Eurobike: Selle Italia preview Naked saddle and more

Eurobike: Selle Italia preview Naked saddle and more

Plus new kit from Answer and X-Fusion

Matthew Cole/BikeRadar.com

Published: September 3, 2009 at 10:45 am

Selle Italia often show off prototypes of new saddles or seatposts at the annual Eurobike show, and this year is no different.

Their full-carbon Naked saddle is set to vie for the 'world's lighest perch' title when it's put into production and available to buy at the tail end of 2010.

Tucked safely in a glass box, it looks likely that the Naked saddle is going to pair well with Selle Italia's Monolink carboin fibre seatpost, which the company are showing off a new version of at this year's show.

Weighing in at a claimed 160g, the 205 euro, 31.6 diameter Monolink has two independent screws to change the fore/aft position and angle of the saddle.

Rail length has been increased to allow for more adjustment, and the post can be used with traditional twin rail saddles as well as Selle Italia's Monolink-specific models.

Selle italia's monolink seatpost weighs in at a claimed 160g: selle italia's monolink seatpost weighs in at a claimed 160g - Matthew Cole/BikeRadar.com

From one end of the scale to another, Selle's funky range designed by US motocross legend Troy Lee gets some updates and new models for 2010.

The Piston Bone is a silver and black twist on the skull and crossbones image. Weighing in at 230g it's suitable for pretty much all riding types and will set you back 84 euros.

The tld piston bone offers a silver and black twist on the skull and crossbones image : the tld piston bone offers a silver and black twist on the skull and crossbones image - Matthew Cole/BikeRadar.com

Also new for 2010 is Check It, with a checkerboard-inspired theme. It weighs 180g and costs 126 euros.

The tld check it has a checkerboard-inspired theme and weighs 180g : the tld check it has a checkerboard-inspired theme and weighs 180g - Matthew Cole/BikeRadar.com

The 250g Swoop model (65 euros) has an updated design, with a reshaped centre to increase ride comfort.

The 250g tld swoop has an updated design, with a reshaped centre to increase ride comfort: the 250g tld swoop has an updated design, with a reshaped centre to increase ride comfort - Matthew Cole/BikeRadar.com

A new men's saddle has been added to the Gel Flow lineup, Selle Italia's 'hole in the middle' range. The Man Gel Flow has a black leather cover, magnesium rails and weighs in at 280g for 88 euros.

The man gel flow is the latest addition to selle italia's 'hole in the middle' range: the man gel flow is the latest addition to selle italia's 'hole in the middle' range - Matthew Cole/BikeRadar.com

The Turbomatic Team Edition gains the Gel Flow hole for 2010 too, while the 235g, 75 euro SL T1 is a new mid-range saddle which slots in below the SLR model.

The sl t1 is a new mid-range saddle which slots in below the slr model: the sl t1 is a new mid-range saddle which slots in below the slr model - Matthew Cole/BikeRadar.com

X-Fusion

X-Fusion have been showing off their new H3 piggy-backed shocks. The LT (Long Travel) version is designed for big travel downhill and freeride rigs, and features an adjustable and switchable pedal platform plus external rebound adjust.

X-Fusion were showing off these h3 piggy-backed shocks at eurobike: x-fusion were showing off these h3 piggy-backed shocks at eurobike - Ian Collins/BikeRadar

The piggyback reservoir gives the ability to tune the bottom-out characteristics and suspension rate curve. The standard H3 is aimed at mid-travel enduro and all-mountain machines and has the added benefit of a lockout switch.

Answer

Back on the scene with a Eurobike debut are Answer products. The Pro Taper name is steeped in history and the 2010 handlebars bring it bang up to date.

The 780 DH is, as its name would suggest, the de-rigueur super-wide (780mm) downhill bar. 7050 aluminium tapered tubing, minimal rise options of 12.7mm or 25.4mm and glorious panel pattern anodised colours add to its credibility.

Answer's super-wide pro taper 780 dh bar should give plenty of leverage: answer's super-wide pro taper 780 dh bar should give plenty of leverage - Ian Collins/BikeRadar

A 720mm wide 720AM model has the same material and tapered construction but a lighter gauge tubing and slightly higher rise options make it more all-mountain friendly.

Answer add to the mix with a new Rove RV pedal. Chromoly axles, double bearing and DU bush combo, and a slimline 16mm profile are choice ingredients. Aluminium pins are supplied in two lengths, but we’ll wait to see if the larger diameter offers up enough grip and the softer aluminium pins are durable enough.

The new answer rove rv pedal boasts hromoly axles, double bearing and du bush combo and a slimline 16mm profile: the new answer rove rv pedal boasts hromoly axles, double bearing and du bush combo and a slimline 16mm profile - Ian Collins/BikeRadar

Their direct mount DH Stem is classic case of form following function, with the high grade 7075 aluminium material being pared down to its bare minimum. Functionality remains with a three-way adjustable reach of 45, 50 or 55mm. Zero rise and a weight of just 150g make this a superb bit of equipment to finish off your fork.

Answer's new direct mount dh stem is classic case of form following function: answer's new direct mount dh stem is classic case of form following function - Ian Collins/BikeRadar

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