We first caught a glimpse of Gravity Components' 'Grid' product line at this year's
Taipei Cycle Show, but at the time the specifics of the group hadn't been finalized. Intended for everything from trail riding to enduro racing, the new line includes cranks, a 35mm stem and bar, a chainguide, and a wheelset, all constructed from aluminum. Gravity's goal was to create products that were affordable, yet offered performance that put them on par with higher priced offerings.
Grid Stem
Thanks to changes in mountain bike geometry, short stems are more common than ever, so in keeping with the times Gravity offers the Grid stem in 35mm and 50mm lengths. There's an accompanying bar as well (not pictured) that's available in 760 and 800mm widths with 8° of back and 5° of up sweep. The aluminum bar weighs a claimed 303 grams, and will retail for $59.
Details
• 35mm handlebar clamp diameter
• Black anodized
• Weight: 135 grams (35mm)
• Price: $69 USD
Grid Chainguide
Many chainguides require a certain level of disassembly in order to access the chain or remove a crankset, but with Gravity's design the upper and lower guides have a cotter pin style mechanism that allows them to be rotated out of the way without the use of tools.
Details
• ISCG 05 Compatible and adaptable to threaded BB
• 4pc modular system
• CNC aluminum backplate
• Modular polycarbonate guides and bashguard
• Tool Free Swing-away guides
• Quick release upper and low guides
• Replaceable bash guard
• Chromoly hardware
• Sizes: 28-34 and 34-38 tooth chainrings
• Black anodized
• Weight: 160 grams
• Price: $109
Grid WheelsetStems may be getting shorter, but rims are getting wider, and the Grid wheelset boast an internal rim width of 27mm. The rims are drilled with a 4mm offset that's intended to allow more equal spoke tension, which Gravity claims increases overall wheel stiffness.
Details• Hookless bead
• Asymmetric, 25mm deep x 27mm wide alloy rim
• Tubeless compatible
• Front hub with 15mm thru-axle compatibility; rear hub with135QR or 12 x 142mm axle compatibility
• Stainless steel bearings
• 2 cross double butted spokes with brass nipples
• Handbuilt
• Freehub body for Shimano 9-11sp or 11-spd XD TM driver
• Spokes: 28 front wheel, 2 cross; 28 rear wheel, 2 cross
• Weight: 27.5" – 1850 grams / pair (w/o QR), 29" – 1980 grams / pair (w/o QR)
• Price: $599
Grid MegaExo Crankset
Available in 170 or 175mm lengths for 68 or 73mm bottom bracket shells, the MegaExo crankset's arms are hollow forged from one piece of 6066 aluminum. The four bolt chainring uses teeth that are slightly taller than the norm, and use an alternating thick / thin profile to provide a high level of chain retention.
Details
• Q-Factor - 168mm
• BCD - 104/64mm
• Chainline - 48.5mm
• 38/24T, 36/22T
• 34T, 32T, 30T
• Black anodized
• Color graphics
• Weight: 785g
• Price: $249 USD
www.ridegravity.com
It will loose a lot of custom for companies people like me who don't have enough free cash to jump up to replacing everything to suit these new standards will end up either running clapped out 26ers that you can't get parts for anymore or dropping out of the sport completely
It's really disappointing ! It's also bringing the second hand market for 26" stuff to its knees so it's not like you can sell up and start again very easily either
I'm all up for pushing new boundaries and love all this new stuff people are bringing out but can we please think of all the people who still want to use their trusty 26ers
Unfortunately the industry revolves on turning stock. I agree there is far too many standards now for most independent bike shops to handle and stock, but 26 has been around for a long time, 27 is the new kid and 29 is obviously 'off trend' at the moment in the All Mountain/Enduro market, and may continue to reduce with the introduction of 27.5+. Companies just can't ignore sales figures that say 26'' sales at OEM have died, and aftermarket sales are dwindling as the marketplace becomes full of 27.5 bikes at affordable prices.
You're better placed to know that kinda thing than me I s'pose. Just happy I can still get hold of 26 gear for now.
I bought my frame last year and it's 26". It's gonna have to be broken before I change, but even then the manufacturer has brought out a 27.5 rear swing arm so I have options (really expensive though).
When you fall off it still hurts on whatever size wheel bike you're on.
I work for the parent company of Halo Wheels and I'd like to add that we still have our most popular wheels in 26'' available and in stock in both carbon and alloy options.
(2) Luckily for all of us, we've known that 26 was dying for well over a year now, and it'll be another several years before you absolutely can't find any parts. There's been plenty of time to start saving up for something new.... unless this somehow crept up on you and you never thought you'd EVER have to buy a new bike.
I knew that dude-it wasn't a sarcastic comment! I genuinely meant you are better placed than me to know.
I was tempted by those vapour carbon rims... They are a bargain and look great
Any questions, Superstarcomponents.com
Thank you guys for keeping 26" going, a lot of people will appreciate that, keeping 26" frames serviceable!
Love your stuff too!
27.5, that's the population that needs new parts that's only available from retailers. People on 26ers have most of the parts they need (not want), and the used or clearance market is plentiful.
What will the industry do, when the 27.5 population is all kitted and the used market filled with the 650b option? This is the dilemma of the product-based industry; driven by sales, to either thrive or survive, but always at the will of the consumer. And as we have already seen, when the previously dying industry comes together and pushes a new standard, it is proven that the will of the consumer is easily mutable.
We'll just introduce a new hub,frame & fork standard to make up for the lack of stiffness in your new lighter more flexible wheels
I think 27.5" took off just because we were all at least curious just to try one, and the only way to try it for more than a few days is to buy a bike with 27.5". So who can blame manufacturers for letting their engineers stretch their wings a bit and create new sizes, and niche parts, hoping that they are the next ones to strike gold.
You can't reinvent round. It was never "broken".
Once again,the "industry" NOT knowing their market.
Market and industry are two different things.
The industry profits from this. Not so much the customer.
27.5" was a market driven need, not industry. Industry gave us 29". We saw the advantages, but the cons kept everyone from swapping. Market asked for something that slotted in between and nailed it.
You are just another mindless hater.
I cannot be less arsed, 650B is so close to 26er that if I have to I will swap without batting an eyelash, and every top rider or top journo with no microphone around will tell you that. In fact 29ers got so freaking good and fun to ride (Stumpy Evo, E29, Kona111, Honzo) that I barely see any point going 650B if I was going to go up a wheel size. Uninformed sheep may do whatever they want.
Market demand pfff, you (demand) what they give you under you nose first "Mr.vote with your dollar powerful client", now eat it btch