Art’s Cyclery Blog

We can’t wait for the Tour Down Under to start this weekend so we can finally talk about racing again. But until then, we are left to discuss other news, such as Garmin-Cervelo’s new team name and kit.

Garmin-Cervelo will now be known as Garmin-Barracuda and is reverting back to the argyle design that graced the Slipstream jerseys of yesteryear. In case you were wondering, Barracuda Networks is a software company that provides security, networking and storage solutions. It’s too bad Cervelo is no longer a title sponsor, but it’s great that the team could pick up another high-profile sponsor.

The new kit is very similar to the special edition Tour de France jersey the team raced in last year with blue argyle on the bottom and white across the mid-section. Castelli improved what is already the most comfortable pair of bib shorts on the planet by adding dimples on the fabric of the thighs to reduce aerodynamic drag. Castelli also claims the Aero Race Jersey will save 10 watts at 40km/h compared to a standard cycling jersey.

We can’t help but take note how many teams will be sporting blue motifs in 2012. One of the best parts about watching cycling on TV is the dazzling rainbow of colors that comprise the mercurial globule that is the Pro Peloton. This year, Garmin-Barracuda, Saxo Bank, Omega Pharma-Quick Step and Team Sky will all ride in kits that feature some shade of blue as the primary color. Can you imagine a four-man breakaway forming with a rider from each of these teams? It’d be more than a little tough to tell them apart.

Another interesting tidbit that came out of this announcement was that mountain bike brake manufacturer Magura has signed on as a Garmin-Barracuda team sponsor. Rumor has it that Magura is launching some new road components this year, possibly hydraulic brakes for road and TT frames. After months of hype, Cervelo will finally unveil the new P5 triathlon/TT bike on January 18th, perhaps outfitted with some fancy new Magura brakes? We’ll soon find out and you can bet we’ll have more information about it here when the news brakes, pun definitely intended.

We’ll leave you with this video of Garmin-Barracuda pro Christophe Le Mevel training in the new kit on a snowy European mountain. If you are the type of rider who hides in the basement spending lonely hours on the trainer, this will hopefully inspire you to get out and ride.

Evan Gear, Races and racing, Road

With the calendar year winding down and the holiday shopping season in full swing, we wanted to compile a list of the best products 2011 had to offer. The products on this list were picked by our staff of buyers, an enlightened collection of cyclists with expertise in every genre of two-wheeled machines. We have sorted through literally thousands of products to bring you our top picks for Gear of the Year. The products on the list stand out to us because they meet one or more of the criteria on the list below:

1. Revolutionary
2. Technological and functional superiority
3. Aesthetically awesome

So there you have it. Without any further ado, hype or puffery, we present our first annual Gear of the Year list, starting with bikes.

Road Bike of the Year

Cervelo S5

Cervélo has been the pioneer in aero road bike design since 1996 and the S5 is the latest evolution in Cervélo’s lineup of wind-cheating machines. Evolving from the S3, the S5 is stiffer and more aerodynamic. The most obvious visual difference of the S5 compared to the S3 is the extended rear wheel cutout, which smoothes airflow from the frame to the wheel. Another aero advantage is the dropped downtube, which minimizes turbulence behind the fork crown. The seat stays of the S5 have also been designed to shield the rear brake, further improving aerodynamics. The BB area is massive thanks to the BBright bottom bracket; an improvement on the BB30 design.

The S5 had an impressive 2011 campaign, most notably in the Tour de France where Thor Hushovd rode it to two stage wins and a week in the Yellow Jersey. Not a bad debut for the bike of the year.

Honorable mentions go to the Specialized Venge, ridden my Mark Cavendish to a road world championship and the BMC Team Machine, ridden by Cadel Evans to victory at the Tour de France.

Mountain Bike of the Year

Yeti SB-66

Revolutionary. There is no other word that better describes Yeti’s newest 6” travel trail/all-mountain bike dubbed the SB-66. The “Switch Technology” suspension that sets this Yeti apart from other bikes utilizes a unique eccentric pivot above the bottom bracket to build a bike that takes the best characteristics of two radically different suspension designs and combines them while eliminating their drawbacks. Another improvement is a nearly flat suspensionleverage curve. This means the amount of leverage the rear wheel has over the shock stays essentially unchanged as it moves though the full range of travel. All this adds up to a bike that pedals and climbs crisply without sacrificing small bump sensitivity.

HED Aredennes SL Wheelset – $1,099.99

The HED Ardennes SL is our best selling wheelset, and understandably so. It delivers a tubular-like ride quality without limiting you to only using certain tires like tubeless compatible wheels do. It’s under 1,500 grams for the set, rolls insanely well, is stiff and aerodynamic. Lastly, with the new graphics, it just looks better than ever. What’s not to love?

Garmin Edge 800 – $449.99-$649.99

Garmin’s Edge 800 is the ultimate companion to have along with you on almost any bike ride—it always knows the way and can tell you just how far you’ve come, how far you have to go, and give you multiple options on how to get there. With maps available for almost everywhere on planet Earth, you can just start pedaling and make it back home before dark no matter where you are, even if you’ve never been there before, and you’ll be able to find all the Thai restaurants on the way.

It’s hard to assign one feature that makes the Edge 800 so remarkable, besides the high-resolution, touch-screen display, the near-perfect GPS capabilities of Garmin’s GPS chip, the ANT+ capabilities for speed/cadence and power, and the high-level of customization. Custom maps can be used as well, such as those showing all the cycling routes and trails in an area, or any map you can find. Training regimens can be programmed and a virtual training partner used to help push you along. When you’re done riding, you can upload your data to Garmin’s own Garmin Connect to compare with others, view your route, or look for new routes. Available as a basic speed/distance setup or with cadence and heart rate for training as well, the Edge 800 is our choice for gadget of the year.

Schwalbe Hans Dampf Tire- $66.99

The tire of the year award goes to the Schwalbe Hans Dampf. It takes one seriously awesome tire to virtually surpass all other mountain tires in sales and be more expensive (and it’s only been available since April!). The Hans Dampf is the perfect all mountain and trail tire. It rolls well, grips even better, is tubeless compatible, light for its size and level of protection, and performs exceptionally on every type of terrain. Jack of All Trades indeed.

Lezyne Dirt Floor Drive Pump – $59.99-$109.99

There is no better way to inflate your mountain bike tires than with Lezyne’s Dirt Floor Drive floor pump. Designed specifically for larger-volume mountain bike tires, the Dirt Floor Drive outperforms traditional floor pumps by a margin of at least two-to-one. This innovative pump makes life easier for dirt riders everywhere. Sorry roadies, the DFD will only pump up to seventy PSI; it’s for mountain bikes only!

For Gear of the Year honors, aesthetics is as important as performance, and the DFD comes up aces in the looks category as well. Depending on the model you purchase—Classic, Alloy, or CNC—you’ll get a classy, varnished wood or stylish aluminum handle topping off the oversized piston. Sitting inside a huge barrel, the piston can push enough air to seat tubeless tires with only normal pumping effort required. We know, we use these pumps all the time. Tubeless or conventional tires are inflated in half the time it takes to inflate a tire on a traditional high-pressure pump. Looking at the taller/wider than average Dirt Floor Drive chassis and minimalist base, you might wonder about its ability to remain upright in a cramped workspace. Don’t, because the cleverly designed base is as sturdy as they come, employing a tripod design, which uses an oversized pressure gauge as one of the supports.

What puts the latest version of the DFD into elite status is the new ABS Flip Thread Chuck. Thread-on capability for both Presta and Schrader valves, and push-button pressure release (ABS stands for Air Bleed System), allows you to effortlessly remove the chuck from your valve with no loss of pressure or damage to the valve core. Of course, if you prefer to press rather than thread on, the DFD also comes with Lezyne’s Speed Fit Chuck, which fits Presta valves only.

Giro Factor and Code Shoes – $289.99

Our favorite shoes came from an unlikely source, not heavyweights Specialized, Sidi or Shimano, but we felt newcomer Giro created the best all-around product with the top-end Factor road shoe and Code mountain shoe. The best part about these shoes is the refined fit, which feels so perfectly dialed in, they’re ready to wear right out of the box. The unrivaled fit is largely thanks to Giro’s SuperNatural Fit Kit, which provides three different arch options to customize the amount of support. Stiff carbon soles, supple yet supportive uppers and effective closure systems leave nothing to be desired. We predict Giro will carve out a huge chunk of the market in 2012 and wouldn’t be surprised to see their shoe lineup expand in years to come. An Honorable Mention goes to the Fizik R1 and R3 for the classic, retro styling and handmade Italian craftsmanship.

Swiftwick Olefin Four Aspire – $15.99/pair

Socks are socks, right? Wrong. Socks are really important – if your feet are uncomfortable, it can significantly affect your performance. Our staff is totally sold on the amazing comfort and durability of Swiftwick socks. Once you try them, they’ll be your go-to socks for every ride. Features that set the Aspire Four apart from the rest – 200-needle construction, Olefin material with seamless toe and a four inch compressive cuff. As a special bonus, you can save 15% when you buy two or more pairs! We absolutely love this sock and think you will too, which is why it made the list.

Giro Aeon Helmet – $199.99-$249.99

After years of developing an extended high-end road helmet line, Giro has finally streamlined its offerings and settled on the Aeon as the do-it-all, race-level brain case. Merging the weight of the Prolight with the ventilation of the Ionos, Giro has created the perfect helmet in the Aeon.

Registering 219 grams in a size medium, with all straps and retention systems in place, the Aeon would be a Mini Flyweight boxer. As a helmet, the Aeon disappears once you strap it on your head, thanks in equal measures to the lack of grams, the Roc Loc 5 retention system, and its design. Keeping contact points with your head minimal makes the Aeon very comfortable, and moves material to the outside of the helmet, increasing impact resistance. Upon first look, the Roc Loc 5 looks like it might be a bit obtrusive, as there is no padding on it’s plastic frame. The plastic is soft and pliable, however, and combined with the shape of the “pads” the Roc Loc 5 is as light, comfortable, and as easy to use as any tension device on the market.

If you had to judge by the defunct Prolight, there must be a trade-off between feather-weight and ventilation. The Aeon proves that isn’t true, with more vents than on an old leather hairnet helmet. Giro took advantage of two different technologies to create the Aeon; a reinforcing frame called the SL Rollcage, and a special EPS foam. Since the new thermoformed SL Rollcage—basically a second shell under the outer shell—is so effective, Giro was able to use a lower-density foam to keep weight down. Thin webbing with tiny adjusters also contribute to the increased airflow on your skin, and of course reduce weight as well.

An Honorable Mention goes out to the Kask Vertigo for its revolutionary retention system.

Shimano XTR M985 Shadow Plus Rear Derailleur

After checking out the new XTR Shadow rear derailleur one of our mechanics remarked, “This is a real monkey touching the monolith moment.” Who can disagree? The Shimano XTR M985 Shadow Plus Rear Derailleur is a revolution in rear derailleur design; allowing the cage to swing backward, but limiting forward motion. The result is a chain that stays in tension, never slapping the stays. This derailleur is a chain guide and rear derailleur all in one.

The result of this technology is a much quieter bike and far fewer dropped chains. One employee here experimented using this derailleur with a single front chainring and only a bash guard to guide the chain. Over a one-mile trail littered with softball sized rocks, the chain never dropped. He plans on removing the bash ring soon. We can’t think of a better endorsement than that. We can’t wait to see this technology spread to all levels of mountain derailleurs.

Gore Ride-On Cable Sets – $36.99-$54.99

Cables are often overlooked and frankly a little unglamorous, but since installing Gore Professional Ride-On cables last October (2010 mind you), Brad, our components buyer, hasn’t needed to adjust his derailleurs once after the cables broke in. This bears repeating: he hasn’t even touched his cable adjustments in over a year and they still work like new. And yes, he does ride… a lot.

Niterider Pro 3000 – $649.99

Apparently Niterider grew tired of the slow-paced lumens competition, seeing each manufacturer’s output creep up by a couple-hundred L-M’s each year. In an effort to put some distance between themselves and their adversaries, Niterider teamed up with the Cree LED company (who have been supplying Light and Motion for years) and came up with the unbelievable Pro 3000, more than doubling last year’s high-output lamp without a price increase.

The Niterider Pro 3000 uses a single head housing and two reflectors loaded with three LED bulbs each. Niterider’s mounting hardware is solid and secure—once you get the light aimed where you want it and tightened down, it won’t move. Another distinguishing feature to all the Niterider Pro series lights is the ability to customize output levels, and thus, burn times as well. This would come in handy for racing where you want a climbing mode to save energy and a descending mode to maximize visibility, with no shuffling through medium output and flash modes. All these things are nice, but really, it’s the sheer power of the Niterider Pro 3000 that we most appreciate. It’s like riding with the sun!

Runner up: Light and Motion Seca 1400. This was a tough choice since the Seca is much lighter, has a much lower profile, and has a smaller battery. In the end, though, we just couldn’t overlook the huge output of the Pro 3000.

So there you have it, our favorite products of 2011. If there are any awesome products you’ve been riding that should have made our list, or if you think any of these suck, we’d love to hear from you. Just leave a comment below.

Evan Gear, Mountain, Product Reviews, Road

Overview: The Giro Factor has a perfect fit with a stiff sole and supple upper – but the Fit Kit with customizable arch support is what sets the Factor apart.

Price: $289.99

The Factor really doesn’t look all that spectacular. A buckle, two Velcro straps, synthetic upper, carbon sole…there are a glut of high-end shoes with many of the same characteristics and far more shelf appeal because of lavish color schemes and gimmicky closure systems.

You have to try the Factor on to appreciate its inner beauty. Not that it’s an ugly duckling, but it probably wouldn’t be the first shoe you’d grab off a shelf or click on a page. Giro went through 16 revisions of the last before releasing a full lineup of shoes last spring. Once you slide your toesies into the welcoming confines of the Factor, you’ll thank the cycling Gods for delivering the most comfortable shoe you’ve ever tried on. I found the fit to be so congruous with my foot, I raced in them after just one test ride. Our staff found Giro’s shoes to be the real deal as well – so far seven employees have special ordered shoes.

Giro takes a different approach to providing arch support compared to Specialized or Shimano. Rather than build support into the carbon sole, which Specialized does with a structural tilt called a Varus Wedge, you can choose from three different arch supports included with Giro’s SuperNatural Fit Kit insoles. This makes sense because while most people need some level of support, it varies from person to person. Starting with a flat platform and adding support based on your specific arch structure seems like a simple idea but it’s actually unique to Giro’s system.

The Easton EC90 unidirectional carbon sole is only 6.5mm thick and is just as stiff as any shoe I have ever tested. The upper is made of a supple microfiber material called Teijin, which is commonly used on high-end soccer shoes. This material shapes to your foot and feels like a custom molded shoe after a few rides.

The buckle worked flawlessly and the off-set middle Velcro strap secured my midfoot without any unnecessary pressure. I have ridden in S-Works shoes for the last five years and am a pretty die-hard Specialized shoe fan. But I am now officially a Grio convert having ridden in the Factors for the last month. What makes the Factors fit better for me compared to the S-Works is a shallower toe box. I have a low-volume, fairly narrow foot. I have found the Factor to provide a snugger, more secure fit and I feel like I’m transferring more power to the pedals because of the fit. This shoe does run a tad small, so I went with a half size bigger from my S-Works shoe.

At $289.99, the Factor falls into the realm of high-end, but it’s at least $80 cheaper than the high end offerings from Specialized, Sidi and Shimano. When you consider the performance built into the Factor, it’s really quite a bargain.

There’s not much to complain about, but if I had to come up with one knock against the Factor, it would be that the heel and toe pads are pretty minimal so walking around the coffee shop is a little tricky. I’d rather have the small pads and save the grams, but some people may feel differently and prefer a bit more padding for walking stability.

Bottom Line: Everyone has their own personal preference when it comes to the “perfect fitting shoe.” What works for me won’t necessarily work for you. But keep this mind – nearly half our staff special ordered Giro shoes, some multiple pairs, after trying them on. With our free shipping and free returns, you can’t afford not to try on a pair.

Evan Gear, Product Reviews

Bradstone Gear, Road

Clipless pedals, tubeless tires, carbon fiber, aero frames and wide rims all have one thing in common: they were game changers in the world of cycling. It is not often that you come across game changers, but when you do, it is always exciting. We believe that Van Cleve Racing has developed a game changing line of cycling apparel and are pleased to announce that Art’s Cyclery.com is the exclusive distributor for Van Cleve Racing cycling apparel. As part of this announcement we are offering an introductory 20% discount on all Van Cleve Racing gear. Just use the code VANCLEVE20 at checkout.

What makes Van Cleve Racing kits a game changer? Well, unlike most of the hyped-up high-tech components out there, Van Cleve makes no wild claims to proprietary technology when it comes to their garment’s construction. What makes this new kit so exciting is its back-to-basics design and innovative use of faux finishes.

Van Cleve’s departure from the brightly colored pajama-esque styles we are used to seeing recalls the ever-evolving history of rock-and-roll. Elvis Presley was the foil for stodgy big band jazz. The Beatles’ music was a response to the boring folk songs and urbane, sanitized pop of the early sixties. The Clash and The Ramones battled against the overwrought prog-rock of the 70′s. Nirvana shook up the over-synthed world of “altnerative” rock with a three piece line-up and a healthy dose of distorted guitar.

However, Van Cleve Racing isn’t about angst or fighting the system like any of these rockers were. But they are about getting back to that straight ahead three-chord sound that is the antidote for the diseases of an overcomplicated, over-done, hyper-real world. They have accomplished this through a simple design aesthetic that hearkens back to the bicycle craze of the 1890′s when the safety bike first became available in the United States. This era of two-wheeled excitement had a certain purity to it. All of the bikes were single-speeds and riders wore clothes to ride in that are nicer than you or I are likely to be seen wearing at a wedding, let alone out on a bike. As impractical as those victorian styles were, they sure looked good.

Beyond the great styling of these kits, they just plain work great. Made by Voler, the fit works with most body types and isn’t overly tight or loose. The chamois on the bib shorts is made of a high quality multi-density foam with a wicking inner cover that never rubs the wrong way. Plus, it is as comfortable on both long and short rides as any other manufacturer’s bibs we’ve tried.

One last thing, the guys behind Van Cleve Racing are local and hail from our home town of San Luis Obispo, CA. They are real cyclocross nuts that also spend plenty of time on the road and the dirt in the off season. Perhaps their most endearing quality is that they bring a sense of humor to an industry that is often characterized by too many graphs and charts detailing new improvements to frame stiffness, compliance and the like. Some evidence of this sense of humor can be found in Van Cleve Racing’s press releases that are typically written in victorian prose and the tongue-in-cheek old-timey phrases they print on the collars of all their jerseys.

So lighten up and try out one of Van Cleve Racing’s new kits. We guarantee that wearing either one of the Van Cleve kits will make you the classiest looking rider at your next group ride. Order now with the code VANCLEVE20 to get 20% off.

Evan Gear, Road

Overview: Designed to be your go to tire for any situation, the Scwalbe Nobby Nic is a true all-around performer.

Price: $64.99-71.99

It is commonly known that if something is a ‘Jack-of-all-trades’ it must be a master of none. On the contrary, we mountain bikers look for products that are designed to tackle everything, from steep technical climbs to descents scattered with rock gardens and twisty single-track. Not only do we expect our gear to be tough and responsive, we have come to demand it.

Nearly every bike manufacturer offers a steed that is presented to the ever growing ‘all mountain’ market. It is easy to find a frame, fork or handlebar designed for this type of riding. What is tough to find are tires that provide enough traction to keep your rear wheel from slipping during climbs in addition to deflecting sharp rocks when it’s time to get medieval on the way down. Schwalbe comes to the rescue with the Nobby Nic, a tire that is remarkably light, extremely tough, tacky and durable.

My mission was to put these tires to grueling tests of epic rides through a variety of terrain. My first ride on the tires was exceptional. I set out on my favorite local trail here in the hills of  San Luis Obispo and set a new time record on both the climb and descent. The Nic gave me constant traction on the way up and gave me added confidence when the terrain got nasty on the way down.

Schwalbe calls the Nobby Nic an ‘all grounder’ tire, which rang true when my rides turned muddy, sandy, rocky, loamy or dusty. The knobs are spaced perfectly adding to its traction by deflecting mud and tearing away at the trail. The ‘phase shifted blocks’ evenly space the tread for excellent grip and eliminate tire vibration. You will notice the tread creates a ‘U’ structure. This U block pattern angles the outside knobs 20 degrees to mold over the trail surface which comes in handy when the corners are sharp.

My initial perception of the tires being too tough to roll was destroyed by the Pacestar compound specific to the Nics. Pacestar rubber compound keeps the knobs agile to grip and move fast over a variety of terrain. These tires deserve to be on your bike, continually keeping you locked to the trail with the durability to last all season long. Besides, why would you want to buy a tire designed for one season when you can have a set that keeps you rolling ride after ride?

My only negative remark about the Nic is that it lacks traction in tight turns. Compared to a WTB Weirwolf that grabs even the loosest berms, the Nic tends to loose traction in these instances. Granted, this is the performance characteristic the Weirwolf is designed for, while the Nic is an all grounder tire capable of any terrain. At a killer 250 grams lighter than a 2.3 Weirwolf AM TCS, the Nobby Nic is just as durable, leaving the competition lagging behind on those long, grueling climbs.

Bottom Line: The Schwalbe Nobby Nic is a killer tire designed to keep you rolling strong and efficiently to destroy any trail that lies in front of you.

Evan Gear, Mountain, Product Reviews

Necessity is indeed the mother of the greatest innovations. A few months ago, we were introduced to a new company called Shoefitr and immediately recognized it as a powerful application with huge potential for us to better serve our online customers.

Shoefitr uses 3D scanning technology to scan the insides of shoes, generating measurements relative to fitting a shoe to a foot. This company was born out of a problem – consumers are uncertain about what size shoe to order and are therefore hesitant to shop online. Even with free return shipping, which we offer, we understand that buying shoes online can be tricky. According to Shoefitr’s website, if a consumer chooses the same size shoe in a different model, he will not receive his preferred fit 40% of the time.

Simply tell Shoefitr what size and model shoe you currently wear, and it will tell you exactly what size to order in another model. You can view a 3D scan of the inside of a shoe that shows where it may be tighter or looser compared to your current shoe. This almost guarantees you will order the perfect fitting shoe and completely eliminates any guess work involved in picking the right size.

In addition to increasing customer satisfaction and confidence, we anticipate this application will cut down on returns, which cause approximately 8,500 tons of carbon emissions per year from online retailers.

We are proud and excited to have partnered with Shoefitr and hope it helps you in your quest for the perfect fitting shoe. To try it out, just go to our site and click on any shoe.

Evan Gear

Revolutionary. There is no other word to describe Yeti’s newest 6” travel trail/all-mountain bike dubbed the SB-66. The “Switch Technology” suspension that sets this Yeti apart from other bikes utilizes a unique eccentric pivot above the bottom bracket to build a bike that takes the best characteristics of two radically different suspension designs and combines them while eliminating their drawbacks.

The two types of suspension are rearward axle path designs and neutral pedaling suspension designs. Examples of the first type are rare and limited primarily to downhill bikes such as Canfield, Balfa, Nicolai, Honda, and nearly every gearbox bike ever made. Examples of neutral pedaling bikes include Specialized and Ellsworth.

Bikes with rearward axle paths have a chainstay length that increases as the suspension goes through its travel. This is desirable for a number of reasons. The first is that as pedaling places tension on the chain, it will pull the suspension down thereby resisting compression, resulting in better pedaling performance. The second is that as the front and rear suspension of a bike compress, so does the wheelbase. This is due to the head angle of the bike requiring the wheel to move backward toward the bottom of the head tube. At the same time the rear wheel moves backward, the suspension compresses keeping the wheelbase length more constant and keeping handling in high-G corners more predictable. Lastly, all things being equal, rearward axle paths react to bumps in the trail better than other suspension designs by moving away from the object that activated the suspension.

There are huge drawbacks to this design however. As the chainstay lengthens the rider has less leverage on the handlebar to loft the front wheel making it difficult to manual. Even worse however is that the further the suspension goes into its travel, the more tension is placed on the chain eventually causing pedal kickback. This is a jerk felt at the pedals that can be truly annoying on a steep rocky climb. The only way to combat this is to use an elevated drivetrain pulley to keep chain growth to a minimum. But these pulleys make it impossible to use a front derailleur and consequently double or triple cranksets. This is the reason why this type of suspension tends to be limited to the downhill world.

Neutral pedaling bikes are nearly the mirror image of rearward axle path suspension designs. In order to avoid pedal kickback the chainstay length shortens to avoid adding tension to the chain. Of course these bikes work great with double and triple cranksets and pedal well in nearly every gear. However, in order to accomplish this the rear wheel is forced to move forward when activated by a bump making it less responsive to the terrain and giving the bike a rougher ride.

The SB-66 takes the best of both designs. During the first third of the suspension travel the eccentric rotates the lower pivot rearward which in turn moves the wheel in the same direction to get out of the way of bumps. The rearward axle path also keeps the suspension firmer while pedaling.

Once the suspension reaches 100mm of travel, the eccentric rotates back to its original position, shortening the chainstay and thereby eliminating the possibility of pedal kickback. In this way Yeti’s Switch Technology emulates the neutral pedaling suspension designs.

But this is just the beginning of what makes the SB-66’s suspension special. Another improvement incorporated into it is a nearly flat suspension leverage curve. This means that the amount of leverage the rear wheel has over the shock stays essentially unchanged as it moves though the full range of travel. Flat leverage curves produce predictable suspension that matches the feel of suspension forks (which are always linear geometrically speaking) for a balanced ride that is easy to set up. It also allows for a wider range of working sag settings so you can get the geometry and feel of the bike just how you like it.

As if that were not enough, the SB-66 comes packed with a number of great features. These include splines on the bottom bracket shell to mount removable ISCG tabs. These tabs are available in either ISCG 03 or ISCG 05 to fit whatever chainguide you have. Then there is the Yeti chip system to convert the dropouts from 10x135mm to 12x142mm giving you nearly unlimited hub options.

Geometry wise, this bike follows the Yeti tradition of long top tubes, medium chainstay lengths, low bottom brackets and slack head angles. The SB-66 has a 67 degree head angle with a 150mm travel Fox 32 fork. This angle slackens out to just under 66 degrees when used with a 160mm travel Fox 36 fork. The tapered headtube uses inset style pressed in cups and is fully compatible with the Cane Creek Angleset if you prefer even slacker geometry.

The bottom bracket height ranges from 13.4 to 13.8 depending on which fork you choose. Either way, it is low enough to make the bike rail corners with confidence. Chainstay length is 17.1 for all sizes and top tube length for the SM, MD, LG, XL sized bikes are respectively; 23.1”, 24.1”, 25.1”, and 25.9”.

All of this adds up to a bike that will never hold you back. Yeti has all the bases covered with the SB-66. All that’s left is for you to get on the bike and enjoy the ride.

By: Daniel Slusser

Evan Gear, Mountain

Certain things are inevitable in life. Death and taxes are good examples, but for we who ride – winter time woes are also inevitable. For example, if you ride at all in the winter chances are good you will flat. Chances are also good you will need to adjust your brakes and derailleurs much more often than normal. All this is due to water and grime gumming up your cables and causing debris to cling to your tires. There are ways around these winter cycling frustrations, and although I haven’t gone a full winter yet on the products I’m about to share with you, chances look good for a low-frustration year.

In general it’s a good idea to change your tires and tubes, cables, and brake pads for the winter time. It’s best to have tires that can stand up to a constant barrage of pebbles, thistles and thorns, and anything else you’ll find on the road. The wet weather causes objects that your tires normally roll over in the summer to stick to your tires and remain there for a while. To combat this,  I’m trying out some Schwalbe Ultremo DD tires. A little background on the DDs; DD stands for Double Defense and is Schwalbe’s most durable race tire. It features two layers of defense.. shocking right? The first is a super densely woven puncture belt underneath the tread patch. The second is Schwalbe’s Snakeskin fabric from bead to bead, which is similar to the Duraskin we’re all familiar with on Conti’s but doesn’t look any different than a normal sidewall – which is quite nice actually. What makes the DDs a race tire is they still weigh a svelte 225 grams in 23c width, feature a folding bead, and use Schwalbe’s Triple Nano Compound tread. Recently, there has been a ludicrous amount of road construction going on in our area. I don’t mind the road repair (though I prefer it when it’s necessary) I just wish Cal Trans would clean up after itself. Instead, they leave little fresh chunks of asphalt strewn across the bike lane and shoulder. It’s one of the best proving grounds for road tires.

I’ve had these tires on for two months and put around 800 miles on them, including a gran fondo. They corner well, roll smoothly, and I haven’t flatted yet in spite of 2 wet rides and picking up a staple. What’s more encouraging is when I closely inspect the tread, there are no visible slashes or cuts after repeated asphalt abuse. I would highly recommend these to any one who needs a durable tire for the winter.

The go-to brake pad for the winter is the Swissstop GHP II pad. These are amazing wet weather pads. If you’ve ever needed to stop quickly in the wet, more than likely you’ve noticed greatly increased stopping distances and virtually no stopping power. These pads respond in the wet like normal pads do in the dry. Enough said. If your winters are wet these are a must, if you live somewhere like Arizona the Original Black pads will better suit your needs.

Lastly, let’s talk about the Gore Ride-On Professional Cable Kits. These immediately made a huge difference in my shifting and braking performance. What’s interesting is that Sram does some clever marketing saying that these cables come with their RED groups. I have Sram RED, bought it aftermarket and can confirm that that is not true at all. What comes with the RED group is a hybrid system that is closest to the Gore Ride-On Low Friction Cable Kit. The Professional kit is a whole different animal. For starters, it’s a fully sealed system. Second, it’s compression-less. The Pro system was designed to appease Pro Tour mechanics who wanted a fully sealed system that was lighter than the Low-Friction Sealed system. The Pro system uses 4mm shift housing to accomplish this and saves about 20 grams per cable. The housing is pre-lubed which would normally make for an easy install; more on that later. Another nice feature exclusive to the Pro Kits is the Teflon coating starts a few inches down the cable.

The reason for this is the Teflon coating eventually comes off – especially where it comes in contact with mechanical zones such as the shifter mechanism. This is typically where the Teflon coating will come apart and sometimes gum up the shifter.  Starting the coating outside the shifter body solves this problem.

Installation was slightly annoying. The cables come with Campy ends and Sram/Shimano ends so you have to cut off one of the ends to fit your system. However, inserting a shift cable into Sram shift levers is one of the biggest pains in road bike maintenance and it’s only exacerbated by a freshly cut cable. After 30 minutes of coaxing I got the cables through. It was smooth sailing after that. Once installed, the Professional Kits made my shift action light and quick. And it hasn’t changed at all since. Best of all, I don’t have to worry about it changing because the system is totally weather sealed. I’m definitely most excited about this change to my bike. I really like these cables!

These are the basics of getting your road steed ready for winter. Not only is it nice to get your bike running fresh again, but these changes will make it more enjoyable over the long haul. For more information on the products mentioned visit our website at artscyclery.com.

Bradstone Gear, Product Reviews, Road

Overview: Troy Lee Designs has long been a major player in the motocross world, and downhillers have worn TLD gear for many years. Troy Lee has been making XC apparel for a few years, but is coming on strong for 2011 with some great offerings that are perfect for trail and all-mountain style riding. The Sprint collection is a tough but light and breathable blend of jerseys and shorts, suitable for downhill but great for trail riding also.

First Impressions: I have always been a big fan of the Troy Lee Moto Shorts, so I thought I’d try out the Sprint Shorts; they’re lighter, better ventilated and have a new waist closure for 2011 that is much better than the 2010 version. One area the Sprint’s are lacking in is pockets. I like to carry several things with me when I ride, but since most of my rides are short, I don’t usually wear a hydration pack. Thus, I love the big pockets on the Moto’s. They swallow up gear but keep everything tight and close to the leg. There is a small zipped pocket at the waistband of the Sprint shorts that can hold a cell phone, key and a pack of gel, and for most people that’s plenty. Obviously, pockets are not an issue if you use a hydration pack or wear the Sprint’s on race day.

The Kit looks great. If you can’t ride like a pro, you can always look like a pro, and you will in this gear. The Ruckus Jersey matches the red zipper accent on the Sprint Shorts, and obviously the Sprint Jersey is designed to go with the Sprint Shorts.

At first I was a bit miffed that TLD had messed with my all-time favorite pair of gloves, the Air Gloves, but as soon as I rode with them I found that I had a new pair of favorites!

On The Trail: Luckily, the Ruckus Jersey has a hidden side pocket that’s big enough for a cell phone, so between the short’s pockets and that one, I had enough storage for my ride. Don’t put anything heavy in the jersey pocket, though, as you will feel it swinging around. Fit-wise, the Ruckus is great. I especially like the moto-inspired neck. There’s plenty of room, I never felt it at my throat, yet it’s not loose and floppy either. I am becoming a fan of 3/4 length sleeves, also. The sleeves on the Ruckus are loose enough to encourage airflow, but if you push them up, they stay. The fabric is comfortable and soft. Unfortunately, the Ruckus is not the most breathable jersey, so I’d avoid it during the hottest months of the year. If you want a long sleeve jersey to wear in the summer, then the Sprint Jersey is for you. The Sprint Jersey is half mesh, and therefore has tons of ventilation. Of the two, the Sprint was my favorite, which might be due to the mid-day temps I usually ride in.

The Troy Lee Air gloves are awesome. That’s all there is to say. If you wear full-fingered gloves, you should wear these. End of story. The only reason not to wear these is if you trim branches with your knuckles instead of a saw.

How did the Sprint Shorts perform? Flawlessly. The fit is dialed. Troy Lee sizes their shorts by waist size (32, 34, 36, etc) so you are almost guaranteed to get the perfect fit. Adjustment tabs on the side of the waistband let you cinch down the Sprint Shorts up to a full size. The legs are just long enough for style points, but don’t get in the way of knee pads. In fact, the leg opening perfectly fits around knee guards without bunching or getting hung up at all. Compared to my beloved Moto Shorts, the Sprints almost made me a believer; they are lighter weight, seem to fit a bit better, have massive mesh panels on the front and rear for ventilation, and have a trimmer profile as well. A rational person would declare the Sprint’s the winner and move on from there. I, however, can’t get over the lack of storage. I know that many riders hate riding with stuff in their pockets, and for them, the Sprint Shorts are going to be perfect.

Stylin' in TLD!

Bottom Line: Troy Lee’s Sprint Shorts are an affordable alternative to their Moto Shorts, and many riders will like them better thanks to the superior ventilation, reduced weight, and perfect fit. The Ruckus Jersey is stylish and comfortable, but not well-suited for warm temperatures if you have to earn your turns. If you are shuttling or on a chair lift, you will love it. For hot weather or anyone who pedals to the top, the Sprint Jersey is awesome; it’s light, insanely ventilated, and breathes so well you won’t need to push the sleeves up. And the Air Gloves? Get them. Thats all. Just get them.

Luke Gear, Mountain, Product Reviews