Crank Brothers’ iconic pedal design quickly became a hit, but its wheelset lineup has taken a little longer to spin up to speed. For 2014 the unique twin-paired spoke design remains but the rims have changed dramatically for the new, third-generation design. Still available in Cobalt (XC) and Iodine (all-mountain) versions, they will be hitting the trail at new price points too.

Cobalt 3

The first priority for the redesign was the rim. The new shape is 2mm wider across the inner width and the sidewalls are 1.7mm shorter which improves impact resistance and allows for a tighter seal on tubeless beads. The rim’s depth has increased as well, eliminating the need for the internal I-beam brace. It also shortened the spoke lengths by 4mm. The rims also receive a shot-peened finish that Crank Brothers says improves fatigue life by 15 percent. They are then anodized and laser-etched.

Iodine 3

Crank Brothers hubs have been in production since 2010 and the company says they have a less than one percent warranty rate. All the hubs have convertible axles and ship with different end caps. The Cobalt front hubs can run QR or 15mm axles, while the Iodine hubs can use 15mm or 20mm. A SRAM XD driver for the rear hub is available aftermarket as well. They spin on sealed cartridge bearings with a three-pawl, 21-tooth driver.

The Cobalt and Iodine 3 wheels are available in 27.5 and 29 for $900 with a two-year warranty. The Cobalt and Iodine 2 wheels will retail for $600. If you’re looking for 26-inch wheels, they are available in the 2 trim level only.

The new wheels are shipping to dealers now or you can order straight from Crank Brothers online.

Knolly Bikes’ CEO and chief designer, Noel Buckley (hence the correct pronunciation: noll-lee), not only has a degree in engineering and physics, but was born and bred on the trails of Vancouver. This is quite apparent in Knolly’s lineup of bikes built for the rocks and roots of the North Shore. From the Red Bull Rampage tested Podium and the all-mountain monster Chilcotin, to the relatively tame Endorphin, all are built to take a bit of abuse. Don’t let my choice of words fool you, the Endorphin would hardly ever be classified as tame in some other manufacturers’ line ups, but at 140mm, it’s the shortest travel bike Knolly offers.

Click through to read our full review.

The Endorphin we got our hands on came with a SRAM XX drive-train and brakes, a Fox CTD shock and 150mm travel 34 Float fork, DT Swiss M480 rims, and uber-sweet carbon RaceFace Next cranks. We didn’t get a dropper post with our build, but you can expect that to be available during purchase. I was told new kits now come with a SRAM Type 2 Clutch derailleur as well, which is a very good thing. In 2014 look for Knolly to offer a Shimano XT group as an option. While this build was solid, about 85 percent of Knollys purchased go out as frame and shock only. If you go that route you can get your hands on a frame and CTD shock for $1,975 or upgrade to the Cane Creek Double Barrel Air, with Climb Switch for an additional $325.

The heart of the Endorphin, and all Knolly Bikes, is Buckley’s 4×4 suspension design. It allows for the separation of wheel path and spring curve, which in turn allows independent tuning of both. The Endorphin’s mechanically active suspension prioritizes traction over pedaling efficiency, which makes a lot of sense for riders who are riding in terrain similar to the suspension design’s birthplace. Climbing through roots, rocks, and the like demands as much rear wheel contact with the ground as possible.

Fortunately I get to ride on a lot of trails that require just what the Endorphin delivers—grip. No matter what type of obstacle I found myself trying to negotiate, the rear wheel felt well planted and the tire’s knobs continuously found their footing. This was especially helpful during this year’s wetter-than-normal riding season, making trail features a little slicker and sketchier.

Because of the active rear suspension, Knolly relies on the shock to keep pedal-bob to a minimum. I spent most of my time on the bike with the CTD shock set to Trail mode and the low speed damping on 1 as suggested by Knolly’s global director of sales, Kevin Waterbury. This provided just enough platform to make pedaling feel efficient, while maintaining a good grip on surfaces while climbing.

There are a good deal of trails right by my house that need a bike that can adjust well to bermy, swoopy trails, interrupted by moderately hairy rock gardens, sometimes followed by a short technical climb. The Endorphin provides a solid amount of support while tearing through the berms and rocks and I didn’t experience much wallowing in the shock’s mid-stroke. This points to a very nicely matched leverage and spring rate. There was never the feeling of blowing through the travel too quickly. I did find myself bottoming out every once in awhile, but it was never incredibly harsh, and usually I didn’t notice I had until I stopped for a break and saw the O-ring hanging off the end of the shaft.

Besides one of the nicest paint jobs I’ve seen of late—the blue is simply beautiful—one of the things that’s most notable is the fact that Knolly crafts its bikes with a seat tube that is forward of the bottom bracket. This is done so the rear wheel has more room in its travel, while maintaining a respectable wheelbase length. In addition, the seat tube is milled all the way down so you can run an uncut seatpost on any size bike.

I was, however, bothered slightly by the choice of a 5mm pinch bolt that was used to secure the rear 142×12 rear axle. While Buckley explains that the design is meant to provide additional heel clearance and lateral rigidity, I found myself missing the ability to remove my rear wheel without tools.

What Buckley has created has to be one of the better bikes I’ve had the pleasure of riding on those trails that just kick your ass sideways. When I’m pushing it hard on terrain where I’m not completely sure what’s coming around the corner next, it’s nice to be on a bike that can take that big hit, recover quickly, and immediately climb up the next scraggly, nasty climb.

I didn’t really ever feel the need to switch between modes on the shock or fork, unless I knew I’d be either spending time enjoying the loving pull of gravity through endless rocks or fighting to break free of her grabby hands on those forever smooth uphills. If you live in an area where your trails require a bike that can track well through rough terrain; maintain its composure while tackling tough, technical climbs; and provide a solid platform while pedaling, you should definitely put the Endorphin on your short list. This is an incredibly fun, capable bike.

Vital stats

• Price: $5,895
• Sizes: S, M (tested), L, XL
• Wheelbase: 44.9 inches
• Top tube: 23.5 inches
• Head angle: 67 degrees
• Seat tube angle: 73.5 degrees
• Bottom bracket height: 13.4 inches
• Rear center: 16.7 inches
• Weight: 27.2 lbs.

Specs based on size tested

The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) has announced that its 2014 World Summit will be held in Steamboat Springs, Colo., Aug. 20-24. The biennial event brings together mountain bike enthusiasts, volunteers, trail builders and thought leaders with bike industry representatives, land managers and government officials from across the U.S. and around the world. The IMBA World Summit is a unique opportunity for people to share ideas, learn new things and ride great trails in a beautiful destination. 

IMBA chose Steamboat Springs from a strong pool of 16 proposals from mountain biking destinations across the country. Additional details, including a call for conference presentations and early registration, will be made available in January.

Steamboat was named an IMBA Bronze-level Ride Center in 2013 in recognition of its more than 500 miles of trails, active IMBA chapter (Routt County Riders) and city-wide commitment to support for trails. In November, residents of Steamboat overwhelmingly voted to spend millions of dollars of the city’s lodging tax on local trail development.

The 10-year project intends to connect trail networks, authorize a network of previously unauthorized trails, complete new singletrack, add more multi-use byways to downtown and enhance traffic crossings and trailhead amenities. Some $500,000-$800,000 will be available annually for trail development.

Steamboat earned gold-level status in the League of American Bicyclists’ Bicycle Friendly Community program. It’s home to many IMBA corporate supporters, including Moots Cycles, Honey Stinger, Smartwool and Big Agnes. Thanks to the Routt County Riders securing one of three grants from Bell Helmets and IMBA in 2013, the city now has a new, professionally built dirt jump park within city limits to complement its wide array of lift-assisted downhill trails and rugged, high-alpine singletrack.

The 2012 IMBA World Summit, hosted in Santa Fe with the help of the Santa Fe Fat Tire Society, drew nearly 400 participants from across the U.S. and 10 other countries. In addition to educational workshops including advanced trail design, community organizing, leadership development, youth programming and the economics of mountain biking, attendees were treated to multiple ride options, nightly parties, bike demos, a jump jam, a movie premier and a community art night.

WTB OEM Sales Manager Jason Moeschler, a dedicated and decorated racer by heritage, is used to the hectic schedule his business title and passion for elite level racing mandates of him. Crowned the 1997 US Junior National Champion as well as three-time Downieville All Mountain Pro Champion, Moeschler somehow also finds time to coach high school students in Northern California when not racing or working.

Moeschler just completed a work week no one would be envious of. An integral and focal member of Team WTB, Moeschler just concluded a week that began with coaching a youth and adult skills camp in Taipei; moved on to setting up and working Taichung Bike Week’s trade show; quickly followed by the Merida Cup Mountain Bike Race in Changhua; and concluded with an 8-hour race, the Super 8 Enduro in Taichung the following day.

Triumphant though exhausted, Moeschler then had meetings with key vendors after the races and visited customers at WTB’s Taipei office on the 12th and 13th before flying directly back to WTB’s Mill Valley, Calif., headquarters, located just north of San Francisco.

In Taipei, separate adult and youth skills camps focused on skills Jason has honed through racing: balance, braking, line selection, weight distribution, appropriate shifting, and bike fit. Moeschler also elaborated on his work within the bicycle industry and his upbringing with WTB.

Moeschler’s focus then shifted to Taichung Bike Week, setting up WTB’s conference and meeting room within the Tempus Hotel. Four hectic and meeting-infused days later, a ragged Moeschler faced a 6 a.m. departure and drive to the Merida Cup Mountain Bike Race in Changhua.

Dry conditions leading up to the Merida Cup made taxed racer’s bike handling skills while also bringing into question tire selection as riders faced dried hard pack, exposed sharp rocks, and hard-to-predict rock rubble. Moeschler had finished second to UCI World Cup XC racer Maxime Marotte the previous year, making this year’s Merida Cup all the more important to him. He finished third this year.

Not to be slowed down by the Merida Cup, Moeschler promptly returned to Taichung and competed in the Super 8 Enduro, placing second in eight hours of nonstop riding.