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Tech update – January 9, 2003
Edited by Paul Mirtschin
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Colnago re-launches in Australia
In a recent visit to Colnago World Headquarters in Cambiago, Italy, Commercial Director Luciano Fusarpoli informed Cyclingnews that Colnago had developed a new approach to selling its brand in Australia. "We want Cyclingnews readers to be aware that we have new distribution in Australia; we are establishing an exclusive network of preferred Colnago dealers across Australia to better serve this market for Colnago."
Fusarpoli went on to explain that "our relaunch in Australia is exciting for us at Colnago; there is a lot of interest in our new products like the C-40 HP 'Down Under' so we believe with this new dealer network, we can provide better availability through some of the best bike shops in Australia."
The Australian SBR/Colnago team had its first outing in 2003 in race one of the 2003 Jayco Geelong Bay Classic, where the team took out second and third place. Late last year, SBR rider Hilton Clarke Jr took out the Launceston Criterium riding a Colnago.
Cipo's new bike
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World champion Mario Cipollini and the rest of the new Domina Vacanze - Elitron - Rdz team will be aboard new Specialized S-Works E5 road machines this year.
The new frame design was developed early last year in a prototype process that saw Specialized engineers and frame builders hand building a series of 22 different frame versions over a period of months based on Cipollini's exacting feedback. The final design was the one Cipo rode at Milan-San Remo and Gent-Wevelgem, the Giro d'Italia,Vuelta a España and the World Championships. Specialize also says the same model frame is also currently available from dealers worldwide.
All Domina Vacanze - Elitron - Rdz riders will ride in Specialized gear, including S1 helmets, a new road tire being developed by Specialized engineers to Cipollini's personal specs, Body Geometry gloves and saddles, SpeedZone computers, even bottles and cages. Cipollini and selected team members will also ride in Specialized Body Geometry shoes.
Commencal 4X bikes for Anne Caro
The new Commencal race team, based around champion downhiller Anne Caroline Chausson, will be riding the new Pizza/Pasta and Pasta Power bikes from Commencal. The Pasta Power full suspension bike runs Rock Shox U-Turn shocks on both ends, allowing full travel adjustability. Rear travel runs between 103mm and 138mm, while the front adjusts between 100mm and 125mm. More suited to the dual courses, we are yet to see anything from Commencal for the downhill series. However, with Anne Caro aiming for World Cup number 11 we have no doubt that the frame will make an appearance soon.
Women's World Champions Race for Fuji
Fuji America will be supplying bikes to one of the world's leading womens cycling teams, Germany's Team Nürnberger.
Sponsored by European insurance company, Nürnberger Versicherung, the team has signed 2002 World Cup winner Petra Rossner and fifth overall Judith Arndt. Formerly with Saturn, Rossner and Arndt will join fellow German and two time world cyclocross champion Hanka Kupfernagel to make Team Nürnberger a significant force on the women's circuit. Also aboard are Trixi Worrack, 2002 European road champion, Jenny Algelid, 2002 Swedish ITT champion and Margaret Hemsley, 2002 Australian road champion.
"Our partnership with Equipe Nürnberger will drive Fuji brand awareness in our growing international market." said Pat Cunnane, president of Advanced Sports/Fuji America.
The women will ride custom Fuji Professional models with X-Fusion alloy frame, carbon rear wishbone, carbon fork, Shimano DuraAce brakes and derailluers, Ritchey WCS bars, stem, and crankset, Ritchey Logic headset, and Ritchey Deep Section wheels.
Hillenbrand Racing returns to the circuit in 2003
Cross-country rider Kelli Emmett has a new look for 2003, joining forces with Hillenbrand Racing.
Mike Hillenbrand has supported a grass roots mountain bike team since 1997. Along with Broadway Bicycles of Tucson, Hillenbrand Racing has produced numerous state championships. In 2001, Hillenbrand extended his focus to assist Todd Wells in the NORBA series.
For 2003, Hillenbrand Racing returns to the national race scene with rider Kelli Emmett, Team Manager, Jerry Hutchinson, and Team Mechanic, Chris Kroto. Kelli is looking forward to 2003 with a new focus and enthusiasm!
Ibis does a Phoenix
John Castellano, formally of Ibis, has re-entered the cycling market with the last model released by Ibis, the Ripley. Now called the Fango, the 1.25" travel aluminium softtail has been reborn and should be landing in dealerships soon.
Castellano Designs is also expected to resurrect the SilkTi and BowTi frames under the Castellano brand as well as offering replacement parts for Ibis bicycles.
Rotec's new Moto DH
With the purchase of the Rotec company by John Sullivan of Gravity Racing Components at the end of 2001, many Rotec owners wondered just what would become of the Moto DH.
For 2003, Rotec has completely redesigned the Moto DH. The single swingarm still pivots around the bottom bracket but now offers 8.9" of travel from the Progressive 5th Element shock. The frame is built from 6061 aluminium and incorporates a steering stop for dual crown forks as well as a floating brake option and a GRC prepped MRP WorldCup 2 chain guide. The wheelbase has also been shortened. All Moto DH's come standard with a durable powder coat finish in Red, White, Black and Med Blue.
Mongoose and Schwinn snowboards?
For the cyclist who just has to have matching everything, comes the news that Pacific Cycle has signed a five-year licensing deal with Torpedo Sports USA allowing the snow sports company to use the Mongoose and Schwinn brand names on products such as sleds, toboggans and snowboards.
The agreement stipulates that Torpedo have the exclusive rights to market Mongoose snow products and the non-exclusive rights to the Schwinn name.
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