Another busy WiR for you this week. First up we have one of the prettiest Readers’ Rides we have seen yet. Then we have news from Trek and RockyMounts. And finally we end with updates from our Mail Room!
Recent Articles
Tuesday – STAC Zero – First Look
Readers’ Rides
This week’s Readers’ Ride comes from Dave in Surrey UK. This Falco features a Flo Cycling 90 front and Flo disc with Continental Grand Prix TT clinchers. The crank is a Quark Elsa RS with custom 55T single carbon fiber ring. The cockpit is a TriRig Alpha base bar with SRAM brakes, and reversed USE 40 deg extensions. For nutrition and hydration is a Profile Design HC25 with XLAB Super Wing rear carrier and XLAB bento.
And for those just visiting AeroGeeks.com for the first time, one of our favorite ways to showcase our readers is our Readers’ Rides album on Facebook. You can check out our entire collection at http://on.fb.me/12jEqE3. If you would like to have your bike featured in our album, just tweet us at @AeroGeeks, Facebook message us, get us on Instagram, or email us at info@AeroGeeks.com. Don’t forget to also follow #agreadersrides on Instagram as well!
RockyMounts SplitRail Hitch Rack
The SplitRail is a lightweight, expandable platform hitch rack for carrying two, three, or four bicycles. Made of 6063 aluminum and chromoly steel, the SplitRail weighs just 44 pounds and features adjustable trays to allow optimal fit between loaded bikes.
The SplitRail uses a ratcheting arm to secure bikes without frame contact. The system is fast and easy to use and works with almost any bike, including those with non-traditional frames. It accommodates bikes with wheel diameters between 20 and 29 inches, and tire widths of up to 3.2 inches.
We especially like how the SplitRail’s bike trays can be laterally offset by four inches to avoid seat and handlebar interference (something that can be a challenge with tri and TT bikes). It also comes with an integrated cable lock system that allows each bike to be locked individually. A locking hitch pin (included) keeps the rack itself secured to the vehicle. It also features a wall mount for convenient home storage.
The SplitRail has an MSRP of $519.95 USD. The single-bike add-on trays are sold separately for $219.95 USD each. As with all RockyMounts products, the rack and trays come with a lifetime warranty.
Bontrager’s 37.5 Fabric Really Cools You
Cocona, manufacturer of the 37.5 cooling fabric used in a number of Bontrager base layers and jerseys, has announced the public release of a blind study conducted at the University of Colorado that proves the thermoregulatory benefits of wearing 37.5 material during strenuous athletic activity. Authored by physiologists Eric P. Homestead, Benjamin J. Ryan, Jesse A. Goodrich, and Professor William C. Byrnes, the study was first presented on June 2 at the American College of Sport Medicine’s 63rd Annual Meeting in Boston.
The study found that the additional cooling from 37.5 active particle technology increases energy efficiency and power output by increasing the body’s natural ability to regulate core temperature. Faculty at the University of Colorado created the experiment, which blindly compared three different fabrics—a typical wicking t-shirt available from major athletic brands, an otherwise identical 37.5 t-shirt, and an ice vest and sleeves—while participants were monitored on a stationary bike maintaining a level of intensity that resulted in increasing heat stress.
The study showed that wearing garments with 37.5 fabric:
- Extends an athlete’s performance at their lactate threshold
- Lowers core temperature during exercise
- Increases efficiency so an athlete uses less energy to do the same amount of work
- Decreases the rate of core temperature build up
The Mail Room
The big news in the mail room this week is the arrival of a Canyon Speedmax CF SLX 9.0. Featuring integrated hydration and tool storage plus Kona winning pedigree make it a bike we are really excited to spend some time with.
Cycliq sent us their new Fly12 combination camera and front light. When we saw it at Interbike, Cycliq was just starting to demo their new app integration. We are really excited to try it ourselves.
Mavic sent us their CXR Ultimate Helmet – what they call a daily aero helmet. Our first take on it so far is that it’s a helmet where ventilation came first but aero wasn’t far behind. Stay tuned to hear if senses are right.
We also have some new sunglasses to check out from both XX2i and Bolle. Bolle sent us their new 5th Element Pro while XX2i sent their Hawaii 1. We look forward to trying both on the run and bike.
Current Reviews
XLAB Versa
Rode again with the Versa this week. Really love how the computer can be exactly where you want it. Only issue so far is that you really need to tighten the bolts when you find the optimum position or it can shift during your ride.
Giant Rivet
Temperatures were well above 90 for this week’s training, but we had no issues with the Rivet. While you always worry about the temperature versus aero balance with an aero road helmet, it feels like they got the ventilation right with this one.
Scott Tri Carbon Shoes
We raced with the Tri Carbons last weekend and two thoughts came to mind. First, they really feel amazing. The BOA clasp creates a near perfect fit around your foot. And second, if Scott can create an auto closing BOA clasp, these shoes would be near perfect.
