FEATURES: PRESSCAMP TECH REPORT, PART 4

FEATURES: PRESSCAMP TECH REPORT, PART 4
Michael White
June 29, 2012

NEILPRYDE'S NEWEST BIKE TAKES AIM AT CERVELO

Here's one of the hottest bikes we saw at Bike PressCamp: the NeilPryde Bura SL. NeilPryde, a brand renowned for its carbon fiber innovations for the windsurfing and kiteboarding markets, first dabbled in road bikes in 2008. Why the jump from water sports to road bikes? Simply put, Michael Pryde (son of company founder and namesake, Neil Pryde) has been a bike racer for about 30 years, and he also recognized that the company's experience in carbon fiber and other composites could lead to the creation of a great line of bikes. Having already released the stiff, criterium-specialty Diablo, as well as the aero road Alize, the company's next target was a "no compromise, superlight bike." The result? Meet the brand-new, 2013 Bura SL. Developed with input from the NeilPryde-sponsored UnitedHealthcare Pro Continental race team, the Bura SL will come in two versions: one optimized for mechanical drivetrains, and the other specifically designed for internal Di2 routing. Complete bikes will be available in the coming months, but build options are still being finalized. Both versions will be available as framesets, however, each with a projected price of $4250.

NeilPryde made no attempts to hide the fact that they were aiming to design a bike that would be stiffer and provide a better ride quality than other established bikes from what they consider "market leader brands." First and foremost on NeilPryde's hit list? The Cervelo R5. Neilpryde's Bura SL features a 1 1/8-inch to 1 1/4-inch, tapered headtube with a unique "ribbed junction" that extends carbon material towards the rear of the bike. NeilPryde claims a 30.5% increase in headtube stiffness over the Cervelo R5.

Like the headtube, the Bura SL's fork was designed to go toe-to-toe with the Cervelo's R5. NeilPryde claims that their proprietary design is 7.3% more laterally-stiff than the Cervelo R5's fork, which is intended to provide a stiffer front end. Interesting, though, is the fact that NeilPryde also claims that the Bura SL's fork is 5.1% LESS stiff when it comes to rear deflection (measured when forces are applied to the fork from behind). This is said to increase front end vertical compliance without sacfricing overall and lateral front end stiffness. Does it really work or is that just marketing hype? We can't wait to test the new Bura SL to find out.

Check out the height of those chainstays! The goal of the Bura SL project may have been to create a lightweight bike, but power transfer from the bottom bracket was surely something on the minds of NeilPryde's engineers. Claimed weight for the Bura SL mechanical frame is 740 grams, while the Di2-specific version tips the scales at 760 grams. Total frameset weights are 1080 and 1100, respectively.

STAN'S NOTUBES EXPANDS THE LINE

Stan's NoTubes wheels have quite the cult following among cyclists dedicated to the road tubeless movement. The brand's venerable Alpha 340 wheel will be available in a disc brake-specific version. According to Stan's, the Alpha 340 disc-compatible wheel has already been selected by two bicycle original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for use on upcoming builds. One aftermarket version will be available from Stan's for $650, and it features 24 front spokes, 28 rear spokes and a claimed 1540-gram weight.

The all-new Alpha 400 wheelset has been described as a "heavier duty" version of the popular Alpha 340 wheelset, featuring added material to suit heavier riders or rougher riding conditions. Like the Alpha 340, the 400 wheelset will be available in three build options for $1100, $750 and $635. An added benefit of road tubeless wheels, besides flat prevention, is the ability to run lower tire pressures without fear of pinch-flatting a tube, which can result in improved ride quality.

Another all-new wheel from Stan's is the Iron Cross, a disc brake-specific wheel designed for the rigors of cyclocross racing. The wheelset will retail for $550, feature 24 front spokes and 28 rear spokes and will tip the scales at a respectable 1520 grams (claimed).

These rim cutaways illustrate the differences between various Stan's rims. On the left is an older version of the venerable Alpha 340 rim. In the middle is the newest Alpha 340 and it features added material to create a thicker spoke face. This change is intended to better handle tubeless tire pressures and prevent any potential fatigue cracks. On the right is the all-new Alpha 400, which features an added layer of aluminum just underneath the rim bed to provide extra support and stiffness for heavier riders.

So you say you've avoided trying road tubeless because it's too expensive? Stan's has the solution for you. All you need is a road tubeless-compatible tire, along with a small selection of Stan's parts: rim tape, sealant, and tubeless valves (above). Apart from the tire, the setup will only cost you about $30, and if you're not happy with the results, simply install a tube into the tire and ride it for the rest of its lifespan. But you say that a tubeless conversion is too complicated? "Give yourself 30 minutes per wheel the first time you do it, but after that, the process should only take about 10 minutes per wheel," says Stan's Mike Bush. The payoff? Bush says, "I've never gotten a flat tire in my last five years of riding tubeless."

HUTCHINSON RELEASES TWO NEW ROAD TUBELESS MODELS

French tire manufacturer, Hutchinson, has been one of the cycling industry's leaders in tubeless technology for quite a long time. At PressCamp 2012, Hutchinson showed off two of their latest road tubeless models, one of them being the Atom Galactik. Hutchinson claims it is the first road tubeless tire to come in under 250 grams, and reps claim that it performed better in rolling tests than the brand's Pro Tour tubular model. The Atom Galactik's retail price is set at $109 while availability for the 23c-only model will be in the Fall.

Hutchinson's other new road tubeless tire is the Intensive, a model that reps say the company is "very excited" about. It's a 28c-size tire designed for gravel bikes, as well as road bikes that can do with a bit more ride comfort coupled with tubeless flat protection. Claimed weight for the Intensive is 295 grams and retail price is $99.

Want some Hutchinson history? The company was founded in 1853 by an American, Hiram Hutchinson, whse first venture involved manufacturing rubber boots for farmers of the French countryside. Today, about 60% of the company's products are still manufactured in France, and Hutchinson employs approximately 27,000 people in a variety of industries, including the automotive, aerospace and military fields. But the company's bicycle tires and accessories are the only products to carry the Hutchinson name.