Trek Equinox TTX (novedad)

**Carbonboy** · 16/04/2006, 14:05

sacado de http://triathletemag.com/

Coming soon: Trek’s Equinox TTX
Trek shows off the long-awaited TTX Equinox at Ironman Arizona
By Jay Prasuhn

April 14, 2006 -- Our one-week adventures took us from Monterey Calif., to Tempe, Arizona, and while we saw some cool stuff -- the new SRAM road groupset, which that we tested (yes, even triathletes are gonna want to read this one) -- while in Monterey, we wanted to put something out there for readers to talk about this weekend.

Trek TTX Equinox
Our interest was stirred last October in Kona when Trek showed off a plastic mock-up of the TTX Equinox triathlon bike, and Tim DeBoom rode the first OCLV carbon prototype in Kona.
In Tempe at Ironman Arizona, we met with Trek’s Tyler Pilger and Mark Andrews. They led me to what would be a production TTX Equinox. Except this one wasn’t plastic, it was the real deal, in 120 GSM OCLV.
Trek had decided to make some changes from what we saw in Kona. First, they’ll only offer the bike in the 120 GSM version, not the HC honeycomb version. “We found it was heavier and more expensive to use the honeycomb, so we decided to go with the 120 GSM version,” Pilger said.
They also improved stiffness with a smooth, gradual taper from the head tube and the down tube, which gradually flares out again as it meets the bottom bracket. The idea, Trek says, is to have a gradual transition to remove any stress points and improve lateral stiffness.
What remains is a reversible aero seat post and a seat tube with an aero cutout. While the seat angle is 76 degrees, virtual angle can range from 73 to 79 degrees. Cable routing is internal.
A key and noticeable feature is the head tube/top tube transition, which not only flows wind off it in a streamlined manner, but also operate as a unit, increasing lateral stiffness when accelerating or climbing.
But a big feature that might escape the eye is in the down tube. Instead of simply rising up high to the head tube, it is instead lowered as it comes forward, coming within a few millimeters of the front tire, giving, as Trek engineers say, a nice transitional fairing from the aero tire to the aero downtube. A look at the shot of DeBoom’s bike will confirm how close the tire is to the frame.

The top-end ride will be the Equinox TTX 9.9, which will feature a full Shimano Dura-Ace groupset, Race XXX Lite carbon aero fork, a Race XXX Lite Aero wheelset. The seatpost will be the Race XXX Lite Carbon aero post. Spec weight is a competitive 18.25 pounds for a medium bike. It will retail for $4,999
The other bike will be the Equinox TTX 9.5, which will spec Shimano Ultegra, a Race XXX Carbon fork and Race Lite Aero wheelset. The major aesthetic difference will be in The seat mast, which will run up about 20mm lower than the 9.9’s above the top tube, leaving more exposed post and allowing for more seat height fitting variance. Which oughta be fine, since it’s thinner than the mast anyway. The post will be a Race Lite Aero aluminum version. This one will also be available in a XL size for guys 6’3” and taller. Weight for a medium is expected to be about 19.25 pounds. Price will be $2,999.

Availability (ah, there’s the big one). Trek is slated to bring small, medium and large bikes into shops starting in July. An XL version will be available with the TTX 9.5 spec only, and will be out in August. Framesets will also be available, but timing and pricing is not yet determined. The frame will sport a lifetime guarantee.
In Tempe, DeBoom jammed about the very first TTX Equinox in size medium, with a custom fighter paint job (dig the “No Step” warning on the chainstays, the steel rivet looks and the gaping maw) from Trek’s Project One paint facility. We saw the paint bays in Waterloo, Wisc., last year and were amazed at the work that goes into a bike that is more detailed than the work done in most auto paint bays I’ve ever seen.
Trek also showed off the new Bontrager Aeolus 6.5 wheelset, one of which DeBoom rode on the front in Tempe. The 1,630-gram, deep cross-section tubular race wheelset was co-branded with Steve Hed, as Hed provided the fairing technology to the rim . . . something we hope to look into with the man himself in the next few weeks.
So yes, the Equinox TTX is coming. Pilger said a pretty big Trek crew, possibly including John Burke, Trek’s president who is also a 2005 Ironman Wisconsin finisher and 2006 Wisconsin registrant, might be out to see the fleet of TTX Equinox-riding pros take on the Kohala coast in October. You’ll find more on the bike at www.trekbikes.com.