SRAM’s RED AXS has been the pinnacle of electronic shifting, and today, the brand announced a complete overhaul, resulting in its best-functioning (and best-looking) elite road groupset to date…
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Radar
Here for the Right Reasons: A TranzX EDP01 Wireless Dropper Post Review
The bike industry sure thinks electronic components are cool right now. But Travis doesn’t care if the TranzX EDP01 is cool. He cares if it actually works.
Reportage
Lightfooted and Fancy: A Review and Debut of the New No. 22 Bicycle Company Drifter Adventure Gravel Road Bike
There’s no shortage of drop-bar, dirt-oriented, MUSA titanium frames to choose from these days. Yet, one company’s consistently impressive designs continue to stand out in this somewhat crowded market: No. 22. John got his hands on the latest member of No. 22’s Drifter family, the Drifter Adventure, which became his “get into shape” bike this spring and summer. After logging miles on his favorite loop in Santa Fe, he’s ready to discuss what makes No. 22 and this new Drifter Adventure so special.
Read on for a fat gallery full of details and scenery, and his review…
Radar
Developing Story: SRAM’s Book About Transmission Will Make You Fall in Love with the Bike Industry Again
When you review bike products, sometimes they arrive with some swag. T-shirt, stickers, sure. But sometimes there’s a cool memento, like an Abbey Tool laser-etched by whatever brand has partnered up with them for the launch. Or an artifact from the product’s manufacturing and development, like a piece of the innovative raw material that made it possible. But what came with my GX Transmission kit is by far the most moving party favor I’ve ever received.
Radar
A Fast Trickle: SRAM GX Transmission Groupset First-Ride Review
At the time of publishing this, the ink is still drying on our first-impressions of SRAM‘s debut boat-rocking direct-mount, electronic-shifting drivetrain concept, dubbed “Transmission.” Ever since, it’s been hard to get into a conversation with a bike nerd without Transmission coming up. Travis Engel is one of those nerds who can’t stop talking about it, so he was the perfect person to cover the surprise addition of a lower-priced GX group, which launched today. Read on to see what changed, what didn’t, and why this is such good news.
Radar
SRAM Apex 1×12 AXS XPLR and Eagle Electronic and Mechanical Groupsets
If you are like me in assuming that SRAM has moved on to more technologically advanced projects and left those of us wanting native mechanical dropbar 12-speed functionality in Transmisson’s dust, then today’s news oughta be pretty exciting. SRAM has just announced that they will be releasing an Apex-level AXS XPLR and Eagle wireless electronic shifting groupset alongside Apex XPLR and Eagle mechanical 12-speed drivetrains. Below, Josh Weinberg offers a detailed look at the new components after testing them for a couple of days in the Driftless region of northwest Illinois…
Radar
Radar Roundup: State Offers Affordable AXS Builds, OneUp Long/Short Droppers, Nightbird x Rogue Panda, and WallRides
Our Radar Roundup compiles products and videos from the ‘net in an easy-to-digest format. Read on below for today’s findings…
Radar
Technological Alluvium: SRAM Wireless Tech Rolls Downhill into GX Eagle AXS
It’s inundating to keep up with cycling’s technological advancements yet if one development has shifted the paradigm for drivetrains in the past few years, it’s SRAM’s AXS system. While the kit is a dreamy riding experience, the price can be daunting, and that alone is a major reason why many people haven’t had the chance to ride it. Yet, as with all cycling tech, it tends to trickle down like alluvium in the desert.
The new GX Eagle AXS rolled downhill and right into my lap recently, so I decided to put it on the Sklar touring bike because why not? Check out the unveiling below with some initial thoughts on the system and a component breakdown with pricing/availability…
Radar
SRAM’s X01 AXS Rear Derailleur is More Robust
Everyone loves the bling of XX1 Eagle but X01 is the kit of choice for those who race enduro or ride rugged terrain. The new updates to the AXS lineup include a more robust XO1 rear derailleur. This updated mech has a 10mm shorter cage than its mechanical counterpart, to avoid dragging it on rocks, sits further inboard, and provides a tighter chain wrap around the cassette. See more at SRAM.
Reportage
The Moots Womble 29er: Long-Term Bike and Frame Review
Let’s just say I didn’t expect any less than greatness from Moots when it came to the Womble, the latest creation from their shop in Steamboat Springs. From previous experiences, I knew how well Moots’ titanium bikes rode and was looking forward to trying out their take on a modern 29er.
A few years back, I put the Baxter 29er through the wringer on the Steamboat to Fort Collins Ramble Ride, and during my project with SRAM in the Inyo Mountains, I pedaled it high up in the Mojave Desert and through Death Valley, across miles of washboard roads.
If I learned anything from those experiences it’s that titanium is the greatest frame material, especially when it’s wielded by the Masters of Metal. I’ve had the Womble 29er for a few months now, throughout the dusty ‘n’ dry end of summer, well into the snow-filled fall, and am finally ready to make my thoughts official, so read on below.
Reportage
The Pursuit Cycles LeadOut AR Prototype and Hand “Painted”
During the fabrication of a Pursuit Cycles, Carl Strong’s custom carbon brand, each of the six sections of the MUSA carbon frame come out of the mold and then are printed with some stats. This includes mold number, frame size, layup version, and a number of parts made from that mold, then finally weight is handwritten on. Eventually, when the frame is complete and getting prep for paint these notes are removed. As this bike was one of the firsts Lead Out ARs to be produced this idea hooked me, I loved the process and tracking, I wanted to play into that. Taking some inspiration from recent sneaker trends as well. I decided on a Helvetica style to the point design.
Reportage
The Most Colorful Bastion Cycles Ever? A Ti and Carbon Dream Bike from the ENVE Builder Round Up
This year’s ENVE Builder Round-Up featured two builds that didn’t make it through US Customs in time for the complete unveiling. Last weekend we looked at that beautiful Isen, a colorful build on its own, and this weekend, we’re featuring this lovely Bastion, a brand known for its ultra-high-tech frame construction by using 3D printed titanium lugs and beautifully woven carbon tubes. All made in-house in Victoria, Australia. Yes, this Bastion flew a long way to Ogden, Utah for the ENVE Builder Round-Up, but as you can see, it was worth it! See the full details below in an interview video with Bastion and a complete gallery within…
Reportage
Rebounding with the 2020 Cannondale Topstone 650b and its All-Carbon Lefty Oliver Fork
Out of all the bikes I personally reviewed or even rode last year, the Cannondale Topstone carbon was not my favorite. Yet, I really loved the 2018 aluminum Topstone! Go figure. As I stated in the initial review, it felt too gimmicky for all the engineering that went into it. I felt like it was lacking something extra to truly make it stand out from Cannondale‘s history of making kooky, yet practical suspension bikes. A whole year has passed but my wish would finally come true. Was it worth the wait or the extra engineering? Read on below to find out.
Radar
SRAM Force AXS eTap Goes Wider and New Integrated Dropper Levers in 1x Kits
This morning, to coincide with our Verdugo Mountains story, SRAM dropped their new wider Force AXS eTap kit and an announcement that has piqued our ears over here: Force, Rival, and Apex HRD dropper levers. Check out all the info below…
Radar
Save over $1,000 on a Complete Thesis OB1 or OB1 AXS
Like most companies, Thesis Bike invested heavily in preparing for the riding season not expecting a pandemic to take hold of the world. To generate the sales they need to keep their wheels spinnin’ the company has just announced these limited-time offers on their custom builds:
-The OB1 now starts at just $2,799, or $3998 with both wheel packages, when you bring a friend.
-The OB1 AXS now starts at just $3999 (normally $4999)
Those interested can simply drop us an email at support@thesis.bike with your and your friend’s email addresses to get started. And if you’d like to support us in other ways, you can do so by sharing these offers with your gravel-curious friends and communities, on social, and wherever else bicycles are discussed.
Reportage
Premier Bicycle Werks Painted Jordan’s OPEN U.P. RTP All Road
The way I ride road bikes has evolved with the way the bikes are being built. As I have moved away from pack racing over the past 10 years, I have desired more variety in my daily rides. Most of my rides involve sections of steep LA county fire roads or linking hilly neighborhood climbs together by zigging and zagging through hidden dirt paths.
Reportage
2019 Grinduro: Olivetti Drop Bar MTB
This year at Grinduro, eight frame builders presented bikes in partnership with Maxxis, Sram/Zipp, Columbus, and Hope Tech. The theme? What is your ideal Grinduro bike? This outstanding Olivetti drop bar MTB took advantage of AXS road and mountain compatibility.
Reportage
Grinduro 2019: Evil’s New Gravel Bike Embodies the Brand’s Rowdy DNA
When you think of the mountain bike brand Evil, chances are you think of the three pillars of modern mountain bike design, long, slack, and low. So when the brand began developing a gravel bike, they tapped into that design DNA. I got an in-person look at this new bike at Grinduro so read on for the details.
