Tech News – June 5, 2003

Edited by Paul Mirtschin

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New XT wheels ready for 2004 XT group?

New XT
Photo: © Shimano

Shimano has just released a new wheel set, the WH-M765, an XT level wheel set that offers all the technologies of the XTR wheels but at a price us mere mortals can afford. Compatible for both tubeless and standard tires, and designed for cross-country, the wheels weigh in at 1766 grams per pair.

What caught our eye however was the inclusion of Shimano's new Center-Lock rotor assembly system, currently only compatible with the 2003 XTR disc rotor. This seems to point to the rumoured redesign of the 2004 XT group also including the Center-Lock disc rotor mount.

As we mentioned back in early March, the new XT group looks set to receive the same curvaceous styling of the XTR and Saint groups, as well as the technology trickle-down of Center Lock, the new dual control shifting system and more. The 2004 XT crankls are also set use the two-piece Hollowtech II design that debuted on the 2003 XTR and has since made it to the 2004 Saint and Dura-Ace groups.

The WH-M765 has 24 spokes per wheel, which Shimano believes will deliver enough stiffness and durability for intensive cross-country usage.

Tradeinbikes.com accepting aluminium, carbon, & titanium bikes

Tradeinbikes.com has expanded their trade-in line to include high-end carbon and aluminum bikes, in addition to domestic titanium bikes, to be traded-in towards the purchase of a brand new Litespeed, Quintana Roo, Tomac, or Merlin at participating dealers.

The program is accepting carbon and aluminium bikes for trade from such brands as Cannondale, Trek, Litespeed, Quintana Roo, & Tomac. However, tradeinbikes.com does not plan to stop there; the company will expand the trade-in line even further, including more high-end bicycle lines in the future. Anyone interested in the trade-in program should e-mail their bicycle information to info@tradeinbikes.com for a trade-in valuation. Tradeinbikes.com will consider any bicycle in the US$1800+ retail price range for trade, on a case-by-case basis.

Tradeinbikes.com is part of the American Bicycle Group family, the parent company of Litespeed, Merlin Metalworks, Tomac and Quintana Roo.

Weyless Ultra aluminum MTB frames recalled

Send it back
Photo: © Supergo

CPSC and Supergo are voluntarily recalling 159 "Weyless Ultra" aluminium mountain bike frames, sold through Supergo stores and catalogs between August 15, 2001 and August 31, 2002. The frame retailed for $299.

While no injuries have been reported, Supergo has had four reports of breakages of the top and down tubes of the frame. The frames are matte black in colour with a yellow sticker on the down tube that says "Weyless" and one on the top tube that says "Ultra". The serial number is located on the bottom of the bottom bracket shell , with serial numbers from PG1210201 through to PG1210400 being affected. The frame was sold in 14", 16", 18", 20"and 22" sizes.

Anyone with this frame should stop using it immediately, and contact Supergo customer service on 800-954-4245, Monday to Friday, 8am to 4:30pm, or by fax on 800-576-0221, for replacement and return instructions on the frame. Customers will then be provided with a newly designed Weyless Ultra frame free of charge.

Marzocchi shocks Lapierre

The downhill MTB community has been anxiously awaiting the presentation of the new Lapierre 2004 downhill/freeride range, designed in collaboration with multiple World Champion, Nicolas Vouilloz.

The team at Lapierre has also collaborated with Marzocchi to develop a rear shock absorber adapted to specifically meet the needs of the new frame designs. After several days of intensive tests performed on the current prototypes from the range, the Marzocchi engineers were able to define settings specific to the frames.

The new bikes will be rolled out at the Free Raid Classic, which takes place at the end of June in Les Gets, France. Nicolas will race on one of his new bikes for the competition, as well as with journalists and winners from the "Ride with Nico" contest.

Look Moves to Africa

Look Bicycles have transferred the production of carbon frames and forks to a factory in the former French colony of Tunisia in Africa. The move is said to add production capacity, as turnover has doubled in the last three years to € 23.4 million, with USA being their main export market.

Tiso rear derailleur

New bits
Photo: © Tiso

Tiso Bike Components, makers of headsets, chainrings and all other sorts of CNC gubbins, has sent us a picture of their latest product, a CNC rear derailleur for both road and MTB use.

Three models are available, the Shimano road compatible Altore366, the Shimano MTB compatible Venda601 and the Campagnolo compatible Sereo130. All are fully rebuildable by the end user, and are made from just 50 aluminium and titanium parts. Tiso claim a weight of just weight 179 grams for the derailleur,

Tiso will introduce the new derailleurs at the following international bicycle trade shows: Friederichshafen, Germany, August 28-31, Milan, Italy, September 16-21 and Interbike, Las Vegas, USA, October 12-14.