Archive for the ‘Cycling Biz’ Category
Friday, February 12th, 2010
I have been riding with Time pedals since 1988. I have used every single iteration of Time pedal that has ever been delivered to market. I believe it’s the perfect system. Plenty of adjustment options to allow the pedal to adapt to the unique characteristics of the rider rather than forcing the rider to adapt to an inadequate pedal.
I never had any issues with the RXS pedal design, entry was easy for me, flotation was great. I rode the RXS for many years with no problems. But once the i-Clic was available I figured I would give it a try.
Installation was a slam dunk since the platform height is the same. This meant that all I had to do was change the cleats on my shoes, no saddle height adjustment was necessary. As is typical I had to play around with the cleats a bit to get the ball of my foot over the pedal where it felt right as well as adjusting the toe in/out of each cleat so that my feet felt natural in the “neutral” position on the pedal. All in all set up was very easy.
Once engaged into the pedal they feel pretty much like the RXS with the exception that the platform feels larger, like it’s providing more support to the shoe. Maybe it’s just the feel of the interface between the cleat and the shoe but it really feels like there is more surface area to absorb the power transfer from shoe to cleat to pedal.
Where there pedals really stand out is in the engagement process. Due to the unique engagement mechanism design almost zero pressure is required to clip into the pedals. The act of disengaging from the pedal causes the retention mechanism to “cock” and wait for the cleat to hit the surface of the pedal for the next engagement. When the cleat comes into contact with the surface of the pedal the retention mechanism “fires” and grabs onto the cleat. Easy. Riders who have had problems with the amount of force required to overcome the retention spring on previous Time pedals will find no such issue with the i-Clic.
Apart from the pedal spindle, the small bar holding the retention clip in place and the bolts that attached the cleats to the shoes every part on these pedals is made up of either carbon fiber or plastic. These pedals are very light.
I’ve only had the chance to ride these on the trainer but I am looking forward to getting them out on the road once spring arrives.
Posted by Smithers at 12:24 am in Cycling Biz | Permalink | 9 Comments »
Thursday, February 11th, 2010
Pretty cool idea and all, but what about…
The Battery? – If I run the screen on my iPhone non-stop my battery lasts about 45 minutes. I don’t go on many 45 minute rides.
Weather Proof? – I don’t like to get caught in the rain. I like even less if I get caught in the rain and soak my $500 doosh phone. Is there something that prevents water spray from getting inside the phone?
Security? – How firmly does this thing lock onto the phone? If I wreck, or almost wreck, am I going to have to go search the ditch or the woods to find where my doosh phone got launched off to?
I’m sure this thing is going to be kick ass once it comes to market. I just have these questions.
Someone will probably tell me that there are people working on it that are paid to think about it and that I should just STFU about it…
Posted by Smithers at 5:05 pm in Cycling Biz | Permalink | 15 Comments »
Thursday, August 27th, 2009
awesome…
Posted by Smithers at 4:44 pm in Cycling Biz | Permalink | 2 Comments »
Thursday, April 30th, 2009
Helz yea!
Facebook
Twitter
Check it out!
Posted by Smithers at 3:44 pm in Cycling Biz | Permalink | No Comments »
Thursday, February 26th, 2009
Is that your dog?
Posted by Smithers at 7:02 pm in Cycling Biz | Permalink | 1 Comment »
Saturday, February 7th, 2009
Shoulda picked better asses. Skibby could have loaned his out.
Posted by Smithers at 8:23 am in Cycling Biz | Permalink | 1 Comment »
Thursday, December 4th, 2008
Gets hisself a beat down!
Capitol Times:
The bicyclist who felt “extremely insulted” when a fellow biker told him to get a light on his bike and ended up beating the commenter was arrested and tentatively charged with battery and disorderly conduct Wednesday, police said.
Dustin Dunlavy, 28, Madison, allegedly grabbed Colin O’Brien, 51, around the head in the confrontation on South Shore Drive the night of Nov. 26.
O’Brien is the owner of Cronometro, a Williamson Street shop making custom bicycles.
The pair followed O’Brien to his home, where the light talk continued.
The female said it appeared O’Brien had plenty of lights and asked for one, so he gave one to her, but Dunlavy still was upset and clamped his hands around O’Brien’s head, according to a police report.
The report added that he twisted O’Brien to the ground and kicked him in the ribs, but Dunlavy denied doing so when he was arrested.
“He also said he didn’t think it (grabbing his head) would cause pain because the victim was wearing a bike helmet,” DeSpain said.
When asked why he didn’t just ride away after the “get a light” comment, Dunlavy apparently told police he felt extremely insulted by the statement.
Some might find this whole situation quite hilarious.
Posted by Smithers at 2:57 pm in Cycling Biz | Permalink | 7 Comments »
Friday, October 17th, 2008
Any lawyers out there interested in some easy work in trade for bike parts?
Posted by Smithers at 4:40 pm in Cycling Biz | Permalink | 2 Comments »
Friday, September 26th, 2008
Greg LeMond was great for the bicycle industry. He was always trying something new. Eyewear, handlebars, frame materials, pedals, etc. Every year he was on something different and it provoked lots of development and innovation in the bicycle industry.
Lance, not so much. I can’t blame him. Companies like Nike, Giro, Oakley and Trek stood by Armstrong when his future in professional cycling was more than in doubt. However, I feel his loyalties ended up stifling development by companies that were not riding the wave of his success.
There may be a small step towards change now that Armstrong has announced his intention to ride for Astana and use SRAM components for 2009.
I think SRAM has recently lost a bit of excitement in the industry with the new offerings from Shimano and Campagnolo. But Le Boss using the Red group next year will drive sales towards SRAM equipped bikes. This is going to continue to legitimize product other than what is offered by the "big two" and open the field up to companies like FSA, who is working hard on a full component group for 2010.
It’s a small step by Armstrong, but his return is good news for, and generating lots of excitement within, the bicycle industry.
Posted by Smithers at 9:54 pm in Cycling Biz | Permalink | 10 Comments »
Tuesday, August 26th, 2008
Another big player gobbles up a big team. Will Colnago be in the elite peloton in 2009?
Posted by Smithers at 5:01 pm in Cycling Biz | Permalink | 6 Comments »
