As more bike brands work on fully hidden, integrated cable, wire and hose designs that hide any connection from shifter lever to brakes and derailleurs, third party brands are helping make it possible. Token’s new Cable Box System allows for anything and everything to run from inside the stem into the frame, without limiting adjustments. And with a top as short as 8mm, they say it gives you the lowest stack height of any integrated system so far.
From the outside, you won’t see any lines. Inside the frame, they run alongside the steerer tube before heading into the downtube.
The system is light, too. The top cap is a composite, and a fiber-reinforced compression ring can withstand 700kg or pressure, so you won’t crush it.
Frames need to have a 1.5” upper bearing too, which is becoming more common. This leaves room for the cables and hoses to run between the ring and the bearing, and the fork’s steerer tube remains a standard 1-1/8″ diameter.
Installed correctly, you won’t see anything on the outside, and you’ll still be able to turn the bar at least 90º in either direction. Look for BLKTEC stem and bar compatibility at first, with other brands likely to follow.
Shuriken oversize pulleys for Shimano 105
Last year, the Token Shuriken debuted with a carbon cage and $330 price point for the latest Dura-Ace and Ultegra derailleurs. Now, there’s a more affordable version for Shimano 105 R7000 derailleurs. It uses an alloy cage, 12/19-tooth combos, and has a 66g weight…which they say is lighter than a stock long cage with plastic pulleys. Where the top model gets ceramic bearings on top and bottom, this uses a TBT ceramic bearing only for the faster spinning top pulley. (We’ve requested pricing, will update as we get it.)
Just want to upgrade the pulleys in your derailleur’s stock cage? They have new 12/14t combos for SRAM and Shimano drivetrains. They’re available with standard or ceramic bearings, the latter also getting a PVD coating to improve longevity.
More weight weenie lightweight bike parts
Their composite Ninja Lite bottom brackets, which are among the lightest available, now come in BB86/BB92 versions for Shimano cranksets. The separate installation tool helps ensure they thread-press fully into your frame.
The Token Crown Cap and Zenith spacers are some of the lightest such pieces you’ll find. The 4.5g cap runs $15, and spacers come as a set for $9 and includes 2 x 5mm (1.4g) and 1x 10mm (2.7g).
The new Push’n-Turn Long is an extra long version that provides more surface contact inside your steerer tube.
It expands a full 3mm, and it’s carbon safe. Weight is 38g, retail is $22. The top is flanged, too, so it won’t fall down into your steerer tube.
TokenProducts.com
