After a long wait, the SRAM Shorty Ultimates are expected to be ready by early 2010.
We’ve got tons of cyclocross goodies from Interbike’s Outdoor Demo. Here’s a gallery of some cyclocross-specific and relevant products we checked from Norco, Cielo, SRAM and Kenda.
Norco CXC SL
Norco offers multiple cyclocross models. the CCX SL is a Scandium frame with Ultegra 6601 components. by Andrew Yee
Norco’s $2195 CXC SL is their new 2010 top-of-the-line Scandium cyclocross bike, complete with a Scandium frame, Ultegra drivetrain (6601), TRP EuroX brakes and Mavic Equipe wheels. A growing trend is to offer extended rear derailleur cable housing to seal the cable from the elements. While companies like Redline offer this option for the full length of the cable, Norco elects to use full housing from the seat tube to rear deralleur.
Chris King’s Cielo pushes into cyclocross
This model featured Paul centerpull brakes with lots of clearance. by Andrew Yee
Chris King’s long-held brand Cielo is growing quickly and is offering a hand-made steel cyclocross frame at $1800 for a frame and fork. There are multiple upgrade options available, including a hand-made stem, and Paul center-pull brakes with still a bunch of mud clearance.
Blackburn’s Flea light
The $40 LED light is reportedly the brightest LED light in its category, and can be charged at the office via a USB outlet or the solar charger.
Blackburn has a brand-new LED Flea light aimed at commuters, but with a minimalist approach and still a bright beam, it may be the ideal light for evening cyclocross traning sessions. At $30 with a USB charger, or $40 with a USB and solar charger, the innovative light does not require proprietary chargers or fossil fuels.
Kenda rolls into tubulars
Kenda enters the road tubular market with three models, including its high-end 300 tpi Volare tubular with a latex intertube.
Kenda is making the move to tubulars, motivated by the needs of its sponsored road racers. The company offers three models, headlined by its top-of-the-line 300 tpi poly-cottom $80 Volare tubular. While not cyclocross-specific, it’s relevant in that now the company has the technology and manufacturing capability for tubulars and likely recognizes the consumer demand for cyclocross tubulars. Will we see a ‘cross tubular next year?
SRAM’s Shorty Ultimate arrives, singlespeed levers unveiled
After a long wait, the SRAM Shorty Ultimates are expected to be ready by early 2010.
SRAM’s Shorty Ultimate brake may be the bike tinkerer’s dream. Buy one brake, set it up low-profile for power, wide-profile for clearance, or mix it up to go Paul Components style. At about 115 grams per wheel, toe-in adjustable road pads, barrel cable tension adjusters, and titanium hardware, will it unseat TRP’s Magnesium EuroX as the ultimate PRO brake? We can’t wait to find out. SRAM says that Katie Compton and Jesse Anthony will be using the brakes this season, and they are expected to finally arrive in January.
Single ring riders and singlespeeders' requests have been heeded. Carbon and aluminum levers are finally available.
SRAM also showed Cyclocross Magazine their new aluminum and carbon singlespeed levers. Designed to appease the singlespeed and single ring crowd, the levers are available as pairs or individually.
Full photo gallery:
