Euro Bits #8

Everyone has known for years now that gearboxes are the future, but now apparently Pinion are working on a trigger shifter so the future is getting closer!

Apparently belt drives are the future too…

The new 5.10 Macaskill feels, and looks, a lot like a normal street sneaker – nice and flexible and light…

Turn it over though, and the truth is revealed!

RRP EUR129.95

Groovy…

A whole range of Truvativ signature bars, and there’s only one we’re interested in…

These came to Eurobike straight from Crankworx Whistler, and should be available to buy in November.

Pivot’s new Phoenix was launched in February, but hasn’t been seen much in the UK yet.

No major changes in sight, just tweaks and neat touches like these sneaky little chain slap protectors on the swing arm wishbones.

The new 170mm travel Firebird occupies the middle-ground between DH and enduro.  It’s basically a shorter travel, lighter, narrower Phoenix.  Light and efficient enough to get you up, big and tough enough to descend serious terrain at speed.

The Firebird covers all bases when it comes to cables and gears; routing is internal, and there is provision for a front mech as well as full Di2 compatibility.  The Di2 battery slots into a neat compartment under the down tube just in front of the BB.

The Pivot Switchblade features their ‘Super Boost Plus’ rear end, which induced a lot of grumbling over standards everywhere… But, just in case you hadn’t guessed, it’s a joke!  What Super Boost actually is, is a standard (DH) 157 x 12mm rear hub, mated with a BB92 (73mm equivalent press fit) bottom bracket.  The cranks are the only weird bit, in that you need to get a much wider chain line than normal from a 73mm.  Happily a set of Race Face cranks with the chain ring flipped around are perfect.

And another lap past the Nicolai stand, just in case.