Eurobike – Day 3 – 1st part

Paul Lew presented his new RZR wheels made in collaboration with Reynolds Mac Lean Quality Composites.

The wheels look very similar to the older Pro VT1. The design is very close but they however receive a lot of significant updates to improve strength and reliability:

-    The rims are 46mm deep instead of 44 and gain 1,5mm of width. The carbon layup is very close to the standard Reynolds rims, extremely reliable. The weight of the rim is
220g instead of 210g of the former wheels.

-    The axle of the wheels are still made out of carbon, but they are deeply modified to prevent the shear that appeared at the bearing seat

-    The hubs bore are a tad smaller, the axles are ceramic coated to place the bearings very aligned and make them work in perfect conditions which will increase their
durability compared to the previous version.

-    The spokes are totally changed : they are not made of a single carbon ovalized rod but with four different layer to increase impact resistance.

-    The torque resistance of the rear wheel is 4 times higer the one of the previous wheel, and the lateral stiffness is 50% higher.

-    The videos of the test performed on this wheel are surprising, the wheels must resist to extreme strains: a drum simulates road hazards between 35 and 70km/h and the
wheel is loaded with 60 to 90kg through its axle, then bent within more or less 15° on both sides to simulate a corner. Even with 2 spokes less on the front, and 3 spokes less on the rear,
the wheels passed the tests! Another test conist of spinning the wheel at 35km/h through its hub and a chain, while the rim/tubular is spinning at 36km/h through the drum. This tests the
resistance of the wheel to extreme accelerations. The wheel resists during 136h, most of the lightweight wheels break after 20h.

Finally, Paul Lew claims his wheel is 900g. 50g more than the previous Lew Racing. These 50 extra grams are certainly worth if it comes with high reliability.
A whole RZR range is on its way. the 66mm deep will see the light after the 46.

Easton

The EC90 TT are made for extreme speed, for time trials!
90mm deep rims, 12 blades front spokes, 16 rear. The front wheel axle receives aero end caps ! Take care to place them well when using the wheels !
From a finish point of view, the rims are … perfect ! Let’s not mince our’s words!

Xentis

Xentis releases a new 25mm deep rim. The fibre is the same as the other rims of the brand. The braking surface is machinned for perfect braking. As complete wheels, the set of 2.5 weights
1030g with DT240s hubs.
Xentis clincher wheels feature a special reinforcement below the brake track. It seems like it is a reinforcement to deal with the cons of the clincher pressure.

BMC

Switzerland brand BMC unveiled the newest SLR frame equipped with super thin seat stays, in 1K fibre flexier than UD fibre. The purpose of these very svelt shapes is to improve comfort:
vertical compliance and torsionnal stiffness thanks to the strategic layup. The fork features the same layup.

Rotor

SX stem and 3D crankset wtook place in Rotor booth. The SX receives 4 bolts, for higher stiffness than the S1, which was really needed. Regarding the crankset, it appears for the same
reasons: stiffness, strength.

Token

At Token a « new product » was unveiled, this is a wheelset with carbone spokes. We have seen this pair of wheels on a couple of booth, it is made by Equinox/Gigantex.

Litespeed

Who would have believed this? Litespeed making carbon frames! For a first frame, it is very well made, well round shapes, nice color, great looking and of course a high-end building. It has
1’ ¼ upper steering diameter and 1’ ½ lower, with a BB30, the Archon C1 receives a high modulus carbon wreinforced with « nano » fibres.

Trek

The Madone serie 6 is the newest frame at Trek. They worked on the comfort as well as on the asymetrical bottom bracket. The bottom bracket bearing surface is made as a step of the frame
building, thus it is in carbon, which makes it very reliable. The seat tube has been lightened of 20g and offers 20% more compliance. Trek team has been able to lighten the fork and frame
of 100g.
The fork, like the bottom bracket, is asymetric. The steering tube is oval instead of round, which comes with 20% higher lateral stiffness, and 15% more comfort. 30g are also shaved off
thanks to this tip.
Finally, a sensor inserted inside the drive side chainstay measures the pedaling frequency, speed and distance. It is ANT+ wireless compatible: Powertap, Garmin, Srm, Bontrager.