About bikes, cycling and cycle to work - Tredz Blog

Specialized camber comp 2012 review

 

Specialized Camber Comp 2012

The Specialized Camber Comp is bred from a long line of Specialized FSR technology and has been designed to offer maximal pedalling efficiency and ride control. Utilizing Rock Shox fork and shock, the Camber Comp brings 120mm of front and rear travel to the table and is perfect for entry level XC and trail usage.

Frame and Suspension

The Specialized Camber Comp is formed from Specialized’s M4 alloy (aluminium) and has a Rock Shox Recon fork with lockout, air spring and rebound control and Ario RL rear air sprung sock.  The seat tube has a 30.9” diameter , ideal for upgrading to a ‘dropper’ seatpost; made even easier with the addition of frame mounts for the handlebar remote’s cable.

 

Groupset

The Camber has 27 Shimano gears and an SLX front AND rear mech. You’ll get reliable shifting and at a reasonable weight from the group-set that I personally regard as the bare minimum for trail bike use.

 

Wheels and tyres

Specialized haven’t been tight with the wheel set – Custom DT Swiss 445D rims with double walls are great for resisting trail centre stone hits. Specialized Captain tyres provide a low rolling resistance, while offering great grip in the corners.

 

Conclusion

The Specialized Camber Comp is a perfect entry level CX/trail bike. If you are new to mountain biking altogether it offers up a good level of componentry which will get you riding with ease. The four-bar suspension design sucks up the bumps and prevents too much power being lost through pedal bob.

 

Also consider: 

Specilized Camber Elite

Lapierre X Control 

Cube AMS 110

Scott Spark 60

 

Shimano XC50N mountain bike shoe review

 

Shimano XC50n 

New for 2012, the Shimano XC50N is a mesh free, off-road bred cycling shoe, perfect for trail, cross country (XC) and cyclocross use.

 

Grip

The Shimano XC50n is constructed with a reinforced nylon sole which proves to be ridged but still allows a bit of flex. The result is a shoe that pedals well but also enables you to get off the bike and run if you encounter any difficult terrain. At the front of the shoe there are two holes for studs – seasoned racers will appreciate the rugby boot-esque added traction when you encounter a steep bank.

 

Meshless

The outer of the Shimano XC50N is constructed with synthetic leather and there is no mesh. There are pros and cons to this design: having mesh does allow air to circulate, so, on a long summer’s ride you might find these shoes become a bit on the warm side. However, that is a bonus in winter when you want to stay warm. The biggest benefit though, is not having water flow in through the mesh vents every time you encounter a puddle.

 

Strap in and ride

To fasten the Shimano XC50 you have a three point strap system. Two Velcro straps towards the toe help hold the shoe in position, while a ski boot style strap is used to tighten the shoe around the ankle giving a very secure, snug fit.

 

 

For anyone looking for a great shoe for winter trail, XC or cyclocross riding/racing, the Shimano XC50N is going to fit the bill perfectly. 

 

Also consider: 

Specialized BG Comp

Shimano MT60

View All Shoes

 

Shimano PD-M530 MTB pedals review

 

Shimano MTB Pedals

The Shimano PD-M530 comes from a long history of pedal design. The term SPD has become synonymous with clip-less pedals, but the SPD or Shimano Pedal Dynamics has been a long running development of the Japanese manufacturing giant.

 

All mountain SPD 

The PD-M530 is the latest pedal from Shimano, released in the 4^th quarter of 2011 and designed for everything from XC to aggressive all mountain use, the PD-M530 has a cage around it’s SPD clip-less mechanism to support the sole of your shoe. The design also means your pedal will ‘roll’ into position if the pedal isn’t flush with the sole of the shoe.

I have used the Shimano M545 pedals (DX) since I first decided to man up and clip myself to the bike and they have been excellent. We are looking at around four years use and only now after four harsh winters in the Afan Valley have the bearings started to go a bit dry. They still perform perfectly.

 

Perfect 'trail' pedal

On first impression, the PD-M530 looked like it was going to be less pedal, but in honesty I think the ability to be more slimline, yet still having the ability the roll the pedal into the clip-in position is just perfect for trail use.

It’s fair to say I’m going to be sticking with the PD-M530’s for trail use, riding to work and they’ll be taking a trip to the Alps in the summer.

 

Quick re-entry

In short, the shimano PD-M530 trail pedals are great if you are buying your first pair of SPD pedals, or if you are a hardcore trail rider. Easy to clip-in and a good platform, the PD-M530’s are my chosen pedals and I can see their sealed-bearing, longevity meaning they'll stay there for quite a few seasons to come.

I have been riding the Shimano PD-M530 trail pedals with Shimano’s AM45 SPD shoes. The softer sole works well with the trail pedal and they really seem to complement each other – especially when you come out of a corner and stamp your foot back into the pedal.

 

There is an XT and XTR version of the pedal available which might be a bit too much luxury for me – great if you are looking to shave grams off your bike's curb weight, but are probably a bit over most peoples cost/function threshold; myself included.

 

Also consider:

Shimano M545 (with a cage)

Shimano M540 (no cage)

 

View All Pedals

 

Five ways to show your bike some love this Valentine’s Day.

 

You don't need to be in a relationship to show some love this Valentine's day. Chances are you'll already have a special something in your life that could use your attention. 

 

Clean your bike.

And no, don’t just take it out the garden and pressure-wash it, you need to look after its working parts. When you clean your bike, you can pretty much ignore the paintwork. OK, it’s nice to have a nice shiny bike, but it’s far more important to have one the works properly.

The Drivetrain is the bit that needs the most love. Make sure you use a chain cleaner and de-greaser to remove the old oil from the chain, then apply some chain lube and wipe off the excess. Please be warned, WD40, GT85 and similar products ARE NOT a suitable chain lube. They are too thin (they are more dispersant than lubrication) and will simply wash off as soon as you get moving, so invest in a good one.

 

Check your bike for wear. 

There is nothing nicer than a bike that feels new and ‘tight’.  If you look after your bike and gain a good basic knowledge of cycle mechanics, it is possible to keep your bike running like new. However, if you don’t look after your bike, you’ll be back in the workshop in 2-5 months complaining you have problems.

You don’t have to get yourself a Cytech qualification either, although if you want to be a mechanic that is the way forward. There are numerous books on cycle maintenance that you can flick through and learn as you go along. Tightening bolts correctly and adjusting gears can make all the difference.

 

Think about an upgrade. 

Spring isn’t too far away and your bikes components will have taken a beating over the winter months. Now might be a good time to upgrade the wheels or the group-set to get a lighter or higher performing bike for the summer event season. 

 

Enter some events.

If your bike has been sat in the shed or garage all winter, the entry into a race event will give you the motivation you need to dust of the bike and get stuck into a training schedule. You’ll be healthier and your bike will be back on the road, a win-win situation however you look at it. Your actual Valentine might not see it like that, but you could always buy them a bike and take them training with you.

 

Find a (cycling) friend.

It can be a bit daunting and actually quite boring riding on your own all the time (especially if you are a beginner). These days it’s actually quite easy to find yourself some riding buddies. You have the internet at your disposal for a start. Go on facebook and talk to some riders, or you can join a club – the British Cycling website has a full list. In my experience, you could go to a trail centre on the weekend, get chatting to a few people and ask if you can tag along. For roadies, getting involved with a club or hanging around your local shop is usually the best place to start.

 

One more thing...

Ok I know I said five but I just wanted to say; enjoy riding. It’s a brilliant past time and can be one of the most rewarding. If you are reading this as a beginner then don’t fear going out and getting involved in the sport. It’s not football, the participants are usually on the same wavelength as you and you’ll love it. 

 

Giant Talon 0 29er review

The Talon 0 29er (£749) isn’t a new venture for Giant mountain bikes. The company has been developing the XCR 29er with Carl Decker since 2009. The Talon is Giant’s entry-level 29er and comes in under the £1000 mark, making it a perfect cycle to work option for anyone looking to get off road at the weekends.

 

Why buy a 29er

If you are new to the world of 29ers, the term is derived from the size of the wheel. A normal mountain bike has a wheel with a diameter of 26” but with a larger wheel, the 29er rolls over rougher ground better and will carry more speed making it a perfect XC bike.  However the downside of larger wheels means it won’t turn or accelerate as fast, so possibly not great if you are a fan of flowy single track, but brilliant if you ride XC or across open land a lot. The 29” wheel is the same diameter as a 700c road wheel, to the rolling characteristics can be compared.

 

Giant Talon 0 Features

Giant have listened to a lot of criticism relating to last year’s Talon 0 and fitted a Rock Shox XC28 fork rather than the uncontrolled Suntour pogo stick. Giants own wheels have allowed the cost to remain low while still offering a strong, stiff wheel. The 29er Talon 0 has a Sram groupset which features 27 gears meaning you are going to get up and down the steepest hills with ease and Avid Elixir 1 brakes with 160mm rotors to stop the larger wheels with ease.

 

 

Conclusion

The Giant Talon 0 29er is an improvement over last year’s model offering an upgraded fork. The ride is great over rough terrain and the bike will provide the perfect bike for a comfortable commute, taking the kids out to the park, trail centre use of even a spot of entry level XC racing. The £749 price tag offers good value for a bike of this calibre and it will keep you riding for years to come. If you do get a taste for XC racing, a few lighter parts and you have a great bike that will see you advance in your chosen discipline.

The ride is great over rough terrain and the bike will provide the perfect bike for a comfortable commute, taking the kids out to the park, trail centre use of even a spot of entry level XC racing.

 

Also consider

Specialized Carve Comp 29 1,000.00

Cube Acid 29 £765.00

Surly Karate Monkey 29er £999.99

View All 29ers

 

NEW Birzman tools

 

Birzman tools 

We have recently added Birzman tools to our product list and last week we had the first of their stock to check out. The Birzman ½” ratchet/wrench set landed on my desk in a green and black box and I wasn’t sure what to expect from the tiny pictures I'd seen on their preview flier, but when opened the box revealed a nice surprise. 

 

Quality construction

The ratchet and the tools are finished a shiny, metallic, almost bronze-coloured finish and the ratchet has a good weight to it - so we knew we weren’t looking at some cheaply made parts.

 

Shimano/Campag fit 

The kit comes compete with a cartridge BB tool for changing Shimano bottom brackets (including ISIS), a Shimano HG cassette removal tool with centre pin, an 8mm and 10mm hex socket perfect for removing crank arm bolts, a Campagnolo bottom bracket and cassette lock-ring tool and a HG cassette tool without the centre pin (used for Shimano centre lock items).

The Birzman ratchet set is a great buy or gift for any home mechanic and it will fill a gap that basic trail tools might leave in your mechanics arsenal.

Birzman have launched into the market with a full range of trail and home workshop tools. They also offer a full tool kit with 40 tools, a really high-end, and somewhat beautiful chain rivet extractor, a digital torque wrench and a range of hand and floor pumps. Check out the whole range now. 

 

Also consider:

Park Tool

Bikehand

View All Tools

 

NEW Endura Urban clothing.

At Core Bike Show earlier this week we got a sneak look at some of Endura's upcoming ranges. There are two main lines that we were suitably impressed with, the Urban and the MTR range. (We’ll talk MTR at a later date)

The Urban range is a more casual range of clothing aimed at riders who are looking for cycling functionality, but with looks that wont make you look out of place in your local on a Friday night or Sunday afternoon. 

The Urban range currently contains a soft-shell jacket, with low back and cycling derived pockets. The jacket immediately caught my eye as I walked in the room, even though it was the most understated thing in the room.  

There is a pair of shorts and trousers, both tailored to have a slimmer fit and might be popular with urban riders (not that I am an expert), but they have a very cool design. Both come with Endura’s bespoke belt. 

There was a base layer, which is constricted in a high-neck style with buttons and is made of Merino wool. So essentially they have taken a Baa Baa Base layer and styled it to look like something else.

Finally, there is a Glove and skullcap. I didn’t really get a look at the cap but the gloves look they belong in the glove box of a sports car. Very classy in design and made of leather and the usual stretchy fabrics that make Endura gloves work on the bike.

The Urban range is due to arrive with us in the summer and we’ll testing it out when it arrives in store.

Core Bike Show part 2

Continuing on from yesterdays Core Bike Show pictures, here's a few more highlights.  

John Tomac's Yeti C-26, XC AND downhill bike! Well it was the 80's. Sign reads, "C-26 JT Team Race Bike... Price: Priceless". 

 

This is E thirteens latest pedal. Not the thinnest in the world but thin enough. The gold dial on the end of the axle, dubbed 'spin control allows adjustment of the buttery smooth bearings. Turn up the resistance and the pedal hardly spins meaning if you are coming off the pedal for any reason (corner, trick) they are easier to find when you need to get your foot back on. 

 

Since the UCI relaxed regulations on Cyclocross bikes using disk brakes, hydraulic options have been popping up everywhere. The Parabox is one such system - this one is connected to a bike with Campag brakes.  The modulation can be altered between the front and rear independently and the feel is surprisingly good. 

 

Hope also had their Cyclocross brake on display - with the usual Hope styling, the CX brake resembles a V8 engine. The lever feel was pretty close to a normal Hope hydraulic brake. 

 

POC had the usual colourful selection on display. They are now offering a D30 pad that looks great and fits perfectly. 

 

ODI Flight Control bras with 'Wingtips' so you can customise the length of your bars by adding a screw in bar-end. Available in 700mm and 750mm options. 

Core Bike Show 2012

We took a trip down to Core Bike Show this week. Core is a trade only affair but we took some pictures for your viewing pleasure. 

 

Danny Harts UCI World Cup winning Giant Glory. We looked closely, and it is pretty much standard (name on side-walls aside). Our verdict... he is 'that' fast. He was around the show but was far too quick to catch a picture of. 

 

Birzman were in the Merida room with this great looking pro toolkit/work stand. A Must have for any team. 

 

Ever wondered what fi'zi:k shoe would look like if they took some kangaroo leather, hand stitched it in Italy, used sails for the straps, stainless steel for the buckles and carbon fibre for the sole? Well now you know! They'll set you back £299.99.

 

Nectar is a new energy product form For Goodness Shakes. Tasted great - more info on these soon. 

 

Brooks saddles... in colour. Beautiful. 

 

Really excited about the NEW Endura Urban range. More info and a full write up coming soon. 

 

More tomorrow...

Cognation

If you’re a mountain biker and have been riding in the Brechfa, Cwmcarn or Afan Valley lately, you may have seen the presence of Cognation in the hills. Whether it’s a sign on the wall, a trail crew or the brand new trail sections they have built, Cognation are developing and preserving the mountain bike infrastructure in the South Wales area.

Cognation is a group set up in partnership with Neath Port Talbot, Caerphilly and Merthyr Tydfil borough councils and also the Forestry Commission Wales and its main aim is to develop mountain biking in the South Wales area.

Cognation are playing a major role in the construction of the Gethin woods mountain bike center, due to be open in October 2013. Their other projects include: the creation of a new 6km competition mountain bike trail in Margam park to hold XC events (should have had the Olympics as well), they have extended the carpark in Cwmcarn as well as creating a small skills area coming May 2012, a new downhill trail by March 2013 and another trail by October 2013.

Cogantion are also behind the creation of the new blue/green graded trail in place of the Penhydd at Afan Valley, something we are quite highly anticipating after riding the blue, Verderers trail in Forest of Dean.

Cognation have loads going on and we really recommend you head over to their website for all the latest new and trail developments. The future of mountain biking in south Wales is looking bright.