With a quick trip across the pond, some European brands came to Press Camp in Park City, Utah with some new products that bring innovation to existing names, while remaining true to their brand DNA.

Ridley’s Noah Fast seems to have flown a bit under the radar since its 2011 launch considering the amazing innovation it delivers. Sure, it has aero shapes and comes equipped with special textured treatments to create laminar flow, but the big story here was those brakes; fully integrated into the actual carbon of the frame. Ridley has updated the brakes for 2013 to deliver stopping power and modulation they believe exceeds that of any traditional brake. For 2013 Ridley is also delivering fully built Noah Fast’s for the first time and not just any builds. You can get either an 11-speed Dura Ace Di2 build or an 11-speed Campy Super Record EPS build. Complimented by Reynolds Assault carbon and their house brand Forza cockpit these Noah Fast complete bikes will not be cheap, but will certainly represent the absolute cutting edge of today’s technology. 


Campagnolo Super Record 11 EPS Build


New Dura Ace Di2 11 Speed Build

Ridley also launched 3 all new platforms for 2012, an all new Helium designated the SL for the pure power-to-weight ratio riders, a women’s bike called the Liz, and the Fenix, an UltegraDi2 level bike. Look for a more in depth look at those bikes soon.

The Belgians at Lazer Helmets have given a serious update to their Helium helmet. While still the same basic mold the fit system has been extensively upgraded. A new gel pad at the forehead spreads fit pressure more evenly as well as keeps sweat out of your eyes by creating a tight seal. The rear cradle is now adjustable up and donw, the cables that tighten the fit are coated and showing off some of the unique thinking we associate with Lazer, the Roll-Sys dial gets an integrated red light for rides that go a bit too long. Happily the price stays the same, $230. Look for the new Helium to be at dealers this October.


Lazer has also created magnetic brackets than can be attached to the Helium to allow their Magneto glasses to be stored safely on the lid when climbing or the TV Moto comes close.


Even previous Helium models can easily be retro-fitted to run the new light.



Hutchinson, the road tubeless pioneers are continuing to develop the technology with the help of their pro road teams and the technological abilities of their French production facility. The top-tier Atom tire now gets a ‘Galactik’ designation and sheds 25-grams to hit the scale at 250-grams. For the first time, this puts tubeless road within a hairs-breadth of light tube-type clincher weights. Where the Atom ‘Galactik’ will trounce those tube-type tires is in rolling resistance and amazingly it will trounce tubulars to. The Atom ‘Galactik’ has a lower rolling resistance than even their pro level tubulars.



Hutchinson’s pro team, FDJ, also helped develop the Intensive 28, which they ran at Roubaix and experienced fewer punctures than with their traditional tubulars. The Intensive 28 isn’t a performance category tire according to Hutchinson with its 300 gram weight, but for any rider wanting real rough road performance and even gravel performance the Intensive 28 is the perfect choice. Unlike the Atom ‘Galactik’, the Intensive 28 does require sealant to run tubeless.


Look for these tires to be available early fall with the Atom ‘Galactik’ retailing for $109.