Year: 2021

We’ve got new bikes coming into stock every day at WHEELBASE, here’s just a selection of some of our latest arrivals from the World’s best brands…

 

 

 

 

This week for our Fast Bike Friday feature we’re looking at the brilliantly versatile Cannondale Women’s Synapse Carbon 105; this awesome all-rounder offers race-level performance, all-day comfort and all-road capability, meaning when the smooth tarmac stops and the unsurfaced tracks and lanes start you can continue your adventures and explore more. What deems this a women’s Synapse? We’ll get into that further into the Blog, for now let’s just focus on the Cannondale Synapse range and the benefits this bike brings to modern road cycling.

The Synapse is categorised by Cannondale as an ‘Endurance Road Bike’ on their own website, but one which is most definitely NOT limited to just the road; while the Synapse range does not sit in their gravel category (along side the Topstone and Topstone Carbon) it most certainly is a very closely related cousin which is capable of taking on unmade back lanes and gravel fire tracks. First launched way back in 2005 the Cannondale Synapse has evolved over the years, keeping pace with what the modern road rider expects from their bike; during the past 16 years the Synapse’s focus has moved away from only being ridden on the road to a much more versatile bike built to excel during epic mixed-surface adventures. The Synapse’s frame and geometry was updated in 2017 to meet the demands of modern cyclists looking for a versatile bike capable of efficiently holding speed on the tarmac while being fun and fast on the gravel back lanes.

The Cannondale Women’s Synapse Carbon 105 is brilliantly versatile…

You may be familiar with Ted King, the retired professional road cyclist who has quickly moved over to the burgeoning gravel racing scene. Ted is sponsored by Cannondale and has pretty much every bike in their range at disposal. It’s always interesting to see him move from one bike model to another depending on the demands of the gravel event he is competing in; Ted has raced on the Topstone Carbon, the SuperX (Cannondale’s cyclocross bike) and most significantly the Cannondale Synapse when the race is fast paced without too many technical off-road sections. Click the link below to hear Ted talk about how he sets up his Synapse for gravel racing…

Cannondale sponsored rider Ted King chooses the Synapse for fast gravel races…

The Cannondale Synapse has clearance for up to 32mm wide tyres opening up the opportunity to run this lightweight carbon bike with fatter tyres to cope with rough roads and gravel tracks. If your local roads and lanes are anything like ours there may well be more potholes, broken surfaces and grass up the middle than pristine smooth black tarmac, making the Synapse the perfect all-rounder. Able to handle whatever terrain you encounter, carefully planning rides routes and anxiety over what road surfaces you’ll encounter are a thing of the past.

Clearance for up to 32mm tyres means you’ll be encouraged to explore remote back lanes and gravel tracks…

As we touched on earlier, this particular model within the Synapse range is billed as a Women’s Synapse Carbon 105 road bike but it’s important to point out that there is no significant difference between this frame and the Synapse Carbon frames that are NOT deemed as women’s models. The frame’s sizing and geometry are identical, it is essentially the same bike. This is a trend that has been growing right across the bike industry with Trek and Specialized also following this ethos on a great amount of their bikes. Bike brands are abandoning the belief that women’s body proportions are vastly different to men’s; that’s too much of a generalisation, it’s more the case that our proportions are all individual regardless of gender. Sizing is consistent across the range regardless of gender, so for example if you’re looking at a size medium women’s bike, all of the measurements and angles are identical to the men’s size medium. There are a couple of key differences when it comes to contact points though, there are the Shimano 105 short reach gear / brake levers (more on those later) with a narrower handlebar fitted as well as a women-specific saddle.

The women’s Synapse Carbon 105 features the same frame geometry as the men’s models…

The Women’s Synapse Carbon 105 frame and fork is made from Cannondale’s own lightweight BallisTec carbon; with some clever design and engineering Cannondale have produced a carbon frame that features high-strength and stiffness for a responsive ride which amplifies efficient pedalling and provides instant acceleration. With an ‘advanced composition of intermediate modulus fibres’ (in simple terms the direction of the weave of the carbon fibre influencing how much it flexes) and some sophisticated tube profiling Cannondale’s designers have been able to create a chassis that is super-comfortable and includes compliance in key areas such as their flattened seatstays. Cannondale have also implemented their Pyramid Seat Tube principle to the Synapse, this involves the seat tube splitting asymmetrically to meet the wide 73mm BB30A bottom bracket shell for the perfect blend of minimal weight and maximum stiffness.

Sophisticated carbon fibre engineering implements stiffness and compliance in key areas…

The geometry of the Synapse is spot on for the type of riding that Cannondale expects you to do; in effort to ensure your ride stays comfortable even when you’re into your fourth or fifth hour of riding they have created a bike with a slightly shorter reach and higher front end than an out and out road racing bike. The Synapse also comes with a fair stack of spacers below the stem so there’s plenty of scope to fine tune your favoured riding position. Interestingly the wheelbase on the Synapse is exactly the same as Cannondale’s SuperSix – their lightweight road racing bike; this is worth noting as a gravel bike that’s been designed specifically for off-road duties will typically feature a longer wheelbase for added stability at speed, that said the Synapse’s comparatively short wheelbase means it provides agile handling for a more lively feel. On road the Synapse corners with confidence responding well to quick changes of direction; it’s a good blend of attributes which reflect this bike’s versatility; in a nod to the many ways this bike may be used Cannondale have included a removeable seatstay bridge and hidden mudguard mounts to keep you protected during wet weather and winter rides.

Cannondale have spent time getting the geometry just right for the type of riding the Synapse is designed to do…

As its name suggests the Cannondale Women’s Synapse Carbon 105 comes spec’d with Shimano’s excellent 105 groupset. Sitting two rungs down the ladder from their Dura-Ace and Ultegra groupsets 105 provides a great value drivetrain that’s packed full of trickle-down technology taken from their top-end groupsets. Shimano 105 is an 11-speed mechanical groupset that is easy and intuitive to use; brilliantly Cannondale have spec’d the short-reach version of the 105 brake / gear lever which have been developed specifically for smaller hands – a great detail for this Women’s road bike.

Short-reach Shimano 105 brake / gear levers are a neat detail on this Women specific road bike…

Every gear change is crisp and precise; with a light action you’ll be able to shift through the 11-speed rear cassette and quickly select the gear you need. It’s hard to believe that Shimano have fitted all of the mechanical workings of the gear changer AND the hydraulic brake lever into such a compact and ergonomic pair of levers, but things moves on quickly and as we’ve previously highlighted it didn’t take long for this sort of technology to be find its way from higher up Shimano’s range to this 105 groupset.

Every gear shift is crisp and precise with these Shimano 105 levers…

A long cage 11-speed Shimano 105 GS rear derailleur takes care of gear selection at the rear cassette; 105 is quiet and definite in every gear shift, there’s no skipping or vagueness in your gear selection. The 11-speed cassette gives a wide range of gear ratios from the smallest 11 tooth cog to the large 34T cog which is a super-low gear that’s ideal for overcoming steep hills and loose, technical climbs on back lanes and gravel tracks.

A long cage Shimano 105 GS rear derailleur provides consistent, quiet gear changes on the wide ratio cassette…

A Shimano 105 front derailleur takes care of gear shifting duties at the two front chainrings. Shimano’s most recent iteration of their 105 front mech has been designed with wider tyres in mind; tighter clearances between frame, tyre and front derailleur have increased mainly due to fatter tyres being run on gravel bikes and road bikes and this latest version of the front mech features a whole new lever pull action to work around these restrictions. The shifting action is really light at the gear shifter and gear changes are precise every time, there’s also a trim feature (essentially a half-shift) to allow you to move the front mech slightly as you shift up the rear cassette to help prevent any unwanted chain rub on the front derailleur.

A Shimano 105 front derailleur is precise with a light action at the gear lever…

You might have been expecting to see a matching Shimano 105 Chainset fitted to the Synapse however it’s normal for Cannondale to fit their own brand chainsets on almost all of their bikes across all ranges and models. It’s important to note that this is not a compromise; Cannondale have put a lot of R&D into their own chainsets and bottom bracket standards over the years to create light, super-stiff cranks and durable chainrings working in unison with their BB30a bottom bracket standard which provides an oversized bearing platform and wide crank / bottom bracket axle. The gear ratios on the Cannondale 1 chainset are perfect for this bikes’ modus operandi – a 50T outer ring and 34T inner ring means you’ll have the perfect gear ratio for every riding eventuality. Riding with the chain on the inner 34T chainring and the largest 34T cog on the rear cassette gives you a super-low gear ratio that will help you to overcome even the steepest of gradients.

A Cannondale 1 chainset with BB30a bottom bracket standard and 50T / 34T chainrings is super-stiff and provides user-friendly gear ratios…

It’s amazing how quickly we’ve come to expect hydraulic disc brakes on road bikes as the norm, but such are the rapid advances in technology that these sort of brakes have quickly filtered through to a more accessible price point. If you’re considering making the move over to disc brakes for the first time you will not be disappointed. Disc brakes bring superior braking compared to rim brakes as they are more powerful and provide consistent braking in all weather conditions and on any terrain; a significant benefit of having disc brakes on this Women’s Synapse is that all of the braking power is created by the pressure of the hydraulic brake fluid when the short-reach brake lever is pulled rather than relying on your hand power to activate a conventional rim brake. This is a real benefit that you’ll feel when your rides get bigger and you find yourself getting more fatigued.

Cannondale have spec’d neat Shimano 105 hydraulic flat-mount disc brake calipers to the Synapse Carbon 105 which are tucked neatly into the rear triangle of the carbon frame and on the back of the fork leg. Matched to lightweight lock-on 160mm Shimano RT64 disc rotors this setup provides confidence-inspiring braking regardless of whether you’re riding in the wet or the dry and on any terrain from super-smooth tarmac to unpredictable gravel back lanes.

Flat-mount hydraulic disc brakes give consistent braking in all weather conditions…

Neat flat mount calipers matched with 160mm rotors provide plenty of stopping power…

The Women’s Synapse 105 features a pair of Cannondale RD 2.0 Disc wheels with lightweight double wall 28 hole rims laced onto durable Formula hubs. The front hub is 12x100mm thru axle and the rear is 12x142mm thru axle providing a really secure connection between the wheels and frame / fork, these wide hubs with thru axle configuration ensure that your disc brake rotors always line up perfectly with the hydraulic disc brake calipers. The thru axles are quickly secured with a 5mm allen key, so you’ll need to carry a simple multitool with you when you ride in case you pick up a puncture (you should be carrying one already!).

Cannondale RD 2.0 Disc wheels roll fast and feature durable hubs…

When it comes to tyre choice for the Women’s Synapse 105 there are a lot of options as we’ve already highlighted. With clearance for tyres up to 32mm wide you could spec it with fast 25mm road tyres, off-road capable 32mm gravel tyres or something in between which is exactly what Cannondale have done here with the Vittoria Zaffiro Pro Graphine 700x30c tyres. Covering the best of both worlds these 30mm wide tyres will provide good grip on loose gravel surfaces, provide extra comfort and cushioning on rough roads but still excel on super-smooth tarmac offering very little rolling-resistance to help you ride as fast and efficiently as possible.

Vittoria Zaffiro Pro Graphine 30mm wide tyres roll fast but provide good grip…

These tough tyres will cushion you from rough roads…

With a bike that has been specifically designed to suit female cyclists the contact points – handlebar, stem and saddle are really important considerations. Cannondale have spec’d the Women’s Synapse 105 accordingly, ensuring the handlebars are proportional to each bike size on offer, being generally a little bit more narrow than on an equivalent men’s model. Stems are little bit shorter too; with a generous amount of stem spacers there’s a good amount of adjustability to help you fine tune your position on the bike so that you feel comfortable and in control.

Proportionally smaller handle bars, a shorter stem and those short-reach Shimano 105 shifters help you stay comfortable and in control…

Cannondale have spec’d a Fabric Scoop Women’s Sport saddle on the Synapse Carbon 105; this is a great saddle designed specifically to suit female cyclists. The profile of the saddle is fairly wide at 155mm wide and should suit most cyclists; with a flexy base and forgiving steel saddle rails the Fabric Scoop feels comfortable and supportive even on long rides on unpredictable terrain.

The Fabric Scoop is supportive with a 155mm wide profile…

A Fabric Scoop Women’s Sport saddle is a welcome addition…

The Cannondale Women’s Synapse Carbon 105 bike is a versatile wonder which is equally capable of fast road rides on tarmac and more gruelling adventures on mixed terrain. With the option of fitting mudguards too the Synapse opens up the possibility of using this bike as a full-on winter bike or as a super-fast commuter bike if you want to extend your ride to work and gain some extra training miles. While there’s no obvious ‘comfort-enhancing’ gimmicks on this bike like you might find from alternative brands the Cannondale Synapse is packed full of user-friendly features once you look at it in a little more detail. All of its compliance comes from clever design with some very sophisticated carbon layup and tube profiling engineered to enhance your comfort. This women’s specific model has been thoughtfully spec’d by Cannondale to ensure that it’s inspiring to ride, encouraging you to push your cycling further and strike out on adventures that don’t necessarily end when the tarmac stops.

The Cannondale Synapse is packed full of user-friendly features once you look at it in a little more detail…

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

Photos by James Vincent

 

Want to see more fast bikes? You can now see all of our featured bikes in one place over on Pinterest where you’ll find links to each of our Fast Bike Friday Blogs too!

 

 

 

We’ve got new bikes coming into stock every day at WHEELBASE, here’s just a selection of some of our latest arrivals from the World’s best brands…

 

 

 

 

 

For this Fast Bike Friday feature we’re donning our goggles and strapping on our backpacks for a look at Kona’s full-on Enduro World Series worthy bike – introducing the long travel Kona Process X Enduro mountain bike…

Seven years ago Kona launched their original Process model and it was an instant hit with mountain bikers who were looking for a trail bike with aggressive geometry, great pedaling efficiency and the ability to attack descents with gusto. Kona’s Process range now includes 12 different bikes with choices between models with 134mm travel, 153mm travel and now a whopping 161mm of travel under the guise of the Process X that we’re focused on today.

The all-new carbon fibre Process X is packed full of Enduro-focused features and some brilliantly spec’d components which we’ll look at in some detail in a moment, but first of all it’s important to highlight just how versatile this bike is when it comes to adjustability, with loads of scope for you to custom-tune this bike to suit your riding style and help you to master the most demanding Enduro stages out there. This bike is a tinkerer’s dream! Regardless of whether you plan to race it, want to complete clean runs with no dabs in the unforgiving Lake District hills or simply rip up your local trail centre the Kona Process X will make your riding way more fun thanks to its long, slack geometry, tons of suspension travel and all of those customisable features to help give you exactly the ride qualities you’re looking for.

Long, slack geometry and tons of travel, the Process X features a 63.5° head angle and a 77.5° seat angle…

The Kona Process X features a stunning paintjob…

The carbon fibre Process X features plenty of frame protection…

So, why Process X? Well the X denotes that this particular Process features two different axle positions; by swapping the axle position you can quickly change the Process’s chainstay length from 435mm to 450mm changing the wheelbase of the bike to give either a longer, more stable ride or a shorter, more agile ride. Changing the axle position also changes the amount of suspension travel in the rear; in the 435mm setting the suspension travel is 158mm and in the 450mm setting it is 161mm so that means that the setting with the longer wheelbase is also slightly more capable of handling the big hits making this configuration the best choice for your most demanding, aggressive riding or racing.

Change your chainstay length and amount of suspension travel with the adjustable axle position…

The Process X uses Kona’s proven single pivot ‘Beamer’ suspension design and features an aluminium rocker link between the carbon front triangle and rear swingarm; in another stroke of engineering genius Kona have included a pair of flip chips in the rocker link that, when swapped around, allow you to change your rear wheel from a 29er (the Process X comes spec’d with a pair of 29er wheels) to a smaller 27.5” wheel giving you a ‘Mullet’ configuration. This 29 / 27.5” setup has steadily been gaining more and more popularity with gravity-focused mountain bikers who want all the benefits of a fast rolling large front wheel, that’s capable of ploughing through everything at speed and a smaller, more agile rear wheel that makes it slightly easier to throw the bike around. It’s a configuration that suits smaller riders too, helping them to throw their weight backwards over the rear wheel on the steeps without any awkward rear wheel hang-ups.

The Process X features an aluminium rocker link…

Kona’s flip chips mean you can change your rear wheel from a 29er to a 27.5″ for a ‘Mullet’ setup…

The Process X comes spec’d with a Fox DPX2 Performance Elite rear shock giving 161mm of travel (or 158mm if the adjustable chainstay length is set to 435mm); the Fox DPX2 shock has been designed specifically to cope with the demands of Enduro and aggressive trail riding and features a twin-tube recirculating oil damper to provide small hit sensitivity as well as being able to handle those big hits that you’ll inevitably encounter. The DPX2 Performance Elite includes a 3-position lever on the shock allowing you to choose from open, medium and firm modes; you can quickly tune the amount of rebound too with the red dial and easily set the air spring pressure to suit rider weight and required sag.

The Fox DPX Performance Elite has been designed specifically to cope with the type of riding you’ll be throwing the Process X into…

Trailside tweaks are quick and easy with the 3 position mode lever and rebound dial…

It’s only right that an Enduro-focused mountain bike should come with a suspension fork specifically developed to cope with the demands of Enduro racing and aggressive trail riding; to meet the brief Kona have spec’d the Process X with a very capable pair of Fox 38 Performance Grip Damper forks with a whopping 170mm of travel. Optimised for long travel this fork is packed full of technical features to help make the Kona Process X excel when you point it downhill; as well as those super-wide 38mm stanchions which help provide superb lateral stiffness and enhanced steering even under the most extreme forces encountered when cornering downhill, the Fox 38s feature a floating axle which helps to provide smoother movement throughout the entire range of the fork’s travel which dramatically improves sensitivity to smaller hits.

The Fox 38 Performance Grip Damper fork was developed specifically to meet the demands of Enduro…

The Fox 38 Performance Grip Damper forks also feature lower leg channels which dramatically increases air volume in the lower legs; why is this important? Well, when a fork compresses the volume of the air in the lower legs decreases; the more the compression the more the pressure increases which actually prevents the fork achieving full travel. These channels help reduce that pressure while also helping the bath oil to circulate further up into the fork’s lower legs helping to keep the foam rings and bushings lubricated as the fork moves through its travel.

A FLOAT EVOL air spring features technology which increases negative air spring volume helping to optimise the fork’s small bump sensitivity; the FLOAT EVOL air spring is renowned for its ‘linear spring curve’ which basically means that under compression the air spring consistently travels through plushness, extra mid-stroke support and tunable bottom-out progression. Those lower leg channels we just highlighted work in perfect unison with the FLOAT EVOL air shock helping to reduce air pressure captured in the lower legs and allowing the EVOL to move freely with no additional forces applied.

The Fox FLOAT EVOL air shock is renowned for its linear spring curve…

As the model name suggests these Fox 38 Performance Grip Damper forks include Fox’s GRIP damper, inspired from their MOTO background it uses their FIT sealed cartridge technology combined with an independent floating piston. GRIP allows excess oil to purge through specially designed ports at the top of the damper helping to maintain consistent damping.  There are three compression damping positions which can be easily adjusted on the top of the fork – Open, Medium and Firm.

Choose between Open, Medium and Firm with the Fox GRIP damper…

When it comes to the drivetrain, gears and braking componentry Kona have spec’d a mix of Shimano parts taken from the XT, SLX and Deore groupsets. This mix of components is not unusual in the bike trade with many bike brands doing the same to enable them to manage to hit specific price points while meeting the correct level of functionality; it’s a balancing act that in this case Kona have got spot on, a Deore chainset with a 32T chainring is matched up with a wide ratio 12 speed 10-51T Shimano SLX cassette to give you all of the gear ratios you should need for general riding regardless of whether you’re heading uphill on a transition stage between two timed runs at an Enduro event or are simply heading into the hills and mountains to seek out the longest downhill run you can find.

A Shimano Deore chainset with 32T narrow / wide chainring is compact and efficient…

In a shrewd move with their ‘mix and match’ groupset approach Kona have ensured the two most important working parts of the Process X’s drivetrain are higher quality Shimano XT components; the 12 speed trigger shifter on the right of the handle bars works brilliantly with Shimano’s XT 12 speed rear derailleur, providing crisp, precise gear changes every time you press the trigger; it doesn’t matter if you’re out of the saddle putting the power down in a short uphill sprint or are quickly changing up the block as you exit a tight berm every gear change is safe and consistent.

Crisp, precise gear shifts are guaranteed with Shimano XT…

With a bike that’s designed to go as fast as possible downhill there is a real need for a pair of dependable brakes to help you scrub off speed going into technical sections and stay in control as the unpredictable trail opens out in front of you. Kona have spec’d Shimano Deore hydraulic brakes and as you’d expect with such a gravity-focused mountain bike they’ve gone with powerful 4-piston options to quickly and effectively slow you down without overheating. To provide plenty of braking surface and tons of brake pad grip Kona have gone with 203mm disc rotors front and rear; no surprises really, these are the standards you’d expect on a modern Enduro bike.

Shimano Deore components take care of braking duties…

Four piston brake calipers and 203mm diameter disc rotors help scrub off speed quickly and effectively…

Kona have spec’d the Process X with a TranzX Dropper seatpost with an internal cable that’s activated via a Shimano lever on the left of the handlebar. This 31.6mm wide seatpost features plenty of drop to get your saddle out of the way quickly and efficiently when you hit those steep, technical descents.

A cable-activated TranzX dropper seatpost gets the saddle out of the way quickly and efficiently…

The TranzX dropper is activated via a neat Shimano lever…

The Kona Process X Enduro bike features a tough pair of fast-rolling 29” wheels (as stock, remember you can always switch out the rear for a slightly smaller 27.5” wheel and run it mullet) with tubeless ready WTB KOM Trail i30 TCS 29” rims which are robust and dependable while still being reasonably lightweight for a spritely feel on the hills; the WTB rims have been built onto DT Swiss 370 thru-axle hubs which feature sealed bearings, completing this durable wheelset built ready for the rigors of Enduro and aggressive trail riding.

DT Swiss 370 thru-axle hubs are durable and dependable…

WTB KOM Trail i30 TCS 29” rims which are robust and dependable…

Kona know that this bike will be ridden very close to its limits most of the time and with this in mind they’ve spec’d a very capable pair of 29er tyres that have been designed to excel on high-speed, loose downhill trails. Up front there’s a Maxxis Assegai; a tyre that’s well-proven on the international downhill racing circuit and is World Cup veteran Greg Minnaar’s signature tyre. The tubeless-ready Assegai features EXO+ construction puncture protection made up of SilkShield running from bead to bead and an additional layer of EXO along the tyre sidewalls; this magic combination greatly increases puncture protection, sidewall durability and pinch-flat resistance making this front tyre a great option for flat-out Enduro racing.

The Maxxis Assegai front tyre is tubeless ready with EXO+ puncture protection…

The versatile Assegai features tall tyre knobs to push through dust and loam to find traction, but also grip on wet roots and rocks…

Out back Kona have spec’d the Process X with a Maxxis Minion DHR II EXO+ TR 3C 29×2.4” tubeless ready tyre; this tyre has been specifically developed for rear tyre duties with Maxxis taking elements from their legendary Minion DHF front tyre and beefing them up to handle the extra demands of a heavy-duty rear tyre. The tyre’s centre tread has been heavily ramped up to provide more traction and control under heavy braking but still rolls fast thanks to clever knob profiles. Just as the Assegai has up front the Minion DHF includes EXO+ puncture protection and reinforced sidewalls to help hold up to the rigours of aggressive trail riding.

The Maxxis Minion DHR II is a rear-specific tyre designed to meet the demands of aggressive trail riding…

That centre tread provides plenty traction while still being fast-rolling…

The Kona Process X cockpit features a neat oversized 35mm bar and stem combo to help create super-stiff and responsive steering even on steep, tight downhill turns, helping you to really throw the bike around and wrestle your way down the trails.

35mm bar / stem combo keeps steering positive…

The bars are a nice width, giving plenty of leverage to keep in control off the bike without being so wide that clipping trees is a constant risk. Kona have completed the cockpit with a pair of their own lock-on Key Grips which are slim and feel good in gloved or un-gloved hands.

Kona’s own XC/BC 35 handlebars feature a nice rise…

The XC/BC 35 handlebars are wide but not so wide that you’ll risk clipping trees in tight singletrack…

Kona lock-on Key Grips are slim and feel good in gloved or un-gloved hands…

A WTB saddle branded as Kona to match their other own-brand components is a nice shape and will be comfortable for most cyclists; the WTB Volt has a durable finish with a reinforced trim on the rear edges, so when the inevitable spills happen this saddle should hold up well to scuffs and abrasion.

A WTB Volt saddle with Kona branding will suit most riders…

The Kona Process X is a fantastic option for anyone looking for a versatile long-travel Enduro bike that can be raced throughout a year-long Enduro series and ridden hard at your local trails in between races. As we’ve highlighted, the Process X is really versatile when it comes to how the bike can be set up; with the option to run the bike as a 29er or a 29×27.5” mullet and the ability to change the geometry of the bike by adjusting the chainstay length you’ll be able to really fine-tune how the bike rides and feels. Features like this mean you can quickly and easily set up the Process to suit your riding style, the terrain you ride and the sort of challenges you plan to take on; it’s reasonable to assume that during race season you run your Process X in one configuration with more rear suspension travel and when you’re done racing and you want to spend time at your local trails you can change it up to have less suspension travel and a shorter wheelbase for a completely different feel.

The Kona Process X is a fantastically versatile long-travel Enduro bike…

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

Photos by James Vincent

 

Want to see more fast bikes? You can now see all of our featured bikes in one place over on Pinterest where you’ll find links to each of our Fast Bike Friday Blogs too!

Click the link below and search our archive…

We’ve got new bikes coming into stock every day at WHEELBASE, here’s just a selection of some of our latest arrivals from the World’s best brands…

 

 

Wait? What?! It’s an e-bike?! You have to look twice…

Yes, Cannondale have just launched the all-new Cannondale Topstone Neo SL featuring a Mahle eBikemotion X35+ drive system. This is a hub-based motor that gives you just the right amount of assistance to make your gravel biking just the little bit more comfortable, encouraging you to head out further into the wild than you may have done on a conventional ‘acoustic’ gravel bike. We really had to look twice when we first saw the Topstone Neo SL with a motor and battery that is so discreet it’s initially hard to spot that this IS an e-bike.

This adventure-ready e-bike is a lightweight, no-frills, all-function alloy bike which features all the key attributes you’d expect from a modern gravel bike, with multiple mounts for your water bottles, racks and packs helping you to get your own setup just right for all-day epics or multi-day adventures. The Topstone Neo SL’s frame geometry gives a perfectly balanced riding position that’s suited to endless hours in the saddle when you’re negotiating mixed terrain but is still aggressive enough for a fast feel and speedy efficiency when your tyres reconnect with tarmac between stretches of your favourite gravel.

Blink and you’ll miss it, yes, this IS an e-bike…

The Cannondale Topstone Neo SL uses a lightweight Mahle eBikemotion motor located in the rear hub which produces 250W of assistance while a 250Wh is neatly hidden in the Neo SL’s downtube.

250W of assist from the Mahle eBikemotion hub motor…

The eBikemotion drive system provides three levels of support and is easily controlled by an integrated top tube controller which is always a touch away, simply turn on the system and select your assist level; you can also see the status of your battery charge. With the controller situated on the top tube of the frame there’s no need for a bulky controller on the handlebars and no unsightly controller cables between handlebars and frame.

Integrated top tube controller keeps things simple and uncluttered…

With a sleek, integrated internal battery stowed away within the Topstone Neo SL’s alloy frame charging is done with a cable connected directly to a port at the junction of the frame between the downtube and seat tube. This simple, easy to use charging port makes topping up your bike’s battery quick and easy; when not in use the charging port remains safely sealed from the elements. There’s even the option of connecting an additional range extender to increase the battery capacity to a total of 450Wh encouraging you to take your rides even further.

There’s convenient battery charging and the option to run a range extender…

The Topstone Neo SL with its extra assist from the 250W Mahle eBikemotion hub motor is inevitably going to push you to ride faster, particularly when you’re off-road and are negotiating technical terrain. Cannondale have ensured that the Neo SL is ready to cope with the extra demands of this super-fast gravel bike by fitting big-volume 700x42mm tyres as standard to help you blast through fast loose turns and roll over rough surfaces; even with these big 42mm wide tyres there’s still plenty of clearance between frame a tyre so on your muddiest rides there won’t be a great deal of ride-compromising dirt build up to slow you down.

The Topstone Neo SL gravel e-bikes have clearance for 42mm wide tyres…

There’s plenty of frame mounts for bottles, racks and packs…

The Mahle eBikemotion hub motor is so discreet it’s easy to miss…

The Neo SL’s handlebars feature a 16 degree flare drop to keep you in control off-road…

There’s a simple 1X drivetrain on the Topstone Neo SL 1 model…

A wide ratio 11-42T cassette features on the SL Neo 1 model; there’s an 11-34T on the double chainring SL Neo 2 bike…

Cannondale Topstone Neo SL 1 £3,200.00

Cannondale Topstone Neo SL 2 £2,900.00

Both models of the all-new Cannondale Topstone Neo SL are in stock now; available to buy in store and online…

 

This week our Fast Bike Friday feature is showcasing an absolutely stunning aero road bike that is truly deserving of its ‘dream bike’ title; complete with a custom Trek Project One paintjob which helps to make the bike look super-fast even when it’s standing still, please take a moment to appreciate the high-spec, race-ready Trek Madone SLR Project One eTap AXS…

New for 2021 the Madone SLR 7 gets a serious upgrade over its predecessor; while it keeps all of its race winning aerodynamics and great ride quality it is now even lighter thanks to a frame that has been constructed from Trek’s new top-level 800-Series OCLV carbon composite. Trek’s lightest and strongest carbon material was originally developed for another flagship model in the Trek performance road bike range – the all-new Emonda which was launched in late 2020. The benefits of this new material – increased strength and lower weight, were too good to limit to just one model in their range, with 800-Series OCLV carbon perfectly suiting what the Trek engineers were trying to achieve with the Madone SLR, using it was a no-brainer.

The stunning Madone SLR 7 in Project One colours…

During its relatively short lifespan the Trek Madone has quickly proven itself as a race-winning bike at the highest levels of international professional road racing; Trek can be very proud of the fact that the Madone has already won the World Road Race Championships, piloted by Trek Segafredo pro rider Mads Pederson. The aerodynamic profile of each tube and of the bike as a whole helps riders onboard the Madone to cut through the air more efficiently; saving small amounts of energy as they race, over long distances these gains in aero-efficiency quickly multiply, leaving racers fresher for the all-important crunch-point of the race.

It’s important to reinforce just how aerodynamically-efficient the Trek Madone SLR 7 is in the real world; yes this race bike has been tested in wind tunnels and was part-developed using CFD (computational fluid dynamics) but the Trek engineers have produced this aero road bike to excel brilliantly out on the open road, complete with side winds. How have they done this? Well it’s thanks in no small part to the Madone’s Kammtail Virtual Foils (KVF) used on the profile of each carbon tube; the principle of KVF is relatively simple – take a conventional airfoil and remove the broad cross-section. Testing proves that the bike still gains all of the aerodynamic benefits using KVF but actually behaves better in real world situations, especially crosswinds.

The profile of a full airfoil is aerodynamic but a broad cross-section can cause problems in cross-winds…

Trek’s Kammtail Virtual Foil gives the same aerodynamic benefits but behaves better in real world situations…

The Madone SLR 7’s downtube features an aero-efficient KVF profile…

The paint finish on this special Trek Project One Madone SLR 7 is something to behold…

Trek’s all-new 800 OCLV Carbon composite shave extra weight off the previous generation Madone…

So we’ve established that the Madone’s tube profiles are particularly aerodynamic and provide a tangible aero-advantage when racing, but that will only take you so far. To really gain a performance advantage and negate any potential for aero-inefficiency the Trek designers and engineers have also fully integrated all of the key components such as bars, stem and seat post to be intrinsic to the Madone’s chassis. This means that the aero-profiled bars and stem blend seamlessly with the frame creating a super-slick front-end that can cut through the wind effectively; equally, the seat post is fully-integrated into the frame so that as the moving air hits the rear of the bike the Madone creates the minimum of turbulence.

The Madone’s headtube blends seamlessly with its headset and stem…

The Madone’s frame profile is super-streamlined, look at the seamless junction between stem, top tube and head tube…

From certain angles the Madone all but disappears thanks to its exquisite aero-profiled frame… 

The cockpit of the Trek Madone SLR 7 is a masterful piece of integration and aerodynamic engineering; it’s striking just how slick this setup looks with absolutely no exposed cables on show. Of course in this instance Sram’s Force eTap AXS groupset is wireless so that instantly removes two sets of gear cables, but it’s worth pointing out that on other models in the range which feature either mechanical groupsets or Shimano Di2 electronic wired groupsets the cockpits are equally as aero-efficient. On this SLR 7 model the Sram Force’s hydraulic brake hoses are neatly routed through the carbon aero handle bars, the aero stem and then down through the frame between the fork steerer tube and head tube to run down inside the fork leg and through the frame to the rear disc brake caliper.

This cockpit has been designed to cut through the air as efficiently as possible…

Stem, frame and forks are all seamlessly connected…

User-friendly Madone adjustable aero VR-CF OCLV carbon handle bars and Madone SLR stem allow you to fine-tune your preferred position… 

While other aero road bikes might have a reputation for giving a harsh ride there’s no such feeling with the Trek Madone SLR 7. Trek recognise that as well as aerodynamics and low weight there’s another important factor that contributes to a bike’s speed and how it performs – ride quality. If the ride is too harsh then riders soon begin to feel fatigued and will struggle to ride and / or race as efficiently; with this in mind the Trek designers took their proven Isospeed platform that has already shone on other Trek bikes across multiple cycling disciplines including road, gravel, cyclocross and mountain biking and applied it to the Madone.

The IsoSpeed logo lets you know there’s some clever engineering going on within the Madone’s frame…

Trek’s IsoSpeed decouples the frame’s seat mast from the rest of the frame to provide additional vertical compliance when you’re in the saddle without sacrificing any pedaling efficiency. The Isospeed decoupler is optimised for each frame size but it’s also possible to dial in the firmness to suit your own preferences. The Trek Madone SLR 7 features the latest version of Isospeed which also includes a damper to provide a more controlled rebound after hitting a bump, it’s a brilliant system that’s unique to Trek.

The Madone’s super-stiff aerodynamic frame is brilliantly compliant too thanks to the IsoSpeed decoupler…

The amount of vertical compliance is adjustable to make your ride softer or firmer…

Before we move on to look at the Madone SLR 7’s groupset and other components there’s a couple of other details to highlight. Firstly there has been slight change to the Madone’s geometry, concerning the height of the headtube. Until now Trek have categorised their road bike geometry as either H1 or H2; H1 geometry featured a shorter headtube for a lower overall front-end and a racier position. The H1 geometry is used by Trek’s own professional cyclists and was also available as an option if and when consumers were buying a custom Project One Madone. Alternatively H2 geometry featured a taller headtube and put the rider in a more neutral position with a slightly more upright feel; the H2 option was the most common configuration available on all standard (non-Project One) Madones. For this newest version of the Madone Trek have released their H1.5 geometry with a headtube length which falls between the two H1 and H2 options. The new H1.5 geometry will be popular with most cyclists looking for an aero road bike like this, it’s not so low as to put you in an uncomfortable riding position and it’s not so high as to put you in an inefficient non-aero position leaving you able to best generate and carry speed; the H1.5 geometry also features on Treks newest Emonda range of road bikes.

Another small detail that’s worth pointing out is the all-new Madone SLR 7’s bottom bracket configuration; Trek have moved away from the press-fit bottom bracket seen on the previous version of the Madone and have replaced it with their new T47 bottom bracket standard which is being used on more and more of Trek’s bikes. This threaded, oversized bottom bracket makes it much easier to install and service which makes it a little more user friendly for the home mechanics among us.

This Trek Madone SLR 7 Project One road bike features SRAM’s brilliant 12 speed wireless Force eTap AXS groupset. If you’re a regular reader of our Fast Bike Friday feature you may have noticed the trend for this groupset being spec’d on many of the high-end road bikes we’ve showcased; sitting one rung below SRAM Red eTap AXS on the groupset ladder, the Force drivetrain takes all of the technology from Red and makes it more affordable, being manufactured by slightly cheaper materials. It’s no wonder we’ve seen this groupset on so many road bikes this year; the efficient wireless activation remains the same as Red and is brilliantly functional as well as being user-friendly and intuitive to use.

The Trek Madone SLR 7 Project One road bike features SRAM’s brilliant 12 speed wireless Force eTap AXS groupset…

The wireless Force eTap AXS 12-speed rear derailleur picks up a signal from the gear shifters and changes gear precisely every time it is activated. The battery that powers its motor is neatly integrated into the rear derailleur and is easy to remove and charge when required; to ensure that the chain always stays in place and is never bounced off the cassette or the chainrings SRAM have included a clever Orbit fluid clutch within the body of the derailleur. Specially profiled jockey wheels and the addition of a thin flat-sided 12-speed chain further enhance the efficiency of each gear change.

SRAM’s Force eTap AXS 12-Speed wireless rear derailleur is a clever piece of tech…

This 12-speed groupset features SRAM’s unique ‘X-range’ approach to gear ratios, created in an effort to decrease the size and weight of the drivetrain while making the jump between each gear ratio smaller for an overall more user-friendly riding experience. For the Madone SLR 7 Project One Trek have spec’d a 46T/33T chainset combined with a 10-33T cassette to ensure that you’ll always be able to select the appropriate gear for every riding scenario.

The wireless front derailleur is activated by pressing both the front and left gear levers together at the same time, shifting from the small ring to the big ring with one activation and then back from the big ring to the small ring the next time you press both gear levers together at the same time. This becomes pretty intuitive very quickly!

The Force front derailleur is simple an intuitive to use…

SRAM Force eTap AXS 12-Speed shifters are ergonomic and provide precise shifting…

The Trek Madone SLR 7 carbon frame and fork features neat flat-mounts for the SRAM hydraulic disc calipers to attach to. The overall look is compact and unobtrusive with the rear brake caliper sitting neatly within the rear triangle of the frame safe from the potential for crash damage and tucked away from airflow to help the super-aero Madone remain as aerodynamic as possible.

Neat flat-mount hydraulic disc brakes keep things super-aero…

The front disc caliper is tucked neatly behind the fork leg to help cheat headwinds…

The Trek Madone SLR 7’s performance potential is significantly boosted by its carbon wheelset; the Bontrager Aeolus Elite 50 TLR wheels are full-carbon, tubeless-ready, and have been designed and engineered to meet the unique demands of a disc brake road wheel. The Aeolus 50’s balance durability, weight and aerodynamics for outstanding performance, helping you to accelerate quickly and hold your speed efficiently thanks to their 50mm depth.

Race-ready Bontrager Aeolus 50’s will help you hold your speed in the sprint thanks to their aerodynamic 50mm rim depth…

A real plus for Bontrager wheels is their lifetime warranty for the original purchaser and their accompanying Carbon Care service which means if you damage the wheels while riding in the first two years of ownership Trek will replace them. The Aeolus Elite 50 carbon wheels come fitted with Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite tyres in a 28mm width – a road tyre size that has increased in popularity over recent years thanks to their extra width providing more comfort on rough road surfaces and providing more grip on tight turns; as the use of disc brakes has increased and the width of wheel rims has grown a 28mm wide tyre has quickly become the norm.

Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite tyres in a 28mm width roll fast but provide plenty of grip…

Trek have spec’d a Bontrager Verse Pro saddle on the Madone SLR 7 which should suit most riders; Bontrager describe the Verse as one of their most versatile saddles, designed to suit both men and women it puts you in a posture for enhanced speed and control. Ultra-light the Verse Pro features carbon rails and a carbon reinforced shell and includes Bontrager’s inform design with a full cut-out shape to relieve soft-tissue pressure points when you’re in the saddle. Available in various widths this particular saddle is 155mm which is pretty wide and supportive; the narrowest option for this saddle is 135mm and the widest is 165mm.

An ultra-light Bontrager Verse Pro saddle with carbon rails features a versatile shape that will suit most riders…

This custom painted Trek Madone SLR 7 Project One eTap AXS aero road bike is simply stunning to look at and is garnering tons of attention in our Staveley store in the Lake District. That paint job makes it look fast while it’s standing still but, rest assured, as I’ve highlighted within this feature the Trek Madone SLR 7 is most certainly not ‘all style and no substance’. With Trek’s lightest ever 800 Series OCLV carbon frame, Kammtail Virtual Foil aerodynamic tube shaping and road-smoothing IsoSpeed decoupler the Madone boasts so much tech and engineering brilliance which has evolved from previous generations of Trek’s high-performance race bikes. Fully-integrated componentry, concealed cables, a cutting-edge wireless 12 speed SRAM eTap AXS groupset , hydraulic disc brakes and Bontrager’s Aeolus Pro 5 carbon wheels complete this race-ready aero road bike. While it’s fair to say you can’t buy your way to success, the Trek Madone SLR 7 would give you a pretty good head start!

The stunning Trek Madone SLR 7 is packed full of Trek’s best tech and engineering brilliance…

If you want to create your own dream Project One bike get in touch and one of our road team will be able to help.

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

Photos by James Vincent

 

Want to see more fast bikes? You can now see all of our featured bikes in one place over on Pinterest where you’ll find links to each of our Fast Bike Friday Blogs too!

 

 

 

We’ve got new bikes coming into stock every day at WHEELBASE, here’s just a selection of some of our latest arrivals from the World’s best brands…

 

Let’s open this product feature with some questions; do you want to ride your bike more but are short on time? Are you put off by the potential for having to spend time cleaning and maintaining your bike? Do you want to commute to work, leaving the car at home and need a practical, no-nonsense bike that includes everything you need to make your journey as user-friendly as possible? If you’re looking for ways to simplify how you travel and want to enjoy your time-pushed free time more, with almost no barriers to stop you riding then the Cube Travel Pro Trapeze is the perfect bike for you; this belt-drive commuter is quite possibly THE most practical bike we’ve ever stocked!

So what makes the Cube Travel Pro Trapeze so user-friendly? Let’s summarise with some quick bullet points before we go into a little more detail:

• Convenient step-through trapeze alloy frame
• Durable water-proof Belt Drive means no chain to lube and maintain
• Internal 8-speed hub gear protects all workings from the elements
• Powerful hydraulic disc brakes keep braking safe and consistent in all weathers
• Hub-dynamo-powered front and rear lights mean you’ll always have lighting when you need it
• Full mudguards help protect you from road spray
• Rear pannier rack for carrying duties – work stuff and / or shopping
• Kickstand allows you to park your bike easily

The Cube Travel Pro Trapeze is probably THE most practical bike we’ve ever stocked…

The Cube Travel Pro features a lightweight alloy frame and fork that includes internal headset bearings that are stowed within the frame, shielding them from the elements and prolonging the life of the bearings. The step-through configuration of this frame means that dismounts and remounts are really easy; there’s less potential for any mishaps getting on and of the bike and this is a nice confidence-inspiring feature, particularly if you find your self constantly stopping and starting at traffic lights and the like within an urban environment.

The lightweight alloy step-through frame make dismounts and remounts easier…

The Gates Belt Drive is definitely the big headliner on the Cube Travel Pro Trapeze; this brilliantly practical configuration does away with a traditional bicycle chain and replaces it with a Gates Carbon Drive Belt which combines super-tough carbon cords with an engineered polymer body to form a toothed belt which drives the bike’s rear wheel when you pedal. This belt can be closely compared to a fan belt in the engine of a car, in fact it uses the same technology proving just how durable and reliable the belt drive system is. So what are the key advantages of this system? Well, you don’t have to clean and lube a chain to stop it rusting, you don’t have a dirty chain to potentially spread oil on your clothing and the system is completely silent and unaffected by wet riding conditions. The teeth on the belt seamlessly mesh with the intricately machined teeth on the front crankset and rear sprocket, the system is set so that the belt is at a constant and secure tension so there’s no risk of it being unshipped from the crankset; this really is a brilliantly simple but effective way of propelling the bike.

The Cube Travel Pro Trapeze does away with a conventional chain…

The Gates belt drive has proven itself as a durable alternative to the bicycle chain over the past decade…

Belt and crankset mesh seamlessly to efficiently drive the bike…

The Cube Travel Pro’s Gates Belt Drive system drives a Shimano Nexus SG-C6001-8D 8-Speed rear hub; this system replaces a chain / cassette / rear derailleur setup that you may be more familiar with. If you consider the cassette and rear derailleur setup you normally find on most commuter bikes you’ll recognise the potential for increased wear and tear from everyday use in all weather conditions and the need to maintain the system to ensure it stays efficient. With the Shimano Nexus hub gear those factors are not a concern, this clever system stows away 8 gears within the hub, fully enclosed and protected from the elements. Shimano have fitted a good range of gears within the hub so you’ll be able to get over hilly terrain with no problems, even when you’re carrying a load on the rear pannier rack. So that’s no chain and no external gears to worry about, making the Travel Pro perfectly suited to the rigours of riding in unpredictable British weather. Gear changes are made from an easy-to-use trigger shifter on the right of the handlebar with every gear change being crisp and consistent.

A Shimano Nexus hub gear system works brilliantly and shields all working parts from the elements…

If you’re committed to riding to and from work or to the shops on a regular basis, inevitably you’ll soon encounter adverse weather; even wet roads on sunny days after the odd rain shower can really affect how effective your bike’s braking is. There’s been a real revolution in braking technology for bicycles over the past 20 years or so; hydraulic disc brakes are now well established on a range of bikes including mountain bikes, road bikes, gravel bikes and practical commuter bikes such as the Travel Pro that we’re looking at here. The advantages of disc brakes are superior braking power and better consistency in all riding conditions; the Travel Pro’s disc brakes are activated by a hydraulic brake lever and brake caliper, so there’s no traditional brake cable to stretch or get contaminated from grit and grime, it’s basically a closed unit that delivers powerful and consistent braking with zero maintenance. Another benefit of a disc brake setup is that the braking surface is moved away from the rim of the wheel to the centre of the wheel, located on the hub, this means that the braking surface (of the disc rotor) stays drier further adding to the consistent feel of these brakes; braking is immediate and controlled making for a much more confidence-inspiring riding experience.

Hydraulic disc brakes deliver powerful, consistent braking in all weathers…

Compact Shimano hydraulic calipers and 160mm disc rotors provide ample braking power…

Shimano hydraulic brake levers deliver consistent braking regardless of hand-strength as you’re not pulling a conventional brake cable…

To keep you rolling Cube have spec’d the Travel Pro with fast and efficient 29” alloy wheels that make it easy to accelerate away from traffic lights and then hold your speed once you’ve got going. These Cube wheels come fitted with tough Schwalbe Marathon Almotion Performance tyres that include Kevlar reinforcement within the rubber to help your bike be less susceptible to punctures. The tread pattern on these Schwalbe Marathon tyres provide just the right amount of grip on mixed road surfaces and on wet corners, but at the same time the tread pattern isn’t excessively knobbly like a typical mountain bike tyre tread so you won’t be working against a heavy tyre tread on the road.

Schwalbe Marathon Almotion Performance tyres roll fast…

The Schwalbe Marathon tyres include Kevlar reinforcement to help prevent punctures…

Another great feature of the Cube Travel Pro Trapeze bike is the front and rear bike lights which are powered by a front hub dynamo; this means that when the bike is moving the front hub generates its own power to light the lights. Having bicycle lights on at all times, day or night is a good thing as they will catch the eye of other road users and alert them to your presence. During twilight hours or in total darkness this clever dynamo front light will light your way producing 40 meters of visibility in total darkness and helping you be seen by other road users from as far away as 2500 metres. Cube have also included a rear dynamo light which is installed on the rear pannier rack which produces 120 metres of visibility.

An AXA Compactline 20 dynamo front light provides 40 metres of visibility as you ride… 

A Shimano DH-3D37 Dynamo Hub produces all the power you need to light your way…

The Travel Pro is so well considered that the Cube designers have also included a rear pannier rack and mudguards as standard; these additions are also really practical and user-friendly. The rear rack is light but strong, being made from aluminium and will easily carry either a single pannier bag, two pannier bags or just a rack-top bag depending on your journey and luggage-carrying needs. Front and rear Cube Acid mudguards mean that you’ll remain splatter-free in damp weather when there’s a fair bit of road spray, so in most cases you won’t need to be taking a change of clothes with you to work.

The rear pannier rack means you can conveniently carry a load…

Cube’s own Acid front and rear mudguards provide ample protection from road spray…

Cube recognise the importance of designing and producing a bike that features comfortable contact points so that you don’t feel beaten up at the end of your journey. The Cube Travel Pro Trapeze comes fitted with a Sequence saddle which features a versatile shape that should suit most cyclists. This supportive saddle is well padded making it comfortable even on longer bike trips; a hard-wearing finish means that the saddle is durable and easy to keep clean. Cube have also spec’d a pair of Natural Fit Comfort handlebar grips which feature a flared out portion at the end of the grip to provide enhanced support for your wrists; this is another great little detail that has been included to make riding the Travel Pro more enjoyable to ride.

A Cube Sequence saddle features a versatile, supportive and user-friendly profile…

Natural Fit Comfort handlebar grips feature a flared out portion to provide extra wrist support…

One final detail to note on this brilliantly practical commuter bike is the kickstand that comes fitted as standard. This is no afterthought; it’s not a case of a kickstand just being clamped onto the frame, the CUBEstand Pro is intrinsic to the Travel Pro’s frame and is bolted directly into a specific frame fitting. A kickstand is a great addition to this bike, making it easy to park up quickly and securely even when you’re carrying a load on the rear pannier rack.

The CUBEstand Pro is a welcome addition to the Travel Pro…

So there we have it, as we described at the beginning of this feature, the Cube Travel Pro Trapeze bike could just be the most practical bike that we’ve ever stocked. If you’re looking for a bike that’s capable of taking on the daily commute, to and from work in all weathers with the minimum of fuss and with almost no maintenance required then the Travel Pro is a fantastic option. Packed full of user-friendly features and practical considerations the real headliner on this trusty town bike has to be that brilliant belt drive system and internal gears, which removes the efforts required to maintain a bike chain, rear derailleur and external gears found on a conventional bike. The Travel Pro’s drive train is durable, waterproof and dependable helping you to focus solely on your daily bike journey; while a lightweight alloy step-through frame puts you in an upright, confidence-inspiring position enabling you to negotiate busy streets in total control. Hydraulic disc brakes slow you down quickly and effectively making your ride more predictable even when the weather and road conditions take a turn for the worse. If you’re a time-pushed cycle commuter then the Cube Travel Pro Trapeze is the perfect bike for you.

The Cube Travel Pro is perfect for daily commuting duties…

The Cube Travel Pro Trapeze is available in store and online now…

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

Photos by James Vincent

 

Want to see more bikes? You can now see all of our featured bikes in one place over on Pinterest where you’ll find links to each of our bike features too!

Click the link below and search our archive…

 

 

This week Fast Bike Friday is focused on the Mondraker Dusk R 29 E-MTB, an all-alloy full-suspension trail bike that includes 150mm of rear travel featuring Mondraker’s brilliant Zero Suspension system matched up with a very capable 160mm Fox 36 Float Evol fork up front. With Shimano’s excellent new EP8 motor, fast-rolling 29” wheels and the option to add a booster battery for 50% additional range this is a super-fun E-MTB that’s built to meet the demands of aggressive trail riding and all-day adventures on just one charge. The Dusk R 29 has quickly proved itself to be one of the most popular E-MTBs on our showroom floor with this model selling through as soon as we have stock; so what makes this bike so special and in high demand? Let’s take a closer look…

First impressions? The Mondraker Dusk R 29 looks like bags of fun!…

The Dusk R features a tough 6061 Alloy Stealth Evo chassis featuring ‘Forward Geometry’ which was a concept that Mondraker originally started implementing almost a decade ago. This very forward thinking approach to trail geometry was way ahead of its time, with the main handling advantages of this concept now widely copied by nearly all other mountain bike brands. The principle is relatively simple but very effective – a longer top tube gives you more room to move around the bike and provides a more stable platform at speed; a shorter stem compensates for the top tube length increase and at the same time enhances steering response and provides direct handling. Forward Geometry has been tweaked and refined over the years to give the rider a truly confidence-inspiring ride, particularly on steep & technical descents allowing you to ride faster and push your riding while remaining in control. The extra demands brought on by the fact that this an E-MTB, namely the faster speeds and additional weight of the bike are easily met by Mondraker’s Forward Geometry providing high speed stability and confident cornering control.

That long top tube means there’s plenty of room to move around without getting bucked…

Mondraker’s Forward Geometry is a design principle that has been widely imitated by other bike brands…

As I mentioned earlier, the Mondraker Dusk R features Shimano’s new EP8 motor which is noticeably more compact than its E8000 predecessor and is considerably more quiet; it boasts a significantly lighter weight overall and allows for cleaner integration into this E-MTB’s alloy chassis. In use the motor is smoother with a more natural feel to the pedaling assistance. Another key improvement is the EP8’s heat management allowing the motor to output max torque for longer without overheating. The Shimano Steps EP8 motor has a maximum torque output of 85Nm with the power delivery being direct but incredibly smooth to ensure you are in full control with a natural ride feeling. The motor features a Magnesium drive unit casing which is more compact than previous Shimano motors as well as being 300g lighter than their E8000 motor.

The compact Shimano Steps EP8 motor is lighter and more compact that its predecessor…

The Shimano STEPS E7000 black and white digital display is simple to understand; once on you can choose between the motor’s ‘Eco’ ‘Trail’ and ‘Boost’ modes…

Change the EP8 motor mode using the slim, ergonomic and easy to use switch located next to the left-hand grip…

The Dusk R 29 features a 630Wh Shimano Simplo integrated battery that’s neatly stowed within the downtube of the alloy frame; despite this motor and battery combination already being super-efficient Mondraker have also included a battery extender port on the frame to allow you to run an additional Shimano Simplo 360Wh external battery (sold separately) giving you more range. If you see yourself heading out on all-day epics away from trail centres and the like then this is a great option; more time to ride with less potential for any mid-ride ‘range-anxiety’.

This small cover gives access to a battery extender port…

Connect an additional 360Wh external battery for enhanced range…

There’s a lot more information available on the new Shimano Steps EP8 E-MTB motor system; we recently published a guide to the new motor which includes more details on how you can customise the settings of your own bike to tune the motor to behave in the best way that suits you and your riding. If you want to find out more please follow the link below; but for now let’s get back to the Mondraker Dusk R 29…

You can read a detailed review of the Shimano EP8 Motor by clicking the link below…

At the heart of the Dusk R’s rear suspension platform is their Zero Suspension System; here we have another example of a design principle which Mondraker have previously applied to their ‘acoustic’ mountain bikes that also translates perfectly over to meet the demands of full-suspension E-MTBs. Zero is a dual link design which allows the rear shock to float between two suspension links and is compressed at both ends making the rear suspension extremely sensitive to both small bumps and big hits. This clever suspension configuration also means that pedaling input translates into immediate forward motion with zero compression or extension of the rear shock; another potential problem on long-travel rear suspension – chain length growth throughout the suspension travel, is also avoided with this system. Finally Mondraker’s Zero Suspension System overcomes the potential for the rear brake to work against suspension forces – a scenario that can occur on other rear suspension platforms, here the Zero Suspension System’s rear shock continues to move freely without any suspension stiffening caused by heavy braking.

Mondraker’s clever Zero Suspension System overcomes any potential performance issues associated with long travel rear suspension…

The Zero Suspension System easily meets the extra demands incurred from an E-MTB…

Fox Float DPS LV EVOL Performance rear shock is E-MTB tuned and facilitates 150mm of rear wheel travel…

To match all of that active, super-supple rear suspension Mondraker have spec’d the Dusty R 29 with a pair of Fox Float 36 FIT GRIP EVOL Rhythm E-MTB tuned forks with 160mm of travel. The GRIP damper is inspired from FOX’s MOTO background and uses their FIT sealed cartridge technology combined with an independent floating piston. GRIP allows excess oil to purge through specially designed ports at the top of the damper helping to maintain consistent damping.  There are three compression damping positions which can be easily adjusted on the top of the fork – Open, Medium and Firm; these Boost110 forks with 160mm of travel are built to take the big hits in their stride with the Dusty R’s super-slack 65.5º head angle helping to get the best out of these forks on steep drops.

Fox Float 36 FIT GRIP EVOL Rhythm E-MTB tuned forks…

The Fox Float 36 provides 160mm of plush travel and excels with the Dusk R’s 65.5º head angle…

Choose between Open, Medium and Firm…

Mondraker have spec’d an efficient, reliable, precise-shifting Sram SX Eagle 12-Speed groupset on the Dusk R 29. This simple 1x setup also includes an E-MTB-specific Shimano STEPS EM600 165mm crankset fitted with a 34T chainring combined with a wide ratio 12-speed cassette with cogs ranging from 11T up to a whopping 50T to give you all the gear combinations you could possibly need; this drivetrain combined with the powerful Shimano Steps EP8 motor means there’s practically no off-road gradient that can’t be overcome.

The Sram SX Eagle 12-Speed groupset gives you all the gear ratios you’ll need…

A 12-speed Sram SX Eagle rear derailleur keeps every gear shift crisp and precise while its Type 3 roller bearing clutch keeps the chain taught and secure even when your riding gets really rowdy; shifting duties are taken care of with a Sram Trigger SX Eagle 12-speed shifter.

The 12-speed Sram SX Eagle rear derailleur with clutch can handle the kind of rowdy riding an E-MTB is built for…

The Sram Trigger SX Eagle 12-speed shifter has a light, precise action…

An E-MTB that’s built for fast, full-on riding needs a great pair of anchors to slow you down quickly and effectively. The Dusk features a pair of Shimano M4100 4 piston hydraulic disc brake calipers combined with a pair of large 203mm disc rotors to help you scrub off speed and keep in control on steep, loose descents; these powerful brakes are activated by Shimano M4100 servo wave alloy brake levers which feel great and are easy to modulate even with just single-finger braking.

Shimano M4100 4 piston hydraulic disc brake calipers provide plenty of stopping power…

Large 203mm disc brake rotors help you scrub off speed quickly and effectively…

The rear Shimano M4100 4 piston hydraulic disc brake caliper is tucked neatly within the rear triangle…

When Mondraker put the Dusk R 29 E-MTB together they knew that the bike had to feature a tough, fast-rolling pair of wheels that could handle the extra demands brought on by the increased speed and forces incurred during a typical E-MTB ride. The Dusk R wheelset features tough tubeless-ready MDK-HP1 29” rims with a nice 30mm internal width, giving tyres a squarer profile while helping to avoid pinch-flats; front and rear rims are 32 hole. Front and rear Formula hubs are durable with sealed bearings and Boost spacing – 15x110mm front / 12x148mm – now the standard for this type of mountain bike. To finish off these heavy-duty hoops Mondraker have spec’d a pair of 29×2.6” Maxxis Rekon tyres which are tubeless ready and feature a dual compound and EXO protection; these tyres are more than capable of meeting the extra demands of aggressive E-MTB riding, providing plenty of grip in tight, loose turns and tons of traction when the extra drive of the EP8 motor digs in on tough off-road climbs.

A tough 29″ wheelset with wide rims have been built to meet the extra demands of e-mountain biking…

29×2.6” Maxxis Rekon tyres provide plenty of grip in tight, loose turns…

Mondraker have spec’d the Dusk R 29 with finishing components from the top Spanish component engineering brand Onoff, with a tidy bar / stem combo giving a stiff, responsive cockpit to pilot this aggressive E-MTB from. The Onoff Sulfur 1.0 double-butted 6061 alloy handlebars feature a 20mm rise and a 780mm width to give you plenty of leverage and help keep this fast E-MTB in control;  there’s a 9° backsweep and a 5° upsweep for a great feeling bar. The 31.8mm Sulfur bar marries up neatly with the Sulfur FG forged alloy stem to create one complete unit that is strong, light and provides precise steering and confidence-inspiring handling; the Sulfur FG stem is 30mm in length and features a 0° rise.

The Onoff bar / stem combo provides a stiff and responsive cockpit…

The Dusk R 29 includes a dropper seatpost to get the saddle out of the way quickly when you’re descending down technical trails and taking on big drops. Again, Mondraker have chosen Onoff and have spec’d their Pija Dropper seatpost; this internally-routed dropper features internal cable routing to a remote lever on the right hand of the handlebar. The amount of drop differs depending on the size of the bike with 125mm of travel for the size small Dusk, 150mm for the size medium and 170mm for the large/extra-large.

The cable activated dropper seatpost is controlled by a compact lever on the right hand of the handlebar…

The Mondraker Dusk R 29 represents the full package when it comes to a contemporary E-MTB trail bike, ticking all of the boxes regarding what we’ve very quickly grown to expect from a bike such as this. Bang up to date with Shimano’s new Steps EP8 motor giving an increased torque to 85Nm and a more natural feeling to the pedal assistance it is quieter than ever too. Mondraker’s brilliant Forward Geometry lends itself really well to the extra demands of an E-MTB and really enhances how this bike handles during aggressive riding when the terrain in front of you is coming up super-fast and is changing every second. The rear suspension platform on the Dusk R 29 has its roots within their stable of ‘acoustic’ mountain bikes but this principle has transferred brilliantly over to this e-MTB bike with the Mondraker Zero Suspension design being specifically tuned to handle the extra demands of an E-MTB. With a brilliantly capable Fox 36 29 Float fork up front which has also been e-bike tuned, a fast-rolling, tough pair of 29er wheels and a simple, precise-shifting Sram groupset as well as 4-piston disc brakes and the addition of a dropper post the Dusk R’s spec makes a clear statement as to how Mondraker expect this E-MTB to be ridden – rowdy, with non-stop fun – downhill AND uphill.

The Mondraker Dusk R 29 represents the full package when it comes to a contemporary E-MTB trail bike…

The popular Mondraker Dusk R 29 is selling quickly, check in with us in-store or online for more information on stock availability…

Written by Johnny Dodgin

Photos by James Vincent

 

Want to see more fast bikes? You can now see all of our featured bikes in one place over on Pinterest where you’ll find links to each of our Fast Bike Friday Blogs too!

Click the link below and search our archive…