Category: Cycling

Terminus Bike Could be Terminal to the Bank Account

Having spent time in the factories “where dreams are made” – namely the Colnago factory in Italy – I’ve seen some expensive bikes. This reporter can also say that he’s seen some beautiful bikes. The M55 Terminus is certainly the former if not exactly the latter.

It isn’t just the name that evokes the metal interior of the Terminator either, and in all honesty this is probably what a T-80 in the guise of Arnuld would ride if the Terminator went mountain biking. Fortunately for us – and bad for Sarah Connor – the Terminator’s activities are limited (“He’ll find her! That’s what he does! That’s ALL he does!). This $35,000 bike is also heavy enough (heavy duty enough too), at 65 pounds to support a cyborg. And it is actually built like one too. The CNC-milled aluminum frame includes an electric motor powered by lithium-ion cells that give it a range of 62-miles – a bit limited we think were it to be used to actually hunt Ms. Connor.

Other advanced features aren’t exactly space age but they still impress, and include Syncros 26-inch rims, MXR air shocks at the rear, Fohloff twist gear shifters and Formula One braking technology. The good news for anyone worried about this machine potentially being used by our robot masters is that it will be limited to five very limited runs of 55 piece each.

The bike isn’t the product of the machines, but is coming a Hungarian developer, who has been financed by private investors and a $400, 000 grant from the New Hungary Development Plan. Isn’t that always how these sinister plans begin? But at $35,000 who besides a mad scientist or Terminator from the future (who could predict the stock market and bet on football) could possibly afford one!

M55 Terminus Official Website
[Via Wired: Hit the Hills and Highways on Hungary’s $35,00 Hybrid Hyberbike]

KineticShift Rides Stage 2 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge and Comes Back with Spectator Info!

(Video by Mike Prendergast) For a higher resolution video click here

From August 22nd through August 28th, one of the biggest professional cycling races in the United States will commence in Colorado Springs. This is one of the largest U.S. stage races in recent years, drawing international stars like Cadel Evans and the Schleck brothers to do battle on our soil, with our heroes including Levi Leipheimer, George Hincapie and Colorado favorite, Tom Danielson. KineticShift.com will be there; and actually we have already been there and had a chance to pre-ride Stage 2, the ‘Queen Stage’ of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge (UPCC).

At 131 miles and with two 12,000-foot mountain passes, Stage 2 of the UPCC will arguably be the hardest day of racing for the pros due to the altitude, length and unpredictable Colorado weather. Experience it here from a rider’s view as we climb, descend and film our way through the Queen Stage… returning with some interviews and insight for you!

This week’s coverage:

The Riding of Stage 2 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge – Part 1: Gunnison to Buena Vista
The Riding of Stage 2 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge – Part 2: Buena Vista to Aspen
Watching the Queen Stage – Spectator Information for Gunnison to Buena Vista
Watching the Queen Stage – Spectator Information for after Buena Vista to Aspen
Inspired by the USA Pro Cycling Challenge to Climb Some Colorado Mountain Passes?
USA Pro Cycling Challenge: Strider World Cup Answers the Challenge

 

Continue reading KineticShift Rides Stage 2 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge and Comes Back with Spectator Info!

USA Pro Cycling Challenge: Strider World Cup Answers the Challenge

While the riders are probably too young to handle the climbs, not to mention the descents, of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, they’ll get their chance to make the podium as part of the Strider World Cup. Toddlers, age two to five, will take to the track at the Downtown Denver Finish Festival on August 28.

Every rider will receive a Team Strider t-shirt, Strider handlebar bag/number plate and souvenir cowbell, and every racer will earn a medal for participation, while the top-three finishers in each age group will be awarded trophies during the podium ceremony. Riders will race on the Strider No-Pedal Bikes, which can help toddlers age one to five learn balance and coordination.

Pre-registration is required, and limited to 200 racers. Entry fee is $25, but the chances of a podium finish… priceless. Just ask Cadel Evans!

(Video after the jump) Continue reading USA Pro Cycling Challenge: Strider World Cup Answers the Challenge

Road Bike Grips Heat Up!

For years motorcyclists or snowmobile riders have had the option of heated grips to warm their hands during times of colder weather. If your hands get too cold, the ability to control your ride can be made much more difficult and become dangerous. Coming this September, A’ME Grips is introducing their new Heated Road Bike Wrap for cyclists. This unique product will be a nice cold weather option for road cyclists, cyclocross riders and bike commuters; and provide a comfortable hand temperature to improve blood flow reducing fatigue and maximizes dexterity and performance. Continue reading Road Bike Grips Heat Up!

Inspired by the USA Pro Cycling Challenge to Climb Some Colorado Mountain Passes?

Colorado Bicycle Climbs Locator Map

After watching the great coverage on Versus or NBC of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge (UPCC), you may be inspired to come out to Colorado and tackle some of the highest, paved passes in the country. One of the great cycling experiences in the state of Colorado is climbing in the mountains, but it is difficult to pick your routes with just a road map. The state has a tremendous selection of canyons, passes and mountains to ascend with some of the most breathtaking views imaginable. Over the years my wife and I have been drawn to climb many of the passes and “classic climbs” in the state. We started in the San Juan mountains of southwest Colorado climbing Coal Bank, Molas and Red Mountain.

(Video after the jump)

Continue reading Inspired by the USA Pro Cycling Challenge to Climb Some Colorado Mountain Passes?

Leadville Trail 100 Sponsor Product Highlights

This past Saturday was the 18th running of the Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike race in Leadville, Colorado and the 6th time that I have partaken in the race. This event has really grown in popularity and size during the past few years due to the highest level of professional cyclists like Lance Armstrong and Levi Leipheimer showing up to compete. Along with the professional racers, larger corporate sponsors are becoming involved with this race and the whole Leadville race series, especially after Life Time Fitness took over the reins from Ken Chlouber and Merilee Maupin. As a racer, we have to be up in Leadville early on Friday for our medical check in which gave me a few hours to walk around and chat with the sponsors. Here are some interesting products from a few of the Leadville Trail 100 MTB sponsors.

Continue reading Leadville Trail 100 Sponsor Product Highlights

USA Pro Cycling Challenge: Spectator Information for Stage 2 – Buena Vista to Aspen

Top of the last climb of Stage 2 - Independence Pass

The second half of Stage 2 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge is not going to be any easier to get around and watch than the first half from Gunnison to Buena Vista, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth trying.

Not only will you get to see some great cycling in action, you’ll be treated to some of the most scenic beauty that ‘Colorful Colorado’ has to offer.

After riding this stage (The Riding of Stage 2 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge – Part 2: Buena Vista to Aspen), we agree that a much better viewing experience is to be had by selecting a spot and soaking in the action. The following are our thoughts regarding spectating of this stage for the portion after Twin Lakes.

Continue reading USA Pro Cycling Challenge: Spectator Information for Stage 2 – Buena Vista to Aspen

USA Pro Cycling Challenge: The Riding of Stage 2 – Part 2: Buena Vista to Aspen

The racers pass Twin Lakes at about mile 93, but still have 17 miles and 2,500 feet of climbing to the summit of Independence Pass

We continue our coverage of the “Riding of Stage 2 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge” (The Riding of Stage 2 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge – Part 1: Gunnison to Buena Vista)

Once my cleat malfunction was addressed in Buena Vista, Mike Prendergast and I continued our ride of Stage 2 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. At this point, we were 67 miles into the 131 mile stage from Gunnison to Aspen. From Buena Vista at 7,965 feet, we had almost 43 miles until we reached Independence Pass at 12,095 feet – the Continental Divide for the second time. As we rolled out of Buena Vista, the skies did not look so good. With only a couple of tiny sections of blue sky, dark clouds started to form and the wind started to pick up. US-24 closely follows the Arkansas River for almost another 20 miles, but only climbs about 1,100 feet. Though this road is very heavily traveled, there is a wide shoulder for most portions of this section of the stage – not important for the racers as the road will be closed, but nice if you are just out for a ride. There is some nice scenery even though this section is a grind… it is probably the least enjoyable section of the ride due to the traffic and winds. As we approached Granite, the grade increased slightly, but it felt easier. From Granite up to CO-82, the grade or reduced headwind allowed for a large chain ring climb to the turn at CO-82. Continue reading USA Pro Cycling Challenge: The Riding of Stage 2 – Part 2: Buena Vista to Aspen

USA Pro Cycling Challenge: Spectator Information for Stage 2 – Gunnison to Buena Vista

12,126 feet above sea level on Cottonwood Pass

If you can’t ride the course with the pros, the next best thing is watching them in action, and next week you can get your chance if you head out to Colorado to watch the “Queen Stage.” After riding the course (The Riding of Stage 2 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge – Part 1: Gunnison to Buena Vista), we thought we’d share our thoughts on the best way to take in the course.

With road closures and traffic, it is going to be quite a feat to see Stage 2 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge (UPCC) from both the start in Gunnison and the finish in Aspen. For the brave or those who would rather sit in a car than hang out at the host cities, there is a route that is only a 2.5 hour drive. Getting out of Gunnison, driving the distance between both cities, finding parking in Aspen and hoofing it to the finish line is going to be tough. After riding the stage, we agree that a better spectating experience will be had by not trying to see both ends of the stage. The following is our thoughts with regards to viewing along the first half of Stage 2. Continue reading USA Pro Cycling Challenge: Spectator Information for Stage 2 – Gunnison to Buena Vista

USA Pro Cycling Challenge: The Riding of Stage 2 – Part 1: Gunnison to Buena Vista

 

City of Gunnison - The start of Stage 2 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge

With our plans in place to ride the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, Mike Prendergast and I left our homes on the Colorado Front Range and began our journey with a four hour drive to Gunnison. We chose to make the trip late on a Wednesday, meet the representatives from Gunnison and roll out early Thursday morning for the ride. We arrived in Gunnison with enough time to check in to our hotel, drop our bags, shoot some video of the city and make it to Garlic Mikes for dinner.

We met with four representatives on the Gunnison side of Stage 2, Joellen Fonken, Petra St. George, John Messner and Jon Brown, all who had various roles in bringing the stage to Gunnison. John Messner, the Facility and Events Manager for the City of Gunnison, was a major driving force behind the task of securing a stage and explained to us that it was not the race organizers who proposed the stages, but each town and city in Colorado had the opportunity to submit a bid outlining four to five different stage routes through their community. Gunnison submitted a number of options including one through Black Canyon. Though the race organizers were reluctant at first to go with the stage over Cottonwood Pass due to the dirt road, that was the option that was finally selected. Continue reading USA Pro Cycling Challenge: The Riding of Stage 2 – Part 1: Gunnison to Buena Vista

When a Governing Body Stifles Technology

Recently I was sent James Thomas’s article from Bicycledesign titled, “Is TJ Tollakson the Graeme Obree of triathlon?,” regarding the use of a carbon fiber 1996 Zipp beam frame triathlon bike by T.J. Tollakson in numerous triathlon wins including Ironmans. Tollakson has been experimenting with different riding positions and use of materials, some non-cycling, to come up with his winning combination. The beam design that he chose has not been utilized for some time now due to its design not falling with the International Cycling Union (UCI) regulations, but this style of frame is still legal by the regulations of USA Triathlon.

As Thomas notes the UCI wasn’t nearly so kind to Graeme Obree, also known as “The Flying Scotsman,” when he created his bike “Old Faithful” using parts from a washing machine. As Tollakson used soccer shin pads to aid the unique design, we’re left wondering if the UCI would approve. But this is just part of the issue.

I remember when the double triangle rule was implemented by the UCI and thinking that it was the end for real innovation with road bike frame designs. Continue reading When a Governing Body Stifles Technology

Multiuse Headlight

As summer comes to an end dusk comes a little earlier. This means night time riding is picking up as well, and here is where a little illumination can ensure that you get home safely. River Rocks Designs has introduced a new affordable wearable light for cycling, hiking or even for spelunker helmets.

The TecTrek Headlamp is hands free and compact. It features a weather proof O-ring polycarbonate casing, with a l125 lumen LED light that is ideal for dark inside and outdoor activities. The light features multiple color modes – including red for night vision retention or emergency use, blue for fluid tracking, and green for night map reading. The red can also be switched to repeat to be used as single light.

The headlamp also allows for an adjustable focus, from long range to wide field soft light, and can be dimmed when the brightest light isn’t needed. It can run on full power white light for more than four hours, or low setting for over 20 hours, and green for greater than 100 hours! About the only downside is that it runs on AAA alkaline batteries, but at $34.99 it still sounds like a great deal and a good way to shed some light on your nighttime activities.

River Rock Designs, Inc. Official Website

Trek Bicycles Syncs With Online Sales

Some products are easy to buy online. A book, a DVD, even some basic clothing can be bought without a visit to an actual brick and mortar retailer. But some products, such as bicycle accessories, are better when bought at a retail outlet, where size and feel aren’t just important, they’re crucial.

The downside for many retailers is that it is difficult to carry endless models of every product available. But now Trek Bicycle has announced that it will be helping qualified brick and mortar retail shops get the best of both worlds. The manufacturer has launched “Trek Sync” and fulfillment services, where Trek will warehouse and fulfill aftermarket product orders placed on Trek retailers’ websites. To ensure a seamless transition to ecommerce, retailers will have access to Trek’s network of warehousing facilities, professional distribution staff, and logistics expertise while remaining the point of transaction. Continue reading Trek Bicycles Syncs With Online Sales