Last Coal V4 vital stats: full 29, 180mm fork, 165mm rear, 63° head angle, 77.1° effective…
… Salsa Cassidy-Blackthorn-Rustler trio, Nukeproof Dissent Carbon, Propain Tyee, Hutchinson Kraken downcountry tyre and Marin Rift Zone E range. They’re all here in this week’s Best Of The New Bike Stuff Rloundup!
Thule press release:
Thule introduces Thule Epos – the most versatile bike carrier fitting all types of bikes
Thule Epos is a new, fully foldable and tiltable towbar bike carrier with an innovative telescopic bike attachment system designed to transport bikes of any type or size – whether it is mountain bikes, gravel bikes or e-bikes.
Innovative patented telescopic bike arms – a new way to attach your bikes
The core innovation with the Thule Epos bike carrier is the flexibility and ease of use created by the unique individual, and telescopic bike arms equipped with pivoting head and reinforced straps, that offer numerous attachment options to securely hold any type of bike. Thule Epos lets you attach your bike anywhere on the frame or the rear wheel for a no-frame contact. This durable and high-capacity carrier, that carries bikes with a weight up to 30 kg each, makes transportation of bikes easier than ever. Thule Epos carries up to three bikes and fits all types of frames and geometries, including e-bikes, mountain bikes, gravel bikes as well as bikes with fenders and racks.
Fast, easy, and safe bike loading and un-loading – designed to give cyclists more time riding
The mounting requires minimum effort, securing the carrier to the car is a breeze. Bikes are easy to load and unload independently, without you needing to think about in which order the unloading will take place. Once the bikes are loaded, the trunk will still be accessible thanks to the smart tilting mechanism. Handling your bikes is easier and faster than ever before, so you can spend more time enjoying those bike rides with friends and family.
“We are thrilled to introduce this revolutionary, and our most patent protected, bike carrier that will make it easier than ever to transport any type of bike. The installation process requires minimal effort and loading and unload- ing bikes is incredibly simple – no more excuses not to go riding next weekend!” Baptiste Chaussignand, Director Product Management Bike category at Thule.
Convenient in all situations
With no bikes attached, the bike arms stow flat, which makes the trunk accessible even without tilting the bike carrier. Thule Epos is also fully foldable for easy transportation and storage when not being used.
Experience the future of bike carriers
Thule Epos is the natural evolution of many years of experience and dedication to cycling at Thule. The innovative patented telescopic bike arms provide flexibility, ease of use, and safely carry your bikes to any destination. Cycling is continuously changing – and at Thule, we like to meet the customer needs of today and tomorrow.
“Seeing and using the finished Thule Epos is great. We have been able to use all our bike nerd knowledge, combined with the engineering knowledge from a long line of bike carriers – and we have stepped up our game. This light and strong platform delivers on quality and looks that is truly premium. With integrated LED lights and fit-for-purpose accessories it’s one of my new favorites in the assortment.” – Henrik Eriksson, Global Design Director at Thule
Thule Epos will launch to consumers on May 15, 2023 with a recommended price of £ 880.00 for 2 bikes and £ 970.00 for 3 bikes.
Technical Specifications
- High load capacity with 30kg/bike and 60kg in total enabling transport of all bikes including heavy e-bikes
- Fits all frame design from 20mm to 90mm diameter
- Enables easy transport of larger bikes with very generous bike spacing of 250 mm and long wheelbases up to 1350mm – Fits bikes wheel diameter from 16” to 29” and tires up to 3,2”. Up to 5” with accessory strap (sold separately)
Thule Epos Bike Repair Holder
This smart and simple-to-attach repair holder mounts on the bike carrier allowing you to secure your bike and easily adjust or repair it on the go.
Thule Epos Foldable Loading Ramp
For easy loading and unloading of heavier bikes.
Yeti press release:
Yeti Cycles Announce the NEW 27.5″ SB135
BEGGING FOR YOUR INPUT, CHOMPING TO RESPOND. FLICK IT, PEDAL IT, PUMP IT TO THE MOON. A STOKE-MAKING MUTATION OF FUN-FOCUSED DNA, BLINDING PROOF THAT LESS CAN BE A WHOLE LOT MORE. COME OUT TO PLAY. YOU BET YOUR ASS THE SB135 IS … STILL DOWN.
- SB135 the classic trail bike with 150mm Fox fork. Ready for fun, poppy singletrack.
- Builds featuring 150MM Fox Factory 36 Fit 4, Fox Float, Maxxis DHF 2.6 EXO & Maxxis Rekon 2.6 EXO
- Fox Transfer dropper post
- DT Swiss XM Wheels
- 4 piston brakes
- ODI Elite Pro grips
- 180 front and rear rotor
FRAME HIGHLIGHTS
- NEW Threaded bottom bracket
- NEW High-clearance downtube
- NEW Dual-density downtube protection
- Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH)
- Secure, fully enclosed internal cable management Compatible with long dropper posts
- 100% standard sealed Enduro Max bearings Floating collet axle pivot design Compact-wishbone shock extender
- Boost spacing
- Sizes XS-XL
For the new SB135, to make the best fitting bike for smaller riders, we designed an entirely different frame for the small and extra small sizes. Focused on minimizing stand over height, maximizing seat post insertion, and preserving space for a water bottle, we moved the forward shock mount to the downtube, designed an even more compact shock linkage, and made a completely different swing arm, all unique to these two sizes. With the ability to fit riders down to at least 4’11” the small and extra small SB135s are truly their own engineering feats within the SB135 project.
Cushcore press release:
Announcing CushCore TRAIL with an all-new Lightweight Design and Progressive Feel
CushCore announces an all-new TRAIL tyre insert, expanding their line-up to provide options for all types of riders, bikes, and terrains.
“Through testing and the feedback received from riders and racers around the world, we recognized an opportunity to develop an additional tire insert model with a performance/weight balance between our existing PRO and XC models.” – Adam Krefting, CushCore Founder/Inventor
CushCore TRAIL utilises the same patented design and foam composition as their other inserts. However, CushCore engineers incorporated several new features into the TRAIL’s design to reduce weight and provide more progressive sidewall support.
“The fluted sidewall design provides progressive sidewall support: the harder you push, the more support you feel. CushCore TRAIL enables supple tire response on flat corners and a stable sidewall when railing berms.” – Austin Sanford, CushCore Engineer
As with all CushCore tyre inserts, TRAIL absorbs shock and vibration, improves cornering, and prevents flats/rim damage…giving you Total Confidence to ride at your best.
CushCore TRAIL – TOTAL CONFIDENCE, For All Riders
CushCore TRAIL retails for $150 USD/ £169.99 for a set or $78 USD/ £89.99 for singles and comes in 29”, 27.5”, & Mixed (“Mullet”) sizes. Available in June 2023.
Key Features:
- Fluted sidewall creates progressive cornering. The harder you push, the more sidewall support you feel
- Centrifugal “flow channels” engineered to increase air and sealant flow
- Inner rim channel notches reduce weight and provide even distribution of tyre sealant
- Air valve notch allows the insert to sit flat on any rim
- Absorbs impacts and damps vibration (aka “trail chatter”)
- Rim protection and flat prevention
Fitment:
- Wheel Sizes: 27.5” and 29”
- Tyre Sizes: 2.1” – 2.6”
- Inner Rim Widths: 22mm – 35mm
- Weight: 27.5” = 199g / 29” = 212g
Salsa press release:
IT’S TRAIL TIME
Prime dirt season is nearly here, and we have a trio of new mountain bike releases to prepare you for it:
Cassidy
Cassidy is our 29″enduro bike built for tackling big terrain. With 165 mm of Split Pivot suspension travel and pack-free riding features, it brings incredible versatility, stability, and predictability to any trail.
Blackthorn
Blackthorn is our 29″ all-mountain bike. With 140 mm of Split Pivot suspension travel and pack-free riding features, it’s a well-balanced machine that feels composed on big trail days loaded with rugged descents and technical climbs.
Rustler
Rustler is our 27.5″ trail bike. Its short wheelbase, 27.5″ wheels, and 130 mm of Split Pivot suspension travel make for a nimble bike that loves to cut loose, rewarding riders who throw some body language into their riding and seek out the fun in every little trail feature.
Nukeproof press release:
Nukeproof Dissent Carbon: Why Compromise?
It is no secret that Nukeproof have been developing a new downhill frame. For some, it may surprise you that it’s not out already. It’s taken riders to a world cup podium, raced at Red Bull Hardline and even made it to the top step at the Crankworx World Tour Downhill.
Since the prototype carbon frames rolled out at the UCI Downhill World Cup in Fort William, the Dissent Carbon frames have undergone a year of extensive testing and development by the world’s finest downhill athletes. This bike is purpose-built to handle the speed and pressure of world class downhill racing, and no amount of private testing can serve as substitute for the real thing.
The carbon Dissent prototype has been hugely successful, too. During the 2022 season the prototype frames racked up numerous podiums and victories on the world stage. Most notably, Louise Ferguson at Crankworx New Zealand and the incredible UCI Downhill World Cup podium with Ronan Dunne in Snowshoe. The frames faced the ultimate test of strength at Red Bull Hardline coming away unscathed in the hands of Ronan finishing 4th, Adam Brayton 12th and Chris Cumming 18th. These prototypes have been tested thoroughly and tested hard.
Since the Nukeproof Scalp was debuted in 2011, Nukeproof’s downhill frames have been on a constant evolutionary path. The Scalp saw success at the highest level, eventually evolving into Sam Hill’s World Cup-winning Pulse. This evolution continued through to the latest Dissent.
Using an evolved version of the Nukeproof Fallout linkage, the Dissent prototype frame won first time out with Sam Hill at the Garbanzo Downhill at Crankworx Canada in 2018. Since then, the Dissent has gone on to rack up a number of UCI World Cup podiums and national championships. It’s earned a reputation as a race-ready workhorse that’s incredibly stable and ultra-adjustable; as a bike that instils confidence in world-class pros and privateers alike.
Nukeproof are proud to release the latest evolution – the Dissent 297 / 290 Carbon.
So Why Carbon Now?
Like many decisions in Nukeproof HQ, it was not commercially motivated. Some after-hours concept sketching of what a potential carbon Dissent frame could look like, whet the appetite. The sketches looked so good, it just had to be made.
Creating a carbon Dissent gave Nukeproof engineers the freedom to make several improvements, as well as incorporate some new features into the frame. Having the freedom to work in carbon allows for more complex shapes, fast multiple prototype iterations to add strength, stiffness and compliance to enhance the feel of the bike. The reason to move wasn’t to reduce weight, but the overall frame weight was reduced by 430g. (a NP1 frame weighs 3.46kgs RAW).
Uncompromising fit:
The Dissent Carbon now includes numerous methods to dial a perfect fit.
- Three Frame Sizes: NP1, NP2, NP3
- Adjustable Headset: -6mm, 0mm, +6mm
- Adjustable Chainstay: -5mm, 0mm, +5mm
The Dissent Carbon offers a vast amount of adjustment, really allowing riders to dial in a reach and position on the bike to perfectly suit them. With the wheelbase flip-chips, riders can easily adjust wheelbase trackside to suit various terrains and racetracks.
Uncompromising Suspension Performance:
A design originally conceived to test different leverage curves with our athletes, the Dissent Alloy used flip chips to adjust progressivity across four positions. The new Dissent Carbon takes this to the next level, evolving to make altering the positions easier. The Dissent Carbon features three positions that can simply be adjusted on the fly with no need for separate flip-chips.
All three settings have a high beginning leverage rate to make it super supple off the top yet offer good consistent mid-stroke support with a regressive end-stroke to prevent spiking under bottom out. The new Dissent Carbon adds a degree of sensitivity to the beginning of the stroke, this allows riders to go up a spring rate without adding harshness and works much better with the new generation of air shocks. Going up a spring rate is usually preferable to more compression damping as it suits fast riders and prevents spiking that could otherwise lead to punctures or damaged wheels.
One Frame, Two Wheel Setups:
The Dissent Carbon will be offered in both 29” and 29”-27.5” Mix (MX) wheel configurations. But riders now have the option to switch between configurations by simply inverting a flip-chip on the rear triangle and swapping out to 29” or 27.5” rear wheel. Adjusting this flip-chip compensates for the new wheel size and ensures the kinematic and geometry is not compromised.
Uncompromising Finish:
Nukeproof also has taken the finish of the Dissent Carbon to the next level. Maintaining the internal cable routing is made easier with tube-in-tube cable routing. This keeps the frame looking clean and also keeps cable noise to a minimum. Integrated bump stops protect the headtube, as well as securely channelling the cables. To finish, all frames come standard with a pre-fitted clear protection kit.
A quiet bike is important, so Nukeproof engineers have taken the time to develop custom durometer 3D-contoured frame protection which is fitted to the chain and seat stay area to prevent chain slap. The downtube is also protected by a large protector kit which extends over the ISCG tabs to ward off any rock strikes.
Specification:
The Dissent Carbon is offered in two stock specifications and as a frame only. Each stock spec is available in 290 and 297 MX configurations and, thanks to the wheel size converting flip chips, riders choosing the frame can set up their rear end with 29” or 27.5” wheels. All parts from the existing Dissent Alloy will transfer to the new Dissent Carbon frame, making it easy for current owners to upgrade their frames.
Frame Only: £2999.99 (GBP) / $3599.99 (Euro) / $3199 (USD)
Dissent Comp: £4499.99 (GBP) / $5699.99 (Euro) / $5199 (USD)
Dissent RS: £5999.99 / $7499.99 (Euro)/ $6999 (USD)
Propain press release:
Here it is – The new PROPAIN TYEE!
The Tyee is the golden ratio, the perfect balance within our product range, our flagship – the „chief“. In 2020, the last evolution of the Tyee ushered in a new era for PROPAIN. With the development of the new Tyee, we were faced with one crucial question:
How do we make this bike even better?
With the unveiling of the 2023 Tyee, here at PROPAIN we are all in agreement – Hell YES, we did it!
HIGHLIGHTS
- Sixpack Integrated Cable Routing
- Optimized geometry
- Available in size XS
- New frame colors
- New cable routing
- New chain stay & seat stay protector
- New downtube protector
- Brake integration
- Bottle and tool mount
- Double sealed Acros frame bearings (PROPAIN Dirt Shields)
- Acros stainless steel frame & headset bearings
- SRAM UDH derailleur hanger
- Sixpack sealed seat clamp
Hutchinson press release:
Hutchinson Announces First Downcountry Tyre: The Redesigned Kraken 2.4
Hutchinson, the French pioneers of tubeless cycling tyre technology, has today announced the Kraken 2.4, its first ever tyre designed specifically for the demands of downcountry mountain biking.
While a relatively newcomer into the mountain biking vernacular, downcountry has quickly become one of the most exciting areas of development in the sport. Hutchinson has responded by creating a fast, mile munching tyre that won’t hold you back when things start to get rowdy on the descents. A balance that’s perfect not only for downcountry exploits, but also trail and adventure riding too.
The tyre is the latest addition to the Hutchinson’s Racing Lab range. Top of the range, high performance tyres hand-made in France and developed in collaboration with Hutchinson’s top-level XC and enduro athletes.
The Kraken 2.4 is a larger, completely redesigned version of popular XC tyre the Kraken. Hutchinson has not simply made the existing tyre bigger, every aspect of its construction has been reassessed to provide a unique riding experience for the growing number of downcountry enthusiasts.
When redesigning the Kraken’s tyre profile, Hutchinson’s R&D team drew inspiration from the Griffus, the brand’s purpose-built enduro tyre. Resulting in the new Kraken featuring elongated, higher volume central knobs and a smaller number of knobs around the circumference of the tyre. Both of these changes work to create a more open tread pattern, resulting in a tyre that is more aggressive on loose and rocky terrain with better levels of grip than the original Kraken.
A 66 TPI casing and bead to bead Hardskin puncture protection layer offer the durability and protection needed for the enhanced demands of downcountry, trail and adventure riding while Hutchinson’s proprietary RaceRipost XC tri-compound technology ensures rolling resistance is kept to a minimum.
RaceRipost XC compound is tightly bonded to the casing, whilst a hard 65 ShA core forms the structure which is coated in the centre by a layer of 60ShA rubber (50% rebound). The sides feature a softer 50 ShA (40% rebound) layer to provide greater deformation for improved grip.
This improved burlier construction remains competitively lightweight, with the black version of the Kraken 2.4 weighing in at 836g, just 68g more than its smaller brother the Kraken 2.3 (768g).
Like all Hutchinson tyres the new Kraken is effective on its own or as part of a mix and match combination. Riders should keep their eyes peeled for a new product landing this June that is set to be the perfect partner for this latest addition in Hutchinson’s range.
The Kraken 2.4 retails at £57.95
Marin press release:
Marin Debuts All-New Rift Zone E Collection
Feel the Rifty Love! Brand new to the Marin family, the Marin Rift Zone E is a go-anywhere, ride-all-day eMTB with trail bike DNA. We took everything we know from our award-winning Rift Zone and made Rifty Love electric. Further, faster and even more fun. MTB with a boost. The Rift Zone E takes our less-is-more trail bike ethos and creates a confidence-boosting, pedal-assisted platform that’ll suit any terrain.
Like the standard Rift Zone models, the Rift Zone Es are built on our Series 4 MultiTrac aluminum frame. We know Rift E riders will be apt to spend more time descending since they have the added boost to get in one more loop, so we’ve increased the rear travel by 10mm to 140mm. Fork travel is a matched 140mm for a balanced ride. Shimano STEPs drive units are standard across the board, with the E2 utilizing the latest EP801 model, and the E1 and E powered by the new EP6, all producing up to 85Nm of torque.
Following a similar build to the Alpine Trail Es that debuted in March, all models utilize the same frame, with a capacity of up to a 630Wh battery, as used on the E2 and E1 models. The Rift Zone E (base) is paired with a 504Wh battery with the same size and shape as the larger capacity version, but can be upgraded to a larger battery in the future, if the rider is so inclined. Additionally, CushCore inserts and Marin tire sealant are now standard equipment on the E2 and E1.
Rift Zone E
$4499 US/$5699 CAD/£4355 GBP/4999€
Rift Zone E1
$4899 US/$6149 CAD/£4975 GBP/5599€
Rift Zone E2
$6299 US/$7899 CAD/£5895 GBP/6899€
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