Hot new kit to pass over BikeRadar’s virtual desks this week
With the race season starting to get under way, we’re seeing a hive of activity from brands and riders alike.
As one of the most exciting season openers, this year for the first time Red Bull’s Hardline is in the Southern Hemisphere, taking place in Maydena, Tasmania.
Be sure to stay tuned to BikeRadar’s YouTube channel for tech coverage of the action and tune in to Red Bull TV to watch the broadcast.
Elsewhere in the world of MTB, we brought you Will Soffe’s latest update on his long-term test bike, the Intense Tracer 29.
We also took an exclusive first look at Atherton Bikes’ all-new aluminium-framed S-range, which adds a lower price point to the carbon-frame models.
In a double-header for the brand, our very own downhill hero Luke Marshall reviewed the AM.130.1. This is the shortest-travel model currently on offer, and seriously impressed us.
It’s been a big week for launches, with Cannondale announcing its latest ebike, the Moterra SL. This is claimed to have the assistance of a full-power MTB but the weight of a lighter one. Tom’s initial verdict is impressive, but keep tuned for a full review soon.
Canyon has also announced a new Spectral CF trail bike, fitting its K.I.S. steering damper system to all models. Luke’s swung a leg over the CF 9 version, loving its predictable, composed and fun handling.
Scott joined Cannondale with an SL ebike in the guise of its new Voltage eRIDE. This uses TQ’s mid-power motor and hides the shock in its down tube, much like the newest Ransom. Nick Clark brought us a first-ride review.
SRAM has also put out a new product – its gravity-focused Maven brakes. These up the power by nearly 50 per cent compared to the SRAM Code.
It hasn’t been any less hectic in the road and gravel worlds this week.
Campagnolo has announced its latest groupset, Ekar GT. This is a wide-ranging gravel group, with a £1,211 price tag.
Favero launched the Assioma Pro MX power meter pedals. Our resident watts-lover Simon could barely find fault, awarding them a full five stars.
Öhlins RXC34 m.1 fork
The Öhlins RXC 34 m.1 fork is the brand’s first XC-specific model.
Designed to tackle the high-paced world of XC racing, it uses the RFX34’s chassis but shaves grams elsewhere.
The bells and whistles model – pictured here – comes with a carbon fibre steerer tube, an all-new damper and an air spring.
The most obvious feature is the one-piece carbon fibre crown and steerer tube. While this shaves grams, it’s also claimed to be stiff enough to create razor-sharp steering.
Next up is the all-new OTX14 damper. This has been created specifically for XC racing and features open, pedal and lockout modes, switched by an optional remote or external adjuster. The cartridge has a slim, light design, while low-friction seals improve its bump-munching credentials.
Finally, the air spring features a large negative spring; its volume can be adjusted using volume-reducer spacers, which should tune how sensitive the fork is.
This 120mm-travel, 44mm-offset, 29in-wheel, carbon steerer tube fork weighs an impressive 1,536g with an uncut steerer and axle.
For context, RockShox’s latest SID Ultimate fork – in the same configuration – weighs 1,600g.
Of course, Öhlins’ high-tech damper and chassis, along with its low weight figures come with a hefty price tag.
- £1,485 / €1,695 / $1,390
Öhlins TXC2Air shock
Next up in this week’s duo of Öhlins XC dampers is its new TXC2Air rear shock.
This model is designed specifically for bikes with a “less progressive linkage”. This refers to the rear suspension’s kinematics, specifically how much force it requires to compress the shock as it moves through its travel.
The TXC2Air should suit bikes with more linear kinematics, or that have less in-built ramp-up or progression.
It does this thanks to a higher-volume air spring – compared to the TXC1Air – that can be adjusted using volume-reducer spacers. Adding spacers to the spring will increase its progressiveness.
Elsewhere, the twin-tube damper’s shim stacks have been tuned for XC racing. They’re claimed to offer small-bump sensitivity and increased traction to boost control.
Like the fork, its three ride modes are controlled by either a remote or dial on the shock. But the non-remote shock gets increased external damper adjustment, adding 16 clicks of low-speed compression tuning.
Our metric-sized 190x45mm shock, including hardware (30x8mm and 25x8mm), weighs 265g, an impressive figure indeed.
- £609 / €695 / $565
Scott Fury Brendan Fairclough signature goggles
No rider is quite as stylish as Brendan Fairclough, famed not only for his rapid pace on the race track, but also his canny ability to whip, flip and send it at famous freeride comps such as Rampage and Dark Fest.
Now you can emulate some of his style with his signature series Scott Fury goggles.
The special-edition model has fluro yellow logos on a camo-backed strap, with a special Deathgrip 2 (Brendan’s feature-length film) band sewn on.
The white and black frame has a splattered-paint look, contrasting with the bright strap.
Behind the aesthetics lies an impressively functional set of mountain bike goggles.
Scott’s lens lock system uses four pins to clamp the lens in place, creating a secure but easy-to-remove fit.
To reduce – and in my experience with other pairs of Fury googles, totally stop – fogging, the lens has been covered with the brand’s NoFog anti-fog treatment. It resists fogging in even the toughest conditions. Plus the lens is tear-off compatible.
Three-layer, soft-touch face foam is bonded to the back of the frame, while the strap has silicone grippers.
Included for the cost is a microfibre bag and lens wipe.
- £84.99
Race Face Next SL crankset and 1x CINCH oval chainring
These XC/trail lightweight carbon fibre cranks from Race Face have been developed on the Canadian company’s home turf in British Colombia.
Their uni-directional carbon construction is designed to make them “one of the lightest in the world”, while remaining tough enough to endure harder riding.
Boots on the crank arms’ ends help protect the carbon, while a protective 3M covering should reduce foot-rub related marks.
They use Race Face’s CINCH System, the brand’s name for the splined interface between cranks and chainring.
The metal axle is 136mm wide (the only option) and is suitable for 52mm chainlines and Boost 148 rear-axle spacing.
The 30mm-diameter axle will need its own bottom bracket; it’s not compatible with SRAM or Shimano’s current offerings.
This set of Next SL cranks has been paired with a 34-tooth Race Face 1x CINCH oval chainring with a narrow-wide tooth profile.
All-in, this set of 170mm arm-length cranks with the 34-tooth chainring weighs 467g.
- £429 / £499.99 (cranks only)
- £59.95 / $64.99 (chainring)