Today, Revel Bikes introduced the Ranger Ti, its first production titanium full-suspension model. It’s essentially an exact copy of the latest carbon Ranger V3, but combines the carbon rear triangle and links with a new titanium front triangle that includes a 3D-printed head tube, bottom bracket, and pivot junctions. The goal was to combine the damped ride quality of titanium with the lateral stiffness of the carbon rear triangle to create a unique version of its popular short-travel bike.

Revel says, “The Ranger Ti isn’t lighter, cheaper, or easier to make, and that’s kind of the point.” Instead, it’s meant to be a unique combination of materials, engineering, and manufacturing techniques that showcase the brand’s decade of titanium experience and expertise in producing carbon mountain bikes in a darn good-looking package.

Ranger Ti Details

Many readers are probably already aware that Revel’s founding team also launched Why Cycles in 2016 to specialize in titanium mountain, fat bike, and gravel frames. Why Cycles and Revel officially merged in 2023, and the titanium program has continued. Last year, Revel showed us Project RaTical, a full-suspension Ti prototype, and told us all about its Experimental Concept Labs last spring. And who could forget the most recent example, the El Jefe Grande 32” titanium hardtail that just launched last week.

Now, Revel is taking that experience and applying it to the Ranger Ti frame. It’s essentially the same bike as the Ranger V3, just with a slick-looking titanium front triangle. Using advanced 3D-printing technology, Revel printed the head tube, bottom bracket, and pivot junctions to remove the construction challenges and limitations of traditional welding and create the smooth lines of the Ranger Ti frame. These 3D-printed parts are then sleeved at their junctions and welded to titanium tubing. Revel says the frames are third-party ISO tested “and represent true limits of materials engineering, 3D printing, and titanium fabrication.” 

The CBF (Canfiled Balance Formula) suspension design joins the titanium front triangle to the carbon rear triangle and links. The same suspension travel (120mm rear / 130mm front) and kinematics that make the Ranger V3 a popular short-travel mountain bike carry over, as does the downcountry-oriented geometry. It’s worth mentioning that the titanium front triangle adds a bit of weight compared to the full-carbon version, with the frame weighing 8.02 lbs in size large, and the complete XO build with NOBL/Bird wheels and Pike/Super Deluxe Ultimate suspension weighing in around 29.5 pounds.

Ranger Ti Features

• Shared geometry and kinematics with Ranger V3
• Shared carbon rear triangle and links
• Four bottle/utility mounts on sizes M through XL, three on Small
• Long dropper post insertion
• Custom rubber chainstay protection
• Debris fender
• UDH compatible
• Full internal routing
• Frame weight: 8.02 lbs, size Large (3.64kg)

Want One?

Revel is introducing the Ranger Ti in an extremely limited first-batch run of just 10 numbered frames, which are scheduled to ship in December. It appears that in this first batch, the small and large frames have already sold out, but reservations can still be made for Feb/March delivery. 

The Ranger Ti frame set retails for $5,969, and you can reserve yours for $500 down. Four complete build options are available, ranging in price from $7,969 for SRAM Eagle 90, topping out at $14,169 for the SRAM XX Transmission Flight Attendant kit. You can learn more about the Ranger Ti or reserve yours today on the Revel Bikes website.

revelbikes.com

Wolf Tooth Components believes that bike shops are the cornerstone of the bike industry. To back that up, Wolf Tooth tells us they started a new dealer program this year, and part of that commitment involves developing some exclusive, dealer-only products and limited editions. The Camo SHIFT Gravity Pedals are the first of these products to be produced in a limited run of just 150 pairs and available only through brick-and-mortar retailers. Wolf Tooth says that moving forward, it expects one or two dealer-exclusive products to be released each year.

Camo SHIFT Gravity Pedals

Wolf Tooth completed its family of clipless pedals earlier this year when it launched the SHIFT Gravity Pedals. This added a large platform model alongside the CTRL (trail), ALT (XC), and DEL (gravel race) models that came out last year. Now, the SHIFT is the first product to get the dealer-exclusive treatment in a limited-edition Camo colorway.

Based in Minnesota, Wolf Tooth says the fall colors are in full swing, so it makes sense to launch a camouflage pedal now. They worked with Ashley Anodized It (@ashley.anodized.it on Instagram) to create the one-of-a-kind camo finishes on the pedal bodies. According to Wolf Tooth, “Each pedal body features a unique anodized camouflage pattern in olive, tan, black, and brown tones, finished off with a blaze orange end cap, because when you go all in, you go all in.”

Where Can I Buy Camo SHIFT Pedals?

Wolf Tooth says that they pre-sold 130 pairs of Camo SHIFT Pedals to dealers. They have a landing page on their website with a dealer locator showing only the dealers with inventory of the Camo SHIFT pedals; check it out here. According to Wolf Tooth, they aren’t allowing any online sale of the Camo SHIFT Pedals; customers need to visit the shop (or call) to order a pair. The idea is to drive traffic to the shops that are so instrumental to our cycling communities.

Don’t see your LBS or another shop near you on the list? Wolf Tooth says it intentionally held back 20 pairs of the Camo pedals so any shop can order them for you, on a first-come, first-served basis. All the shop needs to do is reach out to Wolf Tooth’s dealer support team.

Pricing and Availability

The limited-edition dealer-exclusive Camo SHIFT Pedals retail for $289.95 and are available now at select retailers nationwide. Head to the SHIFT dealer locator here to find the nearest location with stock of the Camo pedals, or hit up your LBS to order you a pair before they’re gone. And if you head to the Wolf Tooth website, be sure to check out the limited-edition Camo merch; they’ve got hats and long-sleeve T-shirts.

wolftoothcomponents.com

Winter is coming, and State Bicycle Co. just launched the 2nd generation of its Fat Bike, known as the 6061 Trail+ Fat Bike v2. The original Fat Bike was introduced in 2016 and hasn’t seen a major update until today. The v2 features an all-new aluminum frame, updated geometry, and budget-friendly but functional components. Perhaps most importantly, State Bikes is keeping the price accessible, too.

6061 Trail+ Fat Bike v2 Details

State says that the Fat Bike v2 has an all-new hydroformed 6061 alloy frame. It comes with a rigid alloy fork (option to upgrade to rigid carbon) and has thru-axles front and rear. The frame has bottle mounts and accessory/cargo mounts on the top tube, along with cargo mounts on the fork. It has internal routing, including for a dropper if you want to add one, and comes with 26” x 4.5” tires — with frame clearance up to 4.8” wide (4.6” on the alloy fork, 4.8″ on the carbon).

Goemetry

State says it gave the Fat Bike v2 a modern geometry with a slack-for-the-category 66° head tube angle. This should help make it more confident and capable when your fat bike adventures inevitably get weirder than you expected. The geometry details below are the same for all frame sizes. 

• Head tube angle: 66°
• Seat tube angle: 74°
• Chainstay / rear center: 455mm
• Bottom bracket drop: 65mm
• Fork offset: 45mm
• Fork axle-to-crown: 485mm
• Trail: ~109mm

There are three frame sizes: S, M, and L. Here’s a quick sizing breakdown: Small (5’6” – 5’10), Medium (5’9” – 6’1”), Large (6’0” – 6’5”). The size-specific reach measurements are listed below; head to the State website for the full geometry rundown.

• Small: reach 450.5mm
• Medium: 467.9mm
• Large: 480.3mm

Components

One of State’s goals with the Fat Bike v2 was to upgrade some of the components while still keeping the price reasonable. As such, the spec is budget-minded, but with some notable upgrades compared to the v1. This includes stepping up from Tektro mechanical to hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors front and rear. Likewise, the v1 had quick-release axles, but the v2 has thru-axles at both ends, with a UDH dropout in the rear. 

Drivetrain-wise, State chose to go with an 8-speed setup that offers a wider range than the v1. With an 11-45T cassette, they say it offers 409% range for those times when you’re slogging through snow, sand, etc. Additionally, State says, “Eight speeds also means a cheaper chain, a cheaper cassette, and a drivetrain that tolerates being a little out of tune. On a bike that spends its life in sand, salt, and snowmelt, that’s not a compromise — it’s the correct spec.”

Trail+ Fat Bike v2 Specs

• Frame: Hydroformed 6061 alloy
• Fork: Alloy Rigid (carbon upgrade: +$300)
• Drivetrain: Shimano ESSA GS 8-speed, Shadow
• Cassette: 11-45T
• Cranks: alloy 170mm, 28T
• Brakes: Tektro HD-M275 hydraulic disc w/ 180mm rotors
• Wheels: 26” double-wall alloy w/ sealed bearing hubs
• Tires: Kenda Juggernaut 26” x 4.5”
• Cockpit: 740mm wide alloy handlebar w/15mm rise, 50mm stem, lock-on grips
• Frame Colors: Firehouse Red, Raw

Pricing and Availability

The State Trail+ Fat Bike v2 retails for $1,200 and is available to order now. At checkout, buyers have numerous upgrade options, including a carbon fork, dropper seatpost, pedals, saddle, and more. According to the State website, both colors and all sizes are estimated to start shipping in late October. Head there to learn more or to get your order in before it snows!

statebicycle.com

We knew from the beginning last year, when they debuted in a collaboration with Canyon, that aftermarket DT Swiss F132 gravel suspension forks were in the pipeline. We even had a hint of broader availability when we first spied the fork more than two years ago. And now they are here, offering two new damper spec & pricing levels, plus 3 different offset options to perfectly fit the geometry of your latest gravel bike.

Aftermarket DT Swiss F132 40mm gravel suspension forks

The biggest news here is that any DT Swiss gravel suspension fork is finally available without a bike. Until now, you could only get one that came OEM on a new bike – first Canyon, then others like Litespeed, Obed, 3T, and a few others. To make that happen, DT Swiss first developed 3 different crowns to offer 3 offsets so the fork would work with more gravel bikes on the market.

But then, to make it something they could sell to consumers and be sure everyone ended up on the correct offset, DT also developed an easy-to-use Gravel Fork Offset Selector online tool on their website. There, you enter in key geometry about your bike frame, and it will show you which offset is the best fit for your bike. And what the other offsets would do to your bike’s handling.

The other big change is the introduction of a simpler, cheaper version without a remote lockout. While many gravel riders (and most racers) swear by a physical lockout being a necessity, many more adventure-focused riders don’t. For one thing, the short-travel DT F132 doesn’t tend to bob as much as other suspension forks. And, it’s hard to argue with the cheaper model lowering the price by 36%, while only adding an extra 40g weight penalty.

Tech Details

• 40mm gravel-tuned suspension travel
• 700c x 50mm max tire clearance
• 32mm stanchions and reverse arch lowers
• 1.5″ tapered steerer
• 435mm axle-to-crown length
• 45mm, 50mm & 56mm fork offset options (compared to 45-51mm for Fox & RockShox gravel forks)
• LineAir SL positive and negative air spring
• semi-integrated brake routing (for fully integrated routing through the headset)
• 12x100mm thru-axle
• FM160 flat mount brake, compatible with 160mm or 180mm rotors
• optional bikepacking adapters add 3-bolt cage mounts (max 3kg load per side)
• max 130kg rider+bike+gear system weight
• ebike approved

F132 One

• PlainGain hydraulic damping cartridge, with external rebound damping control
• PushControl remote lockout
• 1340g claimed weight (without RWS axle, remote, or cable)

F132

• OpenFlow hydraulic damping cartridge (non-adjustable)
• no remote lockout
• 1380g claimed weight (without RWS axle)

DT Swiss gravel fork – Pricing, options & availability

Now that DT Swiss gravel suspension forks are available aftermarket, you can pick from either the top-tier F132 One, or the more basic F132.

The DT Swiss F132 One, with its top-level damping system and excellent remote lockout lever, sells for $1270 / 1150€. The simplified DT F132, which does not have a lockout, sells for $894 / 809€.

Both now are offered with 45mm, 50mm, or 56mm offsets to preserved the ideal handling matched to your gravel bike’s specific geometry. And both are available to buy now globally from DT’s dealer shop network.

DTSwiss.com

Wanna do something really scary this Halloween? How about checking your wattage, then glancing over at Tour de France Champ Tadej Pogačar’s numbers? No WorldTour contract needed for this event; MyWhoosh offers an easier option.

On Saturday, October 31, MyWhoosh is hosting a live community ride with Pogačar that’s open to anyone with an indoor trainer and a MyWhoosh account. The ride is free, has no rider limit, and for every participant, MyWhoosh will donate $1 USD to the Tadej Pogačar Foundation.

The ride will last around 90 minutes, with Pogačar appearing live inside the MyWhoosh app for a Q&A during the session.

MyWhoosh Ride With Tadej

If you’re good to go, the community ride starts at:

9:00 a.m. CET / 8:00 a.m. GMT / 4:00 a.m. EDT / 7:00 p.m. AEDT (please triple-check the time)

Yes, that’s an early alarm for us riders on the U.S. East Coast, but at least you don’t have to travel to Europe to get dropped by Tadej. Also, there’s no advance registration. The event will appear in the MyWhoosh app exactly 60 minutes before it starts. Riders need to log in, head to the events page, and join the ride.

Don’t have MyWhoosh? MyWhoosh is free to download, so you don’t need a subscription to participate.

$1 Per Rider Goes to the Tadej Pogačar Foundation

The ride also has a charitable side. MyWhoosh will donate $1 for every rider who joins to the Tadej Pogačar Foundation. Founded by Pogačar, the organization raises and distributes resources to people affected by disasters and to children battling illness. That means just showing up adds another dollar to the donation total. You don’t need a fundraising page or an additional contribution to make your ride count.

The more riders who join, the bigger the donation – so do your part.

Live Q&A With Pogačar

Pogačar won’t simply be an avatar somewhere up the road. He’ll appear live in the MyWhoosh app during the ride for a Q&A, and riders can submit questions during the session.

For anyone already spending the fall and winter riding indoors, it’s an easy excuse to switch up the usual trainer session and ride with one of the best cyclists of his generation. Or, depending on how seriously you take the pace, try riding with him.

I’m In – How Do I Join?

You’ll need to join the MyWhoosh Ride With Tadej is:

• An indoor trainer
• A MyWhoosh account
• The MyWhoosh app
• A very early alarm if you’re on the U.S. East Coast

So wake up early, ride with the champ, and help the Tadej Pogačar Foundation for a good cause.

The UCI Cycling Esports World Championships are getting a pretty serious shake-up for 2026.

MyWhoosh and the UCI have confirmed a new two-stage points format for the Elite final, with surprise checkpoints (right?!), route choices, and enough scoring opportunities that crossing the finish line first won’t necessarily win the rainbow jersey.

Esports Worlds Get New Junior & Masters Titles for 2026

The Elite final will take place December 5 in Copenhagen, bringing the entire field together inside a dedicated esports studio. But thats not all; one week later, cycling esports gets another first: official UCI Junior and Masters Cycling Esports World Championships, giving riders outside the Elite category their own shot at rainbow stripes.

For the Elite race, the biggest change is tactical. Riders won’t only be asked to produce the biggest watts at the obvious moments. Some scoring opportunities won’t be revealed until the race is already underway, and the second stage gives riders a literal choice between easier and harder routes.

Stage 1: Surprise Surge Checkpoints

The Elite championship starts with a 7.6km points race featuring five Surge Checkpoints. Here’s the catch: riders won’t know where those checkpoints are beforehand.

The race announces each checkpoint only 500 meters before the scoring line, and every rider receives the same notification at the same time. The first 10 riders across each checkpoint score points. This should create a race where positioning matters almost constantly. Riders have to decide whether to move forward early and spend energy before the line or sit back, wait, and hope they have enough road left when the checkpoint appears.

It should also make repeated acceleration and recovery a major part of the first stage. No one sits around waiting for one final sprint, like a real-life masters race.

Stage 2: Choose Your Own Route

Stage 2 gets even stranger. The race covers four 5km laps for 20km total, and every lap includes a route choice. About 400 meters before the split, each rider must choose between two equal-distance routes. One is flatter and worth fewer points. The other is hillier, costs more energy, and pays more points. However, each route has its own scoring line. Once the two paths rejoin, everyone contests another common sprint checkpoint.

That means riders have two scoring opportunities per lap, giving them eight chances to collect points during Stage 2. On the final lap, the finish line doubles as the final sprint checkpoint, with double points available.

What happens if you don’t pick a route? MyWhoosh automatically sends you down the flatter route – choice made.

Why do all this wildness? Because taking the hill might pay more points, but it could also leave a rider empty when the groups reconnect. The flat route offers fewer points, but it may allow someone to recover or set up the next sprint. It’s tactical, a bit of a gamble, and I’m sure it’s fun to watch.

After adding points from both stages, the rider with the highest total becomes World Champion after verification and UCI approval. Finishing first isn’t enough; the points matter too.

The Gear: Same Trainers for Everyone

Hardware will also be standardized for the Elite final. Every finalist will race on an ELITE Justo 2 smart trainer, with ELITE individually preparing and verifying each trainer before the event. That gives every rider the same trainer platform and is intended to create a more consistent power-measurement environment across the field.

The championship itself will take place in a dedicated esports studio in Copenhagen, rather than the previously announced two-location format. Bringing everyone into one venue should simplify logistics and give the broadcast team more control over how they present the racing.

When To Watch: Elites, Jrs and Masters

The Elite final is now scheduled for Saturday, December 5, 2026, in Copenhagen. One week later, things go remote again. On December 12, the UCI and MyWhoosh will hold the first UCI Junior and Masters Cycling Esports World Championships.

Where can you watch? You can watch on the UCI MyWhoosh platform or the MyWhoosh YouTube Channel.

Think You’re Ready For Worlds?

For the first time, cycling esports World Championship titles have expanded beyond the Elite field.

The Junior category is open to eligible riders aged 17 and 18. Masters racing begins at 40 years old, divided into five-year age categories. Riders aged 19 through 39 remain part of the existing Elite championship structure rather than this new event.

Each Junior or Masters category will need at least 10 verified starters for the UCI to award a world title.

The Junior and Masters championships will be fully remote, but riders must still meet a long list of eligibility and verification requirements. Competitors need a valid license or membership from their National Federation, including any required UCI ID, and must be eligible to represent that nation.

Full Verification Still Applies

MyWhoosh will use the same sort of verification procedures that have become central to high-level esports racing.

That includes:

• Race and training-history review
• Height and weight verification
• Approved equipment checks
• Live dual-power recording
• Cadence and heart-rate monitoring
• Streaming and identity checks
• Post-race comparison of primary and secondary power data
• Additional testing or evidence if required

All results remain unverified until MyWhoosh completes its performance checks and the UCI and appointed International Commissaire approve the classification.*

UCI esports regulations and anti-doping rules also apply.

Check out all the information here at MyWhoosh

First, we knew Leatt for protection & shoes, then components; now they are expanding again into high-performance bike care products with this all-new GRiTT sub-brand. Included in the line-up is everything you’d expect from a bike care line-up. That includes chain lubes, drivetrain & frame cleaners, post-clean protective treatments, tubeless sealant, even riderwear care items like re-waterproofers and a helmet pad & protector cleaner. Gritt describes the majority of the cleaners as “truly biodegradable”. The entire line-up is PFAS-free. And curiously, pretty much everything is red and smells like cherries, even the tubeless sealant.

Leatt’s all-new Gritt bike & rider gear care line

Leatt have protected riders for over 20 years. So, they say it’s time they started protecting your bike and riding gear, too. So their all-new Gritt high-performance bike care range endeavors to cover all the bases of cleaning, lubricating, and generally keeping your bikes (and motorbikes) running at the top of their game. And they aim to do that, all at affordable price points.

“Every GRiTT product has been rigorously tested in the lab, on a wide variety of bikes and motorcycles, and across multiple materials. Professional athletes have also put each formula through real-world conditions to guarantee performance you can trust. All products are safe for use on chrome, carbon, anodized metals and plastics.”

So what makes Gritt unique?

Besides the cherry scent to everything, Leatt & Gritt claim a few unique technologies and “advanced formulations” set them apart.

For their cleaning products, Gritt’s developed a ViscoClean formula, claimed to better cling to the surface being cleaned. Needing to be shaken-to-activate, they will flow “18 times slower than standard cleaners, allowing the liquid gel to work longer and more effectively” so you get better cleaning, less wasted cleaner.

Their standard spray-on cleaners are also TrueBio, meaning every ingredient is biodegradable, breaking down naturally, “leaving nothing harmful behind“. Then, ‘next-gen polymers’ in the post-wash products promise to add a “smart protective layer that helps water and dirt slide off more effectively“.

On the lubrication side, Gritt uses a “durable, exceptionally smooth & protective” Ceramic tech adding Hexagonal Boron Nitride (h-BN). They say that “reduces wear by 70%”. The Ceramic tech also purports to reduce drivetrain noise, and ensure “longer-lasting smooth performance in all conditions”. Plus, it includes anti-corrosive additives to protect against rust long-term.

Bike Care Range – Overview

There’s really a wide range of new Gritt by Leatt bike and gear care product line-up. I count 5 different spray & 4 aerosol cleaners/degreasers, 4 post-wash treatments, 4 different ceramic bike chain lubes, 4 sealant sizes plus a sealant cleaner spray, 3 rain proofers, an anti-fog spray, and the helmet cleaning foam. And we haven’t had a chance to try out any of it yet.

So, let’s just take a sample of what’s on offer and how much it costs, for example…

GRiTT bike care – Pricing & availability

A liter of the True Bio spray Bike Wash sells for about $15 / £13 / 15€. The True Bio PowerFoam Bike Wash that you’d pair to your foaming pressure washer is $18 / £14 / 18€ for a liter. $20 / £18 / 20€ for a liter of the True Bio spray Chain Cleaner.

The 120ml True Bio Ceramic Chain Lube also sells for $15 / £13 / 15€, no matter the formula that fits your riding conditions – all weather, wet rides, dry conditions. The Ceramic Chain Wax is a bit more expensive at $17 / £15 / 17€ per 120ml bottle.

The complete new GRiTT by Leatt line-up is available globally, both directly from Leatt or Gritt in some markets, or via their wide range of online retailers and brick-and-mortar bike shop dealers. But the individual assortment in each channel seems to vary quite a bit, likely as this is all quite new at the moment.

GRiTTbyLeatt.com

Today, Ari Bikes is launching the new Shafer HP e-gravel bike. It combines Ari’s versatile 3rd-generation Shafer gravel bike platform with the lightweight, mid-power TQ-HPR60 drive system to provide quiet, natural pedal assistance. It’s available in five complete builds with upgrade options including wheels, suspension, and range extenders. Let’s check it out.

“The Shafer HP is everything riders love about the Shafer, electrified. It’s for the rider who wants to go farther, keep up with friends, or use it as a training tool for Zone 2 days.“

-Tyler Cloward, Director of Product

Ari Shafer HP Details

To create the Shafer HP, Ari essentially took its 3rd-gen Shafer gravel bike and added the TQ-HPR60 drive system. Other than the compact TQ-HPR60 motor and a slightly thicker downtube, the standard Shafer and the HP look nearly identical. Looking at the pictures, it’s almost hard to tell there’s an e-bike drive system at all. 

Ari says it shares the exact same geometry as the standard Shafer (see below for details), which has made it one of the most versatile gravel bikes around. The frame has been engineered to provide the same ride quality with compliance in the rear triangle and fork to smooth out rough roads while being strong enough to tackle singletrack trails. 

The frame and fork also have the same massive tire clearance for modern gravel tires up to 60mm wide. It comes stock with 55mm tires and can go as big as 2.25” wide. The Shafer HP is also compatible with dropper posts and gravel suspension forks for those looking for a bit more cushion. Riders have the option to upgrade to a suspension fork when purchasing.

The Shafer HP frame has three bottle mounts inside the front triangle, making it possible to carry plenty of water, even if you use one of the mounts for the optional range extender. There are also fender mounts, three pack mounts on the fork, and plenty of space for frame bags if you’re looking to haul some gear. 

TQ-HPR60 Drive System

We’ve covered the TQ-HPR60 drive system as well as numerous bikes equipped with it already. You can learn the details of the system here. The quick and dirty is that it is a lightweight (1.92 kg or 4.2 lbs) and compact mid-drive motor that is concentric to the crank spindle. It puts out up to 60 Nm of torque and 350 W of peak power with three customizable assist levels to choose from. 

On the Shafer HP, the TQ-HPR60 is powered by a downtube-integrated 360 Wh battery. It’s also compatible with the optional 160Wh range extender for longer rides. The Shafer HP features TQ’s top tube-integrated color display to monitor your ride info, and assist levels are changed using TQ controllers on the hoods. The whole TQ drive system stays fairly lightweight, and Ari says the Shafer HP’s complete bike weights average around 28 pounds.

We’ve tested bikes with the TQ-HPR60 motor, and can confirm that it’s impressively quiet with a smooth and natural power delivery that’s far more subtle than the full-power options. Preferences vary, but we think it’s one of the best motors on the market.

Builds and Pricing

The Shafer HP comes in Emerald Metallic and Clay Gray Bone frame colors as a frame kit for $4,199 or your choice of five complete builds. All builds include the same TQ-HPR60 drive system and components and a CleanCast carbon frame that’s backed by a lifetime + transferable warranty. As mentioned above, numerous component upgrade options are available when purchasing, including wheels, suspension, range extenders, and more, so you can customize your ride. 

Sport – $4,899: Shimano Cues 11-speed drivetrain, Shimano Cues brakes, WTB Sportterra i25 wheels

Comp – $5,499: SRAM Apex 12-speed drivetrain, SRAM Apex brakes, WTB Speedterra i25 wheels

Elite – $5,999: SRAM Rival XPLR AXS 13-speed, SRAM Rival brakes, WTB Speedterra i25 wheels

Pro – $6,999: SRAM Force XPLR AXS 13-speed, SRAM Force brakes, Reynolds G30 Expert Alloy wheels

Team – $9,899: SRAM Red XPLR AXS 13-speed, SRAM Red brakes, Zipp 303 S XPLR wheels

Availability

The new Shafer HP e-gravel bike is available now directly from Ari. Head to the brand’s website to learn more.

aribikes.com

The German adventure brand Tout Terrain is best known for steel bikes with Pinion gearboxes and belt drives. But recently, Tout released a bicycle that offers two new features that haven’t been available before from the brand.

Tout Terrain’s new Catalina Select 7.1 is a derailleur-based bikepacking-ready mountain bike for modern drivetrains.

It will also be available as a customizable frame kit, in the color of your choice.

Two new “firsts” for the bike maker.

Tout Terrain Catalina steel bikepacking 29er MTB hardtail

The new Catalina is a steel bikepacking hardtail, and it’s Tout’s first derailleur-based 29er.

But it’s also the first model they’ll sell to riders as a frame kit that you can really customize. That means you can pick any color you want, plus a rigid or suspension fork. Also cool.

Tout Terrain uses its own Thermocrom heat-treated steel for the new Catalina. The butted Thermocrom tubing uses thinner-walled sections in select areas, cutting weight without hurting the frame’s durability.

The brand also says this steel tubeset performs much like their Dedacciai tubing, but with a lower carbon footprint. It has been used across their recently updated lineup, including the Tanami and Blueridge.

We’ve Seen it Before…

Teased at this year’s Sea Otter Classic, the Catalina is pitched as equally happy on after-work trail laps as on big backcountry overnighters. Tout Terrain describes it as “fast and fun on flowy trails while still hitting the usual marks of capability, long-distance comfort, and durability”.

True to the brand’s touring roots, the powder-coated steel frame has mounting points all over the place. You can load it up for a few days off-the-grid without resorting to zip ties and Voile straps.

Bikepacking-ready MTB hardtail

When the Catalina launches, it will launch as a complete bike, the Select 7.1.

Tout builds this complete bike around a RockShox Reba Gold 120mm fork, 2.4″ Continental tires on WTB KOM Tough i30 rims, a 150mm OneUp V3 dropper, and a new mechanical Shimano Deore 1×12 drivetrain.

Their idea is that the Catalina will be an approachable entry for first-time bikepackers, but still makes sense for seasoned adventurers. If you’d rather build your own, the frame kit is also available, in the color of your choice.

Preorders for both the Select 7.1 and frame kit are open now, with shipping expected before the end of the year.

Tout Terrain Catalina: Retail & Detail

Retail: $1,625 (frameset), $4,099 (Select 7.1 complete)

• Frame: Tout Terrain Thermocrom steel with Matte Black finish
• Fork: RockShox Reba Gold 120mm
• Groupset: Shimano Deore 1×12 drivetrain
• Wheelset: WTB KOM Tough i30 29” with Tout Terrain hubs
• Seatpost: OneUp V3 150mm dropper post
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Custom single paint color option for the frameset

Click the link below to check out more details.

Tout-TerrainBike.com

The new CADEX Sync Aero Extension system arrived just in time for KONA. The system offers three extension lengths, multiple cradle and spacer options, adjustable carbon arm cups, integrated computer mounting, and dedicated between-the-arms hydration hardware.

The extensions themselves are UD carbon and weigh a claimed 380g per pair in Medium, while the carbon arm cups add another 182g per pair. CADEX is asking $1,500 / €1,350 / £1,200 / $2,299 AUD for a complete platform-specific fit kit.

CADEX built the system around getting the rider into a repeatable aero position, then giving them enough adjustment to keep refining it.

Three Extension Sizes and 30mm of Trimming

The Sync Aero Extensions come in Small, Medium, and Large, with an additional 30mm of length adjustment via trimming. That gives a fitter three different starting points before making permanent changes to extension length.

From there, the system uses interchangeable 15-degree and 20-degree cradles, plus 2.5-degree and 5-degree angled spacers. You can mix and match these pieces to tune hand height and forearm angle without needing a completely different extension.

The arm cups can also move for width and reach.

CADEX describes the system as designed around both UCI time trial and Ironman fit requirements, which helps explain why it has so much adjustment. A short, aggressive TT position and something comfortable enough to hold through a long-course triathlon aren’t necessarily the same thing.

High-Sided Carbon Arm Cups

The arm cups are made from UD carbon fiber and use a tall outer wall designed to keep the rider supported in the aero position. Claimed weight is 182g per pair.

The shape makes sense given how modern TT and tri positions have changed. Riders increasingly run their hands higher, with forearms angled upward rather than sitting flat across the cockpit.

That places more importance on arm support. If your elbows and forearms are constantly moving inside the cups, it’s harder to stay relaxed through the shoulders and hold the position when the effort gets ugly.

CADEX athlete Kristian Blummenfelt summed it up pretty well.

“A good aero position only works if you can hold it when you’re riding fast for a long distance,” said Blummenfelt. “With Sync Aero I can make small changes to get the position where I want it, and the support from the arm cups helps me stay there when I’m full gas.”

The Hardware Is Aluminum, But Only Where It Makes Sense

While the extensions and arm cups are carbon, most of the adjustment hardware is aluminum.

The extension clamps are CNC-machined 6061-T6 aluminum, as are the clamp cradles, adapter plates, and computer mount. CADEX offers Small and Large extension clamps, while the cradle system provides the 15- and 20-degree starting angles.

Both the CADEX Tri and Trinity/Avow setups then use dedicated aluminum adapter plates to connect the Sync system to their respective cockpits. So while the fit concept is shared, this isn’t a universal bolt-on system for any TT bike.

For now, CADEX is keeping it within the Giant/Liv/CADEX family.

CADEX Tri Fit Kit

The CADEX Tri Fit Kit includes:

• Small, Medium, and Large extension bars
• Small and Large extension clamps
• 15-degree and 20-degree clamp cradles
• 2.5-degree and 5-degree angle spacers
• CADEX Tri adapter plate
• Carbon arm cups and pads
• Extension bar computer mount
• CADEX BTA bottle holder
• All individual components are also available separately.*

The Giant Trinity and Liv Avow kit includes the same adjustment pieces but substitutes the Trinity/Avow adapter plate and omits the BTA bottle holder.

Integrated Computer Mount

The extensions include an integrated computer mount, so you don’t need another bracket strapped between the arms. The mount itself is made from 6061-T6 aluminum. It’s a small detail, but computer placement gets surprisingly complicated once extensions start moving upward and inward.

Keeping it integrated also cleans up an area that often ends up packed with a computer, bottle, straw, junctions, and a bunch of small aftermarket brackets.

CADEX BTA Hydration

The CADEX Tri fit kit includes a dedicated between-the-arms bottle holder, while Trinity and Avow riders can buy a platform-specific version separately. Both use an 80mm base spacer, with an additional 20mm or 40mm spacer to adjust bottle height. CADEX requires you to use the included 80mm spacer.

Maximum load is 2.2kg, including bottles, cages, and hardware. The CADEX Tri version weighs a claimed 220g with the maximum spacers installed, while the Trinity/Avow version comes in at 150g in the same configuration.

That weight difference comes down to the different mounting architecture each bike requires.

Raising the bottle with the extensions should help riders keep the hydration setup tucked between the forearms, rather than leaving the bottle sitting well below the hands after raising the cockpit.

What Does the Sync Aero System Weigh?

CADEX didn’t provide a single claimed weight for an entire assembled fit kit, because it depends heavily on which extensions, cradles, spacers, and hydration pieces you use. It’s a custom setup to your fit.

CADEX does list weights for several key parts.

• The Medium extension pair weighs 380g, excluding accessories.
• The carbon arm cups weigh 182g per pair.
• The CADEX Tri BTA bottle holder weighs 220g with maximum spacers
• The Trinity/Avow version is 150g with maximum spacers.

The remaining clamps, cradles, spacers, adapter plate, computer mount, bolts, and pads will obviously push the complete system higher.

CADEX isn’t presenting Sync as an ultralight cockpit, though. The priority is fit range, support, and integration.

$1,500 for the Complete Fit Kit

The complete platform-specific Sync Aero Fit Kits are priced at:

$1,500 USD, €1,350 EUR, £1,200 GBP, $2,299 AUD

CADEX says the new Sync Aero Extension Bars will be available soon in select markets worldwide.

That’s serious money for an aerobar setup, but the kit is considerably more than two carbon extensions.

You’re getting all three extension sizes, multiple cradle angles, two sets of angled spacers, carbon arm cups, platform-specific mounting hardware, and an integrated computer mount. CADEX Tri owners also get the BTA hydration system.

CADEX-Cycling.com