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GamJams Tech: Premes, Picks, Promos p/b November Bicycles — 1-26-12

As a cyclist, the search for newer and better gear is constant — there's always something else out there. Premes, Picks, Promos will highlight both the next big thing and the sleeper deal. 

The weapon of choice for winter riding in Omaha — and elsewhere, I'd suspect — is the cyclocross bike. (If you thought I was going to say "fatbike," go run two laps and hang your head in shame.) Winter around here usually means enough snow to make pavement riding a bit sketchy on a road bike.

And though I've ridden plenty during the winter on a road bike, this year was when I decided to go all-in and get a 'cross bike. And since I had SPD pedals for it, I decided to get some winter boots, too. Like others, I'm sure, my hands and feet suffer most in cold (sub-freezing) temperatures. Relying upon a shoe cover for warmth in the snow was probably not going to do the trick.

But there aren't a ton of choices for winter boots. Shimano, Sidi, Lake, Northwave, Garneau and Mavic are your options. And it's usually only one model per company. In terms of accessibility for me, Shimano, Sidi and Lake were the top three.

I went with the Shimano MW81, which was new in the fall. It has a Gore-Tex liner, thermal insulation and a neoprene ankle cuff. It retails for $230 and is probably the easiest to procure of all of the brands listed. Plus, since I was ordering them without trying them on, I knew the MW81 would probably fit properly. Eric O'Brien, meanwhile, ordered the Sidi Diablo at $330. (This will be important later.)

After the first few rides, it was evident that the value of the MW81 — and most winter boots — isn't so much keeping your feet warm. Rather, it's keeping them from freezing into solid blocks of ice. Below 25 degrees, I've come to believe that you're just delaying the inevitable. Your feet will get cold in boots — but they won't freeze.

I spent the first few weeks just trying to figure out which socks work best. Thick wool socks (like GamJams Woolie Boolies) are not it. The boot's last is slightly wider than a standard shoe, but not that wide. Had I gone up a full size — as some do with the MW81 — that might have worked. But a full size up is a lot, and I don't want to have to wear a heavy wool sock just to make my shoes bit correctly.

A medium-weight wool sock, like Castelli's Gregge or Quindici, works better. I've tried it with and without a charcoal warmer underneath my toes. Why use a warmer instead of a thicker sock? A thicker sock adds bulk all around your foot. A warmer can fit under my metatarsal arch, which is ridiculously high.

GamJams Tech: Premes, Picks, Promos p/b November Bicycles — 1-19-12

As a cyclist, the search for newer and better gear is constant — there's always something else out there. Premes, Picks, Promos will highlight both the next big thing and the sleeper deal.

We try not to get too ranty around here, but today's topic may stray that way. Opinions, ahoy!

It's become an inevitability of late that, while on a ride in which cyclocross bikes are being ridden, the discussion turns to disc brakes. There are pros and cons tossed about the bunch for a few minutes. Lighter rims! Better mud-braking performance! Better overall braking performance! A bunch of other wonderful things!

Meanwhile, like a guy who grumbled (and might still be grumbling) about the move to 10-speed chains and cassettes, I just don't get it. I don't see the need for disc brakes on 'cross bikes. It seems unnecessary. Let me explain why.

One of the things I enjoyed most about 'cross this fall was the welcome diversion to offseason meandering. I mean, I like to roam around on a bike as much as anybody, but that can sometimes lead to boredom for me. So having something to do was nice — it was a little side adventure.

Based on many of the bikes I saw while racing — budget-friendly, second-tier bikes, rather than the customary full-bling road bikes — it's a nice fall diversion for many others, too. Many people just moved their road wheels (or full drivetrain) over to their 'cross bikes and got on with it.

You wouldn't be able to swap wheels with your road bike if you had disc brakes on your 'cross bike. You'd have a specific wheel with only one specific purpose. And if you want a set of wheels in the pit, you'll need to buy another pair of extremely specific wheels. While that's OK for a select few, it seems more likely that most racers who are approaching 'cross as a fall diversion are swapping wheels back and forth between their road bike and 'cross bike.

Also, it seems to me that those clamoring for disc brakes fall into one of two categories: mountain bikers and people who've never had good cantilever brakes. And many times they're one in the same. There's a reason disc brakes got hot a few years ago — old cantilever brakes sucked. (Go ahead and get all indignant, mountain bikers. That's fine.)

But the new generation of cantilever brakes is a huge step above those of the past. Avid's Shorty Ultimate, the TRP CX9 and Shimano's new CX70 — among others — all provide ample stopping power and easy setup and adjustment.

And yet, somehow, they're not good enough? We still need more stopping power?

Call me crazy, but part of what I enjoyed about 'cross this fall was wrestling the course as much as the competition. And part of that includes dealing with what the course does to your bike. That means adjusting technique and strategy as things deteriorate. Disc brakes take part of that out of the equation.

Yes, you still need to account for the course, but if you know your brakes are going to be the same, it takes away a bit of the required finesse. But is applying a ton of braking power into a muddy corner a good thing, anyway? And are you really going that fast where you need a ton of power? No, probably not.

We'll see more bikes with disc brakes in the next couple of years — I have no doubts. But for racing purposes, you won't be able to convince me that it's an improvement compared to where we are today.

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In addition to being GamJams Tech Editor, Bryan Redemske has managed the Trek Bicycle Store of Omaha, is a professional writer and a Cat 3 racer. He drinks a lot of coffee.

 

 

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Sheesh, some of that stuff is expensive. Good thing you get your frames and wheels at Pro Deal pricing. Wait — you don't? You might want to look at November Bicycles. They've got a new racer-specific model designed to strip unnecessary pricing out of the cost of your new bike. It's like a Pro Deal for everyone.

November Bicycles. Race Smart.

GamJams Tech: Premes, Picks, Promos p/b November Bicycles — 1-12-12

Mark Savery placed fifth in the Masters 40-44 race last weekend at the US National Cyclocross Championships in Madison, Wisc. Photo by Joshua Stamper

As a cyclist, the search for newer and better gear is constant — there's always something else out there. Premes, Picks, Promos will highlight both the next big thing and the sleeper deal.

Mark Savery has been thinking about this weekend for more than two years. Chances are, he'll keep thinking about it for years to come. The Omaha rider is in Louisville, Ky., for the UCI Masters World Cyclocross Championships this weekend. (And he was on a local TV morning show yesterday.)

Savery, who rides for Trek Midwest CX, placed fifth in last weekend's US Masters 40-44 Championship race. He made plans to race this weekend when the venue was awarded to Louisville in the fall of 2009. He drew the No. 1 slot for today's 30-minute seeding race, which will set the call-up rows for Saturday's championship race. UPDATE: Savery finished third in today's race.

The weather forecast for the next few days in Louisville is abysmal. It rained most of the day on Wednesday, and snow is on the way for later today. An already soft course will likely be a slop-fest by the end of the day.

We spoke with Savery this morning about his equipment plans for the next few days.

"It's going to be a total mud slog, basically," he said. "It's gonna be brutal."

Savery will ride a pair of Trek Cronus Ultimate bikes with a SRAM Red drivetrain on his A bike and a SRAM Force drivetrain on his B bike. Both have Avid Shorty Ultimate brakes and Bontrager bars, stems, seatposts and saddles.

With the sloppy conditions, the Challenge Limus tire is really the only choice. Tires will be glued to a set of Bontrager XXX-Lite carbon wheels on the A bike and Bontrager RXL aluminum wheels on the B bike. Savery has a set of the new Bontrager Aeolus 5 wheels as well, but they're glued up with dry-weather Challenge tires.

"At this point it's coming down to how good you are in the conditions," he said. "How good of a bike handler you are; how good of a runner. It's power-heavy course."

With plunging temperatures, clothing may turn out to be more important than the bike, which almost turns into an afterthought after tire selection.

Underneath his helmet, Savery will go with a traditional cycling cap — to better keep the mud off of his glasses.

"Everybody thinks the mud comes from below, but by the time it hits you it's on the downward arc," he said.

Savery won't put the aero rainshell cover on his Lazer helmet, though. At temperatures above freezing, it's too hot at race intensity.

He'll use a long-sleeved thermal skinsuit, paired with Castelli's Nano-Flex leg warmers. The fabric coating on the warmers is water resistant and helps shed mud and moisture. He's been using Mad Alchemy's pre-ride warming oil underneath for additional warmth.

Castelli's neoprene Diluvio glove will tackle the potentially wet conditions.

"I'm thinking about putting some embrocation on my hands, too," Savery said. "Staying warm is going to be a key."

For shoes, Savery has a full-Lorica version (no mesh) of the Sidi Spider, which have 3/4-inch toe spikes installed. Instead of going with a thicker wool sock underneath, Savery prefers to go with a standard sock and normal blood circulation.

This is all well and good pre-race, but once things get started, Savery will be focused on keeping his bikes clean for as long as possible.

"I've been thinking about taking two bikes per lap, since it's a double pit," he said. "We'll do what we have to do to keep it clean for 10 minutes at a time."

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In addition to being GamJams Tech Editor, Bryan Redemske has managed the Trek Bicycle Store of Omaha, is a professional writer and a Cat 3 racer. He drinks a lot of coffee.

 

 

—

Sheesh, some of that stuff is expensive. Good thing you get your frames and wheels at Pro Deal pricing. Wait — you don't? You might want to look at November Bicycles. They've got a new racer-specific model designed to strip unnecessary pricing out of the cost of your new bike. It's like a Pro Deal for everyone.

November Bicycles. Race Smart.

 

Equipe CMI / BST: Local Team With Euro-Schedule

After a pleasant and relaxing winter/off season Equipe CMI/BST are looking ahead to 2012.  With new sponsors to be announced later in the new year, the team will be returning with a series of experienced riders, solid results and full support staff who will be taking care of the International Calendar for the team in 2012.

The Team will once again focus on UCI Europe Tour, Africa Tour and hopefully some UCI Asia Tour races to add to the Mid Atlantic racing calendar.  Currently finalizing the 2012 calendar, the Team will be kicking off the UCI season with the 10 day UCI 2.2 Tour du Maroc at the end of March, followed by a series of 3 single day races also in Morocco called the “Challenge des Phosphates”.  Following on from the UCI Africa Tour races the team is aiming to race in Holland, the United Kingdom, Morocco again in May, and either Belgium or Italy before returning to the Tour of Serbia in June where Sebastien Jullien won the final stage in 2011.  

Riders Sebastien Jullien and Zbigniew Gucwa will both be taking their fast turn of speed to Morocco.  Zbigniew has proven his sprinting abilities with wins in the UCI 2.2 Tour du Faso in Africa and 2.2 Tour de Gironde in France.The team’s best GC rider and overall winner of the 2010 Tour du Faso is looking forward to starting the season in Morocco.  Julien Shick kicked off his UCI season there 2 years ago and is keen to return to the 10 day stage race before attacking the rest of the season.

Fred Wittwer lays down "old man power" to take stars and stripes at CX Nats

Charlottesville's favorite son (and dad) Fred Wittwer (ALAN North American Cycling) put in an impressive performance at the USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships yesterday, and handily won the gold medal in the Men's 60-64 category. An excellent write-up on Cyclocross Magazine reveals that Fred prized open a gap in the 2nd lap, and extended it as the race wore on - despite breaking a collarbone only 10 weeks ago.

Fred was also interviewed by Cyclocross Magazine following his win, thusly:

 

MABRA Needs You To Wear A Blue Shirt!

When the holiday seasons goes off the back, racing season comes into view as that breakaway just on the horizon.  Yes, it is time to start thinking about our 2012 season!  MABRA needs you!

At the regional and state levels, the planning for 2012 is well underway and features a very full schedule.  MABRA's schedule can be viewed here and the Virginia Cycling Association can be viewed here.  Racers will notice that there is very little white space on the calendar and -- for the first time -- it includes an aggressive track schedule.  Details about track and, of course, cyclocross are forthcoming.  

To make it all a reality, new officials are needed! Desperately!

According to Jim Patton, MABRA Officials' Coordinator, last year's "response was outstanding and the class of 2010 was one of the best we've ever had."  Despite this quality, nearly 50% of the clinic attendees never worked an event due to the transient nature of the MABRA region.  Thus, there is always a need for new recruits. This year there is a special need for help in the following areas to help keep promoters' costs down: north in the I-95 corridor (especially Delaware); north in the Frederick and Hagerstown areas; and west along the I-66 corridor.

The entry level USA Cycling Official's training takes one day plus a little study preparation -- and there is NO cost to the new official.  The first Entry Level Official's clinic is scheduled for February 4 in Odenton, MD -- and there will be other options for training.  Check out this link to learn all you'll need to know and send any candidate information directly to Jim Patton.  He'll make it easy for you to make it easy for racers to make it hard on race day.