Arts Cyclery Blog

It’s no secret that here in California we’re spoiled in regards to weather. The ability to even be able to ride this time of year is a privilege. I think however, that our inexperience with the weather has some what scared us out of riding when it turns foul. Not I however! This fearless blogger has now braved 4 days of rain soaked riding and many more where the roads were significantly wet; it would’ve been more, but again, it’s California. I’ve learned a few things while hammering in the rain that may come in handy should you ever choose to ride regardless of the weather.

Check your tires after every wet ride

Water is an interesting substance. When forced between bicycle rubber and pavement, it tends to grab every piece of debris (small rocks, glass, splinters, etc.) in the road, pick it up and swing it around the tire so that you run over it every revolution of the wheel. This has an especially degrading effect on your tire, as you can imagine. When it’s not raining, tires tend to not pick up the debris, but watch out when it is. I learned that it’s a great idea to check your tires after every wet ride. Go over them with a pair of tweezers to pull out anything that may cause a flat next time you go out. You may be surprised at what you find. I personally have discovered that not all tires are suited to the wet weather. My first ride out in the rain on my stock Specialized Mondo Pro IIs rewarded me with a flat rear tire. My second rain ride resulted in the same and a significant hole in the tire.

Some road debris lodged in my tire after my first rain ride

To the left are some examples of the debris I found in my tire after my first ride out. You’ll notice that each is a different substance - a rock, a piece of glass, and a metal shard. I actually found much more but these were the biggest examples. I put them on a sticky note for reference. As you can see, it’s a very good idea to check your tires after every wet whether ride.

Get a Set of Rain Worthy Tires

After my second flat I decided to upgrade to a good set of rain worthy tires. I called around and Vittoria was happy to let me try out a set of Open Pavé CG’s. If that sounds unfamiliar to you, think Paris Roubaix. Since 1978, 16 Paris Roubaixs have been won on Pavé Evo CGs - the most recent victory coming in 2007 by Stuart O’ Grady with CSC, shown below. The tire is designed specifically for the slippery cobbles and wet weather that characterizes the Hell of the North. It’s easily identified from all other tires by it’s trade mark green stripe which also separates it from any other tire in Vittoria’s line.

O' Grady on his way to Roubaix victory

It’s easy to mistake the Open Pavé Evo CG for a Corsa Evo CX, but beyond it’s skin, the Pavé Evo CG is an entirely different animal. Starting with the casing, it has a true 320 tpi casing where 80% is polycotton and the other 20% is Kevlar, making it one of the strongest casings on the market. It also only comes in one size, 700×24c. The larger volume helps the tire absorb more of the pavés ( for those who aren’t fluent in French, Pavé means “paving stone” hence the name) or any other road condition you may encounter. For 2010, the tread design is slightly different also, with the chevron blocks being slightly taller than on a Corsa Evo. The tire also employs Vittoria’s PRB 2.0 which is a strip of material under the tread that increases puncture resistance by 40% over the older versions. The question now is did it live up to the hype? I answer that with a resounding yes! Having just gotten off the Specialized tires, I had a great standard to compare the Pavé Evos to.

Unlike my Mondo Pro IIs, the Pavé Evos don’t pick up water nearly as much. I don’t know how but my guess is it has something to do with the tread pattern. Because of this, the tires haven’t seemed to pick any road debris and thus after 5 or 6 wet rides, I still haven’t had a flat. In fact, my tires still look almost new, with virtually no slits or tears in the tread. This is the biggest difference; other than the fact that I still haven’t gotten a flat, the tires grip well and the 24c size combined with such a high tpi count is heavenly to ride on. Pavé Evo CGs are fast and smooth. Lastly, as with all Vittoria Open tubulars, you really get the sense that you’re installing a nice tire. Many tires give the impression that they shouldn’t cost as much as they do, but Vittoria’s handmade tires look the part. You instantly recognize the 320 tpi handmade difference just looking at the inside of the tire. Open Pavé Evo CGs will soon be available from us here at Arts. We wanted to make sure they worked before we sold them to you, and they most definitely do.  In the mean time Continental Ultra Gatorskins are the standard for wet weather performance, and Vittoria’s Rubino Tech is also a wet weather champion.

My last little bit of wet weather advice is get a good set of fenders. I’ve learned this one the hard way. I’ve got some SKS Raceblades which are light, easy to mount and keep the water off my back and bike. What more could you want? Now get off the trainer and get out there!

Hammer On

Bradstone Gear, Road

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

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

Overview: With the abundance of features and perfect fit found on the Zxellium, one would never expect it to be part of Mavic’s first generation of shoes. The platform for the Zxellium came from the line of Adidas cycling shoes, but Mavic refined the shoe to make it one of their most popular models, and I’ve got a feeling it’s going to increase in popularity as more people discover all it has to offer. I had a chance to test these flashy kicks out for myself to see if Mavic really can make more than just wheels.

The all yellow Zxellium will definitely turn a few heads.

First impressions: I’m not a very flashy guy, but the all yellow Zxellium is Sa-weet! I’ve never seen anything like it, which gives it infinite style points in my review. I can see how this color scheme may polarize potential buyers – I’m guessing people will either love it or hate it. Mavic probably thought the same thing, which is why it comes in a more modest color design that is mostly white with some black and yellow accents.

Slipping your feet into the Zxellium is like putting on your favorite pair of slippers.  I was amazed at how “broken in” these shoes felt right out of the box. A pre-shaped, 3-density composite insole is likely to thank for the initial step-in bliss. But this insole serves a purpose other than a comfy feel – it also absorbs road vibrations while you ride and is anti-bacterial to combat stink. The padding in the overlapping tongue, heel and insole will actually mold to your foot over time, creating a custom-like fit.

The fit in the heel is snug, but not restrictive. The Energy Lock carbon heel counter prevents stretch in this area while minimizing weight. I found the toe box volume and width to be average. I have a very narrow foot, so it was too wide for me, but I think it has an accommodating fit that will work for most people. Another one of our employees who purchased these shoes said it was the only shoe he has ever owned that didn’t give him hot spots while riding.

The Energy Full Carbon SL Outsole finds the perfect balance of stiffness, weight and comfort.

The Features: Where to begin…How about the ridiculously light and stiff full carbon outsole? If it’s stiff enough to handle the force Thor Hushovd creates when he’s sprinting to victory, I trust it can handle just about anything. I thought the shoe felt as stiff or stiffer than my S-Works Road shoes that I had been wearing previously. The sole on the Zxellium is super thin at 5.5 mm, putting your foot 7.5 mm from the top of the cleat, ensuring maximum energy transfer.

Two Velcro straps and a buckle serve as the closure system, but these are no ordinary straps and buckles. The Ergo SL Straps are lighter, more precise and 25% stronger than traditional straps with better ventilation. The Ergo Light Ratchet is a low profile, lightweight ratchet that is ergonomically designed to allow precise adjustment. I thought the straps looked a little flimsy at first, but after riding with them, my midfoot felt fully secured thanks to these minimalist straps.

Mavic’s Energy Frame is a TPU-injected exoskeleton that wraps around the ankle, for a snug fit without pinching. The upper is totally seamless with no stitching, making the inside of the shoe feel plush, yet supportive.

Final Score: I rate the Zxellium with a 9 out of 10. The style, fit, performance and bling factor are all there. The only reason I didn’t give it a 10 is because they were a little too wide, but anyone with a normal foot will find these to fit perfect.

I was a bit concerned about the durability of the shoe, so I asked our Mavic rep, Bill Archibald, if he had seen any returns due to faulty parts. He said he had only seen one or two instances where a shoe had to be replaced because a part broke. I know people who have ridden in the same pair of Sidi shoes for years because they just keep replacing the heel pads and buckles. Only time will tell how well the Zxellium holds up.

Mavic has some real momentum going with their shoes right now and the Zxellium is the flagship model. If you’re looking for a new performance-oriented shoe, they are at least worth trying on. 

Evan Gear, Product Reviews, Road

This is an encouraging little editorial by Evan, our resident Triathlete. Before you read it, please understand that Evan is quite the triathlete, placing 3rd in his age group at the International Triathlon Union World Championships in Australia for the Sprint distance. No small feat. When he talks triathlon, we listen. Enjoy.

I need to make a request to my fellow triathletes. Please work on your cycling skills this off-season. This is for your own safety, but most importantly, my own. It’s no secret that triathletes are not the best cyclists in the world (this is called an understatement), and because of this, I encourage every triathlete to set a goal to improve your cycling skills as you train through the winter months.

I am an avid triathlete and cyclist. I’ve been racing competitively for over 10 years, but I wasn’t always a good rider. I got better because I sought the help of experienced cyclists, and I gradually improved over time until I was comfortable riding in any pack.  I want to dispel the stereotype that triathletes are horrible cyclists by sticking up for my multi-sport brethren at group rides when I hear the hard-core roadies snicker at the guy with aero bars who doesn’t wear socks with his tri-specific shoes to simulate race conditions.

But a few incidents lately have made me embarrassed for my own kind. I would rather keep it a secret that I’m a triathlete when riding in a pack of road racers.

Sometimes being well informed is better than having all the right gear

Every roadie will agree with me on this one. You would think that as the sport of triathlon has grown tremendously over the last few years, the collective level of cycling ability amongst triathletes would increase accordingly. I have seen little evidence of this.

I raced for the Cal Poly Triathlon Team back when I was in school, and I decided I would re-unite with them for a Saturday morning group ride. I love the Tri Team, and racing for Cal Poly was the best part of my collegiate experience. But this ride was sketchy at best, and flat-out dangerous at worst.

The pace was inconsistent while the pace line was choppy and disorganized. The coaches of this team must have made a very bold point of telling everyone to shout out objects in the road. Every single spec of dust on the road was loudly pronounced by whoever was pulling at the time.

I found this absolutely hilarious. I was riding at the front toward the end of the ride when the guy riding next to me shouted, “Gravel!” He took his hand off the bars to point out a few small pebbles in the road that posed no serious threat, almost swerving into me while unnecessarily startling the entire group.

I calmly explained that shouting out everything in the road is not a good idea, and if you used this tactic on a real group ride, you would get laughed at, mocked, and ridiculed while continuing to contribute to the negative stereotype that triathletes are clueless when it comes to pack riding.

So, for any triathletes still reading, here are a few tips to help your pack riding skills:
1.    If you come to a group ride, road bikes are preferred. Only elite-level triahletes have the competence to handle a tri bike on a group ride.
2.    Try to resist your triathlete instinct to be sketchy. Think about going straight, being calm and riding smoothly.
3.    If you don’t feel comfortable taking your hands off the bars, practice doing so.
4.    Observe what others are doing on group rides and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
5.    Put your helmet on the right way (See picture).

Hopefully I’ve raised some awareness and I’ll see some more competent triathletes out on the road. Post a comment if you have a question or would like to share your experiences. Good luck and happy training!

Just because we’ve talked about triathletes doesn’t mean we haven’t seen you Roadie-who-can’t-look-over-his-shoulder-without-swerving-into-the-road.  Has any one seen the Tour footage where Robbie McEwen bunny hopped a curb because the peloton had forced him onto the center divider?!  A little bike handling will get you out of most jams. Maybe do a Cyclocross race or some mountain biking this winter. Both these will force any rider to improve his/her handling skills and make them safer on the road.

Until next time,

Hammer On

Bradstone General, Road, Technique

Art’s Cyclery is happy to announce that we are now selling Chrome bags and products. Chrome makes some of the best cycling-specific bags, clothing, and accessories available—because Chrome is a company owned by cyclists, staffed by cyclists, and supported by cyclists. Chrome started in a garage when two guys couldn’t find a bag that would stand up to the rigors of everyday riding, in all weather conditions, so they made their own bags. 

Chrome now leads the industry in durable, stylish, gear for the daily rider. See what we have on offer for you  at the Art’s website, and if there’s something Chrome makes that we don’t have, just ask and we’ll get it for you.

Luke Gear, Road

Thanks to the volume of custom fits our trained bike fitters perform here at Art’s World Headquarters, we get a lot of one-on-one time with everyday cyclists, and thus get to hear a lot of feedback about cycling—which products are hot, opinions on pro racing, thoughts on gear, and questions about riding technique. Since many of the fits we do are for first-time bike-buyers, we get a chance to impart a few nuggets of wisdom to help speed up the learning curve. These might seem basic to experienced riders, but it never hurts to hear old information presented in a possibly new light. And if you’re just starting out, then listen up—I’m going to tell you the easiest way to get faster, without changing your diet, training more, or ingesting illegal drugs.

Spin. It’s a magic word. That one syllable contains immense power. The ultimate goal for cyclists both on-road and off-road is to have a perfectly smooth spin. In this case, spin refers to the motion of your pedals, and thus your cranks, and thus your drivetrain, and the influence it has on your power output. The goal is to “spin in circles,” meaning you should apply even power to your pedals all the way through your pedaling motion, as opposed to pushing only during the downward part of the pedal stroke. By “pulling through” the bottom of your pedal stroke, your power output continues all the way around, which keeps your speed constant, eliminating constant slow-down/acceleration cycles which waste energy and slow you down. The easiest technique I’ve heard of to improve your spin is to pretend you’re wiping mud off the sole of your shoe as your foot nears the bottom of your pedal stroke, which makes you pull back, and through, the bottom of your spin. Simultaneously, with your other leg, you want to lift your foot as if you are walking up stairs. When your foot reaches the top of the pedal stroke again, you will naturally apply force on the downstroke. By pulling through the bottom and stepping up to the top of the pedal stroke, you will consistently apply power to your pedals, and you will be using larger, more efficient muscles.

So, that’s a quick lesson on lower-body efficiency, what about your upper-body? You didn’t think that your legs did all the work, did you? Well, when it comes to creating an efficient spin, they do. Your upper body does have a prominent role in advanced techniques like sprinting and cornering, but for now, let’s try to forget about anything above your waist. Actually, forgetting about your upper body is what wastes energy and slows you down. Instead, concentrate on keeping your shoulders, arms, hands, and back as relaxed and as still as possible. By eliminating upper body movement, and by not tensing-up your shoulders, or applying a death-grip to the handlebars, more energy is available for your legs, and it’s easier to react to changes in terrain or obstacles in your path. Keeping your torso relaxed and as still as possible will save energy and increase your level of comfort.

Now you’ve got the basic tools to create an efficient, comfortable riding technique which will help keep you on the bike longer. Of course, none of this is possible without being properly fit on your bike, so be sure to visit us or your local fit specialists and set up a fit appointment if you need one. It will be money well spent!

Luke Mountain, Road, Technique

I must apologize. For all you readers who keep in touch with us, I’m sorry it’s been so long. People having babies, going on vacation, taking longer summer rides than usual - you know how it is. It’s summer, and thanks to you, we’ve been very busy. But enough about that, let’s get on to the sweet new product.

Shimano Ultegra 6700

First is the availability of 6700… finally. We’ve had it ordered forever and it’s finally here and ready for purchase. Some things are still on the way, so check back often. All we can say is wow. It looks as good as Dura Ace, if not better, and actually works better. I say works better because they fixed the 2-gear shift limit found on the DA shifters. Now you can shift down 3 gears at a time again. This is also the first ever Ultegra with carbon fiber. The lever blades are now made of the prominent material and boy are they sexy! Check out our these pics:

The increased ergonomics of the new hoods is a welcome change

Ultegra 6750 Crank

Everyone here is in agreement that the new crank looks amazing.  But what you can’t see is even better. Hollowglide technology, or Shimano’s hollow chain ring, increases the stiffness of the big ring considerably.  You can really feel it when you stand on the pedals for a sprint, it simply feels faster because all your power is going right to the rear wheel. Shifting force has been decreased, making front ring changes totally fluid. Check out artscyclery.com to see the rest.

Prologo TR Saddles

I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again.  Prologo has taken the Pro Peloton by storm.  How?  Simple.  Make a saddle really comfortable first, then make it light and people will like it.  Seems obvious but so far, with the exception of Specialized’s Body Geometry saddles and the few random wacky saddle companies, other saddle companies have focused on weight and/or looks to get you to buy the saddle.  I say weight because there are some ridiculously light saddles out there and we all know they aren’t comfortable (that’s why they make XP or extra padding versions) of them. I say looks because it seems like everyone and their mother thinks if a saddle has a hole in it that automatically means it’s better.  Large companies have caught on and now you can get

 almost two versions of the same saddle, a holy one and a “medically defunct” one, pun intended. The only problem is an uncomfortable saddle with a hole in it is still an uncomfortable saddle.  What’s nice about Prologo, and also Fizik for that matter, is their commitment to correct saddle position, which ultimately determines saddle comfort.  Prologo designs it’s saddles to be comfortable, which is why they weigh a little more than most.  After 30 miles when your butt’s sore, does it really matter how light your saddle is?  Padding and base design are also two incredibly overlooked variables to the Perineal comfort equation. All bases without carbon in them will eventually sag, forcing the rider into one position.  All saddles without the proper padding will make you saddle sore.  Prologo TR bases have ample amounts of carbon in them and are designed to work in conjunction with the padding.  Prologo designed AD456 or Active Density padding to make their saddles ultimately comfortable no matter where you sit on them and the increased amount of carbon in the base guarantees that all those positions will be available to you for years to come.  TR stands for Team Replica which is also pretty cool because you’re riding the same saddles as the Schleck brothers, Sparticus, Carlos Sastre (before his sponsor changed to Fizik - he now rides an Antares) and Filippo Pozzatto.  Check out the new Prologo TR saddles here.  I’ll be testing each one soon, so check back for reviews on these professional level saddles.  

Until then

Hammer On

Bradstone Gear, Road artscyclery.com, Prologo, Shimano, Ultegra 6700

Where are the water bottles?Astute observers of this years individual time trial stage might have noticed the lack of water bottles on many of the riders aerodynamic bikes. Are these guys so fit that they don’t need to drink on a 40K stage? No, they’ve just found an easier, faster way to do it. If you looked closely, you may have noticed a little blue tube peeking out from under their jersey collars. That tube is connected to a reservoir that lies flat on the riders back under their skinsuit. The reservoir fits into a moisture-wicking base-layer which also helps keep the rider cool. The whole contraption is made by Camelbak and is known as the Racebak, and you can get it at Art’s Cyclery, right now. The Racebak eliminates the need to place a water bottle on your time trial bike and disrupt the carefully thought-out curves and bulges that help it slice through the wind, and lets you carry more water as well—that’s a win-win if there ever was one!

Helmets of the future! You also might have noticed some of the riders wearing helmets you haven’t seen before. The 2010 Giro ProLight rested on the domes of riders on teams Astana, Garmin-Slipstream, Caisse d’Epargne, and Rabobank during the climbing stages. The ProLight is the lightest certified helmet made, tipping the scales at a mere 200 grams, 25 grams lighter than the next-closest competitor. If you were looking really closely, you probably saw the extra little wedge on the trailing edge of the 2010 Giro Advantage time trial helmets. The wedge decreases wind resistance by filling the gap between the helmet and the riders back, and comes in different thicknesses to match your particular contours. By the way, the Bell helmets worn by Team Saxo-Bank were actually re-branded Giro Advantages. Art’s Cyclery will have both the 2010 Giro Advantage and the Giro ProLight as soon as they are available, if not before. Look for them this Fall.

Luke Gear, Racing and Races, Road

Cervelo stepped up in a big way for the Tour. You may have already seen Thor and the gang riding the special edition frames and thought, “Hey! That’s not what I’m riding?!?” In order to commemorate the defending TDF Champion - Carlos Sastre - for the 2009 Tour de France, Cervelo has made a handful of R3 SL and S3 TDF Limited framesets. We have a 56 R3 SL in stock, but if you’re interested in a different size or an S3, let us know soon because they won’t last long. The R3 SL also comes with a yellow TDF CSC - Saxo Bank jersey signed by Carlos Sastre, and a one-off 3T Doric Team seatpost. Here’s what they look like.  Check back at  artscyclery.com for high res. images which will be up soon. Don’t let this special offer pass you by. The suggested retail of the R3SL is $4300, the S3 is $4500 but of course we’ll beat anyone else’s prices. You can call us 800-626-3440 to place your order.

Hammer On

Bradstone Road, Sales Art's Cyclery, Cervelo, R3 SL, S3, Tour de France