More info 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

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

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.

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

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

It looks like Cane Creek is following Rock Shox into the DH air shock market with this prototype Double Barrel Air making an appearance at Fort William this weekend.  I am sure more details will begin to trickle out as we get closer to Interbike, but for now check out some of the new bits spotted at Fort Bill over at Singletrackworld.com.

Not only is Germany's Nicolai Bikes known for building some of the most beautifully crafted 2 wheeled machines on earth, but the are also known for being able to provide the most diverse paint schemes to go with them.  One such paint scheme is known as their "Dizzy Camo" and it's remained a factory secret known to only the Nicolai painters on how they do it.

Contour has unveiled the specs of their new Contour Plus helmet camera, and it's a major step up not for the average user, but for those who want to use the small cameras for video production and live events.

New Features Include:

• A wider 170-degree field of view (compared to the ContourGPS’s 135-degree field of view)
• Live video streaming via HDMI and external transmitter. This will allow for live, realtime video coverage of events.
• External 2.5-millimeter microphone jack for better sound quality. Especially useful for interviews.
• Six-element glass lens. We’re assuming it’s better.
• Same video resolutions.
• Same GPS features.
• Same Bluetooth functionality.
• No more Lasers.

MSRP is expected to be $499, a considerable step up from the $349 of the Contour GPS, but worth it for the professional features.

For more information check out contour.com

Specifications:

• Frame NEW SUPREME DH v3 200mm
• Shock FOX RC4
• Fork FOX 40 RC2 FIT
• Headset Tange Seiki IS24 Campy style
• Stem Pro Atherton series direct mount
• Bars Pro Atherton series Os 745mm
• Grips COMMENCAL Deluxe Lock-On
• Brakes Shimano saint 203/203
• Shifters Shimano Saint right
• Front Mech E13 SRS
• Rear Mech Shimano SAINT
• Bottom Bracket Shimano Press Fit
• Cranks Shimano Saint 38t 170mm
• Chain Shimano HG
• Cassette Shimano ultegra 12-25
• Rims MAVIC EX 721 Black
• Hubs Shimano Saint 20mm front, 12mm rear
• Spokes Stainless 64p 3x lacing
• Tires Maxxis Minion DHF 26×2.5
• Seatpost Pro Atherton series
• Saddle Pro Atherton series
• Color Cyan Blue
• Weight 40.3 lbs
• Sizes S, M, L

FSA's new Orbit Option headset follows close on the heels of Cane Creek's Angleset and works in much of the same way.  It uses a gimble bearing to provide 0.5°, 1.0° and 1.5° angles and will work in 1.5", Tapered and 1.5" Zerostack headtubes.  It will only work with 1 1/8" steerer tube forks and the price is expected to be under $150 which should give Cane Creek a run for their money.

RockShox just posted this picture on their Twtter Page, which appears to be the Blackbox Edition Boxxers for all the WC teams and their upcoming Fort William outing.  Guessing the first 2 are for the Santa Cruz Syndicate and the 2nd 2 are for team Specialized Monster Energy, but I guess we'll just have to wait until Fort Bill to tell who is rocking which one of these beauties.

Taiwan based Wheeler has unveiled its new long travel enduro / light freeride bike, the Raptor.  With 180mm of travel, the Raptor features wheelers SSP or "Super Single Pivot" suspension, in which the main pivot is basically the bottom bracket.  Completely made from carbon fiber, the Raptor weighs in at a light weight 29 lbs.

Keep an eye on Wheeler Bikes website for more information at www.wheelerworldwide.com.

Photo Credits: www.mtb-news.de

Some Quick Specs:

• 170mm Travel
• 13.5" BB Height
• 16.3" Chainstays
• 65° Head Angle

Most people aren't familiar with North Shore Billet, but since 2003 they have been turning out high quality CNC bike parts out of their Vancouver BC based machine shop.  Specializing in small parts like derailleur hangers, cable guides, dropouts and other small accessories, many times their attention to detail and craftsmanship goes un-noticed, but it appears that they are stepping it up with their first venture into the stem market.  While still just a prototype, according to their blog, they have been working on the details of their first public prototype for some time.

The prototype is machined out of 6061 T6 aluminum, is 70mm in length and features M6 bolts all around as well as a pretty trick hollow top cap.

For more information, check out NorthShoreBillet.com

While I generally would probably recommend against having the ano stripped off your new $1600 Boxxer stanchions for the sake of aesthetics, I do salute those who have the cojones to just go for it.  Such is the case with the red custom anodized stanchions on this 2010 Boxxer WC which I have to say, looks pretty bling.

As we posted earlier today, SRAM has released the newest incarnation of the XO group at Sea Otter over the weekend.  Called XO Silver, all of the bits feature polished parts for extra bling factor.

2x10 Truvativ XO Crankset

SRAM XO 10 Speed Trigger

SRAM XO 10 Speed Rear Derailleur

SRAM XO Brake Lever