Outspokin Bicycles

Cervelo S5 Review from a "regular guy"

2011-10-19T19:34:00.001-04:00

My love of riding my road bike hit, what I thought, would be an all time pinnacle when I rode my slc-sl. I loved everything about that bike, and never thought riding could get any better.
Then I rode the S3 and realized it was possible what I thought was the perfect riding experience even a little better. And that thought, has prevailed all the way, until today!
I rode for the first time Cervelo's new S5 and couldn't believe how perfect the machine brought together the elements of aerodynamics, energy transfer, compliance, and comfort. It was short of an absolute out of body experience. I don't know how the wizards at Cervelo did it, all I know is that the riding experience I enjoyed today, was second to none. If you haven't test ridden this bike yet, and you're really serious about enjoying everything an incredible road bike can deliver, you owe it to yourself to give this bike a try. It's absolutely incredible!

Summer Cycling

2011-06-23T22:55:00.007-04:00

All my training this season has been in preparation for competing in the Tour of America's Dairyland, 12 consecutive days of cycling races in the Milwaukee, WI area. I have done well in these races in the past years, so I had a certain level of expectation coming in. My fitness was on target, and my Cervelo bicycle, Zipp wheels, and equipment were top of the line. I would be racing composite for a strong local team, ISCorp, and life's affairs were in order for me to take off for the races.

As the days have racing have progressed, my results have not been what I was hoping for. Twice I have been happy to finish. The prize money is good, so some professional racers have come in and won the vast majority of the money. Rainy, cold weather has been less than desirable and made some of the courses really dangerous. Additionally, my brand new car broke down, and I have gone through a family emergency that will need considerable attention immediately upon my return.

I have considered feeling sorry for myself and have definitely experienced a lot of frustration, but at the end of the day I have a lot to be thankful for. I have the best travel partner you could ask for, my bike has worked to perfection, and my teammates are a great group of women. I have had the opportunity to mentor some beginning racers, enjoyed meeting the couple who hosted us, visited with old friends, been encouraged by Outspokin friends at home, and maybe even lost a few pounds!

All in all this trip has encouraged me to refocus and remember that even though I am very competing at the highest level, cycling is still a hobby. Cycling has given me the opportunity to meet many great people and see parts of the country I most likely would never have seen. There are only three days of racing left, and I plan to give it my all. Maybe I will have some great results and maybe not. Either way, I will be home soon, resume my life, and start training for the next race!

Go Fast Goodies

2011-04-18T19:41:00.004-04:00

I have been very fortunate lately getting to test out some of the coolest new time trial products on the market. I am not sure how much faster they have made me in the “Race of Truth,” but I am fairly certain they helped.

The first product is the Hincapie Time Trial Suit. No, this is not your run of the mill 3 piece suit, it is actually a highly specialized, wind tunnel tested superman suit. Will it make you faster? The resounding answer is yes! In most wind tunnel tests the item that attributed to the most drag other than your body position was your clothing. This suit is definitely slick, it has different materials throughout to take advantage of static movement, your upper body, and fluid movement, your legs. Fit is extremely important in these suits and I would recommend ordering one size down from what you typically wear in bib shorts. You want this tight, modesty be gone! Although this is probably one of the most aerodynamic pieces of clothing you can buy, it isn’t perfect. The shammy is definitely not meant for the long haul, which since it is designed for race day, shouldn’t be a problem and for some reason the cuffs on the sleeves near the wrists are actually slightly loose. It could just mean I just have really tiny wrists, who knew? If you want to go faster in your next time trial or triathlon, this suit will transform you into superman, or superwoman.

Part Duex, I get to race with the new Louis Garneau Vorttice time trial helmet. This is the new evolution of time trial helmets. It has a cut off tail, is extremely light and is also well ventilated. I have been using long tail time trial helmets for years, but recent tests done in the wind tunnel show that a short tail may be more efficient if you keep your head down. Check out the helmets at last years Tour de France and most of them were variations of the short tail. I have worn this helmet twice and both days were pretty hot, mid 80’s, and did not notice it overheating at all. The helmet has one center vent, but it is pretty large, channeling air through the inside of the helmet like a jet port. I also really like the included visor, although I would like a dark version so I don’t have to wear sunglasses with it, plus look all Terminator like. The helmet surface has different diameter dimples and air flow channels which are supposed to aide in the aerodynamics. I don’t know if they work, but they sure look cool. I honestly wasn’t sure if I was going to stick with this helmet, but after 2 wins I think it is pretty safe to say I will be bringing this bad boy to nationals with me.

The final piece of hardware I want to review is FSA’s brand spankin new Metron shifters. FSA appears to be finally jumping into the shifting market and if these shifters are any indication of what is coming, I am pretty excited about a 4th component choice. In my opinion, the coolest thing about the new Metron shifters are that they don’t look like shifters at all. They look more like shorty break levers on the end of your aero bars. To shift into a bigger cog, you pull the lever in, to shift into a smaller one you push the top of the unit with your thumb. It does take a little bit to get used to, but after a while it becomes natural. These shifters are perfect for those of us who use aero bars with a slight bend as your hands naturally rest where the shifters are and are very comfortable to use. Unfortunately, those that use flat aero bar extensions may strain their wrists a little trying to shift with these. The shifting performance is good if not great, there is a light feel when shifting up that is very different to most “normal” time trial shifters on the market now. Installation was also fairly easy as the levers came with the cables pre-

installed which made things go by much faster. I had a little problem getting the front derailleur dialed in, probably more from a lack of a cable adjuster than the actual product. I plan on sticking with these throughout the year as long as I continue to use an s-bend extension. If I move to a flat extension, Zipp’s new shifters may be the way to go.

As always, if you have any questions about these great products feel free to drop me a note. Now stop reading about bikes and go out and ride yours!

Changes

2011-03-28T21:56:00.005-04:00

When is the last time you tried something new? By this I mean a new product or a new race. So many of us become set in our routines and products that we are unwilling to try out new things. I am definitely guilty! Technology changes, better nutrition becomes available, and new races to challenge ourselves are everywhere. I think it is very important to step off our well-worn paths of life and try a different route. It doesn't have to be anything drastic, just something different!

So far this year, I have tried a few different things. I didn't make these changes, because I was unhappy, but rather because of opportunities, and well, why not!

1. A new bicycle brand - Cervelo to Orbea

2. New components - Campy Record to SRAM

3. Taking regular vitamins - B12, Multi-vitamins, and Fish Oil

4. Working toward eating organic and gluten free foods.

5. Working on my time-trialing -YUCK!

Your First Bike Race!

2011-03-08T19:14:00.001-05:00

It has been a very long time since I lined up for my first bicycle race, but I can still remember it like was yesterday. The nervousness, the excitement, the unknown, they were all there. For me being 14, it was a whopping 3 miles where I rode away from my small group and won the race solo which got me eternally hooked to the sport of bicycle racing. There is nothing quite like a bike race, it is a ball of kinetic energy ready to explode with the strategy of a well played chess match. If you ride a bike, I fully recommend you trying a race. I will admit up front, it is a very intimidating experience, but if you dive head first into the deep end you will either love the feeling of the speed and competition, or a life guard will jump in and pull you to the side, either way you will survive. Here are my tips to make your first race as fun and as little nerve racking as possible.

Make sure the bike you are racing on is in top mechanical shape, best bet is to bring it to the shop about a week before the race for a tune-up. Chain should be lubed, shifting should be precise, wheels should be true, and tires free of any slices or cuts.
Make sure you are in your best shape possible or at least feel good that you can comfortable finish the distance the race is going to be.
Get a good night sleep 2 days before the race. If you are racing on Sunday, make sure you sleep well on Friday. It is actually more beneficial and important to get a good nights sleep 2 days before the event than the actual night before.
Don’t skimp on eating the week before the race to reach some weight goal. You don’t want to run out of fuel during your event, but only eat high quality food that your body is familiar with.
Clean your bike the day before the race, a clean bike is a fast bike.
Pack a cycling bag the day before the race, you will need the following: matching jersey and bibs, socks, cycling shoes, gloves, helmet, sunglasses, water bottles, towel, and a change of clothes to wear after the race.
Pack your car with your bike, bag, pump, and extra wheels if you have them the night before your race.
Print the flyer out with directions the night before the race and figure out how long it will take to get there.
Morning of race, wake up early enough to have a small but familiar breakfast. If you race is later, this is not as important, but make sure you hydrate and do not drink or eat anything unfamiliar to your body.
Try to arrive at the race at least 90 minutes before your start.
When arriving go to the registration table and sign up for your event, don’t forget to pick up pins.
After you receive your number, head back to your car and pin your number on your jersey and get dressed.
Take your bike out of your car and pump up your tires and place full water bottles on your bike.
Hydrate, you want to be sipping on water or sports drink all morning.
Make sure you know where the start of the race is, but find an area to ride around and loosen up your legs, you will see others doing the same.
Arrive at the start about 15 minutes before your race. It is always best to try and start near the front.
Time will go by fast, but try to relax and take it all in. It is going to be fun.
Once the race lines up and the whistle is blown, clip into your pedals and go. Try to stay near the front of the race, it is usually the safest place to be. This could be the beginning of a wonderful relationship.

Footnote: Your goal for your first race should be to finish and not crash. I know these are not lofty goals, but you can shoot for the win on your second race, but most of all HAVE FUN!

Looking Good on and off the Bike, Cycling Style Guide

2011-03-02T18:46:00.001-05:00

I will admit, I like nice clothes both casual and cycling. There was a time in my life where $100 jeans were the norm and my clothing budget wasn’t a budget at all. However, just because I have calmed down in my regular clothes purchasing doesn’t mean that my cycling wardrobe has skimped at all. I literally have a closet of cycling clothes and I routinely donate or sell stuff on a yearly basis. There is stuff in my “closet” that I will probably never wear on my current bike, reason behind that is my current bike is white, red, and black and a lot of my older clothes are white and blue, which just so happens to be the color of the bike I raced on last year. Here is a very important rule people, match your jersey and bibs, notice I didn’t say shorts more on that later, to your bike. Some of us have team clothing that we can’t help if it doesn’t match our bikes, but for the love of God, if you buy clothing to wear while cycling please make sure it matches each other. I really love the Rabobank jersey with the Liquigas bibs, wow that is a look that will make your eyes bleed. Also, you will look less like a freak riding down the road than we already do, even if I happen to take pride in my freak status. If you have the means, try to match your helmet, sunglasses, socks, gloves, and shoes to your kit and bike. Nothing looks more “Pro” than everything matching. Look good, feel fast, be fast should be your motto. Now on to the aforementioned shorts vs. bibs contention, please invest in some good bibs. They fit better, will be more comfortable and most importantly will prevent any other riders from having to look at that bare section of your skin where your jersey doesn’t quite cover your lower back, conveniently preventing a very unsightly tan line there. Also, bib straps are to be worn under your jersey, not over them, I don’t care how many times you have seen Borat and his insane bib bathing suit! There is also a proper way to wear a helmet, the front of it should fall just above your brow and be securely in place. It is not a yarmulke sitting on the back of your head even if you did miss service that week. Clothes also wear out people, just like tires. If you wouldn’t ride down the road with a big hole in your tire, you shouldn’t leave your house with your clothing held together with safety pins. It is just not a good look… on anyone! That about covers on the bike, in summary; if you can match your clothing with your equipment with your bike, you are golden, at the minimum try to match your clothing with your equipment keeping one color scheme across the board.

Now the fun part, off the bike, yes I know we are all very guilty of these infractions at times, but let’s try to move past them. Before I get thrown under the bus, I have a little disclaimer, I used to race Triathlons so I know the culture and that almost every race gives you something to wear in the goody bag, BUT please, please do not wear your race t-shirts on the same day of the race. They are souvenirs and should be worn when you get home or at a future race, do not become a clone of the masses all wearing the same shirt hanging out after the race. Here is a recent phenomenon, one of my favorites, do not wear compression tights, socks, gloves and any other compression thing in clear view of the public. It is just not good, you can wear them, just strategically hide them under a warm up suit or jeans or anything for that matter. Be proud that you are an athlete, but there is no reason to make it so obvious that you are going to a race or are leaving a race that any casual observer can pick you out of a crowd. Be yourself, your appearance on and off the bike should reflect your personality. I have been guilty of all these crimes in the past, but I have seen the light and hope that my words reach you too.

It is not about the bike, actually yes it is

2011-02-28T18:41:00.000-05:00

OK, there are some people out there that just use their bikes as a tool for getting to and fro, but if you are reading this blog post, that probably doesn’t apply to you. You train on your bike, you race your bike, some of you may even keep your bike in your living room. Our bikes are part of us, the culture, the technology, the sense of freedom, it is all there in one microcosm of perfection. Some of us treat our bikes as an extension of our personality. As an example, I am usually a very calm, laid back person who doesn’t like anything flashy or “bling”, but on my bike I like to be as loud as possible from custom handlebar plugs to personalized stem caps. If I can make my bike scream and lighter at the same time, I am going to jump all over that. It is just a great extension of my demeanor on the bike especially while racing, yes I sometimes do the Dr. Jekyll, Mister Hyde routine. If you look at some of the top pro’s in the peloton, a lot of them have very cool custom painted bikes with individualized components, Cavendish’s Tour bike from last year is one of my favorite paint jobs, if you haven’t seen it check it out. Why wouldn’t us mere mortals want the same? I don’t want a custom Thor Hushovd Cervelo even if it is very cool, I do however want a custom Ken Vida Cervelo. I can’t just call Cervelo up and ask for a custom frame, well not yet at least J I can however customize my bike with small unique parts that differentiate it from the other Cervelo’s out in the state. From different color handlebar tape, to custom anodized bolts, to unique color schemes, the sky is the limit with bikes. Just don’t go overboard, some colors just don’t work together like say purple and red. Also don’t try and mirror your favorite pro’s bike, make your bike your own, a unique and very individual part of you, and for God’s sake, GO OUT AND RIDE!

Clinchers as Race Wheels, Are you Serious?

2011-02-14T11:23:00.003-05:00

Clinchers have come a long way in this sport, 20 years ago when I started racing I wouldn’t have dreamed about lining up for a race with clinchers on my bike. Back then the majority of people even trained on tubulars. Despite tubular’s lighter weight and better road feel, I eventually switched to clinchers for training, entering the dark side. I now train on clinchers full time and have even raced on them for a few seasons in the past, mostly due to economic situations, not choice. That is until now. This past weekend I got a chance to race on Zipp’s new 404 clincher. I raced on a hilly 70 mile road course on Saturday and a tight technical 6 turn Criterium course on Sunday with a section of pavers. Two completely different courses and the wheels remarkably performed flawlessly. I am shocked to say in the least, I am a firm believer in Zipp’s magic, but to make a full carbon clincher that is so versatile is truly a miracle. They did go to the drawing board with this one, making a wheel unlike any other carbon clincher on the market. What sets it apart is the rim shape. Saying the wheel is wide is a gross understatement, it is wide enough that I had to open my brakes almost fully to use them, but in that width you get two clear advantages. First, the wheel is very stiff making it super responsive and second, the wider tire bead stretches the tire out a bit allowing you to run a slighter lower pressure that gives your high quality clinchers an almost tubular like feel. Everyone wants to know how fast the wheels are, well to give you an idea, on the descents in Saturday’s race I would go from mid pack to shooting off the front by just coasting. The faster you go, the more these wheels just work. Then on Sunday I ran only a 100 lbs of pressure in the tires and they tracked perfectly on the pavers and in the tight, technical 90 degree turns. The only things these wheels give up to their tubular competitors are a little bit of weight, but honestly I didn’t notice it. If you are looking for a fast wheel that you can race on and if you get a flat, doesn’t cost you $90, run, don’t walk to the shop and pick up a pair of these wheels. Yes, they will make you faster.

Check out this Retul Video!

2011-01-26T18:22:00.002-05:00

Watch Ben Greenfield get a Retul Bike Fit just like the Pro's!

Retul Video

Personally, there is no better improvement to performance and comfort than getting a Retul Fit!

Once you go custom, you will never go back…

2011-01-17T21:07:00.002-05:00

I have ridden almost every brand of cycling shoe under the sun since I started racing. I think my first pair were Lake shoes with plastic soles with laces that I cracked in half in my first crash. Shoes have come a very long way since then, carbon fiber is everywhere and you have to look very hard to find a pair with standard laces. Velcro and Micro-Adjustment buckles have taken over and I for one am very happy with the revolution. Recently I decided to kick things up a notch and try out a custom molded cycling shoe, namely the Shimano SH-R315. It took me this long to go custom not because of lack of desire, but of cost. In the past custom shoes were well out of most riders price range, however Shimano’s top of the line road shoe is still priced less than some of its competitors non custom high end shoes. The process to get “fitted” in the shoes is quite unique. First the insole is heated in a specially designed oven, once it is nice and mushy, you stand on it in cycling socks and let it slowly mold to the sole of your foot. Now the cool part, the whole shoe is then placed in the oven so the full carbon sole can get a little compliant. When it is nice and toasty you put it back on your foot and a trained fitter places a bag over your foot and literally sucks the air out of it using a specially designed vacuum. It is kind of a bizarre sensation but you are left with shoes that are literally molded to your feet. Now a great fitting shoes wouldn’t mean much if they didn’t meet the demands of hard road riding, but these shoes are a straight flush. The whole process becomes an experience where the shoe truly becomes yours. They are very light, stiff, and have classic looks without being too flashy. It’s crazy, I didn’t realize how comfortable my new shoes were until a recent mt bike adventure in non-custom shoes which at one time I thought were the most comfortable shoes I owned. After riding about five minutes I commented to my brother that I am now officially spoiled, I want custom mt bike shoes too because my old shoes just didn’t measure up anymore.

The Winter Funk

2011-01-15T22:57:00.004-05:00

I don't know about everyone else, but this winter weather really has put a damper on my bike riding! I am really struggling to find the motivation to pile on layer after layer to ride my bike. The racing season is just around the corner, but it looks as if I'm going to get a late start. The winter blues have become a yearly event for me, but this year I've decided not to worry about it too much. I've been going to the gym, going for walks, occasional jogs, and riding when the weather permits. I feel good and I'm enjoying the change of pace.

I've done quite a bit of reading about how the body changes once you enter your 30's and beyond. Specifically, how the body responds to long periods of rest and cross training. Most experts agree that athletes over 30 don't need the big break in the off season. In fact, it is a bad idea. As you get older, the body takes longer to get back into shape, so keeping some intensity year round is a good idea. Plus, it's a good idea to lift weights year round in order to prevent permanent muscle loss.

I'm not an expert, but I've been going to the gym twice a week for the past several months. I like the way my body looks and feels. I've started to acclimate to how it feels to ride a bike and lift weights. At first it felt like I was pedaling squares, but it's better now.

Have any of you tried anything new this off season? What are your goals for your fitness for 2011? Let's hear it.

Image retrieved from cksinfo.com

Impact of Stress on Performance

2011-01-05T17:41:00.000-05:00

Both cycling and triathlon are incredibly difficult sports that test the limits of human endurance and strength. The percentage of people who race as their primary means of employment is miniscule compared to the number of us who do these sports for the love of them. Because of this most of us may keep full time jobs, go to school , or have families to provide for and spend time with. These activities outside of our sport put a tremendous strain on our performance when situations are not ideal. There are some of us that ride specifically as a stress reliever to get away from life’s other commitments, but is it really conducive to performance? The short answer is yes and no. Let me explain, there are some riders that excel when they are “stressed out” or in a “bad mood,” they can actually use that negative energy to propel themselves farther and faster. Getting home from their ride or race, the stress has escaped their body and they feel much better. However, the majority of us suffer when things are just not right in the rest of our lives. Sometimes spending that time alone on the bike to dwell on the negativity that is going on causes more stress than what we left the house with. This actually happens because stress or any true emotional turmoil can actually act like a sickness to the human body. It is truly amazing and disturbing how a bad day at work or home can break down your natural defenses and impact your performance. No one can completely eliminate stress from their life, but the goal is to try and minimize that stress through planning and becoming more flexible, kind of an oxymoron if you think about it. Our sports should never be the cause of stress, remember we do this for fun and not out of any obligation. There are some tricks to help limit stress from our sports. I know people that hate to have life all planned out for them and others who cannot wake up without a plan. The goal is to actually try to fall halfway in the middle. For me, my training schedule is all planned out, but if I miss a workout or have to move it to another time, I try very hard not to stress about it and just “go with the flow.” This is quite a change to how I used to respond. Knowing what I should be doing on certain days helps alleviate the unknown which can inadvertently lead to additional stress. Communicating with family members on plans can also help those “YOU ARE RIDING HOW LONG THIS MORNING?” wonderful conversations. The moral of the story is use all the tools you have to be happy and healthy and you will perform better on the bike which for most of us, just leads to more happiness!

Now go ride!

Yes, you can buy speed...

2010-12-30T18:15:00.002-05:00

Growing up in the sport of cycling, it used to drive me nuts when I was getting beat by guys that I knew I was stronger than, simply because they had more money to buy “speed.” Speed can be anything, from slick deep dish aero wheels, to a perfectly contoured skinsuit, to something as simple as a pair of form fitting shoe covers. Every second matters in this sport and that is most apparent when racing against the clock either in time trials or triathlon. It isn’t fair that if you take 2 people of the same weight and same power output and put one of them on a road bike with standard wheels, and the other on a slick wind cheating time trial bike the one with the nicest toy will always win. I didn’t make the rules, but it is a reality so I embrace it in the best way I can. This rule of speed became unbelievably clear to me recently when I was given the privilege to test out a pair of Zipp’s Zedtech 1080 wheelset. These wheels are unbelievably FAST!!! From the first pedal stroke, I knew I was riding something special. Despite their enormous depth and width as compared to a traditional wheel, they still spin up very fast and accelerate quickly up to speed. Cornering was equally impressive as the wheels are very stiff and just track perfectly around curves. Rolling along at 25 MPH feels almost effortless and as the speed increases so does the aerodynamic benefit. Another insane benefit of the Zedtech wheel line is the inclusion of ceramic bearings. Coasting almost causes you to accelerate, it is a little unnerving. No need to get into a low position on downhills anymore unless you want to go flying by everyone. However, these are not all condition race wheels especially for lighter, smaller riders. The first time I rode them was on a particularly windy day and I had some nervous moments when I got hit by some nasty gusts. I am 175 lbs, I can’t imagine how a lighter rider would feel. Also because of their extreme depth, at very high speeds 45 MPH+, I felt like I had to hold on a little tighter to keep the front of the bike stable. These gripes are minor to how these wheels make you feel when you ride them, they just put a big smile on your face like you are flying. They are perfect for time trials and triathlons and I guarantee that they will make you faster. For road racing, I would probably recommend the 808’s for a great all around super aero race wheelset or for lighter, smaller riders the 404. Now if I can just figure out a way for my “test” to last all year :)

Happy Riding!

Hard on equipment

2010-12-29T17:37:00.002-05:00

I have this problem, stuff just doesn’t last very long for me. I don’t abuse it, or crash very often but I have broken just about every part on a bicycle in my nearly 20 years of racing. Because of this fact, I am known as a very good product tester since if I can’t break something then it is easily going to hold up for the average rider. I have been having a very hard time finding a pedal system that lasts me more than a few months. In 2010 I went through no less than 4 different pedal setups. I started off with a pair of Carbon/Ti Look Keo pedals that I had been using for roughly 2 years, unfortunately the spring wasn’t as secure as it once was and the bearings were shot. No fault of the pedals, they lasted plenty long for me and I was anxious to try out the new Keo 2 Max because of it’s slightly wider platform. Unfortunately, the bearings just got progressively sticky over time and even with the resistance cranked all the way down, I still didn’t feel super secure. Time to try something new and I picked up a pair of the top of the line Mavic Pedals. I was extremely happy with these pedals at first. They spun super smooth, were reasonably light, and felt very solid while clicked in, plus I liked the flashy chrome color. However, after a couple of months the pedals became sloppy and there was noticeable movement when pulling up on them while riding. Stuff like this makes me mental so I tossed those aside and went with a pair of Speedplay Zero’s that I “borrowed” from my wife’s bike. I was actually a product tester for Speedplay when they were designed way back in the 90’s and have always liked them, but had some problems with the cleats in the past. I used the Speedplay’s with no problems for a couple of months, until my wife wanted to ride her bike again, oops… Being the adventurous person that I am, I opted to try yet another pedal system. I picked up a pair of Time’s new iClic racer pedals and got them all dialed in. I was very happy with the pedal at first, I liked the way Time does it’s float with a little lateral movement at the toe, not just at the heel as most of pedals work. Now 3 months in, the bearings are getting very sticky and I am noticing some vertical movement in the connection between the cleat and the pedal when clicked in. This just won’t do, so now I am going to pick up the new Shimano 7900 pedals to hopefully race on in 2011. I have done a lot of research and the only real negatives I have read were about the price, which is relative, and that they weren’t super light. I can live with that if they hold up. Stay tuned for my review of these pedals.

Orbea Orca

2010-12-24T00:14:00.006-05:00

Hello Everyone! My name is Julie Jerue, and I will be posting on the Outspokin blog throughout the course of the year. I am a 32 year-old, female, cycling enthusiast. Well, maybe I should say that I am addicted to riding my bike. Road and criterium racing is my favorite type of bicycle riding, but I enjoy cruising around the neighborhood with my family as well.

I've been riding for about five years now, and have been enjoying using Outspokin as my home shop for the past couple years. The staff is extremely helpful, and they keep me performing on the best equipment available. My newest bicycle is an Orbea Orca. I'm beyond impressed with its beautiful design, but also the incredible ride. The Orca is smooth, accelerates effortlessly, and makes you wish your daily ride would never end!

Time to Hit the Gym

2010-12-23T19:29:00.004-05:00

This is the time of year where all cyclists and triathletes should be spending some time at the gym. I know there are some of us who despise the weight room, but building now in the off season will pay off dividends when the season kicks up. Your legs can always be stronger and your core needs to be stronger, 2 basic principles to live by. I am a firm believer in adding weight training to my normal routine as soon as the season ends. It gives my body a chance to rebuild after all the intense hours on the bike. However, because I am going through different routines and using muscles I forgot I had, extreme soreness always ensues. The good news is I found a new product to help combat the soreness and enable me to continue training without having to take serious time off between workouts.
It is called Master Amino Acid Pattern or MAP for short. It is essentially the amino acids your muscles need to recover and rebuild but don't get because most of the protein we ingest gets transported as waste throughout our body. I don't know the true science behind it, but I do know that it works. Since I started taking the product, I have been less sore after both long hard rides and also extreme weight workouts at the gym.

Check it out, the way to get faster is by training harder, but in order to train harder we all need to recover better.

Introduction

2010-12-20T20:27:00.003-05:00

Hello blog land, my name is Ken Vida and I will be a new contributor to the Outspokin blog. A little about myself, I am currently a category 1 road cyclist living in Florida who has been racing on and off for the last 20 years. I dabbled in all forms of cycling, from track to triathlon and everything in between, but my first love is road cycling. My most recent accomplishments are 4th overall in the Florida Points Series, 3rd Overall in the Florida Cup and current record holder of the Eddy Merckx category of the Ft. Desoto Time Trial. I love all things cycling and am a tech geek at heart so you will see lots of reviews of all the latest and greatest go fast gadgets in the ever changing world of cycling. I promise to always give my complete and honest opinion and look forward to interacting with you all.

Look for my mini review of Zipp's Zedtech 1080 wheelset coming real soon!

Di2 Tri Set Up

2010-02-21T12:01:00.004-05:00

What can I say? Di2 is a triathlete's best friend. Not only is it smooth and precise, but the ability to shift from the brake levers is definite plus if one is climbing. Shifting this puppy is as easy as literally pressing a button. This is one of those groupos that one can't live without.

Outspokin Bicycles Newsletter

2010-02-01T12:21:00.001-05:00

Outspokin Bicycles Issue No. 1

In This Issue
What's New

Upcoming Clinics

Free Cables & Housing

What's New!
Due to popular demand of our Customer Appreciation Day in December, we have decided to make it a Monthly Occurrence!
Outspokin Bicycles will be hosting a Customer Appreciation Happy Hour from 4pm to 7pm on Saturday February 6th.
Please come an join us celebrate your day!
Beer and Munchies will be provided.

Thanks for taking the time to read our Official Outspokin Newsletter for 2010. By these means we hope to update you and keep you informed of all the happenings at our store. Thanks for being part of the Outspokin Family
Sincerely,

Jim, Park, Anne-Marie, Dean, John A, John J, Cindy, Colin, Heather & Val
Outspokin Bicycles

Spencer Smith's Triathlon Clinic
Goal Setting for the Best Season Ever
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 @ 6:30 pm
Plan your triathlon season with Spencer Smith. Set goals, train smart, and achieve your goals for the best triathlon season ever!
Cost: $ 20.00, Receive a $ 20.00 Outspokin Gift Certificate
Limited to 15 participants, please send an email to cindy@outspokin.net to reserve your spot.

Jennifer Hutchison's
Triathlon Nutrition 411:Sprint to Ironman
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 @ 6:30 pm
Clinic will review current fueling recommendations for triathlon training as well as address differences as it relates to training for short and long course races.
Cost: $ 20.00, Receive a $ 20.00 Outspokin Gift Certificate
Limited to 15 participants, please send an email to colin@outspokin.net to reserve your spot.

The Pool at Southwest Rec Needs our Help
With the recent budget cuts, the Recreation Center at Southwest is considering turning the pool into a waterpark. What does it mean? Well, all swimmers, swim teams, master's programs, etc, would be canceled. The pool would no longer be available to any triathletes, or any families hoping to have their children be part of the WFLA Swim Team. Please help up us keep the pool open by attending a meeting on Thursday, February 4, 2010 @ 6:30 pm at 13120 Vonn Road, Largo, FL 33774 to voice your objections to this plan.

Free
Cables & Housing Free Cables & Housing ($ 35.00 Value *) with any Performance Plus Maintenance Package. This package is recommended for frequent riders or bikes operated in dusty conditions. Annual maintenance and adjustments plus drivetrain disassembly, detailing and rebuild. For snappy shifting and whisper quiet conditions. You will be glad you brought it in!.

Offer Expires: February 28, 2010

New Outspokin Clearwater

2009-05-08T11:13:00.003-04:00

P4 photos...

2009-03-21T23:12:00.005-04:00

Here are some pics of the new P4 frame from Cervelo...stop by if you'd like more info...

Cervelo P4...First Owner is...

2009-03-12T22:53:00.003-04:00

Ken wagner! Ken just took possesion of the first P4 frameset we got in and had it built up...we have more on the way as well as complete bikes coming soon.Contact us about reserving one for you!Watch for detail pics coming very shortly...

"Getting 'bent over Retul..."

2009-02-11T21:49:00.002-05:00

John recently came to the store to get Retuled on his road bike...he also brought along his recumbent as well.He'll be doing a 12 hour non-stop ride this weekend at Sebring Raceway...Paul suggested he get Retuled on that bike as well...John approved of the results!Retul can work on a variety of styles of bikes...mountain bikers can benefit as well!I had my mtn. bike setup retuled today and noticed a marked improvement in my positioning...I'm doing a 50 mile endurance ride at Croom off road trails this weekend...can't wait to test the new fit!

Giant TCR Advanced SL Review

2009-02-02T21:43:00.002-05:00

After riding a custom steel framed bike for years,I decided to take the plunge and go with Carbon Fiber...I had heard they were very stiff,,and comfort on longer rides would suffer.Being more of an endurance rider,I was hesitant...til I heard about the TCR Advanced SL...wow,what a ride!This frame is beefy in all the right places(headtube and bottom bracket),allowing razor sharp cornering,virtually no flexing when climbing,and nimble descending.You launch like a rocket with no power lost.Oh,the ride quality?...after a century ride,I felt like I had done a ride around the block,fresh and ready for more!This bike does it all!

Shimano 7900 Components

2009-02-01T10:24:00.004-05:00

The DURA-ACE 7900 series sets a new benchmark in top-level road racing components. Shimano has combined all its engineering resources with the latest technology to realize an increasing level of perfection that will benefit professional riders as well as many road-racing enthusiasts.
The verbiage above comes from the Shimano website. This morning I rode, albeit briefly, my new P3 outfitted with full 7900 set up. My review is simple and in layman's terms. Smooth, amazing, almost shifts itself. I've been riding 7800 since it came out and I can say 7900 is worth the extra $$. The shifting from the small chainring to the big one is seamless. The rear? even smoother. Definitely thumbs UP!!!

Cervelo R3

2009-01-28T11:54:00.002-05:00

Test rode the Cervelo R3 for the first time. Rode for two hours and noticed something incredible right away. It rode remarkably like my personal bike. Mind you my personal bike is built based on a custom made Ti / Carbon combination that to date is the best bike I've ever ridden. This comparison is outstanding especially when you consider my frame alone, no fork , cost $5000.00. This Cervelo at $5000.00 for the complete bike is in one word AMAZING. Responsive, stiff, significatly lighter than my present ride, I'll say it again, AMAZING!
Paul

Retul Testimonial

2009-01-21T15:30:00.003-05:00

Prior to getting fit with the Retul system, I was lacking power and was simply not comfortable riding my bike for over an hour. Paul, from Outspokin Bicycles, invited me to come in and try out the new fitting system which provides a 3D analysis of your bicycle position. He was able to adjust my bike so that I could reduce the amount of knee lateral movement and hip vertical movement to perfection in order to improve the efficiency of my pedal stroke. Since being fit by Paul with the new Retul System, I have been able to average at least one mile an hour faster with the same amount of effort as before. I am in the most aerodynamic position my body will allow and still extremely comfortable. This bike fitting process takes out the guessing and replaces it with raw data for the professional at the bike shop to analyze and then apply the necessary changes to your bike. I did not realize how much of an impact a proper bike fit has on your cycling economy and I definitely recommend this system because of the proven results.

Alex Lechner
Mark Allen Online Elite Team Member

Retul-the Ultimate Bike Fit!

2008-12-28T20:00:00.003-05:00

Retul is a motion capture system that takes bike fitting to the next level.Craig Alexander,winner of this years Ironman World Championship in Kona,as well as Christian VandeVelde and the Garmin-Chipotle road team,have utilized the Retul system and noted marked improvement in their performances.But Retul is not just for the pros...everyone from recreational cyclists to hard core enthusiasts can benefit from a Retul fitting...call us or stop in to learn more about Retul!

New Tri Bike Revealed at Outspokin!..

2008-12-28T19:22:00.003-05:00

Hot out of the wind tunnel,Val debuts 2009's most anticipated ride...

Happy Holidays

2008-12-23T22:53:00.000-05:00

Tender Loving Care for your Bike

2008-12-14T20:48:00.004-05:00

For many triathletes this winter, it's play time. It's the time to work on running and giving the Tri Bike a much needed rest. Before you put it up, and forget about it until it's time to start training, make sure you treat it right. All year long, we beat up our equipment merciolusly. We swim in the ocean, ride the bike full out without regard though mud puddles and sand. What does this mean? Can you say OVERHAUL? Yep, it is important that a tri bike gets torn down to the frame and rebuilt. This will keep the "baby" running smoothly for the next season. Please do not let it sit in your closet/bedroom/garage without doing this, the bill next spring will be too much to handle if rusted parts need to be replaced.
Safe and Happy Training

Happy Holidaze...

2008-12-01T22:04:00.000-05:00

Just look at these bright holiday faces!At least the one on the bottom....

Off Season Social Rides

2008-11-30T19:42:00.003-05:00

It is this time of the year, when everyone takes a moment to take a deep breath, regroup and ponder what will be on the agenda for 2009. We, at Outspokin, believe sometimes it is necessary to go back to the basics of why we started riding a bike. It is for this same reason, we are forming a Social Ride every Saturday morning at 7:00 am meeting at the Publix parking lot on the corner of Clearwater/Largo Road and West Bay. Ride should last 2 hours, nice relaxed pace. Let's spend the time getting to know each other.
If you can't make it Saturday, meet at the corner of Fort Harrison and Belleview (Fluffy Puppies) at 8:00 for the same kind of ride.
Happy Holidays