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TOUR OF CALIFORNIA CHRONICLES: TECH HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE OUCH TEAM CAMP
Zap
February 5, 2009
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A CLOSE-UP LOOK AT THE OUCH BIKES
Besides a new title sponsor, the OUCH team is also starting off the 2009 season with a new bike sponsor. After years as a Cannondale supplied team, the switch is on to the Italian brand Kuota (formerly affiliated with the domestic Kodak/Sierra Nevada team) who will also be supplying bikes this year to the Euro based Agritubel squad
THE ROAD BIKE
For road duties the OUCH team will be aboard slightly modified carbon Kredo frames. The mods center around a cut-down integrated seat mast to accommodate the traditional seatpost supplied by Ritchey. The Kredo frames are available in five sizes and run a tapered head tube with internal cable routing. The Kredo uses a one piece monocoque front triangle and the entire frame is covered with a 3k carbon weave.
For more info, Click Here.
FIZIK
Team OUCH riders can choose between the contoured Fizik Aliante (shown), the flatter, slimmer and longer Arione or the new Antares. The bikes were running the Ti rails (versus the braided carbon railed version) at camp as the team was working with Ritchey to develop seat rails to work with the carbon rails. Although the Team Ouch color scheme is not sold, you can create your own custom colored Fizik saddle on their web site. For more info, Click Here.
MAXXIS
Maxxis tires have been the presenting sponsor of the team for a few years. For training camp duties in Temecula, most of the riders were running the 235-grams Detonator which is found in the two tire Training category of Maxxis' vast road catalog. The Detonator runs a dual compound tread pattern that has a softer silica compound on the outer edges. For pure racing purposes, Maxxis offers the 180-grams Xenith Equipe Legere. Over the last few seasons the NRC Championship winning team has been using the 225-grams Maxxis Columbiere. One and all are clinchers. For more info, Click Here.
Mavic is the wheel sponsor this year and they were extolling the virtues of their new Cosmic Carbone SL as an all-around, deep wall, lightweight with with aero efficiency. For more info, Click Here.
RITCHEY
As was evident from all the bike shows last year, the color white has become “the new black” when it comes to components. After introducing their “wet white” WCS stem last year, Ritchey decided to go ahead and create a trio of “wet white” hard parts with a seatpost and handlebar to be included. If you're wondering about just how durable a white painted finish on a stem/seat post or handlebar, we can assure you it should be very durable because the white finish is in fact an anodized coating. Anodized carbon!? Nope, anodized aluminum. Yep, just like the Euro teams that Ritchey also supplies parts to (Lotto and Lampre), the OUCH team is shunning carbon parts in favor of running aluminum parts. Wow! As Ritchey's Steve Parke said,”Unlike regular consumers who are mostly concerned with weight, the Pro teams prefer aluminum because of the added durability. I guess it's just another example of the schism between marketing and reality.”
Retail price for the parts are: Stem - $130, Handlebar - $144, Seatpost - $120. For more information, Click Here.
THE TT BIKE
Kuota offers three different bikes in their Tri/TT line and the team will be running with the top of the line Kueen-K which is also available in five sizes and uses a 3K carbon weave finish. In the effort to maximize the bike's aero efficiencies, the front brake is mounted on the backside of the fork and the rear brake is mounted underneath the chainstays. Aero, but not necessarily easy to set-up.
For the last few years Ritchey has been selling the carbon fiber Hammerhead bar which is available in either 38 or 40 cm widths and a variety of extension designs. Not cheap, the Hammerhead sells for $735.
As Ritchey's Steve Parke tells it, it was about three years ago when the Sanier Duval team was up and running that the component maker began getting pressed for improved TT wares. The effort was begun and there has been an evolution of both new products and design. As with most squads and their TT preferences, each OUCH rider gets to personalize their aero set-up. For 2009 Ritchey has introduced the new 40 cm wide Interval bars which run a 50cm drop. Steve said that maximum low rider positions can be had by running the Interval handlebar along with their 30mm rise"comfort" stem which becomes 30mm of drop when flipped. That's pretty low! The Interval bar retails for $400 ala carte and the arm rests go for an additional $300.
Internal cable routing and rear mounted brake make up the aero details on the Team OUCH Kuota TT bike.
All the race bikes are equipped with SRAM Red drivetrains with their unique Double Tap shifting. A few riders (like Rory Sutherland) were running with a SRM outfit (Floyd Landis' wasn't at Temecula). SRAM will be looking for a repeat victory at the Tour of California.
For more info, Click Here.
Voler has been providing teams and consumers with cycling gear for over 25 years and they are the clothing choice for the OUCH team in 2009. Voler's made in the USA outfits are available in custom, semi-custom and production styles and they are also one of the few places you can score shoe covers, knee & arm warmers and shorts is a rainbow selection of fabulous colors.
For more info, Click Here.
DEFEET
Look for the Ouch team to be sporting the latest in sock wear by DeFeet. And remember, tall socks rule! Like Voler, Defeet has a catalog full of colors and design and also have a custom order program.
For more info, Click Here.
AND NOW FOR SOMETHING PRETTY CRAZY
Check out new recruit Pat McCarty's personalized cleat set-up. Pat said he came upon the solution on his own to make up for a loss of power in his leg due to a spinal condition. Tom Ritchey saw the set-up and had but one word - "Wow!"
WHAT'S IN A NAME?
"Shimano...you know, as in Dura-Ace!" Kozo Shimano checks into the hotel without much name recognition. Kozo is no longer working for his namesake company, but he remains an avid race fan and is now using his enthusiasm and knowledge of cycling technology to work with non-endemic industries.
Tom Ritchey is always ready to ride. Yes, his bike is dirty because Tom is just as prone to ride off-road as on road.
The next day Kozo showed up for the group ride in a more familiar guise where everbody knew his name.
Besides Floyd Landis (l) and National Champ Rory Sutherland, Team OUCH also draws attention with former cyclocross champ and team captain Tim Johnson (r).
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