The Safe Zone

Designer Brett Flemming (owner of  Efficient Velo Tools), was called the best bike mechanic in 2008 by Portland Monthly Magazine.  That’s no small feat, considering Portland is the most bicycle friendly city in the U.S. and has more than its share of bike mechanics.   Brett is committed to cycling innovation and not only develops tools used for bike mechanics all over the world, but has also come up with the best helmet mounted mirror design I’ve seen. This product is made in the USA, is easily installed and reinstalled with zip ties, and has a 2.25″ mirror (the biggest of all the mirrors mentioned in this review).

Brett’s website site for the Safe Zone helmet mirror reflects not only his conscious desire to help people but exactly how illogical it is to ride a bicycle without a mirror. Go ahead… take a look.

My experience with The Safe Zone is that it mounts best on helmets without a visor,  The visor gets in the way and makes it harder to adjust the mirror without obscuring about a fourth of the mirror’s surface area. http://www.safezonemirror.com/EVT/Why_Safe_Zone.html

The Safe Zone Mirror retails for $40.00 and includes a five year, “no-fault” warranty.

The Roadie

This aerodynamic bar-end mirror is for road bikes. It’s so slick, even my sixteen year-old son isn’t embarrassed to put it on his Rodriguez. It’s easy to install. You just remove the end plug from your handlebar and insert a rubber socket and put the Roadie into the socket.  The downsides:  Hit a bump and it moves.  According to my son, the design idea is superb, but the construction and choice of materials is the weakness of the product. A great option for those who want an easy on-off mirror if racing ever becomes a reality.
Go to http://www.cycleaware.com Cost: $20.00

Take a Look Mirror 

This is the mirror I use, since it attaches to glasses I must wear while riding anyway. It’s made mostly of metal with a  small  1 7/16” x 1 1/16” acrylic mirror that withstands tremendous abuse. It doesn’t vibrate the way some bike-mounted mirrors do. After using a larger mirror, it was initially a little tricky to find the sweet spot, but I absolutely love this piece of equipment. With an unconditional guarantee and a price that’s right at just $16.00 at http://www.rei.com/product/752285 what have you got to lose?

After riding 7 miles on Rolf Aspin SL wheels, my first thoughts were, ‘Wow, I get it!’

Until that moment, I never knew what cyclists actually meant when they said, “lighter wheels are faster.” Intellectually, I sort of understood how rotating mass is more significant than static mass, and that the best way to reduce the weight of your bicycle is by getting lighter wheels (they say losing a pound on the wheels is like losing two pounds on the frame.)  But, how significant is two pounds and what if I just lose two pounds of body fat?

It’s been over two years since I got my Rodriguez bicycle, and well over a year to retrain my body on how to ride it properly.  I’ve finally stopped the burn in my quadriceps by learning how to spin the crank.  This also comes from having a 74º seat tube angle which places the saddle slightly behind the crank instead of directly over it.

Many petite cyclists ride oversized bicycles which require extreme concentration just to manage the basic details of cycling: staying balanced, dealing with toe overlap, stretching out to grasp the handlebars, keeping up, knee and back pain, and not feeling absolutely beat-up by the time their ride is done.  Trust me, with all of that going on, it would be hard to notice the seemingly obvious difference a lighter set of wheels would make on a ride.

But, unlike many petite cyclists, I now have a bike that fits. I’m comfortable riding which makes me a more confident rider. I can now accomplish certain things I was not able to before, like taking my hands off the handlebars or descending quickly (and safely).  Now I can  even keep up with my family.

So how are lighter wheels different?  First of all, it feels like there’s about 40% less effort required to get the bike rolling from a total stop.  Once in motion, these wheels just want to keep on rolling.

Yes, the Aspin SL Wheels are fast. Decreased effort means you can drop down a gear (or two) to match the resistance you’ve been used to on heavier wheels.  The difference in gears will give you a noticeable improvement in speed.

I immediately noticed an increase in climbing speed from 6 to 8 mph.  It’s easier to get out of the saddle, since there’s less weight to pull uphill.

I wouldn’t necessarily recommend buying a set of fast wheels like the Aspin SL’s on a new bicycle unless you’ve only purchased a frame and fork set and are building your bike up from scratch.

Give yourself time to get used to the fit of your new bicycle (assuming you’re getting one with 650c wheels). before you spend $699.00 for a set of Aspin SL’s.  Instead, I would recommend investing in the best frame you can afford.   When you’re good and comfortable on your bike, and can afford to upgrade your wheel set, the Aspin SL wheels are worth every penny.

All Rolf wheels are handbuilt in Eugene, Oregon.  They offer upgrades to ceramic bearings (the wheels reviewed here have metal bearings).  For an extra $175., (for alloy wheels), you can purchase Rolf’s Hero damage protection plan which covers one incident on each wheel.  See details on their website at :http://www.rolfprima.com/hero-program.php.  Bags are available to purchase for $70.00, otherwise I’d give this product the Road Snob Icon.

Aspin SL Specs:
Wheel size: 650c
Weight: 650c: 1330gm set [535gm/795gm]
Spoke count: butted 20F/24R
Rim: 22mm, alloy clincher
Hubset: TdF2.4
Freehub: forged aluminum – Shimano, SRAM or Campagnolo
Category: Road Race, Climbing, Fitness, Training
Featured technology: Paired spokes, Differential Flange Diameter, Dish Reducing design™, Self Aligning Nipple™
Upgrades available: Prima Plus and Hero

Do you think music will keep you paced and focused on those all-too-familiar
(dare I say, “boring”) training rides?

Well I do.

Wearing earphones is dangerous when operating any kind of vehicle. I don’t endorse riding with one plug in your right ear hoping you can still hear traffic with your left.

So, in the interest of safety (both yours and mine), I am constantly on the lookout for alternatives.

Enter the Tunebug Shake.

This nifty device, which connects to your iphone or ipod using with either a wire or Bluetooth technology, actually turns your helmet into a speaker!

It’s PC, Mac and USB compatible, weighs only 2.53 oz. and retails for $119 and can be found at http://www.tunebug.com. It can be found elsewhere online for considerably less.  It straps to the top of your helmet with one of two different straps, and has a battery life of 5 hours.

How’d they do that?

I won’t go into a detailed physics lesson about how speakers work.  Just know that all speakers, regardless of size, contain three key components, a permanent magnet, an electromagnet (also known as a coil) and a cone. The tunebug unit contains the permanent magnet and coil.  When attached to a helmet, the helmet is transformed into the cone of a speaker.

Since the Styrofoam of your helmet was designed to protect your head, not conduct sound waves, it’s no surprise that the sound has a somewhat tinny quality. Some of this effect can be altered with a little adjusting of the tunebug to find the helmet’s sweet spot.

The top of the Tunebug has two Braille-type bumps.  When pressed together they turn the unit on and off.  When used individually they increase or decrease the volume. Charging the unit must be done via USB to a computer or other USB AC adapter (not included).

Problems:  If you are using Bluetooth technology to connect to your iphone, be aware that any incoming calls, texts and emails will disrupt the Bluetooth connection, which then must be re-established.

Battery life:  Like all things electronic, the battery life on the unit is significantly less than the five hours advertised.  However, if you’re looking for 90 minutes of playtime, this unit should do the trick.

I wanted this product to be the answer I was looking for.   My most successful experience with the Tunebug was with a hardwire connection to an ipod (not my iphone).  The other riders in my group were not tortured by my choice of music.  (They could barely hear it).  Plus, I was able to hear them as well as traffic.

Only my teenage son told me I looked stupid with it mounted like a box on top of my helmet. His words, “Clearly this does not appeal to the Eurocyclist.”

(He’s from Los Angeles).

Over a year ago, I reluctantly gave up my shock absorbing Ritchey carbon handlebars to test the Venus alloy handlebars made by Modolo and imported from Italy.

In the interest of serving all petite women riders, I felt compelled to review more handlebar options. Modolo claims their Venus bars are made for people with small hands, with a shape that brings the brake levers nearly 9mm closer.

How could I resist?

I also was intrigued because the Venus handlebars are not an “ergo” bar but rather have a “compact design.”
They retail for  $79.99

The smallest width available is a size 38 cm in a 31.8 mm diameter. If you have an older set-up requiring 26mm diameter bars, they are available in 34 and 36cm widths.

Here’s what I think:

The Venus bars have a medium and reach and drop as compared to the other 38 cm bars on the market, which is a good thing if your hands are more medium sized than small. (Take a look at the info on this page for more info) There is ample room to make micro adjustments with your hands without feeling cramped, particularly in the drops.

Of greater concern is the distance from the bars to the brake levers. My confidence as a rider goes up when I know my stopping power isn’t dependent on the tip of my middle finger.

The following diagram from the Modolo product catalogue shows how the deeper curve of the bars brings the web of your hand 9mm closer to the brake levers.

My bike is equipped with Campagnolo Veloce .  To shift gears, I must push down on a lever located on the hoods using my thumb. The placement of that lever is almost as important as the position of the brake levers. The combination of the Campy levers and brakes on the Venus handlebars caused me to experience pain in the basil joint of both thumbs from shifting. I had to move the hoods several times to alleviate the pain.  My perception of the 9mm reach advantage was clouded by this experience.

In all fairness to the bars, this was a problem unique to me (and possibly other people with a predisposition to osteoarthritis in this joint).  It developed over time and may eventually require a switch from Campagnolo to Shimano.

Clearly the Venus design offers a special reach advantage to the levers to make braking with more than one finger possible.  The design offers plenty of room for adjusting your hand positions in the drops. The bars I tested were alloy and didn’t absorb shock like carbon.

The list of available handlebars in the 38 cm width is not long, so by all means add Modolo to your list of handlebars to try when your shopping for new ones. As a side note, Modolo also manufactures the Venus bars in carbon fiber.

No more squinting!

The VDO X1DW display is so large and easy to read,
it’s doesn’t require a lot of extended concentration and will therefore
not distract you from riding safety. This is especially true for those
of us with aging eyes.

On this roughly 3cm x 3cm screen, five sections display:

• time
• current cadence (if installed)
• current speed
•  your choice of data (cadence, ride time, average speed, maximum speed)
• description of that choice

By repeatedly tapping the button on the top right, you can rotate through your choice of data, having a ton of information at your fingertips.

Though the X1DW is an entry level cyclocomputer, it’s  loaded with functions including optional cadence, average cadence and max cadence. This feature is particularly useful if you are trying to master the spin (keeping your cadence between 80-100 RPM) so as not to traumatize or damage your knees. It has the ability to collect data from two bikes and even combine the mileage for a grand total. You can even program it to remind you to get your bike(s) serviced.

The computer has different functions assigned to four large menu buttons placed in such a way that it’s less likely you will accidentally clear a mode or lose data from a ride.

This is the first wireless computer I’ve had on any bicycle and I was pleased that I didn’t have a bunch of zip ties cluttering up my beautiful ride.  The unit easily mounts to the handlebars or stem without special tools.  It’s reasonably priced at around $80.  However, the VDO X1DW requires 3 CR2032 (3 volt) batteries for the computer, speed transmitter and cadence trasmitter (optional). These batteries don’t seem to last long, so keep extras around the house (if managing your bike data is important to you.)   Since the computer itself does most of the work, be sure and change the battery in it first before replacing the others.

The instruction manual states, “When the battery is changed, all settings and the total kilometres cycled are saved.”   Unfortunately my computer battery was functional at the time I changed it, yet I did lose all my settings.   Incidentally, I ride with 650c wheels and have determined the correct wheel setting at 77.5.

The only issue I had with the VDO X1DW was with the cadence function.  It was somewhat unpredictable working only about  75% of the time.  After consulting the instructions I moved the cadence sensor from the chain stay to the seat tube so that it too, is positioned 60 cm from the cyclocomputer.  Problem solved. I love that instruction manual. It  (and the computer) even comes in 7 languages.

Why replace a seat post?

Hitting too many bumps in the road can traumatize your derriere, but it can also damage your seat post by wearing down the metal teeth that grip the rails of your saddle (as shown in this photo).

Perhaps you want to move your seat further backward and have run out of room on your rails and need an offset (also known as a set back) seat post. In the unlikely event that you’ve crashed, you may also need a replacement.

You can purchase a product of the same quality, or upgrade with plenty of brands (Ritchey, Easton, FSA, Profile Designs, etc.) and materials (aluminum or carbon) to choose from.

However, you may not know about Thomson, located in Macon, Georgia because they don’t do a lot of advertising.

I visited www.lhthomson.com, and was surprised to find they manufacture parts for companies including Boeing, Ford, Trane and Pitney Bowes. In addition to contract manufacturing, Thomson also has a bicycle components division which manufactures, seat posts, stems and collars.

How did that unlikely combination come to be?

Once upon a time Mr. Thomson’s daughter came back from college with her bike team from Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania. One of the boys on that team happened to live next door to inventor, bike designer and innovator, Gary Klein (Klein Bikes). It was Mr. Klein’s opinion that if Mr. Thomson could manufacture the forgotten component– a well-made seat post– for a reasonable price, Mr. Thomson could carve his niche in the retail bicycle marketplace.

The late Mr. Thomson listened. Since 1984, his company has produced some of the most beautifully crafted stems and seat posts for both mountain and road cycling. Their products have become the standard by which all others are compared.

Thomson seat posts come in two models, the “masterpiece” which weighs in at 40 grams less than the same “elite” post. Thompson achieves this reduction in weight by machining the already extruded aluminum shaft. Fine grooves in the shaft of the Masterpiece post (from the machine lathe) only add to its aesthetically elegant appearance. Both come in silver or black. Their seat posts have a seat rail grip that is .500 inches longer than most others. They offer a straight seat post and one with a 16 mm set back in a variety of diameters and lengths. If you require a larger set back, you’ll have to find another manufacturer (or another bike).

Thomson discovered that a force in excess of 220 pounds on a seat post system with only one bolt causes the bolt to come out. So, their seat posts attach to your saddle with two bolts, held in tension with one another, allowing you greater control over the exact saddle position than with metal teeth.

Thomson’s stems and collars are also worth mentioning here. Their x-4 and x-2 stems can be used interchangeably on road and mountain bikes with standard 31.8 handlebars. Both their stems and collars match the same quality construction found in their seat posts, although the range of stem sizes is somewhat limited and are available in 0, 10, and 17 degree rises.

I would definitely recommend you check with Thomson before looking any further. After all, their products are made right here in the good old USA. And, just by looking at the pictures you can guess why they qualify as Road Snob material. And yes, of course, they come in a fabric bag.

Seriously gals—

Until now, I’ve spent a painstaking amount of energy presenting the facts while remaining as neutral as possible about the bicycle choices available to petite women.

But now it’s time for me to come forward with my endorsement of Rodriguez bicycles.

Why?

Because Rodriguez offers a “near stock bike,” which, in addition to fitting you better with four different sizes for those 5’2” and under, more closely approximates the cost of other options which may or may not be available in your local bike shop (as compared to a fully custom bicycle from other builders).

By “near stock” I mean Rodriguez will build a bike to your specifications…from components to color and deliver it to you in roughly a month.

It’s not going to satisfy impulsive buyers, or those waiting until the last minute to purchase a new bike for some special event. Perhaps this is a good thing.  You actually get to think about which color you want.  You get to consider if you want a bike made with S3 steel, giving you a lighter, stiffer, faster bike, or if you’d prefer a cushier ride, maybe even one with couplers that disassembles into a 26 x 26 suitcase for air and train travel (without incurring those prohibitive bike box fees).

Think about it.  If you have long legs and a short torso like me, your bike would naturally look different than if you had short legs and a long torso.  That’s the thinking behind Rodriguez Bicycle’s sizing.  And, if for some reason, one of their near-stock frames doesn’t fit, they will gladly customize it for you for a small fee.

If you are just hearing about Rodriguez Bicycles for the first time, it’s because they choose not to spend big bucks advertising in glossy magazines.  They are a small group of people deeply committed to building, fitting and servicing bicycles in the Seattle University district.  They rely on word-of-mouth recommendations and referrals.  Here’s a link to their most recent newsletter.  You’ll fall in love with them just like I did.

Two years ago, I made the trip from Los Angeles to Seattle for a fitting because I wanted to experience their one-of-a-kind fit bike.  It allows the rider to remain seated while the various adjustments are made.  Your brain doesn’t have to keep track of all the tiny adjustments and remember which felt good and which didn’t.  They literally dial you in with this fit bike.  It was a pretty amazing experience for me.

And because the folks at R+E Cycles, (the name of the shop that manufactures Rodriguez bikes) believes in the work I’m doing with Petitebikefit.com, they have given me a loaner bicycle in their smallest size so that petite women in the Los Angeles area will have the opportunity to test ride this bicycle without any pressure to buy.  Rodriguez, like Petitebikefit.com believes every woman deserves a bike that fits. Send me an email.  Let’s go for a ride.

Okay, so maybe you think it’s crazy to descend at 35 miles per hour. Instead, you’re riding along at a nice clip of 15 mph and whack, a bee slams into your forehead.

What if he’d hit your eye?

Have I made my point?

Protecting your eyes is the number one reason you wear glasses when you ride.

Whether you’re nearsighted, farsighted, neither or both, you’ll want to see the road ahead, check your mirror and read your bicycle computer. You’ll want a design that fits your face, doesn’t create a vortex of wind between you and your glasses, and protects your eyes from the sun and blinding glare. It would be nice if your sunglasses also had automatic wipers for rainy days… but let’s not linger on fantasies.

Unfortunately, age may have made these simple tasks nearly impossible without the aid of bifocals or progressive lenses.  Cyclists rely on their peripheral vision to scan for traffic and other potential hazards. Most progressive lenses provide only a small cone of clear vision directly in front, which requires significant head turning to assess peripheral obstacles.

Except Oakley.  They have developed a proprietary lens technology  that surpasses all others available today.  It’s no wonder so many athletes sport their glasses — or that Oakley has had an exclusive contract with the United States Military for over twenty years to produce a range of gear including eyewear, goggles, boots, gloves, watches and electronics.  Oakley breaks all boundaries, produces products of unparalleled quality, and caters to their super elite almost cult-like following. Their products are rigorously tested and  ANSI Z87.1 compliant for both impact and high impact protection.  Their lenses are hydrophobic and repel water, body oils, sweat and dust.

The outside of their Headquarters in Orange County looks like a military fortress, while on the inside  it reminded me of the of the surrealistic set of the 1984 Apple Macintosh Commercial.  As I drove up, employees were driving and playing with a full-sized military tank  purchased  when sales hit a billion dollars.  Behind a black curtain in the lobby, there’s even a short walk-thru museum highlighting Oakley’s technical  achievements. This is one wacky company.

James Jannard, the wizard behind this enterprise, started Oakley (named after his dog), in 1975, with three hundred dollars, making motocross grips. This same material is now used  for the earsocks and nosepieces of Oakley glasses.  He lives on Spieden Island in the state of Washington and Kaibu and Vatuvara in Fiji.  He also developed the RED digital camera and was nicknamed “the madman” by his employees in the 1980′s.

Oakley retail stores display every frame, every variation of lens, for every weather condition imaginable,  but without prices listed in plain sight.  You actually have to talk to a salesperson to get that information.  Come on, even at Tiffany’s, the prices are displayed.

Though I can’t tell you what your pair of Oakley’s will cost, I will attempt to share information I’ve extracted from Oakley about whether you’re one of the lucky women whose eyeglass prescription falls into the Oakley parameters for sports glasses.

You will not believe the clarity of their lenses or the lack of distortion. When you wear Oakley progressive lenses, your eyes feel new again– like you’re not even wearing prescription glasses at all.  Even when you go inside,  you’ll want to leave them on.   However, Oakley sports lenses are curved, and can only be made into prescription strengths that fall within strict parameters for only a few styles of frames.

The Minute 2.o frames which are made especially for small faces, come in black, midnight blue, and tortoise.  They are light, comfortable, and conform to my face.  I have extreme light sensitivity, but with the polarized iridium lenses, I don’t squint in harsh sunlight and glare is negligible.

Once you wear a pair, you’ll probably want to get a set of interchangeable clear lenses for night riding.  I certainly do, although I’m leery about popping lenses in and out without damaging them. Perhaps you’ll want to explore Oakley’s everyday eyewear since there are fewer choice restrictions because the lenses are not curved.  The quality of vision is so much better than any other pair of glasses I’ve owned, I doubt I’ll ever buy a pair of prescription glasses from my regular optometrist again.  If you have any questions, I recommend you call Oakley or find an Oakley dealer that fills prescription glasses. They come in a fabric bag (and a hard case), and definitely qualify for Road Snob status.