In Stock: K-Edge Garmin Mount!

These things have been flying off of our shelves.  Our initial order was sold out in about 72 hours, but we have more arriving today!  Today's shipment includes gunmtal gray and red, more black mounts are coming but we're not sure when, probably another week.

Part of this shipment is already pre-sold and we're down to about 10 left.  Call today to get yours before they are gone again!

In Stock: K-Edge Garmin Mount

After months of waiting, they are finally here!  The Bar Fly has some real competition in the K-Edge mount, though the Bar Fly has it's own set of features.  But this isn't about the Bar Fly, this is about the K-Edge Garmin mount.

First, this thing is beautifully made, just like every other K-Edge item.  Wonderful machining, perfect anodization, beautiful laser etching.  Each of these finishing touches can be found on every K-Edge item, and luckily for $50 this mount doesn't disappoint.

Much like other K-Edge products, the Garmin mount comes with all required hardware and fits perfectly.  One thing I've noticed so far with the K-Edge over the Bar Fly is that the Bar Fly can rotate (only by hand when you want it to, not on it's own...ever) when torqued where the K-Edge with two bolts isn't going anywhere without being loosened.

The K-Edge mount matches nicely with my Paul front brake hanger, and would match a Thomson stem perfectly.  Unfortunately this bike is currently using a Zipp stem.  They still match well, but man the Thomson would work well together.

Your Garmin sits lower with the K-Edge than with the Bar Fly, which could be good or bad, it's pretty personal.  I do feel more comfortable with the Garmin mounted on the K-Edge if I were to crash, it's hidden between the hoods if the bike finds it's way upside down.

The K-Edge mount is extremely secure, the positive engagement is welcome when dealing with such an expensive computer.

Beautifully machined computer mount, adjustable mounting positions, perfect anodization, laser etching, it's hard to beat this piece of kit.  Then again, a $50 computer mount should be pretty darn nice, don't you think?

First Rides: Mavic R-SYS SLR Wheelset

I have to admit to these wheels sitting around for the first couple of weeks I had them to test.  It's not my fault, Lumberjack 100 is right around the corner so I've been on my mountain bike.  But, it's about time to log some faster miles to feel better about myself.

 A few rides and I'm starting to form an opinion on these wheels:

First, they are a time-trialists worst nightmare.  They spin up fast and gain speed like crazy, but the boxy rim and fat carbon spokes are about as aerodynamic as a CTA bus.

Second, the Exalith braking surface is incredible.  Out of the box with Exalith-specific pads they whistle like crazy.  Super loud.  I've swapped to stock Shimano alloy-specific pads and the whistling was greatly reduced.  The pads do wear faster on the machined braking surface, but the performance is unreal.

As you can see from these shots, I've taken the wheels out in some wet and on less-than-ideal roads.  Braking performance is perfect, even in the wet.  The brakes aren't grabby and have a really steady power curve.

Third, the tires are holding up well for me.  Chase on the other hand destroyed one on is second ride to a big cut, I'm hoping that's just bad luck.  The tires aren't my favorite, though.  The rear PowerLink tire is made to roll faster, the front GripLink made to, surprise here, grip.  I haven't pushed them too hard into corners, but so far the front seems ok.  The rear on the other hand offers very little grip in the wet.  So little grip in fact that it actually makes me a little nervous to ride in the wet.

Fourth, the rear hub, or more specifically it's engagement.  It works fine, it's been flawless, but the engagement is slower than the Chris King R45 rear hub I'm used to.  It's fast enough, but when you get used to King it's hard to settle for less.  I also like the "buzz" of the King, Mavic freehubs are pretty quiet.  Personal preference here, not a big deal.

Fifth, they are beautiful.  That's a fact.  Not really a fact, my opinion, but they really do look great.

Finally, let's cover stiffness.  Laterally, they are stiff.  Really stiff.  I did a couple of low-speed, big-gear sprints really wrenching on the bike and the wheels just don't flex side to side.  Vertically they ride nicely, but I won't say they are better than a pair of hand-built wheels.

So far, so good.  I like this pair of R-SYS wheels, but I'm not sure I like them $2000 worth.  When in a group ride, I won't ever win a sprint.  The only way I can get some "fame" is to get into a breakaway and try to ride away with a group.  This is not the wheelset for that.  If you like to sprint or treat your wheels like crap, this wheelset may work for you.

More to come....