Especially in contrast to heavy enduro bikes or even e-bikes, agile race bikes fascinate with a completely different dimension of riding fun. The industry has also recognised that this is not only fun for racers. Now a new downcountry wave is sweeping across the market. It brings fast mountain bikes with that certain something extra, lightweight parts and sleek accessories.
Sexual enhancer for racers
Race bikes have been getting more and more powerful for years. Lightweight bikes and parts remain in fashion, but even in 2024 there is a clear downward trend: in contrast, downcountry is here to stay.
Storck Adrenaline.2 Race-Fully
Storck has long since made a name for itself on the road and off-road with fast bikes. The Adrenalin.2 should be no exception and be the new, full-suspension trump card on challenging race courses. To achieve this, the suspension has been increased to 120 millimetres at the front and rear, the steering angle has been slackened to 68 degrees and the reach has been made longer (455 millimetres in size L). The seat angle is 74 degrees. With Shimano XTR equipment and the new Storck Zeitenjäger Comp 26M wheelset, the bike weighs 11.4 kilos. Storck's first carbon wheelset for mountain bikes offers particularly wide tyres thanks to a massive 34 millimetre internal width. The price of the Storck Adrenalin.2 starts at 5799 euros with a Shimano XT package and 6799 euros with Sram GX equipment.
Berria Bravo Softtail Racebike
Berria brings back the softtail concept - The Italian-American manufacturer Lee Cougan was the last to do this. Thanks to the Softex rear suspension system, the Bravo is a hybrid of a lightweight hardtail and a high-traction fully. Thanks to an intelligent carbon layup, the seat stays of the hardtail offer up to 14 millimetres of "suspension travel" - without any bearings. A further 14 millimetres of flex is provided by the in-house Tibia carbon seatpost. Berria specifies 999 grams for the weight-optimised BR version of the frame. The steering angle measures a slack 67.5 degrees. At the same time, 420 millimetre short chainstays should generate agile handling. The Spanish Berria Bravo is available in three model variants from 2399 euros.
Praxis Works Lyft crank set
Praxis Works offers around one gram of crank per euro. To be more precise, the Lyft carbon crank weighs 410 grams including chainring with 32 teeth and a length of 170 millimetres. This makes the flyweight a perfect fit for lightweight trail bikes. At 420 euros, Praxis Works offer their cranks significantly cheaper than comparably lightweight models from the competition. The narrow-width chainring with direct mount is also new and now compatible with Sram's flattop chain technology.
Leatt Endurance 3.0 MTB helmet
As part of its completely new endurance line, Leatt is equipping marathon racers such as Cape Epic winners Georg Egger and Lukas Baum for the first time. 19 openings are designed to keep the head cool during the race. In the event of a crash, the 360 Turbine technology directs rotational forces away from the head. This can reduce the acceleration relevant for a concussion by 30 per cent. Weight: from 350 grams.
Everyone wants to ride trails - trail bikes on the rise
The magic word "trail" magically attracts bikers. It is therefore part of every second marketing campaign for the coming season. Wide-ranging trail bikes and versatile accessories are in demand like never before.
Liteville 301CL MK1 carbon trail bike
Liteville fans can look forward to 2024 in particular, as the Allgäu-based company is launching a revolutionary new edition of the legendary 301. As the first non-motorised carbon bike, it heralds a new era for Liteville. In size M, the completely newly developed frame weighs just 1950 grams. The show bike with top equipment and likewise new Syntace C30i carbon wheels weighs in at a light 12.1 kilos. With 130 millimetres of travel at the rear and 150 millimetres at the front, the 301CL MK1 is positioned between the trail and all-mountain range.
The steering angle of the 29er full-suspension bike is a slack 64.5 degrees. For long tours, two bottle cages can be mounted on the down tube, which also has an integrated storage compartment. Of course, the Carbon-301 from Liteville comes with the integrated Eightpins seatpost and the KIS steering stabiliser. The frame is manufactured in Portugal. To guarantee a good supply of spare parts, Liteville uses the same bearings, bolts and screws, like the big brother 303. The Liteville 301CL will be available in a limited batch of 200 bikes in sizes M, L and XL at the end of the year. Liteville has not yet announced a price.
Trail and all-mountain bikes have gained a lot of weight in recent years. With the 301CL, Liteville shows that there is another way. This finally makes us want a real all-rounder bike again. The frame production in Portugal is also exciting. Unfortunately, the technology carrier will not be available at a bargain price for the time being. - Peter Nilges, BIKE Head of Test & Technology
DT Swiss 535 suspension fork
We had to wait five years for the new edition of the DT Swiss suspension for suspension travel between 120 and 160 millimetres. With the help of the "Plushport" technology, DT Swiss aims to achieve good support in the mid-travel range and efficient bottoming protection on the F 535 fork. In the first 30 millimetres, the air spring is supported by an additional steel spring in order to achieve a more sensitive response behaviour.
Both the fork and the R 535 damper come with two-way adjustable platform damping in the standard version and three-way adjustable platform damping in the ONE model. The low-speed compression damping can also be adjusted on the F 535 for 989 and 1149 euros respectively. The R 535 with double air chamber costs 399 and 449 euros respectively.
Fox Speedframe RS MTB helmet
The latest trail helmet from Fox features the innovative Mips Integra Split. It consists of two separate helmet shells that can rotate against each other to provide effective protection against concussions. The new visor is fixed in the centre and should now be easier to adjust. Otherwise, the Speedframe RS is packed with high-quality details: Boa adjustment system, Fidlock buckle and sunglasses holder. Available from April 2024 for 250 euros.
Julbo Frequency sunglasses
As the little sister of the Julbo Density, the Frequency is designed to fit narrow faces and women's heads in particular. Soft contact surfaces on the temples are designed to ensure an optimum fit without sticking to the hair. The lenses are particularly large to maximise the field of vision. A special cut is designed to provide ventilation and prevent the lenses from fogging up. The Frequency is available in a wide range of colours and with different lens types. Self-tinting Reactiv filters are available for 220 euros, standard lenses cost 180 euros.
Jan Timmermann
Editor
