X-Fusion Launches New 27.5 Enduro Fork Called The Sweep

The Sweep is the latest addition to X-Fusion's 34mm line of forks. Joining the Slant (26inch) and the Trace (29inch), the Sweep is a dedicated 27.5inch wheel fork. What sets it apart from other forks as a dedicated 27.5inch fork is the offset. It's 46mm offset provides precise, yet smooth handling characteristics matching the trail found on the 26inch and 29inch forks. Inside the Sweep is the highly accredited RL2 damper system with Mid-Valve technology. This damping system gives the rider rebound adjustment with an on-the-fly lockout lever. Helping control the fork when the terrain gets rough is X-Fusion's secondary compression circuit, the Mid-Valve. On top of the chassis and high-quality sealed damping system, the Sweep is also first to see X-Fusion's Nvolve custom seals. Nvolve seals improve the seal life and reduce the friction and breakaway force by up to 150% over custom stanchion tube coatings found on the market.

The Sweep is set to deliver the industry leading performance and quality riders have come to expect from X-Fusion. It will be an early 2014 model year release and available for purchase in June 2013.

GENERAL INFO

• 27.5 Inch Specific Fork
• 34mm Stanchions
• Up to 160mm of Travel
• 46mm Offset
• RL2 Sealed Cartridge Damper w/ Mid-Valve Technology
• LockX 15mm Axle
• 4.2 LBS/1905 Grams
• DLA Option
• Remote Lockout Option
• Internal Travel Adjust

STANDARD MODELS

• Sweep RL2 DLA 160-130mm
• Sweep RL2 160mm
• Sweep RL2 120mm
• Sweep RL2R 120mm

PRICING AND AVAILIBILITY

Early Model Year Release
June 2013

MSRP Starting at $599.99

Pivot Cycles Announces The Firebird 27.5

Whether you're sending it in Whistler, gunning for the overall in Downieville or pinning 30-minute descents on a 6-hour epic through the Rockies, the Firebird 27.5 has your back. By many accounts, the 26-inch version was the ultimate long-travel trail bike, revered for its unique combination of climbing traction, acceleration, and descending capabilities. That excellent pedigree made it the ideal starting point for a 27.5 chassis.

"The new Firebird 27.5-inch model takes everything that's great about the Firebird and makes it better. It's definitely a favorite around our office," offers Pivot president and CEO Chris Cocalis, "Within a line of very versatile bikes it stands out because it really is a quiver-of-one. It rewards and inspires confidence for an aggressive rider."

The original 26-inch Firebird was unique. The level of engineering sophistication, obsessive production tolerances and attention to detail rare qualities in the category. The 27.5 shares all of those attributes. For a brawler of a bike, there was (and still is) a ton going on both on the surface and under it, a quality defining all of Pivot's offerings.

The evolution to the 27.5-inch standard is a testament to Pivot's belief that boundaries exist to be pushed against, in this case re-engineering a very successful and award-winning platform to accommodate a wheel size that made more sense for its intended use.

To make the best even better, the headtube angle has been slackened, the low BB height maintained, and the amazing Fox Racing Shox 34 added, a 160mm travel 27.5-specific fork that complements already best-in-class handling.

The Firebird 27.5 continues the tradition of its predecessor. It's a showcase of cross-functional capability, providing riders with the confidence, capability and performance to excel across a wide range of demands. With the update to 27.5 wheels, the boundaries between disciplines become less defined; the frontiers pushed back to reveal new terrain, new speeds and record-breaking performance in enduro racing, park and gravity riding or the occasional DH race.

The spanking new Firebird 27.5. Now with more BRAAP. We can talk all day about how rad it is. But riding is believing.

The new Firebird 27.5 along with the rest of the Pivot Cycles line will be available for media and consumer demo at this weekend's Sea Otter Classic with bikes shipping in May. To view a schedule of upcoming demo stops or to locate a Pivot dealer, please visit www.pivotcycles.com.

Geometry

• 6.6" (167mm) rear travel.  
• dw-link suspension design with rearward wheel travel path. Incredible square edge bump performance and unparalleled pedaling efficiency.  
• Pivot specific, custom valved Fox CTD or DHX Kashima coated shock technology featuring increased rider tunability and incredible small bump sensitivity.  
• Full 1.5 head tube with custom Pivot angled headset design optimizing the Firebird 27.5 as an ultimate Enduro machine.  
• ISCG O5 mounts included for single ring and chain guide compatibility.  
• Patented Pivot floating front derailleur mount. Keeps the chain in the sweet spot of the derailleur for better chain retention. Combined with our custom MRP LRP 2X chain guide, our floating front derailleur mount creates  perfect shifting performance and worry-free chain retention even the roughest conditions.   
• 142mm rear spacing with 12mm through axle and 160mm post mount dropouts. Why? Maximum. Frame. Stiffness.

NINER BIKES REVEALS NEW AIRFORMED RIP 9

The reputation of the R.I.P. 9 is unassailable – in the six years since its introduction it has helped define the new-school genre of trail ripper - both with riders and the cycling press. So how can it be improved? Keep the attitude, boost performance, shed unwanted weight and build on the legend. The changes to this new beast can’t really be called “evolutionary,” because the word implies a slow process of incremental gains and small strides. That just doesn’t describe the changes to the new R.I.P. 9 – there’s nothing incremental about a kick in the pants.

TRAIL BIKE 29

The Niner that is at home on just about any trail or any terrain – The R.I.P. 9 incorporates global rider feedback as well as Niner’s rigorous progression of alloy design, engineering and testing standards. The R.I.P. 9 has over 30 glowing media reviews for ride quality and handling - the new R.I.P. 9 takes these characteristics and ups the ante with air formed aluminum alloy tubes that redefine performance, a lower weight, ISCG compatibility and additional travel.

CVA™ SUSPENSION

The R.I.P. 9 features Niner’s patented CVA suspension (U.S. Patent No. 7,934,739) and delivers 125mm of fully active travel with superb compliance and damping via a tuned for CVA RockShox Monarch RT3 HV shock. For those seeking the technical advantages of 29” wheels combined with pedaling efficiency across all chainring combinations (not just the middle ring), CVA™ is the front-runner. The result? A faster, smoother ride up and down the trail.

VERSATILE GEOMETRY

To progress as a rider you need predictability, balance and nimble handling and Niner is the company that first made fun trail bike 29ers a reality. Climbing or descending, the geometry of the R.I.P. 9 is tuned to keep you in control and ready to conquer new terrain at every turn. The R.I.P. 9 is intended for 120 to 140mm forks, allowing riders to further fine tune the ride.

AIR FORMED TUBING

At just 6.85lbs for a medium frame with shock & hanger, the new R.I.P. 9 pulls within .65lbs (295g) of our carbon flagship R.I.P. 9 RDO frame. To achieve this reduction and actually increase strength over the last R.I.P. 9 frame we looked beyond traditional hydroforming. Shaping the frame tubes with compressed air in a heated mold gives us greater control over wall thickness and material uniformity, allowing the use of less metal. Tubes that are manipulated using this process can be up to 25% lighter than a similar hydroformed shape at the same strength.

TAPERED HEADTUBE

The increased surface area of a tapered headtube allows for a larger downtube, increasing strength and rigidity at this critical intersection. Tapered fork steerer tubes measurably reduce fork deflection, which means your Niner tracks straight and true. The full spectrum of riders from XC racers to All Mountain shredders benefit from these features which is why we incorporate the technology in all our frames.

ATTENTION TO DETAIL

From the head tube to the rear axle, we looked at every single detail and asked “can it be done better?” We’ve revised the shapes of the forged yokes and attachments, subjecting them to mechanical and real world testing to ensure they’re as light and strong as possible. New linkage shapes increase strength and stiffness and shed a few more grams, the lower link has a pronounced asymmetrical form to make room for ISCG tabs and increased chainstay clearance. Larger pivot hardware and a switch to 8mm alloy shock mounting bolts shave weight and increase the bling we love so much. Saving weight doesn’t mean skimping - pivots are still outfitted with Enduro Max full complement sealed cartridge bearings for smooth, friction-free suspension.

• Airformed alloy full suspension trailbike – setting the standard in any wheelsize

• 125mm of patented CVA™ suspension, efficient in every chainring configuration

• Compatible with 120-140mm forks

• Tuned for CVA™ - Rockshox Monarch RT3 HV

• ISCG Tabs and offset linkage design for chainguide compatibility

• Forged suspension linkage and unique Niner Alloy Hardware

• 142x12mm rear spacing

• Medium frame with shock, maxle hanger and seat collar - 7 LBS/3175 g, a half pound lighter over previous iterations.

• $1849 Frame MSRP (includes shock, maxle and seat collar)

• Complete 3-Star XT Bike $4199, Complete 1-Star X7 Bike $2999

• Ships in early May.

Niner Bikes was founded 2004 in Southern California and is headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado.

The company is dedicated to the ideals of passion, commitment and 29ers only.

NINER BIKES REVEALS 2013 SPECIAL EDITION IMBA FRAMESETS ONLY NINE AVAILABLE, THE FIRST ONE GOES AT SEA OTTER!

For the fourth time, Niner has created a special IMBA themed bike in support of IMBA’s trail advocacy efforts. This year’s version will be revealed at Sea Otter 2013, in the IMBA tent.

There will only be 9 of these special bikes available to the public. The first one will be raffled as a complete bike with XX1 components (generously donated by SRAM) to Sea Otter attendees who register with IMBA or who join or renew their IMBA Membership. The drawing for this complete bike, worth over $8,000, will be held on Saturday April 20^th at the Sea Otter Clif Bar Party and IMBA 25^th Anniversary celebration. Must be present to win.

The remaining 8 framesets will go up for auction on May 2, with help from The Pro’s Closet. These online auctions will be available globally and 100% of the proceeds are donated to IMBA. Niner will reveal complete bike images over the weekend on their facebook page, and encourages everyone at Sea Otter to join or renew their membership at the event!

Niner Bikes was founded 2004 in Southern California and is headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado.

The company is dedicated to the ideals of passion, commitment and 29ers only.

http://www.ninerbikes.com

https://www.facebook.com/ninerbikes

Radsport USA To Demo Products At Sea Otter

Radsport USA, the US agency and distributor of premium German brands Syntace, Liteville, SQ Lab, and Kreidler, will showcase new product offerings at Sea Otter Classic, including demos of Kreidler's new electric 29'er mountain bike.

Radsport USA’s booth will offer an exclusive look at the Kreidler Vitality Dice 29er, equipped with the Bosch drive system, Europe’s leading E-bike motor that will be available in the United States starting in 2014. The bike, which features a 36 volt battery, 250 watt rated motor, and Shimano XT components, will be available for demos on Sea Otter’s test track.

“We’re very excited to showcase the Kreidler MTB E-bikes and introduce riders to the Bosch system, which has an uncommonly smooth pedal assist stroke and a virtually maintenance-free motor,” said Kenny Roberts, owner and manager of Radsport USA. Kreidler also makes a full range of urban and commuter E-bikes as well as standard bikes. The Bosch motor uses three sensors to measure torque, cadence, and speed as a rider pedals. Information from the sensors is used to closely align electric output with efforts from riders, resulting in a smooth, natural-feeling assisted pedal stroke."We believe Kreidler’s bikes will lay to rest any questions about the ride quality and serviceability of E-bike systems," said Roberts. "But the most important part", said Roberts, "is they're a blast to ride! This is really a product you have to ride to understand where it fits in and how fun it can be. A lot of people dismiss E-bikes as for the lazy, but as a hardcore cyclist for over 30 years I can say you still get a good workout and you can significantly extend your range." Kreidler is encouraging dealers to come and demo their bikes at the Sea Otter with an offer of a free festival day pass. Dealers can contact Radsport USA to reserve their name on the list.

The Radsport USA booth will also highlight products from Liteville and Syntace components.

Liteville will be showing the new Liteville 301 Mk-11 frame, the ultimate All Mountain frame available with 140mm-160mm of travel depending on linkage selection and setup. The 301 also boasts its unique Scaled Sizing System, which allows for usage with multiple wheel sizes. Also on display will be the Enduro-aimed 601 frame, with 190mm of travel. Both frames feature Liteville’s renowned 10 year warranty.

Visitors can take a close look at Syntace’s New MX Series Wheels, offered in 30mm and 35mm rim widths and 26", 27.5" and 29" diameters laced to their spur-driven HiTorque hubs. Syntace will also showcase their lineup of high end stems, bars, seatposts, pedals and other products.


Radsport USA will also be showcasing the new-to-the-USA SQ Lab product lineup, which includes fitted saddles and grips. Free fittings will be offered for both saddles and grips – a key feature for SQ Lab products. The entire product lineup will be on hand, including the popular 611 and 611 Active saddles. Both feature a “stepped” design to distribute weight to the sitbones and away from soft tissues, and the unique "active" design helps eliminate pain in the pelvic area and back by compensating for movement in those areas. "This is the ultimate saddle design for people that are experiencing pain or numbness on their current saddle or those with leg joint and/or back pain", says Roberts, who was converted when he first tried the saddles on his Liteville demo bikes last year. SQ Lab will also be showing their 711 SY ergonomic grips an new 711 enduro grip.