The famous italian company is going to offer a brand new frame in November 08. The CX-1 is designed for racers looking an agressive and modern frame. Colnago focused on improving the
stiffness to transfer the power as well as possible, but as well on the weight (1010g) to climb in the best conditions.

CX1 – Revolution

While it lost its interest when the clinchers got released, the tubular is coming back at the same time as the carbon wheels, since 5 to 6 years. For our friends the mountainbikers, the
tubulars are not so common, the difficulties to repair them and their high price do not make justice to their ride qualities. Tubular MTB wheels are very rare, only a couple of
manufacturers dare shyly offering such a rim. It seems like the trend is changing since Mavic is doing it tii! Light-bikes.de got the chance to take a couple of shoots, during
the world cup in Offenburg, of tubular CrossMax for a Cannondale Lefty fork.

More information (german)

Présenté durant le salon du deux roues début Octobre 2007, le Girs G-Max a fait coulé beaucoup d’encre. Toujours en cours de développement, son système d’ajustement du boitier de
pédalier est attendu par beaucoup comme la solution pour pallier aux faible nombre de géométries disponibles par rapport à la multitude de morphologies que nous représentons.
Afin de nous faire patienter et d’apporter éventuellement notre pierre à l’édifice, Guillaume Girout et son équipe ont réalisé un blog très accueillant sur lequel nous vous invitons.
Dessins techniques, croquis, éclatés et géométries y figurent.

De l’autre côté de la frontière allemande, Gerhard Dummert fondateur de Parts of Passion dévoile des attaches rapides très légères. Le petit régime avant l’été semble avoir
été de rigueur puisque les attaches route ne pèsent que 31/32g. Les premières versions sont un poil plus grasses puisque Nils (pk0r.com) a
la chance d’en tester une première paire affichant 36,5g sur la balance. Les matériaux utilisés sont l’aluminium pour les axes et le titane pour les leviers. Une version VTT sera disponible
aussi pour 38/39g, axes titane avant et arrière. Les coloris proposés seront: noir, argent, rouge, bleu, or.
Le prix est annoncé aux environs de 89 euros.

Plus d’informations: Fairwheelbikes

Unveiled during the « Salon du deux roues » in France, early in October the last year, the Girs G-Max still is under development. Its bottom bracket position adjustment seems to be the
solution to compensate for the lack of geometries offered on standard road frames.
While waiting for the availability of the frame, and eventually bring our ideas to develop, Guillaume Girout and his team made a nice blog. Technical drawings, sketches and geometry
are among the things you can find there:

On the other side of the border, in germany, Gerhard Dummert founder of Parts of Passion is releasing some light quick releases. The weight save is obvious since the road
version is only 31/32g. The first versions are a little fatter: Nils (pk0r.com) has been lucky to test a first set hitting the scale at
36,5g. The materials used here are the aluminium for the axles, and titanium for the levers. An MTB version will be available too: 38/39g, titanium axles for both the front and rear. The
colors offered will be : black, silver, red, blue, gold.
Price should hit at 89 euros.

More information: Fairwheelbikes

The two samples presented below will be unveiled during the Sea Otter Classic, in the United-States in the following days. The rims of the B+ serie are guarantied sub 250g and are
still 46mm deep. The price will be about US$1200, which is approximately 900 euros per rim in Europe.

Certainly, the character behind all this have brought a lot to the bicycle world. Reynolds, Shimano, Edge, to quote only a few prosperous companies, all beneficiate of Paul Lew’s knowledge.
The first one bought the manufacturing process of the old rims (2002), the second got helped to make their carbon rims (2004) and the last one copied a part of the process.

When will we see a full boron version…? The light high quality tubulars will soon be heavier than a high tech rim!

Taïpei bicycle show took place in Taïwan during 4 days, from the 16th to the 19th of March. Although there were no interesting news, since the manufacturers prefer to feature their newest
stuffs during the Eurobike and the Interbike, we could see some interesting products.

Rival levers

Sram Rival levers will get a carbon structure for 2009. After most groupsets from Campagnolo Record, Chorus, Centaur, then Sram Red, and finally Shimano Dura-Ace for 2009 too, it’s Rival’s
turn to get a new look.

Grammo wheels

Do you remember the Grammo wheels we presented mid septembre 2007, a few days after the Eurobike where they were actually
almost hidden…?

Source:
WeightWeenies
Fiets

Featured on Cyclingnews, the latest Orbéa Orca, which will be available for 2009, gets more muscle with 20% more stiffness thanks to different fibers and loses 10% of weight at the same
time. The frame will end up at a light 850g and the frame/fork/headset at 1290g. The biggest weight save come from little gains at miscellaneous components such as the seatpost collar which
is made out of magnesium. Some parts are still in aluminium: the frame drop-outs need reliability and easy replacement in case of crash. They anyway are lighter: 25g are saved!

More information.

The german website Light-bikes.de got a handbuilt wheelset from our hands to test and feature. With just 1039g the complete wheelset (1042 with some tubular glue), the Lew Racing Pro VT1
2008 rims, the Tune Mig70 and Mag180 hubs, and the DT Aerolite bladed and tied spokes bring superb ride qualities. Please have a look at the first part of the test.

Roues artisanales test (in german).

The french magasine L’Acheteur Cycliste has got very sharp pictures of the latest Shimano Dura-Ace 2009 mechanical groupset. The rear derailleur with the carbon shape is clearly visible,
and the carbon crankset too. Feel free to get the edition of April.

L’Acheteur Cycliste

First of all, Lightweight featured its Challenge 700 weighing 759.6g behind glass on their booth during Eurobike. Lew Racing then responded with their Pro VT-1 made entirely of boron, at
just 736.4g. And finally, Sebastian Roth, a real Weightweenie reached a pleasing 721.3g after some modifications to the Challenge 700!

We thought the cold war was over, but we didn’t bank on Günter Mai, a man married to a weighing scale. Günter bought the full boron Lew Racing Pro VT-1
with some ideas in his head… Read below how a bike wheelset is almost sub 700g!

Relentless, both on the bike and in his garage…

Paul Lew started this weight war with his super light wheelset – a very special version of his Pro VT-1, made in full boron, from the hub to the rim and the spokes, in
order to compete with the better known German wheels. Günter Mai, a man who spends serious hours on his bike, picked up a set of these
already very special wheels. With up to 1,000km a week on his carbon steed, he certainly rides more than most of us.

He built the world’s lightest bike of 2007 (3.3kg), and is trying to convince the world his super light bike is a perfect everyday ride and doesn’t suffer any reliability issues. We believe
him. However, we must admit that his 6-speed cassette, the frame shifters and thin bartape shortened as much as possible is a little over the top… OK, everyone has his point of view on
lightness. This said, the German isn’t only a good rider and good at choosing and assembling the lightest parts. He also has some creativity, and more importantly the ability to work with a
lathe to lighten already light parts further. But he doesn’t want silly weight savings, he focuses on clever lightweight constructions to retain high reliability and stiffness.

The freewheel body is a good example: since he only uses 6 cogs, why not machine the extra splines and drill the body?! It’s done, and it doesn’t compromise function: he’s already used this
for 1,200km without any problems! The axle end cap diameter was a little too much for him too, so he machined them down and shaved a few more grammes.

In total 32g has been shaved off. OK it’s only about a mouthful of isotonic but it is a real challenge to save even more on a wheelset like this. Beside this, any saving is good as long as
it doesn’t affect reliability or performance!

The lightest?

The weight record is a success. This wheelset will certainly remain on top of the podium for some time…
704.4g for a complete wheelset. That’s crazy, right? Nowadays light tubular factory wheels of similar rim depth are normally about 1,400g – or two pairs of these
beauties.
Any chance we can have a try?!

In parallel, Günter modified a couple of components on his bike, which feels like a feather and weighed in at a mere 3195g. This is a perfectly rideable/usable setup. Most
of us would not be comfortable with this machine, but the owner loves and rides it everyday. This is what matters.

Thanks to Nils, who had a ride with Günter for the pictures!

Les freins Zero Gravity Negative G, dévoilés il y a quelques mois, sont fabriqués en édition limitée, couleur rouge: il paraît
que ça fait « plus course »! Pour la petite histoire, Brian Molloy, passionné par la petite reine, a toujours aidé son ami Ted Ciamillo, fondateur de la marque Zero Gravity. Afin de le
remercier, il lui concocte des étriers très spéciaux, basés sur la version titane des Negative G.
Inutile de vous dire que ça envoie sévèrement et qu’il faut se dépêcher pour en obtenir une paire. Seulement 200 exemplaires pour ces freins à 190g (214g avec les patins), baptisée NERD,
pour New England Red Devil (Diable Rouge  de la Nouvelle Angleterre).
Le tarif est annoncé à 666 dollars… histoire de marquer le coup!
Ils sont malheuresement uniquement disponibles aux Etats-unis, deux paires par client maximum.

Shimano

Shimano propose depuis plusieurs semaines ses dernières roues 7850 C24 CL, la version pneu à jante carbone/aluminium, en test via les revendeurs à travers tout l’Europe. 2000 coureurs
heureux écument donc les kilomètres sur ces roues, afin de donner leur opinion sur cinq points:

•  – Aspect général
•  – Rigidité
•  – Accélérations
•  – Confort
•  – Freinage
•  – Performances globales

Il semblerait que les résultats soient plutôt très encourageants, les notes descendant rarement sous le 3,5/5.

Plus d’informations à partir de la page officielle:
The biggest wheel test in history

We presented the last summer the
newest Time Hi-Tense wheels, designed through Frullani concept: the rear wheel spokes tension are
balanced and regular. The official presentation of the concept, as well as the wheels tests took place in Majorca a few days ago.
We invit you to have a look at our partner Arueda.com to know more.
If you do not speak spanish, here are the most important points:

•  – the bracing angles of the rear wheel are particularly balanced
•  – the spoke tensions on both sides of the rear wheel are more balanced than on a standard wheel (3/2 ratio instead of 2/1 usually)
•  – the spoke tensions are very consistent
•  – the spoke tensions are very high, 150kg for the drive side and 100kg on the opposite side
•  – the wheel remains very stiff, even under very high loads
•  – the distorsion between the brake pads is lower than most race wheels

KCNC, specialized in to the manufacturing of high quality alloy components; unveiled its newest item: the quick releases.
They are very light: only 42g the road set and 44g the MTB set, very affordable: only $50, and pretty.
The materials used here are the alloy for the levers, and the titanium for the axles..

CarbonTec has added the KURVE CNC brakeset to their range of products. These superlight calipers are made to exacting standards from the best 6061T alloy. Cnc machinning, titanium
bolts, 7075 aluminium barrels adjusters and frame fixings make these sweet brake very light with only 144g per pair (w/o brake pads). The design is patented, meaning an unique design: the
cam lever mechanism, modulates the caliper with equal force to both arms giving smooth yet controllable braking power, actually as a dual pivot caliper.

• – Cotton casing for lightness, resistance and comfort
• – Latex inner tube for comfort and resistance
• – Low rolling resistance multi pattern rubber thread, high cornering grip  thanks to the rubber thread side pattern
• – Very fair weight: more or less 250g
• – Available in 20 and 22mm for front and rear wheels

We now offer these tubulars in the boutique in addition to the wheels, quick releases, bearings and components. A traditionnal handmade tubular plus a hand built custom wheel, would it
be the winning combination? Very certainly!

Mr.
Paul Lew is definitely among the rare persons on the earth who always innovate, research and feature new breakthrough products.
After the Black Holes wheels, associating the fork, the steering and the wheel, in 1995, he came back in the forefront some time later with the Palermo and KOM rims, he sold a few years
later to Reynolds in 2002. These rims are now mythical…
In 2004, it’s Shimano’s turn to learn from the character: the 7800 and 7801 first Shimano’s generation carbon wheels have been manufactured and designed with a proprietary aerospace 
manufacturing process. Paul Lew  is obviously behind this. He acquired this knowledge  through his aerospace and army drone sector (Lew Aerospace). We can even realize that the latest 7850 Shimano’s carbon wheels finish at the superior diameter of the rim is similar to the newest Pro VT-1 rims.  Here
too a parallel development?

The lest year, the Pro VT-1 swept away the standards used since decades thanks to a breakthrough design, very special
materials, and new manufacturing processes.

For 2008, it seems like the creator still has power under the pedals. After a small research on Google, we found a patent Paul Lew and one of his collaborator Jason Schiers, are the
author.
What’s the menu? A brand new hub system with a special free wheel mechanism: a notched body which is certainly the rotor where we place the cogs, engage in the hub through balls allowing
instantenaous engagement.
Since we only have the description of the patent, we won’t go further into the details and we prefer to wait gently for an official announce.
Beside this, some rumors announce the TOTW flat rims, for March, maybe April.

M.
Paul Lew fait définitivement parti des quelques rares personnes au monde qui innovent, cherchent, et mettent en avant de nouvelles solutions en permanence.

En 2004, c’est au tour à Shimano d’apprendre du personnage: les roues carbone 7800 et 7801, de première génération, ont été réalisées et conçues grâce à un procédé de fabrication
employé dans l’aérospatial. Paul Lew, est évidemment derrière tout ça. Sa branche aérospatial avec la fabrication de drônes pour l’armée (Lew Aerospace) lui ayant, semble t-il, permis d’acquerir les connaissances pour ce type de procédé.  Nous pouvons même constater, sur les dernières
séries Shimano 7850 que la finition, ainsi que la partie supérieure où l’on colle le boyau, ressemblent trait pour trait aux dernières Pro VT-1.
Ici aussi, un dévelopemment en parallèle?

L’an dernier, les Pro VT-1 ont balayé les standards acquis depuis plusieurs dizaines d’années grâce à un design inédit, des
matériaux tout aussi nouveaux et, des procédés de fabrication qui permettent l’impossible!

Pour 2008, il semblerait que le créateur en ait encore sous la pédale. Pour preuve: après une petite recherche sur Google, nous sommes tombés sur un brevet tout frais dont Paul Lew et un de
ses collaborateur, Jason Schiers, sont les auteurs.
Au menu? Un tout nouveau système de moyeu, un mécanisme de roue libre un peu spécial: un corps à encoches, qui pourrait très bien être la roue libre où l’on place les pignons, engrène dans
le moyeu, par l’intermédiaire de billes.
N’ayant pas plus d’informations pour l’instant, si ce n’est la description du brevet, nous n’irons pas plus loin dans les détails et attendrons sagement l’annonce officielle.
En plus de ceci, quelques rumeurs annoncent les jantes TOTW, plates, pour mars, voire avril.

The added weight by the paint is approx. 35 grams/set.

Source: Carbon-Sports forum

Considering what these wheels are designed to, they are still incredibly light. They are reinforced to deal with the forces and weights of two riders. Compared with the Clydesdale version,
they have about 600g more material (or 800g more than the standard version) distributed on each item of the wheel. The rear wheel has two times more central spokes to transfer the riders
forces. 8 spokes deal with the riders power output while there are 4 on the standard wheels…!

In term of price, the wheels are about US$7500!

Previous Roues Artisanales articles:
– Lew Racing, a ride with the angels
– Lew Racing Clydesdale version
– Lew Racing VS
Lightweight Standard VS Mavic CCU
– Lew Racing 2008 rims
– Campagnolo 2008, Lew Racing, Colnago 2008
– Lew Racing wheels, why are they so attractive?
– Lew Racing, M5: the rims are unveiled
– Lew PRO VT-1: the new wheels

Logiquement, ces roues sont toujours très légères, en tout cas,  compte tenu de l’utilisation qui va en être faîte. Elles sont en plus renforcées pour encaisser les forces et poids de
deux coureurs en même temps.
Par rapport à la version Clydesdale, il y a environ 600g de matière en plus, (ou 800g face à la version classique) répartie sur tous les étages, tous les éléments de la roue. Les rayons de
la roue arrière qui transfèrent le couple sont au nombre de 8 au lieu de 4, toujours dans un souci de résistance à une puissance deux fois supérieure à la normale…!

Niveau prix, les roues seront à vous pour la bagatelle de 7500 dollars US!

Articles Roues Artisanales précédents:
– Lew Racing, sortie avec les anges
– Lew Racing, version Clydesdale
– Lew Racing VS Lightweight Standard VS Mavic CCU
– Lew Racing, les jantes 2008
– Campagnolo 2008, Lew Racing, Colnago 2008
– Lew Racing wheels, qu’est-ce qui les rend si attrayantes?
– Lew Racing, M5: les jantes sont sorties
– Lew PRO VT-1: les nouvelles roues