Redline's new Conquest Disc 'cross bike comes with Avid BB7 cable actuated disc brakes front and rear but the 160mm rotor sizes - not to mention the gearing - have been adjusted for more all-around use.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Redline's new carbon 29er hardtail features a press-fit bottom bracket with widely set chain stays for good tire clearance.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Redline continues to include rim brake bosses on the Conquest Carbon frame but they're at least removable.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Cyclo-cross racing will generally only require 140mm-diameter rotors but Redline has equipped the Conquest Disc with 160mm discs to give it a more widespread appeal.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The Redline Conquest Disc's Alex rims are disc-specific with no traditional brake track.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
New from Redline for 2013 is the Monobelt singlespeed 29er built with a Gate CenterTrack belt drive.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Redline uses a standard 1 1/8" straight head tube on the new Monobelt steel singlespeed but a big box gusset is on hand to protect against front-end impacts.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Rather than use a simple split that requires users to push the seat stay ends apart for belt access, Redline instead wisely uses a removable T-shaped plug on the new Monobelt.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Generous clearance is provided by the machined driveside chain stay stub on Redline's Conquest Pro SS frame.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Standard rear entry dropouts on Redline's Conquest Pro SS frame are augmented by a tensioner on the driveside.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Redline has added this little clip inside the bottom bracket shell to help secure the full-length derailleur housing but that means you still have to remove the crank and bottom bracket for a housing swap. Moreover, pity the person who removes the bolt on the underside of the shell thinking it's a drain hole.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Redline's Tim Rutledge says the Conquest Disc's tapered head tube precludes the need for a crown-mounted housing stop but the hole is left there just in case.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Redline has made some revisions to the Conquest Carbon frame for the 2012-13 season, improving bottom bracket stiffness and the internal cable routing as compared to the previous version.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The rear caliper on the new Redline carbon 29er hardtail is affixed to the chain stay, leaving the seat stays free to be a slim and softer shape.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Redline showed off a new carbon fiber 29er hardtail at Sea Otter. Development was apparently done in conjunction with German company Ghost.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Derailleur cables are internally routed on Redline's new carbon 29er hardtail.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The slim seat stays on Redline's new carbon 29er hardtail are bolstered against lateral flex with an 'X'-shaped brace up top.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
'Cross-crazy parents will undoubtedly find a lot of appeal in Redline's pint-sized Conquest 24.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Thru-shaft cantilever mounts on the Redline Conquest Carbon frame should make for flex-free braking.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Redline reinforces key areas of the Conquest Carbon frame, including an aluminum ring at the front derailleur mount and extra carbon patches where the bottle mounts are riveted.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Along with a new 'RL' logo and new 'Conquest' font comes this other (much more expensive) decal.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Redline mounts the Conquest Carbon's disc tabs to the chain stay to provide a stouter foundation and also lend a bit of protection from impact. Dropout spacing is still 130mm, however.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Redline only offers the Conquest Pro SS as a frame but here's an example of what can be done.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Following up on last year's disc-compatible Conquest Carbon frame, cyclo-cross specialist Redline has added a proper disc-equipped bike to the range for 2013. It's more a means of testing the waters so to speak, though, rather than a full-blown race rig. The Avid BB7 cable actuated disc brakes are attached to Shimano Tiagra components and a splined FSA Vero crank fitted with conventional 50/34T compact gearing instead of a more 'cross-specific combination to lend more versatility.
Redline is also sticking with 130mm rear dropout spacing for now and while overkill for 'cross, the dual 160mm rotors are better suited to general dirt and paved road riding.
Meanwhile, the Conquest Carbon has been updated with revamped internal cable routing, an all-carbon PressFit 30 bottom bracket shell, and a smoother internal tube finish. In total, Redline's Tim Rutledge tells Cyclingnews says the claimed frame weight is now down to 1,120g – a decrease of 80g. Expected availability is this July, well in time for the first races.
As on the Conquest Disc, rear hub spacing remains at 130mm, which may limit wheel availability as the rest of the industry seems to be settling on 135mm. We also have reservations on the internal cable routing. Redline uses full-length housing to prevent midline contamination but the company uses a small clamp to secure the housing to the inside of the bottom bracket shell. This means users will have to remove the bottom bracket for a housing swap though in fairness, that at least shouldn't be too frequent since it's sealed from end to end.
Finally, Redline showed off a new carbon fiber 29er hardtail, which Rutledge says was developed in conjunction with Germany company Ghost. Key features include short 440mm-long chain stays, a PF92 press-fit bottom bracket with widely set chain stays for better tire clearance, a tapered head tube, internal derailleur cable routing, and a chain stay-mounted rear disc brake that allows the seat stays to be built smaller and more flexible to enhance ride comfort.
Expected availability for the new hardtail is some time this fall.
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Finally, joining the new carbon hardtail is a belt-driven version of Redline's popular Monocog. Dubbed the Monobelt, the new bike features a Gates CenterTrack belt drive that's quieter-running and requires less maintenance than the base belt system. The butted steel frame is similar to the Monocog but the driveside seat stay is now built with a removable T-shaped plug so that the belt can be inserted into the rear triangle without having to bend any tubes apart.
