This is our third generation Di2 Mountian Bike. Our Ruegamer bike was the first true mountain bike Di2 conversion and let loose a lot of ideas as to what was possible. The next year, 2010, we rolled out an internal battery 29er with sequential shifting. Sequential shifting was a proof of concept that modified the way Di2 functioned. Instead of two shifters to individually control each derailleur, now all a rider had to do was shift up or down. A brain in the stem would calculate the gear ratios and chose the next gear shifting the rear or both the rear and front derailleurs.
We’ve done a few custom modifications over the years – a custom tuned frame, a Di2 mod here and there, some unique artistic driven builds, two world record light bikes. This year we refined our Di2 Mountain bike focused extra attention to a completely custom Crumpton build. The Crumpton is built for one of our European customers who wanted a unique bike that would intrigue passers-by while still being an everyday rider. Part of the assignment was to work with a pink and purple colorway. Read more
This year we wanted to have two bikes that met two design goals for us. The first being that the bike is race worthy and anyone would feel comfortable on it. The second is that the bike come spec’d with parts that are obtainable and regularly stocked. This Crumpton Custom spec’d largely with ENVE Composites, Tune and New Ultimate joins Jason’s Corsa Team at Interbike as our two race bikes. The Fully Custom Crumpton (more later) and the Di2 MTB (more later) join the mix as a customer project bike and the 3rd in our series of Di2 mountain bikes.
As summer wanes and fall approaches it’s time to talk about our much-anticipated yearly Cycle Passion calendar. This will be your first chance at a sneak peak of the 2012 edition being unveiled at Euro Bike, and that we’ll have with us at Interbike later this month. Remember, last year’s Interbike release featured a chance to meet and greet model/athletes Heather Irmiger and Willow Koerber.
For 2012, the Cycle Passion calendar has improved to a double-sided format, which means twice as many photos as previous years. Team Lotto Ladies Liz Hatch and Veronica Adreasson are back for an encore performance. They’re joined by newcomers Katherine O’Shea, of Australia, and Polish sensation Maja Wloszczowska. Germany’s Hanna Klein is also on board for 2012, along with French riders Marion Rousse and Pauline Ferrand Prevot. Read more
Typically at this point in the year we’d keep our Interbike projects under wraps, but I’m particularly excited about this bike. Not only is the frame a new offering from Crumpton Cycles but the bike has a lot of new parts on it from companies like ENVE Composites, EE Cycleworks, KCNC and Tune. I’m also excited because I think it turned out really pretty. Aesthetically the bike sort of came together better than I could have imagined, with the EE cranks, white Crumpton decals, KCNC Ti Cassette and New Ultimate parts all working together. But I’m probably pretty biased because I built this one for myself. I’m stoked with how it turned out, but pretty bummed that because it’s a showbike, I have to limit the number of miles I put on it, as it still needs to look new in 3 weeks when it leaves for Vegas. Read more
This pair of Enve Composites wheels got some very special treatment over the eight months it took to pull off the one-of-a-kind custom build. As our Facebook followers have already seen, these Enve 45 carbon clinchers are adorned with real 22k gold leaf graphics highlighted by an 18k gold plated Campagnolo Sheriff Star hub and two 18k gold plated Sapim CxRay spokes.
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It’s been a while since we featured some of our custom builds on the website, but this one built specifically for challenging climbs certainly seems worthy of being the first of a series of custom bikes to be featured on the website, especially since it’s quickly become one of my favorite looking bikes. While this bike is immediately heading for pan flat Florida, it will ultimately find its way across the pond and into the Alps and Dolomites which is what it was purpose built for. Read more
ENVE’s latest rim design, the Smart 6.7, is the result of extensive collaboration with UK-based aerodynamics specialist Simon Smart. Articles such as those from ProCycling and VeloNews have detailed much of the innovations utilized in production of the 6.7 rims. In reading about the 6.7 rims and viewing several photographs, I had made some basic assumptions (mainly that they closely resemble rims from another manufacturer). I was excited to be able to get a close look at the Smart System rims so that I could see for myself the details in this new design. Read more
On the eve of the release of ENVE’s groundbreaking 6.7 Smart System rims, I was allowed the privilege to tour ENVE’s main office and the attached production facility. Jake Pantone, ENVE’s Marketing Director, was kind enough to spend almost two hours guiding me through the development and production processes behind some of the most cutting edge (no pun intended) carbon components within the cycling industry. Read more
Back during Interbike 2010 we reported on KMC’s new DLC coated chain that was available in black and red. Now we have the limited edition Kmc X10SL DLC coated chain is available in full black. That’s right, the limited edition black on red has been revamped for the coming year and is now available in black on black. Same great performance as the standard X10SL, but without the color. Due to the extremely high production cost of DLC coating the chains, these will be available only in limited quantities. The DLC black on black chain will be available….. Now.
