News that the UCI’s scheme to approve frame designs and oblige racers from the Pro Tour to the village kermesse to ride on a UCI-approved bike is set to go ahead. Only the reports say the costs of licencing have been reduced substantially, in some cases from 12,000 Swiss Francs down to 5,000. I can … Read more
Today saw the Europcar team presentation. The green livery is certain to stand out given many other teams seem to have gone for a mixture of blue and black. But look closely at the photo above and you’ll see a trend in pro clothing that hasn’t been remarked upon as much: it’s tight fitting. Increasingly … Read more
I covered the subject of the new UCI bike rules on Monday. To summarise, new rules are coming that require anyone racing to have a frame that has been approved for use by the UCI. The manufacturer has to submit their wares to Switzerland for approval. Anyone in a UCI-sanctioned road race, from the Tour … Read more
UPDATE added below at 18:00 CET I read about the scheme for UCI approval of bikes soon after it was announced and my first thought was that it sounded like an excessive procedure, that a governing body doesn’t need to validate equipment. After all, manufacturers can face prodigious law suits from customers if the product … Read more
Four letter word I’m a fan of Campagnolo and it bothered me to see Liquigas switching to SRAM, when Italy’s top team leaves behind it’s national partner I can’t help feel a tiny pain in my heart. But before you leap to the comments, note I’m not obsessive, I’ve had Shimano before and it’s proved … Read more
Proof that it doesn’t work? I wrote back in August that the Italians were investigating the phenomenon of Power Balance wristbands. Being sarcastic, this means the Italians might rule on the matter by 2015 but the wheels of justice turn slowly in many other countries. Nuevas energias, gracias a la magia de hologramas Nevertheless they … Read more
Here’s Tyler Farrar’s 2011 ride, courtesy of Velonews. Now I don’t mean this in too serious a way, I’ve not turned into The Bike Snob, it’s more a small observation. But this looks like the ride of a weekend warrior with an active eBay account, not the steed of a top sprinter. First up the … Read more
I read on the Italian Cycling Journal that Cannondale is auctioning off its aluminium manufacturing tools from its factory in Bedford, Pennsylvania. As the Journal rightly comments, it marks the end of an era. Once the height of modernity 20 years ago practically every frame was steel. The likes of Vitus and Alan made “alloy” … Read more
Just a small observation but looking at the high end wheels there seems to be a trend of heavier rims. In recent years we’ve seen some really light wheels. Take the 2010 Reynolds MV32-T, the 32mm deep wheelset. It’s been listed at an impressive 1000 grams per pair. But the 2011 version, the “Thirty Two” … Read more
Cyclists often like to compare their rides. Almost every amateur with a powermeter will check their wattages against those of a pro and many holiday makers to the mountains like to know how they did compared to the time a race went over a nearby pass. But comparisons aren’t always easy. It’s hard to get … Read more