gtrob

Im always here Ive been in the US a lot with little service this summer


Regarding the cheap vs expensive versions, this goes for many companies in many sports. In particular, if you are familiar with the cervelo R5ca, it was the first $10k frame out there before 10k frames were normal. A lot of people assumed its to cover the R&D, the marketing, or its just like buying an expensive purse, but it actually does use more expensive material

take a look at this chart from toray (and common CF supplier in most bikes)




This is my issue when people think Chinese knock off frames are just as good as something else, because they use the same mold and lay up. First off, who is to say the layup is the same? And especially true, who is to say the material is the same? Or of the same quality?

For example, some places you want strength (seat stays), some places you want stiffness (BB), some places you want both (fork), notice how no single material is best? Also note, that the cost differs HUGELY on these. M50 is something like 20 times the cost of T300. So when a bike claims to have T700 for example, how much? Where? Not a single manufacture will divulge this stuff, for good reason, but it goes to show how complicated composites are. You can make the 'same bike' for $400 or for $10000, and they will look identical, and have the same aero profile, but ride very very different. On top of that, there is the quality of each piece of carbon. Prepreg carbon has a shelf life (stored in a freezer), and high end bike companies throw out lots. Would you be surprised to know they end up getting used still by others...


Im not trying to dismiss the knock off chinese brands, or the lesser models that make it to us mere mortals, but rather trying to explain that carbon fiber is a very complicated composite process, and cannot be compared to metals and alloys. The shape is obviously the structural foundation, but it is impossible to judge how it will ride based on that alone. When LOOK sells a bike frame for 10k, its more than just buying a 'winning brand', but likely has a very high cost to make in the first place.


No idea if they made a good sprint bike, but I will say that its an engineering problem. They know their stuff, but I have no idea where their priorities were (by the looks I would guess pursuit though haha). Im sure when the T5 goes on sale after Rio it will be plenty expensive still though, but a lot of that is due to the low volume they will end up selling. I heard they actually would lose money on the T1 when they were selling it ($1000 alum frame).

brawlo

Still interesting, Phil Hindes is still on the BC bike while Skinner and Kenny are on the new Cervelo. Maybe they just can't get it to work for the SS out of the gate and have mitigated losses and will let Hindes just ride the BC bike while the others sport the new steed??

jods

Personal choice, they had a few issues in the run up to the games, and Phil just wanted to ride what he knew well. Think he's the only one though

jods

Lots of pics here from the GB camp in Newport, new helmets, bars, bikes, wheels etc.

gycho77

Thanks for the link

And are they using Look ZED track crank or are they using a custom made carbon crank?

Bulldogsprinter

Is he riding a FES? https://www.flickr.com/photos/simon_...7671691830435/

queerpunk

huh - some GB riders also on a trispoke front and Campag disc rear. Interesting.

The trispoke definitely looks meatier than a HED3. It's more aero than 5-spokes, from what I understand, but a lot of people find it somewhat flexy. So maybe this beefy trispoke is the best of both worlds.

carleton

I think the most interesting part is that all of the gear isn't the same. Mavic, Campagnolo, FFWD, wheels. This probably means that there isn't a sponsorship deal in place. If there were, then the team would only be allowed to ride the sponsors wheels in training and races...or at least not have stickers advertising a competing brand.

For example: If they had a deal with Campagnolo, they probably would remove these Mavic stickers from the wheels (easily removable as the stickers are above the clear coat):

jods

Yep, that's Jan van Eijden. He was doing sprint drills with Becky James and Katy Marchant.

jods

That's GB's custom crank that debuted in London

gycho77

Dolan Seta
Dolan Bikes - Dolan Pre Cursa Frameset
i'm guessing most of track cyclists are not going to buy this frameset for races.

dunderhi

Why not? It may not be an Olympic caliber frame, but as far as I can see it's a carbon frame with decent geometry at the cost of a typical aluminum frame.

gycho77

Dolan Seta is a great frame, but I would probably use this frame for commuting not for my race frame.
I think seta is great for hill climbing instead of track racing because of the weight.

But I'm always wrong, so do not take my words lol

gtrob

Team Canada appears to have gone from Mavics to campy wheels on the track this year. Both sprint and TP teams are on the campy double disc, where traditionally have had mavics (there room has about 30 sets, which I assume they will still use in training or sell off).

The women TP are on the new black look frame, I couldn't tell the different but perhaps the stem mount is different. Still a frame fixed seatpost.

seau grateau

Team USA women's pursuit bike: Felt Bicycles | Introducing the TA FRD

I thought the use of left-side drive was pretty interesting.

ttusomeone

Those are almost identical to shoes designed and produced by Adam Hansen (U95 Shoes | Hanseeno). I wonder if he licensed the design to them or if he didn't patent it.

Muddlfuc

or made them for GB at a good cost

jods

Think you'll find they share a lot more in common with Simmons Racing shoes than the Hanseeno's.

jods

looks like the Australians and the Germans have new helmets as well as the Brits
Germans new Casco



Australians new KASK



And the Brits new Crux

carleton

Thanks, Jods.

Has anyone noticed if the prices of those type of helmets has come down at all?

gycho77

13876098_10210225262692014_909608866223531366_n.jpg

Love this chainstay. It must be SUPER~~~ stiff lol
I think @carleton is not going to bend this chainstay lol

13925332_10210225262612012_6012840419983981996_n.jpg

Can they adjust the angle of the handlebar?

13939406_10210225362054498_211226639656500083_n.jpg

13932697_10210225351374231_768559575016035700_n.jpg

13935000_10210225351014222_6766437825755964984_n.jpg

Looks like they are using Vittoria Diamante Pro Pista Clincher Tires
which could hold up to 160 psi and it only weights 150g.

Also some teams are using ceramic speed bearing on their Ultegra pedal

gycho77

13902539_10210225384455058_2045262151149974865_n.jpg

13907165_10210225369134675_8304635025978829209_n.jpg

carleton

This is why I love gycho. He always returns with gold

Notice the other normal track gear like Thomson X4 stems, Scattos, Mavic Ellipse, Dura Ace cranks, Shimano SPD-SL alloy pedals (for the sprinters), Zen and Dura Ace chainrings.

brawlo

I would doubt it. Here's hoping that the cost of Mavics comes down seeing as they are no longer the wheelset of choice. Perhaps their sponsorship deals have ended.

I wonder how much those GB tri spokes are going for......... nothing under £100,000 I suppose

carleton

I agree.

Here's the thing, LOOK 496 and Mavic Io/Comete have all more than paid for their R&D costs. I find it very hard to believe that manufacturing costs are anywhere close to half of their retail values.

I mean, look, business is business. But, I think if they simply lowered the price to match Zipp comparative offerings, they'd make even more profits because they'd be on every local rider's rig.