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Tech News – January 29, 2004
Edited by John Stevenson
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Zero Gravity announces sub 100 gram road brake calipers
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The ultra-lightweight brakes formerly known as Cat Claws are now available direct from the manufacturer as Zero Gravity Brakes. In their latest incarnation, the CNC-machined, 7075 aluminium stoppers are claimed to weigh just 96g for a rear caliper and 98g for a front. A pair of Dura-Ace brake calipers, for comparison, weighs 314g.
Zero Gravity brakes achieve their trivial gram count by use of a CNC-machined caliper and incorporate a cam system that's claimed to provide better stopping power than conventional designs. Other new features of the 2004 version include: titanium hardware; fully machined pad holders; a redesigned spring for balanced arm movement ; and a titanium cable clamping bolt with more clamping surface area to prevent damage to the cable. Suggested retail is $323 per pair.
Two UCI-registered pro teams will be using Zero Gravity brakes this season; full details will be announced soon, according to the folks at Zero Gravity. Zero Gravity's website
A look at T-Mobile's Giants
Here's a quick look at the Giant machines the T-Mobile women's team will be riding this year. Taken at the recent T-Mobile training camp, Giant is supplying its carbon fibre monocoque frame to the T-Mobile women, just as with the eponymous German-based men's team, and like the men, the women are using Shimano Dura-Ace components.
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Through the carbs window
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Nutrition company First Endurance has announced Ultragen, a new recovery drink aimed at replacing the nutrients cyclists and other athletes use in training and racing.
First Endurance VP of research and development Robert Kunz claims that Ultragen is the only recovery product to fully address the thirty-minute "glycogen window of opportunity" that occurs immediately following exercise. "Exhausted muscles essentially open the door to nutrients right after exercise" says Kunz. "If nutrients are not absorbed quickly enough, however, this opportunity for maximum restoration is limited. Ultragen was developed with technologically advanced ingredients that are capable of being shuttled into exhausted muscles during the thirty-minute window."
Ultragen's ingredients include easily-absorbed low molecular weight proteins, carbohydrates and "clinically effective amounts of glutamine, BCAAs, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and electrolytes," according to Kunz.
See Like Lance
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The new M-Frame Armstrong signature model has been produced to commemorate Oakley's long relationship with five-time Tour de France winner, Lance Armstrong. Pictured here with the Hybrid Small Navy M-Frame in Oakley's exclusive O-Matter frame material & G30 Iridium lens (vented version) in the O-Co's unique Plutonite lens material, these cool 28 gram Lance shades will set you back over $200.
DMT shoes on new US feet
Gary Vasconi, president of Upland Sports Group told Cyclingnews that the company has just signed an exclusive partnership with Italian shoe manufacturer DMT (Diamant) to import and distribute its full line of cycling shoes in the US market. "We're very excited because this partnership with DMT will allow USG to provide our clients with the most technically advanced cycling shoes the market has to offer," he said.
Fassa Bortolo's Alessandro Petacchi rode his DMT shoes to 24 wins in 2003, and other DMT wearers include CSC's Tour de France stage winner Carlos Sastre, Cofidis classics man Nico Mattan, and Lotto's Axel Merckx.
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