Relic dropped into Taipei show with a 48 tooth conversion sprocket for Shimano 11-42t sprockets to take you up to higher ground… without having to push your bike, and a simple one piece 2-speed single speed conversion that could do the same.
Also, with so many standards flying around these days, it’s hard to know which part you need. Da Bomb makes it easier by offering one simple headset for all of your tapered needs…
A sprocket big enough to eat off of, Relic’s 48t was mounted and working smoothly. The best part is that there are no adapters you need to add to the derailleur for it to work.
As you can see, the derailleur’s pully wheel is just far enough away from the 48 tooth cog so that it doesn’t hit. This is what caused many of the 42 tooth conversions on 10 speed systems (that were made to top out at 36 teeth) to not work unless you added an adapter or longer screw to the rear derailleur. This backs up the fact that Shimano’s new 11-46 cassette will work just fine with their existing 11 speed derailleur.
The $90 kit comes with 48 and 18 tooth cogs and all you have to do to convert it is remove the 17 & 19 cogs and slap the 48 and 18 on. The cogs are machined out of 7075 aluminum and are compatible with Shimano XT & XTR 11 speed systems.
Relic also had this 2-speed single speed cog and spacer kit. The reason behind this is that many single speeders will swap cogs based on where they’re climbing riding. This system makes the process a little easier and even something you can do while out on a ride.
The only size available (for now) is a 14/18 combo. Depending on what you ride, this may be a little tough unless you’re running a 30 tooth chainring (maybe). Using a tensioner, sliding dropouts or a EBB, you should have enough room to adjust the chain’s slack for each cog. The two cogs are a one-piece design making them plenty wide so to not dig into a soft aluminum cassette.
Da Bomb had what I thought was a thoughtful product, especially for shops. With so many standards and sizes, it is often difficult for shops to stock everything each person needs.
Da Bomb’s “Bomb Loop” will eliminate some of this as it comes with all the goods to fill your tapered headset needs. It comes with both 30 & 39.8mm fork races, both ZS44 & 56 and IS42 & 52 frame cups making it pretty much compatible with most tapered frames and forks on the market. (Price is TBD).