Shock manufacturer Rockshox has just annonuced a new even lighter version of their XC orientated Monarch shock that incorporates a carbon fibre air can and the excellent XLoc hydraulic lockout.

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Icebreaker, the merino wool specialists have a new range of bike wear designed specifically for the bike.  We have been testing some of this gear for the past few months and are ready to give some opinions.
Icebreaker Cadence SS jersey

First up it feels totally different to wearing lycra.

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Garmin have just announced details of their newest bike GPS unit, the Edge 200.  Basically a stripped down version of their phenomenally successful Edge 500 unit, it has all the functions you would expect from a bike computer but with the addition of class leading GPS built in which comes to life once connected to [...]

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Garmin have just announced the addition of an ANT+TM compatible power meter to complement its Edge 800 and 500 bike computers.  Named the Vector, it is the lightest weight direct measurement power meter on the market, and designed for quick installation, portability, and ease-of-use. Garmin claim it takes only minutes to install, providing accurate and [...]

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One of our favourite manufacturers, Ritchey have announced some new products to their lineup in 2012.
WCS stem C-260

At 100 grams (100mm) this is lightest, most advanced alloy stem in the Ritchey line

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The standout racer of 2011, Aaron gwin talks about his new carbon Trek Session downhill bike.

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With product becoming available earlier and earlier every year we can bring you a first test of the Fox F-29 2012 fork. While this is a 29er specific fork there is very little difference between the F-29 and the standard 26 inch fork.

Having spent the previous six months on the 2011 F-29 we were [...]

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A couple of weeks ago we brought you a teaser image for a new Downhill version of SRAM XO.  Today it has been officially announced that it is not only a reality but that it is here.

Meet the latest addition to the versatile X0 family, featuring SRAM’s first carbon downhill race crank and [...]

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Shimano has just announced that their Di2 electronic shifting technology will be available at Ultegra level from September.

Di2 has been used by pro-riders in the peloton for a few years now and even by sprinters.  Benefits include an auto-tuned front derailleur, pre-programmed gear ratios and precise and quick shifting.  However up until now the price [...]

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When people think of upgrades for their bikes it is often wheels, tyres, groupsets etc. but key contact points should also be considered - namely the saddle!

Racy lightweight saddles tend to trade comfort for weight but not here

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SRAM have released this photo of what seems like a XO downhill specific rear mech, a sign of a new range for 2012?

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Fox kashima coated rear shocks are now available in Ireland through Fox dealers.

Kashima coating has been a feature on Fox front suspension forks for a while now and it certainly makes a difference.  The super slippery coating reduces stiction in the fork legs.  In English this means the fork can be run at lower pressures [...]

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Garmin have just introduced the Montana series, a new GPS handheld unit aimed at a multi-sport market should you want to use it on foot, in the water or dare we say it in the car.  Lets get this out of the way at the start - it is not aimed at cyclists (check out [...]

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SRAM have added to their arsenal of companies by acquiring power meter company Quarq.  SRAM are now expected to release SRAM branded power meters in the very near future as Quarq were developing a new display head unit which they were about to launch.

Full press release below -

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Here is a quick look at the touchscreen functions on the new Garmin Forerunner 610 runners watch for all you multi-sporters out there.

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At the same time as adding silver/black to the colour range of X0, SRAM have added two new 2X10 gearing options to their chainset options.  22-36 and 24-38 toothed chainsets will be available for X0, X9 and X7, adding to the 28-42 and 26-39).  The two new options are aimed at 29er riders (who require [...]

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Shimano have just released a new XTR rear mech with a switch to increase the spring tension on the chain essentially so that it doesn’t bounce around as much.  The reason for the switch is to allow you to release the tension to take out the back wheel.  Sounds really simply, it will be interesting [...]

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Truvativ partnered with MRP to produce a new line of chain management devices. The X0 guide is a single-ring chain guide, with an upper and lower guide for optimal chain retention and a replaceable skid plate for impact protection. It is available for 36-40 or 32-36 chain ring sizes and with BB, ISCG or ISCG [...]

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Garmin have just announced details of a new addition to their fitness watch family the Forerunner 610 sports watch - a slim, yet robust and weather-proof touchscreen solution for serious runners seeking an extra advantage. Forerunner 610 can stand up to rain, sweat and splashes, and is responsive enough that it can be operated with [...]

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It is hard to believe but Shimano XT,  the world’s first mountain bike specific component group has just turned 30 years old.  While it is fair to say that XT has come a long way in that time it still remains one of the most popular, hard working and durable groupsets offering perhaps the best [...]

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Garmin-Cervelo rider Johan Van Summeren pulled of a shock victory at the fabled ‘Hell of the North’ yesterday, gaping the field in the final stages to cross the line solo for the biggest win of his career.  Pre-race favourite Fabian Cancellara of Leopard-Trek was second 19 seconds down having chased hard  for almost 60km of [...]

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SRAM owned suspension giants Rockshox have just released a new version of their supremely successful BoXXer World Cup fork that they claim makes it the lightest fork on the market at a mere 2.689g, largely thanks to the exclusive Keronite finish applied to the fork lowers. An updated Solo Air spring, re-valved Mission Control DH [...]

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Just in from Hayes are these new to the market Prime Pro disc brakes.  A totally new design they feature a nifty pad bite adjustment slider,tool free reach adjust and a really ergonomic lever shape.

Hayes claim a 23 percent increase in stopping power over predecessor ‘The Stroker’ and they aim to cover the full gambit [...]

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Avid have announced changes to their Elixer brakes for 2012, which in this case means availability in err…. April 2011.  The most impressive groupset for price and quality we tested at Eurobike last year was X-9 and now they have improved the brakes.
Avid Elixer 9

The 358gram all-new Elixir 9 package combines an updated TaperBoreTM system, [...]

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SRAM have just released a video of a sneak peak of a new Pro-Tour edition of SRAM Red.  Very little details are available, even the press site has no press release yet.

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The Giant XTC composite frame has been a favourite among Irish and international racers for years now and finally they are developing a 29er version.  As you might have gathered we are a big fan of the larger wheel platform and this raised a few eyebrows in the office.

We tested the alloy version last year

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Niner have just released details of a new warrenty program called C5 for all their carbon products.  C5 gives a full five year warrenty on all carbon products including the Niner Air 9 Carbon frame, the Niner Carbon fork and the new Niner Flat Top 9 carbon bar.

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Newly arrived into the Spoke offices is the new Terralogic fork from suspension maestros Fox.

We were very impressed with the F32 when we tested it last but this fork has a completly different damping system, all be it built upon the excellent FIT cartridge.  Appearance wise the cartridge looks like it is reversed in the [...]

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American company Santa Cruz have just announced details of a new 29er hardtail made from carbon.  The as wyet un-named frame is a new departure for the company, known more for their full suspension designs and World Championship downhill bikes.

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One of our favourite companies Ritchey have just released two new designs which we happen to have on test too so here is a quick intro.
WCS Shield tire

This new fast rolling Cross Country Tire utilizes Tom’s VFA (Vector Force Analysis) design and is the team Swisspower’s latest secret weapon. Okay, you are not going to [...]

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