Cycling Review

Giant TCR

tejvan — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 18:48:34 +0000

giant tcr

Giant TCR is a mid to top of the range road bike, which aims to offer good road performance for a reasonable price. The bikes are all focused on the compact T 800 Carbon composite frame.

Mavic TCR Alliance

Comes with Groupset Shimano 10. 2009 version comes with 20 speed STI. Wheels Shimano RS10. For £1,200 you get a top of the range road frame and reasonable components which can always be upgraded later.

Giant TCR Advanced

Features T-800 carbon composite— the lightest stiffness-to-weight ratio of any composite material available. Also features integrated seatmast

Wheels Mavic Aksium

Groupset: Shimano Ultegra

Giant TCR Advanced 1 2009

This features Mavic Kyrsium Elite and SRAM 20 speed Force groupset

It is a significant upgrade in terms of components and will bring the price close to £2,500

Top of the Range Giant TCR - Giant TCR Advanced SL 0 ISP 2009

SRAM red and Mavic Cosmic Carbone
handlebar FSA K Force

Shimano SPD Pedals

tejvan — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 17:30:07 +0000

Shimano SPD pedals are rightly one of the most popular and versatile clipless pedal. Some versions such as M424, A520 Touring pedals and A530 are ideal for the commuter or tourist who might actually walk around. (Walking on cleats is not much fun, you feel a bit weird, easy to slip plus you wear down the cleats.) SPD pedals give you much more freedom, you don’t have to worry about having to walk.
Most versions are also compatible with ordinary shoes. The mechanism easily slips into the pedal when you use an ordinary shoes. This makes them versatile. I definitely want to buy an SPD pedal. The only drawback is having to buy a new pair of shoes.

Shimano M424 SPD Pedals at Amazon.co.uk £26.99

Shimano SPD pedals at Wiggle

Choosing best cycling pedals

Look Keo Easy Pedals

tejvan — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:30:10 +0000

Look Keo easy pedals are a great entry level clipless pedal. They weigh only 245grams per pair and can be bought for less than £30 from Amazon. It is an excellent way to gain a cheap clipless pedal with the usual manufacturing quality of Look pedals

Look Keo Easy Pedals at Amazon.co.uk

Look Keo Carbon Chro Mo

For another £50 you can get the pedal in Carbon fibre. These offer a lower weight and greater stiffness. The weight reduction is less than you might imagine - Carbon pedals are 230 grams. However, carbon fibre does give a stiffer material for transferring more power to the drive mechanism.

Look Keo Carbon - £85

Look Keo Carbon with Titanium Axle

The titanium axle reduces the weight by 40g a pair and increases the cost substantially.
It has sealed bearing
Look Keo Carbon Titanium Axles

Look Keo Cleats

Look Keo is not compatable with traditional Look cleats.

Look Keo cleats with covers for £8.99 at Probikekit.com

Look Pedals at Wiggle

Related

Vittoria Diamante Pro Tyres

tejvan — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:59:08 +0000

The Vittoria Diamante tyre is a leading midrange tyre which can be used for racing. It is made of Kevlar Carbon 3D - a combination of silica and carbon black. Puncture protection uses Integra technology and it weighs 195grams

Vittoria Diamante Prolight

Weighing only 175grams for the 700*23c version, this is one of the lightest road tyres on the market. It is competitively priced at only £23. It has integra bead to bead puncture protection, but, it is still best to keep for time trials, triathlons as the lightweight does come at some compromise to puncture protection. The tyre is based on Kevlar Carbon 3D

Vittoria Diamante Pro Rain Tyre

Specifically designed for racing in wet conditions. It comes with

Aquagrip Compound for better grip
Mithril sidewall protection for grit and sharp debris often found in roads during wet conditions.
Weight 220grams

Buy Vittoria Tyres Online

Vittoria Diamante at Probikekit
Vittoria Protyres at Wiggle

Related

Bike Lane Madness

tejvan — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:01:37 +0000

“Watch out for Bikes”

“Cyclists, watch out for this sign”

I think they should put a sign in the middle of the road saying “Watch out for Cars”

Crazy Bike Lanes

Colnago Primavera 105 Road Bike

tejvan — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 12:42:24 +0000

The Colnago Primavera is Colnago’s lowest spec bike. Aware of their reputation, Colnago, don’t want to compromise their reputation by offering cheap, low spec bikes. Built around a 6000 Aluminium Series tubing; it also comes with a carbon fork and aluminimum steerer.

Groupset - Shimano 105
Wheelset - Mavic Aksium
Sloping downtube

At over £1,100 the Colnago Primavera offers good value on the basic spec. The feel of the ride is good and comes with Colnago’s customary good finish and road handling abilities.

Other Road Bikes for similar spec may squeeze under £1,000, but they don’t have the allure of owning a Colnago, one of the most famous names in cycling.

Colnago Primavera 2008 at evanscycles.com

Colnago Road Bikes at evanscycles.com

Dawes Galaxy Touring Bike

tejvan — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 12:32:12 +0000

The Dawes Galaxy touring bike, is Dawes flagship bike, which has been in production since the early 1990s.

The Dawes Super Galaxy

Frame: Reynolds 853 chromoly, tig welded
Gears: Shimano Deore 27 speed
Fork: Double butted chromoly
Tech: Weight: 13.7kg
Saddle: Selle Italia FLX gel
Touring Extras: Chromoplastic mudguards with stainless safety stays,
Tubus Cargo rear carrier

Dawes Ultra Galaxy

Dawes’ top end touring bike. This comes with a luxury Brooks saddle. At under £1,400 it offers the same light weight racing frame and Shimano groupset. There isn’t a huge difference in terms of the Super Galaxy, but, it comes with all the desirable features of the ultimate touring bike. Built with comfort in mind, this should satisfy most touring cyclists.

Related

Dawes Giro Road Bikes

tejvan — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:32:11 +0000

Dawes bikes is a British Cycling firm, who have been producing road bikes for many years. They are one of the market leaders in touring bikes. Originally made in the UK near Birmingham, the frames are now made in the Far East (like many other bike manufactures)

The Dawes Giro Road bike series is aimed at the entry level road bike and serious leisure cyclist. They are based on Aluminium frames and different types of Shimano groupset.

Dawes Giro 300

Frame: Lightweight aluminium
Gears: Shimano Sora STI equipped
Weight: 11.5 kg

Tech: Shimano 2200 gears
mudguard eyeleted frame

Dawes Giro 300 frp, £350 at Evanscycles.com

Dawes Giro 400 Road Bike

Very similar to Giro 300, except with upgraded groupset - Shimano Sora. = £499.99

Dawes Giro 500 Road Bike

Similar to Giro 400, except with Shimano Tiagra and lightweight aluminium fork. Price from £799.99

The Dawes Giro 300 is good value for an entry level bike. However, if you are willing to spend £800 on a road bike, there are quite a few bikes offering better choice than the Giro 500. See bikes under £1,000.

Dawes offer solid workmanship and good quality, but, lack an edge at the sporting end of the market.

Dawes Road Bikes at Evanscycles.com

Mavic Aksium Wheels

tejvan — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:43:17 +0000

Mavic have a well deserved reputation in wheel building. The Aksium is their budget range, but perform well for their relatively low price of £130.

The rims are aluminium and spokes are steel.

There are 24 spokes on rear and 20 spokes on front.

Weight of Mavic Aksium

Front: 920g
Rear: 1060g

If your looking to save every possible gram then Mavic Aksium is not for you. (for example, the Mavic Kyrsium are nearly 500 grams lighter, but double the price.

Mavic Aksium at Wiggle.co.uk
Mavic Wheels
Mavic Aksium at Probikekit

Cycling Mitts and Gloves

tejvan — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:32:06 +0000

Cycling gloves are an invaluable aid for rides longer than 1-2 hours. They are not really to keep hands warm, but, protect hands from the constant impact upon the bars.

Gloves vary in thickness of padding. If you are a tourer, look for those with extra padding (probably be more expensive)

Also make sure you get a size big enough. My current size are large, but, still to small; they become uncomfortable after long ride.

Cycling Gloves at Probikekit

One of the best quality gloves are the Castelli Pro Mitts