BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Block Head Gum
Direct: 01892 547000
One for the action sports retailer here, Block Head has developed a sugar-free ‘energy chewing gum’, which it says acts five times faster than energy drinks and gels.
Thanks to absorption through the buccal mucosal (membranes in the mouth), as opposed to via the digestive system, the blend gives a fast caffeine and vitamin kick. A dose fo B-vitamins replenish vitamins lost due to fatigue and help with metabolism.
It’s cost-effective too, at £1.95 a packet, you get ten tabs for the price of a can of the best-selling energy drinks. Retailers can benefit too, for a limited time the margin has been increased as part of the launch period.
Look out for the Blockhead Downhill Team, now involved with the British Downhill series.
SRAM X01
Fisher Outdoor: 01727 798345
You may have read, or may even be of the opinion, that there’s ‘too many cogs’ up front and it’s something that the manufacturer’s seem to be keen to develop as a concept, much thanks to the restrictions on frame design that having to house a front derailleur can add.
In comes SRAM with the X01. The difference that catches the eye? Price. As the second tier 11-speed groupset, X01 is a cheaper alternative to the XX1 crankset. Like its predecessor, the X01 retains the carbon fibre crank arms, attached to a forged aluminium spider. The chain ring’s tooth profiles use a patented X-Sync tooth profile that is said to keep the chain in check no matter the terrain. Sizes will be 30, 32, 34, 36 and 38.
SRAM will sell X01 level chainrings in a 104mm bolt circle diameter pattern, allowing riders to build on an 1x compatible cranks they already own.
Another notable improvement is a coating on the cassette that is believed to be less costly than the XX1’s, but will extend the life of the teeth.
The chainrings of XX1 and X01 groupsets are not cross compatible.
