IceBike - new 2011 stuff from Madison
- IceBike is the now bi-annual expo of UK distributor Madison. We pop along for a look at what's new for 2011.
Words and Photos by Gary Lake - posted 25/02/2010
IceBike - new 2011 stuff from Madison
Cyclist No.1 are at IceBike again. We'll be updating this blog as the day goes on. Take a look at the latest gear for 2011 from Commencal, Genesis, Saracen, Shimano, Light & Motion, Hydrapak, Giro and Bell.
Commencal 2011
2011 Commencal Meta 5.5 Carbon
2011 Commencal Super 4 Carbon
2011 Commencal Skin Carbon
Commencal carbon bikes are largely unchanged build and geometry wise for 2011. A key feature is the bikes are now coming with raw finishes, it looks brilliant and Commencal claims it saves around 150g of the frame weight. Metas and Super 4s previously only had the one carbon model but 2011 will see the carbon range expanded to two bikes each with a more affordable build and a no compromise factory spec bike.
Alloy Meta 5.5s are also unchanged, 2010 saw an end to build quality issues plaguing the range in 2009 and the brand looks to rebuild on it's reputation. Revised graphics and colours keep things fresh.
Meta 6, looks good in team blue.
The Super 4 alloy range is expected to offer better value for money in 2011 with the extra carbon bike pushing the Alloy models further down the range. No word on price but they appear to offer similar specs to 2010.
Genesis 2011
Genesis had a good year in 2010 with many models selling out early in the year. The range is mostly an evolution of popular established models for 2011.
2011 Genesis Vapour, stealth matt-mono finish and still coming in under the cycle to work scheme limit.
Genesis Day One range, top seller in 2010 sees new colour ways.
Yellow on the Day One Cross looks great!
As anticipated, the Day One now comes in 8-speed Alfine flavour and comes in under the cycle to work scheme limit - expect this one to sell out fast!
A big surprise is the changes to the Equilibrium range. We expected the one bike flow through unchanged, but due to specing the new 105 group, which prevents them using the Tiagra cranks and front mech due to compatibility, price has gone up past the cycle to work scheme limit. The frame is now Reynolds 725 instead of 520 shaving a bit of weight. However, the Equilibrium range has expanded and slightly lower specced model from this years comes in at the £999 price point. Instead of a 105/Tiagra mix you get a Tiagra/Sora mix, but it does get the same Reynolds 725 frame. James from Genesis said that they simply couldn't offer the same specced bike this year for the 2010 price.
Check out our Equilibrium 2010 review here
The 2010 Flyer didn't hang around and it's back pretty much unchanged but in a new pearl finish purple which looks very fetching. Want!
2011 Genesis Alpitude, very shiny in blue. This was a repainted 2010 bike but we were shown an interesting prototype so expect some interesting changes for 2011 along the lines of tapered headtube and flared/ovalised top tubes.
2011 Genesis Abyss sees some contemporary changes. Chainstays tweaked to accommodate better clearance for new 10 speed groupsets. It also gets a tapered headtube and lovely polished finish.
2011 Core range is split midway with slightly different frames now. Entry level models will look familiar...
...but the two top end models get tapered headtubes.
2011 Genesis IO ID gets Alfine 11-speed.
2011 Genesis Latitude - not a typo! Due to a naming dispute with a certain Canadian brand, Genesis have been forced to rename the Altitude range. Rather tongue in cheek and well humoured, they have gone with an anagram and named it the Latitude. While the display model was a repainted and respecced 2010 bike, production bikes are expected to feature flared and ovalised top tubes which they've been working with Reynolds on for the last 18 months.
Check out our 2010 Altitude review here
520 framed 2011 Latitudes.
Somewhat overshadowed in 2010 by the Equilibrium, refreshed 2011 Genesis Aethers.
Saracen 2011
Not too much to report on the Saracen range as it only had its big relaunch in February. The new Ariel only came to market a few months ago so obviously there's no change there, and the Kili hardtails and the Myst downhill bikes are still yet to come to market.
That said, the Zen, Mantra and Tufftrax have been updated.
Tufftrax updated to bring it inline propery with the new family look.
Mantra also updated for 2011.
2011 Saracen Zen is all new, key feature being much lower standover height and gusset between seat tube and head tube - almost an identity badge for hardcore hardtails these days! From entry-level Tora equipped model...
...to range topping Fox Float equipped bolt thru version.
Shimano 2011
Alongside 10 speed XT and SLX (XT reviewed here), the new XTR was on show and looked every part the top end groupset.
The crankset is a piece of art!
Ten!
XTR Trail disc brake set with heat sinks on the pads!
XTR scandium rimmed wheels with gold nipples, very nice!
XTR Hubs, tidy, light and simple.
Shimano's shoe range gets an almost model wide overhaul.
Shimano AM31 - mid-level All Mountain boot.
Shimano AM45 - popular platform shoe now SPD compatible and in safer, less contraversial colour way.
Shimano M315 Custom-fit - top MTB race shoes - stiff!
Shimano M240 - "entry-level" custom-fit shoe.
Shimano M161 - budget race shoe or mid-range trail shoe.
Shimano M183N - mid-range racing shoe.
Shimano M123 - mid-range trail/multi-purpose shoe.
Update to the ever popular M086, the M087. Trail/multi-purpose shoe. Buckle enclosure at very fair price yet supple and flexible sole make for a really versatile shoe.
And the slightly cheaper 3-strap version, the M077.
Shimano M063 - entry-level multi-purpose shoe.
Giro 2011
Biggest news on the Giro stand is the new Xar. Spiritual successor (although it will still be on sale) to the Xen, the Xar features bigger vents, a contemporary new look and gets Giro's latest Roc Loc fitting mechanism. Roc Loc 5 does away with the existing double clamp system which is a faff to tighten with any degree of equality and instead gives a wheel which tensions evenly. We had a quick play and fit session and it's a huge improvement on the outgoing system. Priced at £114.99 it sits above the Xen which is staying on sale for one more year in some fancy new colourways.
Staying with Helmets, Giro continue to expand the range with further more individual colourways, this blue Hex was particularly striking!
Full face helmets don't escape the more lairy treatment either...
And Giro are also starting to more families of products so you can colour code all your gear if you're that way inclined!
Giro were also showing some pretty lary urban/commuter lids.
And the dirt jump fraternity weren't left out either.
The Giro glove range continues to expand, we've got a few pairs in at CNO1 HQ at the moment and they're really popular with testers, seem to be durable with a really snug but ergonomic and natural fit.
And now you can get Giro socks too! There were other expansions to the Giro range that we were shown but our lips are sadly sealed on that one until September. Needless to say, some exciting new products coming from Giro!
Bell 2011
New from Bell was the Muni, a commuter lid designed with built in mounts for Blackburn Flea commuter lights. A simple yet ingenius solution. It also features a retention system not too dissimilar to Giro's Roc Loc SL and has built in lights as well.
Otherwise there wasn't much new at Bell aside from new colourways, the full facers get some funky designs.
Hydrapak 2011
The hydrapak range is popular but often criticised for being a little plain and muted. Hydrapak have responded and we now get some UK exclusive brighter colourways.
Light & Motion 2011
Here's a quick peak at the new Light & Motion Seca 1400, that's lumens by the way and those lumens are measured and accountent for by science! I'll be running these in my 24 hour race next weekend so I'll report back how I get on with them.
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