Frostbike 2013 Report

The Frostbike dealer only show ended about a week ago, but Gravel Grinder News was there and the report is finally out now. Here are the latest happenings from the brands that showed up at Quality Bicycle products show last week.

All City's new Macho Man Disc

All City: The newest addition to All City's line is the Macho Man Disc. Essentially, this is a geared, disc brake nature Boy, if you are familiar with that model. It has the same geometry, tire clearances, and basic details of the Nature Boy with the exception of the drop outs, (specific to the disc brake model), and the added braze ons for cable runs.

All City's Jeff Frane says that the cable mounts are special for this rig. They did not like the chunky, stock mounts everyone else uses, and had special, lighter, svelter ones made for the Macho Man Disc that add less weight.

The Maco Man disc also features Kenda Smallblock 8 tires and the spec includes the excellent Salsa Cycles Cowbell 2 bars.

In typical All City fashion, the Macho Man disc features ChromeMoly double butted frame tubing, a classic paint job with panels, and the color was an inspiration from the venerable Bridgestone X0 model.

All City is known for the details, and one can find cool features when they look closer such as the embossed bottom bracket shell, and the highly detailed and classy drop outs.

Nature Boy Zona

All City also had this gorgeous Nature Boy Zona "Heritage Edition" bike on display. Available as a frame, ($850.00 MSRP), or as a complete, ($1550.00 MSRP), this fade paint job rig is stunning in person to look at. Featuring a PF30 bottom bracket, this frame is a 1/2lb lighter than the standard Nature Boy and presumably will have a slightly livelier ride as well.

Like the Macho Man Disc, this bike also features the Salsa Cowbell 2 bar and Kenda Smallblock 8 tires. 

All City Nature Boy

The Nature Boy will now be available in this rich purple hue. Once again, the same type of details on the drop outs, bottom bracket, and braze ons exist here.

The Nature Boy also gets the Salsa handle bars and a Salsa stem. Smallblock 8 tires, just like the others. Look for the All City Nature Boy to be offered in the same chartreuse and white scheme seen in 2012 as well.

Michelin "square" tube.

 Michelin, the French based tire manufacturer, has a new take on the traditional inner tube for tires. Instead of the usual round rubber cross section, their new ProTek Max tube has a radical, squarish shape with many bulges.

Michelin claims that when this tube is inflated and presses up against the inner part of a clincher tire, the bulges want to compress. This will manifest itself if the tube should be punctured, so that instead of spreading apart, as a traditional tube will do, it actually closes in on itself. Furthermore, a thin layer of sealant, which resides on the inner portion of the tube, helps self heal the puncture.

These tubes are available in 700c sizes with a Presta valve. Gravel Grinder News hopes to obtain a sample for testing. Stay tuned.....

Schwalbe Marathon Series Tires

Schwalbe Tires:

The ever popular, (with gravel grinders), Schwalbe Marathon Series of tires has been tweaked once again.

New to the Marathon line is the Marathon Deluxe, (shown here), which is one of the lightest Marathon series tires, but has the puncture protection of a tire weighing significantly more, according to Schwalbe. Available in 700 x 35mm and 38mm sizes along with a 2" wide variant, this tire ranges in weight from 545gms to 800gms in these sizes.

If you miss the old Marathon XR, you'll be glad to know Schwalbe has brought it back, (kind of), in the form of the Marathon Mondial. The Mondial features a very XR looking tread pattern and is offered in 700 X 35mm, 40mm, and 45mm sizes ranging from 570 gms to 750gms. This tire is also listed in a 2" size.

Little Big Ben

Another new tire for Schwalbe, the "Little Big Ben", may interest some riders. It is a 40mm, high volume tire that is offered in black, creme, graphite, and brown hues. Weights range from 590gm to 695 for the colored versions. The black variant is the only one available in a folding bead and has Schwalbe's "RaceGuard" puncture protection belt. The colored tires are wire beaded versions with Kevlar Guard puncture protection.

Challenge Tires "Almanzo"

Challenge Tires:

Challenge tires offers a version of their Grifo clincher for gravel called the "Almanzo" which takes its name from the Almanzo 100 gravel grinder, which is held annually in May. This is a skinny tire at a claimed 30mm and features a high thread count casing and is rated for high pressures. The Alamnzo features a minimal file type tread and classic skin wall sidewalls.

Clement Tires:

Clement has the popular X'Plor series tires which feature the MSO 40mm tire and the USH 35mm tire. At Frostbike Clement announced a 32mm variant of the MSO was in the works and is making plans for a 45mm version of that same tire for the future.

Clement is slowly building toward the point where they will eventually have more offerings, but with the MSO 40mm and USH 35mm currently out there and a 32mm and 45mm MSO variant to come, gravel grinders should find something from Clement to make them happy no matter what size tire you like. No word was given as to an ETA on the MSO variants, but expect the 32mm to bow first. What's next? Clement says at some point in the future there will be tubeless versions of these tires as well.

Ergon:

Ergon, which has made a name for itself with a line of grips, packs, and gloves for mountain bikers, has announced that they are doing some new things aimed at road riders. We figured gravel roads fit, so here is what they are up to.

First of all, Ergon is busy putting the final touches on a unique seat post that is designed to absorb shock from road irregularities. Made from two separate pieces of carbon fiber, the post acts as a spring, which allows bump forces from the rear tire of a bike to be dissipated by rearward flexing of the seat post. It is a unique take on rider comfort which Ergon hopes to make available yet at some point in 2013. The post will come in a 27.2mm size and is meant for a road bike type set up. (No longer lengths for a mtb frame, for instance.)

Ergon also should have a road variant of its SM3 saddle for mountain biking available sometime during 2013 as well. The SM3 is very popular, so we expect the road variant to be a similar hit with riders.

That's a wrap for this year's Frostbike report. Thanks for reading Gravel Grinder News!