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Eurobike show
Friedrichshafen, Germany, September 4-7, 2008
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On show: Eurobike, September 16, 2008
Eurobike goes 'round and 'round
By Ben Atkins
Lightweight goes even lighter
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German carbon wheel-meisters CarbonSports has made several small - but, it says, important - changes to a few wheels in its range. The unmistakable Lightweight Disc with its black-spoke-on-white-background finish was already one of the lightest and stiffest out there but new materials have made it even more so, according to CarbonSports. A DT 190 Disc with ceramic bearings now has a claimed weight of just 820g.
CarbonSports introduced all-carbon 'Generation III' spokes on its Lightweight Standard wheel last year and now makes the same improvement to the lightest wheel in the range, the Ventoux. While this has made little difference to the weight, the Ventoux is now a claimed 30 percent stiffer than before.
The 2009 Standard gets stiffer and stronger as well but this time by adding a few spokes. The optional 'Sprint' version increases spoke count to 20/24 front/rear and, as the name suggests, is aimed at powerful riders who really want their wheels to stay true under pressure.
To complete your Lightweight wheelset CarbonSports has produced a set of quick release skewers, too. Using Swiss-made aluminium and titanium parts they weigh in at just 34g per pair.
As we reported in the summer, CarbonSports is now offering a full custom painting service. For a premium of around 10 percent - and a six-week wait - CarbonSports will put any design you like onto your new wheels. The Lightweight stand had a few examples on display, including those used by Great Britain's Emma Pooley at the Beijing Olympics.
Finally, as some wheel makers have done already CarbonSports has launched "Service-up", an insurance policy for your wheels. For around the same price as a custom paintjob CarbonSports will cover your wheels against damage, crucially including whilst racing.
Fulcrum follows Campagnolo to ceramic and tubeless
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As a subsidiary of Campagnolo, it's no surprise to see that Fulcrum has introduced many of the same upgrades for 2009. The Racing Torq chainset - which uses Campagnolo's Ultra Torque bottom bracket design - is now available in an RRS version that includes the same CULT ceramic bearings as Super Record.
Fulcrum's main business is wheels though, and more Campagnolo style upgrades can be found at the upper end of the range. The top two aluminium wheels, the Racing 1 and Racing Zero, are now available with carbon hub shells and the same 2-Way Fit rims as Campagnolo's Eurus and Shamal Ultra. These rims are compatible with Road Tubeless tyres or standard clinchers and are the same weight as the previous clincher-only ones.
Fulcrum's two carbon rimmed wheelsets, the Racing Light and Racing Speed, now come with carbon hub shells and - like the Racing Torq RRS chainset - CULT ceramic bearings for slightly lighter weight and smoother running.
Hutchinson expands Road Tubeless range
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Hutchinson's steadfast support of the Road Tubeless system is finally starting to pay off with more and more wheelmakers producing compatible rims. Buoyed with the victory of tubeless-equipped Philippe Gilbert (Française des Jeux) at this year's Het Volk, the French company expanding its tubeless range from two to three.
The Intensive is billed as a longer-wearing and more durable tyre and pairs a smooth centre with lightly treaded shoulders. According to Hutchinson, the thermoplastic-reinforced tread compound improves wear without yielding too much grip. Thanks to its expected lower price point, the Intensive should make Road Tubeless more accessible to more casual riders who arguably have the most to gain from the system anyway.
Tubeless-compatible 'cross tyres are also on hand, just in time for the start of the season. The Piranha is intended for drier conditions and the Bulldog for mud. The existing Fusion 2 all-around and Atom lightweight Road Tubeless models will carry over for 2009.
In addition to road tyres, Hutchinson are also adding to it's off road range with the new Cobra. The fast-rolling tread uses a densely packed array of small canter knobs but relatively tall and open side knobs for surefooted cornering. Hutchinson will offer the Cobra in tubed and tubeless versions. The other big new MTB product is the new 29" version of the Toro.
Michelin lightens up and adds some colour
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Michelin will grow its Pro3 Race family from one to three for 2009. The new Pro3 Light shares most of the standard version's features, such as the Moto GP-inspired rubber compound, but omits the extra high density anti-puncture layer to save a few grams. This omission makes the Pro 3 Light less durable than the Race but takes the weight down to a claimed 185g per tyre.
In addition to the Pro3 Light, Michelin will also add the Pro3 Grip with a claimed 20 percent improvement in roadholding ability over the standard Pro3 Race.
Up until now, Michelin's Pro3 Race tyres have only been available in its own digital blue and a rather sober grey. Though that scheme may suit the AG2R and Bouygues Telecom team riders that use it, regular consumers require a bit more choice. For 2009, they will come in a wider variety of colours that will include the standard varieties plus two neon colours: yellow flash and signal orange.
Continental goes wider for longer
New from Continental is another addition to the Grand Prix range. The Grand Prix 24 is designed for high mileage and comfort with its 24mm-wide section yet it's still slim enough to be used as a racing tyre in most frames. The German company says that the Grand Prix 24 "leads the trend towards wide tyres in cycling". According to numerous studies, larger casings can offer better grip and more comfort while actually reducing rolling resistance. .
Like many of the other tyres in the Continental range, the Grand Prix 24 uses its highly acclaimed Black Chili compound and has a tread design similar to the existing Attack and Force. Cyclingnews has already secured a pair of Grand Prix 24s so look out for a full test in the near future.
Vittoria gets lighter and stronger
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Italian tyre maker Vittoria has made several changes to its road range for 2009. Its top treads - the Corsa Evo CX tubular and its open clincher version - now have an even higher density casing rising from 290 to 320 threads per square inch. Also added is a new PRB 2.0 puncture resistant belt, which Vittoria claims increases puncture prevention by up to 40 percent while also making it lighter.
Further down the range are new Light and Tech versions of the Diamante Pro tyre. The Pro Light, Vittoria says, is the lightest tyre on the market with nylon casing at a claimed 170g for the 23mm version. On the other hand, the Pro Tech has a special Aquagrip compound for improved wet grip and tear-resistant 'Mithril' sidewalls for extra strength. Both use the same puncture resistant layer under the tread as the Evo CX.
Further still down the range Vittoria has introduced a tubular version of its popular Rubino Pro. The entry level Zaffiro range will include several models such as a hard wearing, quiet and cool running trainer version.
Photography
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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.
