Inflatable Hubs, Scented Brake Pads, Pogo Sticks and More: Best from April Fools


The world goes mad for a few hours, and in the mountain bike industry there is always a few good ones…

April Fools, everyone!


 

Cane Creek and Vurtego Pogo Sticks have come together to create the first ever twin tube technology pogo stick.


Fresh Product: Miles Racing Scented Brake Pads.

German manufacturer Miles Racing has finally launched their range of top-end aftermarket brake pads into the Australian market. The highly-acclaimed pads, which have already won a number of European shootouts, will be available in semi-metallic, sintered metal and new scented compounds, for all popular models of brakes and many more obscure makes too.

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Miles Racing pads are available in semi-metallic compounds too, not just the more durable sintered and scented versions.

While semi-metallic and sintered pads are nothing new, it’s the scented compound that really sets the brand apart, along with the colour, which happens to match our Yeti test bike just perfectly. We’d read about rumours from the recent Taipei Cycle show (see our articles here and here) of the development of scented brake pads , but Miles are the first brand we’ve encountered that have successfully brought this innovation to the mass market.

We think the Sausage Sizzle scent will be the most popular option for the Australian market.
We think the Sausage Sizzle scent will be the most popular option for the Australian market.

The fragrance, which is only released in the presence of heat, should last the life of the pad, and regular cross-country riding is apparently enough to get a whiff of them. The thinking behind the pads is (Google Translated from the all-German language Miles Racing website)  “for the creation of pleasant cycling environments making extra motivation on ascents with thankings to the smelling rewards and hair coats.” There are eight different scents available worldwide, though not all will be coming to Australia:

We were offered a review on the Sardine Shart scented pads, but politely declined. Apparently these ones are selling like crazy in Finland.
We were offered a review on the Sardine Shart scented pads, but politely declined. Apparently these ones are selling like crazy in Finland.

We’ve recently secured two sets to review – we’re hoping to conjure up memories of Bunnings carpark BBQs with our Sausage Sizzle and Baking Breads scents – should be just the ticket for getting us through really long rides. Though perhaps the Kimchi Disaster option would be better for those who are trying to use their brakes less…

Miles Racing pads are available from $24.99 through http://miles-racing.squarespace.com


 

NS BIKES INTRODUCES RADICAL NEW GEOMETRY FOR MOUNTAIN BIKES.

The trend for longer front triangles has become more and more pronounced in the last few seasons.

Some brands have stretched the reach of their bikes so far that zero-offset stems were necessary to put the rider in the correct position. However at NS we discovered that there is still much more potential and we have introduced our patent pending Drastically Opposed Negative Geometry (D.O.N.G.).

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After various lab and field tests, we found that adding even more length to the front triangle, and at the same time using a special stem with negative reach, riders will improve climbing efficiency (by 14.31%) and descending speeds (by up to 18.85%). This groundbreaking technology will be introduced in all 2016 bikes.


The best April Fools’ Day pranks to pull on your mountain bike friends.

nsmb.com

 


 

Hope Infinite Adjustment, Future Proof Hubs.

With the growing number of rear frame widths being launched and frustration in the market we identified a need for a future proof rear hub.

After several ideas were tested the final solution proved to be very simple. Inspired by the infinite adjustability of “pump” trainers from Reebok we fitted an expanding air cylinder inside the hub. This cylinder allows the hub to be adjusted to fit all current and future width standards.

The Barometric Uni-Laterally Level Structured Horizontal Internal Tube forms the basis for our patented design. This unit is built into the central section of our iconic Pro2 hub and the user simply inflates it until the desired width is achieved. The hubs are designed to suit all frames from 130 to 200mm widths.

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One current restriction when using conventional spokes is that the wheel must be rebuilt if the hub width is altered although we are also working on a new semi-elastic spoke which will allow for the widening of the flanges without changing spokes.

During the research we also discovered an additional benefit when installing this new hub. If the hub is inflated with helium we can also reduce to overall weight of the hub.

We see these new hubs as a genuine “fix all” solution to the current minefield that surrounds bicycle frame design.


Pearl Izumi Fat Bike Bandolier

We’re excited to introduce the Fat Bike Bandolier, a simple, lightweight device to carry all the CO2 you need to keep rolling after a puncture on your fat bike.

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The easy over-the-shoulder design does not interfere with enduro fanny packs and will securely carry 50 16g CO2 cartridges, roughly enough to fill two 4.8” fat bike tires to 12 psi. Available at your local retailer in early August, MSRP $39.99.


And who can forget, the ANUSS app, from last year…

Two of the cycling industry’s leading innovators and experts in bike fit technologies are pleased to announce their collaboration on an exciting new consumer product: The Anatomical Universal Saddle Selector app, available for Apple and Android platforms.

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Dubbed the Anatomical Universal Saddle Selector, the App is the brainchild of former Specialized and Bontrager brand directors, Jackson Taint and Mark Gütsch. As heads of Body Geometry and BioDynamics at Specialized and Bontrager respectively, Taint and Gütsch are jointly credited with bringing bike fit technologies ‘to the masses’ during the early 2000s.

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ANUSS will be available on both Apple and Android platforms for smart phone and tablets this Spring.

“The Anatomical Universal Saddle Selector app takes the guess work out of choosing that most vital of components – your saddle,” said Jackson Taint. Added Mark Gütsch: “By giving riders, armed simply with their smart phone or tablet, the ability to ensure their saddle provides the perfect fit, we’re taking rider comfort and performance to a new level.”

The Anatomical Universal Saddle Selector (ANUSS) utilises the pressure sensitivity of modern tablets and the recent advances in smart phone camera resolutions to capture the precise dimensions of a rider’s saddle contact points. “Sit-bone width and perineum profile are rapidly analysed and then matched to the ideal saddle for each specific rider from the broad range of brands represented in the saddle database,” said Gootsch.

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ANUSS takes advantage of your smartphone’s rear facing camera to map the contours of your sit-bone and perineum areas.

Apple iPad users can take their ANUSS fit to an truly elite level; the tablet’s robust aluminium body and high strength glass face allows users to truly emulate their seated cycling position. Through advanced pressure mapping, the ANUSS app can then recommend saddle padding density, along with saddle shape and width.

“Together with leading orthopaedic surgeons and proctologists, we have closely examined and mapped the perineum and anal areas of thousands of riders, from pros to weekend warriors,” explains Taint. “Riders can also choose to contribute to the ANUSS database and help increase the accuracy of future user’s experiences, by uploading the pressure map or high resolution photo of their perineal area.”

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With ANUSS, visits to your bike shop for saddle fitting are a thing of the past. Using your tablet’s touch screen capabilities, ANUSS can generate a 3D model of your anal region and match it to a database of hundreds of saddles.

The ANUSS smart phone app is also Instagram and Facebook-enabled, allowing you to instantly share a 3D pressure mapped image of your perineum and sit-bones (along with your saddle recommendation) with your friends and fellow cyclists.

Early versions of ANUSS have already attracted the praise of mountain bike and road cycling professionals alike. Fabian Cancellara, of the Trek Factory Team, is effusive about the app’s potential. “After years of cobble classics, I thought I my saddle fit was perfect,” said Cancellara, “but after just a few minutes of playing with my ANUSS, I realised I could be even more comfortable on the bicycle.” Olympic XCO gold medallist Jaroslav Kulhavy has been a key figure in the ANUSS project. “For me, the ANUSS is all about helping new riders enjoy cycling even more. I am always showing my prototype ANUSS to friends and encouraging them to use it,” said Kulhavhy.

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Apple iPad users can take advantage of ANUSS’s Position Opitmized Objective Sensitive (POOS) technology, allowing accurate simulation of your cycling position.

“With our combined experience, and the input of our community of ANUSS users, the sky really is the limit,” said Gootsch. “We’re already looking at the development of ANUSS v2.0. which will build upon digital imaging capabilities – at this stage, likely inclusions for v2.0 include instant post-ride analysis of any redness or chafing to recommend other bike fit modifications such as saddle height, saddle angle or handlebar height.”

For more information about ANUSS and how it can change your cycling, or to download your free trial version of the app, head to www.anussapp.com.

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You got a match! With almost 1000 saddles in the ANUSS database, you’re guaranteed to find your perfect cycling partner.

 

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