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EICMA show -
Milan, Italy, September 15-18, 2006
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Part 10 - September 15-18:
Time's are a-changing
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By Anthony Tan at EICMA in Milan, Italy
Okay, okay, we're in Italia, but there were a few new things from France that caught the eyes of consumers at EICMA.
Starting with what they first became famous for and following a recent trend, Time Sport will be offering a brand new women's specific road and mountain bike pedal, the RXL and ATAC XL, in 2007.
A company representative told us the RXL has reduced spring tension for easier entry and release, and is tailored specifically to the lighter rider. Two settings are offered, with +/-5 degrees of angular float and 2.5mm of lateral float. The RXL (the L denoting lady) has a claimed weight of 260 grams per pair. The ATAC women's MTB pedal has also been designed along similar lines, and is said to weigh 350 grams per pair.
While we're sitting on that side of the fence, Time will also have a women's specific road and mountain bike shoe available next year. The RXL Carbon road shoe will be identical to the RXE men's shoe (key features: 7mm carbon sole, low-profile thermoformed removable insole, synthetic upper with ventilated mesh, injection-moulded heel pad with carbon insert, three carbon Velcro straps, padded inner tongue), but will feature a women's last. Sizes will range from 37 to 43, with a claimed weight of 250 grams per shoe for a size 39. Again, the MXL women's mountain bike shoe will be identical to the MXC men's shoe, but with a female last.
Going back to the road shoe game, an all new top-of-the-line men's shoe will be available in '07, with a claimed weight of 220 grams per shoe for size 39 (but really, which guy's foot is this small?!). Ventilation has been maximised, too, with 16 side vents.
Time Sport's flagship road frame, the VXRS Ulteam, is ostensibly the same next year, but with three minor modifications: a lighter front fork, seatpost and stem, the latter incorporating titanium bolts for an impressive claimed weight of 115 grams for a 110mm size. As the name implies, the VXR Proteam is the choice of riders like Tom Boonen and Paolo Bettini, and weighs 70 g's more than the VXRS Ulteam at 985 grams (+/- 5%), although is designed to be a little more robust. The Edge model will be identical, but for those who want to look fabulously fast, a sublime matt red colour scheme can be yours for the taking.
Finally, a range of accessories that includes saddles, socks, booties, shoe covers, bar tape, bike bag and headband completes the 2007 line-up. Time for a quick trip to the bank, methinks...
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Anthony Tan/Cyclingnews.com
- Time's men's road shoe and pedal line-up for 2007.
- The all-new RXS Ulteam carbon will be Time's top men's road shoe next year, boasting a claimed weight of 220 grams per shoe.
- The Ulteam carbon shall also be available in blue and white.
- The top-shelf VXRS Ulteam has undergone a few minor mods to make it a little lighter, with a new carbon fork, revised seatpost clamp and titanium screws in the stem.
- The new Monolink Ulteam Ti Carbon stem has a claimed weight of just 115 grams.
- The 2007 seatpost has undergone some revision at the clamp area, which is virtually all carbon.
- The Ulteam carbon fork.
- The stem on the VXR Proteam.
