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Tech News– March 27, 2003
Edited by Paul Mirtschin
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New Fox Vanilla rebuild kit
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Fox have released a rebuild kit for 1998 to 2002 Vanilla shocks that will upgrade them to the new progressive valving that is found in the 2003 shocks.
The rebuild involves a complete replacement of the shim stacks, a new head with the new top out set-up, and depending on the model of shock, a new piston bolt is fitted as well.
Mark "Bear" Bradley at Dirt Works, the Australian service agent for Fox told Cyclingnews that "the condition of your shock can have a great influence on the price, as we will not fit the upgrade kit without replacing other parts that are damaged". Bear also said that the shock "gives better pedalling, better damping whilst still being a real, modern shock absorber".
The price will depend largely on the condition of the shock being rebuilt, but will add around AU$200-$300 to the cost of a normal rebuild.
CycleOps Introduces PowerTap Pro
CycleOps has announced the release of a new addition to their products; the PowerTap Pro. The hub-based power metering system now has the ability to provide simultaneous readings of power, heart rate and cadence thanks to the addition of a hard-wired cadence sensor at the crank.
The PowerTap Pro has also had a Texas Instruments 16 bit micro processor built into it, allowing storage of up to 180 hours of training data. Downloads from the PowerTap Pro have also been improved, and are now nearly four times faster than the current PowerTap. The PowerTap Pro can now also be used in cycle computer or heart rate only mode.
The PowerTap Pro is priced at US$899, or US$999 built into a Mavic rim.
Zorin seat-post-pump
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Zorin Innovations is about to release what they believe is a must-have item, the Zorin seat-post-pump.
Putting the features of a track pump inside a seatpost means that you no longer have to spend all that valuable energy trying to get a tyre up to pressure with a hand pump.
To use the pump, you simply remove the seat post from your bike, flip out the foot stand, connect the hose to the tyre and pump away.
The Zorin is available in both 25.4mm and 27.2mm post diameters and weighs around 100 grams more than a standard seatpost.
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SRAM on the road
SRAM's push into the road market continues with the sponsorship of the Danish CSC team who will use SRAM's PC-89R HollowPin chains and R9 cassettes for the 2003 season. Team Manager Bjarne Riis said that "the addition of SRAM chains and cassettes have made our bikes lighter and therefore faster."
The SRAM R9 cassettes are nine speed compatible, weigh 180g and have spacers made from a translucent composite, while the HollowPin PC-89R chain comes in at a mere 287 grams including the PowerLink Gold connector link.
Additionally, SRAM will sponsor the following road teams in 2003:
7 UP (U.S.)
Big Mat Auber 93 (France)
Relax/Fuenlabrada (Spain)
Jittery Joe's (U.S.)
K2 (U.S.)
Larsen joins First Endurance
Steve Larsen, who has world titles in road, mountain bike, cycle-cross and track racing, has joined First Endurance to assist in product development. First Endurance is better known for Optygen, one of the more popular endurance supplements.
Larson, who now focuses on triathlons, recently placed sixth at the Australian Ironman, smashing the bike leg record in the process.
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