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This mega roundup of new tech, bikes and bits from Eurobike 2022 covers multiple categories, for road, gravel, mountain, commuter and more bikepacking.
Bright Cycles Linkin Mountain Bike isn’t really new, it launched last fall with your choice of 135mm or 150mm rear travel. But hiding behind that wall in their new owner’s Scott Sports booth was a dark room with 120mm of travel that looks set to sit between this and the recently introduced 2022 Scott Spark.
Aside from travel length, the key difference between the Spark and Linkin is the rear shock orientation and linkage structure. Scott uses a standard upper rocker arm to drive the rocker down, with a vertical mounting arrangement.
Linkin uses a low-link driven horizontal shock, which connects to a link in the frame, keeping the entire rear shock protected from the elements.
So, that teaser bike could be the next Scott Genius. The current Genius is five years old, has 150mm of travel, and looks ripe for an update. My visual cues (the bike was hard to see) suggested a 140-150mm travel fork, using the same frame layout as the Spark. While the Spark RC has the same 120mm rear and bumped to a 130mm fork, 140-150mm makes a lot of sense with improved suspension placement and geometry.
Beno Bikes DemiDemi
Based on the smaller RemiDemi, the new Beno Demi Demi offers an extended rear end and dual battery capacity. Add any of their wide range of accessories and you can turn it into a kiddie trailer, grocery store, student trailer, or whatever you want. Check it out at BennoBikes.com.
Ortlieb has improved their bag.
Ortlieb have fixed and patched their top tube bag. The original, honestly, was pretty bad…it was too wide, and hard to open, especially while riding. The new one uses a slim rear to clear the knees and a deep hooded magnetic flap top that is easily accessible while riding, yet still provides excellent weather protection for its contents.
New Saddlebag uses their bolt-on mounting base to allow you to safely carry this oversized option. With a roll top and adjustable shoulder strap, it’s a great travel option that can turn the flash on and off.
Their corporate collection is specifically designed to fit their pannier bags and keep your clothes, gear, and even your laptop in place. New is the toiletry kit (left, bottom, shown open) that includes a small mirror and the clothing kit (center) with a removable plastic folding guide to help your shirts take up less space (and less wrinkling). ).
Their handbag installation kit works with a wide variety of baskets and bags, which come in many colors. In the lower center (green) is a new flip-top bag, which is great for city errands or even bikepacking. Slide your phone or map under the cover and you can watch them being protected from the elements.
Aero bike packing frames
Aeroe’s bikepacking frames and bags are unique in that they can easily adjust the position of your bag to clear ankles or become more ventilated. With any bike, even full-suspension mountain bikes, your chainstays, fork legs, or handlebars will get stuck. Check out their latest model to see how it works.
Above, their racks were showing that they work well for attaching any kind of small bag, purse or hip pack.
Zfal Aero dry bag
I think technically you could do this with any round, tube-like dry bag with loop mounts, but it looked cool, so I took a picture. It’s actually a carry bag that comes with a compression sleeve, but I like the idea of making it more aerodynamic by attaching that to the aero bar extensions.
Check out Zefal’s full line of frame bags and universal protectors at Zefal.com.
Evoque frame bag configuration
Corey has a whole story on this, but I really like the look of their new collection, so I thought I’d share it.
Ergon sports/fitness saddles
Ergon’s new SF (Sport Fitness) saddles are designed for casual enthusiasts and commuters. If you bought a bike during the pandemic and still ride it for fun and exercise, this is for you.
Relief channels optimized for both men and women and two sizes of each model for each gender offer plenty of fit options. They use gel-enhanced orthopedic foam to distribute pressure better than conventional “performance” bike saddles. Retail is $/€49.95 for the SF model, and $/€69.95 for the SF Sport Gel.
The first Selle SMP “compact” saddles
Selle SMP is the last to enter the “short nose” saddle category. They took two of their models, the VT30 Gel and VT20, and added the V30C and V20C options, where C=Compact. Both models get a regular and gel option, with the latter adding a thin layer of gel to the surface to help shape the body while riding, but then retracts afterwards.
The key difference between the models is the shape, one is a little flatter than the other, and one approaches the Selle SMP trademark wave-like profile. Both are 155mm wide, but the compact models cut 30mm off the front. They are available with stainless steel or carbon rails, both of which look great and make me more interested in the brand.
They introduced a new bar tape with and without gel. Unless you like very thin bar tape, I recommend gel tape. They say it’s enough to provide a great load, but you can’t make it too thin and lose the benefit of the gel pad.
I though it would be nice if they made fenders that consider the gap in their saddles, because you definitely don’t want a wet spot there.
Rotor adds universal 1x chains
Rotor has added new 1x straight mountain chains to their gravel and mountain bike cranksets, compatible with the latest 12-speed road and mountain bike chains from SRAM and Shimano. And it’s still 11 speed compatible. They aren’t giving details on their dental profile that allows this, but they say it took a bit of work.
That “13 speed” icon indicates compatibility with the UNO drivetrain, and (fortunately) not the campy Icar group.
Below, they have a new GRX crankset-compatible oval and round rings that use Shimano’s 110/80 BCD for double chainrings.
Beautiful rear view bicycle mirror of Spercycle
Years in development, the Spur Cycle rearview mirror should finally debut next summer. Two versions are offered – a clip-on version that works with any bike cap and a goggle-mount version.
You’re still sorting out the perfect hinge design to perfect the position and adjustment range, and you can still add telescoping capabilities. MSRP will be a very reasonable $40 and will include a universal visor that fits any helmet. Look for this to be a stocking stuffer for Christmas 2023.
Bad light from the optics, automatically change the sunglasses
Out Of has been making sunglasses that weigh well under 20 grams for a while, but their latest BOT model (left) takes things to a new level with battery-free electronic tint that automatically adjusts to ambient light.
Using a light sensor with a solar panel, it can detect changes in light (as you move in and out of tree cover) and adjust their darkness in less than a second. It’s not too dramatic a change to be distracting, but enough to make it easier to see when entering a tunnel or trail.
The amazing thing is that they don’t need a battery or charger, so they can hold a charge for up to 30 years. They are amazing. Coming later this year.
TwoNav is for off-grid bikepackers.
TwoNav is a Spanish brand of GPS mapping tools focused on orienteering. Their new Terra (left) and Trail 2 Plus work like cycling computers, with your power meter, HR, etc. They focus on extracting information, but providing high-level detailed navigation.
With built-in and computer-based routing software from maps and TomTom Road Navigation, you can create very detailed plans for your next trip. Or just see where you are when you’re out in the wild. Combine that with any of the larger screens designed to fit on (or in front of) your wrist and you’ve got a great excuse not to get lost.
Northwave gets more extreme
This September, NorthWave will be releasing completely new versions of their top road and MTB shoes. The new Extreme XC2 (top) and Extreme Pro 3 (bottom) eliminate the stacked upper and reroute the stay cables to further reduce pressure points. Some of my favorite shoes, looking forward to trying these out.
Freeland New Flat-Pedal Bike Road/Light MTB/Commuter Shoe with Single Center Lock Dial with Smart Touch. To untie them, just pull the strap up and slide your leg off. And then come back. Also coming in September.
The Tailwhip Eco Evo is a new, eco-friendly version of their top freeride shoe. Using a new upper, liner and laces made from RePet (recycled water bottles), the footbed uses 86% ReFoam (recycled polyurethane foam).
Michelin tire treads are made with 26% ReRubber (rubber scraps from the manufacturing process). Available in black, blue and forest green, they will retail for €110 when they launch in February 2023.
Vaude travel shoes
These Vaude Dualflex city cycling shoes are designed for all-day comfort and cycling and simply look the part in the office or cafe. The carbon plate on the soccer ball provides a strong power transmission when decelerating and a smooth roll when walking.
A tough nylon sole overlaps that slightly and runs to the back of the foot, creating a sturdy shoe for precise pedaling. And the TPU foam makes them more comfortable to walk on.
Want more?
Here are our other European tech highlights so far:
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