About bikes, cycling and cycle to work - Tredz Blog

Which tyre for commuting?

Cycling through a city every day on a commute really puts your tyres under pressure. Hilarity aside, the debris and general poor condition of the roads is one of the worst things a cyclist has to deal with. That suddenly lumpen feeling that your back tyre is deflating with every stroke is followed invariably by the realisation you left your spare tube at home. Then it'll start raining.

I've personally spent too much of my wage in our own store buying inner tubes. Far too much. After struggling in on yet another flat tyre I decided to buy myself a pair of all conditions Armadillo's from Specialized.

Aside from an improved tread (with the obligatory slight increase in resistance), the tyres felt pretty standard. I simply don't get the miles in that allows you to talk in depth about tyre differences.

But I do cycle fifteen miles a day through some of the most crap ridden roads around. After two months of having fitted the Armadillos I've not had a puncture. Not one. Thats down from an average of 2-3 a month.

As a commuter who is invariably already late for work by the time he gets a puncture I couldn't recommend them highly enough.

EL-600RC Single Shot Review

I bought a new light a couple of weeks ago. Until then I'd been relying on an old head light LED (it lit 10 metres ahead of you) and a couple of safety lights. Great for being seen on the road, but the cause of some seriously scary near misses. The worst being when I was cycling home from work in the dark and suddenly and suddenly found my self surrounded by a herd of cows. Safe to say that at the fifteen odd miles an hour I was doing I would have come off worse than the cow.

That and several other incidents (mostly involving hedges and ditches) convinced me to stop being such a cheapskate and splash out on something that was definitely needed.

Budget winter gear

After umming and aahing for ages I’ve finally gotten round to opening my wallet (accompanied by a choir of angels and a flock of pigs) to buy some winter cycling gear. I was looking towards the budget/miserly side of things, but I still wanted items that wouldn’t leave me caught short in the rain or cold this season. I settled on an Endura Laser Compact (£36.00), an Altura Inter base layer (£16.59) and a Cat Eye EL300 BS/ AV100BS light set (£34.19).

Shimano Deore XT or XTR?

The 2008 Shimano Deore XT group set is considered the 25th birthday revamp for the XT group, still regarded by many as the benchmark of MTB technology. The set has undergone a complete redesign including some new technology not yet included in the XTR set. The tecchies apparently developed it for the 'All Mountain' market, but surely it'll be popular on all 26" or 29" bikes.

The highlight is the "Shimano Shadow"€ rear derailleur RD-M772 which is lightweight, as you'd expect, with an extra thin profile (in the picture, on the right).

Key design features (as stated by Shimano):

• Super low profile design - improved clearance from trail side hazards;
• Top normal spring - for use with rapidfire shifters;
• Increased vertical stability - prevents contact with the chainstay on rough terrain;
• New crisp shift response - lightweight shift performance;
• Shortened cable routing - reducing cable friction and enhances the low profile design.

Singletrackworld goes into more details about the other parts of the XT set but as can be expected, their review creates some debate among some readers not equally convinced of the 'completely new technology'. Read Bikemag.com for a more data-driven overview listing the specs of the various parts.

With this current buzz about the previews of the new 2008 Deore XT group set, Go Clipless ponders XT's advantages over the XTR and concludes:

"To me, the XT group is the poor man's XTR. But ironically it usually is a better choice than XTR if weight is not your only criteria. The system is simply more durable. (...) If you take your riding seriously, but don't make a living from it, you are better off with XT."

This new XT set is available in August.

The new black

You think you’re ready for the spring season? With that bar and stem combo? You must be joking. Forget black, if you want to get noticed out there this season, you need to Pimp Your Ride to white - it’s the new black. Honestly.

These components in white are the hottest things to hit the market since Saun Palmer’s plimsoles. Not only do they look uber-cool, but it’s been scientifically proven that white components make you think your bike is lighter (well, debated in our workshop quite a bit). It’s started with this lot: Super strong bars and stems from Deity, a brand new prototype e13 bash ring, Crank Bros mallet pedals, Halo Tornado wheelsets and the Freek saddle from Fizik. But expect to see everyone and their dog producing white this year.

Compression clothing review

Compression clothing has become the new must-have for athletes. Clothing manufactures are now making garments that not only breathe and help regulate temperature, but that can actually help your muscles function. Therefore your t-shirt can increase in performance! Why do you think Paula Radcliffe wears those funny socks?

Essentially compression helps you via two functions:
a) compressing the muscle by pressure and the weave of the garment helps push used blood back to the heart quicker
b) compression and weave helps muscles maintain the correct anatomical position – they don’t move about so much wasting energy.

2XU is an Australian company new to the UK. Their range of sportswear have all been developed with the help of the Australian Institute of Sport. Their compression clothing uses 50 denier yarn – a thicker weave than most, giving stronger compressive power. This apparently delays the onset of lactic acid build up by up to 36%.

Seal Skinz sock review

These Specialized shoes are great. My wife would say they smell a lot, but they keep me stuck to my bike brilliantly. Unfortunately, they’re well ventilated at the toe. This means my poor little piggies get damn cold when you start to see your breath. As we all know this problem is greatly compounded in the wet. Therefore, I've invested in a pair of waterproof Seal Skin socks.

And wow, what a difference. Forget your Goretex this and compression suit that, these things have made the biggest clothing difference I’ve found through technology in years. I swear they’re amazing. I’ll also say they aren’t water proof. I usually manage to put a foot down in every puddle on the mountain and this meant they let water seep in the end. But they are very, very water resistant because of a liner which, when you first put them on, makes you think someone’s wrapped your feet in several Tesco plastic bags and tightened them up by wrapping a couple of dozen elastic bands over the top. Don’t let this initial feeling stop you having the confidence to put them into practice. I wouldn’t want to walk in them all day, but after several 2-4 hour rides I can say they work very well indeed. My feet are much dryer and infinitely warmer and this doesn’t come at the complete cost of breathability. These midlights are now an essential part of my kit until next March.

Powerball review

What are Powerballs? An odd looking 'device', somewhere between a Yo-yo and a Sonic Screwdriver. They are in fact an excellent, if unusual, training aid. Powerball takes a little practice to master (as do all the best things), although some people 'get it' straight away; see their video demos here (the world records are hilarious). Basically they use gyroscopic force to exercise the wrist, grip, forearm, bicep or shoulder (depending on how you use them). Their usefulness for cycling is obvious - strengthening the wrists and forearms is a major bonus to your riding capabilities – but they’re also great for any racquet sports. And don’t forget: more muscle means less white finger syndrome. That said I won’t try to describe using them as it would take more typing than my now exhausted arms could cope with, better I direct you to their site.

Besides the varied practical applications, setting speed records between mates and work colleagues is top fun. I say this as the current shop champion (not boasting at all!) with a top speed of 14034 rpm, beat that (again, not boasting at all). I doubt any of this will make any sense if you haven’t tried one so there really is nothing for it but to get your hands on one and try it out for yourself. I know its early (and a cheap plug) but did I hear someone say 'stocking filler'.
Posted by Chris

Chainset sizes explained

Suit you sir. But which one, there's so many? Over the last couple of years mountain bikes have lost their monopoly as the only type of cycle to offer more gears than most of us have fingers and toes. Road bikes have never been built with more choice. That choice comes from the trio of variant in chain sets. To state the obvious, chainsets are driven by a cyclists’ legs via the pedals; the size (measured in teeth) of that chainset plays a huge part in your gearing and consequential speed.

Double - as the name implies, a double chainset is two chain rings, typically 52 and 39 teeth, feeding a range of gears at the back, known as the cassette. A double chain set is likely to be light and offer fast shifting. Doubles are often the preferred choice of the seasoned cyclist who may think of it as the purest offering.

Note: Cassettes tend to be geared from 11 teeth (the smallest, hardest and fasted gear) through to 27 teeth (the largest and easiest to pedal – theoretical 1st). For example, my Specialized Allez Sport (27 speed) has a 12 to 25 tooth cassette.

Triple - three rings, typically 50, 39 and 30 teeth (mountain bikes are smaller: usually 42, 32 and 22). Power is comparable to the double but with an added smaller ring for steep climbs. Changing down to this ‘granny’ ring because of a lack of thigh muscle is when the purists may frown. Three rings makes it a heavier choice and asking the front mech to move further means shifting wont be quite as swift (I’ll be amazed if you notice though).

A triple is ideal for mountain bikers who are used to the set up and for anyone new to road cycling and finds climbing difficult. Wait there; surely that’s everyone bar L. Armstrong? Yes it is, and that’s why a triple is a popular choice. My Specialized Allez Sport runs Shimano Tiagra 52, 42, 30 – I guess that makes me a lightweight then?

Compact – back to just two chain rings here but these are typically 50 and 34 teeth. The big ring is fairly normal but that small ring is smaller than you’d find on a double. This gives the rider an easier set of gears in which to climb.

I hope this helps rather than confuses you further.

Cycle light laws and regulations

LED cycle lights have been around for a long time now. The trouble is although most of us think they allow motorists to see cyclists more clearly, many were actually illegal. Well that law - the road vehicle lighting regulations or RVLR - changed in October 2005. Seeing as the nights are now looming in and many of you will be buying new bike lights, we thought it an appropriate time to reiterate what’s what with bike lights.

LEDs
The RVLR now allows a flashing light to be attached to a bike if it
(a) emits a minimum light output of four candela (i.e. the strength of four candles, queue the Two Ronnies); and,
(b) flashes at an equal and constant rate of between 60 and 240 flashes per minute.
To summarise: a not-too-bright steady pulsing LED is fine - out goes your Nightrider strobe.

Unfortunately the British Standard regulation for cycle lights has not as yet been updated. So you may have a light that complies with the RVLR which will not automatically comply with British Standard and visa versa.

The Law
You are riding legally if your front and rear lights meet either the RVLR and/or British Standard 6102-3. This means you can also mix standards between front and rear. For example:
Cycle 1: is legal because its front light in constant mode complies to British Standard and the rear complies to the RVLR in flashing mode.
Cycle 2: is legal because its front light complies to the RVLR in flashing mode and the rear complies to British Standard in constant mode.

Note: the RVLR was set considering the requirements for riding in areas with street lighting. Therefore, RVLR lights are not required to give any ‘beam of light’. This can mean they more useful at ensuring the cyclist can be seen by other road users. A four candela front cycle light would not be suitable for riding down a dark road, even if it’s technically legal to do so.

The following lights comply with RVLR when used in constant flashing mode:

Front lights: Cateye EL-320 £29.99, Cateye EL-410 £29.99, Cateye EL-220 £24.99, Cateye EL-135 £19.99, Cateye HL-LD270 £12.99, Cateye HL-LD150 £12.99, Cateye HL-LD130 £9.99

Rear lights: Cateye TL-LD 270 £12.99, Cateye TL-LD150 £9.99 , Cateye TL-LD130 £7.99

The following lights comply with British Standard when used in constant mode:

Front lights: Cateye EL-300 £28.99 , Cateye HL-500BS £12.99

Rear lights: Cateye TL-AU100 £14.49, Cateye TL-LD260BS £12.99

The Department of Transport’s Guidance about lights on pedal bicycles can be found here.

New lifestyle magazine launched

A complimentary magazine has just landed on my desk and very nice it is too. We know the mag's founders and issue 1 of Beyond925 has been a long and difficult task for them so they must be well pleased to finally make their dream a reality. The 50 pages are eclectic mix of insights into adventure and endurance sports. Their Editor’s Bit reads:

Many of these sports can be very intimidating to the uninitiated, but this mag will act as gateway into the things that you have always wanted to try.

Tredz will be despatching complimentary copies with all orders but you can also get your hands on a FREE copy by sending a self addressed envelope (C5 or larger) to:

Tredz (nice guys)
Kingsway
Swansea West Ind. Est.
SWANSEA
SA5 4DL

Put your email address in and we'll add you to our mailing list for special offers.

Kona Primo 2 in 1 jacket review

I needed to buy a jacket 12 months ago as I'd pretty much worn out my Altura Attitude. Being inherently frugal, despite substantial staff discounts, I was looking at spending no more than £100. I wanted a lightweight, water proofish qualities, breathable and fairly hard wearing (I fall off quite a bit) cycle jacket. I had no real brand preferences. When shopping I found the Kona Primo ticked all those boxes and more but for far less - just £54.99 SRP. At first I honestly thought it's either a price error or the thing will last two months. Not at all.

I've used it for over a year now and washed it plenty of times so let's see what's good and bad about my jacket. Bad first because there isn't much:

- the neck is quite narrow. Whilst this stops a draft hitting your chest it can be too restrictive even for a skinny guy like me;
- if the neck is open a couple of inches the top is a bit rough and will need adjusting from time to time;
- it's lightweightedness (oops, no such word) means I often underestimate my layering and go overboard with a fleece (obviously my flaw, not the jacket's).

What's great:

- the arms come off. This means I use it with long sleeved base layer and go running in it in winter;
- the sleeves have thumb loops which give extra draft protection (good if not wearing gloves);
- lightweight. Not roll up into the size of an apple but definitely fit into my Camelbak Mule;
- there's enough pocket storage for on and off bike stuff;
- it's extremely cheap with loads of bang for buck;
- it's not too cycling specific (loads of drop back) to be geeky. I've worn it to the rugby a few times.

I also want to try and see the difference with a more expensive jacket, perhaps the Gore ALP-X but don't have the cash at the mo (hint hint boss - long term test/blag). But all-in-all the Kona Primo could well be the best value jacket on the market and it will certainly last me another winter in Afan.