Contour has a new budget minded helmet cam hitting the market called the Contour Roam.  It features a new easy to use button layout, full HD video, a standard tripod mount and is completely waterproof up to 1 meter without a case.  Price is set at $199

Check out all the details at Contour.com

More info here

Rock Shox has a contest running to design the next Totem sticker pack for the 2013 Totem with 10 Totem forks and $2500 in prizes up for grabs.

Get the Official Rules and Information here.

Be sure to check out my design here!

Santa Cruz has decided that the perfect time to test a full carbon version of the already half carbon V-10 is at the Val Di Sole.  

For more info and pictures check out Dirt Mag.

Just like Semenuks custom Boxxer 2 years ago, the boys at SRAM's BlackBox Labs have created another one off Boxxer, this time for Cam Zink.

Not to be left behind by everyone else doing carbon these days, Intense has unveiled the Carbine, a 140mm AM/Enduro rig featuring all the usual Intense goodies.

• Patented VPP suspension
• Fox Factory Kashima RP23 custom Carbine tune
• Tapered Head tube 1.5 / 1-1/8″
• Composite BB92 bottom Bracket
• Replaceable ” G1 ” drop out system (QR 135 , Syntace142 X12 , Shimano 142 QR12 )
• Adjustable Travel 5.5″ to 6″ , 140 to 152mm
• Dropper post cable routing
• H2o bottle mounts
• Direct mount front derailer
• Intense “FLK- GRD” down tube and Chain stay protection system
• Angular contact bearing / collet axle system with replaceable zirk fittings
• Available in Naked Carbon or Intense Red
• 5.5 lbs medium frame weight w/ Fox RP23

To go along with the X.O Chainguide (aka MRP G2) Truvativ has also released the X-Guide, a dedicated two ring guide, designed in conjunction with MRP.

For 2012 the Specialized SX Trail frame remains unchanged from 2011.  On the complete build, the parts spec has been upgraded to include a Fox 180mm 36 Van R up front and a Van RC out back as well as a mix of SRAM X.0 and X.7 10 spd for the drive train.

You can get more details as they become available on Specialized's 2012 Early Launch Website.

Every year Rock Shox commissions a new artist or designer to design a sticker pack for the Totem series of forks.  At the opening of the SRAM MTB Experience at Kokanee Crankworx in Whistler, they unveiled that this time around the designer is none other than Geoff McFetridge.  I have been a huge fan of McFetridge's work ever since working with Coudal Partners on the documentary series "Western State" in which one for the featured designers was Geoff.  In talking about the project, SRAM commented "In celebration of the project we asked Geoff to use an actual RockShox Totem for his canvas and paint his iconic characters all over the legs and crown of the fork. "  This one of a kind will be raffled off to some lucky winner.

Hit the jump to check out the Western State episode about Geoff to find out a little about what makes his design tick.

Kona has posted some more photos of their 2012 bikes including this production version of the 2012 Operator.  Check out all the photos on Kona's Facebook Page.

Specialized has used Crankworx to debut their new Pro DH platform pedal.  At 500g +, they are not the lightest pedal, but they are thin at just 10mm thick.

Check out bikerumor.com's full write up on the new pedal from Crankworx.

There ain't no bling like a King.

Chris King has upped the specs on their already rock solid BB systems, now giving you the option between stainless steel ball bearings and the new ceramic model.

• Made in the USA
• 5-year warranty
• Fully serviceable bearing. Designed to work with our BB Injector Tool
• 24 balls per bearing
• The bottom bracket is identical in construction to our standard bottom bracket but with color changes to the center sleeve, spindle sleeves and seal retainer snap ring. These color changes serve as identifying marks for the new model.
• Cups available in 10 colors.

So it appears that Trek is marching steadfastly towards its goal securing a major chunk of the market with it's technologically advanced DH and FR bikes.  That Carbon Session 9.9 that Gwin destroyed Mont Saint Anne and Windham on, yeah, thats supposedly a production bike and will be available in 2012.  Coming in at under 35lbs stock and featuring a ton of tweaks from the aluminum Session 88, the Session 9.9 is already off to a good start at poised to make a massive impact on the World Cup.

Also new for 2012 is the new Trek Slash, a 160mm "Endurance DH" rig which is taking the place of the Scratch Air.

And while I'm on the topic of Trek, how about you give me a call?  I know you have been lurking on here :)

For more info keep your eyes on Trekbikes.com

Fox has paired up with Specialized once again to create a new "Auto Sag" feature.  Simply over inflate the shock, sit on the bike and release the air valve and it'll set the pressure just right for your weight.  Genius.

Apparently fat is out and everyone want's to be the thinnest.  Tioga's new Zero Pedal aims to be just that.  Realizing that you can only be so thin with an axle, they have just gone and done away with it all together and moved to an outboard bearing system giving the pedal a thickness of just 7mm at it's thickest point and 4mm at it's thinnest.

Keep an eye on tiogausa.com for more info.

Features:

• Infinite travel adjustment from 180mm to 225mm (new patent)
• Infinite Bottom bracket adjustment from 13.5 to 14.5 (new patent)
• Infinite wheelbase/chainstay adjustments from CS 16.7 to 17.6 inch (new patent)
• Low friction Uni Axes suspension system with ultra stiff mono arm (new patent)
• Estimated weight with Fox DHX 5.0 Air is said to be around 9 pounds

For 2012, the top end Demo 8 gets a CCDB out back, but wheres the carbon?

Pretty sure Specialized is giving kids LSD and letting them pick their new colors.  This one looks like Ronald McDonalds spaceship, that or Sam Hill has really gone off the deep end and wanted a bike to match his TLD kits.

Also, it appears as though the legendary Big Hit is no more.  Now replaced with the new "Status".  You think people are taking social networking a little too seriously?

While most companies are working on getting carbon versions of their DH bikes to market, GT has gone the other direction for 2012 and has introduced a alloy version of the Fury.  The bike features the exact same geometry as the carbon version ridden by Mick Hannah and will be priced right around $3100 complete.

FRAME:
 NEW Monocoque / Hydroformed, 6061 Aluminum Frame, 210mm Travel Independent Drivetrain™ Suspension System w/ Forged Linkage, Pivots, Forged Bottom Bracket, Dropouts, and 1 1/2″ Head Tube

FRONT SUSPENSION: 
Marzocchi 888 RV w/200mm Travel 20mm, Adjustable Rebound

REAR SUSPENSION:
 Marzocchi Roco R w/210mm Travel, Adjustable Rebound

CRANK: FSA Gravity MotoX Mega Exo 36

DERAILLEUR (F/R):
 e.thirteen LS1+ w/ 40T Bashguard / SRAM X5, Mid Cage

REAR COG:
 SRAM PG-950, 11-28T, 9-Speed

BOTTOM BRACKET:
 FSA Mega Exo, 83mm

SHIFTERS:
 SRAM X5 Trigger (Rear Only)

CHAIN:
 KMC X9, 9-Speed

RIMS:
 ALL TERRA DD32 32 Hole

HUBS:
 ALL TERRA Alloy Sealed Bearing Thru Axle Disc 32 Hole

SPOKES: 
DT Swiss Champion

TIRES:
 Maxxis Minion DHF, 2.5″, Dual Ply, 3C

BRAKE LEVERS:
 Avid Elixir 3

BRAKES: 
Avid Elixir 3, 200mm (F/R)

HEADSET:
 FSA Orbit E 1.5R/12.8, 1.5 to 1 1/8″

STEM:
 ALL TERRA DH 3D Forged, 50mm

HANDLEBARS:
 ALL TERRA DH Riser, 6061-T6, 785mm

SEATPOST:
 SDG Micro I-Beam AL6061, 31.6mm x 350mm

SADDLE:
 SDG Formula FX I-Beam

PEDALS: ALL TERRA Slim Line, Cast Alloy w/ Replaceable Pins

Of course they are still making the carbon version also.

For more info, keep an eye on GT Bicycles.com

To check out the entire new 2012 Kona lineup, check out the Kona Cog

Czech Republic's Shaman Racing has unveiled 2 new chainguide systems, the Thor and the Graft.  Both are designed to be super light weight coming in at just 160g and 47g respectively. Doesn't look like they are available Stateside, but are available through European distributors.  For more info, check out shamanracing.com 

We knew it was only a matter of time, and honestly I am surprised it didn't happen until half way through the World Cup season, but Aaron Gwin was sporting a new carbon Session DH for practice at Mont Sainte Anne this morning.  Keep an eye on Dirt Mag for more photos and info.

While other companies are trying to perfect hydro gyros and headsets to allow spinning your bars until your hearts content, Acros wants to stop your bars from doing a full 360.  The Block Stop headset features a tongue and groove system which limits your bars from trying to smash into your frame when something goes south.  Movement is limited to 90° in either direction, so it wouldn't quite keep your dual crowns stanchions from smashing into your frame, but it should work with everything else.

Keep an eye on www.acros.de for more information

The XCR is an XC chainguide from Superstar Components designed to be used on a single front chain ring and with either a 9 or 10 speed cassette at the rear.  It is also much more affordable than the MRP 1X and e13 XCX ST.

Looks like SRAM is testing a DH specific X.0 group by the looks of the derailleur attached to Minnaar's V10.  No word whether it is 9 spd or 10 spd.