We’re at Sea Otter, the sun-soaked trade show in Monterey, California, where the cycling world descends for its first big gathering of the year — and that means new tech.
We’ve kicked off our coverage with Tom Marvin’s first round-up of MTB highlights of the day, as well as a closer look at Bridge Bike Works’ carbon-molded bottom bracket.
Now, it’s time for the first run-down of our drop-bar highlights, including Pinarello’s under-the-radar gravel bike, Boyd’s rim brake wheels, Attakur’s stand-out kit and Vittoria’s unreleased road tires.
Pinarello Granger X gravel bike
Here’s Pinarello’s all-new gravel bike: the Granger X.
It was added to the range in the back half of 2023, we’re told by a Pinarello representative, but slipped under the radar given Pinarello’s X-series and Dogma F road bikes, as well as the recent launch of the Nitro E. Road bike. It’s been a busy few months for the Italian brand.
The Granger X joins the range as Pinarello’s second-tier gravel bike, sitting below the Gravel F.
That’s how Pinarello’s nomenclature works now, with the F (Dogma F, Greville F) flagship bike and the F endurance range (Dogma F, Granger X) leading the way.
Think of the Gravel F as the company’s go-fast gravel bike, with a Dogma-inspired frame shape, while the Granger X takes a more practical approach.
Granger’s frame is made from Pinarello Torre T600 carbon fiber, has a top tube and mudguard mount, and uses a round seatpost, so you can fit a gravel dropper. There is clearance for 50mm tires (or 2.2in with 650b wheels).
The bike we saw on display at Sea Otter costs $3,800 with a Shimano GRX 600.
Vittoria Corsa Pro Control Tires
We’ve known for months that Vittoria has a new road race tire on the way, the Corsa Pro.
It has been ridden extensively on the WorldTour circuit – with wins at Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix under Mathieu van der Poel – even though it has not yet been officially released by Vittoria.
However, with the new Corsa Pro on show at Sea Otter (a public show, not a trade-only affair), the release is definitely imminent.
What we didn’t know was that Vittoria would offer another version: the Corsa Pro Control.
Vittoria’s control line generally offers more puncture protection.
In the current range, Corsa Race Tire and Corsa Control are equivalent.
While Vittoria reps remain tight-lipped we can assume the same here, with the Corsa Pro likely to be the race-day tire and the Corsa Pro Control the everyday option, with additional puncture and/or sidewall protection.
The Corsa Pro Control also has a different tread pattern, compared to the more minimal grooved tread of the Corsa Pro.
We also saw the Corsa Pro on display in the 24c size, so we can be confident that Vitoria will continue to support the narrower sizes with this new tire, as well as the 28-32c tires we’ve seen so far on the pro scene. year
K-Edge computer mounts
The K-Edge had a number of new out-front mounts on display at Sea Otter.
First, K-Edge now offers a Hammerhead adapter kit, enabling riders to fit the Karoo 2 computer to an existing K-Edge out-front mount. The kit will be available from June.
Next, comes an integrated out-front mount to fit Roval’s new one-piece cockpit.
With one-piece, aero-shaped cockpits all the rage now, K-Edge has to produce a variety of mounts to suit individual designs.
Expect to see this Roval option on show at the Giro d’Italia, with availability following.
Finally, if you need some new jewelry for your bike, K-Edge’s latest limited edition mounts are available in purple, silver and blue.
Cane Creek out-front Mt
Let’s stick with computer mounts, this time with the new option of Cane Creek.
It is an out-front mount, designed to attach to your bike’s stem face plate using extended bolts. Cane Creek says it is compatible with stem bolts 22mm to 35mm apart.
Kane describes the crack mount as a modular option, with the ability to fit it in four positions: up or down via stem bolts, and, thanks to the mount’s flippable body, angled up or down.
It comes with adapters to fit a Garmin Edge or Wahoo Element bike computer.
The mount itself is made of aluminum, with stainless steel bolts, and weighs 40 grams. There’s also an optional accessory mount (11g) for GoPro cameras and the like.
The Cane Creek computer mount costs $74.99, while the accessory mount is available separately and costs $19.99.
Boyd Altamont rim brake wheelset
Long live rim brakes!
That’s the view at South Carolina-based Boyd, with the brand continuing to support rim brakes with a new road wheelset, the Altamont.
Boyd is bringing production of all of its aluminum wheelsets back to South Carolina, including Altamont.
The Altamont’s rims are 27mm deep at the front and 31mm deep at the rear. Inner rim width is 21mm.
Those rims are laced on Boyd 85 road hubs with Pillar Wing 20 spokes and pillar brass nipples.
Claimed weight for the wheelset is 1,510g and costs $725.
Attacker Erosion Kit
Finally, for now, clothing brand Attaquer has a new design option for its race kit.
Want to stand out on a group ride? The Erosion line includes these Acid Lime Bib Shorts ($225), matched with a Shell/Lime Short-Sleeve Jersey ($155).
The range also includes a Pebble/Orange Short-Sleeve Jersey ($155) and an Asphalt/Lime Long-Sleeve Jersey ($175).
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