Road and gravel goodness from California

By George Scott

Published: Friday, 21 April 2023 at 12:00 am


We’re at Sea Otter, the sun-drenched trade show in Monterey, California, where the cycling world has descended for the first major get-together of the year – and that means new tech.

We’ve already kicked off our coverage with Tom Marvin’s day one round-up of MTB highlights, as well as a close look at Bridge Bike Works’ carb0n-moulded bottom bracket.

Now, it’s time for our first run-down of drop-bar highlights, including an under-the-radar gravel bike from Pinarello, rim brake wheels from Boyd, stand-out kit from Attaqeur and an unreleased road tyre from Vittoria.

Pinarello Granger X gravel bike

""
The Granger X is Pinarello’s new second-tier gravel bike.
George Scott / Our Media

Here’s a new-but-not-new gravel bike from Pinarello: the Granger X.

This, we’re told by Pinarello’s representative, was added to the range at the back-end of 2023 but slipped under the radar, given the recent launches of Pinarello’s Dogma X and Dogma F road bikes, as well as the Nytro e-road bike. It’s been a busy few months for the Italian brand.

""
It’s a more versatile approach to gravel, with top tube and mudguard mounts.
George Scott / Our Media

The Granger X joins the range as Pinarello’s second-tier gravel bike, sitting beneath the Grevil F. That’s how Pinarello’s nomenclature now works, with F (Dogma F, Grevil F) signifying the flagship bikes and the F endurance range (Dogma F, Granger X) coming next.

Think of the Grevil F as the company’s go-fast gravel bike, with a Dogma-inspired frame shape, whereas the Granger X takes a more practical approach.

The Granger’s frame is made from Pinarello’s Toray T600 carbon fibre, has top tube and mudguard mounts, and uses a round seatpost, so you can fit a gravel dropper. There’s clearance for 50mm tyres (or 2.2in with 650b wheels).

The bike we saw on display at Sea Otter, with Shimano GRX 600, costs $3,800.

Vittoria Corsa Pro Control tyre

""
Vittoria looks set to launch the Corsa Pro Control, alongside the Corsa Pro.
George Scott / Our Media

We’ve known for months now that Vittoria has a new road race tyre, the Corsa Pro, on the way.

It’s been ridden extensively on the WorldTour circuit – with wins at Milan–San Remo and Paris–Roubaix under Mathieu van der Poel – even if it hasn’t yet been officially released by Vittoria.

However, with the new Corsa Pro on show at Sea Otter (a public show, not just a trade-only affair), a release is surely imminent.

""
We’ve known about the Corsa Pro for months, even if it’s yet to be officially launched.
George Scott / Our Media

What we didn’t know, is that Vittoria will offer a second version: the Corsa Pro Control.

Vittoria’s Control line typically offers more puncture protection, so in the current range, there’s the Corsa race tyre and the Corsa Control equivalent.

""
The Corsa Pro Control has a disrupted herringbone tread pattern. The tyre is likely to offer additional puncture protection compared to the regular Corsa Pro.
George Scott / Our Media

While Vittoria’s representatives are remaining tight-lipped we can assume the same here, with the Corsa Pro likely to be the race-day tyre and the Corsa Pro Control a racy everyday option, with additional puncture and/or sidewall protection.

""
The regular Corsa Pro has a more minimalist tread pattern.
George Scott / Our Media

The tread pattern differs, too, with the Corsa Pro Control swapping in a disrupted herringbone tread on the outer edge of the tread, compared to the Corsa Pro’s more minimalist tread.

""
It looks like Vittoria will continue to support narrower sizes with the Corsa Pro.
George Scott / Our Media

We also saw a Corsa Pro on display in a 24c size, so we can be confident that Vittoria will confident to support narrower sizes with this new tyre, as well as the 28-32c tyres we’ve spotted on the pro scene so far this year.

K-Edge computer mounts

""
K-Edge now offers an adapter kit for Hammerhead’s Karoo 2 computer.
George Scott / Our Media

K-Edge has a number of new out-front mounts on display at Sea Otter.

""
The kit includes four adapter plates to fit existing K-Edge out-front mounts.
George Scott / Our Media

First up, K-Edge is now offering a Hammerhead adapter kit, allowing riders to fit a Karoo 2 computer to an existing K-Edge out-front mount. The kit will be available from June.

""
K-Edge now has an integrated out-front mount for Roval’s new handlebar design.
George Scott / Our Media

Next up, there’s an integrated out-front mount coming to fit Roval’s new handlebar.

""
A subtle update to the handlebar shape has required a new mount design.
George Scott / Our Media

With one-piece, aero-shaped cockpits now all the rage, K-Edge is having to offer a number of subtly-different mounts to suit the handlebars of individual bike brands.

Expect to see this Roval option on show at the Giro d’Italia, with availability following thereafter.

""
New limited edition colours from K-Edge.
George Scott / Our Media

Finally, if you’re in need of some new jewellery for your bike, K-Edge’s latest limited edition mounts are available in purple, silver and blue.

Cane Creek out-front mount

""
Cane Creek now has an out-front computer mount.
George Scott / Our Media

Let’s stick with computer mounts, this time a new option from Cane Creek.

It’s an out-front mount, designed to attach to your bike’s stem face plate with extending bolts. Cane Creek says it’s compatible with 22-35mm stem bolts.

""
It attaches via the stem’s face plate bolts.
George Scott / Our Media

Cane Crake describes the mount as a modular option, with the ability to fit it in four positions: via the top or bottom stem bolts, and, thanks to the mount’s flippable body, angled either up or down.

""
The mount is made from aluminium, with stainless steel bolts.
George Scott / Our Media

It comes with adapters to fit Garmin Edge or Wahoo Elemnt bike computers.

The mount itself is made from aluminium, with stainless steel bolts, and weighs a claimed 40g. There’s also an optional accessory mount (11g) for GoPro cameras and the like.

""
It comes with mounting plates for Garmin and Wahoo computers.
George Scott / Our Media

The Cane Creek computer mount costs $74.99, while the accessory mount is available separately and costs $19.99.

Boyd Altamont rim brake wheelset

""
Boyd is continuing to support rim brakes with the new Altamont aluminium wheelset.
George Scott / Our Media

Long live rim brakes!

That’s the view of South Carolina-based Boyd, with the brand continuing to support rim brakes with a new road wheelset, the Altamont.

""
The Altamont’s rim is 27mm deep at the front and 31 mm deep at the rear.
George Scott / Our Media

Before we get into the details, Boyd is bringing production of all of its aluminium wheelsets back to South Carolina, including the Altamont.

The Altamont’s rim is 27mm deep at the front and 31 mm deep at the rear. The internal rim width is 21mm.

""
Boyd’s aluminium wheels are manufactured in South Carolina.
George Scott / Our Media

Those rims are laced to Boyd 85 Road hubs with Pillar Wing 20 spokes and Pillar brass nipples.

Claimed weight for the wheelset is 1,510g and they cost $725.

Attaquer Erosion kit

""
Attaquer has added a new Erosion design option to its existing Race line-up.
George Scott / Our Media

Finally, for now, clothing brand Attaquer has a new design option for its Race kit.

""
If you’ve been looking for lime bib shorts, you’re in luck.
George Scott / Our Media

Want to stand out on the group ride? The Erosion line includes these Acid Lime bib shorts ($225), matched to a Shale/Lime short-sleeve jersey ($155).

The range also includes a Pebble/Orange short-sleeve jersey ($155) and an Asphalt/Lime long-sleeve jersey ($175).