EICMA 2004

Milan, Italy, September 17-20, 2004

La Bella Bici

The trade show season now moves to Milan, the renowned style capital of the world. With the World Championships in Verona just a week away, EICMA 2004 boasts record attendance and 665 brands on display as cycling in Italia reaches fever pitch. In the second part of our look at the Milano show, Tim Maloney is your host as we walk the floor. Part 1 is here.

Colnago Master Photo ©: Tim Maloney	Steel Is Real+Carbon=Master For 2005, Ernesto Colnago decided to update his legendary steel model Master Light with a B-Stay carbon fibre rear triangle. Master maintains it's star shaped cold drawn tubing and beautiful chrome lugs, with TIG welding now used on the seat lug to enable the carbon rear end to slot in.
Colnago C50 track Photo ©: Tim Maloney	C50 Track New for 2005, Colnago's C50 track has a larger, ovalized downtube in the new high-modulus carbon fibre introduced in the C50 family. The rear triangle has a B-Stay but no HP chainstays, which are also reinforced for the demands of velodrome racing. All new rear dropouts and a unique double seat collar complete the package for this oval track beauty.
Colnago C50 Crono Photo ©: Tim Maloney	C50 Crono Another new addition to the Colnago C50 family for 2005 is this speedy C50 Crono time trial / triathlon bike. As always, Ernesto paid a lot of attention to the details on this one; note the ovalized aero downtube and seattube that extends up into the seat collar and is further elaborated in the seatpost. Colnago offers the C50 Crono with a 1" steerer tube to cut down on frontal area.
Colnago C50 MTB Photo ©: Tim Maloney	Hardtail Carbon When Ernesto Colnago wasn't looking, we snuck backstage to get a few spy shots of other members of his C50 family. Here's a cool new C50 MTB; a super-light full carbon hardtail model that will be available in 2005 for either cantilever brakes (pictured) or disc brakes.
Colnago gets cross Photo ©: Tim Maloney	C50 Cross The Ridley X-Knight, below, was one of the very first carbon cyclo-cross bikes but it's now joined in the mud by Colnago's C50 Cross. Already being tested by Rabobank 'cross stars Sven Nijs and Richard Gronendaal, the C50 Cross is the newest member of the C50 family of five (Road-Track-Crono-MTB-Cross). After a season of race testing to refine this off-road dream bike, look for Colnago's C50 Cross at a cyclocross store near you.
Colnago President LdV Photo ©: Tim Maloney	Colnago Presdent LDV detail Here's a closer look at the interesting painting on Colnago's limited edition President model that pays homage to Leonardo Da Vinci. The Da Vinci Museum in Vinci, Italy has allowed Ernesto Colnago to replicate these designs originally made by Da VInci.
Ridley X-Knight Photo ©: Tim Maloney	Rare bird Ridley's X-Night is one of the few cyclocross bikes made in carbon fibre; already race-tested with a win in the 2004 Cross Worlds in France, this lightweight (reported 1.8kg frame/fork) offers cutting edge carbon for 'crossers.
Fizik's Saddle Pa:k Photo ©: Tim Maloney	Pack N'Go Saddle maker Fi'zi:k has a neat little pack system that avoids the hassle of velcro-strap attachments. The Saddle Pa:k, available in two sizes, attaches to Fi'zi:k's new Rondine saddle via a clip that inserts into a receiver in the back of the saddle. For now, Fi'zi:k's new Saddle Pa:k just works with the Rondine model, but other Fi'zi:k's will join the club soon, according to Fi'zi:k's Massimo Fregonese. Massimo also told Cyclingnews that Giro d'Italia winner Damiano Cunego would be coming to Interbike Las Vegas and would be at the Fi'zi:k stand there as well as other sponsors.
Fulcrum wheels Photo ©: Tim Maloney	Using Leverage The new Fulcrum line of wheels was officially introduced at EICMA. A flanker brand of Campagnolo, Fulcrum is creating wheels with the extensive know-how of Campagnolo, but pointed at a wider market. Pointed directly at market leader Mavic, it looks like, as Fulcrum has a three wheel range. Racing 1 is the top of the line, featuring a 26mm double wall aluminum rim with 16 front and 21 rear aero aluminum spokes, laced to oversized aluminum hubs with adjustable high precision bearings. Fulcrum Racing 1 is compatible with 10 speed and is offered in Silver & Black models as well as a version for tubulars. Claimed weight is 700g front and 870g rear (without quick release)
Assos Airjack 851 Photo ©: Tim Maloney	Assos Revamps Swiss cycling clothing firm Assos, generally considered the last word in bike wear, has a new version of its winter Airjack 851 jacket with an all new anatomic cut. According to Assos, the Airjack 851 jacket should be used for winter riding between 8 and 0 Celsius. Company spokesman Luigi Bergamo also showed Cyclingnews new Intermediate Evo and Element One jackets that are lighter and part of Assos's sophisticated Assos Layering System. The Airblock LL851 tights are also redesigned and have a comfortable Elastic Interface short insert.
Bianchi 928 Photo ©: Tim Maloney	Celeste Sky Bianchi's Sky Yaeger, one of the industry's most accomplished bicycle product managers (and practically the only woman in the bike spec biz), is excited about Bianchi's new 928 Carbon lugged frame. "928 has got Bianchi's unique UHM/HM hi-modulus carbon fibre frame with a special 3K Carbon Woven finish," she gushed. Bianchi's 928 will be available in the US in early 2005, the year when the venerable Italian name celebrates its 120th anniversary.
Limar's 2005 TT helmet Photo ©: Tim Maloney	Limar's time tested lid Piero Bionda was proud to tell Cyclingnews that "our new Crono 05 helmet has passed all international safety holomogations... we took the approach to create a legal TT helmet via our In-Mold process, but with this aerodynamic design." Limar's Crono 05 TT helmet also has a ProSystem 2 dial adjuster to fine tune the fit.
Pinarello Paris Photo ©: Tim Maloney	I love Paris in the Springtime That's what some bike owners will be saying when they take delivery of their new Pinarello Paris, re-introduced for 2005. A major trend at the EICMA show this year was hydroformed frame tubes from Dedaccai; a manufacturing process that allows cold working of the aluminum tubes under high-pressure water forced througn a mould. The results are some wild looking tubesets, as in the case of this decidedly unorthodox Paris, which also sports a M.O.st. BB.
Pinarello Montello Pista Photo ©: Tim Maloney	Cattivo! That means bad-ass in Italian and Pinarello's new Montello - shown here in its stripped down Pista form - was one of the coolest bikes at the EICMA Milano bicycle show. The all new aero shape of the carbon fibre monocoque frame provide better aerodynamics and more stiffness. A no-nonsense Campagnolo Pista group and Campagnolo Pista wheels complete the package.
Pinarello's M.O.st bottom bracket Photo ©: Tim Maloney	The BB with the M.O.st Here's a closer look at Pinarello's new M.O.st bottom bracket. A large diameter (55mm) bb shell encloses oversize cartridge bearings that provide more stiffness and less pedaling resistance via the use of larger, higher quality bearings. Unlike other brand-specific BB designs, M.O.st is compatible with Campagnolo, and Shimano cranks. Furnished with an ISIS spindle, to change over to another system just requires placing appropriate inserts in the shell.
Pinarello Dogma FP Photo ©: Tim Maloney	Orange Crush Fausto Pinarello has a new version of his mega machine in magnesium for 2005. The Dogma FP sports a new oversized bottom bracket called M.O.st that we spied last July on Alessandro Petacchi's Dogma at the Tour de France. Shown here with a cool orange, white and mirror finish paint job, Pinarello's Compact Full Carbon cranks, M.O.st carbon fibre stem and Charisma wheels, Dogma FP is a sure attention getting speed machine.
Selle Italia Signo Photo ©: Tim Maloney	Movable feast Selle Italia's new Signo saddle is based on a patented system that enables the saddle to move with the rider's weight, thus providing more comfort. Via its vanox steel and carbon composite rains, Signo mates to a pantented shock absorber system that dampens vibration. Signo is available in a Genuine Gel and Gel Flow (pictured) version.
Selle San Marco Rever Profil Photo ©: Tim Maloney	Rever Raves Initial reports say Selle San Marco's new Rever Profil saddle is exceptionally comfortable. The reported 210g. saddle isn't weighed down by the microchip that's imbedded for SSM's e-warranty system, and Rever Profil rests on special new Nanoflex stainless steel rails from Sandvik that provide a lightweight, strong platform.
Wilier Le Roi Photo ©: Tim Maloney	Wilier's New Wheel Wilier has a new carbon fibre top end model called "Le Roi"; a frame built with what the Rossano Veneto firm calls MMS (Multi Monocoque System), wherin each tube is built as a monocoque, which enables them to reduce the frame weight to a reported 950 grams without fork. Shown with World Cup paint scheme for current leader Davide Rebellin and Xentis wheels from Austria, as used by Jan Ullrich during this year's Tour de France.
Andrea Pinarello, Davide Cassani, and Fausto Pinarello Photo ©: Tim Maloney	Bike Bros Here's RAI-TV cycling color commentator Davide Cassani (center) in a Pinarello sandwich at the EICMA Milano bicycle show with Andrea (L) and Fausto Pinarello (R). Cassani is one of the best cycling broadcasters in the business and told Cyclingnews that he was looking forward to commentating on the upcoming World Championships in Verona. Cassani previews all the Giro d'Italia stages (aboard an Opera bike, made by Pinarello) and his comments are most revealing on the pre-race shows, but the former pro saves his competitve juices for running; Cassani is training for his fifth New York Marathon in November.
Two of the three de Rosa brothers Photo ©: Tim Maloney	Stylin' De Rosa Milano is the style capital of Italy and home town of Cristiano and Danilo De Rosa which is pretty obvious from their taste in suits. Here two of the three De Rosa brothers show off their stylish Merak model, intoduced in 2004 and the bicycle that set the trend for hydroformed tubes.

Photography

Images by Tim Maloney/cyclingnews.com

• Colnago Master - new meets old as Colnago's classic steel frame gets a carbon rear end
• Colnago C50 track sees Colnago expand the C50 range beyond straight road racing and into the velodrome
• Colnago C50 track rear triangle
• Colnago C50 track head tube
• Colnago C50 Crono - the time trial and triathlon version of the C50 for really go-faster types
• Colnago C50 Crono seat cluster - lots of careful detail work goes into the C50 range
• Colnago C50 MTB - the C50 family boats five members this year, including this new hardtail race MTB
• Colnago C50 MTB back end boasts curvy carbon members for clearance
• Colnago gets cross with the mud-plugging version of C50, as used by Rabobank off-roaders Sven Nijs and Richard Gronendaal
• Colnago President LdV - here's a closer look at the incredibly detailed paintwork on Ernesto Colnago's homage to an earlier Italian genius, Leonardo da Vinci.
• Ridley X-Knight - seen here in extreeeeme close-up - is one of a rare breed, carbon fiber cyclo-cross bikes.
• Fizik's Saddle Pa:k mounts on its Rondine saddle and causes more concern for members of the International Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Punctuation
• Fulcrum wheels are Campagnolo's bid for a bigger slice of the wheel pie
• Fulcrum rear hub has Fulcrum's two-to-one spoke ratio feature
• Assos Airjack 851 has a new anatomic cut for cool-weather riding
• Bianchi 928 - the celeste marque celebrates its 120th birthday with a new lugged carbon frame
• Binachi 928 head lug - very reminiscent of a Colnago C50
• Limar's 2005 TT helmet meets international safety standards and is therefore UCI legal.
• Pinarello Paris was one of the bikes in the vanguard of this year's big trend at EICMA, hydroformed tubes
• Hydroformed tubes by Dedaccai on the Pinarello Paris.
• Pinarello Montello Pista - Pinarello claims better aerodynamics and stiffness for its 2005 monocoque
• Pinarello Montello Pista in detail
• Pinarello's M.O.st bottom bracket fits the bearings direct to the frame and takes most common axles
• Pinarello Dogma FP - they're sure to see you coming so you better be going too fast for them!
• Selle Italia Signo is designed to move with the rider
• Selle San Marco Rever Profil uses new rails from Sandvik
• Wilier Le Roi as ridden by Italo-Argentine one-day star Davide rebellin
• Large-weave carbon on Wilier Le Roi
• Andrea Pinarello, Davide Cassani, and Fausto Pinarello - Cassani is a former pro turned TV commentator; Pinarello supplies the bikes he uses to preview Giro stages
• Two of the three de Rosa brothers - Cristiano and Danilo - with the Merak, the bike that started the Italian fluid-formed craze

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