Home

Recently on Cyclingnews.com


Mt Hood Classic
Photo ©: Swift

Sea Otter Classic Expo, Monterey, California, USA, April 16-19, 2009

Specialized and more

Specialized add a 29" version to their impressive Epic line.
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
The new 29" variant will use the same suspension design
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
The included fork will blend the functionality of a RockShox Reba
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
The curved down tube leaves ample clearance
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
The straight full-length seat tube allows plenty of range
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
The seat tube is notably offset towards the non-driveside
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
The main swingarm pivot is integrated into the bottom bracket shell.
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
Specialized signaled their commitment to the 29" segment
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
The 29" version uses a similarly swoopy frame design
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
Again, Specialized produce a hybrid fork
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
The carbon crown and tapered steerer tube
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
Also included is the Specialized FACT carbon integrated crankset.
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
Relatively slender seat stays
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
There's plenty of clearance up here…
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
…as well as down here. Check out the thinned-out chain stay shape
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
A slight kink is added to the seat tube just above the bottom bracket shell.
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
As on the 26" version, the 29er hardtail features a carbon driveside dropout…
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
…and an aluminum non-driveside one.
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
The integrated bottom bracket
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
Beefy chain stays promise efficient power transfer.
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
Specialized will also offer a new 29" Roval wheelset
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
A carbon center section on the front hub
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
Specialized team riders were using a new Renegade low-knob tread
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
DT Swiss now offer a full range of carbon road wheels.
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
Tubular and clincher varieties
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
Road wheels will be built around 240s hubs.
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
DT Swiss will also add two new carbon-rimmed mountain bike wheels.
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
The EX 1350 rim is 24mm wide
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
Last year's 3k finish will be replaced
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
The EX 1350 hubs will fit both 9mm quick-release
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
EXC 1550 hubs will work with 20mm or 15mm thru-axles
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
Hallelujah! DT Swiss will finally offer faster-engaging ratchet rings
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
If you have cash burning a hole in your pocket,
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
A carbon fiber crown and steerer save weight
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
Magnesium dropouts feature post mount caliper tabs.
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
The new M 210 rear shock offers an impressive feature set
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
Adjustments will include rebound speed, manual lockout,
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
Rocky Mountain jump into the 29" field
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
120mm of wheel travel is provided by the SmoothLink suspension system.
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
A tapered front end adds stiffness and strength.
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
Four-sided tubing is supposedly uber-strong
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
Rocky Mountain say the incredibly steep StraightUp seat tube (76 degrees!)
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
29" wheel fans can also opt for a racier Vertex 29.
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
Rocky Mountain includes a tapered front end here as well.
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
The extra-wide bottom bracket, press-fit bearing cups
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
The Vertex 29 uses the same FORM29 tubeset
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
Budget-minded riders can tap into the Hammer 29
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
An eccentric bottom bracket makes it easy to set up the Hammer
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
Commencal celebrate the Atherton's dual world championship wins
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
Commencal mate a simple single-pivot rear end
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
Adjustable dropouts offer finely tunable chain stay length.
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
The head tube can be adjusted between 63 and 65 degrees.
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
Commencal also showed off a carbon fiber version
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
Carbon fiber is also used for the rear swingarm.
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
The new head tube accepts an integrated headset.
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
Slopestyle riders can look to the new Commencal Absolut SX.
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
140mm of rear wheel travel rotates about a concentric bottom bracket pivot.
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
Gotcha! Specialized team rider Burry Stander
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
The new rotor uses a stainless steel brake track
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
Stander's bike was left on the rack in the Specialized team pit area
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)
This looks like a standard Elixir caliper
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)