"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Shimano dives deeper into CF

From the Tour de Suisse, a Dura-Ace carbon crank:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2007/tech/features/tour_de_suissetech/IMG_0955.jpg
http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2007/tech/features/tour_de_suissetech/IMG_0936.jpg
http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2007/tech/features/tour_de_suissetech/IMG_3924.jpg
http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=tech/2007/features/tour_de_suissetech
(http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=tech/2007/features/tour_de_suissetech)

From CN:

Shimano expands its materials horizons

By Shane Stokes in Bern, Switzerland

While much of its competition has championed the cause of carbon fiber, Shimano has long held to its metallurgical guns, and for good reason. In many instances, the company's highly advanced forged aluminum components have proved lighter and/or more rigid than its composite counterparts. Carbon fiber may be the current fashion, but it's hard to argue with good old engineering.

According to Shimano PR Officer Devin Walton: "With the current materials and technology available for manufacturing, forged aluminum is still the way to go over carbon fiber. That being said, we're always working on stuff and we've also got some pretty talented engineers that know carbon really well, so if we find a way in the future that it makes sense (same or increased performance with lighter weight / same or lighter weight with better performance - either at a cost that could be considered a reasonable value by consumers) then we'd definitely pursue it."

It seems that time has come, or at least is increasingly imminent. Carbon fiber bits have already shown up on Shimano's newest XTR group and the company has used the material for tubular versions of its Dura-Ace race wheelsets for some time. However, Shimano's last bastion of forged aluminum fortitude may finally be showing signs of weakness if our sightings at the Tour de Suisse are any indication.

Gerolsteiner rider Stefan Schumacher's 'spare bike' at the Tour de Suisse was a new Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL2 equipped with a new prototype carbon fiber chainset from Shimano. According to Gerolsteiner team mechanic Jochen Lamade, the German Amstel Gold winner has yet to try out the new bits and pieces in competition, but he'll definitely be using them for the upcoming Tour de France.

"He got this new stuff just before the Tour de Suisse and so decided not to start racing on the bike straight away. He's tried it a couple of times in training and after this race is over, he will become more familiar with it," he said.

Lamade gave a bit of information about the chainset, which right now has no visible branding whatsoever but clearly displays some characteristic Shimano styling cues. "It's a prototype for the Tour. Nowadays everybody wants to use carbon when possible, so Shimano are starting to use it in areas such as chainsets. It looks good, and it should be stiffer and a little bit lighter [than a standard chainset]. Right now it is a prototype and we will give them feedback on what is good and if anything needs to be changed."

We don't have much more information to share with you just yet but will keep our eyes open when we begin our Tour de France tech coverage. Stay tuned!

Last year Shimano was adamant that AL was better than CF. I guess between SRAM and Campy they are trying stay relevant. DA has a 8oz handicap to Record and the new SRAM Red is rumored to be as light if not lighter than Record. DA is basically on par with Chorus and Force. Now if they can just move on to aero cables....

(Cross-posted from the thread on the same topic in the main forum....)

I just can't wait for the thread 6 months from now from all the Shimanophiles talking about how Shimano's new carbon cranks represent a major component revolution and are SO much better than all the other carbon cranks out there. :rolleyes:

(Cross-posted from the thread on the same topic in the main forum....)

I just can't wait for the thread 6 months from now from all the Shimanophiles talking about how Shimano's new carbon cranks represent a major component revolution and are SO much better than all the other carbon cranks out there. :rolleyes:


The debate over what gruppo is best is really a silly one. All three (SRAM/Campy/Shimano) perform on a high level. The gruppo that fits you or the one you can best afford is the best gruppo for you. Aside from all that CAMPY RULES!!!!!!!!

Aside from all that CAMPY RULES!!!!!!!!

I'm saving Botto the trouble of posting:


Incorrect.

The debate over what gruppo is best is really a silly one. All three (SRAM/Campy/Shimano) perform on a high level. The gruppo that fits you or the one you can best afford is the best gruppo for you. Aside from all that CAMPY RULES!!!!!!!!

It's true. Once you just accept that Campy is the best, it makes the debate almost pointless. :D

Now saving Pcad the trouble of posting:

You are an idiot you stupid gay Texas cowboy. Everyone knows that Shimano makes the best fishing components and don't forget...Zipps rule! Everyone is a bike weenie.

Now if they can just move on to aero cables....

...Without going to electronic shifting to do so.

Now saving Pcad the trouble of posting:

You are an idiot you stupid gay Texas cowboy. Everyone knows that Shimano makes the best fishing components and don't forget...Zipps rule! Everyone is a bike weenie.

You forgot the part about saying Hail Merckx's at the temple of Our Lady of Dura Achee. :)

BTW, Merckx rode Campy. ;)

...Without going to electronic shifting to do so.

Dude, I don't know what you're talking about. That rear derailleur is SECKSAY!

it had to happen eventually didn't it?

You forgot the part about saying Hail Merckx's at the temple of Our Lady of Dura Achee. :)

BTW, Merckx rode Campy. ;)

So did Floyd. Therefore, all Campy users must be on drugs.:p

the last thing i want is a CF crank.

thanks to my pedaling style, i've managed to scuff the finish on my r700s in less than 300km.

imagine what that'd be like with CF cranks.

besides, CF cranks are fugly.

Now saving Pcad the trouble of posting:

You are an idiot you stupid gay Texas cowboy. Everyone knows that Shimano makes the best fishing components and don't forget...Zipps rule! Everyone is a bike weenie.

:lol: well said. you're in fine form this morning

imagine what that'd be like with CF cranks.

Botto takes a spin with his new carbon cranks in London....

http://www.andy.m.wood.btinternet.co.uk/london.jpg

Botto takes a spin with his new carbon cranks in London....

http://www.andy.m.wood.btinternet.co.uk/london.jpg

:beer:

I like the look of and would rather have the aluminum cranks over the carbon http://fairwheelbikes.com/forum/images/smiles/Smiley_dunno.gif

This is great news..all I have to do is wait for the new carbon cranks to come out and the price of the aluminum DA cranks on Ebay will fall 50% and I can pick up another set. :D

No idea which one is really "better" but I actually like the look of last year's crank MUCH more. Absolutely beautiful:
http://bike.shimano.com/media/images/cycling/products/bikecomponents/FC/FC-7800_popup_v1_m56577569830550253.jpg

No idea which one is really "better" but I actually like the look of last year's crank MUCH more. Absolutely beautiful:
htt p://bik e.shimano.com/media/images/cycling/products/bikecomponents/FC/FC-7800_p opup_v1_m56577569830550253.jpg

last years is this years.

Now saving Pcad the trouble of posting:

You are an idiot you stupid gay Texas cowboy. Everyone knows that Shimano makes the best fishing components and don't forget...Zipps rule! Everyone is a bike weenie.

Wow..that sounds just like him...who are you, Rich Little?

No idea which one is really "better" but I actually like the look of last year's crank MUCH more. Absolutely beautiful:
http://bike.shimano.com/media/images/cycling/products/bikecomponents/FC/FC-7800_popup_v1_m56577569830550253.jpg


the difference is huge...

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2007/tech/features/tour_de_suissetech/IMG_0936.jpg

I like the open crank ring look better than the closed, but Shimano really dropped the ball with that CF design.

Now saving Pcad the trouble of posting:

You are an idiot you stupid gay Texas cowboy. Everyone knows that Shimano makes the best fishing components and don't forget...Zipps rule! Everyone is a bike weenie.

Dude. You have a Led Zep line from 'Battle for Evermore' under your posts. That ROCKS.

http://www.survivinggrady.com/spicoli.jpg

last years is this years.

Well, sort of. It came out in '06 but is/was marketed as '07.

I like the open crank ring look better than the closed, but Shimano really dropped the ball with that CF design.

First, the design is IDENTICAL to the aluminum.
Second, this is a prototype.

um its a prototype

First, the design is IDENTICAL to the aluminum.

No it isn't.



Second, this is a prototype.

Fair enough, if true.

First, the design is IDENTICAL to the aluminum.


Check it again, Doc. The CF version has more material between the spider arms.

Dude. You have a Led Zep line from 'Battle for Evermore' under your posts. That ROCKS.

http://www.survivinggrady.com/spicoli.jpg

Thanks...I feel the line is apropos to bike racing as well..

Wow..that sounds just like him...who are you, Rich Little?

No I just drank some Metamucil, smothered myself in Ben-gay, and then stuck my head in the oven for about an hour. I was then able to channel Pcads true essence.

the last thing i want is a CF crank.

thanks to my pedaling style, i've managed to scuff the finish on my r700s in less than 300km.

imagine what that'd be like with CF cranks.

besides, CF cranks are fugly.


+1 on my r700 and +1 on the fugly-carbon cranks.

And, whoops, Cannondale!

** 2007 SI Carbon Crank Recall **
http://actionwheels.com/page.cfm?PageID=426

Check it again, Doc. The CF version has more material between the spider arms.

The overall design concept is the same. It now looks much like a TIME crank.

I like it. It will be just as stiff, or stiffer, but lighter and reliable. Shimano never has problems with DA.

No idea which one is really "better" but I actually like the look of last year's crank MUCH more. Absolutely beautiful:
http://bike.shimano.com/media/images/cycling/products/bikecomponents/FC/FC-7800_popup_v1_m56577569830550253.jpg
Me too....I love the look of hollowtech II cranksets...not saying it makes them better, because i really don't know, but they look better than anything out there

^^^^ Agree. They look "muscle car"; carbon looks like "chicken bone". ;)

They're going to have to do better then that

Sexy
http://willybikes.com/images/library/site/campy_cent_240_05_p.jpg

Sexy
http://www.bikyle.com/images/FsaCarbonTeamCrank.jpg

Not sexy
http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2007/tech/features/tour_de_suissetech/IMG_0936.jpg

And, whoops, Cannondale!

** 2007 SI Carbon Crank Recall **
http://actionwheels.com/page.cfm?PageID=426
There just happens to be carbon on the crankset, but its not the carbon at fault. Its the Aluminum Spindle.

There just happens to be carbon on the crankset, but its not the carbon at fault. Its the Aluminum Spindle.

and isn't the crank manufactured by FSA?

They're going to have to do better then that

Sexy
http://willybikes.com/images/library/site/campy_cent_240_05_p.jpg

Sexy
http://www.bikyle.com/images/FsaCarbonTeamCrank.jpg

Not sexy
http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2007/tech/features/tour_de_suissetech/IMG_0936.jpg

I'd take the Shimano over the FSA any day.

Maybe Shimano will keep both crank options available.

I think the carbon Dura Ace is very sexy.

I think the carbon Dura Ace is very sexy.

agreed. it looks sleek and purposeful

Bicycle components are never 'sexy' you idiots. You have all suffered irrepairable brain damage from excessive cycling. Babes are sexy. Cars can be sexy. Even Pcad can be sexy (hey, somebody married me).

But not bike stuff.

Bicycle components are never 'sexy' you idiots. You have all suffered irrepairable brain damage from excessive cycling. Babes are sexy. Cars can be sexy. Even Pcad can be sexy (hey, somebody married me).

But not bike stuff.

I disagree.

http://www.schmolke-carbon.de/carbon/images/obermayer.jpg

besides, CF cranks are fugly.
And that DA CF crank is the FUGLIEST yet !!

No idea which one is really "better" but I actually like the look of last year's crank MUCH more. Absolutely beautiful:
http://bike.shimano.com/media/images/cycling/products/bikecomponents/FC/FC-7800_popup_v1_m56577569830550253.jpg
That's the 2nd Fugliest crankset. I may not be heavy, but it sure looks heavy. Looks like they could save a bunch of grams by milling out those chainrings a bit. Why so much more metal than "regular" chainrings ?

Why so much more metal than "regular" chainrings ?

More aero? Stiffer? I'd be surprised if they're much heavier than other offerings.

I'd take the Shimano over the FSA any day.

Maybe Shimano will keep both crank options available.

praise be.

I disagree.

http://www.schmolke-carbon.de/carbon/images/obermayer.jpg

case closed.


I think shimano should stay w/ the Alu D/A cranks. They are beautiful, even sexy, as is.

i like the ol' DA7700 series cranks... they are the best looking shimano crank