Tech News – July 23, 2008 Edited by James Huang Got tech? Send press releases, news, and tech questions to the Cyclingnews tech desk. iBike Aero and QuarQ combo hits the road ANT+Sport compatibility means that you can now use this… Photo ©: Quarq Aerodynamic drag is one of the hottest buzzwords in bicycle tech at the moment yet short of spending thousands of dollars in wind tunnel time most of us will never be able to gather any real data regarding our setups… or will we? As it turns out, Velocomp's unique iBike power meter design already generates these numbers as part of its reverse-calculated power measurement algorithm and that data is now available on its latest iBike Aero. By itself, the unit will display 'snapshot' drag coefficient (CdA) that can help optimize your position in real-world conditions (although we can't easily verify how accurate those figures are). More to the point, that information can shed some very useful information on how significantly aerodynamics can affect your performance. What the iBike Aero won't do on its own, though, is measure both your CdA and power output simultaneously (CdA readings require coasting for ten seconds). However, its ANT+Sport wireless interface means it can do so when paired with a compatible directly-measured power meter such as the latest SRM and PowerTap units. Doing so also adds a continuous CdA calculation and a particularly handy 'Time Advantage' feature in the process. UCI Continental team DLP Racing did just that at the recent Commerce Bank Triple Crown by pairing its iBike Aero head units with Quarq's new CinQo power meter. While the intense racing obviously didn't leave much time for the riders to get fully acquainted, early indications are that the combination will prove useful. "One time of note was when I was coming back for bottles," said team rider Owen Nielsen. "As I was bringing them back up I saw my CdA number at about .406 while I was on the hoods. As I went to the drops the number went down to around .375." "I think as I race with it more it will be a useful tool to remind me where and how I can conserve energy," he continued. "It's kind of like figuring out how to get max MPG out of your vehicle when you have a given amount of fuel in the tank. The data is just like having a wind tunnel. Looking in the software after the fact I could see the time saved by the lower drag coefficient. That will be a cool tool once I spend some more time on it." Quarq begins delivery of CinQo power meters Quarq's new Cinqo power meter Speaking of Quarq, the upstart company created quite the buzz at last year's Interbike show with its impressively compact CinQo power meter but consumers have yet to get their hands on an actual production unit, that is, until about now. Quarq has announced that it's in the midst of the first production run meaning that those who had pre-ordered units should probably start checking their mailboxes. Quarq will offer the CinQo in two configurations for the time being. The prêt a porter option will include the CinQo unit preassembled on either a SRAM S900 or FSA Team Issue crankset (with bottom bracket and 130mm BCD) chainrings for a total cost of US$1525. Potential customers who already have a Bontrager Race X Lite, Truvativ Rouleur Carbon or FSA Team Issue crankset can tick the CinQo-only box for a cost of US$1195. It should be noted that Quarq is not quite ready to ship the accompanying Qranium display unit, although the wireless CinQo will sync with other designated ANT+Sport wireless devices such as the Garmin 705 and iBike Aero. Quarq is being refreshingly up front about the 'beta' status of these units, however. "Please keep in mind that this is a first generation product," stated the company in a recent message. "We have worked diligently for over two years in research, design and testing to bring you a rock-solid and super-reliable power meter. However, while we feel the CinQo is really great, it is NOT perfect… So if have any issues, please contact us right away." Velocomp release tougher iBike Pro … with the new iBike Aero to display directly-measured power And speaking of the iBike, Velocomp has released a more robust second generation of its intriguing power meter. The iBike Pro Gen II is equipped with a new circuit board said to provide a fourfold increase in vibration tolerance for better accuracy on rough roads and higher speeds. Current iBike Pro owners can upgrade their existing units for US$179. The upgrade will net the same vibration resilience as the second generation model and customers will then have their choice of a new black or white iBike case as well. The latest iBike firmware will also come pre-loaded into the iBike. All new iBike Pro power meters will be shipped with the new Gen II circuit boards effective immediately but will carry a similarly high-value retail price of US$424. Schwinn revives Paramount badge (again!) Schwinn will revive the Paramount nameplate yet again Schwinn will bring back its heralded Paramount nameplate once again with three range-topping models for 2009. The Paramount Series 8 and Series 9 bikes both feature so-called 'N'Litened Black Label' carbon frames and forks and some of the latest must-have technologies. The front end will incorporate a tapered-and-oversized 1 1/8"-to-1 1/4" steerer tube for better steering and braking precision while press-fit bottom bracket cups shed some grams and allow for a wider and stiffer down tube. The Series 9 will also include an integrated seat mast. Both bikes will be SRAM-equipped with the Series 9 sporting the top-end Red group along with Mavic R-SYS wheels, FSA carbon bar and stem, and San Marco Zoncolan saddle. The Series 8 will be more of a workhorse rig with its SRAM Rival group Mavic Aksium hoops. Pricing is yet to be announced for either one but is expected to be decidedly high-value based on previous model years. Perhaps the most intriguing Paramount frame, though, is the new steel model. We don't have much information just yet other than that it uses Reynolds' latest 953 tubing and lugged joints and will be fully hand-built in Waterford, Wisconsin. Sorry, we don't have any images to show you just yet, either, but we're guessing its classic aesthetics and modern materials will likely appeal to more than a handful of riders. Avid expands Elixir range with new CR model Avid will expand the Elixir range of hydraulic disc brakes As we suggested back at Sea Otter, Avid has supplemented its initial Elixir R hydraulic disc brake with a higher-end Elixir CR model. The new Elixir CR adds a tool-free pad contact adjustment on the master cylinder for a more tunable feel, a rotatable banjo on the caliper for cleaner hose routing, and a carbon lever blade as standard equipment. Like on the Elixir R, the CR will also use Avid's new TaperBore internal architecture which reputedly offers less initial grabbiness coupled with better modulation. Both models also utilize an integrated reservoir for a sleeker appearance and top-loaded pads for easier servicing. Rotor options will include 160, 185 and 203mm diameters. Target weight for a complete post-mount front assembly with 160mm rotor is 375g and suggested retail price is US$204-212 per wheel depending on rotor size. Speedplay moves into bottle cage market with Nanogram Speedplay expands into the bottle cage Clipless pedal icon Speedplay is expanding its horizons with a new carbon bottle cage, the Nanogram Ultra Light. As its name suggests, the Nanogram is a true featherweight at a claimed 19g but Speedplay also says it's more durable than one would think thanks in part to its thicker-than-usual component walls. The Nanogram Ultra Light is pegged solely for use on pavement but a standard Nanogram version is said to be strong enough for off-road riders (or triathletes using rear-mounted bottles). Both models will include aluminum hardware and a BPA-free bottle, and will carry a suggested retail of US$65. Kurt Kinetic partners with Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Kurt Kinetic will offer a limited-edition version of its popular Road Trainer beginning in mid-August to help raise money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Save for the bright pink hue, the special fundraising models will be functionally identical to standard versions and will include the company's trademark magnetically-coupled fluid resistance unit. "As a cyclist and breast cancer survivor I am thrilled to be part of this program," said Kurt Kinetic national sales manager Pam Sayler in a recent press release. "Within the cycling industry our customer base is nearly 50 percent women - and with an estimated 182,460 new cases of breast cancer expected to be diagnosed in 2008 merging cycling with this cause is a natural, organic partnership." Sidi goes flowery with new women's model Need some more color in your life? Photo ©: Sidi Liquigas' Filippo Pozzato proudly donned a pair of custom flower-motif Sidi road shoes during this year's Milano-Sanremo classic and now the company has decided to bring the pattern to market - for women. Save for the bold print on the Lorica panels, the Genius 5 Pro Woman will otherwise bear the usual technical features such as the new Millienium 3 sole, updated Caliper buckle, High Security System Velcro forefoot straps and hallmark Sidi fit (using a women's specific last). Photography For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here Images by Quarq Quarq's new Cinqo power meter had the cycling world buzzing at last year's Interbike show. ANT+Sport compatibility means that you can now use this… Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com … with the new iBike Aero to display directly-measured power as well as drag coefficients. The pressure port at the front edge of the iBike Aero is one of the key elements responsible for making the calculations. Images by Jack Kane DLP Racing team member Owen Nielsen put the Quarq and iBike Aero combination to the test at the Commerce Bank Triple Crown. Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com Schwinn will revive the Paramount nameplate yet again with three new models include this top-end Series 9. The full-carbon frame will be accompanied by a matching carbon fork. The steerer tube tapers from 1 1/8" up top to 1 1/4" at the fork crown for more precise steering and braking, plus it allows for a larger down tube. Press-fit bottom bracket cups leave more real estate for a wider down tube and more widely-spaced chain stays. Beefy chain stays suggest a snappy drivetrain… …but the relatively slender seat stays suggest a comfy ride. The Series 9 will also include an integrated seat mast; the Series 8 will use a conventional post. The Series 9 will come decked out in top-end componentry including a SRAM Red group… …and Mavic's R-SYS wheelset. Images by SRAM Avid will expand the Elixir range of hydraulic disc brakes with a new CR model that includes pad contact adjustment. The new master cylinder design integrates the fluid reservoir directly into the body for a cleaner look. The Elixir CR caliper will include a rotatable banjo for tidier hose routing. Images by Speedplay Speedplay expands into the bottle cage market with the lightweight Nanogram. Images by Sidi Need some more color in your life? Sidi will offer the Genius 5 Pro Woman in this flowery scheme. The Genius 5 Pro Woman will also be fitted with Sidi's updated Millenium 3 sole.