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Jan 19, 2024

Eurobike day three

Prototype, new and plain ol' strange tech from brands big and small This competition is now closed By Jack Luke, Nick Clark Published: June 23, 2023 at 4:14 pm A taste for weissbier and schnitzel, a

Prototype, new and plain ol' strange tech from brands big and small

This competition is now closed

By Jack Luke, Nick Clark

Published: June 23, 2023 at 4:14 pm

A taste for weissbier and schnitzel, a penchant for fluorescent lighting, miles of travelators… there are many reasons why one would choose to attend Eurobike but, for BikeRadar, it’s the mountain of weird and wonderful tech that draws us back every year.

Spanning approximately one zillion square metres of the Messe Frankfurt’s halls, Eurobike brings together many of the world’s cycling brands, both big and small.

While there is enough headline news from mainstream brands to keep BikeRadar’s merry band of content bandits very busy, there are also more new products from smaller companies than we could ever hope to cover.

Still, we try our best, stomping in excess of 15km a day if Stan Portus’ smartwatch is to be believed, scouring every corner of the show looking for the un- and under-reported tech that makes Eurobike unique.

Here’s a breakdown of some of our favourite tech from lesser-known brands, alongside some cool new, prototype and updated kit from familiar names.

Wheeltop has followed up its 2022 EDS OX mountain bike groupset with a new 2x road bike groupset.

We’re waiting for further details from Wheeltop and will publish a full story next week but, for now, we know the groupset is 12-speed, uses a different battery for the front and rear derailleurs, and is currently only available for rim brakes/mechanical disc brakes.

A hydraulic disc brake version is also in the works. Wheeltop hopes to reveal this in August.

Stay tuned early next week for more information.

It’s important to remember that consumer-facing products you can walk into a bike shop and buy make up only a small part of Eurobike.

Entire floors are dedicated to everything from manufacturers of individual batteries, cable connectors, alloy tubing and tyres, to companies producing shed-sized wheel building, painting and welding machines.

More astonishing is the number of stands hawking seemingly identical wares – how a brand manager can possibly choose between the two dozen top cap manufacturers in attendance boggles the mind.

Eurobike provides a rare glimpse into this part of the industry that we cotton-wool-wrapped media types are usually insulated from, and we love it.

It was hard to miss these one-piece $4,880 carbon road bike wheels from Blktec.

The wheels are 20.8mm wide (internal), 40mm deep and weigh a claimed 1,491g for the pair. That’s in roughly the same ballpark as the new Corima MCC EVO wheelset (1,480g), which also launched at Eurobike.

All that aside, they look cool – more Batmobile than bicycle.

Ortlieb has released a limited-edition run of its waterproof bikepacking bags in an oh-so-gravel-friendly range of earthy tones.

We were particularly drawn to this sand-coloured saddle pack, bar bag and frame pack.

These neat cranks from Croder can be adjusted in length from 140mm to 180mm using sliding inserts.

Inserts to increase the Q-factor (the stance width of the crankset) by 4mm are also available.

The cranks are available to fit 24mm, 30mm and DUB axles. The cranks can also be had with a 40t direct-mount chainring or 4-arm and 5-arm chainring spiders.

Priced at NT$12,000 (approximately £315), these could be a great solution for bike fitters who want a single pair of cranks that can be fitted to most clients’ bikes.

The Moulton NS Safari is the British manufacturer’s first bike to feature disc brakes on the front and rear.

The bike is said to prioritise performance and versatility and to be suitable for all types of terrain, including gravel riding.

The bike features Moulton’s Flexitor rubber suspension system in the front fork and its Hydroelastic rear suspension.

As pictured, with a complete Campagnolo Ekar groupset, the bike costs £10,950.

The vast majority of pannier racks are made from aluminium, with a smaller number of niche or bespoke options made from steel (or, occasionally, stainless steel).

An even smaller number are made from titanium, so this modular touring rack from ti’ specialists Ora immediately caught our eye.

The rack is heavily braced and adjustable, which should make it a great option for cycle tourists who want the strength of steel with a weight close to that of alloy.

No word on pricing but, given a comparatively simple Tubus Airy rack will set you back £396 at RRP, you can assume this will be a pricey number.

Earlyrider has released a new balance bike for style-conscious kids.

The new bike features the same ball wheel design as the Super Velio, which is said to help children build up confidence with balancing because there is no tipping point as on conventional wheels.

A wooden frame is used to connect the two spherical wheels, with Bella Velio taking inspiration from vintage scooters by giving the retro balance bike a pistachio colour scheme and white wall ‘tyres’.

This new Privateer electric mountain bike shares a similar design to the non-assisted 161 enduro bike, with geometry carried over barring a slightly steeper seat tube angle.

Privateer says it experimented with 29in wheels in the development stage but decided to go with a mullet setup to give the bike a more playful rear end.

The E161 uses a Shimano EP801 motor. This is powered by a 630Wh battery, which can be accessed through the underside of the down tube.

The motor is protected by a metal skidplate that wouldn’t look amiss on a motocross bike.

Privateer has said it is still developing the production model, with orders not too far away.

Fox displayed an early prototype of a new Speedframe RS mountain bike helmet that is expected to launch next year.

The new helmet features an exclusive MIPS Intergra Split dual-density protection system.

Fox says the system delivers a higher level of protection for both low and high-speed impacts while retaining a low-friction layer that reduces rotational forces in a crash.

A Boa dial is used to adjust the helmet’s fit, while a Fidlock snap buckle is used to fasten it.

Fox says it has worked to make its helmet more compatible with sunglasses, with the front vents now featuring rubberised zones to grab glasses legs.

Similar to the RockShox Reverb AXS, the new KS Lev Circuit dropper post connects to a wireless remote using a Bluetooth connection. The dropper post’s battery is hidden underneath the saddle.

KS say the battery in the post should last for approximately 9,000 actuations.

The air pressure inside the dropper can be adjusted, enabling you to control how fast the dropper returns to full height.

The KS Lev Circuit is IP67 certified, meaning it can survive being submerged in up to one metre of water for half an hour.

KS offers the dropper in a 30.9mm or 31.6mm seatpost diameter, with travel lengths starting at 125mm and topping out at 200mm.

Scott presented a design concept on its stand that highlights the development of carbon fibre frame construction.

The original Endorphin was released in 1995 and was Scott’s first carbon fibre bike, with the material used to add compliance to the rear triangle.

This new concept looks to feature a new compliance zone within the top tube, which Scott is calling an Anti Vibration System.

A honeycomb section is also present on the integrated handlebar, which features internal cable routing.

Syncros Silverton SL wheels are used, which is the brand’s lightest XC wheelset.

It’s no secret that SRAM is working on an electric bike motor, but little has been said by the brand.

A prototype of the motor was spotted on the Gas Gas stand fitted to the brand’sE-EDR race bike.

Being co-sponsor of the Gas Gas/SRAM race team, we can be pretty confident this prototype comes from SRAM.

The top tube of the bike looks to feature a screen, though this was hidden with black electrical tape.

A new SRAM AXS remote was fitted to the left-hand side of the handlebar, which suggests this is how you will select ride modes.

Schwalbe has released a new tyre designed for downhill and enduro riding.

The Tacky Chan was seen at DH World Cup races last season, with black marker used to hide the branding on the sidewall.

The new tyre has an open shoulder area, which Schwalbe says improves mud-shedding while providing direct feedback to the rider.

Schwalbe also claims the tyre is constructed from fair trade rubber, and is 8 per cent lighter than the Magic Mary.

The tyre is available with Super Downhill, Super Gravity and Super Trail protection, with only soft and ultra-soft compounds available.

The top-end F353 One fork carries over technology from the previous generation, but sees the damper incorporating a coil for the initial 30mm of travel.

DT Swiss says this aids small-bump sensitivity, while keeping a supportive mid-stoke.

As with the old fork, the stanchion diameter remains at 35mm and the lowers have also been carried over from the previous model. Adjustments can now be made externally too.

Pricing starts at £1,049/$1,149/€1,149.

The DT Swiss stand also played host to a new Alutec Armageddon electric bike featuring a stonking 57-degree head tube angle.

The new electric mountain bike uses a Shimano EP8 motor and was decked out in DT Swiss’ new components.

The battery appears to be accessible through a panel on the underside of the down tube.

Deputy editor

Jack Luke is the deputy editor at BikeRadar and has been fettling with bikes for his whole life. Always in search of the hippest new niche in cycling, Jack is a self-confessed gravel dork, fixie-botherer, tandem-evangelist and hill climb try hard. Jack thinks nothing of bikepacking after work to sleep in a ditch or taking on a daft challenge for the BikeRadar YouTube channel. He is also a regular contributor to the BikeRadar podcast. With a near encyclopaedic knowledge of cycling tech, ranging from the most esoteric retro niche to the most cutting-edge modern kit, Jack takes pride in his ability to seek out stories that would otherwise go unreported. He is also particularly fond of tan-wall tyres, dynamo lights, cup and cone bearings, and skids. Jack has been writing about and testing bikes for more than six years now, has a background working in bike shops for years before that, and is regularly found riding a mix of weird and wonderful machines. Jack can also often be seen zooming about with his partner aboard their beloved tandem.

Digital Writer

Nick Clark is a digital writer for BikeRadar, focusing on all things mountain bikes. Having raced XC for most of his youth, he has a deep understanding of the sport and loves bounding around the UK to spectate at events. A mountain biker at heart, Nick helped create a community of trail builders in his local forest in North Wales. Nick also loves road cycling, where he has completed the holy trinity of spectating at all three grand tours in their host countries. Described as having a good engine in his racing days, it’s now common to see Nick wheel-sucking on club rides and sprinting for town signs. He also enjoys bike touring and has completed numerous travels on the west coast of Europe, most recently riding from Lisbon to Roscoff. Nick has built many of his bikes from the frame up and has a keen eye for technical detail. He is currently riding a YT Capra on the trails and a Focus Izalco Max for the road.

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