Feature Articles | Product Review

Featured User Review: Lezyne Alloy Floor Drive Floor Pump

By thien   April 05, 2012

Featured User Review: Lezyne Alloy Floor Drive Floor Pump
by Gary Lee

Price Paid: $79
Overall Rating: 5 of 5
Value Rating: 5 of 5

Summary:
Let’s face it, we’d all love to get the top model CNC Floor Drive, but when practicality and affordability come into play the best bang for the buck out of the Lezyne pumps is the Alloy Floor Drive at just under $80. I chose the Lezyne brand because of their reputation and the ability to rebuild it if anything on it broke. I’ve tried other cheaper pumps but I found that there was a reason they were so much cheaper. Once they broke you basically had to throw them away. No longer is the case with Lezyne’s line of pumps!

I’ve had this pump for over a year and have used it on road bikes, mountain bikes and even my kids bikes with 12″ and 20″ tires. I had to thread the hose through the spokes to get a good angle on the 12″ wheel but once you figure that out it’s really easy to use. Also, getting used to the twist on “Speed Chuck” instead of the “clamp” type on other brands like the Topeak Joe Blow took only a couple of attempts to get used to. But with the narrower head of the Lezyne Speed Chuck it was easier to pump up those small 12″ tires/wheels!

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Feature Articles | Pro Review | Product Review | Video

Selle SMP Carbon Saddle Pro Review

By gregg   March 26, 2012

Selle SMP is an Italian company that was founded in 1947 by Martino Schiavon, a young craftsman who started creating bicycle seats by hand in his attic. Martino was inspired by the racing efforts of fellow countrymen Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali in such races as the Giro d’ Italia and the Tour de France. 65 years later, Selle SMP is still a family business and their saddles are still hand crafted in Italy. They make one thing and one thing only, bicycle saddles. (Well, actually, they also make one model of bib shorts with a seamless bottom, but even that product is based off of their knowledge and expertise with saddles.)

The Selle SMP Carbon saddle is a bare bones (no padding!) performance race saddle with extremely light weight (165 grams). Hardcore gram counters might say that 165 grams isn’t all that light, so for the über weight-weenie, Selle SMP also makes the Full Carbon model that weighs in at a scant 115 grams. The large cutaway section in the center of the saddle relieves pressure on your gentle bits and provides better blood flow.

Selle SMP offers many different models of saddles besides the minimalist Carbon, non-padded models including the popular Composit line (nylon body with elastomers, leather covers, steel frame), the Stratos line (same as the Composit series but with more padding) and the more affordable (albeit slightly heavier) Glider line. For a mountain bikers review of the Selle SMP Stratos saddle, click here.

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Feature Articles | Product Review

Featured User Review: Mavic Ksyrium Elite (’09) Clincher Wheelset

By thien   March 12, 2012

Featured User Review: Mavic Ksyrium Elite Clincher Wheelset (’09)
by froze

Price Paid: $400
Overall Rating: 4 of 5
Value Rating: 5 of 5

Summary:
Recently I had the idea of buying some new wheels for my Look 555.

Originally, I bought Ksyrium Equipes when putting the bike together. Those wheels provided over 3000 miles of mostly trouble-free riding. Recently, I saw some NOS 2009 Ksyrium Elites on sale for $400. This seemed like a pretty good deal to me, so I went for the purchase.

The 2009 version that was on sale was in silver which is OK because all of my components are Ultegra 6600 in silver. The polished aluminum on the wheels is super shiny. The rims feature inter spoke milling to relieve weight in areas where strength isn’t necessary. There are also no spoke holes on the interior of the tire bed, so no rim strips are necessary. The spoke nipples attach to threaded ares set into the inner part of the rim. The spoke nipples are proprietary Mavic in design. Front rim depth is 23mm and rear rim depth is 25mm. The brake track is milled for extra stopping power.

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Feature Articles | Product Review

Write a Review Contest Winner: froze – Featured User Review: CycleOps Fluid2 Trainer

By thien   February 28, 2012

Congrats to froze, the first winner of the Write a Review Contest and the new proud owner of a Philips SafeRide LED Bike Light!

Featured User Review: Featured User Review: CycleOps Fluid2 Trainer
by froze

Price Paid: $220.00 at Summit Cycling
Overall Rating: 5 of 5
Value Rating: 5 of 5

Bike Setup
Most of the time I use a Giant Rincon MTB with a smooth rear tire.

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere the wind blows

Summary:
This is among 2 other trainers that make up the top 3 mid priced trainers on the market. The newer version has a heavier 2.75 pound balanced flywheel that helps make the training more of a challenge and more of road feel. The faster the drum speed increases the more watts it develops up to at least 725 watts which is more then enough wattage for even advance riders, maybe not pro riders but a pro rider will get a free and very expensive computer type of trainer anyways more tuned to their riding abilities.

It is completely silent except for the noise of the tire rolling on the drum thus a smooth tire is quieter then a knobby tire which is not recommended to be used on any trainer anyways. You can easily ride the bike in a room with someone else watching TV and not bother that person unlike wind trainers. Some tire companies do make special trainer tires but I don’t believe in them. You can use any tire that you have retired from the road as long as you first clean the tire real well and removed any embedded objects so you don’t scratch up the drum.

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Feature Articles | Product Review

Featured User Review: Shimano SH-RW80 Winter Road Shoe

By thien   February 16, 2012

Featured User Review: Shimano SH-RW80 Winter Road Shoe
by Johan Mokhtar

Price Paid: $125.00 at merlincycles.co.uk
Overall Rating: 4 of 5
Value Rating: 5 of 5

Bike Setup
Independent Fabrication Steel Crown Jewel SE, Chorus 11, Zipp 101′s, ENVE carbon Cockpit

Favorite Ride:
Anything over 50 miles

Summary:
My feet get cold easily and quickly in temperatures below about 10C / 50F, even with neoprene shoe covers over my Sidi Genius 5 Pro-Mega road shoes. On the recommendation of a cycling friend who uses them I bought a pair of Shimano SH-RW80s.

Fit
The first thing potential buyers must note is that these shoes run small in comparison to Sidi. I wear a 44 Sidi Genius 5 Pro-Mega. I wear a 46 Shimano SH-RW80. The size 46 provides plenty of room in the toe box for my wide feet and thick wool socks e.g. DeFeet Blaze.

The three velcro straps over the front of the foot and the elastic neoprene ankle cover provide lots of room for adjustment once your foot is in the shoe. I have not experienced any tight spots / other uncomfortableness while wearing these shoes.

There are two things to note when pulling these shoes on. The ankle cover tends to fold inward as you pull the shoe on, and the velcro hooks on the ankle cover catch on your sock. So you have to remember to hold that section of ankle cover away from your sock as you pull the shoe on.

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Feature Articles | Product Review

Featured User Review: Independent Fabrication Crown Jewel Road Bike

By thien   February 06, 2012

Featured User Review: Independent Fabrication Crown Jewel Road Bike
by AJ Moellenbeck

Price Paid: $2750.00 at LBS
Overall Rating: 5 of 5
Value Rating: 5 of 5

Bike Setup
Independent Fabrication Steel Crown Jewel SE, Chorus 11, Zipp 101′s, ENVE carbon Cockpit

Favorite Ride:
Anything over 50 miles

Summary:
Simply beautiful, incredible, and amazing. The first thing you notice is the attention to detail and quality of construction. The weld lines are PERFECT. All the tubes and bottle mounts are sealed so this is as corrosion resistant as steel gets. I love how they leave a circle of different colored paint on the dropouts so it does not ever chip the frame’s main paint color, and the circle is perfect and sits perfectly flush with the quick release ends. In my opinion this is the highest quality tig welded custom steel frame you can buy.

As far as the ride characteristics, they are perfect. All I did was describe a vague and general feeling of how I wanted my steel frame to feel. I said I wanted a very aggressive position with steep angles and as much stiffness as possible. The masters at IF dialed it in perfectly. I asked for it to be stiff and oh my did they deliver. It feels like a high end aluminum frame in terms of stiffness, but simutainously glides over pot hole ridden streets. Even better is that my 53cm frame weighed in at 1530g! For a steel frame with all that sealing, thick and high quality paint job, and my request to make lightness the bottom priority, thats simply incredible.
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Feature Articles | Product Review

Featured User Review: Cervelo Soloist Carbon Road Bike

By thien   February 01, 2012

Featured User Review: Cervelo Soloist Carbon Road Bike
by Jay

Overall Rating: 4 of 5
Value Rating: 5 of 5

Bike Setup
Cervelo Soloist Carbon/S2 Frame
Full DA7800
Cosmic Carbone SL (2007)
FSA cockpit

Favorite Ride:
Federal Highway ACT/NSW

Summary:
Ive ridden and raced this bike for almost three years. It really is a solid all round performer that has served me really well. It was my dream bike in the 06 tour pelaton!

This is a very fast bike that does tender noticeable increases in speed if you have the power to take advantage of its aerodynamic qualities. If your a weekend warrior who smashes out a 25km/h average speed, these qualities will not really be that noticeable. Its when youre spinning along at 35km+ that you start to notice the true quality of the frame. It may be in my head, but it just seems easier to hold a higher pace on this bike relative to my six13. Not only does it seem faster, but the ride is smoother and just a lot better!

Though the ride is solid, it does seem to lack a certain magic about it. its very difficult to quantify, but there is a certain sprightliness or panache missing here. its fast, stable etc, but not inspiring – at least after 3 years of riding it.

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Feature Articles | Product Review

Featured User Review: Giro Prolight SLX Road Shoe Review

By thien   January 31, 2012

Giro Prolight SLX Road Shoe

Featured User Review: Giro Prolight SLX Road Shoe Review
by jeff

Price: $360 MSRP
Overall Rating: 5 of 5
Value Rating: 5 of 5

Bike Setup
Della Santa, Campy Record, baby!

Favorite Ride:
Any

Summary:
I’ve ridden 25+ years. Had a lot of different shoes. My feet are narrow, so much so, I slide around in Sidi Ergos, no joke. I have had Nike’s, Carnacs, several different Sidi’s, Time (back in the day), Shimano and DMT. In short I’ve tried ANYTHING that I thought would be narrow enough, supportive enough and durable enough. Most have failed in most areas, certainly the narrow part. The best ones first: Carnac, can’t remember the name, the model under the Legend though. Narrow, very durable and excellent power transfer. Sadly my feet changed and away they went. Second best: Nike Hautacom, NARROW, fantastic power transfer, not very comfortable, but when feeling good? Damn they were fast. On a side note: carbon soles are the sh*t and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

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Feature Articles | Product Review

Featured User Review: Wilier Izoard Road Bike Review

By thien   January 26, 2012

Featured User Review: Wilier Izoard Road Bike Review
by bruce.russell63

Price: $1700.00 at Competive Cyclist
Overall Rating: 4 of 5
Value Rating: 5 of 5

Bike Setup
Full Rival, Mid-range FSA stem, bars, seatpost. Aksiums. Schwalbe Luganos. Total bike weighs in at about seventeen pounds on a quite accurate scale (wife has an eating disorder–nuf said).

Favorite Ride:
Escalera al Infierno

Summary:
Bought this to replace my stolen Orbea. Had heard good things about Wilier and this bike and decided to take a flier. I am not disappointed. The bike is very different than my Orbea Onix. For one, it handles much, much better–like a Lambo versus a Camry. It is glued to every turn. Ridiculous, and fun. It is also quick to accelerate. I will say, though, that top speed on the flats is less effortless than the Orbea was. This may just be setup or geometry particular to me.

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Feature Articles | Product Review

Featured User Review: Cannondale CAAD8 Optimo 1 Road Bike Review

By thien   January 25, 2012

Featured User Review: Cannondale CAAD8 Optimo 1 Road Bike Review
by Steve Harper

Price: $2488.00 at Bike & Run, London
Overall Rating: 5 of 5
Value Rating: 5 of 5

Bike Setup
Felt Aero wheels with ceramic bearings, Shimono Ultegra groupset – interchanging compact 50,34 chainset and 1-30 cassette in the hills and 54,42 11-25 for fast flat stuff

Favorite Ride:
CAAD8 Optimo

Summary:
I’ve been moved to write a review because I’ve loved this bike ever since I got it. I’ve ridden numerous sportives in the Alps, Dolomites and Pyrenees… I’ve even taken it round the Tour of Flanders, across the cobbles, twice (so the ride’s not as harsh as some people say) – and it’s been incredible. But like all cyclists, I started to wonder if I shouldn’t upgrade.

So I’ve been testing loads of carbon bikes; a Wilier, which tuned out to weigh a pound more and had a dead feeling in the ride, a Ribble Nero (actually quite nice but certainly not better), brand-x carbon from Taiwan (also turned out to be heavier) and several others, including a Trek Madone 5.9 – and I can honestly say, I wouldn’t swap for any of them.

My bike came with Ultegra – which has been flawless – Mavic Ksyrium Equipe wheels (since upgraded to Felt Aeros), Fizik Arione saddle (perfect). The only thing I might upgrade now are the forks and headset, which are not as light or as good as the ones on the CAAD10 – but even that’s more to satisfy the cyclist’s mania for upgrades not because it actually needs it.

This is a blindingly fast bike that out-climbs, out-accelerates and corners better than anything else I’ve tried and pretty much anything I’ve come across on the road. Got to be the cheapest way to experience that elite bike feeling. If I’m slow, it me, not the bike.

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