Tag: Classic

Basalt Core Offers Light Weight Nordic Skis That Are Environmentally Friendly

Fisher Skis has announced that its utilizing its new core technology with it natural basalt core. These promise to be considerably lighter than many standard materials including fiberglass, awhile the new core material should have a significant effect on the ski’s weight and performance. For the new season this natural basalt core will be available on four ski models.

The company has moved to replace the traditional manufactured laminate with that of the natural fibers made from volcanic rock, and this is part of the Fischer’s commitment to the environment. These efforts to use the basalt will eliminate the chemically-intense process that is involved in creating fiberglass, as well as its harmful byproducts.

To this end Fischer’s Air Core Basalight technology is produced in an environmentally friendly process, but it has the added benefit of reducing the weight of the skis to that of more expensive carbon fiber skis. This makes them up to 70 grams lighter than the fiberglass-core predecessor. These are now available on the new CRS Vasa Skate and Classic models as well as the Superlight Crown and Wax skis. Continue reading Basalt Core Offers Light Weight Nordic Skis That Are Environmentally Friendly

UCI Cracking Down on Doped Bikes

After winning the Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara came under the spotlight. Not for doping, but rather for using a motor hidden within the bicycle frame. Cancellara has since laughed off the allegations, but apparently not everyone is laughing.

Cycling has taken some bad hits as many high profile riders have been accused of using – and unfortunately even caught using – performance enhancing drugs. But this latest twist is probably one no one saw coming. This week the International Cycling Union, the sports governing body, announced that “a scanner will be used from the time of the Tour de France.” Such a scanner would further bolster “measures that have already been put in place, in particular the visual inspection of bicycles.”

The UCI it has been reported has been in contact with former racers, including Davide Cassani and Chris Boardman. The formers claims that a bike equipped with a concealed motor could help a ride cheat, and that if he were using such a device at 49-years old he’d be able to finish a classic or a Giro stage. We are a bit dubious to say the least. The latter even wrote an editorial for The Telegraph, explaining how the technology could work.

While there have been endless technological upgrades to bicycles in the 100+ years since the founding of the UCI, the idea of a hidden motor to aid a racer seems to be more trouble than it would be worth. Such a motor would need a large power source – one that would add weight to the bike, although Boardman says it is a moot point since bikes come in under weight anyway – and it would need to be reliable. Boardman again offers the opinion that the energy source would be enough to power a motor that in turn could help provide riders with a way to “take a break.” But is this really enough? Riders are pretty much on camera from beginning to end, and sitting on a bike and “faking” the pedaling is a lot of work.

The proper gearing, drafting from other riders and various riding techniques are what already give riders that little bit of edge. Would a mini-motor – something else that could break down – really be worth it? That’s not to say that we encourage anyone to try, so let’s hope that the sport stays clean. And that is with both the riders and the bikes.