{"id":1935963,"date":"2026-05-14T18:30:05","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T15:30:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1935963"},"modified":"2026-05-14T18:30:05","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T15:30:05","slug":"new-bike-tech-a-479-frame-a-479-aero-saddle-and-tailfins-new-rack","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1935963","title":{"rendered":"New Bike Tech: A $479 Frame, a $479 Aero Saddle, and Tailfin&#8217;s New Rack"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/DSC_5243.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<div class=\"content-wrap fp-contentTarget\">\n<div class=\"article-body\">\n<div class=\"mb-base-loose flex flex-wrap gap-(--spacing-base)\">\n<div class=\"fp-remove flex items-center justify-start gap-(--spacing-base-tight)\"><span class=\"font-utility-2 font-bold text-primary\">Josh Ross<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"pub-date font-utility-2 text-secondary\">Published May 14, 2026 12:30PM<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><i>Welcome to Velo\u2019s weekly tech roundup. We sift through the week\u2019s industry news to bring you the standout gear, subtle component updates, and fresh accessories you actually need to know about. If it\u2019s clever and it makes your ride better, you\u2019ll find it here. Dive into all our <\/i><i>new bike tech<\/i><i> coverage here.<\/i><\/p>\n<p>Logan Jones-Wilkins is normally the one to handle this roundup but this week he\u2019s away testing a really cool new bike I can\u2019t tell you about. That leaves me to grab the wheel and direct you towards the launches I thought were the most exciting this week but also to catch up on something that keeps slipping through my grasp. First we\u2019ll start with new.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_985864\" class=\"pom-image-wrap photo-alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Tailfin Journey Rack\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-985864\" src=\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Tailfin-Journey-Rack.jpg?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover\"><figcaption class=\"pom-caption\">(Photo: Tailfin)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Tailfin rack system gets a complete update<\/h2>\n<p>The basic idea with Tailfin is that most bikes aren\u2019t set up for seriously big adventures. Gravel race bikes and modern road bikes just don\u2019t have a good way to carry the gear you need if you decide to ride across a continent or even just ride to work. To solve that puzzle, Tailfin offers a system that stabilizes using the seat post and rests the weight of what you carry on a modified thru-axle with a quick-release system for the rack. It\u2019s all very slick, and there are a few versions depending on your needs.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad-placeholder-wrapper relative w-full border-t border-b border-border-light col-span-full my-3 md:col-span-10 md:col-start-2\">\n<div class=\"mb-[30px] min-h-[30px] text-center\"><span class=\"font-utility-4 font-medium tracking-[1px] text-neutral-500 uppercase\">ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The most affordable of those is the Alloy Rack, but after eight years, it\u2019s been replaced by the Journey Pannier Rack. Tailfin built this new 6061-T6 aluminum system in a pannier option rated to carry 32kg \/ 70.5lbs and a non-pannier version rated for 22kg \/ 48.5lbs, both featuring an updated 33x10cm top deck and triple or quad cargo bosses depending on the version. You\u2019ll also find a redesigned fast-release dropout system and seatpost connector designed to be both stronger and easier to use.<\/p>\n<p>Pricing starts at \u00a3150 \/ $205 \/ \u20ac180 for the non-pannier version (includes axle) and goes up if you opt for the pannier version or add the optional mudguard and light mounts. For more information, visit the Tailfin website.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_985863\" class=\"pom-image-wrap photo-alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Prologo Choice\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-985863\" src=\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/DSC_5247.jpg?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover\"><figcaption class=\"pom-caption\">(Photo: Josh Ross\/Velo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Prologo introduces an aero saddle<\/h2>\n<p>This is real, but it\u2019s also not brand new. I\u2019ve been chasing the Prologo Choice for weeks as I\u2019ve traveled to the Taipei Cycle Show, Sea Otter Classic, and most recently, China Cycle. Each time, I found myself trying to wrap my head around what this actually is, pushing it off in favor of something else at the show. Now that I\u2019m home, I dove in, and it\u2019s a lot less complicated than I thought.<\/p>\n<p>Start by imagining what stack height means in a shoe. Simple, right? It reduces the space between the pedal axle and the bottom of your foot, resulting in a more direct feel while riding. Now, what if you did that in a saddle?<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad-placeholder-wrapper relative w-full border-t border-b border-border-light col-span-full my-3 md:col-span-10 md:col-start-2\">\n<div class=\"mb-[30px] min-h-[30px] text-center\"><span class=\"font-utility-4 font-medium tracking-[1px] text-neutral-500 uppercase\">ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The Prologo Choice is exactly that. It is a reduced-stack saddle that shrinks the vertical footprint by around 7mm compared to a traditional option.<\/p>\n<p>The headline effect is that it\u2019s now possible to shroud the sides for better aerodynamics. Prologo doesn\u2019t provide specific numbers on that, though, and when I\u2019ve talked to the company, aero gains don\u2019t seem to be its primary focus. Instead, Prologo emphasizes that this design mimics a reduced stack height in a pedal system. The brand claims \u201cthe saddle ensures greater structural rigidity, resulting in more efficient power transmission and a more precise and controlled ride.\u201d The other knock-on effect is that the rails unbolt from the top of the saddle, making it possible to replace the upper or the rails separately.<\/p>\n<p>Pricing is set at $479, with options for a 140mm or 147mm width paired with a 240mm length. Rails are 7\u00d79, and the weight is a claimed 152g \/ 195g. For more information, visit the Prologo website.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_985860\" class=\"pom-image-wrap photo-alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Stinner Refugio 32\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-985860\" src=\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/705A6972.jpg?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover\"><figcaption class=\"pom-caption\">(Photo: Stinner)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Stinner officially launches a 32-inch gravel bike<\/h2>\n<p>I wrote an article about how \u201c32-Inch Wheels Are Leaving Everyday Riders Behind,\u201d but hey, maybe I\u2019m wrong. It could be that Jones-Wilkins was the one who hit the nail on the head when he wrote about how \u201cThe 32-Inch Wheel Revolution Is Coming Whether We Like It or Not.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The new Stinner Refugio 32 makes the case that this new standard is here and worth paying attention to. Stinner claims that this new bead-blasted raw titanium 32-inch bike \u201ccarries momentum over rough terrain with ease. Roots and trail chatter disappear beneath it, handling stays calm and precise, and when the trail tips down, it absolutely comes alive.\u201d Stinner also seems to acknowledge it might not work for everyone, as the brand is only launching the Refugio 32 as a limited batch of 50 frames in sizes Medium to XXL.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad-placeholder-wrapper relative w-full border-t border-b border-border-light col-span-full my-3 md:col-span-10 md:col-start-2\">\n<div class=\"mb-[30px] min-h-[30px] text-center\"><span class=\"font-utility-4 font-medium tracking-[1px] text-neutral-500 uppercase\">ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Prices range from $7,295 for a complete Rival\/GX mullet build with Stoic Carbon wheels down to $2,999 for a frameset only. If you decide to build it up yourself, it\u2019s a wireless-only frame and max tire clearance is 32\u2033 x 2.4\u2033. For more information, visit the Stinner website.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_985861\" class=\"pom-image-wrap photo-alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"State Bikes 4130 All-Road - Root Beer\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1280\" height=\"853\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-985861\" src=\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/4130-All-Road-Root-Beer-12-Speed-_-UDH-22.jpg?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover\"><figcaption class=\"pom-caption\">(Photo: State Bikes)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>State bikes has a frame that costs the same as that saddle<\/h2>\n<p>I couldn\u2019t resist calling attention to the fact that the State 4130 All-Road frameset actually matches the price of the Prologo Choice saddle at $479.99. You can pick three colors for the steel frame too. If you prefer your bikes to have wheels, then the price does go up, obviously, but at $999.99 it\u2019s still pretty incredible.<\/p>\n<p>This isn\u2019t a completely brand new bike though. There was already a bike with this model name and price, it\u2019s just been out of stock since last year. Now it\u2019s back in stock and the tire clearance increases to 700\u00d755 or 650bx60 and cable actuated disc brakes are now included in the price.<\/p>\n<p>For more information, check the State Bikes website.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-body\">\n<div class=\"mb-base-loose flex flex-wrap gap-(--spacing-base)\">\n<div class=\"fp-remove flex items-center justify-start gap-(--spacing-base-tight)\"><span class=\"font-utility-2 font-bold text-primary\">Josh Ross<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"pub-date font-utility-2 text-secondary\">Published May 14, 2026 12:30PM<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/new-bike-tech-51426\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/DSC_5243.jpg&#8221;] Josh Ross Published May 14, 2026 12:30PM Welcome to Velo\u2019s weekly tech roundup. We sift through the week\u2019s industry news to bring you the standout gear, subtle component updates, and fresh accessories you actually need to know about. If it\u2019s clever and it makes your ride better, you\u2019ll find it here. Dive [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,71],"class_list":["post-1935963","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-velo-outsideonline-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1935963","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1935963"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1935963\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1935963"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1935963"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1935963"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}