EDITION 06 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2013
MORE THAN AERO
THE WORLDS FASTEST TRI BIKE
2014 HOUSE SHOW | LATEST FROM EUROBIKE | MINNAAR WORLD CHAMPION | INTRODUCING STAGES
Each month incycle will share the inner workings of Saddleback’s brand building activities, news, events and business developments. Allowing you to gain an in-depth feel for the brands we represent and meet our passionate team. Issue six is best served with a large cappuccino and pancakes with maple syrup.
INSIDE THE OFFICE Charles orders the wrong size bib-shorts
Winter Castelli has landed
EUROBIKE’S
LATEST PRODUCTS Check out the latest products from our brands to come out of Eurobike 2013
Germany’s Eurobike, now undoubtedly the world’s biggest bike show, marks the start of another all new model year. With each of the brands that Saddleback represent presenting major product developments at the show, 2014 is set to be another exciting year. Felt Bicycles launch of the all-new AR aero road bike created a huge
buzz and saw it claim the accolade of BikeRadar’s ‘Best in Show’ award. Not satisfied with one game changing bike Felt simultaneously launched, what comparative tunnel tests confirm to be, the fastest Triathlon Bike in the world, the Felt IA and innovative e-bike ranges including the NINE E MTB models. BONT displayed a ground up
new version of Wiggins’ favourite TdF winning shoe the Zero +, along with a full custom colour programme starting January ‘14. Vredestein have been busy developing a revolutionary new compound. This has resulted in an all new line of Fortezza Senso road tyres and tubulars. With each new tyre gaining reduced rolling resistance, increased grip and feel.
Utah based ENVE Composites dropped all new road and MTB products including the SES TT bar, SES Aero bar, SES 3.4 disc rims, Direct Mount stem and revised MTB bar family. While Italian tech clothing gurus Castelli showed off their incredible looking AW13 and SS14 lines.
Best In show bit.ly/12m6ICy
TRX12.bikeradarstickers.indd 1
THE NEW FELT AR CLEANS UP The all-new 2014 Felt AR redefines aerodynamics for road bikes
Five years in the making, it is the most aerodynamic road bike in the world. No other road bike comes close. Evolved from the original, already best in class Felt AR, the all-new 2014 Felt AR Series adds new meaning to the term “aero.� Every available technical resource, including the latest computational fluid dynamics, rapid prototyping, wind tunnel testing and real world testing was used to develop a road bike with drag numbers previously seen only on TT/Tri bikes. Without exaggeration, it is a bike that will change every aspect of road cycling. How much more aerodynamic is the new Felt AR? Neutral wind tunnel testing proves that the 2014 AR is 14.7% faster than the previous Felt AR and 28.7-31.1% faster (contingent on front brake selection) than a round tube, baseline road bike. That is a quantifiable energy savings and time advantage that no other road bike can match. The new Felt AR has all the superb ride characteristics desired in a road bike; optimized geometry, stiff, lively responsiveness out of the saddle with rail-like cornering and descending. With the new Felt AR you do not have to sacrifice weight, stiffness or ride quality to gain an aerodynamic advantage. Superior, world-class ride quality is combined with a previously unavailable aerodynamic advantage.
8/21/13 1:25 PM
TOP FIVE
Adrian Erskin our resident old school bmx bandit shares his top five bikes he’s ever owned. 2013 Felt Nine 30 I’ve ridden it more than any other mountain bike & I love it. I’m now a 29er convert! 2012 On One Inbred – Single Speed 29er with rigid forks The first 29er I’ve ever ridden & owned. I love the simplicity of the bike & it’s fantastic around Ashton Court & Leigh Woods in the Winter! 2005 Felt Sector 24 This was my first ever race BMX & it took me to victory at the 2006 South West BMX Champs in the 30-39 Cruiser Class. 1994 GT Vantara The oldest bike I own-it’s a heavy, steel framed hybrid bike nicknamed “The Iron Horse”. I’ve done a lot of miles on it in all winds & weather. It’s a great training bike. 1984 Raleigh Aero Burner My first proper BMX, with chrome teardrop tubing & black skyway tuff wheel 2’s. I used to love racing my mates through the woods & doing big jumps on it!
Adrian pinning it on his Felt Sector 24.
93 76 Stores represented
DEALER SHOW
Demo riders
Bigger and better than last year, the 2014 House Show was a great time of all things bike.
The most important date in our diary here at Saddleback, our yearly dealer house show is our way to get you excited about new products coming up in the next ‘bike year’. This year saw our house show grow in many ways, more products on display due to us acquiring new brands-most notably,Stages. The Stages area had a real buzz around it all week from dealers and the media alike and with Doug and Matt on hand to answer any questions and give demonstrations, Stages was a real hit and success. With more dealers attending than ever before, our demo rides were always full up with us having to put an extra ride on Tuesday. Dealers had the opportunity to ride the new 2014 Felt AR which was loved by everyone. Claud the Butler was again there on hand to supply us with copious amounts of cake, coffee and sandwiches, which were especially a hit with the returning demo riders! With Jim Felt and Dave Koesel in attendance, the combined knowledge and insight particularly with the new Felt IA, was incredible. With three seminars during each day, Jim and Dave unloaded a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our dealers and were also on hand to answer any questions throughout the day. Be sure to check out our video on Vimeo (search Saddleback) and see what you missed out on or try to spot yourself. We’re already excited about next year and looking forward to make it bigger and better!
173
Dealers attended
615
Coffees drunk
307
Sandwiches eaten
Cakes consumed
STAGES POWER
A POWER METER FOR EVERY RIDER Straight out of Boulder CA, the new low cost easy to use power meter changing the world. The introduction of Stages game changing power meter has further fuelled the power category riding the crest of a media wave in the UK. The patented Stages Power meter brings power-based training to all disciplines of performance cycling. With advanced technology and simple elegant design, the Stages Power meter is perfect for any cyclist whether looking for their first power meter or any savvy power-training expert. Stages Power meters offer consistent ±2% accuracy of measured power with active temperature compensation. Fast set-up, simply install the crank arm, pair, and go. Designed and approved for Road, Tri, MTB, DH, Cross, BMX and Track the super light fully sealed unit adds just 20g to the base crank arm. Communication over ANT+™ and Bluetooth Smart protocols with an internal sensor based cadence measurement, meaning no magnets needed. Stages Power meters start from £599
MEET THE SADDLEBACK TEAM
ASH MATTHEWS Our resident Marcel Kittel look-a-like shares with us a bit about himself...
Who is Ash Matthews? Not really sure anymore – whoever the wife tells me to be! Where does he live? Not too far from HQ Whats your job title? Key Account Coordinator & Brand Manager What do you do? Look after the Enve Brand and day to day running of the Key accounts How long have you been at Saddleback? Just over 6 years Worst job you ever had? Tea maker! Best place to ride? In the woods Favourite Bike product? Enve - Wheels, Bars, Stem, Seatpost, Skewers
SUPER FAST NEW FELTS
Here’s what to expect from Felt in 2014, serious speed
Felt have been at the forefront of Aero Road and Triathlon development for many years now, one of the first to realise the advantages of aerodynamics they created ground breaking bikes like the B2, the DA and the AR. For 2014 they are set to raise the bar
even higher with the introduction of two new models. The IA has thrown the UCI rulebook out of the window and has been designed from the ground up to be the fastest TT/TRI bike in the world. The new AR is a bike brimming with new technologies and innovations all
What makes you angry? Lazy People! What makes you happy? Keeping Fit What’s your favourite saying? Stop whining! Whats the best bit of advice you could give? Man up! What are you listening to now? A salesman nattering on How would you like to be remembered? Marcel Kittel look-a-like.. or as Lord Charles would say – a jolly nice fella
GREG MINNAAR WORLD DH CHAMPION PIETERMARTIZBURG, SOUTH AFRICA Greg Minnaar crowned Downhill World Champion for a second succesive year on Enve wheels, bars and seatpost.
SEPTEMBER’S TOP SELLERS
BONT RIOT
ARUNDEL STAINLESS CAGE
CASTELLI S UNO GLOVE
CASTELLI NANOFLEX ARM WARMERS RACEWARE GARMIN MOUNT
SODBURY SPORTIVE Once again the roads surrounding Chipping Sodbury were taken over by cyclists riding in the Sodbury Sportive. A Sportive which is right on our doorstep here at Saddleback’ so what better way to give back to the local area than by being a proud support sponsor of the event. With 630 entrants and 588 people riding on the day, the Sodbury Sportive is growing every year. Which means that so far 2013 has raised £11,430.99 for charity. Organiser Bill Bennett had this to say: “We found that our formula for the event seems pretty good so with a little bit of fine tuning here and there we will repeat this for next year. We are setting the maximum of 1,000 riders for the event which we hope to achieve.”
STAFF CHOICES
Jason King shares with us his favourite products
ENVE AM RIMS 26 INCH I’ve never been a real lover of carbon bits and pieces for my mountain bike, but these wheels are simply awesome. They are light weight and great for quick acceleration, but what I like the most is the stiffness. They provide you with accurate steering, more ‘pop’ out of corners with certain compliance over rough trails. They look great too!
Marcel Kittel wins the opening stage
TOUR DE FRANCE
2013 SUCCESS
The 2013 Tour de France was a successful year for the pro riders using our brands... Fact!
The 2013 Tour de France was a celebration for many reasons. 2013 TDF was the 100th year of the Tour and was, as always, fiercely contested. With Chris Froome emerging victorious it was great to celebrate another British rider winning one of the most coveted accolades. However here in the office our attention was very much fixed on Team Argos Shimano and Team Garmin. With Felt being the choice of Team Argos Shimano, it was good to see our products on one of the biggest stages in the world of cycling, but also seeing stages won was even better. With Marcel Kittel winning four stages in total it served to show that our Felt bikes are race proven, at the highest level. Secondly, an office favourite in the shape of Dan Martin brought home a win at stage 9. After a well fought battle against the Swiss rider Jakob Fuglsang, after they both broke away from the pack, Dan Martin had just enough to see off Fuglsang whilst everyone here in the office shouted at the screen urging on the Garmin rider from Northern Ireland.
Marcel Kittel in the yellow jersey after his Stage 1 win
Marcel Kittel wins the final stage of the 2013 TDF
Marcel Kittel wins stage 10
Team Garmin rider Dan Martin wins stage 9
Marcel Kittel denies Mark Cavendish to finish first at stage 12
uptospeed
road tested r i d d e n & r at e d
where it isn’t painted, the frame has a lacquered cosmetic carbon layer
Words Tom Ballard Photo Joby Sessions
FiRst Ride
Designed to allow a more upright position than Felt’s aggressive DA series bikes, the B12 was comfortable from the first ride. It feels powerful, smooth and fast, is very stable for a TT bike and has assured handling , making it a great first aero steed. The Vision Metron shifters are intuitive to use and shift flawlessly in combination with the Ultegra derailleurs, while the brakes – including the hidden rear – stop well.
2
FAst Ride
Once up to speed, the 40mm-deep Felt wheels keep the B12 moving along at a rapid pace, with rider input being more about adding speed than maintaining momentum. Despite the fairly tall front end, Felt has provided enough adjustment via spacers that most riders should be able to obtain a decent aero position. Sharp cornering on descents takes a little practice, but the Felt tyres grip fine.
3
HiLLy Ride
Weighed down by chunky wheels, an aluminium fork steerer and the extra carbon needed to smooth airflow, the B12 isn’t the fastest climber. Power transfer through the BB30 bottom bracket is impressively stiff, though, complemented by the front and back ends, which behave well when pulling out of the saddle. The 52/38T Vision TriMax Pro TT chainset is well specced for moderate ascents too.
4
LONG Ride
sPeC sHeet
Going long over rolling courses is where the B12 excels. With back-saving positioning, stable handling in crosswinds and a frame that dispels most road buzz, it saw us run fresher during long brick sessions and would be a great Ironman option. There are two bottle cage mounts – one of them a perfect slot for Felt’s TorHans DA aero bottle . The bars have plenty of adjustment but watch out for the sharp pad edges.
3 TRI58.ride.indd 23
Price £2,099 Contact feltbicycles.com; saddleback.co.uk Weight 9.47kg Size tested 54cm Sizes available 47cm (650c), 51cm, 54cm, 56cm, 58cm, 61cm Frame Carbon fibre Fork Carbon fibre blades, aluminium steerer and crown Seating Carbon set-forward aero seatpost, Prologo Nago Evo Tri 40 saddle Handlebar/stem Felt Bayonet 3 bars, aluminium stem Gears Vision Metron shifters, Shimano Ultegra derailleurs Brakes Felt Aero Wheels Felt TTR3 40mm aluminium clinchers Tyres Felt TTR2 Aero, 700x23c
September 2013
the pro Vibe cockpit softens big hits but things get buzzy on smaller stuff
FELT F4 TEAM ISSUEAll-round Aero wheels £2399 › Is this well dressed team replica a winner or all show and no go?
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Shimano 8/1/13 5:41 PM
F
inished in the Argos Shimano pro team colour option with colour-
matched rims and bar tape, the DuRa-aCe 9000 C50 F4 looks fantastic –Cl well proportioned, with a semi£1,400 ClinCheRscompact frame and short 14cm head-
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SPECIFICATION SIZES S-XXXL
WeiGHt 7.76kg fRame UhC Performance carbon fORk UhC carbon monocoque GeaRs Shimano Ultegra BRakes Shimano Ultegra
madison.co.uk tube, allowing a really low, aggressive Weight 804g+978g = 1,782g position. The Pro vibe 7S bar, with a conventional ergo shape, placesfriendly you lower ShiMano’S neW 50mm-deep clincher set matches still when onalloy the drops for anand cupWHeeLs Shimano fatter-rim handling with dependable braking RS21 uncompromising racing tuck. and-cone bearings. The alloy brake track seems at odds finisHinG kit Pro Apart from the painted sections and vibe aluminium bar, with the £1,400 price but weight OK,F4ifframe not outstanding graphics,isthe is finished with a stem and seatpost, for the money. The 22mm rounded-section rim and broad Selle Italia SLS lacquered cosmetic carbon layer, and saddle, vittoria of the frame are round barrel hubs mean handlingmost is accurate at alltubes speeds and with Diamante Pro Radiale tyres squared edges, the top-tube andfatter downwind angles, and the C50s hold speed really well. The tube subtly tapering along their length, as tyre shape reduces rough-road rattle and the outstandingly smooth bearings have a silky on-road feel that makes them relaxing long-haul all-rounders. Hidden spokes make tuning a pain, but the sculpted QRs are gorgeous. Fully serviceable bearings potentially last for years too, boosting long-term value.
The Felt reacts efficiently to inputs, surging along and holding lines through corners
low gears. Even when inflated to 100psi do the thick chainstays. By contrast, the the vittoria Diamante Pro Radiale tyres are aluminium-sleeved BB30 bottom bracket inclined to squirm across the road under area is sizeable, as is the head-tube junction, leaving the straight fork looking high torque, and the rear is already slim by comparison. showing signs of accelerated wear. The F4 is undeniably racy, Although they’re reasonably worKshoP and from the first pedal sprightly performers, the View... A simple set of strokes feels lively, like a Shimano RS21 wheels aren’t guidelines printed on the puppy anticipating a walk. the most rigid when tearing fork’s carbon steerer tube are The front end is alive to any down technical descents, a great help when it comes steering corrections or but the extra give helps over to cutting down the steerer to your preferred reflex flicks, while the rear rougher surfaces, and braking length. feels solid and direct. When is excellent. When we swapped you’re seated, the Felt reacts them for something faster it efficiently to inputs, surging along and allowed the F4’s fantastically rapid holding tidy lines through corners, though character to shine through, and showed at high intensities when you’re pedalling how shedding 500g from the wheelset hard the front end snakes around a little. makes a huge difference. The ride quality is generally good – over Sprinting out-of-the-saddle gives great acceleration, though a combination of rear bigger bumps the vibe bar, stem and wheel deflection and the tyre’s soft rubber seatpost soften the kicks, but on repetitive small stuff it does get a little buzzy. The compound could be felt – and heard! – Selle Italia SLS saddle is labelled as when climbing standing up, especially in
Luxuriously smooth-rolling, friendly-handling wheels with potentially outstanding longevity Performance Value oVerall CYP278.biketest.indd 67
s the name suggests, this is one of the raciest jerseys on test. Castelli kit comes up incredibly small, but even with the correct size (XL for our medium tester) the fit is as skintight as it gets. The wide and tight band on the arms continues this aerodynamic feel, as does the slick finish to the well-vented material. Both a full zip and a full silicone hem are provided, but there’s no security pocket or zip garage. With its slick Italian styling this is one of the best looking jerseys on test – some of the stitching could have been neater, given the price, but it is a lovely garment to ride in. www.saddleback.co.uk ★★★★★
sPeciFication
CYCLING PLUS | August 2013 | 67
4
enve
ClassiC 45 ClinCheRs
7/9/13 7:50 PM
£1,700
saddleback.co.uk Weight 726g+874g = 1,600g The coMpany’S Smart System wheels may be grabbing the limelight but these new, more basic DT Swiss hubbed wheels make Enve rim quality more affordable than ever. Hand-built in Utah and rigorously tested for build quality and heat tolerance, these are some of the strongest and most reliable carbon hoops available. At 22mm wide and 45mm deep, they handle obediently in all wind and speed conditions. While the DT Swiss 350 hubs are fairly portly, the overall weight will still flatter your bike, and they accelerate and climb well for aero wheels. Braking with the supplied grey pads is reliable if not remarkable. Freehub engagement is relatively slow though, and the rims really deserve the extra investment in the silky, instant engagement Chris King hub option (£2,000).
ritchey
suPeRlogiC CaRbon 46MM ClinCheRs £1,850 paligap.cc Weight 617g+803g = 1,420g
VerDict
FeLt B12
1
CASTELLI AERO RACE 4.0 £95
★★★★★
XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
“Going long over rolling courses is where the B12 excels”
NORTHWAVE EVOLUTION AIR £84.99 There’s a range of them too, providing ventilation and high-stretch where needed. A tight CONTINUES ON NEXT SPREAD... elastic cuff on the arms helps to stop them riding up, but despite some excess material over the top of the shoulder, the top of the back felt a little tight. The full-length zip has a decent flap and a zip garage at the neck. The central rear pocket has a wide opening and works well for carrying windproofs and the like, but it’s at the expense of the two side ones, though their tighter tops offer good security – along with a small security pocket. www.i-ride.co.uk
2
Review
MEDIA COVERAGE 1 FELT B12 Triathlon Plus 58 2 FELT F4 TEAM ISSUE Cycling Plus 278 3 CASTELLI AERO RACE 4.0 Cycling Plus 278 4 ENVE CLASSIC 45 CLINCHERS Triathlon Plus 58 5 BONT A-THREE Cycling Plus 278 6 CASTELLI FREE AERO RACE GLOVE Cycling Plus 279 7 FELT Z4 Cycling Plus 279 8 FELT Z6 Triathlon Plus 57 9 SCICON TRAVEL PLUS RACING Cycling Plus 279 10 SCICON AEROTECH SPECIFICATION SIZES S-XXXL Cycling Plus 279 he Evolution is a race ready jersey made 11 BONT RIOT from materials with a lovely quality feel. Cycling Plus 279
Brand new Bikes put through their paces
Ride
The fabric and cut is great, making the Reflex one of our favourite jerseys
The latest reviews from the media world
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1
VerDict
WE SAY...
Excellent quality, decent-handling lightweight rims on adequate, affordable hubs Performance Value oVerall
extends to the k with its proven highly rigid
5
9
7
LOVE YOU LONG-TERM
BONT A-THREE £125 Another affordable lightweight shoe (590g, size 45), but these are more race focused than the Mavics thanks to the super-stiff construction and super-thin sole. They have Bont’s trademark bathtub shaped fully heat mouldable sole (in fibreglass rather than carbon), but we’d like a little more venting. www.saddleback.co.uk ★★★★★
O U R L O N G -T E R M T E S T B I K E S
FELT Z4
£2399 › Sports Specials’ editor Richard Owen has racked up the miles on Felt’s comfort-orientated Z4
CASTELLI FREE AERO CYCLING£35 PLUS | August 2013 | 89 RACE
he Gel Hook is relatively simple but effective, with neither a Velcro wrist closure nor any aids for removal. On some gloves this has been an issue, but with the fingers not being too tight, these mitts come off easily. The synthetic leather palm has three strips of medium density and thickness gel padding, providing a comfortable grip, and there are two sections of perforated material offering a decent level of ventilation, even on one long, hot Alpine climb. All the materials used in the glove have a good amount of inherent stretch, too, which helps with fit and comfort. www.fisheroutdoor.co.uk
ant to cut seconds from your 10-mile TT? The Free Aero Race mitts are designed to be as aerodynamic as possible, with a long wrist section that sits 7/8/13 4:17 PM flush to the skin. The fingers also benefit from the aero-influences and are longer than most, keeping the air flowing smoothly over the back of the hand. There’s no ventilation on the back so they are quite warm, but the palms do have some holes to minimise sweaty skin. There’s no cloth for wiping away sweat, but there is a reasonable amount of padding and enough grip provided by the silicone detailing. www.saddleback.co.uk
SIZES XS-XXL
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CASTELLI FREE AERO RACE £35 ★★★★★
★★★★★
SIZES XS-XXL
we SAY...
L
SANTINI GEL HOOK £29.99 6 SIZES XS-3XL
Larger volume would be useful and doesn’t represent great value
ong before I had ever sat astride my Felt controlled. I decided to continue the theme and Z4, I was lured in by its sleek high-gloss added a pair of Ultegra PD-6700C carbon pedals. carbon finish, its subtle curving geometry The wheelsets also come from the huge and the impressive set of components. Japanese mega-corp in the shape of its RS20s. With internally routed cables, there’s While far from being the lightest on the market, nothing to spoil the bike’s stylish looks and the wheels have so far proved to be solid and despite sporting a pretty conservative black and durable, having taken their fair share of knocks royal blue colourscheme, this is a full carbon from potholed Somerset roads without even a beauty that will turn discerning heads. murmur of complaint. Felt says that its Z series bikes are designed to The carbon crankset is FSA’s fantastic SL-K deliver high levels of ride performance while also Light (2), which pedals just as brilliantly as its being relaxed enough for long sessions in the blingy looks suggest, matched with FSA’s BB30 saddle. And for my money, the Z4 does exactly bottom bracket. The pairing is ultra stiff and that. So far, I’ve used it for the odd commute, a totally noise-free even when out of the saddle on number of long weekend the steepest climbs, and I’ve rides and a sportive over not even managed to heelThe Z4 is quick, stiff Exmoor with many a scuff the crank graphics and responsive, and tortuous climb. In every despite having put in instance the bike felt hundreds of miles on the bike. loves climbing up extremely able, perfectly But much as I love the Z4, and hammering suited to the task, and two things will just have to go. down hills possibly made me faster than Usually my rear end will grow my old (more traditionally accustomed to most saddles styled) sportive steed. The Z4 is quick, stiff and after a few hours being perched atop. But I responsive, and loves climbing up and haven’t found that to be the case with Prologo’s hammering down hills. At the same time the Kappa EVO saddle, which just feels too soft for longer head-tube, sloping top-tube and slightly me. Reckon it’s time to swap it out for my trusty extended wheel base makes it feel stable, Fizik Antares. By contrast Felt’s own short reach comfortable and easy to ride. Racier than a bar and stem (3) proved very comfortable. sportive bike, but more relaxed than a race bike. And while the Z4’s wheels may have stood up The Z4 is, for the most part, adorned with to many a west country pothole, the fairly slow Shimano components. Pleasingly the shifters, rolling Vittoria Rubino Pro Tech tyres haven’t derailleurs and brakes are all Ultegra (1). Gear faired quite as well and are now cut up badly. changes were as slick and accurate as we’ve Time to find some replacements. come to expect, the braking powerful and www.saddleback.co.uk
dELtA StABLE LoAdEr
£89.99 › Does its quality belie its budget price?
SHeA ALCHeMy CHAMOIS CReAM £8.50
Containing natural ingredients, this 7 cream will stop your nether regions causing problems during long alpine climbs. www.sheaalchemy.co.uk
SPECIFICATION WEIGHT 7.6kg (56cm) FRAME UHC carbon FORK Carbon 11/8 -1½in steerer GEARS Shimano Ultegra BRAKES Shimano Ultegra WHEELS Shimano RS20 FINISHING KIT Felt SL short reach bar and VA 100mm stem, 27.2mm Felt carbon seatpost, 25mm Vittoria Rubino Pro Tech tyres
eNDURA HeLMet pOD £15.99
1
2
Helmets are an essential safety item, 8 so keep your lid safe in the hold by protecting it in a helmet pod. www.endura.co.uk
3
Combining so much in a single package, Cinelli has created one of the most lustworthy Italian bikes on the market
WbThikee
SpecificAtion type In-car BIKe CApACIty 2 WeIGHt 3.9kg
ScIcon trAVEL PLUS rAcInG
£140 › Keep your car interior free of bike grime SpecificAtion type In-car BIKe CApACIty 1 WeIGHt 3.1kg
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★★★★★
★★★★★
he delta Stable Loader is an in-vehicle system which wedges against the sides of your car, van or pick-up truck. Putting it together and fitting was a little fiddly, but in reality it should only need doing once or twice. In an estate car, two bikes will take up most of the boot space, but they’re held securely. the rack is stable, as long as the stabilising feet are resting on something solid, so it’s ideal for a van with flat sides. the rack can be raised higher with the threaded extension bars which may help with storage and fitting the bikes in a pick-up. the Qr clamp is a bit basic and has a very narrow range of adjustment, but it did hold the fork securely. www.halfords.com
his bag is more designed to protect your bike from light knocks, dust and moisture when travelling by car than it is for throwing in with the suitcases at an airport. All that was required to fit a bike in was removal of the wheels – you just turn the bar, pop the wheels in the sleeves and zip it up. For £140 you do get some high-quality fabrics with a small amount of foam padding, but that’s largely it. If you don’t particularly want oil and grime dirtying the back of your car, it may be worth considering this as an option, but if you’re looking to really protect your bike from the potential damage of international travel, look elsewhere. www.saddleback.co.uk
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CYCLING PLUS | September 2013 | 189
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ant to cut seconds from your 10-mile TT? The Free Aero Race mitts are designed to be as aerodynamic as possible, with a long wrist section that sits flush to the skin. The fingers also benefit from the aero-influences and are longer than most, keeping the air flowing smoothly over the back of the hand. There’s no ventilation on the back so they are quite warm, but the palms do have some holes to minimise sweaty skin. There’s no cloth for wiping away sweat, but there is a reasonable amount of padding and enough grip provided by the silicone detailing. www.saddleback.co.uk
CYP279.longterm.indd 188
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CYP279.longterm.indd 189
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we SAY...
Eye-watering price, but has protection and performance to justify it
second road bikes
TesT
8/6/13 10:23 AM
Felt
8
★★★★★
Z6 £1,399
saddleback.co.uk
3 4
2
1
10
5
6
8
2
head angle
seat angle
70°
73°
92
leNgths
7 1
3
9 4
5
Size tested: 56cm
6
7
top tube cockpIt seat tube standover chaInstay length length length heIght length
54cm
54cm
51cm
77cm
42cm
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10
bb heIght
wheelbase
head tube
27cm
107.5cm
18cmcm 10.8
The kiT
With a lot of the budget tied up in the frame, Felt has worked on the spec to get the bike out for the price. It’s still competitive, with a Shimano Tiagra-based transmission and Tektro brakes being par for the course. The FSA Vero square-taper crankset stands out as a bit of a cost-cutter, as does the Sunrace cassette, although you do get a massive 12-32T gear range. In theory a 32T sprocket is bigger than the Tiagra mech will cope with, but it works. You’ll be able to get up pretty much anything in the Z6’s low gear but on flatter ground the bigger jumps between gears may prove irritating. Felt has opted to put its own wheels together rather than use a budget factory wheelset, matching ownbrand hubs with Mavic CXP 22 rims. The CXPs aren’t the lightest out there but they’re durable and the eyeleted spoke holes can cope with high tensions. The wheels are shod with Vittoria Rubino Pro tyres, which are competent but not the fastest rolling option out there.
SpecificAtion type Box with hard shell BIKe CApACIty 1 WeIGHt 11.4kg
The ride
You don’t notice that, though, because this is an undeniably fast bike. Some of the Felt’s brisk acceleration is down to
£675 › Can this justify its heavyweight price?
F
or the £675 price tag, you’d expect Scicon’s Aerotech Evolution tSA to be driving the car as well – and thankfully it is a very well-made package. Four replaceable wheels make it easy to control, and there’s a pull-along strap too. Inside, there’s no anti-crush pole, but the design of the join between the sides should prevent a bike from getting squashed. A pair of covers protects the wheels from the frame, with the quick release securing them in the box. the bike frame did feel a little less secure than in the Bike Box Alan, and there are fewer auxiliary straps too, but it does benefit from five lockable clasps – though we needed to drop the seat to get a bike to fit inside properly. www.saddleback.co.uk ★★★★★
inSide informAtion
Pack your bike
Off on holiday with your bike? remember to take care when packing it up…
tURN tHe BAR If your bag is big enough you should be able to loosen the stem clamp bolts and turn the bar under the top-tube. Use pipe lagging where the bar and tube meet to protect the frame. CRANK It Up remove the pedals and store them in a pocket on your bike bag – don’t leave them rattling loose in the bottom. then put the chain on the outer ring and turn the crank arms so they’re parallel to the chainstays. tape the
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The creases running up the carbon fork legs are mirrored on the head tube, giving the frame an integrated look
8/6/13 2:14 PM
NEW GEAR UPGRADE I PREDICT A RIOT RIDDEN AND R ATED
ALTERNATIVELY…
Sole searching…
JAPANESE HEAVYWEIGHTS SHIMANO R106 £99.99
“The Z6 converts your exertion into acceleration with alacrity. If you want to punch out the climbs and contest the village-sign points, it’s a great choice”
Even the fork steerer is carbon – as it’s ‘hidden’ inside the head tube, this is an area where some brands save money
its low weight, but it’s not hugely lighter than the pricepoint competition, so the frame must take a lot of responsibility for the alacrity with which the Z6 converts your exertion into acceleration. If you want to punch out the climbs and contest the village-sign sprint points, the Felt is a great choice. The sprightly responses aren’t at the expense of comfort, though, with the bike proving agreeably
smooth over broken Tarmac. Those slender seatstays have a big role to play here, but you can also thank the sloped top tube, which leaves a lot of seatpost sticking out. It’s a small-diameter 27.2mm carbon post, too, so you get a significant degree of bumsaving flex from it. The adjustable stem – which uses an eccentric shim to give a choice of 8° or 16° angles – is useful for getting your riding position spot-on too. The Felt’s angles are
august 2013
relatively steep, with its sportive leanings mainly in evidence thanks to a tall head tube and slightly-longer-thanrace-spec back end. It’s certainly a lively handler, but never excessively so, with the stiff frame and fork keeping everything confidently in line. Bikes like the Z6 are likely to be bought as a step up from an entry-level aluminium bike, and could themselves be just a step on the upgrade road. The difference is that once you’ve got a full-carbon
frame and fork, and you’ve got enough miles under your belt to have a good idea of what you want from a bike, the idea of upgrading the machine you already have rather than replacing it starts to look attractive. The Z6 scores here, because the class of the frame and fork shines through the relatively mundane spec. It’s simply a very rewarding bike to ride, and well worth holding on to and upgrading as parts wear out (or you just feel like buying stuff).
Pros
Making carbon frames is a tricky business, especially at lower prices. Designers have to balance stiffness (which is desirable in some directions but less so in others) and durability against weight. In general, if you want to make a frame stiffer you need to make the relevant areas bigger, which means adding more material and hence
including the tapered steerer tube – it’s not unusual to see aluminium steerers at this price, so that’s a bonus.
coNs
Frame and Fork
SpecificAtion type tilting towbar-mounted BIKe CApACIty 3 WeIGHt 14.5kg his three-bike carrier will fit to your car straight from the box in a couple of minutes. the Strada has a rear access system that allows the whole unit to slide backwards on rails, making reaching into the back of your vehicle straightforward. At 14.5kg, the Strada is far from heavy but all the weight is at your ankle height, so it does feel a little bit awkward when you’re lifting it into place. the maximum load is a decent 45kg, but this can be expanded to 63kg with an adapter for a fourth bike (£75). the unit locks to your vehicle and locks bikes to it with a single key. Bikes are securely held in place by rubberised frame and wheel straps that are tightened with a ratchet system. www.atera.co.uk ★★★★★
Verdict
T
weight. It’s possible to use stronger types of carbon fibre so you don’t have to add as much material, but at this pricepoint there’s only so far designers can go. At just 8.5kg, the Z6 clearly punches above its pricepoint in terms of frame construction. It’s a fantastic-looking chassis, with a heavily sloped top tube and lots of material where you need it – around the tapered head tube, bottom bracket and chainstays. In contrast to the volume of the frame’s backbone, the seatstays are slender, flattened tubes. There’s a particularly tidily-integrated fork, with a crease running up the outside of the carbon blades following through into the head tube. The fork is of full carbon construction,
ScIcon AErotEch
T
The sloping top tube means plenty of exposed seatpost, which has a positive effect on rider comfort
8/6/13 10:23 AM
he Z6 is Felt’s entry-level carbon fibre Z Series bike, with a frame that’s almost identical to the higher models in the range. That inevitably means a few component downgrades, but it still looks an enticing proposition on paper.
AtErA StrAdA dL3 £427.50 › Quick to install 3-bike carrier
wIth the classIest frame on test, Is the felt a cut above the rest, or have there been too many compromIses elsewhere?
ANgles
ut ist On with the ome s three gel nd there offering e long, in the tretch,
★ RATING ★★★★★
A ventilated carbon composite sole and robust synthetic leather uppers with mesh panels make the R106 a comfy option, and an ankle ratchet strap and two offset Velcro straps are tough enough to resist all you’ve got. Fantastic power transmission and high quality construction make these 751g shoes great value. www.madison.co.uk ★★★★★
Impressively low weight and lively ride
BONT RIOT
Really flatters your efforts
£99.99 › A mouldable, high-performance shoe for a ton
A
Colour scheme isn’t the most subtle Square-taper chainset is a little low-rent
Performance Value oVerall It may not come with the best parts for the money but the Z6’s frame is a gem. fast, lively and comfortable, it’s a blast to ride.
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ussie shoe purveyor Bont has expanded its range to appeal to those on more limited budgets, with its new entry-level Riots under a ton. Carbon soles are few and far between at around £100, and the more common composite soles that use carbon or fibreglass for strength are often a performance compromise. Bont uses a carbon composite construction and its own proprietary resin, which it has been WE SAY... developing over 36 For a taste of pro years. Heating the shoes shoe performance in the oven for 20 minutes at 70C makes on a budget, the the very stiff resin Riot is hard to beat become pliable, so when worn, they’ll mould to the shape of your feet. You don’t have to mould them, but they can be heat moulded as many times as you like to achieve the perfect fit. The three bolt-only soles do have an alignment grid, but this is disappointing and nowhere near as good as those on previous Bont shoes. The sole forms a tub that rises high at the heel and over the big toe, and stands about 20mm tall around the forefoot, with the hardwearing microfibre upper stitched and bonded to it, and the ankle ratchet strap anchored through it for
security. They’re handmade, which resulted in slightly unequal weights between shoes, but our size 45s weighed a very impressive 638g. Unlike previous Bonts, the Riot backs up the large side perforations with mesh sections on top for extra ventilation, and a vented padded tongue. The liner and insole are better padded and less frugal than Bont’s more costly cousins, proving very comfortable, and the increased ventilation proved to be effective – even in the recent heat wave. The Riot’s major selling point is that sole, which with a stack height of just 4.8mm is very efficient, but feels every bit as stiff as more exotic, much more expensive shoes. Heel retention, arch support and stability are superb, and we couldn’t feel any flex climbing or sprinting. The V-shape forefoot Velcro strap is secure but not vice-like, though the micro-adjust ankle ratchet can slightly crease the upper when tightened hard. The heel and toe bumpers are replaceable, and the Riots come in sizes 36-50 with four half sizes, which should cover most of us. www.saddleback.co.uk
HIGHS Superb features, great performance LOWS Heat moulding can take time
RATING ★★★★ ★ RATING
CANADIAN STYLE LOUIS GARNEAU REVO XR3 £99.99 The synthetic leather and mesh uppers look stylish, with fine detailing and twin Velcro straps as well as a wide micro-adjust ankle strap. A roomy toe box, wellpadded tongue and seven vents in the nylon soles keep feet your comfy, and the shoes offer better than expected performance. www.evanscycles.com ★★★★★
SPANISH STEPS SPIUK BRIOS £89.95 These have heaps of ventilation and vented polyamide and fibreglass soles. The uppers are heat mouldable, which is most noticeable at the heel. They aren’t the stiffest shoes, but are very supportive, have loads of features and accept 2- and 3-bolt cleats. www.silverfish-uk.com ★★★★★
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they’ll help cool you down too. www.rapha.cc ★★★★★ ★
12
Felt is one of the few companies making XS sized aero frames. Developed directly with ‘Rinny’ herself, the smallest of the company’s six frame sizes comes with smaller 650c wheels to keep handling and position in proportion.
14 B12
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ne of the original tri bike brands and the choice of champions such as mirinda carfrae, felt is another manufacturer making the most of its moulds. The result is the widest fit range here in a comprehensive ironman-ready complete bike package.
weight on test. Strength and stiffness is the same, though, and you get the same front and rear wheelhugger tube shapes, distinctive forward-hooked aero seatpost, alloy sleeved BB30 bottom bracket and full Di2 compatibility. The rear facing dropouts get hidden wheel stop screws for accurate tyre clearance, and the rear brake hangs under the BB. Gear and brake cabling is all internal, and the chassis is compatible with the framefilling triangular TorHans aero bottle supplied with Felt’s DA bikes. You don’t get the leading-edge bayonet fork of the DA bikes though, and while the frame has a stepped sync onto the trailing edge of the fork, the conventional front brake doesn’t have any draft-dodging advantages.
While Felt’s cheaper B16 frame uses an older mould set, every ‘modular monocoque’ section behind the head tube on the B12 is exactly the same shape as the company’s flagship DA family bikes. The UHC Performance grade fibre does mean a 20 per cent weight gain, according to Felt, which explains the highest frame
ed Transfer Aero fabric has a d pattern, and is used on the
3 4 2
S
1
10
5
6
AnGles
2 seat angle
73°
76°
lenGths
1 head angle
3
9 4
5
Size tested: m
6
7
8
9
10
toP-tube cockPit seat-tube standover chainstay length length length height length
bb height
wheelbase
headtube
53.9cm 63.5cm
27.5cm
97.8cm
12.7cm 10.8
54cm
78.5cm
39.5cm
The more holistic complete bike feel definitely comes across in the ride, and while we’re used to riding whatever cranks and stem come on a bike, it was nice to have ones that felt just right. The kinked-forward seatpost position is obviously optimised for multi-sport use too, with a generously open pelvis angle that lets you stride – rather than stumble – off
CASTELLI POCKET LINER 86
Stem, cranks and even wheel size are specific to each of the six sizes in the B12 range
Vision’s Metron shifters look odd but the mini brake lever and push-button top work well if you can handle the rattling
RATING ★★★★ ★ RATING
The ride
8 7
Felt matches its stem and crank lengths to frame size, too, which complements the narrow sizing bands for a really accurate fit. The heavy, fat-armed FSA TT cranks never feel as stiff as they look, even with a BB30 axle, but the Shimano Ultegra gear mechs are a good spec at this price. The curious-looking Vision Metron shifters work really well once you’ve got the hang of them too, though ours rattled a lot on rough roads. You can’t fault the amount of extension adjustment on the Felt bars though, and the pad width and fore aft position is easily changeable, too. You’ll need to trim the excess length down if you’re not going to smash your knees on them out of the saddle, however, and pad angle adjustment is limited. Not everyone appreciated the sticky gel pads either, but we’ve always been big fans of Felt’s Devox base bar with its integrated brake levers and little rubber hoods. The Prologo saddle is much more comfortable than it looks, too. Felt supplies the 30mmdeep wheels and TTR tyres, which give the B12 a dragreduction edge over the other bikes here.
www.saddleback.co.uk ★ ★★★★★
The Felt has a narrow carbon post for comfort
CANADIAN COOL LOUIS GARNEAU COURSE SUPERLEGGERA JERSEY £119.99, BIBS £159.99
Big name TT Bikes
It’s well finished and coordinated througout
The top uses lightweight Mondo fabric, with Speedtech aero fabric shoulders and mesh panels under the arms and behind the neck. The bibs comprise one piece of compressive fabric with a single seam on each leg, and an excellent multidensity pad.
www.evanscycles.com ★ “The mid-section aero wheels add speed sustain ★★★★★
over slight rises or into gusting headwinds, and the Felt feels PB-friendly straight from the shop”
The B12 gives you most of the same aero and fit advantages as the flagship DA range, just at a heavier weight
the bike in race or trainingsimulation situations. Comfort levels are good too, with most of the sting being sucked out of rough surfaces before it reaches your shoulders and shorts, without the frame feeling overly soggy. While we haven’t got a wind tunnel to confirm or deny the exact drag data, the B12 feels clean and efficient in most wind conditions. The mid-section aero wheels certainly add speed sustain over slight rises or into gusting headwinds, and the
r i d d e n & r at e d
Felt feels PB-friendly straight from the shop. The whole bike feels significantly more ‘together’ than the previous B12 frame, and it’s stiff enough to cope with properly deep-section rims if you upgrade in future. Upgrading rolling stock would likely improve handling too, as while the deliberately narrow spoke flange spacing may reduce drag, it definitely allows more sideways flex. The very short front end and narrow base bar can also make the B12 a duck-and-dive
handful if you get too far forward out of the saddle. Cable routing out of the back of the extensions is likely to knock your knees with an early warning to sit down and settle down before you trip up. Climbing is definitely not the strongest suit of the B12, though. The heaviest frame and wheels on test, plus the heaviest overall weight, are obvious straight away on inclines. While frame, crank and wheel stiffness are adequate to get things moving on the flat, you
can feel the Felt twisting and undermining torque transfer as soon as you’re fighting a significant slope. It takes its time out of corners too, and this combines with obvious wheel flex on entry to put the B12 at a definite disadvantage on twisty or rolling roads. Then again, Felt’s AR family provides a more versatile aero road option if that’s what you’re after, and the B12 does the long-haul, low-stress, finely fitted job it’s designed to do well.
9/4/13 5:00 PM
T
RATING ★★★★★
Handling can be a handful out of the saddle
Performance Value oVerall it’s not the fastest or sharpest on
long-distance specialist
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SPECIFICATION SIZES S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL COLOURS SILVER
HIGHS Great waterproofing LOWS Not as packable as some
Weight and frame/wheel flex dull dynamic performance
15
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£290 › Unique Italian cycling top
he expense of this is partly due to the labour-intensive construction its design requires. The highly waterproof and breathable eVent material has ‘plissé stretch zones’ – concertina-like sections – to achieve an anatomical fit on the back and elbows. The breathability is added to with a couple of zipped side vents, while the zip’s wide external storm flap is supplemented by large Velcro patches for extra security all the way up to the collar; Velcro-adjustable cuffs help to keep your wrists dry too. The eVent material shrugs off heavy rain very well, but for a lightweight top it’s still a squeeze getting it in a jersey pocket. Great top… at a correspondingly top price. www.saddleback.co.uk
Smooth ride with noticeable wheel and frame speed-sustain
october 2013
FELT Z4
F
£2399 › Is it a race bike? Is it a sportive bike? Yes, and yes
Great frame fit, flattered with size-specific componentry
technical or rolling courses 9/2/13 more 2:55 PM but the b12 is a ready-to-race
october 2013
TRI59.biketest.indd 86
Pros
shoulders, sleeves and side panels of the jersey, with a slippery, smooth-faced front panel and thinner aerated back panel for cooling. The cut is excellent, with a super-stretchy fit that is still flattering and doesn’t inhibit free movement, and arm grippers that don’t squeeze. Silicone dots on the rear prevent it from riding up, and rather than Thee outfits, ofessionals all sport skintight the usual three external pockets, the Speed Jersey Bik T ng their passage through the air – has two very generous ones, and an internal s e T rther than simply form fitting. waterproof pocket for your radio – or phone. d tunnel research has shown the Flatlock seams save any internal irritation, and ecific fabrics and seamFelt placement, the jersey has an SPF of 40+. mi has been able to utilise speed The shorts feature carefully placed flatlocked ylor Phinney and Marcel Kittel seams and 80mm wide grippers made of folded £2,099 feltbicycles.com pment of its PRO Speed kit. Transfer Aero fabric, which combine to hold the felt’s b12 doesn’t just look ‘Pro’, it rides The kiT nel tests, Pearl Izumi compared itsrace at the shorts well enough to highestin place very comfortably. The lower leg level if Power and Precision are less of Transfer Aero fabric toaaPriority flat face andfitside panel use a shiny, smooth-faced fabric, than comfort and and found a 2.5W power saving at with the remainder of the shorts in Transfer In-Rh), which equates to 0.7 secs/km or Cool for better cooling. The seamless 4D insert saving at 25mph. The improvement proved ideal on endurance rides. to be due to the placement of the www.madison.co.uk different fabrics within the jersey and Fork aking the combinationFrame more HIGHS Super comfy, forgiving aero fit than many skinsuits, but retaining LOWS Only two external rear pockets y of a two-piece outfit.
tested
cons
& £119.99 › Tour sprint winning aero clothing
hough plenty of attention has been ocused on aero bikes and wheels in ur quest to go faster, there has also een a steady advance in clothing echnology with the recognition that ses over 80 per cent of the speed-
road
Dispensing with separate bibs, this onepiece aero road outfit combines Body Paint shorts with an Aero Race jersey, with a full length zip opening a 16cm wide panel at the front for practicality. Specific aero and cooling fabrics along with perfect fit and three rear pockets keep it fast and versatile.
Verdict
ARL IZUMI PRO LTD ED JERSEY & BIB SHORT
13
ITALIAN INNOVATION CASTELLI SAN REMO 2.0 SPEEDSUIT £230
elt’s Z series bikes might major on comfort, but they’ve got racing credentials too. They share construction and materials with the race-oriented F bikes, with higher front ends, longer back ends and more sloping top tubes, but the Zs have themselves found their way into the pro peloton if the occasion demands something a little more compliant. The Z series bikes vary across the range in terms of materials and construction, but share distinctive angular looks. They’re differentiated from the F series by heavily sloped top tubes and a clear difference between the top and bottom halves of the frame. The tapered head-tube, bottom bracket and chainstays all pack plenty of material, while the top-tube and seatstays are
We say… HiGHS Excellent blend of performance and comfort, and good value LoWS Wide-range cassette has big jumps between gears Buy if… You want a real highperformance allrounder
specification WeiGHt 7.8kg (56cm) frame Carbon fork Carbon GearS Shimano Ultegra 6700 BrakeS Shimano Ultegra 6700 WHeeLS Shimano RS20 fiNiSHiNG kit Felt stem, bar and carbon seatpost, Prologo saddle, Vittoria Rubino Pro Tech tyres
more slender. It’s largely a cosmetic jumps between gears in the lower half of feature, but we do like the integrated fork, the cassette. Geometry is relatively steep with lively with a crease running up the outside of the carbon blades following through into handling, and the head-tube is somewhere in the middle of the length the head-tube. It’s good to see that Felt range, successfully hitting the has made the Z4’s frame ready for Workshop Goldilocks ‘just right’ size – an upgrade to Di2 too, with VieW... The adjustable stem additional cable ports and enough extra height for makes fine-tuning your comfort, not so much that the battery bosses. position easier than ever, front end gets vague. Also just It’s almost a full Shimano by simply changing the position of the house on the Felt. Shimano right is the balance between wedge power delivery and comfort. The doesn’t have a BB30 chainset, so frame’s high-volume backbone does drive duties are taken up by FSA’s SL-K Light. Shifting across the FSA rings something useful with your pedalling isn’t quite as smooth as Shimano, but the efforts; slender seatstays, a skinny carbon post, 25mm tyres and gel bar cranks are light and stiff. The other nonUltegra bit is the cassette, an all-steel tape all contribute to an impressively smooth ride on poor surfaces. Shimano 12-30 rather than Ultegra’s lightweight alloy-spidered unit. The cassette adds a bit of weight, but it’s in Verdict Goes fast without the middle of the wheel where it won’t do beating you up – what more can much harm. A 12-30 spread is a mixed you ask? blessing – you get wall-climbing low rating ★★★★★ gears at the expense of some quite big
68 | October 2013 | CYCLING PLUS
MEDIA COVERAGE CONTINUED: 12 CATELLI SAN REMO 2.0 Cycling Plus 280 13 FELT Z4 Cycling Plus 280 14 FELT B12 Triathlon Plus 59 15 CASTELLI POCKET LINER Cycling Plus 280
CYP280.biketest.indd 68
WE SAY...
Great water resistance but it’s hard to ignore the £290 price tag
16 FELT B12 Triathlon Plus 59 17 ENVE RIMS Cyclist 14 18 STAGES POWER CRANKS Cyclist 14
9/2/13 2:51 PM
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www.sb2b.co.uk
TrainingZone tight, not Baggy
Technique
eight ways to cut drag on the bike
Your choice of clothing affects your aerodynamics, thanks to something called friction drag. You can reduce this by wearing tight-fitting clothing. That means no more flappy collars, baggy shorts or creased jerseys
Best lid For the JoB
Get faster for no extra pedalling effort with these aero tips from Phil Mosley
head high or low?
steep or shallow?
––
––
05 tom Ballard senior writer
try tri-Bars
speedy wheels
Tri-bar extensions attached to an aerofoil base bar are the most aero handlebar option. Alternatively, you could use clip-on tri-bars attached to standard drop-handlebars. This gives you greater control, at the cost of some extra drag
Aero wheels have deep rims and bladed spokes that push through the air with less resistance. They can save you several minutes in an Olympic-distance tri, but can be hard to control in the wind and braking is often compromised
pricelist front_outline.indd 3 FINAL_OUT.indd 5
11:06 24/01/2013 10:27
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
More yaw = More BeneFit
shorten your Cranks
Airflow doesn’t always hit you head-on. It often comes at you diagonally, at what’s known as the yaw angle. Aero gear has an even greater benefit when you’re experiencing airflow at significant yaw angles
Shorter crank arms give you more room between your knees and chest when you’re riding in a TT position. This helps you breathe and is thought to reduce leg fatigue to help you run faster off the bike
4 TriaThlon plus | October 2013
October 2013 | TriaThlon plus
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Wide boys
Wider rims can reduce drag and increase speed, but there are still a few hurdles to overcome before they become standard issue Words JAMES SPENDER Photography DANNY BIRD
of what they see as outdated guidelines. ‘A wider rim significantly improves aero performance in cross winds, while having only a minor negative impact on aero performance straight ahead,’ explains the man behind Enve’s SES wheels, Simon Smart. Zipp’s technical director, Josh Poertner, agrees: ‘With a wider tyre a wider rim is essential to achieve the most efficient aero performance straight ahead and in cross winds. In 2003 at the launch of the 808 wheel, we theorised that the rim should be at least 105% the width of the tyre. Today I would say that the aerodynamic and wind-tunnel testing shows this to be more like at least 110% of the tyre width.’ The upshot has been that internal rim widths have increased to more than 17mm, with external widths pushing towards the high 20s. Zipp’s 303s sit at 26.4mm wide; Smart’s 3.4 Enve system comprises of a 26mm front and 24mm rear, while Bontrager’s Aeolus 3s top out at 27mm. So does that mean this time next year you could be spinning on 30mm rims?
ou could be forgiven for thinking Easton has just added the ‘55’ to its predecessor’s name and slapped on some new graphics. But what it has actually done is redesign its flagship wheel from the ground up. ‘We’ve taken everything we’ve learnt and developed over the last eight years and put it into the 55s,’ says product manager Scott Junker. ‘We’ve totally redesigned everything from the Echo hubs to the carbon fibre resin and ‘We’ve done many tests showing that we profile of the new Fantom rim. We wanted a can make even fasterwheel wheels wider widths, super-fast thatatyou can beat the hell out but the limitation the exactly frameswhat andwe forks,’ of, andis that’s thinksays we’ve got.’ The neware Echothe hubs sport wider stance Poertner. ‘Chainstays biggest hurdle bearings, the space between the rear because their width with directly affects the rearhub’s bearings having doubled to 95mm end lateral stiffness of the frames, while also over Easton’s previous R4 hubs. ‘Wider is better pinching down on the wheel. With front forks where bearings are concerned,’ says Junker, the limitation is often that some ofthe thebearings aero as far who explains that placing benefits of the wheel can be if the apart as possible (asreduced close to the endfork of the axle legs are tooas close to the wheel. So although possible) helps to decrease stress on the bearings andmakes increaseitthe lifespan of the hub. making a wheel wider even faster, up is the Fantom rim. At 55mm when you put itNext in most forks the effects are deep targeted against the likes of the Zipp 404 offset and itit’s may actually be slower.’ and Enve 6.7. However, according to Easton’s Snyder adds, ‘We’re also limited by the wind-tunnel data, the 55 trumps them all. current brake systems. The manufacturers ‘When other companies test theirare wheels trying to accommodate thefastest”, old widths as well and say, “X is the that may well be the case… butwhile only for a certain windthe angle,’ says as the new widths, trying to keep Junker. ‘The reality is that the anglethat of the wind power and modulation consistent across
range. This isn’t easy.have Butbeen certainly over the Hub bearings wide apart next two or spaced threeasyears the ETRTO standard as possible (95mm), will either have to change potentially increasingor all manufacturers hub stiffness, and also will move away from it. Wider rims aren’t just reducing stress on the bearings to ] a trend – they’re athemselves demand.’ prolong the hub’s life
Bontrager Aeolus 3, £2,000 pair, bontrager.com Zipp 303, £2,300 pair, fisher-outdoor.co.uk Enve 3.4 SES, £2,500 pair, saddleback.co.uk
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CYCLIST
New gear
EXCLUSIVE UK DISTRIBUTOR Saddleback Ltd Unit 10 Easter Court Woodward Avenue Yate, Bristol BS37 5YS 01454 285 285 info@saddleback.co.uk sb2b.co.uk
hitting a wheel doesn’t remain constant. So we describe the 55’s performance in terms of “wind-averaged drag” [WAD], which is a single number based on aggregated – then averaged – drag measurements from all relevant angles.’ Cynics might say that Easton has chosen a measurement to suit its agenda, but we think using WAD as an industry-wide standard metric might just prove revolutionary in its own right. The ride Cyclist got to try the 55s in the Dolomites, and initial impressions live up to Easton’s hype. Over 3,000m of climbing, the tubular versions (weighing 1,330g, pictured) rode up mountain passes like skinny box sections, descended with poise and held speed on the flat. Braking on the 28.5mm carbon brake track – the widest profile rims currently available – was supremely confident (it was dry) and, despite their stiffness, the ride comfort was good, in part attributable to the way the rim sides bulge out, providing leaf spring-type shock absorption. Easton’s ‘beat the hell out of it’ durability claims are yet to be tested, but the fact that there will soon be a tubeless-ready version means the EC90 Aero 55s might just be about to set a new standard in do-it-all carbon wheels. Easton EC90 Aero 55 wheelset, £TBC, expect to pay £1,550 for tubular and £1,800 for clincher/tubeless versions, zyro.co.uk
If you’d rather receive this newsletter as a PDF then please email: incycle@saddleback.co.uk C O N TA C T S
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Easton EC90 Aero 55
Wheel rims
ince the 1970s the standard for rim widths has been relatively narrow, but over the past few years widths seem to have been slowly creeping up. So what gives? And why now? ‘Wheel manufacturers have traditionally been constrained by ETRTO [European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation] guidelines,’ explains Bontrager’s Darren Snyder. ‘These stipulated that for a 23mm tyre the inner rim profile [the internal distance between the beads] was defined as 15mm +/-0.5mm. That naturally drove the outside rim width to between 19mm and 21mm.’ Snyder explains that because these guidelines existed to help harmonise the dimensions of rims and tyres, no one really thought to – or indeed no manufacturer was really able to – challenge them. However, recent developments in wheel aerodynamics, coupled with the trend towards fatter tyres, have seen the big boys step up and go beyond the bounds
“Good aerodynamics means more speed for the same effort, but when starting out it’s best to prioritise comfort. You can then gradually alter your bike setup over time towards a more aggressively aero position.”
A low body position isn’t always the most aerodynamic. If you have to crane your neck up to see, that creates drag. Raising your tri-bars can allow you to tuck your head into the silhouette of your body, reducing drag
Time trial bikes have a steeper seat-tube angle than standard road bikes. This rolls your body forward into a more aerodynamic position. But TT bikes are often heavier than road bikes and harder to handle
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teaM talk: speeding up
Aero helmets are designed to smooth the airflow as it travels over your shoulders and back. They can save you 30 seconds over a sprint tri bike leg, but take longer to put on in transition and can get sweaty quickly
‘The market is full of power meters costing £2k+ but there is not a huge choice below that. We wanted to simplify both design and fitment, plus bring down cost’
Stages Power crank from £599, saddleback.co.uk ower is now indisputably the most significant metric for cyclists looking to assess and improve performance. Technology that was once confined to sports science laboratories is now readily available, but so far price and the relative complexity of systems have prevented an explosion of power measuring devices from entering the mainstream. Stages Cycling aims to broaden the scope for power measurement with Stages Power, a left hand crank-based design, offering multidisciplinary and multi-level potential with strain gauge accuracy at realistic prices. Stages Cycling’s Matt Pacocha says, ‘The market is full of power meters costing £2k+ but there is not a huge choice below that. We wanted to simplify both design and installation, plus bring down the cost. We believe power meters should be simple, robust and not force cyclists to make major concessions in terms of weight, aesthetics or component choice.’
Located in Boulder, Colorado, Stages Cycling is no newbie to power measurement, with thousands of its products successfully implemented for the high demands of indoor cycling programmes in gyms and health clubs across the US. The system measures force directly (claimed accuracy +/- 2%) by using a bending beam strain gauge attached to the crank arm. This means it’s not invasive to the drive side of the bike and hence gearing choices (compacts, triples etc) are unaffected, and it also takes bottom bracket complications or any wheel/ pedal restrictions out of the equation too. The unit, housed in ABS polycarbonate, is well out of harm’s way, mounted almost invisibly behind the crank, and adds a meager 20g. An accelerometer calculates cadence, so no further sensors are required either. Simple fitment, and tool-free, userchangeable battery (CR2032; estimated 200 hours) plus no need for constant recalibration (once the initial settling period has passed)
indicate that Stages Cycling has really prioritised convenience for the user. At time of writing, Stages Power is available in 17 crank models in an array of lengths and colours, covering seven cycling disciplines, even BMX. Claiming to be compatible with 90% of frames and data transmission via both Ant+ and Bluetooth Smart means you should have little or no problems suiting your preferences. However there are some restrictions to its application. It can’t be applied to carbon cranks – ruling out top-end offerings from SRAM, Campag and the likes of FSA – because testing has shown carbon constructions/resin mixtures do not bend in a predictable enough way to provide consistently reliable power readings. It’s hardly the end of the world, as you could still fit an alloy left-hand crank regardless, but it certainly lends itself best to Shimano applications. Shimano Dura Ace 9000, 7900 & Track £799, Shimano Ultegra 6700 (6800 due Jan 2014) £699, Shimano 105 £599, SRAM Rival £599
CYCLIST
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AREA MANAGERS Oli Hunter 07917 462 225 South West Justin Hoy 07917 462 224 South East Michael Fish 07917 462 223 North MARKETING Andrew Griffiths - Marketing Manager andrew@saddleback.co.uk Nick Cox - Senior Graphic Designer nick.cox@saddleback.co.uk
SOME OF THE SADDLEBACK WORKFORCE OUT ON ONE OF OUR HOUSE SHOW DEMO RIDES. PHOTO BY MATT FROM THE WAREHOUSE
ASH MATTHEWS ENVE BRAND MANAGER
ANDY WIGMORE MANAGING DIRECTOR ROSS GRIMMETT TECHNICAL PRODUCT SPECIALIST
HARRISON TYE WAREHOUSE CINDY RICKARDS CREDIT CONTROLLER
NICK COX SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER
OLI HUNTER SOUTHWEST AREA MANAGER
JOHN WAGER OPERATIONS AND IT MANAGER
CHARLES COLEMAN CUSTOMER SERVICE