New Arrivals – February 14, 2008 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. Titus Racer-X Carbon Titus' ubiquitous Racer-X platform Photo ©: James Huang Titus has stuck by the tried-and-true Horst link four-bar suspension design and it has proven to be a successful formula as the system graces the company's full range from short-travel XC to light freeride. The 100mm-travel (80mm on 29er and smaller models) Racer-X has arguably been the most popular and versatile platform in the Titus line-up and the company added a carbon fibre variant last year. As compared to its aluminium, titanium, or titanium and carbon cousins, the Racer-X Carbon casts a markedly more aggressive profile with its dramatically oversized and heavily shaped tube profiles, well-reinforced front end, and unique Reinforced Under-Belly (RUB) plate that protects the underside of the down tube from debris kicked up by the front wheel. Naturally, the rear end boasts the familiar four-bar configuration but it has been enhanced with carbon seat stays and Titus' now-trademark box-section chain stay yoke and uber-rigid four-cartridge bearing main pivot. Secondary pivots all utilize cartridge bearings as well barring the dropout link whose limited movement and high lateral loads are more favourable to bushings. Alloy hardware is used all around and the included rear shock is Fox Racing Shox' ubiquitous (and excellent) RP23. Even with its burlier and stiffer appearance, though, the carbon version is the lightest of the Racer-X versions at just 2.44kg (5.37lb) including the rear shock and overbuilt seat collar (although the far pricier Racer-X Exogrid comes awfully close). While not quite in the realm of some of the superlight full-suspension frames currently on the market, Titus consciously decided to build the Racer-X Carbon a little more on the durable side of things for longevity and reliability which should be especially appealing in rockier environments and endurance racing. We received our medium-sized sample as a frame-only; we'll build it up in a manner we see fit for a proper review but we'll also be using it as a rolling test bed throughout the season for applicable MTB components. Will the four-bar setup continue to hold up well in today's more competitive arena? Wait and see. Price: US$2595 (frame and shock only) Bontrager Speed Limit brake callipers Centering adjustment is accomplished Photo ©: James Huang Bontrager's new Speed Limit road brake callipers stand in stark visual contrast to most of its competition with its traditional-looking single-pivot layout. However, hidden within is a thoroughly modern 'PowerAmp' linkage system that supposedly offers power and modulation equal to or better than that of most dual-pivot designs but with less mass. We'll report back on the power and modulation part but the Speed Limit callipers are definitely light at just 270g per pair complete with cartridge pads and mounting hardware. The calliper arms also incorporate very widely set pivot bases for rigidity. Centring adjustments are made with just a single 6mm Allen wrench. The built-in quick release lever makes for compatibility with Shimano, Campagnolo, or SRAM levers and Bontrager offers the Speed Limit in either silver or black finishes depending on your taste. Price: US$199.99 Bontrager Race X Lite Carbon Blade handlebar A textured surface on the bar Photo ©: James Huang The Race X Lite Carbon Blade marks the first time Bontrager has offered a road bar with non-round tops, be it hewn from carbon fibre or otherwise. Bontrager cautiously opts for just mild flattening and shaping that still retains some positioning flexibility and the outer bends are trimmed a bit for forearm and knee clearance. The drops utilize Bontrager's versatile Variable Radius (VR) semi-anatomic bend and the carbon construction keeps the weight down to just 218g for our 42cm (c-c) tester. Drop and reach are a healthy 85mm and 135mm, respectively, and dual cable grooves make for easy compatibility with all major component systems. Bontrager set the bar pretty high for us (sorry, bad pun) with its own Race XXX Lite VR model last year so we'll see how well this one matches up in comparison. Price: US$299.99 Bontrager Race XXX Lite seatpost The reinforced carbon head Photo ©: James Huang Bontrager now equips its top-end seatpost with a carbon fibre version of its infinitely adjustable head with the introduction of the new Race XXX Lite. Weight has dropped to just 156g (27.2mmø x 330mm) but internal reinforcements in the head supposedly don't compromise much durability. Even so, Bontrager specifies the new Race XXX Lite post as a road-only model but as usual with this brand, there is no stated rider weight limit. 5mm and 20mm offsets are both available (plus the posts can be reversed) as well as 250mm and 330mm lengths. Price: US$179.99 3T Ergosum Team handlebar 3T is back with a new owner Photo ©: James Huang Our spring component smorgasbord continues with a range of components from "The New 3T". After a rather rough patch, the storied Italian company continues on with new ownership, new engineering resources including former head of Ferrari Formula 1 composites program Richard McAinsh, as well as a high-profile sponsorship of Team CSC. 3T equips its Ergosum Team carbon fibre road bar with a particularly tight radius at the top of the drops that 3T claims offers a wider range of lever positioning flexibility than most designs. Semi-anatomic drops offer more surface area to distribute pressure without overly dictating where your hands should go and the round tops should satisfy most traditionalists out there. Actual weight for our 42cm (c-c) tester is a very competitive 204g Price: US$275 The matching ARX Team stem Photo ©: James Huang 3T ARX Team stem Accompanying our Ergosum Team handlebar is 3T's new ARX Team stem. The forged and shot-peened aluminium construction enhances long-term durability while aggressive internal machining drops the weight of our 130mm-long tester to just 130g complete with a titanium bolt kit. The four-bolt faceplate looks like it will still offer a reasonable amount of clamp surface for a good purchase on carbon bars, too. Price: US$75 3T Doric Team seatpost The 3T Doric Team seatpost Photo ©: James Huang If you abide by the stylistic rules that your handlebars, stem, and seatpost all have to match then the 3T Doric Team seatpost completes our ensemble. The carbon fibre mast is topped with a bonded alloy two-bolt head equipped with separate front and rear clamps and saddle rail cradle, all made of aluminium. The design isn't terribly elegant but it does offer a wide range of adjustment and definitely doesn't weigh much: our 27.2mmø x 350mm test sample is just 178g. Price: US$140 3T Funda Pro road fork The resurrected 3T now offers a range of road forks as well, including our monocoque Funda Pro test model. According to 3T, the aerodynamically designed legs utilize an asymmetric airfoil profile up near the top where there is interference from the rim but a symmetric airfoil profile down below. 3T has also now moved into the realm Photo ©: James Huang We're not sure how much of an advantage this might provide (if any) but the Funda Pro's shape and bend are at least somewhat unique-looking and the moderately oversized crown meshes well with both integrated and non-integrated headsets. Actual weight for our 700c tester is a reasonable 370g including the glue-in reinforcement sleeve (similar to those used in Alpha Q forks) and an uncut 1 1/8" steerer. Price: US$325 Enduro BRT-005 Hub Bearing Press If you're like us, you're likely in the process of getting your bikes ready for that first nice day of spring (or putting it off until that day comes and then queuing up at your local shop with the rest of the procrastinators). For those of you in the former grouping, hub bearing maintenance or replacement should hopefully fall on your 'to-do' lists. Enduro comes to the aid of home and shop mechanics Photo ©: James Huang The proliferation of cartridge bearing use in hubs, though, has made that work much more difficult for home mechanics and shop wrenches alike; with Shimano being the major exception (long live angular contact bearings!), no longer can you perform a full overhaul with a pair of cone wrenches, a bag of loose balls, and a tub of grease. Thankfully, the folks at bearing specialist Enduro expand their range of tool offerings with what looks to be a well thought-out and high quality hub bearing press. The anodized aluminium handles spin on a stainless steel rod and one handle also incorporates a thrust bushing to prevent binding and galling. The kit also includes ten sets of anodized cartridge bearing press adapters to fit the most common sizes. We'll be relying on this press heavily for future ceramic upgrades so we'll let you know how it all works out. Price: US$190 Victory Circle Graphix frame decals Colorado-based Victory Circle Graphix Photo ©: James Huang Ever wonder where the pros get those snazzy personalized top tube decals? The source for many of them is Colorado-based Victory Circle Graphix, decal outfitter of choice for Slipstream/Chipotle, HealthNet, Astana, Bissell, and innumerable others for their bikes, equipment, and even team vehicles. The printed vinyl decals are offered in a wide variety of styles and colours, some of which can also be customized with country colours of choice. New styles include curved models to specifically fit Trek's new Madone line and ones with Slipstream-inspired argyle. While these won't make you faster, fitter, or thinner, they are an inexpensive means to add that custom touch to your favourite ride. At roughly just US$20 on average for a sheet of ten (although multiple varieties of styles and quantities are offered), these are a no-brainer as far as we're concerned. Decals are available consumer direct from the Victory Circle Graphix web site.Price: US$11.95-21.95 (price varies depending on style and quantity) Photography For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com Titus' ubiquitous Racer-X platform is also available in carbon. We'll be reviewing this one in the coming months but will also make use of it as a longer-term testbed for MTB products. The beefy head tube area suggests precise steering response. Titus continues to use the tried-and-true Horst link four-bar suspension system. A unique Reinforced Under-Belly plate protects a vulnerable area from damage. The Bontrager Speed Limit brake calipers combine a classic look with modern mechanics. The 'PowerAmp' linkage system supposedly offers the power and modulation of dual-pivot systems but at a lighter weight. Centering adjustment is accomplished with a single 6mm Allen wrench. Bontrager introduces its first road handlebar with shaped tops, the Race X Lite Carbon Blade. Bontrager's Variable Radius bend offers most of the benefits of a typical anatomic bend but with more positioning flexibility. A textured surface on the bar prevents lever slippage. The Bontrager Race XXX Lite seatpost is now built with full-carbon construction. The reinforced carbon head supposedly sacrifices little strength as compared to the aluminum one but Bontrager approves the post for road use only anyway. 3T is back with a new owner , new engineering resources, and a new product line. The unique Ergosum bend is claimed to offer more flexible lever positioning. Textured carbon bar surfaces are fast becoming standard issue. The matching ARX Team stem is made of forged aluminum but is heavily milled out for lightweight. The 3T logo is integrated right into the faceplate. Titanium bolts help bring the weight down. The 3T Doric Team seatpost mates a carbon shaft with an aluminum head. The multipiece head looks to offer a good amount of adjustment range but might prove to be challenging from a mechanic's standpoint. 3T has also now moved into the realm of carbon road forks, as seen in our Funda Pro test model. 3T claims the aero-shaped fork legs will offer users an advantage on the road. Carbon fiber fork tips pare down the weight. Enduro comes to the aid of home and shop mechanics everywhere with the introduction of its new hub bearing press. Ten different sets of bearing adapters should accommodate most common sizes. A thrust bushing in one of the levers prevents seizing and galling. Want personalized decals like these for your own bike? Colorado-based Victory Circle Graphix offers customized frame decals in a variety of shapes and colors.