UPDATED: Added pricing on the bikes…
Guru, a Canadian bicycle manufacturer, will be launching their new sub-750g Photon at Interbike next week.
Their first production unit weighed in at 747g (54cm) and the bikes are scheduled to hit retailers in December 2009.  In order to hit such a minimal weight while retaining race-worthy stiffness and efficiency, Guru stuck with circular tubes as the base platform, then modified them based on FEA (finite element analysis) to bolster the areas that see the most stress.  They used “aerospace grade” HS40 carbon fiber and manufactured the bike in-house to achieve a 70/30 fiber/resin ration.
To keep the strength of the frame, Guru eliminated as many joints as possible, creating a one-piece seattube/bottom bracket shell and using compression molded carbon dropouts.  To top it all off, as with any Guru, you can get it customized all the way from the geometry to the carbon layup.
Hit ‘more’ to see another photo of the frame and their totally redesigned Cronos 2.0 triathlon / time trial bicycle…
For the record, 747g = 1.64lbs…ridonkulous.  Frameset (frame/fork/headset) will retail for $4,900 USD.
Guru will also be releasing it’s completely revamped top-of-the-line triathlon / time-trial bike, the Cronos 2.0, at Interbike.
The new design was triggered by extensive consumer research that led to a very specific mandate: Add superior aerodynamics to the list of Crono’s superlative qualities. “Our consumers wanted a more aerodynamic frame, so we worked really hard to give it to themâ€Â, said Tony Giannascoli, President of GURU. “That said, it remains a custom bike because optimizing a rider’s position will always be the most important variable in the aerodynamic equation.â€Â
The Cronos 2.0 retains the original’s massive chainstays that flow into the “maxed to the UCI limit” bottom bracket shell to maximize power transfer.  Guru shaped the seatstays and played with the carbon layup to enhance vibration damping and provide a more comfortable ride, too.
Like the Photon, they replaced several aluminum bonded parts with compression molded carbon sections to improve frame integrity and durability by reducing the number of separate or bonded pieces.
The 2010 Guru Cronos 2.0 frameset (frame / fork / headset) will retail for $4,500 USD.
