Fi'zi:k's new Arione
Photo ©: James Huang
|
Fi'zi:k Arione K:1
Calling all fi'zi:k Arione devotees out there! If you've been pining
for an ultra-lightweight version to go along with your ultra-lightweight
bike, your prayers have been answered. The new Arione K:1 boasts
a one-piece carbon fiber shell that incorporates fi'zi:k's popular
Wing Flex technology and is covered from head to toe in a co-molded
clear Technogel coating that not only provides a modicum of comfort
but also protects the underlying material.
As the name suggests, the one-piece Mobius Braided C4 carbon fiber
rail system runs in a continuous loop around the front and rear
of the saddle for better reliability. Actual weight on our preproduction
test sample is a featherweight 152g.
MSRP: US$399.00
The classic women's-specific
Vitesse
Photo ©: James Huang
|
Fi'zi:k Vitesse HP
At the more sane end of the price spectrum lies fi'zi:k's re-designed
Vitesse HP women's-specific saddle. The new Vitesse offers a slighter,
wider, and flatter rear section than the existing version, and now
also boasts compatibility with the company's blin:k rear LED flasher
and seat bag.
Fi'zi:k's now-characteristic Wing Flex technology is added as well.
Our test sample wears a particularly fetching white and pink Microtex
cover and weighs 266g with titanium rails.
MSRP: US$99.99
Reynolds' new Attack wheelset
Photo ©: James Huang
|
Reynolds Attack clincher wheelset
Reynolds Cycling's new Attack is arguably among the best values
around for a carbon wheelset for 2007. Total weight for our test
pair is a fairly average 1520g (850g rear, 670g front) without skewers,
thanks to relatively heavy cartridge bearing hubs and standard DT
Competition spokes.
However, at just a reported 430g each, the relatively aero 32mm
deep all-carbon clincher rims are significantly lighter than an
aluminum equivalent, suggesting that the Attacks will feel lighter
than the scales would imply. Reynolds also includes a rather comprehensive
pack of accessories with the Attack, including rim strips, chromoly
skewers, valve extenders, spoke wrench, and carbon-specific Kool-Stop
brake pads.
MSRP: US$1200
The Fox F100X
Photo ©: James Huang
|
Fox F100X fork
Fox's terrain-sensing Terralogic technology carries on into 2007
with its F100X fork. The internals haven't changed much for the
new model year, but the wrapper is all-new. The chassis now includes
a fresh magnesium lower leg casting with a beefier, squared-off
arch reminiscent of the brawnier 36 and 40 series forks, and forward-facing
dropouts for better wheel security. An updated forged aluminum crown
offers more stanchion overlap to reduce flex, and everything is
covered in Fox's new love-it-or-hate-it matte ivory paint job. Weight
for our 100mm travel test fork is a respectable 1.73kg (3.81lbs)
with an uncut 265mm 1 1/8" steerer tube.
MSRP: US$775
Truvativ's Noir 3.3
Photo ©: James Huang
|
Truvativ Noir 3.3 Team + TNT crankset
Truvativ's Noir 3.3 Team + TNT mountain bike crankset features
a new fully integrated carbon fiber chainring spider that replaces
the separate aluminum spider from last year's Stylo Carbon. Unidirectional
carbon wraps around a full-length forged aluminum spine to produce
the company's lightest MTB crankset to date at 806g, including the
GXP bottom bracket. Chainrings now feature a Truvativ Nickel Teflon
(TNT) finish that is claimed to greatly enhance durability and reduce
friction.
The standard Noir MTB 3.3 crankset foregoes the TNT-coated chainrings,
dropping the suggested retail price by US$60.
MSRP: US$440
SRAM keeps your bike clean
Photo ©: James Huang
|
SRAM Pit Stop Ultimate Cleaning Kit
Just in time for Halloween, SRAM sent us its new Pit Stop Ultimate
Cleaning Kit so that we can dress up as a team mechanic cleaning
bikes after a muddy race.
SRAM's new kit includes a liter of Bike Cleaner, a 500ml bottle
of Bike Protectant, a big fat sponge, and a host of brushes all
housed in a handy snap-top plastic tub. Other new products in the
line include a brake cleaner compound as well as a dry chain lube.
MSRP: US$50
Velocity Wipes
Velocity Wipes' handy pre-soaked
fabric wipes
Photo ©: James Huang
|
Clearly we're not going to have any valid excuses for dirty bikes
at the Cyclingnews office these days! Also coming across the Tech
Desk this week are a couple of handy products from Velocity Wipes.
Its Frame & Rim Cleaner and Degreaser kits offer conveniently
packaged and pre-soaked fabric wipes that are intended to help keep
your bike clean and shiny. Both come in readily portable 'pop-up'
style containers, and so far the material seems well suited for
multiple uses. Each container includes thirty wipes.
MSRP: US$19.99-24.99
|
