This week saw the launch of two major new groups. For road, the all-new Shimano Ultegra R8000 takes all of the new tech, functionality and design of Dura-Ace and offers it at a better price. But the trickle down award definitely goes to SRAM GX Eagle, giving mountain bikers a complete 1×12 drivetrain group for less than half of X01’s cost…or just more than $500! We covered the GX tech here, posted actual weights and first impressions here, and rounded up several new bikes already spec’d with it here.
While all that was coming out, we reviewed a number of products, including Schwalbe X-One Allround cyclocross tires and the Paradigm Cycleworks bash guard. We also got a look at the pro quality but affordable road and mountain bike shoes from FLR (and the story on that custom paint job that you could totally do yourself!).
A couple years ago, we published the Suspension Setup Series. You liked it. But suspension continues to evolve, and there’s simply so much going on that we’ve launched new weekly series called Suspension Tech that’ll pick one small thing each week and dive deep. For the first one, we show you how to adjust your air volume to take full advantage of your air sprung fork.
There was quite a bit more interesting stuff this week, some of it a bit weird. Check out all the headlines below…
Weekend Movie: TEN, by BC Bike Race, follows racers & crew along the journey
Bikerumor Pic Of The Day: East Burke, Vermont
REN cycles adds titanium options for each Road, Gravel & Cross
Robot Bike is back 3D printing new R130 29er trail mountain bike
DeFeet Adds Waterproof Jacket and DeTour Vest to Crowd Funded Bespoke Line
Nua Dual blends belt drive, Pinion gearbox, and titanium pavement & dirt versatility
Mat Stephens takes Dirty Kanza 200 overall win with Panaracer GravelKing equipped 3T Exploro
Shimano taps Athertons for new Saint SPD, XT flat pedals & updated AM, GR shoes to match
The Vanilla Workshop decks out the OG in silver for new OG Classic Road Bike
Bikerumor Pic Of The Day: Rome, Italy
The Build Cycle Podcast #016 – Pure Cycles’ co-founder Michael Fishman
Stages Dash GPS head unit & Link training set to power workouts on the bike
Video: Jordie Lunn makes his own lines again in Rough AF 2
Review: The Aster backpack is a bright idea but it doesn’t shine performance-wise
The Wetsleeve: Put your hydration, on your forearm?
K-Edge adapter for Niterider lights now available
The Smog Free Bicycle concept: cleaning city air while we ride
Bikerumor Pic Of The Day: On the road to Icamole, México
BMC turns it up in Europe with new 150mm Trailfox Amp carbon eMTB
Catlike Yelmo mountain bike helmet fully integrated, certified GoPro mount
Suspension Tech: How does air volume affect your suspension fork’s ride quality?
Shimano Ultegra R8000 picks up mechanical, Di2 & disc brake Dura-Ace tech
OneUp Components gets a grip on two new flat pedal models
Hands On: Modern chain protection with the Paradigm Cycle Works Bash Guide
SR Suntour NA launches free Demo To Your Door Program, try a fork on your home trails
Bikerumor Pic Of The Day: Sart Tilman, Belgium
FLR Cycling’s affordable performance road & mountain bike shoes
DripDrop ORS puts medical grade oral hydration into bottles everywhere
SRAM GX Eagle leaves the nest, spreads 1×12 gearing to all mountain bikes
First Rides & Actual Weights – SRAM GX Eagle mountain bike group
SRAM GX Eagle opens door to more affordable bikes from Marin, Santa Cruz, Ibis, more…
Fidlock cageless water bottle mount twists out with a new design
Gazelle Arroyo lands Dutch e-bike commuter in the States
Review: Schwalbe X-One Allround cyclocross tires
Bikerumor Pic Of The Day: Lake Pepin, Wisconsin
Bikerumor Pic Of The Day: Tour de SRAM USA to benefit World Bicycle Relief
Friday Roundup: Cycling Odds & Ends
Roundup: Fresh goods from Bern, Big Agnes, Tasco MTB, Timber & more!
Icon Explore is an insanely awesome electric mountain trike for challenged athletes
AASQ #10: Which causes more trainer tire wear – plastic or aluminum rollers?