Specialized's alloy Stumpjumper 15, Santa Cruz's new Hightower, the new Orbea Oiz and CeramicSpeed's special-edition T-Type OSPW

Three new bikes and a whole lot more. Here's the tech of the week.

Liam Mercer

Sep 21 2024

This week has been incredibly strong for all kinds of cycling technology releases with three brands delivering new mountain bikes and CeramicSpeed showing off fresh high-end wares. Additionally, we've been bringing the features, highlighting the best gloves and everything you need to know about mountain bike tyre pressures.

The Santa Cruz Hightower received better do-it-all credentials

The Hightower is Santa Cruz's 29-inch-wheeled trail bike and if it didn't already fit that 'one bike to do it all' idea, it does so even more now. Although much like the Bronson we saw a few weeks ago, there's not too much that changes aesthetically, the tweaks are more than skin-deep. This time round it gets a slacker geometry but, importantly, boasts 10mm more travel.

It gets similar updates to what we saw on the Bronson, including reduced anti-squat and small tweaks to its suspension kinematic.

Want to know more? Here's the story - New Santa Cruz Hightower is now a true do-it-all MTB.

Specialized brought alloy framed Stumpjumper 15s to the range

With the 15th iteration of the Stumpjumper launched a couple of months ago, there was a glaring omission – no alloy bikes. However, the brand has fixed that with its three alloy framed builds that bring the price down to a more affordable level.

This new collection of Stumpjumpers looks to appeal to riders new and experienced with builds intended to hit an accessible price point with a coil-equipped model being draped with Fox Factory components for heavier-hitting rides. However, only one build comes with Specialized's new Genie technology.

Here are all of the details - Specialized unveils alloy Stumpjumper 15 mountain bike.

Orbea's Oiz recieved a refined remote lockout

The Oiz is Orbea's full-suspension cross-country bike and has historically gone down well in our reviews. But this week, the Spanish brand brought small tweaks to its beloved XC ripper. A lot of the brand's attention has been centred around the Squidlock remote lockout with just two levers that adjust the suspension and the dropper post.

Additionally, builds offer one and two-piece handlebars with the former providing two geometry options. Of course, there are new colourways and finishing kits from Orbea's componentry division, Oquo.

For more, check out the news - Orbea updates Oiz MTB with updated Squidlock and new dropper.

CeramicSpeed unveiled its special edition OSPW for SRAM T-Type

CeramicSpeed, the brand known for incredibly smooth bearings and more recently, oversized pulley wheels has expanded its OSPW range with a special-edition model. The OSPW X gets much of what we've seen on the standard counterparts, such as the Active Debris Remover that frees the lower pulley from game-ending debris, much like the MagicWheel found on SRAM's cages.

However, the OSPW X gets a special gold colourway and there are only 250 units available. They're not cheap either at €619 a pop.

Here's a deeper dive into the OSPW X - CeramicSpeed unveils special-edition OSPW X pulley system for SRAM Transmission.

We tell you everything you need to know about MTB tyre pressures

A correct tyre pressure is the unsung hero of any bike setup. It's much more than filling your tyres with air and calling it good as it could be the difference between a harsh, uncomfortable and slippery ride and irreparable damage to your rims.

But we understand that finding the ideal pressure for you can be quite the endeavour so we've made it easy and explained everything you need to know about MTB tyre pressures.

Here's the low down - Mountain bike tyre pressures - everything you need to know.

And we brought you the best MTB gloves we've tested

Not every rider likes to wear gloves when out on the bike but those who do will revel in easily attained grip, improved comfort and clean hands. There is more than meets the eye with even the simplest of gloves. Not everything is built the same – so we've collected the best we've tested to make your next glove purchase as straightforward as possible.

Here are the best mountain bike gloves 2024.

Author block

Liam Mercer

Since beginning his mountain biking career while working as a resort photographer in Greece in 2014, Liam became a freelance contributor at off.road.cc in 2019. From there, he’s climbed the journalism job ladder from staff writer to deputy technical editor, now finding his place as technical editor.

Partial to the odd enduro race, heart rate-raising efforts on slim-tyred cross-country bikes, hell-for-leather e-MTB blasts or even casual gravel jaunts, there’s not a corner of off-road cycling where Liam fears to tread. With more than 40 bike reviews under his belt and hundreds more on MTB, e-MTB and gravel parts and accessories, Liam’s expertise continues to be cemented and respected by the industry.

2 comments

Sredlums 3 months 5 hours ago

"such as the Active Debris Remover that frees the lower pulley from game-ending debris"

Seriously guys, could you please be just a little bit more critical and not just copy paste brands' marketing texts?

Is there ANYBODY who ever had to stop his/her ride because of the debris on the lower pulley…? And if so, didn't any simple prod with a little stick or screwdriver easy most of that junk off easily enough?

Sredlums 3 months 5 hours ago

"such as the Active Debris Remover that frees the lower pulley from game-ending debris"

Seriously guys, could you please be just a little bit more critical and not just copy paste brands' marketing texts?