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.

The new Trek Marlin+ takes their all-purpose alloy hardtail and gives it the Bosch Active Line upgrade. The e-bike variant has all the same features as the analog original, giving you a wide range of use options, from trail to town.

Featuring 2.6″ tires, a 120mm suspension fork, and size-specific wheel selections, the Marlin+ scoots all of that along with a 50Nm mid-mount motor.

It’s a Class 1 e-bike, assisting up to 20mph or 25km/h, depending on market. A bolt-on cover on the non-drive side makes motor service easy, and a protective plate under it makes cable routing simple.

That’s paired with a 400Wh CompactTube battery, augmented with an optional 250Wh PowerMore range extender. Expect 2-4 hours of run time on a full charge, and about 50% more than that with the external battery pack. It uses the slim Bosch Purion display/remote for simple mode switches and easy visuals for power, speed, etc. Switch to Auto mode for automatic assist changes based on terrain, cadence, and your output.

Size medium frames and up get 29″ wheels, small & XS get 27.5″ wheels. All frame sizes get rack and fender mounts, letting you set it up for backroad touring and urban commuting. Or shed the cargo and shred the trail.

Trek Marlin+ Specs & Pricing

Two builds are available, both on the affordable end of Trek’s e-bike lineup.

Marlin+ 8
Shimano Deore 12-speed drivetrain, dropper seatpost, Shimano 4 piston hydraulic disc brakes, 120mm RockShox Recon Silver Air fork, Tubeless Ready wheels and Bontrager Gunnison Pro XR 29×2.6” tires. MSRP $3,499. Also available in gray/silver.

Marlin+ 6
Shimano wide range CUES drivetrain, Shimano Linkglide cassette, Tektro hydraulic brakes with 203mm rotors, 120mm SR Suntour XCM 34 fork, Bontrager Montrose 29”x2.4” tires. MSRP $2,699. Also available in black.

Available now globally in most markets. Prefer the standard version? The analog Trek Marlin got a refresh in 2023.

TrekBikes.com

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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.

The new Focus VAM² introduces an entirely new suspension design to their e-bike lineup. A new motor and full carbon frame save weight and give them new kinematics to play with for a poppy short travel platform.

Their current touring-oriented Thron² model uses a VPP design, and the JAM² and SAM² use an alloy Horst Link design. The VAM² SL switches to a carbon fiber rear triangle with no rear pivot and flex seatstays. This combo brings the claimed frame weight as low as 2,172g (4.79lbs) for the top spec, and a complete bike weight under 36 pounds!

Frame details & tech

A smaller battery and Fazua’s tiny Ride 60 motor combine with the sleek rear end for a bike that looks very much like an analog bike.

The 430Wh battery should give you plenty of juice, but you can add their 210Wh range extender and plug it in while riding to extend play time.

An integrated mud flap keeps gunk from wedging between the chainstay yoke and BB shell, and frame protection wrap protects the carbon and finish, too.

You can pair the Fazua system with your cycling computer to display cadence and power (as in, your power output in watts). It also pairs with their own app so you can customize the motor’s output per setting.

The Focus VAM² SL gets 125mm rear wheel travel with a stout main pivot and thick chainstays and yoke to keep it torsionally stiff. Up front are 130mm forks, but it’s compatible with 140mm forks, too.

The seatstays are flattened, allowing them to flex as the suspension compresses. These types of pivot-free rear ends typically provide a snappier feel.

The battery display is flat on the top tube, but the power button is integrated into the mode dial on the handlebar.

All cables run through the headset, entering a port under the stem. Split spacers keep it easy to adjust stack height. The top two models (9.9 & 9.0) get Focus’s new 290g one-piece bar stem.

An integrated chain keeper and removable motor cover (which doubles as impact protection) come standard.

Geometry & pricing

An adjustable head angle lets you tune it for the trails at hand. Swapping to a 140mm fork will slacken the head angle by 0.5º.

Complete bikes top out at €10,999 for the top VAM2 SL 9.0 model with a claimed weight of just 16.2kg (35.75lb). The 9.9 (€8,699, 17.5kg) and 9.8 (€6,899, 18.4kg) sit below that. (UPDATED: The weight for the top model was originally written as 31.75lbs, which has been corrected)

The 8.9 (€5,799) model uses a lower level carbon for a 2,545g (5.61lb) frame weight and 19.1kg complete bike weight. Full specs for all models on their website.

Ride.Focus.Bike

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Switzerland’s Stromer, known for their high-end long-range electric bicycles, is bringing an updated e-commuter to North America this month. The ST5 Pinion is a new version of the company’s ST5 model, offering significant upgrades like a Pinion gearbox, wireless Smart.Shift gear shifting, and front brakes with ABS.

The ST5 Pinion is a top-tier e-commuter that provides Stromer’s typically long range (110 miles max), among the other technologically advanced features listed above. Consumers can purchase the ST5 Pinion by the end of the month, but Stromer has two complete models in the USA for show. One will be displayed at the CABDA Expo in Chicago next month if you’re in the area.

Stromer ST5 Pinion: Updates

Calling it “the executive among speed pedelecs”, the ST5 Pinion is an updated version of Stromer’s ST5 model boasting top-tier components and features. The most notable upgrade is the 9-speed Pinion C 1.9i gearbox, which is connected to an electronic Pinion Smart.Shift system via a Gates carbon drive belt. If you’re not familiar, with the Smart.Shift system is Pinion’s electronic push-button shifter. It does not offer automatic gear shifting, but gears can be changed while riding, under load, or at a standstill.

The ST5 Pinion also gets an anti-lock (ABS) front brake system from BluBrake, to reduce the chance of front-wheel skidding (especially in wet or slippery conditions).

The new model now includes the Stromer Sound module. The module provides acoustic notification signals indicating things like start-up, shut down, battery level, cruise control, and more.

Finally, the updated ST5 Pinion gets a new recyclable carbon-reinforced polyamide front fender. The fender can be mounted in ‘long’ or ‘short’ positions using the provided adapters.

ST5 Pinion: Key Specs

The ST5 Pinion is built on an aluminum frame, covered by a 10-year warranty. There are three sizes available (M/L/XL). A rigid aluminum fork comes stock, but a suspension fork is an upgrade option, as is a suspension seatpost. These accessories are shown in the title photo – check out Stromer’s website for add-on info. The ST5 Pinion rolls on 27.5” wheels.

The ST5 Pinion is a Class 3 ebike, providing pedal assist up to 28mph. It’s driven by a SYNO Sport 750w rear hub motor, which offers 48Nm of torque. The motor’s Sport mode offers an extra powerful setting when you need lots of boost.

A 48V, 983Wh battery provides a lengthy range of up to 110 miles. The battery can be ejected with the push of a button, and it fully charges in 5 hours 30 minutes.

The ST5 Pinion’s top tube mounted on-board display shows your key info and ride metrics. The Stromer OMNI app allows you to adjust motor settings and enables Bluetooth unlocking/locking. The app also lets you see all the info the top tube display shows on your smartphone too. The bike uses cellular network connectivity for features like GPS localization, Smartlock, etc.

In addition to Stromer’s integrated daylight, the ST5 Pinion includes a Supernova M99 Pro 2 headlight (1600 lumen max). Out back you’ll find a Supernova M99 tail light with a brake light function. Stromer also includes an integrated horn.

Components:

Electronics aside, some key components on the ST5 Pinion include Stromer branded 4-piston brakes (made by TRP) with 203mm rotors front and rear. The 27.5” wheels get Pirelli Angel ST Sport tires in ERTRO size 57-584 (roughly 2.25” wide).

For the cockpit, Stromer supplies their own handlebar/stem combo, which includes a bracket to mount your smartphone to the stem. Not skimping on touchpoints, Stromer gave this bike Brooks Cambium ergonomic grips, and a Selle Royal Vivo saddle. Stromer also includes pedals and side mirrors with each bike.

The ST5 Pinion launched in Europe last month and will be available for purchase in North America by the end of January. This model will initially come in a launch edition Imperial Red color, but later production models will be Aventurine Green. MSRP is $11,990.

stromerbike.com

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Looking nearly identical to their analog Kenta, the MMR Kaizen adds a bit of boost for riders wanting more uphill speed, too.

Built around the lightweight Bosch SX motor with a smaller 2kg 400Wh PowerTube battery, it pumps out 55Nm of assistance. The lighter system lets them build their top model down to just 16.7kg (36.8lbs).

Add a 250Wh range extender for longer rides and you’ll still have room for a water bottle inside the front triangle, too!

The Kaizen rolls on 29er wheels front and rear, with 140mm travel on both ends, too. A slack 66º head angle and long reach with short stem should help it handle like a bike with a bit more squish, but the looks are more reminiscent of an XC race bike. A slim Purion display and controller continue the pared-down motif.

It comes with 2.4″ tires, though, and 4-piston brakes. Five builds are available, starting at €5,999 with SRAM Transmission drivetrains.

MMRbikes.com

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At this point, REI is a name that is synonymous with outdoor adventures. However, when it comes to ebikes, it might not be a brand that comes to mind. Much less when it comes to eMTB. But their Co-Op bike brand has been releasing some interesting bikes over the past few years, so when they offered a chance to review their first-ever REI eMTB, I jumped at the chance.

Why? Mostly it was because I hadn’t ridden the latest generation of Bosch ebike motors with the smart system. But also because the REI Co-Op DRT e3.1 seemed like an impressive value – despite the name having too many letters and numbers. In my head, I just call it the ‘Dirty 3.1’.

Priced right at $5k for the complete bike, there aren’t many Bosch-equipped bikes with similar battery sizes and build levels at this price point. Going into the review I expected there would be a few low spots in the build, but in the end, the bike was far better than anticipated.

Bosch eBike System

At the heart of the DRT e3.1 is the Bosch Performance Line CX mid-drive motor with the Smart System. The motor offers 85Nm of torque making this a ‘full power’ ebike. Officially, it’s a Class 1 with pedal assist up to 20 mph. You can still go more than 20mph, but at that point, it will be only under human power.

Along with the motor, the battery is a key component spec when shopping for ebikes. The DRT e3.1 doesn’t have the biggest battery, but the 625wh battery stashed in the downtube is adequate for all but the longest rides. We’re told that currently, the bike is not compatible with the Bosch range extender battery though, so keep that in mind. As Bosch explains it, the charging plug is compatible with the range extender, but REI has to certify that the water bottle bosses are strong enough to support the weight of the battery. It’s possible that it may be certified in the future, but is not at this time. The battery is easily swapped with the keyed frame lock though, so trail-side battery swaps are a possibility if you purchase a spare battery.

Flow App

Initially, the fact that this bike was equipped with the Bosch Smart System was a pleasant surprise. Smart System bikes are compatible with the Bosch Flow app which is quite good. At this point, you’d think every major player in the ebike motor space would have their app connectivity and features completely dialed, but you’d be wrong. The Bosch app works exactly as you’d expect though, and allows you to connect to the bike to see charging and battery status, estimated range, total mileage, and includes customization tools to change ride modes.

There are four customizable settings including the assistance level, how dynamic the assist is, the maximum speed (up to 20 mph), and the maximum torque. These tools can be used to make the bike feel more or less powerful, extend battery life, and even act as a sort of “traction control” to keep the rear wheel from spinning out in loose conditions. You can even use the app to record your rides and see your metrics like elevation, speed, cadence, and how much power you’re putting into the REI eMTB.

If you pay for the Flow+ subscription (or use the 12-month free trial), you gain access to the anti-theft features. That includes acoustic & visual alarms, movement alerts with in-app notifications and location tracking. I’m assuming you can make it so the bike can’t be turned on either, but I haven’t tried this myself to verify.

REI eMTB Stats by the Numbers

• E-Bike Classification – Class 1: pedal assist up to 20 mph
• Assist Modes – Eco, Sport, eMTB, and Turbo
• Motor – Bosch Performance Line CX, the smart system
• Motor Type – Mid-Drive
• Motor Torque (Nm) – 85 Newton meters
• Battery Capacity (Wh) – 625 watt hours
• Battery Removable – Yes
• Charging Time (completely drained) – 5h
• Rated Continous Power – 250W
• Maximum Power – 600W
• Smart Walk Mode – Yes

Assist Modes

When it comes to selecting the level of assist, you have four modes to choose from: Eco, Sport, eMTB, and Turbo. Since the DRT e3.1 only has an LED Remote, using the app will allow you to see how the expected range changes as you cycle through the modes. Of the 339 miles of mountain biking I’ve had on the DRT e3.1, 268 of those have been in eMTB mode. It’s by far my favorite setting, and the app claims it’s actually more efficient than Sport mode.

Unlike the other modes which stay within a linear support level, eMTB mode is a dynamic setting that will provide support from the lowest level of Tour (160% support) to the highest level of Turbo (340% support). That support or assist is provided based on direct input from the pedals utilizing the bike’s torque sensor. The best way to explain it is that while you’re soft-pedaling through a tight switchback, the assist level is kept low. But when you exit the switchback and you get on the pedals to muscle out of the corner, the assist ramps up immediately. The result is power when you need it, and battery savings when you don’t.

With the included Bosch 4A charger, the battery can be fully recharged in about 5 hours. The plug on the REI eMTB is very easy to use, and when not plugged in, the bike has a waterproof rubber cover that should be snapped into place. It’s also worth mentioning that the system is UL 2849 certified which means it complies with potential new laws like the recently passed Initiative 663-A in New York.

The Build

Most riders will likely pick their DRT e3.1 up from their local REI store. In that case, the bike will be fully built and ready for you to ride. For those who don’t live close enough to an REI, or would simply rather have it shipped to them for the $30 oversize shipping fee, you’ll get a bike that is mostly assembled – though you may still have to do some work with the included Park Tool multitool.

When my review sample showed up, there were a few things that needed attention right away. To start, the front brake caliper adapter was on upside down. The arrow should be pointing up, and it’s a simple fix of pulling the caliper, flipping the adapter, and bolting it back together.

I run the seat post pretty low, but the dropper post cable was far too long even if it was extended to the maximum height. This fix is a little more challenging and requires cable/housing cutters, but it’s still fairly easy.

After the first few rides, I noticed that no matter how much I tightened the headset, I couldn’t get it to stay tight. It turns out the steerer was just slightly too long, which there are two ways to fix – add another spacer, or cut down the steerer tube. I already had plenty of spacer stack, so I decided to cut the steerer and scooch down the starnut—perfect adjustment from then on.

Torque Those Lockrings

The last build issue didn’t present itself until I had ridden about 100 miles on the bike. During that ride, I looked down and thought “Huh, it looks like my chainring is crooked?”. The bike was still pedaling, but after I stopped to take a look I noticed that the chainring had come almost completely loose. The Bosch motor uses a spline for the chainring, and there is a locknut that threads down over the top of the ring to hold it in place.

It appears that the lockring had worked itself loose, possibly as a result of insufficient torque from the factory or lack of Loctite. After removing the crank arm, lock ring, and chain ring, I cleaned up the grease as best as I could and reinstalled the chainring. When I reinstalled the lockring, I added Loctite 243 which is a primerless version meant for situations where grease might be present. I torqued the lockring to the proper spec, and haven’t had an issue since.

As a result, I’d recommend having your shop check the lockring torque or do it yourself, and probably add some Loctite as well.

Except for the lockring issue, all of these issues are fairly common for any new bike. The better bike shops will have these all sorted out before a bike hits the showroom floor, but that’s not always the case. If you have an REI close by, it’s worth having them build the bike up to check for any issues, though the competent home mechanic shouldn’t have any problem here.

Sizing and Wheel Size

Depending on your frame size, you may be running 27.5 or 29″ wheels on the DRT e3.1. Both the XS and S frames come with 27.5 x 2.6″ wheels and tires, while the M-XL frame sizes come with 29 x 2.6″ wheels and tires. I was happy to see that the medium REI eMTB came with the bigger wheels and found that the 2.6″ tires were a great choice for the build.

Other than an under-inflated pinch flat, the Kenda Nevegal Pro 2 tires have been surprising. They’ve provided excellent traction in tricky fall conditions, even if it was a drier-than-average fall. They also seem to be impressively durable (the pinch flat happened after I forgot to air up after a few days), though that durability seems to come at the expense of cold-weather performance. If you plan on riding this bike in the winter, I’d recommend switching out to a true winter tire like the 45NRTH Wrathchild Trail.

REI eMTB Geometry

In terms of geometry, the e3.1 is fairly modern but with a conservative reach making it comfortable for beginners without alienating more experienced riders. The highlights include a 66º head tube angle and 77.4º seat tube angle with a 450mm reach and 441mm chainstays for a medium.

Rider Stats

• Rider Height – 5’8″
• Rider Weight – 159lb
• Rider Age – 38
• Size tested – Medium

Who Makes the REI eMTB?

The Co-Op DRT e3.1 feels like a high-quality bike, and the stickers on the box that suggest it came out of the Giant factory support that feeling. REI has not confirmed that Giant manufactures their eMTB, but the Giant Manufacturing Co. label with the serial number all but confirms it.

More Miles or Time on the Bike? Both!

When the DRT e3.1 arrived, it was heading into the fall riding season – my absolute favorite. But it’s also the point of the year where the toll of the year’s riding starts to catch up with me. I didn’t know it at the time, but having access to an eMTB meant that I would get in a lot more hours of riding this fall. Notice I said hours and not miles. It’s obvious that an ebike will probably allow you to ride more miles, but I found it increased the miles and hours. But for October & November combined, I rode 36h in 2021, 29h in 2022, and 60h this year.

Those aren’t all just ebike miles either. Despite sometimes putting in back-to-back-to-back big ebike days on our most demanding trails, I would still have the energy to go out and do gravel rides on a regular bike the next day.

So it’s obvious that having access to an eMTB means more trail time for me, but that isn’t model-specific. What about the DRT e3.1?

Solid Spec

Admittedly, when I was first checking out the e3.1, I somewhat expected it to be good but it would probably need some quick upgrades. I was very pleasantly surprised to find a bike that is very well-equipped right out of the box. After setting saddle height and adjusting the bar and controls to my liking, there wasn’t much left to do other than ride.

Well, technically, I also converted it to tubeless first as well. The REI eMTB comes stock with taped rims and tubeless Kenda Nevegal Pro 2 tires. Inside those tires, you’ll find standard inner tubes, so if you want to go tubeless you’ll need to add tubeless valves and tire sealant. Note that due to the sensor on the rear rim, you’ll need a longer valve stem. I added some of my favorite Fillmore valves, and some sealant, and the tires popped into place without any hassle at all.

Suspension

Running a proven Horst link setup with a RockShox Deluxe Select Plus RT rear shock, the 130mm of rear travel isn’t going to ‘wow’ experienced riders. But what it lacks in sophisticated suspension trickery, it makes up for in consistent, reliable performance. The same could be said for the RockShox Recon Silver RL Solo Air fork – there are many higher-end forks out there, but the ebike-rated Recon is up to the task.

We’ve also read comments on the internet that the SRAM SX Eagle 1×12 drivetrain wouldn’t be up to the task, but so far that appears completely unfounded. I’ve purposely tried to shift poorly to torture the drivetrain as much as possible and it still hasn’t missed a beat. That includes a handful of crashes as well. Is it going to be as robust as a new SRAM Transmission? Probably not, but again, the components are more than capable.

It’s worth mentioning that the frame does have a SRAM UDH making it Transmission-compatible for future upgrades.

Accessories

With a standard side-load water bottle cage, the frame has room for most mid-sized water bottles. There are also top tube mounts for additional storage, though I chose to mount a WTC B-RAD rolltop accessory bag under the top tube for my tools and spares.

Brakes

When it comes time to slow down a 55lb ebike, brakes are important. I was very happy to see the Tektro 4-piston hydraulic brakes with thicker 2.3mm rotors on this build as they have impressive power and modulation. If you’re an aggressive rider or on the heavier side I would suggest upgrading to a 200mm rotor on the front of the bike. The 180mm rotors front and back are adequate, but more front braking power could be useful in certain situations.

There was one upgrade I made to the bike, which was the result of needing to test out components more than the bike needing it. Swapping out the aluminum handlebar for the PNW Loam Carbon bar shown above did result in a slightly more comfortable ride up front.

With all the original components, the complete build wasn’t quite 55lb for a medium, coming in at 54.7lbs. If you go tubeless, you stand to drop almost 0.5lbs at 54.23lbs with a heavy sealant pour.

On the Trails

At this point, I’ve ridden the e3.1 on everything from jumpy flow trails to longer backcountry epics – it’s a bike that feels comfortable in a wide variety of terrain. With 130mm rear travel and 140mm travel up front, the bike is solidly in the Trail category. While there are better bikes for DH-focused riding, I’ve ridden all of our (fairly mellow) DH-specific trails locally just fine.

As mentioned, most of that riding has been in eMTB mode – it just feels the most natural and provides more than enough assistance in any situation without feeling like the bike is doing all the work.

Battery Life / Range

While riding in eMTB mode, on average I have been getting about 26-28 miles to a full charge which has been very close to the estimated range on the Flow app. When connected to the bike, the range estimate will change based on the assist mode, and it will change over time based on your use. I always found the estimated range to be optimistic by a few miles, but not by much. Most of my testing has been on technical trails with a lot of climbing, though not a lot of elevation. The rides where I got 26-28 miles on eMTB mode had about 2,500′ of elevation gain. On one of my rides with more elevation, I clocked 24 miles and 3,488′ of climbing, but didn’t have time to fully empty the battery.

When fully charged, the LED remote will show five blue bars. As you deplete the battery, those bars turn white and then disappear completely one by one. Once the battery level drops to 30%, the last two bars will turn orange. Keep riding, that second orange bar will disappear and then a single red bar will light up telling you that there’s 10% battery left. From this point, there are no more warnings – eventually, the motor will cut out when the battery dies, and that red bar will flash. At this point, hopefully, you don’t have far to ride because this is not a fun bike to pedal without any assist.

Phone as Display

If you want more system detail than the LED remote provides, you can also use the Flow app to turn your phone into a display screen mounted to your bars. In this mode, there are a lot of metrics that can be displayed including speed, battery percentage, remaining range, time of day, riding time, distance, etc.

While the Bosch Performance Line CX isn’t the quietest motor I’ve ridden, it is among the quieter full-power options. The bike is wonderfully quiet as well – no rattling cables or components to annoy you while rolling down the trail.

REI eMTB Pricing & Availability

The retail price of the Co-op Cycles DRT e3.1 is $4,999. If you’re a Co-op member though, you stand to get about $499.90 of that back as reward dollars. Those dollars have to be spent at REI, but there’s plenty of other bike stuff you can spend it on (including valve cores and sealant). If you’re not already a member, make sure to buy a $30 lifetime membership before purchasing the bike.

The bike includes one year of free adjustments and in-store assembly, but REI Co-op members also get an additional year of free adjustments (2 years total), free flat repair labor, and 20% off shop services.

Currently, the Co-op Cycles DRT e3.1 is available in all sizes, all in the Bamboo colorway pictured above.

Takeaway

Overall, the Co-Op DRT e3.1 delivers exactly what you want out of a full-power ebike. The aluminum frame provides a solid foundation for one of the best ebike systems on the market. At $5k, the e3.1 offers a large 625wh battery along with the Bosch Performance Line CX drive system without skimping on other components. You would never know that this was REI’s first attempt at an eMTB, and as a result, it further establishes the Co-op bike brand as a genuine brand to consider for your next bike.

rei.com

The post REI Co-op DRT e3.1 eMTB Review: Better Than You Think for Less Than Expected appeared first on Bikerumor.

I’m pretty lucky to have long riding seasons where I live, but it always seems to end too soon! Winter is setting in across British Columbia, so it’s time to take a short break and reflect on the bikes and cycling products that impressed me most throughout 2023.

Despite a leg injury this year, I still managed to test a few mountain bikes and a fair number of products. Clothing and gear was the biggest category for me this time; I tested quite a few nice pieces but I’ve highlighted my favorite helmets, gloves, jackets, and eyewear below.

It’s been nearly nine years since I wrote my first article for Bikerumor, and I’m always anxious to see what’s coming next for the bike industry. In this short period mountain bikes have seen huge improvements, let alone the rapid development of ebikes. Mechanical reliability is generally excellent with today’s bikes and components, which equates to less time fixing things and more time in the saddle.

Living in a small mountain town in British Columbia, I spend most of my time riding trail or enduro bikes (electric or not). I’m also happy to test gravel or commuter bikes, but road riding hasn’t caught my interest quite yet. I’m not a competitive rider, having fun is the number one goal for me. That said, I like to ride fast on rough, slabby trails and push my limits when the feeling is right!

Experience: Physiotherapy!

While I’m not including this because it was a favorite of mine, my biggest cycling-related experience this year was physiotherapy! In late February I strained my left adductor (the big muscle that runs down the inside of your thigh) and initially, it was bad enough that five minutes of pedaling would have me hobbling up my front stairs afterward.

With the help of my physiotherapist (shout out to Anna at Lifemark Physiotherapy!) I gradually regained flexibility and strength in my strained adductor. Physio didn’t speed up the process as I hoped, but within what’s considered a normal time frame I was back riding bikes. By mid-June, I was able to ride fairly well, and by the end of the season, I was pedaling just as long and far as I normally would. I’m now done with physio sessions and will be sticking with a basic maintenance program through the winter. Here’s hoping for a better start to next year!

Mountain Bikes

Editor’s Choice: Trek Slash

I’ve always liked Trek’s ABP suspension linkage, but what they did with the high-pivot version for the 2024 Slash only made me happier. The Slash’s forte is manhandling rough terrain, and does it ever! Now bumped to 170mm travel front and rear, this bike gobbles up bumps of all sizes better than anything I’ve ridden yet. And that’s with a 27.5” rear wheel.

What really won me over was realizing the Slash isn’t just extra squishy; I found it pops off jumps better than other Treks I’ve ridden and launches out of corners very well. Combine that solid suspension with modern, adjustable geometry and you’ve got a top contender in the enduro class. This was also the first MX bike I’ve ridden long-term, and I agree they’re a fun ride. Rear wheel clearance on steeps is great, but the sharper cornering is what I really enjoyed.

I’m currently wrapping up my review of the 2024 Trek Slash, so watch Bikerumor shortly for that article!

Editor’s Choice: SCOR 2030

On the opposite end of the spectrum, SCOR’s 2030 was the shortest travel bike I’ve ever tested at 120mm rear/140mm front. Thankfully though, SCOR designed this bike to ride like a short-travel enduro, giving it a slack head angle of 64.5° (in Slack position) and building the frame just as strong as their 4060 enduro bike. While some readers weren’t too impressed with the weight of 30.78lbs with pedals, this is several pounds less than anything I’ve ridden recently so that combined with 29” wheels made the 2030 an absolute joy to climb.

Of course on the descents, that slack head tube allows you to ride the 2030 with practically no limitation. I did not hesitate to ride my area’s steepest and roughest trails on this bike, and while the short travel demands a bit more body language, the bike handled everything just fine. Riding the 2030 encourages precise handling, but leaves plenty of room for error! It would be a great choice for long-travel riders who want to play with something a little smaller and lighter. 

E-Bikes:

Honorable Mention: Pivot Shuttle AM

The only ebike I had more than one ride on this year was Pivot’s Shuttle AM. Pivot did a fine job of building a frame with up-to-date geometry that perfectly fits the Shuttle AM’s ‘All Mountain’ classification. There is a flip chip too, so you can fine-tune the angles by +/- 0.4° to be a bit more ‘trail’ or ‘enduro’. I also liked this eMTB’s comfortable reach and low standover height.

I was pretty impressed with Bosch’s electronics too. The Performance Line CX motor and a 750Wh battery give the Shuttle AM plenty of power and range. What I really liked was the fast, precise response to pedaling inputs, and I found Bosch’s self-regulating eMTB mode managed power output really well. The wireless remote and rear wheel sensor also make for a nice clean look on the bike.

Components:

Editor’s Choice: FUNN Python Pedals

As one of your contact points, it’s important to have a good set of pedals that your feet like sitting on. FUNN came to the table this year with their updated Python flat pedals, and at 100x110mm I found them just big enough to offer solid support to all parts of my size 9.5 feet. The pedals look quite shapely, but they maintain a fairly square platform. The nice part of being ‘just big enough’ is the weight stays impressively low at 373g for the pair. For an alloy model, FUNN also managed to keep the price of the new Python Pedals relatively reasonable at $115 US.

While the pedal bodies are slightly concave, FUNN sells optional longer pins for the new Pythons. The grip was already good without them, but I installed the longer pins on the front and rear of the pedals which boosted traction and enhanced the concave feel.

Clothing and Gear:

Editor’s Choice: ABUS Airdrop Full Face Helmet

ABUS might not carry the same prestige or history as brands like Troy Lee Designs or Bell but don’t count their helmets out. This year I tested the AirDrop full face and came away pretty impressed with how cool and comfortable it was. Even without a carbon shell, the AirDrop MIPS is lightweight enough to pedal in for hours, hitting my scale at 799g for a size S/M.

The new ABUS AirDrop is also MIPS equipped, very well ventilated, offers a great field-of-view and goggle compatibility, and includes a dial retention system to ensure a snug fit. Last but not least, ABUS offers the option of adding their crash detecting and ride metric tracking QUIN sensor, so you can feel safer on solo rides and analyze your personal stats.

Editor’s Choice: 7mesh Cache Anorak

I’m a fan of 7mesh’s riding gear, and their new Airmap Cache Anorak did not disappoint. One of the first pieces of the brand’s new PFAS chemical-free Airmap line, the Cache Anorak is an excellent temperature regulator that breathes well enough to justify not having pit zips. As an outer layer, it blocks wind effectively and keeps you warm right down to freezing temperatures with a good mid layer underneath. It’s also a versatile jacket on its own, with a half-zip to open up some airflow and 7mesh’s Stash System that straps it to your bike if you get too warm.

Water resistance was great too; while it’s not advertised as waterproof, the Cache held up to at least 45 minutes of steady rain without soaking through anywhere. Finally, 7mesh nailed the Cache’s relaxed fit – there’s ample room for layers underneath but the anorak isn’t baggy at all. The only thing I would have preferred is a slightly larger and adjustable hood so you could ride with it over a helmet on colder days.

Editor’s Choice: Racer Factory Gloves

Racer’s Factory Gloves quickly earned a spot as my new favorite! What I liked most about them was the slick Lycra main fabric, which feels like a thin wetsuit and offers a bit of stretch for a second-skin fit. The lambskin palms were also great; they’re thin, grippy everywhere, and soft to the touch. The Factory gloves presented no comfort issues with seams or bunching during my test rides. While there’s nothing that makes these gloves particularly cool, they do breathe well and are perfectly suitable for three-season riding.

As soon as I got the Factory Gloves, I thought they looked and felt like a high-end product. Riding in them confirmed this, and I’ll definitely be reaching for them next spring.

Honorable Mention: Leatt Velocity 4.0 X-Flow Goggles

In almost any conditions Leatt’s massively ventilated Velocity 4.0 X-Flow goggles are a great option to keep your face cool and your lenses clear. You get the protection of a full-sized goggle lens, but with the open vents up top and the cut-out frame below, air flows through these goggles like no other. I never found the airflow itself was enough to bother my eyes, and never managed to get any water or mud sprayed up behind the lens. The lens would not produce any condensation, through variable conditions from hot mid-summer rides to short climbs in cool, damp weather.

I did have one issue with water dripping off my open-faced helmet onto the inside of the lens, so there are conditions they may not be suitable for. That said, in anything short of monsoon rains the Velocity 4.0 X-Flow goggles will be my top choice for next season.

Honorable Mention: Julbo Edge Sunglasses

This summer I rode with Julbo’s Edge sunglasses, which included two lenses that are super simple to swap out. A small magnet holds the lens to the frame, and a simple upward push on the lens pops it off. Most importantly, the lenses stay put while riding!

Julbo’s Reactiv photochromic lens offers a wide range of light transmission, and it’s always great to have a clear lens to swap on for mud or wind protection. I liked how lightweight the Edges were (26g), and that the lenses are fairly tall, providing good eye coverage and lower peripheral vision. Both lenses proved to resist condensation very well too.

The Julbo Edge sunglasses don’t come cheap but getting both the photochromic and clear lenses makes this a versatile pair of sunglasses you could wear on any ride.

Off The Bike:

Crocs

At Crankworx Whistler, Trek Bicycles decided to hook up all the media people with a pair of Crocs! I had never owned a pair until now, and I quickly realized why they’re so popular. They’re comfortable, well-ventilated, and more protective than most sandals, and since I use the heel strap they stay on my feet reliably. I took them on a camping trip and really liked how you could step in and out of the water with them. They were great for wading around the rocky beach I was visiting, and they drain themselves out when you’re back on land. Thanks Trek!

Parting Thoughts:

Having recently achieved ‘over the hill’ status, the years are flying by faster than ever! I’ve had two significant injuries in the last three years, but generally speaking, I’m in the best shape of my life so I’m glad I got into MTB! I came to the right place to do it – it’s hard to beat British Columbia’s mountainous terrain and endless trail networks.

As for what the future holds, I’m curious to see how much electronic componentry finds its way onto mid or even entry-level mountain bikes in the next few years. I’ll bet we see more and more bike parks popping up at ski resorts, and more e-commuter bikes cruising the cities. Hopefully, most people that got into cycling during the pandemic stick with it and get hooked on the joy of riding a bike, whether that means racing DH or enduro, tricking the local dirt jumps, or simply pedaling around town. Ride on!

Each of these products was entirely chosen purely on their technical merits, by me personally, and for the reasons described above. More great products passed through my hands in 2023. Under no circumstances were any of my picks paid for by their producers. Nor was any preference or favor given to any brand or advertiser. My selections are limited to products I’ve actually spent time riding/testing in person. A brand’s willingness to invite Bikerumor to join a launch event, or to provide product samples can make it more likely that we will have considered their products, if only because we can share our real, firsthand experiences.

The post BikeRumor Editor’s Choice 2023 – Steve’s Top MTBs, Components, Clothing & Gear appeared first on Bikerumor.

This is always one of my favorite posts to write because I get to gush over the things that really impressed me each year. No need to sound impartial here, these are the things I love.

A quick primer on me to put my choices into perspective. I’ve been riding most of my life, as a “cyclist” for 30 years, and enjoy all the things, from road biking to gravel to enduro, with most of my time leaning more toward the XC/trail side of MTB. Not because of a preference, that’s just what we’ve got locally.

I also really enjoy e-bikes, particularly for city commuting, cargo bikes, and long-travel mountain bikes. I’ve noticed that the only people who don’t like them are the people who haven’t tried them. I know at least one guy who doesn’t want to try them for exactly that reason. I love to travel, and did quite a bit of it this year, which is almost always an opportunity to ride new bikes in new places with new people, and it’s awesome. Highly recommend it.

On that note, here are my picks for the best products of 2023…

Experience

An overland, MTB & gravel road trip with my son

This trip’s itinerary kept changing almost until the day we left, and I don’t think it could have been better. Out of 16 days on the road, more than half had some sort of adventure. We mountain biked Mt. Nebo (AR), Bentonville (AR), Palo Duro (TX), and South Mountain (AZ). We rode gravel in Organ Pipe National Monument (AZ), after offroading for two days from Yuma to Ajo on El Camino del Diablo (check out that story here). And we hiked the North Rim and Guadalupe Mtn.

We saw friends and family in numerous states, ate amazing Mexican food (perhaps the best we’ve ever had), and boondocked among lava rocks and alpine forests. I got to upgrade the van with a GMRS radio, water tank, and fuel can and play with new apps for route planning. We even got to (finally!) use my recovery gear to get out of soft sand. If you know me, you know I love gadgets and tech, but none of these were the highlight.

The best part of the trip was spending time adventuring with my son. He constantly surprised me on the trail with an uncanny (and typical 18yo fearless) ability to stay on my wheel no matter what the terrain, even pushing ahead and leading through some seriously rocky, techy sections with a lot of exposure. I taught him to drive through soft sand and negotiate rough terrain in the Vandoit, and we both learned how to tow it out (thanks Ron!).

I have a lot of friends, but there are only a handful I could hang with 24/7 for more than a few days. So the absolute best part of this trip is knowing that my son is one of them.

Pisgah Monstercross gravel race

The Pisgah Monstercross barely registers as Type 2 fun. It’s that hard. The 73-mile course has almost 9,000 feet of climbing, but not just any climbing. It’s chunky, rough Pisgah Forest “road” climbing. Some of it’s quite steep. Or loose. Or both. And there’s a lot of it, with most of the mileage found far off the paved roads.

I thought I was prepared. My bike was, and the new Shimano GRX 12-speed group and wheels performed flawlessly (bike shown further below). But it was a stark reminder that I am not a climber and that such courses are meant to make me suffer. The reason I include it here is because I think we all need a reminder that we can do hard things and appreciate them for what they reveal about us. Eric and his crew put on an excellent event. It’s not as highly polished as some, but it’s well-run with great feed stations and burritos and beer at the finish. The campground across the street is fantastic (and convenient!), making this a low-key sufferfest that’s perfect to do with friends.

Bikes

EDITOR’S CHOICE: Lauf Úthald Road Bike

One of the (many) things I love about Lauf is that they aren’t afraid to do weird things if they believe in them. Their leaf spring gravel suspension forks are highly visible proof of that. Less obvious is the new Úthald road bike, which certainly has a unique look thanks to the curved and bent seat tube and deep-drop seatstays. But those are only a tiny part of what makes it special.

The geometry is more akin to XC mountain bikes than road, with a slack head angle and long fork trail, that makes it unbelievably stable at speed. Lauf’s goal was to actually make riders faster rather than just make a bike that “felt” fast, and they succeeded beyond measure. Normally I get sketched out over 42mph. On my first test ride, we hit easily 50mph and I was wishing I had more gear so I could go faster. I’ve never in my life felt so stable, confident, and safe on a road bike at speed, and I don’t think I’ve found my limit on this one.

It’s easy to adhere to tradition and simply meet expectations. Lauf gets my Editor’s Choice not only for making an amazing bike, but also for showing that there are still ways to surprise and delight riders. If you’re in the market for a new road bike, you owe it to yourself to try this one.

EDITOR’S CHOICE: Ride1Up Prodigy V2 Commuter e-Bike

I’m as surprised as you are. I’ll have a full review up soon, but suffice it to say this budget e-bike delivers way more quality than should be possible for its price. The Ride1UP Prodigy V2 comes with Gates Belt Drive, Brose mid-mount motor, Enviolo CVT (continuously variable stepless gearing) rear hub, Maxxis Rekon Race tubeless-ready tires, and Tektro 4-piston hydraulic brakes. That’s a lot of high quality, brand name parts for a $2,400 e-bike.

It even comes with a decent-if-unbranded air suspension fork, broad-coverage aluminum fenders, front and rear lights, and a metal rear rack. It’s a Class 3 bike that gets up to 28mph (feels like more, actually), with smooth power delivery and a great torque curve that matches output with effort in a way that feels on par with bikes costing much more. It’s not just me, either, my whole family loves this bike, and all we have to do is adjust the seat height to fit everyone in our house. At 6’2″, I could use another inch of seatpost, but that’s literally my only complaint, and it’s an easy fix.

HONORABLE MENTION: Santa Cruz Heckler SL eMTB

I rode one of Santa Cruz’s earlier e-mountain bikes and was nonplussed, I think mainly because the coil shock never felt right for me, but who knows. I just didn’t feel dialed riding it. So I wanted to give them another shot with the new Heckler SL, and I’m glad I did. It gets an Honorable Mention because I’m still figuring a few things out and need to get more miles on it, but first impressions are very good.

The Heckler SL is reasonably light, weighing 43.1lbs for an XL with Reserve carbon wheels and SRAM Transmission. And it’s reasonably powerful, with the Fazua Ride 60 system getting me up the hills much faster, but still requiring some work on my end, so it feels like I’m really mountain biking. What impressed me is how nimble it is. Climbing a rapid succession of very tight, steep, technical switchbacks at Palo Duro Canyon State Park in Texas, I fought the urge to dab and the Heckler SL rewarded my trust with perfect traction and just the right amount of assist. If you’re a fan of the brand, this one feels very much like a Santa Cruz, just faster.

Drivetrains

EDITOR’S CHOICE: SRAM Transmission

SRAM’s Transmission drivetrain shifts exactly as well as they promised, which is perfectly. It’s pretty easy to set up, seems bombproof, and perfectly leverages their long march toward a universal mounting interface, which benefits every rider whether or not you ever ride this group. Even the shifter pods are growing on me, with a design that’s clearly made for a future full of electronically controlled devices.

That they could bring it to market in the height of everyone else’s supply chain woes is impressive, too. And then they trickled it all the way down to GX group ($1,099 at Backcountry) just a few months after launching the top levels. Additional Kudos for seeing the move to internal stealth brake routing and being first to market with levers that send the hoses parallel to the bar. Even if your frame uses standard cable ports, they make for a very clean cockpit! Well done, SRAM.

EDITOR’S CHOICE: TRP EVO 12 mechanical group

If you’re squarely in the mechanical camp, the new TRP EVO 12 group is worth a look, too. It’s hard enough dancing around Shimano and SRAM patents, but they did that and introduced clever new features (Hall Lock) that keep the derailleur rock solid and completely quiet, even on the roughest trails. Shifter feel is good, with a satisfying mechanical clink and the ability to customize paddle position and the number of gears per push. There’s a lot to like about this group, and it’s refreshing to see competition coming back to the high-end mechanical drivetrain category. Read my full review here for all the details.

EDITOR’S CHOICE: MicroSHIFT Sword 1×10 gravel group

Another mechanical group that really impressed me is MicroSHIFT’s Sword drivetrain. It’s fully mechanical, has 10 speeds, and works like a champ. The best part? The complete 1×10 group, including cranks, chainring, cassette, derailleur and shifter/brake levers is as little as $400 with options to add a higher-end cassette, left-hand dropper remote brake lever, or make it a 2×10 group with a double chainring and front derailleur.

Not only does it work great, I never really found myself missing the extra two cogs. The 11-48 cassette has plenty of range, the clutch keeps the chain onboard and quiet, and the hood and lever ergonomics are fantastic. I paired it with TRP’s HyRD disc brakes and a KMC chain and it’s been flawless. The bike aficionado shop folks that have tried all love it, too. If you wanna gravel without grinding away your savings, this is a great option.

HONORABLE MENTION: Shimano GRX 12-speed

Shimano’s latest GRX 12-speed group wasn’t a groundbreaking change from the 11-speed version, but it is an important update worth recognizing. It brings all of their top-level drop bar groups to 12 speeds. The hood ergonomics are even better than they already were. They get dedicated gravel derailleurs for all cassette sizes, with the ability to swap pulley cages to go between 1x and 2x rather than replace the entire part.

And they stuck with a mechanical option to keep it affordable (don’t worry, Di2 is coming in 2024). I appreciate that you don’t always need to be dramatic with your improvements (or your marketing) to offer something new and better, and this is proof.

Their updated RX880 carbon gravel wheels are also worth a shoutout. They’re as light as most other top-end gravel wheels (1394g), have Shimano’s smooth-as-butter cup and cone bearings with their first-ever swappable freehub body, and are wide enough to handle 50mm tires. And they’re a very reasonable $1,549. I raced the complete group in the Pisgah Monster Cross and it finished stronger than I did.

Components

EDITOR’S CHOICE: OneUp Alloy Handlebar

I avoid alloy handlebars as much as possible. Compared to carbon, they’re harsher and stiffer, transmitting more bumps and vibrations to my hands. OneUp’s carbon handlebar is one of my favorites thanks to an ovalized profile on either side of the stem, creating a flex point that allows just enough compliance to soften any blow. So I was intrigued when they launched an alloy version of it…how could it possibly compare?

Turns out, pretty darn good. It’s immediately my favorite aluminum mountain bike handlebar ever. I swapped it for another handlebar on my Fezzari La Sal Peak with a Rockshox Zeb. Even with 170mm of travel, vibrations and bumps still get through, but it was a noticeable improvement as soon as I installed the OneUp bar. It shares the ovalized tube shaping, and it works almost as well as their carbon bar, but for $70 less. If you have carbon dreams on an alloy budget, the Oneup Alloy Handlebar is the way to go.

EDITOR’S CHOICE: Prologo Scratch NDR XC saddle

I’ve generally liked Prologo’s NDR saddle line, but the new Scratch NDR XC race saddle is the best thing they’ve ever made. The various foam densities are perfectly placed, with a softer center over a cutout to relieve pressure points and a flat, wide nose that’s easy to perch upon on the steepest climbs.

The padding on the back is supportive, with a good shape for powerful pedaling but flat enough to easily get behind it. Not sure what the extended carbon tail is for, but it makes a nice little mud flap. It comes with Tirox (hollow steel) or Nack (carbon) rails, and the latter creates a wonderfully light 166g saddle. MSRP is $200 as tested, and the Tirox version is $127.

EDITOR’S CHOICE: Granite Designs Aux Bottle Cage

Granite’s carbon-and-thermoplastic Aux Bottle Cage is a side loader that’s compact to easily fit in tight spaces, particularly on smaller and full suspension frames. I love the stealthy matte finish, but the best part is that it’s incredibly easy to get the bottle in and out, yet it holds it super secure. I have it on my trail bike and have never lost a bottle, even a larger 24oz bottle, over any terrain. And it’s only $21.

EDITOR’S CHOICE: Industry Nine iRiX headset

Headsets seem like the hardest spot to bring innovation to, but Industry Nine did it with two cool features on the iRiX. Dual lip seals top and bottom keep crud from reaching the bearings, and tiny spacer rings let you adjust the gap between the upper cap and the frame.

That’s a small thing that makes a big difference. Where a standard top cap would need to maintain a larger gap to accommodate different frame tolerances, now you can get an extremely flush appearance without having it rub your frame. Combine that with the brand’s signature good looks, style, and color options and it’s a winner. (Read my review and launch coverage for more)

Wheels

EDITOR’S CHOICE: Hunt Proven Race XC UD Carbon

Hunt’s top-of-the-line Proven Race XC UD Carbon wheels get a very wide 30mm (internal) but shallow (22mm deep) ultralight rims with front- and rear-specific layups, laced with UD carbon spokes, to come in at just 1,271g on my scale (Micro Spline, rim tape, but no valve stems). That’s exceptionally light for a 29er mountain bike wheelset, and they accelerate exactly as good as you’d expect. They’re also very laterally stiff but also comfortably compliant.

I rip corners so fast with these wheels, and climbing feels effortless (as much as it ever will for me). I’ve ridden other ultralight MTB wheels, but these are something special because they give nothing up to achieve their low weight. And they’re only $1,699.

EDITOR’S CHOICE: Scribe Elan Carbon 32D

Weighing just 1,345g on my scale (with rim tape but no valve stems), and retailing for just $1,499, the Scribe Élan Carbon wheels are a helluva good deal for a lightweight set. But it’s their performance that makes them a top pick. Wide carbon rims (21mm internal) are paired with ultralight carbon spokes (2.6g each), ceramic bearings, and a 54-tooth single-sided ratchet (6.6º engagement).

That combination of lightweight, stiff-but-not-too-stiff construction, quick engagement, and smooth rolling makes them a potent partner in chasing speed. I tested the 32mm deep model, they also come in 42, 50, and 60-millimeter depths. They also offer options for race bearings with lighter seals and grease, and even 15mm front and QR axle options on top of the standard 12mm thru axle. I want to get more miles on them before writing a long-term review, but I’ve got enough good rides on them to know I like them. A lot.

HONORABLE MENTION: Astral Luna Carbon Approach

The Astral Luna Carbon Approach wheelset is handbuilt in the USA with their Approach hubs, which are made by sister brand White Industries. So you’re basically getting White Industry hub internals, but with a steel freehub body rather than titanium. And they have the same frictionless, effortless spin as White’s hubs, too, with Enduro bearings inside.

Their carbon rim design uses mini bead hooks to make tubeless setup easy and secure, but with a modernly wide 25mm (internal) rim that gives 28-30mm tires a great shape. Or throw gravel tires on them and head off road. They’re reasonably light at 1,538g (on my scale, well under the 1,600g claimed weight, and the included valve stems only add 16g). They’re also reasonably priced at $1,899. If you’re looking for an all-road, all-purpose wheelset that’ll do it job all year round, year after year, this is it.

Tires & Inserts

EDITOR’S CHOICE: Vittoria Air-Liner Light

If I had to name a “Product of the Year”, this would be it. I’ve always understood the benefits of tire inserts, but never wanted to pay the weight penalty. But, the Vittoria Air-Liner Light inserts ($70 at Backcountry) are only 50g each, and they elevate the tire’s performance to a new level. Here’s why: Their semi-permeable closed-cell design will slowly absorb air, meaning that it’ll initially compress when you inflate your tire, but then expand back to normal size over ~8 hours. Then if you puncture, it’ll expand to fill your tire so you can keep riding. Freakin’ magic.

It’s enough to finish a race, or at least get back to the trailhead, without destroying your rim or tire. Not only that, but it supports the tire so well that I can run 3-5psi less than normal, which gives me monstrous amounts of traction and comfort. These are amazing and I want them on all of my mountain bikes. Now they just need to make a gravel version.

EDITOR’S CHOICE: Maxxis MaxxSpeed XC tires

Years ago, I got to ride a set of team tires from Maxxis with a ridiculously high TPI casing. They were amazingly supple and felt like they literally melted around every bump and imperfection in the trail. But they weren’t for consumers, sadly, and they would’ve been prohibitively expensive.

Fast forward to 2023 and the new MaxxSpeed lineup gets us pretty close. They’re “only” 120tpi, not the 180-200tpi I recall riding, but the new MaxxSpeed rubber compound makes the most of it, especially since it’s only available on the widest 2.35-2.4″ sizes. That extra volume allows for lower pressures and a supple ride, even with the EXO sidewall layer, and the ultra-grippy MaxxSpeed rubber keeps them planted. I feel faster than ever on these tires. I paired a Rekon Race (front) with an Aspen (rear), but the compound is also available on Ikon and Severe XC tires. If you’re looking for an edge, this is it.

EDITOR’S CHOICE: Vittoria Corsa Pro cotton casing road tires

The Vittoria Corsa Pro is their top racing tire, with a ridiculously soft 320tpi cotton casing, grippy Silica & Graphene infused rubber, and tubeless-ready design. They come in 24/26/28/30/32 millimeter widths. I’ve been riding the 700×32 and they’re glorious. They weighed 306g & 309g on my scale, less than the 320g claimed weight.

Many of my road rides include stints on gravel connectors or dirt country roads, and I’ve been able to bring them down to 52psi, at which point they make small gravel and chip seal disappear. Like, totally disappear. It’s uncanny. And that’s with a double ply of Aramid for puncture protection, so they’re tough on the inside. I was worried that the lightly coated sidewall exteriors wouldn’t hold up to those gravel sections, but so far there’s no signs of wear. The only downside? They’re $105 each.

Clothing & Gear

EDITOR’S CHOICE: Velocio MTB clothing

Velocio got into mountain bike clothing this year, and they nailed it. I’ve been wearing their Mesh Bib Liner, Trail Ultralight Short & Micromodal Trail Jersey (pictured above) along with their Merino Tee, and they’re all fantastic. The shorts come with an Arcade belt, which is super low-profile and works way better than velcro straps for keeping the waist comfortably snug. They also dry quickly, making a fine swimsuit in a pinch.

On cooler days, I really like their Ultralight Trail Hooded Jacket and Anorak, the former easily stuffing into a pocket. The Trail Access Hardshell is a heartier jacket, good for the really wet days, and it’s quickly become one of my favorite raincoats for daily use, too. It fits great on the bike, but also off of it, helping to justify the $389 price. Some road brands struggle to do MTB well, but Velocio’s collection is dialed for everything from downcountry to enduro.

EDITOR’S CHOICE: Rab Cinder bike clothing

Outdoor clothing and gear brand Rab’s debut Cinder cycling collection is an impressive freshman effort, showing that they paid attention to what cyclists (and particularly gravel cyclists) need rather than just slapping their label on something. The short-sleeve jersey (center image, on my buddy Greg from Pedal Vision) has hidden reinforcements down the back to prevent it from sagging with loaded pockets, and a large center zip pocket makes it easy to stash cash and cards.

The Cinder Cargo Bibs have mesh pockets that’ll just fit a (non “plus”) iPhone with case, but the top edge is flipped inward to create a lip that prevents contents from slipping out. The windbreaker rolls up and its integrated stretch loop and hook lets you wrap it around a top tube, saddle rails (both shown on right), or handlebar. It’s hood has a bendable plastic strip that magically holds its shape even after you smash it into a ball for storage.

The rest of the collection, from a long sleeve tee to insulated jacket and baggie shell shorts are all great, too. I owe them a full review, and there are a couple of things I’d like to tweak, but overall it’s a great bit of kit that I’ve been wearing quite a bit. Also available in women’s versions.

EDITOR’S CHOICE: Trek Velocis helmet

The Trek Velocis MIPS road bike helmet is possibly the most comfortable helmet I’ve ever worn. It’s also really light, has huge vents, and is feature rich. Rubber docking ports hold your shades, and a BOA dial wraps its retention system evenly around your head. The cradle folds forward into the helmet when you’re not wearing it, making it easier to pack or rest on a table at the cafe.

MIPS Air adds a bit of rotational safety without adding weight, and OCLV carbon overlays add a bit of strength while actually saving 6g over the prior version. A beveled front edge not only keeps it out of view when you’re biting the stem on a tough climb, and it sits high enough on the forehead to work with the most ridiculously oversized cycling sunglasses. It even has a 5-Star rating from Virginia Tech.

Tools & Such

EDITOR’S CHOICE: Park Tool Flat Snip

The Park Tool Flush Cut Pliers are my new favorite tool. They have a flat side that cuts zip ties perfectly flat, no more pointy remnants to scrape my calves or snag my shorts. They’re the perfect finishing tool, giving your bike a clean, professional look. They’re $25 and worth every penny.

EDITOR’S CHOICE: Chap-Snap lip balm holster

I thought the Chap-Snap was silly when I first saw it, and then I went riding in the desert and had to keep fishing my lip balm out of my pocket every 10 minutes. Now I get it. The silicone housing straps to your stem (or wherever), then you remove the cap from your favorite Chap Stick flavor and stick it in there. It keeps it at the ready, and you don’t have to fiddle with a cap while you’re riding, either. That also makes it perfect for riding in winter, making it easy to use even with thick winter gloves, too, and it’s only $10.

EDITOR’S CHOICE: Bluetti AC60 Portable Power Station

It took me using the Bluetti AC60 side by side with several other brands of portable battery power stations to appreciate what makes it unique. There’s no charging brick or special adapter, you just plug it into the wall to recharge it. That’s a small thing, but it’s a big deal if you ever lose those proprietary charging cables. The built-in light (on the back) is bigger than others, too, and it can recharge in as little as 60 minutes.

The AC60 is compact and light, but stores 403Wh of power and outputs up to 600W, enough for most little outings and portable devices. All outlets are covered against moisture, dust and dirt, too, and it works with their (or any) 200W solar panels for off-grid recharging using standard MC4 connector cables. It’ll power a smart trainer for pre-race warmups, and I use it in my car to charge my laptop more efficiently (and more quietly!) than a plug-in DC/AC converter. If your goal is simply to work remote or have an affordable backup for the fridge at home, this is a great little unit.

Many more great products have passed through our hands this year, but this collection highlights the best I’ve seen or ridden. Full disclosure: Each of these products has been chosen purely on their performance and/or technological merits for the reasons described above. Under no circumstances were any of our selections paid for by their producers. Nor was any preference or favor given to advertisers or brands who invite us on trips. Our selections are limited to products that we’ve actually spent time riding/testing in person. So, a brand’s willingness to invite Bikerumor to join a launch event, or to provide product samples, does make it more likely that we will have considered their products simply because we’ve had a chance to try them firsthand.

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Headquartered in Irvine, Califonia, Fox Racing is a global force in motocross and mountain bike safety equipment and apparel. Today they introduce some updates to their “first to market” Dropframe Pro helmet.

The updates future similar upgrades as the Proframe RS with an all-new aesthetic, as well as a list of features that will further enhance the performance of the classic 3/4 shell silhouette.

The Dropframe Pro is an open-face, 3/4 enduro helmet, featuring MIPS and a BOA Fit System. It uses increased ventilation, plus an Ionic anti-microbial liner and cheek pads to optimize fit.

With its increased coverage for the ears, jaw, and back of the head, FOX says that “this helmet provides the most complete coverage we offer in an open-face helmet”.

The new Dropframe Pro also elevates safety to another level by meeting the NTA-8776 eBike helmet certification standard. That should give the user a lot more confidence to push the limits while riding.

This new update of the Dropframe Pro brings a few more details that riders will love. Like a new 3-position, adjustable visor, and Big Bore front vents, with a designated area designed for eyewear storage. The vent profile and decreased surface area work together to help with cooling.

There is also the Fidlock magnetic closure and a removable GoPro mount that fits under the visor.

Dropframe Pro Helmet Retail, Details, and Specs

Retail: $280

Sizes: Small, Medium, and Large (see size chart below)

Colors: Matte Black, Purple, Black/White, Midnight Blue, Black Camouflage, Orange Flame, Olive Green, Oat Brown

In the box: One thin and one thick cheek pad set, one thin and thick headliner, a removable under-visor GoPro mount

• BOA® Fit System for class-leading fit and security
• Mips added protection system has been proven to reduce the rotational motion when implemented in a helmet by absorbing and redirecting energies and forces otherwise transmitted to the brain
• 3-position adjustable visor compatible with goggles
• Removable under visor GoPro mount included
• Big Bore front vents include eyewear storage recess
• Increased ventilation and decreased surface contact area improve cooling
• Ionic+® anti-microbial liner and cheek pads to optimize fit
• FIDLOCK magnetic closure
• Meets the NTA-8776 E-bike helmet certification standard

Dropframe Pro Size Chart

Dropframe Pro Colors

FoxRacing.com

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