While we’ve been keeping you up-to-date on the latest from Mavic right here on the Singletracks blog, a new Crossmax SL, Crossmax XL, Crossmax Enduro and other bits round out Mavic’s updates for 2015.
Although the enduro wheels are nothing new, I want to clarify that the enduros are considered a race day wheel, while the XLs are your everyday kicking around fast-and-fun wheels.
The all-new Crossmax SL wheels are a scant 1470 grams (27.5″). Using a mix of carbon and alloy for the hub and Zircal spokes, the weight reduction continues with the new ISM 4D rim profile. Using a 19mm inside rim width, these are designed to hold tires 1.5″ to 2.3″ wide. These are best suited for racing or fast trail riding.
Easton
Easton had some very purdy wheels on display: they’ve finally released the new Haven Carbon for 27.5″ bikes! At 1500 grams and sporting a 21mm inside width good for tires up to 2.4″, these look very promising. Like the 26 versions, these too are also UST.
Although nothing new, Easton also showed off their other goodies as well. The Haven 35 riser bars and stems were also on display.
Race Face
My very next stop was Race Face, due to their recent acquisition of Easton. Race Face had some beautiful products on display, with a wide selection of both their über light Next carbon line, the still light but über strong SixC carbon cranks, and of course The Turbine line of gear. All of these components features the new Cinch chain ring retention system.
Park Tool
For all intents and purposes, the Park Tool booth is hallowed ground for me. Ahh yes, all the pretty, shiny chrome and blue toys… err, tools.
This year Park introduced 33 new tools to their already extensive line up, and a few of them really caught my interest. Shown below on the bottom row is an ultra-cool cassette pliers, which I believe is the first of its kind, making it so much easier to remove a cassette. In addition, an updated there’s a disk brake mount facing kit. Granted this tool is for serious shops as it does carry a pretty price tag along with it.. But as far as fixing that phantom squeal due to misaligned brake posts, the buck stops here.
Norco
Norco had some amazing bikes on display, including four fat bike models for this year with the top model the Sasquatch sporting a Rockshox Bluto fork, a mix of Shimano SLX/XT for shifting, and SRAM Guide brakes for $2475 US. My personal favorite is the new Bigfoot 6.1, sporting a rigid carbon fork, Shimano Alivio drivetrain, and SRAM DB brakes for $1785 US. Both bikes run 26×4.5″ Vee Snowshoe tires.
Other great rides from Norco include the Range and Sight line of bikes, with sick color choices that are truly eye-popping and feature great matching colors! The Range had a slight change to the bottom bracket area but other than that, there weren’t many changes other than graphics and excellence in build kits.
The sight line features prices ranging from $6600 US down to $2140 for the entry-level alloy version. The SightC 7.2 above is equipped with a 140mm RockShox Pike solo air fork, Cane Creek DBinline rear shock, X1 drivetrain and SRAM Guide RS brakes, retailing for $5545 US.
The Threshold cross bike comes in a variety of builds. The carbon Threshold pictured above is well-equipped with Shimano Ultegra Di2 shifting, RS-785 brakes, FSA Enegry Cross cranks, and Stan’s ZTR Iron Cross rims. All for $4500.
