BikeRumor.com

Floating around NAHBS I noticed a number of bikes with these Terminator-esque mechanical stoppers, and Steve from Calfee said they were new, so a quick call to ee Cycleworks was in order.  First thing you need to know: They average under 200g per set.  Yeah, now you’ll keep reading.

Launched at Interbike ‘08, ee Cycleworks is the brainchild of Craig Edwards, the man who had a hand in the design of the original Sweetwings cranks from the ’90s (if you don’t remember them, they were at the time the lightest mountain bike cranks you could get…if you could get them.  They even trumped purple ano for total coolness).

Like any good tinkerer and entrepreneur, the first version is always just a starting point.  Pretty much since the eeBrakes first came out, Craig’s been thinking how he could make the already-well-reviewed brakes even better.  Jump on past the break for more pics, colors, details on what’s changed and pricing…

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Since leaving the upper ranks of Competitor, which publishes Triathlete, Inside Triathlon and Velonews among others, John Duke (pictured) will start publishing Lava Magazine this Summer.

Starting with three issues for 2010, the magazine will focus exclusively on Ironman and 70.3 distance events with content catering to the serious and committed triathlete.  Filling the pages will be Susan Grant, Erika Krystek (both from Inside Tri), Heather Gordon, Jay Prasuhn and Sean Watkins (all three from Triathlete).

The magazine is being launched by World Triathlon Corporation, producers and licensors of the Ironman and 70.3 events, leaving one to wonder if other media outlets will be granted full and open access to those events now that they’re publishing competitors.  Dan Empfield over at Slowtwitch.com has the answers.

3T is unveiling it’s new Aura-Pro, an entry-level carbon-fiber aerobar complete with extensions at this week’s Taipei Show.

The Aura shares its basic architecture with their Mistral, but its basebar has a simplified top skin and top-mounted extension clamps. This means it lacks the multiple elbow-rest positions of Mistral, but is lighter. The Aura comes with S-bend extensions as standard, but owners can customize their front-end fit by swapping in any of 3T’s range of extensions.  The simplified manufacturing process used with the Aura allows them to bring it in at a lower price point, though at the moment, we’re not sure what that will be.  Their goal is to not just offer consumers a good deal, but to entire OEM placements on triathlon and TT bikes sold as complete.

Weight is 598g and it’ll be available in both 40 and 42cm widths.  The alloy elbow rests have neoprene pads with embossed 3T logos.  3T claims the Auro Pro is legal for UCI, USAT and WTC Ironman events.

Got this tip from Isaac (thanks!):

Endurance Sports Expo, a major cycling and triathlon expo in the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA. Over 100 cycling, running and tri brands and vendors. Outdoor Bike demo featuring Fuji, Kestrel, Cannondale, Trek, Gary Fisher and BH with access to the Perkiomen Trail. Seminars, Prizes and pro athletes.

It’s March 13-14, 2010…just in case you’re crazy and you have image loading turned off.

A quick video run down of the 2011 Trek Speed Concept that Lance is riding this year, filmed by and at Mellow Johnny’s.  Try not to get motion sickness while watching.  For a smoother and overall better vid, check out Ironman triathlete Chris Lieto’s self-filmed run down of his Speed Concept after the break…

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NAHBS 2010 - Ellis Cycles performed a disappearing act with Shimano’s Di2 shifting system on this steel road bike.  Using Shimano’s new internal wiring system, Ellis Cycles’ founder Dave Wages managed to make the Di2 system virtually invisible on the fame, leaving admirers nothing to appreciate but the bike.  Check out the magic, plus that Richard Petty inspired steel triathlon bike after the break…

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Some folks may argue that it’s ridiculous to get excited about something as mundane as a seat post collar, but we know better.  We all drool over beautiful little objects and fancy the little touches that make our bikes unique and pretty.  LH Thomson’s understated design essence has carried over to a new seat collar that’s immediately desireable.  Are you going to shave grams?  Probably not.  Go faster?  Unlikely.  Look good? Indubitably.

The collars use the same bolt and barrel nut as in their seatposts and, being the proud owner of three of their seatposts, you’re not likely to break one. This design allows the bolt to “float” on either side, eliminating side stresses that can arise as you tighten the bolts on fixed position designs. MSRP is $29.95, and they’re available in both Black and Silver.  34.9 and 31.8 are available now, and the 28.6 and 29.8 should start shipping next week.  Claimed weights range from 26g to 27g.

Quick release version is being considered for the future, but cycling marketing manager David Parrett says they’re looking at a ratchet mechanism similar to DT Swiss’ RWS skewers rather than a standard cam.  Standard cams can wear out over time, forcing you to tighten the bolt more and more, which isn’t necessarily good for the frame.

Lance Armstrong issued a time trial challenge to Ironman triathlete Chris Lieto, and they duked it out on the Queen Kamehameha highway in Hawaii.  Watch the video, and here’s the answer to the question we know you’ll have:  56km/h = 34.8mph.

Here’s the Twitter smack talk recap:

ARMSTRONG: Just passed @chrislieto going the other way. He was hammerin. Hey Chris, a little TT showdown on the Queen K tomorrow? You, me, and whoever.

LIETO: @lancearmstrong see u on the Queen-K! Will have to be after 8am cause I have to swim first. Flying out mid day. Give me a call.

LIETO: Swim at A Bay at 7am. See u there

ARMSTRONG: @chrislieto now that would require clearance from @johanbruyneel which I know we won’t get!

ARMSTRONG: Start times 4today. @lancearmstrong @ 9:30, @chrislieto @ 9:31. Others every min. Honor system! No starting ur clock late/stopping it early!

LIETO: Official time for @chrislieto is 18:44. Thanks @lancearmstrong (think his time was 18:35) for a great TT.

Individual Pursuit World Champion Taylor Phinney just got this sweet custom Trek track / TT bike.  Word on the street is there are some new Speed Concept bikes making their way through the R&D pipeline up in Waterloo, too.

Check out the custom paint detail after the break…

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Ever get confused by all the bottom bracket “standards” out there?  English thread vs. Italian thread.  BB30, BB86 and BB90?

No worries.  Here’s your primer on all things bottom bracket, from it’s history and humble beginnings all the way up to today’s emerging technology.  It’s everything you need to know about bottom brackets…

The Basics:

The bottom bracket is a critical component to every drive train. Connecting the left and right cranks, this is one of those important elements on the bike that directly effects power transfer between the rider’s legs and the bike’s drivetrain.

While its concept is simple enough to understand, when it comes to bottom bracket technology, it’s easy to get confused. Incremental changes almost every year coupled with a slew of proprietary technologies from major component companies have flooded the market with more options than ever before, and it can be very confusing for the average cyclist. We broke down every type of bottom bracket you are likely to encounter and present them in a simple, easy to understand format. From mountain to road, threaded to pressed, and integrated to external, it’s all here…

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Cateye is releasing two new signature models of their Strada Wireless cycling computer, this time with Mountain Bike branding.  The first (above) is a Cedric Gracia version in three color options.  The next is the Rocky Mountain / Maxxis team edition (below) in orange and red.

The Strada Wireless is an 8-function wireless cycling computer that works for either road or mountain and uses Cateye’s FlexTight tool-free mounting system for quick on-off changes and easy fit on most any bike.  The clean, button free design rotates through the functions by simply pressing the bottom of the computer.

These new mountain bike designs join the growing Team Edition road models, all of which are shown after the break.  Now the only problem with color matching is if you don’t like the team/racer they’re tied to…

UPDATE 2/3/10: Sadly, just found out these are for teams only and not for retail sale. *sigh*

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PRESS RELEASE: Orbea USA is proud to announce that Craig Alexander has re-signed with both the Orbea and Orca brands for the next six years.

“Crowie is the top triathlete in the world, winning the 2008 and 2009 Kona Ironman World Championships, 2006 Ironman 70.3 World Championship and countless other premier global triathlons since turning professional in 2004. We are honored to have Crowie as the face of the Orbea and Orca brands in the sport of Triathlon” says Tony Karklins, Managing Director of Orbea USA.

“I have been riding Orbea bicycles with great success since 2005 and have been with Orca for nearly my entire career. I am extremely happy that I will be partnering with both Orbea and Orca for the rest of my career,” says Alexander.

Craig’s new contract with Orbea and Orca surpasses the traditional sponsorship contract. It gives him time to continue his reign at the top of the sport, while leaving plenty of time for future product development and collaboration with the Orbea and Orca brands. Look for many exciting new products to be developed from this long-term partnership.

FROM SAMPSON: The new Sampson Stratics s5 shown here features a huge contact area (61mm wide), The shiny part is a replaceable,  polished steel Anti-Friction Plate (AFP) for very consistent feel and easy release.   The asymetirc alloy body increases cornering, and is very durable in the event of an impact.   The new pedals also feature a very low profile, with the pedal center to top of just 9.6 mm.   The 12 mm diameter spindle is cold forged and precision cnc finished.   Sampson designed a new rear cam profile that makes entry fast and easy, and the alloy has a lower friction co-efficient than does composite for much crisper entry and relase . The pedals run on a fully sealed cartridge and needle bearing, and maintence requirements are minimal.

The very light wieght s5 pedal is just 121g each, and retails for just $129!   A titainum spindle model, the s6, will start shipping in March, and is expected to weigh about 99g each and retail for $239.

Cane Creek has decided to exit the wheel business.  Over the years, their designs have been pretty and unique, like the Track wheels with deep carbon rims and Cronometro nipples-at-the-hubs design.  But times they are a changing, and now they’re blowing out remaining inventory.  Score some of their top wheels from recent model years for good deals, plus brakes, clothing and more.  All parts will be fully guaranteed with their warranty (they’re saving repair and replacement parts just in case).

Silver lining?  Well, it may be no small comfort to any dealer with wheels left in stock, but Cane Creek is promising some big new things this year.

Hit up their eBay store to buy, and see the full item/price list of closeouts after the break…

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For all you triathlete’s out there looking for a slim training watch that’s fully featured and plays friendly with all the latest ANT+ doodads, Timex has you covered.

The long-named Ironman Global Trainer with GPS has a customizable four-section screen that lets you show the data you want, and hidden inside the thin body is a SiRFstarIII GPS module that’ll track your speed, pace and distance in real time.  It’ll work with Timex heartrate and bicycle sensors as well as third-party ANT+ power meters.

Take another look after the break, and wait for next month’s announcement to learn that it’ll be available in May for U.S. consumers and September for the rest of the globe.

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