New Arrivals – August 13, 2007 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. Shimano Ultegra SL group The new Ultegra SL group Photo ©: James Huang We told you about Shimano's promising new lighter-weight Ultegra SL group back in June, but now we will soon be able to give you our own firsthand impressions. Ultegra SL is intended to fulfill a new intermediate position in the line by offering near-Dura-Ace performance and weight while retaining the value of Ultegra. The complete Ultegra SL group shaves nearly 100g from standard Ultegra via new cranksets with machined-from-billet steel spindles, lighter bottom bracket cups, and alloy hardware, a new rear derailleur, new brake calipers, and new Dual Control levers which feature a higher alloy content. Ultegra SL also offers a proper compact chainring option for the first time. New PD-6620 SPD-SL pedals are upgraded to the new wider platform design of the current Dura-Ace model. All components will be offered in an optional 'Ice Grey' anodized finish, which will likely be the more popular choice relative to the standard silver. A new WH-6600 clincher wheelset accompanies the new group with many of the same features as on the top-end Dura-Ace WH-7801 model but at a much more reasonable asking price. WH-6600 incorporates 24mm-deep 6061 rims (instead of scandium) with an offset rear spoke bed, 16f/20r bladed and butted spokes, and oversized aluminum axles. The new aluminum freehub body also includes the new faster-engaging internal pawl arrangement introduced with Dura-Ace and XTR. Sadly, however, the new Ultegra SL wheelset will not be compatible with Hutchinson's outstanding new Road Tubeless system. FSA SL-K Light road crankset The FSA K-Force Light now has a little brother Photo ©: James Huang Full Speed Ahead grows its collection of hollow-molded carbon cranksets with the addition of the new SL-K Light. Like the more expensive K-Force Light introduced last year, the SL-K Light features nothing but air inside its newly oversized monocoque arms which reportedly shed 120g per set relative to the standard SL-K. As expected, FSA has also fitted the spindle of the new crankset with its updated tapered spline for a more secure attachment relative to the non-tapered first generation. In contrast to the top-end K-Force Light, however, FSA uses a mix of short unidirectional carbon fiber strand and glass fiber to reduce cost on the SL-K Light. Standard stainless steel cartridge bearings are also used instead of hybrid ceramic units. Included chainrings are FSA's usual CNC-machined 7075 aluminum units fitted with alloy Torx T-30 bolts. FSA will offer the SL-K Light in both standard and compact versions in 170mm, 172.5mm, and 175mm arm lengths. Actual weight on our 172.5mm compact tester is 648g; the accompanying second generation MegaExo bottom bracket adds another 102g. Price: US$449.99 Spiuk Nexion and Zirion helmets Just because you haven't won anything Photo ©: James Huang Have you wondered what helmets Alejandro Valverde and Vladimir Karpets wore on the Caisse d'Epargne team last year? They were supplied by Spanish compatriot Spiuk, an up-and-coming accessory and apparel company now looking to gain a foothold in the US. The Nexion is Spiuk's top-of-the-line offering with a co-molded shell, twenty-five vents, and the company's Compactfix retention system. The generous interior padding system is formed as a single piece for easier handling and places nylon mesh over the vents to guard against insects. Spiuk offers the Nexion in a single one-size-fits-all shell but with a rainbow of fourteen color options, including Caisse d'Epargne team replica and World Champion models. Several models also include a removable visor. Actual weight on our tester is 318g. The Zirion is intended to offer much of the performance of the Nexion but at a lower price, and is the choice of MTB powerhouse Marga Fullana (Spiuk-Tau). A similarly co-molded shell incorporates eighteen vents instead of twenty-five, but the same Compactfix ratcheting retention system as on the Nexion. The one-piece interior padding is also fitted with insect netting (ever get a bee in your helmet? Not fun.), and a removable visor is included. Small and large sizes are available to fit a wider range of users, and weight of our large-sized tester is 340g, including the visor. Price: US$139.99 (Nexion World Champion); US$79.99 (Zirion) Spiuk Kronos helmet The Spiuk Kronos is designed Photo ©: James Huang Need to go a little faster? Spiuk also offers the aerodynamic Kronos model for time trials and triathlons. The Kronos was developed in collaboration with Spanish triathletes Eneko Llanos, Ivan Raña, and Javier Gomez, along with the Caisse d'Epargne team who used it in '05 and '06. According to Spiuk, the result is 'superior performance' in the wind tunnel that shaves valuable time against the clock. The CPSC-certified Kronos foregoes co-molding technology in favor of an EPS liner topped with a bonded shell. The underside of the Kronos is also fully finished, which Spiuk claims is a rarity in the aero' helmet world and delivers better aerodynamic performance. Two slit-style vents up front and single exhaust port help to keep temperatures at a reasonable level, and Spiuk's Compactfix retention system promises a stable fit. Spiuk offers the Kronos in just one color and a single size. Weight on our M/L tester is 360g. Price: US$229.99 Spiuk Ventix MultiLens and Ventix PhotoChromatic glasses The Spiuk Ventix MultiLens Photo ©: James Huang Spiuk also offers a full line of eyewear, including our Ventix MultiLens and Ventix PhotoChromatic testers. The tightly-arcing Grilamid frame hugs closely to the face to offer greater protection from sunlight, wind, and debris while non-slip rubber temples and nose pieces promise a secure fit. As the name suggests, the Ventix MultiLens includes three interchangeable lenses, including the multilayer REVO for bright conditions, high-contrast orange for overcast days, and clear, all of which are vented and feature anti-scratch and anti-fog coatings. The Ventix MultiLens offered in nine color options and all include a handy case to conveniently house the entire ensemble. The Ventix PhotoChromatic boasts the same frame (albeit with one of three faux carbon finishes) which now houses photochromic lenses with a 26-81% transmission range to suit a wide range of conditions without having to swap tints. Spiuk claims a fast 8-second photochromic response time. Price: US$114.99 (Ventix MultiLens); US$139.99 (Ventix PhotoChromatic) Smith Optics Interlock Trace sunglasses The Interlock Trace is prefitted with polarized lenses Photo ©: James Huang Interchangeable lenses are a wonderfully versatile feature, but up until now, it has been virtually impossible to integrate the feature into a full-rim frame. Smith Optics takes a unique approach to the challenge with the introduction of its Interlock system, which finally allows for swappable tints in more 'street-worthy' styles. Twisting the temple 90° on the Grilamid frame cracks the edge of the rim open just enough to easily pop lenses in and out. Once the lenses are in place, there is no outwardly visible indication that they are anything other than a casual pair of sunglasses. "It's a double bonus, "said Eric Carlson, Smith Optics' VP of Product Development. The Interlock offers the performance aspect of multiple lens tints while the closed frame design allows us to provide extensive styles for the casual wearer." Smith Optics will offer three Interlock styles for now: the Interlock 01, the Interlock Trace, and the Interlock Whisper. All will come pre-fitted with polarized lenses but will include the versatile Ignitor tint as well as clear lenses to expand their versatility. All of the lenses will offer 100% UVA, UVB, and UVC protection and are ground with the company's Tapered Lens Technology to help eliminate distortion. Price: US$139 (all Interlock styles) Photography For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com The new Ultegra SL group splits the difference between Dura-Ace and Ultegra. Shimano Ultegra SL cranksets will be offered in both standard and compact configurations. New Ultegra SL Dual Control levers utilize more alloy internals for better performance and lighter weight. The Ultegra SL PP-6620 pedals utilize the same wider platform as the latest-generation Dura-Ace models. The new Ultegra SL group is also accompanied by a new WH-6600 wheelset. The FSA K-Force Light now has a little brother , the SL-K Light. Hollow carbon construction allowed FSA to shave 120g of weight from last year's SL-K. A new tapered spline pattern is seeing more widespread use from FSA. The rear of the FSA SL-K Light chainrings are ramped and pinned as usual but are also aggressively milled out to save weight without sacrificing rigidity. FSA continues use of its MegaExo external bearing bottom bracket design but the spindle now rides directly on the inner race of the bearings. Just because you haven't won anything doesn't mean you can't wear the rainbow stripes of the Spiuk Nexion World Champ helmet. The Nexion shell incorporates 25 vents to help keep you cool. The one-piece interior padding is also fitted with mesh netting over the vents to keep bugs from entering. The Zirion is a lower-cost helmet option from Spiuk with eighteen vents and the same one-piece interior padding of the Nexion. Large exhaust ports help evacuate hot air. The Spiuk Kronos is designed with a slippery aerodynamic shape to help cut through the wind. Incoming air enters through a pair of small slit-style ports at the front edge of the Kronos. Hot air is exhausted through a single port located at the very rear of the helmet. The Spiuk Ventix MultiLens includes three sets of lenses, a soft carrying bag, and a hard case. All wrapped up and ready to go. The tightly-arcing design of the Spiuk Ventix hugs closely to your face for added protection. The Spiuk Ventix PhotoChromatic offers the same fit and coverage as the standard Ventix MultiLens but with a photochromic lens. Smith's new Interlock technology features interchangeable lenses on more casually styled full-frame glasses. So how exactly are you supposed to get the lenses out of these things? Oh, right, that's how. Just twist the temple and pop out the lenses. Simple as that. The Interlock Trace is prefitted with polarized lenses but also includes Ignitor and clear tints for other conditions.