Eurobike: Road cycling will be even more relaxed in the coming year. At least that's what a preview of the Eurobike suggests. Several manufacturers will be showing models with disc brakes, wider tires and new comfort features.
One could almost assume that the sport has aged to a certain extent, but the reason is different: racing cycling is becoming more and more of a demanding endurance sport. Marathon events with a few thousand meters in altitude and sometimes more than 200 kilometers in distance are becoming increasingly popular. For those who want to perform at such events, comfort features are not a luxury, but simply a necessity to get to the finish line.
The Vorarlberg bike manufacturer Simplon has an interesting representative of this new type of racing bike in its luggage at the Eurobike. With the Inissio introduce a versatile bike that feels at home on almost any terrain. Thanks to clever custom-made production, it can Inissio can be ordered by the customer both as a GranFondo racer and as a cross-country bike or as a snappy randonneur with mudguards and luggage racks. The same frame serves as the basis in each case: a light monocoque construction made of nano-carbon.
Disc brakes have now also conquered the racing bike sector: Although the first racing bikes with this brake technology were already on display at last year's Eurobike, it seems that the introduction of the 2015 model year has actually marked the triumph of disc brakes in racing bikes uses. Even new models like the 2015 version of the it fell from Focus, which with their sporty geometry are designed for short, crisp races rather than marathons, come with disc brakes. The weight differences are minimal: in the frame of the Focus it fell, which will continue to be available with rim brakes, the two versions are separated by just 50 grams.
Another innovation are thru-axles. This will be available on racing bikes for the first time in 2015. The advantage is the larger diameter of these axles and the better adhesion between the hub and frame or fork. Both result in a higher torsional strength of the frame and wheels, which is particularly relevant with regard to the use of disc brakes.
Further information at www.eurobike-demoday.com and at www.eurobike-show.com.
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