Press Release: FSA K-Force Light BB386EVO

FSA has always been committed to developing new technologies for their products. Over the past 2 years, FSA engineers and designers have revolutionized the next generation of the K-Force Light cranksets. 
The K-Force Light crankset has always had all the features necessary to win races and impress those who ride them. Those features include light weight, high stiffness and direct power transfer. 
Although previous designs of this model crankset have won numerous podiums at the highest level of racing, FSA engineers were still not satisfied.

The goal was to increase stiffness, optimize shifting precision, and decrease weight. The solution was a total change in the design of the product in order to reach these goals. 
FSA Engineers knew that the power applied through a 360� rotation is not constant. The load peaks when the leading crank-arm is horizontal. For this reason, FSA engineers added a 5 bolt asymmetric spider (with one bolt hidden behind the crank arm) putting more chainring bolts where the stress is highest. In addition, newly designed 3D forged ABS chainrings have optimized teeth profiles and shift ramps which result in faster, smoother, and more precise shifting. 
This new configuration allows an increase in the stiffness of the crankset, giving huge benefits to both riding and shifting. 
The hidden bolts and a masked spindle result in clean, elegant, and aerodynamically efficient surface.

Learn more: www.fullspeedahead.com 

K-FORCE LIGHT COMPACT BB386 EVO

DESCRIPTION & MATERIALS
• Hollow Carbon arms with UD Carbon finsh
• AL7075 100% CNC chainrings
• AL7075 Torx T-30 alloy chainring bolts
• Available for New Shimano 11 speed systemSIZES• Length - L170mm, L172.5mm, L175mm• BCD - 110mm
• 46/36T, 50/34T, 52/36T, 53/39TFINISH
• UD Carbon finsh• Color graphics options - Red, BlackCRANK WEIGHT• 584 grams 

Reviews: 55RC3, the ultimate enduro fork?

So is the 55 any good? We think so, but don't just take our word on it, take a look at all these independent reviews! Check out the 2013 model here.

2009 Dirt 100

2010 Dirt 100

2011 Dirt 100

2011 Singletrack

2012 Dirt 100

2012 MBUK

2012 Singletrack

2013 Dirt 100

Orbital Cycling Festival

2013 will see the inaugural Orbital Cycling Festival at the World famous Goodwood Motor Circuit held on the weekend of the 26^th-29^th July. We are very excited to be able to bring Colnago back to the location that forms such an important and historic association with the company.

On Friday 26^th July we will be holding 2014 model range presentations throughout the day with the opportunity to test ride the latest models on the Goodwood motor circuit.

On Friday evening the Colnago X+1 road race will be run between 17.00 and 18.50 on the race circuit; If you would like to compete you can enter the race here. See the race poster as designed by the highly talented artist – Eliza Southwood.

Over the weekend our expo will contain a mixture of the new 2014 bikes and some very special classics and one-offs. Demo rides will be available at most times over the weekend and will include the C59 Disc and K Zero models amongst others.

Lastly you are very welcome to bring YOUR Colnago for display in our Colnago owner’s bike section; we have some exclusive Mr Colnago SIGNED books, signed event posters and Colnago Master caps to give away so your bike may even win a prize!

If you cannot make it to Goodwood your salesman will be presenting the 2014 range shortly, however we would all love to see you at the event so you can see and ride the new collection first hand.

MBUK's 100 most amazing products

MBUK have just published a booklet called the '100 most amazing bits of bike bling ever! The gear that shaped the way we ride.' It's all part of MBUK's 25th anniversary celebrations.

Windwave are fortunate to have supplied a few of these, here is what we have.

Marzocchi 888, distributor since 1995

Club Roost riser bar, first riser bar to the market 1991

Distributor since 2012!

FSA Pig headset, we were FSA's very first distributor, since 1992

Mountain Cycle San Andreas, distributed 2003-2007

Marzocchi Z1 Bomber, distributor since 1995

Marzocchi 888 and 55 forks and 650b

Over the last few months Marzocchi have been checking the compatibility of the 650b wheel and the 55 and 888 series forks, here are their findings.


We wish to give you some additional information about the compatibility of Marzocchi MY13 fork series with 650B wheels.

888 Series: all 888 are compatible with 650b wheels up to the max. tire dimension shown in the following drawing (717mm tall x 60mm wide). Individual tires must be measured with fork fully compressed and have a minimum of 4mm “tire to crown” clearance.

55 Series: even though some 650b wheels actually can be assembled with 55 forks, we believe the clearance between the inflated tire and the lower part of the crown is not enough to let the tire turn freely. 

After the installation, individual tires must be measured with fork fully compressed and have a minimum of 4mm “tire to crown” clearance.

PLEASE NOTE THAT MARZOCCHI DO NOT AUTHORIZE ANY MODIFICATION OR ALTERATION TO THE 55 BRAKE ARCH AND/OR ANY OTHER STRUCTURAL PART.

The product warranty will be automatically void if the fork is altered and Marzocchi shall not be responsible for any indirect, incidental or consequential damages associated with the use of the Marzocchi suspension system.

Please see user manual for any further instruction.

2014 Marzocchi 380 C2R2 fork and Moto

Marzocchi recently presented their new downhill fork and shock at the Sea Otter Classic, here is an introduction by Marzocchi's Simone Bassi via Sicklines.com

380 C2R2

The “380” is Marzocchi’s all new flagship downhill model and brings together 2 years of racing development to produce Mazocchi’s modest advanced racing suspension fork to date.

The hart of the 380 is the new semi-closed C2R2 Dynamic Bleed Cartridge, this is a high-end evolution of the already market proven CR damper which is in turn derived from Marzocchi’s motorcross technology. 

note: tape was just to cover the oil 'ejection' port, so it didn't squirt anybody!

The cartridge features a one-way seal at the base to allow oil to enter and a flow hole at the top to expel any excess, keeping the cartridge always at the optimum oil level. At the top of the oil chamber is a compensator piston that works against a small coil spring, when the internal pressure becomes too high, the oil compresses the compensator piston exposing the flow hole and the excess oil is expelled. This design keeps the oil flowing through the fork to help lubrication (like an open bath design) and keeps the air outside the cartridge for more precise damping control and to eliminate cavitation (like a closed).

Damping is controlled via a new three stage compression circuit with separately adjustable high and low speed compression and high and low speed rebound adjusters. The compression group can be removed from the cartridge with the cartridge and fork still installed to the bike, making track-side damping modifications a possibility.

Stanchions are 38mm internally tapered with Nickel plating. The Nickel plating actually strengthens the alloy stanchions by 30% enabling the stanchions to be made lighter for the same given strength.
The new lower crown is machined hollow saving 40g over the existing 888 crown.

crown is cut-away to show the hollow cavity 

New lowers have been designed to be both 26” and 650b compatible and feature a new flattened arch to increase stiffness and save weight. The axle pinch bolts now use a replaceable alloy insert to prevent damage to the lower leg by over tightening.  The axle itself is now internally tapered (saving 30g) and features a key way on one end meaning you only need one tool undo it.

Specification

Travel: 200mm

Weight: 2850g/ 6.28lbs

Damping: C2R2 Dynamic Bleed Cartridge

Adjustment: High and low speed compression, high and low speed rebound , pre-load

Spring: Titanium coil, K5.5

Stanchions: 38mm nickel plated, internally butted.

Steerer: Tapered or 1”1/8 AH

Axle: 20mm taperwall

Moto 380 C2R rear shock

The goal for the Moto shock was to produce one of the lightest and most adjustable long travel coil shocks on the market. 

Weighing in at just 369g (241 x 77mm, no spring or reducers) the Moto uses a unique one piece alloy 14mm shaft and head, not only does this eliminate the weak spot (in all shocks) it saves weight also. Damping is controlled via separate high and low speed compression adjusters with the complete compression group designed to be easily removable for tuning.

The moto also features externally adjustable low speed rebound damping with the possibility to internally adjust the high speed rebound circuit.

Specification

Size: 267 x 89mm, 241 x 76mm, 222 x 70mm.

Weight: 369g (241 x 77mm no spring or hard ware)

Adjustment: External high and low speed compression, low speed rebound + high speed rebound via shim setting, pre-load.

Availability September 2013

55RC3 long term

I have been using the 55RC3 Ti fork now for a few years and I thought I would share my experience of using this product on a long term basis.

My fork is a 2011 160mm 'purple' edition, before this model I had the 2010 version and the only reason for the upgrade was because I could!

I first tested the RC3 at the Marzocchi 2010 press launch in Lake Garda, June 2009. I had the fork fitted to a Corsair, bike was brilliant, the downhills were just crazy...

Marzocchi press launch, Lake Garda 200

After the Garda 'experience' I got hold of a purple 55 for myself, fitted it to a Labyrinth demo frame and headed of on a bike trip to the Pass Portes and Les duex Aples (2010). The performance of the fork just blew me away, previously I had the 55ATA (not so good...) and a Z1RC2 (wish I kept this one). Set up wise I was using a very low speed compression bias. Alpine riding is all about the front end, your always pointing down, all of your weight is on the fork, your braking and there are rocks everywhere.  Low speed damping keeps the fork propped up and ready for the next obstacle, and in the Alpes the next obstacle will be soon!

Pass Portes 2010 - Les Gets

In Chatel we hooked up with a Marzocchi pal, who showed us a trick to up the performance further still. Read here for the foam ring trick.

The following years (2011) cycling trip was to Suisse Normande, the style of riding here is more enduro with a good mix of climbing as well as descents. The fork stayed in the Alpine set up and ate everything I could throw at it. Not only is the 55 a capable DH fork but you can all-day XC on it also....

next stop is the bottom of the gorge! 

2012 road trip was back to the Pass Portes, the 55RC3 is the default for this type of environment. 

Pass Portes 2012 - Les Gets

2012 and all our riding group are now running on RC3's.... Four of them are even purple!

55 team Suisse Normande 2012

Marzocchi's concept of open oil bath, coil spring and downhill damper is inspired, all of these forks are running and feeling box fresh, even after some serious abuse all without a single service. I cant think of many products that offer this type reliability and consistent high level of performance? Of course this concept was now new, you can trace it back to the 1997 Z1 bomber....

My current 55 is now 2 1/2 years old and I am thinking about swapping out to the 2013 model, the newer model gets the V2 piston and EVO valve out of the 888. My sponsored guys that are using it are reporting that the performance has been upped again! Or maybe I could just use the one I got for another year... including a gravity enduro race and another French trip...