Tag Archives: Shimano


Product Launch , Sea Otter Classic

Shimano 2013 Gravity Components – Sea Otter 2012

By Brian Mullin   April 18, 2012

Shimano has been busy lately, and the bleeding edge technology that came out on their XTR wonder child, has been slowly morphing itself into their other groups. The XT group was the initial candidate, then SLX recently got it for 2013, and now the downhill and freeride oriented Saint receives some tidbits of that engineering knowledge. The Saint gets the ICE Technologies for their brakes and the Shadow Plus clutch derailer. Pile on brand new pedals, upgraded hubs, shifters and cranks and you get a highly evolved, light and robust set of components. They have also added the all-new budget minded Zee group, which has the ICE brakes, Shadow derailer, hubs, shifters and cranks.

Shimano Continues Legacy, Leadership in Gravity Components with Two New Groups for 2013

IRVINE, Calif. (April 19, 2012) – Shimano, the gravity component pioneer, reinforces its leadership in the segment with the introduction of two new gravity component groups for 2013:
Saint and Zee. Sharing a similar commitment to speed, these component groups serve aggressive riders and DH racers a full dose of Shimano’s latest mountain bike component technology that has changed the trail riding market and is now poised to define the benchmark for gravity riding performance.

Shimano systems engineering means that the latest technologies and features are seamlessly integrated in braking and drivetrain systems that provide riders with enhanced control, focus and speed. Shimano Shadow Plus rear derailleurs improve chain control and reduce noise with new silencing technologies that let riders focus more on the trail with less distraction. By reducing heat in the disc brake system, Shimano ICE Technologies increase braking power and benefit riders with a controllable and confidence-boosting brake system. For increased focus, and predictable and confident control, Saint and Zee offer riders two new keys to unlock the secret of speed.

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29er , Bikes , Gear/Apparel , Sea Otter Classic

A Look Back: Highlights from the Sea Otter Classic 2011

By Gregg   April 12, 2012

As we get ready for this year’s 22nd edition of the Sea Otter Classic (sponsored this year by Volkswagen and presented by SRAM), we would like to take a look back at some highlights from last year.

2012 Shimano XT and XTR
The XT gets an 2×10 (40/28 and 38/26) and 3×10 (42-32-24) crankset, Race and Trail pedals, Race and Trail wheelsets, index shifting with multiple release and vivid indexing, Servo-Wave brakes with a two-piece caliper that has the ICE technology. For 2012 XTR gets a new rear derailer, dubbed the Shadow Plus (RD-M985). It has a heavier spring and a gold colored two positions ratcheting switch (On or Off), which they call the stabilizer.
New Jamis Prototypes – 150mm All Mtn & 100mm XC Bike
The Jamis 150mm All Mountain Prototype features 150mm travel, asymmetrical chainstays, tapered headtube and the Jamis 100mm XC Prototype featues 100mm travel front and rear, 12×135 thru-axle in the rear, mp4 suspension and weighs less than current alloy XCRs.
Carl Decker’s Giant XtC Composite 29er Hardtail Racer
Developed with input from Giant Factory Team Off-Road Team rider Carl Decker for competitive XC racing and riding. Black carbon fiber 29-inch-wheel hardtail with asymmetrical design, massive MegaDrive downtube, OverDrive tapered headtube (1-1/8 inch top, 1-1/2 inch bottom) and Giant’s PowerCore technology for maximum pedaling efficiency.
2012 Crank Brothers Mallet, Cobalt, Pica, Iodine Components
Crank Brothers has been busy. Gone are the days when their booth just showed one product, the innovative Speedlever. Now they have a whole array of product in many categories. We were just floored by the breadth of the product line as it seemed like only SRAM had a wider variety of products.
Introducing North Face Bike Gear!
The North Face bike gear style is decided relaxed and fun with an emphasis on trail and freeride. They’ve even got a “Downieville” short. How can you not love that?. I was skeptical when I first started seeing their stuff but now that I’ve talked to them and taken a closer look I think I like what their doing.
KHS DH-300 Downhill Bike
KHS also has a really exciting new downhill bike, the DH-300. It was announced last year at Interbike where they showed off a prototype. Quinton and the rest of the KHS team are really excited about the new bike and Logan Bingelli’s first place finish at Fontana in February on the DH-300 bodes well for the rest of the downhill race season.
Titus Cycles Racer X 29 Carbon & 20th Anniversary Limited Edition ExoGrid Fireline 29er
Ben Webster is one of the carryover employees from the “old” Titus to the new Titus. Ben gives us a close-up look at the Racer X 29 and the 20th Anniversary Ltd Edition Fireline.

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Feature Articles , Race Coverage , Video

Syndicate Test Session Welcoming Fox and Shimano – Video Added!

By aquadog   February 03, 2012

February 1, 2012 – San Romolo, Italy- Early season testing started for the Santa Cruz Syndicate with mechanics, engineers and riders arriving in the town of Imperia, Italy, for three days of extensive testing aboard the latest Santa Cruz full carbon V-10’s. The bikes were decked out with the Syndicate’s newest sponsor products from Fox and Shimano. The Syndicate’s choice to join forces with Shimano and Fox proved to be a great decision as the test session was incredibly successful.

“Testing was amazing, the most productive test session I have ever been to. Besides good riding and eating killer Italian food, our Syndicate family expanded with Fox and Shimano. I feel this was a great start to the year and I’m looking forward to more positive things to come in 2012,” said Greg Minnaar.

The testing took place on the long downhill racetrack in San Romolo with shuttle assistance from Roberto Vernassa from Argentina Bike. The five-man Fox crew was ready to gather information from suspension testing using their state of the art data acquisition equipment. Spirits were high as everyone got started off on the dark chilly mornings while the mechanics built a bonfire at the bottom of the track to stave off a bit of chill. Riders were warm and tingly inside with big grins after the first run.

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Feature Articles , Press and News , Video

Santa Cruz Syndicate Thanks SRAM for 8 years of Support

By aquadog   January 31, 2012

The Santa Cruz Syndicate and SRAM/RockShox brands have been synonymous with one another for 8 years, from the inception of the Syndicate in 2004 through 2011. It is with sadness and great respect that we are parting ways in 2012.

This has been an incredible journey, and the partnership has helped our racers achieve an impressive set of goals and dreams—2 UCI World Cup Downhill overall titles, 10 UCI World Cups wins by Greg Minnaar, 3 World Cup wins and a historic World Championship title by Steve Peat, and a Junior World Championship title by Josh Bryceland. These results were made possible using SRAM, Rockshox, Truvativ and Avid products, along with the world-class technical support of the SRAM team.

Working closely with John Dawson and Jon Cancellier on prototype Black Box projects and receiving their on-site support was a pleasure, and our heartfelt thanks go out to them for their years of dedication to the Syndicate. Thank you also to Dave Zimberoff for making the partnership possible.

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Press and News

Shimano Super D Draws 30% Increase in Competitors

By aquadog   January 24, 2012

Overnight Rains Created Race Day Hero Dirt

Irvine, Calif.(January 23, 2012) – Despite heavy overnight and morning rains, competitors amassed for round two of the Shimano Winter Series at Fontana, creating a 30% increase in sign-ups and widespread excitement. Competitorsand spectators who rolled the dice and showed up we’re treated to epic race conditions as the rain tapered off mid-morning.

In thetwo-run format Shimano Super D it was again Team Hyper Waylon Smith taking the winon his 6” trail bike running Shimano DeoreXT components and a XTR Shadow Plus rear derailleur. Second place went to ODI Trek Satellite Racing Jon Buckell and 3rd went to Waylon’s teammate Eric Carter who was also running a Deore XT/XTR component mix.

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Press and News

The Breck Epic MTB Stage Race – Presented by Shimano

By Gregg   August 16, 2011

Stage Two – The Colorado Trail – Powered by Panache CycleWear

08.15.2011 – (Breckenridge, CO) A bit of overnight cloud cover again brought warm temps to the start. The precipitation that rolled through in the evening was just enough to compact the soil a bit with the result being luscious dirt that was super-grippy. In local parlance, “hero dirt”. The kind that lets you rail your bike through a corner, trusting that the rules that govern the physical universe that we all occupy have been temporarily and somehow benevolently altered for your personal benefit.

As luck would have it, the weather conditions coincided with one of the most fun stages in the event, “The Colorado Trail”. Summit County is home to several sections, the most popular being the North, Middle and South Forks of the Swan, “Swan” in this case referring to the Swan Drainage, home to a massive 2000-acre open space purchase painstakingly negotiated between local city, county and federal land managers and the B&B Mining Company.

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Press and News

Tough Round Three of UCI Mountain Bike World Cup for American XC Riders

By aquadog   June 01, 2011

Top 10 showing in Men Under 23 for Ettinger a Highlight for U.S. Racers

Windham, N.Y. – The hard, dry track at Offenburg, Germany set a relentless pace as the current leaders continued to dominate at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup presented by Shimano this past weekend.

Julien Absalon (FRANCE) took first place in the Men’s Elite — his fifth consecutive win at Offenburg — and Julie Bresset (FRANCE) took first place in Women’s Elite coming off of her win last week at Yorkshire Dalby Forest.

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Press and News

American XC Riders Hold Strong During Round Two of UCI Mountain Bike World Cup at Dalby Forest

By aquadog   May 26, 2011

New Faces Join Top Finishers in Quest for Home Country Victories at Windham

Windham, N.Y. – The challenging track at Yorkshire Dalby Forest scrambled the leader board, but allowed American XC riders to hold or bump up their rankings in the second round of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup presented by Shimano this past weekend.

In the Men’s Elite, Top 40 U.S. finishers included Todd Wells (Specialized Racing team) placing 16th, Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (Subaru-Trek team) at 34th and Jeremiah Bishop at 39th place.

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Press and News

Pro-Am Race the World XC and Gravity East DH Announced for Windham Mountain Bike World Cup Event

By aquadog   May 17, 2011

Windham, N.Y. – Professional and amateur cyclists are invited to be a part of cycling history and race with the best athletes from all over the world during the Race the World cross country (XC) and Gravity East Series downhill (DH) events taking place at the 2011 Windham Mountain Bike World Cup on July 9 and 10 in Windham, N.Y.

On Saturday, July 9, Professional and Category 1-3 cyclists are welcome to participate in the downhill event which has a 3:15 p.m. start time. Entry fees range from $75 to $80. The DH event is part of the GravityEast East Coast MTB Downhill Race Series. Details on categories and points can be found at http://gravityeastseries.com/points.html.

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Press and News

Jeff Bates Melanoma Fundraiser

By aquadog   May 03, 2011

Enter a drawing for a complete immersion into the custom bicycle scene and help support Jeff Bates battle cancer. Not only are we giving away a hand-built, one-of-a-kind Pereira Cycle, you will be flown to Portland, OR to meet the builder, Tony Pereira, for a design and fitting consultation. This will include accommodations for one night, two meals, and a bicycle tour of the city. yes, that’s right a frame valued at $2K dressed in $5K worth of choice parts from Chris King, ENVE, RockShox, and Shimano…and a day in cycling paradise-don’t miss out.

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