Sky's 'dreadful day' in Tour of Flanders

Crash for Geraint Thomas and Edvald Boasson Hagen out of contention in finale of Tour of Flanders

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cyclingweeklycouk/feeds/rss/newsxml/~3/FcVybe_6Mxk/story01.htm

Juan S. Trudeau Daniel P. Turner Douglas R. Petersen Lala J. Poindexter Anna W. Hartman

Devo Wrap: BMX Evolution Camp wraps in Chula Vista

With the road riders taking a short break between racing blocks, the USA Cycling National Development Program focused on the second BMX Evolution Camp at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif., from March 17-24.

Source: http://www.usacycling.org/devo-wrap-bmx-evolution-camp-wraps-in-chula-vista.htm

David S. Wells Edward C. Scates Donna E. Grace Juan S. Trudeau Daniel P. Turner

Knaven: Thomas can win the Tour of Flanders

Sky look to make a move before the final two laps

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cyclingnews/news/~3/43VYGsdBsBg/story01.htm

Juan S. Trudeau Daniel P. Turner Douglas R. Petersen Lala J. Poindexter Anna W. Hartman

Russell Downing's 'dream come true' to ride Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix

Brit Russell Downing gets ready to race in Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix for first time in his career

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cyclingweeklycouk/feeds/rss/newsxml/~3/nmmfLFEptWg/story01.htm

fixed gear guy Tony J. McMillan Brian G. Moore Donald J. Johns David S. Wells

road.cc's Spring Cycling Guide

Carousel short title: 

Spring cycling guide

Time to gear up for the clocks going forward, and we?ve got loads of good ideas for the year ahead for you

Gallery Image Reference: 

Credit Paul Stewart

The clocks go forward this weekend, marking the start of British Summer Time, although it doesn’t feel like there’s much of a change in the air at the time of writing with most of Europe is embraced in a cold snap.

Anyway, we’re a positive bunch here at road.cc and we know that milder weather is just around the corner. Trust us. So with the clocks going forward and all that extra daylight, there’s more riding time which should help top up flagging motivation levels no end.

read more

Source: http://road.cc/content/feature/79707-roadccs-spring-cycling-guide

Jonathan F. Cooper Susan B. Hick Kenneth P. Anderson fixed gear guy Tony J. McMillan

Gerald Ciolek heads MTN-Qhubeka at Three Days of De Panne

Milan-San Remo champion Gerald Ciolek leads African MTN-Qhubeka team in Belgium

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cyclingweeklycouk/feeds/rss/newsxml/~3/sbQv0jvb5QY/story01.htm

Donna E. Grace Juan S. Trudeau Daniel P. Turner Douglas R. Petersen Lala J. Poindexter

Mark Cavendish motivated by De Panne win

"A sprinter needs to win, it's the best motivation" says Omega Pharma manager Patrick Lefevere

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cyclingweeklycouk/feeds/rss/newsxml/~3/QgTvlJ5cxMc/story01.htm

Kenneth P. Anderson fixed gear guy Tony J. McMillan Brian G. Moore Donald J. Johns

Trek Mamba review

The Mamba’s frame and fork are decent offerings on a £700/US$1,000 bike, so we can excuse the fact the that drivetrain is downmarket compared to a lot of its price rivals. So the big issue here is whether Trek’s considerable 29er design expertise can overcome those parts compromises. 

Ride & handling: Fun and easy on difficult trails

We’d say the Trek is relatively easy to ride, either fast or slow. It responds superbly to every little nuance of rider input, never feels like a 14kg (31lb) bike on the climbs and tames bumpy terrain more effectively than a 26in-wheeled bike with a 120mm travel fork.

The rounded carcass, spacy knob profile and soft compound of the Bontrager tyres mean they grip very well in almost all trail conditions. This adds considerably to the feeling of confidence the bike exudes. But the fact remains that’s it’s not as well equipped in the drivetrain area as a lot of other £700/US$1,000 bikes.  

Frame & equipment: Excellent design and spec

This is one of Trek’s Gary Fisher Collection bikes, and the extra cash you might fork out for the RockShox XC32 fork is money well spent. The relatively fat stanchions make for better tracking and less fluttery responses than with cheaper suspension options. You also get a decent lockout, an effective preload dial and rebound damping adjustment. 

Fisher’s G2 geometry specifies a custom fork crown that increases fork offset and reduces trail; this conspires to produce a ride that has the inherent stability of a 29er, yet the more lively low-speed steering of a 26er. 

The Mamba frame is nicely constructed. A squat reinforced head tube and curvy down tube avoids the lanky front end that often afflicts 29ers, but the washer stack on the steerer allows more than an inch of up/down adjustment – more if you flip the stem. The Bontrager handlebar is almost flat, but the comfy backsweep is kind on the wrists and the 27.5in width seems to suit most riders. 

The frame offers generous standover clearance and two sets of bottle bosses. The Hayes Dyno Sport brakes are powerful enough but not as nicely modulated as some others, and the pads need heating up on a long descent to bed in before you can rely on their stopping power. 

The Deore/Acera/Alivio mix 3x9 drivetrain is downmarket compared to many price rivals, but function is still excellent. The wheels are average: Bontrager AT-850 rims and Formula hubs shod with fast but grippy 2.2in Bontrager treads. 

We were disappointed with the Trek’s brakes, but the downmarket drivetrain still works well and the frame and fork will certainly bear the cost of eventual drivetrain upgrades.

This article was originally published in What Mountain Bike magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BikeRadar/feeds/~3/L0w4kRRnu0w/story01.htm

Susan B. Hick Kenneth P. Anderson fixed gear guy Tony J. McMillan Brian G. Moore

Pro bike: Fabian Cancellara's Trek Domane 6-Series

Fabian Cancellara (Radioshack-Leopard-Trek) is looking for redemption at this year's Ronde van Vlaanderen, and he isn't taking any chances equipment-wise. 'Spartacus' will tackle the Flemish cobbles aboard his tried-and-true Trek Domane 6-Series.

While most of his teammates opt for the uncannily smooth-riding Domane only for the Belgian classics – otherwise using Trek's more aggressive Madone model for the majority of races – Cancellara is unique in that he prefers it year-round. As it's barely heavier and supposedly just as efficient in terms of power transfer, though, it's perhaps surprising that more teammates don't follow suit – particularly given that Trek even produces a special geometry with a shorter head tube, too.

Spartacus gets custom graphics — and a 140mm stem

As we've noted in years past, Cancellara's setup for RVV is only slightly different from his everyday race configuration with no changes aside from the 25mm-wide FMB Paris-Roubaix tubular tires instead of the usual Schwalbes. The rear derailleur is also equipped with Berner's ultra-oversized carbon fiber cage and pulleys – which are claimed to reduce drivetrain friction – while the driveside dropout is a one-piece unit instead of having the bolt-on replaceable hanger of the consumer version.

Otherwise, Cancellara's Domane uses a straightforward build, including a complete Shimano Dura-Ace 9000 mechanical group instead of the electronic one we showed you just a few days ago. The Swiss rider is said to prefer the cable-actuated lever's longer throws over Di2 buttons when things get bumpy.

A Swiss-made Berner derailleur cage with huge pulley wheels that supposedly reduce friction

The Bontrager label is found on nearly everything else, including the 50mm-deep Aeolus 5 D3 carbon wheels, 140mm-long Race XXX Lite stem, Team Issue saddle, and 44cm-wide anatomic-bend aluminum Race Lite handlebar. Filling in the rest of the gaps are Nokon aluminum housing throughout, SwissStop's latest Black Prince carbon-specific pads, titanium-spindled Speedplay Zero pedals, and a single wrap of standard Bontrager cork tape.

Actual weight as pictured is 7.5kg/16.53lb.

Complete bike specifications
Frame	Trek Domane 6-Series, 58cm 'pro' fit
Fork	Trek IsoSpeed full carbon
Headset	Cane Creek Forty, 1 1/8-to-1 1/2" tapered
Stem	Bontrager Race XXX Lite, 140mm x -7°
Handlebars	Bontrager RL Anatomic, 44cm (center-to-center)
Tape/grips	Bontrager cork
Front brake	Shimano Dura-Ace BR-9000 w/ SwissStop Black Prince carbon-specific pads
Rear brake	Shimano Dura-Ace BR-9000 w/ SwissStop Black Prince carbon-specific pads
Brake levers	Shimano Dura-Ace STI Dual Control ST-9000
Front derailleur	Shimano Dura-Ace FD-9000
Rear derailleur	Shimano Dura-Ace RD-9000 w/ Berner pulleys and cage
Shift levers	Shimano Dura-Ace STI Dual Control ST-9000
Cassette	Shimano Dura-Ace CS-9000, 11-25T
Chain	Shimano Dura-Ace CN-9000
Crankset	Shimano Dura-Ace FC-9000, 175mm, 53/39T
Bottom bracket	Trek BB90 integrated w/ Enduro XD-15 bearings
Pedals	Speedplay Zero Titanium
Wheelset	Bontrager Aeolus 5 D3 tubular
Front tire	FMB Paris-Roubaix tubular, 25mm
Rear tire	FMB Paris-Roubaix tubular, 25mm
Saddle	Bontrager Team Issue
Seat post	Bontrager Ride Tuned Carbon seatmast
Bottle cages	Trek BAT Cage (2)
Computer	SRM PowerControl 7
Other accessories	Nokon cables and housing
Critical measurements
Rider's height	1.86m (6' 1")
Rider's weight	82kg (181lb)
Saddle height, from BB (c-t)	780mm
Saddle setback	90mm
Seat tube length, c-t	500mm
Seat tube length, c-c	485mm
Tip of saddle nose to C of bars	620mm
Saddle-to-bar drop (vertical)	110mm
Head tube length	150mm
Top tube length	567mm
Total bicycle weight	7.5kg/16.53lb w/o computer

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BikeRadar/feeds/~3/cxD1H38w-dw/story01.htm

Susan B. Hick Kenneth P. Anderson fixed gear guy Tony J. McMillan Brian G. Moore