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AllFlying |
New Product Review Scott
Plasma -- Triathlon Bike 
Scott USA, the Swiss-based bicycle company that produces everything from paintball
helmets to racing skis and the world's lightest dual-suspension mountain bike,
has just released its newest and fastest piece of kit.
The Scott Plasma is
the company's first foray into the hi-tech world of triathlon bikes, and as the
world has seen with their road range, no amount of research and development has
been spared.
The Swiss boffins who have created the TRUEAERO tube set responsible
for the claimed frame weight of 980 grams, making it the lightest tri-frame on
the market, have spent countless hours computer designing and wind tunnel testing
this aero weapon.
Each frame takes 42 hours to create; staggering considering
how amazed we were when Scott claimed it took 26 hours to create the Team Issue
road frame (a feather weight 880g!) on its release two years ago. Clearly the
extra 16 hours is needed to justify all that wind tunnel testing.
Scott uses
a process called carbon welding to produce the frames.
Unlike traditional
carbon frames it is not a monocoque design, instead individual carbon tubes
are produced, much like a metal frame, and then welded together
with layers of carbon. Neat, huh?
The other funky bit of technology is the
seat post that actually forms part of the frame. Riders cut the carbon
post to length and have a seat clamp with about 5cm of adjustment to play with.
Word of advice: make sure you are properly sized up before cutting. They
are not replaceable!
Choosing a 76-degree seat angle, Scott aim to maximise
power and minimise muscle fatigue, so triathletes can no longer complain about
soreness after the transition from bike to run.
Each Plasma comes in female
the friendly sizes of 49, 52 and 54cm, plus 56 and 58cm options for the taller
riders among us.
Australian distributor, Netti Atom, will import two of the
three available models, namely the Plasma Pro and Plasma Team, only the ûber
expensive and wickedly tricked Plasma Ltd didn't make it down under.
 Though
with a price tag guesstimated over $10,000 it probably wasn't a bad choice.
However, New Zealand's Cameron Brown proved just how fast the Ltd is, finishing
an astonishing second in the Hawaiian Ironman on the Plasma's race debut, easily
the toughest one-day race of any kind in the world.
For those interested
in replicating Mr Brown's feats, the Plasma is available as a frame-only to be
kitted out with every light-weight, fast bit available.
The CR1
Plasma Pro and CR1 Plasma Team , to give their official titles,
are based on the Ltd, but de-tuned to make them vaguely affordable.
Sparing
no amount of quality, the Pro features Shimano's so reliable it is ridiculous,
Ultegra 10 speed group set and Mavic's trustworthy Ksyrium Elite 2 wheels.
The Team has the new Shimano 105 group set, upgraded to 10 speed for
2006 and Mavic's entry-level Ksyrium wheels, the Equipes.
Both models are
finished with Profile Stryke carbon aero bars, Fizik's Arione saddle and Continental
tyres.
With the Pro retailing at $5000, the team is likely to prove the popular
choice amongst the corporate punters and club racers at $4300.
Their Plasma
range is so well specced that new owners need only fit their preferred pedals
and get prepared to ride faster than ever before.
Finally someone has made
a sensibly priced, full-carbon tri-bike that does the business.
Thank you
Mr Scott.
By
Peter Trevaskis Use
of images authorised by Netti Atom AWS
would like to extend its thanks to the good folk at Netti Atom for their co-operation
with this article. _____________________________________________________________________
Tips for Female
Buyers
Simple
ways to get the most out of parting with your hard-earned
Women interested
in buying the Plasma, or any triathlon bike for that matter, need to keep in mind
a few things.
Like nearly every other human being alive, you cannot ride
bikes with the power of Michellie Jones or Kate Major so here are some tips to
make your bike selection a little friendlier.
Tri bikes are designed with
boys in mind. Women traditionally have wider hips, shorter torsos and longer legs
then men. A good bike shop will know this and adjust accordingly, however, make
sure of a few things.
1. You are probably never going to ride in the 53/11
gear (remember, you are not Michellie Jones).
Get your cranks swapped to
a set of compacts, a 50/36 or something similar will make life easier.
If
this proves too costly, swapping to a 12-25 cassette will prove friendlier on
those hilly training rides.
And if you are not mega tall, you do not need
175mm cranks.
There is a reason Shimano and every other component brand makes
172.5 and 170mm varieties!
2. Seats are a personal choice, but just about
every brand now makes a women's version of their top men's saddle. Try them; the
shorter nose and extra few millimetres width can make all the difference.
3. Lastly, you do not have gorilla arms and you are not superman.
A shorter
stem is needed.
If anyone tries to tell you that you need a 130mm stem, run
for the hills. Lengths such as 90 and 100mm should feature prominently in conversation.
If they do, the shop is probably worthy of your custom.
By
Peter Trevaskis
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