Astana to ride SRAM RED

Johan Bruyneel’s newly re-formed team rides SRAM’s new road group

In what might be the biggest ‘leap’ in cycling for 2008, the newly reformed team Astana, now lead by current Tour de France winner Alberto Contador (ESP), American Champion Levi Leipheimer, and Team Director and 8x Tour de France mastermind Johan Bruyneel, will be powered by SRAM road componentry.
Team Astana will be exclusively riding and racing the World’s lightest 1928 gram SRAM RED road gruppo, just introduced this past
September at Eurobike. While RED was launched as the most ergonomically refi ned and technologically advanced road group in the
world, with numerous effi ciencies and features, it was the weight story that caught Bruyneel’s attention. “SRAM has proven itself at the highest levels of cycling, but having the lightest gruppo in the World with RED, along with all the function and features, is a real advantage. They are making serious impressions in the road market and we would not consider partnering with them if it wouldn’t benefit this team (Astana) and put us in a position to win.” Astana General Manager Johan Bruyneel. SRAM’s Global Marketing Director, David Zimberoff, traveled to Astana’s Team headquarters in early November to finalize the three year agreement.
“Johan’s proven leadership and legacy of success was the perfect opportunity for us to demonstrate the pure advantages of our road drivetrain and, most specifi cally, RED. Prior to the agreement we had Alberto Contador and Levi Leipheimer testride RED groupsets and they gave enthusiastic thumbs up. That is the type of verifi cation that excites us at SRAM and we are truly looking forward to 2008,” stated David Zimberoff.

AX-Lightness Orion SL

The brandnew AX-Lightness Orion SL Brake. The first pics now on Light-Bikes.

AX-Lightness Orion SL with Carbon-springs, BTP Brakepads and Aluminium-Bolts for Powercordz.

Orion SL without Brakepads:

The “normal” AX Orion:

RockShox SID – the rebirth of blue

Global Media launch for new SID in Moab (USA) Roc Dazur (France) and Australia
10 years ago, the blue RockShox SID fork took over the colour domination from yellow Judy’s. Becoming the most successful fork ever, with countless world Championships and Olympic medals, it was time for RockShox to elevate the SID platform to a new performance level for the next decade: stiffer, longer travel, improved adjustability, lowest possible weight without performance sacrifi ces. On October 13th and 14th, journalists from around the globe fl ew in the USA to test ride the new RockShox SID. Mixed teams of journalists, SRAM staff and SRAM athletes competed in the 24 hour race of Moab (Utah, USA), enjoying fi rst hand RockShox SID experience.

The event was held on a challenging 24 km loop course in the Utah desert. A mixture of rough technical sections alongside deep sandy stretches proved the perfect testing track for the new SID. Along with 1,400 other racers and approximately 2,500 apectators, SRAM fielded four teams in the event. Each team was racing on bikes fully built using the new SID, SRAM X.0, RockShox Monarch, Avid Juicy Ultimate, and Truvativ Noir components.
To complete the amazing riding experience, SRAM’s 24 hour base camp provided full service: SRAM WorldCup truck for professional technical service, food and massage tents and a big fire place to keep everybody warm…
On the same weekend, at the famous Roc D’Azur event (France) and Australia, editors had the same chance to get fi rst test rides on SID. After 24 hours of racing it was hard for us to take the forks back from the editors’ bikes. You will see stories all around the globe in print and web. The best way to summarize this rebirth of blue are the statements editors left with us after the events: “Amazing fork!”, “Great experience!”, “SRAM team is on top of things, professional, different and fun!”, “I never ate so well in
my life” The production of the new SID fork will start in February 2008, so stay tuned.
Find all the news about the 2008 RockShox SID on www.superlightintegrateddesign.com

1998 RS SID


10 years of SID!

AX-Lightness Uranos handlebar

Still kind of fresh out of the press: the rumor has actually already been circulating for a while, however it is just now that we are finally able to disclose some info on AX-Lightness’ latest baby: their URANOS road handlebar.
The bar is going to come in widths of 400, 420, 440mm - eventually with a 460mm version to follow as well. As announced in AX’s SL series thread the bar will be available in two different versions: stock version and SL version which utilizes a different type of carbon and is optimized to the specific rider weight. The stock version is going to weight 125-130g, the SL version can go as low as 110g! At first glance the shape seems to resemble the one of Schmolke’s bars, however AX prides themselves in having been concentrating on having an anatomically as ideal position as possible. The top section of the bar has a drop of 5mm and comes with a slight inwards bend. Towards the ends of the drops the bar slightly turns to the outside.
Price (for the stock version) will be around 550-600Eur and thus in direct competition to Schmolke’s TLO bar, with AX’ SL series probably even topping these. The first produced SL bar they built came in at 111g for a 400mm width, which currently is the only width they build - other still to follow.

The bars are not available yet, but it is hoped for them to still hit the market before X-Mas. Prices as said 550-600Eur for the stock version and the SL one being “more expensive”.

Thanks to Nils for the Pics, taken at EICMA in Milano.

New Pics…

Extralite Ultrahub SX

New Fronthub for Roadbikes from Extralite: Extralite UltraHub SX

Weight: 49gr.

Material: special 7075TX.

Bearings: 2RS sealed cartdrige.

Micro-Tuner: quickest bearing preload system.

Finishing: “hart coat” sides, black anodized body.

Graphics: laser etched.

Option: Hybrid ceramic bearings.

Dimensions for wheel building: Avaiable drillings 16 - 18 - 20 - 24

Center to flange: int. 37mm

Spoke drilling diameter: 28mm

Spoke hole diameter: 2,5mm

Radial lacing is allowed on interal flange side and only with D/B spokes (central section equivalent to Ø 1.5mm).

Micro-tuner allows an easy and quick bearing preload adjustment, no-tools required!

Flanges recive our new special treatments (military standard) to handle radial lacing stress.

To minimize torsional static forces flanges self-align under spoke lacing tension.

As every Extralite products UltraHubs exceede UNI/DIN Safety standards. Safety tests simulate a very strong 90kg (200lb) rider output.

Price: 149€

3T Adds new Fork Range

3T announced that is has expanded its product range with an ultra performing fork range called “FUNDA”. The range is co-developed with premier experts on fork aerodynamics. “Combining this expertise with the New 3T’s in depth knowledge in carbon lay up for superior strength and lateral stiffness has resulted in a truly innovative solution”, comments René Wiertz, new CEO of the New 3T.

“Instead of regular fork’s blades, we designed a distinctly different (asymmetric) airfoil for the blade where it is near the rim, and a symmetric shape further down where it is not affected by the wheel. Together, it forms a package that will slingshot you to the front of the pack. The FUNDA range is another clear statement of the New 3T’s ambition to bring well engineered, and truly innovative products to market”, says René Wiertz.
The full carbon FUNDA fork range is available in the TEAM version, weighting 300 grams, and in the PRO version, weighting 360 grams. It comes in a wide range of rakes, so you can find the perfect fork for any steering geometry and bike type. The FUNDA range is available for shipping from February 2008 onwards.

source: BikeEurope