Ciclosport's HAC 4 Pro Plus
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Ciclosport HAC 4 Pro Plus computer
Ciclosport describes the HAC 4 Pro Plus as the 'ultimate data acquisition
system'. That might sound a bit hyperbolic when applied to a mere
bike computer, until you read the list of specs and capabilities
and realise that this is no mere bike computer, but an altimeter,
heart rate monitor, wireless bike computer, stopwatch and calorie
counter with a USB interface that allows you to download your ride
details to your PC.
If that weren't enough, the HAC 4 Pro Plus can be switched between
two bikes with different wheel sizes and comes with a wrist strap
so you can use it as a regular watch too, though that does sound
to us like using a hydrogen bomb to demolish a garden shed. (Kidding
- the idea is obviously that you can use the heart rate monitor
for running and skiing etc.)
At AU$799 in Australia, and more-or-less currency-and-tax equivalent
prices elsewhere, the HAC 4 Pro Plus is probably the most expensive
bike computer around, without going to power-measuring or GPS functions,
but it looks to be solidly built and to provide a huge pile of data
for cycling numbers junkies./JS
More information: www.bikesportz.com.au;
www.ciclosportusa.com;
www.ciclosport.de
Orbea offers 29er users
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Orbea Alma 29er
Two-niner proponents were drooling over Orbea's new Alma 29 frame
when it was but a rumor, if only because it represents a serious
financial commitment to the alternative wheel size made by a major
manufacturer. At 1300g for a medium size frame, they may be justified.
The monocoque carbon fiber chassis utilizes some unique tube shaping,
including a cartoonishly oversized downtube (with integrated fender,
no less), Orbea's Four Point rear triangle, which is said to increase
vertical compliance while also enhancing lateral rigidity, and some
unusual dropouts. Our test bike weighs in at 24.05lbs/10.91kg without
pedals and suggested retail is US$4400 with our decidedly premium
parts spec./JH
More information: www.orbea.com;
www.orbea-usa.com
Tifosi Fototec lenses
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Tifosi Optics Fototec eyewear
In the last couple of years we've seen a wave of new cycling eyewear
with light-reactive lenses that get darker in bright sunlight and
lighten when you go back in the shade. The idea isn't new - photochromic
technology for regular glasses has been around for years, but early
photochromic lenses darkened too slowly to be really useful for
cyclists as we can find ourselves constantly dipping in and out
of the sunshine, especially when riding off road.
Pictured here is the Forza model, and like all Tifosi Fototec glasses
it's available with one of three lens types: 'backcountry orange',
with 45-15 percent light transmission, intended for mountain biking;
'high speed red', with 35-12 percent transmission for road riding
and the self-explanatory 'light night' at 85-19 percent transmission.
As we've come to expect from Tifosi, the Watsonville Georgia company's
entry into the photochromic cycling eyewear fray is reasonably priced.
Recommended retail for the Forza model is just $59.95./JS
More information: www.tifosioptics.com
In addition
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Gore cycling apparel
From the fabled land of waterproof and breathable nirvana comes
a complete line of Gore Bike Wear cycling clothing. Included in
our test wardrobe are Gore's Power Bib shorts, Xenon short sleeve
jersey, and Thermo knee warmers, as well as its Helium vest, leg
warmers and arm warmers made from their excellent Windstopper fabric.
Topping it off is a pair of Gore-Tex cycling socks. Technical fabrics
aside, a variety of cycling-specific features are also incorporated
such as complex cuts and a stretch chamois.
MSRP for the shorts, jersey, and vest is US$99.99, US$89.99, and
US$85.99, respectively, and the knee, leg, and arm warmers carry
price tags of US$39.99, US$59.99, and US$45.99. Need the socks,
too? Tack on another US$39.99./JH
More information: www.gorebikewear.com
Titus Modena
Titus Modena
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Stylish cut-outs
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As well as some of the most highly-regarded suspension mountain
bike frames around, Arizona bike maker Titus also manufactures a
range of road bikes featuring clever use of mixtures of metals and
composites.
Titus' Exogrid and Isogrid bikes always attract attention at trade
shoes for their striking combinations of titanium and carbon fiber
in the frame tubes, and also for their slightly alarming prices
- the titanium/carbon Vuelo frame, for example, retails for a shade
under four grand. That's comparable with other super high-zoot frames,
but for many of us it's still a rather wallet-clenching figure.
The Modena is Titus most affordable frame, and for its construction
Titus uses perhaps the most 'traditional' metal/composite mixture:
carbon fiber tubes with aluminium lugs. Nevertheless, this isn't
just a bunch of carbon pipes lobbed into square-cut castings like
such frames of yore. The Modena's lugs are nicely styled and tapered,
with diamond-shaped cut-outs and a striking one-piece head lug.
The Modena frame comes with a Reynolds Composites Ouzo Comp fork
and our test bike is built up with the new Shimano 105 group, Bontrager
wheels, Continental tyres, FSA bar, stem and seatpost and Fizik
saddle. Recommended retail for the bare frame and fork is $1360/JS
More information: www.titusti.com
Need a little bit extra?
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CeramicSpeed bearings
Michael Rasmussen, Tyler Hamilton, and other top pros have enlisted
the services of Danish bearing manufacturer CeramicSpeed in search
of that 'extra edge'. The silicon nitride loose balls and cartridge
bearings, also offered in conjunction with FSA, are said to not
only reduce friction, but are allegedly much more durable than standard
steel bearings. We're augmenting our ceramic bearing test fleet
(which already contains a FSA ceramic MegaExo bottom bracket) with
a pair of ceramic bearing-equipped Tacx derailleur pulleys as well
as a set of silicon nitride loose balls. If all goes to plan, we'll
be able to produce our own set of friction measurements to see exactly
what a handful of ceramic gets you in the real world.
If you must go faster, bring your checkbook: our test pulleys fetch
US$130 while the complete set of loose balls for a pair of Dura-Ace
WH-7801-SL wheels carries a price of approximately US$250./JH
More information: www.ceramicspeed.com
Formula’s new Oro Puro
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Formula Oro Puro hydraulic disc brakes
After a brief hiatus, Formula re-enters the ultra-lightweight hydraulic
MTB disc brake market with what it claims to be the "most powerful
two-piston brakes on the market". The Oro Puro features a two-piston,
two-piece caliper paired with a compact aluminum master cylinder
that includes an integrated tool-free pad contact point adjustment.
A carbon fiber lever blade along with a full set of aluminum and
titanium hardware brings the weight of the complete system to just
356g for a complete front assembly or 372g for the rear (including
160mm rotor, full-length hose, and all required hardware and adapters).
Swapping in a 180mm rotor up front adds an additional 32g but the
pimpy gold color comes standard regardless of rotor choice./JH
More information: www.formulabrakeusa.com;
www.formula-brake.it
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