We’ve got some new spangly XTR race here in the office, and to mark the occasion we’ve even done some video! Rather amateurishly shot though, I’m afraid to say (that bit was me). We’re starting off with brakes!

XTR Race brakes:

The new XTR race brakes have phenolic pistons, magnesium caliper and master lever body, a carbon lever blade and thinner clamps. The pads are also backed with titanium. For the weight-weenies, the brakes are 211g for the rear and 194g for the front.

Rotors:

Shimano’s FREEZA rotors now come in all sizes from 140mm to 203mm. They’re a sandwich of aluminium and steel, and have fins to massively assist cooling. However, I’m fairly sure that at present you’re still tied to Shimano’s own fitment: there are no 6 bolt patterned FREEZA rotors planned. I may be wrong in this though: we’re checking…

Weights are as follows: Front rotor (180mm) 133g; Rear rotor (160mm) 116g

Prices: XTR Race Brakes – £169.99 per end. FREEZA Rotors £49.99 each.

AND NOW…..

without further ado, here’s Chipps! In glorious Technicolour Blurrovision:

https://vimeo.com/110567061

Barney Marsh

Barney Marsh takes the word ‘career’ literally, veering wildly across the road of his life, as thoroughly in control as a goldfish on the dashboard of a motorhome. He’s been, with varying degrees of success, a scientist, teacher, shop assistant, binman and, for one memorable day, a hospital laundry worker. These days, he’s a dad, husband, guitarist, and writer, also with varying degrees of success. He sometimes takes photographs. Some of them are acceptable. Occasionally he rides bikes to cast the rest of his life into sharp relief. Or just to ride through puddles. Sometimes he writes about them. Bikes, not puddles. He is a writer of rongs, a stealer of souls and a polisher of turds. He isn’t nearly as clever or as funny as he thinks he is.

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