Just picked up a set of Bontrager Race XXX Lite tires. I really can’t wait to put them on, but I think giving the roads a chance to clear up more would be a good idea. Last year I used two sets of Race X Lite tires and I was impressed with the feel. I hope the XXX lites with their higher thread count will continue to impress me.
I will be sure to post more information once I get them on the bike and have a better opinion of them!
Looks like Bontrager / Trek just came out with some new entry level analog wired and wireless computers. Not much information out on them right now, but here is what Bontrager’s site shows.
Wireless Trip 5W: MSRP $59.99 10 function analog wireless with temperature
Looks like they are remodeling the computers after the Node computers. If you are looking for a higher-end computer from Bontrager you should checkout the Node 1 and 2
New for 2010, Trek Bikes is offering “Dura Ace Lite” on their Project One bikes. Now, this is not an official group from Shimano, but a price saving package from Trek. It’s basically the 6700 package with the crank and derailleurs from the 7900 group.
In short, if you want to save weight and money, go for Dura Ace Lite—you save 134 grams over Ultegra, and pay only $630. In comparison, the full Dura Ace group set costs almost $1000 more ($1564.50) to save only an extra 115 grams. (249 grams total over Ultegra)
Dura Ace Lite Group
Dura Ace 7900 Front Derailleur 67g
Dura Ace 7900 Rear Derailleur 166g
Dura Ace 7900 Crank 725g (saves 65g over 6700)
Ultegra 6700 Shifter 447g
Ultegra 6700 chain 272g
Ultegra 6700 brakes 317g
Ultegra 6700 cassette 208 grams
A standard Madone 5.2 comes with a full shimano Ultegra 6700 groupset.
Dura Ace Lite Review:
Ultegra package 2,336 grams
Cost: Included in standard 5.2
Dura Ace “lite” 2,202 grams
Cost: $630.00 extra
Dura Ace (full) 7900 2,087 grams
Cost: $1564.50 extra
I like to leave the carb to protein ratio to the pros, so I get a supplement from my local Target. It only costs $14.00 for a large tub and it lasts for a long time. To make sure it has the taste and calcium I mix in yogurt, frozen fruit and milk with my blender to make a very tasty drink.
The key to any recovery drink no matter what sport is to make sure you use it within the first 30 minutes after your workout.
Carbon cages are always a nice touch on any bike, but they can often be one of the most expensive accessories you can get. It’s not that unreasonable to pay $80.00 for a single cage. Also keep in mind most people will put two on their bike.
I was really shocked to see a carbon cage at Walmart and to see it less than $20.00. It does pain me to see this at Walmart and not my local bike shop, but I guess that’s just the way Walmart works…
At 28 grams they are a bit on the “heavy” side for carbon cages, but the price is rather low.
These have to be some of the best value cages I have seen.
Last summer Cadillac had a cool promotion to get a free Giordana cycling jersey after test driving a new CTX. I of course jump at the opportunity to get anything of real value for free. The postcard I mailed in told me that it could take up to 6 weeks to get the jersey and until now had about given up on it.
Aerobars have been popular since the late 1980s. There are many different styles of clip on aerobars and picking the right set can be a bit confusing. The most traditional type is the “S Bend”. (Seen in the bottom of the photo below.)
S-Bend Aerobars are more typically used by time trialists than long distance riders or triathlonist. They are much less comfortable and the longer bars are used to pull up on as a way of stabilizing your upper body. This pulling action also provides more power. Keep in mind that S-bend areobars also offer the least amount of control over the bike.
At the other end of the spectrum of aerobars there are “Ski Bend”. (seen at the top of the image above) Ski bend aerobars do not provide the same amount of leverage that S do, but they put much less stress on your wrists. This is seen in the x-ray of a cyclist wrists using S vs Ski.
What Aerobars are right for me?
Almost any aerobar will put you into a narrower position and picking a set that is comfortable for you is the most important thing. Going to your local bike shop and trying different types will be the easiest way to accomplish this.
Remember that putting yourself into a more aggressive position than your body can tolerate can result in injury, or you just won’t use the aerobar as much despite them being installed.
There is no doubt that information travels faster these days than it ever has and this is a perfect example of Twitter supercharging communication. It was only this last Saturday that Lance Armstrong organized a casual ride with about 5000 riders with nothing more the Twitter. It is really hard to believe that a 19mile long riding event was made possible by one man and one Tweet ( and maybe a few re-tweets)
