GRAVEL & Bikepacking
At OLSEN HQ we have gone back to our 1990's long distance cycling roots to design a Pinion equipped bicycle that spans both Gravel riding and Bikepacking.
Gravel Riding has evolved from its early days of disc brakes on road bikes to a mature adventure racing scene. Every category in cycling is blurring at the edges, so we have taken a fresh look at everything from the mud of UK Cyclo-Cross to the pot-holed fire roads of UK Gravel riding. We have chosen the Pinion drivetrain for one reason. It goes the distance, where other drivetrains suffer. We have now added a Smart.Shift Pinion drop-bar as an option with TRP Brifters (brake/shifters).
Before Gravel, people were making Monster-Cross bikes, adding drop bars to their 29ers. Why 29er tyres and not 700c? You can always run 700c, however when your body is suffering from a gruelling day of riding you will need wider tyres for comfort on the next day. That's why this next generation Lamb makes an ideal Monster Gravel bike for UK Gravel conditions.
TAKING GRAVEL Riding TO THE NEXT LEVEL
The Lamb is ideal for long fast days in the saddle. Long distance riding requires, multiple hand positions. We have designed the Lamb to run a long stem and flat bars or drop bar build with a shorter stem. It has loads of bottle points for luggage, bottles, racks and mudguards. Tyre clearance is 75mm so it will fit 29x2.4” tyres easily with clearance for mud. The Lamb will with a 31.6mm seat tube this bike will fit a dropper post. The Lamb is at home with a Rigid or 50mm suspension fork. Whether you are riding in the Brecon Beacons, Tour Divide or outer Mongolia. Our bikes can fit wider tires than traditional mountain bikes, from 700"x50" to 27.5 x 2.4".
No Congestion: Low running costs: No parking
e-cargo bikes
CargoN e-Velo have been developing the best "Front Load" Cargo Bikes for several reasons. Front loaders look like they are difficult to ride, however they are not. The advantages are very apparent. Front Loaders allow the load to be lower and more stable than a "Rear Loaders". Front loaders are safer for families and dog owners - allowing the rider to see their precious cargo.
At CargoN e-Velo HQ we developed a front load e-Cargo Bike with "Hub Steering" and a "modular" frame structure that separates for storage and transportation. Our front load design shows innovation, resolving storage issues and load safety.
- Hub Steering - by removing the fork & steerer, CargoN have a shorter wheelbase, giving a modern distinctive look.
- CargoN has the lowest Cargo Bike front platform able to tilt 40deg.
- 20" (BMX format) wheels allow for lowest stand over and shortest wheelbase (under 2m).
- Modular design allows for several frame sizes, a choice in wheel sizes (20 or 26inch) and several cargo deck lengths, 400, 600 & 1m long.
We have 3 ways for early adopters to save on the usual RRP price. See below:
- Pre-Order the Intra-Drive e-Cargo Bike and save £2000
- Pre-Order the analogue Pinion smart.shift Cargo Bike and save £2000
- Any Cargo Bike Deposit of £999 saves £1000 off the RRP price.
pre-order intra-drive e-cargo
pre-order pinion Cargo bike
e-cargo deposit
Wow, excellent first spin of the SWAN-Pinion at local Bent Creek.... Carves and flow drops felt like natural after thoughts.
Absolutely stoked with the performance. Everything performed flawlessly and it handles extremely well. Seems very chuckable too...
Everything held up exceptionally well under very very tough conditions. We were flogging up and down on single track as well as gravel roads with fully loaded bikpacking setup’s. It handled the conditions beautifully...
Pinion Shifting: drop or flat
A central, low centre of gravity for excellent handling and unrivalled riding dynamics, minimal maintenance, and a superior, perfectly graduated gear range – bikes with Pinion gearboxes are made tough for your next offroad adventure. Whether it’s a multi-day Bikepacking tour or a demanding Gravel Race. Pinion shifting is the definition of consistent and reliable performance.
A Pinion gearbox offers a number of potential benefits compared to traditional derailleur systems. One main advantage of a Pinion gearbox is its durability. The gearbox is sealed and lubricated, which protects it from water and dirt. This means that it requires less maintenance and is less likely to suffer from damage or wear. Another benefit of a Pinion gearbox is its smooth shifting. The gears are engaged directly, which eliminates and shifting delay that can sometimes be experiences with a derailleur system.
Electric shifting is now feasible on Pinion Gravel bikes, whether you are running flat or drop bars. Pinion call this system smart.shift and they have their own trigger shifter for flat bars.
While a Pinion gearbox is more expensive than a derailleur system, it will soon recover its initial investment outlay.
A Pinion gearbox is heavier, however, this weight is low and central, giving an even distribution of weight that is not noticeable when riding. The rear wheel is single speed and not dished like a cassette wheel and therefore stronger. Some people may prefer the closer gear range of the derailleur system, however as chains are getting narrower, drivetrain replacement costs are also increasing.
Overall, a Pinion gearbox is a good option for low maintenance, long distance cycling. The real advantage of the Pinion Gearbox, is that it can be run with Gates CDX Carbondrive belts, making for a robust drivetrain, requiring maintenance every 10,000 miles.