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Why did I move to the desert again?

What I was told would be a “dry winter” is shaping up to be anything but- and judging by the state of my woodpile and the number of rides starting in the 20s, it’s been a very cold one.  Now, I’ve never really been one for insulated bottles.  Even when temperatures top 100 degrees, I tend to value hydration volume over hydration temperature.  But when it’s cold enough for hydration bladder hoses and bite valves to freeze, I’ve been reaching for Hydrapak’s Primaloft-insulated Wooly Mammoth.  Hit the jump to find out why…

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Brian Fornes, racing at CrossVegas, makes marketing "work" look easy.

We love the tradeshows and press events. They’re a smorgasbord of shiny new bicycle awesomeness. But day after day of lugging cameras, iPads, laptops and more around with nothing more than a few three-quarter-inch Clif Bar samples and 2oz cups of Kinetic Koffee fueling mad dashes across a couple square miles of booths can drain us.

That’s why it’s always refreshing stopping by the Raleigh booth. Brian’s always good for a laugh, usually good for a cold beverage and better than most at returning emails in a timely manner. He makes our job easier covering Raleigh’s bikes, which generally results in better coverage for their bikes. He’s also the guy that helps us line up two wheeled things to review (we’ve got a couple in the queue now, actually). Beyond our little Internet world, though, Brian gets the Raleigh brand out in front of people, choosing events that build on the brand’s growing relevance in cyclocross and urban/commuter bikes. He puts a face on the brand.

As of late, he’s also charged with convincing people the 125-year-old-brand can make a very modern carbon fiber road bike and 29er. Here’s how he got there…

BIKERUMOR: Who are you and what are you doing here?

BRIAN: I’m Brian “Sally” Fornes and I work for Raleigh America and am the Raleigh Marketing Guy. I think the title is actually Marketing Manager, and how you manage marketing…your guess is as good as mine. I do know I have a lot to do with the social media, sponsorships (from teams to individuals to events), brand image, ads in magazines and web, talking about bikes, getting bikes in hands of people who talk about bikes, riding my bike, drinking beer with people who like bikes, going to trade shows, organizing photo shoots, the list goes on and on. Some days it feels like additional duties get made up and lumped under the title. Although, I know a lot of people look at it as the Fun job…and some days, I tend to agree.

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With only 600 pairs produced, I have to say that Chrome’s special COG edition of their Southside shoe is the company’s best looking shoe.  Distinguished from the standard gray Southsides only by an embossed tongue and -wait for it- colorful custom footbed, the Chrome X COG version is ever so slightly cooler, but it’s enough to put it at the top of my own Chrome shopping list.  The oiled leather uppers should gain character over time and the blown rubber midsole should make them just as comfortable off the bike as on it (probably more comfortable off, truth be told).  If you’re looking for a classy sneaker that whispers rather than screams bike, the Chrome X COG Southside wouldn’t be a bad place to drop your $120.  Cross the tracks for more pics and the full release…

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Afternoon edit 1/12:  clock issue workaround added to text.

As a kid in the late ’80s, the mountain bike was my and my friends’ tool to explore the old logging roads and quarries of the Granite State.  As I’ve grown and moved over the past 25 years, I’ve continued to do the same, compiling extensive paper and mental maps of everywhere I’ve lived.  For that reason, I’ve long liked the idea of using GPS to map my rides.  While early multi-sport and later bike-specific models could certainly take the data needed to make decent maps, their size, complexity, and cost have long kept me away.

With ever-improving (and ever-shrinking) GPS and battery technology, it was inevitable that someone would release a GPS-enabled cycling computer that made sense for my intended use: tracking time, speed, and distance as well as collecting data that could later be used to generate maps- all at a price that makes sense.  With the release of Garmin’s $150 Edge 200 this fall, it looked as though the inevitable had happened.  Click through to find out if traditional cycling computers have become obsolete and my desire to map every ride can be met…

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If your New Year’s resolutions involve riding to work more often, we say get on your bike and ride. If you’re one of those particular people that likes to have the right tool for the job, you’re in luck. More and more brands are releasing purpose driven (ridden?) bicycles for the commuter crowd that make it easier, quicker and cleaner than ever to pedal to your cubicle.

The Jamis Commuter 4, shown here, comes with pretty much everything you need except lights. The alloy frame gets full coverage fenders and chainguard, micro bells, cushy saddle, full pannier racks with stretchy cords and 700c wheels. What pushes this model to the top of the line is the internally shifting, infinitely variable Nuvinci N360 CVP rear hub. We’ve played around with this on several occasions (and I think Nick is lining up a bike with it for long term review), and it’s pretty sweet for city bike use. Shifting is instant and smooth since it uses a planetary gear system rather than actual, uh, gears.

Retail is $950, and it’s also available in a step-thru women’s model, shown after the break…

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Every year Brompton holds the Brompton World Championship.  For the 2011 event prize, Vic Lee customized one of their folding bikes with a hand drawn design.  Spawned from that creation is this new collaboration.

Vic Lee has created a London themed motif in gloss black with white details that will grace a limited run of 500 Bromptons.   The customized folders will be shown off to potential customers, as well as the press at the London Bike Show, at the Brompton booth from January 12th through the 15th.

For more images, plus the full press release hit the jump.

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Four years ago I sold my car and moved to Portland with two bicycles.  I haven’t owned a car since, which means I use a bike and public transit to get anywhere and everywhere.  The bike collection has grown to four, plus any test bikes I have at the time, but still no car.  However, my personal stable consists of drop bar road bikes (and one cyclocross bike).  So, when offered up the chance to test out a flat bar commuter bike from Breezer I was excited to have something a bit different to ride.

I have had the Breezer Finesse since June, 2011.  This has provided ample opportunity to ride the bike in all sorts of different conditions.  I have ridden fully loaded, long distances, and short commutes.  Click through for the full review.

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• Wired‘s Autopia blog is reporting that Pleasanton, CA, has installed radar at traffic intersections to help trigger green lights when cyclists are present. It can differentiate between cars and bicycles, too, letting it adjust the timing of traffic lights accordingly. Video above shows it in action, read more here.
• Western Spirit just launched their US Pro Tour cycling trip. Running from August 19 to 26, you’ll follow the US Pro Tour from stage to stage with great food, access to expo and VIP areas and nice accommodations. Oh, and there should be some pretty good road riding, too!
• CycleFilm is offering a free download of their Cycling Survival Guide, a 40-minute video to help you prep for Gran Fondo and Sportive riding. Just email them here for the download link.
• Want one of the custom, limited edition Krautstache x Twin Six race t-shirts from the 2012 Southern Cross? Better register by January 14 to guarantee you’ll have one stuffed in your race packet. Oh, and we’ll be there, too and may just have some goodies to toss out after the race.
• Indiana has apparently joined the ranks of states implementing a 3 Feet to Pass law. Thanks to a change in language, the new law clarifies the infraction and specifies not only the distance required between vehicle and cyclists but also that the passing vehicle is allowed to enter the opposite lane as is necessary and safe. Looks good to us!
• Starving artist? Submit your design for the 2012 Amgen Tour of California Most Courageous Rider Jersey and you could win a trip to the race. Details here, and not only will you get to scavenge the VIP tents for food, but you’ll have deluxe accommodations at each stage and more!

Too good to be true?

The folks who brought us the slick iBike power meters- which combine wind speed measurements with accelerometer outputs to determine the forces a rider is overcoming while riding- have just introduced their POWERHOUSE cycling computer.  The idea is a slick one- to combine iBike’s proprietary sensors and power deduction calculations with the display, battery, computing power, and memory of an iPhone or iPod Touch.  Taking advantage of the iPhone/iPod’s processing power, iBike have teamed up with coach Hunter Allen to develop a number of 4-6 week “fitness plans” targeted at specific goals (including “iSlim”, “Weekend Warrior,” and -yes- “Brazilian Butt”).  These plans are claimed to adapt to the rider’s progress to maximize workout benefit.

If it works as promised, at $269, that’s a lot of information and direction for not a lot of -wait for it- booty.  Click through for more images and the full release…

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Following the high flange hubs and other parts we posted this fall, Victoire Cycles has just debuted their LOW, a lightweight, low flange version.

Based on singlespeed track hubs, the LOW uses a 15mm axle and spins on the same bearings as their originals. To save weight, they’ve pared down the hub body and given them very low spoke flanges.

The changes come with no expected loss of strength or durability as suggested by this bit of the press release: “They are also strong as hell with a full 7075-T6 construction, 15mm axles, 6902 2RS bearings and Ti bolts.”

Pre-orders are now being taken, the initial run will be “very limited.”

While the original post showed some very pretty cogs of their design, this one here looks an awful lot like the “teeth” for a Gates Belt Drive.

Continuing their long focus on riders’ contact points, Louis Garneau have just released the Mondo road glove.  With its strategically located perforated gel padding, the Mondo is designed to relieve pressure on the median and ulnar nerves, reducing the likelihood of tingly fingers.  The perforated Ergo Air palms are also said to offer superior ventilation in order to prevent sweaty palms.

In keeping with the ergonomic design of the gloves, the road-specific fastener location and laser cut one piece upper back and fingers to their part to keep the rider from thinking about his or her gloves instead of the ride.  The Mondo is available in gents’ and ladies’ versions in several colors for $45.

www.louisgarneau.com

Using a 49cc engine and pedals, the Derringer Cycle’s bikes may just qualify as a moped for your locale, but they definitely qualify as beautiful.

Built custom for the buyer, each Derringer can be as unique as you want, including custom Brooks leather accessories and bags. Motorized bikes start at about $3,500. We’d tell you more, but they’re apparently all on holiday already. Click through for more pics, check out a non-motorized singlespeed here and try to win one here.

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