There’s more stuff from PressCamp 2010 here as we get spare moments to write it in between writing issue 59 of the magazine. At least it means you’ll have lots of new tech stories to keep you busy for the next few weeks. It’s press-launch season, so keep coming back for new stuff.
First up we’ll look at Wilderness Trail Bikes – or WTB. One of the industry’s longest serving innovators, and it doesn’t seem to have slowed down since its start in the late ’70s.
WTB has redesigned a few of its tyres for this year, including the Weirwolf – but here’s a brand new one. The Bronson. It’s a ‘loose conditions’ tyre and comes in a chunky 2.3in or 2.1in with weights claimed around the 700g mark.
The big news from WTB however is the TCS system. It’s the Tubeless Compatible System, er, system. It aims to give the best of the tubeless world by offering UST compatible bead retainers, but intended to be run with sealant and sealing strips. You can use regular UST tyres if you want, but if you use the new range of WTB TCS tyres, they feature a UST bead, but a much thinner sidewall, to be run with sealant. There’ll be 26in and 29in wheels available.
Now on to Speedplay. Something like 15 years (or more!) since they came out with their original (and still in production) mountain bike pedal, the Frog, they’ve come out with one that they reckon will be a good competitor to the Shimano/Time/Crank Bros leaders. Called the Scissor (or Syzr if you want it properly), it initially looks like a sort of two-sided Eggbeater, but closer examination shows that there’s far more going on. The pedal itself it a pretty simple two-sided, sprung loaded trap. Like the Eggbeater, it has the advantage of the harder you pull up, the more it’ll grip your cleat. Unlike the ‘beater, it has adjustable spring tension. It also has float – but this is handled at the cleat…
The cleat is pretty low profile (for a Speedplay), but there’s still a lot going on here. The cleat pivots on its mounting plate, which allows you your pedal float. There are two stops that you set at either end of the desired float, giving a consistent feel every time. And because the cleat doesn’t pivot in the pedal jaws, it means that the cleat to pedal interface can be made super solid – with the other advantage being that the cleat won’t wear with float, as it only moves when it’s being disengaged.
We’re looking forward to getting hold of a set in time for winter time, where it’ll be tested on some Lakeland pushes, some muddy ‘cross and some day to day gritty Calderdale rides.
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Did thy give you an idea of price for the pedals?
So are you saying they’re doing full UST versions of the same tyres? I like the look of them but would prefer thicker sidewalls.
Also are they in DNA rubber compound?
Got a pic of the new Weirwolf as well?
Sorry for all the questions, but if you’d got it right first time…
😉
The Mutano TCS comes in DNA rubber, as does the new Weirwolf.
We featured the new Weirwolf in a previous story back in fresh goods
They’re not doing full UST. They reckon that the TCS system is lighter and more reliable.
The Speedplay pedals don’t have a firm price yet – I imagine they’ll see what everyone else is doing first, but they’ll be ‘around’ XTR pedal prices.
Probably Tubeless Ready. This means that you get the nice strong bead like UST but with a lighter carcase, which requires juice to seal. Tubeless ready is the best system IMO and I believe the non-UST Schwable tires will be tubeless ready later this year.
cheers, that was snappy service
Stryper – lol I remember them ~ I think I might have a few cassette tapes with them in black and yellow striped leather in the loft…
The steel freehub inserts look very similar to American Classic’s and look like an absolutely brilliant idea.
“TCS system is lighter and more reliable.” unless you trash non ust tyres in one ride like I do.
Those speedplay cleats look very clever, nice big pedal/shoe interface too
Bronson looks interesting, and I’m certainly a fan of “tubeless ready” systems. WTB hubs are re-badged AC’s, so no wonder they look similar! Pedals certainly look interesting, seems a lot of thought has gone into that design; keen to hear how they go in the flesh.