PPWTF

Don't knock it till you've tried it. I promise you they're so smooth even Mario Cipollini know he's got serious competition

Ok, ok... so I can't claim to be the originator of this amazing taste sensation, I came across it on a sports nutrition site. However, if there's a better way to use bananas that are going over ripe (banana bread included) I've yet to find it. Simply peal off the now slightly browning skin from the banana, wrap in tin foil, and freeze! Once frozen enjoy the smoothest, most wonderful tasting banana ever. I promise you, no ice cream comes even close (and I love my ice cream) I'll never throw away another banana again, and probably have cured myself of the dreaded ice cream addiction in one stroke strangest hub post I've made , but way to good not to share PPWTF2009-05-09 09:43:11

http://www.velonews.com/article/91732/lennard-zinn-tries-mavic-s-new-superlight-tracomp-r-sys The wheelset is only 950 grams per pair ? 410 grams for the front (that?s lighter than a light aluminum clincher rim alone!) and 540 grams for the rear with a titanium freehub body. The 22mmm-deep carbon tubular rim weighs only 230 grams (advertised weight is 250 grams) Of particular note is that the spokes have zero tension when the wheel is not under stress. Thus, if you break a spoke, the wheel does not wobble in the least; it stays completely straight. ......the wheels will be used by three teams, including Basso?s Liquigas formation fair play to Mavic for sticking at it PPWTF2009-05-08 12:08:25

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/components/cranksets/product/x-12-sl-titanium-crankset-32064

http://www.velonews.com/article/91723 Last minute deal means it'll get coverage in the US (not that it helps us any........! ) PPWTF2009-05-07 22:56:35

Service is good' date=' but new price of wheels is a bit high compared to overseas. [/quote'] Take a look at the comobike website - prices are closer to the 'overseas' rates http://www.comobike.com/southafrica/ct/shop/pages/articolo.php?articolo_id=4341 Racing Zeros on at ZAR 9.823,95 http://www.comobike.com/southafrica/ct/shop/pages/articolo.php?articolo_id=2289 Racing 5 Evolutions on at ZAR 2.260,85

take a look at this http://www.2peak.com/home/home.php I'm using the 21 day free trial version, and so far have been very impressed. I've emailed them a few questions, which have always gotten rapid response As for why have a coach - simple; life is way to busy for me to coach myself (coaching is a full time job)whilst I read plenty, and know a little, I'm no expert (my riding time must be constructive use of time and advance my fitness)I want to get fitter on all levels, this requires a structure, adaption and variety; not the same work out just longer or shorter 4 or 5 times a week Last year was the first time I worked with a coach. Unfortunately a combination of work overload and all the stress that goes with it meant I was so exhausted that it had to stop. The most significant thing I learned from the experience was this; listening to your body is key, and that requires some space, so that you can clear your mind and think about how you currently feel. Now imagine trying to fit your full time job, coaching yourself, family, etc into a regular day, and make an accurate assessment of your current condition, and the appropriateness of the pre prescribed session ahead of you....... Hands up, it didn't work for me, hence my attraction to an interactive programme that makes daily adjustments and can recalculate you training for sickness / work / lack of time.... PPWTF2009-05-03 08:02:24

thanks Flea. From what I'm reading most of the so called "ultra endurance" (anything longer than 4Hrs) event guides recommend fluids based fueling... all saying much the same thing; that it's easier on the stomach.

pick up Presta valves with removable valve cores, this way it's easy to get the sealant in to the tube. This is how Specialized and Dr Sludge do their thing.....

So what are peoples views on this, assuming no support vehicle. Is it simply a question of riding with a camelbak rucksack filled with gel sachets; pre measured sachets of electrolyte powders, ready to mix, and as many water bottles as one man (or woman...) can possibly carry, and or a combination of all of the above plus some secret means hubbers tend to keep within the confines of the forum..... But seriously, how do other hubbers approach this? Is there a 'best way'? Interested to hear people previous experiences and thoughts PPWTF2009-05-01 07:20:44

Wheatstone bridge http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheatstone_bridge used in the correct way cancels out both transfer stresses and temperature variations. Some strain gauges are less effected by temperature variation, ultimately it's not about the amount of strain gauges, it's about the quality of the gauges, and how much you pay for them is somewhat directly reflected As for sampling rates and storage issues, this may be true in that they are measuring power - BUT as cadence (angular velocity) is measured only once in a cycle it doesn't matter how many samples of power you take between cadence samples you are still only working with one angular velocity around the entire cycle - which means it is already averaged.. you will not get a true power until your angular velocity samples tend to a very very large number (infinite) you would have to take the limit - in one revolution. If you picture the graph of a power cycle over one revolution - you would be getting close to this but it wouldn't be exact, it could never be exact as there are too many variables with wind, linear speed, cross sectional drag - the list goes on.. cycling on a road is not a laboratory, this may be obvious, but you will not get an accurate power reading unless all these things are taken into account, all you need to do is look at the meter you have, and work with the graphs, they won't be true power readings, but they don't need to be, the are a tool used for training, all they need to be is constant. Mrs PPWTF - BSc. (Hon.) Eng - who happens to be a very occasional recreational cyclist (not claiming to be the oracle, just giving an engineering explanation to something driven by market hype, lots of smoke and mirrors, and a degree of misunderstanding) PPPS.... all power to open source Quarq (the nucleus of an atom)

BlueTooth is very very battery heavy - as in they run flat rapidly in comparrison to say ANT, which does the same thing but for much less juice used, hence embraced by the HRM device manufacturers. Zigby is another protocol which is gaining popularity, but again it's more complex to work with than ANT Agreed, convergence is the future, so all power to Quarq and their open source header unit PPWTF2009-04-30 11:53:46

I stand to be corrected, but engineering friends with no cycling background practically p*ssed themselves with laughter at the marketing blurb trying to pass off more strain gauges as giving greater accurate than less. 3 dimensions = 3 axes... how may other plains of movement do we think take place in a crank!? Location of strain gauge plays a far bigger part, but even then any more than 4 is considered engineering overkill - splitting hairs. As for accuracy of measurement, if the major manufacturers continue to use an averaged cadence, then we will continue to get averaged power, with all the room for error that it includes. The greater the cadence pick up, the truer the reading of actual power. What's most interesting about Quark is surely the open source header unit, and it's retail price if you already have a garmin or A N other compatible unit As for pricing, it's a matter of time before power meters become as common place as HRM, prices will drop massively (maybe 5 years) A Canadian firm looked at a shoe insole with a heal mounted "pod", the idea being it was moveable between bikes, that the hardware was on the person. It was inovative, but ran into accuracy and developemnt cost issues, only after showing at Interbike 2 years in a row. What I'm saying is the market is approaching a tipping point, and power meters will become wide spread, sold at Sportsmans warehouse alongside Polar HRM etc - it's just a matter of time (long dull post ends) PPWTF2009-04-30 12:06:11

Came across this on Velo News this morning, and given a recent post about a carbon MTB taking strain figured I'd post this here (company is US based, but it does give an idea of what can be done) http://www.calfeedesign.com/howtosendrepair.htm ......unique molding process uses the best quality 3k carbon fiber weave to create forms that are shapely, lightweight, and extremely strong. From minor scratches to stuck seatposts to frames destroyed by the dreaded endo or that startling encounter with the garage door; we've repaired over 2,100 frames since 2003. A few examples of how typical seatstay repairs looks, showing how it is smooth but the carbon pattern is not perfectly matching on clearcoated frames:

With a compact crank you can achieve the same spread of gears as a triple, traditionally used for sports touring in Europe, if you run 50/34 front and 11/28 rear (just to give some idea of range) Many manufacturers are fitting 11/25 cassettes as stock with a compact

http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/is-this-the-worlds-lightest-bike-21360 Is this the world's lightest bike? (i'd guess not....) http://cdn.mos.bikeradar.com/images/news/2009/04/27/1240831943371-e5iwq3gceyr3-280-75.jpg http://www.evertibikes.com/ Everti's new Eagle weighs just 11.4lb (Everti Titanium Bicycles) Everti Titanium Bicycles claim they have created the world's lightest production road bike ? the Eagle, which weighs just 11.4lb (5.17kg). The company, based in British Columbia, Canada, say they have spent a year refining the design and spec, and product testing to ensure everything will stand up to real-world riding. According to Everti: "The only limitations of this bike are the legs that are going to be pushing the pedals." However, they add: "Many of the components on this bike are designed for riders under 200lb so we feel it is best to suggest a rider weight limit of around 180lb to keep everything well within the manufacturer's warranties." The Eagle frame consists of a double butted 3/2.5 front triangle mated to a straight gauge rear triangle. It comes with a 25-year warranty. Component highlights include SRAM Red shifters and derailleurs, Zipp cranks and bars, Extralite hubs and stem, Edge Composites rims, Tufo S3 215 tyres, KCNC cassette and brakes, Ritchey WCS seatpost and fork, and Selle Italia SLR saddle. RRP is $9,995 (approx ?6,865). PPWTF2009-04-28 12:55:37

This is one beautiful bike. Pictures don't come close to doing it justice. The white paint has a really deep luster and the red graphic is more like a candy flip custom car paint in the flesh, not the straight red it looks on the pics. (seems like the photos have flattened the finish) Get well soon mate, the flu that's doing the rounds sucks....

Paris-Roubaix Ultimate Test For Intensive Road Tubeless http://www.bike-eu.com/public/Image/Bike%20Europe%20Website%20Products%20Hutchinson%20Paris-Roubaix%20234.jpgPARIS, France ? This year?s Paris-Roubaix cobbled classic was the ultimate test for Hutchinson?s second tyre in the Road Tubeless category. Aside the already known 25 millimetre tube type version the 25 millimetre Road Tubeless pendant is now available to the public. The French Team La Fran?aise des Jeux decided to mount an Intensive clincher version to avoid punctures on the wet cobblestones and rutted roads. Team director Martial Gayant was absolutely committed to the Intensive: ?We knew that this type of course poses a challenge to all riders and their material and we?re glad to have chosen the perfect tyre for this race?. FDJ rider Wesley Sulzberger added: ?It?s amazing to not have any flat on a ride like this with this comfy tyre?. ?This was the culmination of six years of work on Road Tubeless?, said Norbert Gangloff, responsible for product innovation and team equipment relations at Hutchinson. ?The Intensive performed as anticipated, the race highlighted the performance and comfort of the Intensive Road Tubeless on the cobbles as well as on asphalt. That?s why the Intensive is also great for urban cyclists who need a tyre to brave the elements and last a long time.?

Again from the Feb NAHBS show report... Big steps forward - roadies going tubless (Hutchinson make the only tyre currently available, and Stans no tubes already lists it and makes a kit for it) and a full carbon option, just like the mountain bike offerings from Bontrager etc....

Just come across these guys whilst reading a review from the NAHBS hand made expo... http://www.handlebra.com/

I've also got a suunto PC pod, so I've been making use of the training monitor to actually watch live graphing of HR during IDT based workouts - makes it much easier for me to stay within the target zones; no more speeding/overdoing it. I'm only a recreational rider, but I've always been my own worst enemy; riding / training like an idiot and ending up sick. That's also the appeal of the T6C, having HR and real time TE displayed on the same screen, perfect means to measure and control outdoor rides. Apparently the altitude is still displayed on the downloaded workout, just no longer has a screen of it's own on the watch PPWTF2009-04-26 07:53:37

Been seeing bits and pieces of their stuff over the last 4 or so years, but it looks like they're gearing up to go big time in the USA under their own name Take a look at the bikes on the site, some seriously nice looking kit if you're not 'brand' sensitive..... http://www.trigonbicycles.com/index.html http://www.trigonbicycles.com/RQC929X.html http://www.trigonbicycles.com/index.html The factory-direct model obviously brings with it certain advantages inpricing, as demonstrated by Trigon?s top-end RQC-929X road model. Just US$1,299 (approx ?885) gets you a 980g carbon frame (claimed weight) with an integrated seatmast, BB30 or standard threaded bottom bracket shell, carbon rear dropouts and a tapered 1 1/8in-to-1 1/2in front end. Add another US$305 for the matching 390g full-carbon fork with carbon steerer and dropouts and you?re quickly on your way to a fully UCI-illegal machine. http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/sea-otter-classic-carbon-goodness-from-santa-cruz-and-trigon-21337 PPWTF2009-04-26 08:44:26

So I'm now reading that you have have your T6 firmware upgraded to T6C by sending the watch back to Suunto Finland... cost is 99Euro and includes a comfort belt, the new style HR strap. Just gotta figure out postage costs....

carbon Monkey Lite XC bar = the best money can buy Bar ends on a riser bar - 1 word; NO! Riser bars are more common place than you might think in the Marathon series type events - good kit, just gets *** from the wanna be 55KG dripping wet, my bike only weighs 9KG and is cheese wire ultra ultra lightweight stripped down racing rig / no baggy shorts for me, even when I'm out on a fun ride (except that every ride is flat out until everyone else is puking - then my work is done types......) Sorry, got a bit carried away there... but you get my drift, hopefully? PPWTF2009-04-22 09:04:48