Khabar Bike

KHABAR BIKE HAS MOVED AGAIN!

2006-05-02T22:18:00.000+08:00

To HERE: my.opera.com/badmadcyclist/blog/. Updates will now be faster and less stressful!

More on 2007 XTR disc brakes and levers

2006-05-02T20:14:00.000+08:00

'For 2007 there'll be a proper XTR hydro lever. The design places the reservoir between the bar clamp and the lever blade, along similar lines to Magura's Louise (or, venturing further back into history, Hope's old Pro) levers for a compact design...' More

Look expands partnership with Chinese

2006-05-02T06:13:00.000+08:00

'With the increasing sophistication of Chinese bike making, it's no surprise that French frame builder Look is rather pleased to have extended its cooperation with the Chinese bike federation to include road and triathlon bikes...' More

Ullrich joins Giro with Tour goal

2006-05-02T03:12:00.000+08:00

'Germany's Jan Ullrich hopes to get himself fit for the Tour de France by racing in this month's Giro d'Italia. Ullrich, 32, has been dogged by knee problems in the last two months and is still overweight and lacking strength. He finished 115th in Switzerland's Tour de Romandie on Sunday, 49 minutes 59 seconds behind winner Cadel Evans. "I'm not going to try and win the Giro because my big goal is the Tour de France but now I'm confident I'll be at my best come July," said Ullrich...' More

Architects want to reinvent the bike shed

2006-05-01T08:34:00.000+08:00

'The London Architecture Biennale is a "festival grounded in the fabric and history of London, but one that looks to the positive aspects of change and renewal through contemporary architecture," say the organisers. 'Reinventing the Bike Shed' brings together a range of exhibits and events which highlight and illustrate the critical issue of inner city cycling. "New parking solutions for the most efficient and least selfish form of transport are way overdue," argue the exhibition organisers. "Cycling is on a roll, and parking needs to catch up..."' More

Rudy Project offer trip to TdF in sales promo

2006-05-01T08:30:00.000+08:00

'Rudy Project Eyewear announced the launch of their 2006 dealer promotion designed to reward accounts that reach a personalized sales goal for the remainder of 2006. Once an account reaches or surpasses its sales goal they will receive a 10 percent credit on their January 2007 invoice and will be entered to win any of 111 prizes. The Grand Prize is a Trip to Paris for the 2007 Tour de France while other prizes include a 7-Day Caribbean Cruise, Rudy Project shopping sprees, Apple iPods and more. New accounts opened in 2006 are eligible to winning one of the 111 prizes including the Tour de France trip...' More

Cadel Evans takes Romandie title

2006-05-01T08:24:00.000+08:00

'Australia's Cadel Evans stormed to victory on the Tour of Romandie with a scintillating time-trial ride. The Davitamon rider rode the final 20.4km stage in a time of 26 minutes and 19 seconds — enough to grab overall first place by just 27 seconds...' More

Jamaican Daze: The Red Bull Chronicles

2006-04-30T06:55:00.000+08:00

'"I'm a guest," I reply to the hooded guy with the gun, still blinking at this nightmare, profoundly aware of my skinny ass in flip-flops and boxer shorts. Fffft. I hear a faint noise and then the gunman in front of me releases my T-shirt. He is standing there, an arrow stuck into his skull... I had arrived in Negril eight days earlier for the Red Bull Fat Tire Festival. My second trip to an island I barely knew. In no time I plugged into the vibe, the local culture...' More

What makes the parts on your bike tick

2006-04-30T06:51:00.000+08:00

'Unless you're a mechanic or your bike falls off your car and smashes into pieces on the interstate, you'll probably never see what lurks inside your bike's machinery. So, we snuck a peek at the inner workings of the gear you love to reveal it right here on these very pages. Like the celebs say on MTV Cribs when they show their bedrooms: "This is where the magic happens..."' More

Troy Lee Designs D2 helmet

2006-04-30T06:47:00.000+08:00

'With a removable liner and serious breathability, this helmet is worth every penny...' More

Tested: Lemond Poprad

2006-04-30T06:41:00.000+08:00

'The Poprad is not to be confused with a road racing bike. But it serves quite well as a road riding bike... Lemond wanted the Poprad to have the feel of a classic road bike, in addition to being cyclocross raceable. They started with their proven road geometry and made only those changes necessary to accommodate cyclocross racing...' More

Using the Web to find the best trails

2006-04-30T06:27:00.000+08:00

'Good mountain bike trails make for good mountain biking. When you're travelling, if you don't have people to show you around, it can be hard to find the best trails. Which is where online trail reviews and resources come in handy...' More

Hanging out with Greg LeMond

2006-04-29T19:20:00.000+08:00

'No matter how laid back, friendly, or chatty Greg LeMond was – thinking up an ice-breaker for 3-time Tour de France winner is intimidating. On our way back down from Brasstown, I had the chance to follow Greg’s wheel as he gapped the group on a fast descent. The lack of a serious chase provided the ice-breaker I needed, and seemed good cause to sit up and chat. And like happens on so many rides – we exchanged info about our homes and families – just like regular guys...' More

Special TdF challenge for 20 CEOs

2006-04-29T19:16:00.000+08:00

'CEO Challenge LLC and Destination Cycling have announced a new Tour de France CEO Cycling Challenge to be held July 9-14, 2006 from the Biarritz Coast to the Pyrenees. Twenty CEOs will have the unique opportunity to ride actual Tour De France stage routes, compete against each other on one of the Tour’s most famous hill climbs, and watch the Tour live as it travels through the Pyrenees Mountains...' More

2006 Giro d'Italia teams

2006-04-29T18:38:00.000+08:00

Link

Two new VeloNews TV videos

2006-04-29T18:34:00.000+08:00

Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Flèche Wallonne highlights. Link

Juliana R XC : Best mountain bike for women?

2006-04-29T07:13:00.000+08:00

'The Juliana, based on Santa Cruz's Superlight design, was tops for its roomy cockpit, light weight, stable handling and amazing climbing ability. One tester said: "The Juliana helped me feel confident to the point that I, a fairly novice mountain biker, was launching off rocks and bombing hairpin singletrack..."' More

Titus Moto Lite: Best trail bike?

2006-04-29T07:10:00.000+08:00

'We looked for a bike with 4 to 5 inches of travel at both ends, nearly equal ability in descending and climbing, deft handling in tight singletrack and a price tag of $2,500 or less-in short, a bike that's the perfect partner for an all-day ride. After days of riding Moab's punishing terrain and Fruita's buff singletrack, the Moto Lite's well-rounded handling and superb suspension proved itself...' More

Bicycling Editors' Choice 2006: Mountain bikes

2006-04-29T07:05:00.000+08:00

'Best XC Performance Mountain Bike: Specialized S-Works Epic Carbon, $7,100: After a day of high-speed cat-and-mouse around the serpentine trail network of Fruita, Colorado, one tester proclaimed, and the group agreed, that the Epic has one of the finest-feeling carbon front triangles we've ever ridden. Match that to the new, adjustable Brain Fade inertia-valve shock, and the ride is unbeatable...' More

Best plush road bike?

2006-04-29T07:01:00.000+08:00

'Specialized Roubaix Comp Double: The Roubaix walks the careful line between feeling predictable (it is, and mightily) and feeling dull-witted. It shines with a compact crank, so our testers noted that you'd have no problem happily stretching your legs on a climb when you're not in a chasing-the-peloton fury, and it shines yet again with great geometry that sits you more upright, "without ever screaming at you that you're on a plush bike." In fact, not "too" anything is the key with the Roubaix: "It's not too sluggish, nor too isolated from the road," said one rider...' More

Best women-specific road bike?

2006-04-29T06:55:00.000+08:00

'Cannondale Synapse Feminine Cabron 2: The Synapse Carbon Feminine gets our nod because of its balanced ride quality, the result of a stiff, efficient and lightweight carbon-fiber frame shaped into a geometry suited for both fast-paced rides and more-casual events. One tester noted that the Synapse felt the most responsive of the three, while another said the bike's proportions and stable ride made her feel especially confident and aggressive (Mavic's stiff Ksyrium Elite wheels enhanced the performance)...' More

Bicycling mag Editor's Choice 2006: Road bikes

2006-04-29T06:51:00.000+08:00

'Best Dream Road Bike: Independent Fabrication XS (frame and fork)... It achieved "whatever goal we set for it on climbs, descents, flats, fast days, easy cruises, hang-dog wheelsucks, sprints and desperate dashes for food," said one tester...' More

Hundreds of cyclists to take part in memorial ride

2006-04-28T09:11:00.000+08:00

'Hundreds of King County bicyclists will take part in the National Ride of Silence on May 17 at 7 p.m. The ride commemorates the many cyclists who have been killed or injured by motorists while cycling on public roads (in the U.S.). Beginning at Gasworks Park in Seattle, Washington, the riders will proceed silently at a procession-like pace of 12 miles per hour through the neighbourhoods of Fremont, Interbay, Downtown, Eastlake and the University District. Total distance of the ride is fourteen miles... ' More

Velotechnik launch 81-speed Scorpion

2006-04-28T09:07:00.000+08:00

'The new 81-speed model extends the range further with a front triple chainring, controlled by a bar end shifter. The result is a gear range of 12.3" to 123" (0.98-9.81 travelled per turn of the pedals), and of course on a trike you can take advantage of the low gears to go as slow as you like without any balance problems...' More

Bontrager goes aero-crazy with HED!

2006-04-28T08:38:00.000+08:00

'The relationship between Bontrager and HED became apparent in the last two tours where HED wheels found steady use on the Discovery time trial bikes. This eventually led to a partnership with HED allowing Bontrager to offer its co-designed products to consumers. The first result of that partnership, the tubular Aeolus 6.5, was introduced at last year's Dauphine just before the 2005 Tour de France. George Hincapie and Yaroslav Popovych rode the new wheels to first and second place in the last stage on a very hilly rolling circuit. From there the wheels saw action in the Tour.' More

Getting into riding shape

2006-04-27T18:22:00.000+08:00

'Early season rides can seem a little tough on the body. When you're not in riding shape, your body needs a little time to adjust. So what's the trick? Try to get as much time in the saddle over the off-season as you can, though it never seems quite enough...' More

Ullrich well adrift on comeback

2006-04-27T18:10:00.000+08:00

'Former Tour de France champion Jan Ullrich made a low-key return to competitive action in the prologue of the 60th Tour de Romandie in Geneva. In his first race for eight months after injury, the German was 90th of 163 riders, finishing 26 seconds behind winner Paolo Savoldelli of Italy. Despite hitting a barrier just before the line, Savoldelli timed four minutes 27 seconds for the 2.11-mile lap. Spain's Alejandro Valverde was 0.64 seconds back in second place. Ullrich is using the race to prepare for the Tour de France but admitted he had work to do after the delay to his season because of an inflamed knee...' More

Tested: Giant TCR Advanced

2006-04-27T18:01:00.000+08:00

'It's a stiff, comfortable, and fairly aggressive handling bike... Climbing, whether in or out of the saddle, was fast, as expected... The bike's light weight and stiffness made it a gem to sprint and accelerate on...' More

Tested: Litespeed Tuscany

2006-04-27T17:53:00.000+08:00

'With the attention to detail on the rear triangle, the frame is incredibly stiff when you're laying down the power, but pleasingly (for us in London at least) it is also vertically compliant. There's just enough give to take the edge of the harsher roads, and on longer rides we were still feeling fresh and ready for more. The Tuscany makes you want to ride further...' More

The tall bikes are coming!

2006-04-26T09:02:00.000+08:00

'A couple of seven foot tall bikes are being ridden around the entire coastline of the UK by Will and Ed Stevens. They're doing it for charity, they're doing it on the cheap and we salute their mentalness!...' More / Tall Bike Tour Britain

Techies drive up demand for custom bikes

2006-04-26T08:53:00.000+08:00

'Five years ago, back in the Stone Age as far as bicycling is concerned, Anthony Laskaris was thrilled when he sold a bike for $2,000. It was a cause for celebration. Back then, the really fancy bikes were made of aluminum, the most expensive set of wheels on the market might approach $800, and a $2,000 sale was proof that big money, top-of-the-line bikes had a place on the suburban side streets of America. That was then. Today, when Laskaris hears the cash register ring up a $2,000 sale, he doesn't even raise an eyebrow...' More

Another look at LeMond's new Triomphe

2006-04-26T08:49:00.000+08:00

'The first thing you'll notice on the Triomphe Series is the top tube. The tube starts as oversized and vertical at the headtube to resist frontal forces. It transitions to horizontal, almost flat, yet exceptionally wide at the seat tube. This design feature is intended to resist twisting along the entire front triangle. The top tube does not stop there. It flows seamlessly into the seat stays to the dropouts. It's a very similar flow for the down tube into the chainstays...' More

The world's toughest U-Lock?

2006-04-26T08:45:00.000+08:00

'Paired with a good, thick cable (for your wheels), it’s a damn near theft proof combo. There’s 3.25 X 6-inches of wiggle room in that shackle—which (depending on the bike) often allows me to lock the seat tube and rear wheel to something stout. I rely on a cable for the front wheel. Yes, the lock could be larger, but then it would also be an absolute bear to carry. As it sits, this little lock tips the scales at just under five pounds. That’s a serious load...' More

New stuff from Gore

2006-04-25T08:12:00.000+08:00

'Gore Bike Wear is part of the same group of companies that makes Gore-Tex fabric, so the presence of the legendary breathable waterproof stuff in a couple of these items is no surprise...' More

LeMond's new all-carbon bike

2006-04-25T06:59:00.000+08:00

'LeMond Cycles's new carbon Triomphe line of frames marks their most ambitious high performance road offerings to date as well as its first all-carbon frame developed fully in-house. Lead engineer Aaron Mock and the rest of his crew brought into play a "Min/Max" design philosophy to produce a frame with "minimum weight but maximum output..."' More

Landis seals Georgia Tour triumph

2006-04-24T07:06:00.000+08:00

'Floyd Landis overcame a late flat tyre to win the Tour de Georgia on Sunday — his third victory of the year. Phonak team-mate Ignacio Gutierrez gave up one of his tyres to the American when he suffered a puncture with less than three 3.6-mile laps to go...' More

Valverde triumphs in Liege-Bastogne-Liege race

2006-04-24T02:54:00.000+08:00

'Alejandro Valverde won a 10-man sprint to become the first Spanish winner of the Liege-Bastogne-Liege race. Valverde beat Italy's Paolo Bettini and Damiano Cunego to snatch the lead in the ProTour standings...' More

Kenyan wins London marathon

2006-04-24T02:52:00.000+08:00

'Felix Limo outsprinted fellow Kenyan and 2005 champion Martin Lel in the last 200 metres to win the men's race in the London Marathon on Sunday. The two runners, who pulled away from their main rivals in the last three miles, were locked together until Limo stepped up the pace in The Mall...' More

If you feel the burn, you need to bulk up...

2006-04-23T07:31:00.000+08:00

'Coaches and athletes don't realize it, says exercise physiologist George Brooks, UC Berkeley professor of integrative biology, but endurance training teaches the body to efficiently use lactic acid as a source of fuel on par with the carbohydrates stored in muscle tissue and the sugar in blood. Efficient use of lactic acid, or lactate, not only prevents lactate build-up, but ekes out more energy from the body's fuel...' More

Road bike test: Crumpton SL

2006-04-22T06:55:00.000+08:00

'Nick Crumpton is standing among a few very good builders that do full custom Carbon. And he stands alone in his Austin Texas shop, as the only man that will touch your bike from start to finish. He started building in the early '90s on his own... The Crumpton is stiff enough to cost you no power loss. The acceleration is what you would expect from a very light, very stiff bike. The road holding during rougher surface turns is extremely impressive as the frame and fork will flex well enough to not cause the tyres to skip and chatter the way some of the overly stiff newer bikes can...' More

Five reasons why yoga makes you a better rider

2006-04-22T06:43:00.000+08:00

'Yoga isn't just for your bendy sister-in-law and a satiated Buddha. In fact, taking just one yoga class a week, or doing 15 minutes of poses after every ride, will make you a stronger, faster cyclist. "Yoga is the single best cross-training tool," says Prisca Boris, Yoga for Athletes instructor in Vail, CO. "It gives you everything you want while you're on your bike: Strength, flexibility, power, and stamina..."' More

Give women more pink or purple bikes, guys!

2006-04-22T06:39:00.000+08:00

'When I was shopping for a new road bike last year, I had a pretty good idea of the bike I was looking for: an aluminium-and-carbon frame, with Ultegra-level components or higher, and a double rather than a triple chainring. Even though I'm 5'9", I wanted women's-specific geometry, to accommodate my long legs and relatively short torso. My dream bike would also be one of three colours: pink, purple or turquoise....' More

'Rubbing' disk brakes, Hincapie's fork & the lot

2006-04-22T06:26:00.000+08:00

'Last year I bought a new cross-country racing bike. It had disk brakes, of course, and I hate them. Why? They rub. I complained to my bike shop, to the manufacturer directly (who ignored me), but was told "that's just the way disk brakes are...they rub". I find it incomprehensible that people spend $3000 or more on a bike and have to accept having their brakes rubbing...' More

Tested: LAS Haxial Helmet

2006-04-21T17:16:00.000+08:00

'The Velox Size adjustment system with a single size adjustable from 53 to 61cm allows for vertical adjustment even during use. Exceptional internal ventilation is ensured by a 23 vent system augmented by the use of the aluminium ventilator... The adjustment mechanism at the back looks complex, but once you've mastered it, the fit is spot-on...' More

Crankbrothers jazz up entry-level pedals

2006-04-21T17:06:00.000+08:00

'Crankbrothers, known for their high-end lightweight pedals, are introducing their first pedal under US$80. The Smarty pedal is designed for all-mountain cross-country riding, and is now available from distributors. At $59 retail, the Smarty is an affordable option for riders who appreciate high-quality design, said Andrew Herrick, a partner in the company...' More

The voice of competitive cycling

2006-04-21T10:38:00.000+08:00

'Phil Liggett is known around the world for his commentary of the world's biggest bike races; a veteran of the Tour de France press corps, the Welshman knows what it takes to make a good bike race...' More

Tested: Continental Slash 2.3 tyre

2006-04-21T09:27:00.000+08:00

'When it gets really muddy, the Slash can't match a mud-specific tyre, so it seems to slightly fall between two stools. That said, if your riding is mostly on something that lies between firm and slop then the Slash may well fit the bill. It certainly won't let you down...' More

France appoints 'Monsieur Velo'

2006-04-21T09:09:00.000+08:00

'Dominique Perben, France’s Minister of Transport, has appointed the country's first 'Cycling Czar'. Hubert Peigné will the French equivalent of Phillip Darnton, chair of Cycling England... Peigné will work on increasing safety for cyclists and will aim to boost bicycle parking and get public transport operators to 'think bike'...' More

Tested: Specialized Stumpjumper FSR

2006-04-21T09:00:00.000+08:00

Pros:

* Good comfortable geometry
* FSR (Horst Link) rear suspension
* Lightweight with good amount of travel
* Good reliable fork
* Nice component spec

Cons:

* Limited seat post height adjustment
* Derailleur Knock

More

Finding the perfect fit

2006-04-20T08:48:00.000+08:00

'In the past few years the business of professional bike fitting has grown tremendously. It seems like only yesterday when the best you could hope for was a general adjustment of your cleats and saddle from the shop where you bought your bike. After that, the fine-tuning was up to you. Now, most places boast numerous shops and individuals offering “professional fitting” for anywhere from $50 to 500. But what is a "professional bike fit"?...' More / Custom fitting

Photo gallery: Hans Rey in the Philippines

2006-04-20T08:41:00.000+08:00

Tested: Independent Fabrication XS

2006-04-20T08:34:00.000+08:00

'This bike was an immediate hit, after I'd shooed away the crowd standing around it and managed to swing a leg over it, I was hooked after three pedal revs. It just glides along. Why is it different? Well IF have opted for the low-slung compact geometry rather than the upright all-day ride approach that Serotta take...' More

The DuPod... it's a wrap!

2006-04-19T20:17:00.000+08:00

'It's like a blanket. It's like a sleeping bag. But it's better. Athletique, Inc., a Chicago-based apparel and accessory company, has introduced the DuPod, the latest addition to the MyPod family of products. It's named the DuPod because it's double layered, with a waterproof nylon Taslan layer on the outside and soft, warm fleece on the inside. It's called the DuPod because it has dual functionality -- for use as a wrap at outdoor events in the rain or snow, or for use as a sleeping bag...' More

2007 forks and rear shocks from Fox

2006-04-19T07:47:00.000+08:00

'The Fox bunnies have been busy over the winter and have revamped their line. There are some technical tweaks, lots of cosmetic ones some new models and a couple of great improvements over an already impressive line...' More

Cannondale hits 35

2006-04-19T03:01:00.000+08:00

'So where did it all start 35 years ago? In a Connecticut pickle factory in 1971. And the long line of MTBs started life as a bicycle trailer... named Bugger! It was much later in 1983 that the first bike rolled out of the factory, in the shape of an aluminium touring bike. Cannondale continued to work solely in aluminium and made huge fat downtubes and super smooth welds its trademark...' More

Book on power training

2006-04-18T18:16:00.000+08:00

'VeloPress has published Training and Racing with a Power Meter by Hunter Allen and Andrew Coggan, Ph.D. This is the first book to fully explore the benefits and methodology of training with power. Many riders are now looking at this form of training so this book will hopefully unravel some of the science behind power meters...' More

Sea Otter mud bath

2006-04-18T09:14:00.000+08:00

'The crashes started right from the gun. Ferguson shot off like a rocket with Treefarm close behind. The course was pretty straightforward... the climb had a nearly impassable section of holes at the summit and the windy descent was a minefield of knee-deep pits concealed under feet of goo. The crowd was a factor as well, as a few hundred beer-swilling shouters had rallied themselves around the trickiest parts of the course, jeering and cheering those who face-planted, and roaring to those who muscled through on their bikes...' More

Neuville grabs scratch gold

2006-04-18T09:03:00.000+08:00

'It took race judges several minutes to decide what French veteran Jerome Neuville already knew - that he won the men´s 15km scratch race in a photo finish. For Neuville, a former roadie who turned to the track to win two world titles in the Madison, his narrow victory over Argentina´s Angel Colla capped a dramatic race marked by a daring breakaway that held out to the end...' More / Neuville's site

Lisa Bentley wins 10th career Ironman

2006-04-18T08:53:00.000+08:00

'Lisa Bentley secured her 10th career Ironman victory by winning Ironman Australia for the fifth consecutive time, the first woman ever to accomplish this feat. Despite starting the marathon in third place, Bentley rallied for a 2:59:00 marathon and a relatively easy win earlier this month. Bentley was 12 minutes off the pace after the bike, but unleashed her trademark withering run to overhaul the leaders in the marathon...' More / Lisa Bentley's Web site

Video interview with kilo TT champ Chris Hoy

2006-04-18T08:43:00.000+08:00

'Britain's Chris Hoy added another top honour to his trophy cabinet by winning the kilometre time trial at the World Track Championships in France. The Olympic champion, who was the last rider to go at the Bordeaux velodrome, destroyed the previous best time to take gold in one minute 1.361 seconds.' Link

World silver for veteran MacLean

2006-04-18T08:40:00.000+08:00

'Craig MacLean picked up his second silver of the World Track Championships on the final day of competition in the men's sprint in Bordeaux. The Scottish cyclist, who had finished behind France in the team event, was no match for Theo Bos, of the Netherlands, in the individual final...' More

Sea Otter & Mexican bike babes

2006-04-17T11:49:00.000+08:00

Why the Olympic kilo time trial was dropped

2006-04-17T10:24:00.000+08:00

'UCI president Pat McQuaid has re-ignited the 'kilo debate' by claiming the kilometre time trial was dropped from the Olympics Games because Australia and Great Britain dominated the event. "It had come down to a specialised area among a couple of nations," said McQuaid at the World Track Championships in France. "It doesn’t really go along with the Olympic ideal..."' More

Chinese factories ride out carbon shortage

2006-04-17T10:12:00.000+08:00

'The bad news about carbon fiber bicycles is that supply is likely to remain constrained and prices high until at least 2010. The good news, one factory official said, is that there will be carbon fiber bikes at all... A single Airbus A380 superjumbo jet will use some 70,000 metric tons of carbon fiber, while the entire sporting goods industry consumes about 200,000 tons a year... "We’re talking about three Airbuses..."' More

Armstrong to drive Corvette Z06 at 2006 Indy 500

2006-04-17T10:02:00.000+08:00

'Two racing icons will unite when Lance Armstrong, seven-time Tour de France winner, drives the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 pace car to lead the field to the start of the 90th running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 28, 2006. For a record 17th time, a Chevy will pace the race, and it’s the eighth time for a Corvette to be leading the pack...' More

Real-world cyclists

2006-04-16T06:32:00.000+08:00

'The cycling ideal is a lean 150-pound whippet of legs and lungs. Welcome to the real world, where almost all of us are carrying some extra pounds, but still love the sport...' More

How to prepare a fish dish

2006-04-16T06:26:00.000+08:00

'Fish is an excellent source of protein and wild, cold water, oily ocean fish are a great source of omega-3 essential fatty acids. Some people are a bit daunted by the idea of selecting and cooking fish. Here's how you can select and prepare delicious, healthful fish...' More

More shots of Sea Otter goodies

2006-04-15T13:07:00.000+08:00

Link

A woman-specific bike shop in South Africa

2006-04-15T13:06:00.000+08:00

'Women’s cycling in South Africa is on the rise. And that’s why Ellen Feibig, German by birth, and her business partner created Femme Sportif. Feibig has spent the previous eight years as a bicycle tour guide, taking German and Swiss cycle tourists on two week road and mountain bike tours of South Africa. The guiding is history, Feibig is now a bike shop owner...' More

Hincapie's steerer and post-Roubaix hose-down

2006-04-15T10:06:00.000+08:00

'So what happens when it's race over? Well, apart from handing out a few medals and a wad of cash, there's the not so glamorous job of cleaning all those mud-encrusted bikes after six and a half hours in the saddle... 'More

Trek’s new Equinox TTX

2006-04-15T09:52:00.000+08:00

'The Equinox TTX 9.9 will feature a full Shimano Dura-Ace groupset, Race XXX Lite carbon aero fork, and a Race XXX Lite Aero wheelset. The seatpost will be the Race XXX Lite Carbon aero post. Spec weight is a competitive 18.25 pounds for a medium bike. It will retail for (US)$4,999. The other bike will be the Equinox TTX 9.5, which will spec Shimano Ultegra, a Race XXX Carbon fork and Race Lite Aero wheelset...' More

Tested: Yeti 575

2006-04-14T06:01:00.000+08:00

'Even though the Yeti is difficult to bunny hop without first significantly preloading the rear suspension, this is a minor criticism since it is virtually impossible to bottom out... The 575 was an equally impressive climber... a joy — something you could take on any trail, confident it would perform well. It’s perfect for anyone looking to splash a little freeride sauce into their cross-country roots, or for those who crave a high-performance, epic, all-mountain ride...' More

More Kona Bike Parks

2006-04-14T06:00:00.000+08:00

'The ranks of Kona Bike Parks are swelling. The concept is simple — Kona teams up with the operators of MTB resorts around the world, helps them to design trails and freeride areas, promotes and markets the results and supplies a fleet of suitable bikes for visitors to hire...' More

Tested: Santa Cruz Nomad

2006-04-14T05:29:00.000+08:00

'This thing is fantastic. And in so many ways that we hardly know where to start, so we'll just dive in with examples of things we love about it. First, it pedals really well. It's not hardtail solid, but most of the time it feels like a taut 4in travel bike. There's just enough chain growth and the rate curves are finely honed to keep it feeling sprightly while still letting the back end snuffle out every last bit of traction...' More

Ironman's superachieving women

2006-04-13T22:29:00.001+08:00

'The days of women climbing the ladder of success are over. Look around and you'll see greater numbers not only perched near the top rung, but once there, they're finding ways to inch just a little bit higher to achieve that perfect view from the top...' More

Meal timing, size and composition essential

2006-04-13T22:29:00.000+08:00

'Proper meal timing, meal size, and meal composition is critical to provide even blood glucose levels throughout the day to train and work. Proper fuelling throughout the day (distributing calories evenly throughout the day) is also essential for weight control. Many triathletes get hungry later in the day because they aren't eating enough calories (and protein) earlier in the day. By the end of the day, they're starving and eat more calories than if they had spread the calories over five or six smaller meals...' More

Avoiding race-day dehydration

2006-04-13T22:05:00.000+08:00

'Exercising in high levels of heat may cause cramping, either by causing higher losses of water and electrolytes via sweat production or as a direct consequence of the high temperature itself. The latter cause is poorly understood. Whatever the cause, the management of muscle cramps acutely is the same. First and foremost it is important to stop whatever activity led to the problem...' More

Tested: : Mavic Ellipse track wheels

2006-04-13T04:39:00.000+08:00

'The flat spokes are immensely tight, which allows you to transmit a fantastic amount of power through the back wheel. They feel a little heavier than some conventional spoked track wheels, however they make up for this in the added stiffness gained from the high spoke tension and the beefier rims...' More

Frank Hoj's Specialized Roubaix prototype

2006-04-13T03:45:00.000+08:00

'As well as the reshaped top tube, the proto features dramatically reshaped seatstays to house the Zertz elastomers. The previous version used straight stays but this bike has a dog-leg shape in the middle of the stay where the elastomers sit. This might well improve the ability of the stays to absorb shock, and at least one of Hoj's team-mates thinks so...' More

The great rotating-weight debate

2006-04-12T07:06:00.000+08:00

'Rotating weight makes almost no difference on a wheel... it takes negligible energy to bring it up to speed... the only thing that really matters when climbing is the overall weight of the bike, not how it's distributed...' More / Still more

Respiratory training: Hold your breath!

2006-04-12T06:59:00.000+08:00

'At the end of the day, almost all cycling disciplines ultimately revolve around endurance, and that in turn relies on maximizing aerobic capacity and oxygen uptake. This explains the obsession with maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and also lactate threshold measures. When you hear talk of power-to-weight ratio or sustained power, that also relies on aerobic capacity to generate the watts...' More

Merlin re-focus on MTB line

2006-04-11T20:04:00.000+08:00

'Merlin Titanium used to be regarded as one of the ultimate hardtail mountain bikes, but in recent years it has become more of a road brand and a neglected part of the American Bicycles empire. They're making an effort now to pep up the range and to bring more focus to their mountain bike range...'

Gary Fisher's new Race Day platform

2006-04-11T15:46:00.000+08:00

'In addition to the heaps of other product that companies introduced at Sea Otter, Gary Fisher officially debuted its new Race Day full-suspension cross-country race bike platform to the public. Gary Fisher worked with Subaru-Gary Fisher team rider, Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski, to develop the new frame much in the same way that its parent company, Trek, designed several of its OCLV carbon road frames in conjunction with Lance Armstrong and the rest of his US Postal Service and Discovery Channel team...' More

Salsa's Sea Otter surprise

2006-04-11T08:30:00.000+08:00

'To celebrate their 25th anniversary, Salsa Cycles unveiled a limited edition El Mariachi 29" singlespeed frame, fork and stem at the 2006 Sea Otter classic on Thursday, April 6th. Only 100 of the special matching-painted frames, CroMoto grande forks and CroMoto S.U.L. stems will be produced (Salsa calls the custom root-beer-ish paint color "Fiesta")...' More

Special Edition Bianchi

2006-04-11T08:21:00.000+08:00

'Why is this one special? Well, it comes complete with 2007 compact 10-speed Campagnolo Xenon group and will include a Team Liquigas jersey (XL size only)...' More

Lennard Zinn rides SRAM's new road groups

2006-04-11T08:09:00.000+08:00

'I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to take three long rides on the SRAM group in the hills and beach roads around Monterey before and during the Sea Otter Classic. I was doubly fortunate to ride with it on my own bike, even, since test ride bikes generally are not offered in 65cm frame sizes. I found the feel of the lever shape to be quite comfortable, the brakes and crankset worked great, and the movement of the chain between cogs and chainrings was nice and smooth. There is definitely a learning curve to the shifters, but after around eight hours on the bike I am as comfortable with the SRAM shifting system as I am with Ergo Power or STI...' More

Sea Otter: Team bikes and custom tyres

2006-04-10T08:15:00.000+08:00

Paris-Roubaix: Hincapie down after mechanical

2006-04-10T08:01:00.000+08:00

'In another stroke of bad luck, George Hincapie (Discovery Channel), who finished second to Boonen last year, fell with about 46km to go when his steerer tube broke, his handlebars popped off and he went crashing hard to the ground. Unable to finish, Hincapie clutched his right shoulder and grimaced in pain as his bid to win Roubaix proved elusive yet again.

'Hincapie was taken to a hospital in Roubaix for x-rays, which revealed shoulder injuries that could require surgery.

"George crashed earlier in the race and he was already complaining about a pain in his hand. We don't know yet what happened to the handlebars, but it was bad luck for George," said Discovery Channel sport director Johan Bruyneel. "We achieved what we wanted to isolate Boonen without teammates, but second and fourth isn't bad, so we have to be satisfied. Today it was obvious the strongest man won."' - Velonews (Click on thumbnails!)

Cancellara clinches Paris-Roubaix

2006-04-10T07:51:00.000+08:00

'Swiss cyclist Fabian Cancellara won the Paris-Roubaix cycling classic - the race known as "The hell of the North". His victory denied Belgian Tom Boonen the glory of becoming the first rider to win the Tour of Flanders and the Paris-Roubaix two years in a row...' More / Fabian the giant killer

Graham Watson's Hell of the North

2006-04-10T07:43:00.000+08:00

Cannondale's time-trial/triathlon version of Six13

2006-04-10T01:13:00.000+08:00

'Cannondale has added a time-trial/triathlon little brother to their carbon fiber and aluminum Six13 line of road frames. The Six13 Slice 1 marks Cannondale's first departure from fully aluminum frames designed for races against the clock. Some versatility is provided by the 75° seat tube angle that couples with a specially developed reversible post from USE to yield a 78° effective angle when the need arises...' More

George Hincapie's Trek Paris-Roubaix special

2006-04-10T01:01:00.000+08:00

'One of the few riders that has some chance of stealing glory away from Belgian cycling god Tom Boonen is a 32 year-old from South Carolina, USA, by the name of George Hincapie. In recent years, his Discovery Channel team has given Jungle George every opportunity to try and win a race he's long dreamed of winning. This includes his Trek prototype...' More

More fancy stuff at Sea Otter

2006-04-09T09:00:00.000+08:00

'Crank Bros have a couple of new pedals out this year. One is the Mixer, a new low-end Eggbeater at an entry level price, and the Smarty — another entry-level pedal based on the Candy platform. Showing Crank Bros usual attention to design, it comes in a neat box with coloured corner bits that you can use to change the colours to suit your mood or your bike. Talking of which, they also do Candys in many colours now, including pink...'

'Manitou has a bunch of new things in the works but only chose to unveil the new Minute. It's a worthy new topic though as a few things have changed. There's a brand new, lighter casting and a no-tools quick release through axle. Travel has gone up to 140mm too. There'll be options like the IT switch and a regular QR axle too...' More

Bike podcasts go mainstream

2006-04-09T08:49:00.000+08:00

'You can get the 25-year history of Specialized in book form, or you can listen to a six-minute company podcast hosted by OLN commentator Bob Roll. The first podcast features an interview with Specialized founder and president Mike Sinyard. The company promises to upload a podcast a week...' More

Gomez Marchante wins Basque tour

2006-04-09T08:42:00.000+08:00

'Spanish rider Jose Angel Gomez Marchante won the 2006 Tour of the Basque Country, after powering to victory in the final stage. Gomez Marchante, lying eighth in the overall standings going into Saturday's climax, finished six seconds clear in the 24km time trial at Zalla...' More

Another look at '07 XTR

2006-04-09T08:26:00.000+08:00

'For 2007, Shimano is offering both Dual Control and trigger shifters on XTR, XT and LX. They have also redesigned their trigger shifters (which, in some respects, seem to have taken a few design cues from SRAM’s own X.O. triggers) to be more ergonomic. I’m guessing that the re-design will not just improve Shimano’s line of trigger offerings, but will also help the company highlight the fact that they still offer shifters for the masses who fear and loathe integrated shifting on the mountain bike front...' More

Paris-Roubaix: Discovery plan to beat Boonen

2006-04-09T08:22:00.000+08:00

'It's the question American George Hincapie has had to answer over and over again in the days leading up to Sunday's 104th Paris-Roubaix: How do you beat Tom Boonen? "We just have to have as many guys as we can, for as long as we can, and make Quick Step work and not give them a free ride," Hincapie said of his Discovery Channel team's simple strategy...' More

When it comes to food, small is better!

2006-04-09T08:18:00.000+08:00

'One of the reasons so many of us are overweight or obese is because we often indulge in large portions at meal time. This is especially true in restaurants where we often see huge plates of food served to hungry customers who want a lot of food for the money. We know from studies that if you put a big plate of food in front of us, we are going to eat all of the food on that plate, whether we are still hungry or not. Simply stated, we eat too much...' More

Naef, McConneloug beat the clock at Sea Otter

2006-04-08T20:05:00.000+08:00

'American Olympian Mary McConneloug (Seven-Kenda) and Swiss star Ralph Naef (Multivan-Merida) won Friday's second stage of the Sea Otter Classic pro mountain-bike race, a two-mile time trial. While warm temperatures and sunshine brought a bit of relief to the waterlogged Laguna Seca staging area, they did little to dry out the hilly, two-mile time-trial circuit around the mountain-cross and dual-slalom courses...' More

SRAM unveils new MTB gear at Sea Otter

2006-04-08T19:56:00.000+08:00