Dave Weagle, inventor of the DW link, the critically acclaimed suspension system used on Turner and Ibis bikes, amongst others, has just been awarded the US patent for the Split Pivot, the world’s first patented Concentric Drop Out Pivot Suspension system. It’s all very technical but the basics theory is that the rear axle of the bike works as the rear pivot. This allows the separation of the acceleration and braking forces in the suspension as well as giving a very flexible suspension system that can be applied to a wide range of designs. This suspension system is very similar to the Trek ABP system, although it doesn’t seem that this patent is going to affect them at the moment.

More information on the Split Pivot System and a comment from Trek after the break… (more…)

We got a little sneak peak at Gaerne’s new 2011 triathlon shoe, the Carbon G.Kona. Compared to their current G.THN shoe, it looks to be a lot more airy and gains a forefoot Velcro strap for better fit-o-misation.  The rest of their 2011 line will debut at Eurobike, but if any little birdies drop any more hints on us, we’ll pass them along post haste.

One Ghost Industries leaked this show of their 2011 downhill bike. Not too many details on the frame, but spec will be as follows:

• Boxxer Ride
• Azonic wheels
• Intense ITS tires
• full Shimano Saint drivetrain
• SLX brakes
• Candy Components headset/stem/bar/pedals
• E-13 crank and SRS+ guide
• Elka Stage 5 shock
• THE seat and grips

They’ll be available August 1, and word is they’re working on a new 29er, too.

Progressive Bikes have just announced that they are the new UK distributor for the Canfield Brothers range of frames and components. Canfield Brothers is run by two brothers from the USA, Chris and Lance, who compete on their own bikes as well as designing and overseeing production of each frame. Chris and Lance have spend the last 10 years designing, developing and prototyping their unique suspension systems culminating in the ‘Jedi’ (DH/FR) and ‘The One’ (AM/FR) frames. Progressive Bikes will also be importing the revolutionary new Crampon Pedals. More photos and information after the break. (more…)

Look is coming out with a carbon fiber bodied version of its Keo pedal called the Blade Aero. It has their carbon blade retention spring with a smooth, aerodynamic bottom side that Look claims improves aerodynamics by 2%. Weight is only increased over the standard Keo Carbon Blade by 5g, yet it’s stiffer for better power transfer.

Look tested the pedal in the wind tunnel at the Formula 1 Magny-Cours Racetrack in Nevers, France, then threw them on Alberto Contador’s bike during the prologue and final time trial at this year’s Tour de France.

Look for these in November, and look past the break for two more photos…

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Look debuted their new top-end 695 road bike at the Tour de France under Pro Tour Team Cofidis.

The new bike uses a Monobloc carbon frame with integrated features touching virtually every aspect. For example, the headtube juts up just slightly above the top tube to house the integrated Head Fit 3 headset. The cranks are Look’s Monobloc, one-piece ZED 2 carbon crankset with both 130mm and 110mm compact chainring mounts that slips through a BB65 bottom bracket hole. The end of the cranks have Look’s Trilob technology that lets you adjust to either 170, 172.5 or 175mm lengths by simply rotating a triangular pedal spindle mount, and it’s now compatible with any pedal.

The C-Stem is adjustable from -9º to +13º and the frame uses a integrated seatmast called the E-Post. Wrapping up the package is internal cable routing and an all-new HSC7 fork.

Dive on in for photos and details…

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“Bicycle in test tube” by Tomity. Tomity retired this June as a professional bike racer in Japan after one of the longest careers (27 years!) on the Keirin circuit–one of Japan’s most popular gambling sports, where up to $100,000 can be exchanged in a single race. Click here to watch a video of Tomity talking about how he got into racing, how the sport works in Japan, the custom made bike he rides, and his plans for retirement–which include designing specialty track bike parts and being an eternal Keirin Ambassador. Love his motto: “Life is beautiful, Bike is peaceful!”.

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

After the You-Tube phenomenon of ‘Performance’, MC SpandX has decided to take his crew off road. Hilarious.

You can see ‘Performance’ after the break: (more…)

The numbers of cyclists using Eurostar trains to take them and their bikes on holiday looks set to increase this year, according to Eurostar.  Eurostar connects UK to Europe using the channel tunnel and each train can carry 16 bikes for a fee of €20 each, although if you partially dismantle your bike and fit it into a bag you can take it for free. Last year the company carried 3,471 bikes, however this year the numbers for May and June are up by 200 compared to 2009. That brings the total to 1,777 bike carried in the first six months of 2010.  (more…)

Now that the Tour de France’s annual hold on our time at home has passed and we can’t excuse ourselves from family duties to watch the evening recap, it’s time to catch up with the kids and share with them why cycling is so great!

Enter Pop-Up Tour de France and Mike and the Bike, two books aimed at children but fun for all ages.

They’re vastly different, with Mike and the Bike being one of a small series of books about a young boy named Mike and his adventures on his bicycle. This one, Mike and the Bike Meet Lucille the Wheel, is actually the 2nd book. Not only does it come with a CD of the story narrated by none other than Phil Liggett and seven bicycle related songs from Tennessee Ward and Paulette Ely, but educational materials are also available for teachers looking to build it into their curriculum. It’s s very fun read, and my son, who was four at the time I started reading it to him, really likes it. Unlike some kids CD’s that are torture to listen to (Kids Bop, anyone? Shoot me now), this one’s pretty darn good.

The Pop-Up Tour de France is a bit heavier reading. It has not only a history of the bicycle, but racing facts, figures and history with descriptions of the different types of stages and more. There’s a spin wheel that matches up the type of rider and vehicle with its description, a history of the winners and a glossary of those French terms that you pretend to know. Your kiddies may gloss over after a page or two, which just delays the gratification and opportunity to share your passion with them. My son started looking at it on his own one day and now really wants to visit France and see the Eiffel Tower, presumably on a bicycle.

Both are excellent and highly recommended. Check out some page photos after the break…

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Some fanboy (hopefully a cycling fanboy… I mean, Josh is cool and all, but really dude) captured this photo of Transformers 3 star Josh Duhamel Du-hamming it up on an e-bike during filming. Thanks to Jason of Jinji Cycles for the tip…c’mon Jason, we know that’s your arm holding the phone cam.

Not shown: Relatively unknown Autobot Eebyke transforms and poses with Duhamel, but Paramount Pictures said those photos violated copyright and made Jason delete those images from his camera.

Some spy footage of downtown filming in Chicago after the break…

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PRESS RELEASE: Velocity has partnered with Halo Coatings to add an innovative new product to their line, Halo Reflective Rims. This durable powder coating process is smooth to the touch and appears graphite in color, then reflects bright white when struck with direct light. Style and safety are combined in this state of the art, exclusive Velocity product. The Velocity Halo reflective rims and custom handbuilt wheelsets are available through any local bike shop or online dealer.  The coating will be available on the following rims:

• Dyad : 700c : 32H 36H : Machined Sidewall/Nonmachined Sidewall
• Fusion : 700c : 32H : Machined Sidewall/Nonmachined Sidewall
• Deep V : 700c : 32H 36H : Machined Sidewall/Nonmachined Sidewall
• B43 : 700c : 32H : Nonmachined Sidewall
• Cliffhanger : 26″ [559] : 36H : Machined Sidewall/Nonmachined Sidewall
• Aeroheat : 20″ [406] 26″ [559] : 32H : Machined Sidewall/Nonmachined Sidewall