NEW BIKE DAY! Independent Fabrication Ti Factory Lightweight

This one is getting ready to see it's day.  But, one last teaser of one very fun project....

In Paint: Independent Fabrication Ti Factory Lightweight

We have a little sneak peek of a very big project: an IF TiFLW project that's coming together nicely.  She's in paint as I write, and should be making her way to Chicago before we know it.

It'll be dressed appropriately with all sorts of nice bits, the details will follow.  Until then, check out the frame in progress.

Long Term Review: Giro Aeon Helmet

Helmets are extremely personal on their fit, much like shoes.  Giro has been in the helmet game for quite some time and have really nailed it with the Aeon.

About a year ago I went away from Giro and picked up a Lazer Helium.  It fit well, I really liked the adjustment, but it was heavy.  Before the Helium I spent some time with the Giro Prolight helmet.  The Prolight was extremely light, but didn't fit well and the adjustment was lack-luster having just an elastic band.

Enter the Giro Aeon.  The lightweight that I (and my neck) want, the fit Giro is known for, and extremely well ventilated.

I chose white/silver because it matched my kit.  Truth be told, I think the black helmet is actually a little better looking.  The Aeon sits low, it's not like a number of other helmets that I think make people look like mushrooms.

Ventilation is generous, maybe the best I've ever used.  The Ionos was the gold standard by which I compared ventilation in helmets, and the Aeon is right there.

At a claimed 222g (mine came in at 226g), this helmet is seriously light.  The Prolight, at 190g, was lighter but sacrificed too much in my opinion to get there.  Roc Loc 5, the newest version of Giro's adjustable strap, is the best in the game.  With enormous vertical adjustment as well, it's easy to position the Roc Loc 5 to be perfectly comfortable.

Whether wearing a cycling cap under this helmet or not, I have found it fits me perfectly.  No pressure points, light weight, excellent ventilation, and top-of-the-heap adjustment make this helmet the one to own.  $250 isn't cheap, but you only have one head, you may as well protect it in style and comfort.

On test: 2012 Mavic R-SYS SLR

Truth be told, I'm not the world's biggest "wheel system" fan.  Maybe because part of my job is building wheels, or maybe because I enjoy picking each and every component on my bike, or maybe hand-built wheels really are that good.

But when it comes to Mavic there's a lot to like.  Their Ksyrium line is well-known for it's durability, but the R-SYS came out of the gate with a bad rap with a couple of failures.  When something like that happens with new technology, it sticks with people.

I want to like the R-SYS, but I can't in good conscience recommend them to customers until I can feel comfortable with their durability.  What better way to get a feel for these wheels than to ride them!?

With that said, off we go on test.  What am I looking for?  Durability, stiffness, ride quality, and braking performance.  It's pretty easy to see these wheels won't be wowing anyone with their aerodynamics.  Thick spokes and a rim shaped after a brick don't add up to aero savings.  Word on the street though is that the R-SYS line is supposed to be really stiff laterally yet ride nicely.  The new Exalith braking surface is supposed to provide pretty much the best braking this side of hydraulic discs.

On with the test....