Coming in hot with new gear at the Sea Otter Classic, Praxis has a full menu of new designs, including an all-new road race crankset, the Praxis Doon. But its not all skinny tire gear Praxis is reviving a mountain bike favorite in the Podium pedal and a new mountain stem.Praxis Doon Road CrankAll photos: Jordan VillellaThe Doon is Praxiss new top-of-the-line road crankset. Like the Zayante it dethrones, its namesake is another famous road: Bonny Doon in Santa Cruz.Its the lightest and most advanced Praxis road crankset to date. Weighting in at a 342g 172.5 arm set. Thats 70g lighter than the Praxis Zayante carbon arm set. Our crankset weighed in a 577g with a 52/36 chainring setup. Praxis uses its LevaTime II x-ring setup for the Doon, available in 48/32, 50/34, 52/36, and 53/39 combos with a two-tone anodized finish.The Doon crankset features Praxis, our in-house C.R.A.F.T. carbon manufacturing, with a clever non-drive side arm aesthetic. The crankset has a 30mm spindle, but with Praxis bottom bracket options, it will fit any frame. However, the 2X road version, which has a 44.5mm chain line. Though though set up is incompatible with Shimano GRX front derailleurs.The crankset is a module design, sold as 2X or as an arm set, so riders can customize their needs and favorite chainrings. The Doon will accommodate Praxis 3-bolt 1X Narrow/Wide rings so riders can dial in their gearing for the ride ahead.It accommodates 10, 11, and 12-speed drivetrains. Praxis lists KMC, Shimano, and SRAM as specifically compatible.Though it doesnt come with a power meter, it is powermeter compatible. Any 3-bolt power meter interface will work; Power2Max or SRM come to mind.Praxis Doon Road Crank Details:Material: C.R.A.F.T. Carbon | Alloy M30-THRU spindle (30mm/30mm)Weight: 342g: 172.5 Armset, 542g: 172.5 with 48/32, 570g: 172.5 with 50/34, 574g: 172.5 with 52/36, 602g: 172.5 with 53/39.Gearing: LevaTime II X-RING | 48/32, 50/34, 52/36, 53/39 (Two-tone anodized finish). Chainline: 2X = 44.5mm ROAD (Not compatible with Shimano GRX front derailleurs), 1X = 45.5mm.Chain: 10-12sp | KMC / Shimano / SRAM.BB: M30-THRU (30mm Drive/30mm NonDrive). It can be used with third-party 30/30 BBs.Price: $450.00 with rings $315.00 / arms only.Podium Mountain PedalPraxis is reviving the Podium Pedal (with blessings from Gamuts founders). The updated design merges tradition with modernity. Praxis carries over some of the traditional elements from the past design but with some unique enhancements.The body is crafted from Forged and CNC 6061-T6 Aluminum and has a 3mm concave platform. The footprint boasts a slim 14mm height, a generous 115mm length, and a 112mm width. There are 48 stainless steel removable pins. The pins are M4 threaded, so other M4 grub pins will work. The pins use a 3mm Allen fitting for easy installation/removal and allow you to customize your pin layout with a total of 12 pins per side.The spindle is a forged heat-treated 4140 chromoly spindle, 8mm Allen, for easy installation/removal. It has three high-grade sealed cartridge Enduro Bearings per pedal and one Igus bushing per pedal. Praxiss newest mountain bike pedals are available in four different colors: black, Silver, Aqua, and orange (Red Later).Podium MTN PedalPodium Mountain Pedal DetailsBody: Forged and CNC | 6061-T6 Aluminum,Colors: Launch Colors: Black / Silver / Aqua / OrangeFootprint: 14mm Height | 115mm Length | 112mm Width.Spindle: Forged Heat-treated 4140 chromoly spindle, 8mm Allen, for easy installation/removal.Pins: 48 stainless steel rear-loading pins are installed/included.Extra: Included 12 M4 pins and 12 pin spacers for customizing pin height.Rebuild: Fully rebuildable with our Bearing/Bushing kit or Spindle Kit. (Separate).Weight: 399g pair with Steel pins.Price: $115.00Praxis Turn Mountain Bike StemA new line of mountain bike stems, the Turn stem line, rounds out the Praxis mountain bike offerings. Image: Praxis The new stems are available in 35mm and 31.8mm clamp sizes.The new Turn stem is available in 32, 40, and 50mm lengths and a variety of colors to match your and your bikes taste.Weight: 139g Price: $55.00Turn MTN StemPraxis Carbon CageLast but not least on the Praxis menu is an all-new carbon fiber bottle cage. This design is reinforced with thermoplastic for a lightweight, durable design. The cage boasts a right side access with unique magnetic slots to hold your space quick links. The matte black is a nice neutral color that will match any bike.Weight: 40gPrice: $35.00Praxiscycles.comThe post Praxis Releases Road Race Doon Crankset, Revives Gamut Podium Pedal appeared first on Bikerumor.

POCs all-new Procen Air aero road helmet takes obvious design cues from time trial. But it dials it back just a notch, to blur those aerodynamic lines enough to drop back into all-rounder road bike riding versatility. Theres no doubt that this will be one of the most contentious helmets in your weekly group ride. But in reality, it feels great both light and well-vented. Its magnetic snap-in integrated lenses/visors offer great protection and clear views. The partial ear covers seem to effectively tune out some wind noise without blocking peripheral sounds. And POC promises that it will make you fasterPOC Procen Air aero road helmet with time trial aerodynamics(Photos/Cory Benson)Ive been riding in it for a week. EF Pro Cycling has already been racing with the new POC Procen Air mini aero road helmet since the start of the season. With the EF Education-Cannondale women already taking 7 pro wins this season wearing the new lid. It is essentially a pared-back version of the Procen TT helmet that POC launched last spring. (Photo /POC)With a slightly smaller visor that still offers eye protection and better vision than sunglasses. And to not limit the ability to hear everything happening around you, reduced side coverage, which also manages to cut down on wind noise by only covering the top half of your ear.In fact, it is a direct result of the EF Pro Cycling development collaboration on that time trial helmet. Seeing how the Procens simple 3 vent openings could reduce the peak air pressure at the front of the helmet, and then so effectively provide internal ventilation with Venturi effect airflow, the team immediately wanted an all-rounder road version(Photo /POC)After we developed the technique to allow more airflow through an aerodynamic TT helmet, the Procen, we thought, Hey! This is going to solve a lot of our limitations. It was then just a matter of fine-tuning to ensure that a rider would be adequately cooled and would hear and see well so they could know what was happening behind them and around them. Safety is always number one. With that in mind, we were able to develop this helmet. It is certainly significantly faster. Peter Schep, EF Pro Cycling Performance DirectorThe result is that the frontal profile of the new Procen Air is virtually identical to the Procen. But the Procen Air gets a shorter chopped tail and greatly reduced side coverage. POCs Magnus Gustavsson calls it a helmet with all the watt savings of a TT helmet, not compromising safety and improving a riders ability to hear and see.How much faster is it?(CFD Image /POC)POC explains that The openings at the front of the Procen Air drain the high-pressure zone, which reduces stagnant air and additional air resistance that a rider needs to push through. POC designed it in CFD and backed that up with wind tunnel testing.Comparing it to the vented aero Ventral, POC says the Procen Air is significantly more aerodynamic. Aero gains range from 5W saved at low speed to an 18W reduction at high speed approximately 30-60km/h according to POCs time in the wind tunnel.(Photo /POC)How much time does that actually save? Looking at EF Cycling rider Alberto Bettiols 30km solo attack to win Milan Torino in March, the team calculated that his 39-minute effort at an average of 46.5 km/hr was reduced by just over 10 seconds solely based on his Procen Air helmet choice vs. the already aero Ventral. Or you can equate those seconds saved to more than a 150m gap at the end of a sprint to the finish line.Tech detailsThis all-new POC Procen Air aero road helmet features traditional in-mold construction with a 1-piece polycarbonate shell over its EPS foam. The partial ear cover cowls are made of a flexible EVA foam core with a soft fuzzy inner face and aero fabric outer. They are technically removable (with a snap and velcro holding them in place) so they can be cleaned separately if needed.Inside deep front-to-back channels control airflow. 3 front openings connect to 5 exhaust ports at the back.It features the same lightweight pads and 360 wrap fit adjustment as Lite-series helmets (like the Ventral Lite & Omne Lite). No MIPS. Plus, light adjustable webbing straps and a basic plastic buckle.3 embedded magnets securely mate with 3 more in the removable visor for a secure automatic fit. Plus, 3 more molded into the rear of the helmet let you stow the visor when you need to remove it. But manage to keep it out of the way even in an aero tuck.The Procen Air is available worldwide with locally appropriate certifications, including EN 1078, CPSC, AS & NZS 2063. It has a claimed weight of 350g for an EN-certified medium, presumably with the visor. The US CPSC-certified medium is claimed to weigh 3 390g. My CPSC medium weighs an actual 395g with the visor attached, 32g less without.First ImpressionsObviously, its a bubble of a helmet on top of my head. Its looks are surely going to spark some discussion. And not everyone is going to like it. It feels like a much more manageable mini Dark Helmet compared to the time-trialing Tempor or Aerohead II. Another one for the Spaceballs fans out there. And maybe well see what the UCI says about it down the line. But, its approved for road racing now (and if the ear cowls were contentious, they are removable.)My thinking though, is that I dont have to look at it while riding. I just get the great view from inside the wraparound Clarity visor. I get the reduced wind noise. And I get those free 5W at my slower speeds. Leave it to my riding buddies to debate how weird I look riding it.Riding ReviewOut on the road so far, the new POC Procen Air feels like it has ample cooling. And nice protections from the rain. But I feel pretty sure Ill still feel a bit stuffy inside in the heat of summer. A big part of that is that the large visor blocks a lot of wind from hitting your face. I notice the same thing while riding a mountain bike with goggles. Its great to eliminate wind blowing in your eyes, but it prevents natural cooling across a large area of my face. And its harder to gauge the perception of speed without much wind hitting your face.The EVA foam side cowls do gently touch the top of my (quite large) ears. With a very soft fuzzy inner face material. I generally only notice it when I am consciously adjusting the helmet on my head. (FYI, Im wearing it as I type, if you want a mental picture.) But while riding, I cant say I notice it at all. Maybe after several sweaty hours on the bike? All my rides with the Procen Air have been under an hour so far. But I dont feel like it will be an issue. And the slightly reduced wind noise is certainly an added bonus.I think I will wear the new Procen Air a lot of road and gasp even gravel rides throughout the spring, fall & winter. I suspect that Ill stick with a more airy lid for proper hot summer riding. Unless maybe I have a race I want to go extra fast in?POC Procen Air Pricing, options & availabilityThe new POC Procen Air aero road helmet sells for $400 / 400. That include the helmet with both tinted Clarity Road & clear lenses, a soft helmet bag, and a foam protector that you need to use when storing the helmet so it doesnt press on the visor & ear covers. The Procen Air comes in three standard POC sizes (S 50-56cm, M 54-59cm & L/56-61cm) and just two colors glossy Hydrogen White or matte Uranium Black.Pick one up globally starting today direct from POC or through their retail partners. And spark some controversy as you go faster in the group ride and break away in the local races.POCsports.comThe post POC Procen Air, Mini Aero Road Helmet Makes You Faster, But Not Full Dark Helmet: A Review appeared first on Bikerumor.

The Maxxis Aspen ST Team Spec tires have been spy shot on the pros bikes for years, with non-pro-riders waiting for a trickle-down to the general public. After years of reporting on this tire, were happy to say, it will soon be available for purchase.Photo: Jordan VillellaNow, you can ride the exact tire that helped Nino Schurter to countless World Cup wins, and you may get a few KOMS. But only briefly, as the Team Spec 170 TPI tire is scheduled for a limited run.So get ready for the team treatment with the new Maxxis Aspen ST tires.What is it? Maxxis Aspen ST TiresPhoto: Jordan VillellaThe Aspen ST (or Fast-pen, as its sometimes known) is a new race-focused tire from Maxxis. Weve reported that riders use this tire on courses like Snow Shoe WV, which has rocky terrain, and gravel races on the narrower 292.25 size. Maxxis athletes (and others) see it as a high-speed, versatile tire with low rolling resistance and volume to eat up trail chatter.Tread Low DownPhoto: Jordan VillellaIt boasts an ultra-low profile. It takes the already fast Apsen tire and trades the chevrons for file tread. The tread is similar to the Maxxis Reaver gravel tire we covered last year, and its safe to say that the tire took cues from the Aspen ST.Photo: Jordan VillellaThe center tread mixes three Aspen-style chevrons patterned with a diamond/file tread block. The side cornering knobs are the same as the Aspen, have a progressive height, and pair well with the minimal center tread.Limited Team Spec CasingPhoto: Jordan VillellaMaxxis offers two versions of the new Aspen ST Tires: a 120TPI version, similar to the top-tier tires available for purchase through Maxxis retailers.As seen on Keegan Swensons winning bike last Sea Otter Classic. Photo: Villella The other is the Limited Edition Apsen ST tire, with 170TPI, which is the same as the pros. This limited edition tire will also be available from your retailer and local bike shop but dont expect it to always be in stock.Image: Maxxis Why not run the 170TPI version all the time?First, its expensive to produce, and most racers arent keen on the rising price of tires. Plus, the tradeoff for the weight savings and low rolling resistance of the 170 TPI casing is its fast wear. This is a race tire, so much so that it has only been available to the pros until now. Maxxis standard 120 TPI casing (still very high for a mountain bike tire) is more robust and harder-wearing, better suited to the needs of the practical racer. Photo: Villella The Team Spec Aspen and both versions of the Aspen ST will be available in 292.40 and 292.25 options.Price:Weight: 710g 292.40Ride Impressions Maxxis Aspen ST Team Spec Photo: Villella Ive been waiting for this tire for years. Ive reported on it and watched it ride to World Cup victories. As fate would have it, the Maxxis Aspen ST tires hit my doorstep at the exact time that the East Coast was experiencing a noreaster and terrible flooding.That didnt stop me, however; I mounted the tire and waited for the trails to dry out, fingers crossed. Maxxis Aspen ST Setup The packaging is understated and ushers in a new Team Spec notation in the product listing.Photo: Villella When setting up the Maxxis Aspen ST, the casing was slightly softer than the typical Maxxis tires I use. I inflated them to a set of DT-Swiss 1200 wheels (the most World Cup-like set I have). The setup was standard, and the tires inflated to an exact 2.40 width at 25PSI.Gravel Shake Out Photo: Villella I couldnt wait to try the tires, so my initial spin was on the double track. Some gravel trails were untouched by the recent deluge, so I started my rides at a slightly overinflated 20PSI rear and 19PSI front. I could tell immediately that these tires would roll fast, making them a favorite for hard-pack and gravel.The Aspen ST Team Spec tires measured 2.40, on the dot. Photo: Villella The feeling is like a supple road tire; it lacks tread but feels fast rolling and conforms to the surroundings. Plus the 2.40 stood out on the gravel, eating up the small bumps without losing its grip on the punchy uphills.In the ForestWhen the trails finally dried, I took the Aspen ST through a gauntlet of my local hot spots. The riding conditions included hardpack dirt, baby head style rocks, roots, and muddy sections that didnt fully dry out from the storms.I bumped the pressure down from the previous 19/20PSI to a 17/18PSI for the trail riding. This was the near-perfect pressure for the conditions and my riding style.The Aspen ST delivers absolute speed on the dry trails but with control. Going hot into a corner, I never felt I would lose traction. The ample casing paired with the slight side knobs makes it feel like a dry course cyclocross tire. On the roots and rocks, the Aspen ST performed well; I never found myself slipping or drifting. The minimal tread is effective and sharp, especially when out of the box. The high volume of the tire helps plant the tread and deliver a solid contact patch.After a few hours on the Maxxis Aspen ST Team Spec, I felt very much at home, and when I hit the muddy, soggy sections of the trail, I wasnt scared. I know this is a dry or dry-mix tire, not mud, but the performance still left me with a nice feeling.The Aspen OGs larger chevron tread gives more grip than expected and acts like a paddle boat (slightly) when you sink into the mud. The mud clearing, however, isnt the best in the file section of the tire, but it does clear everywhere else. It offers a solid grip until you hit the pavement or drier trails to release it.Final ImpressionsI hope to have more time on the Aspen ST tires this Spring and Summer. Currently, they have me smitten as a full-blown dry-mix race tire. The performance is outstanding, the weight is excellent, and the price well, the performance isnt cheap.Well report back with a long-term review, but keep your eyes on your local Maxxis dealer for stock of the Aspen ST; youll be happy you did.Maxxis.comThe post Review: Maxxis Aspen ST Team Spec Was Worth the Wait appeared first on Bikerumor.

Having made the massive step up from amateur racing to the WorldTour peloton after strong performances in certain U23 races last season, Jardi Christiaan van der Lee has already raced in some of the biggest races on the calendar after signing for EF Education-EasyPost last summer.The 22-year-old Dut...

The routes for the opening three stages of the 2024 Tour de France Femmes have been officially revealed by race organisers ASO at an event in Rotterdam. It was announced in October that the stage race would be starting in the Netherlands, with three of the eight stages taking place in the east of th...

At the Amstel Gold Race last weekend, Lorena Wiebes added her name to the list of riders who have cost themselves a victory by celebrating too early, as she sat up and allowed Marianne Vos to pip her on the line.Many famous names have done it in the past at some of the biggest races on the calendar...

Pockets come at a premium, but these are a treat to wear if they meet your budget

Mallorca or indoor trainer are these really the only winter training options? As is so often the case, the world isnt just black and white there are plenty of alternatives for some winter drop bar action. To get a jump start on the season, we made a few tweaks, and were rewarded with a first ride of the year that exceeded our expectations.Weve all been there before. The biscuit tin full of vanilla shortbread, the fat Christmas goose, and the dusty indoor trainer (sorry Zwift!) have left their mark. Suddenly, youre no longer in the same shape as you were last summer, and you long for the feeling of a warm summer breeze as you crest an epic summit.Time to despair? On the contrary: its time to break out the axe and get a cold start to the season. From 0 to 100. Without boarding a plane, without sun, without an indoor trainer, and without Mallorca! Instead, its deep ravines, green fir trees, and a dense fog in the legendary Black Forest. The legs feel sluggish, and the gravel roads are wet and cold, but it doesnt matter! The first ride of the year The master planWeve chosen the location for our first ride. Right on our doorstep lies the Black Forest, Germanys largest contiguous low mountain range, and with its countless 1,000-metre peaks, its every cyclists dream. At least, in summer it might beBut why wait in anticipation when we can get a head start on the fun? The Black Forest is known for its steep climbs, breathtaking views, and fast descents. This is going to be epic! Our euphoria makes us forget that it isnt summer just yet, and the weather wont be so kind. Our planned route keeps getting longer and longer on Komoot. Stop! Reality check! The weather app predicts 4 degrees and drizzle, and heading for the mountains at full tilt straight out of your winter break has never done anyone any good, so a compromise is in order. An epic ride light, so to speak. Something that compensates for our cookie-induced softness and the sub-optimal conditions, but also gets us back into the swing of things!How about a little extra help to get us back into the swing of things? We call Anna from TQ to see if she still has some cool gravel bikes we can use for our project we want e-gravel bikes so we can work the occasional forest trail into the route. Thanks to the support of the TQ motor, we wont have to push ourselves to the limit right out the gate, though we can still shift to a lower support more and shift up a gear to really break a sweat if we start to feel the cold. Speaking of breaking a sweat, we definitely need a post-ride program that can keep up with nude bathing in the Mallorcan evening sun a worthy conclusion to an epic day! And maybe something that will get the blood to thaw in our feet? There was only one thing that would do the trick: an aprs ride sauna, instead of an aprs ski bar. Plan? Check! We make Baiersbronn the route destination. Wellnesshotel Tanne sounds like the perfect ending to the first day in the saddle, thanks to its impressive treehouse sauna, wellness temple, and traditional Black Forest delicacies . Our master plan is coming together. The bikes are hooked up to the charger, and the clothes are hanging on the washing line. We go to bed with a tingling sensation in our stomachs.Cycling through the cloudsWe set off early in the morning. The thermometer shows 4 degrees, fog lies threateningly in the valley and hangs over the peaks, enveloping the mountain in a dark grey veil. Christoph is still ailing. His nose is runny. Was this really such a good idea? We turn left and the gravel path reveals a daunting climb. Normally, this is when you start breaking a sweat. Christoph pushes the small boost button on the handlebar, unleashing the full 300 watts of support, and pulls away laughing. No trace of bad vibes, and even the damp weather and 18% gradient cant dampen the mood. Were warmly clothed, weve got two bananas, and a total battery capacity of 770 Wh on board. The small TQ-HPR50 motors provide ample support and we fly uphill.A look at the top tube display reveals how much power is coming from our legs and how much is coming from the motor. Its clear weve had a long off-season, but that doesnt matter. We take things easy and stay within our limits. The trail winds up the mountain, past rugged rock faces, and dense woodland. The fresh air and the smell of wet forest soil have a calming effect, underlining the revenant mood.Suddenly, the dense clouds give way, revealing a bright blue sky. As quickly as the clouds disperse, so do the thoughts of the dark, never ending days of the last few weeks that we couldnt ride our bikes. Instead, were filled with a sense of euphoria and feel our spirits rise. We get up out of the saddles to test our legs and before we know it were flying along the double track. Our heart rate monitors flash, proving that you can still get your blood pumping on an e-bike. The highest point of the route arrives sooner than expected, revealing a view of the foothills of the Black Forest that weve left behind. Time for a banana, a bit of sunshine, and that summit feeling we havent had in so long. Its nice when a plan comes together, and the gloomy outlook swings in the opposite direction. We pause to soak up the warming solar rays. We close our eyes, and for a moment we feel like were in Mallorca. But when the sun disappears behind the clouds once more and the cold slowly sets back in, the bubble soon bursts and we begin the descent. The descent is followed by another climb and so the day goes on: we pass lakes, hear our breath, and find our rhythm. We pass by a group of tough woodsmen, see a shy deer scurrying through the undergrowth, and just enjoy the hours in the saddle theres always something to discover in the Black Forest. And thanks to our electric motors, were able to venture significantly further than we could without them. Shortly before dark, we roll up to the Wellnesshotel Tanne with cold hands and big grins on our faces. Our batteries are empty, but we feel recharged. We can feel our legs, the fresh breeze has made our cheeks rosy, and were ready for the next point on the itinerary of our master plan a cold start with a warm end! The sauna with a view of the Black Forest is just what we need right now. We park the bikes, swap our bib shorts for bathrobes, and hit the wellness temple.E-gravel bikes A viable alternative to Zwift and Mallorca?After a few sauna sessions, an ice bath, and some healing water, we sit down for dinner, take stock of the day, and discuss how e-gravel bikes stack up as an alternative to the typical drop-bar winter activities.Of course, road cycling in Mallorca is completely different, and suggesting e-bikes as an alternative to a training camp sounds strange at first. But not everyone has the luxury or even wants to fly to a different country to make up for the last few months of no cycling in one week. While our hardcore roadie friends havent even booked their tickets for the Mallorca training camp yet, weve already ushered in the new season. In principle, its just like doing base fitness on the indoor trainer, just outside, and independent of the route. You can keep to your own performance targets, and everything beyond that is taken care of by the motor, no matter how steep the climb. Thanks to grippy gravel tires, you can ride tracks, trails, and wet roads. Its undisputed: e-gravel bikes let you turn your base training ride into an epic day out. By riding your bike all year round, youre not just staying fit through the winter, but also keeping your bike handling skills sharp. Last year, when we met up with rally legend Walter Rhrl, we asked him how to improve your riding technique as quickly as possible. His tip: the worse the conditions, the faster you learn. It doesnt matter whether its snow, ice or mud, as long as its slippery! Well thats easy to say when youre sitting in a car where its warm and dry. Of course, there are winter days when you dont want to go outside even with an e-gravel bike, a warm jacket, and the promise of a post-ride sauna. But the support of a motor makes you more likely to head out spontaneously when the weather clears up, and as we learned today: fortes fortuna adiuvat. Fortune favours the brave and rewards them! As it did us. If you just grit your teeth on a grey morning, chances are good that you will be pleasantly surprised, and can lay down to rest tired and happy in the evening.The cold start to the season was a complete success, and hotter than expected. Thanks to the e-gravel bikes, we were able to slowly find our legs without compromising on the route. We were rewarded with the many sights and scenes of the Black Forest, steep mountains, and the fresh forest air. Ultimately, it proved to be a ride for the head and soul more than for training goals and Strava stats. You wont find a smoother start to the season than this!Der Beitrag Cold start Getting a jump start on the season with an e-gravel bike and the TQ-HPR50 motor erschien zuerst auf GRAN FONDO Cycling Magazine.

Having been raced to both UCI XCO & XCC World Championship wins, now Vittoria is making public the new Peyote & Mezcal mountain bike tires that their factory team have been racing for the past 2 seasons. New treads, widths, casing, and race-winning rubber.Vittoria Peyote & Mezcal updated XC mountain bike tires(Photo/Vittoria)Backed up by both short and long format cross-country Worlds titles, Vittoria explains there new XC Race mountain bike tire development as the direct response to the greater demands put on tires by ever-faster, ever-more-technical cross-country courses. Producing tires that are not only tougher but also faster is a tall order. But that was the goal of this all-new Peyote and the updated Mezcal.All-new Peyote(Photos/Jordan Villella)Vittoria created the new Peyote to race fast-rolling hardpack to fine loose trail conditions. Calling it a tire built for the cross-country racers looking for the seeking the ultimate edge over their competition. This is a meant to be one of the fastest tires you can slap onto an XC bike. Vittoria says their own telemetry testing data backs up the Peyote as fastest in its class, claiming the new tire to be up to 4% faster than their biggest competitor.When designing the Peyote, simply going fast wasnt the goal. Instead, we viewed success as the reduction of time from point-A to point-B, taking speed, grip, control, dependability, and rider fatigue into account, said Ken Avery, SVP Product Development.Pick from classic 29er x 2.25 widths for faster, less techy racing. Or go for the new bigger volume 2.4 width that has become the norm as XC racing has become more technical.Fast-rolling XC tread design(Photo/Vittoria)The all-new Vittoria Peyote tread design slots in between the gravel Terreno and cross-country Mezcal. It offers fast rolling with its continuous central tread band, but plenty of high-speed grip due to the thin lines of these low-profile V-shaped chevrons. The Peyotes classic elongated Vittoria V layout promises to dig through loose terrain to find traction while evacuating debris laterally. Alternating transition knobs and thin transition ridge lines are designed to provide predictable and reactive control while leaning into corner. Then, two rows of alternating shoulder lugs provide more supportive grip the deeper you lean, with longitudinal sipes cut into each for more edges to grip directly opposing the path of cornering forces at every lean angle.A bigger Mezcal XC Race, tooTo pair with the all-new Peyote, Vittoria gives their World Championship-proven Mezcal a big new 2.4 option too. It gets the same supple casing as before. But now you can mix and match 29 x 2.25 or 2.4 versions of both the Peyote & Mezcal to fine-tune your balance of speed and grip depending on XC course conditions.New Vittoria Race Formulation XC Techall-new Vittoria Peyote (l) & Mezcal XC Race (r)The all-new Peyote and Mezcal XC Race both are made with the same top-spec XC Race Formulation construction that their factory riders race on the UCI pro circuit. That Race Formulation rubber mixes in Graphene and Silica to deliver enhanced wet conditions grip, from what are otherwise low-profile XC race treads youd expect to be limited to dry conditions. That supple grippy rubber combines with a relatively thin 60tpi casing and the lower pressures from wider tire volume to deform over obstances for improved grip. Vittoria explains that this combined construction has proven to noticeably decrease racers fatigue while at the same time imrpoving the reliability of the new tires during intense racing.The new casing, new compound, and new size addition of Mezcal shows a 3% improvement in rolling performance on its own, while the new Peyote Tread shows 6% improvement in total when combined with this new casing and compound. When applied to a real-world scenario, this means that a Peyote rider in a typical XC race scenario will gain ~0.75 km/hr. of average speed over the course of the race. These benefits are in addition to an 11% increase in grip (especially in wet), and durability of the new casing without impacting dependability.New Vittoria Peyote & Mezcal XC Pricing, options & availability(Photo/Vittoria)The all-new Peyote and updated Mezcal cross-country tires are both offered in 2.25 and 2.4 sizes. And they both come in black or brown wall options with this top-spec XC Race 60tpi TLR casing with Race Formulation rubber for $99.99 per tire. Weight claims run from as low last 680g per 2.25 Mezcal or 710g per 2.25 Peyote. Black sidewall tires are generally 10g heavier than brown. And 2.4s are 10-20g heaver than the 2.25 tires. (Photo/Vittoria)All of the new 292.4 Vittoria Peyote & Mezcal tires are available now. But youll likely have to wait until August for 2.25 Mezcals, or even next season for 2.25 Peyotes. Vittoria.comThe post Vittorias New World Championship Winning Peyote & Mezcal XC Mountain Bike Tires appeared first on Bikerumor.

We ride cross-country mountain biking's worst-kept secret in Italy.