NEW! mobile.bicycling.com Find us on Facebook on Twitter

Transcription

1 NEW! mobile.bicycling.com Find us on Facebook on Twitter September 4th, 2009 More Eurobike By Michael Frank and Matt Phillips What can we say? This is a huge show, and even when we re covering highlights we know there s yet more to say. So here, we say more. WILIER The Italian brand Wilier has a recent presence in the United States, but it s well known and highly regarded in Europe, and is catching a buzz in America as well, especially on the heels of a wildly popular Giro d Italia, with Wilier supporting the Lampre squad with the Cento 1. But that bike is expensive, and truly pro-focused, so for 2010 some workhorses like the well-regarded Le Roi will go away, replaced by the Imperiale, a bike which shares several traits of both the Chrono TT bike and the Cento 1, but will be available fully built for under $4k, a multi-thousand dollar savings over the ProTour machines higher up the ladder. Imperiale Wilier Imperiale - note insets Details of the Imperiale include aerodynamic effects such as a faired fork and downtube, headset cups recessed into the head tube, and what Wilier calls an integrated swingarm dropout (which curves the chainstays and seatstays into a single monocoque rear that bridges across the top tube for greater strength, but still allows a replaceable derailleur hanger). The bike also gets and an oversized bb area that incorporates bb 30 technology. This is stuff that, these days, isn t typically seen on a single bike below $5,000. Giello Ramato 1 of 7 9/4/09 10:56 AM

2 A retro Wilier There s lots of other cool stuff at Wilier, particularly on the tri/tt front (a new bike called the Tri-Chrono will be great for triathletes and available complete from $3,600 with full Ultegra), but here s the forbidden fruit, an old school, steel lugged custom geo Wilier a la this company s historic racers, right down to the copper skin (a trademark color of Wiliers bygone). By the way, the name means copper jewel and this gem of a bike won t be available to Americans - and even in Europe production will be massively limited, as cost may exceed $5,000. OSPREY Hydration and back support in one The Osprey brand is less known to pure cyclists and more understood by those who hike. It s an old-school pack maker that does what it does well and doesn t dabble in other realms. Save that now they re making what look like fantastic packs for off-road riders and we can t wait to test out what they have on offer. The line is called Hydraulics and the packs come in a range of sizes from the truly lean Raptor 6 up to the nearly overnight-trip-worthy Raptor 18. Cool features include a reservoir system housed in its own support structure; the frame sheet surrounding the reservoir not only allows you to easily remove, fill and replace the water pouch easily and quickly, but is ergonomically structured to mirror the natural curve of your spine, so when you lock it back into the pack it solidifies the strength of the back panel so that your muscles do less work balancing the loaded pack. Osprey worked with Nalgene on the reservoir design as well, which has an enveloping top so you can easily turn it inside out for drying and de-funking. There s even a super clever elastic cable on the exterior of the pack (dubbed Lid Lock) that slides through your helmet and snaps on tight, quickly securing your hat when you re not wearing it, but also pulling back to the pack body when the elastic cord isn t in use. There s even more to tell about these Ospreys, so look for a future print review. LEZYNE Lezyne stuff looks cool because it s always about form following function. It s not just shiny cool, it works. And following that lead, Lezyne showed lots more killer items, a few of which include: Shock Drive 2 of 7 9/4/09 10:56 AM

3 Click to enlarge Few shock pumps will live happily in a jersey pocket. The hose flops around, and the body of the pump is too long. This $45 beauty solves both problems. The total length is on par with that of most mini pumps, and hose threads directly into the pump handle when stowed. The cleverest detail is the in-line pressure gauge that doesn t form an extra bulge - what you see with most other designs. Block Tools Port-a-Shop Lezyne shop tools Lezyne s mini tools have been so well received the company is now making shop-worthy tools as well, with one goal in mind - more strength. So the bodies are one-piece, CNC-machined (they won t twist apart under pressure or loosen over time), and wise touches include duplicate angled allens as well as straight ones to get at tight spaces. The entire set of block tools is available piece by piece or as a kit; the Port-a-shop is a bargain at $120. CAMELBAK Finally a QR for Camelbak Fans of Camelbak rejoice! The reservoir of choice for so many cyclists now comes with two even better features, a quick-connect removable hose and a flow meter. Why would you want the latter? Because it lets you calculate if you re hydrating quickly enough and also how soon you might run out of water and will need to refill. 3 of 7 9/4/09 10:56 AM

4 Posted at 8:26 am Permalink No Comments. TrackBack Post a comment You must be logged in to post a comment. << Previous Entries About Listen up. The editors of Bicycling Magazine finally have their own little corner of the World Wide Web. Bicycling.com's Blog is your ticket into the minds, hearts and heads of the passionate people who produce the best biking magazine in the world. You'll find the latest gear reviews right from the front lines, commentary on racing in the U.S. and all over the world, tips on training, nutrition, and diet, and pretty much whatever else this bike-crazed bunch feels like writing about. Check daily to read up and chime in on everything going on in the world of cycling. Other Blogs Herneweb Cycling Blog Yellow Jersey.net All Bicycling Blogs All Over The Map GPS rides and maps from all over the world Boulder Report The one and only from Joe Lindsey. Reader beware Changing Gears We want to hear from you in our Reader Story Blog Fit Chick Welcome to the Fit Chick Blog...essentially a Tri Blog with a wider lens. In the Bike Lane Forget cars. Two-wheeled transport is the way to go Living the Dream What happens when you change your life to make it as a professional track cyclist? Road Rights Bob Mionske gives cyclists all the latest on bicycle law, and the social and political issues involved. Sitting In Bill Strickland's notes from the heart of the pack Breaking news and product reviews Recent Posts More Eurobike Eurobike 2009 The Roundup: Armstrong opens cancer summit in Ireland Roundup: Portland wants to grow reputation as bike friendly city The Roundup: Armstrong & Ritter hope to revive Colorado race Monthly Archives 4 of 7 9/4/09 10:56 AM

5 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 2006 RSS 5 of 7 9/4/09 10:56 AM

6 Sponsored Links CycleOps Fluid 2 Trainers Low Prices, Fast, Free Shipping on the 2007 Fluid 2 and more... Mountain Bike Deal Test And Keep Some of the hottest Mountain Bikes From Top Brands "Crazy White Teeth" Dentists don't want you to know THIS teeth whitening secret. American-Derma-Society.org 6 of 7 9/4/09 10:56 AM

7 Sponsored Links Lose 23 Pounds in 2 Weeks Using Free Products! Just Pay Shipping. AcaiBerryDiet.dealdip.com Meet Fit Singles View Local Profiles of Singles into Fitness. Join Now for Free. DIRECTV - Official Site Best Offer Ever: Get DIRECTV Free 5 Mos: 265+ Ch w/ NFL SUNDAY TICKET Mountain Bike Deal Test And Keep Some of the hottest Mountain Bikes From Top Brands CATEGORIES: Home Gear Rides News & People Training Fix It Tour de France Biketown Mountain Bike SERVICES: Events Discussions Magazine Subscriptions Newsletter Personal Trainer Shop Podcast RSS HELP: CORPORATE: OTHER RODALE SITES: About Bicycling Customer Service Contact Us Advertising Your Privacy Rights Retail Subscriptions Rodale Best Life Runner's World Backpacker Women's Health Mountain Bike Prevention Men's Health Organic Gardening 7 of 7 9/4/09 10:56 AM