Tech tidbits: Dogma days for Valverde, Australian distributor shakeup

Valverde rides Pinarello's latest

Readers may not have noticed but Alejandro Valverde rode - and won - the recent Tour of Burgos aboard Pinarello's latest composite wondership, the all-new Dogma. The Spanish ace was testing the new flagship model and judging by his result, it obviously performs quite well.

The Dogma 60.1, named as such due to the composite material used - Torayca's 60HM1K carbon fibre - makes the shift from Magnesium frame construction to carbon technology. Like the unveiling of the new Prince two years ago, the arrival of the new Dogma has had tongues wagging and wallets aching in anticipation of the high price tag.

It features an 'assymetrical frame design', whereby the drive-side of the frame has been reinforced and the shape altered at several points to increase rigidity, thus enhancing power transfer.

The right side of the fork is thicker and more angled while the right seatstay gets the same treatment. The top tube is thicker on the 'belly' of the drive side and both chainstays change at either end to deal with any potential flex when under load.

According to Pinarello, the use of the 60HM1K carbon in the Dogma apparently yields 23 per cent more impact resistance over the Prince and makes it up to 90g lighter per frame. You may not notice the weight difference on the road but your pocket certainly will, with a frame-only price tag of US$5,500

Dorel makes moves in Oz

The group behind brands such as Cannondale, GT, Schwinn, Mongoose and Sugoi, Dorel Industries, recently acquired the Mongoose assets of Sydney-based distributor Gemini Bicycles for $2.2 million.

It's one of the biggest shake ups seen in the Australian bicycle industry for some time and follows various moves by Dorel in recent times that included moving the production of Cannondale bikes away from the United States.

As part of the aggressive move, Cycling Sports Group (CSG) Australia was recently created to manage the portfolio of brands and the banner company will take over distribution in phases - Schwinn and Mongoose will be handled immediately, while Cannondale distribution will begin January 1, 2010 and GT on August 1, 2010.

Several Gemini staffers are transferring to CSG including its founder, Noel McFarlane. Gemini carries on as the Cervelo and Kuota distributor in Australia and NZ under leadership of Bas Dicker. McFarlane becomes Managing Director of CSG Australia.

"The creation of CSG Australia is in line with our strategy to accelerate our growth agenda globally and to make our operations there more efficient,” said Robert Baird, president of Dorel's Recreational/Leisure segment, in a press release.