Highlighting their new painted-in-Italy WPNT colors inspired by classic car paintjobs, 3T almost glossed over a really big update to their core RaceMax gravel bike… an Integrale shift finally gives the bike fully internal cable routing. Sure, 3T already adopted fully internal routing on their aero road bike a couple of years ago, and then incrementally on each of their premium made-in-Italy Italia models since. But now, the more affordable standard 3T RaceMax WPNT Integrale drops the annoying toptube routing port. And it’s also available as a frameset for 1/2 the cost of the Italia edition!

3T RaceMax WPNT Integrale carbon gravel bike is integrated!

For four years, the 3T RaceMax has been 3T’s best-selling gravel bike – aerodynamic, versatile with faster and wide 700c tires or even wider 650b tires for bigger adventures, and plenty of mounts for bikepacking and adventure. Now, 3T gives the RaceMax a “fresh coat of paint” by adding it to their new WPNT program, with 5 special edition metallic & iridescent colors said to be inspired by classic cars. That “We Paint” label meaning that 3T paints the bikes themselves in Italy, letting them run more special edition colors.

At the same time, the 3T RaceMax WPNT also becomes “Integrale” like their top-tier made-in-Italy Italia edition carbon road & gravel bikes…

Why does an integrated gravel bike update matter?

The 3T Exploro has been around as an aero gravel bike since 2016. And, I’ve ridden every generation since – at least 5 or 6 different Exploros with one inelegant cable routing solution. The RaceMax platform itself, has been around for 4 years, now. I reviewed this latest bike back in the summer of 2020. And all-in-all I think it’s still one of the best, most versatile but still race-ready gravel bikes out there. Well, except for one major nit I had to pick…

The cable routing into the frame just behind the headset was simply bad. Always in the way, whether mounting devices over the stem or using any toptube bag. It was annoying enough that I wasn’t bothered when it was time to return that test bike to 3T.

And I was genuinely psyched when I first rode the made-in-Italy Exploro Extrema Italia which fixed the internal cable routing issue (even if the toptube bolts didn’t exactly seem to be in the correct spot).

Sure, it meant that the new made-in-Italy bikes were only compatible with electronic shift drivetrains. And they were a lot more expensive. But, it was so much better a solution that this was a gravel bike I would like to keep around for a bit longer.

Now, that’s no longer holding it back, I can say this made-in-Taiwan RaceMax is one of the best all-rounder gravel bikes out there. It does everything the RaceMax Italia does – the same shaping, tire sizes, component standards, and geometry – just with a frameset that costs half as much built with pre-preg carbon instead of filament winding.

2025 3T RaceMax WPNT Integrale – Pricing, options & availability

The newly integrated RaceMax WPNT is now available directly from 3T in 5 special edition paint colors: Camo gray, Indaco blue, Mara blue, Malva purple & Avorio off-white. And it is offered both as a 2975€ frameset, or a complete bike build for 6150€ with a new GRX Di2 2x build and aero carbon 3T Discus 40/30 wheels. Either way featuring the 3T Fango RaceMax Integrale compact crown fork & Apto Integrale Stealth stem to route all cables (electronic shift only) through the headet.

Both new iterations of the new 3T RaceMax WPNT Integrale are painted and built-to-order, with a 6-8 week lead time.

3T.bike

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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

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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

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Berlin-based bike maker Standert updated their popular Pfadfinder steel endurance all-road bike with some click 3D-printed dropouts and full cable integration. But they also took the all-road overhaul as an opportunity to bring production back to Europe. So Standert now makes the Pfadfinder entirely in the Czech Republic. Plus, the versatile endurance all-rounder

Standert Pfadfinder integrated steel endurance all-road bike

Standert actually updated Pfadfinder over the summer, but now that winter knocks on our doorstep and with the thought of off-season training in mind, it’s hard not to see the value of a high-performance steel endurance road bike built for racking up base miles. Plus, Standert just added a new LTD V limited edition paint job to give the steel all-road bike more classic two-color look.

“Built for endurance, the Pfadfinder is designed to meet the demands of the most discerning cyclist. A destination, total exhaustion, inner peace, the Pfadfinder will get you there, offering a seamless blend of speed, comfort, and durability. The Pfadfinder geometry is the perfect balance between race and comfort, helping to maintain the bike’s versatility and not limit it to only one discipline. The frame can also accommodate up to 38mm tyres, giving riders peace of mind when they venture off the beaten track and across bone-rattling surfaces, not having to think about the terrain.”

What’s new?

Integrated cable routing through the headset is the most obvious update to the hard-working Standert Pfadfinder vs. the original, giving the bike even simpler lines with no visible external cables. Or also cleaner mounting of lights or bikepacking bags if you plan of going ultra-distance with a new steel endurance all-road bike.

But probably bigger news in our book is Standert’s move to European manufacturing. Previously made in Taiwan, Standert manufactures the new Pfadfinder entirely in Europe with an experienced framebuilder based in the Czech Republic. They weld the front triangles of the light Columbus Spirit steel frames by hand. Then, braze in the rear end with all-new custom 3D-printed stainless steel Standert thru-axle dropouts that bring UDH compatibility and flexible internal routing for all types of drivetrains.

The Pfadfinder is the first of Standert’s bikes to be made by hand in the Czech Republic. But it also signals a major shift for their steel production and a greater focus on improved sustainability, “shortening supply chains, and working in accordance with EU environmental regulations”. Standert’s aluminum & Scandium bikes are already made in Italy.

“We are incredibly proud to introduce the newly updated Pfadfinder. We took what was great about the Pfadfinder and meticulously improved every little detail to create a bike that excels in performance, comfort and reliability. By relocating our manufacturing to Europe, we ensure that the Pfadfinder not only meets, but exceeds, the highest standards of quality and sustainability. If you don’t want to have a specific road bike or a specific gravel bike, the Pfadfinder is the perfect bike for you.“
– Standert founder, Max Von Senger

Tech details

• hand-welded & brazed Columbus Spirit steel frame with 3D-printed stainless dropouts
• fully integrated internal cable routing through the house-brand headset (or optional Chris King AeroSet upgrade)
• 1x & 2x and mechanical or electronic shift compatible
• UDH compatibility with all drivetrain types

• full-coverage fender mounts on the steel frame & full-carbon fork
• T47 threaded bottom bracket
• 27.2mm seatpost
• 12mm thru-axles, and also flat mount disc brakes – max 160mm
• direct mount toptube bag mounts, in addition to conventional 3-bolt downtube & 2-bolt seattube bottle cage mounts
• max 38mm tire clearance
• 1950g claimed frame weight (size 56) plus 450g fork (uncut steerer)
• anti-corrosion phosphate treatment and full-coverage powder coating, inside and out for lifetime protection
• wide 7-size range with Project Compact geo to especially benefit smaller riders without compromise

Standert Pfadfinder Integrated – Pricing, options & availability

The revamped 2024 Standert Pfadfinder integrated all-road bike is available now either as a frameset or a fully customizable complete bike build – in 7 stock frame sizes 48-60cm.

Framesets start at 2300€ in Sage Salida green or Midnight Marauder blue, or add an extra hundred euros for the white & tan LTD V finish. The frameset price includes the Columbus Spirit steel frame, full carbon Pfadfinder fork, Standert’s own integrated headset, the T47 BB of your selection to fit your crankset, plus thru-axles, bolt-on front derailleur clamp & the alloy seatpost clamp.

You can also upgrade to a King headset for 350€, a King BB for 180€, or a CeramicSpeed bottom bracket for 287 – 377€.

Complete bike builds start at 4800€ with Shimano 105 Di2, alloy DT Swiss ER1600 wheels, and alloy cockpit.

There’s also the option for SRAM Rival AXS for 200€ more. Or pick Ultegra Di2 or Force AXS, then? Or top out over 10,500€ with a full SRAM Red AXS road build with a powermeter, carbon ENVE cockpit & Chris King headset, light carbon DT ERC wheels, and fancy Vittoria Corsa Pro tires. Plus, the same CeramicSpeed upgrade options if you want to go even wilder.

Framesets and complete bikes are all prepped to order individually, so typically ship out in between 1-3 weeks. And Standert will ship you a new Pfadfinder anywhere in the world.

Standert.de

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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

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SideLights is a new Swiss start-up that wants to make cyclists more visible with their world’s first 360° & Double Beam cycling safety lights. The concept is simple, by lighting up the ends of your bars, motorists can better see cyclists at night when approaching from all directions. And since SideLights includes a pair of bright headlights (600-lumen combined) set wide at the ends of your handlebar, drivers are more likely to see you coming, and better able to judge your approaching speed.

SideLights bright cycling lights in your handlebar ends

Dreamed up by Swiss “BMX enthusiast and commuter cyclist” Arthur Claessens, and brother of Olympic BMX-medalist Zoé Claessens, SideLights was created with the singular goal of improving bicyclist safety by making them more visible to motorists.

Claessens’ patent-pending solution puts a multi-functional set of lights in each end of your handlebar to ensure 360° visibility. Facing forward is an adjustable angle 300lm headlight under each end of your grips. Facing back is a 100lm taillight. And emanating from the side is a 100lm side indicator with turn signals that are activated by pressing down on a large button with the palm of your hand, without having to really take your hand off the bar.

By mounting to the bike by sliding into the open end of your bar, the SideLights extend out just a few centimeters beyond your regular grips, but can offer full 360° visibility. It also lights the outer edges of the bike, so passing motorists are more likely to better understand the width of the cyclist, and then to also pass at a safer distance away from the rider.

And since the lights are set wide apart, they help drivers see you coming in an environment where they are expecting to see horizontal pairs of headlights, like on other cars. This set-apart arrangement also helps others more accurately estimate a cyclists approaching speed, improving safety all-around.

“As a regular cyclist, I wanted a product that was easy to use, efficient and, above all, safe for everyday rides,” explains Arthur Claessens.

Tech details

• each SideLight is 52x32x180mm
• aluminum main body with bar end bump protectors & stainless steel battery tubes
• ~150g per side
• white headlight output: up to 600lm (combined)
• yellow side lighting output: up to 200lm (combined)
• red taillight output: up to 200lm (combined)

• 3 lighting modes with long run times (combined lumen outputs include all lights)
• 150lm ECO for 8hr, 300lm MEDIUM for 4hr, or then 700lm FULL for 2hr
• battery: 2x 1500mAh batteries, USB-C rechargeable
• IP67 waterproof, for rain & dust resistance

• deemed ‘theft-resistant’ due to the need to use an extended tool to install & remove (once you pull out the battery)
• compatible with handlebars from 0-30° backsweep
• fits almost all grips with open ends (min 15mm internal diameter)
• optional grips & rearview mirror also available

SideLights – Crowdfunding pricing, options & anticipated availability

SideLights is currently running a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter to get the project off the ground. A seemingly unlimited number of super early bird deals remain for a price of 119 Swiss francs (~$137) for the SideLights Beamkit which includes the 2 bar mounted lights, 2 removable rechargeable batteries, a charging cable, and the extra long hex key to install them. There are also multiple packs for riders who want them on more than one bike, or shops that want to resell them.

SideLights already beat their Kickstarter funding target by 5x. They move into final tooling now, with backer delivery estimated to happen in April 2025.

SideLights.com

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Northwave has a new pair of carbon-soled road bike shoes called Revolution, high-performance at a mid-tier price. And while there’s really nothing radically unique about them, the completely revamped shoes do look solid, delivering much of the performance of Northwave’s top-level pro road shoes, just with added comfort and the option for a wide fit to appeal to a broader group of recreational road riders.

Northwave Revolution carbon performance road bike shoes

Northwave says not to call it “mid-range” but that’s exactly what the Revolution road shoes are. They’ve been around for years a step below Northwave’s Extreme family. But now, just like last fall’s top-tier Veloce Extreme road shoe upgrade, the more affordable Revolutions are better than ever, too.

What’s new? What’s not new!

The revamped Northwave Revolution is pretty much all-new. The most obvious change on the outside is the new multi-layer laminated polyurethane synthetic upper. It now gets more advanced reinforcement around the instep & heel for improved support, plus laser-perforated holes on both sides & over the toebox for good ventilation. Plus, there’s a new laminated mesh tongue construction to also help keep your feet cool.

The next big shift is underneath. The new Northwave Revolution now features a stiffer 13/15 full injection-molded carbon composite sole for efficient but comfortable pedaling. The new Morph Carbon sole now features thru-venting under the cleat, a rubber toe block for walkability & bump protection, and a replaceable rubber heel tread block.

It still incorporates Powershape arch support, compatibility with traditional 3-bolt road cleats, and direct mounting of low-stack Wahoo/Speedplay pedals with the optional Northwave adapter plate.

And finally, a new Wide Fit option, too. More than just making them wider, Northwave reshaped the Revolution Wide shoes with different toe, metatarsal & instep dimensions optimized around still providing a high performance for cyclists that need more volume.

Tech details

Retention is pretty much the same as before, with 2 of Northwave’s proprietary SLW3 dials, a crossed lower lace layout for micro adjust of midfoot tension, and silicone heel grippers

• easy-clean perforated PU synthetic leather upper
• new Morph Carbon 13 injected carbon composite sole with Powershape arch support
• 13/15 sole stiffness
• 3-bolt Look-style & 4-bolt Speedplay (with optional insert) pedal compatibility
• dual SLW3 dial lacing adjustment
• standard Pro fit or Wide fit
• 290g claimed weight (per shoe, size 42)

2025 Northwave Revolution road shoes – Pricing, options & availability

The completely renewed Northwave Revolution road cycling shoes promise a ‘pro’ look at a more affordable price with a bit of flex for better all-day comfort. The Revolutions sell for $250 / 225€ in four colors. We see all-white, all-black, and the light gray with sage green details here. But there also will be a pair with fluorescent red accents soon, as well.

All come in EU sizes 36-50 (and half sizes in the middle of the range), both in standard narrow Pro fit and a new Wide Fit option, too.

Northwave says they’ll be available in their web shop “soon”, as well as through regular dealers.

Northwave.com

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Last summer’s 3D-printed aluminum Project 4 eMTB is reborn as the now-carbon Thok TP4, a full-power all-mountain ebike that retains modular batteries so you get only the juice you want and no extra weight. Thok’s first Bosch eMTB gets fitted with the latest CX motor update, and the option for anywhere from 400Wh-1050Wh batteries to suit each buyer’s style of riding.,

Thok TP4 Italian carbon all-mountain ebike

Last year at Eurobike Thok teased us with Project 4, what they called the world’s first 3D-printed alloy full-suspension ebike.

Now, it turns out that modular eMTB project was simply the rapidly-developed test bed for Thok’s first ebike with a Bosch CX motor.

And what was made quickly with additive manufacturing in aluminum to dial in the shaping and geometry, is now being made entirely in Italy out of carbon fiber.

The new Thok TP4 is mid-travel 29er eMTB with 150mm of 4-bar rear wheel travel mated to 160mm up front. Thok calls it “enhanced all-mountain with an enduro side to it“. While building an all-new made-in-Italy eMTB platform around the new lighter, smoother, and quieter Bosch Performance Line CX motor, Thok wanted to create a technically-capable do-it-all-mountain ebike that riders could tailor to their needs with the precise battery size that they needed.

Modular battery size was a key point of the original 3D-printed project bike. And they carry that on here with an adaptable battery cradle inside the downtube that can secure 3 sizes of batteries behind the removable battery cover/downtube protector.

Slacker geometry for all-mountain eMTB versatility

Compared to Thok’s shorter travel all-mountain MIG (140/150mm) and longer-travel e-enduro TK01 (170/170mm ), the new TP4 is actually as slack or slacker than either. Thok says that was about bridging the gap between the two, while creating and even more versatile all-mountain ebike capable of riding any terrain.

Start off with a 64.5° headtube angle, 79° seattube, 459mm chainstays, and 477mm size L Reach.

And thanks to the Hi/Lo flip-chip at the forward shock mount, riders can further slacken the geometry by 0.5° (and lower BB height 9mm). Or even run it in the Hi position with a 27.5″ rear wheel for a slacker mullet conversion.

Tech details

• hi-mod carbon frame with alloy rocker, made-in-Italy
• 3.5kg bare carbon frame weight (size M, claimed)
• full 29er setup with 150mm travel rear pair to 160mm forks

• powered by the latest 85Nm Bosch Performance Line CX motor (BDU384Y)
• grip-mounted Purion 200 display
• choice of 400Wh, 600Wh, or 800Wh internal batteries
• plus optional 250Wh PowerMore range extender external battery
• tapered 1.5″ headset
• internal cables routed through the outside of the headtube
• forward shock mount flip-chip for adaptable geometry or also mullet conversions
• UDH compatibility with mechanical or electronic drivetrains

Thok TP4 ebikes – Pricing, options & availability

The new carbon Thok TP4 eMTB comes in 2 complete ebike builds – both of which come standard with the big 800Wh battery. But all buyers can opt for a smaller battery if they want, to save both money and weight.

The TP4-R is the ‘more affordable’ option at 7190€ with Fox 36 & Float X Performance suspension, a mechanical XT drivetrain, 4-piston Magura MT5, and then alloy DT H1900 wheels wrapped in the great new Schwalbe Albert Gravity Radial tires – at a claimed 24.3kg complete (size M).

The much more expensive 10,490€ TP4-LTD steps it up to Öhlins RXF36 fork, TTX2 Air shock, SRAM GX Eagle electronic T-type derailleur wired into the ebike’s battery, Magura MT7 brakes, and carbon DT Swiss HXC1501 wheels with those Schwalbe Albert Gravity Radial tires – at a claimed 24.1kg. The LTD is also actually a limited edition, and Thok only make 30 of them.

And if you prefer a smaller battery for either model, you can pick the smaller 600Wh option to then save 1.1kg & 200€, or get the lightest 400Wh battery to save 2.2kg & 400€ vs. the standard big battery setups.

Both versions are technically available to buy now. But Thok sold out the first small batch, so the next delivery comes next month in December.

ThokBikes.com

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Yamaha is officially withdrawing from the ebike and performance eMTB market in the USA from the end of this year, at least from the retail side. What that means is that your local Yamaha dealer shop in the US will be selling out whatever inventory of ebikes they have in stock – at heavily discounted prices, no less. But there won’t be any more new ebikes coming in. Yamaha USA does say they’ll still honor their extra-long warranties. But it seems the ‘ebikes in motorcycle shops’ business model just wasn’t cutting it in the US. We’ll have to wait and see what this means on a more global scale.

Yamaha withdraws from the US retail ebike market

Over the weekend we started hearing that Yamaha Motor Corporation USA – the American parent brand behind everything from Yamaha motorcycles, ATVs, golf carts, boat motors to Yamaha Power Assist Bicycles (aka ebikes) – has been informing their dealers that they are getting out of selling their own ebikes. Reddit’s r/Yamahaebikes shared an official letter sent out to dealer shops.

Apparently, after 6 years of selling ebikes through some motorcycle and some independent bike shops, including the boom & a post-COVID bust in ebike sales, the numbers just weren’t adding up. It seems Yamaha just couldn’t compete with mix of low-cost online direct sales or more established high-end eMTB sales through traditional bikeshops. So, they’re putting a stop to dealer ebike sales in the US once the current 60%-off, cashback & extended 5-year warranty of their ‘Fan Promotion’ sales clear out all the US ebike inventory.

Yamaha USA also assures that they’ll keep providing spare parts, service & customer service support flowing to keep everyone who’s bought a Yamaha ebike pedaling through their full 5-year warranty.

Possible global & OEM impacts?

Now, as to the broader impacts of this pull-out, we know a bit less.

Should we expect a similar fate to impact Yamaha ebikes in motorcycle shops more globally?

We’ve asked both our US & European Yamaha ebike contacts. And so far have only heard back from the Americans who couldn’t speak to broader impacts, but could only reiterate that “current customers can rest assured that Yamaha will continue with parts and warranty service” to keep their ebikes going.

While the same ‘ebike vs. moto vs. bike dealer’ argument could be a bigger issue globally. We’d guess that, is unlikely to have any further-reaching direct impact on Yamaha ebike Systems themselves. Yamaha has been manufacturing ebike motors since 1993. They celebrated their 30th anniversary of Power Assist System ebike motors with a special edition YDX Moro 07 last year. And we still see them in the broader OEM ebike motor market as competition to the likes of Bosch and Shimano. It’s true that we see fewer ebike brands directly spec’ing Yamaha motors as we did in the recent past from BH, Ghost, Lapierre & more. But Giant & Liv still prominently use Yamaha SyncDrive motors in their premium eMTBs.

Full text of Yamaha letter to ebike dealers via Reddit:

YAMAHA MOTOR CORPORATION, U.S.A.

Dear Yamaha eBike Dealer,

We want to thank you for your partnership and for your business in purchasing and retailing Yamaha eBikes, and for proudly representing the Yamaha brand. However, as you know, the combination of a post-COVID oversupply within the entire bicycle industry, coupled with a significant softening of the market, has resulted in a particularly challenging business environment where it is extremely difficult to achieve a sustainable business model. Given these market conditions, we regret to inform you that Yamaha has made the difficult decision to withdraw from the U.S. eBike business and cease wholesaling units effective the end of this year.

Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. (YMUS) entered the U.S. eBike market in 2018, and we have enjoyed the opportunity to partner with you these past six years to sell exciting, high-quality, all-road, mountain, and fitness/lifestyle eBikes.

We will continue to support your dealership in the sell down of your inventory by extending the current “Fan Promotion” program where customers may receive up to 60% off their purchase of a new Yamaha eBike. This “Fan Promotion” program will be offered on all units retailed and warranty registered through June 30, 2025. YMUS will continue to provide parts, service, and customer support in the United States both now and in support of our limited 5-year warranty.

Finally, we wish to express our sincere appreciation and gratitude to you and your staff for your dedication and support of the Yamaha eBike business.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

YamahaBicycles.com in the USA & Global.Yamaha-Motor.com globally

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From deep in the Dolomites, Alpitude lays up a new ultralight full-carbon Navene saddle with a short-fit, extra reinforcement, and new engineered flex for gravel and XC weight weenies. With weights as low as 72g, Alpitude developed the Navene to withstand the toughest off-road conditions whether you’re a full-tilt racer or just looking to lighten up your ride.

Alpitude Navene short-fit ultralight carbon off-road saddle

Alpitude calls the short-fit Navene the latest in their ultralight ‘naked’ carbon saddle line-up. As a follow-up to their ultralight split Gardena road saddle, the new Alpitude Navene shares a similar short fit, but now, reoptimized for more demanding off-road riding and racing conditions.

It’s a project that Alpitude has developed over the past 3 years with a couple of pro Italian racers – Lorena Zocca & Mirko Tabacchi – who between the two have won more than a dozen national championship titles between them in XCO, XCE, XCM, CX, Gravel & eMTB. The idea was always about creating one of the lightest possible and stiffest race-ready saddles, but also making it flex at the back where it needs to for comfort and durability.

They even teased us with the Navene last autumn. But now, it’s officially ready for consumers.

What’s new?

The most obvious difference compared to the Gardena is the connected tail of the new off-road saddle, said more to prevent snagging your shorts when hanging off the back on steep descents, rather than increasing strength. But those biggest durability & robustness improvements are harder to spot. Like wider reinforced edges all around the Navene to make the saddle stronger overall, but especially more impact-resistant.

More precision attachment of rails to shell and tougher reinforced carbon rails to handle bigger G-out forces while in the saddle. In the end, there’s about 10% more weight in the Navene vs. the Gardena. But at the ultralight levels of an unpadded, full carbon saddle, that only amounts to just a 7g difference to make this off-road-ready.

Tech details

• full carbon construction, handmade in Italy
• available in three finishes: large 3K Twill, tighter 1K weave, or UD
• 245mm long short-fit design optimized for off-road riding
• 130mm standard or wider 142mm options
• 7×9mm oval carbon rails, max 6Nm rail bolt
• 95kg max rider weight

• designed for XC, gravel, and road riding
• 72g for 3K x 130mm wide or 75g for 3K x 142mm
• add 5g extra for either UD or 1K finishes
  (all weights claimed +/-5%)

Alpitude Navene saddle – Pricing, options & availability

Alpitude’s all-new ultralight carbon Navene gravel and cross-country mountain bike saddle is available now directly from Alpitude for 320€. For that price you get to pick your ideal finish – 3K, 1K, or UD – and 130mm or 142mm widths.

Alpitude keeps some size & finish combos in stock, while others are made-to-order, with an approximate 2-week leadtime. And global shipping adds 12€.

Alpitude.cc

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