Triathlon Juice (TRIJUICE) - triathlon news & resource site - Bike Archives

Beat the Heat with Zoot Arm Cooler Sleeves

2010-07-22T14:15:22Z

The weather this first month of summer has been extremely warm and it seems that it's likely to continue... Here is a product that will help you stay cool on those longer distance triathlon events. It made its limited debut at the 2009 Ironman World Championship race in Kona and now it's available to everyone. Protect yourself from the sun and heat while staying cool with the new Zoot Arm Cooler Sleeves. Unlike Arm Warmers which keep you warm in cold conditions, these Arm Coolers are designed to keep you cooler in hot weather while out on the bike and run course.

The Zoot Arm Cooler Sleeves are made with Ice-Fil fabric, a multi step skin cooling technology. The cooling fabric thrives in hot and humid conditions with its moisture-absorbing properties. The fabric surface treatment absorbs heat from the body and blocks infrared rays from the sun, actually reducing skin temperature by 5°F / 3°C by converting sweat to a refrigerant. The sleeves are moisture-wicking, quick-drying, breathable and anti-bacterial, with measurable skin-cooling capability and built-in sun U.V. protection.

If you are fortunate enough to wear a long sleeve wetsuit on the swim, put these Arm Coolers on before putting on your wetsuit, that way you won't have to deal with putting them on after your swim. Don't worry if they get wet, the water will evaporate and give you a cooling effect. For non-wetsuit swims or with a sleeveless wetsuit, roll the Arm Cooler Sleeves into donut shapes, that way you can slip them on up to your wrist and then roll them up your arm.

Remember this, when things get hot out on your bike or run, make sure to stay hydrated and also pour water on the Zoot Arm Cooler Sleeve to experience the cooling effect.

MSRP: $35.00

]]> Features:
- Ice-Fil fabric
- Blocks Thermal Radiation from Infrared
- Dischard Thermal Radiation w/Xylitol
- Controls moisture and sweat
- U.V. Protection
- Moisture absorbing
- 2-way circulation
- Anti-bacterial
- Fast drying
- Hypo-allergenic silicone keeps the arm coolers securely in place

For additional details on the Zoot Arm Cooler Sleeves or to purchase a pair for your next triathlon race check out: www.zootsports.com/spring2010/product/arm-coolers

Selecting a Mountain Bike for Off-Road Triathlon - Part 2

2010-07-14T12:25:17Z

In the last post Selecting a Mountain Bike for an Off-Road Triathlon - Part 1 Professional Triathlete Cody Waite covered Suspension, Tire Selection and Wheel Size. Now in Part 2 Cody talks about what you should consider looking at when finalizing your selection of a mountain bike for your XTERRA or Off-Road triathlon. Specifically Gearing and overall Weight of the mountain or cross-country bike. These factors along with the previous three are factors that can help lead to success when choosing your bike.

Gearing: More Advanced Considerations
Having the right gear ratios when mountain biking is essential. Off the floor mountain bikes will provide all the gears (usually more than) you need to train and compete. Up until just a few years ago the standard gearing on a mountain bike was a triple ring crankset and nine speed cassette in the rear providing a massive range of gears that you may or may not even need or use. Over the last several years cross-country racers have began to adopt a 2x9 system that involves using a two-chainring configuration up front.

By using only two chainrings, often slightly smaller (more compact) than the big and middle rings found on a standard triple crankset, you can improve shifting performance, achieve more "useable" gear ratios, and save some weight. With the introduction of 10-speed rear cassettes for mountain biking, with even larger gear ranges, it is more possible than ever for intermediate level and even beginning riders to benefit from the two-chainring set-up on their mountain bikes. Now it is even becoming popular for some advanced riders to use only a single-chainring up front looking to save even more weight and keep things as simple as possible.

Weight: Light but Durable
When selecting a mountain bike for off-road triathlon racing the overall weight of the bike should be a top priority. Mountain biking involves riding up and down hills of all sizes, over obstacles, around tight corners with frequent braking and accelerations. The lighter your bike, the easier all of these techniques will be to perform. This being said, you never want to sacrifice strength and durability for lighter weight. This is especially true the bigger the rider is riding the bike, so be sure to maintain this strength-to-weight balance when making your bike and equipment choices.

]]> With the strength and durability needed to take abuse, along with suspension and bigger tires the weight of mountain bikes can add up quickly. Often the easiest and most effective area to shed extra weight is in the wheels and tires. Lighter wheels equal lower rotating mass which translates into less power required to move them. Other areas that are often "overweight" on mountain bikes are the saddle, the handlebars and stem, seatpost and pedals. For many, simply replacing these items with lighter ones can drop as much as 2-3 pounds from the weight of their bike with little to no loss in strength or durability. As a guideline, for the average-sized rider, a cross-country bike should fall in the 20-25 pound range.

Conclusion
With these tips in mind when selecting a mountain bike for off-road triathlon, be sure to demo and test ride as many bikes and/or parts as possible to find what works for you. Don't be afraid to think outside of the box and to and be willing to experiment a little to get that perfect fit and ride you are looking for. There are a lot of options out there and sometimes you don't know what's best until you find it. Good luck!

Author: Cody Waite, Professional Triathlete & Coach

About Cody Waite:
Cody is the founder of Endurance Performance Coaching and is passionate about endurance sports. He has raced Ironman and Ironman 70.3 races, multiple marathons and half marathons, off-road triathlons along with winter endurance sporting events. He currently races XTERRA triathlons and mountain bike races at the professional level. Cody has been coaching endurance athletes since 2003 and continues to develop his own philosophies on training through his own training as well as those he coaches.
www.epcmultisport.com

Related Posts:
• Selecting a Mountain Bike for an Off-Road Triathlon - Part 1

Selecting a Mountain Bike for Off-Road Triathlon - Part 1

2010-07-08T12:29:15Z

We got together with our friends at XTERRA and Professional Triathlete Cody Waite to bring you and informative two-part post on what you should look at when selecting a mountain bike for an off-road triathlon. Here are five factors that can help lead to success.

Part 1 covers: Suspension, Tire Selection and Wheel Size
Part 2 covers: Gearing, Weight and an overall Summary
(Look for Part 2 next week)

The bike leg of a typical off-road triathlon can make up over half of the overall race duration and often determines who will finish on the podium and who will finish at the back of the pack. Even more so than on-road triathlon, the bike leg in an off-road triathlon is critical to your success and the bike itself plays a big factor in this equation. Mountain bikes come in all shapes and sizes. Beyond fatter tires and flat handlebars there are several other factors to consider when selecting a mountain bike for off-road triathlon racing. The most important are:
• Suspension
• Tire Selection
• Wheel Size
• Gearing
• Weight

Suspension: Less is More
The majority of mountain bikes sold today are full-suspension mountain bikes, meaning both the front and rear wheels have some form of suspension travel. Suspension has many benefits including increased control and comfort as well as improved traction and less rider fatigue. The amount of travel found on mountain bikes ranges from 3 to 8 or more inches of travel. Suspension travel refers to exactly how much your wheels can move up and down when going over rough terrain. As travel increases in bicycle design the geometry of the bike changes as well as rider position and an increase in weight of the bike. Many experienced riders prefer a bike with only front suspension and no rear wheel suspension (aka hardtail) claiming the lower weight and no rear wheel movement provide a "racier", more nimble feel compared to a suspension bike. This is purely a personal preference however, as it is all but proven that a standard 26-inch wheeled full suspension mountain bike is faster and more efficient than a hardtail.

For off-road triathlon racing you want to stay in the "cross-country" category of mountain bikes which includes bikes in the 3-4 inch travel range. This category allows for enough suspension for the types of terrain found on off-road triathlon courses while maintaining an efficient rider position for climbing hills, riding technical single-track and fast downhills. The next category up in travel is referred to as the "trail bike" category which is the largest selling category of mountain bikes today with 5-6 inches of travel. Trail bikes can work for the occasional off-road triathlete but the added weight along with a shorter and more upright rider position make for slower climbing and acceleration while also making them less nimble for faster riding over varied terrain. Instead, choosing 3-4 inches of travel for off-road triathlon is the way to go.

]]> Tire Selection: No Tubes
The one word you should know is TUBELESS. This is the only option as far as cross-country and off-road triathlon racing goes, arguably the greatest advancement in mountain biking technology since the suspension fork. The tubeless tire setup has many advantages with pretty much no disadvantages (except maybe a little extra effort to install). The advantages of tubeless tires include the ability to run lower pressure, thus improving ride quality and traction, without the likeliness of pinch flatting a tube. Flats in general are limited to major tears in the tire since the sealant used with tubeless tires will seal most small punctures up to a quarter inch in size. Lower rotating weight can also be achieved if you can run lighter "non-tubeless" tires as tubeless with sealant. You can instantly drop 100 grams per wheel by removing the tube and replacing with two ounces of sealant. However if you are a heavier rider or ride very rough, rocky terrain you will want to stick with true "tubeless tires" that have reinforced sidewalls for greater protection and support.

Wheel Size: Is Bigger Better?
The big debate in cross-country mountain bikes these days is between wheel sizes. The long time standard 26-inch wheel versus the larger 29-inch wheel size. There are arguments for and against both and the official jury is still out. Either size works well for off-road triathlon racing. The 29-inch wheel is gaining popularity amongst both experienced riders and novices alike. The larger diameter wheels allow for better traction due to a larger contact patch with the ground as well as the ability to roll over trail obstacles with more ease while maintaining momentum. The larger wheel diameter performs similar to that of an inch or two of added suspension. A novice rider may find more confidence riding through technical terrain as it seems more manageable and requires less energy than a 26-inch wheel. Trade-offs with the bigger wheels are slower acceleration and increased weight due to the increase in mass of the larger wheels and tires.

If a 29-inch wheeled bike is selected, it is even more critical to keep the total weight of the bike in mind as they can become significantly heavier than a 26-inch bike. For this reason, many 29-inch riders opt for a hard-tail frame design (no rear suspension) to keep the weight down and "racier feel" high. It is becoming possible nowadays to have a 29-inch hardtail mountain bike under 20 pounds and even a full-suspension 29ʼer under 23 pounds, making 29ʼers quite possibly the ideal bike selection!

Felt B12, B16, S32 Bike Models Recalled

2010-06-30T23:15:40Z

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Felt Bicycles have announced / initiated a voluntary recall of some Felt Bicycles. Consumers should stop using the recalled Felt Bikes immediately. NOTE: It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Hazard: The bicycle's fork steer tube can break, causing the rider to lose control, fall and suffer injuries.

Incidents/Injuries: Felt Bicycles has received seven reports of the bicycle forks breaking. Minor injuries, including bumps and bruises were reported in one of the incidents.

Felt Bike Models Affected:
- 2009 Felt B12
- 2009 Felt B16
- 2009 Felt S32

The Felt Bike models listed and shown above were sold at bicycle specialty stores nationwide from October 2008 through May 2010.

What To Do:
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled bicycles and contact their local Felt Bicycles dealer to receive a free inspection and repair. For additional information, call Felt Bicycles toll-free at (866) 433-5887 or (866) 4-FELT-US, or visit the firm's website at www.feltracing.com

]]> Additional Information:
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Press Release: Felt Bicycles Recalls Bicycles Due to Fall Hazard

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• 3T Ventus Areobar Recall
• Look KéO Bicycle Pedals Recalled

Trek Introduces Speed Concept Triathlon Bikes

2010-05-22T20:30:13Z

Waterloo, WI (May 22, 2010) -- Trek Bicycle, the world leader in bicycle technology and innovation, officially launched its highly anticipated Speed Concept line of Triathlon and Time Trial specific bicycles on Saturday against the backdrop of the Amgen Tour of California's Stage 7 Time Trial in Los Angeles. With its unprecedented aerodynamic profile, a host of new integrated technologies, and the most adjustability of any triathlon bike available, the all new Trek Speed Concept establishes a new benchmark of performance for triathlon and time trial specific bicycles.

"This launch represents the culmination of more than three years of design, engineering, and development," remarked John Burke, President of Trek Bicycle, to a crowd of more than 300 Trek retailers, international media, and industry VIPs. "The Speed Concept project is the most technologically advanced endeavor Trek has ever undertaken, and I'm proud to say it's resulted in the most advanced bicycle we have ever made."

Pivotal to the success of the Speed Concept line were three primary design parameters. "We set out to create the most aerodynamic bike ever designed, hide as much of the bike from the wind as possible, and make sure it fit the broadest range of athletes," said Trek Road and Tri Product Manager Tyler Pilger. "Trek thought of everything with this bike," said two-time Ironman champion Chris Lieto. "Just looking at the bike you can tell it's fast. Everything is hidden; cables, fuel, flat repair...everything I need to put up the best bike split on the course."

"When I ride this bike, I feel like I'm cheating," added World 70.3 Champion Julie Dibens. "It just doesn't seem fair to the rest of the field that I have this bike."

At the center of the Speed Concept's superior aerodynamics is Trek's revolutionary Kammtail tube shape. The Kammtail Virtual Foil (KVF) is the fastest, most aerodynamic tube shape ever produced for a bicycle.

"Kammtail does three things for the bicycle," said Doug Cusack, Advanced Concepts Engineer at Trek. "Basically, if you create a longer airfoil and truncate the trailing edge, it tricks the wind into thinking it is still full length, creating a virtual airfoil. The benefit is the virtual air foil effectively bends with crosswinds (yaw), maintaining its aerodynamic properties in all types of wind conditions."

]]> "The Kammtail design also allows us to create a tube shape that is stiffer and lighter than traditional aero designs, giving the bike more stability and better cornering," added Cusack. "This is by far the most aerodynamic bike the world has ever seen."

While the Speed Concept's KVF tube shape is responsible for the majority of its superior aerodynamic properties, Trek's engineering team made sure to take all sources of aerodynamic drag into consideration during its design.

"We didn't want to create a bike that was fast only in the wind tunnel under perfect conditions," said Pilger. "We wanted a bike that had everything tucked neatly into the frame design that a rider needs to race an Ironman. Hidden brakes, fully-internal cable routing, electronics, storage for fuel and flat repair, and even the skewer profile all create zero additional drag and an unprecedented aerodynamic profile." In addition to its unparalleled aerodynamic advantage, the Speed Concept line's versatility and adjustability help set it apart from the competition. With five unique sizes, six different stems, and more adjustability than the typical road bike, the Speed Concept line blends unmatched aerodynamics with the perfect fit for nearly every athlete.

Trek will offer the Speed Concept in three unique platforms in 2010, for a total of 12 models in all. As the pinnacle of triathlon performance, Speed Concept 9 Series models are manufactured in the USA from Trek's proprietary OCLV2 Carbon and are completely customizable through Trek's custom bike program, Project One.

To compliment the high-performance and fully-customizable Speed Concept 9 Series, Trek also introduced the Speed Concept 7 Series platform. Comprised of five models with MSRPs ranging from $2899 to $3799, the Speed Concept 7 Series incorporates the same revolutionary aerodynamic advantages of the 9 Series but is constructed using Trek's advanced TCT carbon.

"The only bike that measured faster in the wind tunnel than the Speed Concept 7 Series was the Speed Concept 9 Series," said Pilger. "The 7 Series offers amazing technology and an absolute best-in-class value."

Built with Kammtail tube shapes out of hydroformed aluminum, the 2 model offerings included in the Speed Concept 2 Series round out Trek's new Speed Concept line and represent the most technologically advanced entry-level triathlon bikes on the market today.

"We really wanted to create a line of tri-specific bikes with a model that's perfect for every rider," said Trek's Global Road and Triathlon Brand Manager Nick Howe. "The introduction of the 2 Series really cements Trek's dedication to the sport and our commitment to making best-in-class products available to every cyclist." For more information on Trek's all new Speed Concept line of bicycles, visit www.trekbikes.com/speedconcept.

Trek Bicycles are sold exclusively through Authorized Trek Retailers. To find the Trek Retailer nearest you, visit www.trekbikes.com.

About Trek Bicycle:
Trek Bicycle Corporation is a global leader in the design and manufacture of bicycles and bicycling related products and accessories. From Tour de France-winning road bikes to tricycles designed to introduce the next generation of riders to the possibilities of pedal-power, Trek has a bike for nearly every rider. Trek believes the bicycle can be a simple solution to many of the world's most complex problems, including obesity, traffic congestion, and climate change, and is committed to breaking down the barriers that prevent people from using bicycles more often for daily transportation, recreation, and inspiration. For more information about Trek, visit www.trekbikes.com.

# # #

Source : PRWeb

The New Zipp 404 Carbon Clinchers

2010-05-07T20:00:24Z

Zipp's First Full-Carbon Clincher Wheelset Features New Aero Profile and Materials

After two years of near-constant prototyping and refinement, Zipp carbon clinchers have arrived. Featuring a revolutionary aero rim shape and carbon materials found nowhere else in the world, the all-new 404 Carbon Clincher is the wheelset you've been waiting for.

Its Firecrest™ rim shape is the first deep-profile carbon clincher design to offer the superior aerodynamics, ride quality, strength, and handling of a wider rim body. Yet the 404 Carbon Clincher weighs just 1557 grams per wheelset, putting it among the lightest deep-profile carbon clinchers available. And like all Zipp carbon rims, the 404 Carbon Clincher is handmade in Speedway, Indiana.

To account for the differences in airflow patterns between clincher tires and tubulars, Firecrest employs a complex set of high-radius curves to adjust the width of the rim from 25.5mmm at the braking track to 27.5mm at the rim's widest point. This less tapered version of our proven hybrid-toroidal clincher rim shape particularly improves the aerodynamics of the rear wheel as it rotates within the frame. With Firecrest and Zipp's ABLC™ dimples, the 404 Carbon Clincher far exceeds the aero performance of any other clincher wheelset in its class.

As Zipp engineers have shown with designs like the Paris-Roubaix-winning 303 Tubular, a wider rim also increases lateral stiffness for sprinting and cornering yet offers greater vertical compliance for more control and comfort on rough surfaces. The same holds true for Firecrest rims with clincher tires. Because the hook beads are farther apart, the tire takes on a more stable shape. A shape that places more rubber on the road while cornering without adding rolling resistance. Increased air volume also reduces the likelihood of pinch flatting compared to narrower rims.

"This is a product that a lot of people have been waiting for, and we wanted to give them something unlike any other wheel on the market. We spent two years optimizing our carbon clincher technology and it's probably the biggest leap forward we've ever made." said Zipp Technical Director Josh Poertner

]]> Heavy, continuous braking on carbon surfaces can cause spikes in rim temperature, and clincher tires are more susceptible to the effects than tubulars are. To solve this challenge, chemists and engineers from our composites supplier made repeated visits to Zipp's R&D lab to test and refine a new heat-resistant resin based on the materials used in motorsports brake systems. Available solely to Zipp, this new technology resists heat for more consistent braking performance and tire pressure on long descents.

Naturally, we've chosen to launch our groundbreaking carbon clincher designs with our most versatile wheelset, the 404. Its 58mm rim depth is a classic all-around performer that has carried athletes to victory in every kind of event - triathlons, criteriums, breakaways, field sprints, even Grand Tour mountain stages. Now, the 404 is available with the convenience of clinchers, the light weight of an all-carbon rim, and the unrivaled performance of Zipp technology.

Like all Zipp carbon wheels, the 404 Carbon Clincher uses rims manufactured in-house by Zipp, premium Sapim CX-Ray spokes (16 front/20 rear), and US-made hubs with Swiss steel bearings.

Available now through authorized Zipp retailers around the world. Suggested retail price is $2700 U.S. per wheelset.

www.zipp.com/carbonclincher

Includes Zipp Steel Quick Releases, Tangente High Performance Cork Brake Pads, Zipp Rim Tape, and Valve Extender

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3T Ventus Areobar Recall

2010-03-26T15:13:47Z

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with 3T Design Ltd have announced / initiated a voluntary recall of all VENTUS LTD, Ventus LTD 17, VENTUS LTD Gold, VENTUS LTD Track, VENTUS TEAM and VENTUS TEAM 17 Aerobars. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

The two rubber hand grips on the Aerobars bars can loosen or slip off during use in humid, wet or salty conditions, posing a fall or injury hazard to the rider. Two incidents were reported to 3T involving adults with minor abrasions.

The recalled 3T Aerobars were sold at independent bicycle retailers and Internet retailers nationwide from January 2008 through November 2009 for about $1,200 for the LTD models and $1,000 for the TEAM models.

For information on how to receive a free redesigned rubber grip set and adhesive kit or information on how to bring your Ventus bar to a local retailer for a repair contact BikeMine toll-free at 1-877-861-9125 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit 3T's recall web page at www.TheNew3t.com/VentusRecall

See the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall detail here (Ventus Bicycle Aerobars Recalled by 3T Cycling Srl Due to Fall Hazard)

Triathlon Blurbs: TYR, 3T, Inviscid Design, Trix Gear

2010-03-16T13:25:35Z

Here are a few new items now available for you or soon to be for your triathlon swim, your triathlon bike and to wear after your race. This edition of Triathlon Blurbs! features items from TYR, 3T, Inviscid Design and Trix Gear.

Item: TYR Hurricane Wetsuits
Details: TYR enters the triathlon wetsuit market with its new Hurricane series wetsuits. Introduced last year at Interbike, they are now available for purchase. They have three suit options that will cater to any level of competition and meet your competitive level, and fall within your budget. The suit's outside is made exclusively of the lightest Yamamoto Nano SCS rubber. The combination of super stretchy rubber with the soft jersey fabric on the interior makes for a superior fit and feel.

Features
360° Core Stabilization System (not available on Category 1)
Free R.O.M. Zones
Speed Wrap Paneling
Graded Force Catch Panels (not available on Category 1)
Form Fitting Wrist Cuffs
Quick Release Ankle Cuffs

MSRP: C1: $290, C3: $450, C5: $625
Website: www.tyr.com/hurricane

Item: 3T Aura Pro TT Bar
Details: 3T has unveiled its new Aura Pro TT Bar. It's their entry-level carbon-fiber aerobar complete with extensions. The Aura shares its basic architecture with their Mistral, but its basebar has a simplified top skin and top-mounted extension clamps. This means it lacks the multiple elbow-rest positions of Mistral, but is lighter. The Aura comes with S-bend extensions as standard, but owners can customize their front-end fit by swapping in any of 3T's range of extensions. The Aura is positioned as a super-value entry point to 3T's race-proven range of time trial bars. The new Auro Pro is legal for UCI, USAT and WTC events. Weight: 598 grams, Width: 40, 42 cm
MSRP: $350 (Available June 2010)
Website: www.thenew3t.com

]]> Item: Speedsok-Silver Edition
Details: The Speedfil SpeedSok is a perfect accessory for those with a Speedfil Hydration System. The Speedsok fits securely over your Speedfil Hydration and provides an easy solution for maintaining cold fluids on your ride. This Silver Edition neoprene sock is specially coated with a silver heat reflective material to keep fluids even colder than their standard covers.
MSRP: $24.99
Website: www.invisciddesign.com

Item: Fashion Friendly Tri Inspired T-Shirts
Details: What do you get when you cross a triathlon obsessed husband with a graphic designer wife? Marriage met on middle ground and some pretty inspired tri lifestyle t-shirts. Frustrated by lack of fashion friendly tri inspired t-shirts during their seven plus years participating and spectating the team takes on the need and launches their online store. They have both Men's & Women's T-Shirts in a variety of sizes. Their designs include: Obsessive Compulsive T, Kona Slots, Fish N Chips, Paper Doll and their newly released Catch A Tiger
MSRP: $24
Website: www.trix-gear.com

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• Triathlon Blurbs: XLAB, Aquaman, Look

Triathlon Blurbs: XLAB, Aquaman, Look

2010-02-28T17:15:51Z

We come across new triathlon related items all the time. Some are prototypes while others are available for you right now. So what we'll do with this feature is to just give you a glimpse of recently discovered / upgraded triathlon related products or services

• what's new
• what to look forward to
• what to start saving your money for

A blurb is just a short written piece about something. So we decided to call this new TRIJUICE feature Triathlon Blurbs!

Here are two new items for your bike and one for your swim from XLAB, Aquaman and Look.

Item: XLAB Torpedo Mount
Details: The XLAB aero bar water bottle hydration mount allows you to mount a water bottle in the horizontal position compared to the vertical position of other front mounted water bottles. It's ideal for 20km or 40km distances in Time Trials / Triathlons. The mount is made of non-stretch polyester straps and Carbon fiber and only weighs 25g. You will still need to mount a water bottle cage to the mount, maybe either the XLAB Torpedo cage ($49.95) or the XLAB Chimp cage ($54.95) or any other cage.
MSRP: $44.95
Website: www.xlab-usa.com

Item: Aquaman Flash System
Details: Aquaman, who's been into triathlon wetsuits since 1983 makes its mark with the Flash System. The Flash System allows the swimmer to open the zipper with one hand. Their new innovation saves time and makes it easier to remove the wetsuit. Their system also provides additional protection to the back of the neck and prevents any Velcro to skin contact. The Flash System is now available on the Cell Gold and Bionik wetsuits.
MSRP: $465 - $630
Website: www.aquamantri.com

]]> Item: Look Kéo Blade Carbon Ti
Details: The new design of the Kéo Blade Carbon TI pedal is based upon a carbon blade that allows 30% more resistance than a Kéo carbon when the cleat exits the pedal in the moment disengagement. The compressed carbon blade on the Look Kéo Blade makes the pedal very secure and completely removes tension adjustments. The pedals also feature a platform that is 31% larger and 17% wider than a Kéo carbon for added efficiency and stability. The Kéo Blade Ti is available with two different release resistance blades: Version 12 for the all-around resistance and Version 16 for riders desiring more retention. The weight per pedal is 95g.
MSRP: $499.00
Website: www.lookcycle.com

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Three New Spinervals DVD's Released

2010-02-22T04:30:19Z

Looking for results this season or some variety on your bike workouts? This might help you out. Coach Troy Jacobson has released 3 new Spinervals DVD's in the Competition Series to add to your indoor cycling DVD collection. Spinervals Competition workouts will increase your power output, pedaling technique, and speed.

Each bike training DVD is designed to focus on an important energy system to make you a stronger and faster cyclist for the upcoming season.

DVD: Spinervals 33.0 - The Pain Cave
Duration: 50 Minutes Intensity: 9.8
Purpose: An Interval Workout Designed for Performance Cycling

Description: The Pain Cave will build your speed, endurance and power on the bike. Starting off with some aerobic work involving pedaling technique drills, you'll gradually build intensity through the workout with threshold work and finish up with leg burning sprints for maximum power development!

DVD: Spinervals 34.0 - Super High Intensity Training!
Duration: 55 Minutes Intensity: 9.8
Purpose: Improve your Lactate Threshold and Power!

Description: Super High Intensity Training is the 'meat and potatoes' of interval training for performance cycling. You'll go through a progressive series of sets focused on building your lactate threshold to the next level for faster cycling times at your next race.

]]> DVD: Spinervals 35.0 - Cycling Technique Focus
Duration: 50 Minutes Intensity: 8.5
Purpose: Improve your Pedaling Efficiency for Faster Cycling!

Description: This workout focuses primarily on drills designed to improve your pedaling technique and efficiency. High cadence work and one leg drills help to polish the efficiency of your pedaling technique, enabling the rider to produce maximum speeds at their present power output.

These new DVD workouts were filmed in Minnesota and feature elite athletes from the Gear West Triathlon Team, Life Time Fitness Cycling Club and others from the Minnesota Cycling and Multisport community. Professional triathlete David Thompson, who lives in MN and is known as one of the fastest cyclists in the sport of triathlon took part in the filming of the videos.

You can buy each DVD title separately at $29.95 or buy the 3-Pack for $74.95. You can visit www.spinervals.com or your local bike / triathlon shop to get your copy of these new DVD's from Coach Troy Jacobson.

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The New Zipp VukaR2C (Return to Center) Aero Shifter

2009-10-28T12:23:43Z

The Zipp® VukaR2C™ shifts up to new levels of comfort and aerodynamics.

The first shifting component from Zipp Speed Weaponry®, the new VukaR2C (Return to Center) aero shifter is a milestone in Zipp’s efforts to develop cockpit components that combine high performance aerodynamics with superior ergonomics.

After setting the VukaR2C at the natural angle for the rider’s hand position, the shifter’s return-to-center actuation resets the lever to its original angle after every shift, keeping the rider as low and as comfortable as possible.

Weighing just 180 grams per pair, the VukaR2C is also the first plug-in shifter designed with an aerodynamic profile that saves up to 6 seconds over 40km compared to a traditional TT lever.

The VukaR2C shifter was tested in Kona in 2008 and proven at the Tour de France. It is compatible with all aero bars and optimized for Zipp’s VukaShift extensions that eliminate the shifter’s expansion bolt by allowing users to attach the shifting mechanism directly to the aero bar extension.

Available in mid-November 2009! No price to mention at this time.

The VukaR2C is a plug-in shifter compatible with Shimano/SRAM 10 speed and Campagnolo 10 speed only. The VukaR2C fits most aero bar extensions, but is optimized for use with a new version of Zipp’s VukaShift extensions, which will be available in mid-January 2010.

]]> SRAM® and Shimano® versions are available.

Note that the VukaR2C was previously announced as the RZR; the name has been changed to reflect its position in Zipp’s Vuka family of aerobars as well as SRAM shift lever technology.

RacerMate Releases Real Course Video for Ironman Wisconsin

2009-09-12T03:35:16Z

Just in time for those athletes who sign-up for next year's 2010 Ironman Wisconsin comes a new training DVD for the 2-loop challenging bike course. RacerMate has just released its 10th CompuTrainer Interactive Real Course Video with the release of its training DVD for the Ironman Wisconsin bike course.

RacerMate filmed in high definition video a number of Ironman courses on race day. The new CompuTrainer Interactive Real Course Videos will allow you to see and experience the bike portion of the race while riding indoors. These videos are sure set to take training and race preparation to an entirely new level.

Previous releases include the Ironman World Championship course and Ironman videos for Coeur d'Alene, Arizona, Lake Placid, Louisville, Australia and Canada. In the works are bike training videos for Ironman Florida and Ironman France.

Prices for the videos in the new series will be: $99.95 each or $79.95 (each for 2 or more per order)

For those people that will have to travel to the triathlon it will make training for an Ironman or Ironman 70.3 bike course as if you were there, the added bonus will that it will be in the comfort of your own home.

]]> Courses that have been filmed and are due for release include:
- Ironman 70.3 Steelhead
- Ironman Lanzarote
- Ironman 70.3 Switzerland
- Ironman 70.3 Lake Stevens
- Ironman 70.3 California
- Ironman St. George
- Ironman Florida
- Ironman World Championship 70.3
- Ironman 70.3 Boise
- Ironman 70.3 Lake Stevens

Coming Soon!
Great century rides for non-triathletes have been filmed and will soon be available!

System Requirements:
- Pentium 4 or equivalent
- Windows XP, Vista
- 256MB (XP) 512MB (Vista)
- DirectX 9 (or higher)
- 128MB video card
- Xvid video codec (included)
- Microsoft C++ redistributable (included)

For more information on the CompuTrainer Interactive Real Course Videos or to purchase a video go to the RacerMate website.

Related Posts:
• Ironman Canada Interactive Real Course Video Released
• Ironman Arizona Interactive Real Course Video Released
• RacerMate Releases 1st Interactive Course Video

Ironman Canada Interactive Real Course Video Released

2009-06-05T19:02:54Z

Ironman Canada is still a few months away and just in time comes a new training DVD for the scenic and challenging bike course. RacerMate has just released its 9th CompuTrainer Interactive Real Course Video with the release of its training DVD for the Ironman Canada bike course.

Previous releases include the Ironman World Championship course and Ironman videos for Coeur d'Alene, Arizona, Lake Placid, Louisville and Australia. In the works are bike training videos for Ironman Wisconsin and Ironman Florida.

Prices for the videos in the new series will be: $99.95 each or $79.95 (each for 2 or more per order)

Just a few weeks ago, RaceMate went out and filmed the bike course for the new Ironman St. George race set to take place next May in Utah, so expect that to be released in the near future.

]]> For those people that will have to travel to the triathlon it will make training for an Ironman or Ironman 70.3 bike course as if you were there, the added bonus will that it will be in the comfort of your own home.

Courses that have been filmed and are due for release include:
- Ironman Coeur d’Alene (available)
- Ironman Arizona (available)
- Ironman USA Lake Placid (available)
- Ironman Louisville (available)
- Ironman Australia (available)
- Ironman UK (available - probably old course)
- Ironman 70.3 Steelhead
- Ironman Lanzarote
- Ironman 70.3 Switzerland
- Ironman 70.3 St. Croix (available)
- Ironman 70.3 Lake Stevens
- Ironman 70.3 California
- Ironman Florida
- Ironman World Championship 70.3
- Ironman World Championship (available)

For more information on the CompuTrainer Interactive Real Course Videos or to purchase a video go to the RacerMate website.

Related Posts:
• Ironman Arizona Interactive Real Course Video Released
• RacerMate Releases 1st Interactive Course Video

Galindez to Debut the Merida Time Warp Carbon TT at Ironman Brazil

2009-05-15T15:15:25Z

Three time Ironman Brazil champion and 2007 Ironman 70.3 World Championship runner up Oscar Galindez will help debut the new Merida Time Warp Carbon TT bike in a few week at Ironman Brazil. Not only will he help at the unveiling presentation before the race but he will ride the new bike in his quest to win another Ironman Brazil title in his country of residence.

Galindez previously had a Cervelo P3C but earlier this year landed Merida as his new bike sponsor and was outfited with the top-end bike at the time, their Warp 9 triathlon bike. A seamless aluminum bike frame with an egg-shaped head tube, light-weight carbon fork and proven multisport geometry. He used that bike a few weeks ago in his win at the Argentina Long Distance Triathlon Championship. That ride didn't last long as now comes the time to upgrade him to the new top-end bike that Merida has, the Time Warp Carbon TT.

Merida's main focus had been high end mountain bikes with a general line of road and fitness bikes. The exponential growth in the sport of triathlon in South America and around the world has led them to change focus and set their sights on high end triathlon and time trail bikes, something that many people had been waiting for. They started with the Merida Warp line which has its origin from the legendary Centurion aluminum bicycle. It's legendary in the triathlon world as it's the bike that Dave Scott road for year and won 6 Ironman Hawaii titles with and that Thomas Hellriegel used in 1996 and set the bike course record with at Ironman Hawaii in a time of 4:24:50.

The brains behind the Centurion line Juergen Falken has been with Merida since the brand was absorbed many years ago. He's helped Merida design high end mountain bike but has been itching to get back into designing high end road and time trial bikes. His dreams and passion have progressed and become reality in a few weeks with the debut of the Time Warp Carbon TT bike in competition in Brazil.

The new bike features a carbon frame, a unique, interchangeable carbon shell head tube positioner that's aero dynamic, rear hidden brake, a seat post that looks integrated but is not and a four position saddle clamp that gives the bike an angle of 75 to 79 degrees. No price is mentioned as of yet.

For additional pictures and specs of the new Time Warp Carbon TT bike see Adelanto exclusivo: la nueva joya de Merida [ via Atletas.info ]

]]> In conjunction with Funfsports, Merida is organizing a presentation to the public and press on Friday, May 29th, at 6:00 PM (Brazil time) at the Hotel Il Campanario and will be broadcast live over the internet. Falken and Galindez be showing of the bike and talking about the design of the bike and issues such as efficiency and optimization when pedaling. Registration is required if you plan to be present because it's limited to 150 attendees. See link for details: www.funfsports.com/hotsites/merida-time-warp/

Back in 1986 when Falken was 26, he finished Ironman Hawaii in 296th position with a time of 10:16:03. Falken is now 46 and is happy as a child with a new toy. He is so excited and motivated with his new creation that it has sparked his desire to do an Ironman race and get back to Hawaii. He too will be competing at Ironman Brazil, presumably with his new toy as well. He hopes to qualify in the 45-49 age group.

Photo and story idea / translation from article posted on Atletas.info

Grease Monkey Wipes - Not Just for Greasy Hands

2009-05-06T13:55:14Z

May 5, 2009 Austin, Texas - Clean your hands and your bike with just one wipe. Grease Monkey Wipes, the premier individually packaged degreasing wipes for cyclists, provide a convenient solution to cleaning your greasy hands as well as your bike chain and other drivetrain components.

Grease Monkey Wipes were originally designed for cyclists to clean their hands after a mid-ride repair. Now cyclists are using them to clean their bikes too.

"When we introduced Grease Monkey Wipes we envisioned them as a portable solution to remove grease from your hands after changing a flat tire, putting back on a dropped chain, or dealing with other mechanical issues associated with riding," says Tim Stansbury, owner of Grease Monkey Wipes. "Now our customers are sharing additional ways they use the wipes, such as easily cleaning their bike chains. They like the fact that they can use a single, pre-moistened wipe to quickly clean the chain, whether at home or at an event."

Designed by cyclists for cyclists, Grease Monkey Wipes are individually packaged degreasing wipes. Each durable 2.5" x 4" pouch contains an 8" x 7" nontoxic, pre-moistened wipe that utilizes a natural, citrus-based formula to handle heavy duty cleaning, including grease and grime. Grease Monkey Wipes are conveniently sized to be kept in a saddle bag, bento box, jersey pocket, post-race bag, or toolbox.

Grease Monkey Wipes have a MSRP of $1.00 and can be purchased online at www.greasemonkeywipes.com and at bicycle retailers throughout North America.

]]> Interested in carrying Grease Monkey Wipes? The company is in the process of expanding its retailer and distributor network and welcomes new dealer inquiries. Please contact Tim Stansbury at tim@greasemonkeywipes.com for more information. There is a low minimum order and prices are keystone.

About Grease Monkey Wipes:
Grease Monkey Wipes is located in Austin, TX and strives to provide unique products for cycling and triathlon enthusiasts. The company is committed to offering customers eco-friendly products that are made in the United States. For more information visit the company's website at www.greasemonkeywipes.com.