This week, we've got some stunning gear for your perusal. Cane Creek revealed impressive 3D-printed titanium cranks designed for e-MTB and Redshift dropped the covers off its new safety-focussed pedals with smart technology for night riding. Canyon updated its 'all-rounder' Neuron bike and SRAM showed off its direct-mount derailleur design.

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Canyon updates its Neuron bike

The bike brand's long-standing ‘all-rounder’ Neuron bike has had many cool updates to give it better climbing performance and a focus on comfort for longer adventures on the trails. Six models are in the range, including the Neuron and the Neuron CF 9 SL, Neuron 7 and the Neuron Young Hero, and geometry tweaks; the bikes have other upgrades showing their high attention to the smaller details.

Let’s take a look at what Canyon has done:

• Lighter carbon frame by 200g for the CF models only
• Straight seat tube for carbon models
• Revamped geometry, including a slimmer down tube shape and a shorter seat tube by 20mm
• Slacker head angle by 1.6-degrees
• The seat tube is now 76-degrees

The Neuron AL models come in a women-specific trim and unisex makeup, and for the smaller youth riders, the Hero features 27.5-inch wheels and smaller brake levers for smaller hands. This is how the brand is showing its modern progression, something many of us mature riders would have loved on our first small bike.

• Canyon updates the Neuron "do-it-all mountain bike"

Cane Creek’s 3D-engineered titanium cranks

Now, this is something of a remarkable special piece of engineering. It isn’t often the words 3D and titanium are used together in cycling. Cane Creek has merged 3D printing with the strong, lustrous super light material that is Titanium to create the Electric Wings cranks.

But, of course, as you can only imagine, the price is mega in return for this masterpiece. Taking its knowledge and success from its previous eeWings designed for trail and enduro bikes. Already super strong, stiff and able to withstand high levels of force, the new Wings crank, made purely for electric bikes, gives the rider added durability with shaved weight and the piece of mind while hammering across those rock gardens. 

• Cane Creek brings 3D-printed titanium cranks to e-MTBs

SRAM’s direct-mount derailleur hits the market

 

Direct-mount components are increasing with engineering simplifying parts and making them more efficient and often easier to maintain. SRAM’s new direct-mounted rear derailleur concept is available in three models, bringing lower weight and more strength to the drivetrain performance. The dreaded hanger is thrown to one side as this new piece of kit clings onto the rear thru-axle, and with the lower pulley called a ‘magic wheel’, this can only be a good thing - can it not? Along with this is a POD Controller responsible for the gear change, and this had updated ergonomics and adjustability to offer more rider customisation to its ‘click and fire’ button control.

On top of this news, SRAM has revealed its latest XX SL Eagle, XX and its X0 cranksets and cassettes, with the XX crank also adding an e-mtb compatible option by utilising Gap Cap for better pairing with Bosch and Brose systems. SRAM's Level brakes system has also had some fatigue-reducing upgrades.

• SRAM unveils next-generation direct mount 1x drivetrains and brakes

​Redshift pedals feature integrated lights

Redshift has incorporated lights into its new Arclight Pro pedals. With SPD compatibility and rechargeable 360-degree lights, the new pedals must be the most safety-conscious platform for your foot that has ever graced this planet.

The pedals are available in both flat and clipless, and the main highlight is its night visibility abilities with USB rechargeable lights built inside the pedal's casing to grab the driver's attention effectively. There are three modes: flash, eco-mode and solid. Not only that, the light knows when the pedal is facing which way to match its white or red light decision, and to save on battery, the light powers down once it recognises motion has ceased.

The Arclight PRO clipless pedals retail for £150/$175, and the flats are priced at £130/$160.

• Redshift Arclight PRO SPD pedals get built-in rechargeable lights

E-MTB upgrades from Giant and Liv

Only a week after the brand revealed its updated Embolden and Stance e-MTB, the new Elite Trance and Intrigue models has now joined Giant and Liv’s electric range. 

The carbon bikes use a mullet set-up, a tidy-up of the cockpit with an integrated bar and stem system and the motor has more power. The geometry is adjustable thanks to a flip chip that makes such a tiny piece of metal, changing the whole bike's feel and performance.

The Giant Trance X Advanced E+ Elite now has an EnergyPak battery system making it lighter by 4kg, and a powerful SyncDrive Pro motor is what will power you up those hills. The Liv Intrigue gets a carbon mullet set up with 150mm/140mm of bump-soaking squish. All info is available at either the Giant or Liv website.

• Giant Trance X Advanced E+ and Liv Intrigue X Advanced E+ get an update

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