New Review: FSA Cockpit

Though content to leave the weightier issues of the world--like the economy, politics, and the iPhone--to others, I have tackled the often overlooked-but still fairly important issue of handlebars, stems and seatposts. Actually, just these products built by Full Speed Ahead (FSA). That's not entirely true, either.

What I mean to say is this. I just posted a review of a full FSA cockpit: the Energy T handlebar, OS 115 stem, and the K-Force Light SB25 Seatpost. Of the three, only the K-Force seatpost is predominantly carbon fiber. See what I mean by tackling important issues? You don't see it? Oh.

Well, here it is, enjoy. http://www.gearreview.com/fsa-cockpit.php

Also, if you don't know what shot-peened is, I can explain that. It is actually a process that involves a lot of kids lining up with BB guns and aiming it at a super-cooled block of aluminum--from which the end product is cut with lasers and old native-american arrow heads recovered from private lands. Depending on the desired strength, they will both increase the number of children with BB guns and decrease the distance between them and the block of aluminum. (Please note: Protective eye-wear is always worn so as to prevent them shooting their eyes out.)

News Flash -- Garmin Edge 605 and 705

This just in:

Garmin is expanding their line of Edge GPS's -- these are designed for cycling -- to include the new 605 and 705, both of which feature mapping capabilities.

Here is what they have to say about the new Edge units:

The Edge 705 and Edge 605 provide mapping capabilities, street navigation and a 2.2” color display in addition to tracking vertical profiles, climb and descent, altitude, speed, distance, and time.

The Edge 705 represents several breakthroughs in cycling technology, including power compatibility and wireless unit-to-unit connectivity. Through collaborative efforts with SRM, Quark and other experts in mobile power diagnostics for bicycles, Garmin for the first time gives cyclists the opportunity to monitor GPS position, power, heart rate, speed, cadence, altitude and gradient on the same display. And Edge 705 users will be able to share their information – including saved rides, waypoints and workouts – with each other through ANT+Sport™ wireless technology.

“The Edge 705 gives cyclists the most effective tools they need to train efficiently and share data easily,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales, “and these new products are further proof of how innovative technology can enrich people’s lives and help them better enjoy their exercise and recreational activities.”

ANT+Sport technology allows the Edge to interface wirelessly with other fitness devices such as a heart rate monitor, cadence sensor or other Edge units. Cyclists can share courses, workout data and saved rides. When paired with an optional power meter from SRM or Quark or another third party’s ANT+Sport-enabled device, the Edge 705 measures power – torque and cadence for each leg at the pedals – which is often cited as a true indicator of an efficient ride.

The mapping capabilities on the Edge 705 and Edge 605 allow cyclists to truly get lost in their ride without losing their way. Routes can be adapted to revisit previous rides, personalized shortcuts or new destinations. Both units come with built-in basemaps, and optional detailed street or topo maps are available on preloaded data cards.

Altitude is recorded using a barometric altimeter for the Edge 705. This accurate altitude data makes it much easier for cyclists to match their altitude profile with their speed, cadence and heart rate during post-ride analysis. The Edge 605 measures altitude through GPS positioning.

The 605:
And the 705:
It looks like the 605 will retail for $430.75 and the 705 will set you back a whopping $541.65.

Stella, Part 3

Ok, so you've seen the press info, and you've seen some comparison shots, but what you really, really want to see is how bright the little sucker is... huh. Go on, admit it. It's keeping you up at night isn't it. Well, it kept me up, for a little bit any way.

So, here you go!

Stella, on high (as usual, click the image for a bigger version):

I can hear you now... "Hey, that's great, but how is it compared to [insert light of choice here]?" Good question. I did compare the beam shape to the MiNewt, previously, so here is a shot of what I am talking about:


As you can see, the beam is similar, if not in intensity, in pattern. There are a series of concentric rings, with a bright center. Note: This is the original MiNewt, not the newer X2, which should be nearly as bright as the Stella. Both of these lights use a reflector, rather than a solid state optic. Both reflectors are very good, too.

Solid state optics give a different sort of pattern. Here is a DiNotte 200L, spot beam:

And the same light with a wider optic:


As you can see, neither of the beams from the solid optic have the pattern of the reflector lights. It's just a different way of getting the light out the front and onto the ground so you can see.

WIWTBT Vol. 5

Today's item is, strictly speaking, not something I want to buy. In all actuality, I just want to own it. At $150, it's kind of hard to justify--that is until I crack my fancy-schmancy carbon frame by over-tightening something. Anyway, allow me to present, the:

Effetto Mariposa Giustaforza 2-16Nm Torque Wrench

If you find yourself with $150 too much in your checking account. Feel free to pick it up and send it to me. I'll even pay for shipping.

Grab Bag

Since today's items don't really have much in common, I'll just throw them out there and let you read them as you see fit. We've got gear news, reviews and a link to an article about doping that is, I think, rather scary.

First, the reviews.

I've talked about road tubeless tires and wheels here before, but now the review of the system is up on GearReview.com.


And this really is a system, too. The tires don't work without the rims and the rim's potential is wasted by running standard tube-type tires. Frankly, I find the combo brilliant, but costly. As Ferris would say, "If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up."

As I mentioned in the article, there is only one tire available right now, but rumor has it -- from a very good source -- that at least one other tire manufacturer will be on board at InterBike, and Hutchinson is working on tubeless tires for 'cross. I really hope this takes off. I'd like to never buy a tube again.

Moving along...

The article on doping I referred to above is the one over on VeloNews, by Dawn Richardson, MD, in her Ask the Doctor column. This is an interview with former pro cyclist Joe Papp about doping -- specifically his doping -- and the side effects that he experienced.

A quote from the article:

VN: What did happen to you when you fell?

JP: Nothing immediately. In fact, I rode 20km home after the race (in which I'd finished fifth or sixth). But within hours the internal bleeding had caused the appearance of a hematoma that all but paralyzed my left leg.

Joe goes on to say that he had lost nearly 1/4 of his blood volume into a bruise due to some of the medication he was taking without medical supervision. Read the article. There is more at stake than just winning or losing.

OK, that was a little heavy, but I had to share it.

Gear News:

For all of you out there that love the Cannondale Lefty fork -- and I am one of them -- the 140mm travel Lefty Max is gone in 2008. 'Tis a sad day indeed. But the shorter travel -- 110mm -- Lefty's will continue.

Stella -- Part 2

I've previewed the Stella before, but this time, I've got one in my hands. Light and Motion sent me the 180-L -- that's the one that uses the 3-cell Li-Ion battery and has their multi-chem charger -- so, naturally, I am letting you guys in on the scoop.

It's a small light, so I thought I'd see how big it was compared to DiNotte's 200L.

First, the Stella alone:


Now, along side of the 200L with it's Li-Ion battery:



As you can see, they are similar in size.

Light output is good -- claimed to be 180 lumens -- and their reflector does a nice job of making a smooth circle of light with a bright hot spot in the middle. There are no dark bands or other aberrations. The reflector is proprietary and it looks like L&M spent quite a bit of time on it. The beam actually reminds me of the MiNewt's, more than anything.

I'll have some beam shots later this week, if all goes well. As usual, hit me up with any questions/requests in the comments section and I'll see what I can do.

'08 XT -- Wheels and Brakes

Today I'll wrap up my preliminary look at the 2008 XT group. You can find the other parts here:

Shifters
Crankset and Rear Derailleur

Rounding out the group are the wheels and brakeset. The wheels are a new item, and it's the first time that an XT-level wheel is offered with a 20mm through axle. Our wheels use the standard quick release arrangement. The wheels are UST compatible and mounting tires to them was no different than any other tubeless rim.

Wheels with Center Lock rotor:

Red Nipples:

The brake levers are all new. We got the stand alone levers, not the integrated Dual Control shifters, so that's what I'll be showing/reviewing.

Brake lever:

There are adjustments for reach and for dead lever throw -- or free stroke, as it's labeled.

Brake lever, dead lever throw (green circle), and reach adjust(green arrow):

The reach adjust is tool free, but a screwdriver is needed to adjust the free stroke. The levers are compact, but the clamp is the single bolt variety, so grip removal is required for installation. The brakes do not come assembled, so installation requires filling the brake with fluid. Shimano uses mineral oil -- not nearly as caustic as DOT fluid -- and bleeding the brakes is a simple procedure. I didn't run into any hiccups in the process and there are good directions for everything.

The Servo-Wave does what it is supposed to and it was easy to set up the brakes without the rotor rubbing. I don't have much time on the brakes, so they aren't fully bedded in yet, but my first impression is that there is plenty of power there.

So, there you have it.

We also received -- which I'm not going into detail at this time, but will in my review -- XT labeled pedals and cassette. The cassette uses an aluminum carrier for all but the smallest three cogs. The pedals are more open than the lower end versions, and the materials and construction appear to be better as well -- more in line with what you'd expect out of XT-level stuff.

Ultegra Wheels: First Look

After going on a fast-paced and windy ride this morning on the Ultegra wheels, I wanted to give you a first look. I also planned on giving you a first look with photos, but I just didn't find the time. Sorry.

The setup:

I picked a ride that I knew would be windy and there is always a stiff breeze coming down provo canyon in the mornings. I also wanted some short climbs I could sprint up. Though I generally seek out the best roads for my rides, I also wanted to include some really bad ones on this ride to give me a better feel for the wheels.

Though officially this isn't a comparative review with any other wheelsets, this here isn't actually a review at all, so I can do what I want. Also, I've been riding some Topolinos (C-19) lately, so I couldn't help but compare them.

Impressions:

For sprinting, I believe two things come into  play. First, there's stiffness. Second, there's weight. A lower-weight wheel spins up fast, but if it isn't stiff enough, you'll lose some of your power in the wheels. 

Though not as light-weight as the Topolinos, they aren't portly, either. They spin up relatively well, though not as fast, either as Mavic's ultra-stiff Ksyriums. On the other hand, they are more comfortable than the Ksyriums, also. However, the carbon-spoked Topolinos do a better job of eliminating road buzz. This was more noticeable on rough pavement than large bumps. 

Once up to speed, they hold their speed well. This is probably due--partly, at least--to the increased mass. The low-count bladed spokes also helped the wheel slice through the stiff winds of this morning's ride--though a deep-profile rim would have been nice as well. I could tell they handled the wind better than the fairly non-aero-spoked Topolinos.

So far, I like them. They aren't a top-of-the-line wheelset, but of course, that's why they're labeled Ultegra. Of course, after a few more months of riding, I'll be able to give a better--more comprehensive--review. 

Barro and Wilma

The official reviews of the Geax Barro TNT and the Lupine Wilma upgrade are complete.

The T-N-T system, you may recall, is designed around using a sealant in a tubeless compatible tire to prevent air from leaking, rather than using the traditional butyl lining found on most other tubeless tires. The difference between this and Stan's No-Tubes is that rather than using standard tires, the T-N-T tires have a UST-type bead. The idea is pretty cool, really. Read the review to see what I thought about the package as a whole.

You've seen my thoughts on the Wilma before, but in the review I put them all together in a more cohesive package, including the procedure to upgrade the light from the older Luxeon-based emitter array and before and after pictures. Frankly, I found the difference to be worth the price.

'08 XT -- Shifters

Because we were shipped Shimano's new Shadow rear derailleur -- as opposed to their standard XT rear derailleur -- Shimano recommends -- and sent us -- their rapid fire trigger shifters, not the integrated, Dual Control, levers.

Just to clarify things a little regarding the rear derailleur -- then I'll move onto the shifters -- there are no fewer than 6 options. You've got the Shadow versions, both medium and long cage -- which is "top normal" meaning the spring moves it to a smaller cog -- and then there are the standard variety rear derailleurs that have the cable coming in the back. They are available in both medium and long cage and in low normal and top normal spring configurations. I put together the chart below to try and clarify things a little. The low normal derailleur is the one Shimano recommends for the Dual Control shifter/brake levers.

Now that that is out of the way, let's get back to the subject at hand, the shifters. Like I said, I've got the trigger variety. These should be familiar to anyone who has ridden a mountain bike in last 9 years. You push the thumb lever to get an easier gear -- when paired with a top-normal derailleur -- and you pull the other lever with your index finger to get a harder gear. Same ol', same ol', right? Not quite. Shimano has added an interesting twist to the familiar. Now you can also push the lever you normally pull with your index finger, and you get the same result -- a harder gear.

So far, I am finding that I use both methods -- pushing and pulling -- depending on my hand position. It's a nice feature.

The perch for the new shifters is also adjustable, allowing for the shifters to be mounted on either side of the brake levers.

'08 XT -- Crankset and Rear Derailleur

We've received quite a number of new products from Shimano this last week -- most of the 2008 XT group as well as new Ultegra Wheels and an Ultegra cassette. Jon will be handling the wheels, so he'll probably talk about them next week. This week, though, I thought we'd take a look at some of the new XT -- and new it is.

First up, the crankset. Most of the changes to the XT crankset are cosmetic. It doesn't pick up the chainline adjustment that the XTR crank has, but it does -- sort of -- get that trick middle ring. Why sort of? While the XTR middle ring uses carbon fiber to reinforce a titanium ring, the XT middle ring uses carbon fiber to reinforce a steel ring that has been paired down for minimum weight. Heck, they even drilled little holes in every tooth!

Carbon fiber and steel middle ring:


Bigger news is the new rear derailleur. They call it the Shadow rear derailleur since the body of the derailleur is very, very low profile. In order to keep it as close as possible to the frame and rear cogs, Shimano has relocated the pivot to just aft of the mounting bolt.

Pivot moved back from mounting bolt:


From the back:
In addition to allowing the derailleur body to hug the bike better -- keeping it out of harms way -- it also allows the derailleur to swing out of the way of the cassette for wheel removal. Now, the wheel can drop straight down. This will make for faster wheel changes.

Shimano has also given the new XT more direct cable routing:


Gone is the big loop that was needed before. Also gone is the barrel adjuster, now the only one is at the shifter.

So far, I like the changes. The routing is cleaner, and the shifting is crisp. Now to see how it holds up in mud, dirt, muck and abuse.

Still to come, Shifters and Brakes.

The Speed of Carbon Fiber

In an effort to prove, once and for all, the actual speed of carbon fiber (or fibre, depending on your locale), I performed a highly scientific experiment. Yes, James isn't the only one who can conduct such studies.

You see, it has often been rumored that carbon fiber is fast. This is evident anecdotally by watching the carbon penetration in the pro peloton. Also, why would companies be pushing the material so much through expensive marketing campaigns? I'm certain that they, the companies, have only our best interests at heart.

But, how fast is carbon? For instance, would I be better off getting the slightly heavier, and much more expensive carbon stem over a lighter, stiffer, and less expensive one? Would the inherent speed of carbon make up for the weight? Also, how much can I cut off my time-trial by increasing my Carbon Part Ratio (CPR) on my bike. Could I, in theory, sit up on an all-carbon cruiser and go faster than tucked into a tight aero position on an aluminum time-trial machine? And, is it really the make-up of the deep section carbon rims that make those wheels so fast (in other words, more carbon), as opposed to the "aero" shape?

My Experiment
1. I decided that if I was in top condition, it would be hard to tell how much of my speed was due to carbon, and how much due to my own conditioning. Therefore, for the past few months, for the good of all and the sake of this experiment, I stopped riding so often and I even gained a little weight.

2. My bike already has a lot of carbon on it, so I couldn't replace just any part with carbon. Also, I wanted a part that would obviously not give me any other benefit other than just increasing my CPR. For this experiment, I chose to replace my plastic water bottle cages with carbon ones.

3. Although these two cages probably, collectively, save me about 30-35 grams, I more than made up that difference by gaining weight. Also, I haven't washed my bike lately, which probably comes close to adding that much weight.

Results
The results were disappointing to say the least. Not only did I not gain any additional speed, but it appears that losing conditioning and fitness has a far greater negative impact that merely increasing my CPR can overcome.

Clearly I'm going to have to revisit my methods.

Cyclocross Season

I've spoken before about cyclocross and 'cross bikes. Needless to say, I like 'em. However, if you really want to experience 'cross you have to race it. This fact alone separates 'cross from any other cycling category. Think about it; if you want to experience mountain biking, you can go riding in the forest. If you want to know what it's like to ride on the road... well... get a road bike and hit the asphalt. If you want to see what cyclocross is all about you can't just hop on a 'cross bike, where would you ride it?

Where would you find barriers that are just under knee height that you can't ride around? Where -- and why, really -- would ride through sand? And why in the world would you punish yourself so hard for 45 minutes to an hour, riding in laps? Only in a race.

I raced twice last season, and I'm hooked. I don't race road and I don't race mountain bikes anymore. But there is something about 'cross that I like. Maybe it's that the races are fixed time limits. Maybe it's that the atmosphere is very family friendly -- park yourself in one spot and you can usually see most of the course. Maybe it's that it is so different that road or mountain biking -- but with elements of both -- that it's appealing. Whatever it is, I vowed that this year I'll take it more seriously.

I've got two things in my favor. First, I've lost about 25 pounds since this time last year. Second, I'm actually training for it. I've been practicing my dismounts and remounts. I've been working on going all out for 45 minutes. I've been increasing my ride intensity. I've been running up hills, doing hill repeats. In short, I am in about the best shape I've been in for years, and I am going to ROCK the C group.

Light Mount, Part 5 -- Official

For some time now, DiNotte has been selling their wonderful tail light without a decent mount. Enterprising individuals have taken to making their own, and have come up with some pretty cool ways to attach this crazy bright flasher to their bikes. See HERE for some examples.

DiNotte has also been pestered by consumers to produce a mount. They have responded. (See, companies do listen to the consumers!)

This is what it'll look like -- as usual, click the image for a bigger version:

It mounts to the seat post via the same type of o-ring that the light itself uses. This should make it fit any seat post out there and it should be vary light as well. I'm not sure about the availability, but as soon as I do know anything, I'll update this post.

And yes, the quick release on the brake is open.

Switching gears a little, I received the box shown below earlier this week. I'll be talking about it next week. Care to guess what it is?

Stella

While I don't have one in my hands... yet... I have received some images of Light and Motion's new LED light, the Stella.

First, though, some details.

The light will have 180 lumens and it will come in two price points. One with an NiMH battery and trickle charger for $199 and one with a LiIon battery and rapid "smart" charger for $299. Both light heads are the same, only the battery and charger are different. The lights will also come with both helmet -- pictured -- and handlebar mounts.



As usual, as soon as I have one -- a few weeks from now, I am told -- I'll have more information.