Quick Spins – May 21, 2007 Edited by James Huang Got Tech? Send press releases, news, and tech questions to the Cyclingnews tech-heads. Welcome to Quick Spins, an all new section within Cyclingnews' tech coverage were we put some of the smaller items that land on the tech desk to the test. Louis Garneau Carbon Titan helmet - the strong, silent type Rear exhaust ports evacuate hot air. Photo ©: Jonathan Devich Louis Garneau doesn't spare its top-end Carbon Titan helmet from the exotic material treatment: 'white' carbon fiber reinforces the largest of the 22 vents from splitting open during impact and a titanium ring embedded in the helmet's circumference provides additional structural support when things go wrong. Even with its extra hardware, our small Titan Carbon is competitively lightweight at just 265g (9.4oz). Proper fit is provided by a number of features, including the easy-to-adjust Keylock strap adjusters and Louis Garneau's unique Spiderlock Elite retention system which uses a large rubber-coated knob to snug the helmet around the occipital bone (otherwise known as that big bump on the back of your noggin). The rubber coating (and detented stops) makes for easy one-handed adjustments, and an eight-position height adjustment allows for a truly custom fit as well as admirable ponytail compatibility. The Titan Carbon provided a stable fit both on- and off-road as well as airy ventilation, at least in the cool-to-moderately warm conditions in which the helmet was tested. However, while the number of vents in the Titan Carbon is certainly impressive, the relative lack of internal channeling puts it a half-step behind its high-end competition. Off-road riders will also want to note, however, that the helmet does not include a visor, nor does it have any built-in provision for one. Otherwise, though, there's virtually nothing to complain about as the Titan Carbon provides a stylish, understated, comfortable, and highly adjustable way to protect your personal data module. Weight: 265g (9.4oz) Price: US$169.99 (including storage bag) Pros: Light, easy to adjust, comfortable, classy styling, relatively airy Cons: No option for a visor, could use more internal channeling Cyclingnews rating: Photography For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here Images by Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us The Titan Carbon from Louis Garneau incorporates both carbon fiber and titanium in its high-tech construction. Twenty-two vents grace the Titan Carbon , including a gaping central vent right up front. Rear exhaust ports evacuate hot air. Louis Garneau's Spiderlock Elite retention system utilizes a large rubber-coated dial for easy fit adjustments. Well-padded retention system is comfortable on the back of your head. Adjustable angle on the Spiderlock Elite retention system accommodates various head shapes and hairstyles. SRAM X.9 rear derailleur and trigger shifters - few reasons to pay more The new X.9 rear derailleur held up well Photo ©: James Huang Trickle-down technology is the boon for all performance-loving (but cash-strapped) cyclists out there, and few bits in recent memory have exemplified this trend more than the latest round of SRAM's X.9 MTB transmission. The initial X.9 generation offered up competent capabilities, but it was hardly awe-inspiring. While it included most of the same features as the top-tier X.0 (including the outstanding 1:1 cable pull ratio and thumb-thumb trigger configuration), it just didn't feel as good in use and didn't quite offer up the same reassuring tactile feel as its big brother. X.0's characteristic 'Pop! Pop!' was translated into more of a muffled 'puff puff'… as if it were being suffocated with a pillow. That gap narrowed to virtually nil for 2007 as SRAM gave X.9 a significant functional and visual overhaul. New rear derailleur features include a decidedly more X.0-like appearance that at least seems more rigid than before, a forged aluminum B-knuckle for improved durability (original cast aluminum ones were somewhat prone to failure), and a sealed bearing lower pulley. Upgraded X.9 internals utilize Zero Loss Travel guts. Photo ©: James Huang As much as the rear derailleur has been improved, though, changes to the new X.9 trigger shifter are much more substantial. In fact, the new X.9 trigger is virtually identical to X.0 inside and out, with the same clamshell-style body, two-position clamp, and Zero Loss Travel internals. Cost-cutting measures include the substitution of bushings instead of cartridge bearings in the shaft pivots, a non-adjustable pull lever, and a plastic instead of carbon fiber shifter cover. Weight on the bits is also nearly X.0-like at 229g and 223g for the trigger shifter pair and long cage rear derailleur, respectively. Some may lament the loss of the original X.9's gear indicator in the new shifter, but that's a small price to pay for the resultant quantum leap in performance as it's now simply impossible to discern any differences between X.9 and X.0 on the trail. Tactile feedback is just as positive, and shift quality is easily on par with SRAM's best offering. Other than the minor weight penalty and what will likely be a small hit in long-term durability, the reasons for going with X.0 seem based more in fashion now than function, especially given X.9's incredible value. Yup, it's that good. Weight: 229g (trigger shifters, without included Teflon-coated cables); 223g (long cage rear derailleur) Price: US$128 (trigger shifters); US$99 (rear derailleur) Pros: X.0-like shift quality, X.0-like appearance, stellar shifter fit and feel Cons: might cut into sales of X.0 Cyclingnews rating: Photography For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com The new SRAM X.9 rear derailleur received a major overhaul this year and looks decidedly X.0-like. New forged aluminum B-knuckle promises improved resistance to breakage. The SRAM X.9 trigger shifters feel virtually identical to the top-level X.0 offering. Upgraded X.9 internals utilize Zero Loss Travel guts. Other than the substitution of bushings for bearings , the new X.9 shifters are nearly identical to X.0. The new X.9 rear derailleur held up well to everything we threw at it. Hutchinson Piranha MRC Medium Tubeless tires - rails for your bike Hutchinson's new Piranha tread Photo ©: James Huang Much attention is paid to a plethora of bicycle components, but few can have as much of an impact on bicycle performance than tire selection. Hutchinson's latest round of off-road tires includes the intriguing Piranha, which pairs aggressively tall cornering knobs with a decidedly low-profile center tread. Hutchinson offers the Piranha in several different flavors ranging from skinny cross country widths to beefier all-mountain casings. Our 26x2.3" Piranha MRC Medium Tubeless test tires fell at the latter end of that scale with an actual weight of 966g each (91g more than advertised). To Hutchinson's credit, that weight incorporates a beefy 66tpi, true UST casing with reinforced sidewalls and a polyamide belt under the tread along with medium rebound rubber for enhanced grip over more XC-specific compounds. When mounted up on a 5" travel trail bike, we found the Piranha MRC Medium Tubeless to largely deliver on Hutchinson's cornering grip promises in hardpack and loose-over-hardpack conditions (sorry, we weren't able to try them in soft or muddy terrains). Adhesion at the limits was excellent and also reasonably forgiving in spite of the tire's decidedly square-edged profile. The distinct lack of intermediate knobs, however, made for somewhat odd transitions but we quickly adjusted to the feel nonetheless. Reinforced UST casing Photo ©: James Huang The dramatically shaved-down center knobs still managed to provide admirable climbing and braking traction, but unfortunately seemed to do little to enhance rolling speed. This may be related to the slower rebounding rubber, but the incredibly square profile (which makes a Panaracer Smoke look spherical in comparison) and typically low inflation pressures also make for a wide enough contact patch that the bike can practically stand upright by itself. The reinforced casing also held up well in our abusive Front Range environment with not a single puncture or pinch flat to speak of. If grip is what you're after, the Piranha MRC Medium Tubeless certainly offers it up in spades (and we can only imagine what the full knob height Barracuda would feel like). However, that grip does come at the price of rolling efficiency so potential buyers should keep that in mind when assigning priorities. Weight: 966g Price: US$60 Pros: Outstanding cornering grip with reasonably forgiving characteristics at the limit, reinforced casing Cons: Hefty weight, slow rolling in spite of shaved center knobs, lack of transition knobs Cyclingnews rating: Photography For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com Hutchinson's new Piranha tread is offered in a wide range of applications from XC-light to Enduro-beefy. Wider casing versions utilize a decidedly squarer profile than the narrower XC flavors. Reinforced UST casing provides sidewall and tread protection. Even with a medium rebound rubber , our Piranha MRC Medium Tubeless tires wore well during testing.