Indholdsfortegnelse for March 2018 i Bicycling

CONFESSION TIME: I once wrote an entire story about how much I love washing my bike. These days my drivetrain suggests otherwise. In this issue, staffers and readers admit all kinds of secrets (“THERE, I SAID IT” PAGE 14) from flat-changing flubs to getting dropped to sometimes really, really, really not wanting to ride (yes, it happens to all of us). // The feature should make you LOL…and make you feel less alone: We’ve all got at least one embarrassing story. But it also reveals how cyclists sometimes get hung up on stuff that has little real consequence (enough already with the idea that sunglasses must be worn over helmet straps). Rigid, arbitrary “rules” like that ultimately make us less happy about being on a bike. LET IT GO, PEOPLE! // Another…

PRO MECHANIC “I usually don’t know who wins the races if it isn’t one of my athletes. I’m not proud of it.”—Brad Copeland, mechanic for Specialized Racing PRO RACER “I LOVE DECAF COFFEE.” —ELLEN NOBLE, TEAM ASPIRE RACING SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCER “I once faked a flat to get out of a casual group ride because the pace was ridiculously fast for no good reason.”—@WattageCottage BIKE SHOP OWNER “We once installed a kickstand on a $5,000 carbon full-suspension mountain bike for a customer to make a sale.”—Jordan Salman, The Hub and Pisgah Tavern in Brevard, North Carolina CELEB RIDER “HARDEST PART OF CYCLING? Being brave/crazy/ stupid enough 2 wear spandex. The hills R the 2nd hardest part. Me & our awesome pilot Jeff.”—Ralph Dale Earnhardt, Jr. on Twitter, March 11, 2017…

VAN DESSEL A.D.D. I’ve always said that cycling is the one thing that keeps me focused, so the name of this Van Dessel alone is enough to make me love it. But what really impresses me about this aluminum bike is its ability to do it all. Depending on wheel size (choose 650b or 700c), the A.D.D. can run anything from 2.1-inch mountain bike tires to road, ’cross, and gravel tires up to 700x40mm. You also have the option of a rigid carbon fork or Lauf Grit suspension fork (pictured). Lash points for bikepacking bags let you get more adventurous on the A.D.D. $4,899 (as tested), 21.6 lb. (54cm)—Mike Yozell KESTREL TALON X The Talon X is stiff, aerodynamic, and built to go fast. (What else would you expect from…

“Stay loose. I had an issue with speed wobbles a couple of times because I was gripping the bar too hard.” —Jimmy Cavalieri, designer “Get out of the saddle and allow the bike to float beneath you— riding smoother boosts confidence.”—Pat Heine, video producer “Look ahead, not at your speedometer.” —Joël Nankman, mechanic “Ride fast, take chances.”—Mike Yozell, gear editor “Keep your thoughts to yourself. Hitting a pothole on a fast descent while you’re yammering could have a devastating effect—on your tongue.”—Jen Sherry, managing editor ”Lean the bike while balancing your weight over the outside pedal— you’ll carve corners more effectively.”—Joe Lindsey…

I almost never ride without a base layer. If you’re not yet a convert, hear me out. I’m a world champion sweater, and I get chilled easily. From my house at 6,500 feet, I can ride over an 11,000-foot pass and down again, through variable temperatures and weather conditions. A base layer prevents me from getting waterlogged on the way up and goosebumps on the way down. Lycra jerseys tend to trap moisture; a base layer lifts the clammy fabric off my skin so I stay dry and happy. Beyond moisture management, a base layer has a few other comfort related perks. It buffers against itchy seams and bib straps that chafe and renders a see-through jersey opaque. I’ll admit that in extreme heat I do forgo one. But on…

Café du Cycliste Women’s Charlotte $276 Head out even when it’s raining cats and dogs (we see what you did there, Café du Cycliste!) with the Charlotte—a fully waterproof/ breathable softshell with a cozy fleece collar. Ornot Code $135 Lightweight, water-repellent fabric. Mesh side panels. Far-from-boring graphics. Made in California. What’s not to love? Sugoi Women’s RS $90 No room in your jersey pockets? No problem. This jacket’s cargo pocket converts to a stuff sack with a strap that fastens to your saddle rails. Bontrager Velocis S1 Softshell $150 With a windproof face to ward off icy gusts and a fleecy brushed interior for warmth and moisture transfer, it’s great for spirited rides on sunny, cold winter days. Showers Pass Men’s Ultralight Wind $79 Stop flapping like a sail on…

Chrome Wyatt Men’s Five Pocket Jean $150 Heavy-duty denim sets these US-made jeans up for a lifetime of commutes. Generously cut for athletes, the seat and legs give you room to move.…

I grew up watching the Tour de France and considered the Alps and Pyrenees hallowed ground, which influenced my decision to study in France my junior year of college in 2013. The reality of my French experience was less romantic: The roads and weather in Strasbourg were less Tour de France and more Tour of Flanders. I was homesick and rode alone a lot, doing heinous intervals. I lost the joy of cycling then. I actually dreamt about someone stealing my bike—I would have an excuse not to ride. But then I met cyclists from a local velo club. I made friends on long group rides, and as we chatted in the paceline my French improved. I started to look forward to riding as a connection to the community. Now,…

Sarah Uhl was a 24-time national road, track, and cyclocross champion and junior track world champ when she quit competitive cycling in 2007. She was burned out on racing and craving a new sort of personal growth. Now Uhl makes her living as a watercolor artist and illustrator, and partners with brands (including REI and Yeti Cycles) and organizations (like the Access Fund, the Conservation Alliance, American Rivers, and the American Alpine Club) that use her work in support of environmental conservation. She rides with a notebook, pens, and paints and stops to capture beautiful places— mountains, rivers, wildflower fields—when the muse strikes. Here, the self-declared “joy evangelist” shares her wisdom on the difference between riding for enrichment and achievement, and how a type A athlete can leave competition and…

DISC BRAKES HAVE dramatically enhanced my ride experience on most bicycles, but they have been hit or miss on competition-focused, lower-cost road bikes. Adding the heavier disc brakes, thru-axles, and other associated parts to the lower-end components (often already heavier) can result in a sluggish ride. A bike like Fuji’s Roubaix 1.1 is where I consider the tipping point to be: where the benefits of disc brakes may begin to overshadow the weight savings of rim brakes—for some riders. If you’re looking for an actual race bike, I’d recommend the rim-brake version of the Roubaix 1.1, which is not only $200 less, but also comes with Shimano Ultegra shifters and is two pounds lighter. But if you’re like me—someone who has no intention of racing but enjoys going fast on…

WITH NO FRAME to interrupt your field of view, and a lens that has a generous wrap, the EVZero Stride Prizm Road gives you a panoramic picture of your ride. The ski goggle–shaped lens prevents sunlight from sneaking in from the sides, and the aviator-like style keeps you looking good off the bike. The Stride Prizm’s lens technology is designed for maximum clarity: Rather than making everything darker, as most sunglasses do, it selectively filters out certain colors of light to enhance contrast and help you pick out road obstacles more easily (there’s also a Trail version that’s optimized for shadier mountain biking conditions). At 23 grams, the EVZero Stride is Oakley’s lightest cycling sunglass model—yet, the grippiness of the nosepiece and light pressure from the arms help it stay…

A great jersey not only looks good (and makes you feel fast), but also offers superior moisture transfer, comfort, and the ability to unzip to adapt to changing temperature and pace. A well-fitting jersey might feel short on the stomach and tight around the shoulders when you’re standing up, but it will seem to disappear when you’re riding—no pulling, bunching, or flapping in the wind. Cuts range from a super-snug race fit to more relaxed and loose. While three rear pockets are a must, an extra zippered pocket is a plus. Take your pick, then take on the road. Biemme Poison $139 Bold styling and antimicrobial, moisture-wicking fabric ensure you’ll stand out from the pack for the right reasons. Eliel Rincon Men’s $130 With elbow-length sleeves and zero excess material,…

Q36.5 Salopette Dottore L1 Lady $269 The woven fabric has graduated compression for a supportive-yet-comfortable fit that few clothing makers can match. These feel just as good six hours into a ride as when you first kit up. Fi'zi:k Link R1 $300 Available in three different chamois pad options that place the densest, thickest foam at your highest-pressure contact points based on spinal flexibility and hip rotation. Intended for use with corresponding Fi'zi:k saddle shapes. Rapha Classic Women’s Bib Shorts $235 The supersoft mesh panel between the suspenders acts as a sleeveless base layer and pairs with Rapha’s sports bras so you get comfort and support without extra layers.…

When Gore-Tex was invented in 1969, it seemed like a dream product: a simultaneously waterproof and breathable membrane for outerwear. The reality was more mixed, as the outer fabric would get saturated and prevent body moisture from evaporating. Gore-Tex Active with ShakeDry solves that problem by making the membrane itself—which doesn’t hold water like fabric, so will never soak through—the shell layer. To dry, literally just shake it. Brands like Gore Apparel, Castelli, and 7Mesh are now using Active to make fully waterproof jackets that are lighter than most wind shells and fold down to easily fit in a jersey pocket. It works as Gore-Tex was always intended, and for the first time, makes it possible to carry a rain jacket on a ride without wondering if it’s worth the…

TALL SOCKS FTW What’s your go-to cycling sock height?…

Earlier this year, I felt a twinge of angst when I noticed that sock purveyor Ridge Supply was offering options with two-and three-inch cuffs. Had the tallsocks trend topped out? Would lower-leg tanlines on cyclists everywhere start receding? What would this mean for my basketful of brightly patterned tall ones? Before I launched into a full-blown existential sock crisis, I vowed to never go back to short ones. As crazy as it sounds, glimpsing a six-inch canvas of dazzling graphics around my ankles makes me excited to be on my bike, which, in turn, makes me ride more— and better. I’m not just making this up. There’s a real psychological phenomenon called “enclothed cognition,” which suggests that the clothes you wear affect your performance. Call it #sockdoping if you want,…

I STRUGGLE WITH FIXING FLATS, AND I’VE WORKED AT NOT ONE BUT TWO BIKE MAGAZINES.—Matt Bevilacqua, associate editor 50%* of you aren’t fully confident changing a flat in front of others 3 TIPS TO MAKE FLAT-FIXING EASIER 1 You’ll need two sturdy levers with a wide, thin “spoon” (the portion you slip under the bead) and a solid hook for the spokes. We like Pedro’s ($5 per pair). 2 Remove one side of tire from rim by placing levers six inches apart and prying bead over edge of rim. Hook one lever to a spoke and run other around loosened bead to completely pop it off rim. Drop other bead to center of rim channel. 3 To reinstall: Insert slightly inflated tube. Start at valve and work loose bead back…

THERE IS NOTHING COMPARABLE TO ONE WHO IS AWAKENED.– THE BUDDHA “DO YOU HAVE A SPIRITUAL PRACTICE?” Of the many questions I expected a psychiatrist might ask me, I hadn’t expected that one. I was in his office seeking help for my depression, anxiety, and irritability. For more than a year I’d been struggling with some of my personal relationships, but most especially with my wife Shana and our young sons, who are 8 and 5. I could go from calm to explosive almost as quickly as a firecracker. My boys thought me angry, sometimes mean. Shana and I had been distant for months; I couldn’t recall the last time we’d kissed. At 53, I had already been through four depressive episodes. I had always resisted taking medication, wanting to…

Vintage looks meet modern technology in this GPS cycling computer. Old-school dials let you see only the most essential information while you’re riding—speed, distance, elevation, and ride time—so you can focus on everything else that’s going on around you. You know, the stuff that’s actually worth remembering about a ride. But under its analog looks, the One has the guts and capabilities of a digital computer. It uses GPS and has barometric sensors to measure elevation. ANT+ compatibility allows it to work with power, heart rate, and cadence sensors. A simple bezel controller smoothly rotates around the face to let you turn the computer on and off—or into sync mode to upload your ride data to the Omata app or a third-party app like Strava. Later, you can review your…

THERE’S A CLEARING halfway up the mountain on my local trails with a fire pit and a view of the city. I’ve always wanted to enjoy a coffee there. “Everybody has that spot,” says Looptworks founder Scott Hamlin. This idea was the inspiration for the Upcycle Coffee Travel Kit. “What if you could make the perfect cup of coffee in that perfect place?” Based in Portland, Oregon, Looptworks makes eco-friendly bags, including roll-top backpacks and messenger bags, and other travel gear. The brand’s mission: to make products that reduce the amount of material that ends up in a landfill or is incinerated. The big focus is limiting manufacturing waste. “There’s 70 times more of that than the post-consumer stuff we worry about recycling,” says Hamlin. The kit’s handlebar bag is…

For women who like the comfort and smooth lines of bib shorts, dropper bibs solve a legit problem. Instead of requiring you to maneuver out of your sweaty jersey and whatever else you’re wearing up top, they allow you simply to drop trou and go. They also send a clear signal that apparel makers consider women’s needs important enough to design a unique product that requires an investment in more than just tailoring. Skeptics can gripe about how it’s just another marketing gimmick. But I’m OK with spending money on gear that has a real benefit on the road. Most major brands now offer a version, and over the years it’s been entertaining to watch them bring to market a range of creative solutions—everything from Specialized’s magnetic quick-release clasp to…