Hope TechHope always has something on display at Eurobike to grab your attention, whether that be a teaser for something some way in the distance, or something that's ready for market. Their trademark of sharp machining and bright anodizing always catches your eye and leads you into their booth to see what's been knocked up on their CNC machines in the run to the show.
Tech Evo V4  |
 Hope's faithful V2 had been in service since 2007 when it was introduced with the old Moto lever, but with the game of evolution never ending it was time for a refresh and rethink. In its place is the V4, a larger and more powerful version of the M4 and capable of accepting Hopes vented rotors. Featuring longer and shallower pads with greater surface area than the outgoing brake allows all Hope brakes to now use the same depth of rotor. The new caliper is stiffer too, controlled by Hope's Tech Evo lever with bearing pivots and an increase in power of 15% thanks to revised geometry. The leading piston is 18mm while the smaller trailing is 16mm and stolen from the M4. Lighter, better performing and smoother acting, it should add up to a very high performance brake. |
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| It's taken a while (we first showed them here last year) but at last Hope have the production pedal ready. Although lacking a concave shape the pedal is reasonably thin and boosts grip by having sharp machined ridges in the 2014-T6 aluminium body to augment the 20 standard pins. As with all things Hope they've put a lot of effort into the sealing. This should ensure that they continue to spin freely on their Norglide bush and triple cartridge bearing arrangement, even after the ravages of a disgusting winter and regular riding in atrocious conditions. |
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Although on show, the XD freehub is so new they haven't yet progressed it to the mill, this one created using 3D printing. It should be available soon though so if you're planning to get yourself hooked up with the latest SRAM drive train you now have another option for your wheels. Compatible with all Pro3 & Pro2 Evo hubs it will be fully compatible with the new XD cassette featured on the XX1 drive train. Across their full range of hubs hope have reduced the power of the pawl springs to improve rolling resistance. Some may bemoan the quieter click but most will no doubt be quite happy with this change, especially if the wheels are faster rolling as a result.
The integrated cassette is another item that's been in the prototype stages for a while. Although the AM version isn't quite ready, a slimmed down DH model could be just around the corner which will see either six or, more likely, seven cogs. Seven is touted as some derailleurs struggle to sufficiently limit their movement to use less. Smaller cogs will be steel while the other end sees extensive use of titanium to reduce weight. The 9T bottom cog will allow the use of a 32T chain ring for the virtual equivalent of an 11T/38T combo. We're itching to get a first ride on this so we can bring you the low down on how it performs so as soon as we can get our hands on one you'll be the first to know. |
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| A simple and lightweight unit made from 7075-T6 hard anodised aluminium, the bash guard is integrated into the chain ring to minimise weight. Aimed at the trail and all-mountain market the low profile design is available in two separate parts, the IBR and the guide itself. Although designed to work in conjunction, Hope say that there'll be no problem with running the guide with another manufacturers bash should you prefer to keep it separate to the chain ring. Available in several mounting options (BB, ISCG & seat tube), and ring sizes from 32T-36T in single tooth increments. |
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| The original Eternity post was so called because it took so long to get it on the shelves but thankfully this layback version is already on its way as you read this. Updated from the original two piece unit with bonded head, the layback post is now single piece thanks to a 3D forging which is then finalised on the CNC machines to the shape you see here. |
e*ThirteenPrototype Carbon Fibre Chain Device |
| The epoxy had barely cured when these two carbon backplates turned up at the show last Friday. Tucked away in the booth you'd be forgiven for not noticing them but they mark the company's first foray into the world of Carbon. Rather than cut from sheet as some carbon guides are these are molded which means added strength. Obviously these examples aren't yet finished but even so we were excited to see them and look forward to seeing how they hold up in use. |
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| Steve Peat is not only a top level World Cup rider who has been around since the sports early days, he is a brand. With perhaps more signature products to his name than virtually any other rider, Tomac aside, this Steve Peat guide from e*Thirteen may differ only in colour and graphics from the superb stock LG1+ but that is unlikely to dent its popularity. |
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| When e*thirteen first released their cranks last year they used a wave crush washer and poly spacers to take up slack in the bearings as the crank tightened down on the polygonal tapered axle. This has seen revision for 2013 and is now a ratcheted dial called APS Adaptive Preload System which can be turned by hand after tightening up the crank to preload the bearings. Updates have been made elsewhere to include titanium nitride coated angular contact bearings which survive better on un-faced bottom bracket shells as well as now offering even more options to fit virtually any bike out there. |
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| That's right. The long standing SRS guide from e*Thirteen has been removed from the range. With the popularity of the LG1+ among the racers, and those riders looking at the SRS for the toughest guide possible, the decision was taken to alter the line up slightly. You can still run a bash guard based guide but on the LG1+ with slightly altered plastics top and bottom to accommodate the bash and in this incarnation is called the LG1+ Turbo. This means that you essentially have two bash guards, a rotating outer and a stationary inner. It's unlikely to appeal to weight weenies but then that's the purpose of the LG1+, and the twin-plate design should prove virtually indestructible if past experience with the separate items is anything to go by. |
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| Three cranks now sit in this lightweight trail and all mountain range. The entry level TRS (not pictured) and the top level TRS Race (right) sandwiching the TRS+ (left). The TRS Race is heavily sculpted and as a result comes in at 721g including bottom bracket at a 22-36T combo. The revised cranks utilise a replaceable spider which offers the opportunity to replace a bolted chain ring for a one piece unit if you're looking to go either singlespeed or run a chain device (as pictured on the TRS Race) which reduces the weight further still. |
Danny Hart's 'Help for Heroes' Giant Glory  |
| Hart's 'Help for Heroes' bike was on display at the Giant stand. Used for the Fort William World Cup earlier in the year, the brightly polished bike was adorned with the names of service men and women killed in action in a tribute to their lives. It's great to see top athletes in our sport supporting causes like this, with Hill's Cancer Research work and all those others who do their own thing. In the UK, Help for Heroes actively supports injured soldiers through sport, many of the current British Paralympians competing in London 2012 having being found through the programme. |
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| Giant also had their Reign SX on display in this striking colour scheme with colour co-ordinated Rock Shox Domains and brake lines. |
KTMWe recently featured KTM's press launch which covered the new for 2013 29" wheeled Scarp and the 650B Lycan. There were two bikes of note for the PB crowd which we didn't cover in much detail, the Bark and the Aphex/Ratchet, but here they are.
Bark  |
| Having had the 2012 model Bark 20 on long term test we thought it appropriate to show the new 2013 models here. The frame remains unchanged but specification has been updated and the number of bikes reduced to two, the 20 (top), and the 40 (bottom). Drivetrains are exclusively Shimano and feature Shadow+ technology for minimized chainslap and a massive reduction in chain drop as a result. The 20 features the latest Fox CTD range of suspension, XT drivetrain, Zee brakes and a Reverb dropper post with the 40 coming with SLX and a Rock Shox fork. |
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| KTM's gravity line up has also received some updates for 2013. The Aphex is the bike currently piloted by Fionn Griffiths on the World Cup circuit and the slacker for 2013 (63.5 degree) head angle is a direct result of feedback from their development riders. An FSA +/-1.0 headset comes standard on both the race ready Aphex and the entry level Ratchet. Full Saint and Fox suspension comes stock on the Aphex with the Ratchet taking a Boxxer RC from Rock Shox, mated with Shimano's new Zee groupset. |
Moveo |
Moveo are a Spanish brand which has been quietly moving in on the neck brace scene over the past few years. Some innovative features enable it to truly be a one size fits all model and gives users the chance to fully customise the fit and range of motion it allows.
Although a little plain without the graphics installed, they do come with them already in the box (as seen above) and seem like a very competent alternative to those from Alpinestars and Leatt. They're available in both thermoplastic and carbon fibre to suit differing budgets and take a one size fits all approach with all necessary components included to allow the adaptation for larger and smaller bodies. We've got one on its way for a test so we'll put it through its paces and report back. Also shown alongside the brace were a range of compatible bags for riders looking to ride with a pack that doesn't interfere with the fitting of a neck brace. Hardly a consideration when racing but if spending all day out in the mountains, away from hotel or car, then more than likely there'll be a need to carry some spares and food. |
Chris KingChris King needs no introduction, their headsets and hubs having been the top-drawer go to for years. In recent years the introduction of multiple standards for hubs, headsets and now bottom brackets has led to an explosion in the number of products they now offer.
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| Spot anything unexpected? This 157mm rear hub was created especially for use by the Santa Cruz Syndicate as they develop the Mk4 V10 for production with their team. As sponsors of the team this left Chris King with one option, and while the frame may be some way off, you can get the hubs already. As the standard intended, it's basically a 150mm hub with a longer axle to sit in the recesses on the frame and uses the same Ring Drive system that CK became famous for. |
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| How many headset combinations are now available? Twenty seven, and that's a lot of headsets. Integrated, taper, zero stack, they all feature in the range. In the world of bottom brackets there are now your typical X-Type as well as the numerous press fit styles for both road and MTB frames. |
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| Chris King also had several other pretty special parts lined up on their stand: |
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Top left Disc specific road/cyclocross hub. Yeah, it's for narrow tyres but real brakes are finally beginning to take hold in their world
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Top right How nice? This Levi's/Chris King collaboration commuter jacket was pretty trick with Chris King details throughout
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Middle Have a Chris King BB? Well then you'll need this tool replace the grease in those bearings and keep them running sweet
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Bottom left An obligatory cut away shot of the famous Chris King Ring Drive showing the finely engineered internals
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Bottom right If you like your tools then we're pretty sure you'll appreciate this, a Chris King workshop tool for BB servicing
dont waste time on the final cut, bolt it to the bike and test it 
