Recently on Cyclingnews.com
|
Mont Ventoux Photo ©: Sirotti
|
|
|
EICMA show
Milan, Italy, September 16-19, 2005
Main Page
Previous Part Next Part Part 2 - Shimano, Lightweight, LAS, Fizik
Shimano: compact and carbon
Shimano compact crank
|
Shimano's main launches for 2006 are in the middle of the range, with
its new version of the 105 group and a new Deore mountain bike group.
But the Osaka component behemoth also had a few high-end suyrprises on
show at EICMA, including an unheralded compact crank.
Shimano WH-7801-carbon
|
Available in Spring 2006, the FC-R700 uses Shimano's Hollowtech II technology
with 50/34 chainrings. The new chainset doesn't slot into any of Shimano's
existing component groups (Shimano lists it among 'non-series components'
such as adjustable-reach brake levers and legacy high-quality eight-speed
brake/shift levers), but is designated as being Ultegra quality.
Shimano also officially launched three new Dura-Ace quality wheels, the
WH-7801-carbon, WH-7801-SL and WH-7801. WH-7801-carbon is, as you might
guess, the carbon-rimmed wheel for tubular tyres that has been popping
up under Shimano-sponsored riders for a couple of years.
Shimano WH-7801-SL
|
Weighing in at a claimed 1310 grams per pair, these should be top-notch
race wheels, given Shimano's proven dependale wheel technology.
Electric blue
|
Scandium rims and compatibility with the tubeless tyres due to appear
Real Soon Now from various tyre makers are the features of the WH-7801-SL
wheels. The new rim makes for a substantially lighter wheel than the old
WH-7800 Dura-Ace model, with a claimed weight of 1520g per pair. Finally,
the new WH-7801 is an upgrade to the workhorse Dura-Ace wheels with an
offset rear rim.
Shimano's top-line road shoe gets a model number change from SH-R215
to SH-R215B indicating a new blue-and-silver colour scheme to replace
the old silver-on-silver pattern. These shoes have also dropped a few
grams, going from 600g to 572g in a size 40, according to Shimano.
|
Fizik wraps it up Nisely
Fizik's carbon-wrapped rails
|
|
Fizik Nisene
|
|
Fizik's popular Arione saddle has a new carbon upgrade for 2006, with
super light and super strong carbon braided rails.
Aliante!
|
The Arione still has the comfy Twin Flex / Wing Flex shell with an extended
(30cm) length for more riding positions, but the weight is now down to
179g, according to Fizik's Massimo Fregonese.
Fizik's original uber-saddle, the Aliante has many devotees (not least
several of the Cyclingnews editorial team who find it the comfiest saddle
we've tried) and the 2006 version has attractive white carbon inserts.
Named after Nisene Marks State Park near Santa Cruz, California, the
preferred off-road stomping grounds of the Giro Helmet mob, Fizik's new
for 2006 Nisene model has an all new shape that puts a new spin on Fizik's
original MTB saddle that was originally designed in cooperation with Giro.
|
Dream wheels
Lightweight Ventoux wheels
|
The freehub body
|
These are the special wheels that Cyclingnews editor Hedwig Kroener
wishes she had when she recently rode up le Mont Ventoux. Heinz Obermeyer
of Carbon Sports designed his new Lightweight wheels for tough climbs
like Ventoux, thus the name. The carbon fibre tubulars have a new mid
profile rim and weight a claimed 950 grams per pair, which makes them
among the lightest wheels we're aware of.
|
LAS but not least
LAS lids
|
Starting now, Trialtir of Houston, Texas will import LAS Helmets to the
USA. Massimo Bartolini of Trialtir told Cyclingnews, "We are very
happy to bring in the LAS range; it's a very well made product from Bergamo,
Italy and we are sure American riders will like the unique styling."
Pictured is the LAS Haxial, with an interchangeable top ventilator that
enhances air flow. LAS Haxial is the choice of ProTour leader Danilo DiLuca
and his Liquigas-Bianchi squad, as well as Laurent "Mullet Man" Brochard's
Bouygues Telecom.
|
Yo Big Tex
All Lance, all the time
|
Lance Armstrong couldn't make it to the EICMA show this year, but his
seven Tour de France wins were heavily featured in Trek's always packed
booth. Trek importer Phil Edwards told Cyclingnews that "With a Trek winning
the Tour once again with Lance... and an American bike has won the Giro
d'Italia, so there is a huge demand for Trek's high end road bikes even
in Italy!"
Kings of the road
Kings of the road
|
During the presentation of the Italian National Team for the Madrid World
Championships, Cyclingnews spied three giants of Italian Cycling:
L: Vittorio Adorni, C: Fiorenzo Magni & R: Ercole Baldini
|
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by
Tim Maloney/Cyclingnews.com
Back to top
|
|