Tech News – June 20, 2008 Edited by James Huang Got tech? Send press releases, news, and tech questions to the Cyclingnews tech desk. Museeuw signs Ghent development deal Museeuw Bikes has partners with the University of Ghent in Belgium to further develop its fiber composite technology. The aim of Museeuw's five year agreement with the Faculty of Engineering will be to develop new designs, materials advances and application technologies which will ultimately be used in Museeuw's range. "This is a wonderful new horizon for us at Musseuw Bikes," said Musseuw sales and marketing director Fangio Reybrouck. "The University of Ghent has a reputation that is second to none in the field and it's an honour that they think our vision is exciting and want to work with us for the next five years." The department will explore the opportunities of using natural fibers combined with the use of injected resins in bicycle manufacturing process. The project will be overseen by Professor Joris Degrieck and Professor Kirchens. The agreement has come about following an upsurge in interest of composite technologies within the cycling industry over the past 18 months, according to Museeuw Bikes. The partnership, which commences in 2009, will also expand its materials knowledge to the production of other natural fibre composite items, beginning with wind turbine blades. Museeuw Bikes next release will be its all-new 20 percent flax/80 percent carbon machine the MC7. The bike is due to be released at the end of June. "The success of the MF range has been outstanding and the new MC7 machines are going to bring the benefits of flax composite technology to many more people," said Reybrouck. "We've designed the bikes to use the shock damping qualities of flax in crucial areas of the bike at a new, competitive price point for the customer." Super Cheap hits Aussie bike market By Greg Johnson Australian retailer Super Cheap Auto Group Limited is set to enter the Australian bicycling retail industry after acquiring Goldcross Cycles Pty Ltd. The listed automotive parts retailer plans on applying its successful retail strategy from the automotive and, more recently, fishing, industries to the cycling sector. Super Cheap Auto Group managing director Peter Birtles said factors such as "pubic policy, environmental concerns and demographic changes" have promoted the group's mutli-million dollar expansion into cycling. In addition to its full AUS$6 million acquisition of Goldcross Cycles, said to be Australia's largest privately held cycling retail chain, SCAG has purchased a 50 percent, or $1.4 million, stake in importer Australian Bicycles Pty Ltd. "We have built our organisation to be able to support expansion into new retail categories and we have the necessary systems, supply chain infrastructure and merchandising capability to grow a successful national network," said Birtles. Australian Bicycles own the exclusive rights to distribute the Fuji, SE and Kestrel brands in the Australian market. Australian Bicycles will continue to be managed by David Hall, the former owner of Goldcross Cycles, who retains ownership of the balance of the shares. "David Hall has built a strong business and we are delighted to have the opportunity to continue to work with David who will become a key supplier," added Birtles. "We will look to develop a deeper understanding of the business over the next few months before commencing a store rollout program." The acquisition stage of Super Cheap's entry into the bicycle market, including performance bonuses and assumed debt, is around $15 million AUD. The non-franchise retailer, whose automotive chain has grown to 212 outlets in Australia and New Zealand, has a market captialisation of $280 million. "I am very pleased to be moving forward in a partnership with the Super Cheap Auto Group," said Hall. "We have been discussing this opportunity over the past 18 months and I am confident that there is a good cultural fit between the two organisations. We share the same vision of a national chain of category killer bike stores offering the widest range in convenient locations." The purchase agreement of Australian Bicycles includes an option for SCAG to acquire the remaining 50 percent from Hall. Reynolds expands wheel insurance plan worldwide By Bikeradar.com Reynolds Cycling is expanding its Reynolds Assurance Program worldwide, whereby owners of Reynolds wheels can buy a little more piece of mind. Any set of 2008 Reynolds wheels will be eligible for the program. Once enrolled, no matter what the cause (as long as the wheels were being used in their intended fashion), Reynolds will repair or replace the damaged wheel as determined by the Reynolds customer service department. According to Jonathan Geran, director of sales and marketing for Reynolds Cycling, enrollment cost is US$200 per set of wheels. "Once enrolled the wheels are covered for a three year period," he said. "Only authorized Reynolds dealers are eligible to sell the program; enrollment must be completed within 15 day of purchase of the wheels. Once enrolled, program is valid for the original purchaser only and is non-transferable." Reynolds Cycling is a division of MacLean Quality Composites. For more information, visit www.reynoldscycling.com. Malvern Star to launch Oppy range Australian great, Phil Anderson is an ambassador Photo ©: Malvern Star Australia's Malvern Star is readying to launch a new range of road bikes next month, to be known as the Oppy series. The bike has been developed with the assistance of Australian cycling legend Phil Anderson and is named after another, Sir Hubert Opperman OBE. Opperman claimed a number of big victories in Europe which earnt him the l'Auto's Most Popular Sportsman award in 1928. One of Opperman's most famous wins came in 1931 when he won the non-stop Paris-Brest-Paris Tour in record time, but it was back at home in Melbourne, Australia where his career had kicked off some 10 years earlier. Then, at just 17 years of age, Opperman won a race, with the prize a new bike from Malvern Star Cycles. The Malvern Star Oppy will feature a carbon fibre frame, 10 speed Shimano Dura-Ace all round driving Mavic Ksyrium SL Premium wheels while the cockpit is fitted with an FSA OS-150 Stem with carbon face place and FSA Carbon Pro Bar. The bike is due for retail release in Australia during the first week of July. EFS add grape, fruit punch flavour EFS has a new flavor. Photo ©: EFS First Endurance has launched two new flavours in its EFS during-exercise drink mix range. The new flavours, fruit punch and grape, became available on June 1 and are available in containers of 25 servings. "EFS contains an ideal blend of Glutamine, Branched Chain Amino Acids, high-glycemic complex carbohydrates, simple carbohydrates, antioxidants and electrolytes to provide endurance athletes the nutrients they need to fuel working muscles and increase endurance during exercise and prevent cramping and dehydration" said Robert Kunz, Sr. VP of Research and Development at First Endurance. Like the existing Tangerine flavor of EFS, the new Grape flavor was formulated to be low in sweetness. The formula allows it to be mixed at double-strength in order to provide twice the calories and nutrients without being too sweet and is available for $21.95. Walker opening new store soon Don Walker is opening his new store in just a week’s time. Photo ©: James Huang Don Walker, the founder and director of the North American Handmade Bicycle Show (NAHBS) is set to open his new store, Speedway Handmade Bicycle Workson June 28. In a departure from tradition, of other custom frame builders, Walker will not only sell his frames exclusively. Apart from his own lugged and fillet brazed steel and titanium frames, Walker's new store will offer frames from Lynskey (titanium and steel), Independent Fabrication (steel or titanium), Roland Della Santa (lugged steel), and still being finalized are arrangements with Crumpton and Parlee (carbon fiber), and Rock Lobster (aluminum). "I really want to have all the materials bases covered, so to speak," Walker explained. "I want to offer the customer a chance to choose for themselves what material they desire, and by having some of the best builders on planet Earth available, in one place. They can feel confident in their choice. "I am very excited to put down roots in Speedway, where I can be near the Major Taylor Velodrome - as track racing has played a large part in my life, and my kids are now starting to ride the track. Through this store I am looking forward to providing top-notch services here in the midwest," says Walker. The concept of this new boutique style retail business is to provide full service to meet the exacting standards of high-end cycling customers in the region. The front end of the business comprises a bike fit studio, a retail store, and a mechanic's workshop. Walker intends to incorporate some good old fashioned hospitality into the store too. "I have purchased an espresso/cappuccino machine, and I will purchase a dozen bagels every morning. People are welcome to stop by for coffee and bagels any day," he said. The theme of customer hospitality is continued with a sofa and television setup, where waiting customers may entertain themselves watching television or a range of cycling videos. The opening of Speedway Handmade Bicycle Works is a public event, and all are welcome on June 28th, from 1 p.m. The store is located on Main Street, Speedway, just two blocks north of Zipp. BH releases new cross bike The all new Carbon Cross from BH. Photo ©: BH bikes Spanish bicycle manufacturer BH has released details of it's new all carbon cyclo-cross specific machine, the Carbon Cross. The Carbon Cross boasts an impressively light 1100 gram frame weight and comes with a carbon fork with a full-carbon steerer tube. The high modulus monocoque frame features top mounted cable stops for easy portaging over race barriers. The Carbon Cross was designed with AG2R rider John Gadret in mind. Gadret is the team's climbing phenomenon, but also has been on the podium of the French cyclo-cross championships 10 years in a row. He has won the French cyclo-cross title three times. BH USA will begin shipping the Carbon Cross to retailers in July. It will be available as a complete bike with Ultegra SL, FSA and Mavic components for US$3,150 or as a frameset for US$2,199 including a life time warranty. Photography For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here Images by BH bikes The all new Carbon Cross from BH. Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com Don Walker is opening his new store in just a week’s time. much like the DA time trial/triathlon and TK track frames that came before it. Images by EFS EFS has a new flavor. Images by Malvern Star Malvern Star is set to release the Oppy in July. Australian great, Phil Anderson is an ambassador for the new range of bikes.