Fans of vintage MTBs, klunkers, and cruisers, listen up: there’s a rad new brand in town and they just released their first tire. Or, their first modern recreation of a legendary vintage tire. House of Looptail was founded in 2023 by industry veteran Wakeman Massie, who was QBP’s first product designer.

House of Looptail (named for the classic frame style) is dedicated to those who want to keep vintage bikes of the 70s-90s rolling, and keep riding them as well. To that angle, they’re planning to offer high-quality, period-correct parts to keep those vintage dreams alive.

To kick things off, House of Looptail has partnered with Panaracer to bring the Snake Belly tire back to life. The Snake Belly was originally created by the National Tire Company of Japan in 1979 (now called Panaracer) as a BMX tire, and then scaled up to a 26″ tire which may or may not have been the first tire specifically made for MTB use.

This isn’t some cheap, sort-of-reproduction of a storied tread. Instead, Panaracer is offering the exact same original tread design in a brand new mold with a modern lightweight 60tpi casing and a folding aramid bead. The modernization of the tire also includes Panaracer’s proprietary ZSG rubber compound which has been “specifically tuned for this application” – we’re assuming that means a more durable tread for skids!

Wakeman tells us that the Snake Belly project has been in the works for years, but it’s finally happening. House of Looptail has already received their first air shipment of tires, of which about half are already sold. Judging by the response on the House of Looptail Facebook group, these are likely to go fast. But if you miss the initial order window, don’t worry – more tires are on the way, with an ocean freight shipment expected sometime in December.

As these are meant for vintage MTBs, cruisers, and klunkers, the Snake Belly will be offered in 26 x 2.125″ only. Available in Tanwall or black, the tires sell for $85 each, and there is currently a four tire maximum per customer to try and let as many people as possible get a pair.

What’s Next?

In addition to the Snake Belly, House of Looptail has two additional tires in the works with the Competition Deuce motocross tire and an officially licensed Ritchey Megabite Z-Max recreation in black and red and in 2.1 and 2.35″. We might also see a few components as well.

Head over to the link below for more.

houseoflooptail.com

The post House of Looptail Partners with Panaracer to Recreate the Snake Belly Tire for Vintage MTBs! appeared first on Bikerumor.

Colorado bicycle adventure specialists, Rodeo Labs, just released a new addition to their super-versatile Flaanimal line. Today we meet the new Flaanimal 6 Ti, and it’s ready for whatever you want to throw at it. Don’t forget, the Flaanimal won the 2021 Tour Divide, so yeah, the platform is a goer.

I’m kinda excited about this one, so let’s get right to it.

Flaanimal 6 Ti Frame Features

Headtube

Rodeo Labs loves its new headtube on this frame, saying that it “sets the tone for the overall design philosophy”. It uses 44mm press-in headset cups, is machined out of titanium into an hourglass shape, and supports integrated routing. Rodeo Labs won’t promise that it’s aero, but the fact that it looks more aero is a-ok with them.

Distinctive Silhouette

The 6 Ti has some frame features that help it stand out on its own. It uses a custom-profiled, full-length top tube, that has an elegant taper as it gets to the seat tube. It then “hugs” the seat tube for a clean blended seat tube cluster, with nicely sculpted seat stays.

Keg Bottom Bracket

Rodeo Labs calls the 6 Ti’s improved T47 bottom bracket shell, The Keg. It kinda looks like a keg, with its increased diameter compared to the standard-size bearing seat. This CNC-machined titanium BB shell is designed to create space for internal routing while not interfering with the crankset spindle. Plus it uses a “bowtie-shaped passthrough” to aid in dropper routing.

No Yoke

Unlike the Flaanimal 5 Ti, the 6 Ti doesn’t feature a CNC-machined dropped yoke design. Rodeo Labs decided to keep a more “classicly-shaped chainstay cluster”. They incorporated a 3d printed “no-yoke” design, with seamless tube shaping, expert hand finishing, and fully internal shift/brake routing.

Lock Jaw 2

Moving on from the Flaanimal 5 slider dropout system, Rodeo Labs created a new slider for the 6 Ti. With the invention of the UDH, it was time to design an updated and improved slider. The 6 Ti slider removes unwanted mass as well as makes it ready for new rear derailleur tech. The Lock-Jaw 2 pulls inspiration from the pioneering slider concepts of the TD4. Some of the features of the new Lock-Jaw 2 are:

• Native UDH Compatibility
• Standard hanger Compatibility
• Singlespeed Compatibility
• 30mm of slider range
• Future Proof

Routing Choices

If you read some of the comments on Bikerumor, you’ll see that integrated routing is not for everyone. So, with that in mind, Rodeo Labs made sure that the new 6 Ti had three choices for cable/hose routing. They are fully integrated, semi-integrated, and traditional routing.

Tire Clearance

The Flaanimal 5 Ti could just fit a 29 x 2.1″ which is commendable in the tire clearance dept. With the 6 Ti’s removal of the dropped yoke, the redesigned sliders, and the re-shaped stays, it can comfortably match the 5 Ti’s tire clearance. The new 6 Ti frame, with the sliders in the very rear position, can fit a 29 x 2.1″, and a 650b x 2.4″ with no need for a “wide” crankset. Depending on your tire casing choice and rim selection, you may be able to push that a bit.

Dynamo Ports for the Win

This feature is for all of you commuters, ultra-racers, or anyone who enjoys the worry-free lighting experience that a dynamo system offers. The new 6 Ti frame includes two non-drive side seat stay ports with the upper port near the set tube cluster The lower port is down by the rear drop out. There is a similar port up under the top tube.

The Flaanimal 6 Ti Geometry

The 6 Ti has two geometry options for riders with different fit priorities. Rodeo Labs are calling them Standard Geometry and Extended Geometry. They said, “We will allow people to order either version of the geometry, and we will keep an eye on what is popular ongoing”.

Standard Geo

Our standard geometry is the Flaanimal geometry that everyone who owns one knows and loves. The geometry is largely shared across every bike we make and has proven itself versatile and predictable across genres. This is true quiver-killer geometry, ideal for using the bike from road to gravel, to fast-paced ultra riding.

Extended Geo

Our extended geometry is a new option and increases the stack on each frame size for a more upright riding position. We also slackened the head tube angle slightly for more relaxed handling. The handling changes will be very subtle on this version but are more suited for a rider who is touring or riding ultra-distance events with their bike.

I Built my Own 6 Ti For a Price

Being that the new Flaanimal 6 Ti has so many choices to choose from there is no basic retail price for the frameset (that I could see on their site). So, I thought it would be fun to “build my own” and see what I would spend.

You can build yours here.

I kept it simple and tried to keep from choosing all of the options in an attempt to keep the price reasonable. Here’s what I picked…

• Frame size: 58cm
• Geometry choice: Extended
• Build choice: Shimano GRX 820 1x
• Add-ons: Dynamo Hub and headlight
• Price: $8,185.20

To get all the details and to get your own Flaanimal 6 Ti, go to the link below!

Rodeo-Labs.com

The post Rodeo Labs Launches New Flaanimal 6 Ti, a Stand Alone Do-Everything Bicycle appeared first on Bikerumor.

Mountain bike tech has made quantum leaps over the past 15 years; wireless shifting and nearly integrated everything. Sometimes, that progress come at the cost of aesthetics, and serviceability — but not this build. Custom beautification mad man Dangerholm takes sets his sights on the Scott Spark RC and reimagines it in Rosso Corsa elegance.

Dangerholm looks for inspiration in Italian sports cars to bridge those gaps in his latest creation, the Scott Spark RC Visione. This concept bike embodies where racing innovation, modern aesthetics, and practical design intersect. It showcases next-level integration with a nod to its Italian inspiration, which is highlighted in a stunning “Rosso Corsa” paint job reminiscent of Ferrari.

“The Italian name ‘Visione’ and the Ferrari ‘Rosso Corsa’ paint job is a small homage to the incredible concept cars, motorsport classics, and designs for which we have Italy to thank. A deep source of inspiration, for when you want to try and push the limits.”

Dangerholm

Dangerholm — Scott Spark RC Visione

From dropper posts to refined 1x drivetrains and updated geometries, mountain bikes today are built to maximize speed and control. But another wave of subtle, and equally performance enhancing changes is taking place: seamless integration of components that blend performance and aesthetics. The Spark RC Visione isn’t just about eye-catching design—it’s a complete rethink of user-focused integration, made possible by state-of-the-art 3D printing (and wood).

3D-Printing and Wooden Prototypes

At the core of the Vision is an advanced 3D-printed handlebar, co-developed by Syncros and German manufacturing powerhouse TRUMPF.

This handlebar hides brake hoses with a snap-in channel design, eliminating the inconvenience of routing cables internally. While Syncros’ engineers, Maxime Lallemand, and Quentin Beauregard, executed the engineering finesse, the idea began with a wooden prototype—old-school creativity meeting cutting-edge technology.

No Wires and Clean Lines 

With RockShox’s wireless Flight Attendant system on board, mechanical suspension cables are a thing of the past. The bike leverages SRAM’s AXS tech, fine-tuned with ultra-minimalist Zirbel Twister controllers tucked discreetly into the custom handlebar. There is no external clutter, just clean, precise shifting.

Advanced Manufacturing for Ride-Ready Components

TRUMPF’s 3D printing prowess enabled the manufacture of this lightweight 6061 aluminum handlebar with complex shapes that were impossible through traditional methods.  

The result? A fully certified, ISO-tested component that’s ready for real-world trails.

Drool-Worthy Spec

The Spark RC Visione doesn’t just look the part—it’s built to race. Equipped with SRAM’s XX SL Eagle Transmission and tuned with a CeramicSpeed OSPW cage and bottom bracket, the drivetrain is set for maximum efficiency. Trickstuff Piccola manages braking with custom 3D-printed titanium levers, showcasing both performance and cutting-edge aesthetics. Zipp 1ZERO HiTop SW wheels complete the setup, blending durability and compliance for technical trails.

Dangerholm’s SCOTT Spark RC Visione – Build Details

• Frame: SCOTT Spark RC size L
• Thru axles: METI Titanium
• Rear shock: RockShox SID Flight Attendant
• Fork: RockShox SID Ultimate Flight Attendant
• Headset: Syncros adjustable HA with CeramicSpeed SLT bearings
• Handlebar: Syncros x TRUMPF x Dangerholm 3D printed prototype
• Grips: Syncros Foam Grips
• Garmin mount: Syncros iC Front Computer Mount
• Seat post: RockShox Reverb AXS 100mm
• Saddle: Bike Ahead Composites Hyper Saddle
• Controllers: Zirbel Twister WE01 with custom SRAM AXS BlipBox
• Brakes: Trickstuff Piccola with TRUMPF 3D-printed titanium levers
• Brake caliper bolts: METI Titanium
• Brake rotors: Trickstuff Dächle UL (160mm & 180mm)
• Rear derailleur: SRAM XX SL Eagle Transmission
• Rear derailleur cage: CeramicSpeed X OSPW for Transmission
• Crankarms: 5Dev XC titanium
• Power meter: SRAM XX SL 38T
• Pedals: Xpedo M-Force 8 Ti
• Bottom bracket: CeramicSpeed DUB
• Chain: SRAM XX SL Eagle Transmission
• Cassette: SRAM XX SL Eagle Transmission
• Wheels: Zipp 1ZERO HiTop SW
• Tires: Vittoria Mezcal and Peyote XC Race 2.4”
• Sealant: Syncros Eco Sealant
• Bottle cages: Geek Components 3D-printed titanium, Syncros Tailor Cage 1.0 as an alternative
• Bike computer: Hammerhead Karoo
• Weight: 11.02kg / 24.29lbs (including pedals)

With the Scott Spark RC Visione, Dangerholm sets the bar high for what’s possible in integration and user-friendly innovation. Expect this evolution to become the norm as tech-savvy riders and super-mechanics push the envelope of whats possible.

For the detailed spec list and more, check out Scott-sports.com

The post Dangerholm’s Scott Spark RC Visione Includes 3D Printed Bar/Stem appeared first on Bikerumor.

If you are hunting for the perfect enduro bike just for you, the revamped & expanded YT Capra Core family offers more choices and more opportunities than ever to fine-tune the exact setup you want. YT calls it the return of the GOAT.

Carbon or alloy frames. 29″ or a mullet wheel combo. SRAM or Shimano. Fox, RockShox, Öhlins, or Marzocchi.

It’s your call from just $2500€ up to $6000€ – enduro bikes for almost every budget.

More choice with updated YT Capra Core enduro family

First debuted back in 2021 with their return of the Goat Man, the 3rd generation YT Capra is the consumer-direct brand’s go-to longer travel bike for full-on enduro racing. Instead of just popping a flip-chip there are separate MX mullet and 29er frames with their own specific suspension kinematics and geometries. Both get 170mm forks, but the MX matches with 170mm of 4-bar rear wheel travel while the full-29er dials it back to 165mm out back.

Tech details

• ultra hi-mod carbon, hi-mod carbon, and alloy frameset options
• MX mullet 27.5/29″ (170mm) or 29 specific (165mm) frames
• 5 frame sizes (S-XXL)

• low-slung left-mounted water bottle cage, plus tool carrier mount
• adjustable geometry with High/Low rear shock mount flip-chip
• conventional internal cable routing through headtube ports
• Boost 12x148mm thru-axle spacing
• threaded 73mm BSA bottom bracket
• UDH
• 31.6mm adjustable travel YT Postman v2 dropper posts
• 220/200mm brake rotor setups
• Continental Kryptotal FR/RE Enduro casing tire setup with Supersoft rubber up front

Options for every budget

YT Capra Core AL alloy – Pricing, options & availability

There are now 6 Capra Core options, with three each whether you pick a carbon or aluminum frame. And you can always choose either the full 29er option with 165mm or rear wheel travel or a mullet 29/27.5″ setup and 170mm of travel front & rear. (Generally, the mullet option is 100-300g lighter according to YT claims.)

The most affordable is the $2500 / 2500€ aluminum YT Capra Core 1 AL in Sludge green or black Magic with MarzocchiBomber Z1 fork & Bomber Air shock, a Shimano Deore 1×12, and alloy SunRingle SR309 Enduro Comp wheels (16.8kg mullet / 17.0kg 29er).

Then, the $3000€ Capra Core 2 AL in Machine light grey or black with RockShox Zeb/Vivid Select suspension, Shimano SLX/XT drivetrain & alloy DT Swiss E1900 wheels (16.6/16.7kg).

And topping out the alloy frameset builds with the $4500€ Capra Core 3 AL in Drop yellow or black with Öhlins S RXF38/TTX22 suspension, a direct-mount SRAM GX Eagle Transmission & alloy Cranksbrothers Synthesis Enduro 2 wheels (16.8/16.9kg).

YT Capra Core CF carbon – Pricing, options & availability

The entry-level carbon build though, is even more affordable with the $3500€ Capra Core 2 CF in Blood red or black with the same RockShox Select, Shimano SLX DT wheels as the Core 2 in aluminum (16.1/16.2kg).

Next up, the $5000 / 5000€ Capra Core 3 CF in Electric blue or black with the same setup as the alloy 3 – Öhlins S RXF38/TTX22 suspension, the SRAM GX Transmission & Cranksbrothers Synthesis Enduro 2 wheels (16.1/16.4kg).

And the cream of the carbon-framed crop is a $6000 / 6000€ YT Capra Core 4 CF and the only with the ultra-hi modulus carbon layup in Deep green or that classic black Magic with Fox 38/DHX2 Factory suspension, SRAM GX Eagle Transmission & alloy Cranksbrothers Synthesis Enduro 3 wheels (15.9/16.2kg).

YT-Industries.com

The post YT Capra Core Family Brings More Choices To Popular EDR-winning Enduro Mountain Bike appeared first on Bikerumor.

SRAM’s latest family of Eagle Transmission derailleurs hyped their durability, but nothing is indestructible, and MRP thinks their new Cage Guard is the perfect insurance policy. Sure, it’s just a little $30 piece of engineered plastic. But MRP knows a thing or two about keeping mountain bike drivetrains safe. And based on the dents & gouges in my own Transmission derailleur after just a half a year of riding, I feel like mine could use a bit of extra protection…

MRP Cage Guard protects SRAM Transmission derailleurs

MRP has been in the business of creating bash-guards and low-friction sliders to protect our sensitive drivetrain, literally since the birth of technical mountain bike riding took hold in the 1990s. So seeing them decide to make a bash guard for some of the most expensive mountain bike derailleurs ever mass-produced seems pretty logical to me.

Machined in-house in Grand Junction, Colorado from durable & slippery Delrin thermoplastic, MRP created the 8g Cage Guard “to protect your SRAM T-Type derailleur pulley cage from costly damage caused by rocks and debris“.

MRP says the new Cage Guard does double-duty of first preventing impact damage, and secondly of keeping your alloy cage from snagging when it hits a sharp or especially abrasive rock.

Bounce off, and glide over rocks. Because ultimately, limiting cage damage ensures the best shifting performance out of your premium SRAM Transmission.

Do you really need a bash guard on your SRAM MTB Transmission Derailleur?

Look, making a derailleur that works with a 10-52T spread is always going to mean a long cage hanging down within reach of trailside rocks. I know a big part of SRAM’s latest direct-mount Eagle T-Type Transmission derailleurs was easier serviceability. And the spin-off cage trick really makes replacing a cage faster & easier, that is if you have a spare lying around. But these big angular cages do seem to stick out more than even the previous generation of Eagle derailleurs, making them more vulnerable low-hanging-fruit for hungry rocks.

Sure, the new T-type design means you can easily replace the quick-release alloy GX cage for around $100, a shiner alloy XX cage for about $150, or the fancy carbon XX SL cage for $200. But that means the cheapest replacement Transmission cage will still cost you more than 3x the price of the MRP Cage Guard. So, maybe with $30 of Cage Guard prevention, it’ll never come to that.

Yes, it is maybe debatable whether 8g of plastic is really going to prevent a well-placed rock strike from killing your derailleur cage. But it certainly won’t hurt, right?

I can say that I’ve hit a lot of rocks, bashing my trail & enduro bikes through rock gardens. And I also fondly remember more than two decades of bashing crankarms and chainrings onto rocks with MRP guards protecting me.

MRP Cage Guard – Pricing, compatibility & availability

This new little Delrin plastic MRP Cage Guard sells for $29.95, directly from Mountain Racing Products. And yes, that’s a pretty expensive piece of plastic, but it’s a lot cheaper than any replacement T-type derailleur cage. The Cage Guard is designed to bolt onto the latest generation of direct (full) mount SRAM Transmission derailleurs. Just remove the T25 lower pulley bolt, slap the Cage Guard on, then tighten it in place with the included longer stainless steel M4 bolt.

It’s compatible with everything from the OEM-only S100, GX, X0, XX & the top XX SL T-type derailleurs. So you get bash guard protections whether you have a steel, aluminum, or carbon outer cage.

MRPbike.com

The post Can a $30 MRP Cage Guard Save Your $650 SRAM T-type MTB Transmission Derailleur? appeared first on Bikerumor.

A new generation of the meticulously machined Actofive I-Train mk2 aluminum trail bike lets MTB riders pick from 120-140mm of rear wheel travel and then fine-tune anti-squat to create their own perfect mountain bike. More travel, more adjustability, and more capable than ever. This second generation of Actofive’s full in-house CNC-machined aluminum mountain bike can be built into a lightweight downcountry bike or with a bit more burly build into a beast of a trail bike blurring into short-travel enduro for the capable rider…

ActoFive I-Train Mk2 versatile, adjustable CNC alloy Trail bike

Just over a year and a half ago, Actofive introduced the I-Train as a simplified shorter-travel and more affordable example of their beautifully precise CNC-machined mountain bike handiwork. Compared to the much more complex and longer travel variable high-pivot P-Train enduro bike, the I-Train was meant to be a more accessible bike, and a bike more suited to the type of riding most mountain bikers actually experience.

But now, with 15mm more travel in each of three settings, three different flip-chips to fine-tune suspension, wheelsize combos & ride height, plus an angle adjust headset… the limitations of what the new I-Train mk2 can do are kind of flying out the window. What you are left with is a bike that can adapt to almost any style of modern mountain biking.

Actofive calling this machine a short-travel trail bike seems to undersell what is clearly a capable tool in the right hands. I watched first-hand as Czech enduro racer Vojta Blaha rode his new I-Train mk2 to a Blinduro Podzim win on the bike’s first weekend racing after its debut at Bespoked, while most riders (myself included) raced the 2 days of steep, rocky & loose blind stages on much longer travel bikes.

Yet, Blaha had nothing but great things to say about the playful new bike… calling it a “Shred machine. The ultimate trail bike that you can pedal for 100km and then throw a DH track at it”.

What’ new?

The new all-29er I-Train Mk2 gains 15mm longer rear wheel travel, now reaching 120mm / 130mm / 140mm depending on your choice of rear shock. It’s simple plug-and-play according to Actofive, so you can always change travel down the road with a simple shock swap – no other parts/modifications required.

While the original I-Train used welded Nicolai seat & chainstays, now Actofive machines the entire bike in-house. The new stays feature intricately hollowed-out truss-like structures that you can see on their backsides. We got a preview of the new stays in our recent Actofive Factory Tour.

What’s really most unique about the new I-Train mk2 is its newfound adjustability, giving more options to fine-tune it for various styles of trail riding. It keeps the same 3-position ride height adjustment & angle adjustable headset cups.

But now adds the option for a 10mm shorter chainstay link for mullet builds AND a new 4-position suspension tuning flip-chip they’re calling Adjustable Pivot.

By minutely adjusting the height of the main pivot just above the bottom bracket users can significantly adjust the anti-squat response of the suspension, while fine-tuning the pedal kickback curve, as well. This lets riders easily adjust how lively or planted the bike feels to suit their riding & pedaling styles. Read our summary of Anti-Squat here if you want to learn more on why it is great to be able to adjust it to your preference.

The new bike also features more progressive geometry, inspired by its Enduro World Cup-racing P-Train sibling. Its headset is now a degree slacker at 65° (+/-1°), seattube a degree steeper at 78°, and frame Reach 5mm longer.

Perfect for fast and technical trail riding.

Tech details

• fully CNC-machined from 7075-T6 aluminum billet in Dresden, Germany
• two-piece hollow clamshell adhesive-bonded front triangle
• open machined seatstays & open machined chainstays with press-fit polymer bridge for tuned rear-end flex
• two-piece keyed & bolted-together aluminum rocker link

• 120, 130, or 140mm of 4-bar rear wheel travel via different shock stroke (190×45 or 210×50/55mm)
• matched to 130-150mm fork travel
• 4-position Adjustable (main) Pivot to tune suspension anti-squat characteristics
• 3-position bottom bracket drop settings: Low 43mm, Neutral 39mm, or High 36mm
• 2-position size-specific chainstay lengths: 437mm (S1/2) or 444mm (S3); adjustable -10mm for Mullet setup
• three Reach-based sizes: S1 455mm / S2 475mm / S3 505mm
• slack 65° headtube angle, adjustable +/-1° with eccentric headset cups
• steep 78° seattube angle
• full 29″ or Mullet wheel size combinations
• max 2.4″ tires
• UDH for SRAM T-type Transmission or conventional derailleurs
• 73mm BSA threaded bottom bracket with ISCG 05 tabs
• Boost 12x148mm thru-axle, PM 180 brake & 31.6mm seatpost
• bottle cage bosses on top & bottom of downtube, plus tool bag/carrier mount under toptube
• internal cable routing through main triangle (external routing optional)
• custom anti-noise chainstay protector & downtube guard
• 3300g frame weight (size S2, without shock)
• raw aluminum or several anodized colors available

Actofive I-Train Mk2 – Pricing, options & availability

The new Actofive I-Train Mk2 is available made-to-order as a frameset starting at 6000€ without a shock.

Once you hit the order button, Actofive’s Simon Metzner will work out exactly what you are looking for to customize your bike, including figuring out what the best shock is suited for your build… from a 420€ Fox Float to a 1079€ Intend Hover Opt and every coil or air option in between.

Then, once you put a 2/3 down payment, he’ll get to machining your bike. Frameset lead time is currently around 4-5 months. Custom complete Actofive I-Train Mk2 dream bike builds are also available. The sky is the limit, but complete pricing starts at 12,900€, and again Simon will help you build a one-of-a-kind shredder.

ActoFive.com

The post Actofive I-Train Mk2 Adjustable Travel CNC-Machined Trail Bike Shreds in 2nd Generation appeared first on Bikerumor.

We got a preview of it over the summer, but now the 2025 Leatt MTB clothing range is officially here. And there’s some great riding footage to get us psyched for a new season of hitting the trails in new shred-worthy mountain bike riding kit. The new 2025 line-up includes their all-new Women’s Trail & Enduro Apparel line, a new DH & gravity race kit developed with Pivot Factory Racing, and the simple low-cost Ride Kit 1.0 that pairs a set of long-sleeve jersey & pants combined for less than a hundred bucks for kids or adults…

2025 Leatt expanded mountain bike riding clothing line

Forgive me, but this is almost gonna seem like a regurgitated marketing press release from a new season of mountain bike riding clothing. But that’s kinda exactly what it is.

We already covered Leatt’s huge new move into MTB components in-depth this past July. There will be pedals, bars, stems, grips, and even a full-face-specific water bottle. All interesting new tech to geek out on with us. And at the time they teased us with new riding clothing too.

The big clothing news they gave us detail on then, were the sub $100 / 100€ sets of riding pants and long-sleeve jerseys that were meant to make their premium fit, quality materials, and style much more accessible to the average enduro and gravity mountain bike rider. And even cheaper for the next generation of kids shredding trails these days.

But they also promised more gender parity – expanding full Trail & Enduro line-ups for women. That’s a pretty big deal in our book.

Because what they had already offered for women was generally great – and has been some of my wife’s favorite riding gear for the past 2 years – but the options for women have always been quite limited.

So we’re happy to see more options for women. And we’ll definitely try to get a bunch of this new clothing in to test at the beginning of next season.

Plus, Leatt’s big deal is really protection, so there’s new knee & elbow pads, and new upper body protection vests, too.

OK, read on for the PR-speak directly from the mouths of Leatt…

All-New 2025 Leatt Women’s Trail range

Leatt’s new Women Trail jerseys are constructed from a Bluesign-approved fabric called IceYarn Knit, a quick-drying material. The casual T-shirts and long sleeves have subtle Leatt branding, with barely any logos visible apart from the small reflective branding at the back bottom hem (from $65 / 65€).

The new Women’s Trail shorts and pants include detachable chamois-liners and have a lightweight, flexible fit. The stretch of the waist and back panels ensure that the shorts or pants are comfortable from the first ride (from $99 / 99€).

All-New 2025 Leatt Women’s Enduro range

Leatt claims to have created THE Enduro pants and shorts for women. A flexible and supportive waist construction is combined with a 3-layer waterproof and taped seat liner. The result is full freedom of movement as well as complete waterproofing, no matter how muddy the saddle gets. The overall 4-way flex construction has an additional “DeFlextion” reinforcement in the seat area and knee section, making it as comfortable as durable. Storage comes in the form of five zippered pockets, one of which is mesh (from $99 / 109€).

Like the Trail range, the long and short-sleeved jerseys are made from IceYarn fabric. The prints and colorways are simple and understated, and the finish is super soft for sensitive skin. With laser-cut ventilation and an integrated goggle wiper, these jerseys have all the bases covered at a fair price point (from $65 / 65€).

Men’s premium Downhill 5.0 line-up

The 5.0 Gravity models are the result of all of Leatt’s R&D knowledge, plus the experience of the Pivot Factory Racing team. The 5.0 jersey uses state-of-the-art fabric construction technologies – the sleeves are made from a combination of CoWeave and DeFlextion materials. Using a custom-programmed 3D-knit, it has seamless transitions from ventilation areas into reinforcement areas. The sleeves have a tight fit, ideal for aerodynamics, while the torso section is looser to maximize freedom of movement.

The 5.0 Gravity pants also feature a CoWeave and DeFlextion seamless construction in the lower leg. The upper leg is made from a flexible, lightweight 4-way stretch fabric, while the seat area is enhanced with a bonded, waterproof liner. For a perfect fit around the waist, Leatt uses a slimline, lightweight, motocross-inspired Hypalon belt construction. Due to these advanced production techniques and the chosen high-end fabrics, the pants and jerseys aren’t cheap: Pants are $189 / 189€, Jerseys $99 / 99€.

The Ride Kit 1.0: ultra-affordable enduro, gravity & DH MTB riding sets

Less than 100 bucks for a jersey and pants set! And for kids, it’s less than 90.

The Ride Kit 1.0 shares the fit of the high-end 5.0 Gravity kit, but makes use of more “classic” fabrics and seam-stitched construction. The chosen material is still Bluesign-approved, flexible, breathable, and fast-drying. OK, fewer zippers & pockets and a simple moto-style buckle waist closure… but still some laser-cut vent holes and goggle wiper included.

This jersey-pant combo looks and feels way more expensive than it is. The cut and style, featuring minimal branding, makes it great for trail riding, as well. The pants and sleeves come in all black only, and the main body comes in a choice of black, grey, brown, or teal. Recommended retail pricing is: Adults $99 / 99€ and Kids (starting on a body height of 110cm) $89 / 89€ for set of both pants & long-sleeve jersey.

New 5.0 3DF EVO Pads protective gear

Leatt’s best-selling pads have been around for 8 years now. How to make a good product even better? Make it more lightweight, improve fit and breathability. That’s it.

The latest evolution of the 5.0 features a more ventilated, ergonomic 3DF pads, with a slightly lower profile. It is constructed with DeFlextion fabric, keeping it super robust, but still light and flexible. The main sleeve construction has also been ergonomically improved. The knee pad comes in three versions: a full-sleeve knee pad, a FastFit open-construction knee pad (no need to take the shoes off), and a knee-shin pad combo. Prices start from $99 / 109€. Elbow pads retail at $89 / 99€.

FlexMesh & FlexMesh Pro protectors get better ventilation

Leatt’s 2025 MTB range offers six new upper body protectors, including Chest and Backs-only. The biggest change has been made to the damping material and its construction, with the introduction of FlexMesh (single density) and FlexMesh Pro (dual-density) padding, a 3D mesh construction. Traditional damping material is heavy and bulky, and has small ventilation holes. Conversely, FlexMesh holes are bigger than the damping material itself, maximizing ventilation (Leatt claims plus 50%) and bringing the weight down by 11%. Flex joints allow for 3D flexing and a comfortable fit.

The hard shells covering the FlexMesh pads are also fully vented, and are available in black and white color options. Prices start at $179 / 189€ for a Chest/Back FlexMesh protector 4.5 Evo, and go up to the maximum protective product, the Body Protector 5.5 Evo (FlexMesh Pro at chest & back, plus additional flanks/rips, shoulder, and elbow protection) retailing at $349 / 379€.

Leatt.com/2025MTB

The post 2025 Leatt MTB Gear w/ All-New Women Trail & Enduro line, Affordable Ride Kit 1.0, more… appeared first on Bikerumor.

Earlier this year, Bontrager launched four all-new MTB treads. Those tires started with the super-fast Vallnord, ranging up to the all-around trail tire called the Gunnison. Now Bontrager is completing their new MTB tire lineup with the most aggressive options in the lineup – the Brevard and Galbraith.

Like those launched in April, the Brevard and Galbraith ditch the ‘XR/SE’ naming convention of the outgoing tires. Instead, the tires take naming inspiration from legendary MTB zones where the tire would be appropriate. For enduro and aggressive trail, the Brevard replaces the XR5/SE5 while the Galbraith replaces the SE6.

The new naming structure also includes some changes to the levels and constructions. While the old tires went from Comp, to Expert, to Team issue for Entry/Good/Best, the new level goes Comp, Elite, Pro, and RSL for the top end. Constructions are noted as XR for XC/Trail, XT for Trail, SE for Enduro, and G for Downhill. That gives you three parts of the name, as in Brevard RSL SE which would be the top-level Brevard tire in an SE casing. Four parts if you add the TLR Tubeless Ready acronym.

Named after Brevard, North Carolina, the Brevard is optimized for loose and mixed terrain. Looking at the tread pattern, it’s hard not to think Minion, which is fine since it’s one of the most popular all-around aggressive tires.

The Galbraith is named for Bellingham, Washinton’s Galbraith Mountain, and these tires claim to be ideal for anything from rocky to loose, soft, and loamy trail conditions like you’d find in the Pacific Northwest.

The Brevard tire comes in either Bontrager’s new Trail Dual-Compound, or their Trail Triple-Compound. The Galbraith is only offered in Triple-Compound which adds softer shoulder compounds for better cornering grip, a medium center for climbing and braking grip, and a firm base for knob support. The Dual-Compound uses a medium shoulder for cornering grip and a firmer center for faster rolling and better longevity.

Both tires are also offered in Bontrager’s new RSL SE construction which uses a 60TPI casing with sidewall, bead-to-bead, and apex puncture protection. This is the only casing offered for the Galbraith, but the Brevard also comes in XR and XT. According to Trek’s testing, the new SE casing improved pinch-flat resistance by an impressive 33% on the Brevard compared to the SE5, while the Galbraith improved by 26% from the SE6.

The Galbraith is also only available as a 29 x 2.5″ tire, while the Brevard is offered 29 x 2.5 and 27.5 x 2.5.

Actual Weight

These tires have thick casings and a lot of rubber. As a result, they’re not super light at 1406g for the Brevard RSL SE 29 x 2.5, and 1414g for the Galbraith RSL SE 29 x 2.5.

First Impressions

First impressions always start with the installation, and for me that meant mounting to a pair of Forge + Bond 30 AM wheels with a 30mm internal width. Out of the box, the Bontrager tires are pretty stiff and were a bit of a challenge to mount to the rim. An application of Schwalbe Easy Fit Tire Mounting Fluid seemed to help. Still, I had to use a tool at points, but once they were on the beads easily popped into place. I mounted the Galbraith to the front and the Brevard to the rear in hopes that the Galbraith would help hook up on the sketchy loose-over-hard fall conditions.

Starting at my usual 21psi rear, 19psi front, it was immediately apparent that these tires are stout. I could definitely feel the weight difference from the 19 x 2.4″ Maxxis Dissectors that came off the bike, but the trade-off was a nicely damped ride feel.

The SE casing is supportive enough that I started lowering the air pressure, eventually setting at 16/17psi front/rear. Even at those pressures on a light weight ebike, it didn’t feel overly squirmy and offered excellent traction.

All of my rides so far have been in the same conditions – tons of leaves, acorns, walnuts, and sticks over rock-hard dirt. This time of year you can’t even see the trail in most spots, so you really have to trust your tires. So far, the Bontragers have worked out pretty well as long as you’re OK with some controlled sliding. Understandably, with so much loose debris on top of the trails, the tires haven’t been locked into place, but the sliding is predictable and there is still plenty of grip while climbing and braking. The tires also improved quickly with some miles, but it’s still early.

Pricing & Availability

Available now, the Brevard and Galbraith RSL SE TLR both sell for $69.99. The Brevard is also offered in Black/Tan.

The post Bontrager Charges Into Big Terrain with New Brevard & Galbraith Enduro MTB Tires appeared first on Bikerumor.

Today on Instagram, with the caption “Should we make this?”, Trek Bicycles teased a possible new full-suspension mountain bike. They’re calling it the PipeDream. The IG post continues by saying that the bike was designed by Trek’s Industrial Designer, Kyle Neuser, and “crafted by Trek’s prototype lab.”

According to the post, the geo is borrowed from the new Top Fuel, as well as the rear end and rocker link.

The Instagram post mentions that it was Kyle’s vision to “combine the natural damping of steel with the proven geo and pedaling performance of the new Top Fuel”.

Steel is Still Real

The PipeDram is running bolt-on aluminum shock mounts that allow for future suspension tuning. It’s also nice to see some exposed cable routing on the classic skinny steel tubes.

The paint scheme on the PipeDream is meant to reflect the colorways of the steel Trek bikes of the 80s and 90s – their attempt to remind everyone that steel can still meet the demands that today’s trails dish out.

This “prototype” checks a lot of boxes. It is both modern and retro, and very good-looking. This is not the first nor the last bike company to make a kick-ass steel full-suspension MTB, but it’s rare to see something along these lines from one of the manufacturing giants.

Yay, or Nay?

For more on this bike, or to give a Trek a thumbs-up or thumbs-down on the PipeDream. Let them know if they should move forward with production, check out their Instagram account.

TrekBikes.com

The post Trek Teases Steel Full Suspension Bike, But Production May Be a PipeDream appeared first on Bikerumor.

After a post-Covid hiatus, the UK’s Royal Racing is back with a new Limited-Edition Series of its popular Core Gloves. As a brand that prides itself on making a “no-nonsense kit for the real rider”, these new gloves promise to be “versatile and comfortable with the Royal Racing styling turned up to the max.”

Core Gloves seem to be a staple item for Royal. The Core Series offers all-around performance with what appears to be a lightweight design with minimal padding or extras.

Royal Racing’s Limited-Edition Core gloves are available in various styles, with limited-edition graphics, so riders can decide to make a statement or keep things low-key.

Royal Racing Core Glove Pricing & Availability

Retail:
Adult: £24.99
Junior: £22.99

UK – Available through your local bike show or, at RoyalRacing.com
US – Exclusively through CambriaBike.com

• 4 limited-edition graphic styles
• Durable 4-way stretch back of hand fabric
• Vented AX suede performance palm
• Sticky printed palm for max grip
• Secure hook and loop closure
• Moulded cuff for security

RoyalRacing.com

The post Royal Racing is Back with New Limited-Edition Core Gloves appeared first on Bikerumor.