Eurobike show

Friedrichshafen, Germany, September 4-7, 2008

Photography

Eurobike Part 10

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Images by Ben Atkins/Cyclingnews.com

• Lightweight's unmistakable disc wheel is supposedly stiffer and lighter for 2009.
• The new Lightweight 'Sprinter' edition Standard wheelset uses 24 rear spokes and 20 front ones for more stiffness and strength.
• Lightweight has improved the Ventoux with the all-carbon Generation III spokes introduced on the Standard last year.
• Lightweight now has its own quick release skewers that weigh just 34g a pair with Swiss-made aluminium and titanium parts.
• For just around 10 percent of the price you too can have your own custom painted pair.
• Lightweight will be supplying the wheels for the Focus bikes of the 2009 Mlram team.
• One of the nicest pairs of custom painted Lightweights is that used by Great Britain's Emma Pooley in the Beijing Olympic road race.
• Details on Pooley's custom rims show horses from the Terracotta Army and the Great Wall of China.
• Fulcrum's Racing Torq RRS has had an upgrade in line with parent company Campagnolo.
• The Racing Torq RRS now spins on CULT bearings.
• Fulcrum Racing 1 wheels have been upgraded in line with Campagnolo's top aluminium wheelsets.
• Racing 1 wheels are now available with tubeless compatible rims.
• The 2-Way Fit rims can also be used with standard clinchers.
• Fulcrum Racing Zero wheels have received similar upgrades.
• Racing Zeros also have tubeless compatible rims…
• … and their hubs have been upgraded to carbon.
• Fulcrum rear wheels still use a 2:1 ratio spoke pattern.
• Fulcrum Racing Light XLR wheels have been upgraded in line with Campagnolo's carbon wheels.
• Racing Light XLR wheels now have carbon hubs…
• … that spin on CULT ceramic bearings.
• Fulcrum Racing Speed XLR wheels have been similarly upgraded…
• … also receiving CULT bearings inside the new carbon shelled hubs.
• Hutchinson has made additions to its range of road tubeless tyres.
• The lighter weight Hutchinson Atom Road Tubeless was originally unveiled along with the Fusion 2 but is only now actually becoming available.
• The Hutchinson Intensive is a new harder wearing tubeless tyre that should appeal to more casual cyclists whose main goal might be flat prevention.
• Hutchinson is also going tubeless for cyclocross with the new Piranha for fast dry courses.
• The Hutchinson Bulldog has a knobbier tread for muddier conditions.
• The Hutchinson Cobra is its new fast-rolling MTB XC tyre.
• The new Cobra has a fast-rolling tread with higher knobs at the sides for sure cornering.
• Hutchinson's Toro MTB tyre is now available as a 29er.
• Hutchinson and Corima have paired up to develop the Road Tubeless-compatible RT1 carbon clincher.
• Michelin has produced a Light version of the Pro 3 tyre.
• Michelin has also introduced a Pro 3 Grip.
• The Michelin Pro 3 Race will be available in a wider colour range for 2009.
• The Pro 3 Race colour palette also includes red and yellow.
• Michelin Pro Race 3 tyres now come in black and an off-white ivory…
• …as well as neon orange and yellow.
• German rubber-meister Continental adds the 24mm-wide Grand Prix 24 for 2009.
• The new Continental Grand Prix 24 uses its excellent Black Chili compound for grip and a 24mm section for long distance comfort.
• The Vittoria Open Corsa Evo CX tyre has been improved for 2009.
• The Evo CX's casing now has 320 threads per inch.
• The Vittoria Diamante Pro Light has an all new puncture resistant belt to shed grams off the original Pro.
• The Vittoria Pro Tech is a new version of the popular tyre for wet conditions.
• The Vittoria Rubino Pro is now available as a tubular.
• The Vittoria Zaffiro Pro is now available as a slick version…
• … and a Home Trainer version for when it's too dark and cold to go outside.
• The Vittoria Corsa Evo CX tubular also has the same 320 tpi upgrade as the clincher.

Eurobike Part 9

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Images by Ben Atkins/Cyclingnews.com

• The Zipp VumaChrono chainset is claimed to be the fastest TT crankset there is.
• The big chainring is held in place by nine screws around the perimeter of the chainset.
• The VumaChrono has a 30mm bottom bracket spindle for extra stiffness.
• Zipp's road-going VumaQuad chainset carries on for 2009.
• The VumaQuad also has a 30mm alloy bottom bracket spindle for stiffness and light weight.
• Zipp's new 188 hubs use bigger 17mm-diameter aluminium axles rolling on nybrid ceramic bearings.
• The rear hub has been given a proper alloy dust cap in place of the old carbon one.
• The drive side spokes have been moved slghtly outwards to strengthen the wheel.
• With Zipp's ZedTech custom program you can choose the colour of the dust caps as well.
• Rim technonogy developed on the 1080 rim has been filtered down to the 808 and the 404.
• The Zipp SLSpeed is an all-new full carbon stem that is even lighter than the SL145.
• The SLSpeed uses a forged titanium faceplate that, of course, is dimpled.
• The SLSpeed has a single clamp bolt that has a floating nut to ensure perfect alignment.
• Like the stems from Oval Concepts Zipp's SLSpeed stem has reverse faceplate bolts.
• Zipp has also been working on its handlebars. The Contour SL is now available with a short/shallow drop…
• … as are the new SL bars which also come in ergo and…
• … the increasingly popular traditional bend.
• All Zipp handlebars are available in ergo bend.
• FSA's K-Force Light is now offered in a BB30-compatible version.
• The larger spindle is stiffer yet the alloy construction makes it lighter, too.
• BB30 has a massive 30mm bottom bracket spindle adding stiffness to the bike's biggest stress point.
• Despite keeping the same pedal stance width as before BB30 allows much more heel clearance at the spindle.
• The centre of the chainring spider has a far lower profile than standard.
• The BB30 K-Force Light has hollow carbon arms for a high stiffness-to-weight ratio.
• BB30 is spread right across the FSA range of chainsets…
• …and also encompasses the off-road line.
• FSA still makes chainsets with standard external bottom brackets.
• SRAM's new BB30-compatible Red chainset is lighter than the standard version and offers more heel clearance.
• The larger spindle is stiffer than the standard version but since it's alloy instead of steel, it's also significantly lighter.
• Another major weight savings is the far simpler cartridge bearing assembly, even though the bearings themselves are bigger.
• For 2009, SRAM is launching its own brand of wheels, based on Zipp's Flash-Point range.
• The new SRAM wheels use the same hubs as Zipp Flash-Point with straight-pull aero spokes by Sapim.
• The S80 wheels have 80mm-deep rim sections and are available with either black or silver hubs and spokes.
• SRAM's S60 wheels have 60mm section rims…
• … and the S40s have 40mm section rims to complete the range.
• The rear hub has radial lacing on the drive side and two-cross on the non-drive side.
• The SRAM graphics look striking on the rims, but the lower budget doesn't allow for a dimpled finish.
• All of SRAM's new wheelsets are compatible with clincher tyres.

Images by Warren Rossiter

• THM-Carbones showed off its new Fibula brakeset which is claimed to weigh under 100g per pair and include a clever linkage mechanism to magnify power.
• THM-Carbones also had a prototype Scapula fork that housed a fully integrated brake calliper within the crown.
• The Gruber Assist offers 200 watts of power at the touch of a button.
• Charge had a new titanium road machine called the Skewer which looks to be among the best values for next season.
• The more traditional Charge Juicer uses double-butted Tange Prestige tubes.

Eurobike Part 8

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Images by Ben Atkins/Cyclingnews.com

• The new Canyon Ultimate CF SLX will be the team bike for Silence-Lotto in 2009.
• The Ultimate CF SLX is claimed to be substantially lighter than the CF but is still built around the stiffness of the bottom bracket area which is double walled for extra rigidity.
• The chain stays are designed to transfer the maximum power to the rear end.
• Certain areas of the frame though are designed to provide a little lateral comfort.
• The top tube is very flat where it joins the head tube to allow a little vertical flex.
• Canyon collected its frame data while the bike was in motion to work out the best was to make a stiff frame that's also comfortable.
• A breakdown of the different tubes and their various wall thicknesses.
• The Canyon Speedmax CF PRO will be Cadel Evans' new time trial weapon as he hopes to go one better in next years's Tour.
• The aero section seat tube has a huge cutout to accommodate the rear wheel.
• From the front the Speedmax bears the usual narrow profile.
• The Speedmax has an adjustable seat post to keep things tri-friendly and still UCI-legal.
• The legs of the Speedmax fork supposedly mimic airfoil sections used in aircraft.
• Unlike most of the tubes that have to cheat the wind the top tube presents virtually no frontal area so it's slim and ovalised to allow a little comfort.
• The Ultimate FS PRO is Canyon's second string frame; it's almost as light as the CF SLX, but supposedly not quite as compliant.
• For 2009, the Milram team will ride bikes made by German company Focus.
• Milram will be riding the Izalco Extreme version which differs from the one pictured…
• … with its integrated seatpost which Focus says makes things lighter and stiffer.
• The Izalco is built around what looks to be a well reinforced bottom bracket area.
• Unlike many bikes that have been introduced lately the Focus Izalco doesn't have a tapered steerer tube.
• Focus uses different amounts of material for different sizes in order to achieve the desired ride characteristics for each rider.
• The Izalco is fitted with 3T's Funda Pro forks.
• Milram will use SRAM Red to turn its Lightweight wheels next season.
• The Izalco Chrono is Focus' top time trial frame…
• … but it is actually a rebranded frame from Swiss bike builder Walser - an historically popular move amongst the German teams.
• Walser frames are notoriously invisible to the wind with their distinctly narrow design.
• The Focus Izalco Chrono in Team Milram livery - a bit cheeky as Colnago still has almost four months left in its deal with the German team.
• Focus also makes 'cross bikes. This top-end model is the Mares Team.
• The Museeuw MF-1 still tops the Belgian legend's range but now uses more flax for 2009.
• The flax fibre weave is now on the outside of the MF-1's tubes to make it more visible and the frame now has an integrated seatpost.
• New to the Museeuw range is the MC-7 which contains a lesser quantity of flax fibre and a lower price.
• The MC-7 is available in the usual array of finishes, including those that show off the carbon/flax fibre weave.
• Also new for Museeuw is the Gran Fondo, an entry level frame with less flax, which is reflected in the price.
• You can clearly see the undirectional flax fibres beneath the clearcoat of this MF-5.
• After a lot of development Museeuw can now present a range of carbon/flax wheels, with either a 39mm-deep section…
• … or 25mm-deep rims. All are built up with Endo hubs and Sapim spokes.
• Despite being painted white you can still see the flax fibre through the graphics.
• The carbon/flax wheels are only available in tubular version but Museeuw also makes some carbon-and-aluminium rims for use with clinchers.

Eurobike Part 7

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Images by Matt Skinner/What Mountain Bike

• Giro will replace its strong-selling E2 with the new Athlon.
• The Athlon wears a curvier look than its predecessor but we still expect it to sell well.
• Specialized launches a new off-road helmet called the Tactic.
• The Specialized Tactic will use low-speed specific cooling vents and will provide a little more coverage around the rear.
• Charge Bikes has possibly the most striking stand of the show.
• The new Charge Beaker marks a bit of a departure from the company's usual collection.
• The Beaker wears the usual distinctive Charge graphics.
• The Beaker will take an American-style bottom bracket.
• Exposure's new RedEye is a stunningly bright rear light that is powered off the main head unit's battery.
• Exposure also showed off a new remote switch that, like the RedEye, plugs into the main unit's charge port.
• As we've come to expect from Exposure, the new remote is a well-made CNC-machined bit of aluminium.
• Lezyne will add floor pumps to its range for 2009 including the top-end CNC Floor Drive.
• The CNC-machined aluminium base features a dial gauge that reads up to 220psi.

Eurobike Part 6

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Images by Ben Atkins/Cyclingnews.com

• The Cervélo S3 is the Canadian company's new top aero road frame.
• The S3 is claimed to have even more bottom bracket stffness than its predecessor, the SLC-SL.
• Despite the extra lateral stiffness these flattened chainstays are claimed to make the frame more comfortable than before.
• The rear end of the S3 is supposedly more aerodynamic than before, too.
• The S3 uses top-entry internal cable routing similar to what's used on many top time trial frames.
• Believe it or not this is a cable stop so that the internal cables don’t need as much housing which would add extra weight and friction.
• This is not a museum piece; the Olympic themed paint scheme is available to buy.
• Slotting in below the S3 is the new S2 which shares many of its features.
• The seat tubes of the R3 and RS frames have been narrowed for comfort and now use 27.2mm seatposts.
• Cervélo enjoyed incredible Olympic success. This is the bike ridden to points race gold and madison silver by Spain's Joan Llaneras.
• Cervélo won gold in the both time trials through Fabian Cancellara and Kristin Armstrong, but this is Karin Thürig's bronze medal ride.
• Celeste Milani and his family present the 2009 Milani range.
• The Milani N107E is the Gallarate company's flagship frame.
• The N107E frame comes in white as well as red.
• The N107E's top tube has a triangular cross-section that points up at the head tube and down at the seat tube.
• The N107E has an extended seat tube and is assembled using cabon wrapping techniques.
• The Icon is Milani's time trial frame and uses similar tubes to the N107E but with an aero section seat tube.
• The Milani Seigiorni track frame looks forward to the day that the Six Days of Milan returns.
• Milani's range also includes the carbon Fango cyclo-cross frame.
• Milani harks back to its past with the lugged steel Replica.
• The Milani Replica has some lovely chrome detailing on the head tube lugs.
• Milani uses Cinelli lugs for the steel Replica frameset.

Eurobike Part 5

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Images by Matt Skinner

• Giant's new Anthem X looks to keep most of the standard Anthem's racy personality but toned down a bit with more travel and slightly more docile handling.
• The Anthem X's Maestro suspension layout has been revised a bit to accommodate the extra travel.
• Marin's new Alchemist looks to be a star in the 2009 lineup with light weight and relatively short travel.
• The Alchemist's dual-link suspension design is an evolution of Marin's existing Quad Link XC layout.
• Marin will also bring a carbon hardtail race bike to the range for 2009.
• Clearances look to be rather tight at the seat stays for the new CXR.
• The well reinforced head tube sports internal cable routing.
• Merida's über-expensive Ninety-Six Team D now has less expensive aluminium cousins.
• Merida has added a clean-looking floating disc brake mount to its higher-end One-Five-O and TransMission trail bikes.
• Any negative braking effects on the TransMission's faux-bar rear end should mostly be eliminated with the new brake mount.
• Rocky Mountain's new Altitude Carbon looks to be winner… as long as the patent lawyers don’t interfere.
• Carbon, carbon everywhere.
• The Altitude Carbon's carbon rocker arm features sealed cartridge bearing pivots all around.
• Rocky Mountain still has to work out the final design but the carbon Altitude frames will apparently use an integrated seat binder design.
• The Rocky Mountain Altitude 50's kinked down tube leaves plenty of room for a water bottle in the main triangle.
• Rocky Mountain claims the Altitude's suspension design doesn't infringe on Specialized's Horst Link patent but we're not so sure.
• Salsa showed off its new Fargo do-everything MTB tourer that has room for monster 29" tires and comes with a full complement of rack, fender and bottle fittings.
• The post mount disc tabs are set within the rear triangle to keep them away from panniers.

Eurobike Part 4

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Images by Ben Atkins/Cyclingnews.com

• The Colnago EPS is the Italian company's new top frame for 2009.
• The EPS is available in the usual selection of Colnago colour schemes including red...
• ... and a very stylish metallic blue and white.
• The EPS has a bigger and stiffer bottom bracket area than the Extreme Power but is still a tube-and-lug frame.
• Colnago introduces semi-integrated headsets for the first time this. Moreover, the EPS also uses a tapered steerer tube.
• As usual, Colnago has made a limited edition Ferrari version of its top level frame. This bike is one of only 99 available complete with Fulcrum Racing Speed wheels.
• The CX-1 is a new semi-monocoque carbon frame that has been ridden by Rabobank's Grischa Niermann and is now available to the rest of us.
• The Colnago Flight is the company's fastest looking time trial frame to date.
• The Flight comes with two aero-section seatposts for either time trials or triathlons.
• The Flight's seat tube wraps closely around the rear wheel.
• The Pinarello Prince is unchanged for 2009, apart from a new range of colour schemes...
• ... including a stealthy all-black that is supposed to look spectacular in the sunshine.
• There's good news for Valverde fans: the Bala Verde's personal paint scheme is now available to everyone.
• The new Pinarello FP6 replaces the Paris and F1:13 in the range.
• The new Pinarello FP3 is based heavily on the styling of the Prince...
• ... but uses a lower grade of carbon fibre to decrease costs.
• The FP3 is aimed at enthusiasts and Gran Fondo riders.
• The new Pinarello FT3 triathlon frame is identical to the existing FT1, but uses the same carbon fibre as the Prince.
• The MOst XLR XP saddle has been developed with Selle Italia and is now available to match your frame.
• Even the Tail seat post gets the same colour coordination treatment as the bars and stems.
• Pinarello is now working with Lightweight and now has Most-branded Lightweight wheels.

Eurobike Part 3

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Images by Ian Collins

• Brand new shoe fresh from the legends of leg ends, FiveTen. The Impact Karver features a raised inner ankle section and a protective tongue flap to keep out mud. Most importantly the Stealth rubber sole remains unchanged and still the best.
• Another new foot glove from FiveTen is the Freeride. Think old-school Vans-meets-FiveTen technology. These are surely the ultimate shoe for the dirt jump riders who have previously been denied the wonders of Stealth rubber soles.
• The bare finish of Cannondale's Rize Carbon shows off what's carbon and what's aluminium.
• The new four-pot Hayes Ace uses longer and re-shaped levers and four pistons for enormous stopping power - particularly if you go for the 224mm rotor!
• Hot on the heels of Truvativ's HammerSchmidt system, small German outfit Nicolai-Universal Transmissions has created their own called B-Boxx. B-Boxx uses planetary gears like HammerSchmidt but supposedly with better effiency. This isn't ready for release yet, but we eagerly await this puppy from the producers of the G-Boxx gearbox systems.
• Porterbike Police Bike – Nee Naw Nee Naw Wooo Woooo....
• Shimano's new M086 shoes look to be a good value.
• Royal Racing had a lot of new stuff on show including a new glove, complete with the obligatory moulded rubber knuckle dusters.
• The revolution of d3o technology continues to spread and 661 has expanded its range to include lightweight cross-country knee and elbow pads, as well as these undershorts with d3o hip protection.
• This bloke quite litteraly gets paid for doing nothing all day. He is the Castelli human statue (and he’s got a brummy accent!).
• SRAM doesn't just want to shout about their new product; they want to roar about it!
• The Elmoto two-wheel drive electric supermoto bike uses a 1kW motor at each end. We know the electric bike scene isn’t really us. Well this is.
• Troy Lee's Peaty signature model comes complete with a custom set of ‘Beer’ goggles. Sweet.
• There is a plethora of Euro-style carbon hardtails here and this one from Vario is a typical example with its integrated seatpost.

Eurobike Part 2

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Images by Ben Atkins/Cyclingnews.com

• The De Rosa King 3 still sits on its throne atop the De Rosa range.
• The De Rosa Neo Pro is a fully customisable carbon fibre frame.
• The Neo Pro uses tube-and-lug construction to allow for custom geometries.
• By using nitrogen sealed moulds De Rosa claims to have ensured a better bond between tubes and lugs.
• Despite using modern construction techniques the Neo Pro has a very traditional look.
• The Neo Pro is available in a number of colours, including a rather bright green.
• The Team is De Rosa's entry level aluminium frame.
• With frames like the Titanio 3.2,5 De Rosa has products in carbon, aluminium, titanium…
• … and even steel with frames like the classically styled Neo Primato.
• The Wilier Triestina Cento Uno is the Italian company's new top-of-the-range frame.
• The Cento Uno is the frame used by Damiano Cunego's Lampre team.
• Wilier has used Mitsubishi's 46-ton carbon fibre, reputedly the strongest there is.
• Wilier Trestina produces the Cento Uno in an optional Damiano Cunego paint scheme.
• This isn't actually his bike but it could be yours.
• The Wilier Cento Crono is its top-end time trial and triathlon frame.
• Deep-section tubes wrap the rear wheel tightly.
• The Cento Crono was developed with help from aerodynamics guru John Cobb.
• Wilier says the unusual tube shapes were dictated by wind tunnel testing.
• Hang on. It was here a minute ago!
• La Triestina is Wilier's new mid-range aluminium frame.
• A matte black paint scheme gives La Triestina a sleek look.
• Wilier also has new paint schemes across the range, including the Mortirolo…
• ...which also comes in red, black and white as well as the Lampre colours.
• The entry level Laveredo now comes in red or argento.
• Viner's Maxima has undergone some subtle improvements for 2009.
• The Maxima is only available as a custom frame and all are made in Italy.
• The Maxima's bottom bracket area has been stiffened and is now available with BB30 compatibility.
• New to the Viner range is the Mitus Plus.
• The Mitus Plus has an integrated seat post and is available made to measure.
• The Mitus Plus is also available with a conventional seat post and clamp.
• The conventional seat post is just one of a range of options including BB30.
• New for 2009 is the women's-specific Magnifica, which is available in pink as well as blue and red.
• The Viner Xplus is new for 2009 and fits in the middle of the range.
• Like many Italian companies Viner continues to make traditional steel frames like the lugged Divina.

Eurobike Part 1

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Images by Ben Atkins/Cyclingnews.com

• The new Sine Thesis is MET's new range-topping road helmet.
• The new Sine Thesis wears unmistakably MET styling cues but uses a new integrated exoskeleton for increased structural integrity and lighter weight.
• The clear composite skeleton strengthens the helmet but also provides some shock absorbtion.
• The Sine Thesis doesn't sport as many vents as some others but their size and corresponding interior channeling suggests that it's a cool lid nonetheless.
• Generously sized exit ports direct hot air away frn the wearer's head.
• Unlike almost every other helmet the Sine Thesis uses a system of cooling gel pads instead of the more usual foam.
• Sportful's Hot Pack jacket is the Italian company's latest wind and rainproof shell.
• The Hot Pack jacket was designed with riding events like the Granfondo Sportful in mind.
• Despite being so weatherproof the rolled up Hot Pack jacket will only take up half a pocket in space.
• Sportful's latest Total Comfort shorts are also inspired by its own Granfondo.
• Sportful claims that the Total Comfort shorts improve efficiency of movement and help to fight off fatigue.
• Mesh panels even on the front of the shorts help to keep the rider cool.
• A lot of the shorts' comfort is built upon Sportful's own multidensity seat insert.
• Vittoria's range-topping Unique shoes have had a slight graphics change for 2009…
• … and the pearlescent white version has very little red on it now…
• … but most importantly the sole has been upgraded to a unidirectional carbon unit.
• Upgrades have been made to the Premium shoe's strap system.
• Vittoria is introducing a new Ace shoe to the middle of its road range.
• Like the Unique the Ace has a three-strap system that eschews fancy buckles in favour of proven (and lighter) Velcro.
• The Ace is available with the woven carbon sole that used to feature on the Unique.
• The Ace's upper is a mix of synthetic leather and nylon mesh.
• The Supra MTB is a new addition to the top of Vittoria's MTB range.
• The Supra's upper is a mix of Lorica and nylon mesh with a reinforced toe and a buckle and two-strap closure system.
• The Supra MTB is also available in a more practical black colour option.