Eurobike 2016 - the product review
The pedal purists have long been known for their special accessories. In this area, the range has been expanded to include the new Klic pumps. These are three "normal" and three large-stroke mini pumps, to which the air hose is attached using a magnetic mechanism - simple, easy and quick to use.
Why Cycles
"Why only", I asked myself, why Why Cycles is launching a dirt jump bike with 27.5-inch wheels. According to an employee, the TF (Take Flight) is apparently great for riding or jumping. Whether necessary or not, the titanium frame is certainly stylish, and the brand, which was presented just a week before the Eurobike, also has other fine titanium bikes in the plus and gravel segment at the start.
Vee Tire
Tires with a skinwall are the latest trend, and Vee Tire is no exception. However, the Taiwanese company has given the "Crown Gem TLR Synthesis" model a new lease of life by incorporating visible Kevlar threads into the skin-colored sidewall - something different. Incidentally, the Crown Gem is also available with plus-size tires in 2.6 and 2.8 inch widths and stable two-ply carcasses.
Rose Bikes
Rose is doing some serious model maintenance. Their popular "Soulfire" freerider has been prepared for stealth vario seat posts and comes with 27.5-inch wheels, Boost axles and an extremely robust rear main bearing. The bike with 180 and 190 millimeters of suspension travel on the front and rear wheels is available from 2,299 euros. Incidentally, the Soulfire is also successfully used as a downhill bike by Rose's downhill team in an inflated version.
The "Root Miller 2" is also interesting. The twentyniner now comes with 140 millimetres of travel and thus enters the all-mountain category. The 29-inch wheels are also supported on Boost hubs and are braked with Magura's powerful MT5 brakes. Also new are the cable clamps, which now secure the cables and gear cables without rattling.
HT Components
The pedal specialists present two new pedal irons: For cross-country use, there is the 292 gram lightweight M1 pedal, available as usual in various colors. There is also the lightweight M1T version with a titanium axle, which weighs in at 252 grams. As with the following, a needle bearing works in the outer part of the pedal and an Igus plain bearing in the inner part.
The second pedal is the D1 - a combination pedal with a click mechanism on one side and a platform on the other. This is ideal for beginners and e-bikers. But it also appeals to all-mountain bikers who don't want to miss out on the benefits of both systems. The D1 is also available in many colors and weighs 388 grams.
Propain
An interesting way of adapting the frame to the body size is shown by the German mail-order brand Propain. Their new downhill bike "Rage CF" comes in two frame sizes as a basis. A rotating headset and adjustable dropouts allow a total adjustment range of 34 millimeters. This means that four sizes (S/M and L/XL) are covered with two frames. This should make it easier to decide which size you need, especially if you are unsure. The Rage CF also comes with 210 millimetres of suspension travel, rolls on 27.5-inch wheels as is common today and weighs just over 15 kilograms.
But that's not all: Propain is adding its First Ride component line to the existing "Frechdachs" kids' fully. This offers child-sized parts at a reasonable weight level - for example cranks in 90 millimeter length and 530 grams.
Lightweight
Why are we presenting another road bike product? The fact that the German carbon specialist Lightweight is presenting its first complete carbon wheel with brake rotor mount, the "Wegweiser", is one thing. The Wegweiser comes from largely automated production, which leaves the door open for a mountain bike wheel - a step that could probably be taken in the near future. About the current wheel: The set weighs 1450 grams including brake discs with 20 spokes and a permissible system weight of 120 kilograms.
Bulls Duro
The brand of Cape Epic winners Urs Huber and Karl Platt, also available in Switzerland since last year, is launching the "Duro", a hardtail for 29-inch and 27.5-plus wheels. The Duro is an aluminum trail hardtail with 140 millimeters of travel at the front and a Rrock Shox Reverb seatpost that can be lowered to 150 millimeters. The bike with complete Shimano 1x11-XT equipment is available for 2799 euros.
Cinnamon star
The days when Zimtstern only defined itself by its style are definitely over. With "Fariz" and "Feliza", the Swiss clothing label has ultra-light and technical short-sleeved jerseys for men and women in its range. Both items are made from light stretch material, are laser perforated in the armpit area, have YKK zippers and are bluesign®-certified.
But Zimtstern wouldn't be Zimtstern if there wasn't something else special. There is a "Good to Ride" collection for both men and women with comfortable, semi-technical short and long-sleeved shirts with an urban look. These are made from 35% cotton and 65% polyester and have a zippered pocket on the back. Shown here is the Gajuz shirt. There are also matching "Guz" long trousers made from 92% cotton, 6% polyester and 2% elastane. These items are ideal for an after-work ride followed by a stop at a bar.
Lapierre
None other than Nicolas Vouilloz, the ten-time downhill world champion, had a hand in the development of the "Spicy 527". Although the carbon frame is not completely new, it comes with a few updates such as a metric shock, 170 millimetres of suspension travel and Boost axle width. The Spicy is, how could it be otherwise, a real enduro racing machine, but it also promises fun on demanding and downhill tours or bike park excursions.
Ion
With the "Transom" 16 and 24, Ion presents cool backpacks with water-repellent outer material. Although these backpacks are designed for biking and can also be fitted with the Sas-Tec back protector, they can also be used for multiple purposes. The Transom has a tool pocket, a hydration bladder compartment and is also equipped with an emergency whistle and a helmet and protector holder. An important feature is the individually adjustable back section with Climacooling system.
DT Swiss
For optics purists and weight fetishists, DT Swiss offers millimeter retrofit axles for their suspension forks and rear triangles. These have a removable lever with a five millimeter Allen key, thanks to which the axles can also be operated with standard tools, and if you want to leave the lever in the RWS plug-in axle, a patented clamping mechanism ensures that it does not fall out.
Marin
The Riftzone was launched last year and now comes with a bolder face. The Riftzone is a twentyniner trail bike with 110 millimetres of suspension travel and 120 at the front. The one-piece rear triangle forms the "Iso Trac Suspension Platform", as it has flexible seat stays and thus reduces the influence of the drivetrain. As the bike has not been on the market for long, it will initially come with an installation width of 142 millimetres.
Park Tool
It's almost fat bike season again, and what's the most important thing about a fat bike? That's right, the wheels. But they and their tires will never fit in a normal centering stand, which is why Park Tool designed the TS-4 for them. Not only the actual width, but also the rim stops are wider apart. In fact, the TS-4 is designed for today's variety of wheels and not just for fat bike wheels. Its range extends from 16-inch to 29-inch wheels and axle widths from 75 to 215 millimetres.
Ergon
Thanks to the collaboration with the orthopaedic specialist "Solestar", Ergon is breaking new ground with the IP3-Solestar, an insole with a patented stabilization delta. Thanks to this, the forefoot and hindfoot are stabilized and the alignment of the legs is optimized. This results in better power transmission and more comfort thanks to the Nora® EVA foam core. The IP3 sole is available for 49 euros.
USWE
Fighting the "dancing monkey": Swedish company USWE keeps its backpacks firmly on your back with its patented four-point harness system, preventing it from dancing around while you ride. With the "Airborne 15", USWE presents a cool backpack with a Sas-Tec back protector, ventilated back section and a fastening system for helmets and protectors. In addition to small storage compartments, the Airborne also has a waterproof compartment for a cell phone.
WTB
First, the American tire manufacturer had a strong portfolio, then they made a name for themselves with components such as saddles in particular. For a good two years now, WTB has been back from "tire oblivion" with new treads and is really stepping on the gas - here with two new tires: The Convict is an enduro and downhill tire with a strong tread for both hard and loose terrain. It is available in 27.5x2.5-inch, in three versions (carcass and rubber compound). After the well-known Trailblazer original plus tire, the Ranger now follows as a modern plus tire. It is available with a light or strong carcass and a hard or soft rubber compound. The Ranger is available in 27.5x2.8 and 3 inches as well as 29x3.0 inches.
Acros
Now Acros has also acquired a taste for it and is launching the "A-Grip Silicone". The silicone makes the grips pleasant and comfortable to hold and dampens the vibrations that would otherwise be transferred to the hands. The A-Grips are available in six different colors and cost just under 20 euros. Even if they look very sensitive to dirt, the grips are easy to clean with washing-up liquid.
Newmen
Last but not least - and definitely an eye-catcher - are the handlebars, seatposts and rims from the still young brand "Newmen". The "Advanced SL" 318.0 and 318.20 handlebars (flatbar and riser), the "Advanced SL X.22" rims and the Advanced SL seatposts (not pictured) are not only lightweight and robust thanks to the Textreme® carbon fiber (one of the highest quality fibers available), but also come in a limited edition with green, blue and XTR grey colored carbon fibers. These parts stand out with their unusual look on every bike, but are still relatively discreet in terms of color.
Note: This content has been automatically translated from German. Please report any incorrect translations.