This Stevens prototype disc brake equipped carbon fiber cyclocross bike was floating about the TRP booth to demonstrate their new Parabox cable-to-hydraulic disc brake converter.

The frame is very similar to their current Carbon Team cyclocross bikes, including a pretty close match to the paint scheme (though I like this one a bit better), and quite different from world champ Hanka Kupfernagel’s race bike they showed at Eurobike last year where reps said this would be a 2012 model at earliest.

From there, it gets radically different from current production models, from custom Easton wheels to hydraulic TRP brakes and some nasty white tires, this bike presents a mouthwatering taste of things to come. More after the break…

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You’ve seen the Aeroshell on other Lazer helmets before, and now Lazer is bringing those benefits to their TT/Tri helmet, the Tardiz. While the Aeroshell is great to keep out the elements when riding in cold, wet, and windy conditions, the Tardiz version has a somewhat different intent. The Tardiz Aeroshell can be used for shorter courses and events where maximum ventilation isn’t needed, therefor increasing the aero effect of the helmet when every second counts.

The large cutout in the center of the plastic Aeroshell is to allow access to the Rollsys retention adjustment and the Aquavent water cooling port. It’s important to note that while the Aeroshell does block off the three vents on the front of the helmet, air is still able to pass under the front and out of the rear vents of the helmet.

The Kelly Benefits team had the Aeroshell on stage 6 of the Tour of California, so jump past the break to see one of their riders demonstrate the Aeroshell’s fit.

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Ever on top of the lightweight parts scene, Fair Wheel Bikes posted a short interview with eeCycleworks‘ founder Craig about the dreadfully long wait for the redesigned eeCranks. The good news? What you see above is just about the final version that should see production.

Cosmetically, anyway, little if anything should change other than having a black option to go with this silver. Internally, Craig says there may be a few tweaks, but that it should finally start production sooner rather than later (release goal is late 2011). Specs? You want specs? Jump past the break…

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Earlier this week, Specialized put out a video on Alberto Contador’s special pink shoes that they had created for the Giro. As Contador continues to lead the Giro, his pink shoes perfectly match the pink leaders jersey. Alberto is also sporting some pink Boa Reels on his shoes, but those are for a much more important cause: fighting breast cancer.

We’ve all probably known someone one way or another, who has been affected by breast cancer, so with a $10 minimum donation to the Breast Cancer Network of Strength you can show your support with the custom pink reels. Currently the reels only fit low profile shoes from Specialized, Lake, and Scott, among a few other non cycling footwear brands. Installation of the pink reels couldn’t be any simpler, and the kit even includes the needed allen wrench.

If you own a pair of Boa equipped shoes, this is a no brainer as it is always good to have an extra reel or two, and this way you’re helping people out in the process.

Want to see Contador’s pink shoes? Spy them after the break!

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Ergon only had a couple of updates, but we’re glad to see the backpacks getting a major overhaul. After our lukewarm review of the original version, the new BX2 looks promising thanks to better strap designs and a simplified version of their Flink linkage at the shoulders. They also had a new GS2 grip with composite bar ends…more pics and info for both after the break.

Prologo has new men’s and women’s road and mountain bike saddles, many with carbon rails and sub-200g weights, and Thule showed off their new Raceway Platform trunk-mounted rack. Click on through to see it all…

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As the FGFS movement continues to expand, bike parts are constantly evolving to keep up with demand. Case in point: stems. FGFS bikes are now to the point that most of them are running stout bars and short stems to allow for tricks and hold up to the abuse. To address the need, Fyxation will be introducing a new stem, which is a collaboration with Answer Components.

Those familiar with Answer products, especially the Rove DJ stem, will notice that the 7075 stem is almost identical to the Rove save for the printing and colors. However, there are a few more loud colors offered which I’m guessing will attract more than just fixed gear riders.

Check out the other colors and specs after the break!

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Photo taken at the New Amsterdam Bike Show. Rebecca Graves models the helmet she hand painted for the 2011 Five Boro Bike Tour on May 1st. The images she painted are scenes from along the tour. Check out the other side after the break.

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Photo submitted by Tractor, “The final three on the final climb.”

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

Photo submitted by Chuck Vohsen and Robin Rongey, ”ROCK Racing getting in some mtn bike ride training crossing Keifer Creek at Castlewood State Park in Eastern Missouri.”

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

Just for today’s TT stage, Levi Leipheimer will don a custom painted, one-of-a-kind Giro Selector with the California Republic graphics. Now, if only he could talk Trek into letting him borrow some of Specialized’s new bar tape…

2012 Specialized Crux Disc becomes the first recent disc-brake equipped cyclocross bike from a major manufacturer. Photo by Matt Phillips.

Aaaahhh, we knew this was coming, we just didn’t think one of the biggest manufacturers in the world would get one into the open this year. Short of the 2008 Lemond Poprad (Trek) which is no longer made, this is first disc brake crosser from a major manufacturer (update) that a) has real production potential, b) has launched since the UCI’s rule change and c) should be available in the U.S. markets soon.*

Bicycling’s Matt Phillips just spied this prototype 2012 Specialized Crux Disc cyclocross bike outfitted with an all-new carbon fork and Avid mechanical disc brakes pulled by SRAM Red levers.

According to his post (which has a couple more photos), the bike is darn near production looking, meaning you should see this pop up in the summer for your 2011-2012 ‘cross escapades. The fork is said to be “very light” and has post-mount tabs. The bike above was outfitted with 140mm rotors, but should accept 160mm if we had to guess.

The wheels have Zipp’s 285v4 rim – also used the 303 wheelset – with White Industries disc hubs. Since White doesn’t list a 130mm disc brake rear hub, that means the Big “S” has done as we’ve been predicting and push 135mm as the standard for disc brake cyclocross bikes moving forward. Further speculation on the frame is that it uses BB30 and a tapered headtube, and visual confirmation is that cable are run internally for shifting and rear brake, with small covers like on the Venge to ease cable installation.

Anyone bets for a 2013 carbon fiber version?

*See Editor’s comment for clarification of this update.

Want one of the Shepard Fairey custom painted Trek Madone race bikes being ridding in this year’s Amgen Tour of California by Team Radio Shack? Starting Sunday, Trek and Livestrong will be auctioning six of them to raise funds for cancer research by way of the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Full press release after the break, and check out closeups of the bike in this post.

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