We’re running on limited internets here in Germany, but here’s a quick look at some of the things that caught our respective eyes on the first day of the show. There’ll be more detailed stories up shortly.
Let’s start… NOW!
First up, we have a new DH brake from Hope. It looks like a regular M4, but the two unevenly sized pistons are big. The smaller one is the same size as the large piston on an M4. It still runs a Tech lever, but should offer lots more power. The vented disc version is now slimmer too.
There were a lot of ‘fresh from London’ Olympic bikes around. Specialized has a whole wall full. Kulhavy’s bike took centre stage though…
How about a limited edition Ned Overend signature single speed?
Now, next is a thing that’s had everyone scratching their heads. Specialized maintains (rightly) that much of the time and expense with making a carbon rim is in the tyre bead hook. It takes ages to make and it’s dead fiddly. Seeing as mountain bike tyres run at low pressures that don’t really blow tyres off rims, they thought ‘Let’s just get rid of the bead hooks’. And here we go – it’s the Control Carbon wheel set, the carbon 29er weighs in at 1450g and in the US they’ll retail for around $1500 a pair, which is pretty cheap. But… no bead hook? The 23mm rims just have stubby sidewalls. And that’s it! And yes, they’re tubeless/2Bliss ready too.
Elsewhere, Specialized showed its new carbon disc cross bike. It’s not just the regular Crux with a disc on though. The fork, headtube and whole front end is beefed up, while the seatstays have been pared down. Reckon people are going to start aftermarket-installing just a front disc fork on their bikes (like we did with single front discs in the old days)? Then expect to see some headtubes fall off, reckon the engineers.
Bell Super.
This is a brand spanking new All-Mountain helmet from Bell called the Super. It features a removable GoPro mount, great rear coverage and goggle compatibility. There’s even a (removable) goggle clip that bolts on the side so your goggles won’t ping off. It’ll be £125 when it’s out late spring 2013.
After making race shoes, then some leisure riding shoes, Giro has finally released its new flat and flat/SPD shoes. This is the flat (Vibram) soled version. The SPD version is similar in good looks too.
Comments (8)
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Liking the bell helmet and hope pedals. Be interesting to see if those spesh rims work. Give a set to Danny Hart.
I’ve been waiting for a BB7 Ultimate.
I’ve said since the whole disk braked CX/Road bike thing came about that a high end mechanical would be good. I’d prefer top fit pads and a better pad adjuster than the current BB7.
The Bell looks like a POC.
The Giro shoes and Hope pedals are lovely tho!
Carbon wheels and Suffolk (county of your choice) mud/clay I foresee some sealing problems.
I though Absalon “had” to gave up due to a puncture? And he’s running whatever this stuff is called.
+1 for the POC copy. Giro shoes – lovely? really? Exactly the same as many others IMO but still beauty in the eye of the beholder etc.
I can’t see a company the size and rep of Spesh releasing these rims without some serious testing. I doubt they just thought – “oh it’s a bugger making beads on carbon rims. lets not bother anymore”.
Time will tell I suspect.
Lets await the “real” world feedback on here when they hit the shops (and trails).
What size is the biggest sprocket on Kulhavy’s bike? I’m waiting to see a pic of a wheel with a 42 on. Must look ridi cu lous!