About bikes, cycling and cycle to work - Tredz Blog

Act your shoe size, not your age!

The excellent olympic class BMX track at Tredegar has been open now for a few months and it’s bedded in a treat. Unfortunately it’s riding in lousy weather like this that’s needed to improve continuously week on week. Besides, you can’t stay in the house when it’s raining in south Wales or you’d soon go stir crazy.

Get out, get wet and practise a skill you know you’re lacking in: trackstands, bunny hops or wheelies. They can all be practiced in the local park, driveway, car park, anywhere. You just know it’ll pay dividends come summer. Better still, get some mates together and hang about in a car park. It’s good enough for kids and we all know how annoying it is being overtaken by a wheeling 8 year old. Well if you can’t beat 'em, join 'em. That said, even if you spend the winter doing endless road miles and gym work it’ll make a change, and an hours worth of bunny hop practice is bleedin hard work and by no stretch of the imagination a waste of time.
Posted by Chris and Ed

Who ordered pizza?

Simon’s words not mine, honest. Troy Lee Design helmets are synonymous with speed and grace the bonce of Steve Peat and other such esteemed downhillers. According to themselves, TLD products are for “The World’s Fastest Racers.” Top end carbon and pimped up paint jobs (they’d call it avant-garde) continues to be the norm with these guys.

This is the wicked new version of the classic D2 helmet (as in Daytona 2). It’s the D2 Open and comes with the Sniper Visor at £179.99. TLD are hoping it will transcend cycling and enter the snowboard market as well. The Open has four vent ports and removable padding. Roll up all you Battlestar Galatica extras...

Specialized Rockhopper sale @ £399.99

Did the title give it away? We don’t normally push sale items on TredzTalk but this one is too good not to mention. Tredz have a handful of the 2006 Specialized Rockhopper left. Trouble is there’s a stock check coming up and we really don’t want to count them again. Hence we've dropped the price from £549.99 to £399.99 – that’s over 27% off!

She’s got an aluminium frame, Rock Shox J3 fork, disc ready wheels and Shimano 27 speed gears. The Rockhopper is an ideal choice for a beginner or enthusiast mountain biker who doesn’t want to break the bank or go the whole hog with full suspension. This bike can also be tuned to be a great commuter bike by adding slick tyres and some mudguards. We’ve got stock of 15” and 17” in blue or silver, and 21” in silver; also a 13" ladies model in silver.

Cycling prosthetic brings pedal power

I wanted to update you before I head off to Oz on my British cycling squad training. I've nicked my girlfriends laptop so hopefully I'll be able to send you an update straight from there – if I’m not too knackered.

My cycling leg is finally in prototype form! I went for my 3rd fitting in Leicester last week and things are really moving on. My fitter, Christophe Cointet, was particularly pleased as he and his technician had managed to complete it a few days earlier than planned so I could take it down under for my training camp and competitions. Cheers guys!

It’s my first customer-made cycling prosthetic and it immediately feels more secure. I know it’s going to allow me to transmit loads more power than my current leg. It utilizes a simple valve within the liner that expels the air and allows for a secure fit. As this is a prototype, it currently weighs 1.7kg which is the same as my current leg and shoe, but the target weight for the final version is 1kg. This model is sparse on aerodynamic qualities, but the final version will be made as optimal as possible. The leg does away with a right shoe altogether and is built directly into a cleat system, which awesome for cycling but not good to walk in!

Have thank Christophe and his technicians in Leicester and Robert Shepherd from OttoBock for making this all possible - if I had to pay for this myself it would be in excess of £10,000. Tredz may be good but I don’t think they’d manage to fit that bill.
Posted by Jody

New Cat Eye light line up

We joined a privileged group of dealers this week to see the new line up of Cat Eye cycle lights and computers. The bike technology specialist sent several boffins from Japan to the Zyro trade show in northern England.

There are new ever-slimmer computers, and lights that are bright enough to fit on a car’s bonnet (I jest, but you get the message). It didn’t stop there; the Cat Eye HR20 heart rate monitor gains cycle specific functions (similar to the Polar 700 range) for the summer. We also got a sneak preview of their first head torches. I went for a run with this prototype (one of two in Europe!) and can say its 200 candela was perfect for the coverage I needed and it’s not as heavy as it may look. They’ll be two versions: approx £35 and £45. TredzTalk plan on testing all the kit as it becomes available from Easter onwards.

Test bike days finalised

With all the talk about test bike days getting ‘new’ bums on seats and sharing the experience of full suspension in all its glory, I thought we’d better get our dates finalised for the summer. We've spoken nicely to the peeps at Specialized, Giant, Kona and Scott and sponged plenty of 2007 models for you to try out.

After checking with the Forestry Commission that we don’t clash with any horse riding events or rambling conventions Tredz, and our retail stores, will be in Afan Argoed on April 15th and June 10th. Check out our test bike site – we’ll be updating it with any news as and when.

Separate bike lanes

Swansea, like most cities in the UK, is constantly changing its road layout. We've recently seen a massive overhaul around one of the city's busiest streets in order to accommodate the ultra-long 'bendy busses'.  You know the scene: all now one way streets, no roundabouts. But hey, we'€™ve got a metro lane. Am I in Paris, what the hell goes on there?

Anyway, the reason for my preamble is that many town/city planners are talking green but not necessarily living it. I was pointed to this video from a friend who reads the CommuterPage Blog. It'€™s about getting separated bike lanes in New York. I'd recommend everyone involved in transport planning take a look at some well structured arguments. As well as the obvious Amsterdam and Copenhagen examples, London gets a hat tip. Unfortunately Swansea's latest creation does not.

Giant SCR C1 bike review

I’ve been speaking very nicely to the guys at Giant UK recently and my well-paced groveling resulted in a positive ‘Yes’ to my request for a first class road test bike. The steed in question was the 2007 Giant SCR C1.

The kit:
This is a full carbon Sports Compact Road bike (SCR, get it?). The C1 edition sports an Ultegra groupset with a Dura Ace rear mech and compact chainset. To finish things off it has a gorgeous silver set of Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels.
This bike looks awesome with its curved top tube, sculpted chain and seat stays, and a slightly taller than normal head tube.

The rider:
This SCR is aimed at the cyclist who wants to ride long distances. This rider could wish to enter a few cyclo-sportif's (such as the Dragon Ride in S.Wales), on a nice, light bike without getting beaten up. Performance without so much pain – it’s not just appealing to your dad anymore is it?

Server stops play

We really are genuinely sorry to have interrupted our online service over the past 36-48 hours. As some of you will know, our hosting server decided to go AWOL on Wednesday afternoon - nightmare, tragedy, disaster, catastrophe etc, etc. To get specific about things, the boot partition failed. Before Wednesday I had no idea what a boot partition was - I still don’t really know what it does - but I know that anything failing in the server can’t be good news.

After much scratching of heads, several loud debates, a new server and a lot of frantic IT work, we are pleased to say that normal Tredz service was resumed this morning. But honestly, despite receiving orders over the phone and the site being alive for most of Thursday, this really hurt us (and our customer service pride). Apologies again for the inconvenience and confusion this failure caused.

Excellent service

It's a nice start to the day when there's a thank you in your inbox:

Just to let you know the order arrived today - all good. Excellent service - thanks

Ross

Meet Mr Specialized

I posted a couple of days ago about meeting the doctor responsible for Specialized’s Body Geometry department. Well my fellow road trip colleagues (Simon and Gus) reminded me that we actually met Mr Specialized himself: Mike Sinyard the company’s founder and president. How the hell could I not have posted about that?! Thought I’d share a photo with you (L to R: Nic, Mike Sinyard, Gus, Andy Pruitt, Simon).

What a genuinely down to earth and nice guy. I’ve been to Specialized’s HQ in California and can honestly say this guy rides his bike every day – at least on the ‘lunchtime crit’. His isn’t just a CEO figurehead, he really does appear to be the driver behind Spesh and all they do.

Bike sale enquiry

Just had a sales enquiry land on my desk that was no such thing; it was even better...

Reason for contacting: Sales Enquiry
My comments are: Just wanted to say thanks for the excellent service I received from your company. Delighted with the bike. Hope to do further business with you in future. Regards, John

Doctor Specialized

During Specialized’s 2007 equipment launch this week I got the chance to meet Andy Pruitt, the doctor who’s pretty much pioneered Specialized’s Body Geometry programme. He gave dealers one of the most informative talks I’ve ever heard at such events. He spoke about ‘rider comfort’ and a ‘neutral position’ on the bike. It all got quite scientific with the biomechanics of the pedal stroke and using a goniometer to measure the torso angle of a rider, but his overriding point was a simple one: the bike should fit the rider, not the rider fit the bike.

The purpose of his book, The Complete Medical Guide for Cyclists, is to “help riders train injury free, in comfortable and powerful positions, and heal from the inevitable injury faster.” Chris Carmichael writes the foreword, “If you want to ride and want to continue for your whole life, the information in this book is priceless.” I’ve seen what this guy can do first hand and trust me, he’s the cyclist’s friend. I got a freebie but Amazon has his book at £14 here.

Eco friendly bikes?

I just got a snazzy new laptop (actually it’s my second as the first wouldn’t work without the power lead, doh!). One of the stickers on the new office beast reads “superior computing capability with eco-friendly materials”. I can’t help thinking there’s no such claim in the bicycle world. Besides disposing of tyres responsibly, I wouldn’t say there’s a great deal of recycling within the bike trade. I certainly can’t name a manufacturer professing to Joe Public that they deliberately use eco-friendly materials.

Of course there’s Howies, but they’re a clothing firm – I’m thinking bikes and accessories. Suggestions/corrections on a postcard to info@tredzblog.co.uk.

2007 Specialized & Giant test days

The offline world of Tredz has been a real advocate of test riding days for many a year. These organised days give customers the opportunity to push the pedals on a top-class bike in its intended environment. Test bike riders often fall into three categories
a) those who ride the trails on a ‘lesser machine’ and want the opportunity to see what technology can really do (usually full suspension or disc brakes);
b) riders who aren’t sure what to buy next and need to try out a different brand/model/geometry;
c) novice riders who want to get more of idea of the trails and the bikes but rarely get the chance for either.

We’ve held over two dozen of these days in the past couple of years and got up to 100 bums on seats per day on mountain bikes from Specialized, Scott, Giant, Kona and Trek. This month the trade has started fighting its own corner with Giant and Specialized announcing that they’ve teamed up to create the 2007 Specialized Challenge Series. Sram and Magura have thrown their hat into the ring and will be giving technical support. Bike brands working together - who’d have thought it?

We’re not aware of any website to cover the series or if the brands intend promoting/running the days from their corporate URLs but we’ll keep you posted. Anyway, if you can get yourself along to one of these six venues you’ll get the chance to ride a 2007 Stumpjumper, FSR XC, Big Hit, Trance, Anthem or Reign in mud not just the car park.

2007 Specialized Challenge Series dates:
• 1st April - 7Stanes Trail Head, Dumfries
• 22nd April - Grisedale Forest Park, Cumbria
• 28th/29th April - Enduro 6, Catton Hall, Staffordshire
• 12th/13th May - Gwydyr Forest, Snowdonia
• 3rd June - Staunton Country Park, Hants
• 22 – 24th June - Mountain Mayhem 24, Ledbury, Hereford

Dragon Ride entry forms

Tredz sponsored and supported the Dragon Ride last year and plan on doing the same this summer on June 24th. The ride is a circular, 130 & 200km non-competitive road cycle challenge over the hills and valleys of South Wales (a cyclo sportif if you like).

The ride is designed for the experienced cyclist; definitely not a walk in the park. It's held three weeks before the Tour de France’s participation ride, the Etape du Tour. Many used the Dragon Ride as a training run for the Etape last year (if only I were that brave). The 2007 route has yet to be finalised, but it's planned to be run in a reverse direction. It’ll include an additional ascent of the Bwlch mountain road, with a subsequent increase in distance from 165 to 200km (Gran Fondo) and 100 to 135km for the Medio Fondo.

Entry is just £23.50 but the field is limited to 2,250 riders. They close the books on 24th May and last year’s all sold out long before that, so I wouldn’t hang about. Book your place here.

Helmet or no helmet?

Treehugger, the eco-friendly blog, has run several posts about cycling and wearing helmets, sparked off by a photograph on one of their blog posts of a Dutch mother transporting three kids on a bike.

Several readers commented about the riders not wearing helmets. Treehugger’s author feels strongly that it's wrong for the safety onus to be on cyclists and not on cars, given that they are the cause of the majority of accidents.

We have posted before about the pros/cons of helmets and could write a disertation on the subject (to go with the hundreds of others already out there), but we'll spare you. The short version really is a no-brainer (pun intended): if anyone's head is going to hit something, surely they'd prefer it to do so wearing a helmet?
Posted by Caroline

Two World Champs choose Specialized

I found out a couple of days ago that Specialized have signed up with the QuickStep-Innergetic professional cycling team. They’ve got a nice team video on the Specialized website here.

Basically, the QuickStep team are the number one pro road cycling team in the world right now. In 2005 their top rider, Tom Boonen, won the world champs. In 2006 Boonen also held more one-day race wins in a season than any other rider. Although he didn't win the world champs last year, his team mate and current Olympic champion, Paolo Bettini, did instead.

Boonen (aka King of the Cobbles) is one of the favourites to win the Paris-Roubaix (the hell of the north) and this year he will be riding a Specialized Roubaix bike. Bettini's choice will be the S-Works Tarmac SL. Good luck fellas.

Who needs reindeer?

Just got my club newsletter through. Dan-Yr-Ogof was the scheduled Christmas club run, but it was decided that a sociable ride down to Mumbles would be more in keeping with the spirit of the season, and indeed we found a ‘North Pole’ (albeit on the menu in Fortes). I'm in the middle in snug blue tights.

I have to say it is amazing how many people just have to wave to Santa Claus. They just can’t help themselves! Children, grannies, van drivers, you name them, we humoured them, and if nothing else this ride put a smile on few faces (including our own). Let’s raise the bar with a few more Santas and Reindeers next year shall we?
Posted by James

Cycling names rewarded with MBEs

Good to see some cycling-related achievements rewarded in the latest Queen's New Year's Honours List with awards for ‘999 bike Man’ Tom Lynch, and cycle historians Derek Roberts and David Higman.

Paramedic Tom Lynch is a former British and European BMX champion who conceived the idea of responding to 999 calls by bike and who founded the first London Ambulance Cycle Response Unit in 2000.

A trial had found that medics on bikes almost always got to urban emergency scenes before normal ambulances and in a third to half of all cases the bicycle ambulance technician was able to cancel a full ambulance response, thus freeing up precious resources.

The scheme has been extended from the West End and now includes Heathrow airport and the City's Square Mile. The riders are trained to International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA) standard and ride specially equipped bikes.

Cycle historians awarded an MBE were David Higman who founded the National Cycle Museum in Llandrindod Wells, Powys and Derek Roberts, a founder member and honorary secretary/treasurer of the Fellowship of Cycling Old-Timers who has many papers lodged in the national cycling archives at Warwick University.
Posted by Caroline

New Year's resolution or April Fool? How to give up cycling.

I was alerted to a outrageous piece of research: heat generated by vigorous exercise is a major contributor to global warming and we may all be required to give up cycling as a result.

Redsmoke continues: 

"It comes as a major surprise to many of us that storing energy in human fat is actually a valuable way of reducing our impact on the environment. Looking at my own lifestyle, it was easy to identify my cycling habit as a major problem. I’m only too aware of the amount of heat that cycling can generate but cutting down was not going to be easy…"
Posted by Caroline