Tech News – October 5, 2006 Edited by James Huang Got tech? Send press releases, news, and tech questions to the Cyclingnews tech desk. By James Huang Shimano American Corporation to distribute PRO brand in US Shimano's sales reps have a lot more SKUs to manage these days Photo ©: James Huang Yes, you read correctly.  Shimano American Corporation (SAC) will act as a distributor for a non-Shimano line of bicycle componentry and accessories… well, sort of.  Dutch company PRO is hardly a newcomer to the market having been around for nearly ten years; PRO is distributed in over 33 countries and it currently sponsors a number of ProTour teams, including Gerolsteiner, T-Mobile, and Rabobank.  The brand’s exposure in the US, however, has been virtually nonexistent but that is expected to change.  PRO recently became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shimano Benelux, and US retailers will now have access to select items through SAC beginning in the spring of 2007.  According to Shimano PR man Devin Walton, “The decision to begin distribution of the PRO brand in the US is driven by Shimano American’s continued commitment to provide sales service and product selection that meets the needs of all levels of customers and market trends.”   Indeed, the addition of PRO’s carbon fiber and aluminum handlebars, stems, headsets, saddles, seatposts, disc wheels, grips, and bar tape will allow SAC to offer a broader and more inclusive list of components to its dealers that are looking to complete custom bike builds.  More info: www.pro-bikegear.com Smith Optics vows continued support of IMBA for 2007 Smith and IMBA team up to get you a pair of these for free. Photo ©: Smith Optics Smith Optics raised US$27,000 for the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) in 2006 through a unique program designed to increase membership contributions in support of trail advocacy.  Participants in the program agreed to upgrade their membership status to the “Trailbuilder” or “Silver Saddle” level which carried corresponding annual dues of US$250 or US$500, respectively.  In exchange, members received a free pair of Smith eyewear from the company’s Performance range of optics.  Smith Optics and IMBA have pledged to renew the program for 2007, but the offer is only valid to the first 100 participants.  Even after that number has come and gone, though, IMBA would certainly welcome any members who wish to upgrade their status anyway as trail advocacy continues to be a pressing issue in many parts of the country.  After all, mountain bikes aren’t nearly as much fun to ride on pavement. More info: www.smithoptics.com SRAM enters pro cyclocross fray with Force componentry and neutral support SRAM's sponsored 'cross riders will be on Force components, Photo ©: James Huang It was just a matter of time before SRAM decided to jump into the increasingly popular cyclocross world with its new Force componentry group, and it looks as if the Chicago company is looking to “Make the Leap” in a big way.  SRAM will be the official Neutral Race Support sponsor for the 2006 US Gran Prix of Cyclocross (USGPCX) and will provide tech support for each UCI rated national series event on the calendar, beginning with the October 7 race in Gloucester, MA. If nothing else, SRAM’s sponsorship deal lends credence to the notion that cyclocross is becoming increasingly popular on this side of the pond.  Cyclocross is already incredibly popular across most of Europe but the North American racing scene has been somewhat slow to develop.  The momentum is building, though, and this is reflected in the increasing level of corporate involvement in the sport.  According to SRAM’s Global Marketing Communications Director, David Zimberoff, “This sponsorship is a statement on how completely we want to take on the road market and how confident we are in our componentry.  Cyclocross is an important part of our road evolution.” SRAM will also be making an impact with its new Force group on the other side of the fence with new sponsorship deals announced for a number of top North American CX racers, including current US National Champion Todd Wells (GT), ProTour contender Chris Horner (Specialized), World CX medalist Tim Johnson (Cannondale), and Cyclocrossworld.com racers Ben Jacques-Maynes and Lynne Bessette.  In addition to these standout individuals, SRAM Force components will also grace the bikes of the Kona/Easton CX, Velo Bella/Kona, and Giant Strawberry/Specialized cyclocross squads.  More info: www.sram.com   Team Maxxis stays orange but goes oval for 2006 Wow, that's a lot of orange! Photo ©: Booher Media Group Geoff Kabush will still pilot a bright orange ‘cross bike for the ’06 season, but now it will say “Van Dessel” on the down tube instead of Turner.  New bike sponsor Van Dessel Cycles will be providing Kabush and his Team Maxxis cyclocross teammates, Mathieu Toulouse, Melissa Thomas and Adam McGrath, with a fleet of its Gin and Trombones ‘cross frames for the 2006 cyclocross season.  The Gin and Trombones frame pairs a 7005 aluminum main frame with carbon fiber seatstays and fork for vibration damping.  According to Kabush, “The conditions at a 'cross race can be challenging and you need a bike that is going to be ready for those challenges.  You can tell that a 'cross bike like Van Dessel's Gin & Trombones has been designed by racers. It has the great mud clearance for nasty days, strength where you need it for stability and abuse, and a beautiful carbon rear end that allows you to keep it smooth on those dry, fast and bumpy days. All I need to do is show up at the race with my Van Dessel, put on some clothes, and check my tire pressure for the conditions." Not surprisingly, the team will run Maxxis’ cyclocross-specific rubber, including its new Raze all-conditions tire.  What is somewhat surprising, though, is the team’s decision to equip the entire fleet with Rotor’s elliptical Q-Rings.  Funny looking or not, non-round chainrings are clearly still continuing to pick up steam in the pro ranks.  According to Howie Cohen of Rotor USA, “Team Maxxis is the perfect complement to Rotor’s dedication to the sport of cyclocross, and gives us a strong presence at the very highest level in domestic cyclocross racing.  Rotor USA’s partnership with the Maxxis CX Team is due to the professionalism, enthusiasm and commitment of the Maxxis riders to Q-Rings. Members and management of the Team did extensive testing and were clearly able to measure the benefits of the Q-Ring ovalized design.”  More info: www.teammaxxis.com, www.rotorusa.com