The Spoke Word: New Stuff from Press Camp, Part 2
More 2010 product previews from Sun Valley (click here for Part 1).
GT The big news for GT was the Fury downhill bike, the first full-carbon bike built specifically for the rocks, roots, drops, jumps, and general mayhem of downhill racing (a Kevlar strip under the downtube helps with the really nasty stuff). The 8.5-inch-travel bike utilizes full monocoque (one-piece) construction and weights in just south of 40 lbs, according to GT. That's not light, even for a DH bike, but crafting a frame that could withstand the rigors of a DH run understandably took a lot of carbon fiber. GT engineers also pointed out that the decision to go with carbon wasn't about weight but, rather, ride quality. Even with all that travel, test riders claim there's a noticeable reduction in vibration over smaller bumps.
I didn't get a chance to ride it and, honestly, wouldn't be capable of pushing a bike like this to its limits. But gravity racers wanting to explore the full-carbon route now have an option.
Mongoose
GT's sister company rolled out a very cool commuter called the Sabrosa Ocho, which is built around an internal eight-speed Shimano hub. The standout features are quick-release pedals (take them with you to deter sticky urban fingers) and a breakaway headset that allows the handlebars to turn 90 degrees (parallel with the top tube) for easier storage at home or in crowded bike racks.
Gore
Gore has announced a new addition to its RideOn cable line and a price drop on some existing systems.
Since reintroducing Ride-On cables in 2007—after a four-year hiatus that saw riders begging the company for any remaining inventory—Gore has seen it's super-low-friction cable systems quickly spread through the cycling world. The slippery, coated cables now come standard with SRAM's top-of-the-line Red components and are add-ons on a lot of pro bikes. But the pros, who rely on mechanics, who rely on pressure washers, wanted something more like Gore's mtb-specific sealed system to keep water and gunk out—only in the thinner diameters of a road system. Gore has responded with the Pro System, which adds seals and extra-long ferrules to the existing road cables for a semi-sealed system for derailleurs and brakes.
The Pro System will be available in the fall for $65.00. If you can't wait until then, or balk at the price, Gore has also reduced the price on its existing road kits from $50 to $40, effective June 30.
CamelBak CamelBak used Press Camp to announce a redesign of its road-oriented RaceBak "wearable hydration" system—a typical hydration bladder which fits into a sleeve in the back of a tight baselayer-type sleeveless shirt (no bottles, no backpacks). (Read my review of the original model.) The new shirt has a 1/4 zip and slightly better ventelation throughout. Good improvements to an already great product.
More interesting, though, was the newly announced VeloBak, which takes the bladder out of the baselayer and fits it into a shortsleeved jersey. It seems obvious, but it's a tricky thing to pull off. A top has to be constructed fairly tight and robust material to handle a few pounds of sloshing water without entirely losing its shape. This is easier in baselayers, which are tight anyway, but another thing altogether when taking in the functionality of a full jersey. CamelBak didn't have samples in time for Press Camp, but this is one I'm looking forward to testing.
Check back later for more.
—John Bradley
Twitter: johnwbradley
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