Scott introduced the Scale 29er at Interbike 2009 as an aluminum framed ’10 model. Now, they’ve gone and fired a shot across the bow of Cannondale’s Flash 29 with the all-new, all-carbon 949 Scale 29er.

At a claimed maximum frame weight with hardware, decals and clearcoat of just 949g, it’s claiming to be the lightest production 29er hardtail mountain bike frame anywhere. We didn’t have the opportunity to weigh the complete bike, but given that the aluminum model weighed in at just 27lb 7oz with a mid-range build spec, this one should be pretty darn light…and it felt that way on the trail, too (in a very good way). Scott says there’s up to a 20g variation between frames, but stresses that the max is 949g.

From a design and build standpoint, there are a lot of similarities to the Scale 899 26″ hardtail, so check that post for more details on the frame build, including some updated images comparing the internal structure of the tubes and carbon fiber layup.

Check out more specs and details behind the jump…

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Launched at Interbike last year, Sun-Ringle’s Black Flag Pro 29er wheels have apparently been quite the hot seller for them.  They’re light (as you’ll see on the scale photos after the break), and judging by my own tests at the Ashland Super-D at the end of May, they’re pretty darn durable.

It’s a bit early for a full review, but check out the weights, detail photos and initial thoughts after the break…

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LMFAO. NSFW with volume.

via Loot-Ninja, which offers this perfectly apt description: Einstein once said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”. I wonder what his definition of (mentally challenged) would be after he watched the same kids try the same jump over and over.

For 2011, Blue Competition Cycles reworked their cyclocross line and amped up the support for their sponsored rider, Jonathan Page. The two top-end ‘crossers, both in carbon, bear Page’s signature on the chainstays and take a lot of his feedback from racing the pro circuit.

The Blue Norcross, so named for the conveniently ‘cross sounding name of Blue’s home base in Norcross, GA, will come in three versions, the SL and EX, both carbon fiber, and the SP aluminum model.

The SL, shown above, tops the range and uses Blue’s “Virtual Lug” tube-to-tube* construction with a tapered headtube and full carbon fork with carbon dropouts. It gets a revised chainstay bridge in front of the rear tire to replace the mud collecting shelf on the prior model and some other trick little features we haven’t seen anywhere else.

All the pics, deets and pricing after the break…

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Van Dessel has created a floral print step-thru cruiser bicycle for Lilly Pulitzer. The fashion bike comes with stitched on leather grips, sprung comfort saddle, fenders and flip-flop friendly flat pedals, all color matchy in signature LP style.

It’s a single speed with coaster brake and front hand brake (not shown), and the frame is aluminum. The lightweight aluminum rims are color matched pink, too.

“We have a good history of town and commuter bikes and always like to keep things fun, so when Lilly Pulitzer approached us about designing and co-branding a beach cruiser we were thrilled to jump at the opportunity to liven things up a bit for summer,” said Edwin Bull, founder and president of Van Dessel.

Get it at Lilly Pulitzer’s website for $450.

“vegan b-day cake” by fxdwhl. Check out his blog lockring . not . included.

To see more Pics of the Day, click here, and to submit your own photo to be shown to the world, go here.

PRESS RELEASE: Fi’zi:k is giving away 21 Limited Edition Team Replica Yellow Arione CX saddles and handlebar kits to honor the 21 stages of the 97th Tour de France. While you may never have the chance to win a stage of the Tour de France or wear the coveted maillot jaune you now have a chance to win fi’zi:k YELLOW.

To win, go directly to the home page at www.fizik.com and click on the link indicating Win a Stage of the Tour de France. Each morning a winner will be randomly selected from registered participants from fi’zi:k’s Pozzoleone HeadQuarters. If you don’t win the first stage, try again for the second! Register by midnight (Paris time) to qualify to win that day’s stage. This means, if you’re watching the early morning broadcasts in North America, you can register while watching and you may win the day’s stage. Each day the list will be refreshed, so keep trying in order to win. At the end of the 21 stages, ten additional names will be selected to receive a special :K consolation prize.

The Team Replica Arione CX k:ium Limited Edition Kit retails for $190 and includes fi’zi:k’s number one selling road saddling – the Arione CX – in a limited edition matte yellow with glossy yellow stripe, black fi’zi:k logos, and matte/glossy yellow split handlebar tape.

Winner’s will be announced daily on the fi’zi:k Facebook page and on Twitter. If you’re never won a stage in the Tour de France, now is your chance.

Scott Bicycles is set to unveil an all new aero road bike at the start of the Tour de France in Rotterdam. They hinted at it during Scott Week this past weekend, but details are nil at the moment…but given that they’ve just pumped out this trailer, look for it under the butts of Cav and other Team Highroad riders in a few days.

Blue Competition Cycles used Press Camp to unveil their all-new Axino road bike (and new Jonathan Page Signature Edition Norcross cyclocross bikes, which we’ll post separately!), a replacement for their popular RC8 race bike.

The Axino, named for the smallest theoretical part of the atom, and the one that contains all the energy, is a sub-1000g frame made with tube-to-tube and monocoque construction aimed at one-day classics and American style crit racers.

Blue wanted to create a stiff, strong bike with standard “round” tube design, and to do so they fabricated a one-piece top/down/head tube structure, tapered seat tube and one-piece BB/chainstay structure. To keep the ride comfortable, the seatstays are curved for a little flex over the bumpy stuff, and they added some nice features to make it a great looking and performing bike.

Details, photos and pricing after the break…

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Fulcrum has completely revamped their Racing 7 wheelset for 2011, making them lighter and stiffer.

Starting at the rim, they improved their production process (how, exactly, isn’t laid out) to reduce weight, and they’ve added a wear indicator so you know when they’ve had enough. They have a black ano finish with new white graphics. Rim depth is 24mm.

The front hub is new with reinforced spoke seats, sealed bearings and a black ano finish. In the rear, the hub now has an oversized driveside flange. The rear wheel uses mixed spokes: 16 round stainless steel spokes on the driveside with a curved (ie. J-bend) head and 8 straight pull spokes on the non-drive side.

Weight for the wheelset is 1849g, or 81g lighter than the previous model. It’s compatible with Campagnolo, Shimano and SRAM cassettes.

Today, our friend Andreas at London Cyclist released a new iPhone app, Bike Doctor 1.0. Developed to help you diagnose what ails your bike, you simply click on the location of the problem on your bike (brakes making funny noises, broken spoke, punctured inner tube, etc.) and it guides you through the process of fixing it.

You can check out  the Bike Doctor website for more information. It’s available for a special introductory price of $1.99, 60% off the regular price, for two more days. Check out a few screen shots of the various bike diagnostics and the list of repair categories after the break. Android owners, not to fear, a version for you will be out soon…

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El Pistolero - pic from Astana official site

Alberto Contador is the bookmaker’s favorite as he makes his bid for a third Tour de France victory.

He does so, however, looking less imperious than last year. After a decent Paris-Nice, he only managed  a second place in the Dauphiné Liberé, where, on a thrilling ascent of  l’Alpe d’Huez he visibly took himself to the pain cave trying – and failing – to shake a composed Jani Brajkovic off his wheel.

He will also be without Oscar Pereiro, who did not make the Tour de France cut – puzzling, given that most assumed the veteran Spaniard and 2006 Tour winner had been drafted in to pace Contador in the mountains. Contador has been training with Pereiro at altitude, and the two will doubtless ride again during the Vuelta.

Alexandre Vinokourov should provide able support, and be a significant threat himself for a top 10 GC place, having shown his good legs during the Giro. And, if Contador makes it over the cobbles intact and does find form, even riders of Carlos Sastre’s calibre admit that the rest of the peloton will be reduced to scrapping for second place.

The lineup:

Alberto Contador (ESP)

David de la Fuente (ESP)

Andriy Grivko (UKR)

Jesus Hernandez (ESP)

Maxim Iglinsky (KAZ)

Daniel Navarro (ESP)

Benjamin Noval (ESP)

Paolo Tiralongo (ITA)

Alexandre Vinokourov