ELITE RAMPA Smart(er) Trainer
BACKGROUND With the news that Computrainer is shutting down business, this trainer couldn’t have come at a better time. I recently started searching for a new trainer to eventually replace the CompuTrainer. Several makes and models showed promise. Elite seemed to have all the bases covered (see below), so they were my first go-to choice. TYPES & FEATURES First off, what’s the difference between the each of the types of trainers. There’s *INTERACTIVE, *SMART, CLASSIC, ROLLERS, etc. Each of the top trainer manufacturers offer most of these in one form or another. Several come to mind; CycleOps, Kurt Kinetic, Tacx, Wahoo and of course, ELITE. In the case of ELITE, here is their product lines; INTERACTIVE – Trainers that communicate ANT+ or BLU to another wireless device. Communication includes data from the trainer TO the smart display device (PC / Smartphone) as well as data FROM the smart display device that automatically controls the trainer’s resistance settings based on %grade setting within PC apps (ZWIFT, etc.). These trainers usually have magnetic resistance. SMART – Like the INTERACTIVE trainers except...
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LOOK KÉO BLADE CARBON PEDALS ANDRE GREIPEL
LOOK KÉO BLADE CARBON PEDALS ANDRE GREIPEL For 2017, there are 4 basic KÉO pedal product lines; IMPORTANT TECH CLEAT TECHNOLOGY Look offers 2 main road (racing) cleats in the KÉO product line. They are identical except one includes 2 anti-slip rubber grip pads (KÉO GRIP cleat), the other (KÉO CLEAT cleat) doesn’t. Advantages/Disadvantages; KÉO GRIP – Anti-slip but slightly heavier KÉO CLEAT – Slippery when walking but lighter (less rotational weight) KÉO CLEATs are included with these pedals. Note; there are holes for attaching the anti-slip rubber grippers so this tells me that they might be the same cleat but one is minus the anti-slip grippers. The main drawback to the KÉO CLEATs is that they are incredibly slippery. You really need to watch your step when walking in these cleats. I highly recommend either the KÉO GRIP cleats or, for $5.99 pick up a set of cleat-covers – see link below. CLEAT FLOAT As a bike fitter in SoCal, I see a lot of pedals and cleats. Some in good condition, most need replacing. 90% of my...
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ELITE FLY Bottle & VICO Carbon Cage
WHAT CAN I SAY? ELITE BOTTLES & CAGES – THEY JUST KEEP GETTING BETTER AND BETTER! ELITE FLY Bottle & VICO Carbon Cage Our previous ELITE bottle & cage review rated the Paragon cage and Corsa bottle a true 5 out of 5. Just about the time you finished reading that review, ELITE upped the ante and introduced a lighter and equally sturdy carbon cage called VICO and the lightest pro-tour bottle called the FLY. Just when you thought you had the best, ELITE has just set a new standard! VICO BOTTLE CAGE DESIGN LIGHT, STRONG and TOUGH. The VICO carbon bottle cage securely held every plastic water bottle I have. Not only tested were the included ELITE FLY racing bottles, but, a dozen more miscellaneous sized bottles from my ‘collection.’ I even tested a plastic (water-bottle-type) tool-carrier. The heaviest water bottle weighed in at 1lb 13oz. (29oz., 822 gm) and I experienced no flexing or stress of the VICO cages. Every bottle I used was held securely. VICO is made from a carbon fiber composite material which provides...
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BERN FL-1 Pavé MIPS helmet
OVERVIEW BERN FL-1 Pavé MIPS helmet BERN is known for their SKATE, SNOW, H2O and BIKE (MTB, BMX, URBAN) helmets. BERN has introduced a top of the line ROAD helmet with MIPS. Called the FL-1 Pavé MIPS, this very comfortable and well-designed MIPS helmet that retails for less than $120! Yes, an actual MIPS helmet with CPSC and EN10787 certifications for under $120. MODEL LINES & COLORS The FL-1 model line includes 4 helmets, 2 MIPS and 2 non-MIPS MIPS: MTB: FL-1 XC $129.99 ROAD: FL-1 Pavé MIPS $119.99 TESTED Non-MIPS MTB: FL-1 Trail $69.99 ROAD: FL-1 Pavé $99.99 The major difference between the MTB and ROAD helmets appear to be an included visor that comes with the MTB helmets. WEIGHT A LARGE FL-1 Pavé MIPS weighed in at only 10.5 oz. (298gm) which is lighter than several other comparable helmets. A light helmet helps reduce neck fatigue, especially on longer rides such as half-centuries, metric centuries, full centuries, Gran Fondos and long charity rides. FIT The FL-1 fit perfectly right out of the box. But, if you...
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ERGON TP1 Pedal Cleat Tool
ADJUSTMENT TOOL FOR CLEATS BACKGROUND ERGON TP1 Pedal Cleat Tool I like to stay up on top of what’s new in the market – especially when it comes to bike fitting equipment. So, I got excited when I saw Ergon’s TP1 DIY Cleat-Fitting tool. Having been trained in correct cleat placement and having fit hundreds of cyclists, this review is based on what I have experienced over many years of bike fitting. INSTRUCTIONAL BOOKLET INCLUDED A free 80 page detailed and easy to follow instructional booklet is provided with each TP1. This booklet is divided into multiple sections with each section in a different language. The 23-page English section includes a picture on one page and text instructions on the other. Each text description is an easy to understand set of why’s and how-to’s. The chapters are; Ergonomics for Cyclists Introduction Basic Biometrics Fore/Aft cleat position Q-Factor – width of stance Angle of foot (rotation) Symmetry of the feet Quick installation guide Fine adjustments Glossary Measurement tables Maintenance/Warranty Things missing? Yes, we’ll discuss below. THE GOOD DETAILED INSTRUCTIONAL BOOKLET...
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NORTHWAVE MULTI-APP SPIN/MTB CYCLING SHOE
NORTHWAVE MULTI-APP SPIN / MTB CYCLING SHOE BACKGROUND I’ve been asked to host a spin class at a local gym. The first time I taught the class, I used my New Balance running shoes. Boy, was that a mistake. One side of the pedals was fit with an SPD cleat, the other was a standard cage with an old toe strap. Forced to use the standard cage side, those pedals felt like they were cutting into the bottom of my feet for the whole hour…painful! Immediately after the spin class, I started looking for a new pair of high quality spin shoes. Noticing that all of the spin bikes had SPD pedals, my shoe selection was somewhat limited. My requirements were (a) SPD-compatible, (b) comfortable, (c) an abundance of mesh to keep cool, (d) non-slip sole, (e) affordable, (f) not the typical standard clunky looking brown MTB shoe. In my search, I found two that met these requirements. HIGH VISIBILITY SHOES The color of these shoes is bright. They are a mixture of Hi-Viz yellow and neon green. Being...
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ERGON SOLESTAR IP3 CYCLING INSOLES
BACKGROUND – Ergon IP3 Insoles The ERGON IP3 insoles are made in Germany and co-developed with Solestar – one of the ‘real’ cycling insole specialist. More info can be found here. Several years ago, I completed an exhaustive review of insoles. Part II can be found here http://biketestreviews.com/the-best-cycling-specific-insole-part-ii/ . One of the important items noted in that review was that virtually every insole manufacturer claims to make a ‘cycling specific’ insole, but, the fact of the matter is that very few do. It is my intention that as new cycling specific insoles become available, I will add them to this now growing list. Solestar/Ergon are one of the few insole manufacturers that actually do make cycling specific insoles. One of the insoles previously tested was the Solestar Kontrol BLK (now called the Solestar BLK). The BLK is their top-of-the-line insole. All Solestar’s insoles appear to have a very similar shape and high quality including the new IP3. The major differences are the BLK has a carbon fiber bottom layer, the IP3 has stiff plastic. But, the IP3 is also...
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