Rock n Roll Marathon - San Antonio

This past weekend was the San Antonio Marathon gone Rock n Roll. They had 33,000 people sign up for the race! I was amazed on the ocean of people filling Broadway at the start. Rita was running this as her first marathon and had high hopes of qualifying for Boston. The start was a brisk 40 degrees with calm winds so it was a good day to run a fast marathon. Rita set out to run a 3:30 which would be well under the 3:40 needed for Boston. I saw her at the 14 mile mark and she was on target and lookin happy. A little later I saw her at mile 21 and she was on pace...but not lookin happy. Missy and Grant were kind enough to come down from Austin to show some support and help pace her the last few miles. In the end Rita QUALIFIED for Boston in a time of 3 hours 32 minutes and 23 seconds! Both of us are looking forward to taking a trip to Boston this April. Also congrats to my friend Angie Balentine who also qualified for Boston and congrats to the thousands of finishers of the San Antonio Marathon!

Wheels, Wheels, Wheels!

WHEELS!

I love new wheels! Wheels are the biggest upgrade you can make on a bike. A good set of them can turn an average bike into a fast work of art. Why do you think every time a bike is photographed they have a wicked fast set of race wheels on it. So with this post I want to go over some of the best wheels out there.

ZIPP

Everyone knows zipp wheels. They are by far the most popular race wheel out there. Why is that? Answer: THEY ARE FREAKIN' FAST. Zipp boldly states that you can drop over a minute in a 40k time trial just by using a set of 404s. I have raced on many different set of zipp race wheels and here is my take....Zipp tells the truth. My favorite race set is a pair of Zed 808 tubulars. Second favorite is a Disc and 808 front.

Pros: Freakin fast

Cons: Freakin Expensive $2000+ for a set.

American Classic

This wheels don't seem to get the credit they deserve. I have ridden a pair of 420s and thought they were an excellent TT training/race wheel. I will say I dont think they are great (just good) for the pedal mashing type or crit racer. They changed the hubs for 2009 and made some improvements. The 6 paws in the hub release and catch at the same time opposed to other hubs that release one at a time. I think the Mag Wheels are the next on my list of wheels to get...can't argue with a 1255 gram clincher wheelset. Also for 2009 they are making a Disc and deep dish wheelset. The disc is a rebadged Zipp for less money....so that means it must be fast for less money. Sounds good to me.

Reynolds

My current wheelset is a Reynolds Attack. I have been using these as my training wheels and they have stood the test. In 2009 they are coming out with the Reynolds Strikes. These wheels are going to awesome.

1. Cheaper than most others

2. Carbon Clinchers

3. Cool Hubs and roll smooth (very very important...always feels a wheels hubs before you buy)

We have in stock a Reynolds Element which I think has the best graphics of any wheel.

Mavic

I can't say I care too much for the TT line, mainly due to price, but the roadie line is awesome. If you want to make a solid upgrade on your bike get a pair of Kysrium SL's. Light, fast, and sturdy as hell. I dare someone to try and break those. The R-SYS makes every bike a light plush ride. If you get a Cervelo RS with Mavic R-SYS wheels you will have the most plush bike on the market not to mention it will be light. A Cervelo RS frame weighs 1000 grams and the R-SYS are 1360 grams. Thats a light combo.

So in short...

Zipp = The standard in FAST, but pricey

American Classic = New hubs, New graphics, the new hot wheelset

Reynolds = The best in full carbon clinchers

Mavic = Best in training wheels or race wheels if you are a roadie

So if you want to improve your speed just try a nice wheelset and I guarantee you will never go back. Remember: one can always buy a little speed.

-Adam

Cervelo Cycling Jersey!

Check this sweet new cycling jerseys out! We just got in the long awaited Cervelo/ATC gear. Word is Gerard Vroomen and Phil White will be sporting one in no time.

Christmas came early

Hurray! The new Cervelo line is arriving. Unfortunately the one I am really waiting for (the P4) won't come in til late january/early febuary. As is every year I am skeptical of the new color schemes, but as usual they look much better in person. The P1, formally known as the p2-sl, I think is the best paint upgrade from last year. Also we have in the new P2, RS, and an S3.

The S3 is more than new paint. The chainstays and cable routing are completely different from the past year. This is the next bike I want to ride. The shape of the chainstays make the bike stronger and gives it better power transfer than the regular shape. I hope to test that out soon! Unfortunately for me I have to wait another 6 weeks before the docs say I can get back in the bike. What a bummer. So many new toys coming in and I am sitting on the sidelines. Maybe my next post will be on the new kickass Craft winter apparel we just got in...