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Tech News – March 10, 2004Edited by John Stevenson Got tech? Send press releases, news, and tech questions to the Cyclingnews tech-heads. Shimano 2005
It's like the first cuckoo of spring. We know it's March because regular as clockwork, information starts to be released and to leak from Shimano about next year's equipment. Last year it was ten-speed Dura-Ace and the XTR-lite that we now call Deore XT, this years it's a whole new mountain bike group called Hone. According to our friends at singletrackworld.com, Hone is a sort of cross between the lightweight MTB groups Shimano has made for years - mainly intended for cross-country racing and riding - and this year's beefy Saint freeride group. Hone features a Hollowtech II chainset a la XTR, Deore XT and Dura-Ace; Dual Control shift/brake levers; and Saint's axle-mounted rear derailleur. It also inherits the other features of current high-end MTB Shimano groups such as a Rapid Rise rear derailleur and Center Lock splined disk hubs. All this for about the price of the current Deore LX group, which will make it rather a bargain. Meanwhile, Saint also gets some hop-ups in the form of Dual Control shifters and its own front derailleur, making last year's three-quarter group into a whole one. There's no official word as yet on any of Shimano's road plans for 2005, though we still think a ten-speed, Hollowtech II revamp of Ultegra is almost a certainty, given the length of time since Ultegra had any attention paid to it by Shimano's designers. More info: www.shimano.com Real Design returns
Remember Real Design, a component company founded in the mid-90s by some former onZa engineers and marketing guys? The original Real Design is long gone, but the name has returned with these wheels, manufactured in the Chatanooga, TN facility of American Bicycle Group (ABG), which also owns and makes Litespeed bikes, among others. (Which means Real Design's pro-quality attitude has probably survived the name's journey.) Designed with assistance from aerodynamics guru Steve Hed, the first equipment from the reborn Real Design is a selection of wheels, the SuperSonic and UltraSonic series. Two models are available in each, with 40mm or 60mm deep rims; the main difference between SuperSonic and UltraSonic wheels is that UltraSonics have carbon hubs and bladed spokes. The base model UltraSonic 40 features a 40mm one-piece molded carbon/aluminum rim; 20/24 spoke count; aero straight-pull butted spokes; Shimano or Campagnolo compatibility; 2 sealed bearing carbon/alloy front hub; and 4 sealed bearing carbon/alloy rear hub. Claimed weight is 1541g per set. According to Real Design's Herbert Krabel, the adhesive used in the rims is "non-brittle and will not shear, giving the wheel a structural advantage that withstands the rigors of daily riding yet is light enough for race day." ABG plans other Real Design gear, and it'll start to appear on Litespeed bikes this year, as on this Solano. Prices: SuperSonic 40, $1095; SuperSonic 60, $1195; UltraSonic 40 $1395; UltraSonic 60, $1495. More info: www.real-design.com Cycleops Cervo
CycleOps' new Cervo computer/heart rate monitor is a stand-alone version of the computer that comes with the PowerTap power-measuring hub system, for riders who want to take a step toward power-based training, but don't have the necessary ready cash to go the whole hog. The Cervo kit includes a CycleOps PowerTap Pro computer, Cervo wire kit, mounting hardware, heart rate monitor chest strap, and CycleOps PowerLink Lite software and download kit. RRP is $299. More info: www.graberproducts.com Hutchinson going tubelessAs well as the Michelin tubeless clinchers announced a couple of weeks ago, Hutchinson is also preparing tubeless tyres for release in 2005, according to a report of bicycleretailer.com. Hutchinson is showing the tyres to original equipment manufacturers at the Taipei bike show, which is on now, and its pro teams including Saeco are already testing the system. More info: tires.hutchinson.fr Arrogant bastard jersey
Finally, we couldn't resist this. Arrogant Bastard is, apparently, a beer, but since it's also the way far too many cyclists are seen by motorists (sometimes with good reason; sometimes because they're sad cagers seething at having chosen to sit in a de facto car park for an hour a day) it has to be a natural for a jersey design. Clothing manufacturer Canari obviously thinks so, as it has just announced the Arrogant Bastard jersey, featuring the logo of San Diego-based Stone Brewing Company's Arrogant Bastard Ale. Just the thing for the arrogant bastard in your training bunch. Mine's on order already. More info www.canari.com |
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