Tech News – February 28, 2007 Edited by James Huang Got tech? Send press releases, news, and tech questions to the Cyclingnews tech desk. Messe Friedrichshafen will hold its first-ever Demo Day Photo ©: Messe Friedrichshafen Eurobike lines up industry participation for inaugural Demo Day Messe Friedrichshafen, organiser for the Eurobike trade show, has wasted little time in assembling some muscle for its inaugural Demo Day, to be held on Wednesday, August 29, just prior to the opening of the International Bicycle Trade Exhibition in Friedrichshafen, Germany. Among the announced participants are major industry names such as Scott, Trek, Cannondale, SRAM, Shimano, Hayes Bicycle Group, and European firms Simplon, Ghost, and Liteville. "We're glad that a large number of well-known firms have so quickly agreed to take part," says Eurobike team leader Stefan Reisinger. The Demo Day will be held in the nearby village of Eichenburg in the Vorarlberg region of Austria. According to Eurobike officials, the semi-alpine location will offer ideal testing grounds for a variety of cycling disciplines, including cross-country and road. In addition, show organisers have also collaborated with mountain railway Pfänderbahn AG to provide cable car access up to the top of the 1064m (3500ft) Pfänder summit. From there, riders will have the option of taking a 5km (3.1mile) road descent or trails back to Eichenburg. Prototype Easton deep-section wheel Photo ©: James Huang New Easton wheel spotted at Tour of California Early season races are often prime venues for spotting prototype and/or early release equipment, and this year's Tour of California didn't disappoint. Priority Health Cycling Team presented by Bissell rider Ben Jacques-Maynes was sporting a brand-new wheel from Easton at the start of the time trial stage on Friday. The new Easton wheelset, dubbed EC90 Aero, looks to use a similar deep-section carbon fiber tubular rim to last year's Tempest II, but the nipples are now set internally for smoother aerodynamics. Easton has abandoned the Twin Thread Technology that it inherited from Velomax for the new EC90 Aero in favor of a conventional straight-pull bladed spoke. In addition to the aero rim, the new front hub boasts exceptionally smooth contours complete with narrowly-set spoke flanges and airfoil-section axle ends for improved aerodynamic performance. (More photos below) Schwinn offered up a sneak preview Photo ©: James Huang Schwinn to continue its move upscale Schwinn Bicycles offered up a glimpse of the '08 Peloton LTD in the expo area of the Tour of California. According to Pacific Cycle Senior Marketing Manager Chris Holmes, the use of high-modulus carbon fibers and the omission of the cosmetic 12k weave top layer are reported to yield a substantial 300g weight savings from last year's LTD frame. Schwinn will also continue its habit of delivering premium component spec on its top-end machines. The new model will wear a full SRAM Force group and Mavic wheels, along with a Ritchey WCS handlebar, stem, and seatpost plus a titanium-railed fi'zi:k Arione saddle. Target weight for the new model is just under 6.8kg (15.1lb) with a large frame (without pedals), and suggested retail will remain close to that of the current Dura-Ace-equipped model at US$4000-4200. Cancellara raced this year's ToC Photo ©: Speedplay Fabian Cancellara receives unique bicycle jewelry from Speedplay Fabian Cancellara now has another piece of gold to go along with the medal he won in Salzburg, Austria last September. Team CSC pedal sponsor Speedplay presented the current World TT Champion with a unique pair of 24k gold-plated Zero pedals during this year's Tour of California to celebrate the victory as well as the Swiss rider's first race in the rainbow stripes. While the gold plating obviously does nothing to enhance the Zero's performance, we're quite certain Cancellara doesn't mind much. North American Handmade Bicycle Show to offer full seminar schedule This year's North American Handmade Bicycle Show Photo ©: James Huang The third annual North American Handmade Bicycle Show is set to kick off this Friday, March 2, in downtown San Jose, CA. As in years past, the show will be open to the public and will serve as a showcase for some of the foremost framebuilders in the world. Over 70 builders are scheduled to exhibit their creations at the show, including such standouts as Brian Baylis, Bruce Gordon, Dario Pegoretti, Richard Sachs, and Sacha White of Vanilla Bicycles. This year's NAHBS will also offer attendees valuable information in addition to the copious amounts of eye candy. A number of builders and component manufacturers will deliver a full schedule of instructional seminars on each of the show's three days covering a wide range of related subjects, including lug shaping, TIG-welding, painting techniques, approaches to custom fit, materials, component design and performance. "NAHBS seminars include fascinating tidbits and exceptional advice to pique the interest of every attendee, whether they are there to start a business or just dabble in the art of a handmade bicycle. This year's diverse array of speakers offers a great range of perspective, from world-famous framebuilders to lesser-known artisans that are already well-respected in the industry," said Don Walker, founder and organiser of NAHBS. Advanced sales for the show are no longer available, but tickets will be available at the door for both the exhibition and for seminar attendance. More information is available on the NAHBS web site. The SRAM Neutral Road Service crew Photo ©: SRAM Corporation SRAM staying neutral in 2007 After a successful inaugural year in 2006, the SRAM Neutral Race Support will continue to offer unlucky riders a Force-equipped helping hand for the foreseeable future. Also continuing with SRAM's NRS is Zipp, providing 404 wheels to swap for your flat, equipped with Michelin tyres. A new addition to the crew is Orbea USA who is supplying its Opal carbon fibre bikes painted in SRAM colours. The all-carbon frames might seem to be a questionable choice, knowing how much wear-and-tear a neutral service bike goes through in a season. However, NRS mechanic Jose Alcala says that the frames he has built-up already are quite sturdy. "Everything looks great for 2007," he said, adding that initial dealings with the Basque company show good promise, even if a frame were to be damaged mid-season. "We are very happy to be working with a great company; they make my job much easier." /MZ Photography For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here Images by Messe Friedrichshafen Messe Friedrichshafen will hold its first-ever Demo Day at this year's Eurobike show, one day before the opening of the indoor expo. Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com Ben Jacques-Maynes of the Priority Health Cycling Team presented by Bissell piloted this sharp-looking Pinarello Montello during this year's ToC time trial stages. Jacques-Maynes' TT bike sported a prototype Easton deep-section wheel dubbed the EC90 Aero. The Easton EC90 Aero front hub is smoothly profiled with narrowly-spaced flanges for good aerodynamic performance. End caps on the new Easton EC90 Aero front hub utilize an airfoil profile to slice through the wind. Jacques-Maynes has a history of product testing for SRAM, and his TT bike also sported the company's new TT shifters and brake levers. Schwinn offered up a sneak preview of the 2008 version of its Peloton LTD. The use of high-modulus carbon fiber and the omission of the cosmetic 12k weave top layer reportedly yields a 300g weight reduction relative to the 2007 frame. Will this red-anodized head tube badge make it to production? Schwinn wouldn't confirm either way, but it's a nice touch nonetheless. Images by Speedplay Fabian Cancellara raced this year's Tour of California time trial stages with a pair of one-off gold-plated Speedplay Zero pedals. Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com This year's North American Handmade Bicycle Show should deliver just as much exotica as last year, such as this Independent Fabrications Reynolds 953 prototype frame. Is this the sort of thing that gets you going? Head over to San Jose, CA this weekend for the North American Handmade Bicycle Show. Images by SRAM Corporation The SRAM Neutral Road Service begins the ardous task of fitting all of the new equipment into their cars. The SRAM NRS Volvo, packed and ready to service. The SRAM Neutral Road Service crew , (l to r) Butch Balzano, Jose Alcala and Chad, ready for action. No, they never speed. Picking up some ZIPP wheels to replace your next flat.