Tech News – September 21, 2006 Edited by Steve Medcroft and James Huang Got tech? Send press releases, news, and tech questions to the Cyclingnews tech desk. Kozo Shimano steps down as president of Shimano American Corporation By James Huang David Pfeiffer has been named the new president of Shimano American Corporation, effective December 1, 2006. Pfeiffer is a long-time Shimano sales and management executive having served as executive vice president of North American operations since 2000. As president, Pfeiffer will now be in charge of all bicycle component and fishing tackle business in the US and Canada in addition to sales and marketing in the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. According to current SAC president Kozo Shimano, Pfeiffer has "extensive experience in all phases of our business, having been involved in regional and national sales, marketing, product development and administration. His leadership for our U.S. fishing tackle division has brought us both sales growth and added respect among anglers and retailers for the quality and dependability of our rods and reels." Kozo Shimano will assume a vice presidency position that addresses his increasing personal interest in corporate advocacy and public relations. Kozo Shimano has already forged productive partnerships with the US Bureau of Land Management, the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus and Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, as well as cycling-specific groups including the International Mountain Biking Association and the League of American Bicyclists. In addition, Kozo Shimano currently serves on the executive committee of the board of directors for the Bikes Belong Coalition. "My move into a corporate advocacy and public relations role focuses on our global mission statement - To promote health and happiness through the enjoyment of nature and the world around us," said Kozo Shimano. "We feel it is extremely important that our efforts to grow the interest and participation in bicycling and fishing worldwide, and our involvement with user groups, trade associations and government agencies in those efforts, are spearheaded by someone directly connected to the Shimano family." Ultimately, Kozo Shimano may be stepping away somewhat from the day-to-day business operations of the company his family created in 1921, but he will remain involved in senior management decisions during the transition period. On a larger scale, though, his new role may indeed prove to have a longer term impact, for both Shimano as well as the rest of the industry. Fox Racing Shox updates its web site with detailed service instructions By James Huang Holding true to its word, Fox Racing Shox has added a number of detailed technical service guides to its web site. A number of basic topics are covered currently, such as sag measurements and fork installation, but more advanced procedures such as rear shock air sleeve maintenance are also included. More interestingly, procedures that were previously deemed to be "factory only repairs" also make the list, including instructions on servicing the original TALAS adjustable travel air cartridge. After this rather modest beginning, Fox Racing Shox plans to continue to add to its repertoire of service guides, with Fox engineer Mark Fitzsimmons saying things "are coming along". If nothing else, this is certainly a step in right direction. Hand made Bicycle Show back for third year Crumptown Bikes at the 2005 show Photo ©: James Huang The Third annual North American Handmade Bicycle Show (NAHBS), a trade show for hand-built bicycle frame and component companies, has been booked for March 2-4, 2007, at the South Hall of the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California. “A handmade bicycle is a thing of beauty,” says Don Walker, of Don Walker Cycles, creator of the show, “NAHBS is a celebration not only of the world’s greatest invention, the bicycle, but also the masters who have dedicated their careers to the creation of ridable art forms.” Started two years ago in Texas, the event answers the growing need of framebuilders to meet and share ideas, and provides a venue to display their work to a public whose interest in handmade bicycles has increased in step with the recent resurgence of excitement about bicycling in general. Now held in San Jose, an expected 150 exhibitors and 10,000 visitors are expected to attend the show, which offers seminars and competitions to highlight the art of custom framebuilding. More info: http://www.handmadebicycleshow.com. Also see our coverage from the 2005 show. Ellsworth introduces full-suspension two-niner Ellsworth recently announced a 29-inch wheeled travel full-suspension mountain bike. Based on the 4" travel Evolve, the new bike will share the same ICT linage as the Truth, Moment and the award-winning Epiphany. "We started from the ground up with this bike," says Tony Ellsworth. "My challenge as a designer - looking at the physics and engineering ramifications of not just the bigger wheels, but the unique rider position and demands of ICT suspension technology - is to admit that everything about this bike had to be different or everything would be a compromise. So the Evolve has its own DNA." As with all Ellsworth frames made in the new Vancouver, Washington facility, the Evolve will be handcrafted from drawn tubing rather than extruded tubing and will be true to Ellsworth's performance design mantra with shaped, swaged and tapered tubes to achieve increased strength, reduced weight and to avoid gusseting. The Evolve will be unveiled in Las Vegas at the Interbike trade show and Ellsworth will be available for dealer delivery in January of 2007. More info: www.ellsworthbikes.com.