With the success of Race Face's proprietary Optimized Carbon Technology program, Race Face has decided to take another step into making your bike lighter, and stronger while still providing you with the same ride comfort and reliability you need. SixC (the c is silent, eh!) is the next step in cranks and handlebar development being constructed out of carbon fiber. SixC is a true AM/FR product, 20+ grams lighter than anything else out there and perfectly suited for the 5 to 6 inch travel range. Here is some information on the new lineup.
Check it all inside,
Manufactured and engineered in Race Face's British Columbia, Canada manufacturing facility, they have done a ton of testing on some of the most abusive and demanding trails around. The
SixC crank arms are completely hollow, with all the unnecessary material removed from the center core, and not replaced with an aluminum spine. The SixC crank arms are strictly carbon, exactly what you would hope for from a carbon lineup.
Race Face removes all the unnecessary material in the post curing process, so their engineers can mold the carbon at high pressure levels resulting in optimal material compaction and an overall lower void structure (empty space in the carbon overlay). This process aids Race Face in creating a superlight crank setup, weighing in at 760 grams. Race Face has included the pedal and spindle inserts in the molding process to ensure they will never loosen off or creak. The SixC crank arm features a superlight CNC machined CrMo bottom bracket spindle that is permanently molded directly into the drive side crank arm. This minimizes weight, and maximizes power transfer.
Race Face's chainrings are 100% CNC machined from super hard 7075 aluminum to maximize wear resistance, and impact strength. These chainrings are secured in place using alloy torx 30 hardware, keeping the weight down. Removing the SixC cranks is simple using the built in crank puller cap, and an 8mm hex wrench. Race Face has also equip the SixC lineup with 3mm of available chainline adjustability. This ensures you the ability to achieve perfect drivetrain alignment even with difficult suspension frame designs.
Offered in a triple ring set-up, or double ring with Race Face's lightweight 7075 alloy bashguard the SixC lineup should have an offering for your needs. As well, the bottom bracket that is included with the SixC cranks features Race Face's triple wiper seal, which retains the factory Phil Woods waterproof grease better, and helps it keep contaminants out. The SixC cranks carry a US MSRP price of $669 with a bottom bracket.
Along with the SixC cranks Race Face did up a
SixC handlebar. The SixC handlebar is manufactured with leading edge composite material that allows Race Face to reach their high strength requirements, while still coming in at an impressively low weight of 225 grams. Designed with a standard 9 degree rearward bend, and 4 degrees upward the SixC handlebar is a 3/4 inch rise bar that is only manufactured at 725mm wide, with a 31.8mm clamping diameter.
Race Face ensures that the SixC handlebar meets standards with each run that comes out of the factory by testing a handlebar from each run. This ensures that all the standards set by the engineers are met. As well, Race Face has equipped the SixC 3/4 Riser bar with reinforced clamping zones for lock-on grip compatibility.
The SixC handlebar got the same Matte Carbon color scheme that was offered on the cranks, along with the Orange accents (the bar, like the crankset, is also available in white and silver). Race Face has also included cut lines on the ends of the bar in 12mm increments, down to 700mm. The SixC handlebars have a US MSRP price of $129.
Aside from the SixC lineup Race Face recently released their
Atlas FR direct mount stem. The Atlas FR direct mount stem is a flip flop design, meaning in one position it provides 30mm of reach, and the other side features 50mm of reach. Weighing in at 162 grams the new Atlas FR stem is constructed out of 6061 Aluminum, and features an interlocking u-shaped handlebar clamp. This U-shaped clamp aids the stem in transferring more load through the stem body, and not into the bolts.
The flip flop design is something we haven't seen too much of around the mountain biking scene, but it makes sense to offer two options on one stem, at one low weight. Offered in black, white, and rum red the Atlas FR stem is designed to be a Boxxer direct mount stem. 4 bolts secure the front face plate to the body, and 4 bolts secure the body to your bike.
The Atlas FR stem has a US MSRP price of $95 for the black one, and $100 for the white model. Also, Race Face is producing a lighter version of the stem, known as the
Atlas FR SL (super light). This stem weighs in at 138 grams, and will come with 8 Ti bolts. The US MSRP on that stem is $115.
Atlas FR SL Stem
Somewhere in between carbon cranks and direct mount stems sits the Respond line up. Respond is designed for riders who are wanting big hit performance at an All Mountain weight. Constructed out of 7050 aluminum the
Respond crank setup weighs in at 1150 grams. Race Face has designed the Respond cranks to have 6mm of chainline adjustment, meaning these cranks should work with virtually any bike.
Race Face offers the Respond cranks in 165, 170, and 175mm lengths, and they will fit 68, 73, and 83mm bottom bracket shells. The bottom bracket included with the Respond cranks is filled from the factory with Phil Woods waterproof grease, just like the SixC cranks. This grease is known to extend bearing life, and keep your cranks spinning smoother over a longer period of time. The granny ring on the Respond cranks is removeable as well, for increased clearance should you choose to run a single ring chain guide.
Much like the SixC group the Respond cranks use the same EXI interface, making installation and removal of the cranks a breeze at any well setup bike shop. As well, Race Face has equip the Respond cranks with their light weight aluminum bash, lightening up the whole setup that extra bit. The Respond Cranks carry a US MSRP price of $160, and are part of a complete Respond lineup.
Along side the Respond cranks in the Respond lineup is the bar and stem. The
Respond bar has been cold drawn out of seamless Air Alloy material. Its butted for a optimized weight to strength ratio, and is offered in two rise options, 1.5" which weighs in at 370 grams, and 0.5" which weighs in at 335 grams. It offered at 27" wide from the factory, with 9 degrees of rearward bend, and 4 degrees of upward, with a 31.8 clamping diameter. The Respond handlebar carries a US MSRP price of $48 for the black bars, and $55 for the white version.
Matching up perfectly with the Respond handlebar is the
Respond stem. The Respond stem is offered in 45mm and 60mm lengths, with 10 degrees of rise. Its forged and blasted out of 6061 aluminum, which translates into high stregn and fatigue resistance, with a reasonable weight. The Respond stem weighs in at 195 grams for the 45mm length, and 215 grams for the 60mm length. Also, the Respond stem features the same interlocking U-shaped handlebar clamp, which helps the stem dissipate images and stresses through the stem body, and not directly through the bolts. As well, when you combine the Respond stem and bar the graphics match up nicely in either the black or the white options. The Respond stem is for sale in black and white color options. The black version holds a US MSRP of $48, and the white version has a US MSRP of $57.
For more information about these new products from Race Face or any other products from them check out their
site.
