Year: 2021

Wheelbase are super-proud to be able to say that our Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli Cyclo-Cross team now has its very own World Champion!

A HUGE congratulations to team rider Lewis Craven who took the win at the UCI 2021 Masters Cyclo-Cross World Championships which was hosted at Trinity Park in East Suffolk, UK this weekend. Lewis has raced for Wheelbase for 20 years now and has been a faithful team member, representing us with some fantastic results throughout that time; even more importantly he has always raced with a friendly and relaxed outlook to competition and is well-loved in the National Cyclo-Cross scene here in the UK so it was fantastic to see him take the big one!

Photo credit: Basil Thornton

 

Lewis was already racing for us in the colours of National Vet 40 Champion after winning that title back in January 2020 shortly before the Coronavirus pandemic took hold; this was is first opportunity to race for the ultimate jersey of World Champion, the fact that the World Championships were taking place on home turf were an added bonus, although the five hour journey to the race venue from his home in the North was not to be underestimated. In race conditions that were not necessarily suited to Lewis (he prefers really muddy races) the course was mainly dry and encouraged fast, frenetic racing with attacks going on the very first lap.

Photo credit: Basil Thornton

 

Lewis knew he had to join the move and a quick check of his fellow escapees gave him the confidence that this early attack and gap on the main bunch would likely hold for the duration of the race. There was soon a three-way battle for the win between Lewis, Tony Fawcett and David Earth and as the race progressed Lewis knew that he had to make a move to see if he could break the group before a sprint, as he didn’t rate his chances if it came down to a 3-up race for the line.

Photo credit: Basil Thornton

 

Lewis went off quite early and gained a significant gap, but before he could settle into a rhythm riding solo he made a small mistake on one of the damper, more slick sections of the course and went down hard, with a twisted saddle Lewis struggled on to the pits to swap his bike, being ably assisted by friend, teammate and top pitman Stu Reid who handed up his 2nd bike. That time delay cost Lewis the lead and Dave Earth re-made contact with Lewis while Tony Fawcett raced on a short distance behind but within view of the action at the front of the race.

While he recomposed himself and Dave sat on is wheel to conserve energy for the possible sprint finish Lewis knew that if he was to guarantee himself the win he had to try to make another move before the finish line. Going into the technical wooded section of the course on the last lap Lewis pounced; relying on his renowned bike handling skills he got the small gap he needed and drove on powerfully to the line, not giving up an ounce of pedalling power until his front wheel had crossed the line.

Photo credit: Basil Thornton

 

A quick check over his shoulder on the final straight had reassured Lewis he’d got enough of a gap over 2nd and 3rd place and he had time to put his arms up to the sky and celebrate the biggest win of his career; Lewis Craven – World Masters Champion! Needless to say Lewis was a popular winner with the whole Cyclo-Cross racing community celebrating his win and his fellow podium finishers being quick to congratulate him. All that was left to do was receive the iconic World Champions jersey which Lewis will now wear every time he races cyclocross until it’s time to defend the jersey next season.

Photo credit: Basil Thornton

 

Massive congratulations to you Lewis and thanks again for being such a great spokesman for Wheelbase! Thank you all of our sponsors for your continued support, making the running of this team possible – Wheelbase, Cannondale, Castelli, Cabtech and Saddleback. Now we need to get some new World Champs kit made!…

Post-race interview with World Champion Lewis Craven, credits to VELOUK.NET

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

Photos by Basil Thornton

For this week’s Fast Bike Friday feature we’re casting our eyes over the truly drool-worthy Cannondale SuperSix EVO CX cyclocross bike (which also happens to be a super-fast gravel bike, but more on that later) with its stunning ‘Purple Haze’ paintjob and no-nonsense cyclocross-specific components. As ridden by our very own Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli cyclocross team at races all over the UK including the National Trophy Cyclocross series, the all-new SuperSix EVO CX launched in August this year and marked a significant change in Cannondale’s cyclocross line-up, with the older Supercross being succeeded by this more versatile ‘cross bike.

Before we get into the specifics of the SuperSix EVO CX let me share a nerdy observation from back in late 2019 of something that may just have contributed to the final incarnation of this super-fast cyclocross bike. In November 2019 Lachlan Morton was a guest at the annual Kendal Mountain Festival in the South Lakes, Cumbria; in a year that Lachlan had completed a number of gruelling endurance events including GBDURO he was attending the Mountain Festival as a guest speaker on behalf of Rapha. Seeing an opportunity for another epic ride (this time done in a ‘oner’) Lachlan decided to ride his bike from Manchester Airport up to Kendal, taking in as many off-road gravel sectors as was possible. This ride included a long stretch of gravel track which also just happens to be one of my local haunts – Salter Fell an elevated gravel track which stretches a fair distance over a remote region of Lancashire.

Did Lachlan Morton’s ride in November 2019 influence the development of the all-new SuperSix EVO CX? It’s highly likely.

Thank you to Dan Monaghan for the Lachlan Morton photos)

 

Given the fairly technical terrain, when pictures came to light of Lachlan’s ride I was surprised to see that he had opted to ride his road-specific Cannondale SuperSix EVO rather than the Topstone Carbon gravel bike he’d used in the GBDURO. With the advent of disc brakes on road bikes and more generous tyre clearances between frame and tyre there’s more scope to fit wider tyres and Lachlan had decided to fit 32mm tyres that could handle the rigours of this gravel route but still roll fast and economically on the tarmac stretches between gravel sectors.

Could it be that the tech bods back at Cannondale HQ saw Lachlan’s setup and this is what gave birth to the development of the new SuperSix EVO CX? Perhaps? If not then it’s a hell of a coincidence because as the Cannondale team point out in their own marketing blurb – ‘We’ve unleashed the legendary performance of our SuperSix Evo to dominate the ‘cross course and fly over gravel tracks. Smoother, sleeker, and more capable than ever – dirt just got faster’. Yes, the starting point for this aero cycloross bike was born out of their existing SuperSix EVO road bike. The Cannondale marketeers continue – ‘It’s the fastest road bike to ever leave the pavement. SuperSix EVO CX takes the lead as our cyclocross weapon of choice and is built for chasing podiums. It’s our fastest ever mixed-surface bike with proven aerodynamic tube profiles to give you the edge on course – from the Flint Hills to Belgian mud.’

Taking the road-going SuperSix EVO as the starting point for the SuperSix EVO CX ‘cross bike was a stroke of genius.

 

OK, before we get into the specifics of this particular model, there’s one more factor that’s important to point out; we covered this in our original product launch feature but it’s worth repeating. In August Cannondale launched the SuperSix EVO CX and SuperSix EVO SE at the same time, principally because it was the same bike, just spec’d differently, with the EVO CX billed as their cyclocross bike and the SE billed as their super-fast gravel bike. Both models are aimed squarely at off-road performance and competition with the SuperSix EVO SE designed to excel in fast, long-distance gravel events where speed and aerodynamic efficiency play an important role while the SuperSix EVO CX has been designed to perform brilliantly in the rough and tumble of regional, national and international ‘cross racing.

What this means in practice is that the SuperSix EVO CX is a super-versatile cyclocross bike which includes greater amounts of tyre clearance than a traditional ‘cross bike so there’s better mud-shedding capacity mid-race, while the bike is ready to cater to wider gravel-specific tyres when the cyclocross season ends and the mud dries out. With a UCI-legal 33mm cyclocross tyre there’s tons of mud clearance and there’s enough room for a nice wide 45mm gravel tyre when the spring arrives.

The other big consideration is the bike’s geometry; for the past five or so years we’ve seen bike brands make the distinction between gravel-specific geometry and cyclocross-specific geometry, gravel bikes generally featuring more relaxed head angles, lower bottom brackets and longer top tubes for a less skittish, more stable ride feel and cyclocross bikes featuring a steeper head angle for sharper steering and a slightly higher bottom bracket to help prevent catching pedals on tight turns or when launching over the barriers. The SuperSix EVO CX (and it’s EVO SE equivalent) strikes a balance between the two preferences (see the geometry chart at the bottom of the feature) giving you a bike that will excel on modern cyclocross courses as well as fast, flat-out gravel races. Cannondale summarise this bikes versatility as having ‘agility, stability and traction, with an explosive kick and unreal grip from short chainstays. A blend of high-speed stability and low-speed agility’.

We wanted to know more, so with the benefit of having our Wheelbase Cyclocross team race on the previous Cannondale Supercross model for a number of seasons before swapping to the all-new SuperSix EVO CX we were able to ask our experienced racer Giles Drake (who has already won onboard his SuperSix EVO CX) for his impressions…

For the past 4 seasons, I’ve been aboard a Cannondale SuperX, and I’ve tackled everything from National Trophy cyclocross, The 3 Peaks, The 200km Dirty Reiver and just good old fashioned “adventure” riding. So when I heard the whispers of a new Cannondale cyclocross bike, I was genuinely curious what they could/would change to improve on the Super X. Enter the SuperSix Evo CX…

The first and most obvious thing is the looks. It looks like a modern fast, aero road bike, and even side by side, you’d struggle to tell the difference between it’s road going equivalent. Sticking with aesthetics, the paint job on this bike is incredible, plenty of little details, sparkle filled decals and the two tone paint is simply not done justice by the cannondale.com website photos.

First ride impressions? Instantly, I felt comfortable, even on the road where sometimes a CX bike can feel “High”, this felt like I was riding my road bike. This feeling transfers off road, the acceleration was the biggest positive I noticed during the pre ride of my first race on the new bike. Mud clearance is huge, especially on the fork which, combined with the more robust Sram Force 1 rear derailleur makes one bike racing much more viable.

Comparing the Super X with the SuperSix Evo CX, the differences are small. Which is far from a bad thing, the Super X was a superb bike & to improve on that at all is a tall order but Cannondale have definitely managed it. I feel so at home on these new bikes and that is the biggest compliment I can pay them.

The all-new SuperSix EVO CX is being ridden by the race-winning Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli cyclocross team this season.

 

So, as we’ve highlighted, the Cannondale SuperSix EVO CX’s carbon frame takes a lot of its cues from its road-going brethren and features the same dropped seatstays for added compliance and comfort over rough ground. It also features the same truncated tube profiles which have been developed in the wind tunnel as well as by using computational fluid dynamics CFD to create a frame that is more aerodynamic and efficient at cutting through the air. This has been proven to make a difference even at slower speeds so it’s good to see these features migrating over from Cannondale’s road bike equivalent. All cables run internally through the frame & fork and as you’d expect the SuperSix EVO CX features thru-axles and flat-mount disc brakes as has quickly become the established norm on all road, gravel and cyclocross bikes in recent years.

Those dropped seatstays add comfort and compliance on rough terrain.

 

When it comes to a special paintjob which catches the eye Cannondale have knocked it out of the park!

 

An integrated, full-carbon fork featuring thru-axles and a flat-mount for disc brakes helps keep steering sharp and responsive.

 

Neat internal cable routing keeps everything running smoothly and looks great too.

 

There’s plenty of clearance to cope with muddy cyclocross races AND in the summer months you can swap your tyres out for something wider and more suited to gravel riding.

 

The SuperSix EVO CX features a rather slack (for cyclocross) 70° head angle which helps make this versatile bike an equally capable gravel bike.

 

Cannondale have married up the SuperSix EVO CX frame and fork to SRAM’s excellent gravel / cyclocross specific SRAM Force 1 groupset. When SRAM first launched their purpose-built 1X drivetrain groupsets they were well ahead of the curve. Things in the cycling industry move on quickly but it’s important to remember that they were the first component manufacturers to produce cyclocross and gravel-specific groupsets that featured the simplicity of a 1X setup – one chainring at the front combined with a wide ratio cassette at the rear; this simple solution provides a lightweight, easy to maintain, functional drivetrain with no need for a front derailleur that still provides all the gear ratios you’ll need to negotiate a mix of gradients both on and off-road.

The SuperSix EVO CX comes spec’d with a no-nonsense, super-efficient SRAM Force 1 mechanical groupset.

 

The SRAM Force rear derailleur features a clutch – technology that was first seen on their mountain bike groupsets – this clutch keeps the chain in tension regardless of what gear ratio you have selected; when you’re riding over rough terrain this tension helps keep the chain secure preventing it from unshipping from the cassette or chainring.

The SRAM Force1 11-Speed rear derailleur features a clutch mech to help keep your chain located even when racing conditions get really muddy.

 

When it comes to gear ratios Cannondale have spec’d a cyclocross-focused SRAM cassette with a 11-36T range of gears giving you everything you’ll need to negotiate short, sharp climbs, fast sprint finishes and everything in between.

The SRAM Force1 11-Speed cassette provides all the gearing you’ll need for ‘cross racing, with an 11-36T spread of gears.

 

SRAM Force 1 shifters are simple and effective; with a left mechanical gear shifter combined with a hydraulic brake lever and a right hydraulic brake lever only with no gear shifter (because there’s no front derailleur) the brake / shifter setup is simple and intuitive to use. Gear shifting is taken care of by one small shift-lever tucked behind the brake lever; when pressed lightly the chain shifts down the block, when pressed more firmly (further inward) the chain moves up the block. If you’re used to Shimano or Campagnolo shifters it will take a moment to get your head around this, but it’s amazing how quickly you adapt to this system which feels a bit more ‘definite’ in its shift when compared to Shimano which can feel a bit light; this is a good thing when you’re making multiple gear changes while you’re negotiating technical ‘cross courses and everything is happening at once. Another positive aspect with these shifters is the large hoods which are made that way to accommodate the brake’s hydraulic fluid reservoir but also provide a more secure feel when riding on the hoods, negating the risk of slipping and losing grip particularly when you’re riding in wet off-road conditions.

The SRAM Force 1 hydraulic brake and mechanical shifter units have been popular with cyclocross racers thanks to their extra-secure tall hoods. 

 

Cannondale have spec’d their own ‘Cannondale One’ crankset on the SuperSix EVO CX featuring a stiff 30mm spindle and fitted with a 40 tooth OPI SpideRing which is a suitably-sized chainring when paired with the 11-36T cassette on the rear. Combined with a BB86a bottom bracket the whole crankset up is stiff and light, helping you to transfer all your pedaling power through to the rear wheel in those explosive efforts required to dominate your local ‘cross race.

A Superlight Cannondale 1 chainset featuring a 40T sing chainring with narrow/wide tooth profile keeps the SuperSix EVO CX’s drivetrain simple and effective.

 

Light and stiff the Cannondale 1 chainset helps to transfer pedaling power through to the rear wheel.

 

Braking is taken care of with SRAM Force 1 hydraulic disc brakes matched with a compact and lightweight 140mm rotor at the rear of the bike and a slightly larger 160mm rotor at the front to provide plenty of braking power when you need it regardless of the conditions you’re racing in. Likewise, when ‘cross season ends and you find yourself heading out further-afield on some gravel epics this braking setup is more than capable of controlling your speed.

Outback there’s a compact 140mm CentreLine rotor matched up with a powerful Force 1 hydraulic caliper.

 

Upfront the fork’s flat-mount accommodates a SRAM Force hydraulic caliper matched with a larger 160mm rotor for extra braking power.

 

The versatile Cannondale SuperSix EVO CX comes spec’d with a pair of DT Swiss R470 DB wheels featuring tubeless-ready rims and smooth-rolling centrelock Formula hubs with a 12x100mm thru-axle up front and a 12x142mm thru-axle out back. The DT Swiss R470 rims feature a 20mm internal width which helps to give the tubeless-ready Vittoria Terreno Mix TNT tyre a nice wide profile when fitted. This means the tyre’s sidewalls have a squarer shape, being less pinched-in and consequently placing more of the tyre’s tread in contact with the ground – all advantages that apply to ‘cross racing on slick, muddy courses.

The SuperSix EVO CX comes spec’d with DT Swiss R470 DB wheels boasting wide-profile rims and smooth-rolling hubs.

 

The Vittoria Terreno Mix TNT cyclocross tyres spec’d by Cannondale are a typical 33mm width making them UCI legal – a requirement that’s observed at National and International levels of racing but not at your local ‘cross racing league level. With those 33mm tyres fitted there’s plenty of mud clearance between them and the frame & fork so mud-shedding capability is high and makes the possibility of only running one bike per race much more of a genuine possibility. The tread pattern of the Terreno Mix TNT’s facilitate rast-rolling performance when the ground is hard with a nice, widely-spaced tread running down the middle of the tyre and more aggressive side-knobs that dig in and bite when you’re negotiating slick off-camber sections of the course. Needless to say, when ‘cross season comes to a close and you assign the SuperSix EVO CX to gravel-biking duties the frame and fork is ready to accommodate up to 45mm-wide gravel-specific tyres.

Ready for racing – the Vittoria Terreno Mix TNT 33c cyclocross tyres are UCI legal and ready for national-level competition.

 

The Terreno Mix TNT tyres are good all-rounders suited to racing in dryer conditions.

 

That central tread-pattern helps the tyres roll fast in dry conditions.

 

It’s great to see a Fabric Scoop saddle fitted to the SuperSix EVO CX bike with its versatile profile and moderate width suiting most riders. With more time spent in the saddle rather than out of it during the gravel-riding-months of the year Cannondale have spec’d the EVO CX with their own lightweight HollowGtam 27 SL Knot carbon seatpost which will add a small amount of compliance and comfort to those long hours spent traversing rough lanes and off-road terrain.

A comfortable Fizik Aliante Delta saddle will suit most people and stands up well to the rigours of ‘cross racing.

 

‘Versatile’ is one of those words that is probably a little over-used in bike marketing but in this case the Cannondale SuperSix EVO CX is arguably so. As the gravel bike market has quickly established itself as the fastest-growing cycling discipline when it comes to bikes sales it’s not surprising to see brands like Cannondale re-think their cyclocross bike offering (there’s basically a lot less ‘cross bikes being sold). It’s no secret that the SuperSix EVO CX and the SuperSix EVO SE (super-fast gravel bike) both feature exactly the same frame & fork and are simply spec’d differently to perform well in their chosen disciplines. As we’ve highlighted this means that both bikes feature a frame geometry which has to shine in both cyclocross AND gravel races and happily Cannondale have nailed it; fast and agile for ‘cross with a little bit more stability which comes into play on particularly technical ‘cross courses while being a flat-out race machine for fast, long-distance gravel events. Taking the existing road-going SuperSix EVO as a staring point for this venture was a strike of genius; by taking all of the elements from this model, including those truncated aero tube profiles and the comfortable dropped seatstays Cannondale have created a super-fast, efficient off-road bike that excels on mud, gravel and almost anywhere in between.

The all-new SuperSix EVO CX takes everything that’s good with their road-going SuperSix EVO and blends it with all of the best elements from their previous Supercross model for a super-fast, versatile ‘cross bike that’s also ready to take on gravel racing duties when the mud dries up.

 

Geometry:

 

 

Cannondale SuperSix EVO CX 2022 RRP £3,800.00

Full Specification:

• Frame: SuperSix EVO CX Carbon, internal cable routing w/ Switchplate, 12x142mm Speed Release thru-axle, SAVE, PF30-83 Ai, flat mount disc, integrated seatpost binder
• Fork: SuperSix EVO CX Carbon, SAVE, integrated crown race, 12x100mm Speed Release thru-axle, flat mount disc, internal routing, 1-1/8″ to 1-1/2″, 55mm offset
• Headset: Integrated, 1-1/8″ – 1-1/2″
• Shifters: SRAM Force 1, 11-speed
• Rear Derailleur: SRAM Force 1, Long cage
• Cassette : SRAM PG-1170, 11-36, 11-speed
• Chainset: Cannondale 1, BB86a, OPI SpideRing, 40T
• Chain: SRAM CN-1130
• Brakes: SRAM Force 1 Hydraulic Disc
• Brake Levers: SRAM Force 1
• Rotors: 160 Front / 140mm Rear CenterLine
• Wheels: DT Swiss R470 DB 28h, Formula CL-712, 12x100mm centerlock (Front) / Formula RXC-400, 12x142mm centerlock (Rear)
• Tyres: Vittoria Terreno Mix TNT, 700 x 33c, Tubeless Ready
• Stem: Cannondale 3, 6061 Alloy, 31.8, 7°
• Handlebar: Cannondale 2, 6061 Alloy, Compact
• Bar Tape: Cannondale Bar Tape, 3.5mm
• Seat Post: HollowGram 27 SL KNØT, Carbon, 2 bolt clamp, 330mm, 0mm offset all sizes
• Saddle: Fabric Scoop

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

Written 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…

Check out some great gift ideas for the cyclist in your life this Christmas! We’ve got cycling clothing from the best brands including Fox, Rapha, Endura and Castelli for the mountain biker, roadie or dedicated commuter. With many more great gift ideas in-store and online, now is the time to get Christmas sorted with a cycling-themed gift!

 

 

Topeak Aero Wedge Small Pack Strap Mount

 

Topeak Deluxe Cycling Accessory Kit

 

Castelli Alpha 18 Socks

 

Rapha Deep Winter Socks

 

100% Brisker Glove

 

Rapha Pro Team Socks

 

Rapha Pro Team Winter Socks

 

100% Hydromatic Brisker Glove

 

Fox MTB Gloves

 

Exposure Flex E-Bike MTB Light

 

DryRobe Advance Long Sleeve

 

Burgtec Bartender Pro Greg Minnaar Signature Grip

 

Cycling Books at Wheelbase

 

Muc-Off Ultimate Commuter Kit

 

Muc-Off Wash, Protect & Lube Kit £16.49

 

Muc-Off Bicycle Essentials Kit £27.99

 

Burgtec MK4 Composite Flat Pedals £39.99

 

Troy Lee Design A3 Mips Helmet £200.00

 

Fox Ranger 3L Water Jacket £200.00

 

Fox Ranger 2.5L Water Jacket £100.00

 

Rapha Long Sleeve Core Jersey £70.00

 

Endura Pro SL Primaloft Gilet II £119.99

 

Castelli Squadra Stretch Vest £60.00

 

Endura FS260-Pro Jetstream Long Sleeve Jersey II £89.99

 

Rapha Commuter Jacket £100.00

 

Endura MT500 Waterproof Jacket II £229.99

 

Endura MT500 Freezing Point Jacket II £159.99

 

Endura MT500 Thermal Long Sleeve Jersey II £87.99

 

Fox Women’s Ranger Short Sleeve Jersey £40.00

 

Endura Humvee Hoodie £64.99

 

Fox Speedframe Mips Helmet £109.99

This week Andrew Barlow, our top Wheelbase staffer and talented landscape photographer came blinking out of the Lake District National Park and strayed over the border to shoot a little further afield than normal. In a week before we saw the first snows and strong winds of the winter hitting the area as part of Storm Arwen, our man Andrew and his riding pal Zac Vernon headed out to the Pennine Hills to ride with Rory Eden on his home trails.

The group’s target was to take in a hilly loop that included a ride up to the well-known Nine Standards Rigg, a point just below the top of Hartley Fell, lying just near the boundary between Cumbria and North Yorkshire and positioned just a few miles south-east of Kirkby Stephen. Seen from a fair distance away, the group of cairns has gained the Nine Standards name thanks to their distinctive silhouette.

The Nine Standards have been around for a long time; originally measuring around four metres high their purpose is unknown, however some believe they were originally constructed to help mark an ancient boundary between Westmorland and Swaledale.

On a pretty clear and settled day our riders were able to take in the dramatic 360° panoramic views when they arrived at the Nine Standards, with the uniquely curved Howgills in view to the south-west and even the distinctive High Street Range on the most easterly point of the Lake District making a cameo appearance as the cloud broke intermittently.

Andrew and his riding buddies enjoyed the fast-paced shred back down, with their local guide calling out the best lines to help aid their path and give them more opportunity to let go of the brakes and really go for it on the fun stuff. It was great to get out of the Lakes for a change and try riding in a new area; it was good timing too, getting the ride in before the weather really turned and the first snows of the season arrived.

 

Photos by Andrew Barlow

Written by Johnny Dodgin

 

Introducing a more affordable route to wireless electronic shifting…

We recently got our eager mitts on SRAM’s latest road-going groupset – SRAM Rival eTap AXS; this wireless electronic groupset was launched back in April of this year, however, given the ongoing impact of Covid-19 on production and delivery times we are only now seeing this hi-tech groupset arriving to store and being adorned on some very nice road bikes. So, for those of you unfamiliar with SRAM’s groupset hierarchy the (previously mechanical, now electronic) groupset sits as their third-tier offering under SRAM Red eTap AXS which sits at the top of the tree with SRAM Force eTap AXS sitting as second tier. If you’re more familiar with Shimano componentry then think of Rival’s equivalent as Shimano 105, meaning it’s quite significant to see SRAM’s cutting-edge wireless technology finding its way down to a more affordable price point and it could be argued it’s another score on the board for SRAM in their enduring arms race with the Japanese component manufacturing giants.

In the past, when similar groupsets have launched we’d have probably gone down the route of explaining how that particular new product is full of ‘trickle down technology’ from further up the manufacturing food-chain. But to use that term when it comes to the new SRAM Rival eTap AXS groupset would be a little inaccurate because the headliner here is the this is a straight transfer of technology from SRAM Red and Force with absolutely NO functional compromises in terms of how this wireless electronic configuration operates and performs. That’s the beauty of a fully digital system; that high-quality performance can be directly replicated.

So if the Rival eTap AXS groupset performs identically to the more expensive options from SRAM what’s the rationale for some of us budgeting for SRAM Force or Red over Rival? Well, put simply it comes down to weight. While the Rival system will behave in exactly the same way, each component part has been made using more affordable raw materials and cheaper manufacturing processes with the inevitable consequence of this being an overall increase in weight. We’ll go into more detail on which of the components that make up the Rival groupset have gained weight and which have been made using alternative materials later in the feature but here’s a quick weight comparison to give you a clearer idea:

• SRAM Red eTap AXS groupset total weight: 2,478g
• SRAM Force eTap AXS groupset total weight: 2,964g
• SRAM Rival eTap AXS groupset total weight: 3,155g

SRAM’s Rival eTap AXS groupset brings their hi-tech electronic wireless system into a more affordable price bracket.

 

As well as SRAM Rival eTap AXS being functionally identical to its more expensive cousins it is also completely compatible, meaning if you’re purchasing your SRAM groupset componentry separately you can mix and match your level of groupset without any compatibility issues; Red, Force and Rival all work together. This also facilitates the option of gradually upgrading SRAM groupset components as you go; useful if you’re really hung up on the weight of the slightly heavier Rival components. The new Rival groupset is also tuneable with the same SRAM AXS smart phone App which provides plenty of customisable features including how your gear levers operate, a record of exactly how the gears are used right down to the detail of how much time you’ve spent in each gear and the ability to update the system’s firmware as and when you need to.

The Rival eTap AXS groupset features a 12-speed drivetrain just like the Red and Force groupsets; that means there’s the same distinctive 12-speed chain with its flat profile on the upper side of each link which adds strength to this thin chain and helps to aid security, keeping your chain better located on the rear derailleur’s jockey wheels. The rear derailleur features the same rechargeable, removeable batteries as the Red and Force groupsets and are interchangeable between the front to the rear derailleurs. To further aid drivetrain efficiency and security the rear derailleur features a clutch mechanism; there is one slight difference here compared to the more expensive groupsets. While Red and Force derailleurs feature a fluid clutch, SRAM have produced a more simple mechanical spring-activated configuration for Rival.

The 12-speed Rival eTap AXS rear derailleur features a spring actuated clutch rather than the fluid clutch seen on the SRAM Red and Force equivalents.

 

Due to changes in manufacturing processes and the use of alternative materials the rear derailleur is slightly heavier than its equivalent from the Red and Force groupsets, but to be clear, functionality is exactly the same, with each gear change being precise and consistent regardless of the terrain your riding and the conditions that you’re cycling in. While we’re on the subject of the rear derailleur it’s worth pointing out that the Rival groupset can also be run as a single chainring configuration (with no front derailleur) with the addition of that clutch mech along with the cleverly-profiled 12-speed chain meaning everything remains safe and secure even on rough terrain.

The front derailleur is equally precise in its shifting and offers almost instantaneous gear changes between the small and large chainrings, encouraging you to change gear without any consideration for whether you’re in or out of the saddle or are midway through a frenetic portion of a demanding road race. That reliability basically means you end up changing gears more often and you’ll soon find that you feel fresher over longer distances because of this.

The new Sram Rival eTap AXS gear and hydraulic brake levers look great, are ergonomic and are noticeably more compact than their more expensive SRAM Red and Force cousins; in fact you could argue that this is one component that has actually been improved on rather than being a comprised version. That said there’s a slight weight penalty to pay with the brake levers being made from aluminium rather than carbon fibre; you can also adjust the reach of the lever enabling you to match them to your hand size for enhanced comfort and control.

The Rival’s lever is more compact than the SRAM Red and Force equivalents and it could be argued that they’re actually better because of this.

 

Operation of the front and rear derailleur via the SRAM Rival eTap AXS HRD 12-Speed levers couldn’t be more simple or intuitive, simply press the right lever to shift down the block and the left lever to move up the block; an instantaneous wireless signal is sent from the shift button to the rear derailleur which activates the tiny motor to move it up or down. Press both right and left levers together and a wireless signal is sent to the front mech activating a shift, either from the big ring to the small ring or the small ring to the big ring depending on where your chain is currently sitting. If you want to change how your bike shifts you can customise the settings via the SRAM App to enable you to shift up the block with the right lever and down the block with the left lever.

The Rival shift/brake lever feels great in your hands and features adjustable reach allowing you to customise fit.

 

When it comes to gear ratios and the options available, the 12-speed rear cassette is comes in two configurations – 10/30T or 10/36T, again it’s worth reiterating that the cassettes feature exactly the same spacing as the Red and Force equivalents and are also compatible with the same XDR driver body. When it comes to chainring sizes on the Rival chainset there are three options – 48/35T 46/33T and 43/30T, as we’ve mentioned previously the Rival groupset can also be setup as a single-ring 1X drivetrain with single chainring size options being 38, 40 or 42. The Rival chainset is the most notable component when it comes to weight gain over the other two SRAM groupsets as the crank arms are made of alloy not carbon with forged pieces rather than having a hollow construction like their Shimano 105 equivalents. When it comes to weight increase it’s important to not get too hung up on details; it’s really not that noticeable and with the extra weight centred in the chainset, cassette and rear derailleur that small weight increase is centred low down on the bike and does not affect ride quality.

Drivetrain gear ratio options :

• Double chainring options – 48/35T 46/33T 43/30T
• Single ring size options – 38/40/42
• Cassette options – 10/30T 10/36T

The Rival chainset is functionally identical to Red and Force while being slightly heavier due to the materials used in its construction.

 

It’s unusual to move from one level of groupset to another and not feel a significant difference in braking power and modulation, but here’s an instance where the opposite is the case. The SRAM Rival hydraulic brake calipers combined with those ergonomic hydraulic brake levers provide powerful, easy-to-modulate braking that stays consistent in all weathers and on all road conditions; in operation they feel exactly the same as their more expensive equivalents further up the SRAM groupset food-chain. The neat flat-mount calipers feature a slightly different configuration when it comes to how you bleed them but this is so infrequent that it’s a negligible difference. Again there’s a slight difference in weight; not so much regarding the calipers themselves, but more so the disc brake rotors which are 160mm SRAM Pacelines.

The flat-mount Rival hydraulic disc brake calipers feel exactly the same as their more expensive Red and Force cousins.

 

The 160mm SRAM Paceline rotors work brilliantly with the Rival calipers, keeping you in control in all riding scenarios.

 

Overall weight of the Rival hydraulic brake calipers are similar to the Force versions, although the Paceline rotors are a little heavier.

 

Hydraulic disc brakes on road bikes have seen rapid development when it comes to functionality and aesthetic quality.

 

So that’s everything you need to know about the new SRAM Rival eTap AXS 12-speed groupset. In summary SRAM have been able to put together a much more affordable groupset that will either make it more obtainable to those buying separate components (remember that versatile interchangeability between their other electronic groupsets) or, perhaps more significantly we’ll see it feature more and more on complete road bikes, allowing all of the major bike brands to spec a wireless electronic groupset onto road bikes that sit at a more realistic, more accessible price point which, frankly is great news!

The SRAM Rival eTAp AXS 12-Speed wireless groupset will be spec’d on a lot of road bikes from all the major brands thanks to its affordability and flawless operation.

We shot the new SRAM Rival eTap AXS groupset on a very cool looking Cannondale SuperSix EVO Disc; this race-proven carbon fibre all-rounder featuring a fully integrated cockpit and aerodynamic truncated frame-tube-profiling is a modern classic that benefits from a rich racing heritage within professional cycling. We’ve previously looked at the SuperSix EVO in more detail as part of our ‘Fast Bike Friday’ features. You can read more about the Cannondale SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod Disc Red eTap AXS here, the Cannondale SuperSix Evo Disc 105 here and the Cannondale SuperSix Evo Hi-Mod Disc Ultegra here. We’ve also included some more shots of the Cannondale SuperSix EVO Disc Rival AXS below…

The SuperSix EVO road bike boast a rich racing heritage which has informed every element of its design.

 

Those dropped seatstays add a noticeable amount of compliance and comfort to the SuperSix EVO.

 

There’s plenty of clearance between the frame and tyre allowing you to run up to 32mm wide road tyres.

 

It’s a small detail, but Cannondale have recently updated their head badge design.

 

The fully integrated components stow the bikes hydraulic cables through the stem and down in the frame and fork.

 

A HollowGram KNOT stem and aerodynamic HollowGram SAVE System handle bars blend seamlessly into the headset and frame.

 

The Cannondale SuperSix EVO’s cockpit looks clean and clutter-free.

 

The SuperSix EVO Disc Rival AXS comes spec’d with fast-rolling DT Swiss R470 DB 28H wheels.

 

These Vittoria Rubino Graphene 2.0 tyres offer a surprising amount of grip but remain fast enough to race on.

 

We love the styling of the SuperSix EVO Disc Rival AXS which looks classic and understated despite it’s hi-tech specification.

 

Cannondale SuperSix EVO Disc Rival AXS RRP £4,500.00

Full Specification:

• Frame: SuperSix EVO Carbon, integrated cable routing w/ Switchplate, 12×142 Speed Release thru-axle, SAVE, PF30a, flat mount disc, integrated seat binder
• Fork: SuperSix EVO Carbon, SAVE, integrated crown race, 12x100mm Speed Release thru-axle, flat mount disc, internal routing, 1-1/8″ to 1-1/4″ steerer and 55mm offset (44-54cm), 1-1/8″ to 1-3/8” steerer and 45mm offset (56-62cm)
• Headset: Integrated, 1-1/8″ – 1-1/4″ (44-54cm), 1-1/8″ – 1-3/8″ (56-62cm)
• Shifters: SRAM Rival eTap AXS HRD 12-Speed
• Rear Derailleur: SRAM Rival eTap AXS 12-Speed
• Front Derailleur: SRAM Rival eTap AXS, braze-on
• Cassette : SRAM Rival XG-1250, 10-36T 12-speed
• Chainset: SRAM Rival DUB X-Range, 48/35T
• Chain: SRAM Rival 12-speed
• Brakes: SRAM Rival eTap Hydraulic Disc
• Rotors: 160/160mm Paceline Rotors
• Wheels: DT Swiss R470 DB, 28h
• Tyres: Vittoria Rubino Pro Bright Black, 700 x 25c
• Stem: HollowGram KNØT, Alloy w/ cable cover, -6°
• Handlebar: HollowGram SAVE SystemBar, Carbon, 8 deg. pitch adjust
• Bar Tape: Cannondale Bar Tape, 3.5mm
• Seat Post: HollowGram 27 SL KNØT, Carbon, 2 bolt clamp, 330mm, 0mm offset (44-48cm), 15mm offset (51-62cm)
• Saddle: Fizik Aliante Delta, S-alloy rails

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

Photos by James Vincent

 

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The 4th round of the HSBC UK Cyclocross National Trophy Series took place at Herrington Country Park, Sunderland this past weekend (20th/21st of November) with a full schedule of age-group races taking place over the two days on an exciting new course which stayed mainly dry throughout the weekend to create fast racing conditions that made for frenetic, elbow to elbow racing. Going into the main Elite race our newest recruit to the Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli racing team Rory McGuire lined up with some very promising results from the previous 3 rounds of the series and perhaps, even more significantly with the recent experience of racing over in the cyclocross heartland of Belgium.

Rory shared his thoughts on his racing trip to Belgium…

‘I Had an amazing trip away racing and staying in Belgium where I completed 3 weekends of racing with 6 races in total. It was my first time staying out in Belgium for a prolonged period of time on my own so it was great to learn to train, race and travel around Belgium as part of the race circuit, competing on some of the most well-known courses out there. I felt I learnt a lot from this block of racing which will definitely help me a lot in the future. My best results from the trip were probably 10th at Koppenbergcross u23 on a savage course and 14th in the Elites at Ethias cross in Leuven. Big thanks so Finn for helping me sort out the accommodation and Tyla for giving me spares and tools for the trip. Also thanks to the rest of the guys at wheelbase for the ongoing support!’

Arriving back in the UK in time to race the 4th round of the National Trophy Series, Rory clearly brought that extra confidence and new-found speed from Belgium and went from the gun with his usual fast start. Temperatures had dropped for the first time this Autumn and with strong winds drying out the course it remained fast despite a few short sharp rain showers. Rory has already gone well this season when conditions are fast and dry, with his superior power and bike handling helping him to hold his pace and stretch out the pack to put on the pressure and capitalise on any small mistakes his fellow racers make; this race was no different with Rory riding strongly to remain at the sharp end of the race until the last lap when the race came down to a very tight sprint between Rory and the National Trophy Series overall leader Corran Carrick Anderson. The flat out head-to-head sprint went right down to the wire but Rory squeezed the win to give the Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli team their first Elite National Trophy win!

Rory shared his thoughts after the win…

‘It was great to get the win in Sunderland. I felt I had my first smooth race this season in the National Trophy Series with no small mistakes this time around, so it’s nice to feel that I am making improvements in my cyclocross racing. It was a very fast, windy course which made it quite a tactical race rather than just an all out battle. I think I raced pretty smart though and just managed to get the win. Thanks to the guys at Wheelbase for all the support so far this season and hopefully I can carry on the good form in the next round.’

Rory’s typically-fast-start placed him at the business end of the race from the gun.

Photo by Man Down Media

 

Rory used his brilliant bike-handling skills to hold his position in the slick, slippery conditions.

Photo by Richard Howes

 

In a tight sprint Rory just squeezed out overall series leader Corran Carrick-Anderson for the win!

Photo by Richard Howes

 

Rory explains just how close the sprint for the win was.

Video courtesy of VeloUK

 

Also in the Elite race our Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli team was represented by our consistent campaigner Giles Drake who continues to race strongly at both regional and national level taking an excellent 15th place. Meanwhile our talented young rider Adam Bent continued to show a smooth transition from the Junior ranks into the Elite level of Cyclocross racing taking an amazing 10th place on this super-fast course.

National Trophy Round 4 Elite Race Top 15 Results:

1st Rory McGuire Wheelbase CabTech Castelli MU23
2nd Corran Carrick-Anderson T-Mo Racing MU23
3rd Daniel Barnes Spectra Wiggle p/b Vitus MU23
4th Joe Coukham Shibden Cycling Club MU23
5th Ian Field Spectra Wiggle p/b Vitus MS
6th Simon Wyllie Spectra Wiggle p/b Vitus MU23
7th Tom Couzens Montezuma’s Race Team MU23
8th Joseph Beckingsale Montezuma’s Race Team MU23
9th Alistair Slater Clancy Briggs Cycling Academy MS
10th Adam Bent Wheelbase CabTech Castelli MU23
11th James Swadling NSR (Nigel Smith Racing) MU23
12th Samuel Morris Loughborough Students CC MS
13th Paul Oldham Hope Factory Racing MV40
14th Steven James Hope Factory Racing MS
15th Giles Drake Wheelbase CabTech Castelli MS

The Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli team was also well represented in a selection of other age-group races throughout the weekend. Our very own Vet 40 National Champion Lewis Craven took 4th place in his race, helping to retain a high overall position in the series; Wheelbase’s team captain Stu Reid was on the comeback trail following a recent back injury and raced well to take 18th palace in the same race. Vet 50 team rider (and organiser of the Wheelbase sponsored round of the National Trophy Series at Westmorland, Cumbria) rode strongly in fast conditions to place 19th in his race. Elsie Haygarth showed her usual grit and determination to finish in 23rd place in the Under 14’s Girls race, continuing to build her experience and confidence in racing at the highest National level of the sport.

U14 Girls:

23rd Elsie Haygarth Wheelbase CabTech Castelli FU14

V40 Men:

4th Lewis Craven Wheelbase CabTech Castelli MV40
18th Stuart Reid Wheelbase CabTech Castelli MV40

M50 Men:

19th David Haygarth Wheelbase CabTech Castelli

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

 

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It’s got to be Trek’s worst-ever-kept-secret! Meet the all-new Trek Speed Concept, the super-aero third-generation time trial and triathlon bike built for the exclusive pursuit of speed over distance…

 

…so why was the launch of this time trial bike such a badly-kept secret? We’re more used to the Trek global marketing monolith being brilliantly organised and super-strict in how their new models are developed, raced and launched to the public. What tripped them up this time? Well, as is the case with so many things, the launch of the Speed Concept was impacted by the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.

For more than ten years the previous generations of Trek Speed Concept have been piloted by time-trialists and triathletes alike to some of the biggest victories in racing including Tour De France stage wins, World Championship medals and numerous Ironman titles. With this in mind the all-new Speed Concept was due to be launched to the public at the annual Ironman World Championships in Hawaii this year, with the odd low-key appearance beforehand under the guidance of some of the most competitive road racing time trialists from the men’s and women’s Trek Segafredo professional cycling teams. Unfortunately this plan didn’t work out with the cancelation of Ironman Hawaii for the second year in a row; factor in further delays from groupset manufacturers Shimano and the product launch was pushed even further back.

Unusual circumstances have led to the Trek Speed Concept being hidden in plain sight for a number of months.

 

In the meantime however, those pro cyclists who were already discretely racing the new Speed Concept couldn’t help but to start winning on this super-aero weapon; one such example was the Dutch time trialing master Ellen Van Dijk who took another World Time Trial World Championship title, this time in Belgium during the Autumn onboard the next-gen Trek Speed Concept. Bike journos and cycling fans alike were increasingly calling out the new TT bike from Trek with some obvious visual clues and standout changes over the previous model being spotted including dramatically dropped seatstays and (inevitably) the addition of disc brakes.

Trek Segafredo’s Ellen Van Dijk has already won a World Championship title onboard the all-new Trek Speed Concept.

 

This new Speed Concept is more aero than its predecessor and has spent endless hours in the wind tunnel as well as being run through numerous computational fluid dynamics tests, with Trek claiming that the newly-refined shape of this new version saves 16 watts of power or the equivalent of six minutes over the length of an Ironman bike course. The Speed Concept is not just about pure speed though; if you’re going to perform at your best over long distances then you need to stay fresh and comfortable, being able to keep fueled as quickly and efficiently as possible. Featuring more integration the Speed Concept takes elements which have been seen on other Trek models, including a hidden storage compartment in the downtube – a nice new addition that makes the bike more practical for longer races or epic training days, as well as a fully-integrated bento box that allows you to carry more mid-race snacks without any adverse aerodynamic implications.

Regardless of whether you’re a devoted time trialist or dedicated multi-sport athlete taking on an Ironman you’ll be in the saddle for an almost endless amount of time, tucked into a super-aero position in an effort to cheat the wind as efficiently as possible. Staying in the saddle for such a long time will no-doubt cause you some discomfort and with this mind the designers at Trek have taken their very successful IsoSpeed solution from other road models and have incorporated it into the Speed Concept. The IsoSpeed pivot is located at the top of the seat tube to create a comfortable ride with no impact on the bike’s overall weight or all-important aerodynamic profile.

Eagle-eyed road-racing fans may have already spotted the new Speed Concept in action during the 2021 race season.

 

The all-new Trek Speed Concept is the fastest bike that Trek have ever developed and will help to make you aerodynamically-efficient and able to cut through the air while holding your speed over long distances. While speed is the main aim of this TT bike, being more comfortable for longer was another major factor in the design brief; the new integrated storage solutions add a whole new user-friendly element to the Speed Concept making the bike more practical over extremely long races or on day-long training rides which is great to see. Other headliners include the addition of disc brakes – something we would have been shocked not to have seen given their meteoric rise within road racing; the Speed Concept cockpit is super-slick and offers plenty of adjustment to allow you to refine your riding position and a choice of cutting-edge electronic groupsets mean the all-new Speed Concept is bang-up-to-date when it comes to tech.

The new Speed Concept is available to you exclusively through Trek’s Project One custom bike build programme; Project One lets you customise paint, fit and parts exactly to your liking. Speak to our team in the Wheelbase road department to begin planning your own Speed Concept.

Top UK Triathlete and former World Ironman 70.3 Champion Holly Lawrence rides the all-new Trek Speed Concept.

 

More aero, more integrated and a lot faster – the Trek Speed Concept 2022 is ready for time trail and triathlon action.

 

For the triathletes there’s a between-the-arms bottle for drinking without their arms leaving the aerobars. 

 

The on-frame downtube bottle is super-aero and holds 750ml of liquid.

 

There’s no surprises that the all-new Speed Concept boasts flat-mount disc brakes.

 

If you’re a time trialist taking on a long-distance 100 mile race against the clock this integrated bento box can hold plenty of fuel.

 

The hidden storage compartment allows you to store a repair kit for long races or epic training rides with no negative impact on aerodynamics.

 

All build options include an electronic drivetrain, here we have the Speed Concept SLR 7 featuring a Shimano Ultegra R8100 Di2 groupset.

 

The Speed Concept’s cockpit is clean and clutter-free making it super-aero.

 

With endless hours spent riding in the saddle in an aero-tuck it was a no-brainer adding Trek’s IsoSpeed pivot for enhanced comfort.

 

That integrated bento box on the top tube prevents any potential for poor aerodynamics.

 

There’s plenty of adjustability on the Speed Concept handlebars, allowing you to fine-tune your position.

 

The all-new Trek Speed Concept is available through Trek Project One, talk to our team in the Wheelbase road department to plan yours…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

 

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After limping through with a virtual festival last year, due to the Coronavirus Pandemic still causing havoc, it was great to finally come back together for the first time since November 2019 for the Kendal Mountain Festival Trek Bike Night supported by Wheelbase. The annual, unmissable off-road, two-wheeled gathering returned to its usual venue in Kendal for a night of fast-paced mountain bike movies along with star guests and some really interesting conversation in between each of the films. As the capacity-audience found their seats and got settled the evening kicked off with our very own sponsors message!

We opened the show with our sponsored message from Wheelbase and Trek.

 

The Trek Bike Night was hosted by Steve Jones who you may know from the eMBN eMountain Bike YouTube channel, before Steve presented eMBN he was the editor of the iconic gravity-focused magazine Dirt and is on first name terms with most of the great and good of global mountain biking. Alongside him was Lauren MacCallum, a Scottish television presenter who has also raced Enduro and is well-known within the UK mountain biking fraternity. The two hosts kept the pace high and the conversation flowing throughout the evening and got some great insights from each of the special guests.

Steve Jones  (eMBN) and Lauren MacCallum (BBC Scotland) were our hosts for the evening.

 

Early on in the evening the audience was introduced to two of the UK’s brightest hopes in competitive cycling across multiple cycling disciplines. Trek athletes Evie Richards and Hattie Harnden both hail from Malvern in the south of the UK, a hotspot for mountain biking talent Malvern is also home to the downhill and Enduro legend Tracey Mosely and former cross country racing star Liam Killeen. Both Evie and Hattie explained how growing up there under the riding guidance of these cycling luminaries has made a massive contribution to there early racing careers. Evie has had an outstanding year in 2021, with a slow start to the season she peaked slightly after the Olympics in Tokyo to take the coveted Elite World Champions Jersey in cross county, beating all of her nearest competitors in what was her first full season racing against the seniors. To back that result up she went on to win the final 2 rounds of the season-long world cup series, proving that she is now a legit competitor at the highest levels of international mountain biking. Listening to her gave us some great insights into how she races and trains.

Harriet is just as talented and is spreading her focus even further than Evie by not only racing cross country mountain bikes and cyclocross, but racing the Enduro World Series too! Hattie has bags of bike-handling talent and has already asserted herself within EWS racing, taking a win this season and becoming the youngest ever winner of an EWS stage.

Evie Richards and Hattie Harnden in conversation with Steve and Lauren.

 

Here’s a snippet of Trek’s race documentary following Evie Richard’s amazing XC Mountain Biking race season.

 

The ‘Girls Gotta Eat Dirt’ crew stole the show with both their short film and their appearance on stage. The film is really worth a watch and portrays a group of college friends who came together through their love of riding and went on to spend over 5 years living together and shredding the trails of Colorado. The girls were there on stage too, having been reunited to talk to Steve and Lauren about their film project. Clearly they’d had a few drinks to clam their nerves before the evening had started and stole the show with their infectious laughs and quick wit. One of the main talking points was their ‘Jorts’ (jean shorts) which where made specifically for mountain biking duties by small clothing brand Ripton & Co. After some confused questions from Steve there followed an impassioned manifesto on the merits of riding in Jorts much to the amusement of the audience.

The ‘Girls Gotta Eat Dirt’ crew stole the show with their Ripton & Co. ‘Jorts’ manifesto.

 

 Watch Ripton & Co’s ‘Girls Gotta Eat Dirt’.

 

To bring this brilliant evening to a close we were treated to Danny MacAskill’s latest offering – The Slabs. Shot on location on Danny’s home island of Skye in the West Highlands of Scotland this amazing film was great to see on the big screen and took our breath away despite most of us seeing it before. After the film Danny talked us through just how quickly the shooting of it was done, bringing together everyone he need to capture the ride during the summer of 2020 when some of his original filming plans had been curtailed following the Coronavirus pandemic.

Danny explained how his visually-stunning film ‘The Slabs’ came about.

 

Already seen by over 3 million viewers on YouTube it was awesome to see ‘The Slabs’ on the big screen and listen to Danny talk us through how it was done.

 

The Kendal Mountain Festival Trek Bike Night supported by Wheelbase was a fantastic evening of entertainment and it was great to see see some fantastic new riding films and hear directly from their creators and contributors. After a difficult couple of years it was brilliant to be able to all get together again and share our love for the sport of mountain biking. If you missed out on attending this year, make sure it’s in your diary for next November. People travel from far and wide to join us; being in the foothills of the Lake District Fells it’s the perfect opportunity to spend the weekend socialising and riding on some of the most exciting trails in the UK. See you next year!

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin.

Introducing the Whyte 403 kid’s mountain bike, a legit hardtail MTB that just happens to be shrunk down to child-sized proportions…

As mountain biking couples begin starting a family they face the conundrum of how they can stay happy and healthy by continuing to ride. In the early years it comes down to using equipment like the brilliant ‘Kids Ride Shotgun’ child seat or similar and then forward-thinking parents get their kids on balance bikes to learn the basics and gain confidence; following that stage it’s time for their first small pedal bike and while it’s great that you’re all out riding together there’s usually a significant difference in speed and ability. This can call for some creative thinking and a ‘divide and conquer’ mentality which sees each of you taking turns to have time out of the family rides to get some decent riding in.

Once your kids have got a little more grown up they’ll be ready to start riding further and for longer under their own steam and it’s the perfect time to buy them their first ‘proper mountain bike’ to start really getting in some decent riding together as a family on your favourite trails. If you’ve done the hard work in the early years you’ll have instilled a love of riding in your kids and they’ll be as keen as you to get out and ride.

The Whyte 403 is legit hardtail MTB that just happens to have been shrunk down to child-sized proportions.

 

We’ve seen a real upsurge in bike brands taking their product offer to families and kids cycling way more seriously in the past decade. Where it used to be the case that options were very limited and kid’s bikes were gimmicky and unreliable there is now a huge range of fantastically equipped, well made bikes for kids from the best brands available; Whyte is one such brand, now offering a good selection of mountain bikes for kids. Such a well-respected UK bike brand with a rich heritage in mountain biking, Whyte are renowned for creating MTB’s that are designed specifically to handle the demands of UK trial riding and their kid’s bikes are no different.

The Whyte 403 hardtail is a perfect first mountain bike for your child if they’re aged 10 and above and are ready to ride with you at trail centres and on your local singletrack. A lightweight alloy frame with cleverly hydroformed tube profiles that add strength where it’s needed combined with a super-plush SR Suntour XCR suspension fork mean the 403 is built to be ridden fast and hard, helping your child to gain confidence and increase their technical skills every time they ride. With a simple no-nonsense 1X drivetrain (a single chainring combined with a wide ratio cassette) gear changes are quick and intuitive, providing all the gearing your child will need to get over steep climbs while powerful hydraulic disc brakes scrub off speed quickly and effectively.

Check out our photos of the Whyte 403 below, showing all the details of this brilliantly child-friendly mountain bike and see bike’s full specification at the bottom of this feature.

At the hear of the 403 is a lightweight, hydroformed frame featuring internal cable routing.

 

Internal headset bearings in the oversized headtube are nicely protected from the elements.

 

The Whyte 403 comes spec’d with a pair of capable SR Suntour XCR suspension forks.

 

The versatile SR Suntour XCR fork features a lockout; perfect for when your child is riding on smooth tarmac sections.

 

100mm of travel means the SR Suntour XCR fork will take the big hits and help to keep your child riding smoothly.

 

A single-chainring combined with a generous spread of gears on the rear cassette means there’s a gear ratio for every gradient.

 

A good mix of Shimano components make up a user-friendly drivetrain that’s durable and precise-shifting.

 

The 28T crankset includes a guard to protect the chainring and help prevent loose clothing getting caught in the chain. 

 

With 9 gears at their fingertips via a simple-to-use trigger shifter your child will be able to ride more efficiently, saving energy and having more fun.

 

Whyte have fitted reliable hydraulic disc brakes to help give your child more riding control and confidence.

 

Powerful Tektro hydraulic disc brakes matched with 160mm disc rotors help your kids quickly scrub off speed. 

 

The post-mount disc brake caliper, 160mm rotor and convenient quick-release is a neat and effective setup.

 

26 inch wheels are nicely proportioned to the 403 and are shod with 2.25″ wide, grippy VEE TIRE Co Crown Gem tyres.

 

The tread profile on these tyres are fast-rolling on smoother surfaces but provide plenty of grip on loose terrain thank to those large side-knobs.

 

The large-volume VEE TIRE Co Crown Gem tyres will help keep your child comfortable in the saddle.

 

If you’re a mountain-biking-mad family and your child is ready to ride further and for longer the 403 is a fantastic option.

 

Whyte 403 2022 RRP £699.00

Full Specification:

• Frame: 6061 Alloy, Hydro Formed T6 Aluminium, Multi Butted, SCR, Internal Cable Routing with BBX and Chainstay Post Mount Dropouts
• Fork: SR Suntour XCR, 100mm Travel, Hydro Lock-out, Air Spring, Adjustable Rebound, Post Mount
• Crank: Alloy 6061, 28T Narrow Wide Chainring, Single guard, 152mm Crank Length
• Rear Cassette: SunRace CSM90, ED Black 11-36, 9 Speed
• Rear Derailleur: Shimano Altus RD-M2000-SGS, 9 Speed
• Shifters: Shimano Altus SL-M2010, Trigger Shifter, 9 Speed
• Handlebar: Whyte 6061 Alloy, 25mm Rise, 31.8mm, 660mm Wide
• Grips: Whyte Lock-on V Grip
• Stem: Whyte Alloy, 35mm
• Headset: FEIMIN H807B, Semi Integrated, 1 1/8″ Caged Bearings
• Brakes: Tektro HD-M275, Hydraulic, 160mm Rotor
• Brake Levers: Tektro HD-M275
• Rims: Whyte Trail-403, 28 Hole
• Hubs: Alloy, Cup & Cone, Double Seal, 28 Hole
• Tyres: VEE TIRE Co, Crown Gem 26″ x 2.25″
• Saddle: Whyte Jr Mid Custom
• Seatpost: Whyte 6061 Alloy, 15mm Offset, 30.9mm x 300mm, 2 Bolt Clamp

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

Photos by James Vincent

 

Have you seen our weekly Fast Bike Friday feature? Missed some of our best 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…

 

Today’s Fast Bike Friday feature takes a look at this super-hot, cutting-edge gravel bike from premium Swiss bike brand BMC. The URS One Apex 1 is equal parts ‘fast and fun’ with a superlight carbon frame boasting BMC’s unique and cleverly engineered Micro Travel Technology for enhanced comfort, combined with some sophisticated angular tube-profiling which increases stiffness and pedaling efficiency; those ‘fast’ performance capabilities are married up with some fairly progressive frame geometry to factor in the ‘fun’ portion of the URS, providing agility on tight terrain and stability at speed. What does URS stand for? Unrestricted, which is exactly how BMC want you to approach your gravel riding.

The BMC URS boasts a distinctive silhouette thanks to those unique angular frame tube profiles.

 

Instead of billing the BMC URS gravel bike as being specifically suited to a particular type of gravel riding – for example bikepacking, racing, or rowdy trail riding as some brands have done the URS is most-definitely aimed at doing at least two of those things on that list! Namely high-performance gravel racing and more playful trail riding; the URS does lack the kind of multiple bolt-on bosses that you might find on a more utilitarian bikepacking machine, but that said, there’s still bolts for a small top tube pack and there’s plenty of large bikepacking saddle packs and frame bags that will easily fit on this bike. Calling it the URS (Unrestricted) is fitting; this BMC almost stands alone as a carbon gravel bike that’s race-ready but has a wild side too.

URS – BMC’s abbreviation of unrestricted. 

 

While the URS gives off the appearance of a responsive, lightweight climbing machine that’s capable of stealing KOMs on every ride (which of course it is!) it is also a very playful, agile gravel bike that’s ready for fast, fun riding through tight singletrack. How is this done? Well, it’s mainly thanks to BMC’s clever tweaking of the bikes geometry; optimised for modern, aggressive gravel riding the URS features a slack 70° head angle, a long, roomy front triangle combined with a short stem to give you room to move freely about the bike while keeping steering sharp and a slightly longer wheelbase for enhanced stability on steep descents.

Before we move on to more details on the frame and fork it’s worth highlighting BMC’s rather clunky URS model names and the distinction between them, the URS sub-range of gravel bikes is split into two different groups URS 01 and URS; with the URS One Apex 1 model we’re looking at today being part of the URS group rather than the URS 01 group. Yep it can be a little confusing!

First off it’s important to point out that the grade of carbon is exactly the same for both sub-ranges with the only difference being that the URS 01 models feature BMC’s ICS integrated fork, bar, stem configuration with fully concealed hydraulic brake hoses while the URS models do not. I would argue that the lack of integrated components and internal cable routing through the stem is actually preferable on a gravel bike like this anyway so the setup of the URS makes complete sense to us.

The URS looks fast and performance-focused but its ‘Unrestricted’ moniker hints at something more playful.

 

The URS progressive geometry will inevitably encourage you to push harder on tight, technical off-road terrain. With this in mind BMC developed the MTT system on the rear of the frame; MTT stands for Micro Travel Technology and as the name suggests this system provides a small amount of travel to take the sting out of the rear of this stiff carbon bike. MTT’s origins were in mountain biking with the system first being used on BMC’s range of lightweight cross-country mountain bikes. The carbon frame has been cleverly engineered to flex vertically to accommodate this movement while retaining lateral stiffness so that your pedaling input and power transfer through the frame is not compromised in any way. The movement of the MTT system is clearly visible even when you are simply pressing down firmly on the saddle on the showroom floor and it seems a like a really simple but efficient design solution to staying comfortable in the saddle on rough terrain.

BMC’s MTT (Micro Travel Technology) adds 10mm of travel at the rear of the frame for enhanced comfort in the saddle.

BMC’s sophisticated carbon frame manufacturing techniques do not just stop at the MTT system; the frame features BMC’s TCC (Tuned Compliance Concept) to give the highest level of compliance through a dedicated carbon layup combined with dropped seatstays which facilitate more flex as well as a D-shaped seatpost designed to flex when you’re in the saddle, providing enhanced comfort during long hours spent riding off-road.

A clever combination of BMC’s MTT system, dropped seatstays and d-shaped carbon seatpost all help to make the URS comfy and capable. 

 

The 70° head angle is pretty slack for a gravel bike and gives the URS a more stable feel at speed.

 

With carbon frame and fork protection in mind BMC have included some neat rubber protection on the fork blades and on the underside of the downtube by the bottom bracket. The fork blade dropout guards are a brilliant addition that will provide protection when your bike is in transit with the front wheel out or when you’re fixing a front wheel puncture at the trail side; the rubber portion of the downtube underside protects from flying debris and there’s additional protection on the chainstay.

Rubber covers on the URS carbon fork are a nice addition.

 

BMC have spec’d the URS One with SRAM’s excellent gravel-specific Apex 1 groupset. When SRAM first launched their purpose-built 1X drivetrain groupsets they were well ahead of the curve. Things in the cycling industry move on quickly but it’s important to remember that they were the first component manufacturers to produce gravel-specific groupsets that featured the simplicity of a 1X setup – one chainring at the front combined with a wide ratio cassette at the rear; this simple solution provides a lightweight, easy to maintain, functional drivetrain with no need for a front derailleur that still provides all the gear ratios you’ll need to negotiate a mix of gradients both on and off-road.

The URS One Apex 1 comes spec’d with a simple, efficient 1X SRAM Apex 1 drivetrain.

 

The SRAM Apex long-cage rear derailleur features their clutch technology; this keeps the chain in tension regardless of what gear ratio you have selected, helping to keep the chain secure when you’re riding over rough terrain and preventing it from unshipping off the cassette or chainring. BMC have opted for a gravel-friendly 10-42T SRAM cassette giving a huge range of gears to prevent you from spinning out on fast road descents or running out of gears on the steepest off-road climbs.

The SRAM Apex 1 long cage rear derailleur works brilliantly with the huge 11-42T rear cassette.

 

SRAM Apex 1 shifters are simple and intuitive to use with gear shifting taken care of by one small shift-lever tucked behind the right-hand brake lever; when pressed lightly the chain shifts down the block, when pressed more firmly (further inward) the chain moves up the block. If you’re more used to Shimano shifters it’s worth pointing out that these SRAM shifters feel a bit more ‘definite’ in their shift compared to Shimano which can feel a bit light; this is a good thing when you’re making multiple gear changes while negotiating technical terrain and everything happening at once; there’s no chance of accidental gear shifts in the heat of the moment. Another positive aspect with these shifters is the large hoods which are made that way to accommodate the brake’s hydraulic fluid reservoir but also provide a more secure feel when riding on the hoods, negating the risk of slipping and losing grip particularly when you’re riding in wet off-road conditions.

SRAM Apex 1 HRD levers give solid, precise gear shifts which are well suited to gloved-finger gear changes off-road.

 

With another hint towards how BMC see this type of gravel bike being ridden (rowdy!) the BMC URS One Apex 1 comes spec’d with powerful SRAM Apex HRD-A1 hydraulic disc brakes matched up with a large 180mm Centreline rotor upfront and a slightly smaller 160mm Centreline rotor on the rear; this braking configuration really helps to scrub off speed quickly and effectively at those times when the URS has encouraged you to really push the limits of your off-road bike-handling.

SRAM Apex HRD-A1 flat-mount hydraulic disc brake calipers provide plenty of braking power in all riding conditions.

 

When it comes to the need for a gravel-specific wheelset which meets the demands of fast, frenetic riding off-road riding BMC have met the brief with a pair of C1850 SPLINE wheels from their national contemporaries DT Swiss; these wheels feature a 23mm deep rim with a nice wide 22mm inner rim width that helps give a wider tyre footprint placing more of the tread in contact with the ground as well as giving the tyre’s sidewall a more square, less pinched-in profile which helps to prevent pinch flats too. These wheels feature DT Swiss 370 Spline hubs which are smooth and fast-rolling with durable sealed bearings spec’d to help stand up to the demands of off-road riding in all the elements.

Super-smooth DT Swiss 370 Spline hubs roll fast and are durable against the elements.

 

Tubeless-ready alloy DT Swiss C1850 SPLINE rims feature a 22mm inner rim width to help give your tyres a wider footprint.

 

A good or bad tyre choice on your gravel bike can make or break your ride and there’s a balance to be struck between having a tyre that provides plenty of grip and traction as well as being fast-rolling enough to remain efficient on smoother stretches of gravel track or even tarmac. The 40mm wide 700c WTB Raddler gravel tyres hit that sweet spot, with a very shallow square tread running down the middle of the tyre the URS One won’t be held back on the road; then when you head out onto the gravel there’s still plenty of  bite on those steep, lose climbs. When the BMC URS encourages you to take on more technical singletrack trails you can be confident that the larger square blocks that run along the outside of the tyre will dig in and keep you upright on tight downhill turns.

Fast-rolling WTB Raddler tyres provide ample amounts of grip and cushioning from rough terrain thanks to their 40mm width.

 

A well-designed tread pattern means the central portion of the tyre rolls fast while the outer edges provide more grip on loose turns.

 

The BMC URS One Apex 1 comes fitted with gravel-specific alloy Easton EA50 AX handlebars with a 16 degree flare on the drops; nothing too excessive or over the top, just a sensibly shaped bar with a shallow drop and a little flare making them perfect for fast road miles as well as slow, tight turns when you want to spread your centre of gravity too retain control at slow speeds. A WTB SL8 Chromoly saddle fitted to BMC’s own carbon d-shaped seat post is sized medium, making it comfortable over long distances spent in the saddle; a nice little touch is the scuff-protection trim to help prevent damage to the saddle in crashes.

A comfortable medium-sized WTB SL8 saddle features a durable trim making it ideal for gravel duties.

 

We love what BMC have created with the URS One Apex 1 gravel bike; while it’s clearly been designed to perform at speed and is more than capable of taking on long, fast gravel events the URS also excels during the more technical off-road singletrack trail type of riding that you may be tempted to take on. This is thanks in no small part to the progressive geometry, with a slack head angle, long top tube, short stem and short chainstays all influencing a ride-feel which is stable at speed but nimble and agile when things get more tight and technical. BMC’s MTT system takes the sting out of riding off-road while nice details like the rubber bumpers on the fork legs and more protection on the underside of the down tube help negate the potential for frame damage when the URS One inevitably encourages you to push your riding to the outer limits of control.

BMC’s URS gravel bike is equal parts fast and fun, helping it stand out from the gravel bike crowd.

 

The BMC URS One Apex 1 frame geometry is fairly progressive for a gravel bike.

 

BMC URS One Apex 1 2022 £2,850.00

Full Specification:

• Frame: URS Premium Carbon with Micro Travel Technology, Tuned Compliance Concept Gravel, Gravel+ Geometry, Internal Cable Routing, Fender and Rack Mounts, PF86 Bottom Bracket, Flat Mount Disc, 12x142mm Thru-Axle
• Fork: URS Premium Carbon with Tuned Compliance Concept Gravel, Internal Brake & Hub Dynamo Cable Routing, Fender Mounts, Flat Mount Disc, 12x100mm Thru-Axle
• Shifters: SRAM Apex 1 HRD
• Rear Derailleur: SRAM Apex 1 Long Cage
• Cassette : SRAM PG 1130 Apex 11-42T
• Chainset: SRAM Apex 1 40T
• Chain: SRAM Apex 11-Speed
• Brakes: SRAM Apex HRD-A1
• Rotors: Centerline Rotors (180/160)
• Wheels: DT Swiss C1850 SPLINE 23mm Rims, DT Swiss 370 Spline Disc Hubs
• Tyres: WTB Raddler 40mm (Max Tyre Clearance 45mm)
• Stem: BMC MSM02
• Handlebar: Easton EA50 AX
• Seat Post: URS Premium Carbon D-Shaped Seatpost, 0mm Offset
• Saddle: WTB SL8 Steel Medium

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

Photos by James Vincent

 

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