Arts Cyclery Blog

The Troy Lee/ODI Signature Grip in action

Masters of design Troy Lee and grip manufacturer ODI have teamed up to produce an awesome new MTB grip. Many of us here at Art’s Cyclery are already sold on the Troy Lee/ODI Signature Grip, and after looking at all of it’s features it’s not hard to see why.

You will never be at a loss for traction with this grip. It’s three-dimensional grid pattern has tons of edges cut to bite into your glove and eliminate slipping. Riders in wet conditions should love this grip, as the grid pattern creates channels so water and debris will clear quickly, or at least stay below the surfaces of the grip that provides traction. These grips are on the thin side, with a bit more volume than ODI Ruffians, but not as thick as the Rouge or Oury grips. 

You can see the many edges that provide endless grip.

 Another stand-out feature of the Troy Lee/ODI hand holder is the use of small flanges on either end of the grip. You might look at the minimal projections and wonder what, if any, effect they have on performance. Well, in this case, less is definitely more. Because they are so small, they don’t get in the way of shifting (on the inboard side), or feel uncomfortable when you are climbing (outboard), yet still provide landmarks so you know exactly where your hands are positioned. Feeling the outboard flange against your finger somehow gives you a little extra confidence to weight your bars in a turn. Additionally, the “ramp” on the opposite side of the grip that the flange is on prevents the locking collar from digging into the heel of your hand.

The flanges look small, but they do a lot of work!

 These grips come in several colors; Red/Black, Black/Silver, White/Red, and Yellow/Purple, and are all available from artscyclery.com.

Troy Lee/ODI Signature Grip

Pro

• Full-wrap traction for limitless grip
• Flanges provide points of reference without hindering performance
• Thin for control
• Grid pattern clears water and debris
• Easy installation and slip-free, lock-on performance

Con

• On the thin side, so might not provide the cushion you’re used to if you like thick grips
• The flanges take up a little room; if you wear XXL gloves you might feel cramped

Luke Gear, Mountain, Product Reviews

We have always been big fans of Light and Motion products, so we were very excited to attend their 2010 dealer meeting, held at their factory/headquarters on Monterey, California’s historic Cannery Row.

After an amazing lunch of homemade tamales, quesadillas, and horchata, (thanks, Salsa!) we broke into small groups for a tour of the facilities. Light and Motion is housed in an old cannery building—tall ceilings, brick walls, four levels, and it’s right on the water. The ocean-side location is fitting since Light and Motion began by designing and building premium underwater lights and housings for video cameras, and they are still leaders in that industry.

The first stop was the assembly line, where we were put to work building Stella 200’s. There is a  lot of skill required to create a high-end light, and you don’t pick it up quickly. Luckily, the guys who work the line were generous with their knowledge and walked us through the process, making sure we were able to complete a working light system, albeit they could’ve built ten in the time it took me to make one. Don’t worry, we got to keep the lights we built, Light and Motion’s customers deserve a product built by the best—their assemblers—not by me.

Next up was an overview of the history of Light and Motion products. Everything they’ve built from the very first bike light and water housing  up until the yet-to-be-released 2010 stuff was on display. Most impressive to me was observing how the batteries shrunk every year, even as the light got more powerful. As an aside, Light and Motion underwater engineers are chasing down a two-thousand lumen video light—which would only light an object about ten feet away, since so much of the light’s energy is absorbed by water.

Finally we were taken through the lower levels of the cannery building. This is where the Light and Motion Skunkworks is housed. Almost every part of their lights are built and designed here. Molds for the rubber and plastic bits are designed and machined in-house, a state-of-the-art three-dimensional printer creates models of developing product for testing and refinement, and vigorous tests are carried out on custom-built machines.

What’s most impressive about Light and Motion, besides their amazing lights, is the company itself. Everyone who works there is committed to building the best product possible, and their pride in their work is evident. I thoroughly enjoyed talking to the folks who monitor quality control, take care of warranties and repairs, solder the circuit boards, and make sure every box that leaves the factory has all the parts it should have, and they all work as they should. Light and Motion’s dedication to sustainability is evident in every step of the building process—aluminum scraps from tooling is recycled, excess molded rubber is re-used, and they generously support environmental awareness programs in their community. Light and Motion uses a Kanban system to maximize efficiency. A smooth-running factory  results, in which problems are recognized and solved quickly by the people who actually have their hands in the process.

After touring the Light and Motion headquarters, I’m more impressed than ever with the bike lights company that supports it’s community, which includes cyclists everywhere, not just in Monterey. Light and Motion goes the extra step in everything they do, whether it’s hand-tapping reflectors to get the absolute perfect beam pattern for mountain biking, to creating new and better manufacturing techniques to protect our planet.

Luke General, Industry

Just a quick heads up to my favorite people out there—we have received the first shipment of Giro Prolight helmets. As of this writing we are it. “…You want to get a Prolight, you talk to me!”  (Bonus points for whoever knows which movie I’m paraphrasing there. Hint—it’s not one of the greatest movies ever made, but the first movie in it’s trilogy was.) So anyway, check out the Giro Prolight at Art’s Cyclery and get one now before we sell out. This first shipment is limited and it might be a bit before we get the next one.

Luke Gear, Road

Hey folks, Art’s Cyclery just received the first shipment of 2010 Dakine packs and bags, and I am stoked! We are trying out a few new items from Dakine this year, and I think they are going to be very successful. First of all, I am a big fan of Dakine product. Most of us have one of their hydration packs, and we use their gear for other sports as well. What makes me so fond of Dakine is the usability of all their products. Everything they make is exactly how you would make it—pockets, materials, zippers… It all just works! 

The first of the new products is the Dakine Commuter Pack. This is the item that will bring Dakine to the roadies. Dakine’s Commuter Pack is perfect for cyclists who use their bike as transportation, or for those who take their lunch break on a bike. It’s large enough to carry clothes, a computer, food, and then some. An integrated shoe compartment keeps your smelly togs away from the clean linens. 

Next is the Dakine Rider’s Duffel, which is a gym bag for cycling. Keep it in your car to organize the mess, use it for traveling to races or new places for weekend epics, or take it to work to keep all your gear ready to head out at a moments notice. There is room for practically all your riding gear, and it’s made out of tough, Cordura-like polyester.

Finally , the last of the new stuff (for us), is the Dakine Messenger Bag (large). Ever since we started selling Chrome bags, and they started flying out of here, we have been on the lookout for a low-cost option for casual or office use. If you need to know where everything is in your bag, the Dakine Messenger is for you. There are tons of pockets and pouches, and the bag is adjustable for right- or left-handed use. If you need a bag that can survive a trip through a gravel crusher, the Chrome is still the way to go, but for many of us the Dakine will be great.

Of course, all the Dakine hydration packs are back as well, and all dressed up in their 2010 outfits. Bomber and Checks are my favorite, but check ‘em all out and order your favorite. We will be stocking the Apex, Nomad, Drafter, and Amp packs, and if you want something we don’t have on the website, just give us a call and we’ll get it.

Luke Gear

We here at Art’s Cyclery are exited that the Pro Road season is finally underway. There was a lot of deck-shuffling and surprise moves made over the off-season, and the trash-talking has already begun for the new year—it all means more excitement for us, the race fans. Team HTC-Columbia is back to their old tricks—winning races—with Andre Greipel riding to victory in the Tour Down Under. Looking forward, will Tom Boonen become only the second man in history to win Paris-Roubaix four times? Will Levi and Lance dominate the greatest Tour of California yet? Of course the race we’re all looking forward to is in July. This year’s Tour de France could be one of the best we’ve seen in a long time. Cadel Evans’ move to BMC puts him on a team that can provide real support, and he’s got to be hungry for a Tour win. Will Cavendish go all-out for the Green Jersey that so many people think should be his? How about the Schleck Brothers? Are they for real? We’ll find out soon.

Lance. Contador. Who will win… Last years display of dominance by the Spaniard seems to have left little doubt, but Lance seems to have the stronger, more disciplined team, and even though he’s another year older, he’s had another year to train himself back into race shape—just look at all those FRS advertisements. For Contador, the question is whether or not Vinokurov and Pereiro will truly lay themselves on their swords for their leader. If Contador has their unyielding support, he could be untouchable. And those new yellow pedals he’s got might help him out, too.

July is a long way off, however, and there will be a lot of great racing to watch before then. Let Art’s Cyclery get you all kitted-up by visiting one of our Pro Team stores; Liquigas, Quick Step, and of course, HTC-Columbia, so you’ll be ready to go when your favorite race kicks off this 2010. Until then, keep riding.

Luke General, Racing and Races, Road, Uncategorized

Cerro San Luis (San Luis Mountain) lies smack-dab in the middle of San Luis Obispo and is a big part of everyone’s mountain-biking experience here. It’s the go-to ride-from-the-shop during the summer, and if you live or work in SLO, it’s easy to ride Cerro San Luis before or after work, and the mountain has a little bit of everything; singletrack, fire road, steep sections both up and down, and rocks. Lots of rocks. The trail on the backside of the mountain is known as the Rock Garden, and while it’s not the gnarliest trail around, it definitely has consequences if you fall. Many local riders have intimate relationships with the Rock Garden, and Anthony Medaglia, SRAM engineer, is one of the fastest. Enjoy this POV video and if you live here, compare Anthony’s run to the lines you usually take. Also, always send a buddy down ahead of you to make sure there aren’t any hikers. Don’t risk having mountain bikers kicked off the mountain.

Luke Mountain

Check out Art’s Cylery’s new Facebook page and stay up-to-date with all the goings-on of your favorite bike shop. Keep up on sales, watch videos, look at pictures, and be involved!

Luke Uncategorized

Everyone wants to live in an area with lots of riding opportunities, and lots of people to ride with, right? We at Art’s Cyclery know how lucky we are to have both—it’s not Whistler or the hills of Tuscany, but we can pedal from our front door into hours of climbing, plummeting, rolling, twisting, scenic asphalt or singletrack, and almost always run into someone we know along the way. 

San Luis Obispo’s cycling scene has been pretty strong for a long time, and we love hearing tales of the old days when adventurous guys like Ron Cox rode dirtbikes up on the Ridge to blaze the trails we now ride by pedal power only. Even though there is a rich history of riding bikes in this town, there is always an opportunity to strengthen the community, and thankfully, that’s just what is happening. 

Local races are a great way to bring the cycling enthusiasts in your area together, both on the pavement and on the dirt. San Luis Obispo’s premier race promoter, cencalcycling.com, puts on races both large and small, from crits to cyclocross, and the turnout gets better every time. For 26″ wheeled racers, there is an under-the-radar “Black Market” race series put on by the racers themselves complete with times, photographers, and sometimes prizes. (Disclaimer: the Black Market Series is held on remote trails, where hikers, equestrians, or other trail users never go.)

Finally, San Luis Obispo’s “Bike Happening” attracts both hardcore and strictly-casual cyclists alike, and is a great way to have fun, ride bikes, and catch up with friends you haven’t seen in a while. The Bike Happening is a Critical-Courteous-Mass-style event, held on the first Thursday of the month, in which participants dress-up according to a theme, pedal around downtown SLO a few times, and have a great time, all while increasing the profile of responsible cycling in the community.

So there you go. Get some friends together and start a race series, or meet up after work one night and ride in circles for a while. Whatever you do, tell other cyclists about it, and make sure they spread the word as well. Before you know it you’ll be spinning right in the middle of a growing bike scene, which will lead to more trails, more bike lanes, and more friends!

Luke General

16-Serving Fluid Recovery Drink Mix

We here at Art’s Cyclery feel a special kinship with Fluid, since we are both based in the same town—San Luis Obispo, California, (Fluid started as a Cal Poly senior project). Most of us use Fluid in our recovery ritual, some use it exclusively, and appreciate that it is a 100% natural mixture, while providing an excellent molecular profile for fast and complete recovery.

If you haven’t tried Fluid yet and still need some more persuasion, check out this forum on slowtwitch.com. Interesting results include noticeably decreased post-workout muscle soreness, and increased post-workout energy. Most testers appreciated the 2500 mg of L-Glutamine.

We are excited to be able to partner up with Fluid to offer a special online price to enable you to discover what we feel is a breakthrough product. Enjoy!

Luke Gear, Product Reviews

The new Blackburn Tech Fluid Trainer

We’ve sold a lot of Blackburn trainers over the years, and we thought we knew the low-down on trainer performance, no matter what the brand is. It turns out, everything we thought we knew is wrong. Well not wrong, exactly, but things aren’t quite what they seem. According to Blackburn engineers Michael J. McColligan and Niko A. Henderson, trainers are a little more complicated than just, “Buy the most expensive trainer you can for the most realistic road feel possible.” 

It turns out that there is no such thing as an accurate or “realistic” resistance curve, at least not how we think of it. Resistance you encounter on the road is affected by many, constantly changing variables—hills, cross-winds, cornering are a few, and when you factor in the different aerodynamic resistance riders encounter based on their frontal area, it makes sense that one trainer can’t possibly provide a truly accurate “real-world” riding experience. The best that engineers can do is to attempt to create a resistance profile that matches the average rider under average riding conditions. That doesn’t mean that trainers are a hoax, however, in fact, just the opposite is true. By matching the different trainers characteristics to riding styles, we can fine-tune our training regimens to our specific needs.

If you’ve been reading this far, here comes the pay-off. Both fluid and magnetic trainers can provide a “realistic riding experience,” you just have to identify your experience. If you mostly ride flat roads at a higher speed/cadence,  especially in a pack—which translates to a more constant speed with few accelerations/decelerations, then the relatively linear resistance-curve of a magnetic trainer will provide a feel close to your real rides. This is because magnetic-resistance trainers tend to be more accurate in the lower end of their resistance-curve. Conversely, if your riding is filled with climbs, intervals, and head winds, then a fluid-resistance trainer will feel more like the real thing to you. Fluid units tend to be more accurate in the middle of their resistance-curve. McColligan and Henderson’s extensive testing found that “fluid-resistance units generally model middle- and (to some extent) high-end power output more accurately, and are more responsive to changes in rider input. Magnetic units are generally more accurate at the lower-end of the resistance curve, and tend to be more responsive to relatively small changes in rider input.”

Hopefully that helps you decide on which trainer is best for you. All trainers have their distinct resistance-curves, and some allow adjustability as well. It’s shaping up to be a long, cold, wet or snowy winter, so invest in a trainer to keep your fitness up and you’ll be the lion roaring next March.

Luke Gear, Technique