Taipei Product Round-up

Mar 12, 2012
by Matt Wragg  
Over the last few days we've been bringing you the highlights of what was on show here at the Taipei Cycle Show. Among the booths there was a lot of cool stuff that we haven't had chance to show you yet - this is our roundup of the best of the show.

Carbon Devinci Dixon - 145mm - Taipei Cycle Show 2012

We spotted this on the Devinci booth: a full carbon, 145mm trail weapon. Wow. Word is that it's in testing now and you won't see these out on the trail until next year at the earliest, but... yeah. The words, 'lighter,' 'stiffer' and 'stronger' were mentioned.


Carbon Devinci Dixon

We noticed this on the Devinci stand as well, "Monocoque Carbon Wilson"... A typo? A full carbon DH bike in the works? Someone just teasing us? We don't know, the guys were keeping tight-lipped on this one, but we'd love to see a carbon Wilson...


Wheeler TS02 29er DH bike - Taipei Cycle Show 2012

A 29er DH bike... We'll say no more.


Taipei Cycle Show 2012

Cane Creek launched a new website to help owners set up their Double Barrels. Put in your bike and riding style and it will recommend settings for you to work with - a welcome move for what is undoubtedly the most complicated, but rewarding, shock on the market to get the most out of.


Pinion gearbox bike - Taipei Cycle Show 2012

We loved the Pinion gearbox when we had a play with one last year and think it has the potential to be the one, so we were pleased to see Sanfa engineering offering both frames with the gearbox and the hardware to build the gearbox into a frame.


Astro Carbon DH Frame think team KHS - Taipei Cycle Show 2012

Catalogue frame giants, Astro Engineering had this funky carbon DH frame on display. We wouldn't be surprised if you see this pop up under someone else's name in the next few years.


HT pedals - Taipei Cycle Show 2012

HT Pedals had these insanely light platforms on show. 235g a pair. They've got a proper concave platform and some evil-looking pins, so we'd stake a fair bit that these will grip like hell too.


Reynolds Carbon AM wheels - Taipei Cycle Show 2012

Reynolds was keen to show off their new super-stiff, super-light carbon AM wheelset. Our very own Mike Levy has just received a set of these and will be bringing you his verdict on them soon...


e13 LG pedals - Taipei Cycle Show 2012

E13 was excited to tell everyone that their uber-pimp, uber-grippy pedals were ready to start shipping, so you should be able to get your hands on the very soon!


Maxxis Highroller II Minion DHF 29er tires - Taipei Cycle Show 2012

Maxxis is helping big wheel riders get ugly by releasing the popular Minion DHF and High Roller II tyres for 29 inch wheels.


Formula disk brakes on Colnago road bike - Taipei Cycle Show 2012

This is some of the biggest news in the road world right now. Formula is releasing disc brakes for road bike. Sure, most mountain bikers will probably be asking what took someone so long to do this? Nonetheless, these are sexy brakes and the machining on the combined shift/brake levers is lovely.


SRAM Rise 60 wheels - Taipei Cycle Show 2012

SRAM had their sexy, light carbon wheels on show. Stay tuned to PB for a full review in the future.


Taipei Cycle Show 2012

When we saw there was a Kashima booth, we were intrigued. It turns out there are two companies called Kashima: one that does high-end coatings for Fox Racing Shox, and another that produces cheap, forgetable components. We'll leave you to guess which one this was.



Posted In:
Reviews and Tech First Looks Taipei Cycle Show


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111 Comments
  • 52 0
 ''and another that produces cheap, forgetable components''...great review for that company, very objective !!!
  • 19 17
 as i see i am one of the few that is actually exited about 29er DH bikes...whoever rode a 29er bike for real would probably agree with me...i still dont get why people are so negativ about this...
  • 11 5
 overhyped.. ?
  • 10 3
 29ers are excisting for 13 years now, and now it's a hype. People don't want to see them in the DH/FR world I think. Wheels get easier f*cked up and the handeling of the bike will suck to. Or you have to ride that Wheeler with that headangle...
  • 7 2
 i'll never touch them.. but they would do fine for xc and so ..
  • 5 8
 because it looks wrong
  • 13 15
 so thats the only argument that everyone have.."looks stupid, hyped, and handle like shit"....looks is something we dont even argue about...hyped, im not even going to say nothing to that! and handle? it handles better!! once the stiffness problem is gone, it handles even better!! as i sayied, RIDE it before u say something..i was also against it, till i rode it...it IS better...
  • 11 4
 I was skeptical about 29ers no matter the dicipline. Having spent the weekend testing a bunch of trek offerings. I can safely say that they ride like a dream. The full suss more so than the hardtails, that said I've not ridden a HT for a longtime so no suspension felt weird. They are FAST and smooth. Light as hell, well the carbon frames helped Wink


However, no way in hell would I want one for DH
  • 4 1
 With a bigger wheel in it, i can't handle better. Not in this stage.. Maybe later with some new ideas in frames. I've rode a lot of 29ers, xc and am. It's perfect for a flat country like holland, some climbs, not to technical and a lot of long straight roads. It's fast, stabile and climbs amazingly fast. I agree with you that it is better... for xc/am. DH/FR, technical stuff with a slack headangle and big wheels? Not going to happen if you ask me. Long, steep en rough tracks.. sounds better with a 29er. my opinion and reply to your comment was pure about DH/FR. The 26 is a safety zone for people, they excist for a long time and everybody rides it.
  • 9 9
 well i sorry for still beeing hammering on the same nail, but imo most of u re beeing obtuse...you guys are all saying things about the 29er that u THINK, simply your opinions, but u are all forgeting that behind everything in this world there is (unfortunately) a thing called "mathematic"..and as an engineer i not only can promise u, but i also could PROVE u that the 29 is better (with more stiffness tho) in many ways....sorry haters, its just math..u are all hating on 29er without even really knowing why...some of u say "oh look at that headangle on that Wheeler"...that head angle is like that for a purpose...get over the "looks silly/its for xc" thing...its simply math, and its better in maaaany ways then a 26...but i guess arguing isnt any good anyway, so we'll just have to wait and see...maybe, even tho math aproves it, the "trend" never catches on because nobody wants it...but maybe, and imo, more likely, in the not so far future, we are all going to be DHling on 29ers...lets just wait and see..
  • 9 4
 Great spelling for a engineer... but seriously people ride smaller wheels because they handle better... Not necessarily on the ground but in the air... Why do you think that BMX riders still ride 20-24 inch wheels? it is because they whip faster. As a engineer you should know that the larger a gyro is the more stable it is. Wheels are giant gyros anyone from 6th grade knows that. There fore a 29inch wheel will be more stable. I think I speak for the majority of the FR/DH community when I say that when you are getting lose, and sending, you don't want your bike to be that stable. You like to be able to throw it around. In theory a 29er will be amazing in a straight line down a trail with slight bumps at moderate speed. (All mountain riding) But in downhill and free ride the trails are all but smooth and all but straight. Go watch Danny Harts world champ run and tell me he could do that on a 29er.... If you can whip a 29inch gyro around a corner with that accuracy and speed either you would have to have arms and abs like the hulk. I have not spent that much time riding 29ers. But from a mathematical standpoint they are only viable in a lighter riding conditions.
  • 19 1
 everybody is an engineer these days... Blank Stare
  • 5 21
flag phantommtb (Mar 12, 2012 at 8:36) (Below Threshold)
 If it suits their reply of course it is... Oh by the way I AM a engineer and I know more about bikes then ALL OF YOU!! so STFU and dont argue with me because I am BOSS
  • 2 0
 its resistance to change which seems to be driven more companies wanting more sales. for several years we could buy a bike knowing we could upgrade to new parts are they come out as the interface standards were all the same despite components getting better. now a new stardard is coming out every year and being forced on us because we're told its better or the old standard just isnt made available – tapered headsets, press fit BB, 10speed cassettes, 15mm thru bolts, 12 x 142mm rear hubs, 29in wheels... i agree each is a worthy improvement but i think some of us are over this expectation to buy a new bike and replace it every 2 years
  • 7 3
 He's a DUTCH engineer... english isn't the first spoken/written language of holland ya know. As to smaller wheels handling better in the air... DH races aren't actually won while airborne... they're won by keeping your tires in contact with the trail and being able to negotiate corners and bumps and rocks and taking the straightest/fastest lines down a course.
  • 3 2
 "Sorry haters, it's just math" LOL

and pperini, I doubt you know what you're talking about. First of all, the dynamics of rotary motion are far more complicated than you think, especially when you want to accurately compare aspects of 26 vs. 29 inch wheel performance.

and second, math is just a tool. Math coupled with physical principles can produce something, whereas, you can't really prepare any mechanics with math without understand the physical principles first.

Go practice some more derivatives, 'engineer'.
  • 5 1
 he's a german engineer.. Wink
but still every engineer is specified in a certain class.. its not like they know ALL.. and cetainly they aint boss Facepalm
  • 2 2
 that was sarcasm? Lol you guys are so funny....
  • 1 2
 omg...i didnt know the level here was so low...
  • 1 0
 thank you....by the way... search for that "old" Intense 2951 29er review..read what riders have to say about that bike..u will maybe be surprised......
  • 1 1
 you did?
  • 1 0
 __
  • 1 0
 My comment was for mnorris122.
  • 1 0
 Couldn't be bothered to read ALL of this so don't know if it's been said, but why would companies spend so much time and effort developing these 29er's for DH if they didn't think there would be advantages?

It's like BOS bringing out their void air shock, they said there'd be no point producing it if it wasn't as good, or better than a coil shock.

Hope you get what I'm trying to say, I suck an explaining
  • 6 1
 What's going to happen that'll shut up the naysayers will probably by gwinn using one at a world cup, beating second place by 10 seconds in warm/sunny conditions, and then people will ALL want one.
  • 7 1
 you know what..all the time i wanted to say that, but didnt want to be cocky..but its true!! as soon as some guy climbs a podium with a 29er all u kiddies are going to go to papa and mama and ask for some money to buy a 29!! and all the sudden people will start talking about the pros of the 29!! neg f*ckn prop me as mch as u want! its the true!!!
  • 4 1
 Im a part time gynecologist
  • 1 0
 Pretty sure the majority of riders wouldn't mind switching over to 29er for dh purpose when the time comes to change their bike. That's only if they're proven to be better in all aspects though and that proof has yet to be made on the field. For some reason the major brands seem to be shy of making dh 29ers. I won't claim I know why exactly but there must be a reason other than market receptivity...
  • 2 0
 i like my 26'' wheels just fine. if it aint broke dont fix it
  • 2 0
 Pretty much looks like a Niner WFO copy to me....
  • 2 0
 @bikesoul97 If we always worked with that logic in mind, we'd still be riding high wheel bicycles.
  • 1 0
 thats the first time i have heard pinkbike say something truly negative about a product.
  • 25 5
 29er DH Bike? A little bit of my soul just died.
  • 11 3
 Yeah, it looks utter stupid...
  • 5 1
 Agreed, Stupid high seatpost, WTF stem, size XXXXL in an attempt to make it look 'normal' and road bike head angle????

However, you should check out the Intense attempt the 2951

dirt.mpora.com/news/intense-2951.html
  • 4 3
 give it time
  • 4 1
 it just isnt right. please can 29 inch down hill just be left where it is.
  • 5 0
 I would ride one if I didn't have to pay for it. I wouldn't make it a priority and I wouldn't toss my 26" but i'd take one.
  • 1 3
 A 29r DH bike looks like a TON of fun on the right course/terrain. Head over to Intense's web-site and check out the test vid of the 2951....it looks like a ton of fun....FOR OPEN TERRAIN like they have in SoCal (or hell it would have been sick in Queensland where I lived too - near Biloella/Kroombit/Mt. Scoria) Wink

EDIT: Jackclark...don't know how I missed your post mate, thanks for the link
  • 13 2
 the geo on that 29" DH bike looked fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuunnnnnnnkkkkyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
  • 7 2
 remove "-nky", add "-cked"
  • 2 1
 no doubt. HA = 71 deg! Good for doing figure 8's around cones in a parking lot!......aaaand that's about it actually.
  • 4 0
 There was a time 71 head angles were the norm on DH bikes being ridden at 60+ MILES per hour on DH courses the world over and you don't need a super slack head angle to make a 29er more stable on downhills like you do with 26 inch wheels. They're already more stable because of the larger wheels and the position of the frame in between those wheels and the higher tire radiuses and axle positions. You end up with bottom bracket heights a couple inches lower than on a 26" wheel bike for a given travel, and a lot more stability in the process.
  • 1 0
 fair enough.
  • 9 1
 Ok pinkbike, the fact that the wilson has a carbon rear end and they have carbon in the specs means its a full carbon bike? I never seen heat treated or welded carbon before...
  • 4 0
 Yeah, it even has the words "Machined after welding" on the features list. Nice one, Pinkbike.
  • 1 0
 integrated skid plate is for?
  • 1 0
 if you look even closer it says "aluminum alloy tubes technology" they like to turn the rumour mill don't they. well if it ends up with pressure on devinci to make a carbon wilson, then hey, please lie to me.
  • 3 0
 the front triangle and seatstays are full carbon. the chainstays are alu. seems pretty obvious to me.
  • 2 0
 Nah mate, REAR-END is Carbon as the first post pointed out (and has been since last year). And yeah "Machined after welding" wonder how they did that.... Wink Still, a Carbon Wilson to compete with the Trek 9.9 would NOT be a bad thing aye.
  • 11 2
 Wheeler looks like a monster truck. Will probably handle like a monster truck too. Pass.
  • 3 2
 Will crush everything in a straight line, but can't really go around a corner without falling over? lol
  • 2 0
 I work in a shop that sells 29ers and two sixers and the idea thar they roll over obstacles is true but your talking about the difference of smashing your bike into a rock or ledge instead of floating it. you lose speed when you smack into a rock and as a mechanic I fix a lot of bent 29er wheels and see a lot of bent forks. It teaches poor riding form. I have ridden both and I can clear any section faster doing less damage to the bike.
  • 6 0
 Dixon Carbon is so hot!
  • 2 0
 Yeah, one of the best looking frame I've seen. I wonder when brad walton's review of the alu version is coming out...
  • 1 0
 Carbon Fibre Dixon = beginning of the end of Canadian manufacturing, for Devinci cycles?

CF Devinci are made in China, not Canada Frown
  • 1 0
 I know nothing about devinci's plans but aren't like the only cf factories in asia? If I remember correctly their alu tubing also comes from asia its the assembly/welding/machining that is made in canada.

I doubt they move the entire production to china, i guess/hope it's only the carbon frames and that the alu production frame production will stay here.
  • 2 0
 their aluminium tubing is actually drawn in Quebec, Canada and then sent to Taiwan for hydroforming, before coming back to Quebec for cutting, mitring and welding

most of the CF production facilities are in China (rather than Taiwan), and companies are feeling the pressure to produce CF frames to keep up with competing brands, which means a shift towards CF framesets

there will of course still be aluminium alloy framesets at lower price points but its assumed by the bike industry that within several seasons that the majority of high end framesets (and bikes) will be CF, this is where all the marketing / hype is pushing customers

this is already happening with other domestic producers like Intense Cycles and Ellsworth, who are moving from in-house aluminium alloy frames to offshore CF frames

and to former domestic producers like Trek, Santa Cruz and Rocky Mountain who had already shifted their aluminium frame production off-shore to Taiwan and are now shifting to CF frames from China
  • 1 0
 Yeah, thanks for the clarification, very instructive.

I know cannondale used to be proud of their "made in the usa" tag on their frame. All you see now is "assembled in the usa". I hope devinci wont follow that route for their alu frames... But if alu frames are on the way out due to carbon frames, I guess most of the production will be sent oversea.
  • 5 1
 What's next? Kashima coated brake rotors?
  • 3 0
 Yes! Kashima on brakes!! I mean shoot, who needs brakes? They just slow you down anyway.
  • 2 0
 The UCI will never allow disc brakes in road racing. Not unless you can stop people getting burned by hot discs when covered in a heap of riders and bikes after a crash
  • 3 2
 those advantages of a gearbox are completely being neutralised by the forks they stuck on that bike. Domains may be famous for reliability, but weight?....
  • 2 0
 good call. The last thing you want is your fork outweighing the rest of the bike!
  • 2 8
flag Kona-Rider1 (Mar 12, 2012 at 5:34) (Below Threshold)
 why are the advantages of the gearbox neutalised by the forks?

the gearbox weighs more or about the same as a standard setup but brings the weight in the crank area meaning you have a lower and better placed center of gravity and a bike with the same weight feels lighter.

(dont try to argue with me im studying to become an engineer!)
  • 6 2
 ooooh an 'engineer'
  • 4 1
 As an engineering/science student, I laugh at the other engineering student. Yes, perhaps the weight is well balanced, but I think he might have actually been referring to the performance side of things...you know, awesome gearbox coupled with super basic fork. I wouldn't be surprised though if that whole setup cost as much as a standard frame plus a fox 36 or something:P (tradeoff in this case perhaps)
  • 1 4
 did i say anything about the total preformance of the bike? all i said is that it gives you a better placed center of gravity and the domains dont neutralise the advantages of the gearbox.

Also I never talked about the preformance, most pinkbike useres need to learn to read what people actually type.
  • 2 3
 and how can you laugh at me? Everything i pointed out is true.

Plus who cares if a domain is on a not even completly build up frame at show on the other side of the globe?
  • 3 0
 I like domains. A basic reliable beast. I am just. It used to seeing them attached to top tier tech.
Nobody truly knows what makes us laugh at stuff or why anything is "funny". I know. I'm a psychology major. Razz
  • 4 3
 yes but by saying " As an engineering/science student, I laugh at the other engineering student." he doesnt neccesarily laughs about me hes just thinking i have no idea what im talking about.

Drood if you realy are studying engineering I am wondering who you are still in University and how you even got in....

and I dont understand why people are bashing the domain, i have one on my bike and it may not be as good as a fox 40 or boxxer worldcup and heavier but it costs a friction doesnt need to be serviced every 20hrs of riding (even though they recommend it in the manual) and if your not a racer you will barley notice a differrence.

Plus if you have your 40s or boxxers set up wrong (what 99% of all riders have) your better of with the domain cause you cant adjust as much
  • 3 1
 Hey man I'm just joking around, no need to take things so seriously:P
  • 4 0
 gearbox...fork...weight ratio...WHAT? my brain hurts
  • 2 0
 ''Plus if you have your 40s or boxxers set up wrong (what 99% of all riders have) your better of with the domain cause you cant adjust as much''

so true lol
  • 1 2
 settle down kona boy. no one cares
  • 2 0
 Hey my boxxer is set up right, I should know, Im a railroad mechanic!
  • 2 0
 was that boxxer or box car? Big Grin
  • 1 0
 the domain are a beautiful fork, simple, yet effective, cheap and reliable BUT at the same time its heavy. Im actually currently in the process of choosing new set of forks for my DH bike and personally i cant think of anything better. Just the weight of them keep coming back to weather or not i actually want them.

Personally what you get for the £300 or so quid you spent on them is quite a match for even the £1000 foxes. It constantly raises the question do you actually get £700 more out of foxes performance wise.

However in this case, If your buying a bike like this, is sticking a set of domains on it really appropriate? Its like getting a Ferrari and sticking a diesel engine in it. I mean sure it works but its out of place here
  • 3 0
 Kashima. So the mud slids off. Woo
  • 8 0
 Just another company taking advantage of the hype
  • 3 0
 come on! lets get gear box's into mass production
  • 1 0
 quite interesed in the formula brakes are there STi's go with the brake, anyone seen the hope v-twin brakes www.hopetech.com/page.aspx?itemID=SPG343
  • 2 0
 Both pedals look good. It's nice to see Cane Creek is making rear shock setup a little easier for the consumer.
  • 1 0
 After sales service as very important to me. That's why I buy only from my LBS... ... and will never buy another set of Reynolds wheels.
  • 3 0
 I WANT THOSE PEDALS !!!
  • 4 0
 these pictures are BOKEHLICIOUS!
  • 1 0
 are they serious with that lock nut just exposed like that?
  • 2 2
 I've got those pedals, those Reynolds carbon wheels too....gosh, I'm a lucky guy. Smile
  • 1 0
 The spank spike pedals are very similar and I've had no issues with it
  • 1 0
 jesus those E13 pedals look lethal
  • 1 0
 Yeah those pedals look great.
  • 1 0
 that astro thing looks cool. but where is this cane creek site? i just tried to find it, but nothin....
  • 2 1
 oh look more platform pedals....
  • 2 1
 I think I'll wait for the 28'' ers to come out.
  • 1 1
 I thought it was 27.5?
  • 1 0
 That wheeler is ugly and doesnt look like it would be fun to ride...
  • 1 0
 650b for dh
  • 1 1
 Kashima wheels! Oh yeah!
  • 20 1
 let's see them with rim brakes
  • 8 12
flag dydanz (Mar 12, 2012 at 0:26) (Below Threshold)
 no, it might be too slippery using rim brake on kashima..
  • 10 0
 alltheragefaces.com/img/faces/png/misc-you-dont-say.png
  • 4 0
 Is that Nicolas Cage?
  • 2 0
 yup
  • 1 0
 safe. well if you like him check this out:

gifolas-cage.tumblr.com
  • 3 0
 omfg i laughed so hard at dydanz comment...
  • 1 0
 I knew, I meant joke, but seems too serious or just too much sleep on english class..
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