Oi

"Oi" : The bike bell that doesn't look like a bike bell from knog on Vimeo.

BIKE NEWS

Interesting links from the interwebs.

This bike is yours for only $70K




http://www.fastcodesign.com/1670753/this-9-cardboard-bike-can-support-riders-up-to-485lbs

http://www.fastcodesign.com/1670944/a-70000-wooden-bike-crafted-like-a-century-old-chair#3

http://www.likecool.com/The_Bicymple--Bike--Gear.html

TMR01

Want one!!! Super cheesy, euro-naff advert of Gilbert hooning around, but awesme looking bike! SDW

TIS THE SEASON TO TIME TRIAL

It appears I was late to the party on this one. A few BG found this site months ago and have already been logging lots of miles. I only just spotted the link on Cycling Tips and thought i would check it out. STRAVA. 

CHECK THE RIMS YO!

RS80

Deep section wheels apart from shaving seconds off ITT times and helping you sail along in other riders drafts can often add the final touch to an already good looking ride giving it that PRO look. But how much should we be spending for small percentage gains and a bit of BLING.

YES PLEASE!

Via Bike rumor

Carbon dura ace pedals for 2011, look very nice!!

WHACKY WHEELS

Wow - these wheels look nuts. I want them i want them i want them!! Imagine what a 80mm rear would look like!

"Mad Fiber launched these wheels at the Tour of California, and they’re just gone into full production and should be on the market soon. Besides the obvious design differences (look at those spokes!), they’re supposedly just as fast straight on as in crosswinds and climbing…and they tip the scales at just 1085g/set!" - Bike Rumor

Full Story : http://www.bikerumor.com and Mad Fiber

SRAM RED..I MEAN YELLOW?!?

via bike rumor

If your pro riding the 2010 Tour de France on sram you can now colour coordinate your groupset with your leaders jersey! Not available to weekend warriors yet - but if I was defecting from shimy, i'd roll the red in red if i had a choice!

MAVIC ROLLING DEEP

Via www.bikerumor.com

Photos leaked out of Japan show a new 80mm Cosmic Carbone for 2011. Previously Mavic only produced a 50mm rim for public sale. Black decals look shit hot!

They have also brought out a new Ksyrium Sr which borrows the carbon spoke system from the R-sys. They look ver y nice and light and the photos show it with the trade mark Ksyrium coloured spoke in white.!

See more @ www.bikerumor.com

BIKE TECH

New 2011 Specialized Road Range - read more @BikeRumor

GET THE GRIP - ITS OFFICIAL

From the CONTI site:
German magazine TOUR has recently featured a comprehensive road tyre test, covering many aspects of tyre performance, even including 'real time' wet grip where their human tester donned motorcycle leathers and pushed his specially adapted test bicycle to the limit on each different set of tyres.
The complete test can be downloaded CLICK HERE.

The Continental GP4000 was a clear winner by performing well in all areas.

Another finding was that the difference between the best and worst tyres is bigger than the aerodynamic difference between the best and worst wheels!

Puncture resistance has generally improved also, with nine tyres passing TOURS puncture test, more than ever before.Grand Prix 4000S was the most consistant tyre with a weight of 207 grams on the test sample. Its rolling resistance measured in at 34.3 watts, beating even the lighweight race only tyres from the competitors.

The time it took a sharp screwdriver to penetrate the GP4000s through the tread at a load of 35 kg was three minutes. In fact the test was stopped prior to any penetration as three minutes was defined by the magazine as a 'pass'. Only two other brands also attained a pass grade here.

Too see the full article CLICK HERE or GET THE GRIP

LOOK PEDALS

LOOK have created some porn pedals for Alberto Contador in yellow to celebrate his latest grand tour victory. Don't know about riding with a pair of these on my bike (appropriate if you are alberto contador or if you are leading the tour de france and you are alberto contador, otherwise your a bit of a dick) but they sure look good. Albertos whip from 09 Tour.

LOOK as always are at the fore front of pedal technology showing off some new tech at euro bike with the KEO Blade which uses a piece of carbon fibre as the spring!! Only US$500

If you like the LOOK my recomendtion if you want bang for buck go with the KEO SPRINTS in white or step up to the Keo 2 MAX.

SNOW BIKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not much need be said....!!!!

http://www.gizmag.com/go/6633/picture/29972/

LITESPEED GO CARBON

More known for their Ti frames lite speed have come to the dark side with their latest carbon areo model. Looks nice on the zipps but lacks class whwn placed on standard rims.

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/news/article/eurobike-litespeed-does-carbon-23040

http://www.litespeedcarbon.com/

I must declare that; I'm a massive Continental fan so all opinions expressed in this article are bias. But Continental have released some great fact on there range on their site, which confirms some of my love for the brand and it's product. Interestingly the facts and figures confirm some of my beliefs. To really cut along story sort:

http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/bicycle/general/home/index_en.html

Buy black tyres - they grip better and the compounds will last longer. Some part of the colouring process degrades the quality of the rubber from it's maximum. Conti being German and precise; will not award it's coveted "black Chili" label to any of its coloured compounds.

Buy black chili - the advantages in grip and rolling resistance are quite significant. You can only get black!

Buy GP4000 s - 's' for black chilli: For the types of riding Bastardi's do this is one of the best tyre's out their. These tyres are a measure of puncture resistance over rolling resistance and are good enough to race on yet reliable enough to ride all year. These tyres grip like no man's business.

Don't buy gatorskins - except for a commuter bike. These are as puncture resistant as hell and can be ridden on the canvas but the grip level is a serious compromise.

Note: i can compare these to Vitoria Rubio Pro's Slicks, which came on my TCR, which are top of the range Vittoria race tyres and i much prefer the feedback and ride of the GP. I can also compare to Specialized Mondo tyre which is a good tyre in it's own right but not a scratch on the GP4000 s.

Some general tips on tyres:

Always buy a foldable tyre, these are much easier to fit then beaded tyres - also easier to store.

Replace tyres regularly - it's the difference between being up right and sliding down the road.

Don't be tight arse when buying them - for the same reason as above.

Getting regular punctures - time for a new tyre.

Never patch a tyre - you should be pumping it up to a round 100-120psi, a patch is not going to cut it spring $12 you tight arse! patching a tyre changes the regularity in which inflates creating bulges in the tyre which will create a wobble or bump through the bike and compromise handling and may damage your rims.

A interesting brochure with some great literature on Continentals range.

http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/bicycle/general/downloads/brochure_bicycle_tires_en.html

Over view of Continentals tyre range.

http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/bicycle/themes/tires/application_guide/application_guide_en.html