Coming in 2024…wait, that’s now. Well, coming soon in 2024, we will see Gocycle’s new foldable cargo bikes with the release of the CXi and the CX+ folding cargo bikes. These new bikes are pretty futuristic looking with a host of design elements that really make them stand out from the crowd.

They will be coming in an array of different colors, like grey, white, blue, green, orange, and yellow. Along with the colors, the models will be using a Lefty-style (righty?) front rigid fork and a one-sided rear chainstay that looks reminiscent of a BMW motorcycle’s single-sided swing arm. They will include the patented side-mounted Pitstopwheels composite wheels.

Other design highlights include no exposed cables or gears, and protective disc brake covers. Being a fully-foldable mid-tail cargo bike is unique in this space.

Gocycle’s CXi & CX+ Differences

It seems that the difference between the two models is the handlebar spec. The CXi uses Gocycle’s existing integrated Daytime Running Light (DRL) enabled handlebar. This is the same bar that can be found on their G4i and G4i+.

The CX+ features Gocycle’s all-new patent-pending Flofit handlebar which brings a big step in rider ergonomics and comfort. Check out this cool video of the Flofit handlebar in action here.

More About the Flofit Handelbar

Gocycle’s all-new Flofit handlebar, which comes exclusively on the CX+, can put the rider in an upright riding position or a slightly more aggressive forward-centric position with the flip of a lever right at the rider’s fingertip. The bar is adjustable in reach, height, and grip angle.

The patent-pending tech is neatly packaged within the handlebar’s body. And the optional Quad Lock mounting point makes it easy to help stow the bike away. One bolt provides easy access for the brake adjustment and tuning.

5-Speed Belt Drive

Both the CXi & CX+ are equipped with a 5-speed Shimano Nexus internal hub. The belt drive system utilizes extended gear ranges for carrying extra loads and galloping a bit on the flats. The smooth and premium Gates CDX carbon belt drive combined with Gocycle’s patented Cleandrive system adds rider protection, provides easy cleaning, and has snazzy aesthetics.

Gocycle’s WingPillar Frame

Using “high-tech” composite materials, the bold-looking WingPillar Frame is built on Gocyle’s core monocoque chassis DNA. It’s been tested to meet high load and safety standards (220kg/480lbs). This means that you are safe runnin’ your errands, pickin’ up your stuff, and haulin’ your kiddos around.

The rear deck is compatible with MIK child seats and accessories. You can even get the rear deck in premium cherry and teak woods.

A Folding Cargo Bike That’s Lightweight and Stowable

Most cargo bikes can be bulky, cumbersome to stow, and quite heavy making them difficult to maneuver in tight spaces. The CXi takes a step to remedy these issues with a folding cargo bike design. Weighing in at only 23kg (50lbs), it becomes a portable solution tailored for tight living and storage situations. To those not familiar with eCargo bikes, that may sound heavy, but many bikes in the this space weigh up to 75lbs or more. That fact that this is folding, and that light is very impressive.

A folding bike is more easily storable and transportable. This versatility makes packing it on a train, in the trunk of your car, or in an apartment closet.

Gocycle CXi & CX+ Retail Specs

Retail:

Gocycle CXi: $6,999
Gocycle CX+: $7,999

• Motor: Gocycle proprietary G4drive front hub motor with traction control
• Motor Drive Control: Pedal Torque Sensing
• Range: Up to 80km (50 miles)
• Transmission: Patented Cleandrive Shimano Nexus 5-speed w Gates Belt drive
• Shifting: Gocycle electronic Predictive Shifting
• Brakes: Hydraulic disk, front and rear
• Approximate Weight: 23kg (51lbs) including kickstand & pedals
• Maximum Rider Weight: 220kg (480lbs), including clothing and luggage
• Child Seats & Accessories: MIK HD Compatible

The Gocycle CXi and CX+ will be produced in small quantities. Pre-orders are open now with a refundable deposit of $499. Click here to pre-order your own.

Gocycle CXi and CX+ are available now in the UK, US (excluding Alaska and Hawaii), and Mainland Europe at launch. Delivery will start in September 2024. All depositors will be updated as they get closer to production and will be able to choose between home delivery and getting your bike delivered to one of their authorized Gocycle Family Cargo dealers.

GoCycles.com

The post A Folding Cargo Bike? Gocycle’s CXi & CX+ are Futuristic Foldable Cargo eBikes appeared first on Bikerumor.

This winter brings us some “new blue” for the home or professional bike wrench with Park Tools‘ February eBike-specific tool drop. These three new tools are the EWS-2 Bicycle Electronic Shift Tool, the LRT-5 Lock Ring Tool, and the SW-6 Spoke Wrench 3.7mm.

Park Tools has been making bicycle-specific tools for a while. A long while. They started in a lil’ Schwinn dealer called Hazel Park Radio and Bicycle shop in St. Paul, Minnesota back in 1956. With their trademark blue color, you’re sure to find them on just about every local bike shop or bike lover’s home workbench.

Today they launched a few new tools to help maintain the ever-growing amount of eBikes that are out there. Let’s go over the details.

The EWS-2

Retail: $9.99

Making quick business of removing bicycle electronic shifting wires and batteries, the WES-2 has a composite body that prevents scratching of expensive components.

The angled ends allow for the safe removal of Shimano Di2 E-tube EW-SD300 wires in tight spaces. The universal coin cell tool helps to remove and install battery covers on SRAM AXS and other electronic accessories.

Features:

• Compatible with Shimano Di2 E-tube EW-SD300 wires (nominally 3mm OD connector)
• Not compatible with Shimano Di2 E-tube EW-SD50 wires (nominally 5mm OD connector)

**Note: The new EWS-2 tool is offered in addition to the EWS-1 Electronic Shift Tool, it does not replace the EWS-1 as they are compatible with different wires.**

The LRT-5

Retail: $33.99

Just when you thought you had all the bottom bracket tools in the world, along come ebikes. Only instead of a BB tool, now you need a lockring tool – and specific lockring tools for different motors at that.

The new LRT-5 Lockring Tool is precisely machined for a perfect fit. Use the LRT-5 to remove or install the lockrings that retain direct-mount chainrings found on Fazua Ride 60 eBike drivetrains.

LRT-5 features a 3/8″ drive for across-the-board compatibility with most ratchets and torque wrenches. The LRT-5 sports 36mm wrench flats for use with an adjustable wrench or crowfoot. It is heat-treated and plated 4140 steel in its construction to ensure durability and long life.

Features:

• Fits lockrings with a 41mm outside diameter and 16 notches including Fazua Ride 60 e-bike drivetrains.

The SW-6

Retail: $8.95

You may think that the SW-6 looks very familiar… and you’d be right. For the last 50 years, Park Tool’s iconic spoke wrenches have been a staple of their product lineup. The simple design and professional design is sure to continue to be the favorite of bike mechanics all over the world.

Ensuring a long service life, the SW-6 is made in the USA with heat-treated nickel plating. Like all of the Park Tool spoke wrenches, the SW-6 is dipped in colored vinyl by size. This helps you quickly find the size you need in that crowded toolbox drawer. It’s sized to fit 3.7mm spoke nipples that use wrench flats. Most hub-drive eBikes you this size nipple.

Features:

• Sized for spoke nipples with 3.7 mm (0.146″) wrench flats
• This nipple size can be found on most hub-drive e-bikes. **Always measure to be sure**

You can find more of Park Tool’s eBike-specific tools by hitting the link below.

ParkTool.com

The post Three New Park Tools Help Home & Pro Mechanics with Modern eBikes appeared first on Bikerumor.

Iconic supplier of MTB-specific parts, tires, and accessories, Wilderness Trail Bikes (WTB) releases four new grips for 2024. The new models include the Trace, Wavelength, CZ Control, and the Burr. These new grips are also divided into three major categories of cushiness:

Cushion – which focuses on the damping qualities, in hopes of helping smooth out the bumps and trail chatter.

Minimal – which maximizes bar feel and control, in hopes of giving the rider a more direct connection to the bike.

Balanced – these grips will blend the features of both the Cushion and Minimal grips.

WTB built on “35 years of grip expertise with one of the top cycling biomechanics experts to define an entirely innovative approach to grips.” The results were the development of four grips for four different types of riders. They rigorously tested and fine-tuned using feedback from athletes worldwide.

All four of the grips feature soft, anti-slip rubber, a single inward clamp with an easy-to-access 3mm hex key adjustment, and a tapered inner sleeve. The tapered inner sleeve will help to eliminate rotation or twisting at the outward end of the grip.

Grip Types

Cushion Category:

For the riders that are looking for comfy softness and good vibration-damping.

The Trace grip has a plush and soft feel while you shralp the rough and choppy terrain due to the unique pattern that’s on top. This is accomplished by the ample space between the trapezoidal blocks giving them room to squish and conform to your hand.

The Trace’s soft compound has a slow rebound to provide additional damping and increased comfort between the rider and their handlebar. These grips are good for those riders who like soft grips that absorb the trail chatter and reduce numbness.

Features

• Tall and flexible cushioning blocks over 3/4 of the grip surface
• Light fingertip knurling and large ribs on the underside increase bar feel.
• 32mm diameter offers more rubber to absorb vibration

Balanced Category:

For riders looking for a blend of comfort, vibration damping, and control.

The Wavelength features multi-directional fins that not only improve handlebar control but also provide comfort on rough trails. Utilizing pressure mapping technology, WTB could precisely angle the direction of the fins to counter the forces acting on them.

There is a waffle pattern located underneath the grip to increase bite where the fingers naturally wrap around the bar. The tapered 30/32mm grip diameter will help increase control in technical terrain.

Features

• The Fins style design provides both cushioning and grip
• Fingertip waffles for an increased bar feel
• Tapered 30/32mm diameter improves handling response

The CZ Control is a unique grip with a semi-ergonomic shape. Again, WTB used pressure mapping to determine where pressure is distributed on the grips. They increased support in those areas to improve comfort and reduce numbness while still conforming to the hand’s natural shape.

The result is a grip that provides greater control over your bike, in turn giving you more confidence in technical terrain. Plus it will reduce hand numbness.

Features

• Semi-ergonomic shape that enhances while distributing pressure.

Minimal Category:

For riders who are looking to maximize bar feel and control with a more direct connection to the bike.

The Burr is a low-profile grip that will provide the most direct connection to the riders’s handlebar. The bi-directional texture provides the grip you need to keep the situation under control, whether it’s hanging on under full compression, or pulling upward to clear a root.

Features:

• Low profile burr grinder style teeth pointing bi-directionally to provide grip for either pushing or pulling.
• A thin 30mm diameter enhances trail feedback.

All of the below grips are available in two colors, Black or Tan, will retail for $29.99, and are available at your local WTB Dealer or online at the link below.

WTB.com

The post WTB Adds Four New Grip Models, Organized by Their ‘Cushion Category’ appeared first on Bikerumor.

From Gunnison, Utah, comes the news from the sustainable carbon fiber manufacturer, Forge+Bond. Their new Shift Series line of more affordable carbon fiber wheelsets are meant for enduro, all-mountain, and XC. These new wheels use the brand’s FusionFiber technology and come in at a comparatively low $1250 per wheelset.

“We’re passionate about making high-performance cycling accessible to everyone,” says Brett Stahl, VP of Brand and Marketing at Forge+Bond. “The Shift Series of wheels within the Forge+Bond portfolio shatters the barrier to entry for riders who want the advantages of carbon fiber, the tangible benefits of FusionFiber, and all at a price point that doesn’t break the bank.”

What makes them more affordable?

What makes the Shift Series possible is the hub. The Forge+Bond Core Series wheels provided riders an option of hubs, between the American-made i9 Hydra, and 1/1 hubs, or the DT Swiss 240 hubs.

The Forge+Bond (F+B) Shift Series features a new proprietary hub they produced with Bitex. These new hubs are designed with a 6-bolt brake rotor interface, utilize a J-bend spoke system, and feature an aluminum body.

The Shift Series rims, like all of the rims manufactured by F+B, are made of FusionFiber. The material “uses long chain nylon polymers as the bonding agent instead of the brittle epoxies found on traditional carbon fiber products.”

This process, according to F+B, makes for a stronger, more durable product by utilizing the microscopic flex within the actual composition of the FusionFiber product. In theory, this “flex” allows the wheels to radically dissipate vibration and shock, resulting in a smoother ride with a much higher resistance to impact.

Recyclability

Forge+Bond take sustainability seriously as well, as all of their wheels can “truly be recycled”. This is made possible by their ability to reform and remold the nylon polymer bonding agent within the carbon fiber material.

For example, if a wheelset breaks or there is a manufacturing defect, F+B seeks to reclaim that wheel so it can feed it back to its Utah-based manufacturing facility. Once it arrives, the hubs and spokes are removed, and the rim simply gets chopped into a short fiber material that can then be used to manufacture any number of thermo-forged products.

F+B is currently making tire levers out of this reclaimed material with more products in development now. F+B likes to think that their commitment to shifting the cycling industry toward sustainability and accessibility shows up in the new Shift Series wheelsets. The new series says that premium performance doesn’t always have to carry a premium price tag.

Forge+Bond Shift Series Features

• Proven FusionFiber technology
• Performance-driven design
• Tubeless-ready
• Forge+Bond Shift 6B Hub by Bitex.
• FusionFiber is fully recyclable
• Made in the USA

Shift Series Retail & Options

The Shift 25 XC 29″ – $1250

• Lightweight and responsive design.
• Hub: F+B Shift 6B – Boost Spacing
• Brake Mount: 6-Bolt
• Tire Size Range: 2.1” – 2.4”
• Max Tire Pressure: 40 psi max
• ERD: 592mm
• Rim Outer Width: 31.4mm
• Rim Inner Width: 25mm
• Bead Wall Thickness: 3.2mm
• Spoke Count: 28h
• Spoke Type: Sapim CX-Ray
• Rim Weight: 380g
• Wheelset Weight (F+B Shift 6B Hub): 1600g

Shift 30 AM 29″ – $1250

• Balance of stiffness and compliance.
• Hub: F+B Shift 6B – Boost Spacing
• Brake Mount: 6-Bolt
• Tire Size Range: 2.3” – 2.6”
• Max Tire Pressure: 40 psi max
• ERD: 594mm
• Rim Outer Width: 38mm
• Rim Inner Width: 30mm
• Bead Wall Thickness: 4mm
• Spoke Count: 28h
• Spoke Type: Sapim CX-Ray
• Rim Weight: 480g front | 530g rear
• Wheelset Weight (F+B Shift 6B Hub): 1832g

Shift 30 EM 29″ – $1250

• Wide rim profile and bombproof construction.
• Hub: F+B Shift 6B – Boost Spacing
• Brake Mount: 6-Bolt
• Tire Size Range: 2.3” – 2.6”
• Max Tire Pressure: 40 psi max
• ERD: 594mm
• Rim Outer Width: 38mm
• Rim Inner Width: 30mm
• Beadwall Thickness: 4mm
• Spoke Count: 28h or 32h
• Spoke Type: Sapim D-Lite
• Rim Weight: 530g
• Wheelset Weight (F+B Shift 6B Hub): 1920g

Check out the carbon fiber goodness at the link below.

ForgeAndBond.com

The post FusionFiber Gets More Affordable w/ Forge+Bond Shift Series Carbon Fiber Wheels appeared first on Bikerumor.

Ritchey, long-time maker of quality bicycle parts, just brought back their iconic steel road framesets. The Road Logic, Road Logic Disc, and the Road Logic Break-Away frames are back after not being offered in the current line for a few years.

Combining over 50 years of Tom Ritchey’s design expertise, all of the new Road Logic frames combine classic aesthetics with modern performance. I thought I’d touch on the reasons why these frames are back, plus look at the actual logic behind the decision. In layman’s terms…

A. Steel is metal.
B. Metal rules!
C. The Ritchey Road Logic, Disc, and Break-Away are made of steel.
D. Therefore, the Ritchey Road Logic, Disc, and Break-Away rule!

It’s simple math really. Let’s check out what’s new on these new frames.

Ritchey Road Logic

Retail: $1599

Color: Sally’s Macarons (deep red with mauve branding)

The rim-brake version of the Ritchey Road Logic leaves all of the features that made it legendary untouched. Like all of the re-introduced Road Logic framesets, this version is made with a triple-butted, heat-treated Ritchey Logic tubeset. It features “aggressively short-butted” sections that have been optimized for tig welding to save weight and improve ride quality.

Both the frame and Ritchey Carbon fork have clearance to fit up to a 30mm tire. It weighs in at 1.77kg (3.9lbs) for a 55cm frame. The Ritchey proprietary forged-and-machined, integrated headtube uses standard drop-in bearings and shaves 80 grames off of a standard headtube design.

Geometry

Road Logic Tech Specs

Frame

• Heat-treated, triple-butted Ritchey Logic steel tubing – TIG welded
• ED coat treated for corrosion resistance
• 27.2 seat tube with integrated seat collar
• Crankset min/max: 46/30t to 53/39t
• Standard quick-release front and rear
• WCS headset included (upper IS42/28.6 – 16mm stack height | lower IS42/30)
• Ultra-light forged and machined straight 1-1/8″ headtube
• Seat tube clamp size: 28.6
• Bottom bracket: 68mm – English thread
• Bottle cage mounts: 2
• External cable routing

Fork

• Ritchey WCS Carbon
• 1-1/8″ straight steerer with integrated 45-degree crown race 
• Steerer length: 300mm
• Max stack: 30mm spacers below the stem
• Axle-crown: 371mm
• Rake/offset: 46mm (sizes 49/51/53cm) – 43mm (sizes 55/57/59cm)

Tire Compatibility

• Wheel and tire compatibility: 700x30c tire clearance (depending on tire manufacturer)
• Frame spacing: 38mm
• Fork max spacing: 40mm

Details

• Sizes: 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59cm
• Fork weight: 350g (uncut steerer)
• Frame weight: 1750g (55cm)
• Color: Sally’s Macarons

Ritchey Road Logic Disc

Retail: $1799

Color: Nigiri (green with white logos)

This new frameset is now sporting some notable new features since the last time we saw it. To start, it’s now compatible with Shimano’s newest Di2 semi-wireless groupsets.

It has a new drive-side dropout design that conceals the wire routing from the battery in the seat tube, through the bottom bracket, and into the chain stay. It then makes a sneaky exit to meet up with the rear derailleur.

The Road Logic Disc still retains its cable stops making it compatible with mechanical groupsets as well. Finally, the rear non-drive-side drop-out carries a new one-piece truss design for flat-mount disc brakes.

Ritchey says this design reduces chainstay weight while still providing as much stiffness and strength as the previous design.

Geometry

Road Logic Disc Tech Specs

Frame

• Heat-treated, triple-butted Ritchey Logic steel tubing – TIG welded
• ED coat treated for corrosion resistance
• 27.2 seat tube with integrated seat collar
• Crankset min/max: 46/30t to 53/39t
• 142mm spacing (12mm alloy thru-axle included)
• WCS headset included (upper IS42/28.6 – 16mm stack height | lower IS42/30)
• Ultra-light forged and machined straight 1-1/8″ headtube
• Seat tube clamp size: 28.6
• Bottom bracket: 68mm – English thread
• Bottle cage mounts: 2
• External cable routing
• Replaceable stainless-steel derailleur hanger

Fork

• Ritchey WCS Carbon
• 1-1/8″ straight steerer with integrated 45-degree crown race 
• Steerer length: 300mm
• Max stack: 30mm spacers below the stem
• Axle-crown: 371mm
• Rake/offset: 46mm
• 100mm spacing (12mm alloy thru-axle included)

Tire Compatibility

• Wheel and tire compatibility: 700x30c tire clearance (depending on tire manufacturer)
• Frame spacing: 39mm
• Fork max spacing: 40mm

Details

• Sizes: 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59cm
• Fork weight: 420g (uncut steerer)
• Frame weight: 1940g (55cm)
• Color: Nigiri

Ritchey Road Logic Break-Away

Retail; $2299

Color: Tule Fog (Silver-ish)

For those cyclists out there who travel frequently with their bicycles, the Road Logic Break-Away makes navigating airports and taxis a breeze.

Although the Road Logic Break-Away’s main feature is its innovative travel-friendly design, make no mistake, this version of the Road Logic frameset has the same spirit, spec, and ride quality as the standard Road Logic framesets.

This frameset quickly and easily disassembles to fit into its own sturdy travel case. this case is specifically designed to help the traveler avoid airline extra baggage fees. Once you arrive at your destination, the Road Logic Break-Away assembles just as quickly, to allow you to get out and ride sooner.

Geometry

Road Logic Break-Away Tech Specs

Frame

• Heat-treated, triple-butted Ritchey Logic steel tubing – TIG welded
• ED coat treated for corrosion resistance
• 27.2 seat tube with integrated seat collar
• Crankset min/max: 46/30t to 53/39t
• Standard quick-release front and rear
• WCS headset included (upper IS42/28.6 – 16mm stack height | lower IS42/30)
• Ultra-light forged and machined straight 1-1/8″ headtube
• Seat tube clamp size: 28.6
• Bottom bracket: 68mm – English thread
• Bottle cage mounts: 2
• External cable routing
• Patented Ritchey Break-Away design

Fork

• Ritchey WCS Carbon
• 1-1/8″ straight steerer with integrated 45-degree crown race 
• Steerer length: 300mm
• Max stack: 30mm spacers below the stem
• Axle-crown: 371mm
• Rake/offset: 46mm (sizes 49/51/53cm) – 43mm (sizes 55/57/59cm)

Tire Compatibility

• Wheel and tire compatibility: 700x30c tire clearance (depending on tire manufacturer)
• Frame spacing: 38mm
• Fork max spacing: 40mm

Details

• Sizes: 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59cm
• Fork weight: 350g (uncut steerer)
• Frame weight: 1950g (55cm)
• Downtube Break-Away coupler torque: 5Nm (Do not lubricate clamp or clamping area)
• Packs into included travel case (8.5” / 21.6cm W x 26.5” / 67.3cm H x 31” / 78.8cmL w/ wheels)
• The Downtube hinge clamp, rear brake cable connector, and derailleur cable connectors included
• Color: Tule Fog

Get over to the Ritchey website and ride metal!

RitcheyLogic.com

The post All the Metal: Ritchey Brings Road Logic, Road Logic Disc & Break-Away Back to the Front! appeared first on Bikerumor.

Hey, let’s talk about dynamo power. I’m sold on it. It’s not free power, but pretty close to it (after the initial investment). There’s something neat about generating your own light. I’ve been riding with the Sinewave Cycles Beacon 2 front dynamo light for over a year, and so far I have not one complaint about the light’s performance.

It offers a bright, and steady beam of light that is flicker-free down to 3 mph. And it’s made here, in the USA. According to Sinewave the Beacon 2 is the “only commercially available dynamo light made in the USA”.

After you read this, you’ll see that it’s high time you get on the dynamo train.

The Sinewave Cycles Beacon 2 is one of the best dynamo lights on the market, in my opinion. And, I believe I can make that statement because, over the last 5 years or so, I’ve owned and operated some of the top-brand dynamo lights out there (the Beacon 2 included).

In this review, I’ll tell you why I think this lil’ dynamo light is almost perfect.

If you are dynamo curious, and want some stellar, in-depth info all about dynamo power, check out Bikepacking.com’s piece on it here.

But first…

Two Main Dynamo System Components

I feel like I need to go over the two main components of the dynamo game, the hubs and the lights.

Dynamo Hubs

The Sinewave Beacon 2 is best used by wiring it up to a dynamo hub. For this review, the Beacon 2 was used in conjunction with my SON 28-12 Disc dynamo hub on my Masi Incanto Ti gravel bike.

In the simplest terms, when the dynamo hub spins, it generates output power. The speed at which the dynamo hub turns dictates the amount of power it generates to the light (faster = more power). That, in turn, will dictate how bright the light is (faster = more power = brighter light). Cool?

The cost of a dynamo hub can run from pretty reasonable like the Shutter Precision PV-8 at $125, to pretty expensive, like the Schmidt SON28 12 at $378. And once you pick out and buy the hub, you have to factor in the cost of including the hub in the building of a new front wheel.

Most dynamo lights will not work independently, but the dynamo hub could (in theory) be used without the lights. I’m telling you this in case you spend all the money you saved on the hub purchase and wheel build and have nothing left for a light. I don’t want you to fret. Your bike is still ridable, dynamo hubs are still just hubs. Just install the dynamo wheel and continue to ride your bike.

Dynamo Lights

Most dynamo lights come with a switch on the back to turn it on or off. They usually include mounting hardware, and most certainly come with the wire already attached to the light. Usually, that wire includes a pigtail for powering an optional rear light using the front light as a powerslave.

With that in mind, the Beacon 2 comes with some neat extras, that the others don’t. We’ll touch on this a bit later in the review.

There are many dynamo lights to choose from on the market right now. Over the years, I’ve used three different brands of lights with my dynamo hubs. For my first dynamo light, I ran the Busch & Muller IQ-X on my old Masi randonneuring bike. Now, I’m currently using the Supernova E3 Pro 2 on both my mountain bike and my all-rounder. The Beacon 2 is being used on my gravel bike.

Okay, on to the review.

The Sinewave Beacon 2

This lil’ light packs an insane amount of dynamo tech in a really small package. The light itself measures only 58mm long, and 42mm wide/tall, it only weighs 115gr (including 36″ of dynamo wire). That’s impressive.

The Sinewave Beacon 2 is made to order with a $50 deposit. The total cost is $350 for black or silver and $390 for other colors. Check here for the colors available for custom orders.

I mixed and matched mine with different colored body and trim rings… black body and blue front and back trim rings. Looks sweet.

It’s designed for use in any kind of condition. It carries multiple seals and electronics that are potted in epoxy for additional protection against water. All of the connectors are gold-plated, to resist corrosion and the elements. It also comes with a 3-year warranty.

At 750 lumens (13+ MPH) I find it enough light for any of the styles of riding that I do. As mentioned earlier, I have this light on my Masi Incanto, and find it works perfectly for road/multi-surface day or night riding. And because it uses a symmetrical beam pattern, it’s awesome for night rides on my local MTB trails, including some fast nighttime singletrack.

Some Unique Features

One of the most unique features of the Beacon 2 is the input and outputs on the back. One is for the use of an external off-the-shelf USB battery pack and the other is an integrated USB charger. That means that you can charge your phone, GPS, or any other USB device directly from the Beacon while riding, without the need to buy or bring a charger.

You do receive a USB-to-DC cable for powering the Beacon with a USB battery pack. As an option, there is an available 20cm long, right-angle USB extension for the times when it is tight behind the Beacon and you need clean cable management.

There is also a three-way toggle switch on the back to either turn the light completely off, run at full brightness, or switch to a lower brightness setting. The lower brightness setting will also make it easy for power sharing when charging an accessory.

Flicker-Free

The Beacon 2 optimizes its dynamo power for slower speeds. Where other lights might flicker or pulsate at slower speeds, like a steep climb, the Beacon 2 remains very stable, with consistent, although dimmer light. I climb at slow speeds, so this was a plus for me.

The Beacon’s power output works like this: the light reaches 100 lumens at 5mph, 375 lumens at 8mph, 600 lumens at 10mph, and the full 750 lumens at 13mph.

It also offers a standlight. A standlight is just what it sounds like. While riding, the Beacon 2’s supercapacitor gets charged up, so when you stop moving, the light will “stand” on for about 5 minutes. This is great for being seen while waiting at stoplights or waiting for a friend on a dark trail. The standlight can be turned off with the toggle switch.

Beacon 2 Installation

There is no mounting hardware when you receive the Beacon 2, but the 10mm mounting tab is compatible with mounting hardware from Busch & Muller, Supernova, Schmidt, etc. I used the Supernova mount to mount mine.

What does come with the Beacon 2 is the light, the 36″ of attached wire that goes to the hub, and the USB-to-DC cable. The Beacon 2 does not come with connectors for the hub.

The reason is, that the light can be used with any 3w/6v dynamo hub. When you purchase your dynamo hub, the connectors and fittings that attach the wires from the light to the hubs, will come with that particular hub.

I soldered and used shrink wrap on the connectors for the SON 28 hub. If you don’t know how to solder or don’t feel comfortable doing it, your local bike shop should be able to get it done for you.

How’d it Perform

As I’ve mentioned before, dynamo lighting is now an essential bit of gear that I prefer to use on every one of my bicycles. I will probably continue to use dynamo tech for most if not all of my future builds.

Since installing the Beacon 2, I’ve paired it with a Supernova E3 TL2 tail light for added visibility while riding on the roads. There’s a hidden and silent benefit to using a dynamo light. It’s the luxury of never having to worry about a light’s battery or a battery’s run time.

The fact that I can plan a last-minute night ride on my MTB, or run to the store at night and not worry about making sure I always have a light charged and ready to go… is awesome.

Bright Light

With the Beacon 2, it’s just automatic. I start rolling and have bright and powerful light ready when I am. During daytime riding, it’s nice to know that I am being seen by motorists… having it makes me feel safer. And, the night-riding benefits are obvious. I found the Beacon 2’s beam to be a “cool” white, roundish, wide pattern that makes it more than sufficient for fast off-road riding.

While night riding on some of my favorite trails, the light output, as expected, got a little dim on the steeper climbs. But, I was climbing/rolling really slow, and that’s how dynamo lights work. But with the Beacon 2 the light output never flickered, and that’s one of the Beacon 2’s highlights. The light provided by my Beacon 2 always remained steady.

The three different LED lights that are in the Beacon 2 illuminate separately. One light at a time as your speed (and the power from the dynamo hub) increases. This is done without any indication that it’s happening from the cockpit.

Charging

I didn’t really find myself needing to charge a lot of accessories while I’ve had the Beacon 2. I did charge my Wahoo Roam a little and it seemed to do a good job. The ability to charge is something nice to have around, even though you may not use it all the time.

I use my phone to snap a lot of pictures while riding. On longer rides, I found it a real piece of mind that I could charge my phone if I needed to, And, it’s a stat-saver if you’ve grabbed an almost depleted bike computer for a ride, and need to keep it going.

Unless you are on a self-supported, multiple-day bikepacking excursion or a long endurance race, the everyday user probably won’t need the ability to charge.

In Conclusion

The Beacon 2 is a fantastic dynamo light. It packs a bunch of power and extras in a tiny package. If you are commuting by bike, or on the road with motorists at any time, for any duration at all, I believe riding with a light greatly minimizes your chances of not being seen. And having a light system that you can literally forget about is blissful.

You don’t have to be backpacking through Baja, Mexico, traversing the Continental Divide, or doing the Race Across America, to take advantage of what the Sinewave Beacon 2 dynamo light has to offer.

It’s made here in the USA, its construction is of the highest quality, and it gives you the peace of mind of having a light and charging source with you at all times while riding your bicycle.

SinewaveCycles.com

The post Review: Why You Need the Sinewave Beacon 2 Dynamo Light appeared first on Bikerumor.

Right after the reintroduction of the B72, the iconic British bicycle saddle manufacturer Brooks England is now celebrating the reintroduction of their iconic B68 saddle. For the B68 reintroduction, Brooks is also celebrating their 30-year-long relationship with Rivendell Bicycles Works.

The Brooks B68 shares the cover with another iconic saddle in the Brooks England line, the B66. The B68 is the wider of the two saddles and is perfect for more upright, city/all-rounder bikes.

This saddle, like the B17, is the quintessential Brooks Saddles design with its smoothed leather, and rear bag loops, the B68 is a timeless classic. It is the lightest leather saddle with a super clean design that makes a perfect upgrade for the modern city, casual tourer, and heavy-duty bike builds.

The B68, like most other leather saddle offerings from Brooks, is made with a vegetable-tanned leather top. It also comes with black powder-coated steel frame and rails, and tubular steel rivets.

Durable vegetable-tanned leather
Brooks uses premium tanned leather for strength, beauty, and durability.

Extended 10-year guarantee
The Brooks extended 10-year guarantee on their leather saddles is founded on the quality and consistency of materials and craftsmanship.

Handcrafted since 1866
Brooks has been making their iconic leather saddles for over 150 years. That’s a long time.

Lasting comfort and breathability
Leather is naturally breathable and provides a unique type of well-being. The Brooks leather top is suspended over the saddle rails to create a suspended molded seat, similar to a hammock that provides comfort and fits your specific anatomy.

Shapes over time
After a time, the Brooks leather saddle will mold to your unique body shape, providing years and years of consistent comfort.

Brooks B68 Features

• Durable 5mm vegetable-tanned leather
• Tubular steel rivets
• Distinctive side stamp
• Iconic Brooks backplate

Brooks B68 Specs and Retail

Retail: $170

• Length: 260mm
• Width: 205mm
• Height: 54mm
• Weight: 553g

If you want your bum to feel the bliss of Brooks leather, go to Rivendell to pick up your own. Or, visit the link below to check out the other saddles available.

BrooksEngland.com

The post Brooks England Reintroduces B68 Saddle with Help from Rivendell Bicycles appeared first on Bikerumor.

Founded by people with a passion for off-roading and riding bikes, Rig’d Supply is a company that offers both of those worlds some quality gear. Headquartered in Orange, California, their latest offering is the RambleSwing, a heavy-duty swing-out hitch adapter that reflects the company’s two passions in a nice, neat package.

The Rig’d RambleSwing is a swing-out hitch rack accessory that was tailor-made for vehicles with a rear-mounted, full-size spare tire like the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco.

It will work with any hitch-stye bike rack you may have and will add the utility of being able to swing it away from the vehicle to access the vehicle’s rear cargo area.

The RambleSwing became available back in the Fall of 2023. It’s burly, with a purposely over-engineered design made to withstand the heaviest bikes on the harshest trails. Boasting a 300lb weight limit, this means the heaviest eBike will be supported.

It’s compatible with all 2″ hitch-mounted bike racks, but Rig’d prefers that you pair it with their bike rack, the RambleRack. The Rig’d RambleSwing has some handy and unique features.

Rig’d RambleSwing Features

In-Line-Design: The RambleSwing’s in-line design creates a stiff connection between the two arms, sandwiched by a set of Delrin glide plates to help with easy closure.

FlipFlop™ Technology: “FlipFlop” technology allows the user to swing it open to the left (driver side) or right (passenger side) by simply flipping the swing over. This could come in handy if the rack blocks your exhaust pipe on one side but not the other.

Wobble-Free™: The adapter features the same wobble-free wedge system as their UltraSwing to eliminate movement in the vehicle’s hitch.

The Ultimate Latch: They use a patented bike-grip handled 500 lb compression latch.

Integrated Step: RambleSwing also features an integrated step on both sides, adding convenience when you need easy access to your truck, van, or SUV.

Battleship Grip: On the integrated step Rig’d utilizes a super-durable Jessup grip tape. This type of tape was originally developed for use on the decks of battleships.

Made in the USA: The Ramble Swing is completely rebuildable with all pieces available to repair and is backed by their Ramble for Life Warranty 

I recently spoke with Luke over at Rig’d, and since they are local to me, I will be picking up a RambleSwing to review on my Jeep Wrangler JL. I’ll be reviewing it while using my Rocky Mounts Guide Rail. After that, I will follow it up with a review of their RambleRack with the 2-Bike Pivot system. Stay tuned here for my first impressions of the RambleSwing in the next week or so.

RambleSwing Tech Specs and Retail

Retail: $799

• 300 lb max load rating
• Compatible with all 2″ hitch-mounted bike racks
• 90° and 120° locking open positions
• RambleSwing weight: 60 lbs
• Total width closed: 27″
• Zinc-rich primed and black semi-gloss powder-coated

RigdSupply.com

The post Swing Left or Right with the Same Rig’d RambleSwing Swingout Hitch Rack Adapter appeared first on Bikerumor.

Act fast TONIGHT, and you can continue to watch as the drama of the Life Time Grand Prix off-road racing unfolds! With Call of a Life Time, Season 2 of the docu-series premiers tonight. And there are many global watch parties for you to attend!

Call of a Life Time, Season 2 of off-road racing

Call of a Life Time, Season 2 follows 35 men and 35 women, 70 of the world’s best cyclists around the United States, as they compete in seven of Life Time‘s iconic off-road cycling events. The racing runs throughout a 7-month season, and the racers are all competing for a portion of the $250,000 prize purse.

The docuseries features new, never-before-seen footage of the races, as well as a peek into the individuals who are a part of the spectacle. The series focuses on equal opportunity and equal pay-outs for men and women. Their end goal is to increase interest in off-road racing, and to create new fans of North American Cycling.

Watch Party Locations, tonight!

There are 10 watch locations across the country listed below. If you live close to one ’em, go check it out, like right now.

Seems like a good time. Rumor has it that there will be snacks!

Chicago, IL
Rapha Chicago – Jan 26 | 7:00 PM CT
1714 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 6064

Bentonville, AR
Specialized Experience Center – Jan 26 | 6:00 PM CT
240 S Main St Suite 170, Bentonville, AR 72712

Boulder, CO
Rapha Boulder – Jan 26 | 6:00 PM MT
1815 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302

Emporia, KS
Merchant Cycles – Jan 26 | 6:00 PM CT
716 Commercial St, Emporia, KS 66801

Los Angeles, CA
Rapha Santa Monica – Jan 26 | 6:00 PM PT
1347 4th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Miami, FL
Rapha Miami – Jan 26 | 7:00 PM ET
3802 NE 1st Ave, Miami, FL 33137

New York, NY
Rapha New York – Jan 26 | 7:00 ET
159 Prince St, New York, NY 10012

San Francisco, CA
Rapha San Francisco – Jan 26 | 6:00 PM PT
|2198 Filbert St, San Francisco, CA 94123

Scottsdale, AZ
Bicycle Haus – Jan 26 | 6:00 PM MT
7113 E 1st Ave Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Seattle, WA
Rapha Seattle – Jan 26 | 6:00 PM PT
301 E Pine St, Seattle, WA 98122

LifeTimeGrandPrix.com

The post Join the Watch Party as Call of A Life Time, Season 2 Premiers Today! appeared first on Bikerumor.

Let’s talk about handlebars, shall we? More specifically, Tumbleweed Bicycle Co’s new Big Dipper Drop Bar. Let me start by saying that I love the Tumbleweed Persuader Bars that I’ve been using. They are wide (810mm) and wonderful. So when I saw that Daniel over at Tumbleweed released their new Big Dipper drop bar handlebar, I wanted to try them out.

I’m a firm believer in the benefits of riding with wider handlebars. In my experience, they offer the rider more comfort and control. When it comes to trying wide drop bars in general, I didn’t think I’d initially like them. I’m from the old-timey days, when it was believed that your road bars should never be wider than your shoulders.

A few years ago I had the opportunity to swap my 44cm bars on my Masi Rando bike and try a “wider” pair of 48cm bars. Jeez, that changed how I felt about the wider bars. I really liked the way those 48cm bars felt, along with the added control and hand placement they offered me. I wanted more… I wanted to go wider.

When it came time to build my first gravel bike, I chose the Curve Cycling Walmer Bar in a 50cm. That bar felt like the perfect width for me. I don’t think it’s the most comfortable bar, and I don’t care for the amount of flair. But, I’ve put hundreds of miles on it in the last year, and I am ready for something different.

Along came the Tumbleweed Big Dipper drop bar.

The Big Dipper Drop Bar

Daniel designed the Big Dipper to pair perfectly with Tumbleweed’s drop bar adventure bike, the Stargazer. Ready for a good time, the Big Dipper drop bar is rated for off-road use (ISO 4210 mountain bike strength/fatigue testing). The bar has got clamping diameter of 31.8mm and is made of triple-butted 7000 series aluminum, which is stronger than 6000 series.

It’s wide right from the get-go with the smallest size being 51cm. The sizes of the Big Dipper go up from there with the next sizes being 54cm and 57cm. According to Tumbleweed, the width is measured from center to center at the hoods. It has a shallow drop (109mm), a short reach (50mm), as well as a nice 5° back sweep.

First Impressions

When I received the handlebars, I was pretty excited to get them installed on my Masi Incanto. I had just received fresh rolls of Camp and Go Slow’s Western Rattler bar tape and couldn’t wait to install the bars. I’m sorry to say that I forgot to weigh the bars in my haste.

Tumbleweed gives an average weight of 385g across the available sizes of the Big Dipper. Mine is the smallest of the three, so I’m guessing mine (51cm) is under the average weight. I don’t think weight is crucial when using a bar like this. I will say that it feels substantially lighter than my 50cm Curve Walmer Bar (425g)

Easy Installation

Getting the bars mounted was easy enough. It had “to and fro” markings that helped center the bar in the stem. Once I got them mounted and taped up, I took them out for a lil’ 20 miler.

So far, the 5° back sweep on the Big Dipper feels ergonomic and comfy. The Big Dipper also feels more compliant than the Walmer Bar on the little bit of rough stuff that I’ve done so far.

Another thing I like a little better about the Big Dipper is the 20° flare when compared to the Walmer Bar’s 29° flare. On paper, the difference between the two doesn’t seem like much, but when riding with the Big Dipper, I instantly noticed that it was more comfortable while braking in the drops.

The Big Dipper has a nice short reach of 50mm. When compared to the Walmer Bar’s 65mm, my initial thought is that I may need to up the size of my stem from 90mm to 100mm. But, the jury is still out, as the Dipper has me riding a smidge more upright in the bike’s current configuration, and I don’t hate it.

The 109mm drop on the Big Dipper feels the same as my Walmer Bar whose drop is 110mm, so nothing to report there initially.

Not the End

So far the bar feels like a great match for the Masi Incanto and for my riding style. It has plenty of room for a lot of hand positions, and the real estate for a good-sized front handlebar bag.

I’ll be running the Big Dipper through its paces in the months to come. If it’s anything like the Tumbleweed Persuader Bars that I have come to love so much, I anticipate a solid relationship being built between myself and the Big Dipper.

Tumbleweed.cc

The post A Wide-Eyed First Look at Tumbleweed Bicycle Co’s Big Dipper Drop Bar Handlebars appeared first on Bikerumor.