While we knew it was officially going to be released, we finally have some official pictures from SRAM of their new 2×10 “XX” mountain bike component group.  As would be expected from a top-of-the-line race-oriented group, it’s light…sub 2300g to be exact (not counting suspension components), making it at least 400g lighter than a full Shimano XTR or SRAM XO group. There’s a full component weight list after the break.

Granted some of that weight savings is coming from the lack of a granny ring, but there are some other major technical innovations that contribute to the feathery-ness.  For instance, the new “X Dome” cassette (above) modifies the SRAM RED Power Dome road cassette by drilling out much of the metal space between gears.  Since RED cassettes tend to collect mud, they couldn’t translate that lightweight design directly, and this heavily machined beauty is the result.  Click the thumbnail below to see the backside close up.

  

Hit ‘more’ for additional photos, specs, weights, prices and more…

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Here’s a news release sent to us about the Kimberlee’s Bike for Kids Foundation.

Kimberlee’s Bikes for Kids Launched;

150 Underprivileged Kids to Get Free Bikes on June 6th

San Diego, Calif.

There will be a lot of smiling faces at the National City Boys & Girls Club (in San Diego County) on June 6th. That’s when Kimberlee’s Bikes for Kids will be distributing 150 bikes, helmets and locks to needy children in the non-profit foundation’s first bicycle give-away.

“It’s going to be so much fun watching 150 children get free bicycles,” says Dan Gindling, president of Kimberlee’s Bikes for Kids, a 501 (c) (3) foundation. “For many of the kids it will be the first bike they can call their own. I think Kimberlee would be very proud of what we are doing in her name.”

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Marin County’s Mt. Tamalpais is widely considered the birthplace of mt. biking. Back in the 70′s Joe Breeze, Gary Fisher, Otis Guy and Charlie Kelly started modifying some old balloon tire bikes to ride off road. The rest is history. Currently, the IMBA, International Mountain Biking Association, has been working with the California State Parks Department to open a new section of trail to mt. bikers on the shoulders of Mt. Tamalpais. The decision is being met with opposition from local hikers and equestrians. IMBA Executive Director, Mike Van Able, had this to say: “I’m urging mountain bikers across the country to send comments in support of this project”. Check out IMBA to read the whole article and show your support.

From Schwalbe:

“WARNING: Schwalbe Ultremo R tyres that exhibit bulging should be removed from use immediately. Free of charge replacements will be supplied.

 

Regrettably some ULTREMO R racing cycle tyres have been supplied into the market that may suffer failure during use due to a mistake in the manufacturing process, as the effected tyres’ carcass layer have not been sufficiently rubberised. In the few tyres concerned, after only a short time in use, the fault becomes clearly visible shown by a bulge due to the carcass layers becoming disconnected.

In no case should Ultremo R tyres that exhibit this phenomenon continue to be used. Replace the tyres immediately!”

 

Click ‘more’ for replacement information and more photos.

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The 2009 Bicycle Film Festival will be in Memphis this weekend and in NYC June 17th-21st. This video, “Where Are You Go” by Brian Vernor and Benny Zenga, was shown as a teaser at last years Film Festival and the whole movie will be shown this year. These guys road for FOUR months from Cairo, Egypt to Cape Town, South Africa. 

Also check out our earlier post for more trailers and “sweet jumps, GOSH”.

 

I was just sent this article from the London2012 site. It’s far more interesting if you read it like the Geico Gecko. No really, try it.

It’s amazing how much work a city goes through in preparing to host the Olympics. All kinds of new facilities have to be built to house the competitions, spectators and traffic. London is demonstrating how with thoughtful planning, many of the upgrades can serve the cities well for years after the games. London has begun upgrading the greenways around the Olympic Park for cyclists and walkers. During the games, these greenways will help move visitors and spectators between the Olympic Park, Victoria Park and West Ham station. Before and after the games, these greenways will promote healthier life styles and “…also create new habitats for wildlife and create a greener space for people” says David Higgins ODA, Olympic Delivery Athourity, Chief Executive.

Improved greenways are always appreciated. Not to mention the project is said to use various recycled materials. Well done London; I offer you this golf clap.

In the interest of remaining classy, the following information will be passed on to you without inappropriate references to “genital pressure” or “that’s what she said’s”. 

The CDC, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, posted an article about traditional bicycle saddles and their relation to genital numbness. The problem being that the nose, or horn, of the saddle places too much pressure on the groin. And the amount of pressure is greatly increased when a rider leans forward for a more aerodynamic position. Causing problems over time such as genital numbness, erectile dysfunction, impotence, and more. Their solution: no-nose, noseless saddles. Saddles that place   the riders weight solely under the pelvic bones. The article points out that there are over 40,000 people in public safety occupations that ride bikes as a part of their jobs, such as police officers and EMT’s. Check out the full article for all the information.

Children’s author and illustrator, John Abbott Nez, tells the true story of America’s ‘Boy Aeronaut’ in Cromwell Dixon’s Sky-Cycle.  (An aeronaut being the pilot of a lighter-than-air aircraft such as a balloon. Not an arrow with a knot in it. But we knew that. I certainly didn’t have to look it up in the dictionary that’s now sitting next to me). As the story goes, in 1907 a boy named Cromwell Dixon dreamed of building his own flying airship. Fortunately for us he used a bicycle parts, earning him a spot on BikeRumor.com, and helping make the cyclists of the world a little bit smarter about American history.

Check out John Nez’s site for the new book or grab it cheap from Amazon.com. There is a short video trailer for the book showing some of the great artwork, history on the sky-cycle, history of 1907 and more.

Also, click ‘more’ for actual photos of Cromwell Dixon’s Sky-Cycle.

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Photo by DAMIEN MEYER/AFP/Getty Images

We are now into week three of the Giro and continuing through the mountains. Sunday’s Stage 15, with 161km (100 miles) and temperatures in the 90′s, wasn’t an easy ride for anyone. The winner, Leonardo Bertagnolli from team Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni-Androni Giocattoli, rode with a break away group of sixteen riders. After a relentless battle through the heat, Bertagnolli pressed on as the group dwindled to seven riders, then two, and finally just himself. Bertagnolli was only added to the team the Tuesday before the Giro started. Smart decision by team Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni-Androni Giocattoli (which is the longest named team in the Giro).

In overall standing after stage 15, very little changed. Denis Menchov is still the leader with Danilo Di Luca less than a minute behind him. 

Click ‘more’ for a recap of stage 16, to view the full general classifications and to see a bike made of hay. Oh those clever Italians.

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In typical SRAM fashion, there isn’t much given away in these images or text, but we’ve tried to blow them up as best we can after the break. After reading the press release, hit ‘more’ to see what we could get from their images…we think we’ve got something here!

PRESS RELEASE: Madrid was the location for one of the most dramatic races of the season so far. The drying race conditions allowed for a very fast start, and shortly after the start, Julien Absalon found his way to the front along with Ralph Naef. Naef launched several solid attacks against Abslaon, but it would be Julien’s day once again. This win marks his 19th World Cup Cross Country win and continues to build on his solid grip on the overall series lead.

SRAM Product Category Manager, Ron Ritzler said, “This is a groundbreaking victory for both Julien and SRAM. Absalon is one of SRAM’s key athletes that has been involved in the development of our new XX group.” Ritzler goes on to say, “SRAM is estatic that Julien was able to race to a World Cup win on the new XX group right as we roll this product out to the
rest of the world.”

“Spy Shots” right this way…

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RockShox has redesigned the SID World Cup for 2010, re-introducing the carbon crown and steerer tube from years past, dropping about 3.5 ounces in the process.

PRESS RELEASE: Rockshox SID World Cup gets a significant update for model year 2010 affecting two parts of the SID chassis and shedding 110 grams. The crown and steerer evolved from the existing aluminum architecture to a hollow one-piece carbon fiber composition. The fork lowers are now full magnesium compared to the magnesium and carbon fiber combination found in the 2009 version. The all magnesium lowers continue to feature Power Bulges, which increase stiffness and bushing durability.

The changes positively affect the overall weight, bringing the fork with full steerer in at 1400 grams (3.09 lbs. -Ed.), while maintaining the incredible steering precision the SID is known for.

The BlackBox Technology carbon crown and steerer attributes, pertaining to strength and stiffness, have been tested in our labs and in the World Cup race arena since 2008. The result is a light chassis that passes the stringent CEN test standards. A year of testing, developing and racing this new carbon crown and steerer has established the next evolution of the SID which remains the king of XC racing.

SID World Cup continues to employ the BlackBox Motion Control damper and Dual Airâ„¢ spring system for vast tunability and ease of service. PushLoc remote lockout actuation is included. All SID forks pair extremely well with Monarchâ„¢ and Arioâ„¢ rear shocks for full suspension proficiency.

Hit ‘more’ for additional photos, specs and related links…

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BMC Bicycles has launched their own line of clothing with a full range of long- and short-sleeve jerseys accompanied by shorts, for both men and women.

The new line is said to be created with a “passion for an active lifestyle with unique design and Swiss precision.” Most items are cut to be somewhat form fitting to work for both men and women, but several items are gender specific. There are three series of clothing: a Passion Series of race-ready clothing in red/black/white, the Flow Series of off-road gear in natural green/gray tones and the Groove Series (all black) of casual wear for easy rides and after cycling. Above is the Long Sleeve Race Shirt, a fill-zip jersey with a textured inside to add a little warmth.  It has three elasticized back pockets, and the material wicks sweat away from the body.

Below are the Men’s Flow Shirt and Short, and the Women’s Short (L to R).  The Jersey is made from DrySkin Bamboo, a 50/50 blend of Polyester and Bamboo and has an almost full-length zipper and a zippered side pocket for your valuables. Perhaps the coolest feature is a microfiber panel on the inside of the jersey made for wiping your shades.

  

The Flow Shorts are designed to complement the Flow Shirt.  They’re built with Cordura panels and a large zipper side pockets.  A stretch panel keeps them up, and a front zipper opens up for ventilation on the men’s version.  The women’s shorts are cut shorter but equally baggy, have three pockets and are 100% nylon.  They have a rear adjustment strap to keep the waist tight.

Click on any of the images to enlarge, and hit ‘more’ to see the rest of the line…

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