Spy shots: Shimanos answer to XX1?

Most recently in the wide drivetrain news was the fact that SRAM had released X01, a trickle down group from their top tier elevel speed drive train. What was puzzling about this new groupset was the fact that it weighed just 40-60g more than XX1 and retained both similar features and the blindingly high pricetag! SRAMs argument was at the original equipment level X01 worked out far cheaper meaning complete bikes would be both eleven speed and fairly affordable. Where however does that leave the riders who, like me, buy a frame and either build it up with a custom specification or alternatively use many parts from their old bike to keep the cost down. The rumours are still circulating about XX9 and how soon we will see it being released however on Jared Graves' winning Yeti from the EWS at Crankworx Whistler something exciting was being tested. Although Graves appears to be using a standard 10 speed XTR mech (likely long cage) it's coupled up to what appears to be a 11-40/42 cassette (standard freehub compatible), providing similar ratios to XX1 but without having to replace the rest of the drivetrain! Even if cassette prices were similar to the prices SRAM are charging merely by making the system compatible with the existing shifting gear brings the price down massively. RRP for the existing XTR cassette is £209.99 (cheapest XX1 ~ £245 (Bike-discount.de) so even if it went up by another £50 it would still be undercutting SRAM massively! Some healthy competition can only be a good thing for the wide range cassette market although it'll be some time yet before we can purchase the Shimano offering. Although the lower 7 cogs appear to be of the standard XTR variety the upper 3 seem a very rough prototype - no doubt Shimano will wish to refine these further prior to releasing more information.

Graves' custom set up - credit GeeBeeBee Media

Tech news: Fox Suspension 2014

Rumours have recently been flying about as to the new products Fox will be releasing for 2014, with concrete news hitting the internet just hours ago! With a new damper for their Talas forks and a brand new shock the suspension competition is set to be better than ever after the release of the Rock Shox Pike and charger damper!

The new 2014 34 Talas fork - photo credit Vital MTB

First up is the news that the Talas system has been redesigned to give a feel more akin to their fixed travel Float forks. The damper is designed to give better bump eating ability whilst still having the hydraulically adjustable Talas capability, so the bike's geometry can be steepened to aid climbing. This new system is going to be available on all 2014 Talas forks. As well as this the  CTD (climb, trail, descend) damper has been updated for their Talas 34 160 fork. The idea of the damper is to simplify suspension adjustment, having just 3 modes, one for ascension, one for rolling, flat single track trail and the final for descending. Previously being criticized for diving in the descend setting and not offering enough support the Fox technicians have changed the tune of the damper, aiming to provide more efficiency and support in each setting.

Specification:

- New Talas adjustment system
-160mm/130mm travel (full/dropped)
-CTD damping
-Trail Adjust
-15QR thru-axle
-1964g (4.33lbs) for the 26" option
-Available in both 26" and 650B
-Rebound adjustable

The new 2014 Float X CTD shock - photo credit Vital MTB

The perhaps more exciting news for Fox fans is the release of their Float X CTD shock, a beefier design than the original with a piggy-back reservoir to improve performance. Hidden inside the shock is increased oil volume and a dual piston design which allows the shock to stay composed over rough terrain without overheating or becoming inconsistent. This is great news for the all mountain market, who've had to look to other brands for a heavy duty air shock, with the DHX air being known for a lack of support and underwhelming performance. With the ability to change between the climb, trail and descend settings the Float X is set to be a staple on many enduro bikes, growing ever closer to the performance of a coil shock without the large weight penalty! With the capability of all mountain steeds increasing by the day this is going to be high on many riders wish list!

Specification:

-CTD damping
-Brand new piggy-back reservoir platform
-Trail Adjust
-Remote option available
-Rebound adjustable
-Low friction hardware
-365g (0.8lbs) for the 8.5x2.5 option with no hardware

Tech news: SRAM Roam and Rail wheelsets

Two years after the release of their Rise cross country hoops, SRAM have given news of two new wheelsets aimed at the trail and enduro market. Aptly named Roam and Rail these come with two alloy options and one carbon, in 26", 27.5" and even 29"!

With both products SRAM started from scratch, the first product being the Roam trail hoops. All budgets are catered for with both a carbon (Roam 60) and aluminuim option (Roam 50), using hub internals from the DT 240s. The 60s weigh a claimed 1495g for the 26", 1550g for the 27.5" and 1625g for the 29" which is actually heavier than their aluminium alternatives - the 60 aimed at more of a range of hardcore riding than the 50. The 60s are slated to arrive in July for the 26" and August for the other sizes. Pricing is expected to be around the £1700 mark.

Both the 50s and the 60s have an internal rim width of 21mm, the 50s using an aluminium rim to keep costs down and weight low, in fact coming in 20-24g less than the carbon option, being aimed at lighter riding. The set of both wheels comes in at 1475g for the 26", 1530g for the 27.5" and a sprightly 1611g for the 29". An RRP of £840 is what SRAM are currently planning however this could change closer to the time.

The Rail wheelset is designed to be a wider, burlier version of the roam, aimed at all mountain riding over trail. It only comes in aluminium, with a 23mm internal width and extra material in high stress areas! The 26" rim weighs 500g, just 90g more than the Rise 50 equivalent. The 26" weighs 1690g, the 27.5" 1750g and the 29" 1830g. They are expected to cost the same as the Roam 50 (£840), aiming for the mid to high end target market.

The new hoops from SRAM look set to make an impact on the wheelsets, offering a lightweight, full UST rim system, with top quality hubs at a mid range price-point. Only the future will tell how reliable and strong they are and if durability has been sacrificed for the sake of lightweight.

Tech News: Giant's 650B trail bike prototype

Photos have emerged today of a new trail bike from Giant. Sporting 650B (27.5") wheels, internal "stealth" dropper post routing and ISCG05 chainguide tabs this bike has all the modern add-ons expected for a trail weapon in 2013. Travel is expected to be around 150mm with both aluminium and carbon options to cater to all budgets.

This bike is likely to be a direct contender with the Santa Cruz Bronson, Banshee Spitfire and the rest of the crop of 650B trail bikes. The prototype weighed in at a svelte 12.4kg (27.4lbs) which is lighter than the build on the Bronson featured at it's launch (claimed weight ~28lbs with an actual weight closer to 30).

650B wheels are supposedly the best of both worlds, the rolling abilities of the 29er with the agility of 26 however the lack of tyres, wheels and spares limits build up options. I for one am eager to try out one of the new trail bikes with 650B but only time will tell if this inbetweener size is here to stay.

Trickle down tech: XX1

Recently, SRAM released a revolutionary new groupset: XX1. This drivetrain was a brand new concept, one by eleven speed, with a huge ranged 10-42 tooth cassette matching up to a range of chainring sizes from 28tooth all the way up to 38. This groupset changed trail riding completely, allowing a single ring set up that had the range to cover most terrain, whilst the need for a chain guide (thanks to the alternate profiled teeth) being nullified.

Although fantastic, the price of XX1 was hugely inhibiting, with prices of around £1000 for the complete groupset - more than many riders spend on their bikes. The latest on trickle down technology is that SRAM are slated to release XX0 in the spring of next year and XX9 later on in the autumn. If this new tech does reach an accessible price point where does that leave Shimano? Are they planning to launch 11 speed, pioneer DI2 mountain shifting or in fact follow in SRAM footsteps? The trend of previous releases would suggest Shimano will showcase a product similar to XX1, however perhaps more refined. At this stage it is mostly speculation, but one thing no one can deny - the future is bright for trail and all mountain riding!