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Friday 30 September 2011

Cycle Show Highlights 11 - Cheap Viking Fixie

OK, Viking is not a brand I would go for, but this fixie caught my
attention.

If you don't want to break the bank, but want the fixie look, then it makes
sense to take a closer look at this all steel cheapie for 300 quid.

The finishing kit is at the lower end of the scale and I suspect the frame
may be heavier than Eddy Merckx after a Flintstones themed barbeque, but I
thought it looks great.

Cycle Show Highlights 9 - Condor Terra X prototype

I had an odd feeling when I saw this beauty on the Condor stand. It just
looked so familiar and yet it is still a prototype.

Then there were the telltale signs of use - a bit of dried mud, slight
scuffing etc etc.

It was clear this is a genuine prototype that has been used in anger. It
was familiar because its been used in anger against me - at Springfield
last Sunday when Vicious Velo / Condor Marketing's Claire Beaumont
streaked away from me on the first lap of the Eastern League 3rd round.

I can tell you from experience this bike is fast, but i got a much better
look at it while it was bolted down at the NEC.

You can buy a decent Condor Cross bike now, but waiting for this disc
braked version, if thats your thing, would be a wise move. Afterall, when
you ride as fast as this bike can take you, you'll be grateful of that
extra stopping power. As Claire would say, "Boom!"

Thursday 29 September 2011

Cycle Show Highlights 8 - Qoroz Ti CX Bike

Yes, another cross bike and it was the 2nd titanium stunner of the day.

I have yet to see a Ti bike at any of the cross races I attend, but if I
had the cash, I would love to be the first.

Manufacturers were hesitant at best following the UCI decision to allow
disc brakes in CX competition but the 2012 ranges are seeing more coming
through.

This, however is a little bit special as it sports Hope's hydraulic discs.
Yep. Hydraulic. On a cross bike.

Qoroz have thrown all their regular style, panache and beautiful titanium
craftsmanship at this project and come up with a stunning but incredibly
functional looking machine.

I also loved the red accents on this bike - a departure from the standard
qoroz blue.

Cycle Show Highlights 7 - Colnago C59 Italia

Last year, the Italians were all into dayglo... So much so, that even Mario
Cipolini himself was seen in his cuban heels at the show pushing his new
clothing and dayglo accented bikes (with only one bottle cage).

Birmingham's NEC probably didn't have the allure of London for The Lion
King this year as he was nowhere to be seen.

Anyway, I've gone off topic.

The point is that this year, the Italians have gone all stealth and black.
They were all at it.

My favourite example was this Colnago C59 Italia. Three and a half thousand
quid, frame and fork.

Cycle Show Highlights 6 - Look

Look had an impressive display featuring all their well known frames.

Of particular interest for this year is their foray into fully specced, off
the shelf machines.

This 586, in particular, caught my eye.

Cycle Show Highlights 5 - Belt Drive Moulton TT Bike

Its all in the title and picture for this one.

Well, why not!?

Cycle Show Highlights 4 - S-Works McLaren Venge

Its black, its fast and it wins races.

Oh, and its a 5 Grand frameset.

Cycle Show Highlights 3 - Peugeot

It probably has something to do with my age, but Peugeot is a name that
still tugs at my cycling heart strings.

Delighted to see them back last year following a 10 year absence, I spent
the whole year without seeing one in a shop.

Apparently, retailer interest has been high today, so we can expect to see
more in the coming months. Interestingly, any Bianchi dealer can sell you
one...

This fixie caught my eye, and almost hits the spot. The only unpriced bike
on the stand, it is rumoured to be launched around the 1500 mark.

With a different saddle and chrome seatpost, stem and bar, it would be much
better (a black quill stem just doesn't look right). A more realistic price
would help too, although I must emphasise 1500 was a rumour.

Cycle Show Highlights 2 - Paulus Quiros

This was my favourite stand at the show. Every bike exquisite, this
polished, silver brazed stainless steel 953 beauty being a perfect example.
The attention to detail, craftsmanship, finish and general aura of their
bikes was astonishing.
Had a long chat with one of the partners - Jonathan Paulus. As you would
imagine, this company really is a labour of love for these guys and it
shines through.

Cycle Show Highlights 1 - Seven Ti CX Bike (through Sigma Sport)

Forgive me, but the Cross Season has started, so anything knobbly was
catching my eye.
How about this one for starters - a Ti Cross Bike from Seven built with
Enve, Chris King and Dura Ace.
Made to measure and a lot of money through Sigma Sport...

Wednesday 28 September 2011

I am a bit Cross

I love Cyclocross - I am a bit rubbish at it, but its my favourite competitive discipline, so September and the dawn of a new season is an exciting time for me. All that potential for improvement, all those summer base miles being put to good use in the mud and frost of the great British winter.

Last season was better than the one before, but I was still finishing in the bottom half, if not the bottom third, in most races, so my target for this year is to consistently finish half way through the field or better.

I was really happy with Round 1 at Writtle - finishing 37th out of a total field of 78 (76 finishers) so pretty much on target. More importantly, I felt fairly strong and fast. I did fade in the latter stages, but I had done enough and my morale was great.

I missed Round 2 at Hog Hill because of the Tour of Britain - the opportunity to ride out to the route as it swung through South Suffolk with clubmates including my son, was too good to miss. Unfortunately, I can now see the Cyclocross momentum was lost - it was an interesting race at Hog Hill with a smaller field and loads of DNFs due to a ridiculous number of punctures - a big "What if..."

Round 3 at Springfield - I was very disappointed. I just didn't have the legs on the day. I had some problems with my chain slipping on one of the few inclines and jumping off in other spots. This created some undue nervousness on the small rise which followed a dismount for steps and immediate drop - on a number of the laps I elected to run the whole thing to avoid that horrible clanking and loss of momentum. It was fairly effective in the early laps, but I ran out of steam quicker than I should. Thanks to Mark Fraser you can examine my lumbering running style here:


As with Round 1, Springfield was also a Club Champs qualifying event and I wanted to consolidate my 3rd place in the Vets category - even with a couple of our guys away on Three Peaks duty, I only managed a miserable 4th. Very well done to Peter Hall who finished behind me at Writtle only to be 1st Rover home at Springfield following an impressively strong ride.

At least there was only 6 days to wait until the next round - CC Ashwell's event at Baldock - I suffered there last year due to an energy sapping, boggy football field, but can't wait to get back into it this Saturday. Now if only I can get my bloody gears sorted!

PS - did I mention my lack of training mileage over the last month and my cold? Oh well, nevermind - no excuses, eh?!