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Tech News – May 2, 2003
Edited by Paul Mirtschin
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2004 Dura-Ace backward-compatility revealed
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The most common question about Shimano's 2004 equipment is "will the new 10-speed Dura-Ace fit on my existing 9-speed wheels?"
Well we can now answer that question. The huge influx of questions prompted Shimano Australia's Matt Bazzano to spill the beans to Cyclingnews, telling us that "The 10-speed cluster will fit on 9-speed wheels, but I can't tell you how… yet."
No offer of copious amounts of beer could sway Matt away from his hard-line stance; however, he did say that full information on how it all will work would be released in the coming weeks. Our guess is a slightly deeper lock-ring, possibly with the lowest gear sitting slightly closer to the hub. This, combined with the thinner spacing would easily fit the extra gear.
Hollow axles, ten speed, two-piece cranks? Whatever next? Tell us what you think.
Old-school saddles from Selle Italia
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You could be mistaken for thinking this was the May 2, 1923 issue of Tech News, but trust me, it isn't. Selle Italia has turned back the clock for inspiration in their latest saddle release; the Storika. Taking some calfskin, a handful of copper rivets, and the latest technology in titanium alloys and carbon fibre composites, Selle Italia has managed to design and build a saddle that reeks of the old days of cycling.
The carbon composite base, made from a mixture of Rylsan-nylon and carbon fibres, sits atop a titanium alloy rail to provide a cushioned shell without the need to insert foam padding. Naturally tanned calfskin panels are then riveted to the base with 28 copper rivets.
In today's age of personalising your bike, a saddle like this could do wonders for your café cred, and at 190 grams (claimed) it will not throw the weight out. Just do not get too upset if people "moo" at you.
Sweet and spicy Salsa frames
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Salsa has just released its latest batch of high-end Scandium frames, and with a frame for most areas of cycling, they should keep most people happy.
At the road end comes the Campeón road frame and fork. This Scandium frame, complete with carbon fibre seat-stays and fork, is claimed to give the responsiveness of aluminium, be lighter than titanium and give the ride of steel. Available sizes are 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60 and 62cm.
Cyclocross riders get the new Las Cruces. This Orange Sol coloured frame fits up to 700c x 38 tires, runs standard 130mm rear hub spacing, and comes in the same 50-62 cm sizes of the Campeón.
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For those who like to think dirty, Salsa has the Bandito hardtail and the 100mm travel Caballero full-suspension frames. Both black frames come with ISO disc mounts, will take a 2.4in rear tire, and take a standard 1.125in headset. The Caballero is designed for a 100mm fork while the Bandito is designed around an 80mm fork.
All the Salsa MTB frames come with the Salsa Flip-Lock seat collar, while road frames come with theSalsa Lip-Lock collar .
Litespeed's pocket rocket
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A few weeks ago we brought you news of Litespeed's new junior sized racer, the El Niño. Well now we can give you a shot of the pocket-rocket, thanks to former Saturn Pro Scott Fortner and his daughter Elle.
Alongside Elle, the El Niño looks huge, but that is mostly due to the 24" wheels and a frame designed for the 10 to 14 age group.
And her short-reach brake levers still look huge.
SRAM takes out its first big win
The folks at SRAM are happy, and rightly so, after Tyler Hamilton and Team CSC scored their first major win of the 2003 road season at the 89th Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Team CSC has been running on SRAM's R9 cassettes and PC-89R HollowPin chains all season, and with Liège-Bastogne-Liège considered one of the most difficult races on the World Cup circuit, durability of components is paramount.
Of the win, Hamilton said, "I'm still very shocked but extremely happy. I can't tell you how special it is to have this victory."
New forks from Marzocchi
Marzocchi is set to release a new downhill race-specific fork in 2004, the Bomber 888.
Kona Clark's Tracy Moseley and Fabien Barel are currently testing the 8-inch travel fork, based around the Bomber's valve technology, on their Kona Stab Primo downhill bikes, and according to team manager Russell Carty, they couldn't be happier with the performance.
"At the moment Tracy Moseley and Fabien Barel are the only two riders in the world to have these forks," Russell told Cyclingnews. "We have spent a week testing them in the south of France and our first impressions are very good! Tracy and Fabien should be using them in Big Bear for the first NORBA event later next month."
The fork uses a lower-leg casting similar to the Marzocchi Jnr-T fork, but with added tire clearance. The 20mm axle has a similar bolt-up design to Marzocchi's Shiver forks, as there is no need for the quick-release axle that is used on most of Marzocchi's other forks.
Dahon UK folding bike sales boosted by traffic tax
Dahon California, Inc., a leading manufacturer of folding bikes, has announced that UK sales have jumped more than 40 percent year-on-year since the implementation of the London congestion charge. The tax, implemented on February 17, 2003, charges motorists £5 for driving within London's CBD.
"The congestion charge was a bold move by the city of London and by almost all accounts, it's been a huge success," said Dr. David Hon. "Cycling has become faster and safer. We expect that a lot of other cities are watching London's example closely and will follow suit in the near future."
Mavic, adidas Cycling to merge
adidas-Salomon, owner of Mavic and adidas Cycling, is preparing to merge the two companies, forming Mavic-adidas Cycling to manage the group's road cycling and mountain biking activities in one operational unit. The new company will be responsible for the design, marketing, sales and distribution of all Mavic and adidas Cycling products.
One degree of separation
BOS Engineering, the company behind Nicolas Vouilloz' V-Process bikes, is to team up with Commencal, Anne-Caroline Chausson's sponsor. BOS Engineering will work with Commencal to develop Anne-Caroline Chausson's race bikes, including her as-yet-unseen downhill frame. BOS Engineering will also assist in future frame design work for Commencal.
Anne-Caro Chausson and Nico Vouilloz both raced for SUNN racing, a team headed by Max Commencal, now owner of Commencal bikes.
Peaty on Race Face
Race Face has announced the signing of current downhill World Cup champion, Steve Peat for the 2003-racing season. The 28 year old former X-Games gold medallist, and current defending UCI World Cup champion, will fit his Orange bikes with Race Face ISIS cranks, bottom brackets and chainrings.
"I'm stoked to have Peaty on the team," says Race Face's Marshall Rutman. "He's a super fast, smooth rider with incredible natural ability and a penchant for alcohol - what more could you ask for in a sponsored rider?"
Steve joins Tracey Mosley, Fabien Barel, Dustin Adams, Tara Llanes and Jared Rando, all running Race Face's North Shore DH cranks and Signature DH bottom brackets on the World Cup circuit.
Photos
- Side view of Salsa's cyclocross bike
- Salsa's Las-Curces frame, awaiting your parts
- Side-view of Salsa's hardtail XC rocket
- Just the frame; The Salsa Bandito
- If you like your bikes with bounce; the Caballero is for you
- The Caballero all built up
- Salsa for the road; The Salsa Campeon
- The Campeon also comes in red
- Selle Italia's Storika saddle
- Litespeed's El Niņo; as used by Elle Fortner
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