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!

This Just In: Felt's 2013 Triathlon/Time Trial Line Up!

Felt has long been known for it's tri/TT line up, and in 2013 they'll make some big waves.  The DA started out as a concept super bike, went to a $15,000 flagship bike, then for 2012 trickled all the way down to the DA4 at $3999.

The DA had another trick up it's sleeve, though.  For 2013 it's going to be available in B12 guise for $3099 or as a frameset for $1760 with the same frame but a standard TT fork instead of the Bayonet 2 the rest of the line uses.

Looking at this bike, it's hard to argue it's value.  Sporting a frame that as of 24 months ago was only available on a $15,000 bike is now available as a $3099 complete bike with Dura-Ace.  WHAT?!

That's the big news in the line.  A number of the models actually go DOWN in price.  You read that right, DOWN IN PRICE.  Seems like a shocker in an industry that's seen a lot of price increases the last couple of years.

Beyond the B12, the DA is now available as a DAC as well as the DA1.  The DA1 still runs $4650 for the frameset, but the DAC comes in at $2580, offering up the DA frame and Bayonet 2 fork at a more reasonable price than that of the DA1.

More can be found on the tririg.com website here.

MUCH more to come on the 2013 line up soon!

This Just In: Shimano Ultegra Di2 Satellite Shifter

This may or may not excite you depending on your current e-shifting status, but these satellite/climber shifters have been coming for some time.  It's nice to add a second place to shift to your bars and potentially adds some safety if you spend a lot of time riding on the tops of your bars.

I can picture these being useful also for the rider that steers from the tops of their bars in cyclocross season if you so choose; just thinking out loud.

For about $150 you can add this shifter to your already-existing Ultegra Di2 setup.  If you order a new Ultegra Di2 group, we'll throw in the satellite shifters for free!

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....

Independent Fabrication SSR Max

Main details:

Independent Fabrication SSR, Max tubing, internal wire routing
ENVE 2.0 fork, custom IF crown paint
Shimano Ultegra Di2
Rotor 3D Quarq
Chris King R45 to NoTubes Alpha 340 with DT Swiss Aerolite spokes
Thomson Elite and X2

The Max tubing is incredibly limited.  As of right now, only 6 tube sets were made available.  One set was used for the Abarth-inspired NAHBS show bike, one set is here on this bike.

Ride review coming, but let me spoil it a bit: this thing is fast.  What makes it fast?  It's stiff, but still rides like steel.  That means you can put some power down and it rockets forward but glides over the rough stuff.

Enough for the spoilers.

Better pictures coming soon....