Tech News – May 28, 2008 Edited by James Huang & Greg Johnson Got tech? Send press releases, news, and tech questions to the Cyclingnews tech desk. New carbon road cranksets from FSA FSA has launched a new titanium-spindled version Photo ©: James Huang FSA has debuted a new top-end road crankset offering to complement its existing K-Force Light. The new K-Force Light Titanium swaps the standard version's hollow steel spindle for one made of titanium, thus dropping 25g. Claimed weight including chainrings, hardware and included ceramic bearing bottom bracket is now just 635g. Other critical dimensions will carry over, meaning the new model will be available only in compact 110mm BCD (with either 34/50T or 38/52T chainrings) and 170, 172.5 or 175mm crankarm lengths. Each gram lost relative to the K-Force Light will cost US$4, though, bringing the total retail price of the new K-Force Light Titanium MegaExo to US$799.99. FSA also has a new crank for track riders, too. The aptly named Carbon Track model's integrated one-piece driveside arm and 144mm BCD spider presumably improves rigidity over the separate aluminum spider of the current Carbon Pro while also offering a cleaner look as well. Claimed weight is down to 649g when using the intended adjustable-chainline FSA Platinum Pro Track ISIS bottom bracket. CarbonSports to offer custom-painted Lightweight wheels Want custom-painted Lightweight wheels like Erik Zabel… Photo ©: CarbonSports GmbH CarbonSports' all-carbon Lightweight Standard wheels are among the finest road hoops we've ever sampled but their plain bare carbon fiber finish might be viewed as a bit too pedestrian by some. Those looking for a bit more style, though, can now opt for a custom finish direct from CarbonSports on any wheel in the lineup. According to CarbonSports North America CEO David Bell, the procedure starts with the customer providing the company with a specific idea of what they'd like to see… and that's about it. As long as the customer is comfortable with a bit of artistic interpretation, the finish is hand-applied and off you go. Not surprisingly, adding custom paint will make the already hyper-expensive Lightweights more expensive and even harder to get. The quoted premium is an additional 10% of the retail cost and current wait time is on the order of six weeks. Ah, the price of exclusivity. Eurobike Demo Day heads to the Alps A dealer puts a bike to the test Photo ©: Eurobike Eurobike has announced that this year's Demo Day will be held at the foot of the Alps in the Allgäu region. The new, larger test area in Argenbühl allows for an additional expansion of the exhibition grounds. The Demo Day will take place on Wednesday, September 3, before the trade show kicks off the following day and runs through to September 7. The Argenbühl site is roughly 35 minutes from the exhibition grounds by car and can cater for a large crowed than the 2007 venue. "The new location in Argenbühl meets the strong demand from Eurobike exhibitors for more space at Demo Day and the need for an improved infrastructure, particularly for the exhibition grounds," said Project Manager Stefan Reisinger. Eurobike held its first testing festival, based on Interbike's popular Demo Day concept, in the village of Eichenberg last year. Approximately 1,000 dealers and 300 journalists came to test ride the new bikes. Portland hosting Oregon Manifest handmade show By Gary Boulanger, Bikeradar.com US editor In a not-so-surprising move, the collective Portland, Oregon bike industry has announced the Oregon Manifest, its own handmade bike show scheduled for October 10 - 12. The event will coincide with a major cyclo-cross race. Portland is home to Rapha US, Chris King, Castelli USA, Vanilla Workshop, Ira Ryan Cycles, and Ahearne Cycles, to name just a few. Details about the Oregon Manifest are forthcoming; if the community response is anything like the one given for the North American Handmade Bicycle Show (NAHBS) that drew nearly 7,000 to Portland in February, organizers should be pleased. Don Walker, NAHBS organizer, has decided to move his show to a different city each year. Indianapolis, Indiana is the site for 2009. For more information, visit http://www.oregonmanifest.com. Clif Bar goes snack size Clif Bar now offers half-sized versions of its popular bars Photo ©: James Huang Clif Bar energy bars are a virtual staple among the active crowd yet their fairly generous size (and energy-dense composition) is apparently just a bit too much for some. Come April, the company will begin to offer roughly half-sized Clif Bar Mini bars in Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Brownie and Crunchy Peanut Butter flavors for those with smaller appetites. We've been lucky enough to snack on these at various events in the past and have always found them a better fit in jersey pockets, anyway. "Clif Bar Mini energy bars offer the great taste and nutrition that people have come to love and expect from Clif Bars, but in a portion size that delivers just the right amount of sustained energy for smaller tasks and adventures," said Clif Bar brand manager Carly Lutz. Pickup a CamelBak at the Giro Spectators attending this year's Giro d'Italia are being offered the chance to win prizes by hydration company CamelBak. The CamelBak-sponsored Saunier Duval-Scott riders will be throwing out their re-usable Podium Bottles for fans to keep, which can lead to bigger prize wins. Those lucky enough to score one of the bottles have the chance to win bigger prizes. Each bottle will be marked with details on how to enter. The promotion, titled Pick Up The Podium, will run at all three Grand Tours this year - the Giro, Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana. Wheeltags launches with Series One An example of Wheeltags argyle orange design, Photo ©: Wheeltags A new company based in Carmel, Indiana called Wheeltags has been launched, creating graphic designs for wheels, inspired by graffiti and the artists' stylized signatures, or 'tags'. The company encourages cyclists to put their own signatures on their bikes, Wheeltags has launched with 'Series One', a set of seven tags that vary in style, colour and design. "Everyone wants to be different, to speak out, to be heard; and adding bold graphics to a bike wheel is an easy, affordable way to do it," said Kevin Koval, Sales Director and one of the founding three members of Wheeltags. With flexibility to respond to comments/reviews from customers, a constant flow of new designs will be unveiled, and longer term product development plans include guest designers, limited edition Wheeltags, design contests, cycling apparel and a 'Series Two' for launch at Interbike 2008. Wheeltags were designed to be compatible with various wheel materials, rim depths and are flexible enough to conform to dimpled rims. The Wheeltags are sold in sets of six tags, which allow the cyclist to create two different types of application affects, as well as tremendous creative freedom across their bike. The installation of a set of tags on one wheel is no more time consuming than changing a flat and instructions are included with each Wheeltags set, as well as a small tool to help with the process. According to company spokesperson Jenna Vona, custom Wheeltags designs are also available and have already been created in a partnership with Roark Custom Titanium Bicycles, with other manufacturers already showing a keen interest in custom Wheeltags for their brands and sponsored athletes. "We also expect local and pro teams alike will be interested in the custom program as a way to drive sponsorship sales and create a consistent, uniform marketing message," she added. An online video of an installation is also available on the Wheeltags website. Weighing only two grams per tag (for the 38mm), cyclists concerned about additional weight can make educated application decisions accordingly. Sizes are based on minimum rim depth and an easy to read size chart is available on www.wheeltags.com to help riders select the correct size for their wheels, regardless of brand. Clinchers and tubulars alike can have Wheeltags applied to their rims. Wheeltags are available in 16mm and 38mm sizes, with a retail price of US$38 and $42 respectively. Series One can be purchased on the website and bicycle retail shops are encouraged to complete the wholesale application to carry the collection in stores. 60mm size and DISC designs will be available on July 1. Photography For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com FSA has launched a new titanium-spindled version of the standard K-Force Light road crankset (standard version pictured here). Images by CarbonSports GmbH Want custom-painted Lightweight wheels like Erik Zabel… …or Filippo Pozzato? You can treat yourself to this level of detail and personalization… …but it's going to cost you. Current upcharge from CarbonSports for custom paint is 10% of the retail price for the wheelset plus six weeks' wait. Stefan Wesemann's Collstrop teammate David Kopp had a set made for him, too. The custom-painted Lightweight wheels of the German national champion. Sparkasse is a German domestic team that undoubtedly rolls on the fanciest wheels in its peloton. Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com Clif Bar now offers half-sized versions of its popular bars for those with smaller appetites or riders who just don't want to chomp down a full-sized bar during a ride. Images by Wheeltags An example of Wheeltags argyle orange design, one of the first pattens the company will release. Images by Eurobike A dealer puts a bike to the test at last year's Demo Day.