Day One Randoms - Taipei Show 2016
Worried about blending in with the crowd? This bright pink Met Parachute helmet should help.
At the moment, other than Schwalbe's 2.8" Nobby Nic, there's a distinct lack of tires with aggressive tread patterns for 27.5+ bikes. That's scheduled to change, and within the next four to six months Maxxis will be offering a selection of their most popular tread patterns in 27.5 x 2.8" widths, including the High Roller II and the Minion DHR II shown above. The Minion DHR II and DHF will both also be available in a 29 x 3.0" option, for all the 29+ riders out there.
Long stems may be out, but what about bedazzled ones?
It's been over three years since we first saw a prototype version of Box Components' derailleur and shifter, and although they should hit the market before the Cubs win a World Series title, it's still going to be at least another six months before production versions of the drivetrain are available. The samples on display did look even more refined, and the shape of the unique single lever shifter has been altered to be more ergonomic. The shifter still operates using a forward push to shift to an easier gear, and an inwards push to change to a harder gear, but the end of the paddle is now L-shaped. There will be 10 and 11 speed shifter and derailleur options, with wide range and short cage versions of the clutch equipped rear derailleur.
This Yeti 575 was looking mighty confused, set up with a fat tire in the rear, a narrower one up front, no dropper post, and a component color scheme that made me want to wash my eyeballs.
Factor has two new carbon wheelsets on the way, and even more additions to the line are in the works. The 727 wheelset is aimed at DH racers, with an asymmetrical rim that measures 27mm internally and a claimed total weight of 2077 grams. The 748 wheels are for the growing number of 27.5+ bike on the market, and have a 48mm inner width to support the wider tires. Both wheelsets use Novatec's ultra-quick engaging hubs and will retail for $1800 USD.
WTB is adding a 29 x 2.25" version of the fast-rolling Riddler tire to their lineup, with a claimed weight of 840 grams and a retail price of $67.95 USD.
Looks like someone forgot to read the installation instructions.
"Should I swipe left, or right? It's so hard to decide. At least these headphones block out all the noise from people asking me questions about gloves."
Now there's a blast from the past - a GT iT1, circa 2005, although someone went ahead and installed a dropper post along with a fork and shock from DNM Suspension.
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sorry pal, but I couldn't resist the temptation of being a grammar nazi with an usa dude
Box is the biggest opportunity missed for by a new drive train maker especially when their name is Box. They should be working on a gear box not another antiquated external multi cog system with another shitty chain line.
I'll suggest they don't intend to release their drive train and instead think it would make the company more attractive for acquisition for a group like Fox/RF/Easton... except that they are developing a mechanical system when electronic is the up coming tech and might never get around the existing patents or challenges from the companies that hold them.
Why would Box succeed at taking market share from Shimano and Sram when others like Campy, Mavic, Suntour and Paul failed?
Try that lever like that and your thumb will still reach it, the cable will still be pulled, and the post will still go up and down.
What's next? Plus size Magic Mary? For when your 2.5" DH version just doesn't have enough traction?
Still got one somewhere
No it doesn't. Like all their older 26" DHF models they are criminally undersized. The 2.7 dual ply you speak of is nice and moderately sized but only measures 63mm (2.48") at the knobs and casing on a 39mm inner width rim...... the 26 x 2.5 DHF's reach 2.35" wide if you're lucky.
Anyway, I knew that ~3" minion tires would happen eventually. Just hope they come for 26 as well eventually.... seems all the big companies have abandoned 26 sadly.
Yeah it's thick... runs almost 1400g. You wanna talk beasty heavy though, one of my favourite DH tires is the Duro Leopard 26 x 3.0, at 1800g. Beasty as can be. Solid and squirm free without bottoming out even on the gnarliest jagged rocky trails running less than 10psi.
The Gazzas are similar in construction to the Leopard's. They also went extinct before my time... and those apparently weighed in at about 1600-1700g which is less than my leopards