Cervelo has announced a voluntary recall of around 650 R2.5 frames built in 2005 due to a “potential safety issue involving the down-tube loosening or separating from the head tube”. The company says that while all R2.5 frames passed standard industry tests, the problem remained un-discovered until after they shipped. Cervelo has since discontinue production of the affected R2.5 frame, and replaced it with a new carbon rig that uses a new lug design which does not have the same separation issues. Affected frame models include 2005 R2.5 road frames with serial numbers greater than R251700 that were sold as framesets, Chorus or DuraAce builds. More information can be found on Cervelo’s web site here, including a serial number check that will immediately identify recalled frames. Owners of affected frames will receive a 2006/7 Cervelo R3 frame as a replacement, or they can upgrade to the Soloist Carbon frame for an additional $300. Rebuilds will be handled by authorized Cervelo dealers.

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Posted by David at 10:42 AM | Permalink

While Vellum Cycles might have a loyal following among some in Europe and Asia, a lack of North American distribution has left it almost unknown among US & Canadian buyers. A recent agreement with a California based distributor though will make much of the company’s all carbon-fiber line available to US & Canadian buyers in the coming year. As the company begins its US roll out, it gave Pez Cycling the chance to check out its Edge line – made up of a monocoque carbon frame that that weighs in at about 1.1 kilos (or about 2.4 lbs). Like many carbon frames today, the shape strays from traditional lines with arced tubes, and carbon-wall padding that provides stiffness where it counts. Pez’s review was mostly upbeat, finding that the frame offered decent rider positioning, that leaned “toward a neutral feel”, with “very middle of the road flex, stiffness, and vibration”. Despite these characterizations, Pez walked away finding that the bike was more aobut “performance then true comfort”. As of this time buyers of the Edge can expect to part with around $2,500 before options and changes.

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Posted by David at 2:46 PM | Permalink