8.8kg DS 'dale for Olympics...

[AndreZA]

Cannondale equips its Olympians with 19lb Scalpel

Cannondale has outfitted Cannondale-Vredestein team riders Roel Paulissen (Belgium), Jakob Fuglsang (Denmark) and Kashi Leuchs (New Zealand) with a special superlight Olympic Edition Scalpel claimed to weigh just 8.8kg (19.4lb).

The 'Zero Pivot'-equipped Scalpel chassis is already light as is but Cannondale has augmented the special machines with higher modulus carbon fibers (which allow for a lighter frame with comparable rigidity) and a raw finish with minimal decaling (because paint is surprisingly heavy). Likewise, the 'ride tuned and race optimized' Headshok Lefty has been pared down as well although we're not exactly sure how other than with the unorthodox rubber sleeve which replaces the stock accordion boot.

We can't confirm the spec on Fuglsang and Leuchs' bikes but Paulissen's machine is definitely tricked out in terms of componentry (Christoph Sauser would be proud). Mavic and Vredestein have provided prototype carbon-spoked Crossmax tubulars and matching Black Panther rubber, rear suspension duties are handled by DT Swiss' ultralight carbon-bodied shock, and Cannondale fits the bottom bracket with ceramic bearings and a 2x9 spider.

That chainring spider is fitted with a carbon-and-titanium Carbon-Ti outer ring though (and controlled with a SRAM Force road front derailleur), and the German exotica continues with the ultralight carbon post (which appears to be an AX-Lightness) and aluminium-and-carbon FRM stem. The rest of the running gear is fairly standard, including the SRAM X.0 rear derailleur and twist shifters, Avid Juicy Ultimate hydraulic disc brakes (with stainless steel rotors front and rear), KMC X9SL chain, Cannondale aluminium bar ends, a fi'zi:k Arione CX saddle, an FSA K-Force carbon flat bar, and Crankbrothers Egg Beater 4Ti pedals. Yowza. 

 

 

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2008/tech/features/olympic_tech_01_08/08_olyroel5.jpg

 

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2008/tech/features/olympic_tech_01_08/08_olyroel2.jpg

 

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2008/tech/features/olympic_tech_01_08/08_olyroel1.jpg

 

taken from: http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/olympics08/?id=/tech/2008/features/olympic_tech_01_08

 

 

 

[calabash]

I am in love.

[Racer X]

Tonnes of articles bout that on MTBR, still not too shabby, I don't like the fact that he is now running tubbies though.

[Racer X]

Wonder why they are not running the new Tundra saddles?

[Willehond]

Is it wise to ride a new/prototype bike at such a big race?  Don't you need time to adjust to the bike/tyre/component combination?

[Racer X]

He rode a the same wheels at Marathon worlds and they held up there, well until he crashed into Sauser anyways

[Dirtbreath]

Hope they make it. Also hope they don't make contact with anything. See how Paulisson's 'Dale snapped when him and Sauser kissed?

[Racer X]

That AX Lightness post is fugly, gimme Shmolke any day Racer X2008-08-18 05:47:42

[Sean Badenhorst]

Must be heavier than Sauser's Specialized. Did you see how much longer it took him to pick it up after that crash at Marathon World's?

 

[shaunh]

Does the UCI have a weight limit for MTB as with the limit for road bikes which I think is 6.80KG's?

[shaunh]

Is it wise to ride a new/prototype bike at such a big race?  Don't you need time to adjust to the bike/tyre/component combination?

 

I am sure they would have done some testing before going to the Olympics.

[willy]

Call me old fashioned, but I feel more comfortable having a fork on both sides of the front wheel. It looks like that wheel will fall off at any moment.

[Dirtbreath]

Must be heavier than Sauser's Specialized. Did you see how much longer it took him to pick it up after that crash at Marathon World's?

 

That's because he needed a dust pan and a broom to get all the pieces.

[Racer X]

Call me old fashioned' date=' but I feel more comfortable having a fork on both sides of the front wheel. It looks like that wheel will fall off at any moment. [/quote']

 

Where's GoLefty! when you need him?

Racer X2008-08-18 06:02:20

[Willehond]

Call me old fashioned' date=' but I feel more comfortable having a fork on both sides of the front wheel. It looks like that wheel will fall off at any moment. [/quote']

 

OK, you?re old fashioned!

 

BTW, have you ever feared that your car?s wheel might fall off when you?re doing 160k?s?  Same principle, it?s also only fixed to the car on one side!

[alfeldo]

The mind boggles............tsk,tsk,tsk when will it all end?