Giant TCR Advanced T-Mobile Team Bike Review
Written by drbob on March 28, 2010 – 9:24 pm -By Jez Loftus, BikeRadar The TCR Advanced T-Mobile Team is Giant's no compromise road race machine and gets its mouthful of a name from being the choice ride for the German pro team. Built with nothing but all-out performance in mind the Advanced Team is light, stiff and fast. At £4150, it's almost identical to the bike the pros ride but unless you're paid to race do you really need one? Will it make you a faster rider, or simply make you look like an all-the-gear-no-idea poseur? The fact that the TCR Advanced isn't your average versatile, performance road bike makes it even more appealing. The T-Mobile colours, only minutely adjustable (2cm), one cut, one fit seatmast and compact, stiff frame make it a unique bike. The ride is hard to describe... more
Tags: giant, Giant TCR, road bike, Road Bikes
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Jamis Xenith SL Review and Video
Written by drbob on March 7, 2010 – 2:34 pm -Steven Fairchild of Jamis Bikes gives us a very detailed look into the 2009 Jamis Xenith SL. The very same bike that Team Colavita races on, you can pick up at your local LBS. 2009 Jamis Xenith SL Upgrades from 2008 • Lighter frame with increased stiffness in the BB and HT area • BB 30 Bottom Bracket system • New fork design utilizing 1.5” crown race • Ritchey Logic WCS Carbon Drop-In integrated headset • 3T Rotundo LTD handlebar, ARX Team stem and Doric LTD seatpost • Fizik Arione CX saddle with Carbon Braided rails All the technology in the world, the fancy ads, the awards—they don’t mean squat once the gun goes off. Being first across the line—that’s all that matters. That’s what these Xeniths are all about. Colavita’s... more
Tags: jamis, Jamis Xenith SL, Road Bikes
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Must Have Tools For The DIY Mountain Biker
Written by drbob on March 3, 2010 – 8:12 pm -Bike Maintenance | 198 | Every job can be made harder without the correct tools to do the job. Bicycle maintenance requires several specialized tools that will make your life much easier on and off the trail. One thing to keep in mind: In my early days of mountain bike maintenance, I didn’t go out and buy the most expensive tools I could find. I bought the store brand tools until I saved up enough to get some more expensive versions from Park or Pedros. This comes in handy later in your mountain bike maintenance career because you can use your “first set” as a mobile tool set that stays in a small tool box. #1 – Bike Repair Stand Mountain bikes…for the most part…are very awkward to work on. In many cases, you have to have the wheels... more
Tags: Mountain Bikes
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Tips On Buying New Mountain Bike Gear
Written by drbob on March 3, 2010 – 8:04 pm -Parts Last Longer Than Frames Once you jump into the frame only market, you are going to start to swap out frames more than you do parts. Even in complete bike purchases, you will transfer your better components over to the new build leaving the lower grade parts as backups or to install on the old bike for resale. As you look at bikes to buy or parts to upgrade, keep in mind that you are going to keep those higher end parts for a longer period of time, so that investment is going to bring you more return on your money. I have a Chris King headset that has moved through 7 different bikes. Several of my wheelsets have been on 3 bikes or more. Swapping out frames on a regular basis is also more common as your riding style changes so your mountain... more
Tags: Mountain Bikes
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