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This year, Ibis Cycles reintroduced their DV9 hardtail and just as I was thinking “Oh it’s just another hardtail,” I found that the updated DV9 has actually carved itself out a unique niche in this moment among a seemingly crowded field. With a value-focused build package prioritizing speed and weight savings, riders can find a capable down-country hardtail at a great price.
Today, yet another brand is releasing thermoplastic carbon rims manufactured in Utah by CSS Composites. But unlike Revel or Chris King or Evil who launched house-branded CSS-made rims in 2020 and 2021, respectively, FORGE+BOND is actually a new division of CSS itself. This product launch represents the next step in the development of CSS’ fully recyclable FusionFiber™ material and manufacturing process. Travis Engel spent some time with the founders riding bikes and taking notes, and he has things to say.
We love seeing how cycling frames and components are made and perhaps that’s what motivates our Shop Visit series? This video was sent to us by a reader and they are right, this really is right up our alley! Check it out to see how TIME makes its in-house carbon fiber frames…
If you’re going to manufacture carbon fiber rims in 2021, do it right. Chris King has developed its own made in the USA carbon hoops that are 100% recyclable thanks to FusionFiber tech, less harsh to ride (plush? supple? compliant? you pick), making it a winning choice for people looking for new gravel or mountain wheels. These wheelsets are built in-house at Chris King, with a plethora of anodizing colors, R45D Centerlock hubs for GRD23 gravel ($2650.00) and Boost Centerlock for the MTN30 mountain wheelset ($2550.00).
See more at Chris King.
The RW27 is the narrower and lighter sibling to Revel’s groundbreaking RW30 wheelset. Think of them as a lighter and zippier wheelset for XC or riding where the terrain doesn’t demand stouter wheels. These wheels are made in the United States from the revolutionary “FusionFiber” material, which replaces resin with a nylon-like material. It combined with German and Japanese fibers results in a rim that is 100% recyclable. The RW27 offers the same flex as the RW30, but is 50g lighter.
-27mm width
-29” rim diameter
-Available in 28H or 32H drilling
-Complete wheels or rim only
-Wheelsets available with 28H Industry 9 Hydra (1740g) or 1/1 hub (1770g) options
-XD or Microspline driver body options
-ERD: 592
-Rim depth 35mm
-Rim only weight: 430g
-Lifetime warranty
-Rim is recyclable FusionFiber material
-Recommended tire width 2.2-2.5”
-Rim only $699 – i9 1/1 wheelset $1975 – i9 Hydra wheelset
See more at Revel.
There is no shortage of wheel manufacturers in the United States, which is a good thing, but there are very few carbon wheel manufacturers here so when a new one pops up, we have to share it. Gulo Composites is from Western North Carolina and make their wheels – road, MTB, gravel – in-house. Their GRX-SL is an Allpavé wheel meant for road, gravel, trail, and everything in between. These superlight, 22mm internal width rims were designed with a 2mm spoke hole offset which helps create a very balanced wheel and the spoke hole angles were optimized at each point to work in perfect conjunction with Gulo’s ETI hubs and their unique GIS – Gulo Integrated System – spoke system. Let’s look at this system in detail below.
Finding a 1-1/8″ steerer carbon fork with bosses for cargo cages, fenders, and yes, dynamo lighting is near impossible. So what are we to do with all those capable 1-1/8″ steerer frames we have that would otherwise make a great touring bike? CINQ makes one such fork, with all the above features. The Touring Fork weighs 550g, a unique “no-thread” thru-bolt eyelet system for cargo cages, fits bigger tires, utilizes internal routing, and much more!
Specs:
-Clearance for 27,5″ x 2.2″ or 28″x2.0″ (700x50mm) tires
-Great for touring and gravel applications
-“No-Thread” stainless steel thru-bolt cargo mounting system avoids damaging threads permanently mounted in the carbon
-Compatible with internal dynamo wiring for a clean setup
-Light and fender mounts
-Lightweight and strong
See more at CINQ!
These aren’t available in the US but CycleMonkey has licensed it and they make a tapered steerer version too!
As a kid of the 90’s, Rawson was really drawn to bright colors. Chartreuse, turquoise, fuchsia, purple, and other hues really stuck with him as a kid. Perhaps that was the inspiration behind this Orbea Alma M-LTD rigid 29er.
Bontrager announced a major change to its warranty program for carbon wheels recently, upgrading the program to include a lifetime warranty against defect while keeping the Carbon Care Wheel Loyalty Program, which offers free replacement or repair of any Bontrager carbon wheels that sustain damage from riding within the first two years of ownership. This new lifetime warranty covers all Bontrager carbon wheels for road and mountain bikes and comes at no additional cost to the purchaser. It includes all Bontrager carbon wheels purchased aftermarket as well as those that come stock on Trek bikes. This program applies to the original owner only.
Oh, you like donuts? Do you like donuts a lot? Perhaps you have a stem cap or a bottle with a donut on it. In this world, there are people who are willing to commit to a donut on a t-shirt, and there are people who are so committed to donuts that they make their carbon fiber road bike one giant donut. This year at NAHBS, Appleman did just that.
How’s that for donut dedication?
Photo by Kyle Kelley
“This is your chance to enter to win this handmade MMFG carbon fiber frame. Made in Los Angeles, CA. Designed and painted by the super talented crew at Poseur Sport Studios. The winner will be announced on February 19th at the MMFG fundraising party at MMFG HQ. The winning number will be posted at @Montenegro_Mfg on instagram. There’s no limit on how many tickets you can buy. The raffle tickets will be mailed to you as well as getting a copy via e-mail.”
Pick up a raffle ticket at MMFG!
People keep talking about dropper posts on cross bikes and while I understand their concerns, I think these Ergon CF3 posts are the perfect solution for those wanting a post that absorbs rough roads or trails. They’re light, fairly easy to setup – use a torque wrench! – and I was amazed at how much “shock” they actually absorb. Aside from rider weight limitations (220lbs), they seem to be resilient. I’ve since put it on my cross bike for trail riding and even after some remounts and wrecks, it hasn’t slipped. I didn’t even use the shim…
See more below.
When I first saw Festka at NAHBS last year, their High Voltage track bike caught my eye. How could you miss it? It’s been a busy year for the Czech-based frame builders, as they began to ramp up fabrication and finally, their international presence. It just so happens that a local shop here in Austin is the official importer of the brand. Cycleast is beyond stoked to be working with Festka and already, they’re receiving orders.
Take Andrew’s Zero carbon road bike for example. With a bright blue custom paintjob and a build comprised of Fizik, SRAM Red, Ritchey and Rolf wheels, this Czech-born machine is rolling thanks to Russell and his staff right here in Austin. Coincidentally, this is the first Festka in the United States.
Interested in one of these beauts for yourself? Holler at Cycleast and Czech out more details in the gallery!
I know I give Ben from Argonaut Cycles a lot of praise here on the site but with a product like his custom, made in the USA, carbon fiber #spacebikes, I don’t feel even the slightest guilty. Ben’s work is innovative and unique, two things that are hard to find these days…
Last night, Shelter Half held an open forum with Ben. People came, Ben talked and then everyone drank. It was great.
Check out a few photos in the Gallery!
Photo by Andy White
… and this is why. Well, ‘Straya, it’s been fun. After my flight got canceled yesterday, I’m leaving today, so the site will be dormant for a few hours. Andy from FYXO will be posting more photos of me ripping his brand new BT track bike (with a black Shamal!) soon…