Tag Archives: Road Biking

Shop Ride: TACONIC 150 #5

The 5th edition of the Taconic 150 is on the schedule, 150 kilometers of dirt and road riding in Dutchess and Columbia counties.  Map and details coming soon.
For inquiries please contact info@nycvelo.com

Bike Of The Week: Surly Trucker Deluxe

Every Bike of the Week is special in one way or another, and most are special in myriad ways.  This week’s edition is no different.  While the Surly brand may be humble in the minds of many, its focus on delivering quality and utility without flash (assuming that painting bikes in a “meth teeth” greenish hue isn’t considered flashy) it’s introduction of the Trucker Deluxe certainly ups the ante. The Trucker Deluxe is the leader of the Surly pack by including a distinct high-zoot feature: S&S couplers that allow the frame to come apart for easy travel yet allow the frame to retain the integrity of an standard Long Haul Trucker.

The customer who commissioned this special bike was, like all of our customers, focused primarily on the fit of her new bicycle.  In pursuit of delivering a bike that not only fit the customer properly but met her utility needs, the NYC Velo Team specified flat handlebars and ergonomic bar end extensions from Ergon (and completed a comprehensive fitting once the bike was complete).  While Shimano’s Ultegra component group, with the help of its compatible flat bar-specific trigger shifters, handled the drivetrain tasks, the Team specified an excellent set of (made in California) linear-pull brakes from Paul Components.  The stem and seatpost were from Thomson, also made in the USA. Germany’s Ortlieb (and sister brand, Tubus) supplied the waterproof pannier bags, handlebar bag, and rear rack.  The wheels were built in-house by the Team using Mavic XM719 rims, Phil Wood hubs, and DT Swiss spokes, and the tires were from Schwalbe’s touring-appropriate Marathon line. A Chris King headset (a no brainer) and leather Brooks female-specific Flyer saddle finish off this bike in fine fashion.

The owner of this bike will be taking it across Spain (to start), with future trips planned around Europe and Turkey.  We look forward to see the photos of this machine in action!

Bon Voyage!

Winter Speciale: BH G5 & Ultralight 40% OFF

The latest NYC Velo Winter Speciale includes 2 fantastic bikes from Spanish company BH.
The first BH model included in the Winter Speciale is the 2012 Ultralight (in black). There are 2 Ultralight bikes available (size Medium and size Large), both with the following (identical) component kit:

• SRAM (black) Red Grouppo
• Reynolds Assault carbon clincher wheels
• FSA BB386 carbon crank & BB
• FSA K-Force Light carbon handlebar, stem, & seatpost
• Selle San Marco Aspide saddle
• Vittoria Diamante Pro Radiale tires
• Weight approx 13lb 14oz
• Original price $8700, Winter Speciale price $5220

The second BH model included in this Winter Speciale is the 2012 G5 (in white). There are 3 G5 bikes available (size 56, size 57, size 58.5), all with the following (identical) component kit:

• SRAM Red Grouppo
• DT Mon Chasseral clincher wheelset
• FSA K-Force Light crank and Pressfit 30 BB
• FSA OS-99 aluminum stem and SL-K carbon handlebar
• Integrated seatmast with height-adjustable carbon seatpost
• Selle San Marco Aspide saddle
• Vittoria Diamante Pro Light tires
• Weight approx 14lb 8oz
• Original price $6700, Winter Special price $4020

As always, the Winter Speciale is limited to stock on hand and once they’re gone, they’re gone!
 

Product Review: Giro Merino Cycling Cap & Facewarmer

Most cyclists who ride in the city have appropriately prepared their bikes and hardware for the weather, yet the most important question still stands unanswered: how to save our faces and ears from Old Man Winter?

Some wrap themselves in scarves and don their regular winter caps (a ski cap, for example). While these are viable options, proper fit and comfort will most certainly be compromised. Cold air has a nasty tendency to rip right through that knit scarf (or pashmina if you’re fancy) and your helmet will most likely not fit correctly over a traditional bulky winter cap. No surprise, the bike shop stocks options designed to effectively cure these problems.

To keep the ears and head warm (and to rock some biker style) Giro developed the Merino Winter Cap. Made with merino wool (and a micro brim) , the Winter Cap will definitely keep the wearer’s head nice and toasty warm. Along with the natural fibers there, the Winter Cap incorporated a surprising tech feature: the inclusion of X-Static. X-Static is silver that is bonded to textile fabrics (Merino in this case) and acts as an antimicrobial agent, meaning (in layman’s terms) that if you sweat a lot your fancy wool cap won’t stink.

To cover the face for rides after the mercury plummets, Gore developed the Facewarmer (which also covers the ears).  The biggest plus of the facewarmer is that it is offered with WindStopper fabric. WindStopper is a product developed by DuPont Industries under their Gore label and can be found in various articles of active clothing, including pants, gloves, and jackets, and is designed to act (as the name suggests) as a windproof barrier. The Facewarmer also incorporates an opening for the nose and several holes for the mouth to allow for unencumbered breathing. 

Winter Storm Nemo (thanks TWC) says, “stop by today to check out our winter gear and show old man winter who’s boss.”

Bike Of The Week: Hopped-up Bianchi San Jose

This week’s bike is the San Jose from Bianchi USA.  The San Jose, a venerable model from the Bianchi stable if there ever was one, is essentially a steel-framed singlespeed cyclocross bike (with a steel fork) and was last produced in 2011.

Though usually available as a complete bike from Bianchi, our example was shipped to us as a frameset only (frame & fork), allowing us to use some creativity to complete the build-up. The new iteration sports sealed bearing hubs from Formula, double-butted spokes, Alex rims, and Panaracer’s Jack Brown 700 x 33 tires. The burly All-City crankset offsets the Brooks brown leather (B17) saddle and handlebar wrap.  With an upright riding position, fat city tires, and strong Avid cantilever brakes, the “new” San Jose marries style and performance quite well, all for $1185.

Winter Speciale: NYC Velo Wool Jerseys on SALE

This week’s Speciale features two custom made NYC Velo Classic Wool Jerseys, fresh off the looms. Inspired by the true hardmen of cycling, when a racer carried his own water and didn’t wait for an attack signal from a radio, ’cause he attacked when he damn well pleased.

Like the jersey introduced last fall from Cima Coppi, the new jersey design is a long sleeve merino wool model with red “flocked” lettering on the front.  These new jerseys are made by Woolistic in Switzerland, have a 1/4 zip on the front and 3 rear pockets.

The new version, the ‘Gruppo Sportivo Ciclistico’ or ‘Cycling Sports Group’ jersey, is a head nod to the famed Italian cycling clubs which nurtured so many legends.

Until March 31st (of this year) either jersey (either in-person or on our webstore) is specially priced at $160 (a savings of $30). The sale is limited to stock on hand.

Winter SPECIALE: 2012 FIZIK R1 & R3 Shoes – 40%

It’s wintertime in the city, which means (to cyclists) a great time to re-up on gear at prices that aren’t seen “in-season”.  The first item in our Winter SPECIALE series are the 2012 Fi’zi:k R1 and R3 shoe models (including the “Donna” women’s model).  All of NYC Velo’s stock (once they’re gone, they’re gone & all sales final) of these shoes are 40% off, pricing that includes (for the R1 at least) custom molding the SIDAS insole to the foot of the rider.

For additional info on the Fi’zi:k shoes associated with this sale, check out our NEWS Post on theme here.

As always, feel free to contact us at the shop for additional info.

Spring Ride: New Jersey’s Hell Of Hunterdon

Registration for the Hell Of Hunterdon (l’enfer d’hunterdon) is now open!

A crew from NYC Velo will be heading down to Lambertville, NJ for this event (a 79 mile course filled consisting of 15% unpaved surfaces and lotso early-season hills).  For those out there who are looking for a pre-Battenkill warm-up (or for a stellar break from winter NYC riding) should put this on the calendar!

Contact us here at NYC Velo for transportation details.

NYC Velo Tours: Days 5&6, 2012 French Alps

For the third week of September, NYC Velo (under the “NYC Velo Tours” banner) led a group of intrepid cyclists on a tour of the Southern French Alps.  A photographic review of Days 1 & 2 was posted in November and a review of Days 3 & 4 was posted in December, while the photos below document Days 5 & 6.  The ride on Day 5 started and ended in the town of Briancon, consisting of a loop that climbed the Col d’Izoard and followed the rivers Le Guil and La Durance.  On Day 6, the last day in the saddle for this trip, the crew ascended the highest paved road in Europe, the Col de la Bonnette, before a long descent along (the river) La Tinee and a final 9k climb up to Valdeblore.

The gear supplied by Search and State (the S1-J Riding Jacket) and Grimpeur Bros Coffee (the Greenbelt and River Road Peaberry roasts) once again proved to be up to the task of protecting and caffeinating the crew.

The trip consisted of 6 (usually) long and (usually) difficult days in mountains (total riding elevation gain was just shy of 73,000 feet), but the food, drink, camaraderie, and warm welcome by all of our new French friends made the pain and fatigue disappear.  NYC Velo has plans for similar trips in 2013, stay tuned!

If you’d like to learn more about this trip, or any of the upcoming adventures, stop by the shop or drop us an email at: Andrew@nycvelo.com.

The proper way to start the day in Briancon, Day 5

Evidence of Briancon's Industrial Past, Day 5

Weather pushed the day's ride to post-lunch (Briancon Pizza), Day 5

Host Housing in Briancon, a centuries-old tannery, Day 5

Les Tanneries, Renovated, Day 5

Tools of the trade, Les Tanneries, Day 5

Barn, Briancon, France, Day 5

Bike Lane: Col d'Izoard, Day 5

Ian, at the summit of the Col d'Izoard, Day 5

Descending down the south side of the Col d'Izoard, Day 5

Route D902, above Le Guil, Day 5

Post-ride calorie replenishment, Day 5

Frommage, Day 5

French Barn, Briancon, Day 6

Ascending the Col de Vars, Day 6

Lunchtime fuel stop, Jausiers, Day 6

A mellow start to the Col de la Bonnette, Day 6

Looking back towards Jausiers, on the lower slopes of the Col de la Bonnette, Day 6

Climbing the Col de la Bonnette, Day 6

The Col de la Bonnette, the highest paved road in Europe, Day 6

Barn, Col de la Bonnette, Day 6

Barn, another view, on the Col de la Bonnette, Day 6

Above the treeline, Col de la Bonnette, Day 6

Thin air on the Col de la Bonnette, with much more to come, Day 6

Another switchback, Col de la Bonnette, Day 6

Even the sheep are dangerous above 2000m, Day 6

Heed the warnings! Day 6

Ian and Jack, trying the friendly approach, avoiding a furry stampede, Day 6

Ian, navigating a switchback 3k from the summitt of the Col de la Bonnette, Day 6

(Young) Ian & Jack, negotiating the finish to the top of the Col de la Bonnette, Day 6

Ian takes the front, weather moves in as the summit approaches, Day 6

After cresting the summit of the Col de la Bonnette in freezing rain, the team takes refuge in a warm oasis in Saint-Etienne-de-Tinee, Day 6

That's one way to warm up, too bad the team still had 40k to go, Day 6

Instead of vodka, coffee did the job at Lou Ben Manja, Day 6

Looking down the Vallee de la Tinee before the start of the final climb, Day 6

The bikes of Fr2012, at rest

The team tackles the final climb up to Valdeblore, Day 6

The final climb, 9k of this...

Young Ian, nearing the finish, Day 6

The view, looking west, from the hotel in Valdeblore, Day 6

The narrow streets of Valdeblore, Day 6

A bench in Valdeblore, perfect for a rest after 6 days of riding

The final meal of the trip, Provencial Pizza in Valdeblore, Day 6

Bike Of The Week: Independent Fabrication XS EPS

Stan’s carbon-and-titanium XS from Independent Fabrication is the latest Bike of the Week (BOTW).  Stan chose the XS because its use of carbon tubes joined together by Indy Fab’s signature titanium lugs.  Billed (well, by us) as the “Best of Both Worlds”, the XS uses carbon tubes made specifically for the rider by ENVE Composites in Utah and ti lugs manufactured in-house (by Indy Fab) to the precise angle needed by the rider: the ride of carbon fiber and the customization of titanium.

Stan outfitted his XS with Campagnolo’s latest Super Record EPS electronic groupset.  Indy Fab designed the frame with fittings specifically for Campy EPS, resulting in a comprehensive, well-performing package. We don’t speak Italian very well, but Super Record sounds like the top of the heap to us, molto grande! Zipp’s “new for ’12″ 303 Firecrest carbon tubular wheels, stem, handlebar, and seatpost finish off the component specification of the bike.

While we can’t confirm that Stan’s new XS has made him a better rider, or that it’s won him some previously un-winnable town-line-sprints, we can say that it’s earned him the respect of his Morgan Hill cycling pals.