Part of the annual Crankworx fun is cruising around the expo booths in Whistler Village, searching for everyone’s latest and greatest MTB gear and components. This year wasn’t the biggest expo, but there were more than a few new or recent products to see.
As for recent products, Dharco was showing their complete RHEON protection line, which just hit the market last month. Cascade Components showed me their new replacement links for the Gen. 4 Specialized Turbo Levos. Ergon, Galfer, and Thule had some incoming goods on display as well: Ergon’s Vali Holl edition seat and grips, plus the new SMS saddle, are soon coming to North America. Galfer was teasing their new Shark Evo brake rotors well ahead of their upcoming release, and Thule had an incoming hitch rack and a hitch-mounted tent that got plenty of looks as they set it up!
Dharco RHEON Protection Line:
Dharco wanted to make protection that riders will actually want to wear, so they went to RHEON Labs for their thin, flexible, breathable, and impact-resistant padding. Rheon’s product is a heavily cut-out ‘super polymer’ that stiffens upon impact to offer excellent protection for its thickness. The new RHEON protection products just launched last month.
Trail, Gravity, and Downhill Kneepads
Dharco has created three different kneepad models that offer light, medium, and heavy-duty protection for different riding disciplines. The Trail and Gravity kneepads are very similar, but the Gravity model features slightly thicker RHEON padding and adds inner and outer side pads. Both are a slip-on design, and the Trail model provides Level 1 protection while the Gravity model bumps that up to Level 2.
Dharco also offers a Gravity elbow pad. These slip-on pads feature one RHEON protector over the elbow that provides Level 1 protection.
The DH kneepad offers the thickest RHEON pad on the knee, side padding on the inside and outside of the knee, and an extra pad above the kneecap. The DH kneepads include a Velcro strap at the top hem and offer Level 2 protection.
Gravity Vest:
The Dharco Gravity Vest provides CE Level 1 protection for your chest and back. Designed to be worn under or over a jersey, the vest features mesh panels and laser-cut holes for ventilation, slimline Velcro shoulder straps, and magnetic side buckles. The Gravity Vest is considered a unisex piece.
Short and Long Sleeve Body Armour:
For complete body protection, Dharco offers short or long sleeve Body Armour. The long sleeve version offers CE Level 1 protection for your chest, back, shoulders, and elbows. The short-sleeve version loses the elbow pads.
The armour’s body is made from a quick-drying mesh fabric, and the RHEON pads are all removable. This slim, flexible armour is designed to fit under a jersey. The Short Sleeve Body Armour is also available in a women’s version.
Cascade Components 4th Gen. Levo Links:
Cascade Components was back at Crankworx Whistler, showing their newest replacement links for the Specialized Gen. 4 Turbo Levo eMTBs. They had two models on display, which increase the bike’s rear travel to either 160 or 170 mm. Pictured above is the 160mm model, which also increases the linkage’s progression from 12% to 25%. This model works with the Levo’s stock 210x55mm shock. The link is CNC machined from 6061 aluminum and is available in black, silver, or orange.
This silver link is the 170mm travel version, which requires a 230mm eye-to-eye shock (coil shocks recommended). This link bumps up the Levo’s progression to 30%, increasing the bike’s big-hit resistance while simultaneously improving small bump sensitivity. It is also available in silver, black, or orange. Both links are now available on Cascade Components’ website.
Ergon Vali Holl Components and SMS Saddle:
Contact point connoisseurs Ergon had a booth in Whistler Village, featuring a few products that are now available in Europe but haven’t made it to North America yet. Apparently, they’re on a boat somewhere but should be landing soon!
First up for Ergon is the new Vali Holl signature seats. The saddle is Ergon’s SM Downhill comp model, and Holl’s signature model features her artwork on its anti-slip microfiber cover. The Vali Holl edition is available in white or black, both with gold rails. The SM Downhill Comp saddle measures 236mm long by 120mm wide. It’s built with chromoly rails, and weighs 220g.
Holl’s signature grips are Ergon’s GDH Team grip, made from extra soft GravityControl rubber. As you’d expect from Ergon, the grips feature a shape that’s designed to reduce arm pump and hand fatigue. The inner clamps are adorned with Holl’s artwork, and the grips include one happy face bar end! The Vali Holl edition grips are available in black or white with gold clamps.
Last up are Ergon’s new SMS men’s saddles. Based on the SM saddle, the extra S in this model’s name stands for ‘short’. Ergon has trimmed 17mm off the nose for the new, stubbier SMS seats. These saddles are designed for MTB, and are suitable for anything from marathon XC rides to trail/all-mountain riding.
The SMS Comp features TiNox SL rails and weighs in at 245g. The Sport model gets TiNox XP rails and hits the scale at 260g. The SMS Sport saddle recently became available, but the Comp model is a few weeks away from North American stores.
Galfer Shark Evo Rotors:
Braking specialists Galfer had a few of their incoming Shark Evo rotors to show at Crankworx. These rotors feature a 2-piece design with machined 7075 aluminum cores. These are not floating rotors; the two materials are solidly riveted together on the Shark Evos. The alloy cores greatly increase the lateral stiffness of the rotors.
The outer ring of the Shark Evo rotors was redesigned to be wider top-to-bottom, providing more braking surface area as some newer brakes are using larger pads. The shape of the shark fins was also revised to further improve heat dissipation. All models will be available in 180, 203, and 223mm diameters, and with either 6-bolt or Centerlock compatibility. Color options for the alloy cores include Kashima, raw aluminum, or black.
Where you see the little rubber plug with Galfer’s ‘G’ is a hole for a spoke magnet. This makes the rotors compatible with eMTBs that use a rotor-mounted magnet to detect wheel speed. The new Shark Evo 2 rotors should be available in January.
Thule Vero Hitch Rack and Outset Hitch Tent:
Thule’s incoming Vero hitch rack offers a versatile clamp system that can secure your bike by its top tube, down tube, seat mast, or rear wheel. The clamp holds tight, but doesn’t squeeze even close to tight enough to damage a delicate carbon road frame. This rack could be a great option for bikes with fenders.
The Vero rack will be available as a two-bike model only, and only comes with a 2” hitch receiver. The rack can accommodate bikes up to 80lbs each, and fits tires up to 5” wide. The Vero is slated for release next Spring.
The Outset hitch-mounted tent is already available in Europe, but Thule recently revised the hitch design to work with North American-style hitches. The Outset should be available on this side of the pond as of September.
Providing a unique option for those with hitch-equipped cars (or anyone who needs all their vehicle’s cargo space), the Outset folds out to offer an 8’ long sleeping area. The tent can be set up by one person alone, and you can fold it up with your linens inside. Two braces on the bottom keep the tent up off the ground.
The Outset tent weighs 163lbs, and comes with 2” receivers only. It also locks to your hitch to prevent theft.
