Trek 2010: Bigger, better, more from BontragerJames Huang
Bontrager have made big advances in their clothing lineup, highlighted by the RXL range on the roadJames Huang
Bontrager’s Rhythm Comp jersey and shorts are intended for all-day trail epics with durable fabrics and a suitably baggy cutJames Huang
The women’s RXL clothing includes the same high-end features as the men’s version but with a more flattering cut and coloursJames Huang
Bontrager’s women’s clothing line steps it up as well with eye-catching colours and cuts plus styles that cover the gamut from casual to enthusiastJames Huang
Bontrager says the Y-shaped panel on the rear of the women’s Race jersey has a slimming effectJames Huang
Yes, women shred too, and Bontrager cater to that crowd with their Rhythm kitJames Huang
Casual clothing from Bontrager, too? Yup.James Huang
Bontrager are hoping cyclists will want to sport the company’s logos on their new casual lineupJames Huang
Women are now treated to RXL-level shoes for triathlon, mountain and road for 2010. And yes, Bontrager dealers now finally have upgrade kits available for the included eSoles eFit insolesJames Huang
The new Trek Circuit helmet features 21 vents and an easy-to-use ZipTite 2 retention systemJames Huang
Deep internal channels help keep air moving through from the front intake ports to the rear exhaust portsJames Huang
Bontrager’s range of bags is impressively broad for 2010James Huang
Bontrager’s new range of panniers is built with recycled inner tubes and old event banners. They’re waterproof, environmentally friendly and given the nature of the materials used, each one is slightly differentJames Huang
Rack-mounted Bontrager bags feature the easy on-off Interchange systemJames Huang
Bontrager are using leftover fabric from other manufacturers for some of their seat packs so less material goes to waste. The variable sourcing also makes for a wider range of colours and styles than usualJames Huang
The updated Bontrager Race X Lite Switchblade rigid carbon fibre mountain bike fork (left) uses a reverse-bonded aluminium crown that reduces weight by 250g relative to last year. A crown-mounted cable hanger on the Race Lite CX fork dramatically cuts down on cantilever brake chatter – a far-too-common affliction on race-level ‘cross bikesJames Huang
The extra-long cradle on the Bontrager Rhythm Pro seatpost helps keep saddle rails from bending while the low-profile design is unlikely to bottom out on the shellJames Huang
Bontrager claim their Rhythm Pro stem outperforms the ubiquitous Thomson Elite in terms of stiffness and durability thanks in part to its extra-wide bar clamp designJames Huang
Bontrager’s new Race X Lite Aero TT tyre incorporates extra ‘wings’ on the sidewalls for a smooth transition between tyre and rim – and a claimed 6.37 seconds saved in a 10km time trialJames Huang
The Flex Form base on the Bontrager Nebula Plus saddle allows the shell to rock side to side for a more natural pedalling motionJames Huang
The Bontrager Eco saddle uses just three parts, which are easily separated and marked for recyclingJames Huang
Bottle cages for 2010 include models in aluminium and composite along with a wide range of coloursJames Huang
The Bontrager Glo and Ember front and rear lights use high-efficiency LED emitters and easily install with the built-in silicone rubber strapsJames Huang
The Bontrager Power Charger is a portable rechargeable compressor with a built-in pressure gauge and Presta/Schrader-compatible headJames Huang
The Bontrager Rollbar 18 mini-tool includes all the usual essentials plus other handy bits like a disc brake pad spreader, chain link storage pocket and built-in tyre leverJames Huang
The Bontrager Air Rush Road combines a threaded CO2 inflator head and mini-pump in one compact bodyJames Huang
This clamshell adapter provides a safe mounting point for Trek Madone frames when using repair standsJames Huang
Mechanics who regularly service Trek-branded full-suspension bikes might find some use for Bontrager’s various bearing pressesJames Huang
Trek’s everything-other-than-bikes division, Bontrager, is best known for its range of road and mountain wheels but the company has showed off an impressive collection of other components, clothing, shoes and accessories for 2010. See the thumbnails on the right for more images and information.
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Good fits and high-tech fabrics plus more Bontrager shoe models
Some of the biggest changes for Bontrager’s 2010 soft goods division come in women’s apparel. We’ve been pleasantly surprised with the existing RXL kit’s perfectly snug cut and comfortable inverted inForm chamois design and now women will get their own version, complete with a specific chamois and more flattering cuts and colours. By request, the women’s Race shorts will also now come with a shorter 6in inseam option.
On the more casual end, Bontrager add a new Cadence line of women’s clothing with more versatile styles that can be used out on the road but also in the gym. Shorts feature a flattering ‘yoga-style’ wide waistband plus a minimal Cadence WSD chamois.
Off-road, Bontrager will continue on with Rhythm Comp and Rhythm-level apparel sets for both men and women. 2010 will bring a major price reduction in the men’s Rhythm Comp from US$169.99 down to a far more reasonable US$119.99 thanks to the elimination of the included removable liner – which Bontrager say most high-end riders ditch in favour of their preferred bibs anyway.
Yes, women shred too, and bontrager cater to that crowd with their rhythm kit: yes, women shred too, and bontrager cater to that crowd with their rhythm kitJames Huang
Bontrager’s Rhythm kit will suit women who shred
Winter will bring new Race Thermal and Race Lite Windfront tights, both of which boast silky Italian fabrics and comfy fuzzy interiors to help retain warmth. As the name suggests, the Windfront model adds wind-resistant panels along the front surfaces but retains more breathable materials elsewhere for better ventilation.
In addition, Bontrager will introduce a new range of UV-protective accessories called SunStop. Though the collection will only include arm warmers and skull caps for now, both will feature built-in UPF 40+ protection that won’t wash out or degrade over time.
Much of the footwear line carries over for 2010 but just as with the apparel, women now get their own versions of Bontrager’s RXL models for road, mountain and even triathlon plus a more casual Cadence model that can be used with or without two-bolt cleats.
Existing Bontrager shoe owners will be happy to hear that aftermarket upgrade kits for the included eSoles eFit footbeds are finally available from Trek retailers.
Trek 2010: bigger, better, more from bontrager: trek 2010: bigger, better, more from bontragerJames Huang
Women are now treated to RXL-level shoes for triathlon, mountain and road for 2010
Colourful eco-friendly bags
Bontrager’s newest collection of panniers and messenger bags is built using recycled inner tubes and old event banners in an effort to minimise use of virgin materials. As a side benefit, each bag is also highly water resistant and looks slightly different depending on what fabrics were available at the time.
Along those same lines, Bontrager’s Seat Pack Pro will include optional models built using leftover fabrics from other companies’ bags and apparel production. Colours and textures will be somewhat random as a result, but this keeps much of the material from ending up in a landfill.
2010 will see a host of other new bag models too, including no fewer than nine rack-top truck bags, a collection of polyurethane-coated waterproof bags plus messenger-style carriers and even laptop sleeves. All rack-mounted bags will feature Bontrager’s tool-free Interchange attachment system for easy installation and removal.
Bontrager’s new range of panniers is built with recycled inner tubes and old event banners. they’re waterproof, environmentally friendly and given the nature of the materials used, each one is slightly different: bontrager’s new range of panniers is built with recycled inner tubes and old event banners. they’re waterproof, environmentally friendly and given the nature of the materials used, each one is slightly differentJames Huang
Bontrager’s new range of panniers is built with recycled inner tubes and old event banners
Tools for (almost) every occasion
In keeping with Bontrager’s ‘something for everything’ philosophy, even the range of tools will expand for 2010. A new Chaintool features a built-in tray to hold onto one side of the chain during pin installation, a two-side driver pin for double the useful lifespan, and a magnetic pocket to store spare links.
The Rollbar collection of mini-tools is revamped, too, with three models (8, 12, 18) to suit the task at hand. The top-end Rollbar 18 includes all the usual suspects plus other handy bits like a disc brake pad spreader, chain tool and a built-in tyre lever, plus storage for a spare chain link and pin.
To complement last year’s introduction of the Gary Fisher Roscoe, shop mechanics may also want to grab the new Bontrager bearing press sized for that model’s pivot bearings.
The bontrager rollbar 18 mini-tool includes all the usual essentials plus other handy bits like a disc brake pad spreader, chain link storage pocket and built-in tyre lever: the bontrager rollbar 18 mini-tool includes all the usual essentials plus other handy bits like a disc brake pad spreader, chain link storage pocket and built-in tyre leverJames Huang
The Rollbar mini-tool includes some handy extra bits
Minor tweaks to wheel range
When it comes to wheels, not much has changed on the off-road side (apart from tubeless rim strips and valve stems now being included), with cross-country and all-mountain Rhythm models carried over for 2010.
Mountain bikers get nine new tyre tread patterns including the ultra-fast rolling XR0 and G1 models, the new freeride-specific FR3 and three 29er-specific tyres.
Roadies get a new Race X Lite Aero TT tyre, with built-up sidewalls to smooth the transition between tyre and rim for a claimed six-second time saving over a 10km time trial and additional Hard-Case variants in other models for riders who require more durability for training.
Bontrager’s new race x lite aero tt tyre incorporates extra ‘wings’ on the sidewalls for a smooth transition between tyre and rim – and a claimed 6.37 seconds saved in a 10km time trial: bontrager’s new race x lite aero tt tyre incorporates extra ‘wings’ on the sidewalls for a smooth transition between tyre and rim – and a claimed 6.37 seconds saved in a 10km time trialJames Huang
