How Aero is Aero? That is the question--

I was cruising through some old articles online and came upon this one from cyclingnews.com Take a look, as always, some interesting points presented: "How Aero is Aero." November 28, 2008.

Stealth Rarity from Parlee

Kurt mentioned a few days ago that you can get a Parlee frame pretty much however you'd like it--well take a look at this stealth looking frame. This is a 2010 Parlee Z5, Size Medium Short with a custom black matte stealth paint. Paint you wonder? Yes it is, painted and clear coated, but with a matte finish. Also featured here is Parlee's secret ghost finished lettering--very difficult to capture on film, as it were. Take a peek. And to boot it's only 880 grams WITH paint...that's light boys and girls, light, period. So the real question is, how much does paint weigh?
*Jeff P

Gentlemen's Racing

Rapha Gentlemen's Race - Sept. 6th, 2008 from RAPHA on Vimeo.

Just so happens that, involuntarily, I had some time on my hands today considering my laptop is on its last legs (how infuriatingly frustrating is that?!), thus the reason for multiple posts. Nevertheless, I stumbled upon some videos(actually last year) produced by the folks at Rapha UK, and find them quite interesting and captivating (so much so that i thought I'd share with our 4 "followers" (wahooo!)--the scenery, the production, the music, the riding--everything that evokes the "epic" ride--makes you (well me) want to just get out there with a group of riders and just ride, far and long, multiple consecutive days in a row. I'll post a few here and there. Here are 2 that are evocative and just pure fun--somewhere between Paris-Roubaix, The Gumball Rally ('76 version, of course,) and the Cannonball Run, meets Breaking Away is this concept now becoming known as the "Gentleman's Race." 100+ miles unsanctioned, unsupported, yet ruled by a chivalrous notion of sportsmanship. This first one is quite possibly the first known (or publicized) such "race." Enjoy. The 2nd below, is more recent, and took place not to far from here in Upstate NY.

Get inspired, for your next epic ride.

Rapha Gentlemen's Race - New Paltz, NY from RAPHA on Vimeo.

*Jeff P

Custom Speedplay Pedals

Cycle Loft now has in its hands Speedplay's latest customization tool. In the cool little metal box are 5 sets of Z-pedals, each with different length spindles--Ti standard (the shortest), Stainless Steel standard (a bit longer), and then 3 more SS models with incrementally longer pedal spindles--giving an additional 1/8th, 1/4, and 1/2 inch of width from the crank? Why? Custom positioning based on pedal style and physical makeup--ever see those rub marks on a rider's crank arm? The solution? Well, there's never been a great one until now. Also in the Kit are stack plates for leg length discrepancies, varus and valgus canting wedges, stainless steel wear protector plates, snap shims, fore/aft adapter plates...and all the length of bolts one would need to customize one's Speedplay pedals. Also of interest, is the latest data regarding the aerodynamic benefits of Speedplay pedals vs. other leading pedals.

One more item of interest regarding Speedplay pedals was featured at September's Interbike Trade Show in Las Vegas, NV. See here for a look at the future of power meters--it's pretty slick. "MetriGear debuts promising new Vector power meter." For the time being, not a whole lot of info on the when the product will be available--right now all one can do is sign-up for a newsletter--file under "unobtanium" for the time being.

*Jeff P

Lights @ The Cycle Loft

Fall (Winter soon enough) is upon us. And with that comes the opportunity to ride at night (offroad) by choice, and by necessity on the road with the shortening of the days. Either way, we've got you covered with a range of lights, including products from Light & Motion, Nite Rider, Trek, Planet Bike, and Sigma. Need to be seen? Grab as many "blinkies" as possible, red for the rear, white for the front--you just can't have too many flashers--we now have handlebar end lights, as well as blinking leg straps. Need to SEE the road or trail? Well then you need a rechargeable lighting system, such as the Nite Rider MiNewt Mini USB + that you can charge from your computer, or the Light & Motion Stella 120. And don't forget about our Thursday night mountain bike night rides. See you soon! (All pun intended.)
*Jeff P

CYCLE LOFT GETS VEGAS SHOW BIKE

We've all heard it before,...location, location, location!!! Yes there is something to be said for location, and being located only 20 minutes from Parlee Cycles in Peabody, Mass,...also has it's perks.

That and the fact that we are one of their better dealers, and part sponsors of their two flagship Track Racers, namely Eric Barlevav and Jackie Simes IV. So shortly after the annual Las Vegas Interbike trade show finished, we were lucky to receive one of Parlees show bikes to put on display.

For those of you who have followed the cyclingnews.com posts regarding the new Parlee Z5 road frame, many of you will have seen the photos of these bikes already. The Z5 has some pretty cool differences from it's predecessor, namely the Z4. It has a traditional rear end versus a wishbone rear end, an over-sized lower headset bearing (1 1/8 & 1 1/4,) and the new BB30 bottom bracket configuration. These three changes add up (ironically) to a weight reduction of approximately 100 grams, to produce a sub 800 gram frame set. Ergonomically every size frame is offered with two head tube lengths to facilitate more options, fit wise. That's pretty friggin' cool from a bike fitters point of view and will really play into the favor of female cyclists!

The show bike had some pretty cool aesthetic details to it that won't come with the stock Z5's, but as always will be offered as add ons for anyone who wants to give their ride it's own personal flavor. Visually, at first, the white frame and fork don't seem to be out of the ordinary at all. (Lets face it,...white bikes have been in vogue now for a few seasons, even if the conservative New England market has not caught on yet.) But it's only at a closer look that there are some fresh new details on offer. The new font has a modern flavor to it, and gone are the traditional panels. The pin-striped lettering allows for the addition of another color, and in this case it's Lamborghini Orange. That's five layers of metallic color on those 3mm pin stripes to be exact.

Taking it a step further, the guys at Parlee decided that the red accents on the Sram Red gruppo, would conflict with the orange writing, and promptly changed all the accents on the levers, crank arms and rear derailleur to match. They went a step further and used orange ferrules to support the cable housing,...and then to top it off,...added a pair of custom orange TRP R960 brakes. These, like the frame set,...are truly a pair of unique brakes. Well almost...as there is reportedly only one other pair in existence. Talk about having something different to everyone else! It used to be that paint schemes were the way to differentiate yourself from other riders. Now it seems,...that the options are endless.

Chances are that this bike will go pretty quickly, as the fact that it was an industry show bike, usually has something to do with it. Cyclists who want the latest and greatest certainly have it in this package.
Also on our display floor is a new 2010, stock colored Z4. Also with the new lettering like the Z5, but this time in red. Gone is the traditional panel as seen on the 2009 model (at left). But like anything with Parlee,...if you want it a certain way,...they are happy to do it for you. So if you like the old font over the new, the traditional panels,...floro colors from the '80's or even a matte black finish,....all you need to do is ask.

Like the old Harley Davidson T-shirt used to say,...."If I wanted to fit in, I'd take the bus!"

If you want something different...ride a Parlee.

*Kurt "Chopper" Begemann

The First Annual Mayors Cup

Two weeks ago (sorry for the late post), the first annual Mayors Cup Criterium was held in downtown Boston, around Government Center on Saturday evening the 26th of September 2009. The event was put on in conjunction with Bostons Hub On Wheels, sponsored in part by Mayor Tom Menino and promoted by former pro racer Nicole Freedman.

It was by and large a successful event, with A) big fields in both the Men's and Women's Elite fields, and B) large crowds, despite the cooler weather. Neither race was plagued with nasty wrecks, which is surprising considering the sketchy corners from New Sudbury to Congress Street and from Congress to State Street.

The course was 7/10ths of a mile long and the men's field covered the 90 minute race with an average speed of 28 mph. Over 70 riders in the men's field finished the race which is a testament to the actual course design. Most city center crits are designed with extremely tight corners, which results in few finishers which needless to say,...sucks for the riders, AND of course,...the spectators.

New England professional Tim Johnson (Team Ouch/Maxxis) taking a break from racing to recover a separated shoulder paired up with Dave Townend to commentate and provide a rider's perspective into the race. Other famous New England racers such as the McCormack family (brothers Frank, Mark and Sean), came out of retirement to take part in what promises to be a big annual event moving forward.

The women's race was won by Tina Pic (Colavita Women's Team) who was racing her last professional race before retiring. Way to go Tina! The mens race was won by Kyle Wamsley (also Colavita), who won the other big New England race, The Fitchburg Longso Classic in 2008. Looks like Kyle likes the racing in New England. Also a fantastic way for Team Colavita to finish out the season. This is one of the best teams in the United States, which has given rise to many of the countries top pros. It is very easy to support this team and help grow American cycling by purchasing Colavita cooking products at your local super market.

From the shop's perspective, we had a number of local riders in both races, so it was good to be represented. On a special note, this was the first time this season, that both Jackie Simes IV and Eric Barlevav (Mountain Khakis Pro Cycling) raced in the Boston region. Both riders are supported by Cycle Loft in the Track racing careers and are managed by in-store coach Kurt Begemann. Both riders scooped up big money preemes and Eric won the bunch sprint beating Karl Menzies (Ouch/Maxxis) for 8th.

All in all a great event which promises to increase the popularity of cycling in the Boston region. Here's a hearty congratulations to Mayor Menino and Nicole Freedman and her team for putting together a first class event.

USA Cycling Elite Track Championships: Madison

This was a tough one from the gun! The lads from Team Cycle Loft, Jackie Simes & Eric Barlevav were in the points right from the start, picking up sprint placings in several sprints. At one point they were down a lap, and then they surged back to take it back. Final placing was 4th, down a lap. This was a grueling 200 lap race with out a doubt. Now that the US National track season is over, eyes will look towards some transitional time off and then the Winter 6Day season, and racing in Australia, NZ, and Tasmania. Hats off to Andrew Armstrong for this pic and his reports straight from the track infield as the racing was happening. More race pics to come as they become available. Luckily we were able to see the race unfold, and the mayhem spread across the track with a live audio and video feed. Pics are beginning to appear on the USAC site.

USA Cycling Elite Track Championships: The Points Race Final

Here's Jackie Simes drilling it hard in the Points Race Final; he would go on to finish 5th overall, 3rd in the Espoirs {Under 23} Category. Taylor Phinney {Livestrong} won the Points race on a tie breaker to Mike Creed {Team Type 1}. Eric Barlevav finished 7th overall. With finishes in the top 10, it would seem that Jackie & Eric are going well and could be in good stead for the Madison final today. The two partners have ridden 3 Madisons together this year: Fiorenzoula Pro 6Day, Detroit 3Day International, and Madison Cup. Photo from USA Cycling Website.

USA Cycling Elite Track Championships: The Scratch Race Podium., Photos | Cyclingnews.com

USA Cycling Elite Track Championships: The Scratch Race Podium., Photos Cyclingnews.com: "The scratch race podium." Eric Barlevav takes 5th in the Elite Scratch Final.

USA Cycling Elite Track Championships: A Little Bumping In The Scratch Race, Photos | Cyclingnews.com

Eric Barlevav during the 2009 National Elite Track Championship Scratch Race Final. Eric would go on to finish 5th overall. USA Cycling Elite Track Championships: A Little Bumping In The Scratch Race, Photos Cyclingnews.com: "Eric Barlevav: A little bumping in the scratch race"

USA Cycling Elite Track Championships: Jackie Simes (Time Pro Cycling), Photos | Cyclingnews.com

Jackie Simes during the 2009 National Elite Track Championship Scratch Race Final--Jackie was off the front with only a few laps to go. USA Cycling Elite Track Championships: Jackie Simes (Time Pro Cycling), Photos Cyclingnews.com: "Jackie Simes"