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EICMA show -
Milan, Italy, November 6 - 11, 2007
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Part 4 - Classic Italian from the halls of EICMA
By Gregor Brown in Milan
Bianchi's three tiers
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Bianchi is almost as much a part of cycling as the bicycle itself - the nameplate has been rolling on Italian strade since 1885 - and offers discerning riders three high-performance tiers for 2008. The Hor Categorie (HOC) range focuses on minimizing weight, and includes the carbon fiber 928 Carbon SL and the aluminium FG Lite. The curvy 928 Carbon SL employs 'Nano Tech' composite to help it achieve its superb 850g claimed weight for a medium-sized frame. Complete bikes will weigh just 6.1kg (without pedals). Named after company representative and cycling great Felice Gimondi, the all-aluminium FG Lite is similar to what Liquigas' Danilo Di Luca used in early 2006 and is built with aggressively shaped and butted Dedacciai tubing.
The Born for Performance (B4P) line-up is best represented in 2008 by the 928 Carbon T-Cube, with the "T-Cube" signifying Bianchi's use of tube-to-tube construction technology instead of lugged construction. The extra rigidity of the frame as compared to the lighter 928 Carbon SL will likely see it used by the 2008 Barloworld team in the early season Classics and sprint races. The tube-to-tube construction will also allow for custom frame geometries if the team requires it.
The B4P line will also include titanium and aluminium frames in the form of the titanium S9 Matta and 1885 TB Hydro/Carbon. According to Bianchi, the Matta was built on experience the company gained when Magnus Backstedt rode an almost identical machine to victory in the 2004 Paris-Roubaix. For 2008, the frame gains a newly integrated headset and an all-titanium rear end. At the other end of the spectrum, the more entry-level 1885 is built with triple-butted 7000-series aluminium augmented by carbon fiber seat stays.
As is fast becoming the trend among all the major companies, Bianchi will offer a slightly more relaxed geometry with its Coast to Coast (C2C) range. Modifications from its all-out racing line will include longer chain stays and a slightly more comfortable ride to appeal to Gran Fondo-type riders who are still looking to get to their destination quickly but without the racing number. The 928 Carbon is an all-carbon affair while the Nirone (named after the address in Milano where Signor Eduardo Bianchi got started) uses an aluminum front end with carbon seat stays. Both incorporate so-called 'K-Vid' in the fork and seat stays for added shock absorption.
Campagnolo offer slight but significant modifications
Campagnolo didn't debut any major introductions at this year's EICMA show but did come forward with some more subtle modifications and additions that include new carbon Centaur cranks, a more versatile front derailleur, and titanium flavoured Shamal hoops.
Centaur's new Ultra-Torque carbon cranks have substantially raised the stock of Campagnolo's third tier Centaur group, which is now nearly on par with the top-end Record and Chorus offerings in terms of performance if but a little bit heavier. The cranks add to a group that now includes a carbon-enhanced rear derailleur and Ergopower levers, as well as the company's striking D-Skeleton brake design. Campagnolo will offer the carbon Centaur cranks in 170, 172.5 and 175mm arm lengths with either compact or standard-sized chain rings.
Campagnolo was one of the first companies to supplement its standard front derailleur with a compact-specific version but will assimilate the two into an all-in-one cage design for 2008. The new Record QS model will now accommodate both standard and compact cranksets, making for less confusion for consumers and fewer SKUs for shops. According to Campagnolo, the updated cage shape is also more rigid than previous versions for faster and more accurate shifts.
The third significant change is with the Shamal Ultra wheelset, which will now be offered in a titanium-look for 2008. The updated version will be a functional carryover from last year with the same milled aluminum hoops, bladed aluminum spokes, and 2:1 and G3 lacing patterns as before. Not surprisingly, claimed weight is also the same at 1395g for the pair.
Diadora racers
Italian shoe manufacturer Diadora brought its racers to the EICMA trade show, only in this case those racers were shoes, not riders. Last year's Proracer Carbon model now becomes the Proracer Carbon Evo model thanks to a new dual-density heel cup that supplements last year's Morpho Cage design to provide additional stability, support, and comfort. The ratcheting Multifit Adjust strap offers three-position length adjustment to accommodate a wider variety of foot volumes, and the underside of the strap is fitted with gel inserts to minimize pressure.
As Sidi has professed for years, Diadora says that feedback from riders like Damiano Cunego has indicated that an ultra-rigid full carbon sole may be good for some sprinters but too stiff for normal racing conditions. As such, the Proracer Carbon Evo uses a full-length carbon insert surrounded by a hard nylon outsole that provides a bit of engineered flex for better long-distance comfort. Diadora will offer the new Proracer Carbon Evo in red, white, or black.
Last year's Teamracer stays mostly the same for 2008 but with many options. The shoe comes in both Race Fit and an extra-wide Magnum Fit, as well as four colours: pearl/silver, black/silver, silver/royal, and dark silver. The latter two don't use a carbon insert for the sole, instead integrating a nylon/fibreglass construction.
Speedracer is a completely new model for 2008 that is built with a wider toe box. Like the Teamracer, the Speedracer will be available in both carbon/nylon and fiberglass/nylon soles and a variety of colours: white, black/white, black, red and white/yellow.
Santini flies the flag
Santini's Italian heritage is flying high for 2008 with its Flag line, whose basic colours are highlighted by the classic tricolore. The jerseys feature a quick-drying fabric that Santini says works best without a base layer, and the bib shorts include a Gel Intech Anatomic (GIA) chamois. Externally stitched silicone leg grippers promise to keep the shorts put without leaving indentations in your leg.
Flying around the Italian Alps might be a heated affair during the summer months but descents can be chilly. In response, Santini offers a lightweight sleeveless windbreaker vest made completely of polyester, and complemented with three rear pockets. After the ride is through, feel free to wrap yourself up in the front zip and pockets of Santini's cozy new post-ride track jacket.
Other summer 2008 offerings from Santini are the Geometry, Supereroi and Dragonfly lines. The Geometry follows cycling's carbon trend with its 1% carbon-infused polyester fabric, augmented with a reflective zipper and labeling, and Santini also offers up a more lighthearted look with the Superman, Batman, and Zorro themes of its Supereroi ('super heroes') line of jerseys. The Dragonfly is Santini's women's-specific line, incorporating high-performance wicking fabrics and internal electronics pocket into its bella print designs.
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Gregor Brown/Cyclingnews.com
- The Bianchi 928 Carbon SL is part of the company's Hors Categorie range that focuses on minimizing weight.
- Claimed weight for a medium 928 Carbon SL frame is just 850g (or 6.1kg for a complete bike without pedals).
- The shapely head tube features an integrated headset and a classic Bianchi badge.
- The all-aluminium FG Lite is similar to what Danilo Di Luca used in early 2006.
- The FG Lite is named after company representative and cycling great Felice Gimondi.
- The FG Lite uses Dedacciai aluminium tubing and is part of Bianchi's HOC range.
- The Bianchi 928 Carbon T-Cube uses tube-to-tube technology instead of last year's lugged construction.
- B4P: The 928 Carbon T-Cube is part of the Born for Performance line-up.
- The added rigidity of the 928 Carbon T-Cube will likely see it used by the 2008 Barloworld team in the early season Classics and sprint races.
- Tube-to-tube construction allows for custom geometry if needed by the team.
- The seat stays join nicely with the seat tube.
- The titanium S9 Matta has its rightful place in the B4P line-up. The P in Performance comes from the experience the company gained when Magnus Backstedt road an almost identical machine to victory in the 2004 Paris-Roubaix.
- New for 2008 is an integrated headset and all-titanium rear end.
- The S9 Matta uses double-butted titanium tubes that are externally shaped in some instances.
- The 1885 TB Hydro/Carbon is part of the B4P line-up and aimed at entry level cyclists who want a fast rig.
- Triple-butted 7005 tubes keep both the weight and the cost low.
- Carbon seat stays add vibration damping.
- The C2C 928 Carbon is part of the Coast to Coast range that includes longer chain stays and, overall, a more comfortable ride.
- K-Vid is used in the front fork and seat stays for shock absorption.
- BAT, or Bianchi Active Technology, combines with K-Vid to create a more comfortable long distance ride designed for Gran Fondo participants.
- The carbon frame utilizes internal cable routing.
- K-Vid in the front fork.
- The Via Nirone 7 is an aluminium and carbon frame that is part of the C2C range.
- This frame is named after the address in Milano where Signor Eduardo Bianchi got started in 1885.
- Campangolo's third-tier Centaur group gains a carbon crankset for 2008.
- The Centaur carbon crankset uses the same Ultra-Torque system as Chorus and Record.
- Centaur's crankset may look similar to Record , but Record's arms are hollow instead of solid and uses higher quality chainrings.
- The Xenon crankset is the only model in Campagnolo's lineup that still uses the square taper bottom bracket design.
- New for 2008 is a Record derailleur that accommodates both standard and compact cranksets.
- The new Chorus model gets the same cage reshaping but not the carbon fiber.
- The Shamal wheelset sheds its gold look for titanium for 2008.
- Campagnolo carries over the mechanical design of the Shamal into 2008, including the G3 spoke lacing pattern and differential 26/30mm front/rear rim profiles.
- The 2:1 rear lacing pattern is designed to even out rear spoke tension between the drive- and non-drivesides.
- Campagnolo's MoMag system feeds each nipple into the rim through the valve hole and guides it into place with a magnet.
- The carbon front hub houses 16 radially laced aluminum spokes.
- Yes, you can still have it in gold , and it still weighs just 1395g for the pair.
- Inter-spoke milling shaves away excess material to reduce rotational weight.
- The Proracer Carbon Evo gains a new dual-density heel cup for 2008.
- Three colours are available for the Proracer Carbon Evo: red, white and black.
- Diadora's Morpho Cage construction uses six external wrappings that help support the foot.
- The Multifit Adjust strap is adjustable in length to fit a variety of foot volumes.
- The dual-material sole on the Proracer Carbon Evo includes a full-length carbon plate surrounded by more forgiving nylon.
- The Teamracer Carbon stays the same for 2008, and is available in both Race Fit and an extra-wide Magnum Fit.
- Four colour options are available: pearl/silver, black/silver, silver/royal, and dark silver. The latter two don't use a carbon insert for the sole.
- Diadora uses the same carbon and nylon sole on the higher-end Teamracer models as it does on the Proracer Carbon Evo.
- A simplified Morpho Cage is used on the Teamracer.
- New for 2008 is the Speedracer Carbon , which comes in white, black/white, black, red, and white/yellow.
- A wider toe box on the Speedracer offers a roomier fit.
- Like the Teamracer, two sole options are available for the Speedracer : one in carbon/nylon and the other in fibreglass/nylon.
- Santini's Italian heritage is displayed in the Flag line. The main colours choices are blue, white, or black but all have the tricolore of Italy.
- Santini says the wicking fabrics used on the Flag line are best used without a base layer.
- The lightweight sleeveless windbreaker vest is part of the Flag line for Santini's 2008 summer collection.
- The Flag line also includes an after-race track jacket.
- The Flag line bib shorts use the GIA chamois and externally stitched elastic silicone leg grippers.
- The Gel Intech Anatomic (GIA) chamois is designed to follow the rider's movement and minimize bunching.
- The women's-specific Dragonfly line includes specific cuts and prints in addition to Santini's quick-dry fabrics.
- The Geometry follows cycling's carbon trend with its 1/99 percent carbon/polyester fabric. A reflective zipper and logos aid in nighttime visibility.
- We could be heroes just for one day with the Supereroi line. Jerseys are available in Superman, Batman, and Zorro styles.
