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Pro bikes, August 11, 2006
Trent Wilson's Jittery Joe's-Zero Gravity Louis Garneau Sonix 6.4
Getting Jittery with Louis GarneauBy Mark Zalewski
For 2006, Louis Garneau once again has covered the Jittery Joe's-Zero Gravity team from head-to-toe, including the very bikes they ride. And like 2005, most of the team are aboard the Pro-Team 6.2 frame, a carbon lugged, sloping carbon frame, while others are on the new Sonix 6.4 full monocoque frame. Cyclingnews got up close and personal with this year's version, specifically with Aussie Trent Wilson's Sonix 6.4, complete with the new Zero Gravity crankset. Jittery Joe's-Zero Gravity mechanic Brian Malloy explained to Cyclingnews the set-up for the team bikes. "Last year they rode the 6.2. This year some are still riding that bike which has not changed. Some are also riding the Sonix 6.4. This is a full monocoque frame where the 6.2 is lugged and the tubes are glued. The 6.4 also used less aluminum in the head tube and bottom bracket areas so it is a lighter frame. The 6.4 weighs 1020 grams (frame only) and the 6.2 is 1336g. They both use the HM Monocoque fork which is 376 grams." According to Louis Garneau, the frame's Exo-Nerv technology acts like an exoskeleton, providing support and protection from the outer skin of the frame. This should increase the stiffness without adding the extra weight of more carbon fibre. As far as the 'you can buy the very same bike at the local bike shop' goes, Malloy says, "All the bikes are stock geometry." And Louis is definitely a fan of the compact frame design. "The 6.4 is a slightly sloping frame where as the 6.2 is full compact. All the riders have two bikes each and are set up exactly the same." One particular aspect of the Jittery Joe's-Zero Gravity aspect that the team is really enjoying is the new prototype 0G-06 crankset. Unveiled at Interbike last year, the very light cranks unofficially tip the scales at 630 grams according to the company. Originally slated for a 2006 introduction, the production version of the crank is now expected to be available in early 2007. Trent Wilson is certainly a fan of his new ride. "Not only are the Louis Garneau Jittery Joe's bikes bright and look sensational, they are stiff and great for climbing, and handle like they're on rails on the downhills, as Hoppy and I have given them a full speed workout." And teammate Peter Hatton agrees. "It's obvious the people of Louis Garneau have put a lot of thought into this bike and it shows -- it is light, stiff and fast." The team uses transmission components from Shimano, which supplies derailleurs, brake/shift levers, chains and sprockets. Unusually, those are the only parts from the Big S. Zero Gravity also supplies its startlingly light brakes as well as the cranksets mentioned above, and with those components the team's mechanics must occasionally struggle to keep the smaller bikes at the UCI weight limit. Speedplay's Zero pedals won't be helping keep the weight up either, and Speedplay provides a special edition in Jittery Joe's team orange to match the frame, handlebar tape and the accents on the Cateye OS computer, also a special edition. Seatposts, handlebars and stems come from Profile Design. The team uses Profile's Lava OS bars and stems, in 7075 aluminium and the carbon fiber Elite Strada seatpost. Profile also supplies the team's bottle cages – in carbon, of course. The Profile seatpost supports a Selle San Marco Aspide saddle. Rolling gear comes from Cane Creek with more carbon in the Aros 38 clincher wheels. They're shod with Maxxis Courchevel tyres and Cane Creek also supplies the team's headsets. PhotosFor a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here Images by Mark Zalewski/Cyclingnews.com
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