Euro-Bites 2017: Day two finds from Soma, Argo, Sapim, Huckepack & more!

Just after seeing that wild riser drop bar on the TºRed bikes, we spotted this Soma Condor. Using a 46mm rise from center combined with a 98mm drop, it keeps you riding upright while still offering multiple hand positions.

Claimed weight is 320g, available only with a 31.8mm center clamp section, and in three widths (40/42/44) as measured center to center at the hoods. The drops flare out a total of 5mm (2.5mm per side). Retail is $99.99.

The Soma Cazadero has been a popular if niche gravel touring tire, and now it gets a wider option. On the right is a new 700×50 size, which is tubeless ready and still made by Panaracer. The tread pattern keeps the solid center strip for fast rolling, but with siped and shaped knobs off the side.

RIDE AIR READY TO PUMP YOU UP

We featured Ride Air way back in 2015 when they launched on Kickstarter, and now they’re in full swing with a new look and integrated cable lock option. It pumps up to 200+psi and will inflate a 29×2.35 in seconds. You charge it with a floor pump or compressor, then bring it along for emergency fixes or trailside re-seating of tubeless tires.

SAPIM WASHERS AWAY WHEELBUILDING STRESS

If you’re relying on your hands to build a wheel and not that crazy awesome Holland machine that does it all for you, you’ll appreciate the new Sapim MS washer. It’s made of stainless steel, so it won’t react with any rim material, and it lets the spoke nipple’s head float inside a conical bed. That reduces bending and twisting stresses, making wheel building easier and more accurate. They weigh in at 0.25g each.

FOLDYLOCK GETS LIGHTER

The Foldylock Compact is, they claim, the smallest and lightest folding lock to achieve Sold Secure Silver status. It weighs in at just 2.2lb and folds out to 80cm long. Retail is $85, and it comes in several colors.

HUCKEPACK IS THE ULTIMATE SHUTTLE TRAILER

We’ve seen plenty of flat trailers with wood sides built up to throw your bike over and get a bunch of people up the trail. But if you’re making a business out of it, might be worth checking out the HuckePack trailer.

Foam rollers separate the bikes and keep them from banging around. Offset angles on the wheel trays let you roll bikes in forward and prevent the handlebars from getting caught up. The spring loaded clasps hold the bikes on the trays, and a door flips up to cover the sides and keep anything from falling out.

CYFLY STILL CRANKING AWAY

We covered this last year at Eurobike, but if you missed it, it’s worth a look. The basic idea is to shorten the pedal stroke at specific points in the rotation, but actually increase your leverage ratio, making pedaling smoother and more efficient. And making climbing easier. Or, at least seem easier.

ARGO TURNS YOUR BIKE INTO A BAKFIETS CARGO BIKE

Originally called the LIFT cargo bike when it debuted on Kickstarter last year, the Argo Cargo Bike conversion kit is now almost ready to go. They’re taking orders, and folks around the booth said interest is extremely high. Basically, it mounts a bakfiets-style front cargo section onto any normal bicycle.

You’ll need to install an attachment point on the bottom bracket and a cable disconnect into the front brake line, but otherwise your bike remains the same. When it’s time to haul kids, goods, etc., simply remove the front wheel and pop your fork onto the Argo. Slide a pin into the BB connector and connect the brake and you’re good to go. It’s only rated to 150lb of cargo, but they say that limit let them design it for more stable riding than a traditionally twitch bakfiets bike.