Most of you know I’m attracted to weirdos and eccentric people, so of course I love stopping by the BTCHN Bikes shop here in Chico to see what Tyler is welding on. He’s spent most of his life racing all types of motorcycles at insane speeds, and has been adapting the hyper-analytical engineering he’s learned in the motorized world into pedal-powered machines he pushes to equally scary speeds. He’s also one of the most enthusiastic people I’ve ever met, so imagine that he’s yelling and gesturing wildly with his hands as you read this interview about his latest prototype.
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Radar
All-City Updates Space Horse and Gorilla Monsoon with GRX Builds
For this year’s model launches, All-City took their two most popular off-road bikes and laced them with Shimano GRX, a few hardware updates like thru-axles, and new paint jobs. The Space Horse GRX ($2,099) comes with Teravail Rampart gumwall tires, a new metallic pink paint job with burgundy chevrons, while the Gorilla Monsoon GRX ($2499) has a champagne gold to cream ombré fade, with big meaty WTB Riddler, 27.5 x 2.4″ tires. Both of these bikes are looking their best ever and if GRX is too rich for your blood, they also come specced with Apex (GM) or Tiagra (SH).
Head to All-City to read more!
Radar
We’re Taking Labor Day Off
It’s Labor Day in the States and today, we’re taking advantage of this national day of remembrance to hang with friends, disconnect from the online world, and get in some bike riding. I hope you’re able to do the same and we’ll see ya tomorrow, bright and early!
Radar
HED Cycling’s Gravel Lineup Now Called Emporia
HED’s line of gravel wheels, formerly known as “Eroica”, will now be titled “Emporia”, named after Emporia, Kansas. This change is being made out of respect to the international ride series “L’Eroica”. With this change comes a brand new wheel, dubbed the Emporia GC3 Pro. This wheel is a 30mm deep, full-carbon gravel wheel, featuring a 26mm internal width and weighing in at 1,395g per wheelset.
The Emporia GC3 Pro set is made in the USA and will retail at $2,200. Head to HED for more information!
Radar
Graviator
Our friend and videographer Sandy Plenty worked on this flick for Fustle, featuring their Causeway gravel bike. What he came up with is right up our alley! Check out more at Fustle.
Radar
Shimano’s PRO Lineup Update Features the Tharsis XC/Gravel Dropper
Today Shimano kicked out a bunch of new dirt-related goodies, ranging from stems, handlebars, MTB dropper and yes, a gravel/XC dropper post. The Tharsis 3Five is a 100mm dropper post weighing in at 415 grams, with three post diameters (27.2, 30.9, 31.6mm), internal routing, and a 2-bolt clamp design with an MSRP of $330. Head to PRO to see more!
Radar
Easton Cycling’s Lunch Laps
Easton’s offices are just a quick jaunt from some primo trails and dirt roads. In their latest video, some of the Overland team head out for a quick one in their new team kits. It’s 9am and I suddenly want pizza!
Radar
Kona Revamps the Libre with New Geometries and Build Kits
With the Libre being a relatively new addition to the Kona drop-bar lineup, it was surprising to see a complete geometry revamp this morning when the new model was announced. The best news is, while these changes apply to the higher end build kits, the lower end Libre model packs all these updates, at an unbeatable pricepoint of just $1799. The aluminum Libre features flat mount discs, Apex build kit, and a revamped geo, nesting it inside the Libre lineup quite well. Head to Kona to see more.
Radar
Pivot’s Vault Gravel Bike Offers Up New Colors and GRX Kit
The Vault is Pivot’s flagship drop bar bike and for the forthcoming model year, the brand took a step back from flashy graphics and released two new colors, Firebrick Red and Deep Metallic Blue, while offering up a new bottom tier pricepoint GRX build.
Pivot still offers the Vault in 1x SRAM kits but the GRX 2x kit is $1,400 less in price than the next build (Force). Check out more on the Vault at Pivot.
Reportage
Around the Mountains Trail: Touring New Zealand’s Te Waipounamu South Alps
There is something in the mountains, a kind of magic that from the beginning of humanity has exerted influence in our history. They have been adored as gods in different religions, they have forged cultures and inspired their stories, and even countries have been formed and developed around them. New Zealand is one of these countries.
Radar
The Granite Design Stash RCX Multi-Tool Fits in A Gravel Bike’s Carbon Steerer
There are a lot of great products that fit into a MTB steerer tube but these are usually aluminum and are almost always open at the bottom of the steerer. Gravel bike forks typically are closed at the bottom of the steerer and many have carbon steerers. The new Granite Design Stash RCX uses a compression plug in lieu of a starnut and is is designed for forks without opening at the bottom of the steerer tube.
The Stash RCX features:
-8-piece Multi-tool: 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, T25, Flathead
-Spoke key: 0, 1, 2, 3 with valve core removing function
-System weight (incl. multi-tool): 110g
-Multi-Tool weight: 57g
-Color: Black and Orange
-Stash RCX fits forks with or without the open end at the bottom of steerer tube.
-The inner diameter of the fork steerer needs be round shape and measured between 23.5mm to 27mm.
In stock on August 27th for $54.99 at Granite Designs.
Radar
Mākū – New Zealand Gravel Bike Film
In November 2019 Damian Stones and Mike Anderson set off to the Marlborough Sounds across the top of the South Island in New Zealand in search of challenging trails on their gravel bikes. The weather forecast was less than ideal but due to time restrictions they decided to commit to this journey with the idea that, ‘surely, it can’t be that bad.’ This film was aptly named Mākū due to the adverse weather these riders faced during this 4-day adventure.
Radar
Cotic’s Steel Escapade is a Do-It-All Drop Bar Bike with Dirty Intentions
Cotic, the MTB brand from the UK, known for the full suspension steel MTBs and other trail-ready bikes have updated their steel Escapade bike. The revamped design includes improved cable routing for crisper shifts, a 142x12mm rear thru-axle, and this bright, Molteni orange paint job. This is the 4th generation of the Escapade which means it’s not going anywhere but up! Check out all the information and ordering details, including their 0% financing offers, at Cotic.
Radar
Liv Cycling: Devote Gravel Line for Women
With two branches under the new women’s gravel line, the Devote and Devote Advanced, Liv has developed gravel bikes in both aluminum and carbon, with clearances for a 45mm tire, and build kits that rival other offerings on the market. This video alone, set in Canyon Country, has our interest piqued but see more information for yourself at Liv.
Shop new & used Liv bikes with our partner TPC – The Pro’s Closet.
Radar
Chumba’s Updated 2020 Terlingua Titanium Gravel Bike
With new pricing beginning at $2,250.00, the Chumba titanium Terlingua gravel bike is closer to reality than you might expect. Of course, as with any frame made by Chumba, you can select various options like pump pegs, Di2 routing, rack mounts, fender eyelets, and so on. These frames use oversized Aerospace Titanium 3/2.5 tubing, 6/4 on the yoke, and dropouts with Paragon Sliding Inserts. Singlespeed, geared, whatever. It just works. With post-mount, flat-mount options, cerakote finishing, and color customizations, you can literally get your dream bike made for less than you’d think, all on a chassis that clears up to a 700c x 50mm or 650b x 2.1” wheel/tire combo.
Specs:
-Made in USA quality
-Oversized Aerospace Titanium 3/2.5 Grade Tubing, 6/4 on the yoke and dropouts w/ Paragon Sliding Inserts
-Clean thoughtful cable routing
-Maximum tire and drivetrain clearances for a wide range of options and mud clearance
-All tubes are heat sunk and argon purged when welded to prevent distortion and material thinning
2020 Terlingua Titanium Model Refinements:
-removed Di2 ports standard (why pay for it unless you need it, we can add this on request.)
-removed lower rack mounts standard (why pay for it unless you need it, we can add this on request.)
-Lowered MSRP
-No other changes, this bike is dialed!
See more at Chumba.
While we’re on the subject, Mark from Chumba wrote a blog piece about framebuilding on their website, don’t miss this one!
Radar
TranzX OE-Spec Dropper Posts Hit the USA Including the Hot Lap Gravel Dropper
Droppers on gravel bikes aren’t anything new but one brand that has been supplying brands with OE product just went consumer direct. TranzX’s Hot Lap dropper has 50mm of travel and comes in 27.2, 30.9, and 31.6mm diameters. 50mm of travel might not seem like much, but shorter-travel posts are lighter than longer-travel posts, ensure a variety of riders will be able to use them and from personal experience is plenty of added room when descending.
The Hot Lap retails for $129 and is in stock at TranzX, along with their newly-designed dropper triggers.
Radar
The Nordest Super Albarda Ti Gravel Bike Is Long and Slack
Long and slack gravel bikes are popping up everywhere. John’s Sklar is a good example, as is the Evil Chamois Hagar, even as polarizing as that bike is, it brought the long and slack ideology to the mainstream. Nordest just announced their Super Albarda Ti gravel bike and it looks like a beast. With a 68º head angle and a longer reach, designed for 50mm to 70mm stems, it’s onto something. Plus, it’s titanium, THE best material for all-terrain riding. Hands down. These frames retail for 1.156,20 € – 1.280,17 € and have a 10-week lead time. See more at Nordest.
Specs:
-Frame TITANIUM Ti3AL2.5V double butted tubing
-Long reach for use 50mm to 70mm stem
-Nordest 50mm stem,include with frame
-Wheels up to 650b 2.10 or 700x50c
-Interchangable dropouts, include with frame
-For 12x142mm thru axle rear hub
-Thru axle 12×1.75mm, include with frame
-For 27.2mm seatpost
-Seatclamp 31.8mm, include with frame
-46T max chainring in 1x or 50T/34/ in 2x
-TR44 head tube
-Weight for M/L size: 1.845 g
-Design for 400mm taper fork with 52mm Rake
Radar
Easton’s EA70 AX Dropper Post for Gravel Bikes
When riding singletrack on your gravel bike, a dropper post can certainly aid in the shredability factor of your ride. The problem is, there aren’t a lot of gravel-oriented droppers on the market. Easton has thrown their cap in the ring, announcing the EA70 AX dropper this morning. Its retail is $184.99 and the dropper offers 50mm of drop in both 350mm and 400mm lengths in a 27.2mm clamp diameter.
Note: buying this dropper will not guarantee skills like Jesse Melamed of the Rocky Mountain Race Face Enduro Team…