Pinkbike takes an exclusive first look at the new Race Face Next bars, as well as the special Green Monster Atlas parts, new seats and grips.
NEXT: WHAT'S NEXT?Race Face continues to impress with refinements to their carbon fibre program. The latest introduction, wider handlebar offerings and a sweet new graphics package across their NEXT XC/Trail brand. Sparked by rider demand for a wider stance, the new generation NEXT is now available in a WIDE FLAT 1/4" rise (28.3" or 720mm), 3/4" riser (28.5" or 725mm), as well as a more traditional 1/4" rise narrow (24.6" or 625mm) option.
Although the NEXT brand is best known for XC applications, it is actually designed to withstand the rigors of the growing Enduro and All-Mountain categories; tested to pass the same stringent Race Face strength/fatigue requirements as the DH bars. A reinforced stem anti-crush zone minimizes the possibility of stress risers where the stem meets bar, while a leading edge unidirectional carbon weave & precise manufacturing process ensure the NEXT bars present at an impressively low XC weight. In other words, Next is the best option for your go-to 'pedal-ly' bike; ultra lightweight for climbing efficiency, stiff and durable for sketchy descents.
The evolution of NEXT branding balances a slick new set of water decal graphic wraps that is careful not to lose the carbon fibre weave below. The matte carbon and gloss decal offer a dynamic finish. A dither effect toward the bar ends creates a visual vibration that just makes you look...well, fast! The new aesthetic is offered in red, green, blue, and carbon (neutral).
HANDLEBAR, NEXT FLAT 1/4 riser, narrowBUILT FOR: XC Race/Trail/AM
DIMENSIONS: 24.6" or 625mm width
SWEEP: 7° rearward, 2° upward
RISE: 0
BAR DIAMETER: 31.8mm
WEIGHT: 135g
COLOUR: Matte Carbon only
HANDLEBAR, NEXT WIDE FLAT - NEW!BUILT FOR: XC Race/Trail/AM
DIMENSIONS: 28.3" or 720mm width
SWEEP: 8° rearward
RISE: ¼"
BAR DIAMETER: 31.8mm
WEIGHT: 175g
COLOUR: Matte Carbon, Red, Green, Blue
HANDLEBAR, NEXT 3/4 riserBUILT FOR: XC Race/Trail/AM
DIMENSIONS: 28.5" or 725mm width
SWEEP: 8° rearward, 4° upward
RISE: ¾"
BAR DIAMETER: 31.8mm
WEIGHT: 175g
COLOUR: Matte Carbon, Red, Green, Blue
ATLAS CRANK & BARS: THE GREEN MONSTER EMERGES!Race Face has made quite a colour imprint on our industry throughout the years building a solid reputation for introducing vibrant coloured components when other brands were playing it safe with neutrals. Their latest brainchild - they've created a monster and it's being unleashed in the form of their bomber Atlas cranks and bars. Be forewarned, this particular Green Monster is a limited release so you'll have to get it on your rig before this monster sleeps again.
BUILT FOR: FR/DH Racing
SIZE: 165, 170, 175mm & 68/73, 83mm or 100mm
WEIGHT: 685g (165mm, 83mm armset without BB);
822g (165mm with 36T ring & 68/73mm BB)
910g (170mm with 36T Single Ring, Bash Guard & 68/73mm BB);
958g (170mm with 24/36/Bash Guard & 68/73mm BB)
RING CONFIGURATIONS: 24, 36 & Bash; Single Ring & Bash; Single Ring
*Compatible with various BB standards (PF30/BB92/BB30 and 68/73/83mm threaded BB).
COLOUR: Green Monster
Atlas 1 1/4 riserBUILT FOR: DH/FR
DIMENSIONS: 31" or 785 mm width, 8° rearward, 4° upward
RISE: 1¼"
WEIGHT: 340g
BAR DIAMETER: 31.8mm
COLOUR: Green Monster
Atlas RiserBUILT FOR: DH/FR
DIMENSIONS: 31” or 785 mm width, 8° rearward, 4° upward
RISE: ½”
WEIGHT: 340g
BAR DIAMETER: 31.8mm
COLOUR: Green Monster
ATLAS I-BEAM SADDLE: GET YOUR ATL-ASS ON ONE!Introducing the Atlas I-Fly saddle. Light-weight, ultra sleek, minimalist styling ensures it's easy to get off the back when things get steep, but still offers the support needed to get you through an all day epic. The I-Fly offers World Cup race proven performance with an unsurpassed strength to weight ratio - because if you're not fast, you're last!
CATEGORY: DH/FR
CONNECTION: I-Beam
WEIGHT: 156g
DIMENSIONS: 260mm x 127mm
COLOUR: Black
The Atlas Saddle is also available in a railed option and is compatible with all railed seat post designs.
CATEGORY: DH/FR
CONNECTION: Railed
WEIGHT: 220g with Ti Alloy rails
DIMENSIONS: 260mm x 127mm
COLOUR: Black
ATLAS I-BEAM SEATPOST:The Atlas I-Beam seatpost combines the proven I-beam head design with a custom Race Face tube. The tube is elliptically extruded & CNC machined from 2014 aluminum for optimal strength to weight ratio. The result - a durable, lightweight post that excels in any terrain you choose to ride without the added weight penalty of traditional seatpost designs.
BUILT FOR: XC/AM/DH
SIZE: 30.9, 31.6mm
LENGTH: 350mm
WEIGHT: 218g (30.9mm)
COLOUR: Black
HALF NELSON GRIPS:Why is it most grips run best when they’re almost worn out? Half Nelson’s are designed to give you that super tacky thin feel straight out of the box. Thin, tacky, light weight...everything you want in a grip.
- • Single lock on grip
- • Super slim low profile design
- • Lightweight - (24g lighter than Race Face Sniper lock on / Pair)
- • Uses Race Face’s soft and durable super tacky VEXY compound
- • RaceFace MX style half waffle for added grip security
- • Topographic moisture channels
BUILT FOR: XC/AM/DH
WEIGHT: 92.5 grams
COLOURS: White, Red, Orange, Green, Blue, Grey, Black