Amgen tour of California 2012

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Tech feature: Gary Fisher road launch

  • Unbeknowst to many, Gary Fisher has a long history of road racing and applies that knowledge to his new line of road and 'cross bikes, highlighted by the new Cronus Ultimate flagship.

    Unbeknowst to many, Gary Fisher has a long history of road racing and applies that knowledge to his new line of road and 'cross bikes, highlighted by the new Cronus Ultimate flagship.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The seat stays also provide gobs of tire clearance thanks to generous spacing and small-diameter tubing.

    The seat stays also provide gobs of tire clearance thanks to generous spacing and small-diameter tubing.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The Ion also uses the FCC front end design, including the E2 tapered head tube and steerer, widely spaced fork blades and custom FCC front hub.

    The Ion also uses the FCC front end design, including the E2 tapered head tube and steerer, widely spaced fork blades and custom FCC front hub.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Gary Fisher went for stiffness first and foremost on the new Ion frame, whose tubes can almost completely surround the outer surface of the frame it replaces.

    Gary Fisher went for stiffness first and foremost on the new Ion frame, whose tubes can almost completely surround the outer surface of the frame it replaces.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Gary Fisher says its new Ion aluminum and carbon fiber frame is the stiffest in the corporate range, thanks in part to giant tube cross-sections and the extra-wide BB86 bottom bracket shell.

    Gary Fisher says its new Ion aluminum and carbon fiber frame is the stiffest in the corporate range, thanks in part to giant tube cross-sections and the extra-wide BB86 bottom bracket shell.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The FCC end caps are a full 25mm in diameter in comparison to a more common 19mm. Measured outside-to-outside, the hub flanges are a whopping 83mm apart.

    The FCC end caps are a full 25mm in diameter in comparison to a more common 19mm. Measured outside-to-outside, the hub flanges are a whopping 83mm apart.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • One key element to the FCC system is the front hub, which features very widely spaced and tall flanges, oversized hub end caps and a 'heads in' spoking configuration.

    One key element to the FCC system is the front hub, which features very widely spaced and tall flanges, oversized hub end caps and a 'heads in' spoking configuration.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • This side-by-side display (the conventional design is on the right) provides a good reference for how much bigger the FCC hub design is. In fact, FCC front wheels likely won't fit in most other forks.

    This side-by-side display (the conventional design is on the right) provides a good reference for how much bigger the FCC hub design is. In fact, FCC front wheels likely won't fit in most other forks.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • One common theme throughout the new Gary Fisher cyclo-cross line is huge tire clearance - enough for 29x1.9" mountain bike tires, in fact.

    One common theme throughout the new Gary Fisher cyclo-cross line is huge tire clearance - enough for 29x1.9" mountain bike tires, in fact.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The mid-range Cronus Pro will come with a Shimano Ultegra 6700 drivetrain and Bontrager Race Lite FCC clincher wheels.

    The mid-range Cronus Pro will come with a Shimano Ultegra 6700 drivetrain and Bontrager Race Lite FCC clincher wheels.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The new Gary Fisher Ion won't be the lightest frame in the range at about 1,400g but it's supposedly the stiffest bike in the Trek corporate lineup.

    The new Gary Fisher Ion won't be the lightest frame in the range at about 1,400g but it's supposedly the stiffest bike in the Trek corporate lineup.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • As on the Cronus, the E2 head tube on the Ion allows for a bigger and stiffer down tube.

    As on the Cronus, the E2 head tube on the Ion allows for a bigger and stiffer down tube.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The back end of the Ion is essentially borrowed intact from the Cronus.

    The back end of the Ion is essentially borrowed intact from the Cronus.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The Presidio gets a carbon fork but a straight 1 1/8" steerer.

    The Presidio gets a carbon fork but a straight 1 1/8" steerer.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Gary Fisher is also debuting a new line of 'cross bikes, using the same concept of 'Race Utility'.

    Gary Fisher is also debuting a new line of 'cross bikes, using the same concept of 'Race Utility'.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The Presidio doesn't get the full FCC treatment but still uses the widely-set fork blades and FCC hub.

    The Presidio doesn't get the full FCC treatment but still uses the widely-set fork blades and FCC hub.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • All Gary Fisher 'cross frames will feature sliding rear dropouts for geared or singlespeed versatility plus full fender mounts.

    All Gary Fisher 'cross frames will feature sliding rear dropouts for geared or singlespeed versatility plus full fender mounts.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The Presidio and Erwin will come with 'cross-specific gearing.

    The Presidio and Erwin will come with 'cross-specific gearing.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The bridgeless chain stays and wider spacing provided by the BB86 shell afford more mud clearance. Note the included fender mount.

    The bridgeless chain stays and wider spacing provided by the BB86 shell afford more mud clearance. Note the included fender mount.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The Lane uses the same frame as the Presidio and Erwin but is intended more as a commuter rig out of the box.

    The Lane uses the same frame as the Presidio and Erwin but is intended more as a commuter rig out of the box.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The Ion's joints feature a constant outer diameter for a clean look.

    The Ion's joints feature a constant outer diameter for a clean look.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The chain stays are about as big as anything else out there but the seat stays aren't quite as spindly as some. As such, the back end is impressively stout but a little firmer-riding than some ultra-smooth competitors.

    The chain stays are about as big as anything else out there but the seat stays aren't quite as spindly as some. As such, the back end is impressively stout but a little firmer-riding than some ultra-smooth competitors.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The Cronus uses a dual seat stay design instead of a wishbone layout.

    The Cronus uses a dual seat stay design instead of a wishbone layout.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The custom brake mounting bolts are dual-threaded: 6x1mm at the caliper end as usual but 5x0.8mm on the backside for an easy (and stealthy) fender installation.

    The custom brake mounting bolts are dual-threaded: 6x1mm at the caliper end as usual but 5x0.8mm on the backside for an easy (and stealthy) fender installation.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The Cronus' huge chain stays pay real noticeable dividends on the road.

    The Cronus' huge chain stays pay real noticeable dividends on the road.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The chain stays are dramatically asymmetrical with the non-drive stay measuring nearly twice the width of the driveside tube.

    The chain stays are dramatically asymmetrical with the non-drive stay measuring nearly twice the width of the driveside tube.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Gary Fisher has chosen the BB90 option for its integrated bottom bracket, preferring the extra width it affords to the down tube, seat tube and chain stays relative to BB30.

    Gary Fisher has chosen the BB90 option for its integrated bottom bracket, preferring the extra width it affords to the down tube, seat tube and chain stays relative to BB30.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • A molded plastic cable guide smoothes the bend as the cable makes its way up to the front derailleur.

    A molded plastic cable guide smoothes the bend as the cable makes its way up to the front derailleur.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • A common design theme on the Cronus is a central rib running the length of each main tube.

    A common design theme on the Cronus is a central rib running the length of each main tube.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • If the down tube on the new Cronus looks big to you, that's because it is. At roughly 76mm across, it's the biggest down tube the Trek corporation has ever produced.

    If the down tube on the new Cronus looks big to you, that's because it is. At roughly 76mm across, it's the biggest down tube the Trek corporation has ever produced.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Internal cable routing looks nice but racers that have to do their own maintenance will likely appreciate the easily acceptable external layout with built-in barrel adjusters at the down tube for on-the-fly shifting tweaks.

    Internal cable routing looks nice but racers that have to do their own maintenance will likely appreciate the easily acceptable external layout with built-in barrel adjusters at the down tube for on-the-fly shifting tweaks.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The Gary Fisher name is almost synonymous with mountain bikes but the new Cronus shows off his road chops, too, with an impressively quick chassis and well sorted geometry.

    The Gary Fisher name is almost synonymous with mountain bikes but the new Cronus shows off his road chops, too, with an impressively quick chassis and well sorted geometry.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Gary Fisher pushes the non-drive chain stay right up to the edge of the bottom bracket shell.

    Gary Fisher pushes the non-drive chain stay right up to the edge of the bottom bracket shell.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The small set screws at the aluminum dropouts aren't drain holes; they're just plugs for the optional fender mounts.

    The small set screws at the aluminum dropouts aren't drain holes; they're just plugs for the optional fender mounts.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Simply unthread the plugs to provide a handy mounting point for the included rear fender mounts. Pacific Northwest riders, are you reading this?

    Simply unthread the plugs to provide a handy mounting point for the included rear fender mounts. Pacific Northwest riders, are you reading this?

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The FCC fork includes a recess for Trek's clever SpeedTrap wireless speed transmitter.

    The FCC fork includes a recess for Trek's clever SpeedTrap wireless speed transmitter.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Gary Fisher will offer three different Cronus models, all of which will share the exact same frame.

    Gary Fisher will offer three different Cronus models, all of which will share the exact same frame.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Long-time Gary Fisher bicycle aficionados will know this phrase well.

    Long-time Gary Fisher bicycle aficionados will know this phrase well.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • In addition to stiffening up the steering column, the tapered head tube also provides more surface area at the top tube and down tube junctions.

    In addition to stiffening up the steering column, the tapered head tube also provides more surface area at the top tube and down tube junctions.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • the Gary Fisher Cronus borrows the E2 tapered head tube and steerer design from its Trek Madone cousin.

    the Gary Fisher Cronus borrows the E2 tapered head tube and steerer design from its Trek Madone cousin.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The 'Fisher Control Column' concept uses very widely spaced fork blades for additional steering precision.

    The 'Fisher Control Column' concept uses very widely spaced fork blades for additional steering precision.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The stout front derailleur mount offers a solid foundation for good shifting performance.

    The stout front derailleur mount offers a solid foundation for good shifting performance.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Gary Fisher admits the steel tubes on the Presidio 'cross frame aren't as light as carbon fiber (claimed frame weight is 2,120g) but the payoff is a smoother ride.

    Gary Fisher admits the steel tubes on the Presidio 'cross frame aren't as light as carbon fiber (claimed frame weight is 2,120g) but the payoff is a smoother ride.

    Photo credit © James Huang