December 14th, 2009 by Neil
Sram XX 10speed Groupset
Lets start off with the crown jewel in the groupset the Cassette . Let’s see how it is made.
Cassette and Chain
The revolutionary machined design of the XX cassette uses the same gruelling manufacturing techniques that produced the PowerDome road cassette. With X-Dome, eight of the cogs are CNC-machined together out of a single block of billet steel, creating an incredibly lightweight, precise, and strong cassette. It’s a process that takes nine hours per cassette! Optimized for use with any SRAM 10 speed chain, Recommended chain: PC 1090, PC 1090R
Cassette Specification
Weight: 185g (11-32), 208g (11-36)
Technologies: X-Glide shifting, X-Dome design
Speeds: 10
Cog Material: CNC-lathed 4130 chromoly steel
Large Cog Material: AL-7075-T6
Lock-Ring Material: AL-7075-T6
Options: Replaceable large cog
Gearing options: 11*32 and 11-36
Chain Specification
Compatible Gears: 10
Closing Link: PC-109R
Closing Link: PowerLock
Outer/Inner Plate: Nickel silver
Pin Treatment: Chrome-hardened pins
Chain Weight: 255g
Step 1
- Cassette piece cut from a single block of billet steel
- Time: 7mins
- Weight 4858g
Step 2
- The profile disc are CNC – machined together out of a single block of billet steel
- Time: 30mins
- Weight 2300g
Step 3
- The cogs are CNC – machined together out of a single block of billet steel
- Time: 1 hour
- Weight 213g
Step 4
- The holes are CNC- machined
- Time: 1 hour
- Weight: 126.07g
Cranks
Coming in at an amazing 694Grams (BB30), the XX cranks deliver amazing performance and durability with no penalties in weight. The first MTB crank specifically designed for 2X10 uses some of the world’s most advance material science. The oversized chainrings are CNC machined from 6mm 7075 aluminium blanks – 2mm thicker than the competition.
Crank Specification
Weight: 694g (BB30)’ 754g (GXP w/BB)
Chainline: 49.5
Chainring Material: AL–7075–T651
Chainring Colour: Tungsten Gray and Silver
Chainring Bolts: AL-7075-T6
Crank-Arm Materials: integrated carbon composite/aluminium spider consideration
Chainring Options: 26-39 (120/80 BCD),28-42 (120/80 BCD)
Bottom Bracket Options: GXP, PressFit GXP, BB30, and PressFit 30 (BlackBox* Ceramic
Bearings standard on all BB options)
Pressfit 30 Specs
Spindle Material: Alloy
Spindle Diameter: 30mm
Bearing Size: 42x30x7
Bearing Fittings: PressFit cups
BB Shell Requirements: 73mm wide x 46mm inner diameter
Rear Derailleur
Leveraging the legendary history of SRAM shifting, the XX rear derailleur delivers incredible speed and precision. Sealed ceramic pulleys give you the highest levels of durability. The carbon fibre cage has a dedicated length specific to 2×10.
Rear Derailleur Specification
Weight: 181g
Speeds: 10 speed for 2X10 system
Technology: Exact actuation ratio, direct route technology
Inner/Outer Cage Material: Carbon fiber composite
Spring Material: Titanium
Inner Link: Forged magnesium
Outer Link: Forged AL-7075-T6
B-Bolt: AL-7975-T6
P-Knuckled: Forged AL-7075-T6
Bearing Pulleys: Sealed ceramic bearings
Hardware: Titanium and AL-7075-T6; TORX* T25 bolts
Cage Length: 93mm
Compatibility: 36 tooth
Trigger Shifters
One of the lightest and most compact shifters ever created, the XX trigger features a fully adjustable carbon Fiber lever, resulting in minimal weight with maximized durability. Pair the XX trigger with the MatchMaker tm X clamp to streamline your handlebar setup.
Shifter Specification
Weight: 183g per pair
Technology: Exact actuation ratio for 10 speed
Speeds: 2×10
Compatibility: XX 2×10 only
Hardware: Al-7075-T6 and stainless steel; TORX* T25
Clamp: AL-6061-T6
Body Material: Carbon fiber top cover; composite lower cover
Blade Material: Carbon fiber pull; composite release
Adjustability: Lever blade position
Front Suspension
Sid, Reba, and Revelation – the Rockshox* forks that command the XC and trail arena, elevated with XX Motion Control tm. Featuring Dual Flow rebound to accurately control beginning ending stroke rebound, tuneable low-speed compression, and lock-out and adjust the desired Floodgate.
The patent-pending Xloc works simply: Just press to open and press again to return to lock. The system is completely sealed and installs directly out of the box.
SID* XX World Cup
Travel: 80/100mm
Weight: 1436g
Damping: XX Motion control
Revelation tm XX
Travel: 130/140/150/120-150mm
Weight: 1651g (9mm)/1825g (20mm)
Damping: XX Motion Control
Rec. Rear Shock: Monarch tm / Ario tm
SID* XX
Travel: 80/100mm
Weight: 1546g
Damping: XX Motion Control
Rec. Rear Shock: Monarch tm / Ario tm
Reba* XX
Travel: 80/100/120mm
Weight: 1651g (9mm)/ 1781g (20mm)
Damping: XX Motion Control
Rec. Rear Shock: Monarch tm / Ario tm
Xloc Specification
Material: AL-6061-T6
Fluid: SW suspension fluid; SRAM pit stop tm suspension fluid recommended
Hardware: Titanium
Options: Left or right mounting
As for the front mech I do not know where to start I will find out as much as I can for you. Put it this way there are 38 different front mechs and right now we are trying o find out what frames are going to qualifies I think I will compile a list but any help with any of your frames speac please just contact me also if you would like me to find about your frame please just contact me here.
Disc Brakes
No component is tested more thoroughly than the brake because your life may very well depend on them. With a all-new two-piece rotor design and a forged magnesium calliper, the XX Disc Brake defines the standard for braking performance and durability. This is the lightest fully featured XC brake class, yet it delivers maximum power and control.
Caliper and Rotor Specs
Brake Assembly Weight: 288g Direct mount and a 160mm rotor ( without clamp)
Caliper Material: Forged magnesium
Rotor Material: Two-piece construction: AL-7075-T6 and stainless steel, riveted
Pad Materials: Organic, alloy backed
Hardware: Titanium TORX* T25 bolts
Rotor Sizes: 140mm (rear only), 160mm, 185mm
Brake Lever Specification
Material: Forged magnesium lever body, carbon fiber lever blade
Hardware: Titanium TORX* T 25 bolts
Adjustments: Tool-free pad contact-point adjustment, tooled reach adjust
Feature: TaperBore technology, power reserve geometry. Ambidextrous, Dot 5.1 Fluid
December 14th, 2009 by Neil
HPA SERIES: AGREE SL & AGREE PRO AGREE SL and AGREE PRO
Are completely re-engineered for 2010.
The frame is manufactured from high-quality, triple-butted High Performance Aluminium 7005 and 6061 tubing using Advanced Hydro forming to give the perfect balance between comfort and speed.
Thoroughbred racing machine
Crammed full with the latest technology such as a conical steering tube for maximum steering head rigidity and a press-fit bottom bracket inner bearing for the greatest possible bearing stability. It offers everything to be desired from a thoroughbred racing machine: full forward drive and precise handling.
Newly developed Aero Flex seat stays are laterally ovalised towards the seat tube for greater comfort and longitudinally ovalised at the dropout for minimum aerodynamic drag.
All control cables are routed fully within the frame. The gear cables even leave the frame tube only at the dropout. For this the ingenieurs have taken advantage of the enlarged bottom bracket diameter and diverted the cables in the bottom bracket housing.
The inherent qualities of the AGREE SL and AGREE PRO are presented out by the dynamic styling and even standing still awaken the desire for speed.
October 29th, 2009 by Neil
Cube Agree GTC SL 2010
The Cube Bikes AGREE GTC frame is a completely new development for 2010.
All the experience gained from the predecessor model is incorporated and the highlights of last year’s Litening HPC, combined with the new dynamic styling Cube have put a comfort-oriented racer on the road.
Twin Mould technology
The Agree GTC’s monocoque construction uses Twin Mould technology which guarantees even layer structure and prevents dangerous folding on the inside of the frame. At the same time the resin content is reduced to its bare minimum reducing the overall weight of the frame.
A conical steering tube coupled with the EASTON EC70 offers outstanding steering head rigidity and a smooth steering platform which gives the rider absolute steering control.
Use of the Shimano Press-Fit inner bearing gives the ability to design an extremely wide bottom bracket bearing housing. This can be integrated at maximum width into the chain stays and down tube. So that the carbon fibres can run very evenly along the bottom bracket and thus create a perfect distribution of forces to the steering tube and into the chain stays.
Wafer-thin seat stays together with a comfortable carbon fibre layer structure in the chain stays provide outstanding comfort even on rough road surfaces. This also makes long-distance rides extremely comfortable and for that reason is the ideal travelling companion for ambitious racers and marathon riders.
In short, she’s a beauty and represents the fantastic value for money we’ve come to expect of Cube Bikes.
The Cube Agree GTC is available in:- Cube Agree GTC Pro, Cube Agree GTC Race and the top line Cube Agree GTC SL
September 26th, 2009 by Neil
After there has been so much info online about the 2010 Yeti range, I thought it best to give you a precis of the range.
Some bikes are unchanged – Asr7, Arc, Arc-X, Super X bmx, 4x, 575 – although the latter we will only have stock of the team turquoise and black ano options.
R-DH – gains a tapered head tube as well as new colours – should be with us around Feb ’10.
DJ – based on prototype ridden to recent 4x World Champs win by Jared Graves. New stiffer frame, tapered headtube, adjustable dropouts and will be available in 3 sizes. Around April ’10.
Asr carbon – a new glossier carbon finish, new adjustable seat clamp and a stiffer carbon rear end. Around Jan ’10.
Asr5 and Asr5C – a new exciting frame based around a 120mm fork. The full carbon will weigh in a 4.5lb, the alloy fronted one at around 4.9lb. 13″ BB height, tapered head tube and the option of either QR or 142mm bolt-through dropouts.
This looks a stunning new bike to the range and will offer customers a great option of either an Asr5 or an Asr7 where they would have before tried to make the 575 cover both of those bases. Mark is confirming pricing but we are looking at £1699 alloy and £2150 full carbon and they should be here Jan ’10.. A sweet new frame!!
We will have the new pics up within the next 2 weeks something to come back from.
September 8th, 2009 by Richie
We’ll be previewing highlights from Cube Bikes 2010 range shortly but thought you’d want a sneak peek at the whole line-up, so here it is:
In the meantime check out the Cube Bikes we have in stock at present on Freeflow Bikes.
September 3rd, 2009 by Richie
OK, we’ve finally managed to get some decent connectivity after blagging our way into the press area and one of the first things we wanted to show you was the SRAM XX Groupset. We’ll be going into more detail on the specific parts in other posts to follow this one, but the concept behind the groupset as a whole also deserves a mention.
Their first groupset, SRAM have aimed for total integration with the XX and boy does it show. Not only is it the first MTB groupset ever to use a 2×10 chainset, but every part is designed to work in harmony from the ground up. It’s basically the MacBook Pro of groupsets – groundbreaking front shifting, perfect ergonomics, super light weight and total synergy between the components make this a joy to ride. There’s a demo bike here that Neil was trying to break, and even he (nor the 10 burly germans that followed his example) could get close. We’re working on bringing you a video of this as not only is it hilarious watching Neil virtually rape a demo bike, the front shifting in particular is staggering. Put simply, if you’re serious about XC you need this groupset.
Rock Shox SID WC, Reba and XLoc remote lockout
SRAM XX Shifters
SRAM XX Front Mech - the spring tension on this is so tight it's virtually impossible to extend by hand!
August 26th, 2009 by Richie
Yep, it’s that time of year again – the best shiny new things for the 2010 season are about to be displayed to the masses at Eurobike. What’s more, we’ll be there to see them first hand. But don’t be jealous – we’ll be blogging about all that is new, shiny and sexy so you can find out as soon as we do. For superquick updates you can follow us on Twitter, then get more depth as we hammer out the gory details as they come through.
So, let us know if there’s anything you want us to hunt down and we’ll do our best to get you a write up live from the hall. In the meantime, check back regularly for updates and get saving!
