Tested: Mavic Crossmax SX Wheelset
Mavics durable all-mountain wheels provide an upgrade for capable trail bikes.
Pairing XC weight with downhill durability can be a difficult formula, but the redesigned 2012 Crossmax SX steps to the plate with its trail/enduro specific improvements. For 2012, the SX sees subtle yet strategic changes throughout the wheel, but together they create a lighter, stronger, and more versatile wheelset.
Sea Otter 2012: Shimano's New Gravity Groups
Shimano updates Gravity specific groupset and introduces a more budget friendly version.
As the first component manufacturer to develop a gravity specific component group, Shimano has continued to improve on the DH components. For 2013, Saint sees some significant updates along with a new, more budget friendly gravity group, Zee.
Sea Otter 2012 - First Look: Mavics new 29er Wheel lineup
Mavic introduces a Line of 29er Wheels, finally.
With the exponential growth of 29" wheels in the mountain bike industry, most wheel manufacturers were quick to adopt and develop high-end 29" wheels. Mavic was a little bit slower to react though and has been a bit behind in the big wheel market, but for good reason.
Sea Otter 2012: X-Fusion Introduces 2013 Suspension and New Height Adjustable Post
X-Fusion Shox introduces new 34mm stanchion Forks, Height adjustable seatpost and ultralight rear shock.
For 2013, X-Fusion plans to create more buzz around their products by creating some new, possibly market-changing improvements introducing a new stanchion size, new gold slick ano stanchion coating, and a one piece forged crown and steertube combo along with a brand new height adjustable seatpost proves X-Fusion has been hard at work.
Industry News: Sram Releases 10-speed Gripshift
Gripshift returns, But More Refined than Those Disposable Pieces of Plastic on your First Mountain Bike.
For those who pine for the days when they could grab a fistful of gears in one, throttling twist of the wrist, Sram as answered your many prayers and forum posts with the introduction of a new 10-speed Gripshift system. Built from the ground up, Sram has made substantial strides to create a twist shift system that will rival the performance of top notch shifting systems currently on the market.
New Products: SRAM Type 2 - Clutch Equipped Derailleur
Improving the Riding Experience is Exactly Why Drivetrain Technology continues to Move Forward. Creating a Quieter, Smoother Drivetrain that Will Remain Consistent even over the Most Demanding Terrain is the Goal.
SRAMs new Type 2 clutch equipped rear derailleur provides one way tension that keeps chain slap to a minimum while improving on the fly shift quality. But does this technology improve the riding experience or is it just marketing hype?
Sram Leaks New Clutch Equipped Derailleur
With the release of Shimanos Shadow Plus derailleur this past season, Sram has been hard at work to create some significant updates to current derailleur offerings.
Shimano's Shadow Plus derailleur features a roller clutch mechanism that greatly decreases unwanted chain movement by allowing the derailleur to only move in the direction of the shift. This system has shown great potential and it is obvious why Sram would adopt a similar technology for their derailleur updates.
Tested: Continental Top Contact Winter Tires
Mounting up a set of winter tires can make all the difference in the world on your daily bike commute. Continental offers a great studless, winter specific option with the Top Contact Winter tires.
The day after I mounted the Continental Contact Winter II on my Electra cruiser, it began to snow and didn't stop for many days and has been below freezing on and off for the past few months. So I have been able to ride the tires on dry pavement, 6"+ powder, soft and hard packed snow, -10*f Styrofoam-squeaky super hard packed snow, slush and of course ice.
Tested: Shimano XT M785 Trail Pedals
Larger platform, trail specific design improves control and power over technical terrain
Shimano has long been known for their SPD clipless pedal design, for 2011 they introduced a new Trail style SPD pedal in their XT level pedals. With its refined larger platform design the trail pedals offer riders a greater amount of contact between pedal and shoe while maintaining a lightweight design.
Tested: Easton EC70 XC Low-Rise Handlebar
Easton's new 685mm wide XC Handlebar Tips the scales at the Same Weight as Bars much Narrower
Review by: Travis Scheefer
Easton recognized that cross-country riders and racers are learning from the all mountain crowd and going with even wider handlebars for more control and comfort. However, added material usually means more weight and racers are notorious for counting grams in an effort to keep their bikes as light as possible. How about a bar with added width at the same weight?
Tested: Mavic Ksyrium SR
Carbon spoke Technology in a durable yet race ready wheel. Mavic makes it happen.
Road riding in Western Colorado is often more like entry-level mountain biking on skinny tires. In order to connect any type of loop it is almost certain that you will end up on some type of dirt/gravel jeep road. Needless to say, road bikes and wheels take a lot of punishment. Enter the Mavic Ksyrium SR.
Tested: Specialized Command Post Blacklite
Specialized's new height adustable seatpost put to the test.
Height adjust seatposts are not a new product in the mountain bike industry but only after years of refinement are they now becoming one of the more popular aftermarket mountain bike accessories. Specialized has produced their height adjustable Command Post for a few years now, but it was time for an update with so many more options available.
Tested: WTB Bronson TCS Tubless Ready Tires
Gain traction with WTB's Bronson: a fast rolling yet aggressive all mountain tire.
WTB's new Bronson tire was developed with the help of pro riders Mark Weir and Jason Moeschler. Spending countless hours riding bikes makes these two past Downieville Classic champions great candidates for tire testers and designers. Not surprisingly, the Bronson is intended to be an aggressive all mountain tire for a variety of soil types and terrain.
Easton introduces Ultralight EC90 Carbon XC wheels
(Santa Cruz, Calif.)- Easton introduces new ultralight carbon UST EC90 XC Wheels
At first glance Easton's new EC90 carbon mountain bike wheels look very similar to their less expensive aluminum brother the EA90. But upon closer inspection it is obvious that Easton has stepped up their game with this ultralight carbon wheelset. What sets the EC90 apart from other carbon wheels on the market is the Armored Ballistic Composite that Easton introduced last season with the Haven Carbon trail/All Mountain wheel.
