Words by Lee Lau. Photos by Lee Lau (unless noted).
Date: 2009-08-06
In my Initial review of the Vholdr ContourHD I canvassed technical specifications and said: “A more involved review to follow will look at the Vholdr ContourHD for use primarily in the sport of freeride/downhill mountain biking. It will also suggest some easy-to-implement mounting option modifications”. The purpose of this follow-up article is to fulfil these goals.
Easton’s new Haven Carbon all-mountain wheelset builds upon its existing aluminium model with a feathery 375g true UST-compatible carbon fibre rim that brings the total weight down to a cross country-like 1,450g for the pair while supposedly delivering superior impact resistance, durability and ride quality.
Take flight
Billed as “the first carbon mountain wheel built for going ballistic”, Easton says the key to the Haven Carbon rim’s toughness is its proprietary Armored Ballistic Composite fibre and resin systems borrowed from the defence industry. Instead of the more common carbon and aramid fibre mix, Easton uses a stronger and lighter carbon and high modulus polyethylene (HMPE) fibre blend that was originally developed by the US military for body armour and helmets.
Holding it all together is an extra tough MRES-B (Multifunctional Resin/Epoxy) polymer that, according to Easton’s new research and development Sayeed Syed, incorporates “rubberizing and other impact-resistant components to enhance the ballistic/blast (impact) performance of the finished composite.”
Rim dimensions are similar to the aluminium Haven with a 26mm external width and 21mm internal width to better support wide-profile tires, a relatively shallow 22mm depth, and a solid true-UST compatible outer wall profile for easy and secure mounting of proper tubeless tires. Also borrowed from the standard Haven are the unique riveted-in threaded nipple inserts that are said to distribute stress more evenly than typical eyelets and allow for a thinner and lighter inner rim wall.
The convertible cartridge bearing alloy hubs – which can be configured for 9mm quick-release and 15/20mm thru-axle up front and 135mm quick-release plus 135mm or 142mm thru-axle rear standards – and straight-pull Sapim stainless steel spokes (which are conveniently all the same length throughout for easier repair) are wholly lifted from the standard Haven as well.
The rear Haven Carbon hub can be swapped between 135mm quick-release and thru-axle fitments plus the new 142x12mm standard
In total, Easton says the Haven Carbon rim is 100g lighter than the alloy version while also lending a more comfortable ride plus bomber durability. In fact, Easton is so confident of the latter that once they become available this summer, every Haven Carbon wheelset will come with a two-year unconditional insurance policy that covers everything imaginable from cased jumps, gnarly yard sale crashes and even absent-minded ‘raccidents’ so buyers can focus on the wheels’ performance instead of worrying about damaging a pair of US$2,300 carbon mountain bike wheels.
Wagon wheelers will be excited to hear that Easton will even offer the Haven Carbon in both 26″ and 29″ variants.
Not just talk
Impressively, Easton’s hype about military defence technology and background isn’t just vapid marketing talk. Though Syed is relatively new to Easton having only been on board for about nine months, he’s a thirty-year-plus veteran of the aerospace industry and formerly the vice president of composites at Westinghouse, specializing in ballistics and fibre and polymer systems.
Syed brings with him enviable access to materials, contacts and knowledge in the composites world beyond what many in the bicycle industry can muster, along with a background in specifically figuring out how to make composite materials tough and durable (not to mention having Oliver North on his speed dial list and holding the highest possible classified security access for a civilian).
Though even he admits that the ingredients in Easton’s new Advanced Materials Systems aren’t necessarily exclusive to the company, his experience affords him a more comprehensive knowledge of how those materials can be combined, what materials are available – and who to call to get them – and how they should be processed, engineered and handled to extract the maximum benefit.
Sayeed Syed (right) is the man behind Easton’s carbon fibre renaissance
Interestingly, Syed says that his new line of work is not only more challenging but also more fun.
“I’m trying to bring aerospace technology to [the bicycle] market,” he told BikeRadar during a visit to Easton’s carbon fibre facility in Tijuana, Mexico. “Right now it’s all standard materials: everybody is using the same procedure and the same supplier. I’m trying to change the technology to bring in better polymers and better fibres to make things lighter and stronger. [The bicycle composites industry] is mature but aerospace technology is ahead of the game. We want to be ahead of the whole game with systems that aren’t even on the market yet.”
What this means for the future of Easton – and your future, too
The birth of an Easton Haven Carbon all-mountain wheel
Easton makes no illusion to the fact that the status it once enjoyed in the early days of carbon bicycle components (you all remember the original Monkeylite, right?) has faded a bit, but it’s now making a more dedicated effort to retake its “game changing status” with what Syed is bringing to the table.
The Haven Carbon is only the first product to come out of Syed’s oversight but product manager Adam Marriott says that an ultra-strong carbon fibre DH-specific Havoc is coming soon – possibly before the end of the year – as well as an ultralight cross country wheelset to supplant its current XC One.
Moreover, the new carbon fibre technologies currently in development will also be applied to an all-new range of components though Easton was still very tight-lipped on what that might include or any other specifics.
Either way, Easton’s new Haven Carbon wheelset could very well be the product that signals the company’s return to dominance in the field and while we weren’t to test ride a set during our visit, we’ll likely have the opportunity to do so at the upcoming Sea Otter Classic with a proper long-term production test pair arriving shortly thereafter.
Carbon Bionic Neck Support (Matthew Cole/BikeRadar.com)
Alpinestars have been making kit for motocross and motor car racing drivers for years, and they’ve now decided to try their hand at making protection and clothes aimed at downhill mountain bike riders.
The top product at the Alpinestars stand at this year’s Eurobike Show was the Carbon Bionic Neck Support – a support to reduce the risk and severity of injury, most likely during downhill racing. As with other neck braces, including the Leatt Moto GPX Club Neckbrace the Carbon Bionic from Alpinestars works by providing a load path for the energy that compresses the neck during a crash.
Much research and development has gone into the creation of the new support, for example the rear stabiliser is designed to bend and fracture if too much load is channelled into it. The neck support is also supposed to help with reducing possible muscular injury, keeping the head from moving too much in the event of a crash.
Shoulder height can be finely adjusted too for a more custom fit.
Opening at the front, it can be dismantled very easily should it need to be during an emergency.
The Carbon Bionic Neck Support costs €549, and a cheaper non-carbon version will set you back €249.
Keeping with the theme of protection, Alpinestars have a range of knee and elbow protection too. With some cool graphics and the company’s distinctive ‘astar’ logo, we think they look pretty cool.
The €79.95 Moab knee guard has been designed with help from the company’s knowledge in the world of MotoGP, so these guys definitely know what they’re doing. Plenty of venting should keep the sweat to a minimum.
The MTB Bionic Jacket has been designed to be used (although doesn’t have to be) with the Bionic Neck Support. It has elbow and shoulder protectors, as well as a ventilated chest and ergonomic back protector which follows the curve of the back. It’ll be €229.
MTB Techstar pants
The MTB Techstar pants have been built with maximum movement in mind. There’s plenty of adjustability with a TPR rear yoke, d-ring adjusters, movable internal foam pads and stretch elastic inserts in the crotch-based region. Retailing at €119.95, they come in black/grey/ white or white/black/red.
MTB Techstar longsleeve jersey
We reckon the €44.95 long sleeve jersey is going to be a big hit. Panelled to fit a riding position, the jersey also has unobtrusive shoulder seams that don’t interfere with a neck brace system.
The €39.95 3/4 sleeve jersey is made from a light polyester microfibre material and has mesh panels in the right places for maximum ventilation.
Yes, these Gravity shorts look sweeter than a sugared bratwurst. There’s lots of built-in adjustability on these €89.95 shorts and they’re vented where it matters. We can’t wait to try a pair and go riding.
Best Value…
Brand-X : X Suit – £59.99
Features:
• Removable Spine protector.
• Kidney Support Belt.
• Adjustable Shoulder straps.
• Ventilated Mesh Liner.
• Plush Foam Padding with Hard Plastic Outer.
The Best..?
Dianese Impact Jacket Race – £117.44
| SHOCK | |
| - | Composite protectors on back (removable wave protector), shoulders, elbows |
| - | Soft paddings on scapulas, humerous, hips |
| - | Homologation CE EN 1621.2 (back protector) |
| - | Homologation CE EN 1621.1 (elbow, shoulders) |
| ERGONOMIA | |
| - | Fastening system: lateral chest zip |
| - | Closing/Adjusting system: buckles/straps on shoulders, elbows |
| - | Braces removable, on the back protector |
| - | Lumbar belt: elastic belt with double strap |
Scratchguardz – BIKEmagic BM reviews
It’s been a while since we’ve had a product on test that’s quite so “yay or nay” as Scratchguardz. If you regularly ride little-travelled trails and are plagued by spiky undergrowth, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without them. If you usually ride well-maintained trails that are mostly clear of foliage, you’ll wonder what the point of them is. They do what they claim (which is what we usually rate products against – if your specific conditions don’t demand the level of protection offered by Scratchguardz then clearly your personal rating would be somewhat lower) and for the price of a pair of gloves they’re pretty good value (if you need them).
An old article but truly masterful and inspiring for those dark and gloomy winter months that we all struggle to ride through.
Credit goes out to ‘Average Joe’
The original article can be found here. Be sure to check out some of the more recent reports.
Enjoy!
It’s about this time of year that the magazines and websites trot out a motivational piece on why you shouldn’t be holed up with the playstation and the tv remote and should be out in the cold and rain instead.
Its between the dark months of November and March that our willpower to head out into the inclement weather dulls a little. By end of Jan most of us are struggling with the justification to get out there and ride especially when faced with the home comforts of beer, hot food, tv, games consoles and the myriad of other things that need doing over the weekend. Riding in the winter is never going to compete with those glorious summer days riding sweet dry trails and enjoying time admiring the view at the top of the hill but there are benefits and sometimes even enjoyment to be had from the inclement weather the darker months bring.
