Welcome to this month’s edition of Internet Rummagings, where I rummage around in the more embarrassing parts of the internet, so you don’t have to! (for clarification, that’s weird and wonderful bike websites…)
Roost Components
Starting down under this time, Roost is an Australian brand offering nice titanium things. Frames, obvs, but also stems and bars, which we will look at first.
The stem in question is their Dominator Ti, which is 35mm in length, and zero rise, available in both 31.8 and 35mm clamps. Its carved out of a lump of 6AL-4V titanium and while it is very nicely CNC’d it’s not one for the weight weenies at 175g, or budget conscious at around £180-£200 at current exchange rates. Does look good in this magpie’s opinion though, as you can see for yourself…
Which brings us nicely on to their Ti Bars which are 780mm wide, 30mm rise 5 deg up 9 deg back sweep and only in a 31.8mm diameter. Same story as the stem really, looks great, not for weight weenies or the thrifty, coming in at 341g (claimed) and £210 (however they are currently on offer for around £150 as I write this).
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Buying and wearing our sustainable merch is another great way to support Singletrack
Roost hasn’t forgotten about you gram counters though, as well as Ti loveliness, they also offer a (slightly more XC based) carbon flat-ish bar, the Otho, weighing in at just 174g (claimed) for a 750mm wide, 10mm rise 31.8 clamp number. Pricing TBC
Speaking of carbon, Roost also has a range of carbon rims. The Otho for XC/Trail/Gravel and the Nero for Enduro/DH, ranging from 25-31mm internal widths and claimed weights of 358-590g, these seem to be the opposite of the Ti stuff, in that they are competitively light and pretty good value, ranging from £200-£300 per rim.
Anyway, enough about carbon, back to Ti!
Roost currently have three mountain bike frames, The Nero Ti Hardcore Hardtail, the Otho Ti XC hardtail, and the Nolan Dirt Jumper, that you can gorp at either here, or at www.roostbike.com, where you can also find all the specs and prices, (all around the £1600 mark) or on their Instagram page.
5Dev
5Dev (a devision of 5th Axis) is a San Diego based manufacturer of aerospace and medical products, which are not industries that are known for slapdash attitudes to manufacturing tolerances or processes. The co-founders have been riding for aaaages (since 71 degree head angles apparently), and have tried their hand at making a thing or two, applying some of their skills from their day jobs.
CNC Titanium stems are like buses aren’t they, none for ages then two come along at once! This one isn’t quite ready yet, but from the pics on 5Dev’s Instagram account, this one looks to be worth the wait…
This one is machined down from a 1350g lump down to the 110g piece of jewellery you see above, it’s 32mm long for a 35mm clamp, and they do have plans for a four-bolt model for those using high rise bars that may not fit through the single sided bolt design, price TBC, but is suspect it will be in the ‘if you have to ask’ category.
Now on to less exotic materials, 6061-T6 aluminium, but no less exotic looking pedals. They’re 106mm x 110mm, and just over 11mm tall, weight is TBC but I’ll add a comment when I find out. Cost is $199, though shipping is pretty eye-watering to the UK ($54), plus import duties and VAT.
Here’s the black version:
Here’s the raw version, presumedly named after what your shins will look like after slipping a pedal…
And here’s a couple of (limited edition) sets for the shrinking violets amongst us”
While the stem and pedals are very nice, that’s not really why we are here. My rummaging are to find the interesting and unusual, and this next pic shows why 5Dev stand out a bit, any guesses what it might be?
Boring stuff first, they’re made from 7075 billet aluminium, they come with a DUB or 30mm axle, in 160, 165, 170 and 175mm lengths (although there is talk of longer and shorter options) have a Q factor of 167mm and run the SRAM direct mount interface. They weigh 500 grams and cost $499 (plus the shipping and taxes I mentioned above). Those last two numbers mean this is very much a heart rather than head purchase, but just look at them. Another plus point is If ever you’re near the Forth Road Bridge and they need a replacement 160-175mm strut, you’ll be able to help! You’ll also become very familiar with them if you ride them through a British winter, unless you want to add a pound of mud to that 500g weight. But then you’ll clean them and get to look at them again. Double win.
They also do a version for ebikes, without an axle, compatible with Specialized, Bosch and Shimano motors, and for once, ‘ebike specific’ isn’t code for ‘more expensive’, these are $100 less than their analog (5Dev’s word, not mine!) counterparts. Ride5dev.com if you want to buy/preorder any of the above, or @ride5dev on Instagram if you just want to drool over them
I should say, you may have already read about these cranks elsewhere, it’s really difficult for an internet rummaging minnow to get the scoop on small brands when global mega sharks occupy the same space, but I definitely saw them first OK?!
L’acier ç’est du vrai
As keen students of google translate will tell you, Steel is Real in France, and both Madnes (@madnesbicycles) and Egerie (@egerie_Velo_moto) are very fine representations of this. Sacre Bleu!
And Finally…
I appreciate this a niche within a niche that only about 400 people, globally, will appreciate, but to us it’s a big deal. Rulezman Suspension, Italian fettlers of all things suspension, are making stanchion guards for Intend forks. As someone who has had to pay to replace a knackered stanchion, these are a blessing in carbon fibre. If you’re one of the few who own a USD Intend fork (I got mine via Singletrack’s charity auction for World Bicycle Relief) get in touch with them through instagram @rulezman_suspension for preorder and pricing.
