{"id":62277,"date":"2024-04-21T06:52:58","date_gmt":"2024-04-21T04:52:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/b8e38a45-7cd7-465f-9d9c-9ba5843c826c"},"modified":"2024-04-21T06:59:46","modified_gmt":"2024-04-21T04:59:46","slug":"new-and-oh-so-shiny-mtb-tech-from-fox-atherton-box-michelin-and-more","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/new-and-oh-so-shiny-mtb-tech-from-fox-atherton-box-michelin-and-more\/","title":{"rendered":"New and oh-so-shiny MTB tech from Fox, Atherton, Box, Michelin and more"},"content":{"rendered":"

The best mountain bike tech from Sea Otter Classic 2024 <\/p>

By Jack Luke\n <\/p>

Published: Sunday, 21 April 2024 at 04:52 AM<\/p>

\n\n

From controversial (and premium) suspension tech to affordable flat pedals brought back from the dead, the 2024 edition of Sea Otter Classic is busting at the seams with new, shiny, prototype and downright cool mountain bike tech.\u00a0<\/p>

We put our sender sleuthing hats on and are pleased to bring you a taster of our favourite mountain bike tech so far.\u00a0<\/p>

If you prefer your off-road riding tamer, check out our round-up of the best gravel tech<\/a> on show.<\/p>

We\u2019ll be bringing you much more from Sea Otter<\/a> in the coming days. But for now, let\u2019s get stuck into this lot.<\/p>

Fox\u2019s divisive 32 Step-Cast fork<\/h2>
This is the first chance we’ve had to look at Fox’s new range of forks. – Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
This year\u2019s show was one of our first chances to lay eyes on the latest Fox 32 Step-Cast<\/a> \u2013 the brand\u2019s new (and divisive) lightweight XC fork, which has adopted a reverse arch in the spirit of Manitou\u2019s iconic design.\u00a0<\/p>
$\"\"$
What do you think of the reverse-arch design? – Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Fox says the new reverse arch makes for a fork that\u2019s 40 per cent stiffer than the previous generation, despite weighing just 1,287g (down from 1,443g).<\/p>
The fork also uses Fox\u2019s new super-light Grip SL damper, which is designed for the rigours of XC marathon racing.<\/p>
Check out our full news stories for more on the damper<\/a> and fork<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>
Atherton\u2019s (slightly) more affordable S-Range alloy bikes<\/h2>
$\"Atherton$
Atherton’s bikes are some of the best looking out there today. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
The show was also our first chance to set eyes on Atherton Bikes\u2019 S-Range 170 alloy enduro bike<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>
Released in February, the new S-Range uses CNC-machined lugs and bonded alloy tubes to bring the cost down versus the 3D-printed titanium lugs and carbon tubes used on Atherton\u2019s A-Range bikes.\u00a0<\/p>
Unlike most alloy mountain bikes, Atherton uses 7075 tubing. This cannot \u2013 or, at least, not easily \u2013 be welded, but offers higher ultimate and fatigue strength than conventional alloys used for bikes. Atherton\u2019s bonded construction makes it possible to use 7075 tubing.<\/p>
Pricing starts at \u00a32,799 for a frameset rising to \u00a35,599 for a top-end full build.<\/p>
Box Components\u2019 updated 9-speed drivetrain<\/h2>
$\"Box$
The new drivetrain is centred around the one-piece steel cassette. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Box One is a new premium 9-speed drivetrain designed for the rigours of eMTB<\/a> riding.<\/p>
Building on its Prime 9 drivetrain<\/a>, released in 2019, the new drivetrain is centred around a one-piece steel cassette and updated rear derailleur.\u00a0<\/p>
$\"Box$
The shifters have also been updated. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
The cassette is available in a single 11-50t option, is expected to cost around $400 and weighs a claimed 350g.\u00a0<\/p>
The derailleur has moved from a slanted parallelogram layout \u2013 as seen on Shimano derailleurs \u2013 to a horizontal layout similar to SRAM\u2019s. Box says this new design results in more accurate shifting with less chance of ghost shifting.\u00a0<\/p>
The internals of the shifter have also been upgraded from the original plastic ratchets to magnesium, improving longevity and shifter feel.\u00a0<\/p>
Box uses a proprietary chain that is, externally, as wide as a 9-speed chain but with 11-speed-width rollers. This results in a stronger chain according to Box.\u00a0<\/p>
The groupset should be available later this year with an expected retail price of $700.<\/p>
WolfTooth Ripsaw pedals are for flat pedal shredders<\/h2>
$\"Wolf$
If you like your pedals big, you’ll love these new pedals from WolfTooth. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
WolfTooth\u2019s RipSaw platform pedals start life as a block of 6061-T6 alloy and are designed specifically for a mid-foot riding position.\u00a0<\/p>
The pedals have a slightly convex profile. They are just 7mm thick at their leading edge and 12.5mm thick at the axle.<\/p>
The $199 pedals spin on three sealed cartridge bearings and an Igus bushing. The 12 pins on either side of the pedal can be swapped for 4.5mm or 3.5mm-long options.<\/p>
All components are available as spares and the pedals come with a five-year warranty.\u00a0<\/p>
Praxis\u2019s forged Podium pedals\u00a0<\/h2>
$\"Praxis$
Forging is relatively rare on boutique components. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Praxis\u2019s new Podium pedals are competitively priced at $155 and may look familiar to some readers.<\/p>
The new pedals are a reincarnation of a model of the same name<\/a> produced by Gamut until the brand ceased trading in 2018.\u00a0<\/p>
Unusually for a boutique offering, Praxis\u2019s pedals are forged prior to machining. This results in a stronger pedal body compared to machining from solid billet, according to Praxis.\u00a0<\/p>
$\"Praxis$
The internals have been updated.<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Though the initial tooling is expensive, forging makes the pedals easier and cheaper to produce. This is reflected in their competitive pricing.<\/p>
The pedals\u2019 profile has been slightly updated \u2013 they are now 14mm thick at their widest point, with the bearing bump that pushed the foot outboard on the first Gamut-era pedals slimmed down.<\/p>
As with Wolf Tooth\u2019s pedals, the Praxis Podium pedals spin on a row of three sealed Enduro bearings and a custom Igus bushing.\u00a0<\/p>
Maxxis launches its fastest XC racing tyre<\/h2>
$\"Maxxis$
The ultra low-profile tyre is designed for fast racing in bone-dry condition. – Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
The Maxxis Aspen ST XC racing tyre has been raced by pros for several years and are now, finally, available for the public to buy.<\/p>
Available in 170 and 120 TPI casing options, the long-awaited ultra low-profile tyre is Maxxis\u2019 fastest XC race tyre.<\/p>
$\"Maxxis$
The side knobs are the same as the regular Aspen. – Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
With a big year of XC racing ahead of us, thanks to this summer\u2019s Paris Olympic Games, we\u2019re seeing plenty of new cross-country tech come to the fore, including another tyre in the former of Vittoria\u2019s all-new Peyote<\/a>.<\/p>
Head to our full story on the new Aspen ST<\/a> for all the details.\u00a0<\/p>
Michelin reimagines classic Comp 16 with new DH16 downhill tyres<\/h2>
$\"Michelin$
Michelin’s new DH tyres are inspired by the classic Comp 16. – Scott Windsor \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
At the other end of the tyre spectrum, Michelin\u2019s new DH16 tyre is the brand\u2019s downhill racing tyre designed for dry hardpack conditions.\u00a0<\/p>
The tyre replaces the DH34 and is inspired by the much-loved Comp 16<\/a>.<\/p>
The new tyre is claimed to be around 150g lighter than the previous-generation tyre with an 18 per cent improvement in rolling resistance, according to Michelin.<\/p>
A new softer rubber compound is said to maintain consistent performance down to temperatures as low as 3c.<\/p>
Cannondale\u2019s stunning Lab71 Scalpel<\/h2>
$\"Cannondale$
This paint is simply gorgeous. – Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
We couldn\u2019t resist a closer look at this amazing smokey paint job on Cannondale\u2019s Lab71 Scalpel.\u00a0<\/p>
Lab71 is Cannondale\u2019s range of premium bikes, with lighter layups and top-flight builds.<\/p>
$\"Cannondale$
And what a build! – Jack Luke \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>
This bike is about as fancy as it gets, with a full SRAM XX Transmission groupset, DT Swiss XRC 1200 wheels, a Lefty Ocho 120 fork, a RockShox Reverb AXS dropper seatpost and CeramicSpeed\u2019s OSPW X oversized pulley wheel system.<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n
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