UCI | Evolving Consumer

Down and Dirty

DZR Shoes are meant to get down and dirty. The company has released a new line of dirt-focused cycling footwear for Spring 2014. This line includes SPD-compatible and flat pedal styles; where the flat pedal models feature an interchangeable flex system that gives riders the choice of either a soft or stiffer feel, as well as a gum rubber outsole with counter grips and sticky rubber that keeps feet planted on the pedals.

The new Terra model, which is DZR’s highest performance SPD shoe, was developed by the DZR Global Development Team on the UCI race circuit. It features a fiberglass shank and a form fit molded heal cup for improved power transfer and control, plus the Terra also gives added protection with leather in the heel and toe.

These are stylish shoes but that shouldn’t stop users from getting them dirty.

DZR Shoes Official Website

Weekend Reading List (04.12.2014): Sport Studies, Name Game, Weight Loss

Sport Studies

From Sport Techie: #SportsInSTEM Series: Applying Sports to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education Issues
In recent years, the United States has fallen behind other nations with educating students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Only 16 percent of U.S. high school students are proficient in math and actively pursuing STEM careers. In a world run by technology, where the majority of jobs in the near future will require advanced education in technical fields, these trends are troubling and must be reversed. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (04.12.2014): Sport Studies, Name Game, Weight Loss

UCI Looking at Google Glass

This week VeloNews reported that a technical commission from the world’s cycling governing body, the UCI, has taken a “look” at Google Glass.

“The equipment commission will address concerns over the outdated method of data and video capture in the biggest races,” one source told VeloNews, on condition of anonymity due to a forthcoming official announcement from Google. “Google Glass technology will take the sport to the head of technological development in major professional sports. The possibilities for entertainment, sport science, and, yes, safety, are nearly limitless.”

Google Glass incorporates a small, Internet-enabled computer in a pair of lightweight eyeglasses and provides wearers with the ability to capture and share photographs and video hands free, and even complete a number of other commands.

This move into cycling marks Google’s first major sports sponsorship as part of its Glass launch. It could mean that Google Glass could soon join such technology as race radios in future events like the Tour de France.

[Via VeloNews: UCI commission to recommend Google Glass use on WorldTour]

California Touring – Tour of California Route Announced

The Organizers of the Amgen Tour of California have announced this year’s route for America’s highest ranked stage race, which runs north to south from May 11 to May 18. It will cover 740 and organizers have said that the toughest and most critical stages occur on the first few days as a way create a new dynamic in the battle for the overall title.

The peloton will face the longest stage, the fast and flat time trial, and the hardest stage in the first three days of racing. In past races, the time trial and Queen stages – which typically shape overall standings – came late in the race, and the leader after that point had to defend his top position for only one or two remaining days. This year, with several days of difficult racing to follow, it is likely 2014 race fans will see the coveted yellow leader jersey change hands throughout the week with top performers in close contention and challenging each other until the very finish,” a race press release said. Continue reading California Touring – Tour of California Route Announced

Weekend Reading List (04:20.2013): Snowboard Sales, UCI Puts on the Disc Brakes, Marathon Hero

Snowboard Sales

From Transworld Business: Snowboard Sales Hit Three-Year High In February; Inventories Drop
While snowboard industry season-to-date sales are still down, brighter days appear to be on the horizon thanks to a healthy dose of late-season snow across the country. February saw a 12% uptick in snowboard gear sales from last year and inventory and carryover sales both shrank, leading to a positive outlook for next season. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (04:20.2013): Snowboard Sales, UCI Puts on the Disc Brakes, Marathon Hero

Name Games: Slipstream Sports and Garmin Joined by Sharp

Title sponsors are big business in the world of sports, and this is very apparent in the world of professional cycling. This week Slipstream Sports, which had been competing in professional cycling races including the Tour de France as Gamrin-Barracuda will become Garmin Sharp.

While Barracuda Networks will continue as an important co-title sponsor, and team materials as well as the website will refer to the team as Gamrin-Sharp-Barracuda, the official UCI-registered name of the team will be Garmin-Sharp (GRS).

TV and electronics maker Sharp is celebrating its 100 years in 2012 so we see this as a fitting way to draw some international attention. Continue reading Name Games: Slipstream Sports and Garmin Joined by Sharp

First Look: Cervelo P5

This week Cervelo offered a closer look at the new P5 Tri/Time Trial aero bike. What we know so far is that one will be UCI legal, and ready for World Tour competition, while the other will be built to for triathlons. In either confirmation the P5 will include the Bbright asymmetrical bottom bracket, fully hidden internal routing of the cables, including for electronic shifting and a new braking system.

The video below will provide a few more details. The bike will reportedly arrive next month, and while it won’t come cheap, it will certainly be one that will turn heads!

Continue reading First Look: Cervelo P5

Made in America: K-Edge Cycling Solutions

The Boise, Idaho based cycling component brand, K-Edge Cycling Solutions, was created from a singular and focused ambition. The goal was to help an Olympic cycling athlete secure a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Games. To see how this happened and the resulting product we take a quick look to France, Austria, China, and return to the USA for how it all played out.

Continue reading Made in America: K-Edge Cycling Solutions

Tri, Tri Again With New Bontrager Aftermarket Upgrades

Just in time for this past weekend’s Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii, Bontrager unveiled a collection of new aftermarket upgrades to its wheel, handlebar, and brake lever triathlon lines. The new products are the result of lengthy testing with the highly successful Trek/K•Swiss triathlon team and allow triathletes of any ability level to improve their bike split with unparalleled componentry, regardless of what bike they’re riding.

(Video after the jump)

Continue reading Tri, Tri Again With New Bontrager Aftermarket Upgrades

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

Kene-editorial: How do you punish the dopers?

Postively-False — Good title for a book that is now essentially fiction and built on lies

As we enter the final week of the 2011 Tour de France, it is a pleasant surprise to see that doping has not taken center stage at the event this year. There is still the dark cloud over Alberto Contador’s head regarding the positive test last year for a ban steroid which will not be resolved until August; and the voluntary withdrawal by the Russian, Alexandr Kolobnev of the Katusha team. Other than that, it has been the crashes and surprise victories that have dominated the coverage. The question still remains, how does the sport of cycling handle and punish the convicted dopers?

There are two sides to the argument over the issue of doping and cycling. Some people believe that we should stop worrying about catching the cheaters and let them all use whatever drugs the riders choose to ingest. They believe that the general public wants to see more action in the sport, and like the use of steroids by the sluggers in Major League Baseball, they think that allowing the riders to dope-up will create more action and excitement. For that group of people, there is no discussion of punishment since they would have the sport of cycling turn into a free-for-all. I use the word ‘they’ because I believe in the complete opposite. Continue reading Kene-editorial: How do you punish the dopers?

Race Radio Ban Could Result in Boycott

Two-way radio technology has become a major part of sports, but some governing bodies are looking to ban their use. This is most notable in professional cycling where a number of teams have threatened to boycott this falls Tour of Beijing cycling race unless the International Cycling Union (UCI) withdraws its ban on the radios.

Race organizers have tried to institute bans in major classics, such as last year’s Tour de France, but Beijing could be the real showdown as it is the only event in professional cycling that the UCI actually governs and promotes directly. As expected the teams are not taking this lightly. The professional cycling association, known as AIGCP (Association International des Groupes Cyclistes Professionels) could pull out of the Chinese event. Continue reading Race Radio Ban Could Result in Boycott

UCI Provides List of Approved Cycling Equipment

What defines a bicycle? Let’s see, two wheels, seat, chain, pedals, frame, fork? Actually that might describe the parts on a bicycle, but it doesn’t mean those parts will be legal when it comes to international racing. This week our friends at BikeRadar UK noted that the UCI (International Cycling Union) have published its latest list of new items that a “legal” for racing this season. The two lists show which frames, forks and wheels have been authorized for road, track and cyclo-cross competition under the latest approval protocol.

So how important is this list? Well, so far five new frames (as well as their respective forks) have been approved, but one has reportedly met the criteria but not been added to the list. This is important to note as race bikes tend to go into production just after the first of the year, and must be submitted for testing. Consider that as we head to the second half of March that means bikes could already have been in production for nearly three months – and if not passed, they aren’t legal for any UCI sanctioned race! While this shouldn’t be an issue for the Scott Plasma 3 – the bike that is pending at press time – we can imagine it is a concern over at the bike manufacturer’s offices.

List of Approved UCI Frames and Forks

List of Non-Standard Wheels in Conformity