If you read my previous blog, you would have seen that 2018 started with the continuation of my 2017 sickness woes. Since Christmas Eve I had been struggling with the cold virus that affected so many people at the end of last year. On top of that, a Focus bike that couldn't be fixed due to its unusual 13mm rear hub through axle (concept apparently) that no bike shop were prepared to fix for me.
Because of this, I had decided to put in an order for a new bike from VO2 Cycling, which cheered me up somewhat. Waiting for the bike though had been a test of patience. Nine weeks on, the wheels and frame have arrived and the bike has been assembled.
From the previous bike, made of aluminium, with Shimano Tiagra 36/52 gearing, I have upgraded to Shimano Ultegra Di2, with AbsoluteBlack 34/50 oval chain rings and a set of colour coordinated CES Sport wheels.
Regarding my choices of brands, I would say that I am very brand loyal, although, this doesn't always mean much to others, I am proud to support single brands regardless of whether or not I get anything out of it.
This generally comes down to my own preference to own products from few, not many. My Fizik saddle, drop bars and stem are chosen because the shoes I owned first, were more comfortable than other shoes I had owned and they also have a clever way of looking at your flexibility to get the best products for your shape, size and ability. Fizik Spine Concept Evo
I chose the wheels because Joe at CES Sport was really helpful and the wheels themselves had received some great reviews from road.cc and UKCycleChat over the last year since the company was founded in December 2016. Being able to colour match the logos on the wheels to the exact same Pantone colour as the bike, was also one of the reasons I struggled to say no to this wheel set.
I went for a Tubeless compatible wheelset with disc brakes (another little extra to that available on the website as a standard, but I like being different.)
Having the opportunity to build a bike from scratch, was the possibility of experimenting. Purchasing a power meter and oval chain rings could really only make my ride not only more comfortable, but consistent and faster. Reading reviews and asking questions about reliability of other brands, I went for a 4iiii power meter. I had in the past clipped my pedals on steps and pavements, so automatically, the thought of having a Garmin 'Pedal Pod' sticking out below my pedal was a massive no, the updated Vector 3 series now eliminating the 'pod' the pedals were still bulkier and needed Keo cleats. From what I had also found, 4iiii power meters had been receiving better UK reviews than the Stages brand, with batteries failing before expected and inconsistent results.
Why did I choose AbsoluteBlack over Rotor? Predominantly because AbsoluteBlack is a family owned UK business. Their chain rings are CNC milled in Poland from solid blocks of aluminium, making them strong and precise every time. The question I have been asked the most though, is why red? Given the opportunity for this bike to stand out from the crowd, red was the sure way to do it. Black would have been boring.
Because of this, I had decided to put in an order for a new bike from VO2 Cycling, which cheered me up somewhat. Waiting for the bike though had been a test of patience. Nine weeks on, the wheels and frame have arrived and the bike has been assembled.
From the previous bike, made of aluminium, with Shimano Tiagra 36/52 gearing, I have upgraded to Shimano Ultegra Di2, with AbsoluteBlack 34/50 oval chain rings and a set of colour coordinated CES Sport wheels.
Regarding my choices of brands, I would say that I am very brand loyal, although, this doesn't always mean much to others, I am proud to support single brands regardless of whether or not I get anything out of it.
This generally comes down to my own preference to own products from few, not many. My Fizik saddle, drop bars and stem are chosen because the shoes I owned first, were more comfortable than other shoes I had owned and they also have a clever way of looking at your flexibility to get the best products for your shape, size and ability. Fizik Spine Concept Evo
I chose the wheels because Joe at CES Sport was really helpful and the wheels themselves had received some great reviews from road.cc and UKCycleChat over the last year since the company was founded in December 2016. Being able to colour match the logos on the wheels to the exact same Pantone colour as the bike, was also one of the reasons I struggled to say no to this wheel set.I went for a Tubeless compatible wheelset with disc brakes (another little extra to that available on the website as a standard, but I like being different.)
Having the opportunity to build a bike from scratch, was the possibility of experimenting. Purchasing a power meter and oval chain rings could really only make my ride not only more comfortable, but consistent and faster. Reading reviews and asking questions about reliability of other brands, I went for a 4iiii power meter. I had in the past clipped my pedals on steps and pavements, so automatically, the thought of having a Garmin 'Pedal Pod' sticking out below my pedal was a massive no, the updated Vector 3 series now eliminating the 'pod' the pedals were still bulkier and needed Keo cleats. From what I had also found, 4iiii power meters had been receiving better UK reviews than the Stages brand, with batteries failing before expected and inconsistent results.
Why did I choose AbsoluteBlack over Rotor? Predominantly because AbsoluteBlack is a family owned UK business. Their chain rings are CNC milled in Poland from solid blocks of aluminium, making them strong and precise every time. The question I have been asked the most though, is why red? Given the opportunity for this bike to stand out from the crowd, red was the sure way to do it. Black would have been boring.
The performance of this chain ring so far, has exceeded any expectation I had. On my old 36/52 Tiagra ring, I used to get leg cramps within twenty minutes; so far, two hours rides and not a single niggle. A few people have said that Oval chain rings have cause knee pain, but the speed and ease I have been flying up some of the local hills haven't bothered my knees at all. Dropping 16 seconds on our team hill climb segment and over 4 minutes on a 7 mile flat TT segment, I am so impressed with every part of the bike and components I chose.
With the ongoing dispute of using disc brakes on a road bike, I can't fault the Shimano RS785 hydraulic brakes. The power is easily feathered with such refinement that I don't think I would be truly comfortable with a rim brake. It is still personal preference and I won't tell anyone what to buy, it is your choice, all I can say is, if you want to guarantee you will stop quickly, disc brakes are ace!
My previous bike weighed in at 11.6kg give or take. This carbon frame, carbon wheel setup weighs in at just 7.6kg a massive difference. This has obviously made a difference to my 15.7mph average speed from last year to 17.2mph as of this week.
So, with the seasons changing I'm still aiming for 4000 miles this year. Can I do it? 110 miles per week are required to be ridden. I have already completed a first week of 115 miles and looking at 140/150 miles for my second week. April will be testing with a hopeful trip to Plymouth to take part in the Primal Europe Ride Out then on to more training for Chase The Sun happening on 23rd June.
I have also selected the inaugural VeloSouth as my Summer/Autumn challenge.
Unfortunately I wasn't able to do RideLondon this year as I am away, but again in the future I might want to apply for that again and see how my results differ from 2017.
Let's just hope I don't get any of the serious health issues I got last year.
Until my next blog, happy riding and hopefully I will see some of you soon.
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