by Velospeak | Nov 1, 2013 | Uncategorized
It has taken some time to put together this post, because I wanted to be able to figure out the best way to accurately describe the bike fitting I received from Steven Carre at Bike Effect. The fitting was one of the best cycling related experiences I have had, and I wanted to convey how important a fitting is to achieve complete comfort on the bike. The fitting started on a Saturday morning, and was a two part affair. My bike was attached to the stationary platform, and I was asked to hop on and pedal. Steven just watched. He studied my movements and my position. He asked what felt good and what bothered me when riding, in addition to the typical amount of mileage I ride. I told Steven as much as I could, hoping it would be sufficient to guide him in the fitting. I wasn’t feeling all that uncomfortable on the bike, but any ride longer than 50 miles was definitely a struggle. So, after watching me, and getting answers to his questions, Steven proceeded with a physical inspection of my body. My leg length and spine alignment were checked, and my flexibility tested. This part of the fitting was incredibly detailed and time consuming. Steven’s background and thorough training in the subject were readily apparent. I discovered that I have a slight curvature of the spine that makes it look as if my legs are different lengths. They are not, it is just the way my body compensates for the curvature. It was refreshing to learn more about my body, as well as some solutions to remedy the problems. I only wish my doctor spent as much time with me. If he did, I would be an incredibly well informed and healthy person. After the physical assessment, small changes were made to the bike. The saddle came down a bit, the bars went up a bit, and there were significant changes to my cleat position. In addition, new insoles were put in my shoes. Lastly, I sat on a small gel stool for a measurement of my sit bones. This alone was worth the price of admission. I had never found a saddle that allowed me to ride long distances without feeling sore. It turns out my sit bones are set quite far apart, and that a 155cm saddle is what I needed. None of the saddles I had tried were the right width, meaning my sit bones were never positioned correctly. Essentially, the saddle was being jammed into an area that really does not enjoy that type of pressure. So, a new saddle was purchased, the components were adjusted, and I was back on the bike to see how it felt. Steven watched me again for a bit, and part one was complete. I was sent home to ride. The two part fit is for a reason. Once everything is analyzed and set, you are able to go home and try out the changes. This gives you time to get used to it, and check that everything is working correctly. The second part of the fit comes after you’ve ridden for a few weeks and had the chance to really get a sense of the changes. I felt pretty set minus a small amount of pressure on my hands. I mentioned this in part two, and another slight adjustment was made. Now it all felt perfect. I have since ridden many hundreds of miles, and the improvement is astonishing. For the folks who have power meters, I’m sure visible gains are made. For me, it is about being able to ride 80 plus miles in comfort. This is something I was never able to do before. Steven’s thoughtful and thorough approach to bike fitting has made riding an absolute pleasure. It is a time intensive process, but worth every minute, as being able to ride in comfort is well worth the time spent in the shop. Call Bike Effect to make an appointment with Steven, and you will be rewarded with an experience that thoroughly improves your cycling.
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by Velospeak | Oct 28, 2013 | Uncategorized
And he also enjoyed riding his bike…….
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by Velospeak | Oct 23, 2013 | Uncategorized
This should be an excellent event. Mark your calendar for next Wednesday, the 30th.
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by Velospeak | Oct 22, 2013 | Uncategorized
The Carbon.Access.Tool. by Ruckus Comp in Portland, is a product I can firmly stand behind. I am always looking for new and simple ways to carry keys, and the Carbon.Access.Tool. seems to fit the bill perfectly. The Kickstarter for the project ends in three days, so head on over and reserve your own elegant Carbon.Access.Tool.
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by Velospeak | Oct 21, 2013 | Uncategorized
Today, Mission Workshop unveils their new brand: Acre. It debuts with two hydration packs, and a selection of clothing. The collection is geared towards the mountain biker, but I think a fair amount of crossover will be commonplace. The highlight for me is the Hauser, a 14 liter weatherproof hydration pack, and the Meridian, a waterproof cycling jacket. The styling is elegant and sleek and a very welcome addition to the mountain bike scene. Also visit the site for beautiful photography shot on location in Switzerland and Sweden.
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by Velospeak | Oct 20, 2013 | Uncategorized
This is my car. I’ve had this TR6 for well over 15 years, and I love it. Or, should I say, I mostly love it. The last four weeks, the car has been in the shop having various repairs done. When I think it is all buttoned up and ready to go, something else comes up. I realize the car is old, and British, but the same issues come up for our newish VW as well. It is the nature of the beast. Automobiles are complicated machines, meaning there are many things that can go wrong. When it is all going right, the TR6 is a dream. It is fun, fast, and definitely can get my heart rate going. That being said, I can get my heart rate going even more readily by riding my bicycle. I can also get places on my bicycle, and usually faster than I can in my car. I have a few bicycles, and the repairs needed to keep them running involve a bit of lube and some slight cable adjustments, all of which I can do on my own. Even if I paid to have this done, it would be mere pennies compared to work done on an automobile. For the amount of money I’ve spent in the last few weeks keeping the Triumph happy and healthy, I could have bought a custom made frame and fork. Hmmm, my priorities might not be in order.
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by Velospeak | Oct 16, 2013 | Made in the USA, Product Reviews, Uncategorized
It took a trip to Frankfurt, Germany, to discover Topo Designs, based in Colorado. Funny how that works. Travel to the other side of the globe to discover what is in your own backyard. I’m glad the discovery was made, and I immediately contacted them to get a sample of the Klettersack, their classic 22 liter backpack. The backpack is a simple design, with a large compartment sporting a dedicated laptop sleeve, and a smaller zippered top pocket. There are also side pockets for stowing bottles or other gear. The simplicity is great, and the bag can be filled to the brim with everything a day hiker or commuter might need. For me, this means shoes, a laptop, a jacket, and the other smaller necessities of daily life. There are leather lash tabs for the required blinky light, or if you really want to light up your ride, attach a blinky to all four tabs. The quality of the backpack is top notch, with all manufacturing taking place in their LEED certified facility in Colorado. Topo Designs is a thoughtful company and much time is spent prototyping their products before releasing them into the wild. The Klettersack is a byproduct of this philosophy, and it’s apparent in its ease of use and rugged good looks. I am a fan of the Klettersack, and I hope to bring you more Topo products in the future.
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by Velospeak | Oct 16, 2013 | Product Reviews, Uncategorized
The temperatures are cooling in LA. The mornings have a crispness we haven’t felt since April. It is not super cold, just a bit chilly. This presents a problem when going on a long ride with climbing. I leave the house wearing a base layer and jersey, feeling perfectly comfortable. Then I get to the climb, and I start sweating from the effort. All is still good, and the climb comes to an exhausting end. Now I am covered in sweat, and there is a long descent to follow. This is where the problem arises. I freeze on these types of descents. The sweat mixed with the wind conspires to chill me to the bone. This is where the Assos sV.blitzFeder vest comes into play. The vest is an incredibly lightweight sleeveless shell that stuffs into its own built in sack. When compressed, the shell easily fits in any of your jersey pockets. It is so lightweight and discreet, you will hardly notice its presence. I pull it out at the summit of a climb, and put it on for the descent. Flying down Mulholland Highway at full speed, the blitzFeder creates a perfect barrier between your core and the wind. I do not feel any chill whatsoever on the entire descent. The shell works. There are others that accomplish this same feat, but the fit of the Assos blitzFeder is what sets it apart. The shell is so well designed and tailored, that it does not rustle in the wind at all. As I said, full speed down the mountain, and nary a noise. The blitzFeder shell is the perfect item to carry in your jersey pocket for the cooling temperatures, and it will be with me for all my rides until we greet summer next year.
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by Velospeak | Oct 15, 2013 | Product Reviews, Uncategorized
Once in a while, I am sent a product that isn’t entirely cycling related. One such product is the JBL Charge Bluetooth streaming speaker. It was on my doorstep when I returned from my summer trip to Switzerland. I love surprises, so opening the package was a good deal of fun. On initial inspection, I was quite skeptical the Charge would be something I would like to use. I assumed it would be complicated to set up, and that the sound would be less than desirable. I was proven wrong on both fronts. The instructions couldn’t be simpler, and within moments, the speaker was paired with my iPhone. It really was simple. Once paired, it will remember your device for as long as you own it, so no need to re-pair the device down the road. So, that part was easy, but next up was the sound. The first song that came up on shuffle was a tune by Moby. Heavy electronic music is a good test of a speaker, so this was more than appropriate for my first listen. The Charge was music to my ears. That such a small speaker could have such a solid and deep sound seems a bit of a miracle. It easily compares to other high end speaker systems, and is unmatched in its simplicity. It retails for $149.95, and is available in three different colors. And, for a tie in to a cycling blog, the JBL Charge can easily be strapped to a bike rack, or thrown in a bag, for music on the go while cycling. This little speaker is an amazing bit of technology with an incredibly simple user interface. JBL has a success on its hands with the Charge.
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by Velospeak | Oct 11, 2013 | Uncategorized
The Rapha Training and Racing Range for winter was released today. There are many new products geared towards cold weather riding. The Winter Jersey pictured above is one of my favorites, along with the Transfer Jacket. There are enough products available to keep you warm through the coldest conditions, even for those living outside sunny LA. The lookbook for the collection is worth perusing, as the locations and photography are stunning. It actually makes it tempting to seek out a snow-covered ride in freezing conditions.
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