Tech News – August 14, 2007 Edited by James Huang Got tech? Send press releases, news, and tech questions to the Cyclingnews tech desk. Sidi to introduce carbon fiber mountain bike soles for 2008 A new adjustable Heel Security System Photo ©: Sidi Sidi hasn't exactly been quick to jump on the carbon sole bandwagon, citing its view that hyper-rigid cycling shoes are ultimately uncomfortable over the long haul and don't provide an overall fit and feel befitting the legendary trademark. The Maser, Italy-based outfit finally launched a two-piece carbon sole just a few years ago, and only recently released a full-carbon version, making it just about the last major footwear company to enter that corner of the market. To be fair, Sidi's carbon road soles were quite late to the party but few have found much to complain about with them. Nevertheless, one couldn't help but notice the lack of attention paid to its MTB line, whose top-end SRS sole has soldiered on virtually unchanged for, well… a really long time (particularly if you count pre-SRS versions, which are essentially identical save for the replaceable tread). That's finally going to change for 2008 with the introduction of the Carbon SRS mountain bike sole. To be introduced on the new Dragon 2 Carbon SRS and Dominator 6 Carbon SRS models, the two-piece sole is somewhat analogous to Sidi's road-going Hi-Tech Carbon sole with a heel-to-toe carbon fiber insert bolted within a nylon frame. According to Sidi, this new design supplies better pedaling efficiency than the existing SRS version while retaining a appropriate amount of localized flex, blood circulation in the foot, and the overall comfort that riders typically expect from Sidi. As with standard SRS, tread inserts will be easily replaceable and compatible with toe spikes. The lighter and stiffer Carbon Composite Sole Photo ©: Sidi On the road side, models previously fitted with the original Hi-Tech Carbon sole will receive a new Carbon Composite Sole for 2008. The simpler one-piece design retains Sidi's selectively flexible design while increasing rigidity through its midsection, and is also claimed to be 65g lighter than Hi-Tech Carbon (110g lighter than the Millenium 2 sole). The Carbon Composite Sole is made from carbon fiber (likely of the short reinforcing variety) injected into a Nylon 12 matrix that Sidi says won't absorb water or lose its rigidity in hot or humid weather or as it ages. Other features introduced for 2008 include an adjustable version of Sidi's Heel Security System along with a newly ventilated and reflective heel cup. The adjustable HSS improves fit around the ankle as does the standard version but now allows for 6mm of independent adjustment on either side to further fine-tune the fit. Adjustable HSS will also be available as a retrofit item for 2007 model shoes. Colorado Premier Training to open low-speed wind tunnel in Ft. Collins, Colorado The United States' repertoire of low-speed wind tunnels is about to grow by one. Colorado Premier Training, based on Durango, CO, has announced that it will be opening its own low-speed wind tunnel testing facility in Fort Collins, CO. CPT's 'Position Optimization Coaching Services' will collect aerodynamic drag data, power output, and heart rate simultaneously in order to optimize body positions for time trial and triathlon events. According to CPT owner Steve Owens, the facility will be run by Mark Cote from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, whose impressive athlete and team resume includes 2007 Tour de France winner Alberto Contador (Discovery Channel), Carlos Sastre and other members of Team CSC, Liberty Seguros, and TIAA-CREF. "I feel privileged to work with CPT and know that we undoubtedly have the best tools to optimize the positions of countless cyclists and triathletes. I'm really excited about this opportunity," said Cote. CPT will open the wind tunnel to the public on Friday, August 24, 2007 and will begin formal testing appointments August 25th and 26th. Additional information is available at the CPT web site. Felt Bicycles adds to its management staff All of Felt's road models Photo ©: James Huang Sales must be going well at Southern California-based Felt Bicycles as it recently announced the addition of two management positions. "Super" Dave Koesel, former Western Regional Sales Manager, will now assume responsibilities as the company's new Road Brand Manager, while new hire Bryan Melton has taken over Koesel's old position. Koesel began his career in the Midwest as a long-time bicycle shop employee then transitioned to an independent sales rep and has been with Felt in both sales and sales management capacities for the past five years. According to Felt President Bill Duehring, "Our strongest candidate was already a member of our staff. Dave is a Cat 1 racer, passionate and extremely knowledgeable about the sport, coupled with his experience in sales and management made him an obvious choice. He will bring us an excellent perspective on what both consumers and our dealers are looking for. I have been impressed with Dave´s product knowledge from day one and know this is a great fit for such an important position within our company." Melton's path began on a similar note and was most recently a sales rep for Giant Bicycles in the Northwest. "I am excited to join the team at Felt," he said. "It started as soon as I walked into their headquarters in Irvine. There were engineers building frames in their prototype shop, product guys discussing specs for the upcoming line, creative working on their newest projects, and a few sales guys just getting back from their lunch ride. This is what it is all about." "This is a win/win for us." said Felt National Sales Manager John Georger, in describing the personnel moves. "We are thrilled to engage Dave´s strengths within our product development team and at the same time, to bring someone of Bryan´s talent and energy into our sales department. This fits with everything Felt does and stands for. We have always believed our greatest asset is our people, and with this move we further strengthen that core value." 2008 North American Handmade Bicycle Show promises to be biggest yet Next year's North American Handmade Bicycle Show Photo ©: James Huang Next year's North American Handmade Bicycle Show is scheduled to be held at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, February 8-10, 2008. Although the event is still over five months away, show founder and director Don Walker has indicated that the successful 2007 event may eventually be looked upon as just a building block. According to Walker, "We have sixty registered exhibitors so far, which is where we were at in December last year, and international interest is running way ahead of last year too. Having had very good media exposure in Britain, Germany and Italy, there have been a lot more enquiries from those nations, and we've had enquiries from Japan too." "For us, it is much more about what we are capable of doing, rather than what we may think we will sell the most of," says Joe Ingram of Independent Fabrication. "We love it at NAHBS; it's not only a great place to talk to customers and take orders, but it's a great opportunity to get inspired by what other frame builders are doing." Show founder and organizer Don Walker Photo ©: James Huang Since its inception, NAHBS has been open to both the public and industry where anyone was able to view firsthand some of the finest examples of bicycle craftsmanship currently available, as well as get unusually up close and personal with their often-legendary creators. For 2008, however, Walker will convert the show's opening day to a trade-only event; the immediately following Saturday and Sunday dates will remain open to the public. "We're primarily a consumer show, so this shouldn't be seen as a first step toward being a trade show, but we're also a meeting of the tribes in the handmade bicycle industry," said Walker. As another sign of the show's growing popularity, he added, "Our trade day merely recognizes the importance of the show as an opportunity for frame builders to meet one another, to spend quality time with dealer contacts, and to get into some depth with journalists. It's gotten so busy on the public days there isn't time for any of that." As in years past, NAHBS will offer sponsorship opportunities for companies that wish to target the show's typically well-to-do cycling attendees estimated to be over 10,000 this year. Sponsors will also receive inclusion in pre- and post-show NAHBS media materials, complimentary booth space, an unspecified number of complimentary tickets for entry, as well as ad space in the NAHBS program. Interested parties should contact Dave Hemming at 503-724-7120 or Paul Skilbeck at 415-346-8422 for more information regarding show sponsorship. Registration-related contact should be directed to Don Walker at 254-733-9014. Photography For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here Images by Sidi Sidi will finally introduce a carbon fiber mountain bike sole for 2008 on the new Dragon 2 Carbon SRS and Dominator 6 Carbon SRS models. A new adjustable Heel Security System combats heel lift and also provides a more customizable fit. Optional toe guards can be fitted to toe spike-compatible mountain bike shoes for a little extra protection. The lighter and stiffer Carbon Composite Sole will replace the original Hi-Tech Carbon sole for 2008. One of the benefactors of the Carbon Composite Sole is the triathlon-specific T2. Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com All of Felt's road models will now be the responsibility of Felt Bicycles' new Road Brand Manager, Dave Koesel. Next year's North American Handmade Bicycle Show promises to be even bigger and better than the last. The world's top builders should be on hand in Portland next February at NAHBS 2008. Ever wanted to have a face-to-face chat with Richard Sachs? NAHBS 2008 will be your chance. Dave Bohm's Bohemian Cycles Orange Crush was among the showstoppers on display. Show founder and organizer Don Walker is a framebuilder himself, specializing in track machines.