EUROBIKE 2019 News

Easton extends its AX Gravel Line

Gravel freaks watch out! The Easton team has rolled up their sleeves to extend their Gravel AX line with two new carbon and two aluminium wheelsets, a whole range of aluminium handlebars, super-compact 2 x chainrings and much more.

So far Easton’s AX Gravel range was made up only of the EC70 AX handlebar. This is now changing, and Easton are showing growing interest in the gravel sector by launching 4 new wheels, 3 handlebars and super compact 2 x chainrings. Alongside the AX range, Easton also presented an updated version of all their stems, a matching Garmin mount, a revised seatpost and a brand-new, price competitive EA90 crankset.

Easton AX gravel wheelset

Easton are launching respectively two aluminium and two carbon wheelsets. While the cheaper EA70 and EC70 models feature a robust C5 hub and 28 spokes, Easton delivers the higher-quality EA90 and EC90 versions with a precise and much lighter Vault hub combined with 24 spokes. All four models are available as a Centerlock option only, are tubeless ready and set up with a tubeless rim-tape ex works. The graphics and logos on both the aluminium and carbon versions are simple stickers which can be removed if need.

The EA70 AX retails at € 600 and has an internal with of 24 mm…
And it’s also the only version available in 650b and with QR axles.

EA70 AX Disc

The entry-level wheelset of Easton’s AX line is also the one that gives you the most options. Whilst it’s available in both 700C (1,760 g) and 650B (1,670 g), it’s the only wheelset in the ntire AX-range which is available with all current standard axles as well as a classic quick-release. With an internal width of 24 mm, the EA70 aluminium rims are welded and symmetrical, and allow for tires from 35 mm upwards. The EA70 AX wheelset is priced at € 600 (front: € 250, rear: € 350).

The entry-level wheelset of Easton’s AX line is also the one that gives you the most options. Whilst it’s available in both 700C (1,760 g) and 650B (1,670 g), it’s the only wheelset in the ntire AX-range which is available with all current standard axles as well as a classic quick-release. With an internal width of 24 mm, the EA70 aluminium rims are welded and symmetrical, and allow for tires from 35 mm upwards. The EA70 AX wheelset is priced at € 600 (front: € 250, rear: € 350).
With the Vault hub, the light EA90 aluminium and four spokes less, the EA90 AX weighs around 150 g less than the EA70 AX.

EA90 AX Disc

The next model up the range is the EA90 AX. Here, the compatibility is a little more limited and both quick release and 650B options are not available. However, Easton shaves off around 150 g by combining a lighter EA90 aluminium with a Vault hub. The total weight of the wheelset is 1,625 g. Whilst with an internal width of 25 mm, the rims are 1 mm wider, their asymmetrical shape provides a more efficient spoke angle. The EA90 AX retail at € 1,000 (front: € 470, rear: € 530).

The EC70 AX is the carbon entry-model of the gravel series
With 28 spokes, the wheelset weighs in at 1.515 g and retails at € 1,200

EC70 AX Disc

The EC70 AX marks the entry-level of the carbon rim range. As with the aluminium version, this features 28 spokes which are laced up on a C5 hub. Thanks to the light 24 mm (internal) carbon rim, Easton was able to keep the weight down to just 1,515 g for the set. The retail price for the EC70 AX wheelset is € 1,200 (front: € 550, rear: € 650).

The top of the range EC90 AX model retails at € 1,550
By using different rims and a high-quality Vault hub, Easton managed to achieve a total weight of 1,470 g for the EC90 AX wheelset

EC90 AX Disc

The top of the range EC90 AX model relies on a slightly different, wider rim and, like the aluminium model, a higher quality Vault hub. This, again, shaves off some precious grams, which brings the total weight down to just 1,470 g for the pair. As with all EC90 products, the EC90 AX comes with a 2-year Carbon Confidence Warranty, i.e. 2 years replacement or repair guaranteed for the entire wheelset in the event of damage, no questions asked.

Easton AX gravel-bars

The true pioneer of the AX linie, the EC70 AX handlebar, will still be available in the new season, only with a few minor changes to the shape and, most importantly, with a more pronounced recesses to allow for a tidier installation of brake- and/or Di2-cables. At € 199,90 the price remains unvaried and the weight of approx. 220 g for the 42 cm version also remains unchanged. To allow for an even lower entry-price and give ‘metal’ devotes more options, Easton extended their AX series with two more models: the EA70 AX (290 g, 42 cm) which falls into the mid-price range with its € 89,99 price-tag, and the EA50 AX, which marks the entry-level model at a very reasonable € 49.90. At 325 g (42 cm), however, it’s also a little heavier.

Easton’s EC70 AX gravel-bars now have two cheaper aluminium siblings – the EA70 AX and the very affordable EA50 AX, which retails at € 49,90.
The new version of the top of the range EC70 AX carbon-bar still weighs 220 g and costs € 199,90
The typical flair of gravel-bars is still there, both on the carbon and aluminium models
Due to the different material, the shape of the new and more affordable aluminium bars is slightly different. Whilst the EA70 AX retails at € 89,99, the entry-level EA50 AX-bar costs € 49,99.

2x gravel chainrings

If you ride gravel and want to take advantage of the finer gradation of 2×11 drivetrains, Easton you should take a look at Easton’s Gravel Shifting Rings for their in-house Cinch Mount. Made of state-of-the-art EA90 aluminium, the chainrings are available in super-compact gradations to suit a variety of riding scenarios: 47/32, 46/36 and 46/30. All chainrings weigh more or less 190 g and cost € 179,90.

Easton ́s Gravel Shifting Rings were developed specifically for offroad use and are available in 3 super compact gradations: 47/32, 46/36 and 46/30. Retail price is € 179,90.

More Easton news

Outside the AX series, Easton has also introduced a number of updated stems. Prices range from € 39,90 for the EA50 entry-model up to €159,90 for the top of the range, lightweight EA90SL model (110 g at 100mm). All stems now feature a slotted front panel that accommodates a new Garmin mount. The latter retails at 24,90 and will only be available for Easton products for the time being.

Easton updated their entire stem range…
… which features a very handy adapter for a new Garmin Mount. This retails at € 24,90.

Easton also offer a new seatpost with a slim single bolt clamp for the EA90 (129,90) and EC70 (159,90) models. Both are available in 27.2 mm, 350 mm length and with either 0 or 20 mm offset.

For the time being, the new slimmer clamp will be compatible only with EA90 and EC70 models

Easton’s updated portfolio also includes a new EA90 crankset, which should be both robust and high-quality. The will be available for either 1 x or 2 x drivetrains and also without a chainring – but only with a 30 mm axle. The crankset is also compatible with a Cinch Powermeter axle. Prices start at € 129,90 for the crank-only option, which weighs in at 540 g.

Easton’s EA90 crankset rounds off the range upwards and will be available without a chainring from € 129,90

Whilst most of these products are already available on the market, some of them will be released soon. More info at eastoncycling.com


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