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Tech News – February 11, 2004Edited by John Stevenson Got tech? Send press releases, news, and tech questions to the Cyclingnews tech-heads.
Cannondale's carbon/aluminium bike officialAt the Saeco training camp in Italy over the weekend, Cannondale officially launched the carbon fibre and aluminium bike that Saeco will campaign this year, as the red coffee machine team aims to defend Gilberto Simoni's Giro title and make more of an impact at the Tour de france this year than last.
Dubbed the six13, for the atomic numbers of carbon and aluminium respectively, the new bike is constructed from custom carbon fiber tubes bridging welded aluminium lugs and the bare frame is claimed to weigh 1,150 grams. Now, slipping carbon fiber tubes into metal lugs isn't exactly a new notion, as some readers pointed out when we looked at the prototype six13s Saeco were riding at last year's Tour, but Cannondale claims to have come up with some finessing of the idea that gives real advantages.
For starters, the tubes are formed in place within the lugs, so there's a mechanical interface between the two, and the joint isn't just relying on adhesive to hold it together. Terrific as modern glues are, you do now and then hear of bonded frames failing at the joints. Cannondale also claims that this makes for a stiffer joint and therefore a stiffer frame. Cannondale describes its carbon fiber tubes as 'braided' rather than woven, and claims this allows customization of tube shapes and variable wall thicknesses. Perhaps the biggest advantage of this construction, though, is that Cannondale plans to offer 12 different frame sizes when the six13 becomes available in April. That's a respectable range, and should allow most riders to get a decent fit, addressing the most common complaint about composite bikes that the restricted range of frame sizes makes precise fitting difficult. PhotographyImages by Tim Maloney/Cyclingnews
Trelock gets ImperialHere at Cyclingnews, we're fond of kilometres. They're the measuring unit of choice for all the great European races, and we like the way they add up quicker than miles when you're rolling down the road. But we understand some folks are attached to good old miles, or live in countries where everyone else steadfastly refuses to get with the program and join the 21st century. Feet and inches got us to the moon, they say, and who are we to argue? For Imperial measurement die-hards, then, German manufacturer Trelock, known for its near-impregnable U-locks, has introduced versions of its FC 701 and FC 901 computers with easy-to-read 'analogue' dial displays in miles per hour. The FC 701 is a full-function device with wired sensor while the FC 901 is wireless and has a temperature function, though Trelock's announcement doesn't mention if it's Celsius or Fahrenheit.
Titanium pump from BarbieriAs if its previous carbon fiber pump wasn't entertaining enough, Italian manufacturer Barbieri is now offering a titanium-bodied mini-pump, the TitanOne. At just US$36.95, it's one of the cheaper titanium accessories we've seen. Just the thing if your bike is already titanium-everything. Distributed in the US by Euromedia group. USA Cycling's sponsors renewAs well as high-profile supporters such as women's team sponsor T-Mobile and its bike supplier Giant, US national governing body USA Cycling relies on many other companies in the bike biz to keep its riders rolling. Three of them - Park Tool, Excel Sports and Pedro's, - have recently renewed their sponsorship deals with the federations. Park Tool will continue to supply USAC teams and mechanics with bicycle tools and stands, and clothing for its mechanics program. Park has been working with USAC since the early 1990s. Excel Sports makes sure USAC teams and mechanics have supplies of parts other sponsors don't cover, such as handle bar tape and brake cables, and has been looking after USAC since 1996. Lubricants and pumps sponsor Pedro's is in the second year of a two-year deal to support USAC.
Catlike relaxesSpanish helmet maker Catlike will supply lids to the Belgian/Spanish TT1 Relax Bodysol team this season. The catlike Relax Bodysol team edition is available now in green, with or without team stickers. |
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