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Tech update – May 1, 2002
Edited by John Stevenson
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What's Rebellin riding?
By John Stevenson
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A few eagle-eyed, tech-orientated Cyclingnews readers have noticed that the bike David Rebellin was pictured with at the start of the Amstel Gold doesn't resemble any current Klein model. A closer look at the bike shows that indeed it's very different from anything that Klein currently produces. Klein uses round and round-oval tubes, and Rebellin's bike has tubes with dimples along their length. Klein bikes have dropouts that open to the rear, while the new bike appears to have conventional dropouts, as well as two seatstays (not a wishbone) and external rather than internal cable routing.
Cyclingnews reader Joe Harris in Los Angeles suggested that the bike was actually made by another manufacturer. It certainly wouldn't be unusual for a rider at Rebellin's level to be aboard a bike made by someone other than the team's nominal bike sponsor. The most famous example is Eddy Merckx's hour record bikes. It said 'Windsor' on the down tube, a Mexican bike manufacturer, but was actually made by Ernesto Colnago.
However, according to Connie Ryland at Klein, the bike is in fact a Klein, but a one-off "secret prototype" built specifically to Rebellin's requirements. "Klein is in the process of getting Rebellin all new frames. Meanwhile, he is testing a secret prototype," she told Cyclingnews.
Ryland was keen to emphasise that Klein has no plans for a production version at the moment. This is very much a test/prototype bike. Beyond that, she would not be drawn. "We are not allowed to give out any info on this prototype at this time," she said.
Aluminium discs in the pipeline?
By John Stevenson
Crow-eating time. A few years ago, while working on a mountain bike publication printed on dead trees, I wrote one of those 'looking-forward' pieces that we smart-arse journalists feel the need to indulge in now and then. One of the predictions I made was that disc brakes on cross-country bikes were a fad that would not last. Well, time has proved me totally, utterly and completely wrong. On a mountain bike ride last weekend, I had the only non-disc brake, and that was only because the rear of my Santa Cruz Superlight won't take a disc - the front end is a disc-specific Psylo Air with a 20mm axle, something I'd have considered downhill-only a few years ago.
My main objection to discs, back in the day, was the extra weight. I didn't think gram-conscious cross-country racers and riders would put up with the extra mass, even to get undeniably better braking. Turned out, of course, that the extra control was easily worth it for everyone but the most serious weight weenie, and brake manufacturers are getting the excess weight under control. Shimano's recently-leaked XTR 2003 discs will likely be the lightest yet from a major manufacturer.
Now comes the news that Taiwanese rim maker Alex has been experimenting with aluminium alloy discs as a further weight-saving measure. Alex aren't the first, though. Dia-Compe made some metal matrix composite discs a few years ago before apparently deciding the whole disk brake thing was just too hard.
The obvious problem with aluminium as a disc material is that it can't handle high temperatures. Aluminium melts at about 600 °C, against 1500 °C for steel, and more importantly, it loses strength at high temperatures because of annealing effects.
Taiwanese trade magazine 'Bike Market Update' tested the prototype discs and found that in fact they don't get particularly hot because aluminium conducts heat well, but there were other problems: brake pad materials intended for steel don't work as well on aluminium, and the discs were not as flat as steel disks, leading to a poorer brake feel.
Nevertheless, weight is sufficiently important in cycling that there's a huge incentive to crack the problems. Next year's MTBs might not have aluminium discs, but you can bet they'll happen not long after.
Vaughters to use Speedplay
Credit Agricole rider Jonathan Vaughters has signed a multi-year deal to use Speedplay pedals, and in effect to act as the brand's ambassador in the European peloton.
Speedplay last year introduced the Zero pedal, with adjustable float (see review) and this is the model Vaughters will be using. "I hope that my results on the Zero Pedals and my technological knowledge of cycling biomechanics will be the impetus for greater recognition for Speedplay in Europe," said Vaughters. "Speedplay pedals are quite simply better pedals, and my job is to explain their superiority to the pros."
"We are delighted to re-establish our relationship with Jonathan," said Richard Bryne, CEO of Speedplay. "His position as 'the professor' in the peloton makes him the perfect spokesperson for Speedplay. With his help we plan to establish our brand in Europe just as we have done in the US.
ITM claims world's lightest stem
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Italian bar and stem manufacturer ITM has launched what it claims to be the world's lightest stem. The Stem weighs just 95g, according to the company, and is CNC-machined from magnesium with three layers of coating to protect the surface.
It's available in five lengths from 90 to 130mm with a 25.4mm or 28.6mm steerer clamp, and a 25.8mm handlebar clamp. ITM also offers The Bar to match, a 199g 7075 aluminium bar.
Specialized recalls FSR Enduro series
Specialized is voluntarily recalling about 2,200 2002 model FSR Enduro bikes because of a problem with the seatstays. The company has received 39 reports of the seatstays on these bikes breaking, though no injuries have been reported as a result.
Owners of Enduro Pro FSR, Enduro Expert FSR, Enduro Comp FSR and Enduro FSR bike should return them to their dealer for free replacement seatstay, Specialized says the recall has so far gone smoothly, with replacement seatstays being sent to all dealers that who had received 2002 Enduro FSRs
For more information, call Specialized at (800) 214-1468 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.
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