Tech Briefing: Affordable Bikes, eMTBs & More - September 2020

Sep 9, 2020
by Ed Spratt  



Tech Briefing is a feature for the new stuff that we spot every month, but haven't gotten our hands on yet. An eclectic serving of tech, from revolutionary products to traditional novel gear, with some wacky stuff thrown in for good measure.





Yamaha YDX-MORO e-MTB
$4,499 - $5,499


Yamaha introduces two new eMTB models. (Learn more.)
Yamaha YDX-MORO All-Mountain e-MTB.




9point8 Digit2.0 Lever
$65 USD


An update to the lever designed and manufactured by the Canadian brand. (Learn more.)
photo




Kellys Theos eMTB
TBD


It turns out, thermoplastic hybrid steel-carbon composite frames are being manufactured by robots in Europe. (Learn more.)
The all-new Kellys THEOS F series.




RAD Apparel Updates their 'Made In Colorado'
$55


Following community feedback, RAD Apparel have moved to use 92% recycled polyester in their range of jerseys. (Learn more.)
photo




Polygon's Siskiu T
$1799 - $2299


Polygon's trail bikes get updated with 29" and 27.5" options. (Learn more.)
photo




Engin Cycles 35MM Stems


Engin Cycles have released their new asymmetrical 35MM alloy stems. (Learn more.)
photo




Effeto Mariposa Vegetalex


The Effeto Mariposa Vegetalex is the world's first plant-based tire sealant. (Learn more.)
photo




Dirtlej Dirtsuit Core edition


The Dirtsuit Core edition launches with an additional colour in autumn 2020. (Learn more.)
photo




2021 Orange Bikes Crush
£2300


Mixed wheel size hardtail kicks on Orange's new hardtail. (Learn more.)
photo




Cane Creek DB Kitsuma Shock
$699.99 for air and $669.99 for coil


The idea behind the DB Kitsuma shock was to take a complex and high-tech piece of componentry and make it easy to use for the rider. (Learn more.)
photo




Shimano's New Steps EP8 eMTB System


Shimano's new motor is lighter, more powerful, and smaller than its predecessor. (Learn more.)
Shimano EP8




DMR Rhythm
£375


DMR celebrates the return of one of their classic frames (Learn more.)
photo




Ergon GFR1 Freeride Grips
€/$ 34.95 - €/$ 39.95


Ergon release the new signature grip from Tahnée Seagrave and her FMD Racing team. (Learn more.)
photo




Bernard Kerr Collector's Edition Pivot Phoenix 29
$9,199


Pivot celebrates a decade long partnership with the British racer. (Learn more.)
photo




Merida Big Trail Hardtail
£800 - £1,500


A ready to rock hardtail for £1,500. (Learn more.)
photo




SDG Components Thomas Lemoine Signature Saddle


The SDG Apollo Stratos combines Lemoine's love of slopestyle with his clothing line. (Learn more.)
 SDG Components




Commencal Meta Power


The list of bikes with Shimano's EP8 motor system keeps growing - the Meta Power is the latest addition. (Learn more.)
photo




Kavenz VHP 16


After three years of development, Kavenz are now accepting pre-orders for their first run of Kavenz VHP 16 frames. (Learn more.)
photo




Canyon's New Exceed Hardtail
€1,699 - €6,499

The new Exceed is lighter than ever, and it also received a geometry update (Learn more.)
Canyon Exceed 2021





Author Info:
edspratt avatar

Member since Mar 16, 2017
3,063 articles
Report
Must Read This Week
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup

39 Comments
  • 43 1
 Favorite thing about this article roundup is the first few words are "Affordable bikes" and then the header was a special edition Pivot Phoenix. Really got my hopes up there, PB...
  • 29 0
 Sorry, that bike falls into the '& More' category... The Polygon is relatively affordable, though.
  • 5 2
 @mikekazimer: Leave him have the comment man Big Grin Razz
  • 3 0
 @mikekazimer: Yeah the Polygon looks like a damn good bike, nearly bought their Siskiu for my wife last year (she liked the Tan, red and black model they had with the DPX2 and Fox 36). Just the title to picture association made me chuckle a bit.
  • 12 1
 News flash: Motorcycle company Jumps into mountain biking with abandoned tire size!
  • 11 0
 Kinda like an Onion type headline: White Suburban Dad Tries to Connect With Teenage Son by Beatboxing.
  • 2 0
 Plus size ain't dead yet.
  • 2 0
 @slayerdegnar: nah, it’s just on life support because it forgot to sign over medical power of attorney to a family member who could pull the plug.

In all fairness, my wife would agree with you as she would never let me change out her plus wheels for 29 on her Hightower, which makes financial sense because I haven’t had to replace her tires for lack of wear in three years, despite having trails out the door.
  • 18 11
 Honest Question (I'm not being a toxic, internet troll, booty hole):
How much of the Pinkbike readership here actually wants to buy or read about "affordable bikes"?
I'm not dogging on people on a budget but when it comes to bike tech and review info on here, I'm here to 1) research my next $6k do-everything bike and 2) drool over baller bikes that I'd never buy. If I wanted to look at budget bikes I'd walk into my shed...
  • 6 0
 I think a good number. These days you can get a baller rig for under $4k easy. Couple years ago I got a Diamondback Release 3 for an all around counter to my '17 Enduro, based on the review I read here. Yea, upgraded the wheel set right out the box, but otherwise an amazing bike.
  • 6 0
 Judging by the moaning about prices every time a bike gets reviewed, I would guess it's at least a dozen.
  • 4 0
 I like to see the affordable bike market; not for myself, but for my friends/family who might be interested enough in the sport to move from their hardtails to the full suspension game.
  • 16 3
 It is depressing af looking at bike prices, knowing how many potential shredders out there, outside of the middle class white majority, cant access capable mtbs because of the cost. Its equally depressing seeing comments, not too dissimilar to this, from people that really dont give a f*ck (not a dig..) So yeah, would be bloody lovely to see more "affordable" bikes ot better yet - schemes from big brands to get people, who need a hand, on bikes. Rather than the hundredth article on e-bikes that cost the better part of a house deposit.

Im bitter yes
  • 3 0
 I like to read about where a budget bike cuts corners and where a high end bike excels. I like to purchase on the low end of the cost then upgrade where I'm going to see a dramatic increase in performance.
  • 6 0
 Too many times I get to the trail head lot and gotta take a dump. Now I can drink that plant based sealant and take care of that problem.
  • 13 0
 The plant based sealant will probably stop you from dumping again
  • 5 0
 well..I can afford the grips...so there's that I guess.
  • 1 0
 Way, to brag, Mr dentist...
  • 4 0
 The eMTB segment continues to explode. Interesting to see Yamaha enter the race
  • 1 0
 Ergon GFR1 Freeride Grips
€/$ 34.95 - €/$ 39.95.......................that puts these grips @ $54.61 to $62.40 CDN, or $41.59 USD to $47.54 USD

I may be all alone on this, but that seems like A LOT of fricken $$ for Grips??
  • 3 0
 Hey PB the "Learn More" link for the Engin stems takes you to the polygon press release page
  • 3 0
 How many times to I have to say how much of a bargain that Polygon is!?
  • 1 0
 Some hefty spoke protectors you got there...
  • 1 0
 I dig the reflectors on the Yamaha bikes????
  • 1 0
 I love how this word sounds... "Affordable"
Below threshold threads are hidden







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv65 0.041036
Mobile Version of Website