We share our mountain bike highlights from this years Eurobike
Gather around. It’s time for our round-up of the most exciting new, nearly new and prototype mountain bike tech from Eurobike 2024.
Europe’s biggest bike show has left our heels blistered but our hearts yearning for the latest and greatest mountain bike tech.
Head to our Eurobike 2024 hub for detailed event coverage, but before checking that out feast your eyes on our mountain bike highlights.
Topeak E-Booster Digital
The new E-Booster Digital is Topeak’s first foray into the electric pump segment, with the brand claiming it can inflate a 700x25c tyre to 80psi in 50 seconds.
Pressure is preset using the plus and minus buttons, and Topeak says accuracy is within 2psi.
A 600mAh battery takes charge from a USB-C connector with the pump’s total weight claimed to be 162g.
Topeak says the silicone case is needed for heat insulation because the pump generates quite a bit of heat during inflation.
A hose extension is used for this same reason – TPU tubes don’t take kindly to scorching stems.
Topeak’s SmartHead feature at the end of the device allows for compatibility with Shrader and Presta valves.
Magped Gravity
Magped has a late prototype of its Gravity mountain bike pedals, with changes to the magnet position compared to the rest of its line-up.
Magnetic pedals sit somewhere between clipless and flats, with Magped claiming they reap the benefits of both pedals by increasing efficiency and traction, while still allowing you to release your foot easily.
The Gravity pedals are claimed to be more aggressive than Enduro 2 pedals, with the brand saying it has worked with DH riders to tune the pedals.
This has seen the magnet position move forward so that the pedal makes contact with the middle of the foot.
Orange Whippet
Back from the dead, Orange had an unreleased dirt jump bike on its stand.
The new bike rolls on 26in wheels and is said to have a stable and confidence-inspiring geometry that can take on trails as well as pump tracks.
The bike has a zero-stack tapered head tube and the rear of the frame features horizontal dropouts with a built-in chain tensioner.
Orange didn’t share when it plans to release the bike.
Intradrive GD8 Powertrain
Elsewhere on the Orange stand Intradrive are showing its electric motor and gearbox built into a Phase MX.
The design uses Shimano EP8 mounting brackets meaning it could theoretically fit into any EP8 equipped bike, though the brand says compatibility varies between bike brands.
Intradrive says the gearbox has 8 speeds and can churn out 80Nm of torque.
Founding Director, Mark Ravilious says he has tried to keep production as sustainable as possible with the majority of assembly happening in Edinburgh, UK.
The design is not too dissimilar to Pinion’s gearbox, with the Intradrive offering electronic shifting, albeit with fewer gears.
Intradrive says the drive unit weighs 4.5kg and uses a 2.9kg or 3.5kg battery.
While still at the prototype stage, the company hopes to deliver a final production model by the end of the year.
Evoc knee pads
Evoc has launched a new range of knee pads with impact-absorbing technology it has developed to make back-protecting backpacks.
Two new pads will be available with the more aggressive enduro-focused variants featuring an abrasion-resistant fabric while the trail version uses a more breathable material.
The enduro version’s calf strap connects directly to the pad to create a more secure fit, free from fabric stretch.
The pads can be removed from the sleeves for washing and silicone strips on the elastic cuffs keep them in place.
Hope thru-axles
British-based manufacturer Hope has expanded its range of anodised colour-coded components with thru-axles.
The new thru-axles come in options for Fox, Öhlins and RockShox forks and a range of sizes for rear dropouts.
React sunglasses
React’s sunglasses feature a diode on the top of the lens that detects infrared light and actively changes the tint of the glasses as you enter brighter areas.
It does this by illuminating an LCD screen that sits between the two layers that make up the lens.
The technology has also been implemented in goggles for skiing.
Sinter Elite
Sinter’s Elite brake pads are an expression of opulence, with 24-carat gold springs used in the caliper to supposedly aid in heat dissipation.
The pads are made from titanium and have a polished finish that can be engraved with your name for a small personalisation fee.
Sinter says the titanium is lighter than its l aluminium-backed plate and the design retains more heat in the pad and the calliper, leading to less stress on the seals and other parts of the braking system.
Even the retaining screw has been given the gold treatment.
SRAM S-1000 Eagle AXS Transmission
SRAM’s recent S-1000 Eagle AXS Transmission was on display, with the derailleur supposedly bringing the electronic drivetrain technology to the masses.
The drivetrain is roughly equivalent to SRAM’s current NX offering and should see significant cost savings.
At the moment, the Transmission isn’t offered to the public and is only available as original equipment (OE) – much like RockShox’s mid-tier suspension forks and shocks.
This does mean we should see a host of bikes sporting the drivetrain as new models are released.
The design is very similar to SRAM’s GX Eagle AXS Transmission, with the battery mounting horizontally and the software using the same cassette mapping technology.
Orbea Rise RS Gen 2 Alloy
Orbea showed its new Rise RS Gen 2 Alloy full-suspension electric mountain bike.
The bike features the brand’s high-polished alloy that creates an almost seamless finish that could fool even a veteran mountain bike journalist into thinking it was carbon.
Geometry figures remain the same as the carbon fibre model and the bike continues to use a Shimano EP8 motor.
SL (short travel) and LT (long travel) variants will be available, with the former having 140m of rear suspension travel and the latter having 150mm.