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Eurobike show
Germany, August 30-September 2, 2007
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Part five - Pushing the envelope and eco-consciousness
By James Huang in Friedrichshafen, Germany
BMC 2008: Astana who?
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BMC looks to have already put the sour experience of its Astana sponsorship well behind it based on the thoroughly encouraging range on display at Eurobike. There was not a single reference to the Kazahk-based team to be found within its sprawling booth, and few seemed to care much, if at all.
The stunning full-carbon mountain bikes BMC showed off last year finally make their much-anticipated official debut this year with production frames already shipping to dealers. Both exclusively use unidirectional carbon fiber plies and bear BMC's distinct Integrated Skeleton Design styling cues, but only the 100mm travel full-suspension Fourstroke 01 uses Easton CNT-enhanced resin. BMC claims frame weights of just 1.79kg (3.93lb) for the FS01 (without shock) and 1.26kg (2.77lb) for the Team Elite 01 hardtail.
Far and away, though, the aluminum Fourstroke 02 and Team Elite 02 receive the most attention with thoroughly overhauled frames for 2008. Gone is the machined aluminum Crosslock Skeleton seat cluster design in favor of a lighter tubular design, and BMC now makes liberal use of hydroformed tubing that eliminates additional gussets without compromising frame strength. The FS02 is now an all-aluminum design with a welded rear end; the carbon rear triangle option is just a memory but the Virtual Pivot System dual-link suspension kinematics remain the same from last year. Still, bare frame weight (without shock) is claimed to be just 2.31kg (5.08lb) and the hardtail is said to be 1.65kg (3.63lb).
Last year's awkward-looking Superstroke all-mountain platform has been replaced by the decidedly more handsome Supertrail which offers 140mm of rear wheel travel in a lighter 2.76kg (6.07lb) package (without shock). The top tube is made from hydroformed halves that are welded down the center, and triple butting shaves unnecessary grams. The replaceable rear dropouts are gone, but that's probably no big deal since they were so insanely massive last year that it's unlikely anyone ever broke one (feel free to submit pictures otherwise!).
Just in time for cyclocross season comes the upgraded CX01 which now boasts nearly identical construction as the SLT01 Team Machine road frame. All of the main triangle tubes are now carbon fiber for lighter weight and a refined ride, while carbon is still used for the wishbone-style seat stay assembly. As with the SLT01, the main tubes are bonded into BMC's Crosslock Skeleton-design aluminum lugs.
BMC's road frames carry over mostly unchanged from last year, with the exception of new carbon fiber lay-up schedules at the bottom bracket for the SLC01 Pro Machine for a little added stiffness.
Pedro's grows greener year by year
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Few bicycle companies can brag about the extent of its environmental practices as much as Pedro's. Its new Super Pit Kit 2.0 now exclusively includes biodegradable cleaners and lubricants, the brushes incorporate natural fibers (and wood handles on some), and Pedro's even includes a real sea sponge (which works better than synthetic ones, anyway).
Pedro's aims to carry its eco-friendly theme throughout its entire catalog (it claims about 70% right now) and has targeted its complete fluid line to comply by 2009. The company moves towards that goal with the new low-viscosity Go! chain lube which uses a natural canola oil base. In spite of its plant-based origins, Pedro's insists it still works well (and you can feel a little better about yourself at the same time).
Perhaps the most ambitious of Pedro's projects is its new Ethik fabric, which was developed in cooperation with Criteria G.E. Environmental Management of Canada. The tightly woven material is made of high-purity, highly recyclable high-density polyethylene (HDPE) that is printed with water-soluble soy-based inks. The fabric itself is even woven in local factories chosen based on a number of factors, including distance which impacts the size of the end product's carbon footprint.
Pedro's hopes you'll consider using its Ethik Metro Market Bag instead of disposable grocery bags (and ride your bike there, too, as it's specifically sized to fit Wald baskets). Pedro's claims a ten-year lifespan for the stuff, and you can chuck it in the recycling bin when it finally gives up the ghost.
A slightly tougher sell might be its Ethik Seat Bag which uses an unconventional (for a seat bag, at least) roll top closure. In combination with the inherently watertight HDPE, though, the dry bag construction does render the bag impervious to wet commutes. It's a bit odd-looking (Pedro's admits it hasn't settled on a print yet) but usefully-sized and ultralight.
Schwalbe revises most popular models, expands use of Triple Compound technology
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These days, about the worst anyone can accuse Schwalbe of is using goofy names for its otherwise-excellent tires. The Racing Ralph gets an all-new tread design that is supposedly faster rolling than before and provides better grip, especially when cornering thanks to its Nobby Nic-like 'U-Block' side knobs.
Fast Fred apparently had a bad year as it's now dubbed Furious Fred and is out for blood. The original design was already blazingly quick, but the new one looks to deliver similar rolling characteristics as well as much improved grip on hardpack thanks to a dramatic increase in the number of biting edges. Both the Racing Ralph and Furious Fred are now also built with Schwalbe's exceptional Triple Compound technology which pairs a high-rebound (and fast rolling) base tread covered in a dual-density compound that has proven to hold up surprisingly well in the past.
Select models also get the tightly-woven Vectran breaker belt used in the road-going Ultremo, and optional Snakeskin-equipped versions also add further protection against sidewall damage. New Evo Tubeless casings on UST-compatible models supposedly drop 100g from last year's versions.
Niterider TriNewt: ouch, my eyes!
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Niterider says its newest TriNewt model is its brightest ever with a claimed output of 500 lumens. The high-power and high-efficient LED emitters are carefully arranged within a custom reflector and shielded with a Borafloat lens which Niterider says is more efficient than glass lenses. The accompanying Li-ion battery offers 3 1/2 hours of run time on the highest setting, and the system is easily mounted on handlebars or helmets with a clever gimbel-style mount that allows for precise aiming. An optional wireless remote will likely appeal to helmet-mounted riders who will now be able to adjust light settings without removing their hands from the bar. System weight is claimed to be just 519g.
In a sign of LED technology's rapid development, last year's MiNewt has already been replaced with the MiNewt 2 which not only boasts double the light output but more than twice the run time in the same ultra-compact body.
Niterider is still committed to HID technology, though, and actually introduces a new model dubbed the Enduro Lith. The new lighting system is the least expensive HID model Niterider has ever offered at just US$349, yet offers the same blinding 10W Solarc lamp and characteristic blue-white beam as on its premium models. A useful 2:15 run time is supplied by the included Li-ion battery which recharges in just an hour and a half.
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com
- BMC's full-carbon Fourstroke full-suspension machine is finally in production.
- The rear end of the new FS01 is crafted from unidirectional carbon and Easton CNT-enhanced resin.
- New lower links are wider for better rear end rigidity.
- A separate seat clamp offered better durability than the integrated carbon clamp on the top-end SLC01 road frame.
- The FS01 provides ample clearance for typical XC race and marathon tires.
- Likewise, the full-carbon Team Elite 01 carbon hardtail finally has begun to ship to dealers.
- BMC's telltale Integrated Skeleton Concept finds its way on to the TE01.
- Elongated junctions at the head tube bode well for front-end rigidity.
- The seat tube flares noticeably as it approaches the bottom bracket shell.
- The biggest changes come on BMC's aluminum mountain bikes.
- The Fourstroke 02 is now a fully aluminum frame.
- New hydroformed tubing offers added strength without the need for gussets.
- A short tubular strut reinforces the top tube/seat tube junction.
- The Team Elite 02 receives similar changes as on its full-suspension cousin.
- The TE02's new ISC seat cluster design contrasts sharply with the FS03, which retains last year's Fourstroke frame.
- Younger riders get their own version of the Team Elite.
- Even the smallest version of the Team Elite bears similar styling as on its full-size family members.
- The all-new Supertrail sports 140mm of rear wheel travel and replaces last year's rather awkward-looking Superstroke platform.
- The bottom bracket area is comprised of a beefy-looking machined aluminum structure.
- The ISC look carries all the way through to BMC's longest-travel machine.
- The CX01 cyclocross frame is now a close analogue of the SLT01 road frame with full carbon fiber main tubes joined to aluminum lugs.
- The internal headset allows for the larger diameter head tube and larger joints for better front-end rigidity.
- The top-end SLC01 mostly carries over from 2007 , but gains extra reinforcement around the bottom bracket area for improved drivetrain response.
- The range-topping SLC01 will be offered in white, red, and this striking blue color scheme.
- Speedplay introduces the new Zero Nanogram. The new no-holds-barred pedal features a TiC-coated hollow titanium spindle, carbon composite body and cleat plates, ceramic bearings, aluminum bow-ties, and aluminum and titanium fasteners. The combined effort brings the weight of each pedal down to just 63g each and shaves 28g from each cleat.
- Speedplay also offers a wealth of parts to assist in the fitting procedures…
- …including various spindle lengths, cleat shims (both flat and angled), and aluminum cleat plates that allow for more fore-aft adjustment.
- Pedro's continues on its environment-saving path with its new Ethik HDPE fabric.
- Pedro's plans to use the highly recyclable high-purity HDPE for grocery bags and saddle packs.
- The saddle bag may look a bit odd (Pedro's has not settled on a print pattern yet), but it's markedly lighter than typical woven nylon bags.
- The environmental consciousness evens carries over to Pedro's tool range, such as this Torx wrench set that omits the particularly nasty chrome plating process.
- The updated shop-quality chain tool incorporates a replaceable bridge and houses replacement pins in the handle.
- Pedro's now offers a Rockstand clamp to fit in Park receivers.
- Schwalbe revamps its versatile Racing Ralph for a faster roll and enhanced traction.
- The Fast Fred morphs into the Furious Fred and offers more biting edges in hardpack terrain.
- Furious Fred may be a short-knob design , but Schwalbe still offers it with a 2.25" casing, which it says has lower rolling resistance than narrower tires.
- The superb Triple Compound construction of last year's Nobby Nic is now used through a wide range of Schwalbe MTB tires.
- Niterider says its new TriNewt LED light is the brightest it has ever produced.
- The Li-Ion battery is easily mounted on a frame tube or stowed in a jersey pocket and provides 3:30 of burn time on the highest setting.
- The TriNewt also includes LED indicators for battery life.
- New Niterider heads feature a clever gimbel mount for more precise aiming.
- The TriNewt offers a wireless remote option as well , which will likely prove particularly useful for helmet-mounted configurations where a rider can adjust light settings without removing their hands from the bar.
- The MiNewt gets a brighter and more efficient LED for 2008.
- A clean-looking helmet mount option is both secure and compact.
- The MiNewt lamp head and battery are both small and light enough such that they can both mounted to a helmet.
- A revised MiNewt mounting strap now includes a small pull tab.
