About bikes, cycling and cycle to work - Tredz Blog

The holidays approach!

The summer holidays will soon be upon us. This doesn't mean much to those of us that don't have children (except quieter roads in the morning), but to those who do then now may be the time when you start to think of activities that will

be fun and involve the whole family, irrespective of age or abilities.

One of the answers is cycling; not convinced, check out our guide to cycling with children for some advice and hopefully inpiration.

2009 Giant Reign 2 review

First thoughts
It’s always nice to review a bike that people actually ride, something at the sensible end of the price range. Admittedly £1500 is still a lot of money but it’s a very popular price point for quality full-sus trail bikes and it mustn’t be forgotten that this bike delivers 150mm of travel, something that not very long ago would have cost twice as much.

This is a hotly contended market and you can get a lot of bike for your money. I have to admit that my favourite trail/All-mountain bikes at this price is the Specialized Stumpjumper comp, a bike capable of so much more than its price (and travel!) suggests, and the ‘bouncier’ Pitch.

With competition like this, the Reign has a lot to do to gain my respect.

Tour De France 2009!

Only a few short days away from the beginning of the world’s greatest sporting event (says us), the Tour De France.

So what's getting us worked up this time round?

New GB cycling team

A not very well kept secret, Team GB is on it's way. Yup, Millar, Wiggins, Thomas and Cummings - despite all being currently contracted to existing pro teams are going to race for 'Team Sky' .

Missing anyone? A certain world class sprinter? Apparently they haven't yet been able to persuade Mark Cavendish that it'll be a nicer home for him than Columbia. With his current winning streak on the American team, they might have a job on their hands.

Still, it will be cool to have a team that we can get behind on the pro circuit. If the same methodology that helped Britain dominate the track is brought to the grand Tours, the (B)Sky(B)'s the limit.

Britain to host 2 rounds of 2010 UCI mountain bike world cup

It has been anounced that round 1 of the UCI mountain bike world cup will be held in Dalby forest on April 24th. The idea of holding it at this new venue is to promote the sport in advance of the 2012 Olympics. Only the XC will be held in Dalby with the Downhill and 4 cross remaining in Fort William (thank god!) on June 5th - 6th.

It only remains for us to hope that Dalby can put on a decent event that will match the legendary atmosphere of the Fort William venue, they've a lot to live up to. The UK is the only country to hold two UCI world cup MTB events in 2010, this says a lot about Britains standing as a world leading mountain biking venue.

All that remains is for the likes of you and me to support the events and make them the success they could so easily be. 

No bike lanes, no problem

Speaking of bamboo bikes on blogs here's another yawn worthy item! Well I thought it was cool though I doubt it's legality...
The idea is that a rear light/lazer show projects a bike lane around you, "providing drivers with a recognizable boundary they can easily avoid."

Hmmm. 

Like I say I can't see this being legal but there are no signs of it making it into production, yet!

Another day, another bike blog

Not that there's any great need for another high quality quality bike blog written by erudite and knowledgeable cyclists (ahem), but we'll certainly be keeping an eye on the Guardian's new online bike blog and soon to be released podcast.

So far it just looks like mostly rehashed bike blog staples (bamboo bikes? Soo last year), but their general online content is a cut above, so we've high expectations.

Commencal 2010, carbon everywhere!

Well it's that season again, news of new bikes breaking almost daily, it's becoming a pleasure to check my e-mails.

Anyway it's the turn of Commencal to get us excited about the coming new range. As usual with this sort of thing no details as yet but lots of very pretty pictures. There is too much to cover in one post so for now I'll concentrate on the tasty looking new carbon models. 
  
First up is the all new carbon Meta 5.5.The current model is one of the best trail bikes available so loosing a bit of weight whilst (hopefully) retaining the same impeccable riding characteristics can only be a good thing. I'm V keen to throw a leg over one of these.

Next up is the Skin, a pure race-bred hardtail that's sure to appeal to the shaved of arm.

And last but certainly not least is the Super4, a super fast looking XC beast.
 I think you'll agree that this is a pretty hot looking line up of bikes for Commencals first dalliance with carbon. We'll be bringing you news of the rest of their 2010 range soon.

Hmmm...

One of our Cardiff shop boys got in touch recently raving about this video.

Ukrainian ' talent' show with some random cyclist in the background?

It is in fact a good example of why we usually ignore the Cardiff boys when they call us raving about videos. Anyway, turn up (or down) the volume and enjoy the insanity.

More 2010 Giant...

This one is so new it doesn’t seem to even have a name yet. It’s the new time-trial/triathlon frame that Giant have been working on for quite a while now. Whether it will replace or compliment the current Trinity range is as yet unclear, or for that matter even if it will ever be available to us mere mortals.

What is clear is just how good this bike appears to be, the prototypes have already claimed Tour de France podiums, national titles and world championships.

I’ll let Giant fill you in on the rest…. 

After exhaustive research and analysis of computerized data on aerodynamics, the first physical model that Giant constructed resembled a LEGO project. The plastic mock-up frame featured interchangeable segments that could be swapped to determine which frame and component combinations provided optimal aerodynamic function.

Once the ideal aerodynamic design was finally determined, the first rideable prototype frame was constructed and taken to a wind-tunnel in Germany (are German wind tunnels better than average? -Ed) to fine-tune efficiency and rider positioning. 

“This whole project started with two guiding principles,” said Dennis Lane, Giant’s global product development director. “One, the bike would be built solely for function, without concern about design aesthetics. And two, it has to be approved by the UCI, the world governing body of competitive cycling. These two principles served the end goal of providing professional riders the tools to win the most important races in the world.”

When the public got its first real look at the original prototypes last summer, it was clear that Giant had created more than just a redesigned frameset. The entire bike—including the stem, handlebar, seatpost and even the brakes—were purposefully crafted to shave seconds off the clock.

Besides the frame shape, one of the bike’s most distinctive features is the innovative Aerodrive handlebar-and-stem unit. This unique structure improves aerodynamics and helps riders attain the perfect fit and position with its wide range of adjustability. It also complies with stricter enforcement of technical limitations that have been introduced by the UCI, cycling’s world governing body.