MTB News Mix is a weekly update of all things mountain biking where we cover new products, pro race results, trail news, and more.
Giro Manifest is the brand’s new top-shelf trail helmet
Giro has an all-new trail helmet out called the Manifest and it looks like it has some exciting features. One of the biggest features is MIPS Spherical, which they say is like a ball and socket. Giro first used the MIPS Spherical in their road helmet the Aether, and the technology has been used in the Bell Super DH helmet as well.
Giro says that the Spherical technology was developed in Giro and Bell’s test lab in partnership with MIPS. MIPS Spherical is an EPS liner under the outer helmet shell. On impact, the outer shell rotates around the inner liner, eliminating skin contact with the hard plastic slip-plane in a typical MIPS liner.
The helmet has a reinforcing arch to help structural integrity and allow better air flow. Giro says they have even tested the air flow temperature in their lab with a heat-sensing test, and the Manifest “runs significantly cooler” than their other trail helmets.
The Manifest gets a magnetic Fidloc buckle, has the Roc Loc fit system, goggle and eyewear grippers, and reflective decals in the rear. The Manifest, full of features, sits on the pricy end of helmets and retails for $260. Pre-order at Performance Bike.
Alta Cycling giving back, and giving bikes to heroes
Alta Cycling, the company that owns Diamondback, Raleigh, Redline, iZip, and Haibike, is launching the Real Heroes Bike Month through May 22, where they’ll select six nominees to receive a bike valued up to $3,000 from one of the Alta brands.
Alta is selecting healthcare workers, teachers, postal employees, grocery store workers, and other essential workers who have been helping their community during the pandemic.
“Since the beginning of the pandemic crisis, Alta has seen essential workers in the community come together to keep one another safe. Everyone at Alta Cycling Group is grateful for those on the frontlines — our real heroes — who are doing an exceptional job helping others during this time,” said Larry Pizzi, Chief Commercial Officer of Alta Cycling Group. “If Alta can make a positive impact on someone’s life during this unprecedented time, we are eager to do what we can.”
To nominate someone, head to an Alta brand website, hit the nominate button, and describe how the nominee has helped their community throughout the crisis and how they could benefit from a new bike.
See more info and nominate someone here.
Hutchinson make new Touareg for improved off-road adventures
Hutchinson Tires dropped the new Touareg tire, improving upon their Overide gravel tire, with more pronounced knobs and greater volume. The Touareg’s knobs are smaller and more compact blocks and the tire is made from a 127 TPI casing, to keep it flexible and lightweight. The Touareg is then reinforced with the brand’s Hardskin textile grid from bead to bead, for a tougher casing.
The tires come in all black or a tan wall option. The black edition comes in 700c x 40, 45, or 47, and the tan walls come in either 40 or 47. All are tubeless ready, with Hardskin reinforcement. Claimed weights on the 40, 45, and 47 are 490g, 550g, and 585g. The Touareg costs $65 across the board.
Ride with your favorite athlete on Wahoo Shred Sessions
A lot more of us are riding indoors lately for obvious reasons, and Wahoo wants to make it more interesting to stay inside. Wahoo Shred Sessions will be going on every Wednesday and Saturday from May 6 through the end of May.
The Shred Sessions are pro-led virtual group rides that take place on Zwift. Three different times will be offered through each day, to have something for athletes in every time zone. Each ride will have a different pro mountain biker serving as the ride leader, and they will be available to chat with other riders, and keep the pace inclusive, “where cyclists can ride together and commiserate about the challenges facing our community during this unprecedented global health crisis.”
At the end of the month though, to make it interesting, there will be an MTB Royal Rumble where everyone can virtually race for fun.
Pros in attendance for the Shred Sessions include Troy Brosnan, Brook MacDonald, Noga Korem, Sam Hill, Anita and Caro Gehrig, and many others. For a complete list and more information, check out the event here.
Win a trip to BC Bike Race 2021 by Zwift-ing with Geoff Kabush
Like most other races this year, BC Bike Race has had to postpone from July until September. In the meantime, while everyone is racking up trainer miles, it’s a good time to try and win a fully paid trip to next year’s BC Bike Race. In collaboration with Zwift, Stages Cycling, and Geoff Kabush, BCBR is launching an online contest called ‘Ride to Win.’
The contest will be hosted by two-time BCBR winner Geoff Kabush. There will be six events taking place on May 15, 16, and 17. Each event will be about one hour, and 16-miles in length. Kabush will be in all six events, riding at a social pace, but participants can go as hard as they want.
- Friday May 15: 12pm PT and 5pm PT
- Saturday May 16: 7am PT and 1pm PT
- Sunday May 17: 9am PT and 3pm PT
See this link for more information about the events.
Dakine launch signature women’s collection with Casey Brown
Dakine has an all-new collection aimed specifically at female riders and designed with Casey Brown. The new line includes a long-sleeve jersey and lightweight gloves. The products have a retro black and orange colorway for a “gender-neutral look, reflective of Brown’s easy-going attitude and hard-charging style,” says Dakine.
The Casey Brown Thrillium Glove has Pittards goat leather on the palm for excellent grip that is flexible and durable, and the polyester jersey is said to be stretchy and breathable, with Polygiene odor control and UPF 20 sun protection.
“The inspiration for the jersey came from what I saw was lacking in the women’s riding gear lines. I wanted to have a jersey that looked like a classic vintage race top, not too girly but still cute. The fit is relaxed for air flow and a casual feel. The glove has a minimalist approach [since] I like to have uninhibited contact with the bars,” says Casey Brown.
Ergon makes some good looking contact points
Photos: Matt Miller
Ergon has a few new products out for the season, and there are of course some oh-so-hot oil slick accents on the new saddle and grips.
The SM Enduro saddle was made with the input of EWS racers, and has a flat and narrow surface with padded edges, which should make for a comfortable saddle to get familiar with, and one that isn’t too bulky for descending. There are three price points on the SM, and they will sell for $80, $100, or $180 (compare models and prices). We have one in for testing, so look for a review soon.
Ergon has also redesigned the GD1 (Grip Downhill) grip line. Ergon says the GD1 was the first MTB grip with a tapered design for better damping and comfort, and thus put riders’ arms into a better position. The GD1 Evo grips have a soft thumb zone for improved grip, and the inner stop has been trimmed to make hand repositioning easier. The Factory version of the GD1 features a unique rubber compound made in Germany for a more precise feel. The GD1 Evo and GD1 Evo Factory will sell for $35 and $40 and are available online at JensonUSA and Competitive Cyclist.
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