New Arrivals – January 9, 2008 Edited by James Huang Got Tech? Send press releases, news, and tech questions to the Cyclingnews tech-heads. Welcome to New Arrivals, a section showcasing the latest equipment that's landed on the Cyclingnews tech desk. Look out for reviews over the next few months when we've clocked up some saddle time with this stuff. Craft winter clothing Craft is well known for its base layers Photo ©: Mark Zalewski Cyclingnews' winter closets are now bursting with new arrivals, but that did not stop the folks at Craft from sending us a sample of their top new pieces to keep riders warm and riding through the blustery winter months that blanket the northern hemisphere these months. Starting at the base layer through the accessories, the Craft collection is clearly meant to insure total coverage. Our test kit covers the range of temperatures from cool to cold. The Gore WS Thermal jacket is a new item on the line, with Windstopper chest and arm panels along with Craft's own Flex Fleece insulating fabrics to battle the cold. Underneath, the proZERO long sleeve base layer features raglan shoulders, a seamless torso, and aggressive moisture-wicking fabric that also traps hot air. The Wind Control bib tights are made from four-way stretch Thermo Sense fabric, with a windproof front and brushed inner lining. Craft offers the Wind Control tight both with and without a chamois; we opted for the latter. Covering the outer extremities are new gloves, socks, hat and shoe covers. The Tempest glove is lightweight but windproof with the aim of keeping your hands warm yet functional. Silicone grippers on the Clarino palm give comfort and traction. The Gore Wind Stop skull hat is thin enough to be worn under a helmet, but looks just at home on its own. The Bike Train Thermal socks continues to show that natural fibers still reign supreme with their wool fabric, and Craft uses a thinner upper portion for air circulation and a thicker lower one for warmth. Finally the Nemo bootie probably derives its name from the likelihood that it works as well underwater as above, thanks to 3mm of insulating neoprene and fully waterproof zippers. Winter is alive and well in the US Midwest, folks, so we'll be sure to let you know how this stuff goes in short order. /MZ Price: US$49.99 (proZERO Long Sleeve); US$34.99 (Tempest Glove); US$16.99 (Bike Train Socks); US$219.99 (Wind Control Bib Pant); US$169.99 (Gore WS Thermal Bike Jacket); US$44.99 (Nemo Cover) Trek Madone 6.9 Trek's top-end Madone 6.9 Photo ©: James Huang Trek's flagship Madone 6.9 steps it up from the Madone 5.2 we recently tested with the company's premium OCLV Red Series frame and a top-end parts pick. As compared to the intermediate modulus fiber blend in the Madone 5.2's OCLV Black Series frame, the Red Series version adds a 'significant percentage' of high modulus fibers and more complex lay-up schedules to yield what we expect to be a somewhat lighter and stiffer chassis. The matching Race XXX Lite E2 fork is also upgraded with a full carbon steerer tube. The 'Performance Fit' of our tester includes a slightly elongated head tube to suit a wider range of body types or flexibilities, and the geometry designation also impacts some of the componentry. Trek equips our Madone 6.9 with Shimano Dura-Ace Dual Control levers, brake calipers, derailleurs, and chain, but widens the gear range by switching to a Bontrager Race X Lite compact crankset and SRAM OG-1070 11-26T cassette. Rolling stock comes courtesy of Bontrager Race XXX Lite carbon clincher wheels and Race X Lite Pro tires, and Trek taps into the company parts bin again for the Bontrager Race XXX Lite VR carbon bar and Race XXX Lite carbon stem. Total weight for our 54cm tester is just 6.7kg (14.7lb), without pedals. Price: US$7699.99 CarbonSports Lightweight Standard Generation III wheelset The CarbonSports Lightweight Standard Generation III Photo ©: James Huang Top pros have long heralded Lightweight wheels not so much for their obvious lack of mass, but more for their surprising rigidity and responsiveness. Amazingly, Germany-based CarbonSports claims its latest Lightweight Standard Generation III wheels are now a full 30% more rigid than the Generation II version (and 40% stiffer than the originals) courtesy of a new all-carbon fiber lens-shaped spoke. According to CarbonSports, the new spoke formulation offers higher tensile and impact strength than last year's aramid/fiber blend, and is even more resistant to pull-out than before. Carbon fiber is also used for the 53mm-deep tubular rim as well as both hubs, which now feature DT Swiss internals. The entire assembly is 'laminated' into one cohesive unit with no threaded fittings or mechanical joints, producing what CarbonSports says is the most rigid, reliable, and maintenance-free option out there. Front wheels are offered in 12-, 16-, and 20-spoke counts depending on the intended application. Proving yet again that the devil is in the details, Lightweight even molds a powerful magnet directly into the rim for use with a computer, and its miniscule 0.8g weight won't throw off wheel balance. A 0.2g memory chip is molded in as well, which permanently records each wheel's tracking number. This can be used to recall information regarding the wheel's production process, environmental conditions during production, and trueness, and can even be used as a form of identification in case of theft. Our Shimano/SRAM-compatible test models came with Continental Competition tubular pre-glued, but even so, weigh just 1620g for the pair (730g/890g front/rear). Subtracting out the weight of the rubber (typically about 275g each), glue, and aluminum valve extenders, the actual weight of our testers is a fantastic 1100g or so. How stiff can they be at such a low weight? Wait and see. Price: US$4500 Race Face NEXT crankset Race Face brings back the NEXT moniker Photo ©: James Huang Race Face revives the NEXT nameplate for its newest cross-country mountain bike crankset. However, unlike the first iteration that used carbon fiber mainly as reinforcement for the surrounding aluminum structure, the latest version is almost entirely made of the stuff. The British Columbia-based company claims the new NEXT crankset shares the same carbon fiber blend as the Boeing Dreamliner, and the fully hollow arms foregoes a full-length spine in favor of individual co-molded aluminum inserts for the pedals and bottom bracket spindle. The assembly rotates on Race Face's familiar X-Type external bearing bottom bracket system (with new triple wiper seals and Phil Wood waterproof grease) but the cro-moly spindle now wears an updated 'EXI' tapered spline for more secure crankarm attachment and easier installation. Team-model chainrings utilize the same 7075 aluminum construction and pinned-and-ramped design as before. Aluminum hardware throughout helps keep the weight of our 175mm-long testers to just 756g for the complete assembly. Price: US$649 Selle Italia Flite Team Edition saddle Selle Italia will now offer Team Edition saddles Photo ©: James Huang Need a little more 'team' in your diet? Selle Italia's red-striped Team Edition saddles were previously only available to sponsored teams and riders (or the well connected) but they'll now be available to the general public beginning this March. Our Flite Team Edition saddle shares nearly the same specifications as the standard version, including the carbon-reinforced shell and tubular 'Ti 316' rails. However, the usual full-grain leather cover is now swapped with white Lorica and adorned with an understated red stripe and the 'Team Edition' designation. Selle Italia will also offer its SLR Gel Flow and Thoork saddles in Team Edition livery. Actual weight on our Flite Team Edition test sample is 204g. Price: US$178.99 (Flite Team Edition); US$184.99 (SLR Gel Flow Team Edition); US$224.99 (Thoork Team Edition) Selle Italia Yutaak saddle The Yutaak is rather flat from front to back. Photo ©: James Huang Selle Italia has often pushed the design envelope when it comes to saddle design, and its MTB-specific Yutaak continues the trend. The non-slip Kevlar/Cordura top conceals a well-padded shell, but is also fitted with Vibram rubber inserts on the sides, rear, and under the nose. According to Selle Italia, the grippy Vibram material offer more control in extreme situations and also adds protection in the event of a fall. The insert under the heavily padded underside of the nose also provides a handy location for portaging. The generous 285mm length allows a bit more room to maneuver, while tubular 'Ti 316' rails help keep the weight down. The Yutaak is also available in a cutout version, the Yutaak Gel Flow, which is also equipped with gel padding for those so inclined. Actual weight of our standard Yutaak tester is 264g. Price: US$127.99 (Yutaak); US$143.99 (Yutaak Gel Flow) Genuine Innovations inflators Genuine Innovations' Air Chuck SL Photo ©: James Huang Genuine Innovations is easily the most recognizable name in CO2-powered inflators for bicycles and the Air Chuck SL and Microflate Nano models are its smallest and lightest yet. The miniscule Air Chuck SL uses stout nickel-plated and anodized alloy construction along with Genuine Innovations' Push-to-Inflate head design for controlled inflation on both Presta and Schrader valves. The screw-on head works with any of Genuine Innovations' threaded cartridges (except the 45g version) and weighs just 20g; the included 16g CO2 cartridge tacks on another 60g. The Microflate Nano shares the same cartridge and valve compatibilities as the Air Chuck SL but swaps to a more economical nylon-and-brass molded construction, but its smaller form factor is specifically designed to fit in most disc wheel valve access ports. Inflation control comes courtesy of Genuine Innovations' simpler Twist-to-Inflate design. Contrary to expectations, the Microflate Nano is actually slightly heavier at 22g for the bare head. Like the Air Chuck SL, though, a single 16g threaded cartridge is included. Price: US$19.99 (Air Chuck SL w/one 16g cartridge); US$13.99 (Microflate Nano w/one 16 cartridge) Photography For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here Images by Mark Zalewski/Cyclingnews.com Craft arms riders for winter with its Gore WS Thermal Bike Jacket. Gore Windstopper is used only on front surfaces ; the rest of the jacket is made from more breathable Flex Fleece fabric. A full front zip provides plenty of adjustable ventilation. Gore Windstopper panels keep the cold air out. Craft is well known for its base layers ; its proZERO fabric is aimed at cold weather with an air-trapping construction. A dropped tail offers plenty of coverage. The Wind Control Bib Pant uses four-way stretch Thermo Sense fabric. Reflective panels add nighttime visibility. The Tempest glove lets users retain dexterity. Grippy dots in the Clarino palm prevent slipping. The Craft Bike Train socks use a wool blend for warmth. Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com Trek's top-end Madone 6.9 will fly the Astana colors next year. The OCLV Red Series frame uses higher modulus fibers and Trek's most complex lay-up schedules. The E2 front end uses a 1 1/8"-to-1 1/2" oversized and tapered carbon steerer tube. A bowed top tube is fast becoming a common design element among many manufacturers. Trek swaps out the Dura-Ace crankset for the compact rings of its Bontrager Race X Lite model. The Bontrager Race XXX Lite wheelset features a full-carbon clincher rim. More carbon is found up top with the Race XXX Lite bar and stem. The CarbonSports Lightweight Standard Generation III is supposedly 30% stiffer than last year's version. CarbonSports turns the carbon rim, hub, and spokes into a single structural unit with no threads or metallic joints. The carbon hubs use DT Swiss internals. Front wheels are offered with 12, 16, or 20 spokes depending on the intended application. Widely-spaced flanges aim for maximum rigidity. Race Face brings back the NEXT moniker for its latest crankset. The hollow arms use no internal spine. A new EXI spline promises to be more secure and easier to install than the original. Race Face's proven Team chainrings feature pinned and ramped architecture. Selle Italia will now offer Team Edition saddles to the public beginning in March. The Flite Team Edition bears the same shape as the standard version. Hollow Ti 316 rails are graduated for precise positioning. The Selle Italia Yutaak continues the company's trend of pushing design limits. The Yutaak is rather flat from front to back. Vibram inserts improve durability. A Vibram pad under the nose adds another spot for portaging. Genuine Innovations' Air Chuck SL weighs just 20g (without the cartridge) yet features durable nickel-plated and anodized alloy construction and precisely tunable flow. The itty-bitty Microflate Nano is small enough to fit most disc brake valve access ports.