Author: John Dodgin - Page 14

Posted on March 9, 2023 March 9, 2023

RAB CINDER CYCLING APPAREL – PRODUCT LAUNCH

Wheelbase are incredibly excited to see British high-performance mountain clothing and equipment brand Rab join the world of cycling with their all-new Cinder collection. Rab already have a fantastic reputation within the outdoor and adventure apparel industry, with countless decades of manufacturing experience. During this time they have gained a faithful following thanks to their attention to detail and unwavering passion for using cutting-edge fabrics and material technologies to keep their customers warm, dry and fully protected.

Aimed at gravel riders, mountain bikers and bike packing enthusiasts the new Cinder collection will enhance your riding experience.

Wheelbase are now proud stockists of the new Rab Cinder range of clothing and equipment which has been designed specifically for the burgeoning world of adventure cycling, meeting the demands of the most intrepid gravel riders, mountain bikers and bike packers. The Cinder range competently handles the challenges of unpredictable weather, riding conditions and the great unknown as you become increasingly adventurous with your off-road cycling while continuing to ride further into the wilderness.

Rab understands the challenges we face riding off-road in unpredictable conditions and have created a range of clothing that copes admirably.

Rab were certainly up for the new challenge of creating a comprehensive range of cycling-specific clothing and were able to tap into their years knowledge and experience to create this cutting-edge collection..

“Off-road biking adventures require immense versatility in apparel. One moment you’re too hot, then too cold, it’s windy and you’re always dealing with moisture. We have the knowledge and experience of managing these conditions through many years of creating the finest mountaineering, climbing and skiing kit.

We’ve taken this knowledge and combined it with a finely engineered on-bike fit to enable fun, adventure and exploration. We know that cyclists wear Rab and that mountain people also love to ride. Our new Cinder range is the logical progression.”

Tim Fish, Rab Cinder Product Director

Rab have brought all of the knowledge and experience gained from 40 years of design and production over to the world of off-road cycling wear.

Rab have put together a fantastic range of clothing for the launch of their Cinder collection. With the perfect mix of classic-looking earthy & muted tones combined with cutting-edge fabric technology and construction Rab have jumped into the world of off-road cycling and landed at the top! This world-renowned British brand are clearly on top of their game; with their attention focused on sustainable production and ensuring that there is longevity in each and every one of their products customers can be assured they’re investing in high-quality, high-value off-road cycling apparel. Check out the comprehensive range of men’s and women’s Rab Cinder clothing below…

Cinder Kinetic Jacket £220.00

Stretch waterproof biking jacket with soft Proflex™ 3-layer fabric for breathable, lightweight protection whatever the weather. An essential put-on, keep-on layer for dedicated adventure bikers with cinch-in, over helmet hood and protective details.

Weight: 323g/11.3oz (Size M)

FEATURES

20 D Proflex™ 3-layer recycled polyester stretch knit face with PU membrane (118gsm) \DWR \ HH: 10,000 mm \ MVTR: 35000g/m2/24 hrs
Tailored bike fit with articulation for optimal performance and comfort
Cycling specific helmet compatible hood with a wired and stiffened peak for increased weather protection
Single handed hood cinch with combined crown and face adjustment
Roll away hood system offers versatility in varied conditions
Single front chest napoleon zipped pocket with YKK® AquaGuard Zip
1 YKK® AquaGuard® zipped lumbar pocket with bellowed sides to allow for increased storage
YKK® VISLON® centre front zip with fleece lined chin guard for comfort

Cinder Kinetic Pants £190.00

Highly breathable, stretch waterproof biking pants built for those undeterred by the weather. Versatile, articulated, and thermoregulating with a slim cut, vent access
to cargo pockets and a reinforced seat, inner thigh, and drive side hem.

Weight: 290g/10.2oz (Size M)

FEATURES

20D Proflex™ 3-layer recycled polyester stretch knit face with PU membrane (118gsm) \DWR \ HH: 10,000 mm \ MVTR: 35000g/m2/24 hrs
20D Proflex™ Stretch Woven Nylon 3-layer Waterproof Technology withfluorocarbon-free DWR (149gsm) HH: 20,000mm and MVTR: 25,000g/m²/24 hrs
Tailored bike fit with articulation for optimal performance and comfort
High wear reinforcement on centre seat, rear thighs and drive side hem
Engineered offset inseam avoiding saddle wear
Raised and shaped centre back for enhanced on bike positioning with silicone grip print on rear
Integrated shock cord waist adjustment with low profile locking slider

Cinder Kinetic Shorts £150.00

All conditions, adventure bike riding shorts made with high stretch, breathable, waterproof Proflex™ fabric . Reinforced seat and inner thigh, with a relaxed fit and long cut, they have vent access to pockets and a soft feel to offer all day comfort.

Weight: 217g/7.6oz (Size M)

FEATURES

20 D Proflex™ 3-layer recycled polyester stretch knit face with PU membrane (118gsm) \DWR \ HH: 10,000 mm \ MVTR: 35000g/m2/24 hrs
20D Proflex™ Stretch Woven Nylon 3-layer Waterproof Technology with fluorocarbon-free DWR (149gsm) HH: 20,000mm and MVTR: 25,000g/m²/24 hrs
Tailored bike fit with articulation for optimal performance and comfort
High wear reinforcement on seat and rear thighs
Engineered offset inseam avoiding saddle wear
Raised and shaped centre back for enhanced on bike positioning with silicone grip print on rear
Integrated shock cord waist adjustment with low profile locking slider

Cinder Phantom Jacket £180.00

The ultimate ultralight waterproof biking jacket. Weighing just 99g (Size M) it’s an exceptionally packable, breathable, protective layer, with a silicone grip drop hem and refined sleeve fit. Take it every ride and stash in frame attachable sack.

Weight: 94g/3.3oz (Size M) – 99g/3.4oz with stuff sack

FEATURES

7D Pertex® Shield 2.5L fabric with stretch (40gsm) HH: 20,000mm/MVTR: 20,000 g/m2/24hrs
Reduced volume, under helmet hood with ultralight stiffened peak and micro elasticated face closure
Roll away hood system offers versatility in varied conditions
Tailored bike fit with articulation for optimal performance and comfort
Calendered YKK® ergonomically curved centre front zip for on bike comfort
Extended cuffs with stretch binding to optimise hand warmth during exposed rides

Cinder Downpour Jacket £170.00

A lightweight, 2.5-layer, waterproof biking jacket to throw on when the weather turns. Packable and breathable, it has a protective close-fitting, under helmet, stiff peak hood and venting zips that give access to jersey pockets.

Weight: 322g/11.3oz (Size M)

FEATURES

40D Pertex® Shield 2.5-Layer construction waterproof technology with fluorocarbon free DWR (120gsm) HH: 20,000mm/MVTR: 20,000 g/m2/24hrs
Reduced volume, under helmet hood with stiffened peak and elasticated face closure
Single handed hood cinch reduces volume around lower crown
Tailored bike fit with articulation for optimal performance and comfort
YKK® AquaGuard® centre front zip
Extended cuffs with stretch binding to optimise hand warmth during exposed rides
Dropped rear hem with branded silicone grip helps keep jacket in place while riding

Cinder Borealis Jacket £90.00

Lightweight windproof biking jacket made with breathable Matrix™ softshell. Extremely durable and weather resistant, offering great stretch and comfort. A tailored on-bike fit, with an easy reach back pocket that doubles as a stuff sack.

Weight: 251g/8.8oz (Size M)

FEATURES

Matrix™ single weave stretch nylon (130gsm) with fluorocarbon-free DWR
Tailored bike fit with articulation for optimal performance and comfort
Double layer soft stand up collar for wind protection
1 YKK® zipped side lumbar pocket for storage, also doubles as pack away pocket
YKK® VISLON® centre front zip
Extended cuffs with stretch insert to optimise hand warmth during exposed rides
Dropped rear hem with branded silicone grip helps keep jacket in place while riding

Cinder Ridgeline Jacket £150.00

The ultimate hybrid biking midlayer with a full zip and silicone grip dropped hem. Body mapped construction optimises warmth, wicking and wind protection. This put-on, keep on layer adapts to output your and has three rear pockets for stashing kit.

Weight: 287g/10.1oz (Size M)

FEATURES

20D Pertex® Quantum Air (47gsm) DWR (<1 cfm)
Thermic™ G (235gsm) Grid backer recycled polyester fleece
Motiv™ (102g/m²) with S.Café® Yarn Technology
Body mapped fabric to better regulate temperature, improve comfort, and enhance wind resistance
Pertex® Quantum Air is lined with soft, quick wicking mesh over torso, shoulders and outer arms
YKK® VISLON® centre front zip with full length wind resistant zip guard
Tailored bike fit with articulation for optimal performance and comfort
Elasticated binding at the cuffs for fit and comfort

Cindercino Zip Tee £100.00

Lightweight, half-zip biking tee built with body mapped construction and merino synthetic fusion fabric to optimise comfort. Odour resistant, quick wicking and fast drying, it has a relaxed fit and a rear pocket for stashing essentials close to hand.

Weight: 137g/4.8oz (Size M)

FEATURES

Syncrino™ 125 Merino/Polyester Blend (125gsm)
Motiv™ Aero single jersey fabric with subtle mesh structure (85gsm) with odour control treatment
Body mapped fabric positioning to better regulate body temperature
Tailored bike fit with articulation for optimal performance and comfort
Lightweight YKK® deep centre front zip for enhanced venting
Seam free outer sleeve edge for improved comfort
YKK® zipped side lumbar pocket for storage
Dropped rear hem

Cinder Jersey £100.00

Streamlined and lightweight, this slim fitting, full zip jersey is built with body mapped fabrics to maximise its quick wicking performance. It has 3 easy-reach back pockets, a dropped hem with silicone grip and laser cut vent holes under the arms.

Weight: 128g/4.5oz (Size M)

FEATURES

Motiv™ (102g/m²) with S.Café® Yarn Technology
Motiv™ Aero single jersey fabric with subtle mesh structure (85gsm) with odour control treatment
Body mapped fabric positioning to better regulate body temperature
Tailored bike fit with articulation for optimal performance and comfort
Lightweight YKK® full length centre front zip for enhanced venting and fit
Seam free outer sleeve edge for improved comfort
Central bellowed YKK® zipped lumbar pocket for storage
2 bellowed, side stash pockets for easy access
Dropped rear hem with branded silicone grip helps keep jersey in place while riding

Cinder Crank Pants £120.00

Highly durable biking pants built with lightweight, wind resistant Matrix™ softshell fabric, reinforced seat and abrasion protection on drive side. Breathable and protective with a narrow, stylish fit, they’re ideal for adventure biking.

Weight: 315g/11.1oz (Size M)

FEATURES

Matrix™ single weave stretch fabric (151gsm) with fluorocarbon-free DWR
Ripstop Matrix™ (186gsm) reinforcements with fluorocarbon-free DWR
Tailored bike fit with articulation for optimal performance and comfort
High wear reinforcement on seat, rear thighs and drive side hem
Engineered offset inseam avoiding saddle wearRaised and shaped centre back for enhanced on bike positioning with silicone grip print on rear
Dual hook and loop waist adjustment cinches in for enhanced fit
Double snap waist closure and YKK® zip fly
2 YKK® concealed low profile thigh venting zips

Cinder Cargo Bib Shorts £130.00

Built to go the distance in complete comfort, these cargo bib shorts have generous storage and a finely tuned high density, dual foam chamois. Worn on their own or as a liner bib, they swallow up supplies whilst offering friction-free comfort.

Weight: 246g/8.7oz (size M)

FEATURES

Flexile™ 250 with fluorocarbon-free DWR
Ripstop Matrix™ (186gsm) reinforcements with fluorocarbon-free DWR
Elastic Interface® Gravel Performance HCS Men’s Specific Chamois
30mm Jacquard woven elastic bib straps for enhanced comfort
Slimline back panel with laser cut hole detailing for ventilation
Ripstop Matrix™ side reinforcements for durability and crash protection
2 thigh and 2 rear bib mesh stash pockets
Seamless inner thigh for optimal comfort and reduced wear points silicone grip on lower hem to keep shorts in place
Flatlocked seams throughout for improved comfort
Tailored bike fit with articulation for optimal performance and comfort

Cinder Cargo Shorts £100.00

Body contouring biking shorts with unique, high density, dual foam chamois, ergonomically designed and 3D formed for secure comfort on men’s pressure points. With generous storage and refined on-bike fit, they’re built to go the distance.

Weight: 200g/7.1oz (size M)

FEATURES

Flexile™ 250 with fluorocarbon-free DWR
Ripstop Matrix™ (186gsm) reinforcements with fluorocarbon-free DWR
Elastic Interface® Gravel Performance HCS Men’s Specific Chamois
High stretch Flexile™ 200 waistband with elastic edging for enhanced fit
Raised and shaped centre back for enhanced on bike positioning with silicone grip print on rear
Ripstop Matrix™ side reinforcements for durability and crash protection
2 thigh mesh stash pockets
Seamless inner thigh for optimal comfort and reduced wear points silicone grip on lower hem to keep shorts in place
Flatlocked seams throughout for improved comfort

Cinder Liner Bib Shorts £100.00

Innovative liner bib short designed to maximise comfort, mobility, and ventilation when riding over any distance. Built with airy, open mesh, soft-feel fabric, ample integrated storage, and a secure, 3D formed, high density foam, low bulk chamois.

Weight: 199g/7oz (size M)

FEATURES

Breathable Gridded Stretch Mesh (170gsm)
Flexile™ 250 with fluorocarbon-free DWR panel inserts
High Wicking Stretch Mesh (155gsm) on upper bib
Elastic Interface® Gravel Performance HCS Men’s Specific Chamois
30mm Jacquard woven elastic bib straps for enhanced comfort
Slimline back panel made from high wicking stretch mesh for moisture management
Gridded Stretch Mesh provides ultimate breathability ideal for layering
2 thigh and 3 rear bib mesh stash pockets
Seamless inner thigh for optimal comfort and reduced wear points silicone grip on lower hem to keep shorts in place

Cinder Crank Shorts £100.00

High performance over shorts with a casual style designed for all adventures on two wheels. Built with lightweight, wind resistant Matrix™ softshell fabric, vents that double as access to cargo short pockets and a reinforced Matrix™ Ripstop seat.

Weight: 233g/8.2oz (Size M)

FEATURES

Matrix™ single weave stretch fabric (151gsm) with fluorocarbon-free DWR
Ripstop Matrix™ (186gsm) reinforcements with fluorocarbon-free DWR
Tailored bike fit with articulation for optimal performance and comfort
High wear reinforcement on seat and rear thighs
Engineered offset inseam avoiding saddle wear
Raised and shaped centre back for enhanced on bike positioning with silicone grip print on rear
Dual hook and loop waist adjustment cinches in for enhanced fit
Double snap waist closure and YKK® zip fly
2 YKK® concealed low profile thigh venting zips

Women’s Cinder Kinetic Jacket £220.00

Weight: 83g/2.9oz (Size 10) – 88g/3.1oz with stuff sack

FEATURES

7D Pertex® Shield 2.5L fabric with stretch (40gsm) HH: 20,000mm/MVTR: 20,000 g/m2/24hrs
Reduced volume, under helmet hood with ultralight stiffened peak and micro elasticated face closure
Roll away hood system offers versatility in varied conditions
Tailored bike fit with articulation for optimal performance and comfort
Calendered YKK® ergonomically curved centre front zip for on bike comfort
Extended cuffs with stretch binding to optimise hand warmth during exposed rides

Women’s Cinder Kinetic Pants £190.00

Highly breathable, stretch waterproof biking pants built for those undeterred by the weather. Versatile, articulated and thermoregulating with slim cut, vent access to cargo pockets and reinforced seat, inner thigh and drive side hem.

Weight: 272g/9.5oz (Size 10)

FEATURES

20 D Proflex™ 3-layer recycled polyester stretch knit face with PU membrane (118gsm) \DWR \ HH: 10,000 mm \ MVTR: 35000g/m2/24 hrs
20D Proflex™ Stretch Woven Nylon 3-layer Waterproof Technology with fluorocarbon-free DWR (149gsm) HH: 20,000mm and MVTR: 25,000g/m²/24 hrs
Tailored bike fit with articulation for optimal performance and comfort
High wear reinforcement on centre seat, rear thighs and drive side hem
Engineered offset inseam avoiding saddle wear
Raised and shaped centre back for enhanced on bike positioning with silicone grip print on rear
Integrated shock cord waist adjustment with low profile locking slider

Women’s Cinder Kinetic Shorts £150.00

Weight: 204g/7.1oz (Size 10)

FEATURES

20 D Proflex™ 3-layer recycled polyester stretch knit face with PU membrane (118gsm) \DWR \ HH: 10,000 mm \ MVTR: 35000g/m2/24 hrs
20D Proflex™ Stretch Woven Nylon 3-layer Waterproof Technology with fluorocarbon-free DWR (149gsm) HH: 20,000mm and MVTR: 25,000g/m²/24 hrs
Tailored bike fit with articulation for optimal performance and comfort
High wear reinforcement on seat and rear thighs
Engineered offset inseam avoiding saddle wear
Raised and shaped centre back for enhanced on bike positioning with silicone grip print on rear
Integrated shock cord waist adjustment with low profile locking slider

Women’s Phantom Jacket £180.00

Weight: 83g/2.9oz (Size 10) – 88g/3.1oz with stuff sack

FEATURES

7D Pertex® Shield 2.5L fabric with stretch (40gsm) HH: 20,000mm/MVTR: 20,000 g/m2/24hrs
Reduced volume, under helmet hood with ultralight stiffened peak and micro elasticated face closure
Roll away hood system offers versatility in varied conditions
Tailored bike fit with articulation for optimal performance and comfort
Calendered YKK® ergonomically curved centre front zip for on bike comfort
Extended cuffs with stretch binding to optimise hand warmth during exposed rides

Women’s Cinder Downpour Jacket £170.00

Weight: 274g/9.6oz (Size 10)

FEATURES

40D Pertex® Shield 2.5-Layer construction waterproof technology with fluorocarbon free DWR (120gsm) HH: 20,000mm/MVTR: 20,000 g/m2/24hrs
Reduced volume, under helmet hood with stiffened peak and elasticated face closure
Single handed hood cinch reduces volume around lower crown
Tailored bike fit with articulation for optimal performance and comfort
YKK® AquaGuard® centre front zip
Extended cuffs with stretch binding to optimise hand warmth during exposed rides
Dropped rear hem with branded silicone grip helps keep jacket in place while riding

Women’s Cinder Borealis Jacket £90.00

Weight: 210g/7.4oz (Size 10)

FEATURES

Matrix™ single weave stretch nylon (130gsm)with fluorocarbon-free DWR
Tailored bike fit with articulation for optimal performance and comfort
Double layer soft stand up collar for wind protection
1 YKK® zipped side lumbar pocket for storage, also doubles as pack away pocket
YKK® VISLON® centre front zip
Extended cuffs with stretch insert to optimise hand warmth during exposed rides
Dropped rear hem with branded silicone grip helps keep jacket in place while riding

Women’s Cinder Ridgeline Jacket £150.00

Weight: 239g/8.4oz (Size 10)

FEATURES

20D Pertex® Quantum Air (47gsm) DWR (<1 cfm)
Thermic™ G (235gsm) Grid backer recycled polyester fleece
Motiv™ (102g/m²) with S.Café® Yarn Technology
Body mapped fabric to better regulate temperature, improve comfort, and enhance wind resistance
Pertex® Quantum Air is lined with soft, quick wicking mesh over torso, shoulders and outer arms
YKK® VISLON® centre front zip with full length wind resistant zip guard
Tailored bike fit with articulation for optimal performance and comfort
Elasticated binding at the cuffs for fit and comfort

Women’s Cindercino Zip Tee £100.00

Weight: 109g/3.8oz (Size 10)

FEATURES

Syncrino™ 125 Merino/Polyester Blend (125gsm)
Motiv™ Aero single jersey fabric with subtle mesh structure (85gsm) with odour control treatment
Body mapped fabric positioning to better regulate body temperature
Tailored bike fit with articulation for optimal performance and comfort
Lightweight YKK® deep centre front zip for enhanced venting
Seam free outer sleeve edge for improved comfort
YKK® zipped side lumbar pocket for storage
Dropped rear hem with branded silicone grip helps keep tee in place while riding

Women’s Cinder Jersey £110.00

Weight: 102g/3.5oz (Size 10)

FEATURES

Motiv™ (102g/m²) with S.Café® Yarn Technology
Motiv™ Aero single jersey fabric with subtle mesh structure (85gsm) with odour control treatment
Body mapped fabric positioning to better regulate body temperature
Tailored bike fit with articulation for optimal performance and comfort
Lightweight YKK® full length centre front zip for enhanced venting and fit
Seam free outer sleeve edge for improved comfort
Central bellowed YKK® zipped lumbar pocket for storage
2 bellowed, side stash pockets for easy access
Dropped rear hem with branded silicone grip helps keep jersey in place while riding

Women’s Cinder Cargo Bib Shorts £130.00

Built to go the distance in complete comfort, these cargo bib shorts have generous storage and a finely tuned high density, dual foam chamois. Worn on their own or as a bib, they swallow up supplies whilst offering frictionfree comfort.

Weight: 232g/8.2oz (size 10)

FEATURES

Flexile™ 250 with fluorocarbon-free DWR
Ripstop Matrix™ (186gsm) reinforcements with fluorocarbon-free DWR
Elastic Interface® Gravel Performance WP3 HCS Women’s Specific Chamois
30mm Jacquard woven elastic bib straps for enhanced comfort
High stretch Flexile™ 200 waistband with silicone grip print on rear
Bib drop seat function for fuss-free rest stops on the trail
Centre back panel has laser cut hole detailing for ventilation
Ripstop Matrix™ side reinforcements for durability and crash protection
2 thigh and 2 rear bib mesh stash pockets
Seamless inner thigh for optimal comfort and reduced wear points

Women’s Cinder Cargo Short £100.00

Body contouring biking shorts with unique, high density, dual foam chamois, ergonomically designed and 3D formed for secure comfort on women’s pressure points.
With generous storage and refined on-bike fit, they’re built to go the distance.

Weight: 189g/6.7oz (size 10)

FEATURES

Flexile™ 250 with fluorocarbon-free DWR
Ripstop Matrix™ (186gsm) reinforcements with fluorocarbon-free DWR
Elastic Interface® Gravel Performance WP3 HCS Women’s Specific Chamois
High stretch Flexile™ 200 waistband with elastic edging for enhanced fit
Raised and shaped centre back for enhanced on bike positioning with silicone grip print on rear
Ripstop Matrix™ side reinforcements for durability and crash protection
2 thigh mesh stash pockets
Seamless inner thigh for optimal comfort and reduced wear points

Women’s Cinder Crank Shorts £100.00

High performance over shorts with a casual style and deep stretch waistband for all adventures on two wheels. Built with lightweight, wind resistant Matrix™ softshell, a reinforced seat, and vents that double as access to cargo short pockets.

Weight: 185g/6.5oz (Size 10)

FEATURES

Matrix™ single weave stretch fabric (151gsm) with fluorocarbon-free DWR
Ripstop Matrix™ (186gsm) reinforcements with fluorocarbon-free DWR
Flexile™ 200 with fluorocarbon-free DWR
Tailored bike fit with articulation for optimal performance and comfort
High stretch Flexile™ 200 waistband for comfortable, low profile fit
High wear reinforcement on seat and rear thighs
Engineered offset inseam avoiding saddle wear
Raised and shaped centre back for enhanced on bike positioning with silicone grip print on rear
2 YKK® concealed low profile thigh venting zips

Written by Johnny Dodgin

Photos by Rab

Have you seen our regular Fast Bike 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 Blogs too!

Click the link below and search our archive…

Posted on March 1, 2023 March 27, 2023

CANNONDALE SUPERSIX EVO 2023 – PRODUCT LAUNCH

With ultra-aware road racing fans hooked up to social media 24/7 and with training rides, race results and spy shots of prototype bikes all being shared and going viral instantly it’s now almost impossible to keep a soon-to-be-released road bike secret. Factor in just such a bike winning at the very first World Tour race of the season at the Tour Down Under and you may as well hit ‘publish’ on the carefully crafted marketing material there and then instead of waiting patiently until launch day.

What’s that coming over the hill? It’s the all-new Cannondale SuperSix EVO!

This was the scenario Cannondale were faced with as their all-new 4^th generation SuperSix EVO quickly gained the attention of fans, cycling media and bicycle retailers all over the world in January this year, as the bike took multiple early season wins with the EF Education-EasyPost professional cycling team. In the time between then and now there’s been lots of speculation on the details of this new bike, but it’s only now at the time of the official launch that we can take a proper deep dive into the all-new Cannondale SuperSix EVO Gen 4.

It’s time to take aa deep dive into the all-new SuperSix EVO…

The SuperSix boats a rich racing history from the very first version in 2008 through to the 3^rd generation SuperSix EVO launched back in 2019 featuring drag-reducing integration for the first time. With Cannondale setting themselves an ambitious design brief for the all-new 4^th generation SuperSix this impressive legacy is set to continue with a whole raft of new innovations and improvements to their most popular road racing platform.

A lightweight climbing machine that also happens to be super-aero, the new SuperSix EVO promises A LOT of performance gains.

Development goals:

Decrease frame weight and increase the capability of the previous generation SuperSix EVO
Reduce overall system weight while improving integration compared to the previous generation SuperSix EVO. (Focus on reducing weight out of the handlebar, seat post and fork to take overall weight down)
Reduce drag, matching the aero-efficiency of other brand competitors dedicated aero bike platforms
An overall goal to have Cannondale’s lightweight race bike beating brand competitors aero bikes

Project Goals:

A lightweight climbing bike with the aero-efficiency of an aero road bike
An overall lower system weight
Next-generation total integration

Aesthetic Goals:

A break with the generic mould of aero tube frames – bring in more style
Challenge CMF boundaries (colour, material, finish)
Flawless component styling – integrate frame, fork, wheels , handlebars and seat post to create a cohesive package when combined

Frame, fork, wheels, handlebars, seat post and even the wheels have all been considered as one for a more integrated overall design.

Cannondale Carbon Construction

Today’s product launch sees a small range of 4^th generation Cannondale SuperSix EVO road bikes and framesets split into two different sub-groups, categorised by their frame material and construction technique, with the SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod bikes sitting above the SuperSix EVO Carbon bikes.

Hi-Mod

Cannondale’s SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod frames shave over 100 grams from the conventional Carbon frames by replacing multiple layers of intermediate modulus fibres with fewer layers of much stiffer high modulus fibres, taking overall weight down while retaining all the stiffness and strength required for a responsive, brilliantly-handling race bike.

Carbon

The Cannondale SuperSix EVO Carbon frame delivers a beautifully lightweight chassis at around 915 grams via a carbon layup that consists primarily of intermediate modulus fibers with some higher modulus fibers strategically placed for increased stiffness where it’s required.

Approximate 56cm frame weights:

Hi-Mod: 810 grams
Carbon: 930 grams

It’s worth pointing out too that both of the frame options listed are produced using the same mould, with only the carbon materials changing between them. This means that geometry and subsequently the EVO’s key characteristics – ride feel, handling and responsiveness are consistent throughout the range. While we’re on the subject of geometry it’s worth pointing out that there’s no changes to geo from the previous Gen 3 SuperSix EVO, which is a very good thing as its one of the stand-out qualities the bike is famed for.

Regardless of the model and grade of carbon you choose, you’ll get the same geometry and sublime handling characteristics.

A magic mix of light weight and aerodynamics

Cannondale have invested a lot of time and money into product development and testing, with this process playing a massively important role in the final design and construction of the SuperSix EVO Gen 4. Constant lab and real-world testing have informed the team at Cannondale throughout and have left them with some impressive stats to boast at the SuperSix EVO’s launch.

The all-new SuperSix EVO is considerably more aerodynamic that its predecessor.

Cannondale’s ultimate speed machine, the SystemSix is their dedicated aero road bike and they’ve used this bike in their comparison with the new SuperSix EVO to give us a better understanding of what they’ve achieved. Cannondale say they have been able to make the new SuperSix EVO 400 grams lighter than the Gen 3 version AND at the same time make it more aerodynamic than its predecessor; at 45km/h the EVO Gen 4 has a reduction of 12 watts over the Gen 3 EVO, getting you within 10 watts of Cannondale’s full-on SystemSix aero road bike. Oh and it’s worth mentioning too that the SuperSix EVO is almost a whole kilo lighter than the SystemSix too. If that all sounded a little complicated, the headline is simple – Cannondale have created the LIGHTEST fastest road bike available.

Cannondale are calling the Gen 4 SuperSix EVO the ‘lightest fastest road bike available’, in a nod to its aero-efficiency and its extremely light weight.

All of that aerodynamic efficiency isn’t just down to those beautifully sculpted frame tube profiles. It’s Cannondale’s clever approach to total integration that also helps to make the SuperSix EVO so good at slicing through the air; by engineering the frame, fork, handlebars, wheels and seat post as one holistic system Cannondale have been able to significantly lower drag. In another nod to aesthetics the designers have partnered up with MOMO Design in Italy to create an all-new one-piece integrated handlebar found on the Hi-Mod bikes, which not only looks stunning but is super-aero thanks to its thin aero profile.

Cannondale partnered up with Italian brand MOMO Design from the motor industry to develop their new one-piece integrated handlebar.

Part of the success of this new cockpit is down to a significant re-think to how Cannondale integrate the frame, fork, headset, stem and handlebars into one system with no exposed cables. Their all-new Delta steerer tube design allows for seamless integration of the bike’s cables from the cockpit down into the frameset with an 1” 1/8^th top bearing helping to decrease frontal area. The overall look is a nice, slim cockpit with integrated cables and conventional headtube dimensions; there’s no steering stop on this configuration, unlike the previous Gen 3 version meaning you’ll be able to maneuver the bike more safely and securely at slow speeds.

The new Delta steerer tube design allows for seamless integration of the bike’s cables while keeping the frontal area slim and aerodynamic.

The final piece of the ‘aerodynamic, fully-integrated, one-complete-system’ jigsaw is the specification of the all-new SuperSix EVO’s wheelsets. Both of the two Hi-Mod bikes feature Cannondale’s HollowGram 50 R-SL wheelsets developed alongside the SuperSix EVO and shaped by their DRAFT aero design philosophy. These super-aero wheels feature a 50mm deep, low-drag rim, bladed spokes and DT-Swiss 240 EXP rear hub internals, making it the perfect wheel for the EVO’s modus operandi – superlight to fly up the hills but with undisputable velocity-maintaining aerodynamics.

The Cannondale HollowGram 50 R-SL wheelsets have been designed in combination with the SuperSix EVO’s chassis to further enhance aerodynamics.

Oh, and one significant aspect which Cannondale were keen to reinforce with us at launch is that the wheels and the new SuperSix EVO frame NO LONGER follow their previous AI Offset (Asymmetric Integration) principle which utilised an offset rear triangle and drivetrain. The offset shifted the rear hub and drivetrain 6mm to the right, with the benefits said to enable short chainstays and a rear wheel which was stiffer and stronger thanks to spoke tension and angles being equal on both sides. The downside of this principle? Wheelsets weren’t immediately interchangeable, with any after-market rear wheels having to be re-dished before they would fit in the frame. Cannondale have been slowly phasing out their AI principle as each new model of bike is launched and the new Gen 4 SuperSix EVO has joined the conventional rear wheel party.

The all-new SuperSix EVO sees the return of conventional rear wheel spacing.

A few more nice details

Continuing the ‘aero is everything’ mantra Cannondale took a fresh look at bottle and bottle cage integration on the new SuperSix EVO, seeing an opportunity to enhance the aerodynamics of the bike even further. The new ReGrip Aero cages paired with Cannondale’s Gripper Aero water bottles actually help make the bike faster; these new bottles and cages create a more streamlined profile in combination with the SuperSix EVO’s chassis and improve aerodynamic efficiency thanks in no small part to the Gripper Aero bottle’s flat sides. There’s no worries when it comes to compatibility though; conventional water bottles fit the cages too, so if you’re taking mid-race hand-ups in the feed zone there won’t be any issues.

The Hi-Mod models include Cannondale Gripper Aero Bottles & ReGrip Aero Cages.

It’s amazing how quick wider tyres on road bikes have become the norm. With disc brakes now the standard braking configuration on all race bikes and rim profiles becoming wider, pro racers around the world have established 28mm racing tyres as their go-to choice, enjoying all the benefits of increased comfort and greater control thanks to a larger surface-area always being in contact with the road. With this in mind Cannondale have ensured that there’s ample clearance to fit up to 30mm wide tyres (with still over 6mm of clearance on either side).

The new SuperSix EVO includes ample clearance to fit up to 30mm wide tyres.

In another move that is going to be popular with professional workshop technicians and home mechanics alike we see the disappearance of Cannondale’s infamous Pressfit BB30 bottom bracket configuration (which in some cases could be prone to creaking), replaced with a conventional BSA 68mm threaded bottom bracket. The new SuperSix EVO’s threaded BSA bottom bracket standard creates a rock-solid mounting point for the crankset for ultimate simplicity and reliability, letting you change your bottom bracket at home without the need for specialist tools or having to take time off the bike while you wait for your bike to be serviced at your local workshop.

The BSA 68mm threaded bottom bracket makes a welcome return, replacing the out-going BB30 bottom bracket.

With the all-new SuperSix EVO featuring a super-slim aerodynamic seatpost there’s no room to fit an internal Shimano Di2 battery to power the electronic drivetrain of Shimano Dura-Ace, Ultegra, and 105 Di2 groupsets. Cannondale’s solution is very neat with the battery now located just in front of the bottom bracket, accessed by removing a small cover. This is another nice feature that makes battery replacement and/or removal much quicker and easier. Another small but pleasingly aesthetic change is the new ‘blind’ on the fork, with a smooth finish to the fork end instead of having the axle end visible on the drive-side of the bike.

Shimano Di2 batteries are now neatly stowed neatly just in front of the bottom bracket.

Sophisticated high-end bicycle design and manufacturing waits for no man. It’s a fast-moving world of continuous innovation and refinement. The all-new 4^th generation SuperSix EVO clearly reflects that industry ethos; taking valuable feedback from their professional road racers and undertaking rigorous real-world testing has led them to push the boundaries of what is possible when it comes to creating a bike that is able to boast a magic combination of lightweight climbing capability AND aerodynamic efficiency. These stunning-looking SuperSix EVO road bikes have already proven themselves on the world stage, winning multiple early season race even before its official launch! The SuperSix EVO already has a rich legacy within the world of cutting-edge road bikes and from all the aspects we’ve highlighted in this launch feature it’s pretty obvious that the newest 4^th generation version will continue that trend with the addition of some significant improvements to performance. Scroll through below to see the full range of Cannondale SuperSix EVO bikes and their full specifications…

SuperSix EVO Hi-MOD 1 RRP £10,500.00

Full Specification:

Frame: SuperSix EVO Hi-MOD Carbon, integrated cable routing w/ Switchplate, 12×142 Syntace thru-axle, BSA 68mm threaded BB, flat mount disc, integrated seat binder, SmartSense compatible
Fork: SuperSix EVO Hi-MOD Carbon, integrated crown race, 12x100mm Syntace thru-axle, flat mount disc, internal routing, 1-1/8″ to 1-1/4″ Delta steerer, 55mm offset (51-54cm), 45mm offset (56-58cm)
Rims: HollowGram 50 R-SL, Carbon, 20h front, 24h rear, 50mm deep, 21mm IW, tubeless ready
Hubs: (F) HollowGram, sealed bearing 12x100mm centerlock / (R) HollowGram, 12x142mm centerlock w/ DT Swiss 240 internals
Spokes: DT Swiss Aerolite, straight-pull
Tyres: Continental Grand Prix 5000, 700 x 25c
Crank: SRAM RED AXS Carbon, 48/35
Bottom Bracket: SRAM DUB BSA
Chain: SRAM RED, 12-speed
Rear Cassette: SRAM XG-1290, 10-28, 12-speed
Front Derailleur: SRAM RED AXS
Rear Derailleur: SRAM RED AXS
Shifters: SRAM RED eTap AXS HRD, 2×12
Handlebar: Cannondale SystemBar R-One – low drag, full carbon integrated bar/stem, internal routing
Handlebar Tape: Cannondale Bar Tape, 3.5mm
Stem: Cannondale SystemBar R-One – low drag, full carbon integrated bar/stem, internal routing
Headset: Integrated, 1-1/8″ – 1-1/4″
Brakes: SRAM RED eTap AXS HRD, 160/160mm Centerline-X rotors
Brake Levers: SRAM RED eTap AXS HRD
Saddle: Prologo Dimension NACK NDR, Carbon Rails
Seatpost: Cannondale C1 Aero 40 Carbon, 20mm offset
Connectivity: Cannondale Wheel Sensor
Sizes: 51, 54, 56, 58
Colour: Mercury w/ Raw Carbon, Brushed Chrome, and Smoke Black (MRC)
Extras: Cannondale Gripper Aero Bottles & ReGrip Aero Cages, SRAM AXS charger

SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod 2 RRP £8,250.00

Full Specification:

Frame: SuperSix EVO Hi-MOD Carbon, integrated cable routing w/ Switchplate, 12×142 Syntace thru-axle, BSA 68mm threaded BB, flat mount disc, integrated seat binder, SmartSense compatible
Fork: SuperSix EVO Hi-MOD Carbon, integrated crown race, 12x100mm Syntace thru-axle, flat mount disc, internal routing, 1-1/8″ to 1-1/4″ Delta steerer, 55mm offset (51-54cm), 45mm offset (56-58cm)
Rims: HollowGram 50 R-SL, Carbon, 20h front, 24h rear, 50mm deep, 21mm IW, tubeless ready
Hubs: (F) HollowGram, sealed bearing 12x100mm centerlock / (R) HollowGram, 12x142mm centerlock w/ DT Swiss 240 internals
Spokes: DT Swiss Aerolite, straight-pull
Tyres: Continental Grand Prix 5000, 700 x 25c
Crank: Shimano Ultegra R8200, 52/36
Bottom Bracket: Shimano BSA 68
Chain: Shimano Ultegra, 12-speed
Rear Cassette: Shimano Ultegra R8200, 11-30, 12-speed
Front Derailleur: Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8150
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8150
Shifters: Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8170, wireless, 2×12
Handlebar: Vision Trimax Carbon Aero, 31.8mm
Handlebar Tape: Cannondale Bar Tape, 3.5mm
Stem: Cannondale C1 Conceal, Alloy, 31.8, -6°
Headset: Integrated, 1-1/8″ – 1-1/4″
Brakes: Shimano Ultegra R8170, 160/140mm MT800 rotors
Brake Levers: Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8170 hydraulic disc
Saddle: Prologo Dimension TiRox NDR, Titanium Rails
Seatpost: Cannondale C1 Aero 40 Carbon, 20mm offset
Connectivity: Cannondale Wheel Sensor
Sizes: 51, 54, 56, 58
Colour 1: Sonic Blue w/ Jet Black, Smoke Brushed Chrome, and Rally Red (SNB)
Colour 2: Jet Black w/ Smoke Black and Smoke Brushed Chrome (BBQ)
Extras: Cannondale Gripper Aero Bottles & ReGrip Aero Cages, Shimano EC300 charging connector

SuperSix EVO Carbon 1 RRP £6,750.00

Full Specification:

Frame: SuperSix EVO Carbon, integrated cable routing w/ Switchplate, 12×142 Syntace thru-axle, BSA 68mm threaded BB, flat mount disc, integrated seat binder, SmartSense compatible
Fork: SuperSix EVO Carbon, integrated crown race, 12x100mm Syntace thru-axle, flat mount disc, internal routing, 1-1/8″ to 1-1/4″ Delta steerer, 55mm offset (51-54cm), 45mm offset (56-61cm)
Rims: HollowGram 50 R-S, Carbon, 20h front, 24h rear, 50mm deep, 21mm IW, tubeless ready
Hubs: (F) HollowGram, sealed bearing 12x100mm centerlock / (R) HollowGram, 12x142mm centerlock w/ DT Swiss 350 internals
Spokes: Formula Grand Forza, Double Butted, straight-pull
Tyres: Vittoria Rubino Pro Bright Black, 700 x 25c, reflective strip
Crank: SRAM Force, DUB, 48/35
Bottom Bracket: SRAM DUB BSA
Chain: SRAM Force, 12-speed
Rear Cassette: SRAM XG-1270, 10-33, 12-speed
Front Derailleur: SRAM Force AXS, braze-on
Rear Derailleur: SRAM Force AXS
Shifters: SRAM Force AXS, 12-speed
Handlebar: Vision Trimax Carbon Aero
Handlebar Tape: Cannondale Bar Tape, 3.5mm
Stem: Cannondale C1 Conceal, Alloy, 31.8, -6°
Headset: Integrated, 1-1/8″ – 1-1/4″
Brakes: SRAM Force AXS Hydraulic Disc, 160/160mm PaceLine Rotors
Brake Levers: SRAM Force AXS hydraulic disc
Saddle: Prologo Dimension TiRox NDR, Titanium Rails
Seatpost: Cannondale C1 Aero 40 Carbon, 20mm offset
Connectivity: Cannondale Wheel Sensor
Sizes: 51, 54, 56, 58, 61
Colour: Mystique Gray (Tint) w/ Midnight Blue and Brushed Chrome (MYG)
Extras: SRAM AXS charger

SuperSix EVO Carbon 2 RRP £6,250.00

Full Specification:

Frame: SuperSix EVO Carbon, integrated cable routing w/ Switchplate, 12×142 Syntace thru-axle, BSA 68mm threaded BB, flat mount disc, integrated seat binder, SmartSense compatible
Fork: SuperSix EVO Carbon, integrated crown race, 12x100mm Syntace thru-axle, flat mount disc, internal routing, 1-1/8″ to 1-1/4″ Delta steerer, 55mm offset (48-54cm), 45mm offset (56-61cm)
Rims: HollowGram 45 R, Carbon, 20h front, 24h rear, 50mm deep, 21mm IW, tubeless ready
Hubs: (F) HollowGram, sealed bearing 12x100mm centerlock / (R) HollowGram 3-pawl, sealed bearing, 12x142mm centerlock
Spokes: Formula Grand Forza, Double Butted, straight-pull
Tyres: Vittoria Rubino Pro Bright Black, 700 x 25c, reflective strip
Crank: Shimano Ultegra R8100, 52/36
Bottom Bracket: Shimano BBRS500, BSA
Chain: Shimano Ultegra, 12-speed
Rear Cassette: Shimano Ultegra R8100, 11-30, 12-speed
Front Derailleur: Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8150
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8150
Shifters: Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8170, wireless, 2×12-speed
Handlebar: Vision Trimax Carbon Aero
Handlebar Tape: Cannondale Bar Tape, 3.5mm
Stem: Cannondale C1 Conceal, Alloy, 31.8, -6°
Headset: Integrated, 1-1/8″ – 1-1/4″
Brakes: Shimano Ultegra R8170, 160/140mm MT800 rotors
Brake Levers: Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8170 hydraulic disc
Saddle: Prologo Dimension STN NDR, Stainless Steel Rails
Seatpost: Cannondale C1 Aero 40 Carbon, 0mm offset (48cm), 20mm offset (51-61cm)
Connectivity: Cannondale Wheel Sensor
Sizes: 48, 51, 54, 56, 58, 61
Colour 1: Deep Teal w/ Orchid, Goldfinger, Turquoise (DTE)
Colour 2: Raw carbon w/ Disco Black and Fine Silver (RAW)
Extras: Shimano EC300 charging connector

SuperSix EVO Carbon 3 RRP £4,000.00

Full Specification:

Frame: SuperSix EVO Carbon, integrated cable routing w/ Switchplate, 12×142 Syntace thru-axle, BSA 68mm threaded BB, flat mount disc, integrated seat binder, SmartSense compatible
Fork: SuperSix EVO Carbon, integrated crown race, 12x100mm Syntace thru-axle, flat mount disc, internal routing, 1-1/8″ to 1-1/4″ Delta steerer, 55mm offset (48-54cm), 45mm offset (56-61cm)
Wheels: DT Swiss R470 DB
Crank: Shimano 105 R7100 50/34
Bottom Bracket: Shimano BBRS500, BSA
Chain: Shimano 105, 12-speed
Rear Cassette: Shimano 105 R7100, 11-34, 12-speed
Front Derailleur: Shimano 105 Di2 R7150
Rear Derailleur: Shimano 105 Di2 R7150
Shifters: Shimano 105 Di2 R7150, wireless, 2×12-speed
Handlebar: Vision Trimax Carbon Aero
Handlebar Tape: Cannondale Bar Tape, 3.5mm
Stem: Cannondale C1 Conceal, Alloy, 31.8, -6°
Headset: Integrated, 1-1/8″ – 1-1/4″
Brake Levers: Shimano 105 Di2 ST-R7170 hydraulic disc
Brakes: Shimano 105 Di2 BR-R7170 Flat Mount
Brake Rotors: 160/140mm RT64 rotors
Saddle: Prologo Nago RS Pro STN
Seatpost: Cannondale C1 Aero 40 Carbon, 0mm offset (48cm), 20mm offset (51-61cm)
Connectivity: Cannondale Wheel Sensor
Sizes: 48, 51, 54, 56, 58, 61
Colour 1: Chalk (CHK)
Colour 2: Viper Green (VGN)
Extras: Shimano EC300 charging connector

SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod Frameset RRP £3,750.00

Frame: SuperSix EVO Hi-MOD Carbon, integrated cable routing w/ Switchplate, 12×142 Syntace thru-axle, BSA 68mm threaded BB, flat mount disc, integrated seat binder, SmartSense compatible
Fork: SuperSix EVO Hi-MOD Carbon, integrated crown race, 12x100mm Syntace thru-axle, flat mount disc, internal routing, 1-1/8″ to 1-1/4″ Delta steerer, 55mm offset (48-54cm), 45mm offset (56-61cm)
Headset: Integrated, 1-1/8″ – 1-1/4″
Seatpost: Cannondale C1 Aero 40 Carbon, 0mm offset (48cm), 20mm offset (51-61cm)
Sizes: 48, 51, 54, 56, 58, 61
Colour 1: Jet Black w/ Smoke Black and Fine Silver (SBK)
Colour 2: Laguna Yellow w/ Smoke Black and Olive Green (LYW)
Extras: Cannondale Gripper Aero Bottles & ReGrip Aero Cages

Cannondale SuperSix EVO Geometry

Written by Johnny Dodgin

Photos by Cannondale

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Posted on February 28, 2023 February 27, 2023

MONDRAKER DUSTY 2023 – PRODUCT LAUNCH

Today sees the launch of Mondraker’s all-new range of e-gravel bikes. Say hello to the Mondraker Dusty! Yes, that’s right, the super-popular Spanish mountain and e-mountain bike brand have produced their own small range of e-gravel bikes. In a move that will surprise some fans of the brand Mondraker have joined the gravel bike party AND not just that, but an e-gravel bike utilising the super-light Mahle X20 hub-driven motor system.

Mountain bike brand Mondraker have thrown a bit of a curve-ball with the launch of the all-new range of Dusty e-gravel bikes.

Wheelbase were lucky enough to attend the Mondraker range launch way back in September 2022; a fantastic couple of days were spent in southern Spain learning about the range and getting to ride some of their hottest bikes. Needless to say everyone attending the event was taken aback by the inclusion of the Dusty range of gravel e-bikes, but with an opportunity to ride the bikes and chat more to the team behind the bike we came away with a really clear understanding of Mondraker’s commitment to this new venture and were excited to reveal it to our customers. We’ve had to wait a fair while and we’ve been good at keeping it a secret but now we finally get to run through all the details of the all-new Mondraker Dusty…

We took a trip to southern Spain to see the all-new Mondraker Dusty e-gravel bike in action.

Mondraker have created a super-fun e-gravel bike!

When Mondraker sat down to write their design brief for the Dusty there was one word that sat at the very top of their list of priorities – versatility. The Spanish brand were keen to appeal to the broadest variety of users, with the inclusion of an efficient e-bike hub motor enhancing the bike’s appeal and usability to an even wider group of potential cyclists. The addition of the of the Mahle X20 motor and its ability to assist the rider over difficult terrain allowed them to get the most out of the bike, providing riders with a platform to pedal further, faster and with way more ‘fun factor’ thanks to increased speeds and capability.

Versatility was at the top of Mondraker’s design brief; the Spanish brand were keen to appeal to the broadest variety of users.

As the ever-increasing trend of bike-packing continues to take hold we’re seeing a steady growth in bikes brands offering a gravel bike with motor assistance within their range. It makes a tremendous amount of sense as you’ll no-doubt be loading your bike with multiple pieces of bike-packing luggage, increasing overall weight to your bike before heading out onto unpredictable terrain. The Dusty provides all the range you’d ever need for multi-day adventures and that extra assistance means you can be a little more liberal with what you carry making your adventures that bit more comfortable. The Dusty’s 350Wh internal battery means you can travel up to 180km depending on the level of assistance you dial in and the altitude gain you rack-up and there’s even a 171Wh range extender (sold separately) to further enhance the range of the bike.

You’ll be able to squeeze more out of your gravel riding with a Dusty. Venturing further, riding faster and having more fun.

On the mountain bike side of things Mondraker were the true pioneers behind the development of modern trail bikes with their ‘progressive geometry’ now being copied by all major bike brands around the world. It was obvious that a brand with so much attention on effective bike geometry would filter a fair share of that design expertise into the new Dusty, so we’re not surprised to see longer reach measurements and a slack head angle (70 degrees), combined with a compact rear triangle (425mm chainstays) and the perfect seat stay design to offer maximum comfort. Make no mistake, this one fun, agile gravel bike! In a further nod to Mondraker’s mountain bike DNA the top of the range Dusty XR comes with a gravel-specific 40mm RockShox Rudy fork, and a 75mm Reverb XPLR AXS dropper post so you can really push the boundaries of what’s possible on a gravel bike.

Slack angles & sorted geometry. The Dusty takes its DNA from Mondraker’s years of experience developing some of the best-handling mountain bikes available.

A lightweight carbon gravel bike needs a lightweight, fully integrated e-bike motor that doesn’t adversely affect how the bike looks, handles or performs. To meet these demands Mondraker spec’d the Mahle X20 hub-drive system with a sleek integrated 350Wh battery incorporated into the downtube; the whole system weighs in at only 3.6kg and provides a really natural feeling level of assistance. To achieve that authentic feel Mondraker collaborated closely with Mahle to implement their tuning philosophy to the system and the Dusty’s natural pedalling feel is one of the standout features of this bike.

The Mahle X20 hub-drive is light and gives natural-feeling assistance.

Toggling through the three modes from the simple handlebar e-shifter lets you quickly select your preferred level of assistance and regardless of which mode you select there’s no need to change the way you pedal, there’s no unnatural kick of acceleration, just predictable amplification of your own pedalling input. Even in assist mode 3 (the maximum) Mondraker have been able to maintain the same natural pedalling feel.

A simple display unit lets you track your chosen mode and battery level at a glance.

The Mondraker Dusty was easily the biggest surprise of our trip to the Mondraker 2023 range launch in Spain back in September 2022. Mondraker have always been a nailed-on mountain bike brand so when they unveiled the Dusty electric gravel bike we were initially taken aback, however the guys from Mondraker made a strong case for them entering the market with an e-gravel bike while eschewing non-e or ‘acoustic’ gravel bikes all together.

We spoke to Mondraker UK Marketing man Pete Drew for the full low-down on the all-new Dusty e-gravel bike and this is what he said…

Mondraker wanted to come into gravel from a mountain bike angle, bringing everything we know from our proven mountain bike design ethos over to gravel, including our considerable focus on having fun off-road, the addition of the lightweight Mahle pedal-assist system amplifies the ability to have fun with an injection of pace that maintains your flow through tight singletrack. We’ve created an e-gravel bike that handles more like a mountain bike and excels on tight, technical trails; this is most definitely a gravel bike made by mountain bikers NOT a gravel bike leaning towards more road-informed design principles.

The Mondraker Dusty e-gravel bike features an all carbon frame; we’ve taken a lot of design features from our mountain bike DNA including a longer top tube and shorter stem for a more stable ride while keeping steering sharp and responsive. The dramatically dropped seatstays have been engineered to have a small amount of flex in them, helping to enhance comfort when you’re in the saddle and we’ve also included a neatly integrated rubber protectors in a nod to how we see this gravel bike being ridden.

Mondraker have spec’d a super-light Mahle X20 hub-driven motor with a total system weight of just 3.6kg including the compact 353Wh internal battery stored neatly in the downtube. You can also retro-fit an optional 172Wh range extender weighing an additional 1kg. Mondraker have launched 3 models for 2023 – the Dusty R the RR and the top of the range XR which comes with a RockShox Rudy Ultimate 40mm travel gravel-specific suspension fork and a Reverb wireless dropper seatpost. There’s clearance for 45mm wide tyres too so as you can see the Dusty is aimed squarely at rowdy drop-bar riding!

Dusty Frame Key Features:

Dropped seatstays: Mondraker designed the seatstays to provide unrivalled comfort. The damping they provides on uneven trails not only reduces fatigue but also provides greater control of the back-end of the bike and in conjunction with short chainstays (425mm) it creates a very compact and agile rear triangle.
Integrated seatpost clamp: Minimalism, functionality and design, through the integration of the seatpost clamp into the frame.
2x Drivetrain Compatible Frame: The Dusty range is fully compatible with single or double chainring drivetrains.
Integrated chainstay protector: The Dusty features a made-to-measure rubber chainstay protector to keep the frame scratch-free.
Integrated bar and stem wiring: The Dusty comes with an ON/OFF handlebar and stem combo which guides the wiring internally, keeping cables completely hidden. No covers or cables to interfere when gripping the handlebars.
Dusty carbon fork: The Mondraker carbon fork on Dusty R and Dusty RR includes internally routed brake hose and multiple bolt-on bosses for water bottles, bags, or pannier supports. Mondraker have taken stiffness to the max with a 12mm thru-axle and have designed the minimalist dropouts to keep everything well out of the way. There’s also clearance for tyres up to 47mm wide.

Mahle X20 Drive System Key Features:

Integrated iX350 350Wh battery: The Dusty’s battery is integrated into the frame to offer you more than 180km of range and 2,400m of altitude gain.
Mahle X20 motor: The Mahle X20 motor is fully integrated into the rear hub, with 55Nm of torque and a pedalling feel designed to be as natural as possible thanks to their WATTS ON DEMAND concept which offers 3 levels of assistance.
Mahle bottom bracket: Pressfit 386 EVO bottom bracket with integrated potentiometer and cadence sensor.
Main unit: Top tube integrated main unit shows the battery level and assistance level via LED lights. With Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity.
Pulsar ONE Wireless Display: Shows ride data, the battery level and assistance level at a glance. Fully integrated and removable.
Range extender e185 X20 (optional): Additional 171Wh bottle cage battery for extra range on your longest rides, weighing in at only 1kg. Extend your range by nearly 50%.
E-Shifters: Adjust your assistance level instantly without taking your hands off the bars thanks to the remote shifter.

3 Model Dusty Range Key Features:

The 3 models that make up the Dusty line-up share the same Stealth Carbon Air carbon fibre frame and the same Mahle X20 system with its internal 350Wh battery. There are 3 configurations available; Dusty XR, Dusty RR and Dusty R. We’ve included the full specification of each bike below but here are the key features per model…

Dusty XR: The top-of-the-range model, features a SRAM Force eTap AXS 1×12 drivetrain, Mavic Allroad Pro Carbon SL carbon wheels, 45mm Maxxis Rambler EXO tyres, a 40mm-travel RockShox Rudy Ultimate fork, and a RockShox Reverb XPLR AXS seatpost offering 75mm of drop.
Dusty RR: Features a SRAM Rival eTap AXS 1×12 drivetrain, Mavic Allroad Disc wheels, 40mm Maxxis Rambler EXO tyres and ONOFF components.
Dusty R: Comes equipped with an SRAM Rival 1×11 drivetrain, MDK-XG1 wheels, Maxxis Rambler EXO 40mm tyres, and ONOFF components.

DUSTY XR

Full Specification:

Frame: e-Gravel Stealth Air Carbon, pressfit 386 EVO bottom bracket, tapered head tube, HHG internal cable routing, integrated internal non-removable battery, 12x142mm rear axle, 1X or 2X drivetrain design, Flatmount brake compatible, integrated dropout speed sensor
Sizes: S: 440mm / M: 460mm / L: 500mm / XL: 530mm
Fork: RockShox Rudy Ultimate, 40mm travel, 12x100mm maxle stealth, 45mm offset
Headset: OnOff e-gravel tapered for 1-1/8” to 1-1/2” head tube, ACB sealed bearings, top 41×30.2x7x45°x45°, bottom 51.9x40x8x45°x45°
Stem: Mondraker e-gravel 6061 T6 Alloy, 31.8mm barbore, rise: +/-7°, length: sizes S/M: 70mm, size L: 80mm XL: 90mm
Handlebar: OnOff Barium gravel 18° bar flare. Width sizes S/M: 440mm, size L/XL: 460mm
Grips: Barium gravel dark grey
Seatpost: RockShox Reverb XPLR AXS 75mm wireless 27.2X400mm dropper post
Saddle: Fizik Terra Argo X7 150mm
Front brake: Sram Force Etap AXS 2 piece caliper, Centerline 160mm IS 6 bolts one-piece rotor, steel-backed organic pad
Rear brake: Sram Force Etap AXS, 2 piece caliper, Centerline 160mm IS 6 bolts one-piece rotor, steel-backed organic pad
Brake lever: Sram Force, contact point adjustment, tooled reach adjust, plastic levers
Rims: Mavic Allroad Pro Carbon SL Disc, UST, 23mm internal width, hookless, infinity hubs, 24 spokes
Spokes: Steel double butted flat spokes
Front hub: Mavic, 12x100mm, IS 6 bolts
Rear hub: Mavic X20, 12x142mm, XD-R ID360 Ratchet system, IS 6 bolts
Front tyre: Maxxis Rambler 700×45, tubeless ready, dual compound EXO protection, 120 TPI, folding bead
Rear tyre: Maxxis Rambler 700×45, tubeless ready, dual compound EXO protection, 120 TPI, folding bead
Crankset: Sram Force 1 Carbon GLS Wide, S: 170mm, M/L: 172,5mm, XL: 175mm
Rings: Sram X-Sync Eagle 40T direct mount, alloy, narrow-wide
Bottom bracket: Mahle DUB pressfit, sealed bearings
Chain: Sram NX Eagle, 12s, Powerlock
Rear derailleur: Sram X01 Eagle AXS, Type 3 roller bearing clutch, cage lock, 1x12s, X-Actuation 1:1
Shift levers: Sram Force Etap AXS 12s, X-Actuation 1:1, single click
Cassette: Sram XG-1275, 10-52T, 12s
Motor: Mahle X20 Drive Unit
Battery: Mahle X20 IX350Wh
Display: Pulsar One Wireless
Others: Optional range extender: Mahle e185 , 172Wh

DUSTY RR

Full Specification:

Frame: e-Gravel Stealth Air Carbon, pressfit 386 EVO bottom bracket, tapered head tube, HHG internal cable routing, integrated internal non-removable battery, 12x142mm rear axle, 1X or 2X drivetrain design, Flatmount brake compatible, integrated dropout speed sensor
Sizes: S: 440mm / M: 460mm / L: 500mm / XL: 530mm
Fork: Stealth Air Carbon tapered steerer tube, HHG, flat mount integrated fork
Headset: OnOff e-gravel tapered for 1-1/8” to 1-1/2” head tube, ACB sealed bearings, top 41×30.2x7x45°x45°, bottom 51.9x40x8x45°x45°
Stem: Mondraker e-gravel 6061 T6 Alloy, 31.8mm barbore, rise: +/-7°, length: sizes S/M: 70mm, size L: 80mm XL: 90mm
Handlebar: OnOff Barium gravel 18° bar flare. Width sizes S/M: 440mm, size L/XL: 460mm
Grips: Barium gravel dark grey
Seatpost: OnOff Barium gravel carbon microadjust diameter 27.2mm, length 400mm
Saddle: Fizik Terra Argo X7 150mm
Front brake: Sram Rival Etap AXS 2 piece caliper, Centerline 160mm IS 6 bolts one-piece rotor, steel-backed organic pad
Rear brake: Sram Rival Etap AXS, 2 piece caliper, Centerline 160mm IS 6 bolts one-piece rotor, steel-backed organic pad
Brake lever: Sram Rival, contact point adjustment, tooled reach adjust, plastic levers
Rims: Mavic Allroad Disc, UST, 22mm internal width, hookless, infinity hubs, 24 spokes
Spokes: Steel double butted flat spokes
Front hub: Mavic, 12x100mm, IS 6 bolts
Rear hub: Mavic X20, 12x142mm, XD ID360 Ratchet system, IS 6 bolts
Front tyre: Maxxis Rambler 700×40, tubeless ready, dual compound EXO protection, 60 TPI, folding bead, tan wall
Rear tyre: Maxxis Rambler 700×40, tubeless ready, dual compound EXO protection, 60 TPI, folding bead, tan wall
Crankset: Sram Rival 1 DUB GLS Wide, S: 170mm, M/L: 172,5mm, XL: 175mm
Rings: Sram X-Sync Eagle 40T direct mount, alloy, narrow-wide
Bottom bracket: Mahle DUB pressfit, sealed bearings
Chain: Sram Rival, 12s, Powerlock
Rear derailleur: Sram Rival XPLR Etap AXS 12s
Shift levers: Sram Rival Etap AXS 12s, X-Actuation 1:1, single click
Cassette: Sram XG-1251 10-44T, 12s
Motor: Mahle X20 Drive Unit
Battery: Mahle X20 IX350Wh
Display: Pulsar One Wireless
Others: Optional range extender: Mahle e185 , 172Wh

DUSTY R

Full Specification:

Frame: e-Gravel Stealth Air Carbon, pressfit 386 EVO bottom bracket, tapered head tube, HHG internal cable routing, integrated internal non-removable battery, 12x142mm rear axle, 1X or 2X drivetrain design, Flatmount brake compatible, integrated dropout speed sensor
Sizes: S: 440mm / M: 460mm / L: 500mm / XL: 530mm
Fork: Stealth Air Carbon tapered steerer tube, HHG, flat mount integrated fork
Headset: OnOff e-gravel tapered for 1-1/8” to 1-1/2” head tube, ACB sealed bearings, top 41×30.2x7x45°x45°, bottom 51.9x40x8x45°x45°
Stem: Mondraker e-gravel 6061 T6 Alloy, 31.8mm barbore, rise: +/-7°, length: sizes S/M: 70mm, size L: 80mm XL: 90mm
Handlebar: OnOff Barium gravel 18° bar flare. Width sizes S/M: 440mm, size L/XL: 460mm
Grips: Barium gravel dark grey
Seatpost: OnOff Barium gravel carbon microadjust diameter 27.2mm, length 400mm
Saddle: Fizik Terra Argo X7 150mm
Front brake: Sram Rival 1, 2 piece caliper, Centerline 160mm IS 6 bolts one-piece rotor, steel-backed organic pad
Rear brake: Sram Rival 22, 2 piece caliper, Centerline 160mm IS 6 bolts one-piece rotor, steel-backed organic pad
Brake lever: Sram Rival, tooled reach adjust, aluminum levers
Rims: MDK-XG1, 23mm internal width, tubeless ready, 32 spokes
Spokes: CN round stainless steel
Front hub: Novatec D041, Boost 12x100mm, sealed bearings, IS 6 bolts
Rear hub: Mahle X20 12x142mm, sealed bearings, IS 6 bolts
Front tyre: Maxxis Rambler 700×40, tubeless ready, dual compound EXO protection, 60 TPI, folding bead, tan wall
Rear tyre: Maxxis Rambler 700×40, tubeless ready, dual compound EXO protection, 60 TPI, folding bead, tan wall
Crankset: Sram Rival 1 DUB GLS Wide, S: 170mm, M/L: 172,5mm, XL: 175mm
Rings: Sram X-Sync Eagle 40T direct mount, alloy, narrow-wide
Bottom bracket: Mahle DUB pressfit, sealed bearings
Chain: Sram PC-1110, 11s, Powerlock
Rear derailleur: Sram Rival 1 11s
Shift levers: Sram Rival 1 11s, X-Actuation 1:1, single click
Cassette: Sram XG-1150 10-42T, 11s
Motor: Mahle X20 Drive Unit
Battery: Mahle X20 IX350Wh
Display: Pulsar One Wireless
Others: Optional range extender: Mahle e185 , 172Wh

So Mondraker, the nailed-on mountain and e-mountain bike brand have joined the gravel bike party AND it’s an e-gravel bike no less! Their rationale for doing so makes a lot of sense and it’s clear to see that their ‘mountain bike DNA’ has heavily influenced how they approached the design and construction of their very first gravel bikes. This is no token nod towards a genre of cycling that they’re not particularly enthusiastic about; Mondraker have poured a tremendous amount of passion and resources into the development of the Dusty range of bikes and that was obvious when they were introduced to us way back in September 2022 at the Mondraker 2023 product launch. As more and more bike brands and cyclists are discovering the inclusion of a e-bike motor on a gravel bike makes a lot of sense to riders who will benefit from extra assistance at slower speeds off-road, as they take on grueling climbs, particularly when their bikes are laden with bike-packing luggage. The guys at Mondraker have very helpfully put a list of FAQ’s together which we’ll end this product launch feature with below…

Mondraker Dusty FAQ’s

Is it possible to change the drivetrain on the Dusty?

The Dusty’s have been designed around a 1X 40T ring crankset. You can either alter the ring tooth size, go 2X Wide standard or change the cassette. The X20 system features a BB386 bottom bracket with integrated torque sensor and cadence meter. To remove it, a special tool supplied by Mahle is required. Q-Factor is 150mm and chain line is 47,5mm.

Is it possible to alter the bar height?

The handlebar height on the three Dusty models has 10mm of adjustment, modifying the position of the steerer tube spacers. It is important to note that the stem uses a specific shim for this model and the correct cable routing, so it will not be possible to use a different stem model than the ones we spec as standard equipment on the bikes.

Which are the handlebar widths being used?

Dusty is equipped with 440mm width handlebars in sizes S and M and 460mm in sizes L and XL. The “flare” or handlebar drop-out is 18mm, making it an ideal option on our Dusty for a comfortable position while maintaining good contact with the brake levers.

Is it possible to change the position of the handlebar-mounted e-shifters on my dusty?

Yes, the e-Shifters remote controls located on both sides of the handlebars that allow you to change the support modes of the X20 motor can be repositioned. In fact, Mondraker does not assemble them as a standard equipment on the bike so that the owner himself, at the dealer floor, can fit them where he considers convenient or deems appropriate. For the same reason, the handlebar tape is not fitted either.

Can I install a dropper post?

Yes, you can install a 27.2mm diameter dropper post. In fact, Dusty XR model is spec’d with a SRAM Reverb XPLR AXS 27.2 x 400mm dropper.

Which is the maximum tyre width I can run on the dusty?

To guarantee the proper clearance on both fork and frame, maximum recommended width should not exceed 700x47c.

Is it possible to install a suspension fork on dusty?

Sure you can install a suspension fork, gravel specific with a maximum travel of 50mm. In fact, Dusty XR model is spec’d with a RockShox Rudy Ultimate XPLR with 40mm of travel.

Would it be possible to add a battery extender to increase the range and ride longer?

At Mondraker we offer an extender range e185 from Mahle “water-bottle” mount style which offers 172Wh. It weighs 1.1 kilogram and, additionally, you will enjoy greater 50% longer range compared to the internal 350Wh battery. It features 21.700 cells, takes 1h to recharge it up to 80% (2h for completely charged).

Is it possible to disassemble the internal battery?

Dusty models have been designed with the best possible performance and design integration in mind so internal 350Wh battery is not removable. To charge the Dusty you have to plug it directly to a wall socket.

Which is the maximum assistance I can get from the dusty motor?

Dusty models feature the same frame and the same Mahle’s latest generation X20 hub motor. The weight of the motor is only 1.4 kilograms and delivers 23Nm to the wheel, comparable to 55Nm on a mid-motor.

Is it possible to customise the assistance modes on the dusty?

The X20 system on the Dusty features three assistance modes for dedicated gravel riding which are driven by the Watts On Demand concept. The assistance provided by the motor in each of the modes is proportional to the physical effort you make. Mode 1 offers a level of assistance up to 25% greater than our physical effort. Mode 2 offers up to 50% more and mode 3 ranges from 70% to 200% more power than the effort we apply when pedalling. It is a level of support that feels very natural, not intrusive, providing just the right amount of power in each of the modes, optimizing and maximizing battery life and range. The three modes are configurable and can individually modify the maximum power, acceleration and initial support/reactivity in each level of assistance. Through the Mahle MySmartbike app -available for both iOS and Android devices- you can find all the data related to your experience riding the Dusty as well as access to the customization of the assistance modes.

What information does the Dusty’s display offer?

Mahle’s 2.1″ sized Pulsar One display features wireless connectivity and allows you to visualise at a glance information on screen such as main -and range extender if connected- battery charge status, assistance level, riding data such as current speed, average speed, trip and total distance, trip time, cadence, power sensor (real time data on watts of power output) or heart rate (via ANT+ sensors). It works with a CR2032 battery and uses a mounting bracket compatible with Garmin devices. Any GPS device with Blueetooth/ANT+ connectivity with eBike protocol is likewise capable of displaying the system data on screen.

Is it possible to update the system firmware?

Sure. This operation is done through the battery charger that will update the system simultaneously while charging the bike. To do so, we will have to download the latest version of the firmware available from the PC/Mac to the charger itself through the Micro-USB port and, once we connect the charging port on the bike itself to charge the battery, the system will be updated.

I have not been riding for long and now my bike does not turn on, what should I do?

If you have not ridden the Dusty for more than 60 days, the bike automatically goes into sleep mode. Plug in the charger and keep it plugged in for at least 1 hour to reactivate the motor and battery operation properly. If you are sure that you are not going to ride the bike for a long time, keep in mind that in order to keep the battery working at its best and extend its life, it is important to store it between 20 and 80 percent.

Is it possible to ride the dusty with standard non-motor powered or even 650b wheels?

A smaller 650 diameter wheel is technically compatible. Having a motor in the rear wheel would require the wheel to be laced and this is an operation that is not convenient to be carried out by anyone other than an authorised Mahle dealer, so we do not recommend it. The Dusty frame has exclusive dropouts for the Mahle X20 drive, so it is not possible to use a standard wheel.

I know that the Dusty can be fitted with racks, mudguards… But is there a specific custom travel bag created for its very special design?

For this purpose at Mondraker we have created made two models of bags from Apidura brand that have been customised for the Dusty’s design. One of them can be fitted on the front of the top tube and the other on the inner front side of the main triangle. Both have an innovative design and are high quality. In addition, Dusty models have been designed for multidisciplinary use and can carry up to three water bottle cages on the front triangle – down tube, seat tube and top tube – including two additional ones on both sides of the fork, as well as mudguards, racks, etc.

How much does the Dusty frame and the rigid carbon fork weigh?

Dusty frame weighs 1,298 grams and the gravel-specific carbon fork weighs 579 grams.

Which size should I buy?

Sizes differ from one rider to another. Personal preferences are very unique and how you ride your bike is also important when choosing the correct size. This is a standard size chart you can use as a guideline. S= 440mm seat tube 1.58 – 1.68 M= 460mm seat tube 1.67 – 1.76 L= 500mm seat tube 1.75 – 1.86 XL= 530mm seat tube 1.85 – 1.95

Written by Johnny Dodgin

Photos by Mondraker

Have you seen our weekly Fast Bike 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 Blogs too!

Click the link below and search our archive…

Posted on February 24, 2023

WHEELBASE TRADE-IN – THANK YOU FROM RECYCLINGLIVES

Wheelbase and Recyclinglives would like to thank everyone who kindly donated their old bicycles as part of our Wheelbase Trade-In offer during January. The promotion which we run at the start of each year is an opportunity for our customers to trade-in an old, unwanted bicycle in return for a significant discount on their new bike.

This year Wheelbase teamed up with Recyclinglives, a forward-thinking recycling company focused on making a difference on a social and environmental basis, turning second chances into extraordinary outcomes.

Recyclinglives place social value at their core, helping to rehabilitate homeless people as well as working with the justice system to support ex-offenders, helping them to reintegrate into society with full-time employment.

The bikes that our Wheelbase customers have kindly donated will be reconditioned where possible back into working bicycles, with the Recyclinglives staff learning new mechanical skills as part of the process. Any parts that cannot be re-used to create a functioning bicycle will be recycled within the Recyclinglives plant and will contribute to the 500,000+ tonnes of green steel and other useful materials that the plant generate every year.

A huge thank you again to all of our customers who contributed to this successful initiative.

You find out more about the good work that Recyclinglives does HERE

Ian from our Wheelbase Lake District store made the trip down to Preston to donate the Trade-In bicycles to Recyclinglives.

All of the donated bikes will now be re-conditioned or, where they can’t be repaired, will be broken down for recycling.

Posted on February 21, 2023 March 31, 2023

WHEELBASE BIG DEMO WEEKEND – LAKE DISTRICT

The original and biggest mountain bike demo in the UK is back!

Where?

THE WHEELBASE BIG DEMO WEEKEND is held at our flagship store in the village of Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria LA8 9LR. Please click here for directions. Wheelbase Lake District

When?

11^th & 12^th March 2023

How?

The 2023 edition will bring together ten of the World’s best mountain bike brands for one BIG weekend of riding in the Lake District. There are over 100 mountain and e-mountain bikes available to demo on our fully guided rides, direct from our store around the stunning Kentmere Valley. Everyone is welcome from beginners to seasoned experts. All demo rides need to be booked in advance through our Big Demo Weekend website. Demo bikes are £5 to book per ride.

Skills Levels

All rides are guided by CycleActive. Please read the descriptions below to identify the level of ride to suit your skills and fitness. Choose between Beginner, Intermediate or Expert…

Expert
Regular, experienced mountain bikers with advanced fitness and bike handling skills. Please also check with staff as to the suitability of your bike, clothing and equipment. If you have any reservations about joining this group, you must book onto the intermediate ride which is still a testing mountain bike route and perfect for focusing on the performance of the bike.

Intermediate
Regular mountain bikers with good fitness and bike handling skills. Please also check with staff as to the suitability of your bike, clothing and equipment. If you have any reservations about joining this group, you must book onto the Beginner ride as an alternative which is a great mountain bike route for testing all the features you’ll be considering on your demo bike.

Beginner
Enthusiastic riders with basic fitness and riding skills. Please also check with staff as to the suitability of your bike, clothing and equipment.

Age Restrictions
No riders younger than 16 years on the Big Demo. Riders aged 16 and 17 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian who will be responsible for their safety.

Time Slots to Book

SATURDAY 11 MARCH 2023
09.30 Demo Ride 1
11.30 Demo Ride 2
Lunch break
14.00 Demo Ride 3
16.00 Demo Ride 4

SUNDAY 12 MARCH 2023
10.00 Demo Ride 5
12.00 Demo Ride 6
14.00 Demo Ride 7

THE BIG DEMO WEEKEND is always popular and the hot bikes fill-up fast so DO NOT DELAY booking your ride.

How to Book

Hit the link below
Select your bike and size from the tickets available
Once you’ve added all of your bikes to your basket, proceed to the checkout and enter your details

We’re bringing together the best mountain bike brands available for our BIG Demo Weekend! Each brand is bringing along their own fleet of expertly maintained demo mountain and e-mountain bikes, ready to ride. As well as getting you set-up on your chosen bike they’ll be able to talk you through all of its key features and answer any questions you may have. Get ready to ride the latest greatest bikes from TREK, Focus, Cannondale, Nukeproof, Mondraker, Merida, Orbea, Scott, YETI and Whyte.

The Wheelbase BIG Demo Weekend is a chance to really get to know how your chosen bike behaves in real-world riding conditions. What better way to get to know how the latest suspension or e-bike motor feels than on the super-fun trails that surround our Wheelbase HQ in the South Lake District. With qualified guides showing the way there’s no need to worry about navigation; you can just focus on the riding and sharing the trails with like-minded mountain bikers.

DON’T FORGET YOUR HELMET AND PEDALS!

Want to see more? Check out all the action from our 2022 event below!…

Posted on February 9, 2023 February 9, 2023

FOX UNION MTB SHOES – PRODUCT LAUNCH

We’re super-excited to see one of our favourite Mountain Bike clothing brands jumping into the MTB shoe market with a small range of great-looking shoes! Yes, FOX, one of our most popular clothing brands here at Wheelbase have launched the Union mountain bike shoe in various different specifications and colour options, so let’s take a closer look…

There are two closure options for the clipless-pedal-compatible FOX Union shoes; an upper with two BOA dials or an upper with a Velcro strap and lace-up combination. The third Union shoe has been designed for riders who favour a flat platform pedal and these models feature a conventional lace-up upper. All options are available in a choice of four different colours – Black, Grey, Red or Mocha and the prices are as follows…

To help ensure that the pedaling platform is as stiff and efficient as possible on the clipless options, both the BOA and Velcro/lace-up versions include a fibre-glass composite shank molded into the midsole for a great shoe and pedal combination that helps you put the power down while keeping your feet securely located as you blast through the most technical trails possible.

FOX Union BOA Clipless MTB Shoe RRP £219.00

All of the FOX Union shoes feature a super-sticky ‘Ultratack outsoles molded from Bromobutyl which provides plenty of grip off the bike when you’re forced to hike-a-bike on the steepest gradients. When comparing the Clipless option to the flat pedal option it’s worth noting that there are a few small differences between the outsole tread pattern, with the flat pedal option featuring a specific tread pattern designed to provide enhanced contact between the pedal and shoe. The clipless pedal options include a neat recess for your cleat which is spacious enough to provide plenty of adjustability so you can get your foot position just right while also ensuring that mud build-up in that area is not an issue.

FOX Union Lace/Velcro Clipless MTB Shoe RRP £159.99

When it comes to the Union’s uppers and the question of their durability in hostile riding conditions FOX have got you covered; regardless of what you subject them to, be it mud, rocks, loam or any other typical terrain associated with mountain biking the Unions have been built to handle whatever is thrown at them. The FOX Union shoes feature a one-piece upper constructed with welded seams and plenty of additional protection around the toe area and rubberised fabrics offer further protection while also being water-resistant.

FOX Union Lace Flat Pedal MTB Shoe RRP £129.99

FOX have clearly understood the brief and recognise that these sort of mountain bike shoes have to not only stand up to the rigors of a typical day on the MTB but also be versatile enough to offer the sort of comfort and fit you would expect from a shoe that you’ll no-doubt find yourself wearing for hours at a time. FOX have spec’d a great EVA midsole that provides just enough squish to make bike-pushing is as comfortable as possible and you’ll be in no rush to change out of the Unions when you arrive back at the trail centre and are heading to straight to the caf for a brew.

The all-new FOX Union shoes are available now in-store and online at Wheelbase!…

Written by Johnny Dodgin

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…

Posted on February 6, 2023 February 8, 2023

TREK FUEL EXe 9.8 XT – PRODUCT FEATURE

Today our regular Fast Bike feature takes a detailed look at the game-changing TREK Fuel EXe 9.8 XT e-mountain bike; why game-changing? Because when it launched back in July 2022 it went a significant way to re-defining the whole e-MTB genre! OK, so maybe TREK aren’t alone in pursuing the Holy Grail of the e-mountain bike, which is the ‘powerful, efficient AND light’ promise, but it could be argued that TREK have fast-tracked themselves to the top of the tree when it comes to this new approach to e-mountain bike design.

Maybe ‘re-defining the whole e-MTB genre’ is slightly over-egging it; to be fair to TREK and the other brands producing similar lightweight e-mountain bikes like the Fuel EXe this new generation of e-MTB’s have been designed to sit alongside the more typical ‘full-fat’ e-bike that we’re all used to rather than replace them completely. And while they’re significantly lighter than a typical e-mtb they are less powerful and feature batteries with less range, but we’re learning that in certain circumstances this can be a good thing, let me explain…

Influential bike brand TREK are rethinking e-mountain bikes; the Fuel EXe symbolises a whole new approach to lightweight e-mtb design.

Until recently the e-MTB story has been all about increasingly powerful motors, longer-range batteries and brands typically topping out their e-MTB range with models spec’d with large 250Wh motors and a 750Wh battery. Now though TREK are leading the way by re-thinking their e-MTB range, exploring who is using their current offering and identifying an extra cohort of riders looking for something a little different, leading to the development of this whole new sub-genre of e-mountain bike.

The Fuel EXe caters to riders looking for the extra assistance of an e-mountain bike but with a more authentic ‘acoustic’ mountain bike ride feel.

The Fuel EXe has been designed specifically to suit that new type of rider coming over to e-mountain bikes; riders looking for an e-MTB which handles more like their trusty acoustic bike and who want a more natural-feeling form of pedal-assistance which won’t dominate their riding experience but will give them just the right amount of help to be able to climb and cover ground faster and more efficiently. The Fuel EXe’s lighter overall weight really comes into play when you start throwing the bike downhill and off step-downs and the like; there’s less of a ‘dead weight’ feel and it’s just a lot more agile than some of the big, heavy e-mountain bikes we’ve been riding for the past few years.

The lightweight TREK Fuel EXe feels more playful and agile on the downhills than a typical e-mountain bike.

If until this point you’re unfamiliar with the new TREK Fuel EXe range of bikes you’d be excused for glancing at James Vincent’s fantastic photos and just assuming that it’s simply a modern ‘acoustic’ or ‘manual’ trail bike with plenty of plush suspension travel and sorted progressive geometry, the Fuel EXe really is a great-looking trail bike that just happens to have a discretely located e-bike motor and battery. We’ll get into the specifics in a moment, but before we do it’s worth pointing out that as well as this Fuel EXe 9.8 XT bike TREK have another five bikes within the EXe sub-range, reflecting their ability as the world’s most powerful bike brand to make this sort of important investment while also giving a strong indication of their belief in this new form of e-mountain bike.

The Fuel EXe 9.8 GX AXS model is part of a six-bike sub-range of bikes, reflecting TREK’s commitment to this new design approach.

At the heart of the TREK Fuel EXe 9.8 XT’s new lightweight pedal-assist system is a compact motor from German robotics manufacturer TQ, developed in a unique partnership with TREK. The HPR 50 motor, no bigger than a tin of beans is considerably lighter, more compact and quieter than current e-MTB motors; using their patented pin ring transmission which eliminates the need for the sort of gears and belts seen in other e-MTB motors, the HPR 50 motor is super-stealthy both in terms of its looks and lack of audible noise when riding. That small motor has another advantage too; by being so compact it doesn’t interfere with the Fuel EXe’s frame geometry or plush suspension configuration, meaning that Trek had to make little or no compromises to the overall design, leaving us with a bike that is incredibly similar to its acoustic non-e cousin. And it not only looks almost identical to a ‘manual’ TREK it handles like one too, with less overall weight at the bottom bracket and downtube the bike handles much more like your acoustic bike, particularly when you are throwing it around on downhill trails.

At the heart of the Fuel EXe’s drive system is a super-compact, lightweight TQ HPR 50 motor.

There’s a popular conspiracy theory within the bike trade that over the past few years bike brands consciously increased the diameter of the down tubes of their non-e-mountain bikes in an effort to normalise the appearance of the larger-diameter e-bike down tubes necessitated by the need to stow a large-capacity battery in them. There may be some truth in this, but regardless in this instance the custom 360Wh internal battery is so sleek and compact that it sits within a down tube boasting dimensions which wouldn’t be out of place on a conventional, non-motored mountain bike.

The 360Wh battery provides around 4 hours of ride time and there’s the option to run an additional (sold separately) 160Wh Range Extender which fits in the Fuel EXe’s bottle cage, giving a 40% increase in range. Another key advantage to this new system is charge time; with the internal battery being fully rechargeable within just two hours. While battery charging typically takes place with the battery still inside the frame of the bike, the battery can be removed fairly quickly and easily if you need to travel with your bike.

The sleek 360Wh internal battery provides around 4 hours of power.

The Fuel EXe 9.8 XT’s TQ HPR 50 motor features three different assist modes which are selected through a simple toggle button fitted to the left side of the handlebars. Keeping things simple and stripped back Trek have avoided he temptation to fit a large display unit to the bars or stem and instead have integrated a small LED display into the top tube of the carbon frame; this discrete display will help you keep track of battery range and track which mode you’re riding in. As well as the EXe 9.8 being lighter and agile than most e-mtbs, with a more authentic feel on the trails you can fine-tune it yourself to better-suit your riding style and/or the terrain you most typically ride; with Trek’s Central App on your Smartphone you’ll be able to customise motor tuning, activity tracking and real-time range calculations amongst other useful functions.

There’s a neat, compact and easy-to-read LED display set into the top tube just behind the head tube.

A simple control button on the left side of the handlebars lets you toggle through the three different drive modes.

The agile Fuel EXe 9.8 XT trail bike features a lightweight but durable OCLV Mountain Carbon frame with an alloy rocker link boasting 140mm of plush suspension travel which can be tuned to suit your riding style with the easily-adjustable Mino Link seen on so many of TREK’s other trail bikes. The chassis is built around a pair of fast-rolling 29” wheels with the Fuel EXe’s geometry fine-tuned to excel downhill AND uphill. It provides a stable, confidence-inspiring ride on steep, high-speed descents but also provides a super-efficient pedalling position when you’re headed back up your favourite trail, ably assisted by that compact TQ HPR 50 motor.

A RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ RT rear shock facilitates 140mm of rear suspension travel.

Suspension rebound can be quickly adjusted on the fly.

The sculpted alloy rocker link is laterally stiff and moves smoothly to activate the Rock Shox Super Deluxe Select+ RT.

The Mino Link allows you to tune geometry on the go. Chose between a slack 66-degree head tube angle, or a quicker-handling 66.5-degree head tube angle.

The Fuel EXe 9.8 XT’s rear suspension configuration is a well-proven design seen on some of TREK’s other popular trail bikes.

Fuel EXe Fast Facts

TQ Motor System

TQ HPR50 motor uses harmonic drive transmission, reducing noise and taking up less space
TQ App includes motor behaviour customisation, range estimations, general e-system information, tyre and suspension pressure set-up recommendations, service reminders, navigation and range features as well as activity tracking
Pairs with most Bluetooth or ANT+cycling computers
Three assist modes
Tuneable assist behaviour via the TQ App – tune max power, assist factor and pedal response
Includes walk assist

Battery

Battery weight 1,835 grams
Battery chargeable on or off the bike
Two hour battery charge time

Range Extender

Extender weight 900 grams
40% additional charge
One hour extender charge time

Frame

Compatible with one water bottle
EXe’s come stock with 29” wheels, however you can run a 27.5” rear for mullet setup with Mino Link set in the high position

Parts Compatibility

Maximum tyre size 29×2.5”
Maximum fork length 160mm
Dropper insertion S – 190mm, M – 225mm, L – 250mm
Maximum chain ring size 34T
Minimum chain ring size 30T
55mm chain line
Standard ISIS crank interface for e-bikes
e*Thirteen chain guard included
Maximum disc rotor size 203mm
Shimano e-Rotor compatible

Upfront on the TREK Fuel EXe 9.8 XT is a pair of RockShox Lyrik Select+ suspension forks boasting 150mm of travel to match that plush rear end and help you hit the most rocky and technical terrain possible with confidence and control. The forks which features RockShox’ DebonAir spring and Charger 2.1 RC damper have been tuned to meet the demands incurred from the extra forces of an e-bike in full flight.

The RockShox Lyrik Select+ suspension forks are ready to take on the toughest, most technical terrain.

There’s plenty of adjustability on the Lyrik, allowing you to fine-tune your ride.

This particular TREK Fuel EXe 9.8 XT comes with a quirky mix of SRAM and Shimano components as well as TREK’s own premium sub-brand Bontrager, with their bombproof but lightweight Line Elite 30 wheels constructed from OCLV Mountain Carbon making a welcome appearance. TREK’s own website lists Shimano XT hydraulic brakes and a Shimano XT cassette, however this particular Fuel EXe 9.8 that’s landed here at Wheelbase Lake District comes spec’d with SRAM Code R hydraulic brakes and an e-bike-specific E*thirteen Helix Plus 9-50T 12-Speed cassette. We’re guessing this just a reflection on where we’re are at the moment with regard to componentry supply within the bike industry. Scroll through the following detail shots of TREK Fuel EXe 9.8 XT to get a better idea of the finishing components and check out the full specification of this capable e-mountain bike at the bottom of our feature.

The Shimano XT 12-speed rear derailleur gives a positive gear selection every time you activate the light-action Shimano trigger shifter.

An e-bike-specific 12-Speed 9-50T E*thirteen Helix Plus will stand up well to the rigors of e-bike gear transmission.

This durable e-bike-specific cassette is built to last.

The Fuel EXe 9.8 XT’s drivetrain is completed with another e-bike-specific component – an E*thirteen E*spec chainset with a 32T chainring.

SRAM Code R brake levers feel good in the hand and provide instantaneous braking with minimal lever pull.

The powerful Code 4-piston brake calipers matched with large-diameter brake rotors will scrub off speed quickly and keep you in control.

Bontrager Line Elite 30 29er wheels constructed from OCLV Mountain Carbon manage to hit the sweet spot of being lightweight AND durable.

TREK have spec’d the Fuel EXe with a pair of 2.50″ wide SE5 Team Issue tyres featuring Core Strength sidewall protection.

The carbon goodness just keeps coming with a Bontrager RSL integrated handlebar and stem on the Fuel EXe 9.8

Strong and incredibly light, TREK have called on decades of experience to craft these premium carbon handlebars.

The TREK Fuel EXe 9.8 XT represents a massive step forward in the evolution of the e-mountain bike.

TREK Fuel EXe 9.8 XT RRP £9,250.00

Full Specification:

Motor: TQ-HPR50 50Nm, 250 Watt maximum continuous rated power, 300 watt peak power
Battery: TQ 360Wh
Computer: TQ LED display with Bluetooth & ANT+ connectivity
Electronics: TQ 4A Charger
Frame: OCLV Mountain Carbon, removable battery, internal routing, alloy rocker link, 34.9mm seattube, upper chain guide mount, 55mm chainline, Mino Link, ABP, Boost148, UDH, 140mm travel
Fork: RockShox Lyrik Select+, DebonAir spring, Charger 2.1 RC damper, tapered steerer, 44mm offset, Boost110, 15mm Maxle Stealth, 150mm travel
Rear Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ RT, 205mm x 60mm
Front Wheel: Bontrager Line Elite 30, OCLV Mountain Carbon, Tubeless Ready, 6-bolt, Boost110, 15 mm thru axle
Front Hub: Bontrager alloy, sealed bearing, alloy axle, 6-bolt, Boost110, 15 mm thru axle
Rear Wheel: Bontrager Line Elite 30, OCLV Mountain Carbon, Tubeless Ready, Rapid Drive 108, 6-bolt, Shimano MicroSpline freehub, Boost 148, 12 mm thru axle
Rear Skewer: Bontrager Switch thru-axle, removable lever
Tyres: Bontrager SE5 Team Issue, Tubeless Ready, Core Strength sidewalls, aramid bead, 120 tpi, 29×2.50″
Sealant: Bontrager TLR sealant, 180 ml/6 oz
Rim Strips: Bontrager TLR
Shifter: Shimano XT M8100, 12-speed
Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT M8100, long cage
Crank Arms: E*thirteen E*spec Plus, 165mm length
Chainring: E*thirteen E*spec, 32T alloy ring, 55 mm chainline
Cassette: E*thirteen Helix Plus 9-50T 12-Speed
Chain: Shimano XT M8100, 12-speed
Saddle: Bontrager Arvada, austenite rails, 138 mm width
Handlebar/Stem: Bontrager RSL Integrated handlebar/stem, OCLV Carbon, 27.5 mm handlebar rise, 820 mm width, 0-degree stem rise
Grips: Bontrager XR Trail Elite, nylon lock-on
Brake Set: SRAM Code R
Brake Rotor: SRAM HS2 200mm

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!

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Posted on February 3, 2023 June 14, 2024

BMC CLEARANCE SALE!

Looking for a new road bike for this season? Take advantage of our generous clearance offer on BMC road bikes and equip yourself with your dream bike! Swiss precision from BMC at exceptional prices…

BMC Teammachine SLR Two Force AXS 2022

BMC Teammachine SLR Four Rival AXS 2022

BMC Teammachine SLR Seven 105 2022

Check out our Brand Spotlight on BMC bikes…

Read our Fast Bike Friday feature on the BMC Roadmachine 01 Three…

Read our Fast Bike Friday feature on the BMC Teammachine SLR01 Five Ultegra Di2…

Read our Fast Bike Friday feature on the BMC TeammachineSLR01 One LTD…

Posted on January 18, 2023 January 18, 2023

NATIONAL CYCLO-CROSS CHAMPS – VIDEO & PHOTO GALLERY!

Wheelbase are still buzzing from the National Cyclo-Cross Championships which took place last weekend right on our Wheelbase HQ doorstep at the Westmorland County Showground in the South Lake District. A weekend packed full of exciting elbow-to-elbow racing action saw competitors, spectators, event organisers and vendors all embracing the epic weather conditions with a great party atmosphere throughout the weekend.

Wheelbase’s Johnny Dodgin & Dave MacFarlane of DMTwo Media teamed up again to bring you all the action from the National Cyclo-Cross Championships, take a look at our event video below…

James Vincent, Wheelbase’s regular freelance photographer was given a simple brief: go out and capture all the fun, action and muddy chaos of this two day event! Check out our huge gallery of event photos split into Saturday and Sunday…

NATIONAL CYCLO-CROSS CHAMPIONSHIPS, DAY 1

NATIONAL CYCLO-CROSS CHAMPIONSHIPS, DAY 2

Written by Johnny Dodgin

Video by Dave MacFarlane

Photos by James Vincent

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Posted on January 16, 2023 June 27, 2023

NATIONAL CYCLO-CROSS CHAMPIONSHIPS – RACE REPORT

Wheelbase are celebrating the hugely successful National Cyclo-Cross Championships which took place over the weekend of 14^th/15^th January at the popular Westmorland County Showground venue just down the road from Wheelbase HQ in the South Lake District.

Big crowds cheered on the racers as they took the mud of Westmorland County Showground.

As event sponsors Wheelbase could not be happier with how the event went; with our own team rider Dave Haygarth and his band of loyal volunteers at the helm the whole weekend of action-packed racing went off without a hitch, despite some epic winter weather in the week leading up to the event and during racing on the Saturday. Happily the sun made a much-welcomed appearance for Sunday’s races, encouraging huge crowds to converge at the most technical parts of the course to witness the U.K.s very best Cyclo-Cross racers compete in some of the toughest racing of the season.

International racer Cameron Mason came back to the U.K. to win the National Cyclo-Cross Champions Jersey.

Needless to say, three weeks of almost continuous rain in the lead up to the Championships had a massive impact to the racing conditions, with heavily saturated ground turning into thick mud almost instantly. Just like a water-logged edition of the Glastonbury Festival, albeit without the June temperatures, the competitors, spectators, event organisers and vendors all embraced the conditions and there was a great atmosphere throughout the weekend. As the Wheelbase Bar continued to serve tasty Lakes Brew Co. beers, our resident DJ pumped out some classic Eurotrash Techno tunes and the Belgian Frites stall served up frites & mayo for an authentic Belgian Cyclo-Cross vibe making the National Champs a brilliant end-of-season party.

Some spectators really embraced the muddy conditions.

Most of the racing-action on Saturday took place under black clouds with intermittent heavy showers and high winds bringing temperatures down. Savvy racers were using the large bodies of standing water in the lower portion of the fields to their advantage, washing off some of the thicker mud from their bikes as they blasted thorough them. Needless to say the hard-working pit-crews were kept busy, making sure that their riders received a clean bike on every lap in what quickly became a battle against the elements.

The mud on course became very sticky and slippery.

While Saturday’s wet weather made spectating a bit of a challenge, the racers benefitted from a course that was more rideable thanks to their ability to cut through the wetter mud and gain more grip in the process. Sunday’s weather flipped the script with settled sunny weather making spectating a joy and encouraging huge crowds for the final two big races of the weekend. Conversely the warmer weather meant that the mud from the day before began to dry out becoming even more sticky and slippery, making racing and bike-handling that more difficult. These conditions resulted in a fair amount of running per lap and rewarded racers who were able to stay as calm, focused and in control as possible. Because of this the large field of competitors quickly became spread out throughout the course meaning that there was always lots of action going on for the large crowds of spectators who continued to shout encouragement and ring their customary cow-bells.

Wheelbase were proud sponsors of the National Cyclo-Cross Championships.

Our own Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli Cyclo-Cross team where in action across multiple races over the weekend, with some great results in their respective categories. We were keen to be well-represented in what was being described as our ‘home race’ and being title sponsors of the event it was important that our riders were at the sharp end of the racing.

The Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli team were out in force at our ‘Home Championships’

Our team had some difficult course conditions to overcome.

Dave Haygarth should be applauded for his efforts, as he not only worked non-stop throughout the week leading up to and then during the event helping ensure the smooth running of the National Champs he still found time to line up and race! Racing in the Vet 50 category Dave rode strongly in what were some of the most challenging conditions of the whole weekend. After racing a full season of National-level and League Cyclo-Cross races Dave was in his element in the mud, using his finely-honed bike-handling skills to take an excellent 17^th place.

Not content with simply organising the Champs, Dave Haygarth was racing too, taking on the Vet 50 race.

Dave used his great bike-handling skills to eventually finish in 17th place.

If he didn’t enjoy himself, course designer Dave Haygarth would only have himself to blame.

Elsewhere, in the U16 Girls category Dave’s daughter Elsie found herself racing in between icy deluges as the cold, wet weather continued throughout the day. With both knees still heavily taped up to support some niggles that have affected her towards the later half of the Cyclo-Cross season Elsie would once again do battle with fellow racers in an age category which is stacked with racing talent and reflects the ever-increasing popularity of this off-road cycling discipline. With some fantastic support from friends and family, both in the pits and behind the course tapes Elsie rode a solid race to eventually finish in 20^th place; it’s great to see Elsie continuing to develop as a racer and this full season of competition will stand her in good stead for future seasons as she moves through the age categories.

Elsie Haygarth has had a solid Cyclo-Cross season and signed off in style at the National Championships.

Elsie made short work of the Wheelbase hurdles.

Saturday also saw one of the most important races for us here at Wheelbase; with the Westmorland venue right on our doorstep and a fair few of our team riders based here in the North West of England there were some great opportunities for our local racers to shine at their ‘home race’. Non more so than Lewis Craven who has been with the Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli team for years and has rewarded us with some fantastic results during that time. Lewis has previously held the National Vet 40 title as well as more recently the coveted Vet 40 World Champions jersey; in fact it seems strange to see Lewis in a standard Wheelbase team jersey!

Would Lewis be swapping his standard Wheelbase jersey for a National Champs jersey?

The National Cyclo-Cross Vet 40 Championship race was an opportunity for Lewis to regain the iconic dark blue National Champs jersey at the end of a season that has seen some really close-fought battles with his racing contemporaries. Throughout the season-long National Trophy Series Craven has consistently been at the sharp end of racing, placing on the podium multiple times but always seeming to miss out on the win. Westmorland presented Lewis with the last chance to take that elusive win at the most important race of the year and in front of a VERY supportive home crowd.

Lewis is captured by our videographer Dave MacFarlane during the race.

The week going into the Championships left Lewis dealing with a heavy cold and time off the bike; far from ideal Lewis showed his experience of competing at this level, remaining calm in the build up and just seeing what he could do on the day. We imagine he would have been secretly rubbing his hands together on the morning of the race though as the sort of difficult conditions that the competitors were dealing with were exactly where Lewis excels.

The difficult course conditions were much to Lewis Craven’s liking.

With sublime bike-handling skills and an ability to ride smoothly while carrying momentum through the most technical parts of the course Lewis was able to ride efficiently and dose his efforts, delivering the power to accelerate away from his fellow competitors as the race progressed. Rather than an all-out attack Lewis relied on his skill and consistency to slowly gain a gap and then hold it until a very emotional finish which saw his teammates and supporters celebrating this incredibly popular win. One of the most friendly, popular and professional riders on the circuit Lewis was immediately name-checking his sponsors during post-race interviews while we all offered our congratulations. Wheelbase are thrilled to see Lewis back in the National Cyclo-Cross Championship jersey, with this second Champs victory being all the sweeter after a difficult build up to the race.

The relief was palpable; after a difficult build-up to the race Lewis was still able to take the win.

This win meant that Lewis Craven would be back in the Vet 40 National Champs jersey for another season.

A week of illness before the race meant Lewis was totally exhausted at the finish line.

Lewis Craven is the Vet 40 National Cyclo-Cross Champion!

Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli was also brilliantly represented by Davie Lines in the same Vet 40 Race. Equally talented on and off-road Davie lined up at the Nationals following some stellar results this season which included a fantastic 2^nd place and a well-deserved Silver Medal at the UCU World Master Cyclo-Cross Championships earlier in the season. At Westmorland Davie rode another solid race, displaying similar bike-handling abilities to Lewis and making most of the difficult conditions to take a brilliant 7^th place for Wheelbase.

Davie Lines signed off another successful ‘cross season with 7th place in the Vet 40 race.

Fast forward to Sunday and spectators & racers were greeted with clear blue skies, some much-welcomed sunshine and a rapidly drying course, however, such was the amount of rain and damage to the course the previous day there was no way that racing conditions were going to be dry and fast regardless of the late appearance from the Sun. With the mud becoming more sticky and some of the steep banks becoming so churned up that they were unrideable in places the final senior Elite race of the Championships was going to be slow-going with plenty of running. Line-choice, superior bike-handling AND a speedy and competent pit-crew were going to make all the difference between racing success and failure. Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli lined up at the start with Giles Drake, Adam Bent, Flynn Gregory and Rory McGuire all representing us in the biggest race of the weekend.

Adam Bent would take an excellent 10th place in the U23 sub-category.

Rory McGuire made his customary fast start in the Seniors race.

Standing at the side of the course, within a packed crowd of enthusiastic spectators we got to witness THE most competitive ‘cross race of the season in an event which pits the U.K.s best racers against a small number of riders who are typically based overseas and racing at international level; those riders return to the U.K. in the hope of taking the coveted National Championship jersey so that they can show it off during a packed season of World Cup Cyclo-Cross racing. This large spread of racing ability soon left racers strung out all over the course meaning there was plenty of action for spectators as smaller groups of competitors became locked into their own personal battles.

Giles Drake was our highest placed rider taking a brilliant 11th place.

The lads from Wheelbase represented us really well at our ‘Home Champs’ with our seasoned campaigner Giles Drake taking a fantastic 11^th place, positioned towards the front of the pack at the sharp end of the race. Likewise our two younger riders Adam Bent and Flynn Gregory who are not that long out of the junior ranks performed really well to take 21^st and 39^th respectively. With both riders still qualifying for the Under 23 sub-category Adam would secure 10^th position and Flynn would take 17^th to reflect their racing talent and consistency at the end of a long, hard season. Unfortunately Rory McGuire was a DNF; at time of writing we’re unsure what happened, but we know we’ll see this talented rider back at the front of a race very soon.

Flynn Gregory placed 17th in the U23 sub-category of the senior race.

A HUGE thanks to Dave Haygarth for all of the hard work behind the scenes.

We would like to publicly thank Dave Haygarth and his long list of helpers for the incredible efforts he put into the National Cyclo-Cross Championships at Westmorland, here in the Lake District. Wheelbase are incredibly proud of all of their hard work behind the scenes; Cyclo-Cross came to Cumbria and we had a party! To everyone who attended this two day event we really hope you enjoyed yourselves as much as we did. Here’s to Mud, Sweat and Beers!

Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli Results:

Day 1 Saturday

Vet 40

1st Lewis Craven

7th Davie Lines

Vet 50

17th Dave Haygarth

U16 Girls

20th Elsie Haygarth

Day 2 Sunday

Elite Men

11th Giles Drake

21st Adam Bent (10th U23)

39th Flynn Gregory (17th U23)

DNF Rory McGuire

Written by Johnny Dodgin

Photos by Man Down Media

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