Cyclocross Magazine was in Sin City for the last Las Vegas edition of Interbike. During the next few weeks, we will highlight the products that caught our eye.
A Reformed Fit for Luxury Cruising
Saddles are not always the most exciting part of a bike, but ask any rider who has ridden on an ill-fitting saddle and they will share the perils of overlooking your seat. Vancouver-based Landyachtz has sailed onto the scene with the customizable Reform saddle that uses heat molding to fit individual riders.
The Reform molds the saddle to the individual rider’s sit bones. A plastic pad is heated by connecting a heater to a hidden plug and then conformed to the rider while he or she pedals on a bike. The heating and molding are done by a certified shop, but users can also buy the heater for $100 if they want. The molding process takes about 20 minutes, according to the company.
The construction of the Reform includes a beeswax finish (from beehives at Landyachtz headquarters in Vancouver) and a leather cover. Both the shell and rails are carbon fiber.
MSRP for the Reform saddle is $299, and it will be available in March, 2018. The total weight is listed at 215 to 245 grams. Landyachtz said there may be a vegan model in the works.
(Sloop John B)ikes from Landyachtz
At Interbike, Landyachtz also had bikes on display that appeal to the cyclocross and gravel crowds. The workhorse of Landyachtz fleet is the Columbus Cromor steel CB2.
The CB2 is billed as a flat bar do-it-all commuter, but it comes in a drop bar version as well. The flat bar commuter retails for $1,400 and the drop bar version is $1,700.
The CB2 has room in the back for extra tire clearance for gravel enthusiasts who want to use it to do it all. However, tire volume is limited by the bridge.
The front fork is carbon with mounts for 160mm SRAM Level T disc brakes and the drivetrain is a 1x SRAM Apex 1 with an 11-speed 11-42t rear cassette.
Wheels are 32-spoke Jetset HC-353 alloy wheels that come with Maxxis overdrive 700x32c tires that can be easily swapped for knobbier options.
Landyachtz also makes a higher-end 1146 Columbus steel 1146 road bike. The 1146 is noticeable for its eye-catching finish and nude brazing.
Frames start at $2,200 and a Campagnolo Veloce build with carbon wheels retails for $6,250. The 1146 model we saw at Interbike only has clearance for tires up to 32mm in width, so it is limited from an off-road perspective.
More info: landyachtzbikes.com
Stay tuned for much more from the 2017 Interbike trade show.
Photo Gallery: Landyachtz Reform Saddle and CB2 Steel Bike