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SubscribeShimano 2013 Part 2
Mon, 11/26/2012 - 5:01pm by Andy Shen
Here's the rest of the wares Shimano brought to New York a couple weeks ago. Part 1 of this schwagfest is here.
Wheels
Shimano's gone to 11 speed, so all new wheels will, as they say, go to 11. To make room for the extra cog both hub flanges on the rear wheel will move a touch towards the non drive side. You can run 10 speed on the new wheels by using a spacer. Some existing 10 speed wheels can be adapted to 11 by replacing the freehub body and re-dishing the wheel. This means that if you think you'll eventually convert to 11, these wheels are a good hedge against obsolescence.
The C75 is a carbon tubular, coming in at 1545 grams. There's also a 50mm deep version at 1449 grams. Rear wheels will have a 2 to 1 DS/NDS spoke pattern to equalize spoke tension. The rim profile resembles the now ubiquitous Firecrest shape, where the two sides are roughly parallel rather than v-shaped.
Unlike almost everyone else, Shimano (and Campy) have stuck to cup and cone bearings rather than cartridge bearings for their hubs. Machining a hub body with a bearing cup is more expensive, but they claim superior durability and user serviceability. Also, cup and cone bearings handle axial loads much better than cartridge bearings.
This finish on the spokes add strength where it's needed, towards the hub.
Shimano was one of the first to make a tubeless specific wheel. The carbon/alloy laminate C24 continues this tradition. Nipples thread into the rim directly...
...so the rim bed has no holes in it (except the valve hole of course). Tubeless ready without any rim tape. If only this 20.8mm wide rim were 23mm wide, sigh. $1500, 1454 grams.
The RS-61 is also tubeless ready.
The nipples thread into inserts in the rim rather than the rim itself. $500, 1600 grams.
Eyewear
Shimano shades are coming to the US for the first time 2013. Quality is top notch, better than most brands and on par with that company WMNBN. Pricing tops out at $180.
Some models have this handy dandy angle adjustment that lets you get the lenses nice and snug without rubbing on your cheeks. Especially useful for those of us without prominent bridges.
The lenses are the most adaptive photochromatics I've encountered. They range from almost clear and amber to really dark and blue. The effect in full daylight is so pronounced it resembles old cheesy day-for-night horror movie scenes. You can easily ride out before dawn and finish at noon and have perfect visibility throughout. My only nitpick is the blue tint – scenery is definitely prettier warmer.
Shoes
The shoes I scored from last year's schwagfest were the most comfortable shoes I've ever had. I was initially skeptical of the benefits of heat molding the uppers (vs the moldable soles of Bonts and Lakes), but I was converted once I got some miles in – the shoes simply felt like they weren't there. Here's a quick look at next year's offerings.
The R320 is the top of the line, at $380. Heat moldable and super light at 295 grams per shoe for size 45.
A one piece heel cup keeps your foot locked in.
Full carbon sole. Extra mounting holes give you a wider range for cleat fore/aft adjustment.
The insoles have replaceable arch support inserts.
If $380 for shoes (justifiably) freaks you out, the R241 is available for $200. Still custom fit, full carbon sole, but with different materials, heavier, and without the heel cup.
One more thing...
Appropos of nothing, here's a commuter bike to end all commuter bikes.
Di2 commuter!
Internally geared hub. The part on the right is the shifter motor.
Hydraulic brakes!
A generator on the front hub for the light.
The Di2 battery lives in that seatpost.
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Comments
Add a commentWhere can I find shimano eyewear in new York city ???
ride your bike...it doesn't have to be the perfect commuter. belt drive. yeesh. backpack never ever bothered me. would much rather have something removable on me than something permanent on my bike. bells don't do squat in NYC, and the NYPD will ticket you for what they feel like whether you have it or not.
If you are a regular commuter you will see, as Mike mentions, that anything on your back in a real PITA. Being able to put it on a rack makes a lot more sense. But I will say I never get the Walenda feeling when I do have a pack. Fenders are a must. One side benefit of a fender is that it makes your chain last longer by keeping all the crud that gets kicked up by your front tire off of your chain. Shimano missed the boat on this bike by not using a belt drive system. It makes more sense on a commuter bike. The interesting part is that it looks like a belt could easily be added as the dropout has what looks to be a bolt that would open up the rear triangle. Unlike a derailleur bike where I can see some benefit to Di2, I can see no benefit, except to Shiimano's bottom line, to it on an Alfine hub. One more important thing that is missing from the bike, that can also get you a ticket, is a horn/bell.
I used to commute with a messenger bag, but got tired of 'sweat back' and the 'sweat stripe' where the strap was. Why would I wear the equivalent of a winter coat on my back when it's 80 degrees out? I finally switched to a rack and pannier. Another advantage is that this lowers your center of gravity so you don't have to ride as if the Wallenda family is balanced on your shoulders.
Fenders are a no-brainier if you plan to commute 90+ percent of the time. Additionally, even in fair weather they protect you from that NYC phenomenon that I affectionately refer to as 'garbage truck juice'. I quickly figured out that getting to work smelling like I live in a dumpster wasn't for me, though my apartment is only slightly larger than one.
Friggin' plebians. Who rides a bike to work? Get outta the way of my limo, I've got a reality show to film and debt holders to screw.
i commuted daily for 10 yrs in NYC without racks. Backpack. What doesn't make sense about that?
A commuter bike without them makes no sense, unless you happen to live in a world where it never rains and you never need to carry anything. That doesn't describe a lot of commuters out there.
Behind a hot biker chick the view would be even more prettier and warmer?
You can always save your money and take a shot in the ass the night before a race. You'll probably win on a single speed if your on the program.
A great variety of 9 and even 7 and 8 speed cassettes are still widely available new from many online retailers. I just replaced the rings, cassette, chain and pulleys on my 12+ year old 9 speed Ultegra group and didn't have to visit EBay or Craig's list. The rings and cassette are even Shimano, not an 'after market' brand. I can't see where moving from 10 to 11 or even 9 to 10 would make any difference in park races and crits. Where money's not an issue, by all means, I'll take 11, but don't make it seem like it's the only option.
ugh I hate that there is a different freehub body. all of them should be the same. campy too.
"if you think you'll eventually convert to 11, these wheels are a good hedge against obsolescence."
You are eventually going to 11. The question is when? Nobody races on 9 speed anymore and in 2-3 years 10 will be gone. Start saving your pennies or be prepared to buy all of your replacement parts used off of Ebay.
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