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FEATURES: LIVE FROM INTERBIKE PART II
Road Bike Action
September 26, 2008
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Specialized proudly displayed the Tarmac SL2 S-Works with CSC Saxo-Bank graphics at their booth in Las Vegas. Specialized also sponsors the Belgium Quick-Step team. With a two of the strongest teams in the peloton, expect to see a lot of Specialized victories in 2009.
Fondriest bicycles is returning to the US market in 2009. Leading the way is the 20th anniversary TF1 which celebrates Fondriest’s 1988 world championship. The full carbon frame is hand crafted and painted in Italy. Built with Campagnolo super record the 20th anniversary TF will cost $16,000
The Ridley Asteria is a women’s specific model that is based on Ridley’s race proven Damocles Instead of the simply shortening the top and seat tubes, Ridley as developed a women’s specific geometry based off a database that contains the body measurements of thousands of women of different heights. Like the Damocles the Asteria features full carbon construction, integrated headset and Ridley own straight blade fork.
The new Mavic pedal system is available at three price points. The base Avenir model features many of the same features as the higher models but with slightly heavier weight of 145-grams. The top of the line Race SL ti pedals weigh 110-grams, and feature titanium axles and carbon fiber cleat interface. The middle level Race is the same basic pedal as the Race SL ti but without titanium axles. The Race weigh 130-grams. All pedals feature a large cleat/pedal contact area and replaceable sealed bearings.
For 2009 Lapierre has completely redesigned their top of the line the carbon bike. Along with a cleaner more sculpted look, the Lapierre is stiffer with move vertical compliance. The Francise Des Jeux replica model comes with a complete Dura Ace group and a suggested retail of $6149.00
Vision's new drinking system is a carbon fiber shelled fairing that mounts under the extensions of the aerobars. The system features two separate reservoirs with two separate drinking tubes. This allows the user to have one reservoir filled with water, and the other filled with sports drink. Initial wind tunnel test showed that the drink system increased the aerodynamic efficiencies of the bike by acting as a fairing in front of the headtube
The Museeuw MF1 looks like a normal lugged carbon fiber frame, but what makes the MF1 unique is that the carbon tubes are made with a 50/50 mixture of carbon fiber a flax fibers. Museeuw claims that this creates a stronger tube, while increasing the bikes ride quality.
American Classic had several new wheels on display, including their first ever disc wheel. While several wheel manufactures make disc wheels, the American Classic has several features that make it worth considering. One is a very competitive price of $999.99 and an aluminum cassette body with steel insets to stop the cassette from gouging the cassette body. The Carbon TT is available in a tubular version only.
Known for beautiful, well-crafted, traditional steel frames, Torelli surprised by showing a very modern carbon frame with an integrated seatmast and internal headset. The strikingly simple and clean graphics are a departure, but one that was well received.
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