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Commencal 2010 carbon line-up revealed

We've already mentioned the much anticipated launch of the 2010 range from Commencal, or rather the carbon models from the Pyrannean cycle wizards. Well their 2010 range has now been launched, no news on when we'll get our grubby mitts on them for a test ride but the specs are out and they look very nice indeed.

Commencal was started in 2000 by legendary bike designer Max Commencal the man behind the Sunn brand, a company that under Max's guidance collected 70 world championship titles!

With a reputation like that and input from designers like Oliver Bossard (the man behind Bos suspension) it's no wonder that Commencal have got where they are today; and where they are is one of the most respected manufacturers of mountain bikes in the world.

For 2010 they seem to be shifting up a gear. Not merely content with producing some of the best riding mountain bikes around, they have now moved to the same award winning designs in full carbon fibre. This seems to have come along with a general shift towards only producing higher end kit. And why not leave the £300 end of the market to the likes of Specialized and Giant, especially if it leaves Commencal to concentrate on more bling.

So what's new?

2010 Specialized Deviant

Ok, so the new Deviant isn't available till mid August, but hear me out. 

Being a rider who spends a fair amount of time trying to get my bike to do things that I haven't always the skill to pull off, I've been a long time fan of the Specialized Deviant range of full face helmets.

Looks wise the Deviants are a bit different, the huge number of vents (bigger and more of them than any other helmet I can think of) and svelte profile sets it apart from the sea of 'Troy Lee wannabees'. Don't get me wrong, Troy Lee's are superb helmets but neither cheap nor particularly well ventilated and not everyone who wants the added protection of a full-face is planning to be hoisted to the top of a run every time so a decent amount of ventilation makes a lot of sense. This level of ventilation makes even more sense when you take into account the fact that the Deviant exceeds the strength requirements for competition DH helmets.

The fitting is also very un-like most downhill lids in that it is all very XC, in a good way; a Specialized 'pro-fit' cradle gives a very snug but un-restrictive fit. Both Deviants are light but the Carbon model exceptionally so, this combined with the ventilation makes wearing them for extended periods of time a pleasure.

So what we have here is a great looking, well ventilated, extremely protective, competitively priced, ultra light full-face helmet that is perfect for anything from light free-ride to full blown competitive downhill racing; personally I can't work out why everyone who needs a full-face isn't wearing one.

I certainly wear one, or to be exact I've owned a couple, the first did it's job perfectly whilst practising what I thought would be a sneaky line in last years Megavalanche, my head has never hit a boulder so hard and fast and despite having a ring of tweety birds orbiting my head for a while I was otherwise fine. The helmet on the other hand was totalled, but that's what they're for.And the best part (apart from not dying - that was pretty good) is that Specialized operate a crash replacement policy that means that if you destroy your helmet in a crash they'll replace it for approximately 40% of the original price, winner.

What more could you want for the 2010 model? Well it's here, details are not completely clear at the moment but Specialized have slightly redesigned the Deviant with "a re-designed interior, chin bar and face/Mouthport for improved comfort, stability and goggle compatibility."

The current model is superb and Specialized being a company who rarely redesign for the sake of it I can only assume that the new Deviant will actually be better.

Too bad I'm not doing the Megavalanche this year, I could do with an excuse to buy a new model.

Posted by Chris

2010 Specialized Langster

The Langster has been a bit of a favourite around here since it was released, well now the fixie nerds/fashion victims (sorry, but riding about on 150 year old technology because couriers 'look cool' isn't something I've got to grips with) have got something new to get all dewy eyed about.

The 2010 Specialized Langster in steel (solid rubber tyres next!).

I'm ashamed to say that I do think it's a pretty looking bit of kit. No details as yet, we'll keep you posted.

Commencal 2010, carbon everywhere!

Well it's that season again, news of new bikes breaking almost daily, it's becoming a pleasure to check my e-mails.

Anyway it's the turn of Commencal to get us excited about the coming new range. As usual with this sort of thing no details as yet but lots of very pretty pictures. There is too much to cover in one post so for now I'll concentrate on the tasty looking new carbon models. 
  
First up is the all new carbon Meta 5.5.The current model is one of the best trail bikes available so loosing a bit of weight whilst (hopefully) retaining the same impeccable riding characteristics can only be a good thing. I'm V keen to throw a leg over one of these.

Next up is the Skin, a pure race-bred hardtail that's sure to appeal to the shaved of arm.

And last but certainly not least is the Super4, a super fast looking XC beast.
 I think you'll agree that this is a pretty hot looking line up of bikes for Commencals first dalliance with carbon. We'll be bringing you news of the rest of their 2010 range soon.

More 2010 Giant...

This one is so new it doesn’t seem to even have a name yet. It’s the new time-trial/triathlon frame that Giant have been working on for quite a while now. Whether it will replace or compliment the current Trinity range is as yet unclear, or for that matter even if it will ever be available to us mere mortals.

What is clear is just how good this bike appears to be, the prototypes have already claimed Tour de France podiums, national titles and world championships.

I’ll let Giant fill you in on the rest…. 

After exhaustive research and analysis of computerized data on aerodynamics, the first physical model that Giant constructed resembled a LEGO project. The plastic mock-up frame featured interchangeable segments that could be swapped to determine which frame and component combinations provided optimal aerodynamic function.

Once the ideal aerodynamic design was finally determined, the first rideable prototype frame was constructed and taken to a wind-tunnel in Germany (are German wind tunnels better than average? -Ed) to fine-tune efficiency and rider positioning. 

“This whole project started with two guiding principles,” said Dennis Lane, Giant’s global product development director. “One, the bike would be built solely for function, without concern about design aesthetics. And two, it has to be approved by the UCI, the world governing body of competitive cycling. These two principles served the end goal of providing professional riders the tools to win the most important races in the world.”

When the public got its first real look at the original prototypes last summer, it was clear that Giant had created more than just a redesigned frameset. The entire bike—including the stem, handlebar, seatpost and even the brakes—were purposefully crafted to shave seconds off the clock.

Besides the frame shape, one of the bike’s most distinctive features is the innovative Aerodrive handlebar-and-stem unit. This unique structure improves aerodynamics and helps riders attain the perfect fit and position with its wide range of adjustability. It also complies with stricter enforcement of technical limitations that have been introduced by the UCI, cycling’s world governing body.

 

More 2010 Giants, Anthem X Advanced SL

As promised here’s a brief glimpse at another exciting new bike from Giant set for release for 2010.

If your not aware of the 2009 Anthem X’s then they are (were!) Giants lightest full suspension race bikes and under Giant rider Adam Craig have won numerous US national XC races.

Well, as a company dedicated to product development Giant didn’t hang about when it came to bettering an already great design, cue the Anthem X Advanced SL.

The interesting bit in the rather lengthy name is ‘Advanced’. This refers to the fact that the frame is now made of carbon fibre, and as Giant are just about the best when it comes to making a good carbon frame this is shaping up to be a very interesting bike indeed.

The future is now; 2010 Specialized!

Never ones to hang around, Specialized have now released a whole bunch of 2010 models (yes it is still June 2009) on top of the new Allez and they will be available for purchase literally any minute now. Check out our overview of the Specialized 2010 bikes so far.

Also new out, on the shelves and ready for purchase are some of the 2010 accesories in the shape of new helmets and shoes.

We’ll keep you posted as and when we hear about any further releases.

You gotta have Faith...

Barely 6 months through 2009 and the bike companies are starting to give tantalising glimpses of what may be available for 2010.

Giant in particular seem keen (in a subdued kind of way) to get us excited about 3 models in particular, namely the Anthem X advanced SL, the as yet un-named TT/Tri bike (more of them later!) and the bike that has us most interested, the all new Faith.

The original prototype made it’s first public appearance being ridden by Kurt Sorge at the 2008 Red bull Rampage clearing a jaw-dropping 60ft gap jump. The ability to clear a 60ft gap says a lot about a rider and a hell of a lot about a bike and his confidence in it.

 

“I wouldn’t even think about riding this terrain without a bike that gives me every bit of confidence I need,” Kurt said. “Suspension performance, frame stiffness, balance and weight—it’s all critical to your performance.”

 The original Faith was released in 2005, however since then Kurt has been heavily involved in designing the all new version set to hit the racks for 2010.

 “Kurt and I had been talking about building the perfect big mountain bike that would suit new riding trends,” Kevin said. (Kevin Dana, Giant’s mountain bike category manager) “For a while everybody just kept building bikes with more and more travel inches, but we knew the quality of our Maestro suspension was superior and we wanted to optimize it so riders could get full use of a 180-millimeter [about 7 inches] suspension system. We wanted to build a bike that could be used for extreme terrain like the Rampage but could also be ridden on your home trails.”

Using light weight ALUXX SL hydroformed aluminium tubing and a unique replaceable rear dropout feature that allows riders to change the bike’s wheelbase and frame geometry. “It allows riders to custom-tune the bike’s ride characteristics to make it more versatile,” Kevin said.

  Well Kevin certainly seems excited and to be honest it’s rubbing off on us, the old Faith was a lot of fun so we can’t wait to try out the new version. Don’t know how long you'll have to wait as there are no release dates as yet but as ever we’ll keep you posted.

The new Allez

Finally, the first box is opened and we've got a brand spanking new 2010 Specialized Allez Sport on the shop floor.

First impressions? 

It's 2010!

Well it is in odd world of bike release dates. Whilst we're waiting on the the first 2010 Speclized bikes, have some 2010 Specialized accessory news...

Apparently time flies when you're enjoying yourself, well this must go to show just how much fun cycling is because Specialized have already started releasing new cycling accessories for 2010!