» SCHWALBE EVO 26 inch MTB Tyres - $59.99 AUD Gaining wider international appreciation for their great tread design and quality workmanship, Schwalbe may be hard to pronounce but it’s not hard to understand why riders are turning to these top performing tyres. Have a read through the product details below then make your selection of model and size from the available options displayed in the drop down menu above. Each tyre is sold separately. Nobby Nic Evolution Tubeless Ready - 26 Inch Spirited grip. Devilishly fast. Nobby Nic combines the incompatible: It has divine grip and goes like the devil. How is that possible? Triple compound - an MTB tyre first -, combined with the super-fast carcass used by Racing Ralph. Specifications: Racing Ralph Evolution 26 x 2.10 The most successful competition tyre. We made it even more merciless – lower weight, lower rolling resistance, better grip. It slices through terrain with its ‘sharkstooth’ U-Blocks that make it grip much more aggressively, particularly in curves. Specifications Here’s what BIKE magazine had to say about the Racing Ralph: BIKE Magazine Tyre Test 04/2008 - \"Schwalbe’s Racing Ralph sets the benchmark. The brand-new Tubeless variant achieves the lowest ever value of 19,8 Watts, measured by BIKE, with even better durability in comparison to its predecessor.\" Every racers’ dream come true. This super light Rocket’ from Schwalbe\'s Evolution Line answers almost every demand at one time: Incredible grip with extremely low weight and fully loaded with all the latest technology – 127-Evo-carcass, Triple Nano Compound, U-Blocks forming an open tread that has exceptional self-cleaning properties. The Countdown begins! \"This tire has awesome grip, both straight line and in curves. It works as well in wet conditions as it does in dry. The blocks are further apart than on the Racing Ralph, yet it runs just as well.\" Take Note: This is an out and out competition tire! Puncture protection and durability are limited! Schwalbe, Gaining wider international appreciation for their great tread design and quality workmanship, Schwalbe may be hard to pronounce but it’s not hard to understand why riders are turning to these top performing tyres.
30/01/12 23:37 from Torpedo7 Weekly Specials - bike
SCHWALBE Rocket Ron MTB Tyre Folding EVO 26 Inch
Specifications:
» Nzo Peanut Full Length Tights - $69.99 AUD The Peanut is a full length bike tight - Fabricated in NzoTherm, a brushback thermal stretch knit, the Peanut gets its name from the shape of one of the pattern pieces. This in itself is not of much interest, but the effect that pattern piece has is important. It provides a finished tight which has no inside leg seams... that means significantly reduced friction and chafing - now that has got to be a good thing! The design is ideal for running, gym workouts and, of course, bike riding. Features: For Sizing: Please consult the UNISEX SIZING chart at the Sizing Chart link above.
30/01/12 23:37 from Torpedo7 Weekly Specials - bike
» ROUTE 7 Merino Short Sleeve Cycle Jersey - $39.99 AUD Spun from 100% merino wool, the ROUTE 7 Merino Short Sleeve Cycle Jersey represents a genuine do-it-all star of your wardrobe. It will manage your body temperature, draw moisture (sweat) away from the skin and has anti-microbial protection, i.e: it won’t stink. Bringing all the powers of sheep together in a relaxed fit, lightweight cycle jersey that is perfect for any conditions. Caution: May shrink 3 - 4 %, machine washable but best not tumble dry. Please click on Sizing Chart and scroll to the bottom of the list to view sizing for the Merino SS Jersey. Fabric Features: About Merino:
30/01/12 23:37 from Torpedo7 Weekly Specials - bike
Merino wool is common in high-end, performance athletic wear. Typically meant for use in running, hiking, skiing, mountain climbing, cycling, andin other types of outdoor aerobic exercise, these clothes command a premium over synthetic fabrics. Merino is excellent at regulating body temperature, especially when worn against the skin. The wool provides some warmth, without overheating the wearer. It draws moisture (sweat) away from the skin, a phenomenon known as wicking. The fabric is moisture repellent, allowing the user to avoid the feeling of wetness.
» LIMAR Ultralight Pro104 Road Helmet - $99.99 AUD The world’s lightest helmet just got lighter...shave another 10 grams off and you have the Limar Ultralight Pro104 Road Helmet. Weighing in at just 160g (medium size) the ultralight Pro features a stream-lined design, an aerodynamic shape, ample venting and a bidirectional sizing system for the perfect fit. Sizing:
30/01/12 23:37 from Torpedo7 Weekly Specials - bike
Features:
» TORPEDO7 6 Panel Logo Shorts 2011 - $19.99 AUD Designed in New Zealand by Torpedo7 these shorts are packed with quality features and great value. Gender: Men’s or Unisex (Please refer to the sizing chart in the product details for these shorts - see below)
30/01/12 23:37 from Torpedo7 Weekly Specials - bike
Featuring 6 panels and a padded 2 piece Coolmax Chamois for comfort and hygiene, and a leg gripper to keep the short leg from riding up.
Flat stitching adds comfort and the sublimated Torpedo7 Logo’s will not crack, fade or wash out giving you a great looking short that will last. SIZE CHART: TORPEDO7 6 Panel Cycle Shorts 2011 X-Large Waist (inches) Waist (cm)
» NALINI Nikole Regata Bib Short - $39.99 AUD The Nalini Nikole Regata bib shorts are a race proven piece of kit. With features like the contoured 8 panel design and the comfortable soft and flexible chamois these shorts are a no brainer for any cyclist wanting comfort and function. Features Nalini chamois: Soft & flexible, this man-made chamois has a higher number of microfibres than natural chamois-leather is the absolute combination of high-tech and comfort for competitive and amateur bikers. It has been tested by Nalini teams and then by Nalini PRO and has fully demonstrated its ability to protect and maintain excellent moisture passage thanks to its central section made of Nalini antibacterial perforated microfiber and side inserts in Coolmax fabric. Its form-fitting shape guarantees the very best fit and maintains a constantly pleasing contact with the skin.
30/01/12 23:37 from Torpedo7 Weekly Specials - bike
» GU Energy Gel - 8 Pack - $19.99 AUD GU Energy Gel 8-pack - Simple to take, simple to digest, GU Energy Gel provides just what you need for premium exercise fuel and none of the extras that slow you down. GU takes you where you want to go, fast! Ingredients & Benefits Energize, Sustain, Recover—GU’s formula for success. Launched in 1991, the world’s first energy gel is still the most efficient sports fuel available today. GU’s patented carbohydrate blend delivers high-quality, easily-digested and long-lasting energy for athletes in every sport and at all levels. The Berkeley-based sports nutrition company started with original GU Energy Gel, a revolutionary and more effective method to keep athletes fueled during exercise and speed their recovery from exertion. Today thousands of elite athletes and millions of endurance enthusiasts around the world agree: GU works. Energize: Sustain: Recover: How does the caffeine in GU help me? Instructions For Use: Example of Flavours & Nutrition (taken from Chocolate Outrage flavour*) *For further » Syncros AM 2014 riser bar review Canadian brand Syncros built their reputation with hard-riding gear, and at 350g the AM is towards the burly end of the spectrum. It’s billed as an all-mountain/cross-country bar but leans more to the all-mountain side. The reason for the heft is simple – the AM is made from butted 2014 aluminium, which isn’t quite as strong as the 7000 series alloys found on some bars, so Syncros need to use more of it. 2014 is cheaper and easier to work with, and the AM is an affordable bar. The white grunge finish is distinctive, but easy to mark, especially as it’s a painted finish that adds the tiniest amount of thickness and makes controls a snug fit. If the white’s a little too lairy for you there’s a more subtle black option. Angle markings are limited to four widely-spaced (and unnumbered) lines at the back. The AM’s in the middle range for width at 710mm but has less sweep than most riser bars. There’s not much upsweep either, leaving little scope for boosting backsweep by rotating the bar. This article was originally published in What Mountain Bike magazine. » Albert and Vos unstoppable at cyclo-cross worlds This article was originally published on Cyclingnews.com. In the presence of the King of Belgium, Albert II, it was home rider Niels Albert who captured the rainbow jersey at the cyclo-cross world championships. His triumph in Koksijde, Belgium was the second world title of his career. The six other Belgians at the start captured the following six positions, claiming a unique Belgian top seven at the world championships. Albert blasted away halfway through the opening lap for an long solo ride in the Koksijde dunes. A massive crowd of more than 70,000 spectators – according to the police - saw the 26-year-old cross the finish line in disbelief. Just like the winner of the 1994 cyclo-cross world championships, Paul Herygers, the 2012 winner will have a dune on the course named after him. “I thought about that the last time I rode it, thinking that he was now mine. This feeling is unbeatable. It’s the biggest win of my career. Now my season is a success,” Albert said. To read the full article, click here. Vos unstoppable in retaining rainbow jersey In the women\'s race, Marianne Vos out-powered the rest of the field to take her fifth world title. Almost forty seconds later Daphny van den Brand (The Netherlands) won the sprint for second place ahead of local favorite Sanne Cant (Belgium). At 24, Vos overtakes Hanka Kupfernagel (Germany) as record holder with five ‘cross world titles. “It was not my goal to overtake her but five titles is fantastic,” Vos said. On the technical course Vos clearly struggled to get through the sand stretches but that didn’t keep her from quickly earning a comfortable lead. Vos built up a lead of a minute and plowed her way through the sand to a well-deserved win. “Technically it wasn’t good today. I wouldn’t deserve getting a dune named after me like the Elite Men’s winner will enjoy. Getting a mud section or a stretch of pavement named after me would be more correct,” Vos said. To read the full article, click here. Men\'s top 10 results Women\'s top 10 results » Strada handbuilt road wheelset review Strada haven’t been around long, but their wheelbuilder, Darren, has a decade’s experience. It shows in the wheels the company put together for us, which were true on day one and have stayed that way throughout weeks of hard testing. Before the wheels were made, we spoke to Strada about our test rider’s weight and riding style. They chose to build with Velocity A23 rims, their own fully serviceable hubs, Sapim CX-Ray spokes and a set of titanium skewers. We asked for a set of wheels for training, sportives and racing, and that’s what we got. Without skewers or tape, the front wheel is 680g, the rear 810g. This low rotating mass means the Stradas spin up to speed quickly and climb well. They give little away in terms of stiffness; even with the brakes set close to the rim we never felt the blocks rubbing. The bladed spokes – the front wheel uses 24 radial spokes, while the rear has 28 with two-cross lacing – help cut through the air, and the wide Velocity rims also promise aero benefits compared with narrower wheels (23mm tyres blend with the rim rather than bulging at the sides). This article was originally published in Cycling Plus magazine. » Ekoi.com/Gaspesien on Devinci bikes in 2012 Ekoï.com/Gaspésien have announced receipt of their 2012 UCI Continental license. The Canadian developmental team will ride Devinci bikes and race the UCI’s America Tour. The team\'s aim is to become a stepping stone for talented young North American cyclists. “Our mission is clear,” said Stéphane Tremblay, director sportif for EKOÏ.com/Gaspésien. \"Helping young riders to advance in the sport while keeping in mind one simple thing – having fun. Cycling, even at a professional level, should remain fun. Practising this sport with high ethics, focus and enjoyment is the key to the success of our organization.\" The average age of the team’s riders is 22. However, two veterans of the international circuit, Mathieu Roy and Adam Carr, will serve as team captains and guide upstarts including Emile Jean (junior Canadian road champion 2011) and Charles Matte (Quebec junior road champion 2011) as they enter their first year in the senior ranks. The roster is completed with Jordan Brochu, Antoine Matteau (2011 Quebec road champion), Jean Samuel Deshaies, Charles Bryer, Yannick Bedard, Francois Chabot, and Pierrick Naud, who showed his talent in Belgium last year with the Canadian U23 team. Fans can follow the team throughout the season on their official website, www.ekoi-gaspesien.com. Ekoï.com/Gaspésien will ride Devinci\'s redesigned Leo SL this season » Genesis iO iD Alfine 8 review The iO iD twins – available with either eight- or 11-speed transmissions – have been built around Shimano’s Alfine hub gear system. Billed by Genesis as ideal bikes for riding in bad conditions with minimal maintenance, they’re an interesting example of a bike company pushing Shimano’s technology further than the Japanese giant are comfortable endorsing. Ride & handling: Low-maintenance year-round bike at a fair price Although it’s the more basic of the Alfine brothers, the eight-speed hub performs decently on the trails, although the big gap between ratios in the middle of the range takes a bit of getting used to. Genesis are right to emphasise the quiet nature of the hub-based transmission. From the almost silent freewheel mechanism to the absence of chain slap, the iO iD wafts through even the lumpiest of technical trails with only the subtle hiss and gurgle of oil through the fork’s innards as accompaniment. The frame’s origin, in a collection of relatively modest chromoly steel tubes, is obvious. Although the iO iD has more spring to its step than any of the aluminium competition, it lacks the resilience or liveliness of frames built from better tubesets. That’s no big surprise, given that Reynolds 520 tubing used here is a little heavy and unsubtle next to the likes of Tange Prestige and Reynolds’ own 853. Genesis deserve credit for spotting an opportunity where Shimano fear to tread. The iO iD is a cost-effective way into hub-geared bike ownership, but we’d stick with the simpler – and cheaper – eight-speed option. The higher price of the Alfine 11 model (£1,500) isn’t justified by the relatively basic frame. Frame & equipment: Great value frame offers an affordable entry to hub gear ownership A traditional design – and the Reynolds tubing badge – mark the Genesis out as an old-school remix that wouldn’t have looked out of place 20 years ago. Subtly larger tube diameters, geometry built around the 100mm-travel RockShox Recon Gold RL fork and an open-ended gusset at the head and down tube junctions are the only obvious clues that this is a bang up-to-date design. Reynolds 531 steel was a stalwart of the frame building scene before mountain bikes were even a glimmer in a Californian hippy’s eye. The Reynolds 520 tubing used by the iO iD is a modern development of this cycling tradition, with similar properties. It’s good, reliable stuff but isn\'t the lightest or most refined option. This is reflected in our test bike’s 13.3kg (29lb) all-up weight. Svelte it ain’t, but it enables Genesis to undercut most of the Alfine-equipped competition. Because it’s built specifically to accept the Alfine hubs, Genesis have been able to tailor the frame to suit. Slender stays taper demurely into horizontal dropouts and neat cable routing provides a home for rear brake and hub gear runs only – there\'s no provision for a front derailleur. You could go singlespeed, but if you want a frame that’ll adapt to anything you’re looking in the wrong place. The newer 11-speed Alfine hub has some worthwhile refinements, but the eight-speed option is a lower-cost alternative that’s still worth considering. Shifts are smooth and clean, it doesn’t have the irritating jump between gears one and two that the 11-speed version does, and it’s £180 cheaper. Ramming home the winter bike theme, there’s a pair of Crud Catcher-compatible bosses under the down tube. This article was originally published in What Mountain Bike magazine. » On-One Bignose saddle review On-One’s Bignose is a value-for-money winner, and not just because of its low price; someone somewhere has clearly put some thought into it. The name is no accident, with the front of the saddle being particularly broad, tall and well padded. This makes it a fine place to perch on steep climbs – and it’s no exaggeration to say that a comfy saddle can make the difference in cleaning crazy-steep slopes. The rest of the time the nose is unobtrusive, leaving a classic long and narrow shape. There’s even a cutaway in the shell to relieve pressure on your undercarriage. With its chromoly rails, the Bignose is unsurprisingly not all that light, at 286g. This article was originally published in Mountain Biking UK magazine. » Answer Rove AM stem review The Rove AM’s chunky looks suggest plenty of metal and our test sample is no lightweight despite only being 70mm long. That said, the 174g weight isn’t excessive. It’s forged from 6066 aluminium and, aside from an easily remedied burr inside the steerer clamp, neatly finished. Up front an extensively-windowed faceplate leads the way, secured by four bolts to the extension. Said extension has a hexagonal cross-section externally and is tapered both inside and out. Out back two opposing pinch bolts grip the steerer – M5 bolts rather than M4s, indicative of the Rove AM’s heavy-duty attitude. On the trail the Rove delivers a reassuringly flex-free performance and it’s knee-friendly, thanks to well-recessed bolt heads. A pair of headset spacers, a star-fangled nut and a top cap are a bonus. The 60-90mm size range covers the most popular options although we’re surprised not to see a 50mm option. This article was originally published in What Mountain Bike magazine. » Chrome, SciCon and Vaya bags – Just in While the days of ‘messenger bag cool’ are waning in some places, there are still a host of companies putting out quality and in some cases ‘craft’ cycling bags. Three recently landed in our office: Chrome’s classic Boris backpack, Sci\'Con’s cool Solar Genome and upstart Vaya’s recycled Medi Messenger. Chrome and Vaya take the traditional approach in terms of design and materials. Both use classic, messenger-approved, heavy-duty vinyl coated fabric linings mated with robust structural fabrics like marine canvas and high thread count nylon. Sci\'Con’s Solar bag isn’t the bombproof, waterproof, workhorse that the other two are, being made from an uncoated heavy duty nylon weave. But it offers a convenient solar recharging station for your mobile device – pretty cool, if you ask us. Chrome’s Boris backpack The US$120/£114.99 Chrome Boris fulfills the needs of those of us who prefer a backpack, versus a traditional messenger bag. It comes down to this: if you spend any time lugging your pack on foot, you’re likely to prefer how a backpack transfers the load. If you\'re a messenger or find you\'re continually filling your bag over capacity with odd shaped items, you\'re likely to prefer a sling type bag. We found the Boris to be fine on a bike. Boris has an EVA padded back panel It\'s constructed from materials traditionally associated with messengers – 1000 denier Cordura with a waterproof 400 denier ‘truck tarp’ lining. Inside, two main pockets and five organizational pockets offer plenty of storage, which is measured at 36 liters. Sci\'Con’s Solar Genome The Genome is a messenger bag in style, but not a robust workhorse piece. Rather, it\'s slick 10 liter bag for short-haul commuters in sunny climates, where you can take full advantage of the solar charging unit. This consists of a flap mounted solar panel, battery and quiver of adaptors. Of course you pay for it: the bag costs a whopping US$259. However, Sci\'Con include all of the accouterments you\'ll need to charge your camera, phone or USB device; they even include a USB car charger with the bag. The Solar Genome comes with a battery, to collect from the solar panel, and USB charging adaptors The Solar Genome lacks the other bags\' waterproof finishes and liners but Sci\'Con do include a cover, should you be caught in a storm. Inside you’ll find four zippered pockets, a lightly padded laptop sleeve and a host of organizational pockets. Vaya\'s Medi Messenger While the Medi Messenger from Vaya is the most basic of the bunch – no zippers here – it surely has the most soul, and in the world of messengering, robust and simple almost always trumps feature packed and fragile. For US$165/£106 you get a bag crafted in Long Island, New York by the designer, Tianna Meilinger, or one of her close family members or friends. Like we said, soul – and that’s even before we mention that the bag incorporates recycled bicycle tubes and canvas to bolster that warm and fuzzy enviro feeling. Hard not to appreciate Vaya\'s \'made by the designer\' construction The Medi has a main pocket plus three organizational pockets of various sizes, which make up the bag’s 23-liter capacity. The coolest feature is the oversize quick-release buckle, which is mated to two metal D-rings. To cinch the pack down to your back for riding, pull the end ring, and to quickly loosen it, simply pull in the opposite direction. The system is super-fast and super-secure. » Project travel bike: a whole new view Luckily enough, my Ritchey Breakaway Ti/Carbon road frameset tester arrived just in time for my trip last weekend to see family in Las Vegas, Nevada. I know it\'s only been one trip so far, but I\'m already declaring this a game changer. I was only on the ground for two full days and two half days, yet I was still able to log 4 ½ hours of blissful — not to mention high quality — saddle time in the picturesque areas west of town. Day one took me out to Red Rock Canyon, a loop inside the park, then back. And two days later, I managed to squeeze in an early two-hour ride before flying back to Colorado in the afternoon. If all you\'ve ever seen of Vegas was flashing neon lights, you\'re certainly missing out. There are few things prettier than the desert at dawn, and let\'s just say that Calico Basin is especially stunning in early morning light. Overall, the whole trip went remarkably smoothly. Despite the hectic nature surrounding the frameset\'s arrival, which was followed by a frantic late night session of transferring parts from another machine, and crash course in learning how to pack the Breakaway in the included case — I was able to pack the completed bike in just thirty minutes. Better yet once at my destination it, also, arrived intact and unscathed. The wheeled case is as easy to move around as any other similar piece of luggage and the airline counter agent barely gave the case a second glance when I checked in. Thanks to a Garmin GTU 10 tracker tucked inside, I always knew exactly where my precious cargo was after that point, too. Reassembly was even faster, taking just fifteen minutes. All assembled and I was ready to hit the road on a bike that I knew fit me and was properly built with components of my choosing. It turns out that I wasn\'t sacrificing much weight-wise in bringing along a travel bike instead of some fancy carbon machine, either. Built with a complete SRAM Red group, all aluminum cockpit components, and SRAM S30 AL Gold clincher wheels — I originally planned on Bontragers but the SRAMs already had tires and a cassette installed and I was seriously pressed for time — the whole thing weighs just 7.1kg (15.65lb, without pedals for sake of comparison). Sub in some good carbon tubulars into the mix and the bike would barely even be UCI-legal. Yep, it all fits in here — quite easily, in fact. We did, however, find the S&S Machine method to be much more efficient than what Ritchey prescribes All in with heavy pedals, a stuffed saddle bag, a bulky computer, bottle cages, a mini-pump, and front and rear flashers, it\'s still only 7.99kg (17.61lb). Even more impressive is the fully packed weight of 15.54kg (34.26lb) including the bike, case, some tools, spare small parts, and a full-length frame pump – roughly the same as an emptyfull-sized hard case. I\'m only one trip in with more planned in the near future but this thing has already turned my perspective on travel on its ear. Instead of ruing the prospect of days off the bike, I\'m now wondering what far-off location I\'m going to ride this thing in next and eagerly mapping out routes — quite the reversal. I also have a bunch of tips on traveling with a bike to share with you after this first go-around, some are Ritchey Breakaway-specific but mostly not. With this inaugural trip under my belt I imagine plenty more insight, and stress-relief, to come as I pack on the miles (both pedaled and flown) this spring — stay tuned. Calico Basin, shortly after dawn — certainly a more pleasant view than the Las Vegas Strip » Trigon RQC-29 review Until a few years ago, Taiwanese carbon fibre specialists Trigon only made frames and parts for other brands, including PRO and Pinarello. Then they realised they could use their expertise to produce a range under their own name, too. The race-focused RQC-29 boasts a high-value spec, including full-carbon wheels, and delivers a fast and aggressive ride. If you’re hung up on brand image, you’ll have to pay a lot more for something this good. Ride & handling: Stiff, rewarding frame feels better and better the harder you ride it The RQC-29 is a joy to ride hard and it deserves a name that better reflects its character – Piledriver perhaps, or Typhoon. Codes always obstruct the bond between a rider and a great bike. Even so, if you prefer to attack every ride rather than cruise, you’d still love the Trigon if it were called Cuthbert because it’s a beast! The frame is no lightweight at 1,190g (Trigon claim 1,100g for a 52cm without paint) but the huge tubes and junctions make it extremely stiff under load, and there’s a real spark to the acceleration when you dig in. The front end is similarly flex-free so when you’re out of the saddle and pulling on the bars there’s no sensation that you’re twisting the bike in the middle, only that you’re driving it forwards even harder. The deep-section carbon clincher wheels are stiff and light, and they definitely boost the Trigon, giving noticeably sharp acceleration. The rim depth gives a real aero benefit too. Don’t expect them to be as fast as Zipp 404s just because they’re 58mm, or as stable in crosswinds – the profile isn’t that advanced – but they definitely carry speed better than basic aluminium rims. With so much rigidity in the front end of the frame and the fork, tackling descents and corners at speed is big fun and never less than confident. The braking is strong too. The Trigon takes a bit of the sting out of poor road surfaces but it can’t absorb them like a more comfort-orientated bike. However, this is a bike that\'ll appeal to riders who want the stiffest, meanest and most aggressive race bike possible, and they won\'t care about a few bumps. Frame & equipment: No corners cut in the spec, full-carbon clinchers save on upgrades The RQC-29 uses Trigon’s advanced proprietary technology, including Venus C8 carbon fibre, a super-high modulus blend claimed to give an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio. The full monocoque frame is cured using a high-pressure compaction method, dubbed ‘Hipact’, with a solid inner mould that produces denser material than conventional air-bladders. The top tube and down tube are described as ‘trapezoidal’ and the head tube tapers from 1-1/8 to 1-1/2in. The cable routing is all external, although the rear brake cable is concealed in a channel under the top tube for aesthetic purposes. The 400g fork uses the same spec carbon fibre as the frame, and its legs are straight from the crown to the integrated dropouts and also trapezoidal in cross-section for rigidity. Most of the build kit is also made by Trigon, starting with the 58mm full-carbon clincher wheels which are the obvious bonus on the spec sheet. You can also choose 38mm rims or tubular versions of either. The very light monocoque, single-bolt carbon seatpost is Trigon’s, too, as is the dramatic one-piece carbon bar/stem combo. The latter can’t be adjusted but you can choose from three bar widths and five stem lengths. The cockpit manages to be both vibration dampening and stiff, and the wing-shape tops give a large area to rest your palms. A complete SRAM Red groupset is fitted, with a 53/39-tooth crankset and an 11-25t cassette. Trigon do make their own saddles but they’re somewhat quirky so it was a smart choice on their part to fit a premium brand saddle instead. The Prologo Nago Evo Nack matches the bike perfectly and this is even the super-light carbon-railed version. Colour-matched Jagwire cables and two good carbon fibre bottle cages finish the bike off to a high standard. This article was originally published in Triathlon Plus magazine. » Airbone ZT-507 mini pump review Airbone’s mini pumps are sturdy enough to take a few knocks, light enough for weight weenies (the 507 weighs 115g) and well enough constructed to reach high pressures without too much work. Because the valve attachments screw rather than just push on, they create a leak-free seal. The 507 is set up for Schrader valves but comes with a screw-in Presta adaptor. This lives in a neat frame-mount bracket or can be left screwed in if you carry your pump in a bag. Function-wise, we’ve no moans at all: we got a few road tyres up to over 100psi and mountain bike tyres took around 100 strokes to reach 40psi. This article was originally published in What Mountain Bike magazine. » Uvex i-vo helmet review Generally with helmets, the more you pay, the lighter they are. Uvex’s i-vo bucks that trend big time. The very lightest lids weigh around 180g; our i-vo tipped the scales at 205g without its peak – even lighter than Uvex claim. It has an excellent quality finish and offers a high degree of adjustability and decent venting. Uvex don’t skimp on the padding either, with plenty throughout as well as a padded chinstrap. The tongue-and-groove retention system does take a bit of getting used to, though. This article was originally published in Cycling Plus magazine. » Mongoose Slayton Expert – First ride review The GT i-Drive-esque FreeDrive layout of the Mongoose Slayton would be easy to dismiss as being a decade old and somewhat stale in the fast moving world of modern full-suspension mountain bike design. Of course, that would only really be true if the FreeDrive design didn’t work. News for the shape haters out there – armchair critics who pass judgment without actually riding the bikes they diss – the FreeDrive system can and does cut the mustard. We had a blast on the Slayton, not because it blew our minds in any particular way but because it simply got on with the job of entertaining us with lots of honest hard work. Ride & handling: Perfectly good middle-order trail bike The Slayton\'s 11.9kg (26.3lb) weight is reasonable for the money but means it isn’t going to win a flat-out sprint or a race to the top of the mountain, or even one back down again. But – drum roll, please... – in the right hands it can be hustled along at a rate that\'ll make you feel more than qualified to call yourself a proper mountain biker. The Mongoose does the job asked with a flourish and without asking more from you physically than is necessary. It’s the sort of middle-of-the-road, no-surprises bike that regular riders will find easy to live with, day to day. Before you think we’re not properly impressed, think again. We enjoyed our time on the Mongoose, hitting technical, twisty, root-infested singletrack with a commitment that normally only comes with much longer term attachment to a bike. That’s the friendliness of the Slayton shining through, letting you chuck it about without fear of being bitten back. The tall look of the frame is a visual trick caused by the floating bottom bracket, and on board the bike feels smaller and more compact, which makes you feel you can hit those mid pace, low berm, singletrack turns faster and faster. If you’re an experienced trail rider looking for a new plaything you can push the Slayton’s limits a bit harder still. Well, you would be able to but for two small issues. The first is the narrow Ritchey riser bar, which, if we were going to give the Slayton a permanent home, we’d immediately lose for something a bit wider and possibly with a shade less than the 20mm rise, to make it feel a bit more racy. While we were in the shop buying the new bar we’d bung a shorter stem on there too. The stock stem is a bit of a tiller; while fine for long open fire road rides it really doesn’t do the handling of the Slayton much justice for diving in and out of the tight stuff. The other item that holds the bike back in soft, damp conditions is the Kenda Slant Six tyre up front. Leave the Small Block Eight on out back, where the rounded, low-profile tread works a treat, gripping and sliding with predictability. But at the front we’d opt for something with a little more shoulder to give a better sense of grip in the turns, especially when it’s wet and muddy – maybe Kenda’s old-school but still fantastic Nevegal. Oh and some might find the SDG I-Beam saddle and seatpost a bit firm, too. Frame & equipment: Quality chassis and suspension are worthy of component upgrades Okay, we’ll readily agree with those who say the bike looks like a cut-and-shut welding job of two dissimilar halves of bike. We’ve told Mongoose before that the shape makes our eyes bleed but the designers are sticking with it resolutely and, well, looks mean little on the trail. And it’s on the trail that the 120mm Slayton chassis comes alive and delivers just the kind of friendly ride that makes hardened believers out of Mongoose riders in double-quick time. The chunky butted alloy frame isn’t light but it’s stiff enough to resist being twisted into a knot, even by strong legs, and you get the feeling that it’ll shake off being parked in the bushes when you’ve made a minor miscalculation. The SRAM X7 transmission is solid, predictable and reliable. It’s also cheap(ish) to replace like-for-like and integrates perfectly with the more expensive SRAM kit if you decide to up-spec as you wear stuff out – the frame and suspension deserve it. The suspension is a RockShox lockout, with a Monarch shock out back and a Reba fork up front doing sterling work to insulate the rider from the worst of the trail. We’d have liked a little more life and vitality out of the rear shock tune (having just ridden the 2012 Monarch, the difference was plain), but that can be fixed with a retune at service time, and it’ll be fine until then. This article was originally published in What Mountain Bike magazine.
30/01/12 23:37 from Torpedo7 Weekly Specials - bike
A shot of fast-acting natural fructose (fruit sugar) goes straight to work building your energy levels back up while the maltodextrin is quickly absorbed and sent to your muscles. Vital electrolytes keep your blood chemistry in line and hydration levels stable. Calcium keeps your muscles humming and caffeine adds an extra kick to your power.
Complex carbs in the form of maltodextrin (70-80% of the complex/simple carbohydrates blend) help you maintain glucose levels over time. Citrates (potassium citrate, sodium citrate and citric acid) help speed the conversion of these carbs into energy molecules and mitigate performance-sapping acid build-up in muscles. Branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) leucine, valine and isoleucine, serve as another fuel source, aid in recovery and can improve mental performance and reduce fatigue by limiting the central nervous system’s production of serotonin. Histidine, an essential amino acid, acts alongside the citrates as abuffer that helpsneutralize lactic acid build-up in muscles.
Antioxidant vitamins C and E defend muscles from assault by free radicals. Chamomile works as an anti-inflammatory during and after exercise. Ginger soothes the stomach. Sea salt supplies a host of minerals.
GU energy gel comes in both caffeinated and non-caffeinated flavors. Strawberry Banana and Lemon Lime do not have any caffeine in them. Orange, Vanilla, Chocolate, Triberry and Plain all have 20mg of caffeine per packet. GU’s Espresso Love flavor has 40mg of caffeine. Caffeine consumption during exercise improves performance in several ways: it sharpens focus and perks you up; but more importantly, it helps the body produce more power, reduce the pain of hard efforts, and may even tap fat for fuel during exercise. All of this prolongs your ability to exercise at a high intensity. We use just enough caffeine to jump start this benefit and no more.
Both GU Energy Gel packs 100 calories into every packet. 100 calories is an ideal serving size to suck down 15 minutes before training or racing in order to top off your electrolyte and glucose stores, followed by one every 30-45 minutes along the way, washed down with a few sips of fluid. % of Daily Value
30/01/12 22:00 from BikeRadar.com
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