When big races happen, companies use it as a chance to bring out some limited edition gear that we all lust over. We already told you about the Cervelo R5 Classics Edition that will only be available until the end of the tour, so let’s talk about shoes and derailleur pulleys.
Fizik Aria 101
If you are a shoe geek like me, than you also lust over the custom painted shoes that pop up every now and then on the feet of pro riders. Fizik is giving you a chance to own your own pair of custom painted Aria R3 road shoes, that is, if you can squeeze your feet into size 41-44.5, though only 43 and below are left.
Designed and painted by Simon Fellows of Artful Kicks, the Aria 101 is limited to 101 pair to celebrate the 101st edition of the Giro d’Italia.
“Having hand-painted many pairs of fi’zi:k cycling shoes for customers around the world, it was an honour to have been approached directly by fi’zi:k to produce a unique design, on a pair of shoes and a saddle, to celebrate the 101st Giro d’Italia,” said Fellows.
Beyond the custom paint, the Aria 101 is a standard R3. It features Fizik’s Volume Control Technology, which uses Boa IP1-B dials and light steel-coated nylon laces to mold the shoe to the rider’s feet for top fit and comfort. The upper is a laser perforated Microtex upper that is 1.2mm thick, with no seams or pressure points to aggravate your feet. The sole is a uni-directional full carbon outsole, which is not only lightweight, but also laterally stiff. To add a touch of comfort and support, a lightly cushioned insole is added to a supportive heel-cup.
Surprisingly, the limited edition Aria 101 comes in at $320, a bit lower than what we expected, and is only a $20 upcharge over the standard R3.
CeramicSpeed Limited Edition Pink Pulleys
If you have been watching the AG2R La Mondiale riders, you might have noticed the pink pulleys on their rear derailleur. Team sponsor CeramicSpeed provided the limited edition color OSPW system to the team to celebrate the Italian grand tour. The great thing is, they are also available to you if you’d like to add a splash of light pink and speed to your ride.
CeramicSpeed claims their Oversized Pulley Wheel system (OSPW) offers the most efficient drivetrain performance on the market. The oversized pulleys and custom carbon cage reduce friction through reducing the angle of the bends of the links as they pass through the derailleur cage and the brands silky smooth, extremely low friction ceramic bearings. CeramicSpeed also claims their bearings last 3-5 times longer than other
high-end bearings.
“It’s important for me to achieve the smoothest ride possible,” says AG2R all-rounder Matteo Montaguti. “With a race as physically demanding as the Giro d’Italia, it’s extremely important to ensure all marginal gains are maximized so we have the best possible chance to triumph in the mountains.”
“The Giro is such a special race,” adds GC and TT rider Alexandre Geniez. “With the OSPW from CeramicSpeed I have no need to worry about an underperforming drivetrain and, with 21 stages in total, we all have very high demands from our equipment.”
As long as you are running 11 speed, you are in luck. The traditional pulley wheels in pink are available for Shimano, SRAM, and Campagnolo in their regular ($269) and coated versions ($379). There is no upcharge for the special colorway. Currently, on the website, the OSPW system is showing available for Shimano (9100 series with 13/19 tooth pulleys and previous version 17/17 tooth pulleys) and SRAM (mechanical and eTap) versions in regular and coated, though Campagnolo versions should also be available with 13/19 tooth combos. Pricing for the OSPW systems are $499 for regular and $599 for coated.
If you are wondering what the difference between the regular and coated versions are and why it is more expensive, it has to do with the races. CeramicSpeed worked with a European coating specialist to develop a coating, which is 80% harder than the hardened steel races it uses in its bearings. The 3-micron thin coating is used on the entire race, inside and out. This makes for an incredibly smooth bearing, above and beyond their regular bearings, reducing friction and increasing the life of the bearing even further. To read more about the lab tests conducted by Friction Facts (which is now owned by CermicSpeed) click here.
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