We have three sections here, bike reviews, articles written by Greg Griffiths (International Cycling Commissaire and Ivanhoe Cycles Staff), and general interest articles.
Bike Reviews:
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"Just an Ordinary Race Bike? No Way! You can now have a bike that is every bit as stiff as a TCR race bike in the critical power & handling areas, yet doesn’t require a youthful, supple body, that will bend to the most aerodynamic riding position." |
Giant TCR Advanced 0 Road Bike
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"Although it seemed twitchy and stiff at slow speeds around the car park before we started, this top shelf Giant took on a totally different persona once speeds climbed over 30km/h. The high speed ride over the harsh sealed highway created the impression that the bike was flowing like liquid across the raised crushed rock and underlying ruts. The frame’s suppleness and vibration absorption were so much better than even your typical hybrid at low speeds that any concerns about the seat soon disappeared." |
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"The Giant Trance X2 took top the top spot in US based magazine Mountain Bike Action’s May issue Trail bike Shootout test." |
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"Giant STP (Street Trail Park), Jump it, Drop it, Huck it, Pop it. Enough said..." |
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"This is one fast bike. And when I say fast, I mean super fast. The key is in the frame. This is a very well made monocoque carbon fibre frame. It is stiff, stiff, stiff." |
Giant Transend Womens Traditional Style Bike
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"As riding in street clothes makes a welcome comeback, the traditional lady’s bike is facing a big revival. Because the old style women’s frames lost so much strength without the crossbar of a men’s bike, they made riding much harder for women as the flexing of the frame soaked up pedalling energy. Giant’s Transend 2W minimises this loss of efficiency while retaining the classic looks and convenience of a traditional lady’s bike for just $529." |
Giant Transend Mens Traditional Style Bike
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"Young commuter cyclists have started a welcome new trend, reviving old bikes for their comfort, ease of riding and low theft risk. Riding a classic, older bike in everyday clothes has suddenly become chic. Yet as older bikes have become more sought-after, most have become too valuable as an everyday commuter. Giant’s new Transend commuter bike range addresses this by combining classic style and detailing with modern lightweight technology, reliability, and surprisingly little outlay." |
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"I felt like the Devilry wanted to be ridden fast so I gave it my best. My riding friends were puzzled at what appeared to be a sudden surge in form and were asking questions about my recent training regime. I took the compliments but knew it was partly due to the way the Devilry rolled. The slightly taller head tube also makes it easy to get a relaxed fit without the need for a stack of spacers and keeps you feeling fresh for longer." |
Greg Griffiths Articles:
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"Indurain was in Adelaide for quite a while so any local fans would have had many opportunities to see the big man. The adventurous would have got an autograph without a problem and a polite request for a photo would have always been obliged." |
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"As a kid I dreamed of being ‘Merckx-like’. For over 35 years I held him in the highest regard, and on Saturday the 14th of October 2006, I met him. We shook hands, had photos taken and chatted as if we had known each other for years. Later after dinner we spoke at length about cycling, travel, family, bikes, wine, commissaries and his celebrity." |
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"Imagine not only going for a ride with a triple Tour de France winner, but copping a caning at the same time, and when we got back to the Marquette he bought us lunch!" |
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"At the finish area of stage three into La Grande Motte, I was wandering around behind the scenes amongst the team buses when I ran into one of the greatest road sprinters of all time in Eric Zabel. A genuinely nice guy, he was happy to chat for a few minutes and to pose for a photo. Seeing him in a Columbia shirt, I asked what his role was with the team, expecting an answer such as VIP liaison or some other promotional role. However, I was surprised to learn that his primary function at Columbia is to arrive early and scope out the finish for the team’s sprinters." |
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The attention to detail in the days and hours as the start time draws nearer. Then of the momentary sense of relief as the start gun goes off, before the tension again mounts as the race unfolds with all of the players in this drama playing their part. All of which needs to be scrutinised by the Commissaries. It’s often not an easy job, with riders, coaches, managers, promoters, police, media, team staff, councils, the public, the weather and any number of other variables all able, (albeit often unwittingly), to throw a spanner in the works. |
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Laine Hammond, daughter of Gary, and Trevor Griffiths, son of Phillip, each won a Victorian championship, just as their fathers had thirty years ago. It seems that another two successful careers may have taken their first tentative steps and I’m sure I’m not the only interested observer keenly watching for family similarities and hoping that these youngsters one day realise their full potential. |
UCI Bike Regulations - Are You Legal?
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"A lot of nonsense has been spoken and written over the past few months regarding the UCI’s ‘new’ bike regulations. As the regulations vary for Road, MTB and the various Track disciplines, I will restrict my comments and explanations to road bikes, which is what most of us ride and is the area from where most conjecture has emanated. The truth is, the regulations aren’t new at all, it’s just that up until this year many of the finer points had been overlooked as commissaries have concentrated on other sporting aspects. However, continuing development, innovation and experimentation have forced the hand of the UCI Equipment unit to enforce regulations, which are in place primarily for reasons of rider safety." |
General Interest Articles:
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Step-by-step instructions for repairing punctures yourself at home (or on the road) to get you back up and riding in no time. |
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Do you keep getting punctures? Here are some tips to help you avoid them - it's not all just about steering around the broken glass on the road... |
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How do you choose which lock is the best one for you? Read on... |
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The right lights can mean the difference between safety and danger, so make sure you know what type you need to get to satisfy the requirements of practicality, safety, and price. |
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The After-Dark Revolution: Joe Kenwright discovers a new world of night time trail riding that is no longer so scary…. |
Women's Bikes: What Women are Not Told
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A must-read for any woman who is interested in getting into cycling! Learn the disadvantages inherent in many bikes "designed for women" and how this can discourage you from riding or even fool you into thinking you're just not as fit as the guys riding men's bikes... Written by Joe Kenwright. |
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Important safety information for all riders concerning helmet styles and care. This information could well save your life! |
