Rock Racing had a presence at Interbike, but rather than discuss the plans for its racing team in 2010, Michael Ball took the opportunity to unveil a line of both hardgoods and softgoods.
Ball's company, Rock and Republic is well known in the fashion industry for its designer jeans so it was not a big surprise to see pants and jackets targeted for the ever growing fixed gear crowd.
The big news was the entry of Rock Racing into the bike and component arena. When the team was first formed in mid-2007, Ball publicly stated that he would be taking on the bicycle industry in the hardgoods area and for 2010 his company will be offering two carbon fibre frame models and several different fixed gear bikes.
The RX-1 and X-2 (above) are road racing frames developed exclusively by Rock Racing and were designed by Shane Fedon, who honed his skills at Advanced Sports, Inc where he oversaw the development of Fuji and Kestrel carbon fibre frames. Fedon noted that two different layup techniques, "hi-fi" and "lo-fi", are used to give stiffness and suppleness, respectively, to the frames where necessary.
Production for 2010 is limited to about 2000 framesets which will be available in even sizes from 50-60cm and in three colours - pearl black, pearl white and Kosmos red.
The 4815 "fixie" line, so named after Ball's favorite track gear ratio of 48x15, includes both a chain drive and belt drive models.
Rock Racing is partnering with a number of industry leaders to produce special edition Rock Racing components. Prologo (saddles), Full Speed Ahead (cranks, seatposts, handlebars, stems and headsets), Carbon Sports (wheelsets), Louis Garneau (shoes and helmet), Vittoria and Shimano are all on board for 2010.
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One item that Ball took a very personal interest in helping to develop is a line of energy and recovery drinks. The R3 Power Elixir is an energy drink that was developed to not only help hydrate an athlete, but also to stimulate the body's own physiology to produce energy. The R3 Recovery is intended for after ride replenishment.
Both are sweetened with agave nectar to avoid the "rush and crash" effects of other drinks sweetened with sugar.
Details of the Rock Racing team were not available at the unveiling. However, after a very successful domestic season in 2009, plans are for the squad to be back in the peloton in 2010 and riding the Rock Racing frames and components.
