Amgen tour of California 2012

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Eurobike 2010: AX Lightness debuts customizable carbon road frames

  • AX-Lightness showed off its new Alpha carbon road frame at the 2010 Eurobike show.

    AX-Lightness showed off its new Alpha carbon road frame at the 2010 Eurobike show.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The AX-Lightness Zeus stem uses uninterrupted carbon fibers that run from tip to tail along with incredibly minimal hardware. Claimed weight is 60-70g depending on length.

    The AX-Lightness Zeus stem uses uninterrupted carbon fibers that run from tip to tail along with incredibly minimal hardware. Claimed weight is 60-70g depending on length.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Dropouts are all carbon fiber.

    Dropouts are all carbon fiber.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The AX-Lightness Morpheus crank features a barely-there 380gclaimed system weight (arms, spindle, bearings, and cups) plus interchangeable inserts to adjust the effective crankarm length.

    The AX-Lightness Morpheus crank features a barely-there 380gclaimed system weight (arms, spindle, bearings, and cups) plus interchangeable inserts to adjust the effective crankarm length.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The Morpheus crank drops directly into the new Alpha frame but for standard threaded shells, there are also external-bearing cups.

    The Morpheus crank drops directly into the new Alpha frame but for standard threaded shells, there are also external-bearing cups.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Rather than glue separate carbon rails into a carbon shell, AX-Lightness simply wraps the fibers around into a big loop.

    Rather than glue separate carbon rails into a carbon shell, AX-Lightness simply wraps the fibers around into a big loop.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Some companies offer just one full-carbon saddle flagship in their ranges - AX-Lightness has five.

    Some companies offer just one full-carbon saddle flagship in their ranges - AX-Lightness has five.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • How light do you want to go?

    How light do you want to go?

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • AX-Lightness's minimal skewers use tiny machined aluminum handles.

    AX-Lightness's minimal skewers use tiny machined aluminum handles.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Carbon fiber reinforces the flanges on the Tune front hubs.

    Carbon fiber reinforces the flanges on the Tune front hubs.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Chain stays aren't especially huge but AX-Lightness CEO Axel Schnura says he can still replicate the ride feel of nearly any frame.

    Chain stays aren't especially huge but AX-Lightness CEO Axel Schnura says he can still replicate the ride feel of nearly any frame.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The Alpha's carbon bottom bracket shell features direct press-fit cartridge bearings for the matching Morpheus crank.

    The Alpha's carbon bottom bracket shell features direct press-fit cartridge bearings for the matching Morpheus crank.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The AX-Lightness AX6000 fork uses unusually widely set blades that are supposedly more aerodynamic than narrowly set ones.

    The AX-Lightness AX6000 fork uses unusually widely set blades that are supposedly more aerodynamic than narrowly set ones.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • AX-Lightness's 69mm-deep carbon tubulars are built with special narrow-flange Tune hubs.

    AX-Lightness's 69mm-deep carbon tubulars are built with special narrow-flange Tune hubs.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The sidewalls on the 69mm-deep AX-Lightness wheels are slightly concave.

    The sidewalls on the 69mm-deep AX-Lightness wheels are slightly concave.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Tune's Mag 150 hub anchors the rear wheel.

    Tune's Mag 150 hub anchors the rear wheel.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • AX-Lightness showed off its 69mm-deep carbon tubulars at this year's Eurobike show.

    AX-Lightness showed off its 69mm-deep carbon tubulars at this year's Eurobike show.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • A single leaf spring provides the snap in the single-pivot AX3000 brakes.

    A single leaf spring provides the snap in the single-pivot AX3000 brakes.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Claimed weight for the AX-Lightness AX3000 brakes is just 130g for the pair.

    Claimed weight for the AX-Lightness AX3000 brakes is just 130g for the pair.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Photo credit © James Huang

  • AX-Lightness says its SRT CC mountain bike rims weigh just 230g apiece.

    AX-Lightness says its SRT CC mountain bike rims weigh just 230g apiece.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • A sub-1000g wheelset weight is impressive for dedicated road hillclimb wheels, let alone AX-Lightness's stunningly feathery Premium MTB tubular models.

    A sub-1000g wheelset weight is impressive for dedicated road hillclimb wheels, let alone AX-Lightness's stunningly feathery Premium MTB tubular models.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • AX-Lightness's shallow 24mm carbon tubulars are just the thing for when the road turns skywards.

    AX-Lightness's shallow 24mm carbon tubulars are just the thing for when the road turns skywards.

    Photo credit © James Huang