By: Gary Lee

Product Description:
Weight: 7.5 kgs (~16lbs)
Wheel size: 16″-29″
Type of Resistance: Centrifugal Pressure Resistance system technology
MSRP: $319

The 1up CPR-A2000 comes into our test lab this week with high expectations. The near perfect user reviews on our site set us up to expect more out of this trainer than others we have lined up. Initially, when I first saw the trainer in person I thought it looked odd. It didn’t strike me as being very refined with the aluminum materials and rectangular/geometric shapes of the tubing bolted to some round tubing. But first impressions can be tricky, especially with this trainer!

After going over it a bit closer you notice that the construction is actually top notch and well thought out. And the aluminum material actually makes the trainer lighter while retaining strength and integrity in the design.

The quick release mechanism is pure genius. It’s simple and easy to install any bike, unlike others where you had to hold the frame of the trainer up while somehow lining up the bike and then tightening up the knobs. With the 1up you can hold the bike and just use your feet to lock it in place. And once in, you turn the knob out of the way and with the stopper there is no way to accidentally knock it open.

Then there are the telescoping legs… The adjusting knobs are easy to operate just in case you have un-level floors. My only gripe is that there should be some sort of measurement marks on the legs so you can keep track of where you adjust the legs for ease of adjustment on future set-ups.

Other notable equipment and features on this trainer is the tool attachment and the fact that you can install almost any size bike on the trainer, even a kid’s bike. Not something that you can do with most other trainers. And when not in use it folds to a very flat 6” which makes it easily storable.

With the bike on the trainer the adjustment of the flywheel took a little getting used to. I would tighten it up and find that it would slip so I’d have to get off and tighten it up some more. But per the directions, you should take the time, about 30 seconds, to test out the trainer slippage before starting your workout. Not a big deal at all.

Once on, the road feel was excellent and the unit was even quieter than any other trainer I have tried. The bike also felt solid on the trainer and the PVC feet kept it from sliding around. And as the website states, when you spin up to 20 mph or so it actually feels like you are spinning at 20mph.

Another plus is the ability to change the resistance of the flywheel. It takes a little bit of mechanical ability but it is far from rocket science. Plus the only tool you need is already included and easily accessible on the frame of the trainer. Just don’t lose the small parts like the spring or the ball bearings! But if you want to simulate hard climbing, this is a nice feature. Just not something you want to change back and forth all the time. Read the rest of this entry »

Fluid + Mag Hybrid Resistance System

Product Description:
Weight: 9.0 kgs (~20lbs)
Wheel size: 26″-29″
Type of Resistance: Hybrid (Uses a Fluid + Magnetic”)
MSRP: $249

Assembly Required:
The VFS-G came in more pieces than other units we’ve tested, but even though it took us a bit, was pretty straight forward to put together. It also came with the necessary hex wrench, this is important, because you’ll need to break down the unit and rebuild it depending on the type of tire/bike you’ll be using on the unit. There is a small cutout on the plastic frame to store the tool, so that you won’t need to go looking for said hex wrench.

So what did we think…
Once assembled, our initial impressions were favorable. It was easy to carry, folded flat, and was easily stored when not in use.

Upon setting up the trainer for the first time we found the adjustment handle and knob to be easy to use, setting up a bike was very quick and painless. The rubber surrounds and pad worked well and kept the unit from sliding around on the floor.

Read the rest of this entry »

One of the new trainers we are testing out at the shop is the Tacx Cosmos. I’d seen this product at Interbike and it usually draws a crowd, especially with the Virtual Reality package hooked up. I’m always hearing people say “wouldn’t it be cool if you could ride a race course on your trainer” and I tell them, yeah, someone makes that…

My first impressions of the Cosmos are mixed. Disappointment #1 - as an MTB racer who trains a lot on the road I was really bummed to find that adjusting the rear wheel resistance unit to adapt to different wheel diameters requires disassembly and reassembly with an adapter plate under the motor mount. I often like to put my MTB on the trainer but with the Cosmos you pretty much have to select one wheel diameter and stick with it for a while. This is necessitated by the tight clearances between the wheel and the drum, as you can see in this photo. Other than that the mechanical setup was pretty easy.

On the plus side, one very convenient aspect of the Cosmos is that the rear axle clamp and the resistance unit are both on cam-operated clamps analogous to a quick release so once you get them adjusted it is a very quick step to lock in the wheel and clamp down the drum. Here is a shot with the blue lever pushed down and the resistance drum engaged.

That silver thing you see is no ordinary magnetic or fluid resistance unit, but rather a motor. This enables the resistance to adjust according to either the pre-programmed training routine or a race course (when using the VR upgrade package). The workouts are easy to create on your PC using the software that comes with the unit. You can set the profile by power, heart rate, or gradient. So far I’ve only tested power. I’m still trying to figure out which HR transmitter works with the Cosmos, more on that later. The product support information is silent on the subject. I have just about every brand available so I’m sure I have the right one somewhere in my pile.

Finally here are a couple of shots, showing the whole setup and a close up of the world’s largest handlebar unit. It has a solid feel and the buttons are easy to use when cranking hard, so I don’t mind the size although I wish the straps were a bit longer to wrap around the taped part of the bar. They go on fast though, using O-rings, similar to the crank magnet and the sensor, so setup is once again pretty easy. Tacx definitely seems to have done their homework on this aspect of trainer usage.

In an unrelated note, I’ve been testing out a nifty product called the GelBot. If you use energy gels such as Hammer gel but want to make life a little more convenient, check this out. It has a small reservoir nested in the cap of the bottle where you put the gel. Squeeze the bottle with the nozzle shut to get the gel out, or open it like a standard bottle to drink the water. The only downsides I saw were that the nozzle is pretty large compared to most bottles, and there is enough flow resistance in the gel port that in cold weather I expect the gel would be too viscous and would be hard to squeeze out. But for a simplified solution in warm weather this would spare you some messy gel packs in your jersey pockets. Pretty clever I’d say. I think GelBot is a super option in a TT where you need some energy supply, but not too much, and only want to carry one thing. They are sold by Hydrapak.

Aaron’s Corporate Furnishings Women’s Pro Cycling team recently held their pre-season training camp in Santa Cruz, CA. Training camp is always a good time, it’s usually the only time the complete team is all together to train, strategize for the upcoming season, and most importantly bond together as a team. It’s also the time of year that new bikes are issued to riders. For 2008, Aaron’s team members will find themselves training and riding on Specialized’s top of the range S-Works Ruby SL. The Ruby SL improves upon Specialized’s very successful Designs for Women Ruby line of bikes. The new SL utilizes S-Works FACT 10r carbon, with Az-1 construction, and Zertz inserts (in both the seat stays and front fork). The end product being a frame that is lighter and stiffer than last years top of the range S-Works Ruby.

Aaron’s will continue using SRAM components, but this year, the team bikes will be outfited with SRAM’s new Red groupset. Race trimmed bikes will sport full Red componentry, except for the cranksets, which will be Specialized’s integrated over sized designed S-Works FACT carbon cranksets, with or without an SRM power meter depending on the rider. The Red group boasts improved shifting and ligter weight than the previous top-end Force group. The whole group (with Red crankset) weighs less than 2,000 grams, 168 grams lighter than Force.

The team will be rolling on Specialized’s line of Roval wheels. A line that Specialized resurrected a couple years ago and has since refined. The team will be using both the Roval Fusée Star Wheels as well the Roval Rapide II Carbon clincher. The Roval Fusée Star wheel sports the Star hub which has been shown to yield 50% less frontal area and minimizing wind drag. The Rapide II clincher uses a 100% FACT composite clincher rim and DT Aerolite butted spokes. These wheels will help keep the overall weight of the bike at just around the UCI limit of 6.8kg.

For time trials, Aaron’s will be riding Specialized Transitions.

Words and photos by Thien Dinh

Specialized Ruby SL user reviews.
SRAM Red groupset user reviews.
Specialized Transition user reviews.

RoadBikeReview LED Lights Shootout Main Page

The light output measurement is performed by placing a Lux light meter beside the light. Both are pointed at the ceiling (five feet above) of a dark room. This measurement uses the ambient light produced by the bike light. We found this to be the most effective and repeatable measure of each light.

Pointing the light directly at the meter produced varying readings depending on exactly where the light beam was centered. Also, it was highly dependent on how focused the beam pattern was.

RoadBikeReview LED Lights Shootout Main Page

RoadBikeReview LED Lights Shootout Main Page

Exposure Enduro Maxx $ 450.00

Exposure Race Maxx $ 350.00

Description:

The Maxx series of lights are self-contained light systems. The Enduro Maxx has three LEDs and the Race Maxx has two. Both share the same case which about the size of two D-Cell batteries. The machining is impecable and the laser etching is both attractive and informative. These lights set out to achieve a compact package, light weight, long run-time and a bright, clear beam pattern.

The mounting systems were very well thought-out as well. The handlebar mount features one-handed install and removal of the light head. The Joystick helmet mount is completely adjustable and the light snaps on and off easily but securely.

The Lumen claims of 720 for the Enduro and 240 for the Joystick seem a bit generous compared to competition. Like most companies, Exposure does not measure lumen output. They base their numbers on best case scenarios for the LED bulbs used. From our photos and light measurements, they are about as bright as the lower rated Niterider Trinewt and Dinotte 600L.

Light Head Close ups:

Mounting Options:

The Enduro Maxx and the Race Maxx are for handlebar mounting only.

Read the rest of this entry »

RoadBikeReview LED Lights Shootout Main Page

Jet Lites Shadow Lithium $ 500.00

Description:

The Shadow is a 13W light head that has been around for years. It is still extremely competitive with a bright spot and a wide halo. This year, it has been updated with a Lithium battery with a fuel tank. The wiring connector on this is an aligned, screw-on type. It’s a bit cumbersome for day to day use but great if you ride in wet and rugged conditions.

Light Head Close ups:

Mounting Options:

Handlebar mounting as well as helmet mounting is available for this light. It works great in both applications.

Light Meter Readings:

Our ambient light measurement came in at 30 Lux. This was equal to the output of the Exposure Enduro Maxx and just below the Niterider Trinewt at 33 Lux.

Read the rest of this entry »

Here’s a product we received shortly before the end of the year, Oregon Scientific’s updated helmet cam, the ATC2K. We’ll be taking it out on Road rides, ascending and descending local climbs, and along trails on our favorite mountain bike rides in the coming weeks and report back to ya. The helmet cam accepts SD cards up to 2gb for roughly an hour of recording, and connects directly to your computer via USB. Allowing easy transfers and immediate uploads to your favorite online video host.

Some of the details provided by Oregon Scientific:

* Full-function, hands-free, digital recording
* Waterproof up to 3 meters and shock-resistant for extreme conditions
* Mounts easily on helmets, handlebars, and other sports equipment
* 640 x 480 VGA resolution at 30 frames per second
* USB and RCA cables included for easy playback on PC or TV (NTSC)
* SD card expansion up to 2GB – onboard memory is 32MB
* Operates with 2 AA batteries, not included
* Dimensions: 4.25L x 1.75D x 2.25H (in.)

RoadBikeReview LED Lights Shootout Main Page

This review covers the Jeni H and the BR Lights C2.1 H (see below for full review on both lights)

Jeni H $ 299.00

Description:

The BR Lights Jeni is a self-contained helmet mount system. Construction is excellent and the switch mechanism is best in class. It’s a bit on the heavy side at 301 grams but it is fairly flat and sits low on top of the helmet. The light is extremely bright with a spot that allows the the rider to see very far into the trail.

Light Head Close ups:

Read the rest of this entry »

Photo ©: Roadbikereview.com

Weight-weenie excellence

By Francis Cebedo
Date: March 17, 2005

The package     Lever release system

Mounting post     Cam system

Side by side with Shimano 7800 brake     7800 weight

Rear brake installed     Front brake installed

Side view

Two Zero Gravity brakes weigh as much as one Dura Ace front brake. The Zero Gravity brake is more powerful than the Dura Ace 7800 brake.
That’s all you need to know… end of review.

Unlike most ultralight products, this one doesn’t come with compromises in performance. The best materials, impressive design and flawless construction are combined
to deliver a product that racers and bike customizers are sure to lust for. It’s light, it looks great and performs
even better. What more can you ask for. Well, unfortunately the issue of price comes up. $399 a pair.

The Package:
The set comes with two sets of brake pads. Mounted are red Corima brake pads. These are ultra-light pads made
of cork and formulated for use with carbon rims only. A set of black Koolstop pads are included as well
that can be used with normal aluminum rims and carbon rims. Pad replacement is performed simply by pushing the pads off and on with your fingers.System weights are:
Brakes with Corima pads - 167.5 grams
Brakes with Koolstop pads - 180 grams

Installation:
Let me start by saying that these are not as easy to install as Shimano brakes. Centering the brakes is perhaps the
biggest obstacle. The allen screw to center Shimano brakes does not exist here. The mounting nut has to be torqued
according to spec then a 13mm cone wrench should be used to turn the notched cylinder and center the brakes. The cable
housing length has to just right so it does not interfere with brake centering when operating the brake. Locking the brake pads to the
perfect rim location is tricky since the pads want to twist around when tightening the pad bolt.

The return spring on these levers is not very powerful and it cannot be adjusted. Thus perfect cable lengths and condition
is required for optimum operation of these brakes. On Shimano brakes, one can just crank down on the return spring tension
to counteract any cable issues.

Operation and Performance:
Unlike Shimano and Campy brakes, opening up the levers to remove the wheel is a two-handed process. You need to close the calipers
with one hand before you can flip up the cam to open up the lever. That’s because there is a force resting on
the cam that has to be released by closing the levers by hand.

Now on to the good part. For 2005, these brakes have been redesigned with a cam system to increase power and modulation.
It works very well. We feel that the power of this brake is slightly higher than Dura Ace 7800 brake. That is saying a
lot because the 7800 is significantly better than all other Shimano brakes. We’ve consistently heard reports too that
the Zero Gravity Ti is more powerful than the Campy Record brakes as well.

We mated these brakes with the Nokon cable system and performance has been flawless so far through two dozen rides.
The Nokon cables seem to add power to the system since the cable housing does not compress as one clamps down on the levers.
With this setup, one-finger braking is all that is required in the hills of Northern California.

Other Testing Notes:
We were tempted to use the ultra-light red pads with our aluminum clincher rims. Well, it worked, but not very well. The braking power
was ok but the feel upon initial contact was not ideal. There was some vibration, noise and it wasn’t easy to modulate.

All carbon rim manufacturers do not want you to use the same set of pads you use in aluminum rims for your carbon rims. Aside from
compatibility, the aluminum rims embedd aluminum shards into the brake pads. These can be very damaging to carbon rims.

Our front brake had compatibility issues with the Look HSC 5 fork we were using. The pads hit the fork thus not allowing the pads to
fully open for easy wheel removal. We wrote Zero Gravity customer service an email and they called us the same day, explained the
issue and offered to send us titanium washers for free. This is a nice gesture and is typical of how Zero Gravity handles all
customer support issues.

Folks upgrading from Shimano 7800 brakes have a way of softening the $399 price tag. Shimano 7800 brakes have a great resale vale
and easily go for $150-$180 in classifieds marketplaces.

Finally, the Zero Gravity brakes also come in silver with stainless steel hardware. They are a few grams heavier and retail at $289.

Summary:
Strengths:
- incredible stopping performance
- extra pads included
- work of art that will customize your ride

Weaknesses:
- the price… oh my.
- installation is more difficult
- the front brake pads hit some forks thus not allowing the pads to open fully. This is solved by adding spacers
to the mounting post. Zero Gravity is addressing this problem in new production versions.

Summary:
Well in the world of the ultra-high end, some components cost as much as modest bike. Value is often not a fair judgement of a
product as is the case here. What is asked of the products at this level is they’re light, they perform the task and they look good. In all
three, the Zero Gravity 0G-05 Ti scores a 10 out 10.

Specs:
Zero Gravity OG-05 Ti
Price: $399
Weight: 167.5 with Corima carbon pads, 180 grams with Koolstop pads
Website: http://www.zerogravitybrake.com/cycling-home.htm

Related Links:
Zero Gravity OG-05 Ti Product Reviews
Zero Gravity OG-05 SS Product Reviews
Discuss the Zero Gravity Brake