Rodale

Monday, October 31, 2011

USICX: Men's and women's standings are under new leadership

There are new leaders of the menand#39;s and womenand#39;s standings on the United States International Cyclo-cross Calendar (USICX) standings. On Saturday, the riders contested the Colorado Cross Classic in Boulder, Colo. and the Beacon Cross in Bridgton, N.J. The HPCX in Jamesburg, N.J. and the Victory Circle Graphix Boulder Cup in Boulder took center stage on Sunday.

Source: USA Cycling News Headlines

Livestrong's early finish leads Lewis down unexpected roads

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How a UCI ruling opened the Australian to racing at Sun Tour, Southland


Source: Cyclingnews News Headlines

Eddy Merckx Cycles parts ways with Quick Step

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Belgian bike company to focus on developing talent in Pro Continental and Continental ranks


Source: Cyclingnews News Headlines

UCI releases Olympic road race allocations

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Luxembourg, Norway, Ireland hit for lack of depth


Source: Cyclingnews News Headlines

Pearson Carbon Pro review

Family-run Pearson Cycles claim to be the oldest bike shop in the world – so they should know what they're doing. The company aren't new to carbon fibre either, this being the sixth incarnation of the Carbon Pro since 2004.

The result is a high quality, race ready bike that combines 150 years of cycling heritage and cutting-edge materials in one elegant package. Not only does it have a carbon frame with integrated seatpost and carbon fork, but our bike came with Shimano's Dura-Ace Di2, making it one of the best value electronic-shifting machines out there.

The newest Carbon Pro has an oversized bottom bracket shell. It's not as massive as many we've seen but combined with the frame's oversize integrated seatmast there's a great sense of power and efficiency coursing through this bike when you put your foot down.

We did think the seatmast might result in an overly harsh feel on so-so surfaces, but while not offering a soft ride it stays comfortable enough as the miles rack up. That's helped by Fizik's Arione saddle and the excellent wing profile Pro Stealth bar. In fact, the seatmast is more of an issue when you're travelling with your bike, making the frame that bit harder to pack.

We'd still place this bike at the racier end of the road market. It's a machine for competitive riders and those looking to cut down on their sportive times. Mavic's Cosmic Carbone SL wheels add to the ultra-efficient feel, their aluminium braking surfaces meaning stopping power is good.

However, we discovered during some gusty weather that not all deep-section rims are created equal, the Cosmic's flat profile 52mm ones being much more susceptible to sidewinds than other similarly deep rims with more curved profiles. But the highlight of the kit spec has to be the Di2 shifting.

It works absolutely impeccably time after time. The disadvantage is aesthetic, the unsightly down tube cable bosses still being in situ. A final point in the Carbon Pro's favour is that kit choice is down to you, with SRAM and Campagnolo available. All Pearson's bikes are built to order, with the assurance of 150 years of history behind that service.

This article was originally published in Cycling Plus magazine.



Original: BikeRadar.com Road Bikes & Gear

Viganò joins Lampre-ISD for 2012

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Italian arrives from Leopard Trek


Source: Cyclingnews News Headlines

Scott Shirt Next2Skin base layer review

Scott's Shirt Next2Skin isn't the flashiest style we've tested but it's an unfussy hard worker from the traditional base layer school that's designed to be worn under everything, where it'll suck up sweat to keep you dry and comfortable.

The instantly notable feature is the fabric itself – with a very open texture, it feels very smooth and light to wear. It's made using Meryl fibre, which is a name you may want to tuck away in your mind for future reference if you like your cycling tops to have a smooth feel combined with high performance.

The label comes with lots of informative detail about drying too – what that translated to in testing for us was that we never felt damp and were usually dry by the time we rolled the bike back into the shed at the end of a ride.

The slim fit worked well for us – but we'd ideally wish for more extensive use of flatlock seams and a deeper cuff. That would be the icing on our base layer cake and give something more of a style edge.

This article was originally published in What Mountain Bike magazine.



Via: BikeRadar.com Road Bikes & Gear

English and Cuming sign for Rapha Condor-Sharp

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Young riders swell team to 14 ahead of 2012 season


Source: Cyclingnews News Headlines

Campagnolo Khamsin road wheelset review

Campagnolo's budget wheelset isn't light, but includes quality features and runs smooth and long for the money. Fulcrum and Campagnolo are closely related and the Khamsin shares the same front hub shell, skewers and steel freehub body of the former's £850-more-expensive Racing Five wheels.

They share the same double driveside, single offside arrangement, with straight-gauge round spokes grouped into distinctive triple sheafs at the rim. The Khamsin also gets more rounded non-eyeletted rims and weight reflects the low price.

The freehub is available in Campagnolo or SRAM/Shimano formats. It picks up drive securely and the wheels track and transmit power purposefully. The open centre covers can harbour grime if not checked regularly. Not light, but a predictable handling, solid feeling and long running wheelset for the price.

This article was originally published in Triathlon Plus magazine.



Origin: BikeRadar.com Road Bikes & Gear

Guardini must develop, says Cipollini

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Lion King joins young Italian sprinters on the track in Japan


Source: Cyclingnews News Headlines