Recently on Cyclingnews.com |
 Giro finale Photo ©: Bettini |
Tech update – December 15, 2002
Edited by Paul Mirtschin
Got tech? Send press releases, news, and tech questions to the Cyclingnews tech-heads.
Wheely good Campy gear
 |
Available now in limited quantities, Campagnolo has introduced its new Bora 2003 wheelset. Introduced at last months Tokyo Cycle Show, Campagnolo's new Bora wheels weigh in at only 1320grams per pair (without q.r.). Bora's 560g. radial spoked front wheel has 18 double butted black aero spokes, laced to a carbon hub body with a carbon tubular rim (50mm d.X 20mm w.)
Borrowing from the G3 spoke system from the Campagnolo Eurus, the Bora uses the G3 triple spoke system on the rear with 21 double butted black aero spokes laced to a carbon tubular rim and a carbon hub body with a trick, light alloy oversize driveside flange that keeps the weight down to 760g. Like all full-carbon rims, the Bora requires special compound brake pads (BR-RE701) to clamp the composite hoops down.
Trek acquires Villiger bike division
Trek Bicycles has just purchased the bicycle division of Villiger, a Swiss company known for its city, trekking and race bikes. This includes the Arrow, Diamant and Tigra brands, which are sold in Germany and Switzerland. Trek also acquired Villiger-Diamant's bicycle factory in Hartmannsdorf, Germany. The Villiger Group, who's main interest is in tobacco, acquired the bicycle division in 1980.
Villiger's bicycle division was estimated to have earned $39.8 million in 2001, but the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
2004 Dura-Ace goes all the way to eleven?
2002 hasn't finished yet, and already the rumour mill is in full swing about what the 2004 Dura-Ace range from Shimano will include. And the details, although purely speculative, are very interesting indeed.
How does an eleven speed rear sound? That's right, let's skip the whole ten speed thing completely. And with photos of Lance Armstrong's bike appearing to have a new shifter design on the bars, it could be on bikes already. The 11 speed rear is also rumoured to be backward compatible with recent nine speed STI shifters after a small replacement of internals.
So keep an eye out, and start counting gears if you happen to find yourself behind a sponsored rider such as Lance. If you can keep up that is.
What about the downhillers?
According to the very same rumour mill, Shimano has started shipping samples of the new XTX group to a few lucky riders. Designed as a parallel group to XTR, the XTX group is for downhill and "freeride" use, with all the extra strength that those riders need. This makes sense of course, with 2003 XTR being purely a cross country group this year.
Mavic Crossmax SL receives front hub modification
 |
Due to the discovery of a weak point on the hub flange, Mavic has chosen to modify its front Crossmax SL wheel. The unique hub, created by in-house engineers, is manufactured from two different materials. The weak point on the flanges was discovered after Mavic had started mass production and was traced back to inconsistent quality levels in the aluminium alloy used in the hub. Since the supplier couldn't guarantee the level of consistency required by Mavic, the decision was made to replace the hub with the standard Crossmax hub while they redesign the SL's hub. The standard Crossmax hub will add 30g to the wheels weight.
For more information visit www.mavic.com
PowerTap update
 |
Last week we reviewed the PowerTap power measurement system, and the good news for people thinking of buying one is that the price has dropped down to US$699 for the hub and the Link download software as opposed to US$770 plus US$200 for the Link kit as previously listed. There will also be a pro model released early in the new year.
Ride the 2003 Worlds Course
The Exerscape Location Shooting Crew recently visited Hamilton, Ontario to film the 2003 World Cycling Championship Courses. Using its high-quality Panasonic helmet-cam technology, they filmed the entire road, short and long time trial courses.
A short video preview of the course highlights may be downloaded from here while full length version will be available on two CD-ROMS or one VHS tape for $199. The expected release date is December 21, 2002.
The CD-ROMs will be compatible with IXR's variable rate video control and Exerlink hardware.
New Ritchey sponsorship deals
Ritchey heads into the 2003 season on a positive note with a fresh round of sponsorship deals. Ritchey will be sponsoring a number of road and mountainbike teams including Credit Agricole, Swisspower and Marin.
On the road, sponsored teams are:
- Credit Agricole
- Jean Delatour
- Lampre
- Gerlosteiner
- CCC Polstat
- Palmans Collstrop
Sponsored mountainbike teams are:
- Swisspower (XC)
- Lapierre (XC)
- Stevens (XC)
- Wheeler (4X/Dual)
- Marin (4X/Dual)
Ritchey also announced that Wheeler Germany will distribute Ritchey components in Germany. Ritchey will be involved in sponsoring the Wheeler GS2 road team Wiesenhof with the WCS line and the dual slalom team with the new Severe Condition line of products. Wheeler will be attending many races and bike festivals displaying some of the Ritchey components.
Recent techTour tech: Zipp's slippery
new wheel revealed |