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Tech News– February 21, 2003
Edited by Paul Mirtschin
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Accell to buy Cannondale?
The European Accell Group N.V. announced last week that it is considering putting in an offer to purchase the Cannondale bicycle division.
Accell, manufacturer of brands such as Be-One, Koga-Miyata, Lapierre and more, said in a press release, "Cannondale would be an excellent addition to Accell Group's brand portfolio. With its ongoing innovation and technological renewal, this strong brand fits in well with Accell Group's brand strategy"
René Takens, Chairman of the Board of Accell Group, commented: "If we get to the point that we will acquire Cannondale, then Accell Group will become one of the most important suppliers of bicycles in the world, with strong positions in Europe and the United States."
2004 Manitou
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The new 2004 Manitou forks are starting to appear, and it looks like the company is going SPV crazy. SPV, or Stable Platform Valve to give its full name, is based on the valving system used on Progressive's 5th Element shock, which Manitou licensed last year. Manitou first started showing off the technology in its Swinger coil and air shocks, and is now using the technology in its forks.
First off is the new Minute fork, a new line of long travel, single crown forks designed for general trail use.
Featuring one coil and two air shocks, all will be adjustable between 100mm and 130mm of travel, with the Minute One coil fork having infinite adjustment between the limits and the Minute Two and Three air forks being either 100mm or 130mm. All forks weigh in around 1.8kg and feature 30m stanchions.
The minute forks will be available mid-year, so it is not really a 2004 fork, but we will let that slide.
One fork that has been seen at a few downhill races is the SPV equipped Dorado DH fork. Sitting up front of a few Manitou sponsored riders, the 180 mm travel Dorado's have made it to the podium more than once. Allowing the downhillers to reduce the bobbing as they sprint could be the difference between a podium finish and defeat.
2004 Shimano
From the 2004 rumours file comes some more information about next years Shimano groups.
For the downhillers, or those who like strong components, Shimano is to release the XTX group. This will basically be an "XTR for DH" group, and will share a few of the components. Rumoured to be new is a new platform SPD pedal based on the PD-959 cross-country pedal. Favoured by the XC riders for its mud shedding abilities, this will be a smart move by Shimano after the release of Time's Z-Pedals. A Magnesium bodied flat pedal will also be available.
The new group is also rumoured to come with a new chainguide, designed to work in with the two piece bottom bracket/cranks based on the 2003 XTR cranks. This same design may very well carry across to a few other groups too.
Shimano is also likely to finally release a bolt-through hub. Running high flanges and the new splined disc mounting, the hubs will be designed to work with the XTX disc brakes; however we have heard these will just be a revamped XT disc.
On the road, we now know that the new Dura Ace won't be 11 speed after all, but a mere 10 speed. The cranks may also be running the same system as XTR and XTX, becoming lighter and stiffer all round. Anyone who has seen the Sports Illustrated "Lance" issue will also have noted a new "brifter" design. No word on if it will be any more than a new shape, but it looks good anyway.
Teschner to go international
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Australian custom framebuilder Peter Teschner, who has produced frames for the US-based Fuji USA/Advanced Sports team has decided to scale down the Ti Sports brand he produces for the Australian market to concentrate on his Teschner brand for both the domestic market and internationally.
Using high end carbon frame materials and Easton and Dedacciai aluminium tubing, the Teschner brand is aimed at the European and US markets, something that is evident from the paintwork he applies to his frames. The Teschner frames use European-style paint schemes and airbrushed logos while Ti Sports frames use adhesive-backed clear-coated vinyls and water transfers on plain coloured paintwork.
Teschner hopes to expand his sales in Australian while producing frames for international sale.
Bouncy Trek
As reported on February 20, the Trek-Volkswagen Racing Team will return in 2003 on board Trek's finest full suspension bikes.
Cross-country riders Roland Green, Alison Sydor, Sue Haywood, and Travis Brown will campaign on the lightweight Trek Fuel 100 OCLV, complete with the new Shimano XTR drive train and disc brakes, Rock Shox Black Box Sid forks and rear suspension, Bontrager components and wheels, IRC tires and San Marco saddles.
In the Four-X and downhill, Wade Bootes and Mio Suemasa will race on aluminium Fuel frames running Rock Shox Psylo forks and XTR, Azonic and IRC componants. Mio's downhill bike will be a stock Trek Diesel with Rock Shox Boxxers with XTR, Azonic and IRC components.
Freeriding Yeti
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Yeti Cycles has announced that the company will be the exclusive bike sponsor of the Canadian Flowriders, headed by Dangerous Dan Cowan.
"We're stoked to have Yeti on-board," said Dangerous Dan. "These guys make great bikes and we are looking forward to helping them develop new products."
The team will ride Yeti AS-X freeride frames kitted out with Manitou forks, Race Face cranks, Hayes Brakes and Intense Tires.
The Flowriders, and their famous travelling Flowshow, travel to events around the North America and Europe with a transportable "North Shore" ramps, as well as appearing in numerous MTB videos.
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