Bicycle Tech

Orbea Carbon OIZ Soft Tail

2006-09-26T12:58:00.000-07:00

We've all seen those pictures of the Six13 version of the Cannondale Scapel at last years Eurobike, a custom made one-off carbon/Al frame for Christophe Sauser. While Cannondale was worried about how to make a reverse-steering bike, Orbea went ahead and carbonized their OIZ soft tail XC bike, filling our need for a stiff, lightweight, carbon, soft-tail, XC race machine for 2007. As for carbon/ti soft tail action, Serotta's got that covered.

Another shot of this sexy bike here and here.

Related articles:
EuroBike 2006 (bikemagic.com)
Spy pics: Orbea Oiz Carbon (mtbr.com)

Interbike 2006

2006-09-25T21:11:00.000-07:00

Today was the first day of Interbike Outdoor Demo 2006 in Nevada. Photos are just starting to get posted and so far there isn't much to get excited about. I anticipate seeing more 29er bikes/wheels/tires, new XTR on everything, SRAM Force groupo on the few road bikes, and what's a new bike without carbon fiber? Notably, Trek, Bell Sports, and Chris King are back at the show. Check out Interbike's 'Official' blog. For audio updates for your ipod, subscribe to Crooked Cog's daily podcasts.

Red 5 Hydraulic Shifting

2006-09-25T18:54:00.000-07:00

'Tis the season for bike shows! Those lucky buggers across the pond get first peaks at new gear from Eurobike and EICMA. No, it's not the carbon-this and carbon-that, that's got me excited. Carbon was SO 1995. It's hydraulic shifting. Red 5, a start-up company from Germany has done a swell job of constructing a fully functional and well developed shifting system for mountain bikes. It's not our first forray into hydraulic shifting (see The Machinist's mod and Shimano's patent) but it's the closest to a working or finished product we've seen yet. From cyclingnews.com, it is reported that shifting is 'nearly frictionless, light, and performs with perfect accuracy'. The whole setup including F/R shifters, F/R derailleurs, with lines and fluid weigh 495 grams. Compare that to my XO setup of 538 grams. Hold your horses - don't sell your new XTR just yet. This hydraulic shifting system costs a cool 1500 EU (that's $2000 USD). Only 5 sets are currently in existence and they've already been spoken for. And then there's that pesky US patent Shimano has over hydraulic shifting. Looks like most of us will be stuck with shifting by good 'ol cable for a while yet.

Related article:
German outfit 5 Red introduces fully hydraulic shifter and derailleur set (cyclingnews.com)

Cannondale Lefty Righty; Righty Lefty

2006-09-26T12:47:00.000-07:00

Check out this reverse-steering bike action from Cannondale at Demo Days. Turn left, it goes right. Turn right, it goes left. This was retro-fitted onto a 'DayDodger', another cruiser-style bike new for this year. So is the lefty fork still on the left...or the right? What will those crazy cats at Cannondale come up with next, a motocross bike? Yeah right.

Colnago Goes Taiwanese for 2007: CLX

2006-08-31T08:40:00.000-07:00

There hasn't been many postings of Colnago's plans for 2007. Those visiting Milano, Italy wouldn't be able to find much in the way of new bikes, aside from the tweaked Extreme C bike, the Extreme Power. Turns out, we were looking in the wrong place. Try Taiwan. Yes, the Italian bicycle manufacurer has decided to outsource their building of a new line of affordable carbon fiber bikes, designed in-house, the CLX line. From the horses mouth:

"My new CLX is a high performance yet affordable carbon fiber bicycle. We have designed the CLX here in Cambiago in our ColnagoLab, then brought the manufacturing to Taiwan to bring the price down to a more affordable level. For years, our customers have been asking us for a more affordable carbon fiber bicycle but we didn't want to make anything cheap and unreliable. We have done a lot of testing and now we know the CLX deserves the name Colnago."

This is a first for the pure Italian company. Affordable, sure. But would you really buy a Colnago made in Taiwan?

Read more:
Colnago 2007 (cyclingnews.com)

2007 Giant Bikes

2006-08-28T08:52:00.000-07:00

MBA has the latest pictures of the production versions of Giant's full suspension carbon bikes, the Anthem Advanced and Trance Advanced. The Anthem is a Maestro 3.5" travel 24 pound XC bike with a miriad of tube shapes. Rounding out the kit will be 2007 Shimano XTR TRIGGER shifters (read: not dual shifters), Fox 32F-X fork, and Mavic CrossMax SLR wheels. I can hear the bolts loosening off of weight weenie NRS owners' bikes now.

The carbon Trance is a 4.5" travel all-terain 26 pound bicycle with edgy tube shapes, finished off with SRAM X.O. and Race Face components, and Mavic CrossMax wheels. Both can be had in the 2007 season for a cool $6000.

Related articles:
Giant Rolls Out Its 2007 Bikes (mbaction.com)
Giant 2007 Carbon Trance Advanced & Anthem Advanced

Carbon Fox Fork

2006-08-28T08:34:00.000-07:00

For those longing for a lightweight alternative to the Fox fork, check this out. No, sadly it's not a production or even a prototype. From the translation, it's a one-off replica of an F80 fork using ultra-exotic carbon. The crown and fork assemblies where cast and molded to produce this 1350g 'faux' fork.

Read more in german here.

2007 Scott Bikes: Spark and Addict

2006-08-18T14:41:00.000-07:00

Scott has a couple new bikes for the 2007 season. Sticking to what they do best lately, these new bikes will be carbon fiber and super light. The Spark is their new ultra-light short travel full suspension bike Thomas Frischknecht will be racing this season. Word on the street is the frame and shock weigh a mere 4 lbs, complete bike weighing 22 lbs. Familiar to Scott-fans is the thick carbon weave seen on their CR1, Scale, and Ransom bikes, giving this frame the stiffness and low weight we've come to expect from Scott. Scott utilizes a new frame building technology dubbed Moulded Integrated Process.

Not to leave the financially challenged out of the carbon road frame market, Scott has introduced the Addict line. These frames will be a step down from their CR1 frames, with a LTD edition model with an integrated seat-post (just under 1000 grams for frame and fork).

More Carbon from Cannondale: Rush and Taurine

2006-08-18T08:26:00.000-07:00

Cannondale will follow up the System 6 with new carbon frames for their mountain bikes in 2007. And these aren't your father's Ravens' either. Cannondale has taken their Rush marathon bike and molded a carbon frame that yields a frame weight 300 grams lighter than it's aluminum predecessor. The Lefty carbon fork incoporates an integrated one-piece stem and steerer tube for further weight reduction and increased stiffness. Team bikes will sport 2-piece Hollowgram SI cranks, SRAM X.O. components, and Mavic CrossMax SLR wheels.

A first for Cannondale is their carbon hardtail, the Taurine. The super sized tubes and special hour-glass-shaped headtube make this 1250 gram (claimed) frame a super stiff contender in the ever crowded carbon hardtail arena.

Related articles:
Cannondale 2007 bikes (bikemagic.com)
Cannondale 2007 (singletrackworld.com)

Skunk never smelt so good: 2007 XTR Reviewed

2006-08-17T16:59:00.000-07:00

Skunkworks is a division of Shimano that gets to develop and test the latest and greatest toys that come out of Osaka Japan. Kinda like SRAM's Black Box, Trek's ACG, Intense F.R.O, or - well, you get the idea. We've seen the not-so-super-secret 2007 Shimano XTR offerings all over the web for the past few months, all the way from prototype to finished product. And finally, these goodies get to be ridden by us them mere mortals. Reviews have started to pop up over the internet with first ride impressions being quite positive. In general, the entire XTR group is lighter, ergonomically friendlier, more durable, and performs better than its predecessor. The group uses new materials like carbon/ti in the chainrings and scandium in the wheel rims. More options in component selection are available with 3 different rotor sizes, hydraulic brakes with shifters or without shifters, and 4 rear derailleur types (conventional long, conventional short, low long, low short). Follow the links below to read more about riding impressions of Shimano's 2007 XTR group.

Detours of the Real World - A Balancing Act

2006-08-14T11:02:00.000-07:00

So it turns out that starting a new job that requires your attention for 80 hours a week doesn't leave much time to surf and blog about the latest and greatest bicycle componentry and technology. I feel bad - real bad - for letting this site go by the wayside. I guess after the whole Landis scandal and everything else going wrong in the world today, talking about cool bicycle shat didn't seem substantial anymore. Balancing work, family, and hobbies gets hard nowadays but it has to happen to stay sane - so I can stay sane! I promise I'm working on a few new posts and even a new look for the site. Surfing 9rules.com gets the creative juices cookin'. There's a ton of new eye candy coming out for the 2007 season and beyond that's sure to get people talking. I'm officially wiping clean the cobwebs around here and starting anew. This site will not be abandoned!

Spy shots: GF FS SS 29er

2006-04-27T09:18:00.000-07:00

It's long been discussed that Gary Fisher would be replacing the beloved Sugar full-suspension line. On MTBR 29er forums, we have an insider that gives us the scoop on GF 29er news. At the Trek show back in August, we saw the first pictures of the new full suspension prototype. Then, in November, ride pics of the bike were taken while it was being tested. At Sea Otter, we saw Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski race the bike with a number of prototype bits (see Gone Crazy for C arbon). Now shots of the revised full suspension frame have been floating around the web, first with this 3D rendering of a highly manipulated tubeset, then 'Test Pilot' shots of this new inderation fully built 29er full susupension bike at twentynineinches.com. Recently, spy shots from Trek's Waterloo factory were posted on mtbomaha.com showing another 'Race Day' bike built up as a single speed. The source says that the 29er version is as light as the 26er version ridden by Jeremy. Click here to see more pictures of the GF FS SS 29er.

Related articles:
Gary Fisher Race Day (fisherbikes.com)
Gary Fisher and Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski work closely to develop Race Day platform (cyclingnews.com)
MTBR gets the 2006 Fisher 29" Scoop! (forums.mtbr.com)
Gary Fisher Supercaliber 29 Ride Pics (forums.mtbr.com)
New Images of Fisher Supercal 29 Frame (forums.mtbr.com)

Dessel Dons Yellow After Surprise Win

2006-07-12T13:15:00.000-07:00

After an astonishing 10 minute breakaway in Stage 10, the first mountain stage of this year's tour, Cyril Dessel takes the yellow jersey. He rides atop his btwin racing FC700 all carbon bike. More famous for thier production of city and touring bikes, btwin is a brand under Decathlon. The FC700 is quite visually unique in the hard-edged tube shapes most noticeably in the bottom bracket area and the semi-integrated seatpost. Dessel rides his FC700 with full Campagnolo Record components. The fork is made in conjunction with TIME. A 55cm frame weighs 1.07kg, claimed. Btwin has a nice flash site, fc700.com showcasing their peleton offering.

Campagnolo Goes Hollow with New BB Design

2006-05-12T08:11:00.000-07:00

Tech news from cyclingnews.com reveals Campagnolo's next generation crank design that integrates a hollow bottom bracket axle with crank arms. What sets this crank apart from other two piece cranksets is that the axle is split in half with each half integrated to a crank arm, coming together in the middle of the bottom bracket by a single bolt. The other notable difference is there is no increase in Q factor, a common complaint of external bearing bottom bracket designs today. The two piece crankset will be introduced at once throughout the entire campagnolo range, due out in the 2007 season.

Related articles:
Campagnolo's new BB design (cyclingnews.com)
Campagnolo Ultra Torque (light-bikes.de)

Campagnolo 2007 Veloce Picture

2006-06-20T07:18:00.000-07:00

Rouesartisanales.com has posted a picture of Campagnolo's new Veloce groupset. Now in black, the Veloce group features the Ultra Torque 2-piece crankset, machined brake calipers, and new shifting mechanisms (one down-shift at a time). Compare the new set with the old set.

Related articles:
Campagnolo 2007; 5th Part; Veloce 2007 (rouesartisanales.com)
Campagnolo Goes Hollow with New BB Design
2007 Ultra Torque Pictures
2007 Campagnolo; More Info
Campagnolo 2007: All About 10 Speed

Gonchar's Giant TT bike gives him the yellow

2006-07-08T12:41:00.000-07:00

Serguei Gonchar cleans the competition to take the yellow after Stage 7's TT race. Aboard his Giant Composite bike, complete with integrated seatpost, air-slicing headtube, and slick aero tubing, Gonchar finished a full minute ahead of the next fastest cyclist, Floyd Landis (who switched bikes after a handlebar problem on his BMC Timemachine.)

Read more at MagentaReign.com

Update: Check out Colnago's TT bike. Looks like a re-branded Giant.

Photo from Graham Watson

Tom Boonen's TIME VXRS Ulteam

2006-07-04T08:11:00.000-07:00

After stage 3, Tom Boonen snags the yellow jersey from mighty Thor atop his Time VXRS Ulteam. The super stiff frame is complimented with Campagnolo's Record alloy crank for this sprinter. This frame is a limited edition, 001/300, dressed up with Campy carbon Record, and Fulcrum Racing carbon wheels. Notice the new Champion paint scheme for 2007.

See more of Tom taking delivery of his bike here.

Update: Check out this great video on VeloNews; talking to the mechanic about Tom's bike.

Photo by Lennon/Getty Images

Thor Hushovd's LOOK 595

2006-07-03T15:35:00.000-07:00

Thor Hushovd is back in yellow after today's Stage 2. Crossing the line today, unscathed from big cardboard hands (nevermind the blood, notice the 595 on the right, complete with carbon dura ace areo wheels - just sick), he crossed the finish line atop his LOOK 595 all-carbon bike. You may recall the previous post on LOOK's new flagship bike with integrated seat tube, internal cable housing, and new lightweight fork.

Picture from Graham Watson

George's Trek Madone SSL

2006-07-02T14:29:00.000-07:00

George Hincapie took the yellow jersey in Stage 1 of the TdF with the all popular Trek Madone SSL. According to VeloNews, this Madone SSL is only 1 of 4 in the world. Given Lance's prototype Madone SSLx of last year, I wonder what prototype bits are in this frame?

Update: Cyclingnews.com has news of Trek's Madone 6.9 SSL frame, a "true horizontal top tube sub 900g frame". New carbon (Defence Grade High Modulus Carbon fiber - that's not the name, it's the type of carbon) and new "Low Solids" paint allow 56cm frame to weigh 890 grams. This Madone version is lighter than Lance's SSLx bike of the 2005 TdF. Check out the special mount to screw on weights in order to meet the UCI 6.8kg minimum. Read more.

Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

Thor Hushovd's LOOK 496

2006-07-02T14:21:00.000-07:00

Thor Hushovd's LOOK time trial bike doesn't look disimilar to the LOOK 496 bike of 2 years ago. The all carbon frame has the unique headtube/fork hinge design that is shared with the BMC Time Machine ridden by Floyd Landis and the Phonak team.

Picture from FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images.

Enough Mavic Wheels in 2007 To Make You 'Cross'-Eyed

2006-07-03T12:05:00.000-07:00

For 2007, Mavic is giving the consumer more options with new wheelsets for every type of rider out there. As we speculated before, the new CrossMax SLR's are the top of the line XC specific wheelset in both V and disc brake versions. For the V-brakes, the SLR's have caRRRRRbon fiber hubs and aluminum and titanium parts to reduce this race wheelset down to a weight of 1410g claimed. The disc wheelset will retain the alloy hubs and more spokes with a weight of 1520g claimed. Look for the red spoke. Mavic keeps the CrossMax SL line as a slightly heavier and whiter XC wheelset (with a yellow spoke). The CrossMax ST version (pictured above) is rated as a long distance mountain wheel. The subtle laser-etched logos and black color give this 1660g disc wheelset a stealthy look. Rounding out the CrossMax line is the CrossMax SX, a freeride, heavyduty disc only wheelset. If those aren't enough choices for you, below the CrossMax are the Crosslands, Crossrides, and Crosstrails each with V or disc brake versions.

Can't wait to see the new carbon paired-spoke road racing wheels, Rouesartisanales.com eluded to previously.

Read more at singletrackworld.com.

Yellow Tech

2006-07-02T13:50:00.000-07:00

I'm going to sit back and enjoy the tour while it's on (as you should too!), so my Bicycle Tech feelers won't be reaching out as far as they normally would. But I don't like the thought of not contributing to this blog at all, so I'm starting a little segment called Yellow Tech where I'll highlight the bike ridden by the yellow jersey. If you subscribe to BT and are one that will TIVO/DVR the day's race, you might want to wait until after you've watched the race to read the blog. You've been warned!

Of course if something elsewhere in the bicycle tech world worth mentioning pops up, I'll let you know.

Thanks for reading. LMW

Back in Black! New Mavic CrossMax SLR

2006-06-27T12:55:00.000-07:00

Thanks for the tip, Dan. Looks like those intrepid folks in the mtbr forums took a pic of a new Mavic 26" mountain bike rear disc wheel, labeled 'CrossMax SLR'. You know only good things come from SLR monikers. The CrossMax SL's were introduced in 2003 as a "Super-Light" successor to the CrossMax wheelset. Not the lightest wheelset available at the time, but they were pretty darn stiff and light enough for most. The SLR promises to be an even lighter version of the SL, making many wonder what the 'R' could possibly stand for. Any ideas? Hmmm, let's see... CaRRRRRbon hubs? KevlaRRRRRR spokes? Black and lighter are definitely the themes at Mavic for 2007. All owners of black bikes rejoice! Black is...um, back!

Read forum thread here.

Update: These new wheels were spotted being tested in Canada, eh!

New Fuel Frame from Trek?

2006-06-30T17:52:00.000-07:00

Looks like those boys and gals in the ACG team at Trek have something cooking in the oven and it smells like carbon. The Trek newsletter, Exit 180, has a mystery photo of a tubeset for a new bike. No details are given other than it will be lighter and more efficient than its predesessor and that a built up bike will be shown in next month's newsletter. Looks definitely like a revamped Fuel bike, probably using a new mix of carbon formula seen it's road counterparts. Possibly even a new suspension design that will be more "efficient".

2007 Campagnolo Record

2006-06-28T19:40:00.000-07:00

It's what you've been waiting for. The good folks at Roues Artisanales have finally posted pictures of the much lusted re-designed Record carbon group from Campagnolo. On the same day, cyclingnews.com has photos of Wilier Triestina's new Cento bike fully dressed in 2007 Record goodness. The group uses the UltraTorque 2 piece crankset (of course) in both standard and compact configurations. The brakes look to be alloy sharing the same machined look than it's younger sibbling has. The Record shifters will be the only Campagnolo shifter that will allow multiple down-shifts; all others will be limited to a quick single shift mechanism. Again, like the Veloce group seen before, the Record transmision is emblazoned with 'Quick Shift' logos, apparently a new technology that, what else, improves shifting at a lighter weight. Who will be the first to put these componets on a scale to give us some real world weights?

Related articles:
Campagnolo 2007 Record Pictures! (rouesartisanales.com)
Campagnolo 2007 Veloce Picture
Campagnolo 2007; 5th Part; Veloce 2007 (rouesartisanales.com)
Campagnolo Goes Hollow with New BB Design
2007 Ultra Torque Pictures
2007 Campagnolo; More Info
Campagnolo 2007: All About 10 Speed