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EICMA 2002
Milan, Italy, September 20 - 23, 2002
Tim Maloney's EICMA 2002 Report part 2
By Tim Maloney
Northwave
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Northwave has launched a new shoe called the Genetix. This shoe is a departure from their last shoe, the Evolution, as it uses an adjustable Microtech closure plus two velcro straps instead of the three straps of the Evolution. Genetix utilises a new road sole called the TLS. Instead of the conventional carbon fiber, the Northwave TLS is a nylon sole with a cupped shape which has a Titanium arch insert, which provides a more rigid platform yet a lighter weight. The cup-shaped sole brings the axis of the pedal closer to the ball of the foot; only 6.8mm.
Revolution is the name of Northwave's new mid-range shoe, with three velcros and extra comfort and breathability through a Compact Mesh toe, reinforced with a innovative polyurethane web instead of a traditional synthetic leather material like Lorica.
ITM
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ITM's Flavio Tizian showed Cyclingnews their innovative new entry in the carbon fibre stem, handlebar and seatpost sweepstakes. The Uniko Stem is a carbon fibre monocoque affair with a multidirectional layup that maximizes strength and minimizes weight. Available in a 25.8mm clamp, the Uniko comes in five sizes between 90-135 mm, weighs 155 grams and uses a unique new Grip Wedge System rather than a conventional bolt closure system.
The Uniko seatpost is also carbon fibre monocoque, 250mm long and available in two diameters; 27.2mm and 32.4mm and uses the Grip Wedge System. Unika Bars are also in carbon fiber monocoque, with a 25.8mm diameter to match the Uniko Stem. Available in three widths; 420mm, 440mm and 460mm, Unika has a wider than normal cable groove where both brake and gear cables will fit and weighs in at only 178 grams.
Time Sport
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The French firm known for its pedals, shoes and carbon fiber forks has introduced a new version of their top-end road frame, the VX Special Pro. Reportedly made in Italy by a top bike maker from Treviso, Time Sport promotion manager Alain Descroix told Cyclingnews that both Quick Step-Davitamon and Le Boulanger-Briocherie (ex-Bonjour) will ride on the Time Sport VX Special Pro next season.
The lightweight (1.93kg for compete frame – 53cm) VX Special features a bi-elliptic carbon fiber downtube that minimizes longitudinal stresses at the integrated headtube, and as the ellipse shifts its axis further along the downtube, it increases the ridigity of the bottom bracket. The carbon fiber tubes are bonded to aluminum lugs at the integrated 1 1/8” head tube, bottom bracket and seat cluster.
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Time has developed a unique approach to managing power tranmission to the rear wheel by creating asymmetrical shaped chainstays with different carbon fiber compositions in each stay. The asymmetrical stays join to a specially designed monobloc rear wishbone. Up front, the Time VX Special frame has a Time Avant carbon fiber monocoque fork.
Time Impact pedals are now much more widely available, reports Descroix. “We still have some back orders, but the availability of our Impact pedals is much improved.” We will have a test of the new Time Impact pedals coming soon on Cyclingnews.
Fi’zi:k
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In the saddle category, the Fi’zi:k Aliante is one of the years must have products, even for Hollywood stars. Marketing director Massimo Fregonese told Cyclingnews that “Robin Williams was convinced he wanted an Alliante with python covering. Our US marketing person Suzette Ayotte, who lives in San Francisco heard from Williams, who was buying his bike from City Cycle.” One thing led to another and soon, and thanks to Fizik, Mork’s bum was in contact with a one of a kind Fi’zi:k Aliante.
But now, Fregonese explained that if someone wants one of these super-special one of a kind Fizik saddles, they can check the new / special products section of the Fi’zi:k website for availability and purchase.
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Fi’zi:k has a new Titanium rail version of the Aliante, as well as a whole array of new Team Replica saddles in both road and mountain versions. Prime Alliance, Navigators, Saeco-Longoni all get their own road versions (among others) of the Poggio and Pave’ models, while mountainbike saddle models Plateau and Nisene are from teams like the now defunct Volvo Cannondale squad, RLX-Polo Sport and others.
After Fi’zi:k’s parent company Selle Royale purchased venerable UK saddle maker Brooks. Fregonese told us that “well, we want to re-launch the Brooks saddles; for now we’ve been concentrating on making the transition but soon we want to incorporate the authentic, original Brooks saddles and update them, while still maintaining the core philosophy of the product.” Look for more news from Fi’zi:k and Brooks, including a top secret new model that Cyclingnews reported on while in the initial development phase last March in Milano.
Photos
Images by Tim Maloney/Cyclingnews
- A well used Brooks saddle
- Another Brooks saddle. How many KM's will it have seen?
- I'm not sure how well this will work with lycra.
- Another Fi’zi:k animal hide saddle
- ITM Uniko stem and Unika bars
- Northwave Evolution - Nylon sole, Titanium arch
- Northwave Revolution, their new mid-range shoe
- The sole of the Northwave Evolution
- Times new VX Special Pro frameset
- The pointy end of the VX Special Pro
- Some nice carbon work guys
