New off-road wheels, touring groupsets and more from Shimano

I stole this story from Bike Radar ut it woldn't let me take the photos so you'll have to go to get the actual images (worth it).


By James Costley-White
Shimano's WH-MT65 is a UST-compatible, disc-only mountain bike wheelset available in two versions

Shimano's WH-MT65 is a UST-compatible, disc-only mountain bike wheelset available in two versions (James Costley-White)

* Shimano's WH-MT65 is a UST-compatible, disc-only mountain bike wheelset available in two versions
* Shimano's WH-MT65 is a UST-compatible, disc-only mountain bike wheelset available in two versions
* The WH-MT15 is Center Lock-only and has 29 bladed, stainless steel spokes per wheel
* The SM-RT76 is Shimano's first new six-bolt disc rotor for many years
* Shimano are adding a bolt-through 15mm 'E-Thru' hub to their well-received SLX groupset
* Shimano's non-series mountain bike parts are now available in white
* Shimano's non-series mountain bike parts are now available in white
* The new Dura-Ace chainring is hollow
* Shimano's press-fit bottom bracket is already being specced on some complete bikes
* Di2 electronic shifting in action
* Deore is now split into two groupsets - one for mountain bikes and one for touring/hybrid bikes
* The new Deore touring groupset
* LX is now aimed at the touring/hybrid market
* Shimano and SR Suntour have developed a new through-axle standard for hybrids

As well as their new road groupset and updated Deore kit, Shimano unveiled two new mountain bike wheelsets, a revised LX touring groupset and a new through-axle standard at their '09 launch in Birmingham. Other highlights included a bolt-through hub for SLX, a sneak peak inside the new Dura-Ace hollow chainring and a good looking new six-bolt disc rotor. Read on to find out more, and click on the thumbnails on the right for more photos.
Mountain bike kit

Shimano are launching two new mid-range mountain bike wheelsets this year – the catchily named WH-MT65 and WH-MT15.

The MT65 is a UST-compatible, disc-only wheelset available in two versions – one for Shimano's Center Lock disc rotors and one for traditional six-bolt rotors.

It comes with white hubs, black rims and 24 black straight-pull stainless steel spokes per wheel. Weight is 1,796g per pair (817g front, 979g rear).

The Center Lock version will be available from July, with the six-bolt equivalent hitting shops a month later. The wheelset will be targeted at the SLX price range.

Shimano's wh-mt65 is a ust-compatible, disc-only mountain bike wheelset available in two versions: shimano's wh-mt65 is a ust-compatible, disc-only mountain bike wheelset available in two versions

The MT15 is Center Lock-only. It has 29 bladed, stainless steel spokes per wheel and weighs in at 1,982g per pair (895g front, 1,087g rear). The rim and spokes are black, with white decals. The MT15 should be available from September.

The wh-mt15 is center lock-only and has 29 bladed, stainless steel spokes per wheel: the wh-mt15 is center lock-only and has 29 bladed, stainless steel spokes per wheel

Also new for '09 is the SM-RT76, which is Shimano's first new six-bolt disc rotor for many years. It features a forged alloy spider and stainless steel rotor, and is available in 160mm, 180mm and 203mm sizes. Shimano claim it is "quite a step forward in performance" as it is lighter, stiffer, less noisy and offers improved lever feel. It is also said to reduce pad wear.

The sm-rt76 is shimano's first new six-bolt disc rotor for many years: the sm-rt76 is shimano's first new six-bolt disc rotor for many years

Shimano are adding a bolt-through 15mm 'E-Thru' hub to their well-received SLX groupset, which is good news for those with 15mm axle forks who can't stretch to XT or XTR. It takes Center Lock disc rotors, features labyrinth seals and adjustable angular contact bearings, and weighs in at 190g.

Shimano are adding a bolt-through 15mm 'e-thru' hub to their well-received slx groupset: shimano are adding a bolt-through 15mm 'e-thru' hub to their well-received slx groupset

For those who want to pimp their ride, the company's non-series mountain bike parts are now available in white, including the M575 'flip-flop' lever, which can be run with a front or rear brake.

Shimano's non-series mountain bike parts are now available in white:

Also unveiled in Birmingham was a 29er-specific 12-36T cassette, the CS-HG61, which has to be used with a special hub, the M629 or 529, but means you can run lower gears.
Road kit

We're not allowed to tell you anything about the new Ultegra groupset yet, but to whet our appetites and show how far Shimano's technology has advanced, we were shown a cutaway of the new hollow Dura-Ace chainring.

The new dura-ace chainring is hollow:

Also on display was the Dura-Ace press-fit bottom bracket, which is already being specced on some complete bikes this year, and two new tools to help fit it.

Shimano's press-fit bottom bracket is already being specced on some complete bikes:

Shimano's Di2 electronic shifting system was also available to try out, and impressed with its smooth gear changes.

Di2 electronic shifting in action:
Hybrids/touring

Alongside the new Deore mountain bike groupset is a version for touring/hybrid/commuting bikes. The gears and brakes have been designed to respond to a lighter touch. The integrated shifter/brake lever unit features a three-finger lever blade with bumper stop and a large optical gear display which is angled towards the rider. The groupset will be available from August.

The new deore touring groupset:

The Deore LX touring/hybrid/commuting range has also been revised for 2009. The T665 disc brake features Shimano's Servowave technology and a new bleed circuit, and is said to have 10 percent more power.

LX is now aimed at the trekking/hybrid market:

Shimano have also developed a new 8mm through-axle standard for hybrids with SR Suntour. This is designed for the European market, where many hybrids come specced with disc brakes and suspension forks, and should improve steering when carrying heavy loads.

Shimano and sr suntour have developed a new through-axle standard for hybrids:

Brent Thomson, Godfather and Trail Master of Bootleg Canyon has passed

Feb 19, 2009

Brent Thomson, Godfather and Trail Master of Bootleg Canyon has passed away after experiencing recovery complications after under going heart surgery last month.

Brent's Job Provided No Health Insurance - PayPal Donations Needed to aid the family in covering the large amount of medical bills that have come from this great loss to the mountain bike community.

While everyone who has ridden the trails at Bootleg can attest, Brent's dedication to creating, maintaining and promoting the trails of Bootleg Canyon has created one of the most lauded riding areas in the Southwest. Unfortunately his passion for trail building came without a health insurance policy.

Brent's hospital expenses are estimated to grow to hundreds of thousands of dollars, so any help that his friends in the bicycle industry can provide will be graciously appreciated. Click on the link below to donate securely with Debit, Credit, PayPal and Bank accounts. It is simple, quick and safe. Brent's family and friends send you appreciation in advance.

PayPal - please donate to barretstudio@gmail.com

About Bootleg Canyon-

Bootleg Canyon Mountain Bike Park is an extensive network of World Class Downhill and Cross Country mountain bike trails located in Boulder City, Nevada. The area has been visited by riders from as far away as Japan and Germany and has been written up in magazines around the world. The International Mountain Bike Association has certified one of the XC trails as an Epic Ride, a title given out only 18 times so far.

Boulder City is located approximately 40 minutes south east of Las Vegas by the Hoover Dam and beautiful Lake Mead. The riding season is year round, however, temperatures average around 100 degrees Fahrenheit from June through August, so mid-day riding is difficult. If you do decide to come in the summer be sure to bring plenty of water and maybe some head lamps for a night ride. Be sure to check out our sponsors while you're in town for some great Boulder City hospitality.

Website: www.bootlegcanyon.org

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Mountain bikers urged to support South Africa's first World Cup round

By BikeRadar

South Africa's UCI World Cup round is set to be spectator-friendly (Gary Perkin)

Organisers of this year's first Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup round in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, are determined to make the event a success. They are promising low ticket prices and great spectator access in a bid to attract similar high-profile events in future.

Fans will be offered uplifts on all-terrain vehicles to various points on the courses, and prices will range from 30 rand (approx £2.07) for a single entry, one-day ticket with no uplift to R440 (approx £30.39) for a three-day family ticket with uplift and event programme.

Denzil Ulyate, from the organising team, said: “The pricing is significantly lower than other events in the World Cup series... as we’d like to see as many people at the event as possible. The packages deliver value for money – especially the uplift opportunities – and this will allow people to get close to the action at the best vantage points possible each day.”

More than 750 top mountain bike racers from 40 countries will be in Pietermaritzburg to compete in the cross-country, downhill and 4X titles races on 10-12 April.

Alec Lenferna, event director for organisers Treble Entertainment and Real Events Management, said: “We really hope to see as many of the mountain bike enthusiasts in the country as possible coming to the event to support the first ever triple Mountain Bike World Cup event on the African continent.

"I know there's a lot of excitement out there among the mountain biking community, and if the course is full of people, then it makes it so much easier for the International Cycling Union (UCI) to justify automatic inclusion of a South African round of the World Cup in future years.

“Obviously, we also want to see as many non-mountain bike enthusiasts from the communities in and around Pietermaritzburg also attending the event, as this will only grow the love and support of the sport."

Tickets are on sale now. For more information or to book your place, visit www.mtbworldcupsa.co.za.

You'd think we were a bike company or something eh?

We obviously are not a computer design or marketing company! damn Internets. somehow this became a weird green and yellow through the magic of computers!
it is supposed to be brown, not green like and the yellow is supposed to be baby blue and the baby blue is supposed to be gold.
ugh.
anyway, what you are looking at is the 2010 Wakazashi SS (Slope Style) it is the perfect weapon for destroying the bone yard, racing 4X or slalom or just looking for a glorious day!
Designed purposely to run a SRAM Hammerschmidt and no rear derailleur so you can have the 2 working gears you need, and no rear mech to get hung up on stunts. Or you can run a rear mech and a single ring set up with the ICGS-05 mounts (E-13 preferred) and go huck yourself off some stuff or race it, mini DH it with a Fox 36 Talas at 160.
15" frame. short or long reach frames. projected retail of under $1800 frame/rear shock/rear axle (2), rear dropout system (2), custom Twenty6 seat collar, decal kit and a hat or t-shirt (whatever we decide we want to throw in the box).

just need the headset and to run the cables

paint's done

I won this here head badge in that there rodeo!

wait until you see the matching fork!

Recall Notice: 2008 Marzocchi 888 RC3 & RC3WC

Marzocchi has issued a voluntary recall of specific 2008 888 RC3 and RC3WC. Read on for more details.

Marzocchi has learned that after a forceful landing, the suspension system can become completely compressed and “bottom out.” The piston rod may collapse under the load of the landing. The collapsed piston rod prevents the suspension system from extending and returning to its original configuration. The fork spring will remain compressed inside the fork leg.



WARNING: If an unqualified mechanic attempts to repair the suspension system, the fork may extend violently, ejecting the top cap or spring with significant force, resulting in personal injury. In addition, if a piston rod breaks after a jump, it is possible, but not likely, that a rider can fall from the bicycle and strike the ground, thereby sustaining personal injury.

The suspension systems affected by this program were manufactured between July 10, 2007 and September 15, 2007 and can be identified with the date of production on the crown.

The date is written in the format: T07D0710

T07 = Year 2007
D07 = Month (July)
10 = Tenth day of the month




WHAT YOU SHOULD DO:
Immediately stop the use of the suspension systems manufactured during the relevant time period and return them to an authorized Marzocchi retailer for repair.
If the pumping rod of your suspension system has already failed, DO NOT TRY TO REPAIR THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM YOURSELF. Return them to an authorized Marzocchi retailer for repair. There will be no charge to you for repairing your suspension system.
If you have any questions, please contact Marzocchi at:

In the United States
Tenneco-Marzocchi USA
28476 Westinghouse Place
Valencia, CA 91355
(800)227-5579
Techinfo@Marzocchiusa.com

Outside the United States
Tenneco-Marzocchi S.r.l.
Via Grazia, 2
40069 Zola Pedrosa (BO) Italy
Flovecchio@tenneco-marzocchi.com

Or click here to visit Marzocchi’s website

getting the paint ready

Getting the decal placement just right because it is the cool under the clear coat stuff for these guys so we want to get them just right. Gloss white looks good. The front of the bikes will be the same blue as the one ghost decals on the DT and will be the entire front of the bike up to the gold chevron stripe. bike's gonna look nice. should have them all done by the end of the week.