Gravel Grinder News: American Classic, Wolf Tooth, WTB Debut New Stuff – by Guitar Ted
Gravel Grinder News is back with news about tires from American Classic, WTB’s redesigned saddles, and an aero chain guide from Wolf Tooth. Let’s check it out!
American Classic Grus Gravel Tire: American Classic added to their range of gravel tires today with a new model dubbed “Grus”. The tire, in 700 X 40mm size, features a very low center section of knobs flanked by taller, grippier knobs out on the tire’s shoulder area. American Classic claims the tire is for those riders seeking faster speeds on hard pack to loose terrain roads. American Classic also claims unrivaled cut protection from their Class 5S Armor protection. The Grus will sell for $45.00 each.
As of now the 120TPI, tubeless ready, hookless rim compatible Grus is only available in one size and in black side wall only. For more on the Grus see the American Classic webpage for the tire here; https://www.amclassic.com/collections/tires/products/grus
WTB Announces New Designs For Silverado, Volt Saddles: WTB, who recently announced the Gravelier saddle, which we reviewed here, has now added two redesigns on a couple of their most popular saddles, the Volt and the Silverado. The new designs reflect what was learned through the design process for the new Gravelier which WTB felt could help improve the classic Silverado and Volt saddles as well.
Pressure mapping and rider feedback led WTB to arrive at about the same thing they had with the Volt, but the Silverado saw a few major changes. That saddle is now shorter in the nose, and a bit less dipped in the mid-section, which WTB found relieved pressure on the rider more so than the traditional Silverado did. Both the Volt and Silverado feature Fusion Form, WTB’s new technology which allows them to fine-tune the amount of fiber infused into the nylon of each specific saddle model to create a flex profile that balances comfort, support and durability to match the intended use of each individual saddle.
The new Silverado and Volt join the Gravelier and new Devo models in the Fusion Form family, but WTB hints that there will be more coming. Stay tuned….
Wolf Tooth Drops New Chain Guide: Chain guides help your chain stay put where it belongs on the chain ring of your drive train, but up to this point an aero option was not a common thing. Well, Wolf Tooth decided you need to save a watt or two with this new offering of theirs.
Available in braze-on type or Cervelo Direct Mount style, the “LoneWolf” chain guide only covers the top and inner side of the chain. Wolf Tooth says the design was “ridden to victory at Unbound”, and was in use by Team Jumbo-Visma at the recently held Giro d’Italia. Got $39.99? Get yours here: https://www.wolftoothcomponents.com/collections/drivetrain-1/products/lonewolf-aero-chainguide-braze-on-mount
Note: All images and information provided to Gravel Grinder News/Riding Gravel by the individual companies listed in the post. Thanks to American Classic, WTB, and Wolf Tooth Component.
The Wofltooth chain guide was “ in use by Team Jumbo-Visma at the recently held Giro d’Italia.”
The same Giro where a dropped chain almost cost Roglic the race???