Quick Spins – August 28, 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. Cole Products Shuriken Carbon Lite T-50 - the wheel of choice for Marianne Vos The Cole Products Shuriken Carbon Lite T-50 Photo ©: James Huang Cole claims its Dynamic Spoke Alignment system Photo ©: James Huang The front hub is laced with a cross pattern Photo ©: James Huang Many riders have come to realize the benefits of aerodynamic wheels, even if they come at a slight weight penalty. With so many on the market, though, which do you chose? Cole Products isn't exactly a household name in the wheel market just yet, but its sponsorship of cyclocross powerhouses Marianne Vos (Team DSB-Ballast Nedam) and Jonathan Page (Sunweb-Projob) will likely go a long way to bringing it some attention. High-profile visibility aside, the Shuriken Carbon Lite T-50's unique 'Dynamic Spoke Alignment' hubs also distinguish it from the crowd, with dual flanges that house rotating gold-anodized 7075 aluminum cylinders. One end of each double-threaded spoke feeds into each cylinder and the other end secures Cole's 450g, 50mm-deep tubular rim. Cole claims the more precise spoke alignment and improved spoke durability afforded by its DSA system allows it to build its wheels with higher spoke tension to yield a more responsive feel. The 'Organic Carbon' rim is so-called due to its somewhat random orientation of fibers, which Cole says offers more multi-directional strength than unidirectional plies (on the other hand, one could make the argument that the squiggly fibers don't really do much as carbon fibers really need to be in tension for proper function; either way, they at least look cool). Aluminum is used for the hub axles, shells, and interchangeable freehub body, and the whole kit-and-kaboodle rotates on sealed cartridge bearings. Total weight for our test set was 1550g (664g front, 886g rear, without skewers). Out of the box, the wheels were true and round (a good thing since the nipples are hidden inside the rim), but unfortunately, our FSA spoke tension meter didn't corroborate Cole's claims of higher tension. In fact, the recorded figures really weren't appreciably different from several other sets of road wheels currently in the test stable, but either way, the jury is still out on whether or not higher tensions yield more responsive wheels anyway. The Organic Carbon rims deliver a noticeably stiff ride; while they adequately damp road buzz, larger impacts are best met with a healthy dose of preparation. On the plus side, the 50mm rim depth seemed to slice through the air more effectively than shallow box-section hoops, but they didn't quite offer the lightning fast performance of other aero wheels we've tried. Some of this may have to do with Cole's perplexing use of round spokes which contrasts sharply with the deep-section rims and hidden nipples. If the DSA design requires the use of round spokes, then we would at least prefer the nipples be external for easier servicing. But how did the wheels feel, you ask? Sadly, we didn't really find them to be all that snappy in general, and certainly not appreciably more responsive than usual. The make matters worse, the front hub developed a slight amount of play shortly into the test period. Nevertheless, the Shuriken Carbon Lite T-50 at least represents a decent value in a deep section carbon wheel and may appeal to cyclocrossers looking for a taller wheel to cut through the gunk. From a strict performance standpoint, though, there are better options out there. Price: US$1650 Weight: 1550g per pair (664g front, 886g rear, without skewers) Pros: Respectable value for a deep-section carbon tubular, DSA concept makes sense from a durability point of view Cons: Wheels weren't as responsive as we'd hoped, wind-churning round spokes work against hidden nipples and aero rim, questionable hub durability Cyclingnews rating: Photography For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com The Cole Products Shuriken Carbon Lite T-50 offers a 50mm-deep carbon tubular rim and a unique hub configuration. Cole claims its Dynamic Spoke Alignment system yields higher spoke tensions and improved spoke durability. The front hub is laced with a cross pattern to soften the ride a bit. Rotating barrels are made of 7075 aluminum. The Shuriken Carbon Lite T-50 uses just twenty spokes in back and sixteen up front. The Organic Carbon rim includes randomly oriented strands of carbon fiber. Nipples are hidden inside the rim for better aerodynamics. The tubular bed offers plenty of contact area for gluing, but a recessed center channel for the tire seam would be nice. Assos SS.13 jersey - bring on the heat! The Assos SS.13 is the company's premier Photo ©: James Huang Simple understated style in black and white. Photo ©: James Huang Liberal mesh panels Photo ©: James Huang Proudly standing almost unchallenged atop the ultra-premium clothing world is Swiss-based Assos. In Assos-land, high-tech features and unflappable Euro styling are met with equally high asking prices, but in the case of its new SS.13 jersey, we have to admit that you get what you pay for. Assos incorporates a non-stretch 3D 'senso mesh' back into its new top-end top, which supposedly offers better support when the pockets are brimming with gear, as well as a more structured, wrinkle-free fit and more efficient moisture transfer. As one would expect coming from Assos, the SS.13 delivers a decidedly trim cut that is further enhanced by stretch Macro Spandex shoulders and a rather uniquely cut neck. A full-length zipper and mesh armpit inserts augment the mesh back to keep things cool, while a few reflective accents help to keep things safe after the sun goes down. We'll likely never label a US$279 jersey as inexpensive, but we will say that the SS.13 is simply one of the finest, if not the finest, hot-weather jersey we've used. The liberal expanse of mesh works exceptionally well at moving air through the garment, and the tight fit does, indeed, facilitate the removal of sweat (and therefore, heat) from your body. By whatever means, the SS.13 somehow manages to make the air feel cooler than it really is. Unlike some other tighter-fitting tops we've used, this one also never feels clammy against your skin. Assos' semi-rigid 'senso mesh' construction theory also seems to hold up well. After intentionally loading the pockets up with a big-and-heavy smartphone, a handful of keys, multi-tool, tube, CO2 inflator, gel packets, and a few energy bars (a bag of lead shot perhaps would have been a more space-efficient means of lugging around a bunch of mass), the SS.13 continued to offer up a superb fit with little-to-no sagging to speak of. Lastly, we can't help but mention Assos' impeccable styling. How one company can be so successful at creating timelessly simple-yet-striking garments (and how some others seem to perennially get it so wrong) is beyond our comprehension, but Assos has clearly got it down pat. Does it cost more? Yup, sure does… now where do we get another one? Price: US$279.99 Pros: Impeccable styling, extraordinarily efficient at keeping things cool (both literally and figuratively), 'senso mesh' back works as advertised Cons: Hyper-expensive… but worth every penny as long as you've got the funds Cyclingnews rating: Photography For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com The Assos SS.13 is the company's premier short-sleeve jersey. Simple understated style in black and white. Liberal mesh panels help keep the air moving. Non-stretch 'senso mesh' panels on the back supposedly offer a better fit and less sagging when the pockets are loaded. The unique cut of the SS.13 neck. Three standard rear pockets are supplemented by an extra zippered pocket for security. A full zip delivers as much air as you want. Lake Cycling CX330C shoes - roomy kangaroo slippers The molded heel cup combats heel lift. Photo ©: James Huang A unique heel-mounted BOA closure system Photo ©: James Huang Vents in the forefoot and heel Photo ©: James Huang The Lake CX330C is one of just a handful of cycling shoes that continues to use natural materials. In this case, kangaroos give up their hides for the buttery soft K-Lite uppers which are also fitted with temperature-regulating Outlast material in the heel and tongue liner to further improve comfort. Conventional buckles and straps are scrapped in favor of the increasingly popular BOA system, which emulates the fit of old-school laces and pairs it with modern convenience and light weight. In a bit of an unusual twist, though, Lake mounts the Boa reel on the heel of the CX330. This not only provides the usual Boa benefits, but also serves to pull the rider's foot back into the heel cup for a more secure fit. Lake mates this entire assembly atop a rigid three-hole-compatible full-carbon sole with forefoot and heel vents. Lake's heel-mounted BOA works great at locking the rear of your foot into the shoe; heel lift was wholly nonexistent and the criss-cross lacing pattern did an excellent job at distributing pressure evenly across the instep. Riders with lower volume feet, however, will likely have to crank up the BOA a few more turns (thus impinging on the front of the ankle a bit in the process) as the CX330C offers up a particularly roomy interior. This does leave plenty of room for bulkier custom insoles, but the especially high-volume fit might not work for many riders. Otherwise, the CX330C performed admirably and the wide carbon soles proved plenty rigid and supportive. The one exception was a sole insert that stripped out almost immediately during cleat installation. Thankfully it's a fairly easily replaceable bit, but it was annoying nonetheless. On a more subjective note, we never really quite got on with our test shoes' black-and-silver aesthetic, nor did most of the people we asked to offer up their opinion on how the CX330C looked. Lake also offers the shoe in a bolder orange-and-black colorway and a brighter pearl white-and-silver, but the general pattern remains the same. Overall, the CX330C proved to be a perfectly competent high-end road shoe with some intriguing (and effective) features. As with any shoe, though, fit is paramount and the especially roomy cut of the Lake CX330C warrants a trial wearing even more than usual. Bigger riders should also take note that Lake offers the CX330C all the way up to sz48. As the saying goes, if the shoe fits… Price: US$279.99 Weight: 600g (pair, sz44) Pros: Heel-mounted BOA works well at locking in the heel and effectively mimics the fit of old-school laces, supply K-Lite upper material, broad size range Cons: High-volume interior fit likely won't work for many, questionable aesthetics, chintzy sole inserts Cyclingnews rating: Photography For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com The CX330C is Lake Cycling's top non-moldable shoe. A unique heel-mounted BOA closure system secures the rider's foot into the heel cup. The criss-cross lacing pattern mimics the even pressure distribution of old-school laces. The look may not be for everyone , but the performance is mostly there. A full carbon sole puts the power down. Vents in the forefoot and heel help to keep feet cool. The molded heel cup combats heel lift. A well-padded tongue virtually eliminates pressure points on top of the foot.