2008 Trek Remedy blog post has recently been updated, be sure to check Update #2. Click the link below to go directly to the post.
2008 Trek Remedy blog post minipage
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
DW Link spread its wings
For years, most of us who are looking for aluminium DW Link bikes can only find it on IronHorseBikes , but fear no more cause for 2008 they will be a new company who will use DW Linkage, some of you might heard of it and some of you might not, but anyway Chris Cocalis (ex-Titus) is launching his own bicycle company named PivotCycles. Okay I know the site havent been updated yet but the bike has been shown at Interbike which is happening now.
So what do PivotCycle will offer us?
First up is the bike as stated in my first paragraph will be made out of aluminium. Secondly is it will be available in both 4" and 5" version. The bikes a named Mach 4 or 5 depending on its travel (it must be fast cause the name says it all). There is still no official weight of the bike yet and riders dont need to worry about the rear linkage because as I said before, its using world renowned DW Link (which can be found in IronHorseBikes or Ibis).
Anyway below are the pics of the new Mach 5 (pics provided by Cyclingnews.com)
From the pics, the linkage supporting the shock is interestingly design, it looks like they are 2 pair of pivots on the upper link and the bike features a top mounted shock position and there is no seatstay bracer which could possibly means that the bike would mostlikely to perform flawlessly in muddy condition (very usefull for UK weather) and will most likely have the feeling of a very flickable bike. None of this is confirmed yet but we will see what the journalist comment on the bike in future bike magazines.
Update #1 : okay, I recently browsed through BikeRadar.com and found a Mach 4 pic. See below:
So what do PivotCycle will offer us?
First up is the bike as stated in my first paragraph will be made out of aluminium. Secondly is it will be available in both 4" and 5" version. The bikes a named Mach 4 or 5 depending on its travel (it must be fast cause the name says it all). There is still no official weight of the bike yet and riders dont need to worry about the rear linkage because as I said before, its using world renowned DW Link (which can be found in IronHorseBikes or Ibis).
Anyway below are the pics of the new Mach 5 (pics provided by Cyclingnews.com)
From the pics, the linkage supporting the shock is interestingly design, it looks like they are 2 pair of pivots on the upper link and the bike features a top mounted shock position and there is no seatstay bracer which could possibly means that the bike would mostlikely to perform flawlessly in muddy condition (very usefull for UK weather) and will most likely have the feeling of a very flickable bike. None of this is confirmed yet but we will see what the journalist comment on the bike in future bike magazines.
Update #1 : okay, I recently browsed through BikeRadar.com and found a Mach 4 pic. See below:
Saturday, September 22, 2007
2008 SRAM updated
Okay, I got another update, SRAM has fully updated its 2008 site, that includes SRAM, Truvativ, RockShox and Avid. SRAM, Truvativ and Avid seem to add another link for their 08 site which is S/T/A Technologies. Its a brief and quick overview of what do they offer and this make it convinient for people who want to know about their technology all on a single page.
Below is the link for each technology page:
Please take note that although all the site have a new makeover, RockShox product line hasnt been fully updated yet. RockShox site
So my thought bout the new site look? Nothing special, but they make it more convinient and its definately a upgrade from 07 site. Enjoyyy.
There is something that I wonder though, listed in the site bout Avid Juicy 3, it states that the three has similar power and geometry feel as its brothers but at a price that makes it perfect for just any bike. So I was wondering, is the Juicy 3 still OEM or its not?
Zipp, now powered by SRAM
Well, its just announced that popular carbon wheel roadbike manufacturer has been acquired by SRAM. Hmm, it seems SRAM is expanding its empire. Anyway basically, Zipp will stay as the Zipp now so owners and dealers shouldnt worry much. Well moving to the interesting side, since SRAM is originally a MountainBike company, they are some rumours speculating that Zipp in the future might produce MTB wheels, whether the material of the wheel is aluminium or carbon remains mystery. So anyway thats all and sorry for this short post, my exam is going to end this Monday and I got some pretty decent article to write about.
So lets see, SRAM basically owned Sachs Derailleur (now SRAM), Rock Shox, Truvativ, Zipp and PitStop (a bike cleaning stuff). Its interesting what company will SRAM own next. And by looking at the company SRAM is getting under their empire, from derailleurs to wheels its obvious that SRAM want to throw Shimano out of its bicycling dominant. Only time will tell.
And just for your interests, HB Group (Hayes disc Brake) has bought over Answer Products Manitou company, I know its old news but it just to make you guys remember and also PaceCycles the company who make carbon forks have been owned by DT Swiss. :D
Monday, September 17, 2007
Oo, did I feel some static?
Its been awhile since I posted and my exam havent finish yet (by next week), so since today I have some free time. Im going to give a quick info bout Scott's Marathon XC bike, Spark.
Hmm, so why do I categorize it as a Marathon XC bike instead of the usual full suspension race bike? Well my reason is because this bike is build for marathon usage, which means that its geometry isnt that stressful for the rider. Dont worry, you can still race on this bike because its one of the lightest 110mm full suspension out there (belive me there are lighter bikes but they can be categorize as not safe cause its build at a certain weight range). Oh did I forget that its also a good trailbike due to its carbon stiffness.
So enough intro and time to talk bout the bike:
Okay from the pic, its clearly that Scott decided to use a very conventional design. No bendy tubes, weird linkages or etc. The Spark uses a conventional faux bar linkage (pivot on the seatstay or Single Pivot Linkage), this simple design doesnt add unnessary weight and its proven by many manufacturers who used faux bar, those that should be noted are Turner Bikes.
But then you realise something, is that a piggy back reservoir shock? Yes you got it right, Scott as usual has designed their own shock with DT Swiss called the Nude shock which weights 240grm.
So whats so special bout the Nude shock? The advantage is, the rider is able to reduce the travel of the bike from 110 to 70 and dont forget that the shock offer a lockout feature. I belive the reason of the reservoir is so that when you reduce the travel (the height will reduce, hence better centre of gravity) the shock dampening wont be affected. Anyway the shock features a remote control called the TracLoc system which weights only 28gram, the rider would be able to change the travel with the use of his thumb .
Scott is famous for its CR1 carbon manufacturing process, but to make the Spark lighter, Scott engineers need a new method to make the bike lighter and yet without taking away important features. IMP is the solution. By using a patented process, Scott Engineers manage to produce the bike's headtube, toptube and downtube in a single process which has able them to reduce the bike weight without compromising the bike's overall strength. If you guys are a frequent reader of cyclingnews, Specialized rider, Christopher Sauser (a racer famous for not having unnessary weight on his bike) has his Epic custom made, his bike doesnt have a cosmetic carbon layer, the Spark has that feature too, its called Naked External Tubeset (NET) which help to save precious grams. So to sum it up about the frame, the whole bike feature Scott's latest IMP carbon manufacturing process except for the seatstay which is made from CR1 and also NET.
Below is a summarize of the difference between the bike frames offered by Scott for 2008:
Spark LTD Frame:
Scott Spark
HMX carbon fiber / NET / Integrated Seatpost
IMP top, head & down tubes
CR1 carbon swingarm / carbon cable stops & dropouts with replaceable hanger
Sealed aircraft bearings / optimised SLS kinematic / 110 mm rear travel
Frame: 3.42 lbs (1550 gr) + Nude TC shock: .53 lb (240 gr) Total : 3.95 lb (1790gr)
Spark 10 Frame:
Scott Spark
HMX carbon fiber / NET
IMP top, head & down tubes
CR1 carbon swingarm / carbon cable stops & dropouts with replaceable hanger
Sealed aircraft bearings / optimised SLS kinematic / 110 mm rear travel
Frame: 3.42 lbs (1550 gr) + Nude TC shock: .53 lb (240 gr) Total : 3.95 lbs (1790 gr)
Spark 15/20/30 frame:
Scott Spark
HMF carbon fiber / NET
IMP top, head & down tubes
CR1 carbon swingarm / carbon cable stops &
dropouts with replaceable hanger
sealed aircraft bearings / optimised SLS kinematic
110mm rear travel
HMF Frame: 3.64 lbs (1650 gr) + Nude TC shock: .53 lb (240 gr) Total : 4.17lbs (1890 gr)
Take note of the following:
Spark LTD lighter then 10 because of the integrated seatpost.
Ritchey carbon seatpost weights 260 gr / 0.57 lbs
The difference between HMF and HMX is its exclusively produced for Scott and offers 20% more stiffness and it has been reinforced to areas that need extra rigidity and at the same time to reduce weight. You save 100gr by buying a HMX frame.
Fork offering:
LTD - DTSwiss XRC 100mm
10 - Fox 32 F100RL (Black)
15 - Fox 32 F100RL (White)
20 - Fox 32 F100RL (White)
30 - Rock Shox Reba SL
So that's all, and take note that 08 models will be available in the US between October to January 2008, Scott is releasing the each model at different time.
So if you are a rider who loves to ride long distance and sometimes race and would love to own a lightweight full sus bike. Make sure the Spark is in your list.
Usefull links:
USA Scott Spark Product Site
Scott Spark minisite
Pic provided by BikeMagic.com
Hmm, so why do I categorize it as a Marathon XC bike instead of the usual full suspension race bike? Well my reason is because this bike is build for marathon usage, which means that its geometry isnt that stressful for the rider. Dont worry, you can still race on this bike because its one of the lightest 110mm full suspension out there (belive me there are lighter bikes but they can be categorize as not safe cause its build at a certain weight range). Oh did I forget that its also a good trailbike due to its carbon stiffness.
So enough intro and time to talk bout the bike:
Okay from the pic, its clearly that Scott decided to use a very conventional design. No bendy tubes, weird linkages or etc. The Spark uses a conventional faux bar linkage (pivot on the seatstay or Single Pivot Linkage), this simple design doesnt add unnessary weight and its proven by many manufacturers who used faux bar, those that should be noted are Turner Bikes.
But then you realise something, is that a piggy back reservoir shock? Yes you got it right, Scott as usual has designed their own shock with DT Swiss called the Nude shock which weights 240grm.
So whats so special bout the Nude shock? The advantage is, the rider is able to reduce the travel of the bike from 110 to 70 and dont forget that the shock offer a lockout feature. I belive the reason of the reservoir is so that when you reduce the travel (the height will reduce, hence better centre of gravity) the shock dampening wont be affected. Anyway the shock features a remote control called the TracLoc system which weights only 28gram, the rider would be able to change the travel with the use of his thumb .
Scott is famous for its CR1 carbon manufacturing process, but to make the Spark lighter, Scott engineers need a new method to make the bike lighter and yet without taking away important features. IMP is the solution. By using a patented process, Scott Engineers manage to produce the bike's headtube, toptube and downtube in a single process which has able them to reduce the bike weight without compromising the bike's overall strength. If you guys are a frequent reader of cyclingnews, Specialized rider, Christopher Sauser (a racer famous for not having unnessary weight on his bike) has his Epic custom made, his bike doesnt have a cosmetic carbon layer, the Spark has that feature too, its called Naked External Tubeset (NET) which help to save precious grams. So to sum it up about the frame, the whole bike feature Scott's latest IMP carbon manufacturing process except for the seatstay which is made from CR1 and also NET.
Below is a summarize of the difference between the bike frames offered by Scott for 2008:
Spark LTD Frame:
Scott Spark
HMX carbon fiber / NET / Integrated Seatpost
IMP top, head & down tubes
CR1 carbon swingarm / carbon cable stops & dropouts with replaceable hanger
Sealed aircraft bearings / optimised SLS kinematic / 110 mm rear travel
Frame: 3.42 lbs (1550 gr) + Nude TC shock: .53 lb (240 gr) Total : 3.95 lb (1790gr)
Spark 10 Frame:
Scott Spark
HMX carbon fiber / NET
IMP top, head & down tubes
CR1 carbon swingarm / carbon cable stops & dropouts with replaceable hanger
Sealed aircraft bearings / optimised SLS kinematic / 110 mm rear travel
Frame: 3.42 lbs (1550 gr) + Nude TC shock: .53 lb (240 gr) Total : 3.95 lbs (1790 gr)
Spark 15/20/30 frame:
Scott Spark
HMF carbon fiber / NET
IMP top, head & down tubes
CR1 carbon swingarm / carbon cable stops &
dropouts with replaceable hanger
sealed aircraft bearings / optimised SLS kinematic
110mm rear travel
HMF Frame: 3.64 lbs (1650 gr) + Nude TC shock: .53 lb (240 gr) Total : 4.17lbs (1890 gr)
Take note of the following:
Spark LTD lighter then 10 because of the integrated seatpost.
Ritchey carbon seatpost weights 260 gr / 0.57 lbs
The difference between HMF and HMX is its exclusively produced for Scott and offers 20% more stiffness and it has been reinforced to areas that need extra rigidity and at the same time to reduce weight. You save 100gr by buying a HMX frame.
Fork offering:
LTD - DTSwiss XRC 100mm
10 - Fox 32 F100RL (Black)
15 - Fox 32 F100RL (White)
20 - Fox 32 F100RL (White)
30 - Rock Shox Reba SL
So that's all, and take note that 08 models will be available in the US between October to January 2008, Scott is releasing the each model at different time.
So if you are a rider who loves to ride long distance and sometimes race and would love to own a lightweight full sus bike. Make sure the Spark is in your list.
Usefull links:
USA Scott Spark Product Site
Scott Spark minisite
Pic provided by BikeMagic.com
Saturday, September 8, 2007
MTBN Network going to slow down
Sorry to make this a short notice but MTBN Network posting will be on hold for 2 weeks cause I got a exam coming up and I wont be able to post as usual. Sorry guys. Hope you guys can enjoy reading my posts and keep on riding :D
Friday, September 7, 2007
No updates today
Sorry guys, they wont be any news today considering that I got a very bad flu, writing this post is like hell already. So lets hope I will cure as fast as possible.
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