INTERBIKE 2009 – Shimano had two new Star Series Pro component groups themed by the Athertons (Dan, Gee and Rachel) and Thomas Vanderham.  Shown above are the Atherton handlebars, with detail below of the three siblings’ icon and the grips to celebrate it (click to enlarge).
Hit ‘more’ to see the rest of the groups and specs…
The full Atherton Star Series group consists of:
- Low Rise Handlebar: 7075-T76 Dub butted, 745mm, 20mm rise, 5º up + 9º back sweep, 315g, $80
- High Rise Handlebar: same material, 745mm, 50mm rise, 3º up and 7º back sweep, 320g, $80
- Saddle: 7mm Ti rails, 260 x 130mm, perf’d syn cover, emboss logos & kevlar guards, 220g, $70
- Seatpost: Forged 7050 w/ CNC’d head, 1-bolt clamp, 27.2 and 31.6, 250mm length, 135g, $85
- Grips: Internal locking mech on outer end, lockring on inner end, 135mm length, 30mm OD, $27
- Threadless Stem: 7050 AL, 0º angle, 5mm Allen bolts, 35 / 50 / 65mm lengths, 160g, $120
- Direct Mount Stem: Fully CNC machined 7050 AL, 2-piece design, Fox 40 + RS Boxxer, 125g, $120
Thomas Vanderham’s signature Star Series is comprised of the same types of bits as the Athertons with the exception of a DM stem.  The bars are shown above with his grips, with the key differences being his group is built around All Mountain and Freeride performance versus just downhill.  The grips get double outer lockrings with CrMo bolts and dual density, diamond pattern grips.  The OD (outer diameter) is a bit fatter than the Athertons at 31.5mm (same width, though).  Full specs on all Vanderham components are:
- Low Rise Handlebar: 7050-T76 double butted, 740mm, 20mm rise, 4º up + 8º backsweep, 315g, $80
- High Rise Handlebar: same material, 740mm, 30mm rise, 4º up + 8º backsweep, 315g, $80
- Stem: AL 7050, fully CNC machined 1-1/8″ threadless, 0º angle, 35/50/65mm lengths, 195g, $120
- Grips: 135mm width, dual density Tribene, diamond patter, 31.5 OD, $27
- Seatpost: 7050 AL, CNC machined head, 1-bolt clamp, 30.9 + 31.6, 350mm, 225g, $85
