Lost in the shuffle of Specialized’s GPL (Global Product Launch) this summer was a slight redesign of the S-Works carbon fiber crankarms. They get a slightly broader cross section than before according to our source, which should make them a bit stiffer and beefier. And that’s not the only little tidbit hidden in plain sight from the Big S.
Click on through for more from them and lots of other brands…
Word is Specialized pro rider Kulhavy was running a front derailleur earlier in the year before switching to SRAM’s XX1 1×11 setup. Rather than keep the weight of the custom braze-on front derailleur mount from slowing him down, they simply filed it down to a smooth alloy nub. More on his bike here.
For those of us without Kulhavy’s legs and lungs, there’s the Vivax motor-assist system. You may remember this from the ridiculous rumors surrounding Cancellara a couple years ago as his Paris-Roubaix performance shocked and amazed. Some theorize he hid one of these motors in his seat tube. Anywhoo, here’s what it looks like. A rather large battery pack goes into a seat bag, the motor sits inside the seat tube and drives a gear on the crankset spindle.
A small button on the handlebar makes it go. Yes, you could easily hide the whole thing with a custom battery and button. Conspiracy theorists, have fun. Normal people, consider this if you want the benefits of an e-bike without looking like you’re riding an e-bike.
Wondering what Reynolds does with rims that don’t pass QC?
Owleye has some killer new lights that turn on and off simply by attaching the bulb unit to the base. It sticks on with strong magnets. When it’s stuck together, the power flows through the system and the light turns on or blinks. When you reach your destination, just pull the light head off and be on your merry way.
While they’ve been available for a little while, we hadn’t actually seen Northwave’s Speedplay adapter in action.
UPDATED: It’s fantastically thin and gives you a lower stack height without going to a dedicated Speedplay-only shoe like Sidi. (thanks to the commenters for the correction, we had it confused with something else originally)
We don’t see much of Vaude’s clothing here in the states, but it’s awfully good looking (and colorful!).
SRAM usually has at least one of the pART objects de art on display at trade shows, and Interbike featured this killer dragon/bird make out of component bits.
Tri Tats is a temporary tattoo based numbering system for triathlon. While we’re thinking it may appeal more to event managers, especially with their new sequenced event multi packs, it still beats a Sharpie or grease marker. Unless, of course, you like having your race number on your skin for the next few days so everyone knows you’re a triathlete. How else would they know, right?
Biknd has a new inflatable wheel case that cushions and protects your hoops during travel.
