We love being outdoors and discovering new things by bike. Regardless of the quality of the road ahead – we want to ride it. Until we end up finding a new, possibly even more interesting path and then it just goes on…
That’s how Alex (more details about the trip soon on www.behind-the-woods.com) and I felt on our trip through the Sudeten Mountains a few weeks ago. We started in Zittau in Saxony and cycled four days and 430 km to Ostrava in the Czech Republic. A wide variety of surfaces awaited us, the perfect terrain to introduce you to the details of the new veloheld.iconX cyclocross/gravel bike.
12 mm thru axles
With luggage on the bike and handlebars, the stiff 12 mm axles at the front and rear prevent the wheels from twisting, especially when pedaling. This not only benefits heavier riders, but is also a clear advantage over classic quick-releases if you have a little more luggage on your bike. Almost all hub manufacturers now have this standard in their product range. It is often the case that existing hubs with suitable adapters can accommodate 12 mm axles.
More tire clearance
When the trails got a bit rougher, it was of course great to be on the road with the Schwalbe G-ONE tires in 40 mm width. This was an ideal width for this trip, as it was unavoidable that we would have to cover the odd kilometer or two on the road. If you need it even wider, you can ride 28-inch tires up to 50 mm wide, depending on the rim and tire. 650B tires also fit and can even be ridden a little wider.
As you can see in the picture, a luggage rack and mudguards can also be fitted. This is an indispensable advantage, especially if more luggage is to be transported or the bike is to be used as a commuter bike.
Flatmount brake standard and brake line routed in the down tube
Super “clean” and tidy with a small installation space – the new flatmount brake standard on the frame and fork fits perfectly with the slim steel frame. Light riders can now also ride with small 140 mm brake rotors on their bikes. If you need a little more braking power, you can use up to 160 mm rotors on the frame and fork.
Matching the “tidy” brake – the brake cable is now routed in the down tube.
Fork for luggage, drinks, mudguards and lights
The new optional Cromoly fork can now accommodate 2 bottle cages in addition to mudguards and a front carrier. A light cable can also be routed inside the fork sheath from a hub dynamo to the headlight. Here, too, the new braking standard is flatmount.
On the trip I rode the new carbon fork, which will be available to order from us in about 1 month. More on this later.
So, enough with the “technical stuff”, it’s time to go on tour again – we look forward to hearing about your adventures with the new veloheld.iconX soon.
