Tag: Cycling

SAUR-SOJASUN Team to Use ROTOR Components

The Continental SAUR SOJASUN Team will be riding with ROTOR Bike Components for 2011 it has been announced. These include the company’s unique and innovative components including the Q-Ring oval chainrings, 3D+ cranks and BB30 bottom brackets, as well as chain-catchers and race-plate holders.

The revolutionary shaped Q-Rings have the promise of increasing power by maximizing the use of efficient zones of the pedaling stroke and reducing the intensity of the “dead spot” zones, while helping reduce joint and tendon loadings. The 3D+ cranks are 100 percent compatible with any BB30 or Class BAS threaded frame on the market.

ROTOR will be sharing the sponsorship with French bike manufacturer TIME. “France is one of our leading markets, in which we have quite a number of fans and high customer fidelity, so we want to thank them for this support by sponsoring one of the country’s leading teams,” said  Ignacio Estellés, ROTOR CEO, during the contract signature in Rennes. “A strong professional team, well placed in the 2010 UCI rankings – above some ProTour teams – is a new proving ground for our technologies, increasing the brand´s fame and customer’s confidence in our products.”

ROTOR Official Website

Project RideRED Campaign Starts

This week pro cycling photographer and AIDS Awareness advocate Brian Hodes of VeloImages kicked off “Project RideRED.” This is a national campaign to raise awareness of and funds for a cure for AIDS/HIV. The event is timed to coincide with World AIDS Day, and the year-long Project RideRED campaign will commemorate the 30th anniversary of the first AIDS diagnois.

“More than a million people in the United States currently live with HIV, with more than 50,000 new infections occurring each year,” said Hodes. “The last thirty years of AIDS has brought heartache and suffering to too many families ­­­­- now is the time for us to stand together. I invite members of the cycling community everywhere to throw on a red jersey or red product and RideRED.”

The campaign will be with a series of organized and individual tribute rides on November 28, 2010 and people from all over the world have committed to the event, where they will sport red clothing, accessories, components and/or bikes when the ride. Riders have further committed to taking part in 30 mile rides (one mile for each year of known AIDS infection).

Project RideRED partners include Primal Wear, HUDZ, Rolf Prime, FLUID, Earth, Wind and Rider, SIDI America and Walz Caps. All proceeds from the sale of limited edition items will benefit Until There’s a Cure.

Project RideRED

Prepping for Those Winter Rides

Winter arrives sooner in some areas. In Minnesota, there’s already a slushy blanket of snow on the ground and temperatures to match. Scott Thayer, GM at Civia, Cycles discussed his morning commute during his morning commute and details gear that’s helpful to make the cold more endurable in those winter months.

Civia Cycles

via [EcoVelo blog]

Sizing and the Art of Buying a Bicycle

It all comes down to geometry. A bike frame is essentially two triangles. Both the angle and length of each side of the triangle is determined by its two other sides. EcoVelo has an interesting look at how geometry affects the fit of a bike, even when the triangle is the same height, the angle can yield very different results. This is true to determine stand over height, which the article discusses. Another consideration in bike fit is the reach. Very often a road bike will have a longer reach for better aerodynamics. When I bought my last road bike, the shop owner pointed out that Felt bikes tend to have a shorter reach, which is a better fit for me and that became the deciding factor. It’s a good idea to consult a good shop that will be able to fit you for a bike, and also know the differences between the different brands, for example the reach on Felt bikes, and be able to help you find the bike that will fit you best rather than just make a sale.

via [EcoVelo]

Thanksgiving is Not Just for Feasting with the Family

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, followed by the holiday season and finishing off with New Year’s and the proverbial resolution to shed the pounds that you might have put on during the past few months or years. Why not start the season off right and begin Thanksgiving Day with more than just the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and finishing in a ‘turkey coma’? You might be surprised by the number of activities that occur on the Thanksgiving morning. Here is a list of some activities around the country:

28th Fifth Third Turkey Trot (Detroit, MI): This foot race has an event for most fitness levels – 1 mile run, 5K run, 10K run and 5K walk. What makes this Detroit event fun for the entire family is the costume contest with prizes for Best Centipede, Best Running Floats, Best Dogs and more! This event starts at 7am and ends with the Thanksgiving Day parade. Continue reading Thanksgiving is Not Just for Feasting with the Family

CyclingForums.com Announces 2010 Product Review Contest

Our friends at CyclingForums announced  a new contest that will run from this coming Sunday, November 15, through December 31. The 2010 Product Review Contest is help the premier cycling website showcase its new product review feature.

The 2010 Product Review Contest will feature more than $12,000 in prizes. It will offer readers a chance to win some of the best gear in the industry, including products from Guru and Bellweather. Readers are encouraged to write a review of their favorite products, and every review will count as an entry – with winners being selected at random at the end of the contest’s run.

CyclingForums.com

Will Disc Brakes Change Cyclocross?

Our friends at BikeRadar.com asked an interesting question recently, whether disc brakes would be the future of cyclocross. As we recently reviewed the new Redline Team Conquest cyclocross bike this is something that we’ve been thinking about as well. While the braking is good with the cyclocross bike it doesn’t quite have the same feel as a true mountain bike, especially in more technical off-road conditions. This has remained a common complaint amongst many riders, with the question being asked how much better disc brakes would make the bike. Continue reading Will Disc Brakes Change Cyclocross?

The Kids of Red Team Are Alright With Clif Bar 2 Mile Challenge

This week it was announced that the Trips for Kids (TFK) and its “Red Team” of supporters won the CLIF BAR 2 Mile Challenge, a nationwide, six-month long campaign to fight climate change by encouraging people to ride a bike instead of driving a car, especially for trips of two miles or less.

The friendly competition of young riders in the Clif Bar 2 Mille Challenge further resulted in Trips for Kids receiving a bonus grant of $25,000 following the initial grant of the same to each of the three non-profits that support the event. A portion of the awarded funds to Trips for Kids will go to chapters in good standing so as to purchase needed equipment and to create information sharing and program materials, while funds will also be used to create new TFK chapters. Continue reading The Kids of Red Team Are Alright With Clif Bar 2 Mile Challenge

Fitness Journal: Can’t Buy It? Build It!

About a year ago my friend, Sean, and I were at Tam Bikes in Mill Valley, California when I noticed a bike which caught my eye – a belt drive mountain bike by Spot Brand. I immediately feel in love with the belt drive concept due to the simplicity, but I was not in the market for a single speed mountain bike as I already owned a few. But if you can’t buy one, the next best thing was to build it, which is exactly what I did. Here is the story of building up a bike. Continue reading Fitness Journal: Can’t Buy It? Build It!

Movie Review: Race Across the Sky (2010)

About a month ago, my wife and I sat down and watched the Race Across the Sky 2009 movie from Citizen Pictures featuring Lance Armstrong’s win of the Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike race. We both enjoyed the 2009 movie, not because we are huge Lance fans, but because the footage allowed my wife to finally see the course. She has been my number one supporter during each of the five Leadville 100 Mountain Bike races that I have competed in during the past 10 years. I had recently finished race five, so the course was fresh in our minds when we sat down to watch the film. The 73 minute film offered a complete and concise look into not only the racers, but the vast number of volunteers and supporters that it takes to make this event happen.

Continue reading Movie Review: Race Across the Sky (2010)

Clean Bottle Goes Global

 

Dave Mayer was in France last summer for the Tour, but he wasn’t seeing the sights and probably not a lot of the riding. Instead was there promoting his new water bottle, which he did by having someone wear a giant suit that looked like his revolutionary sports bottle. Now he’s looking to clean up in the world wide market with the Clean Bottle, which is unique in that it unscrews at both ends. The bottle is currently available through KHS, Hawley, Paceline, J&B and Peregrine Outfitters in the United States and he’s looking to take the bottle around the world.

“During the first year of our business, I had to be a little conservative with my distribution partners due to supply and demand issues,” states Mayer. “But due to spectacular results from our Tour de France coverage on Versus and our other marketing efforts, we’re now ready to go big time.”

As Mayer begins his world wide journey he’ll be taking the “Bottle Boy” with him to major cycling events. But more importantly he’s got distribution agreements for the UK, Canada, Japan and Singapore in place. Does the Bottle Boy have a passport we need to ask?

Clean Bottle Official Website

 

Video of the Bottle Boy in Action

Quiznos Pro Challenge Stages and Host Cities Announced

This week it was official. Pro cycling is returning to Colorado with the inaugural 2011 international Quiznos Pro Challenge, which will run from August 22-28. The race will feature seven stages, traveling through Colorado’s picturesque landscape, while visiting 11 host cities. This proves to the be the most challenging pro-cycling race in American history as the event will cover 600 miles.

“We are excited to welcome sports fans and the international cycling community to many of Colorado’s most beautiful regions,” said Governor Bill Ritter. “The Quiznos Pro Challenge will provide a majestic tour of many of the state’s natural treasures while becoming the battleground for one of the world’s most intense competitions.” Continue reading Quiznos Pro Challenge Stages and Host Cities Announced

SRAM Joins With the Advocacy Advance Partnership

This week bicycle component Sram announced its continued support for the League of American Bicyclists and the Alliance for Biking & Walking. This is part of a new, three-year campaign to double federal funding for bicycling and walking by 2013. SRAM is backing this Advocacy Advance initiative by awarding up to $1.2 million to the League and Alliance over the next three years to unite active transportation advocates across the nation, and to give them tools and resources to secure even greater increased funding from existing federal transportation programs for crucial bike and pedestrian projects. Continue reading SRAM Joins With the Advocacy Advance Partnership