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Mont Ventoux
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New Arrivals – September 22, 2006

Edited by Steve Medcroft, James Huang & Mark Zalewski

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.

CAPOforma's latest wardrobe

By Mark Zalewski

Socks for every
Photo ©: Mark Zalewski
(Click for larger image)
The full kit,
Photo ©: Mark Zalewski
(Click for larger image)
Long sleeve jersey
Photo ©: Mark Zalewski
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Milano hat
Photo ©: Mark Zalewski
(Click for larger image)

Upland Sports Group has been busy importing a plethora of items from Italian clothing maker Capoforma, via Bergamo, and sent Cyclingnews a lovely care package. Here is a preview of the items that will get a full review after logging many miles. The distinctive, European-inspired collection includes a complete line of men's and women's in-line, custom, and casual cycling apparel and accessories.

The Capoforma brand was developed in response to the growing need for a new line of cycling apparel offering a balance of technical performance, superior comfort and progressive style. The Fall 2006 collection is currently available and the Spring 2007 collection will premier later this fall.

Our test package includes a short and long sleeve jersey made from dual-knit, fast-drying micro-Quattro fabric that is anti bacterial, anti odor, and SPF 50 -- with the long sleeve consisting of a beefier fleece. The 6-panel bib shorts are constructed with flat-lock seams and contain and mesh upper portion for increase breathability.

When it gets a little cooler this fall the thermal vest will come in handy and is made of a temperature-regulating, windproof membrane combined with an internal insulation layer. Beneath these layers is a thin wool base layer that is half merino wool and half acrylic. And on top is a unique styled hat made of a soft, stretchable fabric with a drawstring top providing warmth and breathability.

Finally, a set of arm warmers, leg warmers wristbands and an assortment of socks completes the package.

More info: http://www.uplandsg.com/capoforma

Photography

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Mark Zalewski/Cyclingnews.com

Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • They look odd, but Vino and Julich seem to like them
  • Schwinn's new Madison brings fixed gear variety at a budget price.
  • The new Alpin MTB shoes feature a rigid carbon fiber sole with replaceable lugs that are offered in both hard and soft durometers.
  • The Fox 32 TALAS RLC wears a brand-new chassis for 2007 along with a new three-position TALAS II lever that allows users to rapidly switch from 100mm, 120mm, or 140mm of travel.
  • Williams Cycling is a new player in the pre-built wheel market but brings an impressive array of features at rock bottom pricing.
  • Easy in, easy out Jagwire eliminates the hassle of replacing Campy's stubborn brake pad inserts with this shop quality tool.
  • Mmm… more carbon Jagwire's carbon and machined aluminum road brake pad carriers are not only good looking, but lightweight as well. A new Pro Series pad compound allegedly offers better performance in both wet and dry conditions.
  • Curvy legs on this one - the new Alpha Q CX20 carbon fiber cyclocross fork shaves 70g from last year's version and is also reported to be significantly more resistant to brake chatter.
  • Kiss your extra lenses goodbye. The photochromic age is clearly upon us. UV-activated Transitions lenses in these Oakley Half Jackets automatically lighten and darken in response to changing light conditions.

Nike Alpin MTB shoes

The new Alpin MTB shoes
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)

Nike’s Alpin MTB shoes feature lightweight KNG100 synthetic leather upper that foregoes the de rigueur ratcheting buckle-plus-strap arrangement. Instead, a more traditional (and lighter!) trio of hook-and-loop straps work in concert with a molded heel cup to secure your feet and a carbon fiber sole makes for a stiff pedaling platform. A bit of built-in toe spring aids in hike-a-bike sections while Nike’s X-Change System of replaceable lugs makes life a bit easier when there are a few too many of them. As part of Nike’s Lance Armstrong signature 10//2 line, the Alpin shoes dress up their otherwise utilitarian motif with just a splash of yellow. Our size 43.5 shoes weigh a respectable 848g for the pair. MSRP is US$199.99.

More info: http://www.trekbikes.com

Schwinn Madison

Schwinn's new Madison
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)

Chances are that this will likely be the least expensive complete bike to come across the Cyclingnews tech desk. With a retail cost of just US$529.99, the ’07 Schwinn Madison offers the burgeoning fixie rider a turnkey package that includes a butted chromoly frame, brazed straight-bladed chromoly fork, and a competent parts mix from Formula, Tektro, Schwalbe, and Selle San Marco. The rear flip-flop hub also includes an ACS freewheel for those days when coasting just can’t be resisted. At barely over five hundred bucks, though, something’s got to give: our 54cm test sample weighs a relatively portly 9.9kg/21.8lbs without pedals.

More info: http://www.schwinnbikes.com

O,Symetric road chainrings

They look odd,
Photo ©: James Huang
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O,Symetric non-round chainrings have graced the bicycles of such prominent ProTour contenders as Bobby Julich (Team CSC), Alexander Vinokourov, and Andrey Kashechkin (Astana). While they certainly look unconventional, O,Symetric says that altering the effective gear ratio throughout the pedal stroke in relation to the rider’s muscular force results in a 5-15% improvement in efficiency with a concurrent 3% increase in speed. O.Symetric offers road rings to fit standard and compact cranksets as well as mountain bike rings in the current 104/64mm four-arm bolt circle diameter and older standard and compact five-arm patterns. Our 52/42T road samples weigh 100g and 58g, respectively, and carry a suggested retail price of US$245 for the pair.

More info: http://www.osymetric.com

Fox TALAS RLC

The Fox 32 TALAS RLC
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)

Fox’s TALAS (Travel Adjust Linear Air Spring) system has been around for several years now but 2007 finds the system housed in the company’s brand-new 32mm chassis. The new 32 TALAS RLC features a new lower leg casting with beefier dropouts and more heavily reinforced brace along with a deeper bore crown for improved steering precision. A new three position TALAS II lever quickly switches between 100mm, 120mm, and 140mm settings with only 90 degrees of throw. As always with Fox, all of the control knobs are machined and anodized aluminum, but laser-etched markings now make for easier deciphering of adjustments. Our 32 TALAS RLC registers 1.88kg/4.13lbs with a full-length steerer tube and costs US$699.

More info: http://www.foxracingshox.com

Williams Cycling Wheel System 30

Williams Cycling
Photo ©: James Huang
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The Wheel System 30 from upstart company Williams Cycling pairs 30mm deep aluminum clincher rims with bladed stainless steel spokes (16f/20r) and low-profile cartridge bearing hubs to produce a sub-1500g handbuilt wheelset. Williams Cycling sells consumer-direct exclusively via its web site in order to reduce retail costs, and indeed, the Wheel System 30 carries a price of just US$479 including skewers and brake pads. The wheels come pre-configured with a Shimano 10spd-compatible alloy freehub body, but Shimano 9spd and Campagnolo bodies are easily interchangeable and cheap at just US$20 each. Our test set scored an actual weight of 840g/650g front/rear and were impressively true and evenly tensioned out of the box.

For heavier or more aggressive riders, Williams Cycling also offers the Wheel System 30 which uses heavier bladed spokes in a 20f/24r pattern. Conversely, the Wheel System 19 trades the semi-aero 30mm rim for a shallower and lighter 19mm deep rim that brings the total wheelset weight down to a claimed 1405g for the pair.

More info: http://www.williamscycling.com

Jagwire Elite Pad Press

Mmm… more carbon
Photo ©: James Huang
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Campagnolo's cartridge-style brake pad inserts can be a bit, er, frustrating to replace at times. While simple to swap in theory, their tight fits often warrant a few skinned knuckles along with the occasional choice word. The folks at Jagwire feel your pain and come to the rescue with its well-designed Elite Pad Press which promised to reduce the task to a much less animated five minute job. Convenience comes at a price, though, as the Elite Pad Press carries a MSRP of US$100.

More info: http://www.jagwire.com/aftermarket.html

Jagwire Sleek Road Lite and Elite Road Carbon brake pads plus Pro Series inserts

Easy in, easy out
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)

Jagwire also sent us a set each of their machined aluminum Sleek Road Lite Shimano (and now SRAM)-compatible brake pads and their Campy-compatible Elite Road Carbon pads, weighing just 32g and 34g a pair, respectively, complete with titanium hardware and orbital washers. Filling them in are Jagwire's new-for-'07 Pro Series pad inserts. Jagwire's Director of Aftermarket Products, Jason Grantz, was a bit coy on what makes them so special, but advised us to "compare the compound to Shimano, Campy and anyone else for that matter. Dump a bucket of water on them and then bomb a 12% grade! Then give me a call to ask how we did it!"

Call us foolishly obedient, but we'll report back with the findings shortly (what the heck, my health insurance is paid up!). The Sleek Road Lite pads carry an MSRP of US$50 per wheel and the Elite Road Carbon pads fetch $US70. Both include an supplemental pair of Jagwire's Red Zone inserts which claim better wet weather performance and enhanced resistance to heat buildup in "extreme" conditions. The new Pro Series inserts are a very reasonable US$8 per pair.

More info: http://www.jagwire.com/aftermarket.html

Oakley Half Jacket Activated by Transitions™

Kiss your extra lenses
Photo ©: James Huang
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Oakley has joined forces with the folks at Transitions Optical, Inc. to offer its first non-prescription photochromic optics offerings. The Black Persimmon Iridium lenses in our Half Jacket Activated by Transitions™ incorporate a UV-sensitive dye that darkens in bright sunlight and lightens when conditions become more dim or overcast. The increased flexibility minimizes the need for multiple lenses and is especially useful when conditions may change during the course of a ride. Currently, Oakley offers two Transitions tints in six non-prescription frame styles, including George Hincapie's signature Racing Jacket. MSRP for our Half Jacket model with Black Persimmon Iridium lenses is US$180.

More info: http://www.oakley.com

Alpha Q CX20 cross fork

Curvy legs on this one
Photo ©: James Huang
(Click for larger image)

Cross season is still several months away for most of us, but the time to start thinking about equipment is upon us. Alpha Q has supplemented last year's all-carbon CX fork with a new CX20 model that is 50g lighter yet allegedly offers better steering precision, enhanced reliability, and improved resistance to brake chatter. The new CX20 is built using the company's trademark Carbon Rooting Technology where carbon fibers run uninterrupted from the steerer down through the newly reinforced crown into the legs which are capped with a pair of neatly designed aluminum dropouts. Titanium cantilever studs help drop the weight of our test sample to just 470g with a 300mm long 1 1/8" steerer tube. MSRP is US$569.

More info: http://www.truetemper.com