We're at Sea Otter, the sun-drenched trade show in Monterey, California, where the cycling world has descended for the first major get-together of the year – and that means new tech.
We've already kicked off our coverage with Tom Marvin's day one round-up of MTB highlights, as well as a close look at Bridge Bike Works' carbon-moulded bottom bracket.
Now, it's time for our first run-down of drop-bar highlights, including an under-the-radar gravel bike from Pinarello, rim brake wheels from Boyd, stand-out kit from Attaqeur and an unreleased road tyre from Vittoria.
Pinarello Granger X gravel bike
Here's a new-but-not-new gravel bike from Pinarello: the Granger X.
This, we're told by Pinarello's representative, was added to the range at the back-end of 2023 but slipped under the radar, given the recent launches of Pinarello's X-Series and Dogma F road bikes, as well as the Nytro e-road bike. It's been a busy few months for the Italian brand.
The Granger X joins the range as Pinarello's second-tier gravel bike, sitting beneath the Grevil F.
That's how Pinarello's nomenclature now works, with F (Dogma F, Grevil F) signifying the flagship bikes and the F endurance range (Dogma F, Granger X) coming next.
Think of the Grevil F as the company's go-fast gravel bike, with a Dogma-inspired frame shape, whereas the Granger X takes a more practical approach.
The Granger's frame is made from Pinarello's Toray T600 carbon fibre, has top tube and mudguard mounts, and uses a round seatpost, so you can fit a gravel dropper. There's clearance for 50mm tyres (or 2.2in with 650b wheels).
The bike we saw on display at Sea Otter, with Shimano GRX 600, costs $3,800.
Vittoria Corsa Pro Control tyre
We've known for months now that Vittoria has a new road race tyre, the Corsa Pro, on the way.
It's been ridden extensively on the WorldTour circuit – with wins at Milan–San Remo and Paris–Roubaix under Mathieu van der Poel – even if it hasn't yet been officially released by Vittoria.
However, with the new Corsa Pro on show at Sea Otter (a public show, not just a trade-only affair), a release is surely imminent.
What we didn't know, is that Vittoria will offer a second version: the Corsa Pro Control.
Vittoria's Control line typically offers more puncture protection.
In the current range, there's the Corsa race tyre and the Corsa Control equivalent.
While Vittoria's representatives are remaining tight-lipped we can assume the same here, with the Corsa Pro likely to be the race-day tyre and the Corsa Pro Control a racy everyday option, with additional puncture and/or sidewall protection.
The tread pattern differs, too, with the Corsa Pro Control adopting a disrupted herringbone tread on the outer edge of the tread, compared to the Corsa Pro's more minimalist grooved tread.
We also saw a Corsa Pro on display in a 24c size, so we can be confident that Vittoria will continue to support narrower sizes with this new tyre, as well as the 28-32c tyres we've spotted on the pro scene so far this year.
K-Edge computer mounts
K-Edge had a number of new out-front mounts on display at Sea Otter.
First up, K-Edge is now offering a Hammerhead adapter kit, enabling riders to fit a Karoo 2 computer to an existing K-Edge out-front mount. The kit will be available from June.
Next up, there's an integrated out-front mount coming to fit Roval's new one-piece cockpit.
With one-piece, aero-shaped cockpits now all the rage, K-Edge has to produce a range of subtly-different mounts to suit individual designs.
Expect to see this Roval option on show at the Giro d'Italia, with availability following thereafter.
Finally, if you're in need of some new jewellery for your bike, K-Edge's latest limited edition mounts are available in purple, silver and blue.
Cane Creek out-front mount
Let's stick with computer mounts, this time with a new option from Cane Creek.
It's an out-front mount, designed to attach to your bike's stem face plate using extended bolts. Cane Creek says it's compatible with stem bolts spaced 22mm to 35mm apart.
Cane Crake describes the mount as a modular option, with the ability to fit it in four positions: via the top or bottom stem bolts, and, thanks to the mount's flippable body, angled either up or down.
It comes with adapters to fit Garmin Edge or Wahoo Elemnt bike computers.
The mount itself is made from aluminium, with stainless steel bolts, and weighs a claimed 40g. There's also an optional accessory mount (11g) for GoPro cameras and the like.
The Cane Creek computer mount costs $74.99, while the accessory mount is available separately and costs $19.99.
Boyd Altamont rim brake wheelset
That's the view of South Carolina-based Boyd, with the brand continuing to support rim brakes with a new road wheelset, the Altamont.
Boyd is bringing production of all of its aluminium wheelsets back to South Carolina, including the Altamont.
The Altamont's rim is 27mm deep at the front and 31 mm deep at the rear. The internal rim width is 21mm.
Those rims are laced to Boyd 85 Road hubs with Pillar Wing 20 spokes and Pillar brass nipples.
Claimed weight for the wheelset is 1,510g and they cost $725.
Attaquer Erosion kit
Finally, for now, clothing brand Attaquer has a new design option for its Race kit.
Want to stand out on the group ride? The Erosion line includes these Acid Lime bib shorts ($225), matched to a Shale/Lime short-sleeve jersey ($155).
The range also includes a Pebble/Orange short-sleeve jersey ($155) and an Asphalt/Lime long-sleeve jersey ($175).
