After so much time spent in our Forum, we felt that Tom Howard was well prepared to seek out the furthest niches of the internet. We’ve enlisted him to seek out the curious, the sublime, and the ridiculous. As a rider with something of a reputation as a magpie, we feel sure he’ll be able to spot the glinting gems of the bike world. Come join him in this new series, ‘Internet Rummagings’ .
The internet can be very much like the back room of a bike shop, mostly junk, but every now and then a gem pops up, and if not a gem, something that makes you go ‘Ooh, that’s interesting!’.
KOM Hubs
The first nugget to come from the internet may well fit both the ‘gem’ and the ‘interesting’ criteria. It’s Peak District based KOM and their UK manufactured Xeno hubs.
From the seven anodised colours these hubs are available in, combined with the seven endcap colour options, I think we have the gem section covered, where things get interesting is how these hubs appear to work, in that it appears that the 120 POE ratchet system is actually on the non drive side [oh, your poor brains] and uses a much larger axle through the hub to get to the cassette interface.
From further digging, KOM got into the hub making game out of necessity, with other hubs breaking axles and ratchet systems, and they claim that the result is a 1,000% (one thousand per cent!) increase in axle stiffness, which from the pic below, isn’t hard to see where that has come from.
Those with a keen eye on standards with note a very non standard brake rotor mount, on account of the larger BCD necessitated by the rachet system, fear not though, KOM supply 160, 180 and 203mm rotors (a 220mm is on the way), which they claim have additional benefits, such as increased stiffness and better brake wear, but less weight overall.
Other benefits are list on the website as follows:
- Patent pending ‘Infinity Drive‘ design
- Fast and reliable engagement
- Unmatched stiffness and strength
- Super low pedalling drag
- Very competitive weight
- Straight pull spoke lugs optimized for replacing spokes without removing your wheel from the bike
- Modular design – every part replaceable
- Premium engraving
- Floating bearing design for reduced bearing drag; resulting in prolonged bearing life
The Hubs are available now and offered separately in boost and non boost standards, 24, 28 and 32 drillings for £249 and £499 front & rear, or built on to a choice of DTSwiss rims for around £1100. KOM do state however, that these hubs will not fit all frames, due to the differing proportions compared with regular hubs. The have a table of tested frames, but if yours isn’t on there they will sell you a measuring tool, which they will refund when you send it back with the result of the test
Is this the answer to you prayers? Head to k-o-m.co.uk or @ridekom on Instagram for more information.
RADIC Performance
Right, going from just down the road to as far away as you can get without starting to come back. New Zealand based Radic Performance jumped to (relative) notoriety a couple of years ago with their 3d printed caliper, the Gamma.
Sadly it looks like that wasn’t to be (though they say it’s still under development), but they have just announced a more conventional but still interesting heavy duty brake, The Kaha, which is derived from Maori, meaning ‘To be strong, able, capable, courageous and intense. Ideal features for a brake, and I’m sure it will work with other bike brands too. I’ll get my coat.
Radic lists the features as follows:
- More powerful mechanical ratio than standard brakes
- 9mm master cylinder piston
- 17mm and 16mm caliper slave pistons
- Titanium hardware
- Stainless Steel braided hoses with titanium fittings
- Sealed stainless steel bearings
- Low friction dynamic PTFE seals
- Compatible with both Mineral Oil or DOT 5.1
- Infinite lever reach adjustment
- Compatible with Hope V4 shaped brake pads
- Individually bled and tested for performance
- Manufactured and Hand Assembled by RADIC in New Zealand
They certainly put me in mind of a certain German brake manufacturer, but at a seemingly lower price point ($1100 NZD, around £565 at current rates + applicable taxes). Time will tell if they match up to the performance, they are expected to go on sale November/December 2021.
www.radicperformance.com for more information.
Dward Designs
Seeing as we cant get any further away, we’d best come back and visit a man in his shed. Ed Mason is a mechanical design and prototype manufacturing specialist – particularly CNC machining. He has a masters degree education in Mechanical Engineering, and industrial experience in a variety of technical roles across automotive, bicycle and nuclear industries. Clever devil. He uses his skills in his spare time to make functional bits of titanium jewellery for bikes. Currently top caps, jockey wheels, BBs and seat clamps, all of which can be lusted over at www.dward-design.co.uk but seeing as you are here, some pics for your delectation. Prices range from £30 to £205.
And Finally…
Everyone’s favourite. The ridiculous, the mystery box, the totally out there.
Today I leave you with something borrowed from our Lycra clad brethren, so I guess could be used on a not very off road gravel bike. From Absolute Black, the HOLLOWCage. No idea if it’s any good, it’s ruinously expensive (£519), but looks hilariously amazing. Peace out.
