Source: http://kentsbike.blogspot.com/2011/03/allant-treks-best-bicycle.html
Jane B. Cruz Michael F. Nichols Alfred C. Morris Gregory K. Beach
Thursday 31 March 2011
Deadline Friday!
It’s a Friday, we’re on deadline… It’s deadline Friday! I’ve been trying to upload some pics to the MBUK Facebook page but Facebook, in its wisdom, is having none of it so here’s a blog instead… Well, it was Dep. Editor Rosee’s leaving do last night so everyone is slightly worse for wear. There have [...]
Source: http://magazine.bikeradar.com/2011/03/18/deadline-friday/
Ernest C. Clay Kathy S. Knox Gerald M. Rojas Laura J. Simoes
FlashBak Light Review
The FlashBak is a rear blinking light built around a 6×9in rectangle of nylon webbing with 10 bright yellow/orange LEDs (think flashing pedestrian crossing lights) sewn inside. Each corner of the rectangle has an alligator clip on it to attach the light to a bag or jacket. At first sight the light seems like quite [...]
Source: http://urbanvelo.org/flashbak-light-review/
John C. Acosta Julia J. Larson Tim L. Rueda Harold J. Johnson
#34 - Shimano SH-R077 - (Shoes)
- Upper: Supple strech resistant
- Breathable, durable mesh
- Micro-adjust buckle and dual off-set straps
- Last: Curved, anatomical last
- Sole: Carbon fiber c
Source: http://www.RoadBikeReview.com/PRD_456204_2512crx.aspx
Merlin M. Scott Heather B. Widmer Brandy R. Fowlkes Fred J. Meyer
#62 - Motobecane 2010 Motobecane Le Champion CF LTD - (Road Bike)
I ordered a 2010 Le Champion CF LTD from Bikesdirect and it arrived 7 days later. The box had been opened and retaped shut. Everything was in perfect condition and exactly as advertised. Ultegra 6700
Source: http://www.RoadBikeReview.com/PRD_449799_5668crx.aspx
Jane B. Cruz Michael F. Nichols Alfred C. Morris Gregory K. Beach
#26 - Selle SMP Carbon - (Saddles)
The Selle SMP Strike Carbon saddle is designed from extensive studies conducted which analyzed the different positions assumed by a cyclist in the various phases of a ride and the constant interaction
Source: http://www.RoadBikeReview.com/PRD_418579_2509crx.aspx
Tim L. Rueda Harold J. Johnson Heidi H. Campanelli Ernest C. Clay
BikeRadar Deals of the Week ? Road Bikes
BikeRadar's weekly round-up of great online deals from our recommended retailers could save you both time and money.
If you just want to get to the bargains, skip to the end of the article to see the deals listed as Quick Links.
Otherwise, read on for more details including pictures, BikeRadar reviews and your opinions wherever possible ? so you can make sure you're fully in the picture before parting with your hard-earned cash.
These offers won't last forever though, so be quick if you want to bag yourself a bargain.
1. BeOne Black Pearl (2010) ? Buy Now from Chain Reaction for �1,499.98 and save 40 percent
What the manufacturer says:
"Using the highest quality carbon fibre and advanced production technology, the Black Pearl possesses extreme rigidity, the lowest weight and superior handling. The BeOne Hotmelt Carbon frame uses racing geometry, a full-carbon fork, a Shimano 105 groupset and Gipiemme Equip 020 wheels sheathed in Vredestein Fiammante tyres that will allow you to explore new performance levels with complete confidence."
2. Focus Culebro Tria (2010) ? Buy Now from Wiggle for �989.99 and save 38 percent
What the manufacturer says:
"In a time trial with the Focus Culebro Tria you can make every hundredth of a second count. Redesigned for 2010 with flowing alloy tubing, an aero seatpost, carbon aero-bladed forks and time trial/triathlon specific geometry that puts you in the most aerodynamic position possible, this bike is sure to be a great success. Shimano's top-of-the-range Dura-Ace has been chosen for the drivetrain, matched up with FSA's TT/tri specific Gossamer chainset and a pair of DT's smooth yet versatile R1300 wheels are wrapped in a pair of fast rolling Schwalbe Ultremo tyres."
3. Orbea Aqua TTG CT (2010) ? Buy Now from Winstanleys Bikes for �679.99 and save 20 percent
What the manufacturer says:
"Excellent features, attractive and affordable. These are the three mainstays of the aluminium Aqua frame that's both lightweight and aesthetically pleasing. An impressive array of components include Shimano Tiagra 34x50 CT cranks, Shimano Tiagra 12-25 9S cassette, Shimano Tiagra derailleur and shifters plus Look KEO Easy pedals and Shimano WH-R500 Black wheels sheathed in Vittoria Zafiro 700x23c tyres."
4. Cube Litening HPC Super Di2 (2010) ? Buy Now from Hargroves Cycles for �3,899 and save 34 percent
What we say:
"Quite simply one of the best handling bikes we?ve ever tried" (Read Cube Litening Super HPC Di2 (10) review)
What the manufacturer says:
"The balanced frame geometry of our Litening Super HPC is optimally tuned to the needs of the racing rider. It guarantees optimal pedal pressure and agile riding manoeuvres while maintaining high levels of comfort. Precise steering, directional stability on steep descents and outstanding power transmission during rapid sprints are also notable features. Some components include the HPC Monocoque Advanced Twin Mold Technolgy for Di2 frame, an Easton EC90 SL CNT full-carbon 1-1/8 to 1-1/2in fork and Shimano Dura-Ace drivetrain."
5. Giro Monza Road helmet ? Buy Now from Leisure Lakes Bikes for �58.99 and save 21 percent
What the manufacturer says:
"The Giro Monza Road benefits from Giro's proprietary wind tunnel ventilation system and the significant increase in air channeling makes a difference that riders will immediately feel and appreciate. Sleek and sophisticated, it features 24 deep sculpted vents, a RocLoc 3 custom fit design and a two-piece in-moulded hardbody that makes this the perfect choice for triathlon, commuter and racing enthusiasts. Available in blue/white, matt black/red, red/white, silver/white and titanium/silver."
Quick Links:
- BeOne Black Pearl (2010) ? Buy Now from Chain Reaction for �1,499.98 and save 40 percent
- Focus Culebro Tria (2010) ? Buy Now from Wiggle for �989.99 and save 38 percent
- Orbea Aqua TTG CT (2010) ? Buy Now from Winstanleys Bikes for �679.99 and save 20 percent
- Cube Litening HPC Super Di2 (2010) ? Buy Now from Hargroves Cycles for �3,899 and save 34 percent
- Giro Monza Road helmet ? Buy Now from Leisure Lakes Bikes for �58.99 and save 21 percent
Offers courtesy of: Wiggle, Chain Reaction Cycles, Winstanleys Bikes, Leisure Lakes Bikes and Hargroves Cycles
Subscription Offer:
Cycling Plus ? Buy Now from myfavouritemagazines.co.uk for as little as �33.49 (�2.57/issue) and save 35 percent
Cycling Plus is for anyone who appreciates the all-out effort of racing, the freedom of touring or the cut-and-thrust of commuting. Read more & subscribe.
 |  |
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BikeRadar/Road/News/~3/M5Foln93Zk8/story01.htm
John C. Acosta Julia J. Larson Tim L. Rueda Harold J. Johnson
Do dangerous cyclists put us all at risk?
Earlier this month we posted a video from VooDoo Cycles that pitted a mountain bike against a singlespeed commuter on the streets of Bristol, England. Some 10,000 views later, it has clearly split opinion, with some people regarding it as a bit of fun and others worried that it sets a bad example.
Of course, this was a professional shoot using a trained stuntman ? former downhill racer Rob Jarman. As VooDoo say: "Our video dramatising two very different routes across Bristol was carefully created by professional cyclists to depict the very real experiences of road and off-road cyclists. We spent a lot of time planning and staging in order to create the final cut, and at all times had the safety of our cyclists, and passing pedestrians' and motorists, in mind."
However, there are some riders out there who behave in a reckless manner without any such controls in place. The fear is that their actions reflect badly on the rest of us. Do a small minority of 'dangerous' cyclists put other bike users at risk? We decided to speak to a cross-section of people to find out their views on the matter...
The commuter
Keef Sloan, who does a 30-mile cycle commute to his job in London, gets angry when he sees other riders disobeying the rules of the road ? particularly jumping red lights. "This infuriates me!" he says. "Drivers shouldn't have to look out for people deliberately ignoring road signals. Cyclists who jump red lights tar the rest of the cycling community with this bad brush. I've heard many of my driver friends comment on cyclists being 'a law unto themselves' and I've had to defend myself, saying we're not all like that.
"Jumping pedestrian lights is also a definite no-no in my book. The zig-zag lines on a pedestrian crossing are there for a reason ? no overtaking! I've seen cyclists jump these and then glare at the pedestrian walking across the road as if it's their fault they were nearly run over. Incredible. Again, all this does is make pedestrians look at us as 'the enemy'. So now we've got car drivers wanting a piece of us and pedestrians thinking we're all law breaking idiots. Not a good place to be?
"Other dangerous riding is undertaking without due care. I understand that cycle lanes are on the nearside but, personally, in heavy traffic, I'd rather be on the offside of a car because that?s where drivers tend to naturally look (and there's a greater chance of an escape route appearing if anything goes wrong). I've seen people zoom down the nearside and miss the fact that there's a car giving way to right-turning oncoming traffic. Again, the cyclist usually throws the driver a finger, when in fact it's the rider's fault for not reading the road correctly."
"When you're on two wheels, blame doesn't come into any accident," Keef adds. "Whether it's your fault or the driver?s, when you're sliding down the road on your arse at 30mph you're the one that's going to come off worst, not the guy in the Audi. So it's got to be about riding defensively, watching (and, where needed, maintaining) road position and keeping a full heads-up on the situation that's unfolding around you so that you're ready to avoid trouble, not hit it." Keef reckons rider ? and driver ? training is the way to improve things.
The mountain biker
Dr-Chars from the BikeRadar forum, a mountain biker who lives in Bristol, says it's inexperienced cyclists, not skilled riders who choose to do reckless things, who are the biggest danger to other road users. He says cyclists need to take responsibility for their own actions rather than automatically blaming motorists when things go wrong.
"In recent years, people have been driven onto bikes by faux environmental policy, petrol prices and congestion ? all of which is great," he says. "But I notice that the tracks and roads of Bristol have become filled with nervous and wobbly riders who slow everyone down and often force the hand of the irresponsible driver, who grows ever impatient...
"Responsible cycling is a compound of overt predictability ? I can't labour this word enough ? for other road users, a very high level of observational skills and the capacity for good acceleration and deceleration. If you can pop manuals, hop street furniture and buzz stairs within these limits then I'd say you were as responsible as you needed to be!"
Surely bad drivers are far more of a danger than bad cyclists? Dr-Chars points out that motorists have at least been tested on their ability to operate a car or truck, are licensed and insured, and their vehicles are subject to regular checks. "It's difficult to compare the driver (who, I hazard, must take more responsibility for the bike rider as a consequence) and the cyclist who's been handed the arrogance card and feels he's invincible to the bone crushing trauma of a car because he has the right of way, because bikes are best," he says.
The bike advocate
Carlton Reid, the man behind 'I Pay Road Tax' cycling jerseys, thinks motorists will always have a dim view of cyclists, no matter how they behave. "Motorists are blind to their own faults, but have 20/20 vision of ours," he says. "They'll use law breaking such as riding on footpaths as a stick to beat us with, but would still beat us with a stick anyway.
"If not the law breaking then something else ? like getting in their way, not being registered and licensed, and not paying the mythical 'road tax'. Many of the most visible cycling lawbreakers ? young lads on bikes ? may soon get the keys to a car. Then their law breaking takes on a whole new level of danger. Motorists are licensed because of their potential to cause harm."
The motorist
So, do motorists really regard us as a menace, or at best an inconvenience? Davy Lewis, editor of Redline performance car magazine, disagrees. "Generally speaking, I don?t think dangerous cyclists put all bike riders at risk," he says. "As I driver, I?ve developed a sense for when a cyclist is about to do something daft, and I judge each rider accordingly.
"Some drivers may have had a bad experience and decided they?re not going to give way to any rider, but I think these idiots would be anti-bike anyway. Many of the car enthusiasts I know also ride, so there?s a lot of mutual respect. But like anything, there?s a small group that causes problems.
"For me the main culprits are d**kheads on cheap, supermarket mountain bikes who ride without lights, down one-way streets and generally don?t pay attention. They can usually be spotted coming from Wetherspoon on their way to Maccys via Cash Converters. No helmet; no road sense; no clue. Most genuine enthusiasts are spot-on as they?re ultra aware of cars and other hazards.
"Having said that, some older guys on road bikes seem to think they own the streets, riding two or three abreast. And as for people over 50 wearing Lycra... Ultra-bright LED headlights coming towards you can also be very distracting. I?m fully behind making cyclists as visible as possible, but there?s no need to look like you?re on your way to a rave. To sum up, I?d say that the more serious a cyclist looks, the more respect the driver is likely to pay them in return."
What do you think? Do the actions of a small minority reflect badly on the rest of us, and can that go as far as putting all cyclists at greater risk? Have your say in the comments box below...
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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BikeRadar/MountainBiking/News/~3/p4d5YZgCg48/story01.htm
Heather B. Widmer Brandy R. Fowlkes Fred J. Meyer Allan M. Gardner
Wednesday 30 March 2011
Drymer: a Dutch electric assist trike
I have been busy this week and haven?t been able to think about the blog. I received an interesting message from an anonymous reader in Holland though, that I want to quickly pass along: ?In 2002, a collaboration between the Delft University of Technology, Gazelle, and Nike resulted in the ‘Mitka’. There is still a [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BicycleDesign/~3/1X3Lfj_kEAA/
Brandy R. Fowlkes Fred J. Meyer Allan M. Gardner Anna M. Maki
Training Days
Flat Out Fit get the boys well, worried… (NB – You may want to play the theme tune to Rocky whilst reading this) This is it then… The count down to the Mega has begun for Team MBUK. Three men, two beards, one destiny! Ok, that’s probably slightly dramatic but on a more serious/grown-up note [...]
Source: http://magazine.bikeradar.com/2011/03/11/training-days/
#37 - Castelli Aria Vest - (Jackets/Vests)
Aria, our lightest Windstopper� vest, is designed to work perfectly when you need it and stuff away small when you don?t. Every detail has been kept compact and lightweight so that the vest occupies m
Source: http://www.RoadBikeReview.com/PRD_456474_1638crx.aspx
Jane B. Cruz Michael F. Nichols Alfred C. Morris Gregory K. Beach
#43 - Mavic Sprint - (Pedals)
- Lightweight performance and value
- Full aluminim alloy body
- Composite Rear plate
- Composite friction plate
- Optimized cleat/ pedal release
Source: http://www.RoadBikeReview.com/PRD_456131_2503crx.aspx
David tests his reliability with a trial
The first reliability trial of the year gets David off to a start
Source: http://www.RoadCyclingUK.com/davids-blog/david-tests-his-reliability-with-a-trial/6232.html
John C. Acosta Julia J. Larson Tim L. Rueda Harold J. Johnson
?PEEEEDAL!!!?
Retro DH racing with the Black Canon Collective. “If you haven’t got any retro DH kit or Lycra on then you’ll have to take your peak off…” BCC organiser, Andrew Denham, wasn’t messing around. Nor should a man in disturbingly snug stretch-fit Lycra with chunky plastic elbow pads mess around of course – this was [...]
Source: http://magazine.bikeradar.com/2011/03/24/peeeedal/
Jane B. Cruz Michael F. Nichols Alfred C. Morris Gregory K. Beach
RIP Mitchell Dubey
Plain and simple, the world would be better off to have one more person like Mitchell Dubey. Instead it has one less. Read more.
Source: http://urbanvelo.org/rip-mitchell-dubey/
Daniel S. Antunez Jane B. Cruz Michael F. Nichols Alfred C. Morris
Review: Rock Shox Reverb Adjustable Seat Post
Overview: This infinitely adjustable hydraulic seat post will have a profound impact on your ride experience, making it well worth the cost.
Price: $274.99.
The combination of lung-busting technical climbs paired with punishing descents�makes mountain biking so great. Here in beautiful San Luis Obispo, most of the trails we ride start off with long ascents, followed immediately [...]
Price: $274.99.
The combination of lung-busting technical climbs paired with punishing descents�makes mountain biking so great. Here in beautiful San Luis Obispo, most of the trails we ride start off with long ascents, followed immediately [...]
Source: http://blog.artscyclery.com/uncategorized/review-rock-shox-reverb-adjustable-seat-post/
Tim L. Rueda Harold J. Johnson Heidi H. Campanelli Ernest C. Clay
Tuesday 29 March 2011
Inside Cycling with John Wilcockson: Teamwork more important than ever
VeloNews Editor-at-Large John Wilcockson writes on the importance of teamwork in the first of the cobblestone classics and two major stage races
John C. Acosta Julia J. Larson Tim L. Rueda Harold J. Johnson
#43 - Maxxis Columbiere - (Tires - Clincher)
700 x 23, Black, Kevlar. M204A Grooved Slick Design - Front or Rear. 62A Compound. 2-Ply Nylon Breaker for increased puncture resistance. 120 TPI. 130 PSI. Pro road competition tire.
Source: http://www.RoadBikeReview.com/PRD_291975_2489crx.aspx
Gerald M. Rojas Laura J. Simoes Joseph E. Roper Daniel S. Antunez
#63 - Scattante R-660 - (Road Bike)
Lightweight aluminum frame with carbon seatstays and carbon fork offers a stiff, efficient ride with less vibration. Race-ready, Shimano Ultegra 10-speed components. TruVativ Rouleur cranks provide a
Source: http://www.RoadBikeReview.com/PRD_404683_5668crx.aspx
Primal/MapMyRIDE Pro Women?s Racing Team Ready for Redlands
DENVER – The Primal/MapMyRIDE Professional Women’s Racing Team powered by BH Bikes travels to California this week for the Redlands Bicycle Classic March 31-April 3, the second stage race for the first-year team. Team member Tiffany Pezzulo heads to Redlands after posting top-5 finishes in the road race and criterium stages of the San Dimas [...]
Source: http://reviews.roadbikereview.com/primalmapmyride-pro-womens-racing-team-ready-for-redlands
Jane B. Cruz Michael F. Nichols Alfred C. Morris Gregory K. Beach
Spring into action
In Detail ||| La Primavera, Milan-San Remo, is the Classic every sprinter wants to win. It is the first Monument of the year and at nearly 300km, the longest too.
Source: http://magazine.bikeradar.com/2011/03/18/spring-into-action/
Jane B. Cruz Michael F. Nichols Alfred C. Morris Gregory K. Beach
How I learned to love the rollers
It's 6.50am on a winter weekday morning and I'm headed out the door to work. It's -3�C, freezing fog and I'm thankful it's only a 15-minute walk. I time it so that the building will be open when I get there, the security guard at the desk looking as chipper as ever (not very).
Don't worry, I'm not being conscientious. My destination at this hour of the morning isn't my desk, it's the basement carpark. There I have access to my bike and a set of rollers. It's the simplest way of training without having to brave the cold and without annoying the neighbours.
The beauty of rollers is that you just stick the bike on top of them and go. Unlike a turbo trainer, there's no messing around with wheel clamps and resistance levers, and both you and the bike are free to move around on them. That means you have to concentrate, which in turn makes the sessions slightly less boring.
Mastering rollers takes a bit of time and practice but it's ultimately satisfying in a way that the turbo can never be. The combination of balance and smooth pedalling adds another dimension to your indoor workout. And it'll impress your friends.
First, ensure the axle of your front wheel is directly over (or slightly behind) the axle of the front roller. Next, make sure you've got a decent amount of air in your tyres. Doing both of these things will help with your stability right from the off. Also some rollers are easier to use than others. I'm using a set of Elite Parabolic rollers, which have a curved lip at the edge of each roller to prevent falling off the side.
You'll probably need to support yourself on a wall or a door frame to get started. It takes time and confidence to let go, and you'll no doubt experience a few wobbles. Don't panic, keep pedalling, upping the speed if necessary, and let the bike do its thing. After a while it'll become second nature. Just like riding a bike really.
How not to ride rollers
Absolute roller mastery
Back to the basement
I clip in and get going. Unfortunately today is a boring 90-minute low intensity session spiced up with a few sprints. There's no TV in the carpark, no screen with a virtual course profile in front of me, no music, nothing fun or distracting. Just the concrete walls, some old office furniture and a small square of ancient carpet on the floor in front of me. It's at an angle of approximately 35 degrees, not that I've spent time working this out.
I'm using a power meter and heart rate monitor to guide myself through the session. I could make it more interesting by varying the wattage every five minutes while still staying in the right power zone, but I opt for the steady state approach. Two minutes at 180W, then another three minutes bringing it up to 230W before eventually settling on 240W.
This is going to be a long one. I remember reading on Twitter that Alex Dowsett did "five hours straight on the turbo" the other day, watching three movies back to back. Lucky beggar, he's got a TV. Just remembering that and mulling it over gets me up to minute seven in my workout. This is the sort of stuff that keeps you going.
I then try to calculate what my average power will be after 10 minutes, given that it was 198W after five minutes. If I sit on 230W for the next five minutes then it'll be 214W. It turns out to be 215W. But now I'm at 10 minutes. I repeat the calculation for 15 minutes and get it wrong because I'm now riding at 240W. I reset the variables and get the calculation right at the 20-minute mark. I'll call that a victory.
Twenty minutes ? that's not quite a quarter of the way through. We'll revisit milestone counting at 30 minutes, which is definitely a third of the way through. At 22 minutes I notice a spider crawling along the ground. It walks across the carpet towards me, then decides that getting too close to a piece of plastic that's spinning at over 300rpm is probably not a good idea. It turns away and heads towards the drain. Good luck to it I say. 23 minutes and 30 seconds.
My next mental distraction technique involves shifting my hands from the hoods to the tops. A couple of minutes for each one and voila! I'm at the magic 30-minute mark. That's a whole third of the workout done. Time to recalculate watts. I was at 224W at 20 minutes and now I'm at 231W after 30 minutes. Can I hit 234W after 40 minutes? And what's the potential maximum, given a 240W average from now on. Basic maths problems really don't get any better than this.
But there is light on the horizon, in the form of a 10-second sprint at the 40-minute mark. I spend at least five of the next 10 minutes planning for this sprint. Do I use 53x12 or 53x11? How should I distribute my weight? What average wattage do I think I can attain? 38 minutes ticks over and I do some more hand position changing before beginning to shift up gears. 53x14, 53x13 ... and I opt for the 53x12 for the sprint.
Deep breath, go! Keep it smooth, you don't want the back wheel jumping out, wind it up a little, nope too much, back off. And done. It was somewhere between 500-600W, which isn't much for 10 seconds (I can do another 400W on the road) but it's still a good 100W better than last week. A smooth technique is everything on the rollers.
Super-fast technique
The next few minutes are occupied with recovery then regaining the 240W steady state. Although I suspect it's higher than 240W as the average has gone up to 237. That's thrown my calculations out and I give up that particular line of thought for the rest of the session.
45 minutes, time to take a sip of water. One hand off the bars, grab bidon, sip a couple of times, put it back in the bottle cage. All without the bike veering wildly off centre. Another technique improvement that I've been working on.
For the next five minutes I notice my heart rate has crept up a few beats despite my power remaining constant. It will do this, partly because there's no wind cooling me down and partly because that's the nature of isopower exercise. I wonder if I should get a fan, and if so how big it should be. The conclusion is no, it's not worth it and there's nowhere to plug it into anyway.
I reach the 50-minute mark, which means it's time for another sprint. Oh joy! This time I choose 53x11 and once again concentrate on putting out as much seated power as I can while still remaining stable. It seems like a good one although it's hard to tell because the power jumps around a bit.
Fifty seconds of recovery, which passes quickly and I'm back at 240W. I've noticed that I have to lift my speed (useless in anything but a relative context) from 73 to 75km/h in order to maintain the same power. Presumably it's because the friction in the rollers is reduced as they heat up.
I'm now coming up to the magic one-hour mark. Two-thirds of the session done, sweat pouring off me into a moth-shaped pool on the floor. Time for another sprint, 53x12 this time, and it's the smoothest one yet. I don't know how it compares to the others; I'll have to wait until later to look at the data.
I do some more hand shifting and looking at the patterns on the concrete wall next to me. Does that one look like Norway or is it just a blob on the wall? Definitely the latter, although it takes me several minutes to come to this conclusion.
1hr10 in and the final sprint is nigh. I give it as much as I can in the 11, but am still frustrated by my poor technique. The average won't be higher than 600W I'm sure. On the plus side, my overall average is now 240W. I can't be bothered back calculating what I must have been riding at for the last hour, but that's probably a good sign.
The final 20 minutes don't exactly fly by, as I have no more sprints to look forward to. I check the time (8.32am now) and average heart rate (134) and then start to think about what I should do at work today. I come up with the brilliant idea of writing a blog about my training session. As a result I may have to rethink the way I plan my day.
Ten minutes left and I work out my exit strategy. Five minutes in 53x14. No, make that seven minutes in 53x14. No, how about five minutes in 53x14, then two minutes in 53x15. Genius! That gives me three minutes to kill. That works out at ... two minutes, no make that one-and-a-half minutes in 53x17 then the final one-and-a-half minutes in 53x19.
The average drops to 238W by the end, which annoys me for some reason. But I've done the session and earned myself a shower, coffee and chocolate in that order. Even better, tomorrow's session is only 75 minutes. That in itself is something to look forward to.
From the above, you might think that riding rollers is boring. However I can assure you that it's not, relatively speaking. No, from my experience riding on a turbo trainer is what's really boring.
Source: http://www.bikeradar.com/blog/article/how-i-learned-to-love-the-rollers-28636?CPN=RSS&SOURCE=BRGEN
Lucille P. Henderson Merlin M. Scott Heather B. Widmer Brandy R. Fowlkes
#43 - Mavic Sprint - (Pedals)
- Lightweight performance and value
- Full aluminim alloy body
- Composite Rear plate
- Composite friction plate
- Optimized cleat/ pedal release
Source: http://www.RoadBikeReview.com/PRD_456131_2503crx.aspx
Kelly L. Brenner Priscilla L. Randolph Ronald B. Elder Lucille P. Henderson
BMC offer crash replacement scheme with new bikes
While most manufacturers offer limited warranties with new bikes, these generally only cover "defects in workmanship and materials" that crop up when the bike is being used for its "intended use".
In reality, that means that if you hit a patch of ice and crash your road bike or damage your mountain bike tackling anything bigger than a kerb, you'll often hit a brick wall when trying to claim a replacement. The same is true if you use it for racing.
Of course, some bike makers don't set such stringent conditions and are keen to help out anyone who's had a problem with one of their products. Unfortunately, they tend to be the exception rather than the rule.
However, Swiss company BMC have gone a step further and are offering an official crash replacement programme for their 2011 high-end models. While this type of scheme is common for cycle helmets, it's rare to find one for complete bikes, although Trek do offer similar cover for their carbon fibre bikes.
The way it works is that BMC's more expensive road and mountain bikes (see below for a list of eligible models) are automatically covered by the company's standard three-year warranty, but if buyers register their details online within 30 days of purchase, cover is extended to five years and they're also eligible for the crash scheme.
If their bike is damaged in a way that has a "detrimental effect on the functional capacity... and riding safety", the owner is eligible for a 40 percent discount off the RRP of a replacement frameset. Of course, there are some conditions. Only one claim can be made per warranty, and the damage must have been caused "during proper use", "through no fault of your own" and "without involving third parties".
Despite these limitations, we think this kind of scheme is definitely a step in the right direction. For more information, visit www.bmc-racing.com/int-en/service/warranty.
Eligible bikes:
- Teammachine SLR 01
- Racemachine RM 01
- Roadracer SL 01/02
- Pure PR01
- Timemachine TT01
- Timemachine TT 02
- Fourstroke FS 01
- Speedfox SF 01
- Trailfox TF 01
- Teamelite TE 01
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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BikeRadar/Commuting/News/~3/rHKA2Gohvbg/story01.htm
Kathy S. Knox Gerald M. Rojas Laura J. Simoes Joseph E. Roper
Wiggle's Verenti bikes triumph in UK retail awards
Online cycling retailers Wiggle have beaten the likes of Waitrose, Tesco and Boots to win a 'production innovation' award for their in-house Verenti road bike range.
The Hampshire-based company atrributed their success at the Oracle Retail Week Awards to the rise of the MAMIL ? the 'middle aged man in Lycra' who's led the huge growth of sportive riding in the UK.
Paul Bolwell, Wiggle's product and merchandising director, reckons the Verenti models, launched in 2010, perfectly suit the MAMIL's need for comfort and performance. "The bikes were designed for real people like me who love riding, whether it's getting out on their own for hours on end or competing in sportives, and people who work and lead normal lives ? not the skinny professional rider who can cope with being stretched out all day," he told BikeRadar. "It's a wonderful feeling to read such incredibly positive opinions of the bikes from customers who've parted with their hard earned cash."
Martin Talbot, Wiggle's director of marketing, added: ?To be recognised as retail innovators and scoop this hotly-contested award over the likes of Waitrose, Tesco and Boots is a great honour for Wiggle, and demonstrates how we now have a place among the best retailers in the country. We had ambitious plans for Verenti, which have now been recognised and celebrated by our peers."
To find out more about the Verenti range, visit www.wiggle.co.uk.
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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BikeRadar/Commuting/News/~3/lOzDfwgwhm0/story01.htm
Jane B. Cruz Michael F. Nichols Alfred C. Morris Gregory K. Beach
Monday 28 March 2011
Vitus add full-supension bikes to their range for 2012
The Vitus brand was revitalised last year when it was taken over by mail order giants Chain Reaction Cycles, and a small range of road and hardtail mountain bikes carrying the famous name is now in shops.
For 2012, the company have grand plans, with racing legend Sean Kelly on board to help with the road side of things and designer Brant Richards, the man behind Ragley and Nuke Proof's latest kit, tasked with expanding the range into new areas.
Earlier this month, during a visit to Chain Reaction's headquarters, Richards revealed to us that he's working on two new full-suspension bikes, a carbon 29er and a time trial/triathlon frame. Cyclo-cross and commuting bikes are also being considered, and current models will be refined.
"We're looking at building gradually, year on year, to having a comprehensive range," said Richards. At this stage he's remaining tight-lipped about the details of the new bikes, but we did manage to find out some information about the full-sussers. There'll be a 140mm-travel trail/all-mountain model, tentatively called the Raid, which will be available with two build options.
Vitus designer Brant Richards is keeping his new full-supension bikes under wraps... but we managed to bag this sneaky shot!
The entry-level version will come with a RockShox Recon Silver fork, Monarch RT3 shock and 3x9 SRAM X5 groupset for around �1,200, while an extra �600 will buy you an upgrade to 2x10 SRAM X9 and a RockShox Revelation.
The other bike is called the Blitz and is designed to be run with a 120mm-travel fork despite only having 100mm at the rear. Expect similar spec options and prices. Based on some artist's impressions we were given a sneak peek at, both bikes are likely to use a classic four-bar suspension design (only bikes sold in the US are affected by Specialized's chainstay pivot patent).
Being designed by Richards, you can pretty much guarantee they'll offer sorted handling, with short stems, decent width bars and relaxed angles. We'll bring you more news on the 2012 bikes as and when we get it. Check out our image gallery for a look at this year's models, which we previewed in the autumn.
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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BikeRadar/Commuting/News/~3/Fqp0VDsZI7A/story01.htm
Tim L. Rueda Harold J. Johnson Heidi H. Campanelli Ernest C. Clay
Beixo GO, Retrovelo, and more
I mentioned the Beixo Share bike in a post late last year. Currently, Beixo is working on a new bike- a 16-inch wheel folding model called GO. Jos Ramselaar designed the GO while he was studying Industrial Design at TU Delft (and Beixo points out that he ?graduated with a 9 on this project?). The [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BicycleDesign/~3/lp__saj77CQ/
Julia J. Larson Tim L. Rueda Harold J. Johnson Heidi H. Campanelli
Vitus add full-supension bikes to their range for 2012
The Vitus brand was revitalised last year when it was taken over by mail order giants Chain Reaction Cycles, and a small range of road and hardtail mountain bikes carrying the famous name is now in shops.
For 2012, the company have grand plans, with racing legend Sean Kelly on board to help with the road side of things and designer Brant Richards, the man behind Ragley and Nuke Proof's latest kit, tasked with expanding the range into new areas.
Earlier this month, during a visit to Chain Reaction's headquarters, Richards revealed to us that he's working on two new full-suspension bikes, a carbon 29er and a time trial/triathlon frame. Cyclo-cross and commuting bikes are also being considered, and current models will be refined.
"We're looking at building gradually, year on year, to having a comprehensive range," said Richards. At this stage he's remaining tight-lipped about the details of the new bikes, but we did manage to find out some information about the full-sussers. There'll be a 140mm-travel trail/all-mountain model, tentatively called the Raid, which will be available with two build options.
Vitus designer Brant Richards is keeping his new full-supension bikes under wraps... but we managed to bag this sneaky shot!
The entry-level version will come with a RockShox Recon Silver fork, Monarch RT3 shock and 3x9 SRAM X5 groupset for around �1,200, while an extra �600 will buy you an upgrade to 2x10 SRAM X9 and a RockShox Revelation.
The other bike is called the Blitz and is designed to be run with a 120mm-travel fork despite only having 100mm at the rear. Expect similar spec options and prices. Based on some artist's impressions we were given a sneak peek at, both bikes are likely to use a classic four-bar suspension design (only bikes sold in the US are affected by Specialized's chainstay pivot patent).
Being designed by Richards, you can pretty much guarantee they'll offer sorted handling, with short stems, decent width bars and relaxed angles. We'll bring you more news on the 2012 bikes as and when we get it. Check out our image gallery for a look at this year's models, which we previewed in the autumn.
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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BikeRadar/Commuting/News/~3/Fqp0VDsZI7A/story01.htm
Lucille P. Henderson Merlin M. Scott Heather B. Widmer Brandy R. Fowlkes
Bike Polo Equipment at the Copake Auction
The 20th annual Copake Antique & Classic Bicycle Auction & Swap Meet is set for April 15-16, 2011. Among other things are this bike polo mallet and ball.
Visit www.copakeauction.auctionflex.com for more info.
Visit www.copakeauction.auctionflex.com for more info.
Source: http://urbanvelo.org/bike-polo-equipment-at-the-copake-auction/
Michael F. Nichols Alfred C. Morris Gregory K. Beach Luigi P. Gill
Video: Can you freeride a 29er?
29er mountain bikes: alright for cross-country racing, but the big wheels can't cut it when it comes to more gnarly or technical riding. That seems to be the prevailing opinion among those who haven't yet made the switch from 26in wheels.
But is it true? The crew from Oak Bay Bicycles in Victoria, British Columbia decided to let staff member Andrew 'Shrew' Sherry loose on a customised Specialized Stumpjumper to find out.
Filmmaker Brian Park says: "Most of the cross-country riders around here have drunk the 29er Kool-Aid; bigger wheels just make sense in certain applications. Still, there's a lot of totally warranted skepticism about pushing bigger wheels into the all-mountain/enduro/freeride side of things.
"So, can you freeride a 29er? Andrew took out this bike to see what big wheels can do. The point isn?t that big wheels are better for dirt jumping or freeriding, etc, but just that the supposed trade-offs in those areas aren?t nearly as serious as people think."
Watch the video below and tell us what you think:
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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BikeRadar/MountainBiking/News/~3/xZcMHxwmxxY/story01.htm
Lucille P. Henderson Merlin M. Scott Heather B. Widmer Brandy R. Fowlkes
#13 - Look 586 - (Frames)
? Carbon Type - VHM (Very High Modulus)
? Fork - HSC6, Meets the new standard EN14781 safety requirements
? Lugs - None - Single Piece Construction
? Bottom Bracket - BSA 68mm wid
? Fork - HSC6, Meets the new standard EN14781 safety requirements
? Lugs - None - Single Piece Construction
? Bottom Bracket - BSA 68mm wid
Source: http://www.RoadBikeReview.com/PRD_410398_2493crx.aspx
Sunday 27 March 2011
#20 - Sette Forza - (Frames)
- Material: 3K Filament Weave
- Headset: 1 1/8-1.5" (IS) Tapered, Threadless
- Bottom Bracket: 68mm
- Max Rear Tire Clearance: 700x25c
Source: http://www.RoadBikeReview.com/PRD_456217_2493crx.aspx
Gregory K. Beach Luigi P. Gill Kelly L. Brenner Priscilla L. Randolph
1975 Tandem
Colin Williamson who lives in the West Midlands area of the UK, sent me pictures of a tandem frame I built in 1975.
He bought the tandem from the original owner about 15 years ago and used it for light touring with his wife. Then three years ago he stripped the frame and had it repainted. He then rebuilt it as a racing tandem.
Together with his stoker Dave, (He didn’t give a second name.) Colin won a couple of tandem time trials last season.
I still have my frame number register book for frames built in England; this one happens to be the first tandem frame I built. Nice to know that 36 years later it is still being put to good use.
The frame size is 23 inches (58 cm.) front, and 21 inch (53 cm.) rear. From the picture above, it appears that the frame fits Colin and Dave as if it were built for them. There is no wasted space between the two riders, and Dave’s knees barely clear the rear handlebars.
The two riders are members of the Solihull Cycling Club, and compete in the “Veterans” class, with a combined age of 115 years. The pair have recorded a 21 minute 10 mile event, and a 53 minute 25 mile time trial.
I did a quick count, and it appears that I built 25 tandem frames in the UK from 1975 to 1978; I also built maybe 2 or 3 while I was at Paris Sport from 1979 to 1980.
Another tandem I built in 1978, (Picture above.) was ridden by Paul Swinnerton, (Front.) and Trevor Gadd (Stoker.) in the World Championships that year. The event was the tandem sprint event.
To witness these two powerful young athletes muscle this machine around a banked track at speeds approaching 55mph, was both inspiring, but at the same time, a little frightening for me knowing that I had built it.
Source: http://davesbikeblog.squarespace.com/blog/2011/3/16/1975-tandem.html
Julia J. Larson Tim L. Rueda Harold J. Johnson Heidi H. Campanelli
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