Cycling

In addition to the long travel TS8 suspension fork, Magura had something else up their sleeve. Something...

Euskaltel leader still hoping for stage victory

First, I hate you. It's not nice to take other people's things: bikes, headlights, boyfriends, whatever. If it clearly belongs to someone else, yet knowing that, you take it anyway, you are a douche and I hate you.Second, it's broken, as you either already know or will find out shortly, so good luck with that. Moreover, the rechargeable batteries are like eight years old and nearing the end of their useful life, so I won't miss those very much, either. (In fact, there's another little surprise waiting for you when you do decide to replace the batteries.) True, it's a rather large financial inconvenience to have to replace my blinky headlight before, instead of after, I start my new full-time job, but I could probably make do with another cheap Knog or two until I have money again.Third, I'm curious as hell as to why you chose today, of all days, to steal the damned thing, considering it's been sitting there for the taking on my handlebars outside all day (and sometimes half the night) all fall, winter, and the first half of spring. I mean, basically, any day it wasn't warm enough to go bare-handed, I just left it on there, since it's a pain in the ass to pry off with cold, numb fingers (on account of it being broken), as I'm sure you've already figured out. Because hey (so I reasoned), if it hasn't been stolen yet, then who's going to steal it now? Well, you, obviously, but why wait until the end of May? If it was a crime of opportunity, then I must say that as a thief you kind of suck, since it took you until freaking now to seize that opportunity. In fact, had the cold front not suddenly appeared last night, you would have missed it altogether, and my broken, dying blinky headlight would still be safe in my possession.Now, I suppose it's possible that you're actually some poor schmo who got stuck in the dark with no headlight, and being so desperate to ride in a safe and careful manner, and seeing mine, and also seeing the bracket for my other headlight, you made the terrible decision to "borrow" it, and the fact that it's broken and the batteries are half-dead anyway makes you feel slightly better about the situation. However, I have little to no faith in the goodness of humanity, so I'm more likely to believe that you're just a douche who takes things that belong to other people simply because you can and for no other reason. And that's why I hate you.

We’ve all been there. You’re just riding down the road, minding your own business, when a motorist drives past you, missing you by mere centimetres. It can be scary and frustrating and it’s almost always dangerous. So what can we do to avoid being “buzzed”? Is it safer to ride further out from the curb? A few weeks ago I was riding down Punt Road on my way to CyclingTips HQ when a van sped past me far too close, the vehicle’s wing mirror missing me by roughly 10cm: After posting the above video to YouTube I received a bunch of comments, including the regular anti-cycling comments you might expect on YouTube: “Get off the road then u mong. And get a car u f***ing hippie”, read one. “Mate I would have been closer shouldn’t be riding on the road”, read another. And then there was this old chestnut: “Should be paying bicycle rego.” But among the predictable and unhelpful comments others also suggested I should have been riding further out from the curb, to force passing motorists to use the other lane. First thing’s first: what’s the maximum distance from the curb a cyclist can ride, according to the road rules? I’ve looked through the 480-page-long Victorian Road Safety Road Rules 2009 and as far as I can tell there’s nothing in there saying a cyclist can’t use the entire lane if necessary. This is because the road rules treat cyclists the same as drivers unless otherwise stated (see rule 19). But there are a number of road rules we cyclists should be mindful of when selecting a lane position. Rule 129 says “A driver on a road (except a multi-lane road) must drive as near as practicable to the far left side of the road.” You could argue that riding close to the gutter isn’t “practicable” for a number of reasons. There’s often more debris and drain covers closer to the edge of the road and, perhaps more importantly, riding close to the curb gives you less bail-out room if a motorist does get too close. Rule 253 says that a driver or rider must not “cause a traffic hazard by moving into the path of a driver or pedestrian” and rule 125 prevents drivers (and therefore riders) from “unreasonably obstructing drivers or pedestrians”. It’s interesting to note that rule 125 also makes it clear that merely travelling slower than other traffic does not constitute a breach of the road rules … unless the driver is moving “abnormally slow” (follow the link above for a definition). As long as these conditions are met, and as long we aren’t riding more than two abreast (rule 151) – except while overtaking – it’s legal to use as much of the lane as necessary. And speaking of questions of legality, what does the law say about motorists who pass cyclists as closely as in the video above? Commenting on the video, Sergeant Arty Lavos, State Bicycle Operations Coordinator at Victoria Police said “The driver in the video has not really committed an offence”. In response, Garry Brennan from Bicycle Network told us his organisation has been informed of cases where police have acted against drivers in similar circumstances, citing rule 144: “Keeping a safe distance when overtaking”. Either way, the actions of the motorist in the video above certainly aren’t recommended by VicRoads on the organisation’s Share the Road page: “Be patient and give bike riders a clearance of at least one metre when passing [cyclists], more if travelling over 60km/h.” So could the “buzzing” in the video above have been prevented if I’d been further out from the curb? A paper published in the Accident Analysis & Prevention journal in 2007 by Dr Ian Walker from the University of Bath would suggest not. With one of his colleagues in the engineering department at the University of Bath, Dr Walker modified a bike to carry an “accurate ultrasonic distance sensor” which could record how close motorists got as they passed the cyclist. There were a number of i

For my 40th birthday celebration I treated myself to one of my guilty pleasures – a mountain bike stage race. But this wasn’t just any mountain bike enduro. It was held in Alice Springs and features 200 competitors from all over Australia riding some of the most unique trails I’ve ever seen. Thanks to the folks at Rapid Ascent, they hooked me up with a media entry which gave me the best excuse I could come up with to travel to Alice Springs for a week of incredible Mountain Biking You can read each of my brief stage reports below, but I’ll give you a short recap of the event itself. Let me begin by saying that Alice Springs is a mecca for mountain biking. Each of the five trails that we did were vastly different and I can only imagine how much more exploring there is to be done. Within a few minute ride from Alice Springs itself you have dozens of trail options that remind me of what you’d find in Arizona, California or Mexico (i.e. very desert-like, rocky and singletrack heaven). Don’t forget the tyre sealant – all those sharp thorns from various vegetation are like magnets to the tyres. The event itself had the vibe of showing up to a local mountain bike race, but most of the people were from elsewhere around Australia. Many of the competitors stayed at the same hotel (the Chifley) as were many of the stage starts and presentations. By the time the week was done, it felt like you had 200 new mates. The racing itself was either ultra-competitive, or as relaxed as you wanted it to be. At the pointy end there were World Cup standard racers fighting it out on every stage. At the back of the race there were all sorts of riders who were there simply to enjoy the atmosphere and ride some of Australia’s best trails. If you’re looking for something new or an excuse to visit one of the coolest places I’ve been to in Australia, I highly recommend signing up for this event next year. Click here for detailed race results. Find out more about the Ingkerreke Commercial Mountain Bike Enduro here. STAGE REPORTS Stage 1: Two stages were held on day 1 yesterday and there was no easing into it. The first stage was a quick 42km loop west of Alice Springs finishing on the town’s velodrome. I placed myself in the start grid based on the look of the competitors around me (right in with the guys with beards and hairy legs). As it turned out, I nailed it and immediately found my place in the pecking order. Nearly every kilometer of stage 1 was flowing singletrack and the trail conditions were perfect with some recent rain. As always, there are some unique characteristics to these trails and the two that stand out are the jagged rocks that hit your pedals more times than not, and the razor sharp needles that stick into your tyres (there’s no way you’d make it without slime in the tyres). In the end I managed to follow someone who was better than me and pushed me all the way to 13th place overall (1st in my new category, the 40-49 year olds!). Stage 2: Later that evening we had the stage 2 time trial up Anzac Hill. It was only 300m long but an average of 11%. It was a fantastic atmosphere with many locals lining the road shaking cowbells in our ears. I hit it as hard as I possibly could and thought for certain that nobody would be able to beat my time. Was I ever wrong! I managed to get a time of 1:01 (9th in Vets, 43rd overall) and the winning time was by Andrew Blair (also winner of stage 1) who bombed up that hill in 44 seconds! (The Strava segment for the hill can be found here). Today’s Stage 3 is 49km through some of the region’s best trails – apparently more singletrack heaven over fast, flowing and undulating terrain. Let’s see if I can hold together my lead in the Vets category. I’ll beat up on them while I can! Stage 3: Stage 3 didn’t exactly go as I envisioned it the night before. I started the day in yellow (40-49 Vets) and while I had no upfront hopes of winning my category, it’s n

In the latest round of trickle-down news, SRAM has announced key upgrades to its X0, X9 and X7 trigger shifters, infusing many of the features currently found in the XX and XX1 models. SRAM also added a new budget-priced X7 Type 2 rear derailleur with its impressive clutched-pulley cage.Visual changes to the 10-speed shifters are dramatic with the new X0, X9 and X7 triggers all sporting a trimmer and more streamlined shape. The X0 model also retains its adjustable cable pull lever that allows riders to more finely tune the ergonomics.The changes are more than skin-deep, too, with all three boasting XX-level internals, including SRAM's Zero Loss mechanism for faster shifts and shorter lever throws, according to SRAM, plus ball bearings for the X0 and X9 levers. X7 will carry on with bushings to keep the cost down but the cover will sport a more convenient rubber flap for quicker cable changes.The new XO shifters feature a trimmed-down shape similar to that of XX and XX1All of the new shifters should be available now. We're still waiting for claimed weights from SRAM but prices are as follows:· SRAM X0 trigger shifters, US$262/€236 per pair· SRAM X9 trigger shifters, US$123/€111 per pair· SRAM X7 trigger shifters, US$70/€63 per pairAlso arriving in stores right now is the new X7 Type 2 rear derailleur with the same pulley-controlling roller clutch as on the current XX1, X0 and X9 Type 2 models, meaning that even riders on a tight budget will be able to enjoy quieter drivetrains, less chain slap and better chain security. Also making its way on to the X7 Type 2 rear derailleur is the same Cage Lock feature, which locks the pulley cage in a forward position and removes chain tension for easier wheel changes.Claimed weight is 293g and suggested retail price is US$89/€80. SRAM will offer the X7 Type 2 rear derailleur in short, medium, and long pulley cages with maximum cassette cog compatibility up to 36 teeth.The new X7 Type 2 derailleur has a clutch in the lower pulley to decrease noise and improve chain retention

Following RockShox and Fox, Magura has jumped into the electronic suspension game with a new auto-lockout technology called eLECT. It's surprisingly simple, lightweight and, best of all, it actually seems to work. The beauty of the new eLECT compression damper lies in the simplicity of its operation. The system automatically determines the fork's angular orientation relative to the ground using a 3D accelerometer – just like what's found in many modern smartphones. In other words, eLECT knows whether you're traveling on level terrain, heading downhill or climbing uphill.The Bluetooth wireless remote can be used for manual adjustmentsWhen using a standard setup procedure, the system remains open when riding on flat terrain or heading downhill but the front end is locked out on climbs. Users can also trick the system to better suit their own particular needs by calibrating the system on something other than level ground. Or, riders can simply operate in manual mode using the Bluetooth-enabled wireless handlebar remote switch. There's even a 'free fall' mode to ensure a soft landing on jumps and drops even if the fork is tilted in an upward orientation (such as when landing rear wheel first, for example).The eLECT accelerometer can also detect if you hit a patch of bumpy terrain when heading uphill, opening the system with a claimed 0.2-second reaction time to help keep the wheel on the ground but then locking out again once things smooth out. A basic blow-off valve is on hand to handle the first few impacts before the system opens up.The beauty of the design is its simplicity - eLECT is light, clean and functionalMagura has chosen a similarly straightforward path for the eLECT damper's mechanical design. A small internal servo rotates a stainless steel shim with three holes in it on the bottom of the compression piston. Rotating the shim so as to close the matching ports in the compression piston locks out the fork; otherwise, the damper behaves like a conventional pyramid-type shim stack as is used in nearly every modern suspension fork.Smart design creates a low drain on the internal Li-ion battery. The shim itself weighs nearly nothing and the motor is only used to switch between open and locked modes. Likewise, the on-board LED indicators are only lit when changing modes or calibrating the system. Claimed run time in auto mode is 40 hours of riding (on average); manual mode boosts that figure to 60 hours. In either case, the damper's small internal Li-ion battery is recharged with a standard micro-USB port hidden beneath the thread-on cap. The remote is powered with a watch-type battery. In the event of a total power loss or system failure, the shim is spring-loaded to default to open mode.Underneath the cap lie the master arming switch and the micro-USB charging portUsers have become accustomed to electronic-enhanced suspension adding weight relative to a fully mechanical system, but in this case, the new eLECT system will now be the company's lightest option. The damper itself weighs just 81g and the remote adds another 12g, making it 15g lighter than a Magura DLO2 damper.Even better, eLECT is a direct drop-in replacement for any existing Magura TS6 or TS8 fork with no modifications needed, although it's likely best suited for cross-country applications. Magura is currently finalizing details such as available fork models, upgrade kits, projected delivery dates and pricing. Given the system's simplicity, though, we're hoping for a retail cost that isn't outrageous.First ride review: it works!We tested the new eLECT damper on a Magura TS8 120 29" fork on the rocky trails just behind the well-known Bike & Bean bike shop and café in Sedona, Arizona. In short, eLECT seems to work as advertised – although we wouldn't mind a little more refinement in the firmware programming and a little more adjustability.As promised, eLECT leaves the fork fully active (and feeling downright normal) on both flat ground and wh

Good morning and welcome to this Friday edition of the Rocacorba Daily. Today we’ve got the latest from the Giro d’Italia after last night’s uphill ITT, we’ve got the results from a handful of other races happening elsewhere in Europe and much more. Enjoy and have a great weekend! Nibali smashes rivals to tighten Giro grip Italian Vincenzo Nibali took a giant step towards his maiden Giro d’Italia triumph by smashing his rivals on his way to winning a rain-soaked 18th stage uphill time trial from Mori to Polsa on Thursday. Australian Cadel Evans began the day only 1min 26sec behind the Italian, but the 2011 Tour de France champion battled his way to 25th place at 2:36 behind. Ahead of two key mountain stages in the Dolomites, which will be altered depending on the severity of the wintry weather expected at high altitude, Nibali now leads Evans by 4:02. Colombian Rigoberto Uran is third overall at 4:12 with former pink jersey winner Michele Scarponi, who is aiming for a podium finish, fourth at 5:14. It was Nibali’s first stage win of this year’s race, and third Giro win overall, and should be enough to see him become the first Italian to win the Giro since Scarponi was handed the 2011 title after Alberto Contador of Spain was disqualified for doping. “I have a significant advantage now and that will allow me to control the coming two stages in more tranquil fashion,” said Nibali, who rides for the Astana team. Nibali, the 2010 Tour of Spain winner and runner-up on the 2011 Giro d’Italia, came to this year’s race extra determined having been pushed into third place by Bradley Wiggins at last year’s Tour de France. However despite being well suited to the rolling, uphill test, few expected the Italian to dominate as he did. Nibali said after Wednesday’s stage to Vicenza that Evans had been “pedalling well”. On Thursday the Italian said: “I thought he [Evans] would be better today. But he’s been hidden in the peloton in recent days so we didn’t know what to expect from Evans.” Spaniard Samuel Sanchez set the early pace from among the big names in a time of 45:27 — when the course was still fairly dry. He took the provisional lead with a time that was 22secs faster than Italian Damiano Caruso but, despite heavy rain hitting the course later on, Sanchez was unceremoniously pushed into second place when Nibali, punching his arms in triumph, posted a time that was 58secs faster. “I’m happy with my performance,” said Sanchez, the 2008 Olympic champion. “It wasn’t enough to beat the pink jersey, but he’s been the strongest rider here. To beat Nibali today was mission impossible.” Wiggins began the Giro as Nibali’s main threat, but the Englishman, as well as Canada’s defending champion Ryder Hesjedal, quit the race due to illness last week. Evans, too, said Nibali would be a deserving winner. “Nibali here is in a class of his own. Maybe, more than maybe, he deserves to win the Giro,” added the Australian. Click here for full Giro d’Italia stage 18 results and video highlights. Text via AFP. Evans loses time: ‘Not For Lack Of Trying’ Cadel Evans finished the 20.6-kilometer test in rainy conditions in 47:05 (25th place) while Nibali’s winning time was 44:29, 58 seconds ahead of runner-up Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi). Evans remains 10 seconds ahead of third-placed Rigoberto Uran (Sky Procycling), who finished sixth. The 2011 Tour de France winner said his performance was not what he was looking for or what he was expecting. “It’s not for lack of trying that I lost a minute or two minutes,” Evans said. “I came to this Giro with high hopes, but not high expectations. My real objective was to give my best, and, until this point, I’ve made a few mistakes, but nothing big. So in that regard, in te

Australian hits the front line for first time in Novo Mesto na Morave

At Compass Bicycles, we often get the question: “I am riding 23 mm tires right now, and I wonder whether a 25 mm-wide tire would make a noticeable difference.” The graph below, taken from the Spring 2013 issue of Bicycle Quarterly, shows the increase in cross-section, and thus air volume, as tires get wider. Two millimeters may not seem like much, until you calculate the air volume of the tire. The air volume roughly is proportional to the cross-section of the tire. You can see above that a 25 mm tire has 18% more air than a 23 mm tire. Will you notice that difference? You probably will! Going even wider, from a 25 mm tire to a 31 mm tire, you increase the air volume by more than half. That is not just noticeable, it’s huge. And even the difference between a 38 mm tire and a 41 mm tire still is 16%. No wonder the Grand Bois Hetres feel so much more comfortable than the Lierre and Pari-Moto tires, even though they use the same casing. When you compare your average 23 mm-wide racing tire with the Grand Bois Hetre (above), you see why we love these tires so much. They roll as fast as a good racing tire. They weigh only a little more (the difference for two tires is less than half a water bottle). And they have more than three times as much air volume. At which point does it no longer make sense to make the tires wider? I think there are two limiting factors: Frame design: 42 mm is about the widest tire you can fit into a performance frame without going to wide mtb-style cranks. Riding out of the saddle: For a rider my weight, a tire at less than 2.5 bar (37 psi) starts feeling squishy when riding out of the saddle. This means that beyond a 42 mm tire, there is a trade-off in feel. On a racing bike, I probably would prefer 38 mm-wide tires for their more positive feel, whereas on a randonneur bike (which doesn’t engage in sprints very often), the extra comfort of 42 mm tires are worth the small price in road feel during those city limit sprints. For me, tires narrower than 30 mm are hardly worth considering. And even 30 mm tires feel compromised on many roads. 38 mm tires offer most of what I need, but I prefer 42 mm tires for the added comfort and safety they provide. If I were to go on a round-the-world tour, I’d probably use wider tires yet.