JUNE 19 - Sorta Cutting Edge News
Hydraulic Disc Brake
Everyone who fears hydraulic disc brakes can breathe a sigh of relief—as noted earlier, Shimano is producing a version of its Dual Control levers that will work with V-brakes. Those of us who live in wet climates or who appreciate more stopping power will happily ditch the V-brakes and head straight for the buffet table lined with the new disc brake. The BR-M765 hydraulic disc brake sports some of the same features as the 2003 XTR version (a one-piece forged caliper, Center Lock rotor mounting, etc). The brake is reportedly quick and easy to set up (shim-less caliper mounting and adjustment) and features an opposed dual-piston design. Resin and metal pads are available and the brake is compatible with both International and Manitou’s post-style caliper mounts. No figures on weight yet, but it’s supposed to be pretty durned light.
That about sums it up. No word on when the goods will be available (clearly sometime between early fall and Christmas), but you can bet that the stuff will be slathered all over 2004 bikes.
Downhill and mountain cross racer Tara Llanes
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TARA LLANES INJURED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENT
Professional mountain biker Tara Llanes suffered a broken foot when the Giant Team truck she was riding in was demolished in an accident en route to the NORBA Nationals in Mount Snow, Vermont. Llanes is heading home to Corona, California. Whether or not the charismatic dual slalom star will be able to compete later this year is uncertain.
In August of 2002, Llanes crashed while practicing for a NORBA mountain cross race in Durango, Colorado. Llanes stacked it on a double jump and suffered a veritable who’s-who on the official list of Injuries You Never Want to Have: broken collarbone, three fractured ribs, two partially collapsed lungs, one severely bruised lung and a torn MCL in her right knee. The crash ended what had been a triumphant season for the downhill and mountain cross racer (she was the top American at the time).
Despite her extensive injuries, Llanes came back in fine form this year, which makes this week’s accident even more tragic. Of course, things could be a whole lot worse—Giant’s official press release reports that the team truck Llanes was traveling in is being considered a total loss. Fortunately, the other Giant team members traveling in the truck only experienced bruises. We wish Llanes well.
IMBA BUILDS TRAILS…IN STYLE
L.L.Bean, the international outdoor gear company that somehow bottled the essence of “hot coffee on a cold, misty Maine morning,” recently signed on as the official clothing sponsor of the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew. For the next 24 months, the two Trail Care Crews will be roving the country, building better trails and doing it all in “pimp daddy goes to the country club”-style, dammit.
L.L.Bean already supplies IMBA staff with outdoor gear and supports IMBA financially as an Above-and-Beyond Corporate Member—which (all joking aside) is a pretty admirable thing to do—especially for a non-industry company.
The Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew is comprised of two teams of trail experts leading trailwork sessions at IMBA Trailbuilding Schools across the country. The teams work with government officials, land managers and bike clubs to sole trail maintenance problems. And teach the art and science of sustainable trailbuilding.
L.L.Bean is also making financial contributions for every clothing order placed online via an IMBA link. For more information, visit www.imba.com/tcc/llbean.html.
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