Release: Rapha's new MTB Line
"What is Rapha Performance Trailwear? It’s far more than the fabrics and features you see on the shelf behind every garment is a story. From backcountry bikepacking trips and World Cup competitions, to afternoon laps around our US headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, every garment we make is tested by our elite athletes and weartesters. And with a roster that includes Olympic medallist Jill Kintner, EWS racer Ella Conolly and XC legend Adam Craig as well as Bryn Atkinson, Eliot Jackson and Joey Schusler, we’re able to push our products to the limit. Riding and racing in locations around the globe, our wear testers have put this kit through its paces on the world’s best trails to guarantee that it won’t crack under pressure or fade over time.
The Trail ¾ Sleeve Jersey is a modern take on the classic ¾ sleeve mountain bike jersey. Constructed from a 100% recycled, light and breathable fabric to keep you cool in the heat, it’s also durable and snag resistant thanks to an incredibly high strength knit. A textured fabric back not only wicks sweat away from the skin but also disperses the moisture over a greater area, creating an incredibly fast-drying shirt that remains comfortable. On the sleeves, a strong, double weave fabric keeps your arms shielded from stray branches or a light tumble, while an antibacterial treatment maintains freshness for longer days on the bike. And for the inevitable crash that causes more damage than you can ignore, included are a set of repair patches in the same colours and fabrics of the jersey that offer a handy at home repair option so you and your jersey can get back to the trails.
The cornerstone of the Rapha Performance Trailwear range, the Menʼs Trail Shorts are a durable, fully featured mountain bike short with a contoured, variable width belt for locked-in comfort on the bike. Constructed from a durable yet forgiving plain weave stretch nylon, these shorts are tough enough to handle the abuse of all-mountain riding, while still prioritizing flexibility and breathability. An ergonomic pattern means the shorts move with you, with seams and panels placed strategically to allow for freedom of movement whether you’re grinding up a climb or going for it on the descent. The fit of the shorts has been sized to comfortably accommodate a liner and tailored to be used with or without modern trail knee pads. To keep the shorts secure, an anatomically contoured variable width belt system locks you in behind a button closure at the waist. To the front, two large hand pockets provide rapid access, while two zipped side pockets offer storage for keys or other essentials. And for the inevitable crash that causes more damage than you can ignore, included are a set of repair patches in the same colour and fabric as the shorts that offer a handy at-home repair option so you and your shorts can get back to the trails.
The Men's Trail Cargo Bib Liner Shorts are a lightweight underlayer constructed from recycled materials designed to work seamlessly with the Men's Trail Shorts. Drawing on 15 years of innovation, we’ve carried over technology and fabrics from our award winning bib short range to create a pair of fast-wicking and durable cargo bib liners that will boost comfort on any mountain bike ride. Mesh uppers promote airflow to keep you cool on the hottest days, while the fast-wicking and lightweight main fabric promotes next to skin comfort. To the back, two rear cargo pockets offer extra storage space for essentials.
The cornerstone of the Women’s Rapha Performance Trailwear range, the Women’s Trail Shorts are constructed from a durable yet forgiving plain weave stretch nylon which are tough enough to handle
the abuse of daily mountain biking, while still prioritizing flexibility and breathability. An ergonomic pattern means the shorts move with you, with seams and panels placed strategically to allow for freedom of movement – whether you’re grinding up a climb or going for it on the descent. A low profile stretch waist creates locked-in comfort on and off the bike, while the fit of the shorts has been sized to accommodate a liner, and tailored to fit with or without modern trail knee pads. On the front, two zippered side pockets offer storage for essentials and a phone. And for the inevitable crash that causes more damage than you can ignore, included are a set of repair patches in the same colour and fabric as the shorts that offer a handy at-home repair option so you and your shorts can get back to the trails.
The Women’s Trail Liner Shorts are a lightweight underlayer designed to work seamlessly with a pair of Women's Trail Shorts. Constructed from recycled materials, the Liner Shorts carry over technology and fabrics from our award winning bib short range to create a pair of fast-wicking and durable liners that boosts comfort on any trail. Featuring lightweight mesh panels on the sides to promote airflow, these shorts will help to keep you cool on the hottest days.
The Trail Technical T-Shirt is a light and breathable top designed specifically for mountain biking. Constructed from recycled materials, the Trail Technical T-Shirt is durable and snag resistant
thanks to an incredibly high strength knit while remaining incredibly airy and lightweight. A honeycomb fabric structure not only wicks sweat away from the skin but also disperses the moisture over a greater area, creating an incredibly fast drying shirt. The textured fabric combined with a loose fit helps the t-shirt stand off a rider’s skin for improved comfort, while an antibacterial treatment maintains freshness for longer days in the saddle. And for the inevitable crash that causes more damage than you can ignore,
included are a set of repair patches in the same colour and fabric as the t-shirt that offer a handy at-home repair option so you and your shirt can get back to the trails.
The Lightweight Trail Jacket is a packable windproof shell made for mountain biking in changing conditions. Made with a lightweight yet breathable ripstop nylon fabric that’s treated for durable water repellency (DWR), this jacket offers unrivaled weather protection in a seriously small package. A helmet compatible
hood features an adjustable cinch cord to offer a locked-in fit when the conditions turn nasty, while an oversized TPU zip puller allows for easy ventilation while riding. When you’re not wearing the jacket, it stows into its chest pocket for maximum packability. Further still, the Lightweight Trail Jacket comes with an added strap that allows you to cinch your jacket down to your frame for a clean, off body storage solution.
The Women’s Trail Tank is made for mountain biking in the heat. Constructed from a light and breathable fabric to keep you cool when the temperature soars, it’s also durable and snag resistant thanks to an incredibly high strength knit. The honeycomb weave fabric structure, made of recycled materials, not only wicks sweat away from the skin but also disperses the moisture over a greater area, creating an incredibly fast-drying top. The textured fabric combined with a loose fit helps the tank stand off a rider’s skin for improved comfort, while an antibacterial treatment maintains freshness for longer days in the saddle. And for the inevitable crash that causes more damage than you can ignore, included are a set of repair patches
in the same colour and fabric as the tank that offer a handy at-home repair option so you and your shirt can get back to the trails.
The Trail Hip Pack is a dependable companion for longer days on the trail, capable of safely stowing your things while you ride. Constructed from a fully recycled, durable ripstop fabric that’s easy to clean, this comfortable hip pack features multiple storage and fixing solutions for your essentials – including two water bottle pouches, a 3 litre internal capacity, and an external drawcord that can be used to strap
down a jacket or extra layer. A further front valuables pocket inside the pack includes a key clip for safe carriage of your valuables. Adjustable waist straps provide a locked-in fit, while a form-fitting and breathable back panel boosts comfort at the same time as preventing the pack from jostling while you
ride. Finally, an aquaguard zip seals things up, adding an extra layer of protection against the elements.
The Pro Team Full Frame Glasses are designed to ensure a clear line of sight and complete stability on even the roughest terrain. The frame is made with lightweight, injection-moulded Grilamid that holds that lens securely in place and protects from the elements. Megol arm grippers provide high levels of grip in all conditions and the nose piece, made with the same material, comes in two sizes for an adjustable fit. Snap lock hinges make the glasses easier to put on and remove while adding further stability. And for improved ventilation, subtle vents are positioned along the edges of the hydrophobic, anti-fog lens, which is interchangeable with a wide range of spare lenses for clear vision in any light conditions.
Created in collaboration with Smith, the Rapha + Smith Forefront 2 combines two cutting edge technologies to provide state of the art impact protection out on the trail. A Multi-Directional Impact Protection System helps reduce rotational forces caused by angled impacts to the head whilst complete Koroyd coverage provides further impact protection without compromising ventilation. Designed to work with goggles or sunglasses, the helmet features an adjustable visor for storage between laps as well as twenty air vents which keep the air flowing and help you to keep a cool head. Smith’s VaporFit dial adjustment system makes locking in the perfect fit quick and easy so you can get to the trail head sooner.
No matter where your local trails are, every ride leaves its mark on your apparel as surely as your tyres leave tracks in the dirt. But Rapha Performance Trailwear is designed to last, for lap after lap and season after season. Even if you do come off and rip an item of your kit, it’s not the end of the line. Most of our products include a repair patch kit, made with excess fabric from the same garment that would otherwise have been headed for the landfill. You can use the repair kit to easily fix your garment and get back on the trail as quickly as possible. For more serious stitch-ups, most pieces of Rapha Performance Trailwear can also be sent back to us for a free repair. We’ve repaired more than 34,000 garments since 2004 and every repair we make not only extends the life of your kit but helps us to reduce excess and minimise our environmental impact. Lastly, we’ve tried to use environmentally preferred materials across the range where possible. In 2021, 43% of Rapha Performance Trailwear, by volume, is made using environmentally preferred materials, with a commitment of reaching 90% by 2025."
Release: Mechanix Wear x 100% Glove
"100% has teamed up with Mechanix Wear, to release an exclusive collection, consisting of two popular work gloves, the Original and FastFit. Mechanix Wear, the leader in hand protection, and 100%, a premium sports protection brand, joined forces to collaborate on the most advanced gloves for working hands.
The collaboration combines the best garage gloves with the featured 100% extended logo and signature colors. A special print on the palm of the gloves is taken from the original 100% tagline, “How Much Effort Do You Give?” 100% continues to inspire a whole new generation of athletes asking this same question.
“We created 100% to make the most advanced performance eyewear, technical apparel and sports protection for the most demanding athletes on the earth,” said 100% co-founder and CEO Ludo Boinnard “We’re excited to partner with a like-minded brand that takes this same approach to building the most advanced gloves for working hands.”
“Mechanix Wear and 100% have a deep connection and storied past in the world of motocross,” said Michael Hale, CEO of Mechanix Wear. “Both brands are driven by passion and an unwavering commitment to protect riders and mechanics on and off the racetrack. Mechanix Wear is proud to collaborate with 100% by offering our proven glove technology and industry leading protection to one of motocross’s premier brands.”
The 100% and Mechanix Wear Collection consists of two styles; the Original and FastFit and each is available in five sizes.
FastFit
The next generation of FastFit work gloves are here. Take control with high-dexterity 0.6mm synthetic leather and stay connected with touchscreen technology in the palm of your hands. The FastFit delivers an unmatched fit with TrekDry evaporative cooling to keep your hands cool and comfortable.
The Original
Stop throwing away perfectly good gloves due to worn out fingertips. We covered the fingers of our Original glove with ultra-grip, High Abrasion Resistant (HAR) material. HAR provides 60% more coverage to high wear areas, greatly reducing fingertip and seam failure for longevity. Form-fitting stretch Spandex and a durable microfiber palm provide a second-skin fit with exceptional dexterity for jobs big and small."
News: Commencal's new Supreme WC Prototype
Commencal have an entirely new prototype Supreme for the 2021 world cup season with a new suspension platform. Keep reading to find out more...
"It's a prototype, a lab bike that means we can try many new concepts under the most testing and extreme conditions.
In order to work with a minimum of unknowns, we use a lot of tubes from our current bikes and this allows us to ensure perfect management of stiffness as well as limiting the risks in terms of resistance. This SUPREME features a brand new kinematic with a Virtual High Pivot. Through this system, we're always looking for more performance and liveliness, without compromising the capacity of our now renowned High Pivot Point.
There is no commercialisation on the cards yet, however it’s sure that this is the dawn of a new era for the future of COMMENCAL DH.
You will be able to enjoy Amaury, Myriam, Thibault and Angel behind the handlebars for the whole season!"
Release: Updated Santa Cruz Bronson
Santa Cruz have updated the Bronson for the 2022 new bike season, with the biggest change being a move to mullet-spec. Read on for more...
"When we dropped the Bronson on the world in 2013 we caught many people with their pants around their ankles. 27.5-inch wheels were the new kid on the block and people weren’t ready for a disruptive little middle child to muscle it’s way into the household. The Bronson was among the first of its kind to adopt the in-betweener wheel size and the timing was just right to make it infamous.
Eight years later, the fourth generation Bronson comes in swinging with mixed wheels. It’s something that our other naughty kids, the Syndicate, have been playing with for a while on the V10s and Bullit eBikes. The big wheel up front gives the Bronson more traction (bigger contact patch and more rollover) which results in more confidence for the rider, while the BB to axle drop of the smaller, 27.5 rear wheel makes it easier to drop a shoulder into a late turn or lift the front wheel up and over obstacles.
Our demo crew have a saying, ‘If in doubt, take a Bronson out.’ It’s not that it’s the most versatile or anything cliché like that, it just has always had the biggest personality of any bike we build. Now the mid-travel and MX wheels mean it’s up for anything and urges a wider array of riders to get into more trouble. The good kind of trouble. With 150mm of travel and a leverage curve similar to the Hightower, it has enough to go deep on any landing and the VPP™ suspension design makes sure that there’s no wasted energy when heading back up for another go. Proportional chainstays set the Bronson up for a wide range of rider sizes (we offer five sizes from XS to XL), while protective armour (downtube and shuttle pad), internal cables, and a bottle cage inside the front triangle mean that this wild child does have table manners.
A bike like the Bronson is meant to play rough-and-tumble, and as a result should also be ready to rumble. We build our bikes to last while most brands aim to just pass basic testing. But if a rider was really going to put their bike to the test in the real world over and over again it means building something beyond the standards. While the Bronson might not win any awards for ‘lightest on test’ it will be the bike that’s stiff enough for real mountain biking on today’s trails and is a bike that will outlast the rest. That’s why we proudly wave the flag of our lifetime warranty and have done so long before it became a box for a marketer to check. For the life of the bike we provide legendary rider support, which means all the human help and tech details are right at a rider’s fingertips. Fun fact: we also offer lifetime bearing replacement (if you’re too forgetful to take 15 minutes to service them)."
Release: Updated Juliana Roubion
Juliana have released the latest iteration of the Roubion, with the biggest change being the move to a mullet-configuration. Read more below...
"A 1:25000 scale map, a weather forecast and the Roubion. Three things you shouldn’t hit the high mountains without. And while we can’t guarantee you won’t get lost or soaked, we’re pretty sure there’s no better bike to tackle ancient alpine terrain.
The 150mm of VPP® lower link rear wheel travel and full carbon frame are built for a lifetime of tough climbs and tougher descents. Matched with a 160mm fork and Reserve carbon wheels, the whole package is ready to tackle an Enduro World Series at the drop of a beret. And whether blind racing or just blindly enjoying the trails as they come, the Roubion’s MX wheel combo feels like the best mix since Aperol met spritz. A 29-inch front wheel serves up high-speed stability and high-rolling confidence. Meanwhile the 27.5-inch rear makes for an intuitive and highly maneuverable rear end that loves to get sideways around the most ragged of switchbacks.
This bike is rapid, so when it comes to stopping power and control we’ve mixed things up here also. A 200mm front and 180mm rear brake rotor pairing ensures you shouldn’t overcook the corners no matter how hot you’re coming in. The Roubion’s chainstay lengths are all specifically sized for the XS, S and M frames too, meaning handling remains consistent across the range. And like all Juliana’s, each shock is tuned to work better for slightly lighter riders than equivalent Santa Cruz models. With free replacement bearings and lifetime frame guarantee as standard, the Roubion remains our #1 choice for rallying the world."
Release: Santa Cruz Blur & all-new Juliana Wilder
Santa Cruz have updated the Blur ahead of the 2022 season, and Juliana have release an all-new bike, the Wilder, to fill the 'down-country' spot in their range. Read on for more!
Santa Cruz Blur
"Each weekend, at race venues the world over, there is one rider who gets hoisted upon the shoulders of the crowd and carried to the podium. Or at least leaves with a water bottle as their prize. And between each of those races, innumerable wannabes are putting in the hours on the rollers and in the gym all because they want to feel what it’s like to take the win. They know that to beat the pack every advantage needs to be acquired. That’s where the Blur fits in.
We tapped into everything we’ve learned from years of making the highest quality carbon full-suspension bikes so that we could put as little (weight) as possible into the Blur frame. The trim frame and super-efficient Superlight™ suspension will be the key to translating your input into competition beating performances.
But the Blur isn't just for the short track. Two water bottle mounts within the front triangle should keep chuggers happy. And the high quality fit, finish and carbon construction promises multi-day racers a worry free existence—meaning there's no fiddly proprietary parts that could leave you stranded in a Cape Epic or Breck Epic campsite. The carbon frame, while being light, is made to go the distance and as always the legendary Santa Cruz lifetime warranty and Rider Support team has got your back.
The Blur isn’t guaranteed to make you a race winner but being the lightest, full-suspension carbon XC bike we’ve ever made (Approx 23lb as complete. Blur frame is 289g lighter than the previous model) it might be the difference between claiming first place...or just crossing the line."
Juliana Wilder
"Saving weight means little without retaining an appropriate level of stiffness and responsiveness too. So we’ve taken all the acceleration and out-of-the-saddle sprint qualities of a carbon XC race rocket and fused them with a rear-end that still rails corners like a hardcore trail bike.
This unique XC-trail attitude is also reflected in the geometry. The head tube angle (67.1 degree) and reach (425mm) is a little steeper and shorter than a Joplin to meet the demands of aggressive climbing, yet the Wilder’s seat tube angle is a touch slacker and the chainstays a little longer than a Joplin too in order to retain that familiar Juliana confidence on descents. And talking of chainstays, each chainstay length is specific to the individual frame size; meaning riders of every height enjoy the same handling and performance no matter what.
Beyond the details, there are some bigger features that amplify this XC wild child’s abilities. Rapid rolling 29-inch wheels are paired with a 120mm fork to tame the feral lines and smooth the sketchiest of passing manoeuvres. There’s even room for two water bottles within the front triangle for bigger training and racing days."
Release: The all-new Lazer Jackal
"Speed, thrill & style are the best friends of any hardcore mountain biker. At Lazer, we truly believe that the best a brand can do is create the perfect match between a rider and their gear, and that is exactly what we aimed to do with Jackal. When building this helmet, we always kept in mind that we wanted to enable any mountain biker to maximize their comfort, enjoyment & freedom while riding on the trails. Here is the result.
Comfort has been optimized on all angles to give riders the ultimate trail riding sensations. 7 different shells shape this lid, making it a premium looking helmet. The smart placement of the ventilation channels provides the best possible cooling performance; even when riding with goggles or eyewear. Because it is never wise to change a winning team, we designed Jackal to feature our renowned Lazer Advanced Turnfit® system with its vertical & horizontal adjustments.
Equipped with a neatly finished adjustable visor, a universal rear grip, an ultra-light & easy to open magnetic buckle, and camera mount included, the Lazer Jackal has all the features needed to go on the most extreme rides. Lazer Jackal was tested by Virginia Tech’s helmets safety test facility and awarded a perfect 5 stars for safety, bringing the total number of Lazer 5-star rated helmet models to a stunning 10!
We created and tested this helmet with some of the best mountain bikers in the world. We worked with them on every step of the process to come to this result. Having experienced riders like Thomas Vanderham & the 2020 UCI Downhill World Cup winner Matt Walker on board for this product development has been extremely helpful in considering every single real life riding parameter.
Thomas Vanderham, professional mountain biking legend: ‘The Jackal is a very relevant helmet in the area that I live and ride. I would recommend it to riders of all ability levels who are looking for a full feature helmet that offers lots of protection.’ "
Release: The all-new Santa Cruz Nomad
"Big mountain riding is a nomadic existence. Meeting friends in far flung car parks, pinpointing trails you're not sure are even rideable, sending the ones you know are. Shiny new bling gets battered, shattered and bruised. That’s life. That’s how it should be. That's why the Nomad exists.
Probably the most abused bike in our line up, every Nomad has a story to tell. But each Nomad we've made keeps coming back for more. It's not Stockholm Syndrome, it's called sealed bearings in all pivots, lower link grease port, shuttle guards and free bearing replacements. Bikes are not disposable, so why scrap a frame when a simple bearing service can make one last a lifetime? That's our stance on sustainability at least, and it's why our carbon fibre doesn’t just mean lighter, it means tough as hell, lifetime warranty and crash replacement support.
Chuck the bike in the back, make sure there’s gas in the stove and enough biscuits for the journey. The destination? All points between here and wherever. The Nomad is the kind of bike you need never worry about all summer long. Sorry we can't say the same for the locked public washrooms and parking tickets."
More coming in #101. Stay tuned...
News: The all-new Canyon Stoic
Having the best time on an MTB ride isn’t always dependent on how flash your gear is. Our all new Stoic is proof that you can rip down your favourite trails with a huge grin on your face- without the words ‘kinematic’ or ‘shock setting’ ever crossing your mind. We started out wanting to produce a versatile, capable hardtail to take on anything, without it breaking the bank. A bike that makes sense whether you happen to be a young rider on a budget, a newcomer wanting to dive into the ‘gnarlier’ end of MTB, or a seasoned shredder looking for a fun hardtail to add to your stable. What we ended up with is an all-new, bombproof alloy hardtail, featuring progressive geometry, and rock-solid components. It’s available in a huge size range, with 29-inch wheels for taller riders and a 650B setup for shorter riders.
The Stoic keeps things fun- whether pushing limits on steep technical trails, playing around at the local pumptrack or just riding through your neighbourhood. Sitting among our category 4 quiver of bikes, it’s been tested and approved to withstand the same punishment as our full blown enduro rigs. Combine this with the low-slung top tube and low maintenance design, and you wind up with a tough and reliable rig that’s the perfect training buddy as hone your riding skills.
The Stoic line-up features three models. All 29er options (sizes M-XL) are fitted with 140mm travel forks and all 27.5 wheeled bikes (2XS-S) get 150mm travel forks. At €799* the Stoic 2 is the most affordable option, but it doesn’t scrimp on quality. Featuring the same burly 6061-alloy frame as the rest of the range, the ever-reliable Shimano Deore drivetrain and the sturdy SR Suntour XCR 34 Air fork. The mid-range option, the Stoic 3, costs € 1,199* and has everything a trail bike needs, including an Iridium dropper post, wide-range SRAM SX Eagle drivetrain and a Rockshox Recon RL fork. At the top of the tree sits the Stoic 4 at €1799*. Fitted with parts the discerning hardtail rider will appreciate, including the bump-gobbling Rockshox Pike fork and swank Canyon G5 cockpit, our top-shelf Stoic punches way above its weight out on the trail.
Release: The all-new Canyon Spectral 29
"We’ve set out to engineer a trail bike to take on everything- no matter what the terrain, or who the rider. Using the existing, award-winning Spectral 27.5 as a starting point- we took all the things we loved, and added more. More capability and more versatility. With the all new Spectral, we believe we have created a bike which can truly sit alone in your garage- and meet the demands of whatever flavour of trail you throw at it. And if you hadn’t guessed already, it’s a 29er.
So, what’s new? Almost everything. ‘Almost’ being a key word here. The Spectral 29 CF has the same 150mm of travel and playful character on the trail as its smaller-wheeled brother. Rewarding every pump or hop and encouraging you to push harder and ride faster thanks to its Triple Phase Suspension kinematic. But here is where the similarities end. The Spectral 29 CF has an all-new carbon frame, designed from the ground up. At just 2,600 grams, it’s lighter and stiffer than before, offering the rider more direct control and increased confidence. The geometry has also been reworked; there’s more stability on the descents, as well as greater efficiency on the climbs- thanks to a slacker headtube angle, and steeper seat-tube. And to give you plenty of room to control the bike, the Reach is longer too.
Recognising the huge variety of riders using a full-suspension trail bike, we carefully selected specification options to suit a range of ride styles. Starting at €3,299* the Spectral 29 CF 7 features the 35mm chassis of the Rockshox Pike Select RC fork, set at 150mm of travel- tuning the bike’s angles to perfectly suit all-round trail riding. Our ‘trail’ offerings are rounded off by the Spectral 29 CF 9 at €4,999* - with a 150mm travel Pike Ultimate fork, and a top-drawer SRAM X01 groupset, and carbon DT Swiss Wheelset. And for those wanting to shred – there’s the Spectral 29 CF 8 and Spectral 29 CF Ltd, featuring burlier Fox 36 forks at 160mm- slackening the geometry and upping the bike’s capability. They cost €3,999* and €5,999* respectively. Not enough options? To help dial in your setup even more- the Spectral 29 CF also features geometry adjust via a 2-position lower shock mount."