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Interbike show -
Las Vegas, Nevada USA, September 25-29, 2006
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Part 10 - Noah navigates by Orion - September 30, 2006
By James Huang in Las Vegas, NV
McEwen 'Noah' replicas in limited supply
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Ridley Bicycles will offer fifty exact replicas of Robbie McEwen’s official Davitamon-Lotto Noah as used during the 2006 Tour de FRance, including official team paint and McEwen’s personal component preferences. The McEwen replica bike will also include a TdF-replica green sprinter’s jersey signed by the Aussie himself and will carry a total price tag of US$10,000.
Functionally, the carbon fiber Noah frame will be identical to Ridley’s standard Noah. As befitting a proper sprinter’s bike, the Noah features a heavily reinforced front end complete with a head tube that flares to a monstrous 1.5” at the fork crown. When combined with the aero-profile seat tube with integrated post, the result is a super torsionally and laterally rigid chassis, according to Ridley.
Ridley will also offer a full replica of Erwin Vervecken’s official Team Fidea X-Night carbon fiber cyclocross bike that was piloted to this year’s UCI World Championship. As with the replica Noah, an autographed Team Fidea World Championship jersey will also be included, and the package will carry a similarly steep price tag of approximately US$10,000. Just 25 of these special edition X-Nights will be offered.
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In other Ridley news, the popular Excalibur receives an integrated seat post to become the Helium. At 1090g for the complete frame, the Excalibur is the lightest bike in the lineup and carries a MSRP of US$2999, just below the Noah.
The new “entry level” Orion frame features monocoque carbon fiber construction with a T-shaped top tube and heavily reinforced bottom bracket area for what Ridley says is an optimal stiffness to weight relationship. Cost-cutting measures include a non-flared 1 1/8” front end with an aluminum fork crown and a marbled carbon finish with smatterings of 3k weave for impact resistance. The Orion still qualifies as a lightweight at 1200g and will be offered at a MSRP of US$1500.
A new Heracles aluminum and carbon fiber model is arguably the most unique looking frame in the Ridley lineup. An aluminum top tube, head tube, and down tube are paired with a carbon fiber rear end and seat tube, which passes down through an aluminum seat cluster and also includes an integrated post. Frame weight is quoted at 1350g and the suggested retail is $1450.
Easton refines its component lines and updates wheels
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Once known as just an aluminum tubing manufacturer, Easton continues to expand, refine, and update its extensive bicycle component offerings. The new EC90 Equipe SLX carbon fiber drop bar marks a return of the uniquely angled tops of the original EC90, but the SLX will retain the semi-ergonomic drops of the current Equipe. The “D”-shaped cross-section remains for clean cable routing, and both the reach and drop have been slightly reduced for a more versatile fit. Four widths will be offered at a MSRP of US249.99, and the weight is quoted at approximately 200g.
Complementing the bar is the new EA90 stem. At just 125g (for a 120mm extension), the EA90 offers a secure four-bolt faceplate and 3D forged aluminum construction for dependable performance. Sizes will range from 90-130mm in both 0° and 10° angles. Last year’s workhorse EA70 stem gets an overhaul with a larger diameter and thinner-walled extension for increased stiffness and reduced weight. Gone are the fussy (and easily lost!) backing nuts for the handlebar faceplate in favor of steel helicoils.
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Easton’s entire line of CNT-reinforced carbon fiber mountain bike bars will now be offered in oversized 31.8mm clamp diameters for 2007. In addition, last year’s popular Monkeylite XC, SL, and DH all get revised bends to more closely mimic the 25.4mm versions. The current bend will continue to be offered under the “MX” designation.
Easton’s road wheelsets all receive substantial revisions. Last year’s Ascent II becomes the EA90 SLX, the Orion II transforms into the EA90 SL, and an all-new EC70 SL carbon clincher joins the Easton family. All wheels receive a new R4 hubset, which abandons the long-standing dual-threaded T3 spoking system in favor of a more conventional straight-pull design. Rear freehubs get an upgrade from 24 to 32 ratchet teeth for faster engagement, and larger diameter aluminum axles front and rear increase lateral rigidity and bearing durability.
Zipp introduces premium Zedtech line
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Riders seeking a more “personal” approach to carbon fiber wheelsets may find solace in Zipp’s new Zedtech line of premium hoops. Six different rim profiles are included in the program, which includes dimpled hubs, 2:1 rear spoke lacing patterns, two hub anodization colors, and customizable rim graphics as standard options.
From there, though, the sky’s the limit. Zedtech “Ultimate” options include silicon nitride ceramic bearings, stiffer or lighter rim laminates, custom-anodized nipples, unique spoke lacing patterns, and custom-embroidered wheel bags.
Zedtech wheels will command an approximate US$750 premium over the standard versions, not including any Ultimate upgrades, and each wheel will be handled by a single Zipp wheel technician from start to finish.
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com
- The Orion is a new "entry level" carbon fiber frame from Ridley.
- Most of the Orion frame has a "marbled" carbon fiber finish, but there are smatterings of 3k carbon weave is strategic areas for reinforcement and impact resistance.
- One of the cost-saving measures on the Orion is the straight 1 1/8" steerer tube (upper end Ridleys flare to 1.5" at the crown race) and aluminum fork crown.
- The bottom bracket area of the new Orion is slathered in carbon fiber to assist in drivetrain rigidity.
- Both of the dropouts on the top-end Ridley Noah are fully replaceable in the event of damage.
- Like it? Want one? Got an extra US$10k sitting in your pocket?
- The integrated seat post on the Ridley Noah adds chassis rigidity and is also aero-profiled to help guide the air over the rear wheel.
- Ridley's Noah is unique in its lineup in that it uses tube-to-tube carbon fiber construction instead of monocoque. Ridley head Jochim Aerts says this allows for more precise control of wall thicknesses.
- The Heracles is one of Ridley's less expensive frames, but still uses an innovative carbon fiber and aluminum hybrid construction.
- The Heracles uses an integrated carbon fiber seat post that is formed as one piece with the seat tube.
- Last year's Excalibur has gained an integrated seat post to form the Helium.
- Ridley uses a dramatically flared steerer tube that swells from the standard 1 1/8" diameter up top to a whopping 1 1/2" at the crown race for increased front end rigidity.
- The Helium wears a pair of radically shaped chainstays that provide plenty of drivetrain and tire clearance while also keeping the back end in line.
- Ever wonder how many helmets Limar makes?
- The 959 is Limar's new top-end helmet, incorporating a carbon fiber internal reinforcement.
Images by Image courtesy of Easton
- Easton has switched from the mega-offset single bolt head on last year's posts to a more mellow two-bolt setup that should offer a more versatile fit and a more solid fit.
- The workhorse EA70 stem grows in diameter for a stiffer connection. Tube walls have thinned out as well to keep the weight down.
- The upper bend of the original EC90 bar is back, mated with the semi-anatomic fit of the current EC90 Equipe.
- The oversized 2007 Monkeylite line gets a revised bend that more closely mimics that of the older 25.4mm versions.
- Last year's mega-upsweep Monkeylite carries on for '07, but will now wear the MX moniker.
- New to Easton's wheel lineup is the EC70 SL, a carbon clincher that utilizes Easton's new R4 hubset.
- The 2006 Ascent II has received some upgrades and becomes the EA90 SLX. Changes include a new, faster-engaging hubset and standard straight-pull spokes.
- The '07 EA90 SL is the next step in the evolution of the Orion II. As with the new EA90 SLX, the SL's R4 hubset gets the new freehub setup and larger diameter aluminum axles plus cartridge bearings with adjustable preload.
- The new EA90 is Easton's top aluminum stem, featuring a 3D forged aluminum body and secure four-bolt faceplate.
Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com
- Mmm…. Blue anodizing.
- If you see one of these on your friend's new wheelset, they're either way faster than you thought… or their job pays better than yours.
- Zedtech premium upgrade options include custom fiber layups for lighter or stiffer rims, ceramic bearings, and custom-anodized alloy spoke nipples.
- Be like Jens! The CSC edition Zipp 909 rear disc wears standard windcheating dimples on the hub end.
