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Tech News – April 17, 2003
Edited by Paul Mirtschin
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2004 Dura-Ace Shifters
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When it comes to next years bike components, almost any news is good news for the manufacturer. Or so it seems with Shimano, as they are now in full information release mode for next years Dura Ace group. Last week we brought you the information and images on their new crank design, and Cyclingnews has just recieved the latest CAD images of the new Dura Ace brake/shifter levers.
Although the levers look similar to last years, the entire assembly has undergone a complete redesign. On the exterior, Shimano has tweaked the ergonomics of the levers to reduce any discomfort that may be encountered after a long ride on the hoods. The angle between the hood and the handlebar has been reduced, increasing hand comfort and reducing stress points.
The circumference of the hood has also been reduced 5mm, making the shifters suitable for more hand sizes and offering a better grip. The arc of the shifter travel has been changed to follow a more natural direction of the finger movement.
The internals have also been completely changed to add the extra gear, as well as to increase the reliability of the levers. The pivot location has also been modified to improve access to the shift lever.
SRAM explodes at Sea Otter
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With two new mountain bike groups set to hit the shops in the coming months, SRAM showed off the new gear at the Sea Otter Classic, an event sponsored by SRAM.
As well as all the new X-7 and X-9 gear, SRAM had on display the mock-ups and prototypes that were used in the development of the new shifters, showing the crowd just what is involved in producing a new product. Everything from the original foam mock-up to the parts used in the final shifter were on display.
SRAM's new X-7 and X-9 shifting systems were both on show, as was the X-0 group that was released last year. The X-7 and X-9 derailleurs are both based heavily on the forged aluminium, titanium and reinforced carbon composite X-0 derailleur, sharing the same design but using aluminium and pressed steel in place of the titanium and carbon composite.
However the crowd pleased was the new "Impulse Technology" trigger shifters, putting trigger shifting in reach of the ESP system users. The new trigger shifters, as mentioned over the last few weeks, are different from their competition, with both triggers activated using only your thumb, allowing your fingers to do the other important stuff, like grabbing the brakes and holding on for your life. The shifters will also be available in SRAM's Rocket range, using the Shimano compatable 1:2 cable ratio.
Cyclingnews has been clocking up the kilometres on the new X-7 shifters and derailleur, so stay tuned to find out just how well the new system works.
2004 bikes from Litespeed and Merlin
Litespeed adds freeride and junior road bikes for next year
Litespeed has announced the addition of two new bikes to its stable for 2004, the Niota Ti and the El Niño
The Niota Ti is a full-suspension titanium mountain bike; with up to 5 inches of tunable travel, both front and rear. The frame's front triangle is constructed of 6Al / 4V titanium tubing, while the rear is made from 3Al-2.5V titanium. The suspension system uses a modified 4-bar linkage suspension to operate the new Fox Float R with ProPedal technology and the bike will be offered in with either Shimano or SRAM componentry
Litespeed's El Niño is a lightweight, titanium bicycle for junior racers in the 10 to 14 age group.
Manufactured from 3Al / 2.5V titanium tubing and using a 24" wheel size, this bike is designed to provide juniors with a bike geometry perfectly suited to their racing needs.
The frame's smaller cockpit provides optimal pedaling and steering positioning for the junior riders, while the use of shorter cranks and shorter-reach brake levers means fewer problems with smaller arms and legs having to over-extend.
The El Niño will be available in two sizes to fit a wider range of junior cyclists.
Merlin to release women's-specific bike in 2004
Merlin will also release a new titanium bike, the women's-specific Camena.
The Camena uses Merlin's MTS 3Al-2.5V titanium tubing to make a frame that features a shorter top tube and women's specific componentry to provide a smaller cockpit for female riders.
The smaller frame sizes will utilize 650c wheels to avoid compromises in geometry when building smaller frames, while the larger sizes will use 700c wheels. All frames will feature Merlin's signature engravings for an added touch of artistic flair.
Frame geometry for the Camena:
Size C-C C-C (virtual) TT (virtual) Head Angle Seat Angle Wheel Size XS 40 44.5 49 72.0 74.5 650c S 42 48 51.5 72.0 74.0 650c M 44 51.5 52.5 72.5 74.0 700c L 46 55 54.5 73.0 73.5 700c XL 48 57 55.5 73.0 73.0 700c
Three more on Speedplay Zeros
Speedplay has announced that three more professional teams will be equipping their bikes with Speedplay Zero pedals for this season. Colchón Relax-Fuenlabrada, Flanders-iteamNova.com and TeamEnduraSport.com will be using the Speedplay Zero.
The Speedplay Zero is a light-weight, dual-sided clipless pedal that allows a rider to choose either a fixed foot position or up to 15 degrees of micro-adjustable float, and is the first American-made pedal system to be raced in the Tour de France.
Ritchey buys Syncros
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Ritchey Logic has announced that they will be taking over the Syncros brand from Pacific Cycles, and moving it back to its home in Vancouver, British Columbia, to spearhead its freeride and downhill component range.
Cyclingnews spoke to Ritchey marketing manager Jed Spangler, who said "It is early days in the deal, the ink isn't even dry yet. We are unsure when and where the factory will be set up, but should know in the next few weeks".
While well known for its lightweight cross-country and road components, Ritchey's range of downhill and freeride components, such as their Severe Conditions line and the Disc OCR Pro 20 front hub, were not quite as well known. Syncros on the other hand was well known as a dependable component group until its takeover by GT, then Pacific Cycles. At that point, it was used as a home-brand for GT, with Pacific forgetting to re-register the trademark at one point.
"We expect to have OEM components ready for the 2004 season, and will have retail products after that," said Spangler. "The company will have its own staff and designers, it won't be Ritchey products rebadged as Syncros."
It is unknown at this time if Syncros product destroyer Brutus will be making the move to Vancouver.
PowerCrank price drop
PowerCranks has anounced that it will be dropping the price of it's basic and adjustable PowerCranks as it sees increased sales. The basic PowerCranks are now only $690 and the adjustable PowerCranks are now only $835.
Amateur Todd Herriot, a PowerCranks rider, has tasted success having a win in the Vuelta Ciclística a Cuba, the first American to ever win this race. This win was apparently what it took to achieve a major goal of Todd's, as he just announced he has turned pro.
"I have FINALLY gotten a break. I am turning professional with Gord Fraser's Healthnet cycling team based in California. Amen for those cranks. Mine is a story that many might find hard to believe. Proof that hard work and dedication CAN sometimes pay off."
Other PowerCranks riders who have tasted success recently have been Johan Museeuw in the Omloop Het Volk and Paolo Bettini, who won the 30th Tour Méditerranéen and then the Milan-San Remo, taking over the UCI #1 ranking for a short time.
World Champion on Rotor
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Rotor has just let us know that World, European and Dutch Winter-triathlon Champion Marianne Vlasveld will be using Rotor Cranks this year.
Vlasveld, who just won the Winter-triathlon World Cup, will be using the Rotor cranks on her titanium Koba mountainbike as well as her road bike.
Photos
- The X-0 Grip Shift
- The X-7 derailleur after a ride or three
- The X-7 and X-9 derailleurs
- A new X-7 shifter, ready for use
- Shiny silver; the X-9 shifter
- Everything that makes up the shifter, and the design mock-ups as well
- Greg Herbold explains; "nothing up my sleeve"
- A pretty red X-7 shifter
- The X-9 derailleur fitted and ready
- You can see the influence
- All nice and shiny; the X-0 derailleur
- An angled view of the Dura Ace levers
- From the front; notice any changes?
- The side view shows the slight positional changes to the lever
- World Winter-triathlon Champion, Marianne Vlasveld
- Rider name 16 what's happening 16
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