The rare ti Chris King headset is back in a modern update for the latest contemporary integrated headset bikes, in King’s first-ever Titanium DropSet. King Ti headsets only pop up every few years, and in very limited quantities. So, while even their regular rainbow of anodized aluminum headset cups are “built to last a lifetime, fully serviceable, and backed by [their] lifetime built-to-last warranty“, these titanium versions take it to the next level.

If you want to really make your bike happy, get it a King Titanium DropSet!

Chris King Titanium DropSet forever headset for modern bikes

It’s probably been more than 15 years since we really started to see integrated headsets take off in a big way, driven first by more carbon frames and then by tapered steerer tubes. But it’s only been 6 years since Chris King got into the integrated headset game with their original DropSet, solving the variable bearing preload problem with their patented GripLock wedge system.

The key to GripLock is its independent preload of the headset’s loosely dropped-in bearings separately of how it clamps against your steerer tube, so that the bearings stay preloaded as you ride, making it “impervious to the ill effects of load spikes from large hits and heavy braking”. The result is an integrated headset that in the process created some of the longest-lasting integrated headsets that have ever been made.

“Most of the new, carbon road and gravel bikes have internal bearing designs. When bearings aren’t pressed securely into a cup they shift and move and lose preload, which makes them move, creak, and eventually fail. The DropSet solves that problem.”

– Jay Sycip, Chris King Design Manager

And now, Chris King are finally offering these integrated DropSet headsets in rare and sought-after titanium!

Chris King Titanium DropSet headsets – Pricing, options & availability

The new Chris King Titanium DropSet comes in 4 models – DropSet 2, 3, 4 & 6 to fit most modern road, gravel & mountain bikes with a tapered steerer tube and integrated headset. (Not fully integrated internal cable routing, which would need the different AeroSet.) Each sells for the same $300 in matte ti with a ti heasdet cap & bolt, a 40% premium over the standard colorful alloy versions.

They don’t elaborate on how many of each headset they will make in titanium, but my past experience is that they will most certainly sell out. And likely it won’t take too long until they are gone. Then you may have to wait 5 or even 10 years until they pop up again.

These are headsets that will outlast your bike. And these are headsets that you’ll maybe even take from bike to bike over the years. Snap one up now to add some bling to your current bike, and possibly even to your next bikes down the road or trail.

Review: A lifetime King Ti NoThreadSet titanium headset

The King Ti headset I’m actually reviewing here is around 20 years old, and has been pressed into several bikes over those decades. And yes, it intentionally has the symmetrical cups pressed in upside down. Blame that on old bike shop rat traditions.

Now it’s on an old-school Soma Double Cross S&S-coupled canti all-rounder that I’ve been riding since around 2002, and has done everything from racing cyclocross to classic all-road riding & touring to what we now call gravel.

It’s had this headset in it since it got repainted in 2015. And the bike’s been ridden in about 6 or 7 European countries since then. Here it was on top of the Madonna del Ghisallo for its road-style cycling pilgrimage – testing pre-production versions of Vittoria’s first-ever Graphene-infused Corsa tubular tires. But it’s back as more of an off-road gravel touring bike these days.

The headset was in two different mountain bikes before this. First in a full-sus Kona trail bike I think, then a ti XC softail.

And it still spins as smoothly as when it was new, having realistically had only 2 or maybe 3 full tear-down services in its lifetime, so far. Bearings opened up, cleaned, regreased, and reassembled. Even the one time that it looked like I had waited too long, a good soak in degreaser and it was shiny like new a couple days later.

But there’s plenty of lifetimes left in both these titanium cups and the precision stainless steel Chris King bearings inside.

The beauty of the 1 1/18″ threadless standard was that there have been tons of bikes coming in and out of my workshop in those past 20 years that could fit this headset. Even though tapered steerers have taken over for the most part, there will always be frames to fit this headset.

Now that integrated headsets are a bit closer to being standardized, a ti DropSet means being more likely to fit your next bike too! Looking around the house, both my wife and I have a gravel bike and a mountain bike that could fit a Titanium DropSet. The hardest decision would be picking which bike deserved it first!

ChrisKing.com

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When it comes to high-end, beautifully machined aluminum computer mounts, Idaho’s computer mount gurus, K-EDGE, are the first to come to mind. K-EDGE is officially recognized as the only third-party mount maker that “Works With Garmin” by Garmin themselves. And, as a part of the ongoing “Works with Garmin” initiative, K-EDGE has been working to refresh their flagship mounts to fit the big Garmin EDGE 1050. They also have a new Off-Set Spacer ($20) that works to retrofit existing mounts to fit the 1050.

The first mount to be redesigned is the updated Specialized Future Mount. The new version is now 10g lighter and will fit the Garmin 1050 perfectly. There are two configurations available, regular and combo. The combo configuration gives you the option to mount a light or camera underneath.

New Offset Spacer

The new K-EDGE Offset Spacer was developed to address the need to retrofit current, and existing K-EDGE and K-EDGE partner mounts to fit the Garmin EDGE 1050. The Offset Spacer adds that smidge of extra clearance needed for the 1050. The Offset Spacer is compatible with the K-EDGE-made ENVE mounts, making them able to fit the Garmin 1050 as well.

Installing the Spacer

To install the spacer you just remove the Garmin insert from your K-EDGE mount. Using the included hardware, attach the spacer to the computer mount. Now, attach the Garmin insert onto the spacer, and Bob’s yer Uncle, you’re ready to fit the honkin’ EDGE 1050 on your mount.

Mount Compatibility Chart

K-EDGE says that the compatibility within the K-EDGE mount line and K-EDGE-made partner mount lines may evolve with further testing. Check the updated compatibility chart before purchasing your mount to confirm the specific mount can work with the Garmin 1050.

K-EDGE is committed to continually updating its product line-up to meet the needs of Garmin 1050 users. Discover your 1050 solution at the link below.

K-Edge.com

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Feedback just unveiled an all-new compact Reflex Fixed Torque Bit Driver designed to go with you on the bike, for safer mid-ride adjustments on lightweight & carbon components. The idea is simply a small hollow tube that tucks away the preset 5Nm torque limiter and four bits, which then becomes an ergonomic T-shaped driver when it’s time to work on your bike. Plus, Feedback has added 3 torque limiting bit extensions that you can now buy separately, to turn any standard bit driver into a preset 4Nm, 5Nm, or 6Nm torque wrench…

Feedback compact Reflex Fixed Torque Bit Driver mini toolkit

Last year, tool & trainer maker Feedback Sports teased us with a new Reflex category for compact everyday carry tools to take with you for mid-ride adjustments & repairs. That kicked off with a great robust mini ratchet tool kit, but then we hadn’t seen any other Reflex tools… until now.

This one is even smaller, simpler, and only costs half as much!

Yet it still packs in the 4 most common tool bits used for trail- & roadside adjustments to your bike. And then, it includes a 5Nm torque key to retighten sensitive lightweight carbon & alloy cockpit bolts without worrying about over-clamping & damaging anything.

Tech details

• ergonomic T-handle design, with magnetic bit receiver so you don’t drop your bits & bolts
• internal storage for 4x standard 1/4″ bits, plus 1x 37mm long x 14mm diameter torque tube extension
• 4x S2 steel bits included for most common adjustments: 4mm, 5mm, 6mm & Torx T25.
• 1x fixed, non-adjustable 5Nm torque limiting extension
• fixed torque tube accuracy rated +/- 4% for up to 3000 cycles
• compact cylindrical composite body with knurled alloy cap fits in jersey pockets, frame bags & hydration packs
• balanced ergonomics and size for portability, leverage, and bolt head access

Feedback separate Reflex fixed Torque Tube Extension Bits

Just like the preset torque limiter in the Reflex Fixed Torque Bit Driver, Feedback also now sells the torque extension separately. And they’ve added 3 options to cover the most common low-torque settings you will likely find on premium lightweight bicycle components: 4Nm, 5Nm & 6Nm.

Each fixed, non-adjustable torque key adds 37mm extension to any 1/4″ hex driver tool and holds standard steel bits in place with a magnet. And they all feature color-coded ends to make them easy to differentiate – green for 4, red for 5 & black for 6Nm. Pick up all 3. Or more likely, buy just the one you always needed to replace the torque key that came with your existing tool but was never actually the correct setting for your ultralight carbon stem or seatpost.

Tool availability and last-minute holiday shopping deadlines

Both the new $35 Reflex Fixed Torque Bit Driver mini-tool and the separate Reflex 4/5/6Nm torque Extension Bits are in stock and available now, directly from Feedback Sports’ online shop. Shipping from Denver, Colorado, Feedback says US buyers can order until this Friday, December 13 and still get their new tools in time for Christmas via UPS. Buyers outside of the states would have to reach out to their local international distributor to see if they had the new torque tools and could deliver them in time.

FeedbackSports.com

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Colorado’s House of Looptail is a small company that not only celebrates old bicycles but is dedicated to keeping you riding them. Their first products were licensed reproductions of classic tires, like the Panaracer-made Snake Belly and Ritchey Megabite Z-Max (coming Summer of ’25). Well, they just released a cool lil’ doodad that they are calling These Things. They look like a very well-thought-out, simple in-line-cable adjuster.

These Things are created to solve problems, and are the perfect addition to some old-timey builds, or a drop bar conversion with cantis. House of Looptail says that they remove the slop and improve shift feel when placed behind vintage thumbies or bar end shifters. I don’t know about you, but I like where their head is at.

Back in the 80’s, and 90’s, there were a few bike component brands, like WTB, that made these. But nowadays availability of those older parts is not so great. There are modern solutions, but House of Looptail thinks they look “dumb on a Prewar Klunk, an ’85 Commando, or a ’91 Jellybean”. I would tend to agree.

All that being said, House of Looptail has gone ahead and produced the simple and functional These Things. They are stealthy, and might even look like they belong on the vintage bike build you’ve got going on.

A cool lil’ feature of These Things is the included solid double-male connection. This allows the user the option of butting the adjuster directly against a shifter, brake lever, or cable stop.

These Things offer a “full 1/2 of cable adjustment”, are sold in pairs, and are suitable for either shift or brake. They retail for $35 and come in black or silver. These Things are in stock now and ready to ship.

HouseofLooptail.com

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I’ll admit that I was quite reluctant to put a set of these giant Culprit CCSR armrests onto the lightweight aero bar setup I bolt onto my gravel bike for ultra-distance-style endurance riding. They are more than 300g heavier than the minimalist Deda setup I was already using, and so much bulkier that it almost seems silly to compare them.

But I did it, and I rode the bike with the CCSR setup. And the improvement in comfort and control with the Culprit Carbon Composite Speed Rests installed is night-and-day. So much so, that it’s much easier to spend more time on the aerobars, and I feel much more justified in having them on the gravel bike in the first place.

Culprit CCSR Carbon Composite Speed Rests aerobar upgrade

I first wrote about Culprit’s original CSR carbon armrest upgrade four years ago, and they now sell for $210 a pair. The benefits sounded solid, but many (most?) cyclists had a hard time wrapping their brain around paying so much to bolt a heavier set of armrests (CSR claimed weight of ~314g with pads) onto an aerobar setup which they probably already were generally satisfied riding.

The Culprit long arm cup concept was simple:

• Extra-long aerobar armrests spread your weight over a larger area for improved comfort
• Higher curved arm cups give you more surface to push against laterally for improved control
• More bolt-on positions allow riders to position and angle armrests in their ideal ergonomic position
• All of which result in a rider being able to stay in their most aero tuck position longer for less wind resistance

So, Culprit went back to the drawing board to figure out how to make them more affordable – and at the same time even more versatile. They settled on injection-molded carbon-reinforced composite. And were able to get the same length, shape, strength, and adjustability at just a slight weight penalty – claimed around +20g.

In fact, the new Culprit CCSR armrests have even more position adjustability (32 vs. 24 bolt holes) and even taller supporting sides to the arm cups (max 52mm height vs. 36mm).

Tech details and actual weight

The newer Culprit CCSR armrests are each 210mm long overall and 116mm wide at the widest point. They are 64mm wide at the flat spot under your forearms through the middle of the arm cups, then taper to 36mm wide closer to your wrists. The inner side of the cup is 36mm & outer side 52mm tall overall, measured from the base. The base of the cups is 8.5mm thick where they mount to your aerobar brackets, but with 4mm recessed holes so everything sits flush.

In actuality though, the real widths feel a bit narrower, side heights a bit lower, and the radii of its curves wider once you attach the cushy 12mm thick arm pads.

There’s an almost mind-boggling 32 bolt holes – for most standard 2-bolt mounting – which gives huge adjustability. And with alternately horizontal or longitudinal oversized slots, you can easily tweak their final angle with pretty much any aerobar mounting.

Culprit claims a weight of 318g for the 2 arm cups without pads or bolts – essentially the same as the original carbon version with its pads. Mine weighed a real 324g, but you aren’t going to use them without pads.

Their actual weight was 404g for the pair with pads (no bolts). I didn’t include the 30g of bolts that Culprit sent, because I didn’t use any of them, and you’ll most likely use whatever stock bolts you had, just like me.

So how do they compare size-wise to something more conventional?

Starting off, I had a clip-on Deda Fastblack2 aerobar for my long-distance gravel bike setup, which are great actually.

They are simple, not crazy expensive for what they are, and are lightweight – weighing just 394 in total – for carbon extensions, bolt-on bar clamps, alloy arm cups & pads.

Its curved alloy cups are 91cm wide, just 95cm long, and max out at 32mm high. Then, they are topped with 7mm thick shaped pads, and weigh 87g for the pair of cups & pads. They also have 16 bolt holes and no rotational adjustment.

Needless to say, they are a fraction of the size (<1/2) and weight (<1/4) of the Culprit CCSR setup. And I was fine riding them.

At least until I realized that I could be more comfortable…

Why I have aero bars on a gravel bike in the first place

I know aerobars on gravel bikes look weird, bordering on ludicrous. And there is certainly valid debate that they may not be a safe idea for gravel racing, especially not in mass-start events. But the reason that I have aerobars is simply to give me more, and more comfortable hand positions for extra-long distance riding (and potentially racing) over a mix of smooth & rough terrain.

I enjoy riding a gravel bike – even loaded down with bags – across some gnarly terrain. But my hands and wrists can really suffer, to the point after multiple days that I might have to stop for extended periods of time just to give my hands a break. I haven’t personally experienced it, but I’ve had more than one close friend come back from an ultra-distance off-road race with nerve damage, tingling hands, and a lack of feeling in their fingers for weeks on end.

So, I’m happy to ride around with these silly things strapped to my bar in hopes of avoiding that. And in reality, they’re only on the bike a couple of months of the year, and are easily removed for regular gravel riding.

My setup

Now, back to their setup. The huge positioning adjustability allowed me to install the new Culprit CCSR armrests a bit wider than my original cups, while also slightly angling them inward so I could keep the aerobar extensions narrow like I like. They’re also a bit further back, so I don’t have to lean quite so far forward (hence the extensions slid back too, which I’ve yet to trim down.)

Together, that puts my elbows a bit wider, so I have a much better steering control while leaned forward over the bar.

And even though these extended cups are huge, I still have ~3cm between their underside and the top of my bar tape, so there’s still plenty of room for my hands on the tops.

Review: Riding on the Culprit CCSR armrest setup is just better!

In the end, the carbon composite Culprit CCSR armrests literally do everything they promised they would. The long, wide & soft pads are so comfortable that I’m able to ride an almost infinite amount of time leaning forward – at least within my scope of mixed-surface riding. They aren’t there to ride off-road really, so it’s pretty much just a spot to lay down and rest my hands on sections of tarmac and smoother gravel roads.

With my elbows wider and supported by the high cups, I have no problem steering the bike through corners, as long as I can see far enough through the exit of the turn to know I won’t need to brake. But even when I do need to come out of them at high speed to slow down, the upturn of the cups makes for a comfortable and controlled move from the aerobars back to the brake hoods. There’s no sense of wobbling like I remember from occasionally riding tri bikes. Although, some of that also comes from extra handling stability of a gravel bike in the first place.

Ultimately, I spend more time on the aerobars with the Culprit CCSR setup than I did before. And that means more time in a more aerodynamic position, savings precious watts.

So I call that a win!

Plus, it helps me feel better about putting aerobars on the gravel bike in the first place.

Use beyond gravel

Gravel is surely an edge case for aero bars to start with. But I expect that these same benefits will apply just as much (or more!) to time trial and triathlon riders who want to spend a greater percentage of time on the aero bars. We all know aero gains mean more watts saved at higher speeds. And cyclists actually racing against the clock are going to care more about those seconds saved, when it could make a difference whether they win or not.

Simply being able to stay longer in your most aero tuck thanks to the extra comfort & control with the Culprit CCSR Carbon Composite Speed Rests is hard to argue with.

The downsides

While it sounds like a pretty glowing review, there are still a few cons to the CCSRs, too. The Culprit Carbon Composite Speed Rests are certainly heavy relative to conventional setups. I actually chose my original Deda setup because of its lightweight and hand position adjustability. And switching the cups out to CCSR cups added 317g. That’s an 80% weight increase, not to mention the increased cost.

Let’s be honest though, that weight gain is less than half a water bottle or a couple of spare light butyl inner tubes. It’s really not much.

The basic thick foam pads also aren’t as sophisticated as most aerobar setups. They are comfortable. But there are just 12 tiny 2mm perforated holes more for swat drainage than ventilation, with no airflow channels, and my forearms did get hot and sweaty staying in the same position on long, warm rides. Plus, the fabric face of the pads is soft, and can get caught on sharp edges like a watch. One of my pads has a small scrape, but it hasn’t frayed at all and still looks pretty good.

And lastly, the pads are held securely in place with velcro stuck onto the composite cups. And it holds so securely that when I wanted to remove and reposition the pads, I had to be very careful not to just pull the velcro away from the cup. Careful rolling/peeling the foam pads away mostly worked. And when it didn’t, I was able to just stick the velcro back to the cups and it still holds securely.

Culprit CCSR – Pricing, options & availability

A set of composite CCSR long armrests sells for $128-138 in Culprit’s webshop, plus shipping & import costs since they are sent directly from Taiwan where the company is based. For a very limited time now, they also are still offering a Black Friday special where you could get two sets of Culprit CCSR armrests for $200, presumably so you could share those delivery costs with a friend who also would benefit from an upgrade to their aerobars.

The Culprit CCSR armrests are not UCI legal (because they are too long), but Culprit does offer a chopped-down version that’s still wide and comfy but just 128mm long, for a lower $108.

Their lighter more expensive carbon CSRs are also currently on sale in a package with Culprit’s own extensions if you feel the need for padding all the way to your hands.

Get ’em all now, directly from Culprit.

CulpritBicycles.com

The post Culprit CCSR Armrests Boost Aerobar Comfort & Control, From Triathlon to Gravel: Review appeared first on Bikerumor.

We’ve already covered a few iterations of Fair Bicycle’s offset seatpost head clamp, and now the Drop Best UC gets even more universal compatibility thanks to new convex & M6 hardware tweaks. That means you can now shift the saddle positions forward or back on a Redshift suspension post or new Fox Transfer, Crankbrothers Highline & Vertical Helium droppers for an effective +/-2° change to your seattube angle!

Fair Drop Best UC seat offset expands universal compatibility

We’ve already covered the nuts & bolts of the Fair Drop Best UC offset seatpost head hardware, before. In a nutshell, by swapping out your existing seatpost’s cradle and upper clamp with the Drop Best seat guts, you add 27mm more saddle adjustment range – forward or back – so you can get a better sitting position on the bike you already have.

I personally love the concept of such a relatively simple add-on gadget that can let riders tweak their saddle position on a current bike to improve its feel and even performance, without feeling the need to upgrade a bike just to get slightly different, more modern geometry.

Read more here if you want me to explain why you might need a Drop Best and how it could make your current bike better than ever.

What’s new?

The only thing really different here is Fair’s new convex lower spacer that fits their modular Drop Best UC carrier onto the uniquely shaped top of the Fox Transfer-style dropper posts. Then, it’s literally just a combination of the correct length bolts to attach that spacer and the Drop Best UC head onto your specific seatpost.

And since the Redshift setup is able to use the original carrier bolts that come standard on the RedShift Shockstop suspension post, that Drop Best UC kit is actually a little bit cheaper than the others.

Fair Drop Best UC – New compatibility options, pricing & availability

The newly more universal compatibility Fair Drop Best UC offset seatpost head now adds an F25 Convex option to make it fit the latest MY25 Fox Transfer mechanical & Transfer NEO wireless posts. Plus it fits the Crank Brothers Highline 7 & 11 droppers, and the ultralight Vertical Helium dropper post.

This new complete Drop Best UC F25 Convex setup sells for $158 / 146€. Or if you already have a modular Drop Best UC that you want to convert to use on one of these Transfer-style droppers, the F25 Convex hardware kit only sells for $34 / 32€.

For RedShift Shockstop suspension post riders, you can buy the complete Drop Best UC M6 Redshift setup for $134 / 125€. If you already have a Drop Best UC M6 setup, you can use it with that same hardware kit, and don’t have to buy anything new, you’ll just end up with more leftover bolts that aren’t required for a Redshift setup.

(Note: all prices above are approximate conversions, as original pricing is in Swiss Francs CHF.)

FairBicycle.com

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Ashland, Oregon’s Madrone Cycles has finally done it with the Jab – a premium but still affordable & futureproof mechanical mountain bike derailleur to make you rethink your drivetrain. Developed out of a ‘right to repair’ mindset, Madrone designed the Jab to adapt to most major drivetrains – anything from 9-12-speeds – while being both more durable and easily rebuilt.

And now you can pre-order one for just 10 bucks down, to be ready to ride in the spring!

Madrone Jab futureproof 9-12-speed mountain bike derailleur

The Madrone Jab derailleur ticks a lot of boxes as the perfect replacement or upgrade for your mechanical mountain bike or adventure gravel bike. Or maybe even the road? This is one mechanical derailleur that can do it all, thanks to modular and fully serviceable construction, an adjustable clutch, and the ability to fit different cams to adjust it to work with tons of shifter and cassette combinations.

Plus, for such a great-looking CNC-machined derailleur, it’s surprisingly almost 10% cheaper than mechanical SRAM XX1 and still more than 25% cheaper than their cheapest wireless GX AXS Transmission derailleur. All the while the Madrone Jab is more adaptable, versatile, adjustable, and more serviceable, while also being as light as the latest modern mechanical off-road derailleurs available.

Just to catch you up…

In case you missed it, we’ve been following the universal & serviceable Madrone derailleur prototype project since Sea Otter last spring. And we caught up with Madrone creator Aaron Bland at the MADE show at the end of the summer to walks us through all the important bits.

Watch that video for the full breakdown. But the important bits are this:

The Madrone Jab is likely the most serviceable, rebuildable, and compatible mechanical mountain bike derailleur you are going to find anywhere. Plus, it’s not that expensive, and you can reserve one now.

What’s unique about modular construction?

The ‘right to repair’ concept is key. That means every part is user-replaceable. So, if you bend or break something in a crash – you can just fix it yourself without having to buy a whole new derailleur. And moving parts do eventually wear out, so get a rebuild kit and freshen up your Jab without junking what just needs a little love.

Design-wise, the modular concept also means it can work with any shifter and cassette combination, just with a simple swap of its shift cam. Madrone currently has solutions for both Shimano and SRAM 11 & 12-speed setups, but more unique combos are in the works too.

Modular also means universal fit. You can pick mounting for a convention derailleur hanger or a direct mount style that adds an additional stiffening bracket for UDH-style mounting.

Unique cage & clutch, too!

The Madrone Jab derailleur features a uniquely flexible cage that they claim has several benefits. The Flex Cage allows the lower pully to move side to side for smoother tracking of the chain and to damp some chain vibration. Combined with a rigid upper pulley for precise shift actuation, Madrone says it even helps “smooths out initial suspension movement”.

A smooth transition into their special clutch design…

The Jab also has an adjustable tension clutch with its own little secrets – partly developed to get around Shimano & SRAM clutch patents. The Madrone Jab ratchet clutch has ‘designed-in’ lag that keeps the chain from being constantly pulled so strongly that it is difficult to start moving. That means that when you shift up the chain is only resisting the normal cage return spring tension, not the extra clutch tension force which is there to prevent chain drops. That also means that initial suspension movements don’t have to fight against the clutch as chain length grows as the suspension compresses (as you feel on your bike as pedal kickback). That should allow for smoother suspension movement over small bumps.

Madrone just assures us that it was a fine line of building-in just the right amount of lag before the clutch engages to get these benefits, while still delivering plenty of chain retention.

Tech details

• fully serviceable and rebuildable CNC-machined aluminum mountain bike derailleur
• maintain it with standard tools, using online technical how-to video manuals from Madrone
• 9, 10, 11, or 12-speed drivetrain compatibility with swappable shift cams
• compatible with most mechanical shifters and their matching cassette spacing
• MTB Shimano & SRAM 11 & 12-speed cams, already made
• Dropbar Shimano 11 & 12-speed and SRAM 11-speed cams, already made
• many more options & drivetrain combination cam solutions, in development
• adjustable tension mechanical ratchet clutch
• Flex Cage to allow for flexible lower pulley alignment & vibration damping
• adjustable bushing pivots, can be tightened as they wear

• standard derailleur hanger OR direct mount UDH mounting available
• silver & black colors are standard, then plus seasonal limited edition anodized colors options, too
• 280g claimed weight, long cage

Madrone Jab derailleur – Pre-order, pricing estimate, options & availability

The Madrone Jab derailleur is set to retail for ~$295. And you will be able to pick one up in all-black, mostly silver, or with some purple or blue anodized highlights. You also will choose which cam you will need for 11/12-speed mountain bike of drop bar setups, what style of mounting you need, and whether the standard long MTB cage or medium or short cages.

OK, so the Madrone Jab derailleur isn’t quite ready just yet.

But they are ready to take low-cost pre-orders to gauge interest as they ramp up production – which will be in limited numbers. That means, send them just $10 now and you will lock in one of the first Madrone Jab derailleurs to come off of the assembly line in March or April 2025. Plus, “Pre-orders will also receive a discount when the final payment is due” so you’ll save some cash by dropping a little bit now.

That’s it send them ten bucks now and worry about the details later.

MadroneCycles.com

The post Madrone Jab MTB Derailleur is a Serviceable 9-12sp Mechanical Beauty Cheaper Than XX1 appeared first on Bikerumor.

Gouach proposes a more sustainable way to power most of the ebikes out on the road, with their new modular and repairable Infinite battery. Instead of expensive and eventually disposable ebike batteries – whether from the original ebike motor supplier or an unknown 3rd-party – the new Gouach Infinite Battery creates an affordable replacement solution that allows the reuse of functional battery cells, easy replacement of any single point of failure (e.g. a cell or controller hardware), a much more fire-resistant ebike battery, and it can be used to power almost any brand of ebike out there…

Gouach Infinite Battery, sustainable universal ebike power

Sure, ebike batteries are expensive and heavy. But for the most part, the environmental impacts of those large battery packs that power the electro-mobility movement are also often overlooked. But Gouach has an idea for a more sustainable solution with their Infinite Battery.

1 modular, easily-monitored, user-repairable, fireproof, and universal battery that could power the majority of ebikes out there.

They call it, “The only e-bike battery you’ll ever need. Repairable. Sustainable. Fireproof.“

Why does universal compatibility & serviceability matter?

While most premium eMTBs that we write about have sleekly integrated internal batteries these days, the bulk of the existing stock of ebikes being ridden around still use external battery packs. But they are not at all standardized – varying in size, mounting style, electrical connection, and even how their power output is managed through BMS.

Plus, all of those proprietary batteries are aging, meaning with each recharge they are incrementally losing their energy storage capacity, inching their way towards their end-of-life. Or after years of riding around out on the streets, a simple failure in a single battery cell (out of 39 total cells, for example) would mean an early death for an entire battery, when most of its individual parts are still fine and functional.

At that point, or simply eventually, they become a heavy, hazardous paperweight – almost never serviceable or repairable because of spot-welded internal battery cell connections. And they most often breakdown as a whole before they really should, due to a single element inside failing. Beyond their environmental impact, replacing ebike batteries is expensive. The retail cost of a standard Bosch or Shimano external battery is typically $600-750.

But the Gouach Infinite Battery proposes a better solution.

What’s so unique?

The Gouach Infinite Battery uses a simple honeycomb carrier to hold the standard lithium-ion cells that power pretty much every ebike battery, and a couple of contact plates on either side to connect those cells in series and parallel to get your desired voltage output – 36V or 48V. It’s pretty much the same concept as how you might drop 4 AA batteries into the back of your favorite RC car. Except, these patented contact plates are designed to deliver consistent power in the most difficult conditions, not hampered by vibration, impacts, extreme temperature swings, etc.

The benefit here, of course, is that if one cell fails, the user can quickly replace that one cell, and be back on the road with pedal-assist power in probably 10 or 15 minutes.

And then the other secret weapon is a smart onboard BMS (battery management system) that can track each cell’s performance and can communicate in the language of all of the major ebike powertrain systems. That means this1 single battery can work for a Bosch, Brose, Shimano, Yamaha, or many other different systems.

Universal compatibility is great, but it also means that you could use this Gouach Infinite Battery on your Bosch-powered flat bar commuter ebike today, and you could still use it on the Shimano-powered cargo ebike you buy next year.

Tech details

• “10 minutes” to replace any individual battery component
• compatible with all major ebike motors and battery systems, 36V or 48V
• 450Wh (48V) or 460Wh (36V) with 1400/2000W max power output
• die-cast aluminum housing for fireproofing

• raw anodized finish and colorful plastic carry handle
• IP67 waterproof
• Gouach battery bracket can be mounted externally on downtube or seattube, or even on a rear rack (most often on existing battery bracket mounts)
• possible to use the Infinite Battery as a 500Wh range extender with an optional Battery Mixer

• Wifi & Bluetooth smart connectivity allows remote battery staus settings & monitoring with a companion smartphone app
• 3.6kg battery weight

Gouach Infinite Battery – Pricing, options & availability

The Gouach Infinite Battery is still technically in development. And it was recently backed by an IndieGoGo crowdfunding campaign, exceeding their funding target by about 4x. But Gouach has been producing this same general concept for quite a while, and has a bike share fleet of around a thousand ebikes made by Pony, successfully running a less universal modular system for more than a year.

There are 2 general options now to get pre-order pricing for a Gouach Infinite Battery. First is the 317€ Infinite Battery kit which is the fireproof aluminum case with all the key electronic bits inside and the mounting brakcet and charger, just no battery cells – you provide your own, either harvested from another ebike battery or purchased new.

The other option is the 430€ Gouach Infinite Battery Kit + Cells. This gives you everyhting you need to assmeble your own ebike battery and to install it on your current ebike.

There are also then add-on options to add a 2nd bracket for 46€ to use the same battery on two different ebikes. Or more interesting to me, the 65€ Battery Mixer which lets you add the Infinite Battery as a range extender in addition to your current existing ebike battery.

Gouach is fast-tracking the final development of their Infinite Battery now that they have funding. And they anticipate delivery of these pre-orders already starting by the end of January 2025.

Gouach.com

The post Gouach Infinite Battery Is a Safer, Sustainable & Repairable Universal eBike Power Source appeared first on Bikerumor.

We all love taking pictures of our bikes while toolin’ around on our adventures. The Stinner Frameworks‘ Photo Stick is a great lil’ tool to help take your bike-ey type photos to the next level. You can get the Photo Stick in steel and “ultra-light and ultra-limited” titanium.

The steel Photo Stick is also available in a new limited textured Purple Rain and Matte Black. The titanium version will be raw titanium.

Stinner Frameworks’ handy, dandy Photo Stick came to fruition at the first annual MADE show in 2023. I have used mine religiously for the past year and a half. I lost one of the legs of my OG Photo Stick, so I picked up a new “minty” fresh one at MADE 2024.

It’s a part of my everyday bike kit.

Easy-Peasy To Pack

The Photo Stick easily breaks down into three parts, making it very easy to throw in a hip pack, bike bag, or camera bag. Once broken down they end up being a lil’ bigger than a pencil.

These Photo Sticks are made in-house at Stinner Frameworks in Santa Barbara, California. The pieces are chased and welded with bottle bosses, making it easy to assemble and disassemble.

Photo Sticks are painted in-house as well, by Good Color Studio. Rubberized ends to add the right amount of grip. They are pretty enough to leave in the shot, or Photoshop it out for that perfect, pro-like “floating bike” photo.

To assemble, you simply screw the three pieces together and place them on the non-drive side of your steed. I use it in the center hole of my crank arm. To disassemble, just unscrew the pieces and store them away, ready for the next photo op later down the trail.

Photo Stick Retail and Features

Retail: $60 (steel), $80 (titanium)

• Crafted from Steel/Titanium by Stinner Frameworks
• Painted by Good Color Studio
• Available in Steel (Black, Purple Rain) or Raw Titanium
• MADE x Stinner Logo
• Collapsible and Packable
• Made in the USA

Go ahead, get your own at the link below, and take your bike photos to the next level!

StinnerFrameworks.com

The post The Stinner X MADE Photo Stick Now in Purple Rain is a Great Stocking Stuffer appeared first on Bikerumor.

Partnering with trusted dynamo maker Shutter Precision, the wheel specialists at DT Swiss have created the 350 SP PL-7 dynamo hub and two affordable pre-built aluminum Gravel Dynamo wheels. Whether you are looking for inexhaustible power to light up your next ultra-distance adventure or simply a reliable always-on lighting setup for year-round bike commutes, DT now offers several no-nonsense dynamo generator solutions backed by a brand you already know and trust…

DT Swiss dynamo in 350 SP hub & DYN-series gravel wheels

DT Swiss is getting back into the generator hub dynamo game, working together with Shutter Precision to build modern dynamo hubs & wheels to deliver unlimited power to the latest crop of road, all-road, and gravel bikes. And while the trusted generator tech inside isn’t really new, DT has built it into their solid & reliable 350 hub series with straightpull lacing, 12mm thru-axles, and centerlock disc brake compatibility.

This is DT Swiss’ first dynamo in over 25 years – since their S’Light hub from the 90s – and seems to fit well with the growth of ultra-distance racing, amateur bikepacking, and maybe even a resurgence of riding versatile bikes for fun and commuting.

Because really, having to remember to keep your lights charged just means that eventually, there will come a time when you don’t have lighting when you need it. Why worry about it, when you can always have pedal power to light your way or charge your devices.

Tech details

Inside the DT-made 350 SP PL-7 hub shell are standard Shutter Precision 7 series dynamo hub guts – made by SP in their new high-tech factory in Taichung. That means you get a reliable 6-volt, 3-watt power output claiming 72% efficiency while pedaling at just 15kph. DT says that means “really stable” power to cover your lighting needs, even at relatively slow riding speeds around town or even off-road.

Of course, getting unlimited power adds some resistance as you pedal. SP claims <1W of added drag up to riding at 30kph. And then only when you switch on your lights does it require more power out of your legs. That sucks 4.2W at that 15kph threshold or between 6-7W at 30kph (hence that efficiency percentage claim.)

Plus, the dynamo is StVZO tested & certified, so it will provide the required lighting to ride at night under Germany’s strict rules.

New DT dynamo options

DT makes it easy for riders to add a dynamo power setup to their current bike, or otherwise for a complete self-powered new bike build. DT offers the new 350 SP PL-7 dynamo hub on its own, in just one configuration for road- & gravel-focused custom wheel builds. Or there are 2 affordable pre-built front wheels to choose from, slotting directly into the 2 aluminum options in the DT Swiss gravel bike wheel family, updated last year.

DT Swiss 350 SP PL-7 dynamo hub

• Shutter Precision 7 series dynamo internals
• 6V3W power output, so StVZO-compliant
• centerlock disc brake
• 12x100mm thru-axle
• 24-hole drilling then for straight-pull spokes only
• 376g claimed hub weight

G1800 Spline DYN alloy gravel dynamo front wheel

• alloy centerlock disc brake dynamo front gravel wheel, of course with the new DT 350 SP PL-7 dynamo hub
• sleeved aluminum rim joint
• 24mm internal x 25mm deep, hooked tubeless-ready rim
• pre-taped, tubeless valve included
• 24 straightpull DT Aero Comp spokes
• laced 2x with Pro Lock, Squorx Pro Head aluminum nipples
• 1098g claimed weight (+234g vs. standard G1800 front wheel)

GR1600 Spline DYN alloy gravel dynamo front wheel

• alloy centerlock disc brake front dynamo gravel wheel, thus the DT 350 SP PL-7 dynamo hub again
• welded aluminum rim joint
• 24mm internal x 25mm deep, hooked tubeless-ready rim
• pre-taped, tubeless valve included
• 24 straightpull DT Aero Comp spokes
• laced 2x with Pro Lock, Squorx Pro Head aluminum nipples
• 1075g claimed weight (+245g vs. standard GR1600 front wheel)

DT Swiss Dynamo – Pricing & availability

If you want to custom-build a dynamo wheel to match your current setup, you can pick up the DT Swiss 350 SP PL-7 dynamo hub on its own for $237 / 175€. For comparison, that’s the same price as Shutter Precision’s own J-bend PL-7 hub, and just about 2x the cost of DT’s standard non-dynamo 350 road hub.

The easier and better value solution is one of 2 pre-built aluminum gravel dynamo wheels, which sell for just $95/69€ more than their non-dynamo analogue. The sleeved rim G1800 front wheel sells alone for $343 / 249€, or add in a matching rear wheel for a $688 / 499€ complete wheelset (2069g pair).

The slightly lighter GR1600 setup with a welded rim retails for $443 / 321€ for the front only, or for $923 / 669€ as a complete wheelset with a matching rear wheel (1993g wheelset).

The new hubs and wheels are officially available starting today. But depending where you are in the world, it might be the end of this month or early December before you will be able to get one in-hand.

All new DT dynamo hubs & wheels include the standard SP wire connector that you will need to connect to a custom wiring setup on your own bike, whether you connect directly to a dynamo-specific headlight alone or additionally to a taillight and/or USB accessory charging setup like the Sinewave Revolution. It’s not the easiest bike building project to complete. But once you do, you’ll never have to worry about battery-powered lights on your road or gravel bike again!

DTSwiss.com

The post DT Swiss 350 SP Lights Up New Adventures With A Dynamo Hub & Gravel Dynamo Wheels appeared first on Bikerumor.