World Briefs: Giant, VanMoof, Zipp, MINI, Greyp, Trek & POC.

Giant has released fifth-generation ranges for both its Defy endurance road bikes and Avail Advance line-up, featuring totally reengineered frames and purposed built components for each line.

The Avail range, released under the company’s Liv brand of female-specific bikes, trims more than 100 grams off its framesets compared to their predecessors – 128 grams for the range-topping Advanced Pro and 104.9 grams for the Advanced.

Liv says this comes with a 30% improvement in stiffness-to-weight efficiency for the Advanced Pro and 16% for the Advanced.

The new range also brings redesigned forks and D-Fuse handlebars specifically tailored for women’s hands.

Similarly, the top-of-the-range Defy Advanced SL boasts a frame that weighs 785g for the medium – 293g (19.9%) less than the previous generation’s leading model.

“Tests show the new frame also boasts 28% greater pedalling efficiency,” a statement from Giant says.

“At the front end, the fork used on the new Defy Advanced SL series weighs 350g, 15% lighter than the previous generation.”

Giant says the new bike designs have been based on feedback from the market and its athletes, including team riders at the Paris-Roubaix, and a focus on simplicity.

“The development team chose not to rely on shock absorbers, bushings or other add-ons that are used in many of today’s endurance road bikes. While those shock-absorbing technologies can sometimes achieve certain performance attributes, they compromise weight, durability and ease of maintenance—all factors that matter to real riders,” Giant says.

“For that reason, the new Defy builds on the innovations this bike has established and proven over the years. These include a new D-Fuse seat post, which produces road-smoothing compliance without adding weight, and a new Contact D-Fuse handlebar that applies the same design principles and benefits to the front end of the bike.”

The other Defy models, the Advanced Pro and Advanced, also bring weight and efficiency improvements.

Giant Bicycle Co. brand manager Alistair Wilson confirmed six models in the new Defy range will be available in Australia, from the Advanced SL 0 ($13,999) to the Advanced 2 ($3,799). Australian buyers will have the choice of four Liv Avail models, from the Advanced Pro 0 ($7,999) to the Advanced 2 ($3,799).

New HITOP Wheels from Zipp

Zipp is promising wheels that “feel alive” with its new 1ZERO HiTOP SW and HiTOP S MTB wheelsets.

The company says its proprietary HiTOP Technology for carbon layup delivers a lightweight XC wheel that carries speed through all sections of the trail – rocks, roots, and ruts – with the durability required for a trail bike with up to 130mm of travel.

“A compliant wheel provides more confidence. No longer is it good enough for an XC wheelset to be stiff above all else. Instead, a wheelset should feel alive,” Zipp says in a statement for the HiTOP release.

“Trail compliance is vital, with modern cross-country races becoming rougher and more challenging.”

Both models incorporate the TyreWiz tire-pressure monitoring system and winged rims for a smooth resting surface for the tire, reducing the chance of pinch flats.

LAOIE to Buy VanMoof

French premium e-mobility company LAVOIE, which was founded by McLaren Applied, recently announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the VanMoof premium e-bike business.

LAVOIE, which has developed its own high-end folding e-scooters, says its plans to further grow the Netherlands-based VanMoof business, which was declared bankrupt in July.

The French company says LAVOIE and McLaren Applied will inject stability into the VanMoof operations, then combine and integrate their “premium capabilities to create a next-generation e-mobility business and establish a world-leading premium e-mobility offering”.

“This exciting deal helps us to accelerate global growth, allowing us to increase the scale and quality of products and services we can offer to our customers,” McLaren Applied chairman Nick Fry said.

MINI E-Bike

Another prized automotive manufacturer has entered the e-mobility realm, with MINI teaming with e-bike manufacturer Angell Mobility to create the MINI E-Bike 1.

The limited-edition bike comes in two models and two colour schemes and will be limited to 1,959 units, a nod to the year MINI was founded.

The ‘M’ model feature’s Angell Mobility’s trademark angled top tube, while the ‘S’ model has a step-through frame.

Each bike is hand-built in France from aero grade aluminium and weighs less around 17kg, including the removable battery.

The MINI E-Bike 1 is available for pre-order in Europe for €3,490 (A$5,796) but there is no news on a global release.

Porsche Axes Greyp

Porsche has confirmed it is scrapping high-tech brand Greyp Bikes, which it purchased last year.

Porsche had previously declared in February the Croatia-based company would be known as Porsche eBike Performance, following the additional acquisition of drive system producer Fazua.

It has now been confirmed the Greyp brand will be wound up by the end of the year, amid speculation about its profitability.

In a statement to the Bike Europe publication, Porsche eBike Performance indicated it now planned to focus on the development and production of e-bike drive systems.

Trek Releases Slash

Trek has launched an all-new high-pivot enduro bike.

The Slash’s new frame design is reminiscent of the brand’s bigger and burlier Session, but with a more pedal-friendly platform.

The high-pivot suspension allows the rear axle to move backwards as the suspension compresses, so the back wheel moves with the force of impacts, rather than against them, to better maintain speed over chunky terrain.

While high-pivot suspension isn’t new, the Slash’s versatility comes from an anti-squat curve that boosts climbing efficiency.

New POC CEO

POC has appointed former professional cyclist and long-standing sports and outdoor industry leader Derek Bouchard-Hall as its new CEO.

Derek was a member of the US national track team, riding at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and won multiple national championships and World Cup medals. He also rode on the UCI World Tour.

After retiring from cycling, he began his career in business management, with consulting roles at Ernst & Young and McKinsey & Co. Since then, he has spent most of his career working throughout Europe and is an experienced CEO in sports, outdoor, and consumer goods industries.

Before joining POC, he held roles as the CEO of ASSOS of Switzerland, president and CEO of USA Cycling, and director of international at Wiggle.