Tech

First Look Friday: DVO Diamond fork, Industry 9 hubs, and Praxis gears

· By BikeHubCoreAdmin · 5 comments

First Look Friday is an introduction to the products that we are currently testing for review. This week we’re featuring DVO’s Diamond fork, Industry Nine hubs and Praxis wide cassette and chainring.

DVO Diamond

DVO (short for Developed Suspension) is led by a team with extensive background in suspension design and riding bikes. They know what riders want.

First showed to the world at Eurobike 2013, DVO’s Diamond has been a long time in the making and with competition as tough as it is currently, we think it was a good call taking their time in getting it right from the off.

Aimed directly at All Mountain and Enduro riding, the Diamond is not short of adjustments. Adjustments include air pressure, independent high and low-speed compression damping, rebound, and Off The Top (OTT), which changes the initial feel of the fork by preloading the negative spring housed at the base of the fork’s air cartridge.

Another clever touch is an integrated fender mount, which allows a short fender that covers the latticework at the back of the arch and extends a few inches rearward to be quickly installed.

Following stints on (several) Rock Shox Pikes and Fox’s 2016 34 Float, we are keen to try the DVO to feel how it compares to the current category benchmarks.

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Features:

Quick Range Low Speed Compression: With a quick turn of the knob, the low speed circuit is restricted providing a nice platform for climbing.

High Speed Compression adjust: Loader style compression provides easy access to the piston & shims for serious tuning

OTT Off The Top: This exclusive & proven DVO design trickles down from the Emerald to deliver precise air spring tuning with a turn of knob.

Closed Cartridge Bladder System: Just like the Jade rear shock, the bladder is compressed rather than expanded offering incredible small bump sensivity.

Specifications:

Travel: 140 -160mm adjustable travel via internal spacers
Wheel Size: 27.5” and 29” options available
Crown: Forged CNC Hollow
Offset: 27.5 = 44mm / 29″ = 51mm
Axle to Crown:
29″: 160mm = 572mm / 150mm = 562mm / 140mm = 552mm /
27.5″: 160mm = 555mm / 150mm = 545mm / 140mm = 535mm
Stanchions: 35mm Tapered Alloy
Axle: 15mm Quick Release
Weight: 2100 grams
Steer Options: Tapered Alloy
Lowers: Magnesium, Disc Only
Rotor Size: 160mm-203mm
Colour Options: Black, Green

RRP: R 13,500

From the Manufacturer:

The latest gem from DVO packs all the performance of a dh fork into a 140-160mm trail fork. With 35mm stanchions, a industry first compression bladder cartridge, dynamic tunability, and our off the top adjustable negative spring make this the ultimate trail and enduro race fork.

Industry Nine Torch Hubs

Industry Nine launched their new and improved Torch Classic hubs to the masses last year. Combining low drag, competitive weight and ultra adaptability into a strong and fast spinning hub have ensured that they stay ahead of the pack when it comes to selecting hubs for a custom wheel build.

Large diameter disc flanges improve wheel stiffness and brake torque transfer and are angled for lower spoke stress. Adaptability comes in the form of endcaps that can be swapped out to accommodate just about any current axle configuration.

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Carried over from their previous design is their famous 120 point, 3 degree engagement, 6 pawl mechanism for one of the fastest engaging hubs on the market today.

Specifications

Torch front hub

  • 2 bearing hub with oversized axle and external seals
  • Large diameter disc flange improves wheel stiffness and braking torque transfer
  • Angled flanges for lower spoke stresses
  • Interchangeable endcaps available for QR, 9mm thru, 15mm, and 110x20mm axle options
  • Available in 28 and 32 Hole counts
  • Hybrid Ceramic bearings available – upcharge applies
  • 150-155 grams – depending on axle and bearing spec

Torch rear hub

  • 4 bearing hub with oversized , butted 20/17mm axle and external seals
  • Large diameter disc flanges improve wheel stiffness and braking torque transfer
  • Angled flanges for lower spoke stresses
  • 9/10 spd or XX1 compatible freehub options
  • 135mm hub platform offers interchangeable endcaps for QR, 10×135, 12×135, 12x142mm axle options
  • New – 12×148 “Boost” hub option for 2015
  • DH150 Hub platform offers interchangeable endcaps for 12×150 and 12x157mm axle options
  • 120 point – 3 degree engagement – 6 pawl freehub
  • Available in 28 and 32 Hole counts
  • Hybrid Ceramic bearings available – upcharge applies
  • 260-280 grams – weight varies depending on bearing, endcap, and freehub spec.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0q8vhUNhTs

Options

  • 28-hole and 32-hole drilling available.
  • Front axle options: QR, 9thru, 15mm, and 20mm ,Lefty hub available. Does not include cap/bolt
  • Rear axles options: 135mm QR, 10×135, 12×135, 12×142, 12×148 (new for 2015), 12×150, and 12×157
  • Singlespeed specific hub available. Zero Dish.
  • Colour Options – Black, Red, Silver, Blue, Gold, Orange, Pink, Purple, Green, and Turquoise
  • XD1 Driver body for SRAM XX1 type cassette available.
  • Hybrid Ceramic bearings

Estimated price: R9,500 for a set.Note that prices may vary depending on the exchange rate.

Praxis 10-speed Wide Range Cassette

The 10spd cassette from Praxis offers an expanded range from the standard 11T up to a 40T granny ring. The full-cassette design is said to offer more reliable and smoother shifting than replacing your current granny ring with a single big cog.

For those looking for the simplicity and less-maintenance required of a 1x drivetrain, but can’t or don’t want to to make the jump to a 11spd drivetrain, the Wide Range cassette offers a cheaper option. Although it does not offer the super wide range of SRAM’s 10-42T 11spd cassettes it is a lot easier on the wallet.

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Specification

  • 10sp ‘Wide-Range’ MTB 11-40 gearing
  • 11-13-15-17-19-21-24-28-34-40
  • 11-28 are steel, and the 34-40 are hard anodized 7075-T6 aluminum
  • For 10spd Shimano/SRAM Mid or Long cage MTB derailleurs only
  • For 1X10 or 2×10 MTB drivetrains only (adjust your chain length accordingly)
  • Avg. Weight 322g +/-
  • 11-13-15-17-19-21-24-28 stamped steel construction, 34-40 7075-T6 machined AL with hard anodizing.

Compatibility

Shimano — Must be MID or LONG cage 10sp rear derailleur. Always use new 10sp chain of your choice, and set the length depending on if you are riding 1X or 2X drivetrain. Chain length is also a preference for your personal setup. Adjust the rear derailleur B-Tension screw down so the upper pulley clears the 40T cog.

SRAM — Must be MID or LONG cage 10sp rear derailleur. Always use new 10sp chain of your choice and set the length depending on if you are riding 1X or 2X drivetrain. Chain length is also a preference for your personal setup. Adjust the rear derailleur B-Tension screw down so the upper pulley clears the 40T cog.

RRP: R2,195.00

From the Manufacturer:

The goal of this cassette is a no sacrifice, no compromise ‘Wide-Range’ 10sp MTB cassette, that you could use an unmodified 10sp rear derailleur with. 11-40 gearing allows this all while using your existing 10sp wheels. NO Modifications, NO Adaptors!

Praxis Narrow/Wide Chainring

To complete the 2×10 conversion to a 1×10 we have opted for a 30T Narrow/Wide Chainring. Praxis CNC-machine these from 4.5mm-thick 7075-T6 aluminium plate and offer them in 30, 32, 34, 36, and 38-tooth sizes for 104mm BCD crankarms.

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Specification

  • 104 BCD
  • 30, 32, 34, 36, 38T
  • Wide/Narrow tooth profile for better chain retention
  • 10/11sp Shimano/KMC/SRAM, 11sp SRAM XX1 chain
  • 4.5mm plate 7075 T6 Aluminum for superior stiffness
  • Hard Black Anodizing for tooth protection and longer wear
  • Stamped and machined manufacturing
  • Rear derailleur – Must be used with Mid or Long cage ‘clutch’ type rear derailleur. Example Shimano Shadow or SRAM Type 2
  • In very rough terrain, or just for pure security, we still recommend use of an upper guide
  • Stamped and machined manufacturing
  • Unique Wide/Narrow tooth profile for chain retention

Pricing

  • 30T Wide / Narrow Chainring: R1295.00 (more expensive due to design – incorporates “female” chainring bolt into chainring for clearance)
  • 32T and 34T Wide / Narrow Chainrings: R799.95

From the Manufacturer:

These single 1X MTB rings are based on a unique Wide/Narrow tooth profile for supreme chain retention in the roughest of trail conditions. Tough enough for Enduro, Downhill, and also weight conscious for XC riding. These MTB Wide Narrow rings are machined from 7075-T6 aluminium and Hard Anodized to take a beating.

Comments

Raydek

Aug 28, 2015, 8:21 AM

That Industry9 video is cool! Love seeing where product comes from..

Wally39

Aug 28, 2015, 9:05 AM

I'll have one of each.

 

Thank you

Iwan Kemp

Aug 28, 2015, 9:41 AM

I'll have one of each, in every color.

 

Thank you

 

Fixed. 

Wally39

Aug 28, 2015, 10:34 AM

Fixed. 

That does look better now!

feetup

Aug 29, 2015, 11:10 AM

show us :)

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