As usual the gear is top quality stuff. So if your looking for some cycling gear that’s’ left of centre’ check out the new winter range. The track pants and jumpers have that thick heavy quality feel and whats new is that they are venturing into newer territory by offering a broader women’s range including Leggings and more. Check out the images below, the pictures tell the story.

• BONUS: Apres Velo are also offering Bunch Ride Finder viewers 15% off the off full priced items! Use the Code: bunchride

(Note: Apres Velo Discount does not apply to SALE ITEMS, GIFT VOUCHERS or GIFT PACKS. Discount to expire at 12 midnight AEST 24^th)July

Once again we want top say a big thank you to Apres Velo for the great ‘Team Caffeine’ prize pack for the Shoot to Win Competition.

When offered to try out the EX range of bikes I jumped at the chance.  I had the opportunity to try either the Carbon EX 9.8 or the Aluminimum EX9. The reality is that I wouldn’t be able to afford the Carbon EX9.8 and if tempted to get a Trek EX, i’d rather try something within my budget so the EX9 it was.

2011 Trek EX9

After the past year I’ve been riding a ‘all mountain bike’ with 160mm travel which as been a blast on the down hill, yet the reality is most of my riding is trail with the occasional fast downhill sections plus lots of up hills, so the Trek Fuel EX 9 in theory fits my type of riding (see video above).

The Fuel EX9 is a 120mm travel full suspension bike, and the EX9 comes with features unique to Trek. They have what they call the DRCV (Dual Rate Control Valve – stacks of info here) it’s a shock thats been developed with Fox. Essentially what this does is smooth out the shock rate for the entire stroke while also having great pedaling efficiency, small bump compliance and big hit control (see the extra lumpy bit above Pro Pedal lever – thats it)

Trek EX9 'DRCV'

To set the record i’m no bike reviewer, just a guy who rides a lot and I reckon could be seen as the type of market these bikes are aimed at. So my thoughts on this bike are just that – thoughts. Does the DRCV system work? no idea, what I do know is that this bike ‘felt’ fantastic. I was able to go down hill just as fast as I would be able to on my 160mm travel bike. Yet going up hill and on the single track is where this bike blew the other out of the water – it’s just so much faster and agile.

The handling was sublime, this has a lot to do with a few things

1. the 15mm Thru Axels – They just seem to tighten up the dropouts and give more precise steering.

2. Trek have what they call ‘ARB’ (firm up under braking – Active Braking Pivot (ABP) allows your suspension to remain active, whether you’re pedaling, coasting or braking – see pic below).

3. E2 Head tube – 1.5” lower for extra strength and control.

4. Weight – the weight of this bike is spot on, light yet stiff. With this bike you are able to flick it around like a hard tail.

Trek EX9 'Active Pivot Braking'

Only grip was the tyres, they seemed a bit on the skinny side. It might be because i was used to big 2.3′s from my old bike. Once the Trek Rep reduced the tyre pressure they seemed a lot more grippy. Having said that I reckon they would make awesome race day tyres as the rolling resistance is low – yet you’d have to get used to the amount of grip they offer in fast corners.

Set up of the suspension was also a breeze. So many times with other bikes I have found myself searching the for shock pressure rates and re-bound rates – even then it still feels like guess work. I was pleasantly surprised to find that on the Trek website a single PDF with everything I need (check it out here) Fork and Shock Pressure based on rider weight, plus rebound settings. Furthermore, on the website they had set video for the dummies – too easy.

The E2 head tube

So going from a 160mm to 120mm full suspension bike and for the trails that I ride, i’d have to say the Trek wins hands down. Like it says on the website it’s a great ‘do it all bike’, you could ride this thing all day. Plus with the spec of the EX9 I can see myself using this as a race bike -  Like most, I do the once a year 24hr bike race with a group and this bike would be spot on. If your into big drops go for a bike with bigger travel.

So does the APB, DVCR, E2, EVO  and all the other acronyms work? Who knows?, but now the the EX has just jumped onto my next bike list!

Check out all the specs and watch the videos here – there’s lots to take in!

Thanks to:
Trek Australia for the test bike. View it here
Follow their tweets @TrekBikesAust
Video: Taken on a Get Pro Camera by Simon (@nomisllab) and thanks for the ‘doof -doof’ music
Photos: Taken in a rush by me on a iphone, before the bike had to go back to Trek

One of my favourite cycling things and most used cycling thing is my Apres Velo coffee mug – ‘Team Caffeine’ as it say’s on the handle. Yep this would have to be the most consistently used cycling related item I have – it’s a personal favourite. If I used my turbo trainer as much as this mug, i’d be an A grade rider not a B grade rider.  And I guess that’s just the market the Apres Velo guys are after – the cyclists who has a day job, has kids yet often finds themselves more off the bike then on.

After a in impromptu  chat with Leonard (aka ‘Big Cog’) I mentioned that I use his products on average about 3-4times a day, especially in the office. A week later I find in the mail box a package containing a new mug (awesome) T-Shirt, Water Bottle and Cap.

To the non-cyclists its just another shirt, yet to cyclists the style and design instantly screams Apres Velo.  The hand drawn graphics and illustrations have been a feature of this brand since 2006. Catchy little slogans and are everywhere, the more you look the more you find, for example – shirt tag ‘”After Cycle Wear, Created and designed in Sydney Australia by Bicycle Obsessed Crankers” and Apres Velo Chamois Cream, for Cycling Nuts’… it goes on.

Apres Velo – Good’ol fashion quality.

As mentioned I’ve been using the ‘Fuel Mug’ for a while now it’s a favourite of mine – and yeh it’s just a mug, but a key feature (other then looking great) it’s on the large size it saves me going back to make another cup. Only downfall is that it can be hard to get under my espresso machine.

The water bottle is again, a water bottle. Having said that its made from that ‘soft’ plastic, I hate waterbottles that are made of hard cheap and nasty plastic – I’m pleased to say this isn’t one of those. Another big plus is that there is no nasty plastic taste. At the Tour Down Under  I managed to get one of the free  Skoda water bottles, and yep the price reflected the quality. Now its used for holding degreaser. Slogan ‘Apres Velo Chamois Cream, for Cycling Nuts’ on one side, logo on the other.

The ‘Cognoscenti’ Acid Black shirt has some cool graphics, I love the single speed logo/motif, yet I’m not sure about the tie dye look down the side, maybe its just me but I like to keep things simple. The front and back graphics as mentioned are very cool, I like how they don’t scream ‘i’m a cyclists’. The quality of the shirt is fantastic, it has that ‘organic’ cotton feel – not sure if it is, but feels like that.

The fit is loose yet not baggy – just the way I like it. There’s stacks of different designs and Big Cog tell’s me there are some new ones soon to be released (check out their site).

Apres Velo Cap

The Cap looks great – cool black and white graphics with the all important go fast racing strip. Not much to be said here other then it fits. I reckon the uber cool, inner city fixie types would love these. Me? i’d simply use it on cold winter days after a ride at the coffee shop to help keep my head warm.

Check out the full range of Apres Velo gear at www.apresvelo.com, they’ve got stack for men and women and it’s this sort of gear that makes great gift ideas for the cyclists who already has a 5 bikes, 3 sets of wheels etc etc.

Oh, they also have a Apres Velo cycling kit – Jerseys and Bibs etc. If Apres Velo means “After Cycle wear, or something”, are you meant to wear these after cycling too? Maybe this kit is just for wearing to the coffee shop?

I might have to have another chat to the Big Cog – Leonard!

Thanks to Apres Velo for sending the gear over, and remember:

From the Babici website:

‘The Babici® brand was created to dress the local velo enthusiasts with cycling attire that represented the history of cycling in Oatley, NSW Australia.’

We are not entirely sure what that means, but when you look at their complete range of cycling kits they have what we think to be one of the nicest range of cycling kits going round. It’s kind of like ‘Rapha’, but with more colour and at a better price point. If this is the history of Oatley NSW – they are a classy mob.

Our pack was the Ventoux kit which consisted of Jersey, Bib n Brace Knicks, Arm Warmers, Cap, Stickers and matching Musette.

The unique understated styling will appeal to a broad range.

The Bib Knicks cost $160 AUD, Equipped with an antibacterial GEL chamois, GEL leg stabalisers, comfort seam stitching and ultra light and durable Lycra – there’s a fair bit of technology going into these at quite a good price point.

The Babici® jersey ($120AUD) features design innovation in the zip housing for both top and bottom. The fit is a ‘race look’ and body contouring style (not super tight like some Euro brands). Plus the material features antibacterial and body temperature control fabrics.

With little details like little tabs that the zipper tucks into, the full length jersey zips and the leg grippers on the outside are things that we appreciate - signs that these have been designed by someone who rides.

What’s more evident of this is the ‘Corsa Jersey‘ – it’s a stylish kit with a shorter torso cut and aero fabric on the side panels. The Corsa is a pure racing kit that would be spot on for the aussie summer crits – plus being almost all black it should not cause a issue with the Commissaire.

We’ll be taking the kit for a ride in the local bunch tomorrow to get the group consensus on the look, and to test the kit and chamois out (which apparantly has been sourced from a certain Italian company famous for their knicks).

UPDATE:

On Saturday I took the new kit out to the local bunch ride. When I rolled out the door at 6am, the heavens opened and I got totally drenched. By the time I got to where I was meeting the bunch it stopped – a perfect way to start a ride in a brand new kit….not. Yet in hindsight – it was probably the best way to test out a kit. I’ve worn a Castelli kit before, and due to the texture of the material and  the wet/humidity i’d often get friction and rubbing sores. Yet after 70kms it didn’t happen with the Babici kit.

The first thing I noticed when putting on the knicks was the ‘softness’ of the material. It was softer/smoother then any i have warn before. They are not as firm as say a compression style Bib n Brace knicks, but then I guess they are not meant to be – they are simply comfortable. The leg grippers are great, do the job without cutting in to the leg and the Chamois while being looking on the  thin side was fantastic. Same with the Jersey, it fitted perfectly was simply forgotten about when riding.

The guys in the bunch thought the kit looked great. They liked and I liked how it’s different to all the pro kits, understated yet classy. Few asked what ‘Babici’ was, was it a club?  - and i guess in a way it is, kind of. It is for those who want something different, those who don’t want to look like a billboard – yet would like more colour then the Rapha style kits.

Overall, I was very impressed with the kit and i’m am seriously thinking of getting one of their race kits – ‘Corsa‘

VISIT: babici.cc for other designs and the full  Babici story.

Plus check out their carbon frames – again, understated class.

]]> http://www.bunchridefinder.com.au/archives/1497/feed 1 http://www.bunchridefinder.com.au/archives/922 http://www.bunchridefinder.com.au/archives/922#comments Sat, 03 Oct 2009 00:50:14 +0000 admin http://www.bunchridefinder.com.au/?p=922 Talk on the street was about which Tyres are good for racing, bunch rides and the every day commute? After a few discussions in various bunches, the Vittoria Rubino Pro’s came up quite often so we thought we’d give them a go.

The Rubinos come in heaps of colours (Yellow/Black, Red/Black, White/Black, Blue/Black, White/Black, and Black).  I opted for the white ones to bling up the Colnago, but quickly came to regret it after the first ride.

The Rubino Pro product family is in the same league of Continental GP4000, Michelin’s Pro Race and Hutchinson’s Fusion concerning TPI count (Threads Per Inch) having 120 nylon threads for each single casing layer (no the sum of all layers), this is market standard for high performance and low weight – these weighed about 225gms.

The other thing they state about the tyres are: “High performance and long lasting compound thanks to Kevlar Endura 3D granting the rider high mileage, low rolling resistance and fabulous grip. Dot C.O.M. Vector tread, deriving from Diamante, higher quality product, increases cornering grip and gives for a fast rolling straights.”

The sides of the Tyres do add heaps of grip in the wet would have to be one of the great things about these ‘do it all’ tyres.  I don’t head out in the rain, but it’s comforting to know that they’ll perform should I get caught out.

After one 40km ride this is what the tyres ended up looking like (pic above). Thanks to the recent Sydney dust storms, the beautiful white tyres turned into a poo brown type colour. The Rubino’s did wash up well, although they’ll never be white again. But what did i expect?

Performance.
These tyres are fast, but not super fast, they are grippy in the wet thanks to the ‘Dot C.O.M. Vector tread’ and give great confidence cornering.

So far no punchers at all, something that the boys in the bunch did say. Apparently they are renown for being really puncher resistant which has been true so far (1500kms).

The other thing to note is that after 1500kms, they have virtually no cuts – something that the old Michelin Pro Races used to do quite easily.
Overall I am very impressed with these tyres, great for everyday use and the occasional race. For racing I’d rather have faster, lighter tyres, but for a do it all tyre the Rubino Pros fits the bill.

Word on the street is that the Conti GP4000 with the Chilli compounds are even better… might just have to check them out for the next review!

When you get these shoes in your hand the first thing you notice is their weight, or lack of. They are light! they come in at around 250grams. The next thing is the carbon sole, the one piece hand laid carbon fiber construction doesn’t just stop at the base, it actually wraps up the sides of the shoe and heel. Not only does this give extra stiffness, it’s where the advantage of heat moulding really comes to play with Bont shoes.

Time to get baking:

Following the advice from Bont, I placed the shoe with the oven pre-heated to 60-70degrees celcius and then heated the shoes for 15-20minutes. Checking every now and then its around the 17minute mark you could feel the Carbon start to soften. Wearing my hot shoes, you strap them up, place your body weight forward over the ball of your foot (this shapes the main area of the foot bed), squeeze the heel box together to get a snug fit, wait a bit – done! The shoes are ready. Simple.

Once moulded, the carbon that wraps up and around your feet now kind of ‘locks’ your foot into place, awesome when putting the power down. It also stops the toe box area from stretching over time, which gives these shoes longer life.

Getting the cleats on:

When placing cleats on BONT shoes you’ll need the short screws that come with your pedals. My new Speedplay cleats came with them so I guess nearly all cleats would. Why the short screws? BONT shoes have a super skinny stack height – that’s the amount of space between your pedal and the ball of your foot. If you use long screws, you’ll find them poking through to the inside of your shoe.

If you look at the picture below, you’ll see the same Speedplay cleats on a Shimano shoe and the BONT A1 shoe – look at the gap difference – that’s stack height, less the better.

BONT A1 Shoes have a stack height of just 3.6mm. It’s the way that Bont lay their carbon fiber and the technique they use to expel the bonding resin which gives the low stack height – unique to Bont, its a company secret. I found that with these shoes on, I had to adjust my seat height slightly to accommodate the difference that’s how little stack height there is! .More on the stack height later…

The little things:

A little detail I like a lot about these shoes is that the heel and toe pads on the Bont shoes are replaceable. I’ve found in the past that these areas often wear really fast.  Not only are these replaceable but the buckle and the buckle strap is too. Great for when you have a crash as often the first thing to get road rash and stuffed is the buckle. Good to know you can replace it with the Bonts.

Furthermore buckles have a ‘half’ release click – while riding you can adjust the tension by clicking one side of the buckle, and to full release – press both sides, simple and effective.

What about the A2′s?

The A2′s are the have nearly all the same features as the A1′s yet at quite a cheaper price point. The A2′s only come in Black and Silver as shown, or Black and White, colours that will stay in fashion for years to come. The A2′s are super stiff, use the same buckle system yet have a slightly higher stack height (4.4mm). These offer excellent value. The price difference between the A1′s and A2′s is in the Sole, the A2′s are a Carbon Composite sole, where the A1′s are 100% Carbon Fiber. They feel just as stiff, just slightly more stack height.

On the Street:

The A1′s compared to my old Shimano’s? these are crazy stiff!! If you want high performance shoes the BONT A1s are for you. I found that adding another padded sole give you super comfort which make these shoes the best of both worlds, Stiff and Comfortable. I was really amazed at the difference – it felt like I had an extra leg!

With less stack height than my old Shimano’s, my feet felt more ‘connected’ to the pedal, a kind of more direct feel. Combine this with a 100% Carbon Sole and torsion bar, it feels like you have more power.

The shoes have around 40 air holes and there was enough air flow to keep my feet cool without getting cold.

The Local Bunch:

Nearly 70% of the local bunch thought that Bonts were only custom made shoes – wrong, you can get these off the shelf from most bike shops.  Yep, Bont also do and can make custom shoes, but these A1′s and A2′s are off the shelf Cycling shoes.

Everyone loved the look of the white A1′s and also thought the A2s’ were also very cool and understated – most could not see the difference between the two. Everyone loved how light they were and when i told them that they were hand made, at first people did’nt believe it! thought it was a marketing hype – but no it’s true.

Verdict:
The A1′s are for riders who want the best and demand a shoe that performs. I liked them because not only are they a shoe that actually makes you ride better through the power transfer – but they also are made to last. Having all the replaceable bits, you’ve got a shoe that’s going to last you a long time, this is where I really see the added value.

The A2′s offer exceptional value being a bit cheaper and having a lot of the features of the A1 including all the replaceable bits.

Oh, if you are after something a bit cheaper again, Bont have just launched  a new shoe “The JET or A3′s” that will retail for about $199AUD!, it wont have the buckle but but is super light, has a heat mouldable composite sole and looks fantastic! Not a bad from the Aussie company.

A1 BONT Shoes
Leather Colours: White & Black , Black & Silver
MicroFiber Colours: White, Black, Pink, Red, Green, Yellow, Orange and Blue
Price: $549.00 AUD RRP

A2 BONT Shoes
MicroFiber Colours: White & Black, Black & Silver
Price: $399.00 AUD RRP

NEW A3 BONT JET Shoes
Colours: White, Black
Price: $199.00 AUD RRP

• For a online size chart click here and all the details on the shoes, check out: www.bont.com.au

The fellas at Keirin Culture sent over their latest cycling clothing for review.

So what’s so good about Keirin Culture?
The thing that impressed us the most about these designs are that they are created by artists with a passion for cycling, and it shows. The designs are not your usual run of the mill cycling ‘clichés’. What i like is that they have a unique style, and are not ‘over the top’ cycling related. The thing I hate most about cycling casual clothing is that the majority of the time it screams ‘I’m a bike geek’, why would you want to walk around with a picture of a pump on you.

Check out the Keirin Culture Lion Rabbit Design (below) The design has subtle Cycling references integrated into the Lion Design – cool, its cycling related without screaming it out loud.

Lion Rabbit Design - Keirin Culture

Now for the best part.
The other thing I hate about Cycling Casual gear is the inflated price, it seems all cycling related clothing has some sort of ‘bike tax’ applied to it.

Keirin Culture shirts are just $35AUD! Bargin! and that’s for a shirt that is screen printed on 150 GSM 100% cotton (light and slim fitted), pre-shrunk with double needle bottom hem & sleeves.

So what did the local bunch think?
We took a couple of the shirts to the local bunch to get the low down. What most people thought was the same as us – cool designs, not ‘bike geeky’ and the price point was a hit. Only concern was the sizing, yet the shirts are now being stocked in local bike stores as well as a sizing details on the site – so that should not be a problem.

We found the sizing to be a slim fitted fit, so keep that in mind when ordering. Plus the shirts are light weight, excellent for Summer.

Check out all the designs here: www.keirinculture.com.au