~1,950g frame weight w/ shock.
Geo si updated with longer reach & 1.5º slacker head angle. It keeps standard internal routing (no stealth/integrated headset entry) and offers SRAM & Shimano builds throughout the range. Top model has a claimed weight of just 20.8lb (9.45kg). Bikes from $4,199 to $11,699.
Pinarello Dogma XC hardtail gets radical new design
Based on the track (see below), Ferrand-Prévot & Pidcock might be a bit outgunned on a hardtail, but the new Pinarello Dogma XC certainly looks interesting (but maybe still an odd choice considering they have a full suspension version, too).
It amplifies the brand’s asymmetric frame concept with offset stays that also have differing stiffnesses to counter drivetrain forces, with a triangular BB section to maximize power transfer. It gets a one-piece bar/stem with integrated routing. Neither MTB is on their site yet, so…coming soon?
Cervelo ZFS-5 full-suspension XC race mountain bike
Announced last year but just now finally available, the Cervelo ZFS-5 is an XC race bike with two personalities. Like the Trek, it uses a single-pivot, flex-stay design, but w/ a linkage-driven rear shock. Depending on the shock stroke, it can deliver 100mm or 115mm rear travel, paired with 100-120mm forks.
Head angles change from 67.8º (100/100mm) to 66.6º (120/115mm), tuning the handling according to travel. Two bottle cages fit inside, and chainstay length is size specific for better handling on all frame sizes. All models and options available at Competitive Cyclist.
Specialized Tarmac SL8 gets faster everywhere
The SL7 was already a very fast, light race bike that was actually fun to ride, too. The new Specialized Tarmac SL8 gets more aero, using a “Speed Sniffer” nose cone shape (see Ridley, below, for more on this) to streamline the leading edge, and an extremely thin aero seatpost to help dirty air get past your legs, making it even more aero than their Venge.
It’s also 15% lighter than the SL7 (the S-Works claimed frame weight is just 685g) yet also 33% stiffer, with 6% more compliance, and 32mm tire clearance. So, fast, aero, light, and comfortable, which should make it faster no matter where you’re riding it.
Ridley Dean Fast Disc TT bike gets dimples & grooves
The new Ridley Dean Fast finally gives the Belgian brand a disc brake-equipped TT bike, but it’s only sold as a $4,999 frameset w/ fork, base bar, and seatpost for now. It stretches the head tube into more aerodynamic shapes with “compensation triangles” forming a nose cone.
Those new shapes are now allowed under the UCI’s new 8:1 (length:width) tube cross-section rules, which also allow some non-structural shapes to be used solely for aerodynamic purposes. Hence the nose cones extending past the steerer tube on this and the Tarmac.
The front of the fork, headtube, and downtube get their signature F-Surface Plus groove, which tricks the air into flowing more smoothly across the frame, reducing turbulence/drag. Dimpled surfaces elsewhere also help with this. The base bar’s stem nestles into the head tube, streamlining airflow across the top tube. It has a UDH hanger, fits electronic drivetrains only, and comes in three sizes.
Bianchi adds more affordable Sprint, Oltre Race road bikes
The Oltre Race (left) is a base model of their high-performance road racing line, getting a standard stem and headtube rather than a sleekly recessed version, plus less convoluted aero tube shapes, but does move to full stealth internal routing.
The updated Bianchi Sprint is inspired by their 750g Specialissima climbers bike, but with less sophisticated tubing. It, too, switches to full stealth routing for a completely modern look. Both come with 105 mech and Di2 groups and are aimed at newer riders/amateur racers looking for a good but affordable road bike.
Rose Reveal AL alloy endurance road bike
Sculpted tubes, nearly invisible smooth welds, and full internal routing make the new Rose Reveal AL a looker, and the endurance geometry should make it feel great, too. It comes with a carbon fork and weighs as little as 8.9kg (19.62lb).
It’s also their first aluminum bike with an electronic drivetrain, offering Shimano 105 Di2 for €2,499. Two mechanical shifting models from €1,849-2,199.
New Litespeed Flint gravel bike does it all
Designed to be fast, fun, and affordable, the all-new Litespeed Flint gravel bike has 700x48mm tire clearance, three bottle mounts, UDH compatibility, and all-purpose geometry aimed at long-distance riders (but without alienating the occasional racer).
The 100% 3/2.5 titanium frame is made in Chatanooga, TN, and gets size-specific tubing that’s custom butted & CNC’d in-house. Complete bikes start at just $3,395 with GRX 600. Custom options & upgrades available, including a new green/blue chameleon ano fade treatment. (video here)
How to watch the UCI MTB XCO World Championships
If you haven’t checked out the UCI’s instagram & Twitter, here’s a taste of the XCO course the pros will race on Saturday (8/12), women at 11:10 BST (6:10am EST) & men at 15:10 BST (9:10am EST). Here’s the full schedule of events, and you can watch it on Flo Sports in the US & Canada, BBC in UK, SBS in Australia, and on the UCI’s YouTube channel elsewhere.
Revel RW30 FUSIONFIBER mountain bike wheels
The updated Revel RW30 wheels still use the recyclable FUSIONFIBER thermoplastic material, but reshape the rims for better ride quality. There’s more material around the 28 spoke holes to improve strength, and less between them to save weight.
The bead wall is thicker, now 4mm, to improve impact resistance, and it comes out of the mold as shown, no need for clearcoats or paint. Internal width is 30mm, designed for 2.3-2.6″ tires and trail/enduro riding. Rim weight is 485g, complete wheels from 1,850g w/ Industry Nine Hydra hubs. $799/rim, $2,199 wheelset.
Aventon Solterra 2.0 commuter e-bike
Aventon is one of few affordable e-bike brands that offer sophisticated drive systems with torque sensors, and the new Solterra 2.0 builds on that with clever features like integrated lights & turn signals, 300lb payload capacity, 350W hub motor, and mounts for lots of accessories.
It ships as a Class II bike (20mph assist plus throttle), but you can use the app to switch it to a Class III (28mph max assist) and/or disconnect the throttle for areas where they’re not allowed. At just 41lbs, it’s reasonably light, and costs just $1,399. Two colors in standard & step-thru frame options.
Minimus heads-up display sunglasses show maps & data
Available for pre-order, the Minimus sunglasses do more than show speed, power, and other stats; they’re the first heads up display sport shades that can also show your maps and routing. And it has eSIM support and 32GB onboard storage to download them (and listen to Spotify), so you can leave your phone at home (as if…).
The lenses transition from clear to dark, they have a 7-hour battery life, and surprisingly weigh only 90g. Reserve (at your own risk, of course) for $99 for a $699 pre-order special, MSRP is $999 when they go on sale.
Kali Interceptor 2.0 MTB helmet
The new Kali Interceptor 2.0 gets improved fit and more of their comfy (and effective) Rheon anti-rotational impact cushions (the light blue bits under the pads). Low-density “conehead” EPS foam inside the shell and SuperVent construction better disperse impact forces before they reach your brain, with deep rear coverage to more total protection.
24 huge vents keep you cool, and a 2-position visor, tons of strap adjustability, Fidlock buckle, and 3-position retention cradle make it easy to fit and use, too. And it has a lifetime crash replacement warranty! MSRP $180, two colors.
Peaty’s Trail Tool Wrap gets it right
I mostly dislike tool wraps. Stuff slips out, gets dirty, or just looks messy. Usually all three. The new Peaty’s Hold Fast Trail Tool Wrap solves all three and improves the UI dramatically by keeping things inside a waterproof pouch that sticks to the strap while you’re using its contents, keeping things off the ground and in easy reach.
Available in three colors for £34.99 each, they fit just about anywhere on your bike (even under your saddle), and the strap is long enough to compress a spare tube between the pouch and the frame. And it’s reflective! (video here)
4iiii powermeters add Apple Find My location tracking
Add the latest 4iiii Precision 3+ power meter-equipped crankarm to your bike and you can track your bike’s whereabouts using Apple’s Find My app. They deliver up to 800 hours of battery life with +/-1% accuracy plus cadence and estimated calorie burn, and now they can help you find your bike by leveraging Apple’s 1.5 billion-device network. (Word is, that same technology could soon work across Android and other devices, too)
Enter to Win our Summer Rollout giveaway!!!
Want to win some sweet gravel/MTB/bikepacking gear and kit from Sweet Protection, RAB Equipment, Old Man Mountain, Dispatch, mountainFLOW, BikeTiresDirect, and Gnarly Nutrition? We have 14 prize packs valued at more than $2,500 to give away, but you have to enter to win! CLICK HERE to enter the sweepstakes!
On Stage
Just a little taste of why you should go ride Bentonville and NWA trails.
Kit of the Week
Rubber n’ Road started out as a boutique shop making premium cycling apparel in NYC, but have recently launched the made-in-Italy Uniform Collection. Using bluesign-approved materials, it includes aero-fit jerseys and bibshorts for men and women.
The bibs ($290) have a hand-sewn chamois and patented silicone-free woven leg grippers. The jerseys ($190) have a YKK Vislon zipper, low-profile collar, three pockets + zipper security pocket, silicone waist gripper, and lengthy sleeves.
Small Bites
- Cane Creek’s raffling an $11.5k custom MTB for Pisgah trails
- Here’s how to make your eMTB all-wheel drive
- Fox might be working on a reverse arch XC fork
- Here’s some cool art inspired by the UCI Worlds in Scotland
- Sportive Breaks cycling tours now have US bike tours
- Search & State just dropped Field Shirt flannels
- State Bicycles now has desert-inspired 3-bolt cargo cages
- Tell the gov’t they should remove tariffs on bicycles
- Ibis Oso eMTB drops price w/ GX AXS Transmission upgrade
- Adv Cycling Assoc adds easy bikepacking “short routes”
- New Arcade A2 adventure belt gets a buckle upgrade
- Merry Sales is importing Hyacinth bike racks from Ukraine
- Here’s a 12.9g carbon fiber GPS computer mount
Hot Deals
- REI’s Huge Bike Sale ends this weekend!
- Backcountry.com has a flash sale today through 8/14
- Handup’s mesh trail tank tops are just $12 w/ code TRAILTANKS
- Dispatch’s Secret Sale has some cool stuff
Parting Thoughts
This morning required some perspective adjustment.
Sometimes, technology fails us. My internet was out this morning. And my phone wouldn’t tether. And, literally last week, I just canceled my standalone hotspot account.
So I went to a coffee shop to finish this newsletter, then their router failed.
Fortunately by then my phone’s hotspot and computer finally decided to play together, and it’s been eking out data for the past couple hours.
As frustrated as I was (still am, because shit should just work), I also realize that the world doesn’t end if this newsletter doesn’t get out as early as I’d like.
I still have my health, and I can take deep breaths. Hawaii is on fire. Ukraine is getting bombed. Ecuador is being taken over by drug gangs. Brexit is still stupid. And I know -we all know- there’s a lot more bad shit happening to a lot of people everywhere.
Not having internet now and then isn’t so bad, relatively speaking.
It’s all about perspective. And, I suppose, being grateful for how good most of us have it most of the time. Relatively speaking.
And now that I’m done, I have the perfect excuse to get out for a ride.
Here’s hoping your weekend rides give you the chance to view things through a fresh perspective!
Cheers,
PS – Make sure you enter our Summer Rollout Sweeps, I want you to win some sweet stuff!
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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