Carl's Cycling Blog

After losing my last helmet (longer story then I would like to get into here) I stopped by my local bike shop to replace it. To my disappointment, they did not have Giro Atmos helmets in stock. Not wanting to miss any more days of riding, I grabbed what they had instock.

I was a bit skeptical of a $100 helmet, but it did really surprise me. Comparing it directly to the Atmos, while not a fair comparison, the only one I can make. The ventilation was not quite the same, but by no means poor. I do have to say, that the sizing adjustments on the Circuit were much better then the Atmos at nearly twice the price. I thought the fit and fell of it being on your head was fine. No pressure points and it felt rather light.

Buying this helmet was no disappointment, and makes me consider putting off replacing the Atmos.

This was just too funny not to share.

I needed to replace a set of bontrager race xxx tires after crashing. I have to admit these tires would not have been my first choice, however they were the only tire my local shop had in stock that was not a 15 dollar tire.

After racing on them several times I have to say I was rather surprised. They roll very smooth, and the only disadvantage I saw was they will cut rather easily on glass, but what race tire does not. I could see getting 800-1000 miles of racing on them and would buy another pair.

Just got back from my first race with the new wheelset. These are a replacement for a set of RXLs I crashed and toasted.

Overall the role very smooth, are a little slower then the RXL in quick stomps, but the are fast!

Will post more later.

Looks like the wheels Andy was riding before were the new Bontrager wheels that just came out.

Looks like Trek has made some changes to their carbon lineup for this year. Prior to 2012, they only had 3 advertised models. TCT Carbon, OLCV2 Carbon and OLCV SSL. From what I can tell, it looks like the OLCV2 and the 600 series are comparable. The 700 is advertised to be high-modulus HexSL, the same as SSL from last year.

The real question for this year is to see what the differences are between 300, 400, and 500.

2012 Trek Madone 5.9 Di2

$4,939.99

Frameset
Frame 500 Series OCLV Carbon, E2, BB90, internal cable routing, DuoTrap compatible
Fork Bontrager Race X Lite w/E2 carbon steerer, carbon crown & legs
Wheels
Wheels Shimano Ultegra, tubeless
Tires Bontrager R3, 700×23c

Drivetrain
Shifters Shimano Ultegra STI Di2, 10 speed
Front Derailleur Shimano Ultegra Di2, braze-on
Rear Derailleur Shimano Ultegra Di2
Crank Shimano Ultegra, 50/34 (compact)
Bottom Bracket BB90 Trek integrated Shimano BB kit
Cassette Shimano Ultegra 11-28, 10 speed

Components
Saddle Bontrager Affinity Race Lite, hollow stainless steel rails, 146mm width
Seat Post Bontrager Ride Tuned Carbon seatmast cap, 20mm offset
Handlebars Bontrager Race X Lite Blade VR-C, carbon, 31.8mm
Stem Bontrager Race X Lite, 7 degree, 31.8mm
Grips Bontrager gel tape
Headset Integrated, cartridge bearings, sealed, alloy, 1-1/8″ top, 1.5″ bottom
Brakeset Shimano Ultegra brakes w/Shimano Ultegra STI Di2 levers

I am surprise not to see Trek release their new bikes by now, but they have been busy at Bontrager creating new parts. Threre have been no formal announcements, but I have seen some pictures of new wheels on Andy’s bike. Bontrager Aeolus 3 Wheels look to be a 38mm deep wheel. There is no information on Bontrager’s site about this, so we will need to wait to see if these are released to everyone.

Bontrager Aeolus 3.0 wheels

It’s about that time again. The Tour is coming up and that means Trek will be announcing their new Madones. From what I can see so far, the line up will not be changing too much. They will be dropping the 5.1 and adding the 5.7. The only big change I see for this year is (drum roll ) Dura Ace Shifters on a 5 Series.

UPDATE

Ok, so no dura ace bike in the state, but here are the stats on the 2012 5.9 Madone

As most of you may know, Trek Bikes introduced the 3.1 Madone last year to break into the value markets of carbon bikes, and for 2012 they are expanding the 3 Series line up. They will now have the 3.5 in addition to the 3.1.

From what we have seen so far (really not to much out yet..) the frame set will be the same, but with new paint color and they will now offer a SRAM APEX on the 3.1 rather then a traditional Shimano system. I think this will be a much appreciated change.

No photos yet, but I will update as soon as I see them.

UPDATE

2012 Sram Apex 3.1 Madone

Drivetrain
Shifters SRAM Apex, 10 speed
Front Derailleur SRAM Apex, 34.9mm clamp
Rear Derailleur SRAM Apex
Crank SRAM Apex, 50/34 (compact)
Bottom Bracket SRAM press fit
Cassette SRAM PG-1050 11-32, 10 speed

Components
Saddle Bontrager Affinity 1, steel rails
Seat Post Bontrager Race Lite Alloy, infinite tilt adjustment, 20mm offset
Handlebars Bontrager Race VR-C, 31.8mm
Stem Bontrager Race Lite, 7 degree, 31.8mm
Grips Bontrager gel tape
Headset Integrated, cartridge bearings, sealed, alloy, 1-1/8″ top, 1.5″ bottom
Brakeset Alloy dual-pivot brakes w/SRAM Apex levers
Extras Fender & rack mounts