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| Image courtesy of Reeb Cycles |
The hardtail is dead! Long live the hardtail! For so many years people were saying full suspension bikes would eventually push out the rigid rear-ended mountain bike. However; once 29"ers came around, a resurgence in hardtail MTB's occurred and the industry hasn't looked back since.
Currently there seems to be a run on new 29"er, slack front ended, steep seat tubed designs. Recent introductions from Esker, Otso, and now this one from Reeb cycles point to a healthy amount of choices out there in this style of bicycle. The Reeb model is called the Hall Pass, and it is made in Taiwan to help make the bike a bit more affordable.
A frame will run you $1.299.00 or you can choose from one of six complete builds including two single speed versions of the Hall Pass. Hit the link above for more on this frame designed around a 130mm travel fork.
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| Image courtesy of Hutchinson Tires |
Hutchinson Announces New Touareg Race Gridskin Tires:
One of my favorite tires I've used on gravel was the Hutchinson Touareg 700 X 45mm tire. I finally had to retire my pair, and then found the Hutchinson brand was difficult to get here in the USA afterward. So, I moved on.
However; I may have to revisit that as Hutchinson has now released a Touareg Race with its high end "Gridskin" sidewall technology.
This knitted mesh reinforcement was first used to great success in Hutchinson's road tire range and now is offered in this gravel race tire. The application of Gridskin does not result in higher rolling resistance and adds minimal weight, according to Hutchinson.
Hutchinson uses its high-end race rubber compound for this model. Dubbed "Mach Tread 3.0", it is claimed to be Hutchinson's fastest tread compound ever.
Hutchinson offers this tire in 700c diameter and in 40mm, 45mm, and 50mm widths. Check it out on Hutchinson's site HERE.
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| Image courtesy of GRVL |
Many riders prefer hydration packs for longer gravel rides due to the easy access to water/electrolytes and for cargo carrying capacities as well. For those in this camp, the GRVL brand offers their new ADVNTR hydration pack with a removable cargo pouch.
The pack comes with a 2L hydration bladder. This bladder is removable from the pack and is easily washed out and easy to refill.
The pack itself is made from X-PAC fabric which is tear resistant and lightweight. A one click, four point harness is adjustable for the rider from a chest size of 36" to 44".
The cargo pouch is held in place by clickable connectors so it is easily removed for a race-day effort or attached easily for longer, ultra-distance efforts where more capacity for food and accessories is desirable.
The ADVNTR hydration pack comes in three colors and is priced at $159.00USD. See this pack on GRVL's website HERE.
Comments: Another vowel fearing company in the gravel market, GRVL is a performance apparel brand which is branching out into bicycles (1816 brand) and now this hydration pack. It looks like a "high on the back" type pack which may allow usage of jersey pockets. We may be getting one in for review, so stay tuned on this front.
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| Image courtesy of Wilde Bicycle Co. |
Wilde Bicycle Co. Partners With Cane Creek On "Logo-less" Headset:
Wilde Bicycle Co. and Cane Creek have partnered again on a head set. This time it is a traditional external cup 1 1/8th inch threadless type head set with no logos. Wilde says in the press release:
"The branding is very subtle as our logo isn't the point, having a headset that seamlessly blends into
a classy build is. If you don't like the Wilde icon logo on the lower cup, simply rotate it toward the
back and hide it under the down tube."
Available in Purple, Black, or Silver for $120.00 USD. See Wilde Bicycle Co.'s website for more details HERE.
Comments: I was a bit nonplussed when I first read the press release, but upon further reflection, I began to see how this appeals to me. Logos on parts are, on one hand, just a way to low-key "brag" about your bike. Plus, they can take away from the larger aspect of having a nice, slick looking bicycle overall. I mean, do we really need to know where that part is from? I just want these things to look good and.....well, you know......work.
I would imagine this chance to get a quality head set with no logos will be a limited time thing. Plus, at one hundred and twenty bucks, it isn't out of line, in terms of pricing, so I see good value here. That is if you don't care about product logos on your components.
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| Image courtesy of BMC Bicycles |
BMC just released details on the new Kaius 01 model. They used the tagline "Unbound Speed" in their marketing language. An obvious reference to the World's Premier gravel event called Unbound Gravel.
Using such language would point to a bike with some aero and big tire clearance capabilities, as this seems to be the preference of the top-tier racers at Unbound BMC does not disappoint on both counts in this new bike.
Boasting tire clearance for 700c X 52mm tires, there is plenty of tire capability for a race like Unbound Gravel. Aero? The new Kaius is designed with such an eye towards aero that the bottle cages are integrated into the design!
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| Image courtesy of BMC |
The new Kaius 01comes in four different specifications with the top three in the range coming in a choice of two color schemes. Prices range from $14,072.99 USD for the Kaius 01 ONE down to $7.676.30 USD for the Kaius 01 FOUR. A frame set, including fork and integrated bottle cages, goes for $5,754.56 USD.
Comments: The price to be at the top of the heap in gravel technology just went crazy. I'm pretty sure we won't be seeing any BMC Kaius 01's around here any time soon, unless there is a sponsored athlete or a rich professional with a LOT of disposable cash on hand in the local area. Sheesh!
I wouldn't ordinarily post about a halo bike which most cannot afford or justify purchasing. However; this bike has all the characteristics which seem to be what brands think racers, (not necessarily gravel riders, by the way), seem to be asking for in a bicycle for gravel racing. The geometry is of particular interest here.
BMC has provided a 71° head tube angle for smaller sizes to a steepish 72° head tube angle for the largest sizes. Yet they have kept the same trail figure across the range of sizes. They accomplished this by altering the fork offset for each head tube angle. Very unusual and a very detailed design specification here.
There is no room for a telescopic suspension device here either, with BMC betting on tire volume and their ride tuned compliance in the carbon to account for rougher roads and trail. This keeps the front end low. This is reflected in the short axle to crown and shorter stack heights across the range. A true racing machine with fat tire clearances.
If you have a little off-the-bike time this weekend why don't you give our latest episode a listen? It's about the Bicycle Ride Across Nebraska, and specifically their gravel route.
N.Y. Roll and I hosted Jayme Frye and Adreinne Detanico of BRAN to find out what the deal is with BRAN.
It is a small-scale, fully supported, cross-state ride which originally began on pavement. While the event is a week long ride, people interested can choose to ride three, two, or even single day section of the route.
The ride is more grassroots in feel and smaller than something like RAGBRAI. The gravel ride is actually pretty much a group ride, or a ride of groups. But give the episode a listen to get the gist.
Find out more about the BRAN event HERE.
That's a wrap for this week! get out and ride those bicycles!
