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INTRODUCING NEW COUNTERVAIL VIBRATION CANCELING TECHNOLOGY
BIANCHIS INNOVATIVE SOLUTION TO CANCEL VIBRATION
Bianchi collaborated with Materials Sciences Corp. to develop our innovative and exclusive application of the patented Countervail integrated vibration canceling system for cycling. The result is the new Bianchi Innito CV. *Scientic studies prove that long term exposure to vibration, typically absorbed by the rider, causes muscle fatigue and discomfort, resulting in reduced performance.
ADVANTAGES
Maximized ride control and handling under normal to extreme vibration loads Reduced muscle fatigue and increased energy savings in distance rides Increased rigidity and peak power output over long distances *As noted by the Journal of Sciences and Medicine report.
ROAD TEST
SINGLE IMPULSE FORCE REACTION COUNTERVAIL MATERIAL EMBEDDED WITHIN THE CARBON STRUCTURE TRADITIONAL CARBON FRAME CONTINUES TO VIBRATE BIANCHI FRAME WITH COUNTERVAIL IMMEDIATELY CANCELS VIBRATION
Countervail layers
Acceleration
Carbon layers
Time
Acceleration
75%
Time
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Photo: matteocappe.com
To m D a n i e l s o n
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P i v L o c k V 2
C H A N G E I S E ASY
PivLock technology: 1.lock 2.pivot 3.replace
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Its a dare to push harder. Its a taunt to go faster. And this time its different. This time you aim to experience more. This time you have a team behind you. Pushing you, driving you, and celebrating every burst, climb, push, and breath. We sponsor you, our Champion-in-Training.
Nourish your goals. Realize results. Join Team EAS and get your free kit. EAS.COM/TEAM THE BEST IS WITHIN WorldMags.net
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The Budnitz No. 3 Steel is tough yet elegant. Read the review on p. 88.
whether youre shopping for your rst bike or looking to add to the eet in your garage, we make nding the perfect ride easy this yeareven if youre still not sure what type of rider you are. With scores of tested and reviewed bikes in ve basic categories, you can quickly narrow your search to nd the one thats best for you.
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These bikes quickly get you where you want to gowhether youre on a budget or a training plan.
BEGINNERS
You want to be carefree and have fun. These bikes are big on comfort and qualitywithout a scary price tag.
WOMENS
60
72
You want the same quality and performance as the guys. But you want a bike thats designed with your needs in mind.
MOUNTAIN
82
Finding the right bike for the trail doesnt have to be complicated. Whatever your goals, we have you covered.
URBAN
Whether youre riding to work or nowhere in particular, you want a bike that reflects your eye for style and utility.
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Contents WorldMags.net
BUYERS G U I D E 14
Editors Letter The Feed Contest: Win Any Bike Source List The Frame
90
GEAR
Components and accessories for every kind of riderand every kind of ride
92 | Gran Fondo
Hit the road all day in comfort
94 | Womens
Look and feel your best
96 | Road Race
Fuel your need for speed
98 | Enduro
Tame any mountain
92
102 | Lifestyle
Flaunt your cycling flair off the bike
104 | Upgrades
Take your ride to the next level
FEATURES
Peeling Back the Layers
Is there more to carbon fiber than meets the eye? Our author takes a closer look at this complex materialand makes a few surprising discoveries that take the mystery out of buying a carbon bike.
BY BERNE BROUDY
106 | Commuter
Arrive at the office safely and looking good
114
108 | Adventure
Be prepared for the longor shorthaul
110 | Workshop
Keep your bike in top shape
112 | Mountain XC
Show the trail whos boss
Shop Savvy
Buying your first bike can be a thrilling experienceas long as you understand the basics before walking into a shop. Our simple guide gives you all the adviceand confidenceyou need to get rolling.
BY NEIL BEZDEK
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On the Cover
Photograph by Trevor Dixon. The Pinarello Dogma K Hydro is ready for rough roads. Read the review on p. 20.
Find more bike and gear reviews in our iPad edition. Go to BICYCLING.com/ipad and download the app.
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CUSTOMER SERVICE: For subscription orders, questions, and address changes: Visit: www.bicycling.com/customer-service, e-mail BKEcustserv@rodale.com or write to: Bicycling Customer Service, 400 South Tenth Street, Emmaus, PA 18098-0099; 800/666-2806. Include a recent mailing label with all correspondence. Bicycling and Rodale Inc. assume no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts and artwork, and are not responsible for their loss or damage. READER PREFERENCE SERVICE: We occasionally make our subscriber names available to companies whose products or services should be of interest to you. If you do not wish to receive such mailings, call 800/666-2806 or visit rodaleinc.com/your-privacy-rights. FOR LICENSING AND REPRINTS OF BICYCLING: Contact Nick Iademarco, Wrights Reprints, at 877/652-5295. ATTENTION RETAILERS: Sell Bicycling in your store, risk-free. Call 800/845-8050 for details. (Please, no subscriber calls to this number.) April 2014 Vol. 55 No. 3
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Void where prohibited. Contest begins at 12:00AM ET, 2/25/14 and ends at 11:59PM ET, 4/15/14. Must be over 18 and a U.S. resident of 49 U.S. states or DC (excluding residents of AZ) or Canada (excluding residents of Province of Quebec). For the ofcial rules, visit bicycling.com/wyoming. The winner will be determined based on the quality of writing, originality and how compelling the entrants description of intended travel plans. Rodale Inc. 400 South Tenth St., Emmaus, PA 18098-0099, is the operator of the contest.
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schwalbetires.com
The fastest and most reliable race tire we have ever built. For every wheel system: Folding, tubular, tubeless. BECOME ONE WITH SPEED.
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Editors Letter
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CONTRIBUTORS
Shop Talk
find bikes that are boring or have a questionable choice of parts, but its rare to find real duds. The trick, of course, is to find a great bike. Fit still matters. A lot. The bikes are better and prices have fallen, but you cant fully enjoy a bicycle if its too big or small for you. Yet people make this mistake all the time. This is one reason everyone should visit a good bike shop where someone will spend time getting your fit right. Pay attention to the details. The tires are important. As are the saddle and the bar tape and the angles. They have to work and they have to work for you. Before you buy a bike you should take it for as long a ride as possible to experience all the little things that will affect how you feel about the bike in the long term. Good bikes have personality. Some are steady and quiet. Others are impetuous and chatty. Bikes can be smooth or brash, forgiving or unyielding, purposeful or impish. All of these qualities can be good; its tough to go wrong as long as you aspire to have a bike with character that makes you feel something. The story of a bike matters. Despite what some engineers might tell you, a good bicycle is more than the sum of its physical parts. The heritage or soul of a brand, the ideas and inspiration and people who influenced the final design, even your emotional reaction to the shaping or color of the tubingall of these things can have a real impact on how you experience a bike. It is good to have a bike with a story that speaks to you. To find it, read this buyers guide closely. It contains reviews and insights that can help you find the perfect bike. Thats the point. Weve picked standout bikes in every category that illustrate qualities or features that might speak to you. If were doing our job properly, the reviews should help you figure out what you really want. Whether youre here to shop or to fantasize, I hope you learn something about the mysteries of these magical machines.
Thanks to his avid-cyclist father, BICYCLING test director Matt Phillips has been around bicycles his whole life. To help you decide which one is best for you, Phillips notes that its not the coat of paint or the brand name that makes a bike worthy, but the personal connection you feel to your ride. A great bike is one that aligns with your needs and desires more than anything you can tangibly measure, he says. If it feels right, its right.
more beautiful and mysterious they become. Believe it or not, physicists still dont fully understand how a bicycle stays upright. Gyroscopic forces have something to do with it, but scientists acknowledge that they may know more about black holes and quarks than about why bikes are so stable and fun to ride. This uncertainty makes me unreasonably happy. We all have a lot to learn. I was a serial cycling monogamist before I took this job, but Id estimate Ive ridden about 400 different bikes since then. In that time, Ive had hundreds of conversations with engineers and leaders in the bike industry, and spent countless hours riding and debating with the BICYCLING test teama group of men and women that collectively has ridden more than ten thousand bikes. Here are some brief conclusions from my education so far. Practically all bikes are good these days. There was a time in the not-so-distant past when bad bikes roamed the showroom floors. But now, thanks to improvements in frame building and years of trickle-down advances with components, almost everything you can buy (at a real bike shop) is reasonably light and stiff and comfortable and nimble. Its not exceedingly hard to
Colorado native Neil Bezdek shares tips for first-time bike buyers in Shop Savvy (p. 120). His most important piece of advice: Try lots of bikes. Its like buying a car, he says. You should never purchase the first model you see. Bezdek, a former professional cyclist, now lives in New York City and works for the Department of Transportations CitiBike program. His beginners guide to bike share will appear in our pages later this year.
editor in chief
@ PFLA X1
Peter Flax
I really enjoy product photography because it can be approached in many ways, says Philadelphia-based photographer Trevor Dixon, who shot this months cover and bike portraits. Once an avid BMX rider, Dixon enjoys pedaling with family in Mount Gretna, Pennsylvania. He photographed the Editors Choice dream bikes in our December 2013 issue and has also shot for Philadelphia magazine, IKEA, and Urban Outfitters.
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I hadnt even seen the latest issue yet when my wife, Jeanie, a new cyclist, said, She rides a Specialized Ruby, just like me! The couple featured on the cover had caught her attention, and she had begun leang through my magazinebecause shed seen someone she could relate to.
CHRIS BORNHAUSER
C H AT S W OR T H , C A
Thanks for the weight-loss stories in Tempt Yourself Thin (Jan./Feb.). My wife and I have undergone a similar transformation over the past year and the result has been equally life-changing. Between us weve lost nearly 100 pounds.
RYAN GEYER
S A N TA B A R B A R A , C A
Heres what my wife and I do: We each have a daily calorie limit, and if one of us goes over it, that person has to be the designated driver the next time we go out. If we both go over, the one who exceeds it by the most loses.
DAVE CROCCO
L ONG MON T, C O
Mission Accomplished
After missing many group rides last summer due to a new job,
diadoracyclingamerica.com
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SURVEY SAYS
the senorita century in san diego.
L IS A K . B A S S IL L
WHAT 2014 CYCLING EVENT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO?
police unity tour: 400 miles from new jersey to the police memorial in washington, dc.
R A C H A E L L IC H T VA N S L O T E N
I was struggling to reach my mileage goal for 2013. James Herrera (Personal Trainer) reminded me to stick to my plan. After reading his goal-setting column on a Friday night, I knocked o 32 miles on a 30-degree Saturday and 35 miles on a 28-degree Sunday. Ive been riding more than a decade, and your magazine continues to motivate me.
JIM GREENE S A ND Y , U T
MARK SHAMES
B R O OK LY N , N Y
CARL KING
P OR T L A ND , ME
TALK WITH US
bicycling@rodale.com Bicycling Magazine @BicyclingMag @bicyclingmag
Roll Model
In Street Kids, Tracy Ross rode to the Grand
DENIS ASHTON
G IL B E R T, A Z
Jim, were betting you wont be able to extinguish your love for your new Park Tool Home Mechanic Starter kit.
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A S T R I K I N G R I DE E Q U I P P E D F OR A N Y RO UG H RO A D
Actually, its called that because it flows like water, I said to the third or fourth smartass who, on the Saturday ride, had pointed out that the Hydro part of my bikes name was inaccurate. Then the Dogma and I dropped him on the mile-or-so-long gravelly, rutted, wet-sand ascent of Hollyberry. The Italian company engineered this version of its bad-road bike to work with hydraulic disc brakes by tweaking the fork and chainstay to accommodate the mounts and the new forces that will affect those spots. When SRAM recalled the Red 22 Hydro in December 2013, our test bike temporarily lost a name that made sense (replacement hydraulic brakes will be supplied eventually), and we found ourselves, like other early adopters, restringing our bike with a cable-actuated system. To me, the brakes are the least of this bike, anyway. I dont mind disc brakes, and, like others on staff, I found some advantages (less so with the mechanical replacement, but still discernible): I could scrub speed later and harder approaching corners, which made me faster overall. Once accustomed to the sensitivity, I thought modulation and control were unquestionably better. And, of course, in rain the discs grabbed without the lag that occurs while traditional cantilevers squeegee the braking track. But, after 30 years of riding, I go about as fast as I ever want to downhill or into corners anyway. More pressing to me is my collection of beloved wheels I dont want to toss just to switch brakes. On our staff, the mountain bikers and the Google Glass guy are most excited about the disc revolution. Ill switch when so many others have them that I keep plowing into riders on rainy group rides. I think you ought to check out the Hydro simply because, among the many bicycles built for rotten roads, this one yields a striking ride. This Dogma carries the Pinarello DNA that produces stiff, ultra-efficient, crisp bikes that require attention but, with it, can be piloted in a manner as razor sharp as that of any bike Ive tested. Make no mistake: Thanks primarily to minute adjustments in angles and a slightly longer wheelbase, this frame is more forgiving than a pure Dogma. Yet Pinarello sticks with its asymmetric design (more strength where drivetrain and other forces are highest), and its top-level carbon, so the Dogma K rides with its teeth gritted a little more than some of its rivals. One of the most important changes is easy to overlook because it doesnt sound exciting: The frame and fork were altered to accept wider tires. When ridden at 80 to 90 psi, the 700x28c Contis on our Hydro (theres room for even wider options) have to be worth a million CAD iterations of fiber orientation when it comes to cushion and traction. Kudos to Pinarello for pushing the edges of its frame technology while not forgetting the fundamentalsand for making a bike that flows even when its brake lines cant.Bill Strickland
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F R OM G R AV E L T O DI R T R O A D S T O C I T Y S T R E E T S , T H I S B I K E D OE S I T A L L
that the frame and fork, designed to handle the stresses created by the disc brakes, dont yield much. Diamondback gave the Comp a smart mix of parts, including Shimanos dependable 105 shifters and derailleurs and WTB All Terrain 32mm tires, which corner nicely on dirt and roll surprisingly fast on pavement. One miss: Wed prefer a conventional 50/34 compact-geared crankset over the crossspecific 46/36 setup. The Haanjo Comp isnt built for a particular style of riding, and it is remarkably capable over a wide range of roads and experiences. The key is not to pigeonhole it as a gravel-road bike. Its a pleasingly versatile model for riders who want to keep their options open.Joe Lindsey
PRICE
$1,300
WEIGHT
T R P H Y/ R D D I S C B R A K E S
The Haanjos HY/RD (say high road) disc brake system is a hybrid: It relies on cable actuation, but has hydraulic fluid to push the pistons and pads against the rotor. Its heavier and more complex than a pure hydraulic or cable system. But it gives you the more consistent feel and modulation of a full hydraulic brake at a lower price, plus self-adjusting calipers.J.L.
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A R E F I N E D F R A M E M A K E S L ON G R I DE S MOR E C OM F OR TA B L E
I noticed the smoothness almost instantlythe frame capably took the edge off road vibration and I felt connected to the pavement without every imperfection rattling through my bar and saddle. Confident my wheels wouldnt skip, I carved turns and powered through rough patches of gravel with purpose. The Cayo Evo provided a reminder that comfort doesnt have to slow you down. At 18.5 pounds with pedals and bottle cage, the Cayo Evo seemed lighter than it actually was, something I noticed when rising out of the saddle to climb or sprint. After a few pedal strokes, the frame swayed reassuringly back and forth beneath me, feeling lively and energetic. The Cayo I tested had Shimano Ultegra shifters and derailleurs, ensuring precise gear changes. In the past, North American customers could choose between a compact (50/34) or standard (53/39) drivetrain, both with FSA Gossamer cranks. But this year the Evo 3.0 is available here only with a compact setup. The rest of the build features Concept EX branded components, Fulcrum WH-CEX 7.0 wheels, and Schwalbe Lugano tires. With these quality parts the Focus Cayo Evo is a considerable value at this price a bike that combines race performance with predictable handling and all-day comfort to make every mile more enjoyable. Brad Ford
PRICE
$2,700
WEIGHT
C O M F O R TA B LY S T I F F
The Evos flattened seatstays resist twisting but have a slight curve that allows just enough flex to blunt the sharpness of impacts or bumps. The hourglass-shaped top tube is stiffer at its wider ends, where it meets the head and seat tubes, but is more forgiving where it narrows in the middle, adding to the bikes stable, predictable handling.B.F.
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The new Norcom Straight replaces the venerable D6, a time-trial bike ridden by Olympians Matty Reed and Sarah Haskins. Change is good: This latest model boasts improved aerodynamics and better handling that should have any competitive riderpro or amateurcontending for even more podiums. The midrange Norcom 2.3 felt nimble and agile, stable on descents yet able to roll quickly from one turn to the next. The massive bottom bracket prevented the frame tubes from twisting when
I torqued the cranks to summit a climb and when I accelerated to racing speed from a complete stop. The frame muted road chatter, so much so that I noticed buzzing from the handlebar only on some poorly maintained rural roads. This model has a multiposition carbon seatpost that allows up to 70mm of front-to-back adjustment, nearly twice as much as some similar posts. On longer rides and races, I slid my saddle back for added comfort; for shorter outings, I moved it forward into a more aggressive position.
I wish the elbow pads on the bar extensions offered as much adjustmentto get comfortable I had to swap the stem and install risers under the pads. The Norcom 2.3 comes with SRAMs Rival 10-speed group paired with an Oval crank and 52/36 midcompact chainrings, all of which delivered reliable shifting. A sliding dropout makes it easy to lengthen or shorten your wheelbase to suit
specific courses, but the design isnt flawless: The derailleur cable can interfere with wheel changes, slowing midrace flat fixes. Despite these minor exceptions, the Norcom 2.3 impressed me. Rarely does a multisport bike at this price offer such a pleasing ride. Whether youre a seasoned pro or entering your first triathlon, this bike has the versatility to suit your needs. Greg Kaplan
PRICE
$2,800
WEIGHT
B R A K I N G W I N D By mounting the front brake behind the fork and running the cable through the head tube, Fuji engineers reduced drag by 11 grams compared with traditional brake setups, the manufacturer claims. Thats a savings somewhere between 7 and 16 watts and means you can go faster with the same effort.G.K.
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GURU PHOTON SL
PRICE
The original Photon won our Editors Choice Dream Road prize in 2010. We lauded its 747-gram frame, sprightly climbing ability, and snappy, responsive ride quality. Guru revised the Photon in 2013, expanding it to a three-bike line that includes the SL reviewed here, the superstiff Photon R (for race), and the gossamer Photon HL (hyperlight).
A P R E V I O U S AWA R D W I N N E R B E C OM E S E V E N M O R E R E F I N E D
The SL (superlight) is the most direct descendant of the original Photon, says Nicolas McCrae, composites engineer for Guru. We wanted to show what weve learned in the past few years, he told me. The new model has rounded main tubes that are similar to the originalsbut now they flare at the junctions to increase surface area; the larger joint allows the front triangle to better resist twisting stresses. The Photon SL has the same ethereal climbing qualities as the original; its handling was quick and even more crisp than in previous iterations, thanks to the stiffer frame. The rigid Reynolds Assault SLG wheels would be excellent for racing, but they made the bike ride a bit more harshly than I liked. Switching to Shimano C24 hoops restored the smoothly damped, almost polished ride I remembered from the earlier model. Gurus frame sizes and geometry differ among the SL, HL, and R, making direct comparisons difficult. Generally, the SL has a slightly taller bar height and shorter reach, which put me in a more upright position. If you race and prize stiffness, the R is a better choice; the HL obviously has the lightest frame. But the Photon SL hits a wide sweet spot, a performance bike with a gorgeous ride. Joe Lindsey
*$6,900 as tested
$4,500,* frameset
WEIGHT
FABRIQUE AU QUEBEC
Guru builds its Photon frames at its factory in Quebec, which allows the company to do rapid prototyping of new ideas or designs that would take months on the usual Asian-built program. North American manufacturing also offers Guru access to military-grade carbon that isnt sold in China. J.L.
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Just a couple of years ago, I wouldnt have considered buying any of the less-expensive carbon bikesmost were too rigid and rode harshly, and rumors of catastrophic failures concerned me. But bikes like the F5 are changing my opinion. Its satisfying mix of speed, power, and comfort made me forget after only a few rides that it costs just $1,800. I wasnt surprised when I later learned that Felt uses the same frame design on models that can cost three times as much. A handful of winter rides revealed the bikes premium qualities. A series of storms near our Pennsylvania HQ left many of the roads covered in snowmelt cinders, then the freezing and thawing widened cracks in the pavement and ripped open potholes. Even in those conditions, the F5 felt reassuringly connected to the road. It smoothed out vibrations from the gravel-like cinders and lessened the sting when I couldnt avoid rolling into a pothole. I could drive hard up climbs and lean into corners confident that my wheels would hold the road and go where I pointed them. While comfortable, the F5 never felt soft or vague, the way some inexpensive frames do. Felt is one of many manufacturers chasing that satisfying blend of comfort and stiffness. To achieve it in the F5, the company uses some premium layers of carbon in the frame and fork. Felt doesnt skimp on components, either. The frame comes with Shimanos 105 shifters and derailleursparts typically found on bikes sold at $2,000 or more. But to save some money, Felt uses lower-grade Shimano parts in areas it believes will have less impact on the ride: the 10-speed cassette, chain, and dual-pivot brakes. At 18.5 pounds including alloy pedals and a bottle cage, the F5 is reasonably svelte compared with similar bikes. On the road, the bike felt neutralneither heavy nor lightand moved predictably in response to my input. When I stood to climb or to chase back to a group, the bike felt balanced beneath me, swaying easily as I rocked it from side to side. The 50/34 compact crank (with close-ratio 11-25 cassette) provided an ample range of gears, and helped me to settle into a relaxed cadence on longer climbs. The F5 doesnt leap forward like Felts top-of-the-line models likely due to the heavier wheels and tiresbut the frame responds sharply to pedal input, propelling you forward during hard efforts. You still have to supply the power, but the F5 wont hold you back. In fact, I was able to win multiple town-sign sprints against folks on much more expensive rides. Anyone looking for a reasonably priced carbon bike to pedal hard all day should consider the F5. Its premium frame and quality components make it a strong value, and it might change how you look at inexpensive carbon models. Brad Ford
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A S T E E L B I K E T H AT I S S MO O T H , B U T A L S O S U R P R I S I N G LY Q U IC K
transfer most of my power into forward motion, yet not so rigid as to turn road wrinkles into painful hammer blows. The bike was steady at the bottom of Corning as I established a rhythm, then as the road curved left and the grade increased I alternated standing and sitting, focusing on the road sign at the top, oblivious to the boost I was getting from the Logics stability and stiffness. I joined the group at the summit, catching my breath before plunging down the other side, where the bike handled predictably while maneuvering around potholes and downed branches. Despite its stiffness, the steel frame didnt feel harsh over sections of broken pavement; it provided enough feedback that I felt connected to the road. Its easy to mock the steel is real catchphrase, but the Road Logics efficient, smooth, and refined ride highlights the merit of the material. Whos the ideal rider for this bike? Anyone who values a quality frame, anyone whose budget cant accommodate a pricey carbon model, anyone who has crashed and destroyed a carbon frame, anyone who wants a little give in a superrigid racer. Yep, thats practically anyone.Christine Bucher
PRICE
$1,050, frameset
WEIGHT
SUPERIOR STEEL
The Logics chromoly tubes look old school, but only from the outside. Ritchey says the construction process includes techniques that create aggressively short butted sectionsthe inner wall of each is tapered, thicker on the ends and much thinner in the middle. This creates a lighter, stiffer bike that Ritchey claims optimizes steels forgiving ride.C.B.
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*As tested
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THE INCREDIBLE RESULTS OF THE _S7 DESIGN ARE THE SUM OF MANY SMALL STEPS AND 6 (!) PATENTS OF WHICH THE CORE INNOVATION IS GOLDENGATE. IT IS ANOTHER ASSOS MILESTONE CREATION. GOLDENGATES UNIQUE SEAMLESS DESIGN MINIMIZES FRICTION, MAXIMIZING COMFORT. PATENT PROTECTED. BEWARE OF IMITATIONS.
USA & CANADA ASSOS North America Inc Tel 1 800 266 4903 HQ@assosnorthamerica.com Montreal CANADA
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PRICE
After being discontinued in 2011, the Addict returns in a lighter, faster, less harsh, and more sophisticated package that has already shown its mettle: Orica-GreenEDGEs Simon Gerrans beat Peter Sagan on Stage 3 of last years Tour de France riding a version of this model. At just 727 grams for a 54cm frame, its incredibly
A S MO O T H- R I DI N G S P E E D M A C H I N E
svelte163 grams lighter than Scotts superaero Foilyet 5.9 percent stiffer in the bottom bracket area than the previous Addict, says the company. To boost rigidity while shaving weight, Scott used pieces of ultrahigh-modulus fibers on the frame. Though the tubes are not as rigid or aero as the Foils, they were shaped using wind-tunnel data to reduce drag and improve their slipperiness in wind. The company also optimized how the carbon was applied in key areas, especially in the seatpost and where the seatstays join the top tube. Those changes make the bike 39 percent more compliant than its predecessor, Scott says. Thats enough movement to reduce the sting of pothole strikes, but the rear end never felt soft or flexy. The Addicts combination of rigidity and light weight helped it fly up climbs. Whether I was seated or sawing away at the handlebar, this bike lunged forward with every pedal stroke, a trait I also noticed in sprints. Most impressive to me was the ride quality, which reminded me more of an exotic, handmade carbon dream bike than a pure racerlively and at the same time forgiving. In rough corners that have upset other race bikes in past tests, the Addict would just glide through, establishing it as one of the smoothest-riding speed demons Ive ever been on. Ron Koch
$12,650, frameset
WEIGHT
W I N D -T U N N E L T E S T E D
To improve aerodynamics, Scott used its F01 partial airfoil technology on the Addict. This design eliminates the trailing edge of a traditional airfoil design, but retains the aerodynamic advantage of the full shape. Scott says the frame is 13.2 percent more aero than the previous version, which would mean you could use up to 7.8 watts less to maintain 28 mph.R.K.
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N EW
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Super Natural
Performance
The new standard for whole-food-based sports nutrition products
^
Performance Energizer
Our products are tested by an independent third party lab for genetically modified material and test below a 0.9% threshold. These products have been tested by HFL Sport Science, a world-class anti-doping lab, for over 145 banned substances on the 2013 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list via HFL skip lot testing protocol #ICP0307 and have been certified banned substance free. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Call 1.800.477.4462 or visit GNC.com for the store nearest you. 2014 General Nutrition Corporation. May not be available outside the U.S.
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PRICE
$8,500
WEIGHT
Specializeds carbon-fiber CG-R seatpost uses a carbon leaf spring under the seat to provide as much as 17mm of travel enough to take the sting out of cobbles, chipped pavement, and gravel roads without detracting from the bikes performance.M.A.
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2013 Jamis Bicycles. All rights reserved. Jamis and Xenith are trademarks of Jamis Bicycles registered in the U.S. and other countries.
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A N A E R O R A C E B I K E W I T H A R E F I N E D R I DE
slightly more expensive Madone 7 come in two versions: The H1 has a low-and-steep geometry for racing; H2 has a shorter top tube and a taller head tube that puts the rider in a more upright, less taxing position. I tested the latter, and the handling felt balanced the bike was stable but still quick enough that I could take the inside line around most corners without scrubbing too much speed. The stiffer stays and stronger bottom-bracket area improve your stopping power, but the Bontrager rear brake still felt weaker than some similar caliper models. Trek equipped the Madone with Shimanos excellent Ultegra drivetrain; its too bad the manufacturer didnt go with the matching brakes. That rear brake did little to detract from the ride, though. Compared with some similarly priced bikes, the updated Madone feels more refined. Its agile, energetic, and seems less affected by the wind, and its upright position kept me comfortable. As the miles added up, I felt fresher on this Madone, and faster. Ron Koch
PRICE
$4,600
WEIGHT
S M O O T H O P E R AT O R Shimanos new 11-speed Ultegra 6800 drivetrain strongly resembles the companys premium Dura-Ace groupand works nearly as well. This is significant considering that the parts cost considerably less, with only a small weight penalty. The revised shifters have a reduced throw, so gear changes happen faster with less effort. And stiffer chainrings lead to crisper front shifting.R.K.
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REMEMBER THE 70S? YEAH, NEITHER DO WE. WHAT WE DO KNOW IS THAT IN 1974 WE DECIDED WE WANTED TO START MAKING THE BEST BIKE STUFF WE COULD. BY RIDERS, FOR RIDERS. SURE OUR BELL BOTTOMS
MAY HAVE GOTTEN IN THE WAY A FEW TIMES ALONG THE RIDE, BUT FROM ALL OF US HERE AT SPECIALIZED WE JUST WANTED TO SAY THANKS. BECAUSE OF YOU, WELL NEVER STOP LOOKING FORWARD. HERES TO ANOTHER 40 YEARS. S P E C I A L I Z E D . C O M / F I R S T 4 0
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WILIER CENTO1AIR
This aero road bike from Italian builder Wilier has sleek tube shapes to create a fast, responsive frame worthy of the brands racedriven legacy. To design the Cento1Air, Wilier spent time in the wind tunnel to maximize the slipperiness of the frame. Then it road-tested the bike to make sure those aero features didnt detract from the ride.
A S L E E K N E W OP T ION F R OM T H I S R A C E -DR I V E N B R A N D
The Air fills a gap in Wiliers line, falling between the purely road-going Cento1SR and the companys Twin Blade time-trial model. That setup makes it ideal for riders who want a responsive race bike that is less vulnerable to the wind. The new frame resembles the SR, but with some aerodynamic features. In addition to drag-reducing frame tubes, the bike comes with an aero post, and the seatstays attach low on the seat tube, like they do on the Blade, to improve airflow. Those changes, and a stiff bottom bracket, make the Cento1Air more responsive than the SR without seeming harsh. The bike reacts promptly when you put down maximum watts, yet is supple enough to take the chatter out of the road. Leaning the Cento1 to carve a turn requires a minimal shift in body weight and the bike feels controlled even on 40-mph descents, blowing over small bumps in the road without flinching. Wilier sells the Cento1Air frameset (seatpost, bottom bracket, and fork) for $4,000, or you can choose from two Shimano build kits: One has a full Ultegra Di2 group; the other is a mix of mechanical-shifting Ultegra and Dura-Ace parts. Each complete bike costs $5,000. No matter which package you choose, Wiliers sleek new road bike is sure to please. Mike Yozell
PRICE
$5,000
WEIGHT
Believing that many of its customers already own race wheels, or want to choose their own, Wilier ships the Air with moderately priced Shimano RS21 hoops. For those who want premium wheels, the company offers Heds Jet 60 FR aero wheelset (at their $1,900 retail price), but you can keep the Shimanos.M.Y.
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FUJI SPORTIF 1.1 $1,450 J A smart choice for recreational riders looking to increase their miles without emptying their wallets, this model, based on Fujis carbon Gran Fondo, is made for long rides: The aluminum frames rear triangle features tapered stays to reduce road shock and vibration. The carbon fork contributes to the unruffled ride, and disc brakes provide consistent stopping even in the rain.
DIAMONDBACK PODIUM VITESSE ATHENA EPS $6,000 J Until last year, the notion of a $6,000 road bike
from a company better known for its off-road creations might have raised some eyebrows. But models such the Podium Vitesse (and the even more decadent Podium-Equipe line) prove that Diamondback can produce premium bikes for the pavement. In fact, the Vitesse Athena EPS has everything you need to mix it up at the front of a race or spirited group ride. Diamondback says that using extensive computer modeling helped its engineers create a frame that weighs less than 1,000 grams. The unyielding head tube and bottom bracket help deliver power efficiently to the rear wheel, but the bikes seatstays and seat tube have a small degree of flex to insulate you from road vibration. Campagnolos Athena EPS electronic drivetrain packs performance similar to the companys carbon-laden Super Record, but has some alloy pieces, making it a little heavier but also less expensive.
ISM is the rst and original dual-arm saddle designed to increase blood ow in the perineal area. The results are a more comfortable ride without the numbness associated with traditional saddles. To see the ISM difference, visit ismseat.com/technology
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JAMIS ICON PRO $1,750 J Not many aluminum bikes can
match the damped feel of premium carbon. But this one comes close, thanks to carefully engineered tubes. At 1,150 grams for a 56cm, it climbs fast and whips around curves on the descent. Add in a vibration-absorbing composite fork and Shimano 105 drivetrain, and you get a budget-friendly bike thats ready to race.
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NINER RLT 9 4-STAR $3,000 J Designed to accept 29-inch or
700c wheels, the RLT expands the boundaries of where one bike can go. Mount a pair of slicks to the Stans tubeless wheels and head out for an all-day gravel-road adventure. Throw on cyclocross tires and line up at your local race series. Light-duty singletrack? No problem, as long as youre comfortable ripping downhill in the drops.
the design objective behind the updated S2, Cervlos modestly priced aero road bike (the frame alone on the higher-end S5 costs $3,800). The seat tube has a subtle cutaway that curves around the rear wheel to improve airflow, while the down tube is squared off at the cage mounts so air slips around the bottles, reducing drag. Cervlo borrowed the rear triangle design from its RCA road model, and the thinner seatstays offer better compliance, the company claims. But all those enhancements are pointless if power transfer falls flat, so designers increased frame stiffness by using a wider bottom bracket that accommodates an oversize seat tube and chainstays. Translation: Your pedaling force goes to the rear wheel, propelling you forward whether youre in a headwind or not.
CERVLO S2 $2,850 J The best way to cheat the wind? Provide a smooth route for flowing air. Thats
GIANT TCR ADVANCED 1 ULTEGRA $3,200 J The downwardsloping top tube reduces the size of the front and rear triangles, resulting in a lighter, stiffer frame. A larger-thanaverage tapered head tube boosts front-end stiffness by 30 percent, Giant claims. The P-SL1 wheels use DT-Swiss-made hub internals, and the frame is compatible with electronic shifters, making it easy to upgrade.
VX Trail Race
The fully user-serviceable VP-VX Trail Race is our top of the line trail sized pedal. It provides the utmost in longevity and durability in all conditions by employing a very high quality inner oil seal, full roller bearings and double sealed cartridge bearings. Thanks to VX bindings, cleat-in is precise and cleat-out is crisp and predictable. SPD compatible aluminum body with mini platform for extra stability Heat treated steel VX bindings w/ adjustable release tension. Forged, heat treated, CNC machined cromoly steel axle. High quality oil seals for superior longevity. Roller and double sealed cartridge bearings. Rebuild kits available.
Learn more about our full range of SPD compatible pedals. www.vp-usa.com/vp-vx-series
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PINARELLO PARIS 50.1 THINK2 $3,500, frameset J This
endurance- oriented frame has the same striking lines and asymmetric construction as Pinarellos flagship Dogma race bike. But the head tube is 5mm taller, which should reduce lower-back strain on long rides. The Think2 internal-cable-routing system is compatible with both mechanical and electronic drivetrains.
bon at a lower price, the stiff SuperSix EVO is cut from the same mold as Cannondales flagship SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod. This version has heavier low-modulus carbon, but the same race-inspired geometry. Flat, leaf-springshaped seatstays absorb road buzz, Cannondale claims.
GIANT TCR SLR 0 $4,050 J Outfitted with SRAMs top-ofthe-line Red 22 drivetrain, this lightweight racer comes ready to tackle your local hills or conquer an office-park crit. The high-grade aluminum tubes are 20 percent thinner than those of most competing models, Giant claims, creating a superlight frame thats stiff and strong. The carbon fork takes the sting out of bumpy pavement.
SALSA COLOSSAL TI $4,500 J This verstile model is for anyone looking to explore far-off, lesser-known roads. The double-butted 3/2.5 titanium frame has shaped stays and a narrow 27.2mm seatpost, both of which flex slightly to take the hurt out of cracked roads. But its not just about comfort: The carbon fork, sharp handling, and quality parts mean its ready to be ridden fast.
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teammachine SLR01
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FELT F2 $5,150 J The F2s Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic
drivetrain has secondary shifters to use during sprints, which speaks to the bikes thoroughbred character. Felt claims that the tube construction eliminates excess material to reduce weight. A tapered head tube beefs up the front end to sharpen steering. Tubeless-ready wheels allow lower psi for a smoother ride, better traction, and fewer pinch flats.
FACTOR VIS VIRES $16,000 J Factor, a company that makes composite parts for the aerospace
industry, jumped into bike design in 2007 with the goal of creating groundbreaking bicycles. Its first production bike, the Vis Vires, hits that mark. This radical carbon rig has an unusual frame design with a split down tube: Two aero struts improve lateral rigidity and allow turbulent air from the front wheel to pass through, Factor says. The equally unique (and not UCI-legal) twinblade fork is held together by an oversize stem that serves as both crown and bar clamp. (It also has a built-in Garmin mount.) Brakes shielded by the fork and seatstays further reduce drag, as do the 45mm carbon aero wheels. Factors Power Measurement Crank, which independently tabulates left- and right-leg power output, is a stock component. An ENVE carbon handlebar and a Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 electronic drivetrain round out this stunning bike.
FOCUS IZALCO MAX 3.0 $7,250 J The Izalco Max frame weighs
just 790 grams (size small), making it one of the lightest production models available. The carbon fork adds just 295 grams. Each of the seven frame sizes has custom tube diameters to maintain consistent stiffness and ride quality across the range. The 3.0 comes with SRAMs top-end Red 22 drivetrain and Fulcrums aluminum Racing Zero wheels.
FELT IA FRD $10,000 J Each frame section and many components on this triathlon bike are designed to work with the othersa concept Felt calls Integrated Aerodynamics, or IA. Deep airfoil-shaped tubes and integrated brake calipers reduce drag. Felts TTR1 wheels shave weight and further improve aerodynamics. Theres even a nutrition compartment built into the top tube.
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RE A DY FOR A N Y TR A IL
The Diamondback Overdrive Comp is a talented chameleon. Its a trail-worthy machine for letting off steam on the weekend and an apt candidate for fast spins along rail-trails or your weekday commute. This makes it a smart choice for riders who want a multipurpose bike at a reasonable price. Sometimes jack-of-all-trades bikes disappoint on technical trails, but the Overdrive Comp is seriously fun on singletrack. The hydroformed 6061 aluminum frame is low slung for good standover, while the 29-inch wheels are forgiving over rough terrain and large obstacles. The bike weighs slightly more than 30 pounds, but rides like a lighter model, dancing down the trail and nimbly negotiating fallen logs and unexpected corners. It also feels balanced: accurate through rooty lines and stable on rock-strewn descents. The Overdrives
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F U N T O R I DE , N O M AT T E R W H E R E T H E D AY TA K E S Y O U
the roads shoulder, and enabled impromptu journeys through snow-covered fields. Attach a rack and panniers to the frame mounts and you can stop for groceries on the way home. The upright position and flat grips made climbing comfortable, if not speedythe bike weighs nearly 30 pounds. The San Anselmo has womens geometry with a step-through frame and comes with flat pedals. (If you prefer a classic diamond frame, check out the San Rafael unisex version.) The womens mountain bike saddle was comfortable even after hours of pedaling sans chamois. It all adds up to a bike that encourages you to hop on and go, to pedal as you are, to sneak in a few miles at sunset, to see whats at the end of that muddy path. If youre still trying to figure out whether you prefer road or dirtor if you never ride the same route twiceyou might find a worthy companion in the DS4.Emily Furia
$800
WEIGHT
F U N C T I O N A L LY F U N
I was initially skeptical of step-through frames: Im perfectly capable of throwing my leg over a regular top tube, even in a dress. Then I tried the San Anselmoand was surprised how much easier errands by bike became. The design is especially helpful on skirt days, when using a rear rack, or for riders running a high saddle height.E.F.
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PRICE
$980
WEIGHT
M A K E T H E U P G R A D E The CAAD8s pleasing ride is complemented by quality components, with one exception: The Promax brakes we mentioned above feel underpowered and lack modulation, and their heavy pull requires strong hands. Our best advice is to negotiate a discounted price to swap in Shimanos excellent 105 calipers ($120 per pair) with the bikes purchase.M.P.
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T H I S S T Y L I S H H A R D W OR K E R C A N C A R R Y Y O U T O T H E O F F IC E A N D B E Y ON D
vibe. And the name sounds vaguely like a 90s-era party band. Was this Kona made for the mule train or the boardwalk? I figured some rides would sort it out. Carrying only my laptop, I pedaled home in a drizzle, and the full fenders with mud flaps kept my jeans and bag spotless. Soon after, heading out to pick up new eyeglasses, I loaded the rack with eight pounds of books, including a Philip Roth novel for extra heft. The weight created no perceptible difference in the steady, upright ride as I headed back up the one mild slope toward my office building. Another day, I rode downtown to Rice & Spice, where I bought a 10-pound bag of basmati and a few other itemsnearly 15 pounds of food in all. With the rack filled, I pointed the Kona up South Mountain on Fifth Street. The bike was heavier, sure, but there was plenty of range in the smooth-shifting Shimano Nexus internal seven-speed hub. Coming back down I shifted the rice to either side of the rack, to see if it altered the ride, but at worst the displaced steerage made the bike feel only mildly squirrely. The Dr. Good might just belong in a category all its own. Its a solid light-duty commuter with enough personality that it wouldnt look out of place rolling along a New Jersey boardwalk. Saddle up and say ahh. David Howard
PRICE
$900
WEIGHT
F U N C T I O N A L F A S H I O N The Dr. Good features an aluminum, wood-lined porteur-style rack, in homage to the way Parisian newsboys carried their papers for delivery. Thanks to this utilitarian DNA, the rack does a great job of carrying compact loads without unsettling your steering, the way larger or flimsier front baskets can. Kona also added a front stabilizer spring to further steady the load.D.H.
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FELT VERZA PATH 2 WOMENS $540
J Felts Verza line includes speedy flat-bar road bikes and street-smart city models. This one lands in the middle. Its well suited to bike paths, but the suspension fork equips it to tackle rougher routes. The handlebar sits higher than on many bikes, which makes this model a capable, steady commuter. Whether youre dressed for work or a beach barbecue, the Verza is easy to hop on and go.
to class, grabbing groceries, or just heading out for a leisurely spin. The curved fork blades provide an elegant look, and the upright position helps you spot potholes or wayward texting drivers. The internal, three-speed drivetrain is easy to shift, requires little maintenance, and helps you conquer small hills without sweating through your shirt. Thoughtful touches include a rustproof chain that should withstand seasons of wet-weather riding, and a kickstand that makes parking a snap. Other favorite features: the SR3 tires, which have reflective sidewalls and extra protection to resist punctures, and the custom built-in basketa feature not often found on similar models from other manufacturers.
GIANT VIA 1 W $600 J Giants Via 1 W exudes comfort and style whether youre commuting
J A light, sturdy aluminum frame and carbon fork offer the crisp handling of a standard road bike, ideal for long fitness ridesor even a sprint triathlon. The head-up riding position takes stress off your back and improves visibility, so its also a good choice for less extreme duties like bike-path cruising, commuting, or for road riders who dont enjoy hunching over a drop handlebar.
BH Bikes is proud of our long lineage in the cycling industry; creating innovative bikes for elite athletes to cycling enthusiasts. Our bikes encompass podium proven road and mountain bikes, and our new award-winning Easy Motion electric bikes.
For more information, access www.BHBikes-US.com, www.eMotionBikesUSA.com WorldMags.net or call us toll free at 866-752-4872. EXPERIENCE THE BH DIFFERENCE!
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SPECIALIZED TRICROSS SPORT DISC $1,300 J The adaptable Tricross
has everything you need for road rides, long commutes, and even cyclocross racing. Its lightweight aluminum frame puts you in a powerful but comfortable position and the low bottom bracket keeps the bike steady, a feature youll appreciate when riding alongside traffic. The disc brakes offer great control, and frame mounts make attaching racks and fenders a snap.
as Vancouver, Seattle, and Portlandplaces where thousands of commuters ride practical bikes to work, school, and around town every day. That up-close perspective has made the Kona crew believers in utility bikes, and they hope to introduce more people to that type of riding with the speedy, affordable Dew. This no-nonsense, versatile machine blends an upright position with fast-rolling 700c wheels. Throw on a rack and fenders and you have an everyday transport bike. Its also capable of longer outings, if you plan to sign up for a charity ride. The 2014 version has a 6061 aluminum framethe same material used in many of Konas high-end mountain bikesto save some weight. Whether youre going long or just pedaling around the block, the Dew is a reliable option.
KONA DEW $500 J Kona is based in the Pacific Northwest, home to bike-friendly cities such
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T E S T E D
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A S M O O T H - H A N DL I N G M U LT I S P O R T B I K E
When cyclists who are considering triathlons ask me which multisport bike to buy, I usually say, None of them. Instead, I suggest they invest in a more versatile road bike, then add an aero bar as they progress. Ive competed on both and find that a road bikes stability and comfort outweigh the minimal performance loss, especially on hilly or technical courses (and training rides). But the Alias has me reconsidering that advice. Designed for women, the bike has triathlon geometry (a 78-degree seat angle) and comes with two multisport components: an adjustable clip-on aero bar and a zero-offset seatpost. A traditional road post is available for $55. To make the Alias even more race-ready, you can add a Remora storage box ($25) to the top tube. Named for a type of fish that hitches a ride with another, the compartment also slightly reduces the bikes drag. Specialized created the Alias for women who want use the same bike for training and sprint- or Olympic-distance races. I was impressed with how well it performed both in and out of the aero position. On a fast, two-hour tempo ride, I spent the majority of the time on the aero bar with little discomfort. The FACT 10r carbon frame made bumpy sections of pavement and railroad tracks less jarring, another quality many dedicated multisport bikes lack. Specialized credits the seatstays: They are flattened to decrease drag in crosswinds, but taper to a round cross section before they meet the seat tube, allowing them to dampen some road shock. When I installed the traditional road seatpost, it helped to further smooth the ride. The bike steered quickly, but not scary fast: It was easy to wiggle the Alias around potholes on the fly, and I quickly got used to moving my hands to the hoods to shift. I also appreciated that, aesthetically, the bike is more road than tri: The compact frame will blend in nicely on a group ride and spare you the embarrassment of showing up to a low-key sprint tri on a machine that resembles something out of Battlestar Galactica. The Alias also feels comfortable off the aero bar. The position is relatively upright, similar to what youll find on Specializeds Ruby womens endurance road model. As I spun up climbsaided by the midcompact 52/36 cranksetI sometimes forgot I was riding a multisport bike. At $6,000, this is not the model Id recommend for beginners. Newer riders should look to the $3,300 Comp or $2,600 Sportthey have the same versatile frame and geometry but come with different wheels and components to keep the price down. But if you have the means, the Alias Pro wont disappoint. Its the rare multisport bike that has the potential to serve as your daily driver and still propel you to victory in your next triathlon. Emily Furia
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A FA S T R I DE F OR W OM E N W HO WA N T E V E R Y A D VA N TA G E
about diving into corners at speed. Giant credits the oversized tapered head tube and fork design for steering precision, but the womens geometry helped, too. On windy days the aero frame and deep-section Giant P-SLR1 wheels put my skills to the test. Even a slight crosswind on a descent had me struggling to hold my line. I suppose thats one concession of a race bike built primarily to reduce drag. Another may be all-day comfortafter a 70-mile outing, I was wishing for an even more forgiving frame. The Envie wont turn you into Vos. But experienced riders who aspire to glory will find it a worthy choice for gaining that extra edge. Leah Flickinger
PRICE
$4,800
WEIGHT
The Envie has a proprietary braking system designed for maximum aero advantage. The carbon pieces are molded to mimic the fork blade and seatstay shapes, effectively hiding them from the wind and minimizing drag. The braking quality is solid, though the front calipers occasionally moved out of alignment and rubbed the wheel rim.L.F.
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More than thirty years ago, Keith Bontrager took some discarded 700c road rim trash, and reworked it into a lightweight, race-ready, 26-inch mountain bike treasure. He dove into a dumpster and came out smelling like a legend (ok, a little like cabbage, but mostly legend). That legendand the obsession with doing it ourselves until its rightcontinues today with the best-in-class Wheelworks products, hand built with pride and passion in Wisconsin, USA. bontrager.com/wheelworks
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D3 Dual Directional Design
Our exclusive D3 prole reduces drag on both the tire-leading and rim-leading edge. This not only makes you faster, it gives you more control in a crosswind.
200
150
Drag (grams)
100
Bontrager Aeolus 5 D3 (50 mm) Brand Z (58 mm) Brand H (46 mm)
50
0 0 2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0 10.0 Yaw (degrees) 12.0 14.0 16.0 18.0 20.0
bontrager.com/aeolus
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Gain everything. For less. Bontrager wheel upgrade.
RXL TLR
Aura 5 TLR
Aeolus 5 D3
Rhythm Elite
Nothing improves the ride quality of a bike like upgraded wheels. Take your new bike to the next level with a second set of wheels. Carbon, aero, light weight, tubeless, or bomberall available at sharp discounts when you buy a new Trek road or mountain bike.
Road wheelsets RXL TLR Aura TLR Aeolus D3 Clinchers (all depths)
Mountain wheelsets Rhythm Elite (26" / 27.5/650b / 29") RXL TLR Disc XXX TLR (26" / 29") Rhythm Pro Carbon (26" / 27.5/650b / 29")
Wheel upgrade pricing good for 30 days from the date of your Trek bicycle purchase, until 6/30/14. Valid for one pair of wheels per purchase of Trek road or mountain bike. Visit bontrager.com to nd a participating retailer.
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With some discarded parts and a hacksaw in a small garage, Keith Bontrager laid the foundation for Bontrager Wheelworks. A heritage built on the commitment to making the best and supporting the best. To tirelessly striving to make our wheels and riders faster, the fastest, and worthy of wearing the Bontrager label. Bontrager Wheelworks and Trek Factory Racing. An international roster, a Grand Tour team. State of the art frames, with the fastest wheels available. Our team. Our heritage. Our future. Ride with us, ride with the best. Go forth and take it.
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P R I C E D R I G H T, T H I S B I K E I S R E A D Y F OR A N Y A D V E N T U R E
crankset. At one point, I turned down a crowded gravel rail-trail. The bikes quick steering helped me dodge walkers and little kids, yet felt stable enough that I could rumble over patches of snow. Jamis optimized the frame angles and tube lengths on this model to better fit female proportions (see box), so the ride felt comfortable whether my hands were on the hoods or in the drops, which provided not only a change of position but also a chance to eke out a little more speed. Toward the end of the ride, with my scone long gone and energy stores nearly depleted, I appreciated the Reynolds 631 steel frame, which smoothed the road, reducing fatigue, and also helped translate the little power I had left into forward motion. The Quest Elite turned an outing that could have become a never-again death march into something more fondly remembered, like an old-school training ride. My first thought upon reaching home was: I have to do this more often. Christine Bucher
PRICE
$1,750
WEIGHT
F E M I N I N E F I T Compared with a unisex Quest Elite, my 54cm Femme has a shorter top tube. Jamis says the configuration better fits women, who generally have shorter torsos and arms than men. And I agree. The bike was easy to steer, which boosted my confidence and made me feel more in control in almost every situation, whether I was dodging traffic or leaning into downhill corners.C.B.
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WOMENS
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W H AT E V E R Y O U R E L O OK I N G F OR I N A T R A I L B I K E , T H I S O N E H A S I T
shocks and a SRAM 2x10 drivetrain. It also has Specializeds AutoSag feature, which takes the guesswork out of setting up your rear shock (see box). The Custom Formula T1 brakes were passable but a bit mushy. I appreciated the Command dropper seatpost and used it often to raise and lower my saddle, but only after swapping it for a shorter versionI could barely reach the pedals when the 100mm model was fully extended. Women like mewith shorter legs and longer torsosmight need to do the same. Speaking of fit, the Rumor has a low, confidence-inspiring 27.9inch standover height (yet still has room for a bottle mountmuch appreciated). The short head tube keeps the bar low, so even with big wheels the bike was easy to maneuver. And at 26.3 pounds, it climbed adeptly and never felt too taxing on long grinds. Turns out that Adeles catchy tune is completely appropriate. Whatever youre looking for in a trail bike, the Rumor does have itand then some.Selene Yeager
PRICE
$4,200
WEIGHT
S E T I T A N D F O R G E T I T AutoSag, an exclusive feature on some Specialized bikes, automatically adjusts your shocks sagthats the amount it compresses under your weight. Ideally thats about 25 percent of the shocks travel. Getting it right can involve some tinkering. With AutoSag its a lot easier: You just pump the shock to 50 psi over your riding weight (including all gear and packs), climb aboard, and depress a single release valve.S.Y.
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REVIEWED
WOMENS
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BREEZER DOWNTOWN 5-ST $570 J The Downtown 5 makes
it easier to choose your bike over your car for short trips around town, thanks to the chainguard, fenders, and rear rack. Though its not built for speed, the frame delivers a stable ride and the step-through design makes it easy to pedal while wearing everyday clothes.
womens mountain bikes, the Juliana, named for Juli Furtado, a ski racer turned mountain biker who won numerous national and world titles. Furtado now works for Santa Cruz and her new line of four bikes (sold under the Juliana brand) embodies her focus on performance and her drive to get more women on the trails. The aluminum Joplin, named after singer Janis, has 29-inch wheels, a 120mm-travel Fox 32 fork, and 100mm of rear-wheel travel controlled by Santa Cruzs capable VPP multilink suspension. Both the fork and the shock have climb, trail, and descend settings so you can adjust the amount of bounce to suit your terrain. The saddle, bar, grips, stem, and crank are sized to provide women with more control on the trail.
JULIANA JOPLIN SEGUNDO $3,100 J Back in 1999, Santa Cruz Bicycles developed one of the first
PETER SAGAN
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HONEY ROAD DAY RIDE WOMENS $1,895, frameset J Bostonbased Honey doesnt believe in do-it-all bikes. Instead, each of its frames is designed for a specific use. The Road Day Ride is built primarily for daylong excursions, centuries, and gran fondos. Youll sit more upright than you would on a race bike, which means more comfort on long rides. The beautifully TIG-welded steel frames are constructed in the US.
TREK CALI CARBON $3,780 J Women who like fast, crisphandling hardtails will find the Cali hard to beat. The 29-inch wheels help you roll over obstacles, and the gossamer OCLV carbon frame quiets trail vibration. Trek worked with its top female racers on the design; their input led to a frame with a low top tube, which makes it easier for smaller riders to mount and dismount.
SPECIALIZED S-WORKS RUBY $8,500 J The S-Works designation (and the price) indicate this bikes top-of-the-line quality. Vibration-damping Zertz inserts in the carbon frame and fork help smooth the road, and the slackened seat-tube angle, raised bar, and shorter reach are comfortable on long rides. The Shimano Dura-Ace components include carbon tubeless wheels for a velvety, speedy ride.
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TESTED BIKES
MOUN TAIN
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R E S P O N S I V E , S TA B L E , P L AY F U L A N D A F F O R D A B L E
Six and a half years ago, when Niner cofounder Chris Sugai delivered a RIP 9 test bike to my office, he told me that within a few years the 26-inch wheel would be dead. I rolled my eyes and laughed out loud; at the time, 29er frame geometry was awkward, the parts were heavy, and everything seemed to flex. Sorry for doubting you, Chris. This latest revision of the RIP 9, in aluminum, is about as stiff as the carbon version, with a frame that weighs just 0.65 pounds more. Its handling balances cross- country responsiveness and trail-bike stability. That blend helped the RIP 9 competently tackle rough trails, making it easy for me to dive into steep and nasty terrain that, had I been riding some other bikes, would have made me dismount and walk. Only when I pointed it down near-vertical chutes and approached shoulder-high drops did the 69.5-degree head angle feel too steep.
Rarely, however, did I wish for more travel. Niner increased rear-wheel travel by 5mm, to 125mm, and improved its performance. On the previous frame, the suspension sometimes sank into the middle of its stroke and wanted to stay there. The new setup rides taller, and it reacts faster to small, successive imperfections like braking bumps. It resists bottoming better too; I pushed the shock to its max only on the biggest hits. Although the suspension resisted bobbing when I pedaled in the small chainring, it felt overactive when I pounded on the pedals in the big ringbut many bikes do that, so its not a deal breaker. Besides, a flick of the shocks switch to one of the firmer settings calmed things down. Instead of hydroforming, Niner now shapes the RIP 9 tubes with compressed air in a heated mold. The process makes it easier for engineers to control wall thickness and to create complex shapes, Niner says. To cite just one example, the bent and twisted strut between the seatstay and chainstay is lighter but just as strong as the two-piece hydroformed bridge it replaced. To further boost the frames stiffness, Niner developed stronger, lighter, forged suspension linkages and replaced welded assemblies with forged units, like the one that contains the bottom bracket, suspension pivot, and shock mount. Niners 1-Star X7 build is its lowest-cost package, but its smartly put together. Schwalbes Racing Ralph tires rolled fast and gripped predictably. Theyre paired with rigid American Classic Terrain wheels to give the bike a snappy, high-end feel that belies its price. SRAMs X7 clutch-style rear derailleur kept the chain seated and mostly prevented it from slapping against the lower stay. I wouldnt expect a dropper seatpost at this price, but Niner should have included a quick-release lever instead of a bolt. The wheel-size debate rages on, with 27.5 challenging the 29ers, but no matter what happens, the RIP 9 1-Star X7 is a great value. I only laughed this time when I was riding itand having fun.Ron Koch
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PRICE
$3,300
WEIGHT
R E M O T E C O N T R O L Rocky Mountain tunes the Thunderbolts rear suspension to remain active as you pedal, which improves traction while climbing uneven trails. But it also bobs under hard efforts in some gear combinations. To firm the rear end, Rocky includes a bar-mounted remote that allows you to easily toggle between the Fox shocks three damping settingsthe firmest nearly locks it out.L.M.
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GT SENSOR ELITE
Last summer I tested a $7,000 carbon version of GTs redesigned Sensor on the sprawling trail network near Park City, Utah, and was impressed with the 27.5-inch wheels, new suspension, and updated geometry. I wondered how those changes would feel on the more reasonably priced, 130mm-travel Sensor Elite. I worried that at 32 pounds, the aluminum version would feel less lively. But the bikes geometry is the same as on the carbon version, and on my first test ride I found that the suspension worked just
R U L E T H E T R A I L S ON A MODE S T B U D G E T
as flawlessly. I noticed the weight only on steep climbs. The new AOS suspension is a completely revamped version of GTs i-Drive design, with new chainstay pivots, a stiff swingarm, stout 15mm axles, and a lightweight forged linkage. Changes in tuning allow it to respond quicker to smaller bumps, so you have more traction while scrambling up loose climbs. Even with those changes, the design felt as crisp and efficient as the old i-Drive. Compared with the previous Sensor, this one has a longer top tube, which creates a more stable front end. The relatively short 80mm stem kept my weight centered just behind the front wheelI was in a good position to tackle steep descents and attack corners at full speed. The rest of the components accentuated the Sensors aggressive ride. Formulas C1 brakes were surprisingly powerful, the 740mm-wide bar made controlling the bike easier, and Shimanos clutch-equipped rear derailleur kept the chain seated. The RockShox Sector fork felt underdamped on challenging terrain, but worked well everywhere else. This Sensor wasnt as irresistible as the one I tested in Park City, but it came close, and that makes it a great option for trail riders on a budget.Ron Koch
PRICE
$2,820
WEIGHT
SWEET SUSPENSION
The Sensors single-pivot AOS suspension has a rearward wheel path to help absorb sharp impacts. Those designs typically have more pedal feedback, but GTs Pathlink linkage, which houses the bottom bracket, rotates rearward as the bikes swingarm moves to absorb the blow. That limits chain growth, keeping the suspension active with less feedback.R.K.
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SALSA SPEARFISH 1
Three years ago Salsa introduced its popular Spearfish, a fast, sharphandling bike made for long, adventurous rides. It was a great model for the price, but its single-pivot suspension (with flexing seatstays) stiffened under braking, and the shock needed some platform damping to keep it controlled while climbing. This year, Salsa addressed
F OR T HO S E W HO C ON S I DE R 4 0 -M I L E R I DE S J U S T A WA R M- U P
those weaknesses by licensing suspension engineer Dave Weagles Split Pivot design, which helps the shock absorb bumps when youre stomping on the pedals or slamming on the brakes. Altering a well-liked bike can be risky, but the gamble paid off. At about 5.4 pounds, the new Spearfish frame is only slightly heavier than the previous version. Rear travel remains 80mm, but the bike feels stiffer and reacts more sharply to rider input. The Split Pivot design reduces the effects of braking and pedaling forces on the suspension, and does a better job resisting bobbing. The bikes rear end tracks more smoothly over choppy terrain and finds traction whether youre bouncing over roots or climbing granite boulders. The shock slides evenly through its stroke on larger impacts, which helps keep the bike steady on tough trails. Compared with similar 29ers, this one has relatively short chainstays and a longer top tube, which give it a balanced ridestable when youre on the gas yet nimble enough to let you weave around tight switchbacks. The new suspension adds $200 to the cost of a frame, but nicely equipped, complete models start at less than $2,750. There are lighter bikes available, but they cost more, making this one a relative bargain for its weight. Its fast, efficient, nimble, and enjoyable to ride for hours, just the way Salsa intended. Louis Mazzante
PRICE
$4,100
WEIGHT
Salsa is the first American brand to license Dave Weagles Split Pivot suspension design. As its name suggests, the key feature here is the rear pivot, which rotates concentrically around the rear axle, separating the shock from the forces associated with braking and acceleration. That allows us to tune the shock to do what its supposed to: Absorb bumps, says Weagle.L.M.
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REPACK
Available April 2014
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KILL PAIN
RIDE IN COMFORT
Koobis state of the art Personal Ride System (PRS) delivers more comfort and control than any other saddle. The PRS features two 10mm vertical compliance elastomers that absorb road impact and vibration ,reducing fatigue while providing all day ride ability. Koobi custom builds this system into each saddle by installing one of ve different rmness (color) elastomers. For even further PRS rider neALPHA tuning, two SADDLE extra pairs Ti Alloy are included Rails. with each Available order. in Black, White or Black with Red and White. PRS TECHNOLOGY Tunable Vertical Compliance, because no two riders are built the same. Five rmness elastomers available per rider weight.
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headquarters, expect to roll trails that are steep, rocky, and unforgivinggood proving ground for the SB75s aggressive nature. The bike pairs Yetis Switch suspension with a new 5-inch-travel frame built around 27.5-inch wheels. The tweener hoops help make the SB75 agile enough to rail corners and pop through choppy lines at speed, and the dual-link suspension has a unique eccentric lower pivot that switches directions halfway through its travelresulting in surprisingly efficient pedaling. Add in a relatively slack (67.6-degree) head angle, low bottom bracket, and longish top tube, and you get a bike that doesnt shy away from aggressive terrain. It might even be enough for you to keep up on that lunch ride.
YETI SB75 RACE $4,900 J If you join the daily lunch ride that starts at Yetis Golden, Colorado,
White Yellow Red Blue Black 95 to 140 to 165 to 195 to 225 to 145 lbs 175 lbs 200 lbs 235 lbs 280 lbs
TREK FUEL EX 5 29 $1,980 J The most affordable model in Treks extensive Fuel EX lineupwhich now includes both 29- and 26-inch optionsthe EX 5 is a versatile bigwheeler with 120mm of travel. Part aggressive trail bike and part nimble XC machine, the EX 5 29 feels steady on a wide range of trails and comes with several premium touches, including a custom fork offset for better handling at lower speeds.
www.koobi.com 877-743-3566
Southern Colorados Spring Gravel Grinder Ride into History! Scenic 160, 90 and 50 mile routes!
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PRESENTED BY:
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Stay Tuned.
Some days, the quality of the ride is determined by the quality of the tools.
2014 Park Tool Co. PARK TOOL and the color BLUE are registered trademarks of Park Tool Co.
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When you ride a bike, you notice things. The dog thats always tied up outside, no matter the weather. The curious vegetable garden that employs rubber snakes to ward off predators. The field full of rotting pumpkins that never had a chance to be jack-o-lanterns. You take it all in. Its what you do. But when I breezed along the roads, through the parks, and down the alleys of my neighborhood on the Electra Townie Go!, I found myself seeking out peopleto see if they noticed me. In my eyes, I was a sight to behold, a smiling girl on a sky-blue cruiser. A bike that looks like it should be lazily rolling along the boardwalk. So how is it that I didnt think twice about coaxing it into light traffic? That I felt the need to tellnot ask friends and neighbors to take it for a spin? And that the reactions I got ranged from Whoa, thats trippy to Neat to This is my kind of bike. Its simple. The Go! is Electras first e-bike, its Balloon model with
a boost (step-over frame for men, stepthrough design for women). Powered by a rechargeable battery and SRAMs E-matic propulsion system, this pedal-assist bicycle features a two-speed transmission that automatically shifts between a low gear (for acceleration and climbing) and a high one (for cruising at a decent clip). Inside the rear hub, a 250-watt motor senses the riders pedal input and adjusts power output accordingly. Tucked beneath the rear rack is a lithium-ion battery that, when fully charged, will last up to 35 miles. That estimate is on the conservative side, though, says Jackson Lynch, director of marketing and communications at Electra. Depending on rider weight and riding conditions, it could last longer. As for how fast it can go: The pedal-assist system will take you up to just under 16 mph, then its all you, he says. But heres where the tech talk ends. While many e-bikes come with more bells and whistlesand a thick owners manualthe Townie Go! is as basic as it gets. It has no throttle to twist for an extra jolt, no digital display to view regenerative braking condition, no power levels to select, no gears to change. To turn it on, just push the button on the battery and youre ready to pedal. And isnt that what this kind of bike should be? After all, theres no learning curve to operate one. According to the companys website, the only hard part about riding an Electra is choosing which one to get. The Go! is no exception. Like the rest of the brands cruisers and city bikes, this one is for the person who wants to go for a laid-back roll with friends or bounce down the bike path in flip-flops, and shop for the coolest accessories to adorn it with. None of that has changed. It just got a little easier. And a whole lot more fun.Jennifer Sherry
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A U T I L I T Y B I K E T H AT M A K E S Y O U R C HO R E S F L E E T A N D F U N
certainly factors into the bikes quickness. Its handling seems darty. Subtle shifts of the handlebar create sharp course changes. Its a little like, Whoa, at first, until you learn to temper your inputs and trust the front ends precision. Youll want to go easy on the brakes too. The Shimano hydraulic stoppers are smooth and the power is goodperhaps too good. The rear brake locks up easily and requires a light touch. I have nothing but praise for the Shimano 105 drivetrain, which is as smooth, quiet, and precise as ever. Theres some clever functionality built into the AC01 also, including the capacity for fenders and lights (see box). Im not a fan of dark and stealthy paint on a bike that is intended for riding in traffic and at dawn and dusk, but at least many of the larger logo stickers are highly reflective. This is the rare case where the bike lived up to the marketing hype. No matter where youre going, the AC01 will get you there fast. Matt Phillips
PRICE
$1,900
WEIGHT
The ACO1 comes ready for three near-custom accessories: Full-coverage front and rear Curana fenders ($180) install quickly and are just as easy to remove, a securely mounted lighting kit from Sparse ($139) matches the bikes styling, and the post and wheels can accommodate ixows novel security system ($89), which uses gravity to lock the components.M.P.
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You ask a lot of your bicycle. And, every now and then, it needs something from you. WD-40 BIKEs complete line-up helps you give special attention to the bike you love, keeping it happy and rolling for miles.
CLEAN.
LUBE.
PROTECT.
Wash bikes regularly to keep grunge from wreaking havoc. Start with WD-40 BIKE Heavy Duty Degreaser to remove gunk from the drivetrain. Next, bring on the suds with WD-40 BIKE Foaming Wash to remove grime and leave your entire bike sparkling clean. Both products are safe for all frame and component materials.
Well-lubed chains keep bikes rolling for miles. WD-40 BIKE Dry Lube protects your chain and repels dirt in arid or dusty conditions. WD-40 BIKE Wet Lube forms a durable, wet coating that holds up to weather, water and mud. Neither lube uses wax, which can leave a sticky residue on drivetrains.
Once your bike is cleaned and lubed, its time for a nal coat of protection. WD-40 BIKE Frame Protectant prevents the build-up of dirt, dust and grime. It instantly restores scratched areas and the luster of clear coats, carbon and other nishes.
Ask for WD-40 BIKE products at your favorite bike shop. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @WD40BIKE.
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2014 WD-40 BIKE Company ADVERTISEMENT
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PASHLEY GUVNOR
Many of you reading thisprobably most of youshould not buy this wonderful bicycle. It is too peculiar and too purposeful in its peculiarities. The Guvnor is a path racer, a style of bike made for competing on velodromes and unpaved roads in the early 1900s. Hewing to its heritage, this one is hand-built in Englandin Stratford-on-Avonfrom Reynolds 531, a pass steel tubing that upon its introduction in 1935 had a long reign as one of the best frame materials in the
Y O U P R OB A B LY S HO U L DN T B U Y T H I S W ON DE R F U L B I K E
world. The bottom bracket is so high it is almost level with the hubs, the head and seat angles are a superslack 68 degrees, the fork juts forward about three times farther than that of a typical modern road bike. The build is rounded out with 28-inch wheels, bolton seatstays, drum brakes, and a Sturmey-Archer thumb-shifted three-speed rear hub. The ride is unlike any Ive experienced on a bike: floppy and nearly dangerously impetuous to start, then ever smoother and stable as it is fed speed, until, finally, like a roller-coaster car, it begins to carry the rider along for the controlled thrill. You feel as if youre flying, even though this is not a fast bike. Nor is it practical. Its big and heavy. You could fit fenders, but you shouldntit ruins the authenticityand there are no mounts for bottle cages. Its not a great racing bike, townie, commuter, or ideal for chasing fitness goals or even for riding paths in the modern sense. Its part scorcher, part forcats de la route, part rebel, and part dandy. Its one of the most distinctive bicycles Ive ever ridden, and I want to buy one. Im not sure you should. But if you do, youre the kind of person Id like to ride with.Bill Strickland
PRICE
$1,695
WEIGHT
A B O U T T H E F I T I typically ride a 54cm road bike but of the Guvnors three sizes (20.5, 22.5, and 24.5 inches) I chose the middle one, which is the equivalent of a 57-inch seat tube. This is how path racers were sizedwith almost no seatpost showing and no standover clearance. On the smaller model Id have been too scrunched to experience the authentic feel of the ride.B.S.
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over 300 Pure & Purifying foods and 1,100 + free recipes edenfoods.com
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Organic EDEN Mesli cereals cold or hot morning, noon or night, as a meal or a snack, excellent in baked goods too. Three whole grains, three antioxidant rich dried fruits, and two delightfully crunchy seeds. No rened sugars or chemical additives, low sodium. EDEN Mesli is excellent food that provides lasting energy and sets a positive tone in any day.
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ing lines. Paul Budnitz, the bikes creator, meticulously engineered the frame to create an appearance thats as visually intriguing as it is functional. The swooping twin top tubes act like a bridge truss, flexing slightly to smooth road shock. Budnitz chose a segmented design for the half-crown fork for the opposite reason: He believes unicrowns are too flexible to work with disc brakes. The result is a tough yet elegant city bike that begs to be ridden fast, even in dodgy conditions. The carbon belt drive is just as cool and can be paired with a singlespeed drivetrain or a 14-speed Rohloff internal transmission. The components, like the design, are clean and quiet, great for city riding.
BUDNITZ NO. 3 STEEL $2,600 J The first thing you notice about the Budnitz No. 3 is the strik-
KHS IPED $420 J With small wheels and a folding handlebar and seatpost, the iPed fits easily into a closet, on the train, or in your work cubicle. The 16-inch rear and 12-inch front wheel provide a sharp-handling rideideal for navigating busy streets. Its aluminum frame keeps the weight down, which youll appreciate while hauling it up stairs. And the telescoping stem and microadjust seatpost make the iPed easy to unfold when its time to get rolling.
KICKR
ioned after the Dutch omafiets, or granny bikes, that rule the streets of Amsterdam. Like those models, this one has a step-through frame, comfortable upright position, and smart features like racks, fenders, and a chainguard. But the Juliette is as elegant as it is practicalits swooping frame tubes, ornate details, and classic design will add style to your trips around town.
$1099.99 MSRP
iPhone controlled resistance and power threshold Ultra-realistic road feel Direct power measurement at the hub Adjustable and portable Whisper quiet even at high RPMs
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J Unlike the down-tubemounted batteries on many electric bikes, the eFlows juice sits inside its massive seatpost. That centers the weight beneath the rider to improve handling and reduces the risk of battery theft. The bikes 500-watt motor gives a nice boost. You can use the bikes stem-mounted LCD computer to preset the amount of power you get while pedaling, or just twist the throttle and go.
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PROTECT IT.
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GEAR
BUYERS WorldMags.net G U I D E 1 4
Anna Glowinskia former British youth national mountain bike and cross champdesigns stylish and practical clothing for female cyclists under the Ana Nichoola label. Her commuter jacket seamlessly merges fashion and function: A peplum shape protects you from road spray and creates a flattering silhouette, and eye-catching grommets double as underarm vents. A sealed zipper, cinchable cuffs, reflective panels and piping, and cheery yellow water-resistant fabric make cold and drizzly rides much more bearable.Emily Furia
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GRAN FONDO // A L L - D AY C OM F O R T F OR R O A D E N T H U S I A S T S
1. GIORDANA EXO KNICKERS, $325, JERSEY, $260
Designed to improve muscle compression and increase aerodynamics, the EXO knickers and jersey fit snugly yet comfortably, with little bunching. Despite the knickers below-the-knee cut and the jerseys long sleeves, the pieces are made for warm weather; the extra length aids in compression and airflow, Giordana says. A flap over the jersey pockets helps improve aerodynamics, but hinders regular use. Matt Phillips
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#M
@ Ri dl ey
yR id le yG lo es ry ik
_B
www.ridley-bikes.com
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GEAR
BUYERS G U I D E 1 4
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2
3 1
WOMENS GEAR //
1. DEMARCHI WOMENS VELOCE ROAD BIB SHORTS $190
Italian company DeMarchi has been making innovative apparel for almost 70 years. (Its sister company, Cytech, makes chamois for brands such as Assos and Rapha, as well as pads exclusive to DeMarchi.) The Veloces slightly compressive fabric panels support your musclesincluding your core, thanks to a high-cut waist. A womens chamois with an antibacterial lining hugs the body without bunching. Leah Flickinger
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Join The Ride to Conquer Cancer, a fully-supported, 2-day, over 150 mile cycling adventure through awe-inspiring landscapes. Thousands of Riders of all abilities will unite in the ght to conquer cancer a disease affecting 1 in 3 Americans in their lifetime.
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BUYERS GUIDE
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ROAD RACE //
1. POWERTAP GS HUB $1,090
The new GS boasts reliable internals from renowned wheel maker DT Swiss. It lets you swap driver shells so your hub remains compatible with evolving axle standards and cassette configurations. PowerTap also uses straight-pull spokes, which it claims can be attached to the rim with higher tension to create a stiffer wheel. The battery and electronics are packed into a cap that pulls off for repairs, so you can still ride the wheel. Matt Phillips
T O OL S T H AT H E L P DE L I V E R T H E S P E E D Y O U N E E D
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GEAR
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King Matt and his Evergreen PRO Ride with them at sevencycles.com/kingmatt
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GEAR
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WEEKEND RIDER //
1. SKS AIRWORX 10.0 PUMP $50
The SKS pump head is simple to use and fits a variety of tire valvestheres no need to switch parts or use adaptors. A long hose lets you inflate your tube without needing to reposition your wheel, and a broad base and wide handle keep the pump stable while its in use. Each push delivers a good volume of airit took about 20 strokes to fill my road tire. When youre finished, the hose clips neatly to the body of the pump. Brad Ford
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LIFESTYLE //
1. RAPHA ROCKET ESPRESSO MACHINE $2,500
This limited-edition machine made by Rocket Espresso Milano has a copper boiler with lead-free brass end plates, and its Sirai pressure stat is legendary for its accuracy. But if you have the means to consider this machine, you assume luxury-level operation; you just want that final rationalization. Here it is: Our mechanicwho has the most experienced pull among our staffinsisted on taking it home for extensive testing.Bill Strickland
B E C A U S E E V E N W H E N Y O U R E N O T R I DI N G , Y O U R E S T I L L A C Y C L I S T
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CX ZERO
ZZZFROQDJRFRP
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UPGRADES //
C OM P ON E N T S P LU R G E S F OR T H E U LT I M AT E R I DE
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Antifog
1.888.831.5817
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2014 SportRx.
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Its that simple. The symmetrical Light Action pedal is always perfectly positioned for you to step down and start riding. With dual-sided entry, theres no looking or fumbling, and when its time to release it just takes a simple twist of your heel. The Light Action pedal system is the easiest, most intuitive system on the road. Learn more at speedplay.com.
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GEAR
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ADVENTURE //
1. DELORME INREACH SE SATELLITE COMMUNICATOR $300
Stay connected anywhere in the world you ride with this 194-gram device, which lets you text and post to social media as well as send SOS messages and communicate with rescue responders in an emergency. It can be used as a stand-alone unit or you can connect it via Bluetooth to your smartphone or tablet to boost its mapping features. Service plans start at $12 a month. Ron Koch
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ITS THE CAMARADERIE & SPIRIT OF AN EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURE
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K E E P Y O U R B I K E RO L L I N G W I T H T H E S E S M A R T A N D F U N C T ION A L T O OL S
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To join our GUARANTEED 1-800-845-8050 ext.2 RISK-FREE PROGRAM call or Email RodaleDirectSales@Rodale.com
Youll receive copies of the latest issue of BICYCLING magazine at no cost to you, not even shipping, and youll receive a FREE custom display rack! Every copy you sell means prot for youat a 40% margin! And you never pay for unsold issues, because you pay us just for the copies you sell, and only after your customers have paid you!
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Im standing in Earls Cyclery & Fitness in South Burlington, Vermont, looking down a row of carbon-fiber bikes, contemplating the differences between the $1,900 crimsonand-white one in front of me and the $9,000 matte-black beauty at the end of the line.
Ive been around bikes long enough to know that high-end components can make a big difference in the bottom line, but that only accounts for so much. What I want to know is: What about the frames? I lean in close enough that my breath forms condensation on the tubes, but the construction techniques within these bikes clearly lie below the surface. I turn to Joe Drennan, Earls manager, and ask, What gives? He explains that bike makers use several grades of carbon. When you spend more, you get a stronger material, so manufacturers can use less, which makes the frame lighter, he offers. That makes sense, but when I press Drennan on how the grades differ, how they affect a bikes feel on the road, and whether one brands premium carbon bike is like anothers, he goes behind the counter and returns with a stack of catalogs. Clearly, I have homework to do. Back home I flip through the literature and tap into Google. Im bombarded with information. Carbon manufacturing is so complicated and has so many variables that at first I doubt Ill be able to make sense of it. I dont want a masterslevel class in material science, but I want to understand how
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these frames are designed so I can make an informed decision. But I persist over the next few weeks, eventually picking up the phone and talking to nearly a dozen carbon-fiber engineers from brands like Cervlo, Giant, Specialized, and Trek. Over time, the mysterious material comes into sharper focus. The most surprising revelation? The carbon used in every single bikeno matter the cost comes from one of just five manufacturers. As I would learn, those fibers can be tweaked a multitude of ways before they end up in a frame, but every bike starts with more or less the same raw materials. Building a carbon bike is like putting people in a kitchen, all with the same ingredients, says Jeff Soucek, director of research and development at Felt Bicycles. Some will be great chefs, and they will make something delicious. Nearly all the carbon produced by the five manufacturers is destined for the aerospace industry (the total amount of carbon used by all bike makers in a year is less than in three Boeing 787 Dreamliners). The Japan Carbon Fiber Manufacturers Association has categorized five grades of the material, four of which are used in bikes and
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can help guide your bike purchase. Those grades are defined by, among other things, the carbons stiffness (also called modulus) and tensile strength (which is tested by pulling the material until it fractures). As you move up the scale, the material generally becomes stiffer and more expensive, but not always stronger (see graphic at right). All carbon begins as thin fibers that must first be made into sheets by weaving, or by aligning the strands in a uniform direction before they become part of a bike. Then manufacturers add glue-like resin to create a composite material called pre-preg, which can be cut and layered into complex shapes (See Elements of the Build, page 118). Then things get really interesting. Carbon bikes can contain up to 500 pieces of pre-preg, assembled in 40 or more layersoften combining different grades. Some pieces are as long as a down tube, while others are no bigger than a postage stamp. By using stiff carbon in some places and more forgiving strands elsewhere, engineers can tailor a bikes feel. Thats how a company like Specialized can tune a Roubaix to be comfortable on long rides and make a similarly priced Tarmac ultrastiff. As a bikes structure and tube shapes become more complex, it typically requires higher grades of carbon to hit a manufacturers strength, weight, and stiffness goals. That can significantly add to price. I will never fully understand all the nuances of carbon manufacturing, but the basics now make enough sense that I feel comfortable walking into a shop and selecting a bike. I return to Earls and hone in on two models that each cost about $3,500. Theyre made mostly from midlevel carbon, and when Drennan tells me they both should offer a forgiving ride, I understand why thats the case. Only one question remains: How do I know which one will offer a more pleasing ride? Thats easy, Drennan tells me: You still have to ride the bikes.
TENSILE STRENGTH A representation of how much force a fiber can take before failing.
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*These Japan Carbon Fiber Manufacturers Association standards are guidelines onlybike manufacturers and other makers of carbon goods can label their products however they choose.
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FREEDOM P
SUPERCLAM
N O FR A M E CO N TAC T
F I TS A NY S IZE BIKE
The Freedom family of top-selling, lightest-weight hitch racks just expanded. Introducing new )UHHGRP6XSHU&ODPS6SRUWLQJLQGXVWU\ UVWIURQWDQGUHDUZKHHOFODPSVLWHOLPLQDWHVIUDPH contact while providing the most secure hold of any tray-style rack. With a best-in-class weight of only 30 lb. (two-bike), integrated locking system, and arms that lock for easier loading, the Saris Freedom SuperClamp coddles and protects your bike almost as much as you do.
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L AY UP //
Manufacturing processes vary greatly between companies (and even by model), but most composite bikes are made by arranging small strips ( 4 ) of carbon around a solid core inside a mold ( 5 ). Heating the mold liquefies the resin, and pressure forms the pre-preg into the shape of the frame.B.B.
Specialized Venge
the ideal mix of strength, stiffness, and compliance. Without leaving their desks, engineers can go through hundreds of variations an hour until they strike the right balance. A high-performance bike like Specializeds Venge, shown, requires about 400 individual pieces of carbon. Each color represents a different thickness of the carbon tubes. B.B.
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BEGINNERS
G U I D E WorldMags.net
SHOP
BY
neil bezdek
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SAVVY
Everything you need to know to buy your first bikeplus great new gear that will take your riding to the next level
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If you plan to do more than just salivate over the shiny new bikes in this issue, you might be feeling a little overwhelmed by your options. Before your head explodes, allow us to demystify the process of bicycle buying.
Start by deciding which of the most common fashion accessories, and often have utilitarian bike types makes sense for youmountain, features like rack and fender mounts, an upright road, hybrid, or city/commuter. Next, factor in frame design, and low-maintenance drivetrains. your goals. Consider things like what kind of Choosing between the three depends on how terrain youll ride most, what distance you want hard, how long, and where you want to ride, to cover, and what you want to accomplish. says Mattie Davitt, sales manager at Piermont If youre more interested in exploring off Bicycle Connection in Piermont, New York. road, your choice is pretty straightforward: Many bike makers offer hybrids with highLook for a mountain bike with wide, knobby quality drivetrains and disc brakes. Theyre tires, a flat handlebar, strong brakes, and shocklightweight and fun to ride, making them a solid absorbing suspension thats made for rough, choice for commuters or new riders who want unpredictable trails. Youll then need to decide one bike to run errands, cruise the rail-trail, how much suspension you want (most have and ride with the family. But if youre planning between 4 and 8 inches of travel) and which to burn some serious calories, train for a charwheel size is right for you: 26-, 27.5-, or 29-inch. ity ride, or maybe even sign up for a race, youll Smoother trails require less travel and allow be more satisfied with a road bike, says Davitt. you to use larger, more stable wheels. In terms of versatility, dont discount a road If you expect to spend most of your time on bike just because the name implies a single pavement, your options increase. Depending purpose. Manufacturers are getting better at on your goals, you might want a road bike, a catering to people who want to do more than one commuter, or a hybrid. Most thing, says Nelson Gutierrez, road bikes have smooth, skinny owner of Strictly Bicycles in Fort Lee, New Jersey. They tires and a curved handlebar, and place you in a bent-over see that buyers often want to position suited for speed. use one bike for exercise and Hybrids provide comfort and commuting. With features like BRING ALONG YOUR OLD BIKE stability via moderately thick thicker tires, disc brakes, and a AND EXPLAIN WHAT YOU LIKE tires and an upright riding more upright geometry, many OR DONT LIKE ABOUT IT. position, a compromise that current road models are fast, allows you to ride easily on city efficientand rugged. ASK THE SALESPERSON TO TRANSLATE JARGON Once you decide how youll streets or packed-dirt paths. INTO ENGLISH. Commuter bikes range from use a bike, consider the followsturdy workhorses to stylish ing tips to focus your search.
ITS OK TO
ALLOW AESTHETICS TO INFLUENCE YOUR DECISION BUT NOT TO THE DETRIMENT OF A GOOD FIT.
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PRIORITIZE FIT
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NARROW YOUR SEARCH
Try to focus your options to three models based on your budget and intended use. Then make sure you take an adequate test ride of at least 15 to 20 minuteslonger if you can. Before you take that spin, though, ask for fit adjustments and a quick tutorial on how the bike operates, says Gutierrez. You might dismiss an otherwise worthy model if youre stretching to reach the handlebar or fumbling with a type of shifter youve never used.
Decide how much money you want to invest in your cycling goals before you start shopping. Then, regardless of your budget, allocate about two-thirds of it to the bike. Youll want the rest for accessoriesbecause no matter your price range, you still need basics like a helmet, a pump, a water bottle, and bottle cages.
Even a top-shelf bike will be miserable to ride if it doesnt fit. Any good salesperson should help you find the right size, then make at least four adjustments: seat height, saddle position, handlebar height, and reach. Better: Find a shop staffed with a certified fitter who will take precise measurements, set you up on multiple bikes, and swap parts if necessary to dial your position. This kind of service usually costs extra, so factor that into your budget. And beware: Sometimes retailers offer deep discounts on odd-sized bikes left over from past seasons; resist the temptation unless the bike is truly your size.
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game changers
WIDE ROAD TIRES Rubber thats 25mm (or wider) lets me run lower pressure and gives me more control. TRY Vittoria Diamante Pro, $64Joe Lindsey, contributor BASE LAYER I ride more in winter now that I know how to layer. TRY Craft Active Extreme with Windstopper, $120 David Howard, executive editor FLOOR PUMP A durable pump with a stable base makes that mandatory preride tire-pressure check fast and easy. TRY Blackburns Air Tower 1, $30 J.L.
BICYCLING EDITORS SHARE THE GEAR DISCOVERIES THAT TRANSFORMED THE WAY THEY RIDE
CHAMOIS CREAM Saddle sores hurt like hell, but theyre entirely preventable. TRY Assos Chamois Crme, $20 Peter Flax, editor-in-chief
BIB SHORTS These address one of my pet peeves: ill-fitting waistbands. TRY Louis Garneau Neo Power Fit Bibshort, $140 Christine Bucher, managing editor
DROPPER POST Lowering my saddle on tricky mountain bike trails gives me more confidence. TRY RockShox Reverb, $384 Louis Mazzante, articles editor
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Where to investand where to savewhen accessorizing yourself and your bike
Seatpost Seatstay Cassette Spoke Rear derailleur Chainstay
smart splurges
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SPLURGE ON SADDLE, SAVE ON SADDLE BAG SPLURGE ON SHORTS, SAVE ON JERSEY
A seat bags job is pretty basic, but a saddle can make or break your rideand sometimes the saddle that comes with a new bike might not be the ideal choice for you. A good bike shop will work with you to try different ones, says Davitt.
When it comes to shorts, a higher price almost always means a superior chamois (the padding that provides a buffer between you and the saddle) and better construction, which translates to greater comfort and a more pleasant ride experience.
Although they are a few grams heavier, lower-priced tubes are often better able to resist flats than premium options. More expensive pumps, however, will fill your tires faster and require less pumping effort than basic models.
4 ANATOMY LESSON
Saddle Top tube Brake Seat tube Down tube
Headset
Fork
Front derailleur
Tire Rim
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ALL-STAR FEEDBACK
mary roach
Best-selling author of such titles as Stiff, Spook , and Gulp
mike wolfe
Creator and star of History Channels American Pickers
rebecca rusch
World champion endurance mountain biker My mom wears fanny packs. I prefer purses and backpacks. But this pouch is definitely bomber, with an industrial-strength belt and construction that would survive a war. Id use it as a sweet tool bag for travel.
NORTH ST. HIP POUCH // Handmade in Portland, Oregon, with US-sourced materials, this pack has a waterproof liner, an adjustable belt, and a U-lock harness. $48 HERO KIT FOR ROAD BIKES // Not only does this repair kit come with enough tools to fix almost any roadside snafu, it also contains step-by-step instructions on how to use them. $40 If I blew a tire on my way home, Id just throw the bike on the bus rack and take it into the shop later. Im never going to be the gal who replaces a link or tinkers with her gear shifter. I did use the multitool to unscrew a broken bell from my handlebar, and that worked out just fine. I dont drink coffee while I ride, but lets not let that get in the way. This is one versatile holder. It will also hold a cocktail shaker, a large upside-down pear, a soup ladle, a pint glass, and huzzah!my aluminum water bottle, which doesnt actually fit in my bottle holder. This is great for people who bought a bike without a kickstand, came home, smacked themselves on the forehead and thought, What? I really wanted a kickstand. For the rest of us? Im unsure. For solo cyclists or nervous parents, the appwhich tracks you and alerts loved ones if youve been stationary too longmakes some sense. Though I wouldnt give a kid an app that texts you every time he sets the phone down for five minutes.
Perfect size, simple design. I like the removable belt and the two-pocket inside organizer, though it should be removable, too. Great design idea to carry a U-lock. The reflective tape is more than a nice touch, its a must. Its the MacGyver starter kit. The 12-function tool is killer. A rain poncho, duct tape these guys must have served in an Indy 500 pit. The howto guide is full of pictures and the most brilliant thing is the sizedoable for any small seat bag or jersey pocket.
SOMA FABRICATIONS MORNING RUSH COFFEE HOLDER // This stainless-steel cup holder mounts to your handlebar and frees your hands on the way home from the coffee shop. $20 TOPEAK FLASHSTAND SLIM // This portable kickstand slips over your crankarm and props up your bike when theres no rack in sight. $45 ROAD ID APP // This free mobile tool tracks your ride via GPS using electronic crumbs and lets your friends and family know if you are safe when youre miles away from home.
The Soma is sleek, simple and functional. I love the full-page instructions that came with it. Get to a safe place before drinking: Thats sound advice regardless of the situation.
I ride alone all the time and change my routes on a whim. Im also an EMT, so I like the idea of easily accessible emergency info. The app was incredibly easy and fast to set up and start. But if you leave a cell-phone bubble, it may not be reliable.
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C a r l y N a i r n ; To d d M e i e r / R e d B u l l C o n t e n t P o o l ; C o u r t e s y
This stand isnt made to store your bikeits made to display it. If you have a friend on your ride whos always showing off, whip out the FlashStand. Your bike will look like a million bucks.
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M AY 1 8
SIGN UP NOW
SPOTS ARE LIMITED
2014
GFNY BEAR
2014
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BUYERS GUIDE
CONTEST
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TO ENTER
STEP 1 Visit BICYCLING.com/strickland to catch up on Bills columns and blogs. STEP 2 Submit a cycling-themed parody of Bill, in 150 words or less, at BICYCLING.com/winabike14. STEP 3 A panel of cyclist luminariesincluding the overgeared scribe himselfwill choose the winning entry. The winner gets to choose any bicycle reviewed in this issue that has a suggested retail price of $4,999 or less.
WA N T TO TA K E HOME A BIC YCLE FROM THIS ISSU E? YOULL N EED TO CH A N N EL YOU R IN N ER BILL STRICK L A N D.
It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them.
ERNEST HEMINGWAY
I lick a spot on my skin where her sweat was. I am embarrassed to do it, but when I taste nothing more exotic than my own salts I try once more in another place.
BILL STRICKLAND
THIS YEARS WIN A BIKE CONTEST pays homage to the erstwhile International Imitation Hemingway Competition. The American author was a passionate cycling fan who frequented the Parisian six-day races with his first wife, Hadley; a passage at the end of The Sun Also Rises takes place at the Tour of the Basque Country. Instead of emulating Hemingway, were inviting you to imitate BICYCLINGs own two-wheeled truth seeker, editor at large Bill Strickland. Scores of you have written to tell us how well his midpack musings on everything from hot corners to frozen nasal effluvia capture the sensations of your own rides. But because we both love Bill and enjoy being able to laugh at him, this will be a parody contest, rewarding the reader who not only best evokes Stricklands prose stylings, but displays comedic chops as well.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO enter or win. A purchase will not improve your chances of winning. Void where prohibited. Contest begins at 12:00 a.m. ET on February 27, 2014, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on April 8, 2014. Must be over 18 and a US resident of 49 US states or DC (excluding residents of AZ) or Canada (excluding residents of Province of Quebec). For the ocial rules, visit BICYCLING. com/winabike14. The winner will be determined based on how eectively the entrant evokes the spirit and style of Bill Stricklands writing in a parodic manner. Rodale Inc., 400 South Tenth St., Emmaus, PA 18098-0099, is the operator of the contest.
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BICYCLING (ISSN 0006-2073) Vol. 55 No. 3 is published 11 times a year (monthly except bimonthly in January/February) by Rodale Inc., 400 S. 10th St., Emmaus, PA 18098. Periodicals postage paid at Emmaus, PA 18049, and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to BICYCLING, P.O. Box 26299, Lehigh Valley, PA 18002-6299. In Canada: Postage paid at Gateway, Mississauga, Ontario; Canada Post Publication Mail Agreement Number 40063752. Return any address changes to BICYCLING, 2930 14th Ave., Markham, Ontario L3R 5Z8; GST #R122988611. Copyright by Rodale Inc., 2014. BICYCLING, incorporating Cyclist magazine, is published by Rodale Inc. Subscribers: If the postal authorities alert us that your magazine is undeliverable, we have no further obligation unless we receive a corrected address within 18 months.
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Must-Have Gear for Cyclists
Buy Shimano wheels, get a free set of tires from Bicycling
Fast wheels go even faster with the right tires. Speed up your ride with this special gift from Bicycling and Shimano: Buy a set of qualifying wheels from an authorized Shimano dealer, and receive a free set of Vittoria Diamante Pro tires from Bicycling.
adver tisement
HOT LIST
FORMARED-CARBON is the
elite apparel collection from Giordana. These award-winning pieces consistently set the bar for technical advancement, innovation and performance. FR-CARBON garments contour perfectly to the body, forming a second skin that makes every movement natural and comfortable. The fabrics, features and nish details of FRC garments endow them with the t and performance characteristics that other clothing simply cant achieve.
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LIST
# 1upusa.com A acecosportgroup.com amegrips.com ananichoola.co.uk B bellbikehelmets.com bernunlimited.com bike.shimano.com bikes.com bikethomson.com bmc-racing.com breezerbikes.com budnitzbicycles.com C cannondale.com cervelo.com challengetech.it chromeindustries.com ciclista-america.com colnago.com conti-online.com currietech.com D demarchi.com diamondback.com E efficientvelo.com electrabikes.com enve.com ergon-bike.com F factorbikes.com feltbicycles.com fizik.com focus-bikes.com fujibikes.com fyxation.com G giant-bicycles.com giordanausa.com gironewroad.com gtbicycles.com H honeybikes.com I industrynine.net inreachdelorme.com intensecycles.com J jamisbikes.com julianabicycles.com K khsbicycles.com 130
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konaworld.com L lezyne.com lizardskins.com M madalchemy.com marinbikes.com mavic.com N ninerbikes.com O oakley.com ortliebusa.com osmonutrition.com osymetricusa.com P parktool.com pashley.co.uk pedros.com pinarellousa.com pivotcycles.com pocsports.com powertap.com R raceface.com rapha.cc rei.com ritcheylogic.com S salsacycles.com schwalbetires.com scott-sports.com shinola.com sks-germany.com somafab.com specialized.com sram.com stanley-pmi.com stoemper.com surlybikes.com T terrybicycles.com thule.com timbuk2.com trekbikes.com U uprightcyclist.com usa.eddymerckx.com V vivabikes.com volagi.com W wahoofitness.com wd40bike.com wearebutter.com wheelsmfg.com wilier-usa.com Y yeticycles.com
800-GO-ACTIVE
www.backroads.com/outside
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ADVENTURES WorldMags.net
CROSS-COUNTRY
ROCKY MOUNTAIN CYCLE TOURS All inclusive road cycling and mountain bike adventures in the Canadian Rockies, Vancouver Island and beyond. Ride the world's most beautiful mountain road, the Iceelds Parkway Jasper - Banff! Experience Europe's best rides on our Tour de Mallorca! Small groups, great food, big smiles! Tours for different levels and private trips available! Book your trip now and save! 800-661-BIKE (2453) www.rockymountaincycle.com
37th Annual HORSEY HUNDRED Memorial Day Weekend (May 23-25). Discover cycling paradise in Kentuckys Bluegrass. Country roads through charming towns surrounded by rolling farm land, board and historic stone fences. Bourbon distilleries, vineyards and the worlds finest horses. Event details: www.horseyhundred.com Lodging info: www.georgetownky.com CAMP MONDAMIN Brother / Sister
Camps in mountains of Western NC seek staff available May 26-August 18. Mountain Biking, Paddling, Climbing, Backpacking, Sailing, and more. 800-688-5789, www.mondamin.com or www.greencove.com
WESTERN STATES
VACATION BICYCLING Lets bike in style together. Join us for fun, beautiful and unforgettable 7-day bicycle tours from $1099. Fully supported, hotels, food & SAG in GA: Silver Comet Trail; SC: Charleston; NV: Las Vegas & Red Rock; FL: Florida Keys; MA: Marthas Vineyard; NC: Outer Banks; TX: San Antonio & Austin; & HI: Maui. Come join us! 706-363-0341 or 800-490-2173. www.VacationBicycling.com TRANS-OCEANIA CYCLING TOUR
Island hopping thru Indonesia and across the Australian outback. Cycle 7,000 miles with us from Singapore to Sydney starting this August. 416-364-8255. www.tourdafrique.com
EASTERN STATES
CAROLINA TAILWINDS From South Carolinas coast to New Yorks Finger Lakes, and from easy rails-to-trails, to challenging Skyline Drive climbs. Outstanding cuisine, distinctive inns, full support. 888-251-3206, www.CarolinaTailwinds.com NEW ENGLAND CLASSIC 150 & 550 TOUR DE CURE July 12 & 13, 2014 = 150
miles or July 12-18, 2014 = 550 miles. A fully supported American Diabetes Association event. Indoor accommodations, Beautiful Landscapes. Are you ready for the ride of your life? Email Ryan: rwilliams@diabetes.org or visit www.diabetes.org/newenglandclassic
TIMBERLINE ADVENTURES Cycling & hiking vacations for those who love to bike and hike. Experience an extraordinary adventure with a group whose sole purpose for 32 years has been the U.S. & Canada. Offering 23 new tours and 73 tour dates in 2014 including our new 2108 mile cycling Odyssey and our 100 mile hiking Odyssey in England. www.timbertours.com. www.facebook.com/timberlineadventures. E-mail: timber@earthnet.net, or call 303-368-4418 or 800-417-2453. MOAB WILD WEST MOABA (Most Outstanding Annual Bicycle Adventure) A spectacular 3-day road bike
ride with high adventure options: river raft ride, canyon by night boat ride, mountain bike tour. 801-654-1144, www.moabmoaba.com
SOUTHERN STATES
CANADA
BICYCLE RIDE ACROSS GEORGIA (BRAG) Spring Tune-Up Ride, April 4-6, 2014,
Madison, GA. Bicycle Ride Across Georgia, June 8-14, 2014. Georgia BikeFest, Oct. 10-12, 2014, Columbus, GA. Great fun for families and groups. Various mileage options. 770-498-5153, Info@brag.org, www.brag.org
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Tandems Ltd
3TOCKING !MERICAgS FINEST TANDEMS AND RECUMBENTS 4EST RIDES 0ARTS 3PINERGY 2OLF TANDEM WHEELS MORE &REE CATALOG
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Call 800-867-7764
recrac.com
or visit
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BICYCLING.COM
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It doesnt just look fast. It is fast. The all-new Propel Advanced features the same AeroSystem Shaping Technology as the pro-level Propel Advanced SL, a bike that proved fastest among top aero road bikes in comprehensive wind-tunnel tests by Velo magazine. For sprints, breakaways and solo rides, this is the new shape of speed. Learn more at giant-bicycles.com/propeladvanced
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