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

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

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

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

Trigger Point Performance Hip and Lower Back Kit

As cyclists, we all have a pretty decent grasp of the importance of a training routine; pre-season, off-season, mid-season, and  peak-season all have different programs, and we all know that preparing ourselves for the next ride begins at the end of this one. Everyone has their optimal nutrition schedule, warm-ups and intervals dialed in. We even know how important proper recovery is to success. But there is a big part of almost everyone’s recovery and maintenance routine that is limited or missing altogether, and that is massage.

Pro cyclists understand the importance of a post-ride massage to speed the breakdown of lactic acid and keep overworked muscles soft and loose and able to maintain proper body alignment. That’s why the pro’s have staff masseurs. Now, no one I know can afford to have a massage therapist work on them after every ride, until now that is, and that massage therapist is you.

The Grid from Trigger Point Performance

Trigger Point Performance products will help you reach and maintain your peak levels of performance. By massaging, strengthening, and toning your muscles (which is what Trigger Point products help you to do), you can push yourself to train harder and longer with superior results. Trigger Point products will help you even if you commute two hours each way to your desk job. For example—by keeping your psoas muscle (responsible for pulling your leg up towards your torso, and often responsible for lower back pain among desk-jockeys) elastic and loose you can easily maintain proper bike posture, increase flexibility, and possibly eliminate back pain. Trigger Point Performance products make this easy.

Just think how happy you would be if you had a massage every day. With Trigger Point, you can make that a reality. Unlock your potential with a Trigger Point kit today.

Luke Gear

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

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

One of the perks here at Art’s Cyclery is the opportunity to ride the latest and greatest, and I’ve recently been sampling a Crank Brothers Iodine wheelset. The Iodine is designated as Crank Brothers “all-mountain” wheelset, which means its should be able to handle everything from climbing relatively easily to railing through rock gardens to jumps and drops with decent transitions. All-mountain does not mean downhill-race style terrain, or freeride-huckfest-to-flat riding, but simply aggressive riding on aggressive terrain.

How do they ride? I was impressed with the Iodine’s all the way around. They’re fairly light for what they are, weighing 2040 grams (with skewers and dirt)—pretty close to CB’s claimed weight of 1903 grams, and are pretty stiff as well. In fact, I couldn’t tell much of a difference in stiffness between the Iodine’s and my usual wheelset—Mavic 823 32-hole rims on Chris King Hubs—and yet the Iodine’s weigh over a pound less. Plus, the Crank Brother’s hubs are right up there with the King’s in terms of near-instant engagement. I felt the weight loss on my first climb, finally keeping up with my fellow lunch-rider on our usual trail. One area the Iodine’s can’t keep up with the 823’s is in robustness—the Iodine’s are softer, and I collected a few dings in terrain that the 823’s eat for breakfast, but then, my 823 wheelset is a pound heavier. 

The real reason I liked these wheels is because… Well… They’re orange. Bright, beautiful, anodized orange. The Iodine’s make any bike look like a factory ride, and if you get your bike stolen, there’s no way your friends won’t notice those wheels rolling around the neighborhood!

The Iodine’s work well for the trails we have in San Luis Obispo; climbclimbclimb, then a high-speed, rocky, and often loose descent. If you can pick lines well and don’t make your bike make up for too much of your inadequacies as a rider, these wheels will not disappoint you, and provide years of service. If, however, you are a wheel-killer, you’ll probably get a year or so out of these wheels if you ride challenging terrain and don’t hold back.

Luke Gear, General, Product Reviews