New Arrivals – December 13, 2006 Edited by James Huang Got Tech? Send press releases, news, and tech questions to the Cyclingnews tech-heads. Welcome to New Arrivals, a section showcasing the latest equipment that's landed on the Cyclingnews tech desk. Look out for reviews over the next few months when we've clocked up some saddle time with this stuff. Gary Fisher HiFi Pro Gary Fisher's new HiFi offers 120mm of wheel travel Photo ©: James Huang The new HiFi full-suspension platform is the first to utilize Gary Fisher's new Genesis 2.0 front-end geometry. The new system, co-developed with Keith Bontrager and Manitou, is based upon a custom-built Manitou suspension fork with a greater offset that Gary Fisher says retains the same high-speed and descending characteristics as its original Genesis geometry but with better low-speed traits. The new HiFi retains Gary Fisher's reliable modified single-pivot suspension layout providing 120mm of wheel travel, but now adds a Hi/Lo asymmetric swingarm, full cartridge bearing pivots, and carbon fiber seat stays for a claimed frame weight of just 2.3kg (5.1lb) including a Fox RP23 rear shock. Our small HiFi Pro test bike comes across the Cyclingnews tech desk with a virtual alphabet soup of components, including the 120mm travel Minute Super Air fork from Manitou, a Shimano LX/XT/XTR hybrid drivetrain, Avid's Juicy 7 disc brakes, and a smattering of Bontrager components including wheels, tires, and cockpit. Total weight for the complete bike, including Shimano M520 clipless pedals, is an impressive 12.02kg (26.50lb). Price: US$2799.99 Avid Juicy Ultimate disc brakes Avid's Juicy Ultimate is its new top XC offering Photo ©: James Huang Avid builds on the success of its popular Juicy line with the new lightweight Ultimate. The Ultimate features Avid's first one-piece forged Monobloc aluminum twin-piston caliper along with a new cast magnesium master cylinder body. The thin wall carbon fiber blade enjoys the same level of adjustability as on the old top-dog Juicy Carbon, but the Contact Point Adjustment is now varied with a 2.5mm allen wrench (or your Rock Shox rebound adjuster if your bike is so-equipped) in the interest of weight savings. The new G2 Clean Sweep rotor is now offered in a flyweight 140mm diameter (for rear use only); other options include the standard 160mm and moderately upsized 185mm models. Weight for our test model is 232g and 244g for the front and rear respectively, including master and slave cylinders, pads, and associated hardware. Rotors add 124g and 162g for the 160mm and 185mm sizes including bolts, and caliper adapters tack on 30-44g depending on application. Price: US$280 per wheel (with 140mm or 160mm rotor); US$285 per wheel (with 185mm rotor) Zipp Vuka Aero and Vuka Clip aero bars The Vuka Aero from Zipp uses a unique offset collet system Photo ©: James Huang Zipp's reputation for producing top-end (and top-priced) carbon products is certainly upheld with its new Vuka Aero and Vuka Clip. The Vuka Aero full aero bar features a unique offset collet system that allows not only length and width adjustment, but also +/- 2.5° of angular adjustment for any of the three extension styles offered while retaining a sleek profile. Surprisingly ergonomic handgrips incorporate integrated carbon fiber brake levers that, along with three-position carbon fiber armrests, help keep the weight of our Vuka Aero test bar down to 828g. As the name suggests, the Vuka Clip is a clip-on style aero bar with a more conventional machined aluminum body. Zipp utilizes a shot-peened finish for fatigue strength along with a "specially anodized" coating and stainless hardware for corrosion resistance. The Vuka Clip includes a similar, but non-offset, collet system to clamp the carbon fiber extensions which are offered in the same straight, ski, and chicane bends as on the Vuka Aero. Actual weight with straight extensions is 480g; swapping to ski bend extensions adds 8g. Price: US$1199.95 (Vuka Aero); US$150 plus US$130 (Vuka Clip body and extensions) Gore Alp-X Jacket Gore's Alp-X jacket is made from lightweight Paclite material Photo ©: Jonathan Devich Gore, famous for its revolutionary fabrics, is holding true to its wind and waterproof heritage with the Alp-X riding jacket. Newly designed for 2007, the Alp-X sports Gore's easily stowable "Paclite" version of the expedition proven Gore-Tex. Our Alp-X sample features a "comfort cut" with lengthened arms for full coverage when gripping the bars and a not-so-tight body for ease of movement. Fully taped seams and a waterproof front pocket zipper help keep the water out while a fold down flap in the back should prove handy for the truly miserable rainy days on the horizon. One notable feature of the new jacket is the easily regulated front ventilation flap. Velcro tabs help to reveal a mesh panel insert between zipper and shell that allows the rider to keep the jacket zipped yet increase airflow. Price: US$269.99 Hope Vision LED Uni lights Hope's Vision LED Uni houses a pair of high-power 5W Luxeon LED emitters. Photo ©: James Huang Hope has built its reputation on the strength of its hydraulic disc brakes and hubs, but it also produces a well thought-out line of headlights designed for all-out trail use. The Vision LED Uni shoehorns a pair of high-power 5W Luxeon LED emitters (that, combined, spit out a claimed 300 lumens) into a compact CNC-machined aluminum head. In keeping with Hope's modus operandi, the included universal handlebar and helmet mounts are both made of CNC-machined and anodized aluminum. A similarly Lilliputian Li-Ion soft battery pack attaches beneath the stem or drops into a jersey pocket and powers the lamp for 1:45 at full power, or up to 12:00+ at the lowest setting, and an intelligent charger replenishes the juice in just 3:00. Our test unit weighs just 252g in the on-bike configuration, and a marginally heavier 304g when helmet-mounted (with included extension cord). Price: US$290 Jimi wallets The Jimi wallet holds your bare essentials but won't melt from perspiration like your nice leather one. Photo ©: James Huang If you've hesitated to bring your premium Italian leather wallet on rides for fear of ruining the thing, or if your highbrow job leaves it just a little too swollen with cash to fit in your jersey pocket, you likely won't harbor the same trepidation with the molded plastic Jimi wallet from Mr. Smith. The minimalist clamshell design holds just the bare essentials (a couple of credit cards, ID, and some cash) and is offered in a rainbow of nine translucent colors. The included loop allows for wearing the thing around your neck, too, if you feel the need. Price: US$14.95 Photography For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com Gary Fisher's new HiFi offers 120mm of wheel travel yet weighs just over 2.3kg (5.1lb) for a small frame including shock. New Genesis 2.0 geometry features a custom-offset Manitou fork that is said to offer the same high-speed and descending abilities of the original Genesis Geometry but with better low-speed handling. Avid's Juicy Ultimate is its new top XC offering with a forged Monobloc caliper and cast magnesium lever body. The Vuka Aero from Zipp uses a unique offset collet system that provides length, width, and angular adjustment to the extensions. The Vuka Clip is a decidedly more economical aero offering from Zipp. Both the Vuka Aero and Vuka Clip are offered with your choice of three bends: straight, ski, or chicane. Images by Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us Gore's Alp-X jacket is made from lightweight Paclite material that is easier to stow than traditional Gore-Tex but offers the same level of protection. The Alp-X jacket includes a clever ventilation system. Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com Hope's Vision LED Uni houses a pair of high-power 5W Luxeon LED emitters. The Jimi wallet holds your bare essentials but won't melt from perspiration like your nice leather one.