Bikes Etc - January 2015 UK

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Transcript of Bikes Etc - January 2015 UK

  • G o l d L i m i t e d C h o r u s

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    G o l d L i m i t e d D u r a A c e

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    G o l d D i 2

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    G o l d 6 8 0 0

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    A L L T H E R I G H T

    E L E M E N T S

    P E R F O R M A N C E S T Y L E

    C O M F O R T P R I C E

    www.orrobikes.com

    To find out more information and to purchase or locate a dealer, visit

  • O x y g e n 1 0 5 3 T A c c e l l e r o

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    O x y g e n 1 0 5 R a c i n g 7

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    www.orrobikes.com

  • YOU CAN BEATTHE ELEMENTS.

    WITH OUR LINE DEVELOPEDSPECIFICALLY FOR THE BRITISH WEATHER

    VIEW THE FULL WINTER 14 LINE AT ALTURA.CO.UK

    FEATURES:

    1.

    REARWATERREPELLENTPOCKET

    INSIDEPOCKETWITHSEALEDZIP

    NECK DETAIL AND ZIP GARAGE2.

    3.

    Performance Fit Waterproof Breathable StretchWindproof

    1 2 3

    2

    1

    3

  • W I N T E R 2 0 1 4

    LOCATION:

    HONISTER PASS, THE LAKE DISTRICT

    Our most technical jacket for riding in poor conditions. A light, single layerjacket made from stretch fabric that is waterproof and breathable.

    This combined with the Vapours slim fit offers you incredible performanceand unrivalled comfort whilst riding this winter.

    Pack pocket

    Rear and chest water repellent pockets

    Reflective detail

  • www.madison.cc facebook.com/madisonclothing twitter.com/madisonclothingwww.madison.cc facebook.com/madisonclothing twitter.com/madisonclothing

    The pre-curved shape of theSportive softshell gives ultracomfort when in the riding position

    Concealed chest pocket and threerear hand pockets for your ridingessentials

    Windproof and water resistantpanels on the front, sides and overthe shoulders ensure the bitterestof winds wont stop you riding

    Reective panels around the armsand through the rear pockets givesuperb night time visibility

    Underarm zippers allow you toregulate your temperature

    Elasticated hem with siliconegripper keeps jacket rmly in place

    Limited lifetime warranty

    srp 79.99

    IN IT

    FOR THE

    LONG HAULThe ideal winter heavyweight thermal jacket

    Credit:Laurence

    Crossman-E

    mms

  • 44Onlocation:probikesWehad theopportunity to ride

    onabeautiful islandwith roads

    thatmakechampions.

    HelenWymanEverybodycheeringmeon in

    myhomeWorldCupracewas

    worthanextrageareach lap!

    RobHaylesAsakid, I alwaysxed things. I

    couldnt aordOakleys, somade

    myownwithelasticbands.

    BrakingdistanceThe idea that riderswithdisc

    brakeswould forevercrash into

    bikeswith rimbrakeswas let go.

    January 2015 BikesEtc 7

    CONTENTS

    ONTHECOVER

    29 Cold-weathertrainingplanSurvival tips for icy roads, andhowtoburn

    oyourChristmasdinneron thebike.

    44 Onlocation:probikesThreebikes fromthepelotonput to the test

    on thepro traininggroundofTenerife.

    64 ThescienceofsueringWedelve into themindsof cyclings kings

    ofpain tondoutwhatmakes themtick.

    70 TrainingwithpowermetersNowtheyreno longer thepreserveof the

    pros, ndouthowyoucanuseapower

    meter toboost yourperformance.

    FEATURES

    56 Prole:RobHaylesTheex-proonhis enduring loveof cycling.

    76 Techtest:brakingdistanceThescienceof slowexplored.

    FIRSTRIDE

    Newbikes, futurekit, latest tech

    13 Argon18NitrogenUltegraAneye-catchingaerobike thats packed

    with innovative features.

    16 PinnacleDolomiteSixFun, practical andyours forunder1,000.

    18 SugoiZap jacketThehi-viz jacket that isnt ahi-viz jacket.

    19 RitcheyWCSnishingkitQuality components fromthe iconicbrand.

    20 VulpineHarrington jacketFindouthow it faredonour long-termtest.

    20 PanaracerGravelKingtyreAroad tyre thats equally happyon the trail.

    21 EnduraAirshellhelmetHeadprotection thatwill get younoticed.

    36 56 76

  • 8 BikesEtc January2015

    CONTENTS

    WelcometoBikesEcs reviewssection.Whetheryoureafterabike,kitorclothing,weveput the latest gear through its paces tohelp youndwhats right for you

    Best InTest

    Theoverallwinner ineachgroup test.Scoringhighly in all criteria, itwill beanexcellent all-rounder.Where twoormore itemsachieveequally highscores, itwill be theone thathas thatextra somethinga touchof style, aspecial feature that takes theprize.

    BestValue

    Thewinnerof this awardmaynothavethehighestoverall score in the test,and itmaynotbe thecheapest, but itwill always represent especially goodperformanceat itsprice.

    BikesEcGoldAward

    Thisprestigiousawardgoes tobikes,accessories, componentsor itemsofapparelwithexceptional levels ofperformance, designandbuildqualitythatmakethemmust-haves.Dontexpect to see it every issueweonlyhand it outwhen its trulydeserved.

    BESTINTEST

    BEST

    VALUEGOLD

    AWARD

    THEAWARDS

    January 2015 BikesEtc Q 83

    ReviewsEtcCubeAxialWLSGTCSL

    86

    Turbo trainers

    101

    Bianchi IntensoDamaBianca

    90

    Caf locks

    123

    Wilier Stella

    94

    Toolkits

    112

    Rear lights

    127

    Turbo trainers

    101

    Caf locks

    123

    Caf locks

    Baselayers

    108

    Overshoes

    118

    DPART

    23 Trend:#capsnothatsThesocialmediamovement toban

    baseball caps fromthepodium.

    25 Kit:CubeRoadProshoesStyleandperformance fromthe

    Germanmanufacturer.

    26 Nutrition:DIYenergyHowtomakeyourownride fuel.

    32 Maintenance:winter-proofyourcyclingLookafter yourbikeand itwill look

    after you.

    34 Gear:EdcoMonoblockcasse8eAn 11spdcasse'e for 10spdwheels.

    36 Prorider:HelenWymanThecyclocross starandherbike.

    39 Timeline:OakleyEyeshadesThirty yearsof thepros shades.

    40 Opinion:discbrakesWhywere total disc-heads.

    85 1,800womensbikesShrink it andpink it?No thanks.

    101 TurbotrainersChoosewell,make indoorridingfun.

    108Base layersTop tips for toasty torsos.

    112 ToolkitsBeyourownmechanic.

    118 OvershoesProtectyour feet fromtheelements.

    123 Cafstop locksDont let opportunist thieves strike.

    127 Rear lightsBesafe, beseen frombehind.

    26

    HERESHOWOURREVIEWSWORKReviewsEtc is your essential buyers guide to the

    best roadcyclingproducts. Everymonth,we feature

    in-depthgroup tests of the latest bikes, clothing,

    components andaccessories to ensure youre as

    well informedaspossiblewhen it comes to spending

    your cash.Weknow thatmaking the right decision

    is equally importantwhether youre spending10

    onapair of socksor several thousandonanewbike.

    For eachgroup test,weuseanextensive set of

    criteria, includingperformance, easeof use, build

    quality and value formoney.We takeour time tocome

    upwith thebestway to test everyproduct,whether

    thatmeansbuildinga special rig to test pump

    pressureor standingout in apitch-black country lane

    in themiddle of thenight tomeasure lightingbeam

    pa(erns.Note that allweights andmeasurementsare

    taken fromourown testingprocedures, not fromthe

    details suppliedby themanufacturer.

    We then take theproductsout for road testing,

    riding, usingandwearing themas thoroughly as

    possible oncommutes, training ridesandeven in

    races, to seehowwellmadeanddurable theyareand

    howwell they copewith real-world cycling situations.

    Outsideof ourmain reviewssection,wealsogive

    scores formanyof theotherbikesandproductswe

    feature in themagazine. AlthoughourFirst Ridebike

    tests arenot as in-depthasourmain reviews,weaim

    togive youanat-a-glanceoverviewof the key features,

    characteristics andqualities of thebikebasedon

    ourrst impressions.Manyof thesebikeswill then

    besubjected to full long-term testing toappear in

    group test reviews ina future issue.

    Foreachgrouptest,wescoretheproductsbasedonacomprehensiverangeofcriteria.There isnt space togivea full breakdownof thescoring,butwehighlight themost importantandrelevantfeaturessoyoucansee inwhichareaseachproductperformsespeciallywell,andwhere itsweakspots lie.

    Rating

    CONSTRUCTION

    EASEOFUSE

    ERGONOMICS

    7OVERALL

    10

    Best InTestTheoverallwinner ineach test. Scoringhighly inall criteria, thiswill beanexcellent all-rounder,oftenwithanextra somethinga touchof style,a special feature that sets it apart.

    BestValueWinnersof this awardmaynothave thehighestoverall score in theirgroup test, andmaynotbe thecheapest, but theywill always representespecially goodperformance for theirprice.

    BikesEcGoldAwardThisawardgoes tobikes, kit or componentswithexceptional levels of performanceanddesign.Dont expect to see it every issueweonlyhand it outwhen its trulydeserved.

    BESTINTEST

    BEST

    VALUE

    GOLDAWARD

    THEAWARDSTHERATINGS

    Givingextraweight to themost important features,weadduptheratings foreachproductandconvertthemintoanoverall scoreoutof 10.Note thatwhiletwoproductsmayachievethesameoverall score,theymaybeverydierentinkeyareassee individualratings for furtherdetail.

  • Northwave has always leveraged its expertise to improve safety as well as

    performance. It is committed to producing and advancing technologies and

    products that protect cyclists so that nothing can ever diminish their desire to get

    out and ride.

    This commitment is epitomized by the Be Visible,

    Be Safe! clothing range, which has become a global

    success thanks to the choice of bright uorescent

    colours, strategically positioned reective details and

    inserts, and the special HiViz LED device.

    Always be visible in every situation, even in the

    depths of winter and the trickiest conditions. Youll

    make it totally impossible for drivers to miss you.

    Be visible, be safe!

    BE VISIBLE! BE SAFE!

    SONIC JACKET SELECTIVE PROTECTION 99.99

    NW 4Pro soft-shell membrane wind and water resistant

    Thermopile insulation is breathable and comfortable

    3 rear pockets provide excellent storage and access

    POWER GLOVES

    29.99

    H20 WINTER OVERSHOE

    29.99

    *All pricing shown is SRP

    COMMUTER GTX ROAD

    WINTER BOOT 169.99

    BLADE HEADCOVER 19.99

    (REAR SHOWN)

    Innovative Performance Apparel

    BREEZE PRO JACKET

    3000 MM

    WATERPROOF

    69.99

    Be Visible! Be Safe!

    Prestige brands from i-ride.co.uk

  • oby the timeyoure reading this,Christmashasprobablycomeandgone, andhopefully thecyclingSantabroughtyoueverythingyouasked for. Thegreatestgift for thecyclistthough if youre luckyenough towork foracompany thatshutsdownover the festiveperiod is theweekbetween

    ChristmasandNewYearsDay that stretchesout full of ridingpossibilities.Youcould tryout somenewroutesor improveyour timeonwell-troddenones.Alternatively if yourenotaclubrider,whynotget togetherwithabunchof like-mindedsoulsandheadoutonacaf run?For thosewhocandedicatemore time tohi.ing theroad, therearechallengessuchasRaphasFestive500(ride500kmbetween24and31December)or if youvegot time,whynotplanyourown?

    If youhavekids, I recommendheadingoutonaridewith them. Itsamazinghowwell they respond toseeing theirparentson theirbikesandwant toemulate them. Ivegot twinboysandeven though Ive signedup totheaforementionedFestive500(again!)what Immost looking forwardto is taking themouton thenewbikesSantahasbrought them.Seeing theenjoyment theygetoutof riding isagreatergift thanany Icouldgive themand it alsokeepsalive thedreamthatonedayaDoylewill ride forapro team!

    Asalways, Imkeen tohearwhat you thinkof the latest issueso feel free [email protected] letmeknowwhatwerege.ingright,whatwerege.ingwrong, andwhat youd like tosee in future issues.

    SeeingmykidsenjoyingridingtheirbikeskeepsalivethedreamthatonedayaDoylewillrideforaproteam!

    S

    EDSLETTER Issue003/January2015Switchboard:+44(0)2079076000Advertising:+44(0)2079076714Subscriptions:08442456929Email:[email protected]

    BikesEtc,DennisPublishing,30ClevelandStreet, LondonW1T4JDWeb:www.bikesetc.co.ukFacebook: facebook.com/bikesetcmagTwi3er: twi=er.com/bikesetcmag

    EditorialEditorWesleyDoyleDeputyEditorAndyWatermanArtDirectorAndrewSumnerProductionEditorDavidKenningStaWriterJosephDelvesProduct testersSusannahOsborne,KevinMacNeilConsultantCreativeDirectorAshGibsonFreelanceDesignCamilleNeilson,MarcSoutheyFreelanceSubEditingMiaBleachPhotographyHenryCarter,DannyBird,JenniLeskinen

    AdvertisingAdvertisingDirectorSeanIgoeAdvertisingManagerNinVirdiSeniorSalesExecutiveJakeAdamsSalesExecutivePatrickStokesAgencySalesManagerClaireOFarrellAgencyAccountManagerLisaJayAgencyAccountExecutiveCarlyActiville

    Publishing,MarketingandSubsEditorialDirectorPeteMuirPublisherNicolaBatesPublishingDirectorJamesBurnayDirectMarketingManagerHollyMillsDirectMarketingExecutivePaulGoodheadMarketingManagerJamesYoung

    ProductionandNewstradeSeniorProductionExecutiveAnishaMograNetworkProductionManagerKerryLambirdNewstradeDirectorDavidBarkerNewstradeManagerJamesMangan

    SyndicatonandLicensingSyndicationManagerAnjDosaj-HalaiLicensingManagerCarlo=aSerantoni

    DennisPublishingGroupManagingDirector IanWestwoodCOOBre=ReynoldsGroupFinanceDirector IanLegge=CEOJamesTyeCompanyFounderFelixDennis

    CopyrightDennisPublishingLimited.Under licencefromFelixDennis.OriginationandretouchingbyTapestry.PrintedbyWyndehamSouthernprint, Poole.DistributedbySeymourDistribution.All rights reserved.BikesEtcis a trademarkandcannotbereproduced in theUKandRepublic of IrelandwithoutpermissionofDennisPublishingLtd.BikesEtc is publishedbyDennisPublishingLtdandis sold subject to the following terms, namely that it shallnotwithout thewri3enconsentof thepublishersbe lent,resold, hiredoutorotherwisedisposedofbywayofTradeatmore than therecommendedsellingpricedisplayedonthecoverand that it shall notbe lent, resoldorhiredoutinamutilatedconditionor inanyunauthorisedcoverbywayofTradeoraxed toorasanypartof apublicationoradvertising.

    BikesEtc is available for international licensingandsyndication. Email [email protected]

    Get3 issues for5Tosubscribe toBikesEtccall: 08448265024.Orsubscribeonlineat: bikesetc.co.uk/subscribe

    10 BikesEc January 2015

    WesleyDoyle,Editor

  • Prestige brands from i-ride.co.uk

  • THE FACTORThe new Easton EC90 ACC carbon sole offers greater torsional and longitudinal stiffness,

    ultra-low stack height and a replaceable heel pad for durability. A breathable Evofiber upper

    and micro-ratcheting buckle work with our SuperNatural Fit System to support your foot comfortably.

    If you want a better connection to your pedals, this is your shoe. Learn more at Giro.com

  • Aero iseverywherebut for theshapeof things tocome, looknofurther thanArgon18; itsNitrogenframesetbuildsonareputation forinnovationbutdoesntcomecheap

    FIRST RIDE

    ARGON18NITROGEN

    ULTEGRA 3,500

    January 2015 BikesEtc 13

    NEWBIKES FUTUREKIT LATESTTECH

  • herearentmanyCanadianbikebrandsamong theupperechelonsof roadcycling, butthose thathavemade it knowhowtogetnoticed.Argon 18 isa case inpoint: like its fellowCanuckCervlo, its abrandwitha reputation for rider-

    focused innovationandboundary-bustingdesign.Takingover as a title sponsorof theNetApp-Endurateam in2015 (itwill nowbeBora-Argon 18),Argon 18sstock is set to rise as it reaches awider audience.

    TheNitrogenpicturedhere isArgon 18saerodynamic roadbike. For thepurposesof cu:ingthrough theair as eciently aspossible, the frontalarea is impressivelynarrowwithcables taking themostdirect route into the frame, orpassingonlythrough thedirtiest air (thatwhichhas experiencedthemost turbulencealready thanks tomovingparts suchas legs andwheels). Thebrakes are alsodierent tonormal callipers, comprisingTRPs

    aerodynamicminiV-brakes,whichallowair topassover the forkandseatstayswith less interruption.

    Thenarrowprole andhiddenbrakes arecomplementedbyaero tubeproles, using theUCI-approved truncatedaerofoil (the tubedoesnttaper to apointbut is cut oearly to come inwithintheUCIs rules onratios 4:1 is banned, but 3:1 isOK).Thiskeeps theairowing smoothly andeciently.Its a concept that extends to the seatpost,whichhasadeep sectionand is securedbyahidden4mmallenkeybolt in furthernods toaerodynamics.Anotheradvantageof thebespokeaero seatpost is the factthat it doesnt needaligning like a roundseatpost set your saddleheight andyoucanguarantee itwillbe straight.Whatsmore, the frameweighs inbelowthemagickilomarkat 960g.

    So far, thats all pre:y standard stu.Everyaeroroadbikeon themarketuses somecombinationofthese features. Sowhats theNitrogensUSP?Firstup, takea lookat the topcapof theheadset: that isntjust a specially shapedspacer that sits on topof thebearings, but rather apresst spacer thatbecomespart of theheadset assembly, raising theupperbearing to addhandlebarheightwithout sacricingstiness.Twospacers are supplied, 15 and25mm,aswell as a stockheadset topcap, so riders canchoosefromthreebarheights, customizing fromtherewithstandardheadset spacers.

    Thats clever, but so is thegeometry. Standardroadbikes are typicallybasedonamoderatelysized56cmframewithall theother sizes stemmingfromthere. So lookat a size48cmframeand itwill normallyhave the same lengthchainstays asa size62,whichwillmean thecomparativeweightdistribution for tworidersofdierent sizeswillbemassivelydierent.Argon 18sAFSsystem isinteresting in theway thegeometry changes throughthe size range,with the intentionofmaintainingconsistency in the ride feel, andalsomaking it easyfor riders to achieve the rightt, sowhile our smalltesterhas40.6cmchainstays anda97cmwheelbase,

    T

    Mostbikes thatcome into theBikesEtcocehaveaboombracketdropof65-70mm.TheNitrogensdropof75mmmakes thebikemorestableand faster throughcorners

    As is increasingly typicalonmodernaeroroadbikes,a recessedbolt secures thedeep-sectionseatpost

    Achoiceofpresst spacersthatbecomepartof theheadsetallowriders toeasilyadjustbarheight

    14 BikesEc January 2015

  • the large growsa full 3cm in thewheelbase, to 100cm,with thechainstays lengthening to41cm.

    Onemeasurement that remains consistent acrossthe size spectrumis thebo6ombracketdrop (thedistance thecentreof thebo6ombracket is belowthewheel axles)which is 75mm.Most roadbikesthat come into theBikesEtcocehaveadropof65-70mm, so 75mmisextraordinary.The reasoningbehind this is that the lower thebo6ombracket,themore stable thebike is and the faster youcangoroundcorners thinkmonster truckvsF1 car. Sure,with the lowerbo6ombracket youll be less able topedalwith thebike leaningovermid-corner, butif youre going faster through that corner anyway,theresno loss.Added to this, the lowerbo6ombracketmeans thehead tube length is shorter andthewholeunit, rider andbike, has a lower frontalarea. Itmayonlybe5mm,but every li6le counts.

    Witha full ShimanoUltegra 11-speedgroupsetanddeep-sectionalloyFulcrumRacingQua6rowheels, the3,500Nitrogenpackage is verydesirableconsideringquitehowpremiumthe frame is. Therangecontinuesup fromherewitha4,150UltegraDi2build anda4,500Dura-Aceversion.AsArgon 18isdistributedby i-ride in theUK,nishingkit fromother i-ridebrandsacross the rangeall good stufrom3T,Continental andPrologo.

    FIRSTRIDEARGON18NITROGENULTEGRA

    Frameset: Full carbon, aero forkwithsheltered brake

    Wheels: FulcrumRacing Quattro, ContiForce/Attack tyres

    Groupset: Shimano Ultegra 11-speed

    Handlebar: 3T ErgosumPro

    Stem: 3T Arx Pro

    Seatpost: Argon 18 aero carbon

    Saddle: Prologo

    Weight: 7.55kg

    Price: 3,500

    Contact: i-ride.co.uk

    TRPMiniV-brakesaddto theNitrogens aeroqualities

    TheNitrogenhasanotably lowandnarrowfrontal area

    AHISTORYOFAEROONTHEROADRoadridersandracers greatest enemyaftergravity is air. Travel above

    15mphandovercomingair resistancedemands themajority of your

    energy.Rideat 25mph, and theeort required topush through theair

    is startlingly obvious.Hereareahandful ofwind-cheating tricks

    January 2015 BikesEc 15

    THEPACELINE

    Thecrudestwayof cheating thewind isthroughstrength innumbers, asexempliedby thenowfamiliar sightof theTeamSkytrain in recenteditionsof theTourdeFrance.Sit behindanother riderandyoucansaveup to40%of theenergy youspendcomparedtogoingat thesamespeedall on yourlonesome.Even the leadriderbenets witha rider tucked inbehind them, theeddyeect is reducedand theairow improved,which isgoodnews foreveryone.

    AEROHELMETS

    Were throughbeingcool, sangUSartrockersDevo in their 1981hit of thesamename,whilewearingupturnedowerpotson theirheads. LikeDevo, aerohelmetsmarkyououtasapost-cool, seriouscyclist,someonewhoeschewsaesthetics in favourofmarginal gains.ChrisBoardmanreckonsusinganaerohelmet is oneof theeasiestways tomakeyourself go faster,whileGiroclaims that itsAirA=ackhelmetcansaveyouasmuchas 17 secondsevery40km.

    DEEP-SECTIONWHEELS

    Mavic launched itsCosmic in 1994, anddeepsectionwheelsquicklybecamederigueurin theproranks, largelybecause they looktotally pro.Now,brands likeBontrager, Zipp,Hed, FulcrumandEnveproduceaerowheels that areaslikely tobeusedin roadracesastime trials, theirtraditionalpreserve.

    SPINACIBARS

    A late-90s trend,Spinaci barsmimickedthepositionof tri-barsused in timetrialsandwerewidespread in thepeloton foracoupleof years. Theywereeventually bannedwhen theUCIdecided it didnt like the ideaof ridersdraftingeachotherwithnoeasy

    access to theirbrakes watchanOlympic triathlonto see thewisdomof thismove.

    Rating

    8OVERALL

    10DESIRABILITY

    PRACTICALITY

    INNOVATION

  • 16 BikesEtc January 2015

    innacle isEvansCycles housebrand,butwhile itmightnothave thecachet ofmoreestablishedmanufacturers,theDolomiteSixswell-roundedspecworkshard towinoverpotential buyers

    On the shopoor, brandrecognitioncounts for a lot. Weknowwehave tobecompetitive.Werenot goingaer the topend,butat lowerprice-points, smaller companies can stillbe competitive, evenagainst farbiggerbrands, saysthebikes designer JamesOlsen.

    Onpaper, Pinnaclehasdone suchagood job inout3ing the frame that it compares favourablyagainstbikes fromdirect-to-consumerbrandssuchasCanyonorRose.

    Olsens aimwith theDolomiteSixwas to create afunctional all-rounder, a bike forBritish conditionsthatwould still be athomespendingaweek in theAlps. Informedby thebelief thatunless youreracing its notnecessary tohaveabike thats overlyspecialist, thePinnaclepacks in clearance for largertyres andmudguardsalongwith rackmounts.

    Built aroundanextensivelybu3edaluminiumframeand tapered, full-carbon fork, it featuresinternal cable routingandsmoothwelds. Itsstandard tubeproles arepractical rather thanradical,meaning theacid-greencolour is the featurethat shouts loudest.A standard threadedbo3om

    bracket shellmeanseasier servicingandmakessenseat thisprice.

    WhileOlsen sees themajority ofbikes sellingtopeople in searchof their sole roadbike, theDolomiteSix couldalsomakeagreatwinter trainingbikeor commuter for thosewhohave the luxuryof owning tworides.At950, it squeezes inat thecost of apair ofpedalsbelowthecritical 1,000cycletowork scheme limit.

    Anemphasis oncomfort andpracticality isevident in thebikes geometry. Itsnumbershavebeenknockedback slightly compared tomorerace-orientateddesigns. Inuse, anextra centimetreon thechainstays andbetween thebo3ombracketand fronthubprovides space formudguardsandincreases stability,while a slackishhead tubekeeps the steeringpredictable rather than twitchy.A reasonably tall stackheightmeansyoushouldntneed toomanyspacersbeneath the stemtoget thebars to a comfortableposition.Our sizemediummeasured56cmacross the topwitha50cmseat tube,resulting inanabundanceof standover clearance.

    P

    Frame: 6061-T6triple-butted aluminium

    Fork: Tapered carbon steerer

    Groupset: Shimano 1055800 11-speed

    Brakes: Tektro R359

    Wheels: Shimano RS21

    Tyres: ContinentalUltra-Sport II folding 25c

    Price: 950

    Contact: pinnacle-bikes.co.uk

    Super-stiproprietarychainringsadorn thecompact four-armchainset

    Long-dropbrakes leaveplentyof roomforwider tyresormudguards

    Theres lile tochoosebetween 11spd 105andcostlier alternatives

    Awell-roundedpackage, theDolomitespractical traitsbelie

    asurprisinglynippyride

    PINNACLEDOLOMITE

    SIXPrice:950Weight:8.96kgSize:Medium

    The low-slung framekeeps thecentreof gravity closeto thegroundandwill especially suit thosewhoenjoythrowing thebikearound, eitherwhendiving intocornersor thrashing side to sidewhile sprinting.

    Taking careof shiing is Shimanos excellent105groupset. Its becomeclich to say it providesalmost all the functionsof its dearer siblings,withonly slightly increasedweight, but its no less trueforbeing repeated.Thisnew11-speed iteration inparticular represents a real leap forward. Sneakingonacheaper crankset to reducecosts is a commonploy, so its nice to seePinnaclehasnt chosenthat route, especially as thenew105crankset issuchagreatbit of kit. Indeed, theonly signicantdeviations are the long-dropTektrobrakes.Whilenotquiteup to the standardof theequivalentShimanomodel, they still doanadequate job.

    Shallowanatomicbars andsensible-lengthstemareofdecentquality.While always ama3erofpersonal taste,wecansee lots of riders optingto swap thenarrowsaddle.Twinnedwith the lowstand-over, a skinny27.2mmseatpostprovides

    Given itspracticalnature, theDolomiteSixsmostsurprisingtrait is the fact that its soentertaining toblastabouton

  • FIRSTRIDEPINNACLEDOLOMITESIX

    January 2015 BikesEtc 17

    adegreeof shockabsorption.However,while its asgoodas youcouldexpect at thisprice, swapping thebasic stockmodel for a lighter,moreexible optionshould increase comfort. Itsworthconsideringgiven the slightlyharsh rideof thealuminiumframe,althoughacheaper alternativewouldbe to run thevoluminous25c tyres at slightly lowerpressure.

    ShimanosRS21wheels far outperformthe setsfoundonmanycomparablebikes. Featuringaminimalnumberofhigh-tension, bladed spokes, theaddedstiness andreduced rotationalmass injectanunexpected liveliness intoproceedings.WhileContinentalsUltra-Sport II folding tyresmaynotbethemostpuncture resistant, their lowweight andhigh threadcount result in lowrolling resistance.All ofwhichcombines to create thebikesmostsurprising trait given itspractical nature: the factthat its so entertaining toblast abouton.

    Despite the relaxedgeometry, it isnt a stodgy ride.Stiness throughout the frame, forkandwheelset,combinedwitha lowweight,means it acceleratesrapidly, anddespite the longer chainstays theres

    li.le energywasted thoughex. Inpractice, thewholepackagegives a farmore tautperformancethanyoud expect. Its easy tondacomfortablepositionon, andwith steadfastmanners itll eatup longmiles.Nevertheless,wrenchon thepedalsand itll hareowithalacrity. The taperedcarbonfork refuses toex, asdoes theentire front end,rewardingoutof the saddle eorts.A respectableweight of justunder9kg, li.le ofwhich is locatedon thewheels,means ithappily stompsuphill, andif youpusha li.le toohard, the28-tooth largestsprocketmeans theres always theoption towinch tothe top rather than toppleover at the sideof the road.

    If theres onecriticism, its that the frame is almosttoo sti.Unlike carbon, aluminiumhasahard timedampeninghigh-frequency roadbuzz, leavingyoufeeling a li.leknockedaboutwhencla.eringoverrougher surfaces.However, this is a trait commontoall but thebest aluminiumframesandgiven theDolomites otherqualities, its easily forgiven.

    At thisprice, forabikeyoucantestrideandcollectfromareal-life shop, youcouldnt ask formore.

    Awell-roundedpackagewithgoodwheels, greatgroupsetandasensible yetsurprisingly spritely frame

    Rating

    VALUE

    EVERYDAYTHRILLS

    WINTERVERSATILITY

    8OVERALL

    10

    BESTPOINT

    Conscientiousparts list andsurprisingly animatedride

    WORSTPOINT

    A lileunforgivingoverrougher terrain.

  • Everyday luminescence for thecyclistwhowants thebenetsofhi-vizwithout thegarishneoncolours

    SUGOIZAPJACKETSizetested:MPrice:100Contact:cyclingsportsgroup.co.uk

    muggling reectivity intoostensiblymutedcycling gearhasbecomesomethingof a trend. SugoisZapJacket looks like anormalnon-hi-

    viz jacketuntil struckbyacarsheadlamps, atwhichpoint it lightsup like somebioluminescentdeep-sea creature.

    This eect is achievedvia thousandsof glasspixels covering the surfaceof the jacket.Onredandyellowversions, theyrediscreet enoughtobealmost invisible, althoughon thisblackmodel, theyre obviousundernormal conditions.Reectivity covering theentire jacket shouldprovideabe(er ideaof thewidthof the ridercompared toa light alone,while covering thearmsalso addsvisibilitywhen indicating.

    Thewaterproof fabric is tapedat the seamsand it features a storm-proof zip. Itll certainlykeep the rainoutbut lacksbreathability,meaningthis is denitely for the commuteandnot a racejacket. Prolongedathleticusewill overwhelmthemesh liner, leavingyou feelinghot andclammy inside it. Thecut is cycling-specicwithadroppedrear, elasticatedcusandabackpocket.Whilenot skimpingon features, thetremains slightlymore relaxed, allowingyou tolayerupon thecoldestdays.

    Dont expectbe(erperformance thanyoudndonsimilarlypricedcommuter jackets. Still,withagoodcut, aboveaverage styling andalmostunbeatable visibility, this jacket is far less likelyto leaveyou looking like auoro lemon.

    18 BikesEtc January 2015

    S BARTALK

    Choose thehandlebarshape thatbest suits

    your ridingstyle

    BARRADIUS

    Before theadventof

    ergonomic shapes in the80s,

    all barshada fairly standard

    continuous 180 radius.

    ANATOMICORERGONOMIC

    Apronouncedslopebe(er

    accommodates the riders

    handson thedrops. Some

    bars featureprominent

    kinksanda long, at, angled

    section,whileothershavea

    continuous radius.

    REACH

    Thehorizontal distance from

    theclamp to the frontof the

    bars.Greaterdistanceswill

    force the rider to stretch

    forward to reach thehoods.

    Barswith shorter reachare

    describedas compact.

    DROP

    Thevertical distance from

    theclamp to thecentreof the

    drops.Deeperdrops require

    the rider to reach lower, thus

    a(ening theirback.Bars

    are referred toashavinga

    deep or traditional drop, as

    opposed toa lesspronounced

    shallow drop.

    WIDTH

    Width isnormallymeasured

    between thecentresof the

    drops. Traditionally, riders

    wouldpickabar that

    matched their shoulderwidth

    although increasingly,

    someprefer thegreater

    leverageandcontrol

    aordedbywidermodels.

    HANDLEBAR

    TomRitcheyhasworn

    hisdistinctivehandlebar

    moustacheforover40years.

    Unlikehishandlebars,hes

    never felt theneedtochange it.

  • January2015 BikesEtc 19

    ince theearly 70s,TomRitcheyhasbeenat the forefrontofbicycledesign.Witha solidclaimtohaving invented the

    mountainbike, theex-pro roadie is oneofCalifornias originalhippyentrepreneurs.His vast experiencehas informeda rangeofunderstatedyet thoughtfullydesignedproducts, ofwhich theWCS (WorldChampionSeries) seenhere sits a levelbelowRitcheys top rangeof components.

    ThecarbonFlexLogic seatpost is bothlight and features aunique layup that allowsit adegreeofmovement in somedirections

    S

    FIRSTRIDERITCHEYWCSFINISHINGKIT

    Upgrading to the iconicbrand justgotcheaper

    RITCHEYWCSFINISHINGKIT

    WCSCarbonLinkFlexlogicseatpostPrice:160Weight: 176g (27.2)

    while remaining rigid inothers, providinggreater comfortbut resistingunwantedtwisting. Its compatiblewithboth standardsaddles andRitcheysproprietaryVectorEvo system; insteadof rails, this features asingle, triangle-shapedcarbonspar, the ideabeing toabsorb shocks transmi.ed fromthe roadby increasing complianceacrossthe saddle shell. Thenarrowwidthandatproleof the saddlewill suit riderswho liketo regularly shiabout, rather thanstayingplanted ina singleposition.

    TheStreemIIbars combineananatomicprolewitha short reachandshallowdrop.

    Faster ridersmaygainaerobenet fromthewing-shaped top section,whileeveryonebenets fromhavinga comfyplace to rest theirhands.Theymakeanideal partner to theC220stem,whichhasanextended jaw to improve stiness. Italso reduces thepossibility of damage tothebarsbycreating the largestpossibleinterfacebetweenbars andstem.

    Anarrayof optionsacross the rangemeanswhatever your requirements, ifyoure aer low-key, high-performancenishingkit, theRitchey catalogue isworthconsulting.

    WCSC220stemPrice:70Weight: 135g (110mm)

    WCSStreemIIhandlebarsPrice:75Weight:294g(44cm)

    WCSStreemVectorEvosaddlePrice:90Weight: 175g

  • 20 BikesEtc January 2015

    ewere in themarketfor aHarringtonjacketwhenVulpineintroduced its

    cycling-specicversion,whichiswhy,unlike a lot ofpeople,wedidnt baulkat theprice.ABaracutaHarringtonwill setyoubackanextra80quid, sotous, just shyof 200seemedreasonable, especially as itwasdesigned tobewornonabike.

    Theresnot spacehere togo into themany technicalfeatures, suce to say theyreall excellent, especially thewater-resistantco,on.Theveryfact thishasbeenourdefaultgo to garment evenon thosenightswhen thebikehasbeenleathome is recommendationenough.Aernearly twoyearsthough, the reectivebandsonthecushave started towear, ithas (unsurprisingly) fadedaermanywashes and the ingeniousmagnetic collar fastenersnowtend toa,ach to themselvesrather thaneachother.

    Noneof this is a criticismthoughnot aweekgoesbywithoutuswearing it.However,therehavebeenchanges tothecurrentmodel, some likethenewcolourwayswelcome,others, like the longer loosersleevesnot somuch.

    Whilewewould stillrecommend the jacket toanyone in themarket forsomething suitable for therigoursof ridingwhile lookinggoodwheno thebike,wedsuggest tryingoneonrst tomake sure thenewcutts(theres a list of stockists on theVulpinewebsite).

    VULPINEMENSHARRINGTONRAINJACKETModelreviewed:VulpineMensHarringtonRainJacketPrice:195Timetested:Oneyear, 10monthsContact:vulpine.cc

    W

    1YEAR10MONTHSOLD

    BRANDNEW

    LONG-TERMTEST

    Panaracers latest tyreexcelsinadverseconditionsoraway

    fromthe tarmac,withoutsacricingon-roadability

    PANARACERGRAVELKING

    Sizetested:28cWeight:279geachPrice:30Contact:zyro.co.uk

  • FIRSTRIDEVULPINE/PANARACER/ENDURA

    January2015 BikesEtc 21

    f youre looking for aversatile and tenaciouswinter tyre, JapanesebrandPanaracersnew

    oeringmaybe for you.Dont beputoby the gravel tag,

    even if youhavent yetdelved into thisstill nichecategoryof racing.Thesetyreshave less incommonwithchunkyo-roadknobblies, instead resemblingthedesigns favoured for the cobblesand farmtracksof the springClassics.Andbeingavailable in23, 26and28cversions, theyre eminently suitableformodernroadbikes; the largervolumeof the28c seemsa sensible

    choice, especially as theymeasureupslightlynarrow.

    Their robust constructionoerssuperiorpuncture resistancebutthey remain supple thanks toamoderate threadcount andnaturalrubber compound, sowhilenot thevery smoothest rolling, youdbehardpressed to tell themapart fromconventional road tyres.Only themost overenthusiasticwrenchingonthebrake levers ormost reckless ofcorneringwillmake themslide.Whentheydonallybreakaway, theyemita raspingyelp, suggesting thele-liketread isdoingagood jobof engaging

    the roads surface.This abundanceof gripmakes themperfect fordisc-equippedridersworried theirbrakesareproducingmore stoppingpowerthan their tyres canhandle.

    Their abilitiesdont runoutwith the tarmaceither. Evenathighpressure theyprovideampleo-road traction,while the28c sizecancomfortablybe run fairly so,further improving comfort andgrip.Onmucky,wetor loose surfacesthey remainunappable, eatinguppotholed surfacesorunpaved, gradedaccess roads,withoutbeingadraguponreturning to civilization.

    I

    Thedaymyheadturnedday-glo

    co.ishclothingmakerEndurarst entered thehelmetmarket twoyearsagowith theAirshell,

    and its recentneonmakeoverhidesa coupleof tweaks to analreadyexcellentperformer.

    Its alwaysbeenanagreeably lightandbreezy lid, but reinforcing thebridges that traverse thehelmetwithcarbonbrehas allowedEndura topareaway theunderlyingmaterial.Consequently, the channels thatbisectthehelmet remainuninterrupted,allowingcontinuousairowoverthehead.Enduracalls itClearThru

    technology. Its similar to systemsusedbyother companiesbutno lesseective for that.

    Distinctive angular styling iscomplementedby thehigh-glossuorescent greencolour, anddiscreetreectivedetailingon the rear andstraps addsvisibility. Si.ing relativelylow, evenonmoreelephant-likeheads,thehelmet appears svelte.

    While youdbewell advised to treatanyhelmet gently, theAirshell feelsrobustdespite its lowweight.Thisis accentuatedby thepolycarbonateshell extendingunderneath thebrow,protecting the soerexpanded

    polystyrene fromdamagewhennotbeingworn.

    The redesigned retention systemnowoers fourpositionsof verticaladjustment,whichwill suit anyonewanting to get the cradle lowonthebackof theirhead.Operatedviaa largedial, it feels reassuringly sturdy,solidly yet comfortably clampingthehelmet to yourhead.Additionalpadson thebackof the cradle furtherenhancecomfort.

    A spare set ofpads is includedandfor a limited timeso is aprotectivestoragepod, further increasingwhatis alreadyagood-valuepackage.

    S

    ENDURAAIRSHELLPrice:90 Weight:259g Size:M/L

  • CYCLEOPS.COM JETFLUID PROCycleOps exclusively distributed in the UK by www.paligap.cc/paligap.cc

  • #CAPSNOTHATSThesocialmediamovementthatsallaboutstickingupforabitofcyclingheritage

    Forall our talk of the latest gear, cu3ing-edge techandexcitingnewbikes, cycling

    remainsa sport of traditionandunwri3enrulesof etique3e. In someways theweightof that tradition is stiing (eg the6.8kgUCIweight limit or thebanondiscbrakes)whilein others, theanachronismsareall part oftheallure. Takecyclingcaps, for example.Put oneonandyouvemadeastatement totheworld: I amacyclist.While thebaseballcaphasbeenco-opted into the fashionmainstream, thecyclingcap,with its shortpeak, just longenough to keep rainor sunfromyoureyes, and its soft roundupper ideal forwearingunderahelmet hasenjoyedonly onebriefmoment in the sun,whenWesleySnipesadoptedaColnagocapin the 80s smashWhiteMenCant Jump.Besides that, the cyclingcaphas remainedthepreserveof cyclists.

    So, its beenwith somedisappointmentover the last fewyears thatwevenoticedthearrival of thebaseball cap into thesport. Not on thebike, true there, thefunctionality of a co3oncyclingcap isunbeatable but on thepodium, someriders swap their headgear for a vulgarAmerican import. Have theyno respectforheritage?The inuxof baseball capsatpodiumpresentationshas spawned its ownhashtagonsocialmedia,#capsnothats,withpro ridersbeingpublicly shamed.

    The riseof the#capsnothatsmovementhascoincidedwithahuge increase inbrandsoering short runsof fashion-forwardcyclingclothing.With thehumblecyclingcapa year-roundmainstayof theridingwardrobe, it is currently enjoying itssecondcoming,withnewdesigns, fromunderstated towild, appearingeveryday.All caps featuredherewillworkperfectlybeneathahelmet, lookcooland linkyoubackto cyclings golden years in theprocess.

    TREND

    Saywhatyou likeaboutLanceArmstrong,heknewtradition,andregularlysportedacapthroughhiscareer.Hedid,however,wear itbackwardsmorethanonce,ano-nounderahelmet,andrequiringa louchea2itudewithout.

    OnlycyclecouriersandBelgian formerWorldChampionPhilippeGilbertcangetawaywithwearingacapwith thepeakturnedup.Areyoucoolenough?Nah, thoughnot. For thatma2er,neitherarewe.

    Thetraditional styleofpeakdownandto the frontreachedapinnacleonthepateofFrenchmanLaurentJalabert. Forbestresults,thepeakshouldcomedowntoalmostcover theeyesandthetopshouldbevoluminous.

    HOWTOWEAR IT

    Justwearing a cycling cap isnt enough on its own. Howyouwear it counts too

    Fromtop:Cinelli EyeOfTheStorm,15,kinokocycles.com;CafdeColombia,

    7.50,prendas.co.uk;CadenceFlow,25,kinokocycles.com;

    KinokoXDailyGoods,10,kinokocycles.com;

    CondorWinter,20,condorcycles.com

    January 2015 BikesEtc 23

  • Roadshoesarea relatively newaddition to theGermancompanys rangebutwith twoyearsworthofR&D,Cubes

    RoadPro shoeshavegot a lot going for them.Despite anot toooutlandishprice, theyrepre.y light at 348gper shoe, andoeranumberof ingenious features. Testing them inNovemberprobablywasnt thebest time toenjoy thebenetsof theCube vent system,butwereassured thecombinationof theair vent spoiler at the toe(whichdirects air into the shoe) and themultiplemesh inserts keepyour feet cool andallow themtobreathe. Theres a largeadjustmentrange for cleats,which is ideal for thosenew tocliplesspedals or thosewhosuer kneenigglesafter a fewhours in the saddle. The li.lewingson theVelcro strapsareanice touchas theymakeadjusting the shoeseasier inglovesorwhenon themove. The sole is nylonandsti enoughformost riders,withnodiscernible lossof power transmission. Theyrecomfortable too,withCubes patentedNatural Fit lasts being realisticabout the shapeofmost peoples feet (unlike somebrands that assumeall cyclists haveextremely narrow feet). Theorange reective logoson theback increase your visibility at night, andpairedwith theelectric blue, put usinmindof thenowdefunctRabobanks kit. Thecolour isnt theonly a.ractivething: the 120price tagputs them in theaordable range formost riders.120, cube.eu

    BLUESHADESHOESShowyourfeetsomelovewithCubescomfort-oriented,super-brightRoadPros

    January 2015 BikesEtc 25

    3.

    Apairofovershoeswill goa longwaytokeepingyourshoescleananddry(ish).Notonly that,but theyll keepyourfeetwarmtoohandy if yourshoesarewell ventilated.Havea lookatourcomprehensivereviewonpage118.

    2.

    Takeout the footbedsandstutheshoes full ofballed-upnewspaper thiswill speedupthedrying time.Dontput themontheradiatoras thatcandryout theupperand (if its veryhot)melt theglue.

    1.

    Wipingthemwithadampclothtoremoveanyexcesswater isamustand if theyremuddy,goatthemwithasoft-bristledbrush(anold toothbrushwoulddo)andsomewarmsoapywater.

    GETONTHEGOODFOOT

    By their very nature, cycling shoes are designed to getwet andmucky. But just as youwouldnt chuck your bike in the shed aftera soakingwithout at least drying it, so should you take a fewminutes to ensure your shoes are clean and (eventually) dry.

    Kit

  • 26 BikesEtc January 2015

    HANDLEBARSNACKSAlongridecancostafairbit inon-the-bikefuel.Befrugalandmakeyourown

    Theres aplethoraof products available to feed

    every aspect of your ride, butwhether its apro

    team-endorsedporridgeora scientically-proven sports

    drink,what youre really paying for is convenience. This

    is great if youre time-poor, but if youcanndawindow

    in yourbusy schedule tot inhalf anhour in the kitchen,

    then theres no reasonwhy youcantwhipup yourown

    equivalent. Thebenetswont just benancial:when you

    make yourownon-bike fuel, youcan tailor it specically

    to yourown tastes andby that,wedont justmean

    avour.Withaone-size-ts-all approach, somepeople

    nd they cant stomach ready-madesports supplements;

    when youmake yourown, youcanensure that youachieve

    agoodbalanceof digestible andpalatable.Useour

    recipesbelowasaguide tomaking yourown long-ride

    nutritionand if youwant to throw in somethingof your

    own in there,well,whynot?After a fewhours in the saddle,

    youvedenitely earned it.

    Poweryourrides

    WHAT:Energy in thesaddle

    WHY:Yourbodycanonly storeenoughenergy for90minutesof continuousexercise, sowhether yourely onbarsorgels for longer rides, theaim is thesame:todeliverashotofglucose toglycogen-starvedmuscles. For years,malt loafwasthenumber-oneenergy foodchoiceoftheprosdue to the inclusionofhigh-GI(glycaemic index)malt extract,whichmeans its absorbedquickly togive youa fast energyhit. Youcanget it frommostsupermarketsandhealth foodshops.Eachof thesebarswill give you328caloriesand51gcarbs justwhat youneed togetup thosebigclimbs.

    YOUNEED:

    175gbu.er

    150gbrownsugar

    2tbspmaltextract

    4eggs

    200gself-raisingwholemealour

    1 tspcinnamon

    1 tspmixedspice

    600gdried fruitofyourchoice(dateshavethehighestGI)

    HOW:Preheat theoven to 160C/gasmark3.Blend thebu6er, sugarandmalt extractinabowl.Beat in theeggs, then fold intheour, spicesanddried fruit. Transferthemixture toabaking trayandcook foraroundanhour.Once its cooled, cut intobarsandwrap in foil.Makes 10bars.

    Stayhydrated

    WHAT: Isotonicon thego

    WHY:Even in thecold, yousweat topreserveastablebody temperature.Soevenonrideswhenyoucanseeyourownbreath, youhave to topuponuidsandhydration-regulatingelectrolytes.Amanweighing76kgneeds roughly500mlof liquid foreveryhouron thebike, but its not justwater youneed:theEuropeanJournalOfAppliedPhysiology found5.5%concentrateof carbsolution tobe the ideal forconsistent speedduringexercise.

    YOUNEED:

    100ml full-sugarsquashofyourchoice (itsRibena forus)

    400mlwater

    Pinchofsalt

    HOW:Mixall the ingredients together in yourbidonandvoila. If its aparticularly coldmorning, thesamesolutionworks justaswellwarm.

    Riderecuperation

    WHAT:Post-bike recovery

    WHY:TheBritishJournalOfSportsMedicine found takingonadrink thatcombinescarbsandproteinafterexercisewill notonly rehydrate youandreplenish yourglycogenstores,itwill also start to repair anydamageto yourmuscles. It just sohappens thatchocolatemilkhas the right2:1 ratioofcarbs toprotein. Fancy that.Our recipebelowcontains220calories, 15gproteinand35gcarbs,which is comparable toa ready-mixedrecovery shake.

    YOUNEED:

    2tbsp low-fatnatural yoghurt

    200mlskimmedmilk

    2tspcocoapowder

    1banana

    1 tspofhoney

    Pinchofsalt

    HOW:Stickall the ingredients inablender,blitz anddrinkwith impunity.

  • January 2015 BikesEtc 27

    SOMEPEOPLE

    FINDTHEY

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    SPORTS

    SUPPLEMENTS

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  • HOWTOTRAIN INTHECOLDERMONTHSABCCseniorcoachIanGoodhewshareshisfourtoptipsforpedalingon

    According toglobalwarming lobbygroups, long, coldwintersmay soon

    bea thingof thepast. Asacyclist, facedwith theprospect of spending thedarkermonthsclockingup themileson long,sub-zerobase-training rides, youmaywell think this is goodnews. Youcanhavethebest-that-money-can-buywintergearbut combine low temperatureswithwetweatherand,well, nothing says sofamoresuccinctly than freezing-cold rain to theface. For vehours.

    So if yourSundaymorningclub ride isstarting to resembleSco6s TerraNovaExpedition then youll bepleased toheara voice in thedarkness (and the rainandthe sleet) discouraging the traditionofhi6ingthe road forhoursonend in thewinter. That typeof trainingcomes froma timewhenprosmaintained their basetness in thewinter and raced themselvesto form in season, says IanGoodhew,ABCCsenior coachandconsultant coach toAndyCookCycling (andycookcycling.com).Obviously nowwith trainingcampsabroadthey can train in relative comfort all yearround,which is something youraveragerider cant do. If you live in theUKandyouwork full time then youvegot tomaximiseyour trainingopportunities.

    Goodhewhasoutlinedhis four-pointplan to training in thewinterbelow.

    Training

    INTHEBLEAKMIDWINTERNotsolongago,cyclistswouldputtheirracingbikesawayforthewinterandspendthecoldmonthsclockinguplongandsteadymiles.Notanymore

    Berealistic

    Whereare youat themoment? asksGoodhew. Fitnesswise, lifestyle, sparetimeBehonestwith yourself.What is yourstartingpoint?Theres nouse stickingaloadof trainingon to theendof abusydaybecause itwill justwear youdownandmake you ill. Calculatehowmuch timeyoureally haveand then lookat howbest touseit. Your long-termgoalmay require youto ride 10hoursaweekbut thats nogoodif youdont have 10hours.

    1 2

    RIDEINAGROUPIFYOUCANTHERESSAFETYINNUMBERSINTHISWEATHER,ASMOSTOFTHESENSIBLEPEOPLEAREINDOORS

    BepreparedWhen Iwas racing, I avoidedgoingoutonmyown in thecoldanddark for safetyreasons, if nothingelse. But accessoriesare innitely be6ernow thanback then,so theopportunity is there to train at night.Make sure yourewarmenough, that youcanbeseenand that yourbike is ready forit. Im talking suitable tyres,mudguardsandlights. If youcan, ride in agroup theressafety innumbers in inclementweather,asmost of the sensiblepeople are indoors!

    January 2015 BikesEtc 29

  • CALORIE-NEUTRALCHRISTMASTistheseasontobejolly,andsoyoushouldbe.But ifyoudontwantajerseybulgeontheBoxingDayclubrun,youmaywanttoget insomeChristmasdinnercredits

    WHEELOFYOGACyclinghasamyriadofhealthbenefitsbutforyourposture,notsomuch.Quellany

    nigglesbyaddingabitofyogatoyourpost-ridestretching.Thismonth:thecamel

    - =

    Cyclingprovidesmanyphysicalandemotionalbenets, saysyogateacherAlexandraCat(theyogaclub.org), however,itsalsoanactivity that involvesrepetitivemovement througha limitedrangeofmotionandwithout incorporatingaregularstretchingroutine, yourpassionmightresult inan injury.Thecamelpose isa trulyexcellentpreventative for lowerbackpain,stretching the frontof thehips.Italso improvesrespirationbyexpanding thechest.

    956Christmasdinner incalories

    436Calories

    burnt duringsession

    525Calories

    burnt duringEPOC

    -5Net

    caloriedeficit

    -Research inhuman

    nutritionanddieteticsfoundwecanpileonalmostakilooverChristmas,withan

    all-the-trimmingsdinnerse/ingusbackover956calories.By increasingyourEPOCafteryouvenishedexercising, youllcanburnenoughcalories

    toneutraliseyourChristmasdinnerandtuck inguilt free.

    While theresnothingstoppingyoucycling

    outside, toensureyouregoingatout foreveryinterval,werecommendtheturbo.Warmup,

    thensprintas fastasyoucan foroneminute.Thehigher the intensity, thegreater theEPOC.Restfor30secondsbetweeneachsprint.Repeat this20times.Nowgoandopenyourpresents.

    TheJournalOfSportsSciencehadagrouptrainfor30minutesat 70%oftheirmaximumeort,thenhadanothergroupdo20 intervalsofoneminuteat 100%of theirmaximumeort, resting30secondsbetweeneachbout.The intervalparticipantsbreathed in8 litresmoreoxygenandburntanextra35caloriesperminuteafterexercise.

    Studies insportsmedicine foundEPOCcan lastanywhere

    between15minutesand48hours,dependingonthe individual. ForourChristmasworkout,

    weveerredonthe lowerendof thespectrumbutthe likelihood isyoull beburningmoremaybe

    enoughtocoveracoupleof turkeysandwichesandabrandysnowball later.

    If youcanresist thebuckszzand fryup,Christmasmorning isagreat timetogetoutonthebike.However, if youthinkaneasyspinonquietroadswill giveyoucarteblanchetostuyour face for therestof theday thenyouresadlymistaken.Be-ertouse the timehavingahalf-hourburnontheturbothatputsyou inacalorie-decit state thatwill coveryourroastturkeyblowout later in theday.Thetheory is themoreoxygenyoubreathe in, themorecaloriesyourbodyburns (a litreofoxygenconsumesapproximately5calories), andafterastrenuous

    boutofhigh-intensityexercise, yourbodyconsumesmoreoxygenthannormalso that itcanreturnto itspre-exercisestate.Thiscausesaspike inyourmetabolismasyourbodyabsorbsmoreoxygento fundtherecoveryprocess.Byelevating thisExcessPost-ExerciseOxygenConsumption (EPOC), youll continue toburncalories longafteryouve jumpedotheturboandstartedunwrappingyourpresents.Sobeforeyouchecktosee ifSantasbeen,bangoutthesessionbelowandgetstuck intoChrimbowith impunity.Roastie?Dontmind if Ido.

    Come toakneelingpositionwith the kneeship-withapart.Riseupo theheels andplace thehandson thehips.Lightly engage your lowerbellymuscles (belly bu2onto the topof thepubicbone)andwell as themusclesof thepelvic oor (the sameactionyouuse to stop yourselfwhenyouneed thebathroom).Lengthen through thespinebecomingas tallaspossible.

    Slowly begin tobend thelowerbackbypushing thehips forwardand thenmidbackby taking thechestforwardsandupwards.Takea fewdeepbreathshere, keeping the lowerbellyandpelvic oorengaged.Tocomeout of thepose,slowly reverse theprocess.Build up to removing thehands fromthehipsandplacing themoneither theheels orona towerof booksbetween the feet.

    Training

    3

    4

    EnsureprogressionWhatever your level, youwant tobe2erattheendof ablockof training than youwereat the start of it and that includesover thewinter.Get yourself a target; if your trainingdoesnt haveone then youwont knowwhattypeof training todo. Lets say youvegoteightweeks toprepare for a race in earlyMarch.Ask yourself,what is themost youcando in yournalweekof training?Canyou takeadayowork to train?Can youride in theevenings?Will youdo turbosessions?Lets say youcando 13hours intotal in that lastweek; that is theendof yourprogression. So theweekbefore that youdo 12hours, theweekbefore that 11 hours,taking it right back to six hours for yourrsttrainingweek. If youwant todomoreworkin thoseearlyweeks then ridehardernotlonger. Stick to this and youll peakwhenyouneed to, not before.

    Mix it upLong, steady rideshave their place, butadding in interval sessionsand tempotraining too is theway towork throughwinter. Its theway thepros train, noma2erwhere in theworld theyare. Youwant tobemaking thebest useof your time. If youveonly got anhour, dig out yourmountainbikeandhit the single tracks. Broadly speaking,ridingo-road for anhour is equivalent totwoon the road. It canalsobe safer thanriding in traconacold, darkmorning.

    30 BikesEtc January 2015

    Pictures:Ge

    yIm

    ages

  • Sunrise over the GreatCaucasusmountain range.Craggy ridges and summerpastures of Kyrgyzstan.

    A glittering temple as yourbackdrop as you stop toswitch team members.

    The outback dust rising fromyour wheels. Your morningview was reds and oranges,you turn your final cornerto see the ocean.

    The welcoming wide, openroads of Deep South USA.Feeling the Californiansunshine on your back as youdraft behind your teammates.

    No-one on the road but youand your team, the Americanroad trip dream.

    Can you imagine yourselfthere? You could be the firstto take it on, make history,and Race the World.

    Breakfast overlooking Lake Geneva. A winding, looping Alpine pass.

    The islands of the Adriatic Sea glinting as you ride past. Travel through

    mountains and plains as you cross Bulgaria.

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  • WINTER-PROOFYOURBIKE

    Rain, gr

    it andcausti

    c salt winter

    can

    behardon yo

    urbike. Stefa

    nWyman,

    sportsdirect

    or andmana

    gerofMatrix

    -

    Vulpine, expl

    ainshow the

    y keeptheir

    eet

    of teambikes r

    unningsweet

    ly though the

    o-season.

    Wintermea

    nsa lotmore

    cleaningand

    checkingov

    erof thebikes

    . Afterevery

    ride,

    well give the

    bikesawashw

    itha sponge

    andbucket. I

    ts agoodopp

    ortunity to sp

    ot

    issues.Well

    cleangrit fro

    mthepadsa

    nd

    rims inorder

    toprolong th

    eir lifeand th

    e

    life of thewh

    eels. The sam

    egoesforpic

    king

    ints fromth

    e tyres.

    Whenthe se

    asonends,w

    ell swap

    ceramicbea

    rings for che

    aper steel on

    es,

    as theyrem

    ore robust.W

    eneveruse

    pressurewas

    hersorhose

    s, aswewan

    t

    topreserve

    thebearings

    .Welldegre

    ase

    andclean th

    edrivetrainm

    ore regularl

    y.

    Duringthewi

    nterwedon

    t switch to

    cheapergro

    upsets, rathe

    rwelluse th

    e

    groupsets ra

    cedonduring

    the summer

    .

    This yearwe

    ve startedu

    singAssSav

    er

    under-sadd

    lemudguard

    s. Theyre re

    ally

    for self-pres

    ervation rat

    her than the

    benet

    of other rider

    s. If Iwerego

    ingout, Id ta

    ke

    awinterbike

    withmudgua

    rdsbut the

    teamtrainon

    the samecu

    stom-+edT

    rek

    Emondas ye

    ar-round.We

    dontwant th

    e

    geometry al

    tered.

    This season,w

    eve largely s

    wapped

    fromtubular

    s to clincher

    s for racing. I

    n the

    winter,wesw

    itch fromth

    eSchwalbeO

    ne

    tyre totheDu

    rano forbe+

    er cutresista

    nce.

    However,wh

    en itsgreas

    yout, its nice

    to

    have the sec

    urity of gripp

    y rubber, sow

    e

    still oftenn

    dourselvesu

    sing the race

    tyre.

    Ifyourepreparedtotoughitout inthebitingweather,makesureyourbike istoo

    SwissStopF

    lash

    ProBxppa

    ds,25

    Pairedwithal

    uminiumrims

    ,

    theSwissStop

    sprovide

    dependablea

    ll-weather

    stopping. The

    ymayseem

    pricybuthars

    hwinter

    conditionsw

    illwear regu

    lar

    pads faster. P

    ickingout

    debrisfromb

    rakepads

    andcleaning t

    hemwith

    nesandpap

    erwillprolon

    g

    the lifeof your

    rims.

    extrauk.co.uk

    Muc-ONan

    oTech

    Cleaner,8

    .50;

    X-3DirtyCh

    ain

    Machine,3

    0;

    3xbrushkit

    ,18

    Pressurewas

    hersmaybe

    convenientbu

    t can force

    greasefromb

    earings, caus

    ing

    themtowear

    faster.Instea

    d,

    investinago

    odbrushset.

    Muc-oNano

    Tech isspecia

    lly

    formulated to

    besafeon

    paintedandc

    arbonnishe

    s.

    Besure towa

    sh it ofully to

    get thebest re

    sults.Acleanin

    g

    machinesim

    pliesremov

    ing

    grunge from

    yourchain

    without then

    eed todetach

    it fromthebik

    e.

    muc-o.com

    CrudRoad

    Racer

    Mk2,30

    WhileMatrix-V

    ulpines rider

    s

    makedowith

    justposterior

    protection, yo

    uandanyone

    ridingwith yo

    uwill appreci

    ate

    full-lengthmu

    dguards. The

    RoadRacer is

    designed to

    t

    even thequick

    estofbikes,w

    hich

    frequently lac

    k themounts

    orclearances

    necessary for

    traditionalm

    udguards.

    crudproducts

    .com

    Middleburn

    cable

    oilers,6

    Thesegenius

    widgetst in

    line

    with yourbra

    keandgearc

    ables

    andallowyou

    toushoil thro

    ugh

    themwithout

    removing the

    m

    fromthebike

    .Asimple rub

    ber

    O-ringseals t

    heports. Per

    fect

    forwinter.

    middleburn.c

    o.uk

    32 BikesEtc January 2015

  • AssSaver,

    6.49

    Minimalist pr

    otectionstops

    youge!inga

    skunktail of i

    cy

    roadsprayu

    pyourback.

    Doesnothing

    foranyone

    followingbeh

    indyou,mind.

    thepocpac.co

    .uk

    Vi&oriaRub

    ino

    ProTech,3

    0

    Tougher tyre

    saremoredu

    rable

    andhelpwar

    dopuncture

    s

    when thecon

    ditionsturnna

    sty.

    Widerprole

    scanberuns

    ofter

    for increased

    grip.

    chickencycle

    s.co.uk

    PurpleHar

    ry

    BikeFloss,

    3.99

    Perfect forcl

    eaningbetwe

    en

    casse!espro

    ckets.

    purpleharry.c

    o.uk

    WD-40Wax

    &

    Polish,8.4

    9,bike

    degreaser,

    8.99,

    bikewet lub

    e,6.99

    Adedicatedd

    egreaserwill

    allowyou tob

    reakdownth

    e

    contaminated

    greaseandoil

    thatbuildsup

    onyourbikeo

    ver

    thewinter,wh

    ile agoodpoli

    sh

    will helpprev

    entdirt sticki

    ng

    to it inthers

    tplace.Wate

    rwill

    quicklywash l

    ighterlubrica

    nts

    oyourchain

    , so switch to

    more tenacio

    us wet form

    ulas

    if youre ridin

    g in therain.

    raleigh.co.uk

    January 2015 BikesEtc 33

    Maintenance

  • ALLTHEWAYUPTO11

    TheEdcoMonoblockcomeswith two lockrings,oneofwhichmakes itpossible torunthe11-speedcasse"eona10-speedhub

    Change is inescapable, butthat doesntmeanits alwayswelcome.

    Thedesire to cramevermoregearson toourbikesmade it inevitable that hubswouldeventually runout of room, andso ithas come topass. The 11th sprocketnow foundonhigh-endgroupsetsis like thenal piece inagameofengineeringBuckaroo, tossingeverythingup in theair.

    While the same freehubbody(thepart the sprockets slip on to)has servedperfectly for the lastdecade, fromeight to 10 speeds,

    Ifanupgradeddrivetrainhasmadeyouroldwheelsredundant,theEdcoMonoblockisgoodnewsforyou

    ELEVENPLUS

    its toonarrow foran 11th sprocket.Increasing thewidthof the freehubtomake room for that extrasprocketmeant redesigning theentiregeometry of rearwheels.

    Andso, just like that, a new11-speedwheel standardwasborn.Andanyonewhowantedtoupgrade their bike to thenewgroupset also found theyhad toshell out for anewset ofwheels.

    Fortunately, Swisswheel andcomponentmanufacturerEdco(whichhasbeen inbusiness since1910,whenanythingmore thanasingle rear sprocketwouldhave

    34 BikesEtc January 2015

  • MILLEDFROMONECHUNKOFSTEEL,THEEDCOMONOBLOCKISSOMETHINGOFAWORKOFART

    Adopt theposition

    Standingabove thewheelwith thecasse/e facingaway,wrap the trailingpart of thechainwhip [1] (ParkSR1SprocketRemover, 19.99,madison.co.uk) around the second largestsprocket. The leverof the tool shouldbepositionedsoas toengage the freewheel,ie not cause thecasse/e to spinaround.Fromwhere youre standing, the levershould sit in the 10oclockposition.

    Throwaspanner in theworks

    Standing in the sameposition, t thelockring tool [2] (ParkFR5CFreewheelRemover, 9.99,madison.co.uk) into theserratedhole in thecentreof thecasse/elockringanda/ach the spanner [3](ParkToolAdjustableWrench, 29.99,madison.co.uk). Thehandle should sitat the2oclockposition.

    Give it somewelly

    Besureboth tools are securely engaged.Pushdownonboth simultaneously.Thecasse/ewillwant to spinbackwards,but thechainwhip shouldprevent itfromdoingso.Beprepared tousea fair bit ofmuscle.

    This is theeasybit

    With the lockringundone, youcanslidethecasse/e[4]o the freehubbody.Check the splineson the freehubbodyfordamage.Give themacleanandaddsomegreaseoranti-seize. Yourenowready tot thenewcasse/e.

    Puta lockringon it

    Thekeywayson the sprockets and thesplineson the freehubbody [5]ensurethecasse/ecanonly be/ed in thecorrect position.Check that any spacersbetween the sprocketsorbehind thecasse/eare/ed in theappropriatelocations.With thecasse/e inplace,addsomegrease to the threadson thelockringand loosely t it to the freehubbody.Check the smallest sprocket isalignedcorrectly. Using the lockringtool, tighten the lockring to therecommended torque. Thiswill usuallybe in the range30-50Nm,which if youdont havea torquewrench isbestdescribedas really quite tight.

    CASSETTETIPS

    Whether youvemoved on to 11-speed groupsets or are still making dowith eight rear sprockets, youll need to knowhow to look after them

    1

    2

    3

    4

    5

    seemed incredibly exotic) has cometo the rescue. Its latest innovationis theMonoblock, aneat casse,ethat allows you to run 11 gearson your 10-speedwheels. As thenamesuggests, theMonoblockismilled fromonechunkof steeland is somethingof aworkof artin its ownright. At 208gminus thelockring, the 11-29picturedherecompareswellwith casse,es fromShimano (anUltegra 11-speedcasse,eweighsaclaimed251gin the 11-28conguration).

    Thecasse,ecomeswith twolockrings, one for 11-speedwheels

    andone toallow its useon 10-speed freehubbodies. At 125,its far fromcheap, si,ingsomewherebetweenShimanos55Ultegraand160Dura-Ace,but given itwill allowyou tobreatheanew leaseof life intooldwheels,that seems likegood value. Alsoavailable forCampagnologroups,theotherpositive is thewide rangeof sizesavailable, from the 11-29option to the tightly packed 14-25,which is perfect for junior racerswhose topgear size is restrictedonsafety grounds.125, edco-wheels.co.uk

    Keepingyourchainandcasse/ecleanwill greatlyextendtheir lifeand improveshiftingperformance.Tocleanyourcasse/e,popthebackwheelout, spray thecasse/ewithdegreaser (goeasy, youdontwant it toget inside thehub)andscrubwithasti-bristledbrushandwarmsoapywater.Usearagtogetbetweenthecogs.Awornchainwill quicklyruinacasse/e, somonitor itsconditionwithachainwearindicator (ParkToolCC3.2,7.49,madison.co.uk).Replacingaworncasse/e iseasy just followthestepsbelow

    January 2015 BikesEtc 35

    Gear

  • HelenWyman isBritains best female

    cyclocross racerbarnone,witha list

    ofwins so long, anewcamper vanmay

    be required just toget it all on the sides.Her

    runofUKNationalChampion titles from

    2006 to this yearwasbrokenonly once,

    in 2013, andshewasEuropeanChampion

    in 2012and2013.BikesEtc talked toher

    at the inauguralUCIWorldCup race in

    MiltonKeynes.

    I rideaKonaSuperJake,which isa lot

    stier thanbikes Ihaveraced in thepast,

    perhaps thanks to themonocoque front

    triangle, and it handlesbeautifully.Mybikes

    are49cmandhave 74-degree seat and

    71-degreehead tubeangles. I have four

    bikeson thegoat any race. Twogo to thepit

    and twogo to the start line.Once the race

    has started, the sparebikegoes to thepit

    so I have threeworkingbikes tohand there.

    Becausenorace is thesame, Ihave 15

    setsofwheelsatmyservice. I haveEaston

    EC90mAeros. I useChallenge tubular tyres

    andhave three sets of all their treads, from

    theChicane,whichhasa le paAern for

    fast, hardpackground, and theGrifo

    a standardCX tyre to theBabyLimusand

    full Limus,which is themud tyre. Today Im

    running theLimus33mm.Pressurewill be

    determinedbypre-riding thecourse, and

    Ill be looking for acompromisebetween

    maximumgripandmud-sheddingability.

    Braking iskey inall riding, butespecially

    incyclocross, andnowdiscbrakeshave

    evolved to thepointwhere theyare

    becomingstandard.Theygivememuch

    morecondence in technical sections. I use

    SRAMRedhydraulic brakeswithSwissStop

    greenpads,whichhaveabeAer compound

    thanstock, especially inBelgiumwhere

    the tracksareoftenamixofmudandsand.

    I used touseTRPHY/RD,whicharehalf

    cable andhalf hydraulic, but theSRAM

    Redsallowmemuchmorecontrol and to

    brakeway later into corners. Ivebeen in

    situationswhere Iwas in contentionwith

    Nikki [Harris, currentBritish cyclocross

    champion] andbaAling for the last corner

    to lineup for the sprint. Thepowerof the

    brakes letmeslowway later andsneak

    through. I use solid rotorsmadebyCarver,

    TheBritishcyclocrosssuperstarondiscbrakes,herloveofmudandracing infrontofahomecrowd

    1WymanhasfourKonaSuperJakebikes,soshecanswapmid-racewithoutnoticinganydierence. 2CrankBrosEggBeaterpedalsallowmudtosqueezethroughforeasyre-engagementafteradismount.3 Choiceofdiscbrakesdependsonconditions:ventedrotorsliketheseinthedry,solidonesinthemud. 4 Likemostfemalepros,Wymandoesntuseawomenssaddle,preferringtheWTBSilverado. 5 Konausesstandardquick-releasehubsonitscrossbikes,ratherthanbolt-thruaxles

    Name:HelenWyman

    Nationality: British

    Team: Kona

    Age: 33

    Height: 178.5cm

    Weight: 55kg

    SaddleHeight: 760mm

    Seat Tube c-t: 490mm

    Seat Tube c-c: 480mm

    Tip of saddle to centre of bar:

    510mm

    Top Tube Length: 535mm

    Head Tube: 135mm

    Frame: Kona Super Jake Carbon

    Race CX

    Fork: Carbon Race CX

    Bar: Zipp carbon 42cm

    Stem: Zipp Service Course SL

    105mm

    Groupset: SRAMRed

    Chainset: SRAMRed 44/38

    Cassette: 11-28T

    Wheels: Easton EC90 Aero

    Tyres: Challenge Limus 33mm

    Saddle:WTB Silverado

    Details

    1 2

    43 5

    HELENWYMAN

    Words&photography:Geo

    Wau

    gh

    36 BikesEtc January 2015

  • whicharegood in thewetbecause they

    dont allowmud tobuild up. In thedry,

    I usenormal vented rotors.

    I lovemud!There, I said it.A lot of the

    Belgiancoursesare sand thinkKoksde

    but I prefer itwhen thegoing is good

    to soft after anights rain. I love racing

    atKoppenberg,Nommay in Franceand

    Hoogerheide in theNetherlands. All have

    their history andoeruniquechallenges.

    HavingsomanypeoplecheeringmeoninmyhomeWorldCupracewasworthanextrageareachlap!

    Wymanran theChallengeLimus tubular tyresat12-13psi inMiltonKeynes

    Wymanhasbeenriding fortheAmericanKonaFactoryRacing teamsince2010and iseight timesBritishChampion

    Whilemanycross racersnowuseasingle chainring,Wymanstill uses two44/38

    Deep-sectioncarbonwheelspickup lessmud thanshallowrims (and they lookcool)

    I seea fewracersrunningsingle

    chainringsbut I still useadoubleof38

    or39and44 teeth. I haveabo4omgear

    of 28 teethandnever feel theneed to

    go lower. If I cant rideahill in the lowest

    gear then runningwill be just asquick.

    CrankBrothersEggBeater 11TiMTB

    pedalsaresuper lightandoermultiple

    entry,which is vital in crosswherewere

    onando thebikeandcleats andshoe

    January 2015 BikesEtc 37

    treadscanget cloggedwithmudandsand.

    TheEggBeaters clear very eciently and

    pairedwith theaggressive solesonmy

    GiroCodeshoes, its apre4ygoodset-up.

    Footnote:Helen rode intoeighthplace

    atMiltonKeynesafter somestart sprint

    tanglesandspills. Itwasgoosebumpsall

    theway round. I never imagined Iwould

    have this experienceof somanypeople

    cheeringmeon inmyhomeWorldCuprace.

    Itwasworthanextrageareach lap!

    Helencompetes in thefth roundof the

    UCICyclocrossWorldCup inHeusden-

    Zolder, Belgium, on26Decemberand the

    nal raceof the seasonatHoogerheide,

    Netherlands, on25January. Fordetails

    of TVcoverage, see tv.eurosport.co.uk

    ProRider

  • XIZUFCJLF

    6, EFTJHOFE GPS ZFBS SPVOE QFSGPSNBODF

    "XBSE XJOOJOH 8IZUF CJLFT BSF EFTJHOFE JO UIF 6, BOE QSPNJTF ZFBSSPVOE DPNGPSU BOE SFMJBCJMJUZ XIBUFWFS UIF XFBUIFS PS UIF SPBE UISPXT BU ZPV 4VSFGPPUFE IBOEMJOH JT HVBSBOUFFE UIBOLT UP 8IZUFT BDDMBJNFE GSBNF HFPNFUSZ %JTD CSBLFT PFS MPXNBJOUFOBODF BOE IJHI QFSGPSNBODF QVODUVSFSFTJTUBOU UZSFT FOTVSF ZPV HFU UP XPSL PO UJNF BOE JOUFSOBM DBCMF SPVUJOH NBYJNJTFT UIFTF CJLFT DMFBO VODMVUUFSFE BQQFBSBODF 'PS NPSF JOGPSNBUJPO BOE UP USZ POF GPS ZPVSTFMG OE ZPVS OFBSFTU EFBMFS BU XIZUFCJLF

  • 1986RazorBladesareabreakoutproduct forOakley.Moreconventional in shapeandstyle, they stillfeatureabroadone-piece lens. Interchangeablepartsmeanusersareable tochoose from22,394,880possible colourcombinations. Themirrored Iridium lenseson latermodels renderridersexpressionsmore inscrutable thanever.

    Therewasa timewhenthe leadersof the

    peloton sported thekindof sunnieswednowassociatemorewithsuave 1960s Italianlmstars.While theearliest racersmadedowithmodiedyinggoggles, bythe 1950s, theimprovedquality of roadsurfacesmade theseabitexcessive.On thebrightest days,ridersmight donapair of Ray-BanAviators.Otherwise, until themid-80s, youdbehard-pressedtonda riderwearingglassesatall except thosewhoneeded themtosee, suchasLaurent Fignon,whose spectacles earnedhimthenickname TheProfessor.All this changed in 1984whentheOakley Eyeshadewasborn.

    TheEyeshades looked likenothingelseon themarket.Constructedof Zytel, a light,impact-resistant thermoplasticproducedbyAmericanchemicalcompanyDuPont, theyweremadefamousbyGregLeMond in the1985Tour.Within a fewyears,performancesports eyewearbecamestandard issueamongall pro riders.Oakley followedwith theRazorBlades in 1986;less ski-goggle,moreTerminatorin style, they came inadizzyingarrayof colour schemes thanksto fully interchangeableparts.Themuch-copiedMFramemodelthat camenextwasnt only ahitwith cyclists butwasalsoapprovedforuseby theUSmilitary.

    Sartorially, the 90swereadarktimebutOakleybeat ahost of Eurohorrors to carveout the largestsharewithin thepropeloton. Theworldsmostwinningest Texanspentmost of his careerwithapairclamped tohis faceand 1998sawthe introductionof the full-frameRacingJacket,whichwaschunkyenough for teams tocustompainttomatch their kit. It also saw theintroductionof theaggressivelyuglyOverTheTopmodel. TheRadar (2007)wasessentiallyanupdatedMFrameand itspopularity remainsundiminished.

    EYECANDY

    2007TheRadar representsamajoroverhaul.Whileincludingmany traits incommonwith theMFrame,it featureschunkier stylinganda lensshape thatendures, and2012sees theRadarlockaddeasierlenschanges. Today theycontinue toprotectmoreriders in thepropeloton thananyotherglasses.

    2014With thecontinuedappetite forall things retro,Oakleycelebrates30yearsof existencebyreissuingboth theEyeshadesandRazorBlades.Withanannual turnover inexcessof$1billion,JimJannardhascomea longway fromworkingoutof a truck.OakleysnewHQ is likealm-setdystopian factory, guardedbya functioning tank!

    1975JimJannard startsOakley sellingBMXandmotocrossgripsoutof thebackofhis truck.Anemphasisonergonomicsanddierentcolourcombinations is alreadyevident.

    OakleyBMXgrips

    1980TheOFramegoggle,Oakleysrst eyewear, islaunched. Jannardbegins intensivebutofteninformal sponsorshipofBMXpros.Manypaidridersdontwear them,but rather strap themabove thepeakof theirhelmet. Thisnonchalanceincreases their cool quotienteven further,makingthemamust-haveproduct.

    OFrame

    GregLeMondinhisEyeshades

    1984TheFactoryPilotEyeshade (originally theOakley Lite) is introduced.Owingagreatdeal toitsmotocrossorigins, its looksarerevolutionary.Awideanddeepcurved lens supportedat the topandbo7omcovereda largeportionof the face.A foam insert spanning the topof the framekeptsweat fromtheriders eyes.

    1985GregLeMondandPhil AndersonbecometherstOakley-sponsoredriders in thepropeloton.LeMondaccepts$75,000 insteadof equity inwhatis still a fairly small company.Hewins theTour thefollowingyear.

    1990TheMFramemarksadeparture fromthe 80s. Itestablishesmanyt-based technologies, suchasthegrippyear socks that still featureonOakleystoday.Over theyears, 10switchable lensesarecreated, including theextremelynarrowStrip,which isquickly je7isoned.Classics suchastheHeaterandStrikearestill available.

    1998TheRacingJacket features twin lensesandavented frame.They takea fewyears to reach thepropelotonandneverproveaspopularas theMFrames.Aslimmed-downversionbecomes2009sJawbonebefore revertingback to itsoriginalname. It remains in thecurrent line-up.

    After30yearsofputtingrivals intheshade,Oakleyisstillputtingshadesonthepros

    RazorBlades

    MFrame

    The RacingJacket

    OakleysnewHQ

    January 2015 BikesEtc 39

    Timeline

  • Theyreheavy,non-aeroanddangerous incrashesarewereallyreadyforthediscbrakerevolution?

    DISCDEVILS

    40 BikesEtc January 2015

    Opinion

    Hows thesearch foranewbikegoing?Have

    youdecidedwhatyouregoing togetyet?

    Pinarello?Colnago?Parlee?

    Notquite, but I havedecidedonone thing: Imgoing

    fordiscbrakes.

    Discbrakes?Hmm,Idont thinkIll beriding

    withyouwith those thingsonyourbike.Theyre

    lethal, arent they?

    If youcall increasedbrakingpower, greater control

    and reducedwear to your rims lethal, getMurtaugh

    on thephonequickasRiggs is back in town.

    Theyrereallysharpthoughandcanoverheat

    ondescents. Idontwant tosee thatparticular

    combinationhi&ingmy leg inaspill.

    Its possible, but so is takingchunksout of yourself

    with abig spiky chainring, and they seemtobe

    doingquitewell at themoment.

    Butchainringsareessential, discbrakesarent.

    Iveriddenwithrimbrakes foryears. If you

    needmorepowerthanyoucangetwithawell

    set-updualpivotcantibrake,youredoing

    somethingwrong.

    Needandwant arequitedierent things

    though. Theactionof hydraulic discs just feel so

    much lighter thancable rimbrakes. Theres no

    resistance, youcansit on thehoodsbrakingwith

    onengerand feel completely in control. On rim

    brakes youdhave tobepermanently on thedrops

    with twongerson thebrakes. And then theres the

    wetweatherperformance

    Right,becausebeingable toslowdowntwice

    as fastaseveryoneelse isntgoing tocauseany

    crashes, is it?

    I hearwhat youre saying, but the solution to that

    problemseemsa li4le like cu4ingoyournose to

    spite your face.Do you really reckon its safer if none

    of us canslowdown in the rain? Imagine if thatwas

    thecasewith cars wedall have todrivearound

    onold-fashioneddrumbrakes!

    But theystill overheatandyoucantdeny that.

    Discs canget hot if youdrag thebrakeson long

    descents, but thats not recommendedbraking

    techniqueanyway. Andwerehardly blessedwith

    Alpine-lengthdescents in theUK.

    I just think theyreunnecessary.Adecentrider

    shouldntneedextrabrakingpower. If youre

    brakingall the time,youredoing itwrong.

    Tell that toTeamSkysGeraint Thomas hewrote

    onhisBBCblogduring theTour that ononeof

    thedescents, hepulledhis brakesandnothing

    happened, itwas thatwet. Terrifying.Now

    maybe youreabe4er rider than theG-Manand

    thatwouldnt havehappened to you, but its not

    something I fancy experiencing.

    Butarent youworried that itllmakeyournew

    bikereallyugly?Aclassicroadbike isa thingof

    beautyyouregoing toendupwithsomething

    that looks likeamountainbike!

    I thinkweve reached thecruxof theargument

    here. Change is goodand theres alreadybeen

    plenty of it in roadcycling: aerobars, indexed

    shifting, cliplesspedals. Dont fear the future; its

    lookingbright. Anddisc-shaped.

    AndyWaterman is thedeputy editor ofBikesEtc

    andhasabsolutely noproblemwithbeinga total

    disc-head. Seepage76 forBikesEtcs braking test

    CHANGEISGOOD

    ANDTHERESALREADY

    BEENALOTOFITIN

    ROADCYCLING Illustration:MichaelLester

  • Up to 800 lumens in a lightweight design

    THE SMARTSIN CYCLING

  • As thewinter training ground ofWiggins, Froome, Nibali and Contador,Tenerife is the perfect place to testthree bikes t for the pros

    44 BikesEtc January2015

    VOLCANIC

    WORDSANDYWATERMAN PHOTOGRAPHYJUANTRUJILLOANDRADES ONTEST

    ACTIVITY

  • CANNONDALESUPERSIXEVO

    HI-MODDURA-ACE23,499

    MERIDAREACTODURA-ACE

    3,500

    SPECIALIZEDTARMACEXPERT

    3,000

    ProbikesONLOCATION

    January2015 BikesEtc 45

  • ixweeksbefore the2012TourdeFrance,BradleyWigginswas interviewedbytheGuardiannear the summitofMountTeide inTenerife.Hewascoming to theendof a two-week training camp,living2,000mabove sea level

    on thevolcanicplateau thatdominates theisland, acclimatising to thealtitudeandbene.ing fromtheoxygen-depletedair,boostinghis stockof redbloodcells beforethebiggest raceofhis career.

    We trainat altitudeandwesleepataltitude for two-weekperiods, he said inthevideo. A lot of themountain stagesnishquitehigh, so its aboutbeingable toperformat altitudewithout anydropo inpower.Werequite secludeduphere, there arenodistractions ideal forusbefore theTour.

    Tenerifehasbecome the trainingdestinationof choice forTourdeFrancehopefuls.Only fourhours fromLondononabudgetight, the islandboasts a subtropicalclimate, good roadsandaboveall, a decenthotel at over2,000maltitude.Earlier thisyear,TheParador, theonlyhotel in thenational park that surrounds thevolcano,saw threeTourcontenders stayingat thesame time. Imaginebumping intoChrisFroome,AlbertoContadorandVincenzo

    46 BikesEtc January2015

    With itshigh-altitude, secludedroads, Tenerifehas fastbecomethechosen trainingdestinationfor someof the topTourdeFrancehopefuls

    S

  • WERELUREDTOTHEISLANDWITHTHEPROMISEOFWARMWEATHERANDTHEOPPORTUNITYTORIDEON

    ROADSTHATMAKECHAMPIONS

    January2015 BikesEtc 47

    ProbikesONLOCATION

  • Nibali at thebuetbreakfast. Perhaps thatwouldnt seemparticularly surreal upthere thoughTeidesmoonscapewasusedas thebackdrop forOneMillionYearsB.C.and frankly, onlyRaquelWelch sportingmankindsrstbikini ismore surreal thanthe landscape itself. Itsweird: blackandbrownandmiles above theclouds, a seaofwhiteblockingout thehorizon, like anisland in space, rather than theAtlantic.

    BikesEtchas come to the island luredbythepromiseofwarmweather, incrediblesceneryand theopportunity to rideon thesameroads thathavemade the last threeTourdeFrancechampions.Thechancesofbumping intoFroomeorNibali are slimweare travelling inNovember, traditionallydowntime for riders looking topeak in July.

    Thebikes

    Thebikeswell be ridingon thevolcanoarethemoreaccessible versionsof thebikesproteamshavebeenriding this year.

    Firstupwehave theCannondaleSuperSixEvoHi-ModDura-Ace2which, at 3,499,features the same framePeterSaganhasbeenracing (andwinning) on so impressivelyfor the last fewyears.Withour54cmtestbikeweighing inat 6.81kg (withoutpedals),its impressively light, andgiven itspedigreeandoversized tubes,we suspect itwill bemighty sti too.Tomaintain comfort,Cannondalehas incorporated its SpeedSave technology into the rear triangleto introduceenoughvertical compliance

    48 BikesEtc January2015

  • SpecializedTarmacExpertA taste of Tour-winning excellence

    Summary:TheTarmacExpert is a stunner

    in theesh, that paint job is almostworth

    thepricetag alone.With a slightly lowerprice

    than theother twobikes, its no surprise to

    ndUltegraused throughout. Thenon-series

    Fulcrumwheels feel a li&le low-rent in this

    company though.

    Bestpoints:Exceptional handling and

    agreat t goodenough towin the Tour

    andVuelta in 2014, so goodenough for

    us. And that paint job!

    Worstpoints:Thewheels are theobvious

    place to upgrade in the future, but thats the

    only sore spot.

    Price: 3,000

    Frame:Specialized FACT 10r

    carbon, FACT construction, tapered/

    shaped 1.125in to size-specic lower

    head tube

    Wheels: FulcrumS4

    Tyres:Specialized TurboPro 23mm

    Groupset:ShimanoUltegra

    11-speed, FSA carbon chainset,

    52/36

    Brakes:ShimanoUltegra

    Handlebars:Specialized Expert

    Stem:Specialized ProSL

    Seatpost:S-Works FACT carbon

    Saddle:Specialized Toup Expert

    Gel, Ti rails

    Weight: 7.48kg

    Contact: specialized.com

    January2015 BikesEtc 49

    ProbikesONLOCATION

    JoshwearsSpiukDharmahelmet, 120,silversh-uk.com;SmithOpticsPivlockV2sunglasses, 120, saddleback.co.uk;AssosCentoshort-sleeve jersey, 150,

    AssosT.Tiburu_S7bibshorts, 185,AssosMille socks, 12, all yellow-limited.com;

    FizikR3Uomoshoes, 215, extrauk.co.uk

  • CannondaleSuperSixEvoHi-ModDura-Ace2A lightweight and lively road-racing thoroughbred

    Summary:TheSuperSix EvoHi-Mod frameset

    hasbeenaround for a fewyears now,which

    iswhyCannondale is able to oer this bike at

    suchakeenprice. Its a fantastic bike, light and

    lively and specced just howwed have it full

    Dura-Ace, andawheel package thats hard to

    improveupon.Whether as aprivateer racer

    or ahardcore sportive bike, Cannondale has

    created a very a-ractive package.

    Bestpoints:Theweight 6.81kgwithout pedals!

    and the supremely comfortable t arewhat

    make theSuperSix Evo standout in the crowd.

    Worstpoints:Beginning to looka li-le dated

    (external cable routing for instance) but thats

    theprice youpay for suchabargain.

    Price: 3,499

    Frame:Supersix Evo, Ballistec

    Hi-ModCarbon, SpeedSave, Presst

    BB30

    Wheels:ShimanoRS81C24

    Tyres:SchwalbeOne 25mm

    Groupset:ShimanoDura-Ace,

    CannondaleHollowgramSi chainset,

    52/36

    Brakes:ShimanoDura-Ace

    Handlebars:CannondaleC1Ultralight

    Stem:Cannondale C1Ultralight

    Seatpost:Cannondale C1Ultralight

    Saddle: Fizik Arione

    Weight:6.81kg (size 54)

    Contact: cannondale.com

    50 BikesEtc January2015

  • tobeable to ride all day.WithamechanicalDura-Acegroupset,Cannondales excellentHollowgramBB30chainset andShimanoslowprole, lightweightRS81wheels,weareexcited to seewhat it cando.

    Next tobe loadedon to the8amMondaymorningeasyJetight toTenerifeSouth istheMeridaReactoDura-Ace, anaero roadbike riddenby the ItalianLampre team,which this year included the2013WorldChampionRuiCosta.MeridamaynotbeabrandyouseeveryoenonBritish roads,but it is oneof theworlds largestbikemanufacturers (secondonly inTaiwantoGiant), and in theesh, the3,500Reactois ahandsomemachine thea?ention todetail is impressive and the specicationis faultless.MechanicalDura-Ace is as goodas it gets,Rotor cranksare ana?ractiveupgradeand theVisionwheels are a goodchoice aerodynamic thanks to thedeep-sectioncarbon fairing,butwithanaluminiumbraking surface, reliableon longdescents.

    Lastlywecome to theSpecializedTarmacExpert,whichat3,000, is the cheapest of theassembledbunchandnotably thebrightest. It sports aShimanoUltegra 11-speedgroupset, andSpecializeds FACT10r carbon frame (theS-Worksversion riddenbyNibali usesupgradedFACT11r carbon,whichhasamarginallyhigher tensilestrength, socanbebuilt intoa lighter frame), andsize-specicgeometryand tubeproling ensureall seven sizes, from49cmto64cm, ride similarly.

    Touchingbase

    Weare stayingwith theDelgadobrotherswho together runTenerifeBikeTraining.Theyremidway through theirVolcanoTourwhenwearrive, a seven-day, six-stagesupportedcircuit of the islandsbestbits.

    We let the riders recover fromtheirexertions and launchourselves into abuetlunchbeforeheading toour rooms tobuildbikes.Alongsideournormalpair ofEvocbikebags,wevebroughtwithusanewThuleRoundTripProbike case,which includes abuilt-inbike stand. It becomes immediatelyobvioushowuseful this is, pu?ing thebikes attheperfectheight to rea?achrearderailleurs,stems, bars andpedals. Its 495, but asweheadout into the late aernoon light,weagree it is largely responsible forushavingthechance to ride todayany later and itwill be ge?ingdark. Its a goodopportunityto get to gripswith thebikes theMeridainparticular, although it feels good,needsthe shiers shuingup thebars tomakefor amorecomfortable ride.Well need thattomorrowwhenwe tackle themightyTeide.

    In theevening,wecarb-loadwitha three-coursehotel buet.Aera4amstart, theresli?ledesire to stayup late, soweretire andsleep thetful sleepofmenwhoshouldnthavegonequite sowild at thedessert trolley.

    Whenweew inonMondaymorning, thecloudshoveredaround thevolcano, the islandvisible aboveandbelow.OnTuesdaymorning,wewakeup tond thewhole islandcoveredincloudsdoes thismeanwell ride above thecloud later onwewonder?Fingers crossed.

    TheTenerifeBikeTraininggrouphas130kmonthecards today, starting in thenorthof the islandbefore ridingupandoverTeideandbackdowntoLosCristianos.Wedlove to join themfor theday, but thepressureof takingphotos is likely tomakeus fairly

    WEWAKETOFINDTHEISLANDCOVEREDINTHECLOUDSWELLBERIDINGABOVELATER

    January2015 BikesEtc 51

    ProbikesONLOCATION

    RosswearsMadisonRRblack jersey, 60,MadisonRRbibshorts, 90,Pearl IzumiMensSelectRoadshoes, 90,LazerBladehelmet, 60, LazerMagneto M1glasses, 90,allmadison.co.uk

  • MeridaReactoDura-Ace

    The Italian Lampre teamsweaponof choice

    Price: 3,500

    Frameset:Aero carbon framewith

    carbondropouts, directmount front

    mech and integrated seat clamp,

    Nanomatrix and ax bres

    Wheels: FSATrimax T42 carbon/

    alloy rims

    Tyres:Continental GrandPrix

    4000S23c

    Group