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Eurobike show

Friedrichshafen, Germany, September 4-7, 2008

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On show: Eurobike, September 12, 2008

Speed demons from Eurobike

Zipp gets faster still

By Ben Atkins

Rim technonogy developed on the 1080 rim
Photo ©: Ben Atkins
(Click for larger image)

Zipp adds a time trial version of its VumaQuad chainset for 2009 called the VumaChrono. According to Zipp, the VumaChrono is nine seconds faster over 40km than the leading competitor, thus apparently making it the fastest chainset in the world. Zipp also claims it's the stiffest chainset in terms of chainring deflection thanks to the spider-less design and unique method of chainring attachment.

Instead of the usual four or five points of contact, the outer ring (which is basically just a hollow circle of teeth) is affixed to the outside of the carbon face with nine small bolts. A separate set of bolts allows for an inner ring, too, implying that it is suitable for track use. Like Zipp's existing VumaQuad, the VumaChrono has a 30mm-diameter bottom bracket spindle. It is specifically designed for use with Zipp's own external thread-in cups, but we anticipate a proper BB30 version as well.

Wheels are the things that Zipp is most associated with and several small improvements have been made to much of its range. The new 188 hubs use larger 17mm-diameter alloy axles and the bearings now have adjustable preload. Naturally, Zipp claims the 188 hubs to be the fastest in the world.

The spoke flange has been increased in size, particularly on the rear, and driveside spokes have been moved outwards slightly to lessen the dish, and thus stiffen and strengthen the rear wheel.

The 808 and 404 rims have benefited from technology originally developed for the 1080, both now having lower-drag toroidal cross sections which are said to save between 2 and 7 watts at 30mph for the 808. The braking surface is now also slightly wider to form a more seamless joint with the tyre, presenting a more even profile to the wind.

All new for 2009 is Zipp's SLSpeed stem. As an all-carbon stem, the SLSpeed has no embedded metal parts and so Zipp was forced to come up with a completely new way of moulding. The faceplate is made from forged titanium, and like Oval Concepts' stems, is held in place by reverse bolts. The single steerer clamp bolt is attached to a floating nut to ensure better alignment when tightened. Claimed weight is 100g for a 100mm stem.

Zipp has also increased its handlebar range with the new Contour SL bar, available in Zipp's short and shallow as well as the increasingly resurgent traditional bend. With a flattened top section, the Contour SL is designed for more all-day comfort and aerodynamics.

Full Speed Ahead for BB30

FSA's K-Force Light
Photo ©: Ben Atkins
(Click for larger image)

FSA is continuing to push the BB30 standard across its range with no fewer than seven different chainsets available throughout the range, including one under its Gravity subsidiary.

Sitting at the top of the BB30 road range is the K-Force Light, similar in most respects to the standard MegaExo version but for a few noticeable differences. Firstly, the BB30 version is lighter - even with the bigger spindle - when the bottom bracket cups and bearings are all included. More importantly though, the BB30 system is stiffer - due to its increased diameter - and also more durable thanks to its larger bearings.

While pedal stance width between both versions is identical, the width at the spindle - what FSA calls the U-factor - is noticeably narrower for greater ankle clearance since the bearings (in this case ceramic) are internally housed in a 68mm-wide bottom bracket shell.

SRAM introduces road wheels

The S80 wheels have 80mm-deep rim sections
Photo ©: Ben Atkins
(Click for larger image)

As expected, SRAM has leveraged its recent ownership of Indianapolis carbon specialist Zipp to launch its own range of wheels based on the latter's lower budget Flash-Point line. The carbon-and-aluminium rims feature Zipp's trademark toroidal cross section but not the dimpled finish associated with the more expensive models.

The cartridge bearing alloy hubs feature alloy freehub bodies as well and stainless steel straight-pull spokes are used all around. The new SRAM wheels come with 40mm, 60mm or 80mm-deep sections and are dubbed S40, S60 and S80, respectively. All are available for clincher tyres only.

SRAM has also launched its own BB30-compatible crankset, in this case an offshoot of its top-end Red groupset. Like the FSA versions, the BB30 Red crank is lighter, stiffer and more durable than its standard sibling while also providing more heel clearance. With the lighter weight crank, total weight of a complete Red package now falls even lighter than before to sub-1900g.

Ultralight German carbon from THM Carbones

By Warren Rossiter

THM-Carbones showed off its new Fibula brakeset
Photo ©: Warren Rossiter
(Click for larger image)

German carbon ultralight specialist THM Carbones unveiled two brake related prototypes as follow-ups on its Scapula road fork (the lightest all carbon road fork available at a claimed 235g) and Clavicula crankset.

The Fibula brakeset has a claimed weight of 100g per pair (without pads) and although similar in appearance to the Orion from competitor AX Lightness, THM Carbone's stoppers have a built-in linkage to mimic the power of a dual pivot brake while retaining single-pivot weight.

THM Carbones also directly integrated the new Fibula into a special prototype Scapula fork, thus producing what is quite likely the lightest combination out there. Hiding the Fibula brake system inside the fork crown might also yield some aerodynamic advantages with the cleaner overall profile and reduced frontal area. It's probably a mechanic's nightmare though, as pad adjustments look to require removing the brake from the fork (there were no access holes on the prototype).

Turbo boost by Gruber Assist

If you've ever been left behind on the chaingang or struggled to stay with the bunch on a long singletrack grind (and would prefer not to put in any training miles) you might want to consider adding a secret weapon: the Gruber Assist.

The entire system adds about 1900g (4.2lb) but feeds up to 200 watts of power straight to the cranks; simply hit the turbo button hidden in your bar end and off you go, beaming smiles as you pass your riding pals with almost no effort on stiff climbs on a 'standard' bike. The motor and transmission are designed to drop into a 31.6mm seat tube and drive a dedicated bottom bracket based on a Shimano Hollowtech II crank. The Li-ion battery pack drops into a standard saddle bag.

Experienced cyclists are unlikely to embrace the Gruber Assist (after all, it's fairly heavy) but it'd be a great boost for new cyclists and commuters looking for a little help.

Road rigs from Charge

Fixie/singlespeed supremo Charge is now piling head long into geared road bikes with the launch of two retro flavour machines, the Juicer and Skewerr.

The Juicer uses Tange Prestige steel tubes which were somewhat chunky in the prototype form we saw but slated to be more traditionally slimline in production. The Skewer, on the other hand, is built with double-butted Tange Ultimate Titanium tubes arranged in traditional race geometry and dressed in a beautiful highly polished and brushed finish. A dedicated matching Tange all-carbon fork caps off the front end.

From what we can tell, the premium materials and build quality of the Skewer puts it firmly in the court of the major titanium manufacturers such as Litespeed, Lynskey, Merlin etc. But at just £1299 for the frame this particular entry might just set the standard for value in Ti ownership. Our sister publication Cycling Plus will have the world exclusive test of the Skewer very soon.

Photography

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Ben Atkins/Cyclingnews.com

Images by Warren Rossiter

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