INDUSTRY NEWS

News Roundup - Week of October 12th

Date Oct 12, 2022

Fox Announces All-New Proframe RS

Fox Racing, the global leader in motorcycle and mountain bike safety equipment and apparel, is adding a new premier helmet to the top of their Proframe full-face franchise. The Proframe RS uses an exclusive Mips safety system as well as several other category-defining features to further elevate the already class leading Proframe.

After creating the lightweight full-face helmet category with the Proframe in 2017, the all-new Proframe RS takes this proven category leader to a new level with innovative technology that truly redefines performance. The Proframe RS features an industry-first Mips Integra Split protection system and a 360-degree precision-fit BOA retention design, making it the most advanced helmet Fox has ever created.

Designed in conjunction with Mips, Integra Split is a dual material design integrating an EPP inner liner with an EPS outer layer that is optimized for a variety of impact speeds to reduce rotational forces in the event of a crash.

The Proframe RS also uses a micro-adjust BOA Fit System, an adjustable head cradle, and comes with two sizes of cheek pads to further customize fit. The visor is adjustable and goggle-compatible with a built-in, removable GoPro mount. Other defining features are the magnetic Fidlock closure for easy helmet security and removal, and an antimicrobial liner and cheek pads. The Proframe RS’s new look increases ventilation and decreases surface contact, creating amazing air flow and breathability in a full-face design – and it’s DH Certified.

The Proframe RS is available now.

MSRP: $359 USD

Sizes: S, M, L

Colors: Bark, Black, RTRN Black, Black Camo, Black/Red, Black/Yellow, Vintage White

Introducing the Evil Offering LS

A proper pocketknife covers all the slicing tasks you imagine, and the unexpected ones in between. Our Offering LS platform aims to do the same. The bike is stiff and responsive, pairing the smooth pedaling platform of our Following with some added padding so you can release the brakes and let gravity take over.

So, what’s been lightly salted here? We’ve found several elements to crank up the Offering’s all-mountain appetite. Alongside a pair of limited-edition color options, we’ve added SRAM’s Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH) that’s easily found at your local bike shop. If the tiny backwoods shop has any modern hanger in stock, it’ll be this one.

We’ve heard the battle cries over trunnion shock spacers and responded by capturing them in the linkage, so you no longer have to fiddle and fumble when installing shocks. Slide the shock in place, torque all three bolts, and get back to drifting.

To polish this shiny knife, Evil will offer free annual bearing replacements on all of our bikes, from 2022 forward. Original owners can register their bikes on the Evil website and order a set of replacement bearings once per season. See our warranty site for more details to keep those pivots prime.

The tail of this 141mm bike will ramp up fast for a lively position on the “spry-ride to bulldozer” continuum. You can certainly line up at a local enduro with the Offering, and we shaped it to leap ruts and boost over roots beneath creative riders who prefer the bonus line to the shortest one.

A flip-chip and optional angle sets offer six posture options for the Offering LS. These variables allow riders to dial their Offering in sync with their trails and riding style. Keep it set low for flatter local tracks, with a quick flip of the chips to achieve that X-Low bike park stance.

All three Offering LS builds come with top-shelf RockShox suspension that’s tuned to provide comfort and support right where you want it. Bolt on our carbon Loopholes or the Industry Nine wheel set, the gold-standard Bike Yoke dropper, a powerful set of 4-piston brakes, and this ride is dressed for any party you drop in to.

Project 321 Relocates Operations to Canada

We are excited to announce that Project 321 is under new ownership and moving north to Canada!

Here is what you need to know:

Project 321 Inc., a newly created stand-alone Canadian entity, has acquired the Project 321 brand and its hub related assets
Project 321 Inc. has the capacity and ambition to scale into an industry leading cycling component manufacturer that will focus on OEM, aftermarket, and direct sales;
A Generation 3 (“G3”) Project 321 hub is currently being tested and its official release date will be announced this quarter.
The Generation 2 (“G2”) hub has been discontinued and is no longer available for sale; and
Existing warranties will be honoured, and spare parts and service will continue to be available.

PROJECT 321 TIMELINE

Early Days

Project 321 was founded 17 years ago by Jake Liles in Fresno, California, and initially produced motorcycle gas caps. The foray into bicycle components began in 2005 with the development of Lefty fork adapters. Bicycle hub manufacturing started in 2011, initially utilizing drive rings and pawls sourced from Industry Nine.

Project 321 introduced its magnet-actuated pawl hubs in January of 2017 with the launch of the G2 Hub. The G2 was equipped with a class-leading 216 points of engagement and unique optionality for both quiet and loud driver configuration. Overall, the G2 offered a compelling combination of high-engagement and low-drag, quickly developing a reputation for outstanding performance and reliability. In late 2017, Jake moved shop from Fresno to Bend, Oregon. The move enabled him to increase quality and production capacity by bringing nearly all manufacturing in-house. In the years following, Jake and his partner Sam grew Project 321 into an internationally recognized brand with a dedicated following.

G3 Hub and Stan's

With over five years of experience manufacturing and refining the G2 hub design, Jake was confident that any issue observed in the field with early versions had been addressed with running design changes; the G2 was now tested and proven. True to his nature, Jake got restless and started thinking of a new and improved G3. Around the same time, Stan’s No Tubes approached Project 321 for help developing a rear hub, and Jake went to work on a new design.

Ownership Transition and Moving North

With the launch of the Stan’s MPluse hub (which includes several G3 components manufactured by Project 321), the global increase demand for cycling components, and the commitments of a growing family, Jake and Sam started to feel that it might be time to start to look to transition Project 321. Around this time, Jake was introduced to Bryden Richardson, the CEO of a precision manufacturing company that was exploring the idea of designing and manufacturing bicycle hubs.

It’s funny how the world can work, as they both had exactly what the other was looking for. Jake had a strong brand and a product known for quality and reliability. Bryden and his team had experience scaling businesses in precision manufacturing (North Arc Precision) and sporting goods components (TriggerTech). TriggerTech was founded in 2013 and has grown to become an industry leading supplier of trigger components to OEMs, aftermarket, and consumers in the firearms and crossbow space. To meet the growing needs of TriggerTech, North Arc Precision was created to act as a stand-alone precision manufacturing business with specific expertise in Wire EDM fabrication, CNC machining and complex assembly processes. North Arc Precision has the capacity and expertise to meet Project 321’s growing manufacturing needs on day one.

Research quickly turned to negotiations and after a few months Project 321 Inc. was formed as a stand-alone entity to acquire the brand and hub-related assets from Jake and Sam’s holding company, JLSO Inc.

What is Next?

Project 321 is moving all operations to a 42,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Mississauga, Ontario. From Canada, Project 321 will have the capacity and ambition to scale into an industry leading cycling component manufacturer that will supply OEMs, wholesalers, wheel builders, retail shops, and consumers directly.

A brand-new G3 hub is currently in is in the final stages of testing and its official release date will be announced this quarter.

G2 hub production has been discontinued, but service and spare parts will continue to be available. All existing warranties will be honored from the new Canadian headquarters.

Atherton Bikes Launch AM.130 and AM.130.X

In response to a tidal wave of customer requests, Atherton Bikes have launched a light, modern trail bike that will bring the Atherton experience to a much broader range of rides.

The AM.130 has been built to be the ultimate trail bike. It includes all of the learnings from Atherton’s World Cup-winning AM.200 and award-winning AM.150 and is designed, additive manufactured, and tested in Machynlleth, Mid-Wales. With over 100km of hand-cut natural trails, the Dyfi trail network was the perfect testing ground for this bike. In true Atherton style, the AM.130 is remarkably tough. It has passed all of the most stringent EFBE Cat 4 (Enduro) and Cat 5 tests (Downhill) with flying colors. So riders looking for a change of pace can take it to the Bike Park and rail hard with confidence that it’s as strong as any gravity bike on the market.

Atherton offers a lifetime first-owner warranty – including Bike Park use.

In common with their existing models, the AM.130 is built on the DW6 suspension platform so it’s super-capable and rocks 29” wheels front and back.

The AM.130 is Atherton CEO Dan Brown’s “go-to bike” he said. “We set out to design a bike that delivered a super-fun ride whatever the terrain. The AM130 handles trickier, technical terrain in its stride but it’s still super-playful on a mellower trail. We went back to the drawing board with lug construction, stripping out even more material where it didn’t directly contribute to the bike’s strength which makes for a lighter ride and fantastic handling on the climbs; but this bike still descends like an Atherton – it’s the perfect combination for a big adventure or a blast round the local woods.“

The AM.130 is offered in 22 sizes for the perfect physical fit with a size-specific seat tube angle that moves from 77 to 79 degrees to ensure that taller riders won’t end up too far back on the bike for the climbs.

But this bike also comes in two very distinct versions so wherever you ride you can be sure of a top day out. Dan Brown explained “Our first prototypes for this bike had half a degree slacker head angle and a smaller fork but it quickly became clear to us that with different component selection we had not one but two great bikes on our hands. In line with our guiding principle of “no compromise” we’re offering the AM.130 which has a 140 mm fork for excellence on the climbs and more responsive steering on the flat and the AM.130.X (eXtra travel with a 150mm fork) which has a 0.5 degrees slacker head angle for extra stability on the rowdier descents.”

There are four main versions in the 130 line-up, starting from £4200 for a frameset which includes a RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate shock

Full builds start from Build 2 featuring Pike Select, Deluxe ultimate, Sram GX and priced at £6600, but Atherton also offers a top-of-the-range Build 1 (with Pike Ultimate, Super Deluxe Ultimate, Sram X01 and Build X ( Fox 36, Fox Float X2, Sram GX )

In common with the rest of the Atherton offering, there is also the opportunity to upgrade selected components or to fully spec your own “dream build” for a truly customized experience.

In line with the larger travel AM.150 there’s fully guided internal cable routing, bottle mounts and downtube protector as standard; maintenance across the entire bike has been simplified with barrel nuts and standard bolts and a universal derailleur hanger.

Rachel Atherton has been deeply involved with the development of the AM.130 while taking a break from full-time racing and has covered literally 100’s of miles – sometimes with baby Arna in tow. Rachel said “The AM.130 is designed to be super playful, wherever you want to ride, so don’t limit yourself, I frequently take this bike on a long pedal ending up in Dyfi Bike Park and riding the hardest trails down to the café. It’s always such a fun ride, I don’t even mind pedaling uphill, and I hate pedaling!”

All the details at www.athertonbikes.com

Title Announces Reform Handlebar Line

Reform; a change in shape. This handlebar design has been nearly three years in the making as company founder and CEO, Brett Rheeder, worked closely with our engineers on dozens upon dozens of different design ideas and revisions to come up with something new. The result is a completely original line of handlebars including both carbon and aluminum options.

Reform Alloy boasts the same head-turning design as it's big brother. However, this version undergoes a hydroforming process to mirror the unique shape of the carbon model. Reform alloy is the predecessor of our AH1 series and is intended for the rider that wants to upgrade the strength of their handlebars and enhance the bikes appearance without going carbon or breaking the bank.

Details

7050 T6 alloy
800mm width
31.8 & 35mm clamp diameter
9° backsweep
5° upsweep
35x25mm rise (376 grams)
35x35mm rise (379 grams)
31.8x25mm rise (368 grams)
EFBE Tri-Test® completed
DH/FR certified
70mm max clamp width
Not compatible with DM1
MSRP: $159.95 CAD // $116.42 USD

Reform Carbon is a distinctively shaped handlebar that boasts the lightest weight amongst DH and enduro bars on the market, starting at 194 grams. Reform has been proven at the highest DH standard of testing, EFBE TRI-TEST® Category 5, to ensure the light weight is backed by dependable strength. Furthermore, the technology used in the design and carbon layup has created an ultra-compliant bar that makes riding feel less strenuous on your hands. Ultimately, Reform Carbon is an exceptionally strong and lightweight handlebar with integrated technology that makes riding easier on your hands, with a design that is sure to turn heads.

Details