A quick note to say that we have a very limited supply of 2011 Elixir brakes accross the range available upto 50% off of RRP for a very limited time.
Rockshox 2012 forks are now also available to preorder. (more…)
Motivated by racers to develop the lightest DH fork for any trail, the new 2011 RockShox BoXXer Keronite® comes with unique features and improvements.
Check inside for more details. (more…)
It may well be RockShox’s answer to Fox’s Kashima Coat fork stanchion coating – a slick mirrored black finish, which was spotted on Ross Schnell’s Lyrik fork at last weekend’s Downieville Classic. (more…)
When a Handjob won’t do and picking up a STD is out of the question, it’s time to take another look at the G-Spot. For 2010, Cove completely redesigned the venerable G-Spot from the loam up.
The biggest change for the G-Spot is the suspension design. Gone is the rocker arm linkage with pivots on the seat stays and around the bottom bracket, in favour of the same floating pivot point suspension design as its big brother, the Shocker. So, how does this new version of a Shore classic ride? Good question… (more…)
In contrast to the numerous changes to RockShox’s cross-country and trail forks for 2011, the company’s long-travel line remains largely unaltered, with the exception of some tweaks to the Boxxer downhill fork.
The Totem and Lyric fork both carry over unchanged save for the new lighter Maxle Lite through-axle and additional colour options. Totem is in its fifth edition and with that comes a new sticker kit by yet another guest designer, this time Geoff McFetridge. (more…)
Inside you will also find details of yet another new rear shock for 2011, the Monarch Plus. The new shock is intended for all-mountain use and is a hybrid of the proven original Monarch and the brand new Vivid Air shock.
Read on…
 |
| 2011 RockShox Revelation World Cup |
For 2011 RockShox makes major refinements to their Revelation lineup, including adding the World Cup model that you see here. One of the most exciting features on the forks is the new Dual Air travel adjust system. Dual Air lets the rider quickly and easily drop the travel by about 30 mm simply by turning the crown mounted lever by 90 degrees. Total travel sits at 150 mm, but is dropped down to 120 mm to keep the front end from wandering on climbs. Not only does the system add minimal weight to the overall package, around 100 grams, it also keeps things simple and doesn’t involve making multiple turns with a dial to lower the front end. Dual Air will be available as an option on all of the Revelation forks.
 |
| The stunning one piece tapered carbon steerer tube |
The World Cup Revelation that I spent my day on featured the new and very trick one piece carbon fiber crown and tapered steerer tube. The new tapered upper assembly is impressive to see in person, and drops weight while retaining valuable stiffness. Riders who push their trail bikes hard will benefit from the new carbon addition. Fittingly, only the World Cup model receives the carbon treatment. Aluminum standard and tapered steerer options are available on RL, RTL, and RTL Ti models. RockShox makes the leap to 15 mm thru-axles as well, and although new to the 15 mm gang, their Maxle Lite system is probably the most user friendly to use. The new Maxle Lite (including the 20 mm version) does away with the full length steel skewer that was hidden within and instead moves the wedge system to the lever end of the axle.
 |
| At the bottom you’ll find a 15 mm thru-axle |
2011 RockShox Revelation World Cup details
• New World Cup model for ’11
• One piece carbon fiber tapered steerer tube and crown
• Adjustable travel: 120 mm – 150 mm with Dual Position Air system
• BlackBox Motion Control damping
• Dual Flow rebound
• Adjustments: external beginning stroke rebound, low speed compression, floodgate and lockout
• 32 mm stanchion tubes
• Option remote PushLoc lockout
• 9 mm QR, 15 mm Maxle Lite, 20 mm Maxle Lite options
• Weight: 3.46 lbs
• MSRP $1090 USD
 |
| The World Cup’s one piece carbon fiber crown and steerer tube is a thing of beauty |
I put in a few hours on a Revelation World Cup equipped Cannondale RZ140 and came away impressed with the new fork. The Dual Air system proved to be easy to use and was very functional in the field, making it easier for me to make it around some of the day’s tight switchbacks and up some technical climbs. While there are many forks out there with travel adjust mechanisms that accomplish the same feat, the quick and easy nature of the Dual Air design was a bonus. When the trail pointed the opposite direction the Revelation more than held its own over the fast and rocky terrain. Stiffness was never an issue, and many of us even commented to each other about how well the 3.46 lb. fork tracked at speed. There was nary a hint of flex, even when comparing it to larger legged and heavier models. While one ride is far from a proper test, I was impressed. The Revelation World Cup’s total package is outstanding: easy to use travel adjust, light weight, and a stiff chassis should make this a winner for 2011. Look for a full length test at a later date as this fork will be on my short list of products to put a lot of miles on.
 |
| The Dual Air lever was easy to turn |
2011 RockShox Monarch Plus
 |
| 2011 RockShox Monarch Plus |
Somewhat obscured by the exciting new Reverb, telescoping seatpost and Vivid Air shock is the new Monarch Plus. This all new shock for 2011 is based on both the original Monarch and new Vivid Air, with the goal of producing a light and adjustable shock for all-mountain use. Using RockShox’s Solo Air spring technology, along with Dual Flow separate rebound circuits, this new shock should be at home on today’s mid-travel, weight conscious bikes. Those who earn their turns should take note of the three position external compression adjustment that can be easily flipped while on the go to make those out of the saddle efforts really count. Other external adjustments include beginning stroke rebound speed and air spring pressure. The new shock will come in a variety of common sizes to fit most all-mountain bikes.
Monarch Plus details:
• New all-mountain orientated shock for 2011
• Damper based on Monarch and Vivid internals
• Piggyback reservoir for extra oil volume and heat dissipation
• External 3 position compression adjustment
• Beginning stroke rebound adjustment
• Available sizes: 7.5″ x 2″, 7.875″ x 2″/2.25″, 8.5″ x 2.5″, 8.75″ x 2.6″
SRAM’s 2011 X9 and X0 components are bookended by their already unveiled X7 and XX 10-speed components, so naturally you’ve assumed they will also be 10-speed. You’re right, they will be.
All four levels of components achieve the same end: providing 2×10 transmissions, TaperBore brake systems and integrated suspension, if only by colour. That’s pretty much the whole story, aside from the parts being differentiated by key technologies and materials.
We should tell you that SRAM want to call their component groupings ‘families’. There are two reasons for this. The first is that they’re more than just groupsets because they include suspension forks.
Secondly, while the XX and X0 components – cassettes, cranks, brakes, derailleurs and shifters – are all branded as either XX or X0, the X9 and X7 parts keep the names of their manufacturers: Avid, SRAM and Truvativ.
“We don’t want to be groups, we want to be families,” Tyler Morland, PR manager for Avid and RockShox, told BikeRadar. “We’re going this way, especially with X7 and X9, because we have an Elixir brake but it’s colour matched; this is why it’s not a group, per se. The suspension comes into play too, and it’s what sets us apart from our competitors.”
All of the components are meant to match. X9 is available in three colours, while X0 offers four. The first thing you will notice is that the stuff looks really good. It builds upon SRAM’s Design Your Ride colour choice and serves to usher in the second coming of colour to the mountain bike world; the first being the age of anodisation.
Furthermore, SRAM have trickled down their most impressive technologies so they’re attainable for all. X7 is 10-speed and has TaperBore brakes, X9 has a BB30 and PressFit 30 option, and X0 is 90 percent of the way to a XX group. “It’s weight and materials, that’s the big story [between the groups],” said Morland.
We don’t have pricing information at this time, but the parts should be available late in the year. Both new groups use currently available 10-speed chains from SRAM. Here’s a quick rundown:
X0
SRAM X0 10-speed rear derailleur: Features a new chassis with option of three cage lengths and four colours. Its carbon cage houses sealed pulleys that accommodate the 36-tooth cassette cog. Claimed weight is 190g.
SRAM’s New X0 10-speed rear derailleur, which is available with three cage lengths (medium pictured).
SRAM X0 10-speed front derailleur: The front derailleur uses X-Glide shifting and accommodates wide range 2×10 and 3×10 gearing. SRAM will offer both high and low direct mount options.
SRAM X0 10-speed trigger shifters: The shifters are offered for SRAM’s 2×10 and 3×10 systems with Exact Actuation technology, They’re MatchMakerX and Matchmaker compatible and available in four colours: black, red, gold and blue. Claimed weight is 232g.
Truvativ X0 2X10 crank: The X0 cranks feature X-Glide 2X10 and 3X10 shifting technology, with 26/39 or 28/42 machined 7mm alloy chainrings. The lightweight carbon crank has been built to be strong enough for trail riding and is available in four colours: black, red, gold and blue.
Truvativ Giga X Pipe (GXP) bottom bracket: The X0 group is paired with Truvativ’s GXP Team bottom bracket. The unit features a lower profile design with Gutter Seal technology and a tungsten anodised finish.
Avid X0 brakes: The new X0 brakes are similar to this year’s Elixir CR Mag, but without the magnesium master cylinder. They feature detented, tool-free contact adjustment, tooled reach adjustment and an aluminium master and calliper. They are MatchMakerX compatible and a front post mount brake with 160mm rotor is claimed to weigh 333g.
The X0 brake replaces the 2010 Elixir CR Mag model. It features an alloy master cylinder and caliper.
SRAM XG-1099 cassette: Like XX, the cassette is the jewel of the X0 family. It features X-Glide technology and the X-Dome billet steel cut design in which eight of its cogs are CNC-machined from one block of steel. It is available in 11-36 and 11-32-tooth configurations. SRAM claim weights of 208g and 186g, respectively.
X9
SRAM X9 10-speed rear derailleur: The X9 derailleur is offered in three cage lengths – long, medium and short – and three colours: red, grey and white. It is compatible with 2×10 and 3×10 Exact Actuation systems. The medium cage model has a claimed weight of 204g.
SRAM’s new X9 rear derailleur in red.
SRAM X9 10-speed front derailleur: The X9 derailleur is designed for a wide range 2×10 system with X-Glide front shifting technology. SRAM will offer both high and low direct mount options.
SRAM X9 10-speed trigger shifters: The X9 shifters use SRAM’s new 10-Speed Exact Actuation technology and are Matchmaker upgradeable. They feature a new top cap cable change port, new internal mechanism and new forged alloy thumb lever. To match the whole of the X9 family, three colours – red, grey and white – will be available.
Truvativ X9 2×10 crank: The X9 crank features hollow forged arms with GXP and BB30 spindle options. The chainrings are available in 26/39 and 28/42 configurations with X-Glide timed shifting technology. The spider is forged aluminium and the crank is available in the family’s three colour options of red, grey and white.
Truvativ’s hollow forged X9 2×10 crank.
Truvativ Giga X Pipe (GXP) bottom bracket: SRAM offer three bottom bracket models to complement their GXP cranks. All feature their Gutter Seal technology. The options are: Ceramic (ceramic bearings, red anodised finish), Team (custom steel bearings, tungsten finish) or XR (custom steel bearings, black finish). X9 is best matched with the Team or XR models.
Avid Elixir CR brakes: X9’s brakes aren’t branded with the SRAM family name; instead they retain the Elixir CR model name. They feature TaperBore technology with tool-free adjustment of both lever reach and pad contact adjustment. The pads now top load into the two-piece calliper. The brake offers a carbon lever option and is Matchmaker compatible. Though it’s not marked X9 it shares the family’s colour options of red, grey and white. Claimed weight for a front, post mount unit with 160mm rotor is 385g.
Avid’s Elixir CR with optional carbon lever.
SRAM PG-1070 cassette: The X9 PG-1070 cassette features a new semi-spidered design that uses PowerGlide shifting ramp technology. It comes in a 12-36-tooth configuration.
SRAM X9 hubset: SRAM finish their X9 group with a 32-hole, six-bolt disc hubset. The hubs have claimed weights of 165g for the front and 385g for the rear. They come with a variety of axle options including, at the front, 9mm quick-release, 20×110 through-axle or 15×100 through-axle, and at the rear, 135mm spaced quick-release or 142×12 through-axle.
The brand new Nomad Carbon is the natural evolution of the MK2 Nomad we introduced two years ago. Offering the same suspension performance and geometry but in a package delivering over a pound of weight saving. The Nomad Carbon is ready to take on all the same terrain as it’s sibling with our proprietary one piece layup process adding extra strength and stiffness to keep you pinned though the bends.
Our proprietary one piece lay-up process eliminates excess material, ensures optimal fiber compaction, and incorporates the suspension pivots, disc mounts and ISCG tabs seamlessly into a single, ultra-light, mega-strong piece of composite art.
RRP £2,499 with Monarch 3.3. (DHX 5 Air and DHX RC4 Coil upgrades)
Availability June 2010
UK Shock Options:
UK Fork Options:
Size Options:
Colour Options:
Note: The current Aluminium Nomad will remain part of our range.
RockShox’s new Domain Dual Crown brings more travel and old-school style to the bike park, which is currently dominated by long-travel single-crown forks.
Tyler Morland, RockShox marketing manager, says that the brand has two reasons for building a dual crown fork for park riders.
“It comes down to safety and durability,” he told BikeRadar. “A new park rider might crash a lot and the steel stanchions are ultra strong. Essentially, you can just lie those things on the ground. When you crash it keeps everything from flopping around and may prevent you from landing on your bar.”
The new fork’s design is similar to RockShox’s Boxxer race fork. It has 200mm of coil sprung, Motion Control IS damped travel and a chassis with 35mm tapered steel upper tubes and magnesium lowers. The lowers have the PowerBulge bushing reinforcement and new model Maxle Lite thru-axle.
RockShox’s new heavy duty dual crown, Domain RC Dual Crown.
“It’s a new way to do something for the park,” said Morland. “The look is a big thing, too. The triple crown is more appealing to the younger guys.”
The Domain RC Dual Crown is available with a 1.125in steerer and comes complete with short and tall upper crowns and two tuning springs. The fork weighs 7.55-pounds, costs US$660 and will be available in August.
