Tech News – May 24, 2007 Edited by James Huang Got tech? Send press releases, news, and tech questions to the Cyclingnews tech desk. Giro looks to broader horizons The initial Giro eyewear launch will include Photo ©: James Huang Giro is a certifiable powerhouse in the cycling helmet market but clearly is looking to expand its reach to other segments. The company successfully branched into snowsports helmets several years ago, launched a full line of snow goggles at the SnowSports Industries America (SIA) show in Las Vegas last January, and even developed a line of footwear last year. Now the company has announced that it would be entering the cycling eyewear market as well. "Giro's brand identity has been established through years of commitment to ride-inspired innovation," according to Giro Business Unit Manager Aaron Brookes. "Eyewear is a natural expansion of this identity, and our unique blend of culture, capabilities, and consumer insights translates powerfully into the eyewear category." The official launch won't happen until the Eurobike show later this year, but Giro's eyewear debut will include an impressively broad range of about fourteen pieces and five distinct styles, all of which will be specifically aimed at on-the-bike use for now (casual eyewear may come later). Shield, half-frame, and fully entrapped styles along with multiple lens shapes, sizes, and tints will also be included with the initial introduction. As it does with its helmet line, all of the eyewear development is being done completely in-house at Giro's Santa Cruz, CA headquarters, from initial sketches all the way up to prototype construction and testing. Obviously, Giro is up against some rather stiff (and well-established) competition in the segment but is optimistic about its chances nonetheless. Brookes added, "We are making an unprecedented commitment to this business because we believe Giro can make a difference in sport eyewear." Giro obviously focused on how its new eyewear Photo ©: James Huang Some of that confidence likely stems from a variety of intriguing design concepts and features integrated into the new pieces, as well as its self-stated goals of providing some of the best fit and optical quality in the industry. For example, Giro has naturally focused on how its eyewear physically interacts with its helmet line, yielding such changes as shorter earstems for reduced interference with retention systems. One innovation that was borrowed from Giro's goggle collection is the Pop Top interchangeable lens system which allows users to swap tints without even actually touching the lens itself. Finally, all models (barring the full shield pieces) can readily accept dedicated prescription lenses as opposed to bulkier inserts. Giro has already signed several pro riders to its new eyewear line, including Paul Basagoitia, John Cowan, Greg Watts, and Barry Wicks. We'll have to wait and see how the new pieces actually perform in the real world, but we're certainly optimistic for now. TrainingPeaks offers an inside look at power files during the Giro d'Italia Training analysis software provide TrainingPeaks Photo ©: James Huang The UCI-mandated minimum bicycle weight of 6.8kg has been cause for a lot of headaches among the more technologically advanced teams and manufacturers in the ProTour, but it has also led to some interesting developments in equipment selection. Since that figure is now so easily attained, power meters have become standard issue on a number of rider's machines, even on race day, and the valuable information they provide has also transformed the way athletes train. Boulder, CO-based TrainingPeaks LLC has undoubted been one of the main beneficiaries of the trend as its CyclingPeaks WKO+ software is now officially used by the T-Mobile, Predictor-Lotto, and Astana ProTour teams, as well as the USA Cycling development squad. Other professional and amateur power meter-equipped cyclists can also benefit from the analytical power of the software to advance their training goals, but now the company offers an inside view at what some of its sponsored athletes are capable of in the grueling environment of competition in a Grand Tour. During the Giro d'Italia, the detailed CyclingPeaks WKO+ data files of T-Mobile rider Aaron Olson will be on display at the TrainingPeaks web site. Viewers will not only be able to look at the complete data set for individual stages, but also fully scrutinize and analyze the information using CyclingPeaks WKO+ software (free trial downloads are available). Think you have what it takes to be a ProTour rider? Now you can find out for sure. Colnago and Ferrari collaborate for new commemorative bike Colnago introduced its new collaborative effort Photo ©: Colnago Colnago's association with elite carmaker Ferrari goes all the way back to the development of the original C40. Since then, there have been several Ferrari-edition Colnago carbon fiber machines to come out of Cambiago, even including a full-suspension mountain bike. To celebrate Ferrari's 60th anniversary, Colnago has developed yet another limited edition based on its Extreme Power model. As one would guess, the 60th anniversary bike will be swathed in Ferrari's signature red hue and prancing horse logos (as have all Ferrari-edition bikes to date) but will also integrate the red, white, and green of the Italian flag. Complete bicycles will be outfitted in Campagnolo Record componentry along an integrated FSA Plasma handlebar/stem combo, carbon fiber deep-section tubular wheels by Lightweight, and a painted-to-match carbon fiber saddle. Framebuilding icon Dario Pegoretti falls ill Pegoretti is well known for such beautiful creations Photo ©: James Huang Pegoretti dealers and customers may have been wondering lately why their orders had fallen so far behind as compared to years past. That mystery has now been answered, and unfortunately, the reasoning behind the delay is not a pleasant one. As revealed in a recent release from Dario Pegoretti himself, the Italian framebuilder has been feeling sick intermittently for the past six weeks. After extensive testing, he has now been diagnosed with lymphoma, a form of blood cancer. Pegoretti did not elaborate on the exact type of lymphoma he has developed but mentioned that he would start treatment immediately, which will include chemotherapy. Faced with the dire situation at hand, Pegoretti also stressed that he has every intention of combating the illness "on [his] own terms, not from a recovery bed." While his doctors may object, Pegoretti also provided an indicator of his commitment to his dealers and customers by adding that he will continue to work when possible to fill existing orders. Moreover, he added that, "no short cuts will be taken to rush frames out the door that aren't up to my usual standards." The exact text of Pegoretti's letter can be found here. Elite to offer replica Tour de France water bottle and cage kits Elite is again the official supplier for bottles Photo ©: Elite As is rapidly becoming tradition, Elite will again be the official water bottle supplier for the Tour de France (apparently there are no suitable French bottle manufacturers) and now will offer exact replicas of its distinctly Euro-style offerings to the public. Standard 74mm diameter replica bottles will be available separately or in complete kits, both in signature yellow with the 2007 TdF logo and course route. Kits will include a matching Macia composite cage which will also be graced with the official TdF logo. Photography For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com Helmet juggernaut Giro now branches out into cycling eyewear. The initial Giro eyewear launch will include several styles, including the Havik shield-type model… …both interchangeable and non-interchangeable half shield models… …and even fully entrapped pieces. Naturally, Giro's eyewear line will include some unique design elements , such as this hinge detailing which also serves to direct cooling air. Dramatic frame curvature on some models offers lots of peripheral protection. Giro obviously focused on how its new eyewear will fit with its helmets. Shorter earstems won't interfere with helmet retention systems. Images by Shane Stokes/Cyclingnews.com Power meters are everywhere on the ProTour circuit , even on race day as seen on Linus Gerdemann's T-Mobile Giant TCR Advanced Team. Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com Training analysis software provide TrainingPeaks will publicly display the Giro d'Italia data for T-Mobile rider Aaron Olson. Images by Colnago Colnago and Ferrari team up again for yet another striking commemorative machine. Colnago introduced its new collaborative effort at this year's Shanghai show to much fanfare. Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com Italian framebuilder Dario Pegoretti has been striken with lymphoma but vows to battle the disease and continue working when he can. Pegoretti is well known for such beautiful creations as the stainless steel Responsorium seen at this year's North American Handmade Bicycle Show. Images by Elite Elite is again the official supplier for bottles at this year's Tour de France, and now consumers can buy the same bottles that the pros will use this July.