New Arrivals – January 10, 2007 Edited by James Huang Got Tech? Send press releases, news, and tech questions to the Cyclingnews tech-heads. Welcome to New Arrivals, a section showcasing the latest equipment that's landed on the Cyclingnews tech desk. Look out for reviews over the next few months when we've clocked up some saddle time with this stuff. Van Dessel's Jersey Devil HT perpetuates the hardtail breed Photo ©: Jon Devich Van Dessel Jersey Devil HT Hardtails may be on the decline, but 29" wheels have now virtually guaranteed that they won't be going away completely any time soon. Van Dessel's Jersey Devil HT does its part to perpetuate the species with a triple butted 7005 aluminum frame that includes vibration-damping carbon fiber seat stays. Our tricked out test frame is equipped with an equally tricked out pick of parts, including a White Brothers Magic 29 fork and FSA carbon fiber cranks, stem, handlebars and seat post. Power is put to the ground with a pair of American Classic MTB 29 wheels and kept in check with Hayes El Camino hydraulic disc brakes. Answering the cries of the racer within, the small New Jersey bike builder has wrapped all of this up into a race car classic green and white package. Even with a Clydesdale-sized XL frame, our Jersey Devil HT still weighs a very respectable 10.9kg (24lbs). /JD Price: US$4200 (as built) The new XTR features a variety of complex surface finishes, Photo ©: James Huang Shimano XTR M970 trigger shifters and rear derailleur From the outset, Shimano intended for its new XTR group to offer riders previously unseen levels of option and choice, and it holds up to its billing with a wealth of menu options including two wholly different styles of shifters. We've already given the new Dual Control shifters a serious thrashing, both during Shimano's initial XTR launch in Japan and back in the States, and now we have the other configuration on hand for some longer-term testing after an initial taste back in July. The new trigger shifters now deliver improved ergonomics thanks to more flexible pod positioning, as well as faster shifts thanks to the push/pull 'Multi Release' release lever, the 'Two Way Release' feature that now allows users to upshift two gears per lever swing, and 'Instant Release' which unwinds the cable spool as soon as the release trigger is engaged. Shimano also now offers both High Normal and Low Normal rear derailleur options intended to go with the trigger or Dual Control shifters, respectively. Our High Normal long cage rear derailleur weighs 198g, and the triggers hit the scales at just 218g for the pair without cables. Price: US$249.99 (trigger shifters); US$189.99 (rear derailleur) Whether on the bike or at the pub, Moots' new Wool Trainer Photo ©: James Huang Moots Cycles Wool Trainer Moots' new Wool Trainer long-sleeved jersey is made by Woolistic using 100% Merino wool for itch-free comfort. The lack of rear pockets and relatively loose fit means that users will more likely don this to the local pub than on their local club ride, but no matter. You'll probably look good either way, and wool's natural insulating and wicking abilities will likely suit either situation just fine. Full-zip front provided by a beefy YKK metal zipper and the Moots logo is boldly embroidered across the chest. The Wool Trainer is also conveniently machine washable for when that unruly head on your pint of Guiness gets the better of your inebriated sympathetic nervous system. For now, Moots will offer the Wool Trainer in a single charcoal color scheme, but in men's sizes ranging from S-XXXL as well as a women's medium (additional women's sizes will be offered based on demand). Price: US$149.99 The Matchmaker from Avid allows users to link up their X.0 or newer X.9 trigger shifters Photo ©: James Huang Avid Matchmaker As the saying goes, 'the more things change, the more things stay the same.' Whereas Shimano was once chided long ago for its integrated mountain bike shifter and brake lever design, Avid now offers just such an option to enable riders to "clean up" their handlebar space. The Matchmaker replaces the stock rear plate on all Juicy brake levers equipped with split clamps and includes a direct mount for SRAM's X.0 or newer X.9 trigger shifters. Unlike Shimano's earlier versions, however, Matchmaker is purely optional and also allows for significant independent angular and lateral shifter adjustment. Our Matchmaker test set weighs 34g for the pair, adding a paltry 2g from the standard setup. Price: US$25 The Syncros FL23 wheelset is the company's top XC set of hoops, Photo ©: James Huang Syncros FL23 wheelset Once known primarily for its then-innovative two-bolt seatpost, Syncros also offers a complete line of mountain bike wheels (in addition to other componentry) for a variety of intended purposes, including its lightest "FL" series. Our fully hand-built FL test wheelset is intended for 'Hardcore XC/Marathon' riding and features Syncros' 23mm-wide DS23 disc-specific rims laced with DT Supercomp triple-butted spokes. Hubs are equipped with double-row angular contact bearings for good longevity and improved resistance to side load as compared to radial cartridges, as well as an aluminum freehub body. The FL wheelset is offered with either black-anodized or matte white rims, both with black-anodized hubs. Our test sample came with an "experimental" all-white finish including hubs and the included skewers, and weighs a reasonable 1730g for the pair (802g/928g front/rear, plus 116g for skewers). We're not sure how well the painted white surfaces will hold up over the long haul, but they sure look trick regardless! Price: US$299.99 (FL front); US$379.99 (FL rear) Photography For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here Images by Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us Van Dessel's Jersey Devil HT perpetuates the hardtail breed with 29" wheels. The Jersey Devil HT supplements its 7005 aluminum frame with carbon fiber seat stays. Images by James Huang/Cyclingnews.com Shimano's new XTR M970 trigger shifters offer up the best trigger shifting performance from the Japanese giant yet. The new XTR features a variety of complex surface finishes, including this polished and sandblasted trigger paddle. New XTR rear derailleurs are offered in multiple cage lengths as well as two cable pull styles. Whether on the bike or at the pub, Moots' new Wool Trainer delivers Merino wool style, warmth, and moisture wicking. The Matchmaker from Avid allows users to link up their X.0 or newer X.9 trigger shifters directly to the back of compatible Juicy brake levers. A clever gimbal mount enables the shifters to be rotated independently of the brake levers. The Syncros FL23 wheelset is the company's top XC set of hoops, with lightweight aluminum rims and a trick white finish. Our test set wore an "experimental" set of white-finished hubs as well.