Tech News – August 12, 2005 Edited by John Stevenson Got tech? Send press releases, news, and tech questions to the Cyclingnews tech desk. Litespeed Vortex 2006 The other side Litespeed's derailleur hanger Litespeed compacts Vortex and hints at 770g wonder-frame Titanium specialist Litespeed has revealed the first of its 2006 range and dropped a very tantalising hint about something special coming for next year that it will announce September 1. There was a time when the lightest frames were made from titanium. Then carbon fiber technology became more affordable, we saw a rash of carbon frames at or under the 1000g mark and it looked like all metal-alloy frame materials had been left for dead. Litespeed struck back a couple of years ago with its 900g Ghisallo frame in titanium and - assuming the company sticks to its traditional expertise - it's about to reclaim the lightweight crown for the the metal with a frame that weighs a staggering 770g. Litespeed itself isn't saying much at all about the new frame, but other sources close to the company have mentioned a frame called the Ghisallo SL, a lighter version of the Ghisallo. While we're waiting to 'ooh' and 'aah' over a 770g frame, Litespeed has unveiled the compact version of its Vortex frame, which uses the company's new PFT (Proprietary Forming Technology) 6Al/4V titanium tubing in the downtube and top tube. The Vortex Compact weighs 1050g in a medium size frame, which is still pretty light for titanium. The Vortex Compact frameset will retail for US$3,999. Complete bikes will be available with Shimano's Dura-Ace group for $5,999 and with Ultegra for $5,499. More info: www.litespeed.com EverTi gets cross EverTi Ti-Fighter And while we're on the subject of titanium, British Columbia frame builder EverTi has just announced its first cyclo-cross frame, the Ti-fighter, right in time for the cross season. The Ti-fighter is available in custom geometry with either cantilever bosses or disc brake mounts, and EverTi's Kurt Knock says that the bike is proving popular beyond its original cyclo-cross arena. "Though intended for CX racing this bike has become quite desirable as a winter bike for those who live in areas where frame corrosion is a problem," says Knock. The Ti-Fighter features an ovalised top tube for more comfortable carrying in cyclo-cross races, and clearances for tyres up to 40mm, and costs $1250. More info: www.evertibikes.com First Endurance Multi-V First Endurance's first multivitamin Sports nutrition company First Endurance has announced its first foray into vitamin supplements with Multi-V, which the company claims is the "first multivitamin that's clinically proven to improve endurance." According to Says Robert Kunz, First Endurance's Sr. VP of research and development at First Endurance, "Multi-V contains clinically effective doses of Carbogen™, ORAC antioxidants, ginkgo biloba, green tea extract and endurance specific vitamins and minerals." Carbogen is an enzyme blend that First Endurance says has been clinically shown to improve carbohydrate utilisation, and significantly increase time to exhaustion in elite cyclists. More info: www.firstendurance.com Rolf Prima gets carbon Rolf Prima has announced its first carbon fiber wheels, the TdF38. The new wheels are designed for use with tubular tyres, and feature 38mm rims with 16 bladed stainless steel spokes in the rear wheel and 14 up front. Rolf Prima's Rolf Dietrich popularised the paired-spoke wheel design back in the 1990s, one of the ideas that kicked off the whole pre-built wheels. Carbon wheels were available with the Rolf name back when Dietrich was working with Trek, but since that partnership ended in 2001, Rolf Prima has concentrated on aluminium-rimmed wheels. The new hoops are, as you'd expect, light in weight. Rolf Prima claims 1175g for the pair, at a retail price of $1799 and that price includes titanium quick release skewers. More info: www.rolfprima.com Crankbrothers 5050 pedal Crankbrothers rides free Component maker crankbrothers has announced the latest addition to its line of pedals, the 5050 platform. Designed for downhill, 'freeride' and BMX use, the new pedal, the 5050 has removable plates to allow riders to easily replace and change the stainless pins that provide traction for soft-soled shoes. Two versions will be available, the 618g/pr 5050X with cup and cone bearings for $80 and the 5050XX with cartridge bearings at 578g/pr and US$120. More info: www.crankbrothers.com Van Dessel Sports Gin & Trombones Van Dessel serves Gin & Trombones It's as if some people actually look forward to the end of summer. Here's another new cyclo-cross frame, the Gin & Trombones from New Jersey's Van Dessel Sports. The name, according to Van Dessel, comes from the practice at Belgian cyclo-cross races for fans to play trombones and drink gin as the riders go past. The new bike was designed by Van Dessel's Edwin Bull with input from New England cyclo-cross stalwart Adam Myerson. The frame uses 7005 aluminium main tubes with carbon fiber seatstays and fork for a claimed weight of 1500g in a 60cm frame. The frame and fork is US$749, while complete bikes are available with Shimano 105, Ultegra and Dura-Ace components at $1899 , $2249 and $2799 respectively. "I wanted to make a true 'cross racing bike," said Bull. "The bikes we design are fashioned more like European pro racing bikes. Adam helped quite a bit with the geometry, like what it should have and what it shouldn't have, which translated into a well thought-out race bike." More info: www.vandesselsports.com