Rapha has teamed up with the likes of Rocket Espresso Milano to produce a limited edition (200 in total) Giotto espresso machine.  The Giotto is a top of line espresso machine that won’t disappoint.

The machine is constructed out of stainless steel, pure copper (Cu. 99.9%), and lead free brass.  It really is a thing of beauty.  The Rapha H Van silhouette graphic and cycle club logo are engraved on the machine, as well as the phrase “Oggi Ci Daremo Una Botta.”  Translated it means, “We’ll give ourselves a kick up the backside today.”

As one would guess, it doesn’t come cheap.  The machine runs €1,700 or roughly $2450 for those of us stateside.

For full details and more images visit Rapha’s site.

Norco introduced four new full suspension mountain bike platforms for 2012. All carry the same flowing hydroformed tube shapes and graphic design, which gives them a nice family resemblance. Up top is the all-new Aurum, which replaces the Team DH as Norco’s pro-level downhill mountain bike. Before we dive into the details, we’ll cover some of the sweeping changes that affect the entire lineup.

All of Norco’s full sussers now use their ART suspension that was introduced on last year’s bikes. It’s their proprietary version of an FSR design. The main difference versus what they’ve used in the past are the pivot placements, particularly the rear Horst pivot – the one just below and in front of the dropout. By dropping it lower, it creates a more rearward axle path and gives the new bikes a more progressive leverage curve. At the beginning of the stroke, the rear wheel has a lot of leverage over the shock, which gives it a supple feel over the little stuff for good traction. Hit something a little bigger and Norco says the design allows the suspension to move with and around square edge bumps like rocks, logs and curbs. Go even bigger and the ART suspension ramps up toward the end of the stroke to provide a “bottomless” feel. In addition to all that, ART claims to keep the suspension very active under braking.

Lots more to cover…

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So you don’t have to spend 20 minutes reading this post, I will omit the obligatory list of automotive manufactures who have decided to delve into the cycling world.  Porsche has been on the list in the past, and they are on it again. Porsche Design has recently debuted a high performance fitness style bike.  There are two models, the S and the RS (Rennsport), they come in small, medium, and large, have a pretty nice parts build on both, and cost $4775 to $8538.  The full details can be found here.

What do you get when you mix Toyota’s forwarding thinking and love of innovation with the guys at Parlee and Deeplocal (they made the Nike Chalkbot)?  Well, you end up with one of the coolest, nerdiest bicycles ever developed.  It literally shifts by reading your mind, and is controlled by an iPhone 4.  Check it out here and here.

Target has partnered with Missoni to bring forth a new fashion line that will debut this September.  Hidden within that line you will find a pretty bicycle designed for the most discerning fashionista.  It sports the classic Missoni zig-zags, has a step through frame, and a handy handle bar basket.  No clue on price, but I do know that it certainly classes up the department store bike rack.  If the Lamp Shade Fits has an image (scroll to the bottom of the post).

Photo submitted by Marty, “A taste of trail from Levis Trow Mound in Wisconsin, site of the GnomeFest 8 [el ocho] coming up on Sept. 10-12.”

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

WTB’s new Volt saddle is a cross between the Silverado’s shape with the Rocket V’s rear whaletail kick. It’s part of their thinline series, so it’ll have a narrow profile. The three colors above (top row) are the standard offerings, and it’ll have three trim levels: 220g for the SLT model at $165, Team is $130 and Pro is $90. Check the underside and the special edition Downieville Classic model after the break…

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Photo submitted by Szymon Bielesz, “Recent photo I took on the Pacific Coast near Lincoln City in Oregon.”

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

Intense had a two of their new 2012 Carbine carbon fiber trail bikes built up at DealerCamp. Both had a full XTR group, but the cockpit and fork spec differed quite a bit, showing the versatility of the bike’s potential.

All the official specs and glamour shots are in this post. Here, we have the weights and some real world photos to fill in the holes. Above, built up with a smaller Fox fork and Syncros carbon cockpit pieces, XTR group and wheels, the bike comes in at 26lbs 6oz. To see what a beefier, longer travel build tips the scales at, along with lots of pics, make the leap…

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Shimano PRO has just released their new Tharsis Trail component group, and it’s pretty much all carbon fiber.

The stem and bar above were spotted on the new Intense Carbine at DealerCamp. We’re not sure if this is going to end up on a build option from them, but it was pretty sick looking on the matte carbon frame.

Named after the highest mountain range in the universe, the Tharsis range on Mars, they’re designed for rugged, all-day epics on trails that go beyond your typical fireroad/XC adventures. It’s also their first upper-level group that’s entirely carbon, using special layups and fiber types to be strong but light. Make the jump for more pics and details…

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Easton’s just debuted their entry to the Road Tubeless market, and it’ll make a perfect cyclocross wheelset.

The 2012 Easton EA90RT has an entirely new rim, and it’s wide! Internal rim width is 17.5mm with a solid rim bed, so no rim tape necessary. Uses the same double threaded nipple/dueler that they use on their mountain bike wheels.

The rim width is 15mm inside on their standard EA90SLX wheels, and brand manager Dain Zaffke says that adds 12% volume moving a 23c tire from the SLX to the RT. He mentioned that to illustrate that even if you never run it tubeless it would still offer a smoother ride.

1550g claimed for $850. Available by end if August, just in time for cyclocross. Hint, hint – the wider rim should provide some great tire profiles. It has the same hubs as the EA90SL wheels, which come in at 1530g. More pics after the break…

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The new Kuat Vagabond roof cargo carrier combines a roof cargo tray with two bike trays in a single piece.

By integrating bicycle skewer mounts as tie downs, you can transport two bikes and still pack more than you really need. With an MSRP of just $349 $295, it’s far cheaper than piecing it together with tray, bike mounts, etc., to come up with a similar system on your own.

Features & Specs:

• Material: Steel
• Weight: 26 lbs.
• Bike Capacity: 2
• Weight Capacity: 160 lbs. total cargo (40 lbs. per bike)
• Grid basket has multiple tie down points
• Two integrated skewer mounts allow bikes to be mounted along with cargo
• Flat black powder coat with visor

Though Clif make probably the least energy bar-like energy bars on the market, there are times when a body wants something that tastes even more like real food.  It’s those times- when you’re hungry or know that you should eat but nothing sounds appealing- that Mojo bars come in really handy To an already tasty line, Clif have just added three new flavors: Chocolate Almond Coconut, White Chocolate Macadamia and Dipped S’Mores.  I recon that a 70% organic S’Mores flavored bar would do a pretty darn good job at pulling me out of a cranky, nasty bonk…

www.clifbar.com

Photo submitted by Kenneth Murphy, “Rode the Fuji down to the beach to enjoy a bit of sun and swimming on my day off. The whole beach was empty, so naturally, my friend and I found a nice place to take a picture of the bike. This one came out the best.”

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