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Source: Cyclingnews News Headlines
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Valley Preferred Cycling Center to host 2012-13 Juniors Track Nats
The Valley Preferred Cycling Center (VPCC) in Trexlertown, Pa. will host the USA Cycling Juniors Track National Championships in 2012 and 2013. Hundreds of the nationandrsquo;s top young track cyclists are expected to flock to the VPCC July 11-15, 2012.
Source: USA Cycling News Headlines
Pro GRT: Warren and Kintner seal 2011 overall after Northstar finale
USA Cyclingand#39;s Pro Gravity calendar (Pro GRT) finished last weekend with the Northstar Downhill in Truckee, Calif. Finishing second at Northstar Cody Warren earned the menand#39;s overall title, while Jill Kintner topped the womenand#39;s standings despite not contesting the series finale.
Source: USA Cycling News Headlines
Tri Bike Review: Orbea Ordu
EVEN IN THE WORLD OF ODD-LOOKING TRIATHLON FRAMES, the Editors' Choice winner, Orbea's Ordu (July 2011), stands out from the pack with a wedge-shaped seat-tube junction that recalls something Mondrian might have painted. "It was the best way we found to maximize appropriate airflow once you combined the frame with a rider," says Orbea operations manager Paul Alexander of the eye-catching design, which was refined in a San Diego wind tunnel. Other aero elements include the teardrop-shaped down and head tubes, both of which also found their way onto Orbea's redesigned Orca road bike (reviewed in July). The SLT is the entry-level model in the six-bike Ordu line, but it shares its frame shapes with bikes higher up the line, "so you're getting the same aero profile as the guys on the Euskaltel team," Alexander says, referring to the Orbea-sponsored World Tour team. To keep the price down on the SLT, Orbea uses a less-expensive grade of carbon fiber, as well as cheaper wheels and components.
During my training rides and races, the Ordu proved to be efficient and fast. It also climbed well for a tri bike and responded quickly when I wanted to stand and accelerate out of the saddle. I was most impressed with the bike's confident performance on descents. Riding fast downhill typically is not my strength, but on the Ordu I found myself flying past other riders—even those with slightly more mass to pull them along. You also get a good mix of speed and stability, and the geometry is similarly well balanced. The Ordu's stack and reach of 520 and 409mm (size 54) make it a middle-of-the-road fit compared with similar bikes—it's more upright than a -Cervélo P3, for instance, but not as tall as the Trek Speed Concept 7.5. The geometry makes it a good choice for cyclists looking for an aggressive position but who can't touch their toes or for those who are flexible yet want a more comfortable position for longer events.
As a lower-priced bike, the Ordu compromises in some areas, including the reliable but heavy Mavic Aksium wheels. While these are great for training, upgrading to a wheelset with a deeper profile will improve the bike's aerodynamics—and increase its overall speed. I also liked the adjustable Profile Design Ozone aerobar, which has straight extensions. Newer triathletes, though, may find that it takes them a few rides to adjust to bending their wrists to grip the bar. You get two seatpost options: One lets you choose a seat angle of 74 or 76 degrees for a road racers' time-trial position, and the other puts you farther forward for a triathlon with angles of 78 or 80 degrees. You can customize your Ordu through Orbea's MyO program, which offers color options for bar tape, paint, and tires; the size and material of your bike's bar and stem, and different saddles and wheels.—Emily Furia
Buy it if: Your goal is to finish in the money at your local tri series next summer
Forget it if: You don’t want to go back for later upgrades—the wheels aren’t ready for race day
Price: $3,299
Weight: 19.69 lb. (54cm)
Sizes: 48, 51, 54 (tested), 57cm
Frame: Orbea Ordu Silver carbon
Fork: Orbea Ordu Silver carbon
Component highlights: Shimano Dura-Ace shifters, Ultegra crankset (53/39), brakes, and derailleurs, 105 cassette (11-25); Mavic Aksium Black wheels; Vittoria Diamante Pro 700x23 tires; Profile Design Ozone bar; Orbea Ordu carbon seatpost, aluminum pro stem; Selle Italia SL T1 saddle
Info: orbea-usa.com
Credit: Bicycling Magazine
Colnago M10 – frameset only review
Italian masters Colnago had huge success last year with their Giro d'Italia stage-winning CX-1. So, did the company rest on their Latin laurels? Of course not. This year's M10 is a development of the CX-1 and is, somewhat inevitably, claimed to be lighter and laterally stiffer than its predecessor.
We're also not surprised by Colnago's claim that it's designed to offer a 'more forgiving ride', though we suspect that doesn't mean it's going to be Specialized Roubaix-like plush, as underneath that spanking paintjob beats the heart of an Italian thoroughbred. Out on the road the Colnago's looks turned heads wherever it went, and it turned corners as convincingly as anything else out there. Its pin- sharp handling lets you throw it into descents and around hairpins with total confidence.
It's sold as a frameset by its UK distributors, who also supply the pro-level 50mm FSA tubular wheels that contribute to the bike's performance. When it comes to climbs, the Colnago shows why it's won grand Tour stages. The seriously beefy bottom bracket section and chunky chainstays translate into instant acceleration when you're climbing out-of-the-saddle or accelerating on the flat. It's light too – 6.91kg here, built with Campagnolo Record and FSA kit.
While we weren't surprised that performance lived up to expectations, we were relieved that this speed machine did so without leaving you feeling beaten up. Some of our testers weren't impressed with the unforgiving and minimally padded S Manie saddle, but this is about the only thing we'd consider changing. Shifting from the combination of Campag Record, FSA chainset and the internally routed Nokon cabling was typically faultless, and the FSA bar was suitably stiff and comfortable.
The M10 might not make you win a stage at the Giro, but you wouldn't be able to use the bike as an excuse. Yes, it's expensive, but the quality is such that buying it wouldn't just be a case of your heart ruling your head.
This article was originally published in Cycling Plus magazine.
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Original: BikeRadar.com Road Bikes & Gear
Limar Speed Demon aero helmet review
The Speed Demon isn't loaded with high technology, but it offers good bang for your buck. It's not too high or too wide, so it presents a small profile to the wind. This is thanks to thin ear flaps, which don't offer much crash protection, but do sit very snugly to the side of your head to reduce drag.
It kept our heads cool as there are only five main contact points between your head and the inside of the helmet. There are six vents at the front too, which aid airflow but increase drag. It offered lots of adjustability to help you find the best position.
This article was originally published in Triathlon Plus magazine.
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