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Interbike show
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, September 22-26, 2008
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Part 18 - October 17: Shocks, lights, power! Pass me the tools, nurse...
By James Huang
Limited edition World Championship suspension components from Fox Racing Shox
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Fox Racing Shox has had a stellar showing on the race circuit this year, particularly on the downhill side of things with the Animal Commencal team and the world's fastest family, the Athertons. Between Dan, Gee and Rachel, the trio has racked up five World Cup wins, two world championships and even a World Cup overall title – an impressive showing for any team for sure, let alone one where all three members are related.
As partly a way to celebrate the achievement, team sponsor Fox Racing Shox will bring to market a limited run of DHX RC4 rear shocks and 40 RC2 forks complete with internal tuning set up per the Atherton's preferred specifications. Just 200 individually numbered samples of each will be produced.
The limited-edition 40 RC2 is mostly identical to the stock version save for increased high-and mid-speed compression damping, but the DHX RC4 represents an all-new design based at least in concept on the existing DHX. The alloy shaft increases in diameter from 1/2" to 5/8", oil volume has increased and the new internal dimensions require lower pressures than before. In addition, there are also new external adjustments for high-and low-speed compression.
Light & Motion brightens up the night
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Light & Motion has gone LED-only for 2009, but if its new Seca line of high-powered LED lamps is any indication, not many will lament the passing of HID from the company lineup.
Light & Motion claims an impressive 700-lumen output for its top Seca 700 model courtesy of six individually focused LED emitters that combine to produce a rather unique, and seemingly very useful, beam pattern. Unlike most beams that yield a bright hot spot in the center with even fall-off on all sides, the Seca beam is more like the bottom half of a bull's eye.
There's still the bright centre but now there is also a sharp cut-off up top coupled with a mostly even apron down below and off to the sides. The thinking here is that the bright centre delivers the long-range 'punch' that is so often lacking in LED systems, but also a diffuse flood that provides a better ‘big picture' view of the trail ahead of you. Run time on the Seca 700 Race model is a lengthy 3.5 hours on the highest setting while the Seca 700 Ultra jumps to five hours of burn thanks to a larger nine-cell battery.
The Seca's intriguing design language (with its coloured aluminum sink) also makes its way into the revamped Vega range. The battery is still fully integrated as in the previous version but the body is now distinctly broader and shorter than the old tube-like form. Output has jumped to 200 lumens for the top Vega 200 model while the less expensive Vega 120 still churns out a very useful 120 lumens of light.
Claimed burn time for both Vega models is two hours on the highest setting.
New iSport brings power meter technology down in price
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iBike brings power meter technology to the masses with its new iSport model that commands a retail cost of just US$199. As with the standard iBike, the iSport doesn't actually directly measure power output; rather, it measures everything that you are working against - gravity, air resistance, etc - and then back calculates from there.
Though a simplified setup procedure omits exact baseline calculations such as rider drag, the iSport is still claimed to be within five percent accuracy of the major competitors in the segment, all of which cost far more. The bargain price also means that there is no software included and you can not download your workouts to a computer for later analysis. A US$250 upgrade nets users full iBike Pro capabilities, though, and there are also optional modules for cadence and heart rate.
Either way, the unit itself includes a built-in threshold test to establish a current fitness level and then recommends workouts from there to improve the score. Much as full-on gym machines establish target figures for users to match during a prescribed training session, the iSport will set target wattage and duration based on where you are now and where you want to be.
Will it work? We think so, based on our experience with other iBike models. Though the system is not without its quirks, even if it comes close to the claimed accuracy figures the US$199 price tag is incredibly compelling.
Along with the budget iSport model comes the high-zoot iBike Aero. When used alone, this compact unit not only provides the full power meter capabilities of the standard iBike Pro but also adds a so-called ‘snapshot CdA' that provides some information on your aerodynamic efficiency. If done properly, users can glean very useful information on changes in position or equipment that would otherwise require very expensive wind tunnel time.
By itself, the iBike Aero can only provide the CdA information when the rider is coasting. However, its ANT+Sport compatibility means that it can also be paired with a direct power measurement unit such as the Quarq Cinqo or latest Powertap models to provide continuous CdA information. According to DLP Racing team member Boyd Johnson, the continuous CdA figures can be particularly useful in competition when trying to bridge a gap or in breakaways.
At US$799, the iBike Aero is substantially more expensive than the iSport and the full feature set also requires a direct-style power meter, but the wealth of information that that the combination provides may be enough to justify the cost for serious riders.
Park Tool keeps up the pace with heaps of new tools
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The onslaught of new products and technologies is hard enough on consumers who constantly feel the pressure to keep up, but the folks at Park Tool also have to develop the tools required to work on the stuff. Among the 25 new items on tap for 2009 is a handy press to separate hydraulic disc brake pistons, new four-sided ‘master mechanic' all-metal spoke wrenches, and a bearing tool for the latest crop of BB30 and BB90 bottom bracket systems.
Park Tool is also going deeper into the torque department with ratcheting ‘click-type' wrenches in two ranges: 3-15Nm and 10-60Nm. Both include storage cases and a bike-specific accompanying socket and bit set includes most of the items used day-to-day.
Other neat new items include a tabletop digital scale, digital calipers that display in metric, decimal <i>and</i> fractional standard, P-handle Torx drivers, a handy 15mm open/box wrench (with bottle opener, of course) for fixie riders and updates to existing crank pullers.
One of Park Tool's most interesting offerings isn't even a tool, though: Park Tool will host two two-day Tech Summit sessions in January 2009 in conjunction with Hayes, Shimano, Campagnolo, Fox, SRAM, Avid and RockShox to provide hands-on training on some of the latest gear.
Session dates are January 12-13 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and January 26-27 in Ontario, California. The US$195 registration fee will include all materials and breakfast and lunch both days and special hotel rates will be available for attendees.
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com
- Fox Racing Shox will offer limited numbers of its top-end 40 RC2 fork and new DHX RC4 rear shocks.
- Both limited edition offerings will feature firmer mid- and high-speed compression damping, just like the Athertons like it.
- The new DHX RC4 shares the same adjustable bottom-out feature as the current DHX 5.0...
- ...but now offers separately adjustable high- and low-speed compression damping.
- Act fast; Fox will only make 200 samples of each.
- Light & Motion's new Seca line is bright enough that the company has completely abandoned HID lamps altogether.
- The Seca uses six high-powered LED emitters, each with its own reflector.
- The integrated heatsink is finned to maximize surface area and accelerate cooling.
- All Light & Motion lights will use new mounts that are more versatile and easier to use.
- The revamped Vega jumps to 200 lumens of output housed in a new compact body.
- Like the Seca, the Vega includes an integrated heatsink.
- The compact Stella single-LED lamp is mostly unchanged but bumps up to 200 lumens and uses a new mount.
- What kind of battery would you prefer? Light & Motion uses both NiMH and Li-ion packs of various capacities to meet specific demands.
- iBike's new iSport promises to bring accurate power meter technology to the masses with a retail price of just US$199.
- A small port at the front of all iBike units measures relative wind speed.
- Provided everything is set up properly, the iBike is rather comparable to readings from top direct-measurement units.
- By adding a direct-measurement power meter to an iAero, users can get continuous readings of their drag coefficient.
- Park Tool has a wealth of new tools on hand for 2009.
- Park is moving deeper into the torque field with two new 'click-type' wrenches for 2009.
- A new 'master mechanic' spoke wrench is all metal and grabs spokes on all four sides for a positive grip.
- The new Park BBT-39 can be used to remove press-fit bottom bracket bearings.
- The Park DC-1 digital caliper can read in metric and decimal or fractional standard.
- What's it weigh? Find out with the new Park tabletop digital scale.
- Fixie riders can carry the new SS-15 with its open/box-end 15mm wrenches, bottle opener and tire lever.
- Professional mechanics still prefer compact repair stands...
- ...and Park has updated its models with a new bottom bracket cradle that has more clearance for SRM power meters.
- Park has also updated many existing tools such as the derailleur alignment gauge.
- Get ready for Truvativ's new HammerSchmidt; we spotted it on nearly a dozen new models for 2009.
- Riders in muddy climates will soon get a little toothed accessory that bolts into the rear of the HammerSchmidt to keep the single chainring clear of muck.
- Truvativ also created this handy tool to verify that your frame will be compatible with the HammerSchmidt.
- Do you chew through bottom brackets?
- Phil Wood offers this stainless steel model as well as optional Carbonyte bearings that it say will outspin and outlast ceramics, all at a cheaper price, too.
- Effetto Mariposa's new Carbocut hacksaw includes a carbide-coated blade specifically for use with carbon.
- The Carbocut is pricey but it definitely works well and leaves a very clean edge on carbon.
- Effetto Mariposa will now offer a less expensive version of its handy Giustaforza torque wrench that omits the included bits.
- The handy Effetto Mariposa Bit Box houses nearly everything you need in a handy case.
