Cyclocross Magazine’s contributor Hannah Caproon attended the 2017 Winter Press Camp to check out new gear from two dozen brands that might be of interest to our cyclocross and gravel-riding audience. Highlighted here are more of the latest cycling products from Raleigh, Scicon, Selle SMP, FSA, Vision, Speedplay and Pioneer seen at Press Camp (not all photos are from the event).
Raleigh Stuntman – Dropper Post-Equipped ’Cross Bike
Raleigh’s Reynolds steel Stuntman cyclocross/gravel/stunt disc brake bike with 2.1″ tire clearance. As seen at Sea Otter. Winter Press Camp 2017. © Cyclocross Magazine
The Stuntman, a Reynolds 631 chromoly frame with aluminum fork monster cross bike we first saw at Sea Otter, was on display at Winter Press Camp, as Raleigh showcased its All Road line exclusively. The Stuntman is available for purchase now, retailing for $2,499 with a SRAM Rival 1×11 11-42 cassette. The paint scheme and build options were inspired by The Fall Guy, an ‘80s TV show. It uses SRAM Rival Hydro Disc brakes, and has rack and fender mounts. The Stuntman allows for up to 700x50c tires, and features a remote-actuated dropper post. It’s available in sizes from 52cm to 62cm, and we hope to get on one for a full review soon! The Stuntman is available now directly through the Raleigh website and it currently has special pricing of $2,299.99.
Raleigh also had its Roker, Tamland, and Willard models on display and available for test riding. The highest-end versions of each of those models will now take advantage of 1x drivetrain technology, and will also feature new but classic colorways.
More info: raleighusa.com
Scicon Bags – Travel in Style
The Scicon Aerocomfort Road 3.0 TSA Bike Travel Bag is stylish and functional. As reviewed in Issue 31. Winter Press Camp 2017. © A. Reimann / Cyclocross Magazine
Scicon Bags brought its line of bike travel bags, available in road, triathlon, and mountain bike editions. The road bag has two main perks: it does not require any disassembly other than removing the wheels, and features a sleek metal frame to mount the bike to, which also doubles as a workstand. Cyclocross or road frames will also work in the mountain bike bag, though it requires loosening the headset and stem to rotate the bars to the side. All of Scicon’s bags are QR and thru-axle compatible, too. The Aerocomfort Road 3.0 TSA Bike Travel Bag is available now with a retail price of $899 USD.
Scicon also showed a rain bag, developed to keep pro tour road race teams organized, but which could certainly be used on race day to keep your elusive knee warmers separate from your leg warmers, and your muddy sweaty goods away from the fresh ones. We reviewed the Scicon bags in Issue 31 available in print or digital.
More info: sciconbags.com
Selle SMP – Dynamic Saddle Focuses on Fit and Style
Selle SMP saddles are handcrafted in Italy and the Dynamic saddle is a performance oriented saddle made for the rider with a medium-wide pelvis. Winter Press Camp 2017. Photo courtesy of Selle SMP.
Selle SMP was present, and engaged attendees in saddle demos and fitments. Unlike some other companies, Selle SMP focuses on height and pants size to guide seat selection. The Dynamic saddle shown is available now with a retail price of $239.99.
More info: sellesmp.com
FSA K-Force WE – Wireless, Electronic Shifting with Better Battery Life
The FSA K-Force WE is a wireless, electronic drivetrain that has improved battery life over the competition. As seen at Interbike. Winter Press Camp 2017. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
FSA was showcasing the new K-FORCE WE (wireless electronic) groupset that we previewed earlier this year. The group features a highly customizable and app-supported “hybrid wireless” platform. It has wireless shifters, and the derailleurs are connected to a seattube-mounted battery using internally routed cables. It’s geared towards pro-level road racers, and will be on the bikes of Cofidis, Direct Energy, and Jelly Belly teams.
We had a chance to take a parking lot ride with the K-Force WE group, and look forward to getting a set muddy as soon as we can.
FSA’s PowerBox crankset features a P2M power meter for your data aquisition requirements. Winter Press Camp 2017. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
Also of note is FSA’s PowerBox crankset, featuring a P2M power meter, which is coming to market this month. The power meters themselves are fairly bulky, and it comes in carbon for $1189.99, or aluminum for $650.
More info: www.fullspeedahead.com
Vision Metron 40 Wheels – Improved Brake Surface and New Hubs
Vision’s new Metron 40 SL carbon wheels feature an upgraded braking surface. Winter Press Camp 2017. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
Vision talked to us about the improvements made to the Metron 40 wheelset for 2017. Those changes include an improved brake surface, increased hub flange diameter (to x), use of angular contact bearings, and switching to P.R.A. hubs. This full carbon wheelset is available in tubular or clincher, rim or disc, 6-bolt or centerline. The tubulars come in at 1330 grams without a QR, and the clinchers weigh in at 1490 grams without QR, and both are priced at $1999.
More info: visiontechusa.com
Speedplay Syzr – It’s Finally Here
The Speedplay Syzr two-sided clipless mtb/cx pedal incorporates a very unique cleat design. © Cyclocross Magazine
The Syzr pedal, which is offered in five spindle lengths, as well as a standard or custom-shim option, was the ‘cross highlight of Speedplay’s presentation. The brain power behind Speedplay, founders Richard Bryne and Sharon Worman, were enthusiastic about the improvements they made in this pedal design since we first took a look at dramatically different prototypes way back in 2009. The Syzr is touted as having comparable power transfer to the Speedplay Zero road pedal, and is priced as such. It features ‘target acquisition’ technology, which assists riders in cleat engagement.
The Syzr is different from other mountain/cyclocross pedals in that it doesn’t touch the shoe treads, which is supposed to retain power transfer otherwise lost through friction. Cyclocross Magazine has a set of Syzr pedals out for testing, and will share our full review in the near future. Initial impressions are a rock-solid ride feel and smooth float, but a steep learning curve in terms of releasing under duress. Stay tuned.
The pedal system has an intricate cleat design. Cleats weigh 60 grams, while the stainless version of the pedals without cleats weigh 316 grams for a total weight of 376 grams. There’s a slightly heavier chomemoly version, and a lighter titanium option that has a 185 pound weight limit.
More info: speedplay.com
Pioneer Power Meter – Dual Leg Crank Mounted Power Meter
The Pioneer is a dual leg system that is available for Shimano Dura-Ace or Ultegra cranksets. Winter Press Camp 2017. Photo courtesy of Pioneer.
Pioneer showcased its dual-leg, dual strain gauge, force vector measurement power meter system (ranging from $1,299 to $1,499), which it supports with its own GPS unit, and a cloud-based analytics platform called Cyclo-Sphere. Pioneer will also be first to ship Shimano’s Dura-Ace R9100, months before Shimano’s target of Summer 2017. With strain gauges on both crank arms, Pioneer’s power meter system is upgradeable, so consumers can purchase a single-leg unit (starting at $499.99), add a cycling computer (starting at $299.99), and then add the other leg unit for additional data.
The units measure force and direction in 30-degree intervals, for 12 readings per revolution, and riders using the cycling computer can get real-time feedback on their pedaling efficiency. Cyclo-Sphere also offers free training modules (basic riding, power, pedaling efficiency, and interval training). It’s not without limitations for ’crossers; Pioneer Power sits too high to be ideal for 1x systems.
More info: pioneerelectronics.com
Full photo gallery below. See more items from the the 2017 Winter Press Camp here.
Raleigh, Scicon, Selle SMP, FSA, Vision, Speedplay, Pioneer New Products Photo Gallery:
Lots of flare and flair: Raleigh’s steel Stuntman cyclocross/gravel/stunt disc brake bike. Winter Press Camp 2017. © Cyclocross Magazine
