Innehållsförteckning för April 2014 från Bicycling

THE MORE I KNOW ABOUT BIKES, THE more beautiful and mysterious they become. Believe it or not, physicists still don’t fully understand how a bicycle stays upright. Gyroscopic forces have something to do with it, but scientists acknowledge that they may know more about black holes and quarks than about why bikes are so stable and fun to ride. This uncertainty makes me unreasonably happy. We all have a lot to learn. I was a serial cycling monogamist before I took this job, but I’d estimate I’ve ridden about 400 different bikes since then. In that time, I’ve had hundreds of conversations with engineers and leaders in the bike industry, and spent countless hours riding and debating with the BICYCLING test team—a group of men and women that collectively has…

A STRIKING RIDE EQUIPPED FOR ANY ROUGH ROAD “Actually, it’s called that because it flows like water,” I said to the third or fourth smartass who, on the Saturday ride, had pointed out that the “Hydro” part of my bike’s name was inaccurate. Then the Dogma and I dropped him on the mile-or-so-long gravelly, rutted, wet-sand ascent of Hollyberry. The Italian company engineered this version of its bad-road bike to work with hydraulic disc brakes by tweaking the fork and chainstay to accommodate the mounts and the new forces that will affect those spots. When SRAM recalled the Red 22 Hydro in December 2013, our test bike temporarily lost a name that made sense (replacement hydraulic brakes will be supplied eventually), and we found ourselves, like other early adopters, restringing…

A MULTISPORTS BIKE THAT’S READY FOR ANY CHALLENGE The new Norcom Straight replaces the venerable D6, a time-trial bike ridden by Olympians Matty Reed and Sarah Haskins. Change is good: This latest model boasts improved aerodynamics and better handling that should have any competitive rider—pro or amateur—contending for even more podiums. The midrange Norcom 2.3 felt nimble and agile, stable on descents yet able to roll quickly from one turn to the next. The massive bottom bracket prevented the frame tubes from twisting when I torqued the cranks to summit a climb and when I accelerated to racing speed from a complete stop. The frame muted road chatter, so much so that I noticed buzzing from the handlebar only on some poorly maintained rural roads. This model has a multi-position…

A STEEL BIKE THAT IS SMOOTH, BUT ALSO SURPRISINGLY QUICK One day my lunchtime ride group picked a route called Corning—named after a long, steep climb about midway through. The first time I’d done it, a lady mowing her lawn at a house about a third of the way up had stopped her work to laugh at me, the last in the line of sufferers. My initial impulse was to reroute, but peer pressure is powerful. Plus, I knew from previous rides that the Logic would help me out. The geometry is comfortably racy and the frame felt stiff enough to transfer most of my power into forward motion, yet not so rigid as to turn road wrinkles into painful hammer blows. The bike was steady at the bottom of…

AN AERO RACE BIKE WITH A REFINED RIDE Although it looks similar to last year’s model, the 2014 Madone has some subtle but important improvements that make it faster and more enjoyable to ride. The aero race bike uses the same distinctive Kamm-tail tubes (think an airplane wing cut in half lengthwise) as its predecessor, but this version features stiffer chainstays and a reinforced bottom-bracket area. The changes make the bike feel more substantial. On the previous iteration, the rear end felt soft when you jammed on the brakes or hammered on the pedals. No longer. With its reenergized ride, this midprice Madone better represents the platform’s racing DNA. It feels lively and firm over rough pavement, but not offensively so. Both this model and the slightly more expensive Madone…

READY FOR ANY TRAIL The Diamondback Overdrive Comp is a talented chameleon. It’s a trail-worthy machine for letting off steam on the weekend and an apt candidate for fast spins along rail-trails or your weekday commute. This makes it a smart choice for riders who want a multipurpose bike at a reasonable price. Sometimes jack-of-all-trades bikes disappoint on technical trails, but the Overdrive Comp is seriously fun on singletrack. The hydroformed 6061 aluminum frame is low slung for good standover, while the 29-inch wheels are forgiving over rough terrain and large obstacles. The bike weighs slightly more than 30 pounds, but rides like a lighter model, dancing down the trail and nimbly negotiating fallen logs and unexpected corners. It also feels balanced: accurate through rooty lines and stable on rock-strewn…

THIS STYLISH HARD WORKER CAN CARRY YOU TO THE OFFICE AND BEYOND I’ll confess, I wasn’t sure what to make of the Dr. Good at first. On the one hand, the bike is clearly meant to punch the clock, with its front rack, disc brakes, and rugged butted-aluminum frame. On the other, the cornflower-blue paint, bell, and Schwalbe road-cruiser gumwall tires lend a certain aimless-summer-day vibe. And the name sounds vaguely like a ’90s-era party band. Was this Kona made for the mule train or the boardwalk? I figured some rides would sort it out. Carrying only my laptop, I pedaled home in a drizzle, and the full fenders with mud flaps kept my jeans and bag spotless. Soon after, heading out to pick up new eyeglasses, I loaded the…

A FAST RIDE FOR WOMEN WHO WANT EVERY ADVANTAGE I should have felt heavy and sluggish on my postholiday, burn-off-the-excesses ride. Instead, I sliced through a cold headwind and scampered up hills on my first test of the Liv/giant Envie Advanced 1. The Envie was developed alongside Giant’s aerodynamic offering for men, the Propel. The bikes share tube shapes and other drag-reducing innovations (see box) based on reams of wind-tunnel data. But that’s where the similarities end. Liv/giant touts the Envie as the first aero road bike for women, and designed it with input from reigning world champion Marianne Vos. The female-friendly geometry includes a shorter top tube, steeper seat angle, and taller head tube than the Propel. The Envie also has a different carbon layup: It uses less material…

JULIANA JOPLIN SEGUNDO $3,100 Back in 1999, Santa Cruz Bicycles developed one of the first women’s mountain bikes, the Juliana, named for Juli Furtado, a ski racer turned mountain biker who won numerous national and world titles. Furtado now works for Santa Cruz and her new line of four bikes (sold under the Juliana brand) embodies her focus on performance and her drive to get more women on the trails. The aluminum Joplin, named after singer Janis, has 29-inch wheels, a 120mm-travel Fox 32 fork, and 100mm of rear-wheel travel controlled by Santa Cruz’s capable VPP multilink suspension. Both the fork and the shock have climb, trail, and descend settings so you can adjust the amount of bounce to suit your terrain. The saddle, bar, grips, stem, and crank are…

RULE THE TRAILS ON A MODEST BUDGET Last summer I tested a $7,000 carbon version of GT’s redesigned Sensor on the sprawling trail network near Park City, Utah, and was impressed with the 27.5-inch wheels, new suspension, and updated geometry. I wondered how those changes would feel on the more reasonably priced, 130mm-travel Sensor Elite. I worried that at 32 pounds, the aluminum version would feel less lively. But the bike’s geometry is the same as on the carbon version, and on my first test ride I found that the suspension worked just as flawlessly. I noticed the weight only on steep climbs. The new AOS suspension is a completely revamped version of GT’s i-Drive design, with new chainstay pivots, a stiff swingarm, stout 15mm axles, and a lightweight forged…

AN ATTENTION-GETTER WITH PEP When you ride a bike, you notice things. The dog that’s always tied up outside, no matter the weather. The curious vegetable garden that employs rubber snakes to ward off predators. The field full of rotting pumpkins that never had a chance to be jack-o’-lanterns. You take it all in. It’s what you do. But when I breezed along the roads, through the parks, and down the alleys of my neighborhood on the Electra Townie Go!, I found myself seeking out people—to see if they noticed me. In my eyes, I was a sight to behold, a smiling girl on a sky-blue cruiser. A bike that looks like it should be lazily rolling along the boardwalk. So how is it that I didn’t think twice about…

BUDNITZ NO. 3 STEEL $2,600 The first thing you notice about the Budnitz No. 3 is the striking lines. Paul Budnitz, the bike’s creator, meticulously engineered the frame to create an appearance that’s as visually intriguing as it is functional. The swooping twin top tubes act like a bridge truss, flexing slightly to smooth road shock. Budnitz chose a segmented design for the half-crown fork for the opposite reason: He believes unicrowns are too flexible to work with disc brakes. The result is a tough yet elegant city bike that begs to be ridden fast, even in dodgy conditions. The carbon belt drive is just as cool and can be paired with a single-speed drivetrain or a 14-speed Rohloff internal transmission. The components, like the design, are clean and quiet,…

PRODUCTS THAT FIT YOUR BODY AND RIDING STYLE 1. DEMARCHI WOMEN’S VELOCE ROAD BIB SHORTS $190 Italian company DeMarchi has been making innovative apparel for almost 70 years. (Its sister company, Cytech, makes chamois for brands such as Assos and Rapha, as well as pads exclusive to DeMarchi.) The Veloce’s slightly compressive fabric panels support your muscles—including your core, thanks to a high-cut waist. A women’s chamois with an antibacterial lining hugs the body without bunching.—Leah Flickinger 2. SPECIALIZED WOMEN’S CASCADE XC SHOES $275 The lightweight Cascade XC is comfortable and sleek. The outsole and footbed are designed to work with your foot’s shape to reduce fatigue and increase power. The integrated tongue and padded heel conform to your feet, preventing the shoes from slipping as you ride. Two hook-and-loop…

RECREATIONAL-LEVEL GEAR THAT WORKS AS HARD AS YOU DO 1. SKS AIRWORX 10.0 PUMP $50 The SKS pump head is simple to use and fits a variety of tire valves—there’s no need to switch parts or use adaptors. A long hose lets you inflate your tube without needing to reposition your wheel, and a broad base and wide handle keep the pump stable while it’s in use. Each push delivers a good volume of air—it took about 20 strokes to fill my road tire. When you’re finished, the hose clips neatly to the body of the pump.—Brad Ford 2. LEZYNE FEMTO DRIVE PAIR LIGHTS $28/pair Lezyne’s Femto minimalist lights come packed with thoughtful details. The lens cover doubles as an on/off button that also lets you toggle between four blink…

GET TO THE OFFICE DRY, SAFF AND LOOKING GOOD 1 NOVARA ZILKAR BIKE SHIRT $70 This casual riding shirt hides its bike-friendly functions, so you look well-dressed. The slightly stretchy woven fabric dries quickly, and reflective trim on the sleeve and yarns in the plaid appear under illumination (like headlights) on dark rides. The Zilker’s fitted cut is slim but leaves enough room to breathe. A front-pocket media port lets you easily route headphones.—Matt Allyn 2 STANLEY CLASSIC ONE-HAND VACUUM MUG $30 This slender 16-ounce mug solves the ageold dilemma: How to safely carry coffee on your bike—and enjoy it en route? A push button on the vacuum-sealed lid allows you to open, sip, and close one-handed; the BPA-free stainless steel keeps beverages hot for six hours (less if you…

GREAT GEAR FOR RIDING FAST, GOING LONG, OR BOTH 1. ENVE SWEEP BAR $160 When choosing a handlebar, some gram-counting racers make their choice by looking only at the component’s weight. But durability and comfort deserve equal consideration. The Sweep offers all three traits: It’s stiff enough to provide precise steering, adequately damps trail vibration to reduce fatigue, and weighs a respectable 180 grams. I found the bar’s 740mm length comfortable, but if you prefer yours shorter, Enve includes graduated lines every 10mm that take the guesswork out of trimming.— Mike Yozell 2. INDUSTRY NINE TRAIL 24-HOLE 29 WHEELS $1,195 Installing lightweight wheels is a sure way to increase your speed. The Trail 24s weigh a few grams more than the most featherweight hoops, but they incorporate high-performance details into…

CARBON FIBER // There are two precursors to carbon: rock-like pitch and polyacrylonitrile (or PAN), which is a fishing-line like filament favored by bike makers. To make fibers(1), manufacturers bake the PAN; heating it longer creates a purer, lighter, stiffer product. Premium carbon threads can be as thin as 7 microns, about one-seventeenth the width of a human hair. RESIN // The glue-like resin(2) epoxy holds carbon strands in place by filling the gaps between them so they can provide structural integrity. Manufacturers can mix in additives (microscopic rubber balls, for instance) to improve certain performance traits, such as increasing a bike’s ability to stay intact during a crash. PRE-PREG // These are the thin, pliable sheets of fiber impregnated with resin that, with only a few exceptions, are used…

WANT TO TAKE HOME A BICYCLE FROM THIS ISSUE? YOU’LL NEED TO CHANNEL YOUR INNER BILL STRICKLAND. “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them.” — ERNEST HEMINGWAY “I lick a spot on my skin where her sweat was. I am embarrassed to do it, but when I taste nothing more exotic than my own salts I try once more in another place.” — BILL STRICKLAND THIS YEAR’S WIN A BIKE CONTEST pays homage to the erstwhile International Imitation Hemingway Competition. The American author was a passionate cycling fan who frequented the Parisian six-day races with his first wife, Hadley; a passage at the end of The Sun Also Rises takes…

Thanks to his avid-cyclist father, BICYCLING test director Matt Phillips has been around bicycles his whole life. To help you decide which one is best for you, Phillips notes that it’s not the coat of paint or the brand name that makes a bike worthy, but the personal connection you feel to your ride. “A great bike is one that aligns with your needs and desires more than anything you can tangibly measure,” he says. “If it feels right, it’s right.” Colorado native Neil Bezdek shares tips for first-time bike buyers in “Shop Savvy” (p. 120). His most important piece of advice: Try lots of bikes. “It’s like buying a car,” he says. “You should never purchase the first model you see.” Bezdek, a former professional cyclist, now lives in…

FROM GRAVEL TO DIRT ROADS TO CITY STREETS, THIS BIKE DOES IT ALL The broad category of skinny-tire bikes continues splintering into niches: race, endurance, cyclocross, urban, and now the trendy gravel-road segment. Is all that hair-splitting necessary? With the Haanjo Comp’s versatility, the answer is a refreshing no. Designed primarily for gravel-road rides, the Haanjo is up for almost any kind of experience you’re after. Pavement ends? Ride on. Commuting and errands? Slap on fenders and a rear rack. Exploratory adventures? Get out the map. It’s less adept at fast group rides or cyclocross racing, but you can use it for both. The Haanjo Comp closely resembles a cyclocross bike, but there are important geometry differences: The head tube is 3.5cm taller than those on Diamondback’s Steilacoom ’cross series,…

A PREVIOUS AWARD WINNER BECOMES EVEN MORE REFINED The original Photon won our Editors’ Choice Dream Road prize in 2010. We lauded its 747-gram frame, sprightly climbing ability, and snappy, responsive ride quality. Guru revised the Photon in 2013, expanding it to a three-bike line that includes the SL reviewed here, the super-stiff Photon R (for race), and the gossamer Photon HL (hyperlight). The SL (superlight) is the most direct descendant of the original Photon, says Nicolas McCrae, composites engineer for Guru. “We wanted to show what we’ve learned in the past few years,” he told me. The new model has rounded main tubes that are similar to the original’s—but now they flare at the junctions to increase surface area; the larger joint allows the front triangle to better resist…

A SMOOTH-RIDING SPEED MACHINE After being discontinued in 2011, the Addict returns in a lighter, faster, less harsh, and more sophisticated package that has already shown its mettle: Orica-GreenEDGE’s Simon Gerrans beat Peter Sagan on Stage 3 of last year’s Tour de France riding a version of this model. At just 727 grams for a 54cm frame, it’s incredibly svelte—163 grams lighter than Scott’s superaero Foil—yet 5.9 percent stiffer in the bottom bracket area than the previous Addict, says the company. To boost rigidity while shaving weight, Scott used pieces of ultrahigh-modulus fibers on the frame. Though the tubes are not as rigid or aero as the Foil’s, they were shaped using wind-tunnel data to reduce drag and improve their slipperiness in wind. The company also optimized how the carbon…

A SLEEK NEW OPTION FROM THIS RACE-DRIVEN BRAND This aero road bike from Italian builder Wilier has sleek tube shapes to create a fast, responsive frame worthy of the brand’s racedriven legacy. To design the Cento1Air, Wilier spent time in the wind tunnel to maximize the slipperiness of the frame. Then it road-tested the bike to make sure those aero features didn’t detract from the ride. The Air fills a gap in Wilier’s line, falling between the purely road-going Cento1SR and the company’s Twin Blade time-trial model. That setup makes it ideal for riders who want a responsive race bike that is less vulnerable to the wind. The new frame resembles the SR, but with some aerodynamic features. In addition to drag-reducing frame tubes, the bike comes with an aero…

FUN TO RIDE, NO MATTER WHERE THE DAY TAKES YOU For me, a truly great bike is one that inspires—even compels—me to go on rides I might not otherwise take, and encourages me to seek out adventurous routes. In this regard, Marin’s modestly priced San Anselmo delivers splendidly. The DS in DS4 stands for dual sport, and the bike proved worthy on paved roads and gravel paths. The Suntour fork provides 63mm of travel, which I appreciated when rolling off curbs and over cobblestones (a fact of cycling life in Philadelphia, where I live). It can be locked out on the fly for road riding. Schwalbe’s 40mm knobby tires glided over lumps of ice and slush lurking on the road’s shoulder, and enabled impromptu journeys through snow-covered fields. Attach a…

GIANT VIA 1 W $600 Giant’s Via 1 W exudes comfort and style whether you’re commuting to class, grabbing groceries, or just heading out for a leisurely spin. The curved fork blades provide an elegant look, and the upright position helps you spot potholes or wayward texting drivers. The internal, three-speed drivetrain is easy to shift, requires little maintenance, and helps you conquer small hills without sweating through your shirt. Thoughtful touches include a rustproof chain that should withstand seasons of wet-weather riding, and a kickstand that makes parking a snap. Other favorite features: the SR3 tires, which have reflective sidewalls and extra protection to resist punctures, and the custom built-in basket—a feature not often found on similar models from other manufacturers. FELT VERZA PATH 2 WOMEN’S $540 Felt’s Verza…

PRICED RIGHT, THIS BIKE IS READY FOR ANY ADVENTURE One Saturday I found unexpected time for a ride, so I threw on some cycling clothes, stuffed a leftover scone into my pocket, and headed out. I’d been riding the steel-framed Quest Elite for about a week, and I was eager for a longer ride. I got my wish: Several wrong turns later, I found myself on the border of a neighboring state, staring in disbelief at my phone’s Google Maps app and wondering if my scone would provide enough energy for the predicted two-hour ride home. Taking whatever shortcuts I could, I began climbing a road that had turned from gravel to sticky mud. As the grade steepened, I worked the gears on Shimano’s reliable 105 drivetrain, thankful for the…

RESPONSIVE, STABLE, PLAYFUL—AND AFFORDABLE Six and a half years ago, when Niner cofounder Chris Sugai delivered a RIP 9 test bike to my office, he told me that within a few years the 26-inch wheel would be dead. I rolled my eyes and laughed out loud; at the time, 29er frame geometry was awkward, the parts were heavy, and everything seemed to flex. Sorry for doubting you, Chris. This latest revision of the RIP 9, in aluminum, is about as stiff as the carbon version, with a frame that weighs just 0.65 pounds more. Its handling balances cross-country responsiveness and trail-bike stability. That blend helped the RIP 9 competently tackle rough trails, making it easy for me to dive into steep and nasty terrain that, had I been riding some…

FOR THOSE WHO CONSIDER 40-MILE RIDES JUST A WARM-UP Three years ago Salsa introduced its popular Spearfish, a fast, sharp-handling bike made for long, adventurous rides. It was a great model for the price, but its single-pivot suspension (with flexing seatstays) stiffened under braking, and the shock needed some platform damping to keep it controlled while climbing. This year, Salsa addressed those weaknesses by licensing suspension engineer Dave Weagle’s Split Pivot design, which helps the shock absorb bumps when you’re stomping on the pedals or slamming on the brakes. Altering a well-liked bike can be risky, but the gamble paid off. At about 5.4 pounds, the new Spearfish frame is only slightly heavier than the previous version. Rear travel remains 80mm, but the bike feels stiffer and reacts more sharply…

A UTILITY BIKE THAT MAKES YOUR CHORES FLEET AND FUN The language in bicycle-marketing materials tends to gravitate toward hyperbole. It’s no different with BMC’s AC01, but one often-repeated word amid the heated prose was appropriate: faster. Frankly, I’m used to urban utility bikes being completely capable and basically boring. Leaden. But on the AC01, there’s no such letdown. The 23-pound commuter doesn’t feel or move precisely like a 14-pound superbike, but it is much closer than the average urban option. From the first acceleration, it’s apparent. You notice less heft from the bike, so it feels like more of your effort is going into pushing the AC01 forward. The lively front end certainly factors into the bike’s quickness. Its handling seems darty. Subtle shifts of the handlebar create sharp…

PRICE $180 Anna Glowinski—a former British youth national mountain bike and ’cross champ—designs stylish and practical clothing for female cyclists under the Ana Nichoola label. Her commuter jacket seamlessly merges fashion and function: A peplum shape protects you from road spray and creates a flattering silhouette, and eye-catching grommets double as underarm vents. A sealed zipper, cinchable cuffs, reflective panels and piping, and cheery yellow water-resistant fabric make cold and drizzly rides much more bearable.—Emily Furia…

TOOLS THAT HELP DELIVER THE SPEED YOU NEED 1. POWERTAP GS HUB $1,090 The new GS boasts reliable internals from renowned wheel maker DT Swiss. It lets you swap driver shells so your hub remains compatible with evolving axle standards and cassette configurations. PowerTap also uses straight-pull spokes, which it claims can be attached to the rim with higher tension to create a stiffer wheel. The battery and electronics are packed into a cap that pulls off for repairs, so you can still ride the wheel.—Matt Phillips 2. MAD ALCHEMY GENTLEMAN’S BLEND EMBROCATION $20 Rub this gentle warming balm onto your legs to warm up your muscles. Unlike some stronger formulations, this one’s heat is faint; it’s made for the milder temperatures of late spring and early summer. I found…

BECUSE EVEN WHEN YOU’RE NOT RIDING, YOU’RE STILL A CYCLIST 1. RAPHA ROCKET ESPRESSO MACHINE $2,500 This limited-edition machine made by Rocket Espresso Milano has a copper boiler with lead-free brass end plates, and its Sirai pressure stat is legendary for its accuracy. But if you have the means to consider this machine, you assume luxury-level operation; you just want that final rationalization. Here it is: Our mechanic—who has the most experienced pull among our staff—insisted on taking it home for extensive testing.—Bill Strickland 2. FYXATION LEATHER SIX-PACK CADDY $60 Milwaukee has long been a city of beer and bicycles, so it’s fitting that Fyxation, a small company that four years ago began developing stylish urban bike tires in that city, should create this carrier. Part of the company’s Tannery…

DURABLE GEAR FOR THE LONG HAUL-OR YOUR DAILY TRIPS 1. DELORME INREACH SE SATELLITE COMMUNICATOR $300 Stay connected anywhere in the world you ride with this 194-gram device, which lets you text and post to social media as well as send SOS messages and communicate with rescue responders in an emergency. It can be used as a stand-alone unit or you can connect it via Bluetooth to your smartphone or tablet to boost its mapping features. Service plans start at $12 a month.—Ron Koch 2. GIRO NEW ROAD RIDE OVERSHORT $150 Giro’s New Road casual cycling collection might be the most functional style-focused clothing line I’ve tried. Thanks to a formfitting cut and Schoeller’s cozy, fourway stretch fabric, you’ll almost forget you’re wearing these shorts. For extra comfort on long…

A DEEPER LOOK AT CARBON FIBER SHOWS THERE’S FAR MORE TO THE MATERIAL THAN MEETS THE EYE I’m standing in Earl’s Cyclery & Fitness in South Burlington, Vermont, looking down a row of carbon-fiber bikes, contemplating the differences between the $1,900 crimsonand-white one in front of me and the $9,000 matte-black beauty at the end of the line. I’ve been around bikes long enough to know that high-end components can make a big difference in the bottom line, but that only accounts for so much. What I want to know is: What about the frames? I lean in close enough that my breath forms condensation on the tubes, but the construction techniques within these bikes clearly lie below the surface. I turn to Joe Drennan, Earl’s manager, and ask, “What…

For engineers, building a carbon frame is like putting together an intricate 3-D jigsaw puzzle. Bikes can have hundreds of pieces, assembled in 40 or more layers. To get it right, designers rely on computer software called Finite Element Analysis (FEA), which helps them determine where they should use each grade of carbon and how best to orient the pieces for the ideal mix of strength, stiffness, and compliance. Without leaving their desks, engineers can go through hundreds of variations an hour until they strike the right balance. A high-performance bike like Specialized’s Venge, shown, requires about 400 individual pieces of carbon. Each color represents a different thickness of the carbon tubes.—B.B.…

RYAN GEYER SANTA BARBARA, CA I hadn’t even seen the latest issue yet when my wife, Jeanie, a new cyclist, said, “She rides a Specialized Ruby, just like me!” The couple featured on the cover had caught her attention, and she had begun leafing through my magazine—because she’d seen someone she could relate to. CHRIS BORNHAUSER CHATSWORTH, CA Here’s what my wife and I do: We each have a daily calorie limit, and if one of us goes over it, that person has to be the designated driver the next time we go out. If we both go over, the one who exceeds it by the most loses. DAVE CROCCO LONGMONT, CO Mission Accomplished After missing many group rides last summer due to a new job, I was struggling to…

A REFINED FRAME MAKES LONG RIDES MORE COMFORTABLE The Cayo Evo 3.0 is suitable for just about any type of road riding you plan to do, from casual outings with friends to long gran fondos to fast-paced races. The German brand set out to make a more forgiving frame by manipulating tube shapes and profiles (see box); its goal was to create a bike that will be comfortable from the first mile to the last. I noticed the smoothness almost instantly—the frame capably took the edge off road vibration and I felt connected to the pavement without every imperfection rattling through my bar and saddle. Confident my wheels wouldn’t skip, I carved turns and powered through rough patches of gravel with purpose. The Cayo Evo provided a reminder that comfort…

HIGH PERFORMANCE AT A FRACTION OF THE COST Just a couple of years ago, I wouldn’t have considered buying any of the less-expensive carbon bikes—most were too rigid and rode harshly, and rumors of catastrophic failures concerned me. But bikes like the F5 are changing my opinion. Its satisfying mix of speed, power, and comfort made me forget after only a few rides that it costs just $1,800. I wasn’t surprised when I later learned that Felt uses the same frame design on models that can cost three times as much. A handful of winter rides revealed the bike’s premium qualities. A series of storms near our Pennsylvania HQ left many of the roads covered in snowmelt cinders, then the freezing and thawing widened cracks in the pavement and ripped…

A DREAM BIKE FOR EVERYDAY RIDERS Like many superbikes, the S-Works Roubaix is made for racing. Specialized designed the bike to propel its pro riders to victory over the flinty roads of Europe’s spring Classics. But the Roubaix line has a more forgiving quality than many ultrapremium models, making the bikes enjoyable to ride whether you’re attacking the peloton or cruising with a group ride. Like previous iterations, this redesigned Roubaix features the model’s trademark Zertz inserts in its seatstays and fork, which Specialized says increase rider comfort by absorbing road vibrations. To make this new model even faster, engineers gave it slightly more aggressive frame angles and used the same high grades of carbon as the speed-at-any-cost SL4 Tarmac series. The power transfer and downhill handling feel more precise,…

DIAMONDBACK PODIUM VITESSE ATHENA EPS $6,000 Until last year, the notion of a $6,000 road bike from a company better known for its off-road creations might have raised some eyebrows. But models such the Podium Vitesse (and the even more decadent Podium-Equipe line) prove that Diamondback can produce premium bikes for the pavement. In fact, the Vitesse Athena EPS has everything you need to mix it up at the front of a race or spirited group ride. Diamondback says that using extensive computer modeling helped its engineers create a frame that weighs less than 1,000 grams. The unyielding head tube and bottom bracket help deliver power efficiently to the rear wheel, but the bike’s seatstays and seat tube have a small degree of flex to insulate you from road vibration.…

BRIGHT AND LIVELY, AT A GOOD PRICE When a bike that costs as much as a quality used car is amazing, we’re not surprised. It better be amazing. Finding an entry-level bike worthy of such praise is more rare. The Cannondale CAAD8 7 Sora came ever so close to shocking us with greatness. The bike’s frame and many of its components are pleasantly refined, making this one of the quietest bikes I’ve tested at any price. The CAAD8 feels smooth, softening larger bumps while damping much of the buzz from rough pavement and chip seal without sucking life from the ride. Compared with other bikes at this price, this one felt bright and lively. Its sporty handling made it easy to initiate turns and the bike responded predictably in corners,…

A SMOOTH-HANDLING MULTISPORT BIKE When cyclists who are considering triathlons ask me which multisport bike to buy, I usually say, “None of them.” Instead, I suggest they invest in a more versatile road bike, then add an aero bar as they progress. I’ve competed on both and find that a road bike’s stability and comfort outweigh the minimal performance loss, especially on hilly or technical courses (and training rides). But the Alias has me reconsidering that advice. Designed for women, the bike has triathlon geometry (a 78-degree seat angle) and comes with two multisport components: an adjustable clip-on aero bar and a zero-offset seatpost. A traditional road post is available for $55. To make the Alias even more race-ready, you can add a Remora storage box ($25) to the top…

WHATEVER YOU’RE LOOKING FOR IN A TRAIL BIKE, THIS ONE HAS IT Rumor has it…Rumor has it…. Each time I tossed a leg over Specialized’s Rumor 29, that catchy earworm by Adele would play in my head on repeat. Yes, this bike makes you want to sing. The Rumor’s pleasing ride begins with its suspension. The bike feels like it has more than 110mm of travel, easily sinking into and ripping through rocky terrain with a reassuring stability. The front end popped up with ease when I needed to ride over a log and the suspension never bounced harshly, even when I took lazy lines through rock gardens or rolled off a boulder. I tested the Rumor Expert 29, which comes with Fox Float CTD front and rear shocks and…

A NIMBLE BIKE MADE FOR HARD RIDES I’d been waiting for a bike like the Thunderbolt for at least a decade. That’s about how long ago I began to savor (not just endure) daylong rides with thousands of feet of elevation gain and tight, steep, descents that make your eyes water. My ideal bike for such an adventure would have limited travel, an efficient suspension, and relaxed frame angles to keep it steady at speed. When I first saw the Thunderbolt, I thought it might be the one. It has a stiff aluminum frame, 120mm of travel, and 27.5-inch wheels that allow for a relatively short, quick-handling rear end. Crucially, the head-tube angle is 68.5 degrees—about a degree less than many bikes with similar travel, to keep it calm at…

YETI SB75 RACE $4,900 If you join the daily lunch ride that starts at Yeti’s Golden, Colorado, headquarters, expect to roll trails that are steep, rocky, and unforgiving—good proving ground for the SB75’s aggressive nature. The bike pairs Yeti’s Switch suspension with a new 5-inch-travel frame built around 27.5-inch wheels. The ’tweener hoops help make the SB75 agile enough to rail corners and pop through choppy lines at speed, and the dual-link suspension has a unique eccentric lower pivot that switches directions halfway through its travel—resulting in surprisingly efficient pedaling. Add in a relatively slack (67.6-degree) head angle, low bottom bracket, and longish top tube, and you get a bike that doesn’t shy away from aggressive terrain. It might even be enough for you to keep up on that lunch…

YOU PROBABLY SHOULDN’T BUY THIS WONDERFUL BIKE Many of you reading this—probably most of you—should not buy this wonderful bicycle. It is too peculiar and too purposeful in its peculiarities. The Guv’nor is a path racer, a style of bike made for competing on velo-dromes and unpaved roads in the early 1900s. Hewing to its heritage, this one is hand-built in England—in Stratford-on-Avon—from Reynolds 531, a passé steel tubing that upon its introduction in 1935 had a long reign as one of the best frame materials in the world. The bottom bracket is so high it is almost level with the hubs, the head and seat angles are a superslack 68 degrees, the fork juts forward about three times farther than that of a typical modern road bike. The build…

ALL-DAY COMFORT FOR ROAD ENTHUSIASTS 1. GIORDANA EXO KNICKERS, $325, JERSEY, $260 Designed to improve muscle compression and increase aerodynamics, the EXO knickers and jersey fit snugly yet comfortably, with little bunching. Despite the knickers’ below-the-knee cut and the jersey’s long sleeves, the pieces are made for warm weather; the extra length aids in compression and airflow, Giordana says. A flap over the jersey pockets helps improve aerodynamics, but hinders regular use.—Matt Phillips 2. SHIMANO C35 WHEELS $2,000 This 1,500-gram clincher wheelset is perfect for a grand fondo’s long days, varied terrain, and unpredictable weather. It nicely balances quick acceleration and lateral stiffness. The aluminum brake track, while heavier than carbon versions, offers better stopping power that’s easier to control, especially on wet roads. Shimano’s top-end hubs roll smoothly, are…

RIDE (AND RACE) ALL DAY, IN COMFORT 1. ERGON BA3 EVO PROTECT BIKE PACK $130 Made for enduro races, this backpack offers storage for your full-face helmets and pads. And it also provides a little armor itself—an optional spine protector ($30) slips into a rear compartment to shield you during falls. The 141-gram guard is made of flexible EPS foam and, other than the space it occupies in the pack, goes unnoticed while you’re riding. Even when fully loaded the BA3 is remarkably stable and comfortable. Ergon doesn’t supply a reservoir, so you can drop in your favorite.—Ron Koch 2. RACE FACE DIY WOMEN’S SHORTS $70 These lightweight women’s shorts look and feel minimalist, but the stretchy, abrasion-resistant, and water-repellent fabric is designed to survive abusive trails while providing a…

COMPONENT SPLURGES FOR THE ULTIMATE RIDE 1. WHEELS MANUFACTURING PF30 OUTBOARD BOTTOM BRACKET $74–$125 Shimano cranks are nice. Many frames with Pressfit 30 bottom brackets also are nice. But the two don’t always work together so nicely—combining them often requires a bunch of creak-prone parts and adapters. The Wheels PF30 Outboard is a clean, two-piece aluminum bottom bracket that presses in and threads together for a solid (and so far, quiet) solution. Wheels offers three levels of bearings, including ceramic, as well as an option for SRAM GXP cranks.—Matt Phillips 2. OSYMETRIC CHAINRINGS $330/pair Osymetric points to a study that showed a 4 percent gain in watts with its nonround rings. That extra power comes from the TwinCam design, a radically flattened 52-tooth ring that delivers the power of a…

KEEP YOUR BIKE ROLLING WITH THESE SMART AND FUNCTIONAL TOOLS 1. PEDRO’S STARTER TOOL KIT $155 The burrito-style roll contains the essential tools any aspiring home mechanic might need for basic repairs. Nestled inside the packable set are screwdrivers, hex wrenches, cable cutters, and a crank puller. With extra pockets for adding tools as your collection grows, this kit forms a solid starting point for a portable workshop.—Mike Yozell 2. BUTTER B1 CHAIN HANGER $50 Smart mechanics use a chain hanger to hold the links of a chain like a cassette would, making bike washes and lube jobs a cinch. It’s a simple tool that makes dirty jobs easier. Butter’s model is made from machined aluminum, has a chain runner made of durable Delrin, and attaches with just one quick…

HOW THE FOUR LEVELS OF CARBON USED IN BIKES STACK UP—B.B. STANDARD MODULUS Modulus of 200–280 Gpa Tensile strength of 2,500 Mpa or higher Relatively strong and stiff, this is the least expensive form of carbon fiber and is found almost exclusively in entry-level frames. Used In Full tubes, tube junctions, high-stress areas around the head tube, lower down tube, and chainstays (even on some high-end bikes). INTERMEDIATE MODULUS Modulus of 280–350 Gpa Tensile strength of 3,500 Mpa or higher The strongest of all carbons, it’s found primarily on premium frames. Used In High-strain areas like flexing seatstays, and in strength-critical regions, like the top tube, down tube, and parts of the head tube. HIGH MODULUS Modulus of 350–600 Gpa Tensile strength of 2,500 Mpa or higher This carbon is…

Everything you need to know to buy your first bike—plus great new gear that will take your riding to the next level If you plan to do more than just salivate over the shiny new bikes in this issue, you might be feeling a little overwhelmed by your options. Before your head explodes, allow us to demystify the process of bicycle buying. Start by deciding which of the most common bike types makes sense for you—mountain, road, hybrid, or city/commuter. Next, factor in your goals. Consider things like what kind of terrain you’ll ride most, what distance you want to cover, and what you want to accomplish. If you’re more interested in exploring off road, your choice is pretty straightforward: Look for a mountain bike with wide, knobby tires, a…