This week is a truly random assortment of hacks, parts, bags, graphics, and four mountain bikes. Wahoo adds bolt-on steering paddles, the Olympics unveil their graphics, there’s a Bike Mechanic video game, tie-day custom paint, color-matched frame bags, a bike stand that hangs in your doorway, and lots more. Here’s the best new stuff this week:
- Wahoo KICKR STEER
- Easton EC90 ALX bars
- Paris 2024 cycling logos
- Bike Mechanic Simulator
- Ibis DV9 Hardtail
- Liv Lurra women’s MTB
- Alchemy Arktos updates
- Trek Rail eMTB
- Lezyne Pro Tubeless Kit
- Trek Tie Dye paint
- MW Slice frame bag
- Winnebago Adventure Wagon
- Altangle door frame workstand
Wahoo KICKR STEER adds in-game steering to RGT
The new Wahoo KICKR STEER ($99) adds a smartphone-powered steering device to your handlebar, letting you control your avatar’s direction in their RGT Cycling app. Part of the Wahoo X subscription, RGT is a Zwift competitor with digital routes resembling real-world rides. This lets you steer through turns, tuck into a draft, or whip around a competitor in the game.
If you just want to try steering out for free, the RGT Remote app or your keyboard will work, too, albeit requiring you to take your hands off the bar. Or, the KICKR BIKE’s thumb buttons will let you steer, too, but it’s a bit more expensive than this.
Easton EC90 ALX size-specific all-road, gravel handlebars
The new Easton EC90 ALX handlebar tips the scales at just 204g (42cm) with a carbon layup and top shaping that are size specific. Smaller bars get a more compliant layup and smaller diameter, so each size (from 38 to 46cm) should ride and feel just right for every size rider.
They have a 10º flare, down from 16º on the gravel-ready EC90 AX, giving you wrist clearance in the drops, and bar clearance when riding side by side on the road. They have an 80mm reach, 123mm drop, and retail for $299.
Paris 2024 Olympic Pictograms
The icons for each sport at the 2024 Paris Olympics are unveiled, and they’re awesome. Cycling ones shown here, check the full collection at Paris2024.com (animated video teaser here).
Bike Mechanic Simulator 2023 video game
Coming later this year to PC, XBOX & Playstation, the Steam demo is available now for Bike Mechanic Simulator 2023. Troubleshoot, repair, and test ride customer bikes, create custom builds, grow your tool collection, and build your shop. There’s a planned gameplay storyline, too.
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Cube Stereo One lineup revamped from XC to EN
With bikes ranging from “downcountry” XC up to Enduro, plus an eMTB, the Cube Stereo One mountain bike range now covers every rider. Rear travel ranges from 120mm up to 170mm, with new lightweight carbon, alloy and blended frames featuring adjustable geometry and shock mounts for tons of versatility across five distinct models. Full details at the link.
Ibis DV9 carbon hardtail targets racers on a budget
The Ibis DV9 returns as an affordable all-carbon hardtail with sizes and prices to fit NICA racers (and adults). Geometry is updated with a 2º slacker head angle (now 66.5º) and shorter 425mm chainstays, yet it still fits 29×2.6″ tires and 120mm forks…and two bottles in all frame sizes!
A low standover makes it more maneuverable, and dropper posts come standard on all three builds. Complete bikes are just $3,499 to $3,999 with decent builds, and framesets are $1,499 if you have parts that need a home.
Liv Lurra women’s trail hardtail MTB
The new Liv Lurra women’s mountain bike is a bit longer and slacker than the DV9, with a 66º HA and 130mm forks, and 438mm chainstays. Top tube accessory mounts let you add gear without giving up bottle space.
The frame is their lightweight ALUXX-SL aluminum with house-brand dropper, alloy cockpits & Crest suspension fork. XS bikes get 27.5″ wheels, M/L get 29er, and Small size can be had with either. Complete bikes are just $1,500 to $1,850.
Alchemy Arktos gets new 125 & 140mm travel options
Refined kinematics with a new main linkage give the Alchemy Arktos new travel options, bumping up the two shorter travel options to 125mm and 140mm rear.
The 150mm option remains in the line, and all three can be converted from full 29er to a mullet mixed-wheel bike with a linkage kit. The new travel versions have new colors, too, and are available for pre-order, shipping in May.
Trek Rail eMTB upgraded with Bosch Smart System
All models of the Trek Rail e-mountain bike now come with the Bosch Smart System. Carbon bikes now have an integrated screen plus mini remote, and alloy bikes get the larger bar remote with LED indicators. Both allow mode customization via Bosch’s Flow smartphone app.
Lezyne Pro Tubeless Kit tire plugger
The tidily packed Lezyne Pro Tubeless Kit hides a complete tire plugger kit, including 10 plug strips (5×1.5mm, 5×3.5mm), a valve core removal tool, and CO2 inflator into a 50g package.
The tube’s threaded end caps secure the metal bits so they don’t rattle, and thread in on both sides to use the tube as a handle. The $40 kit fits most CO2 holders; the $50 Loaded version includes a 20g CO2 cartridge and mounting bracket.
Trek gets groovy with Tie Dye Project One custom paint
Trek’s new Project One ICON Tie Dye options gratefully include a Rainbow blend, plus a more subdued pastel and four monochromatic options. Available on their Madone SLR, Domane SLR, Domane+ SLR, Speed Concept, and Checkpoint. They’re all hand painted, so every bike is unique.
Mission Workshop Slice frame bag
Mission Workshop’s excellent construction & durability now comes to the Slice Frame Bag ($110, 1.5L / 96.6 cu.in., 129g, eight colors). The YKK Aquaguard zippers seal the basically waterproof, ultralight Hypalon/Dimension Polyant X-Pac fabric. Internal elastic straps keep tools/CO2/levers organized.
Combine it with their Saddle Bag and Toro Handlebar Bag for a discounted On-Bike Storage System bundle ($254). Available in six matching colors.
Winnebago x Adventure Wagon Sprinter Van
Combining premium features like a kitchen area, potable water system, upgraded mattress, and self-contained toilet with a modular bed and storage system, the new Winnebago x Adventure Wagon Sprinter van brings the best from both brands.
Rather than buy AW’s DIY kit for your own van, these are professionaly built by Winnebago on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 170 chassis using Adventure Wagon’s T-track mounts and internal frame, adjustable bed, and soft storage bags.
Altangle Hangar door frame bike work stand
The Altangle Hangar turns your door frame into a bike repair station using a similar concept as portable pullup bars. Gravity and leverage hold the stand in place, and it supports bikes up to 50lbs (23kg).
It’s made of CNC’d aluminum, has a 360º rotating 3″ jaw opening to fit almost any tube, and spans doorways up to ~37″ wide (it measures 39.5″ itself). Rubberized contact points avoid marring your wall or bike, and it folds down small and weighs just 7 pounds. MSRP is $340, on sale now for $272.
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Small Bites
- Now you can upload Zwift videos to Strava, because…why?
- Crank Brothers adds MTB shoe sizes down to a grom-friendly 3
- Registration is open for Shredly’s 2023 Women’s MTB retreats
- Tailwind’s new Grape flavor helps get inner city kids into nature
- Muc Off wants you to join their grassroots UK youth MTB team
- Wolf Tooth’s lock-on grips now come in nine new colors
- SQlab has three new ergonomic commuter handlebars
- Rivian confirms it’s making an e-Bike
- Check out PedalDurango.com for local ride intel on the area
- Bentonville Bike Fest adds Gravelicious gravel race
- Join the Rapha Yomp Rally gravel ride for free
- Athletic Brewing Co. finally has a non-alcoholic sour
- Skratch Labs opens up its first cafe in Boulder, CO
- U.S. House is trying to sell off public lands, we can stop them
- Parlee restructuring in bankruptcy, still building & selling bikes
- Mercury Cycling is closing on 2/17; wishing you all the best, Chris
Deals
- Fezzari’s Valentines Sale has $300-$500 off bikes
- Up to 70% off end of season & 55% off jackets at Pactimo
- Get 15% off a Jackery 1500 Portable Power Station w/code OFFER15
- Get up to 80% off apparel at Bike Tires Direct
- REI is blowing out winter gear, some with an extra 60% off
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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