Mad Fiber Wheels

As a shop that specializes in hand-built, custom wheels, we usually don't care much for wheels that we didn't build ourselves. But it looks like that might change with the recent launch of Mad Fiber Wheels ( www.madfiber.com ).

Wheel master, Ric Hjertberg (co-founder of the original Wheelsmith Fabrications), has surrounded himself with experts in the design and manufacture of structural carbon fiber to create a truly unique wheel set that has our attention...the first "new" wheel that really is NEW.

Mad Fiber wheels are unique in every aspect of their design and manufacture. They take full advantage of carbon's potential and integrate all of its capability into the design concept from the start. The wheels are unique looking, crazy light (1085 grams for the PAIR) and have no rider weight limit! The only drawback (and that is a temporary one, according to Mad Fiber) is that they are available only for tubular tires, but we're told that a clincher version is a top priority for new product development in the coming months.

We just received our first pair of demo wheels but have not had a chance to roll on them yet...however, that will happen very soon. The wheels we have are actually demos that YOU will be able to ride, too! So, come in, take a look, marvel at Mad Fiber Wheels' light weight and stunning look and (eventually) take them out for a spin. We'll get tires installed and take them out on the road soon and will let you know how they roll. If they're anywhere near as fast, stable, stiff and comfortable as the design specs say they should be, we expect that we might be "cheating" on our hand-built wheels with Mad Fiber, at least for a while.

2011 Time Frames

Ladies and gentlemen, the Time has come. No, quite literally: we've added Time bikes to our stable of fine road racing machines. These fine French bicyclettes will be joining our already fast selection of bikes by Scott, Cervelo, and Colnago. We've always wondered where the name "Time" comes from: is it a reference to the seconds and minutes you will save whilst riding one? Or perhaps it's a reference to how long you'll spend admiring these gorgeous bikes? Regardless these carbon beauties look, feel, and simply are fast.

Unlike some manufacturers that have hundreds of models from mountain unicycles to recumbent tandems, Time only builds three bikes. That's correct- THREE bikes. The model lineup for 2011 is as follows: RXRS Ulteam, NXR Instinct, and RX Instinct. All of their R&D and bike-building expertise has poured into just these three models, so you can be sure that each is a knockout. All share Time's proprietary Resin Transfer Molding ("RTM") assembly technique, wherein strands of carbon fiber and shock absorbing Vectran and Kevlar fibers are weaved and braided into tubes. Kevlar and Vectran are gold colored composite fibers that absorb more vibration than carbon fibers alone. If you take a peek at the steerer tube of any of Time's SAFE+2 forks, you can see the gold threads intertwined with the black. The finished "sleeves" of fiber are then fitted to a mold, saturated with resin, and baked at high temperature and pressure. Because Time custom braids their own fiber layups, their bikes have more fibers where you need them and less where you don't.

Time offers its 3 models in a number of iterations: besides shipping as a complete bike, the RXRS Ulteam and NXR Instinct can be delivered as a Module or a Module+. A Module includes the frame, fork, headset, carbon bottle cage, Translink seat mast and cap, and Time's MONOLINK full-carbon stem. A Module+ includes everything that the module has but adds Time's ERGOFORCE carbon handlebars. The RX Instinct is available as a complete bike or a frame kit that includes the frame, fork, headset, carbon seat post, and carbon bottle cage.

On to the bikes: The RXRS Ulteam is Time's flagship model, using all of their proprietary technology including the aforementioned RTM and SAFE+2 fork, and is available in 6 sloping sizes from XXS to XL. The fully lugged carbon frame looks and rides nice, with the added advantage that Time can replace any damaged tubes. Time forks have a patented multidiameter steerer tube that matches the oversize bottom bearings of the QUICKSET headset, keeping the front rigid and fast. An oversized, full carbon bottom bracket featuring BB30 integrated bearings ensures maximum power transfer from the cranks. The RXRS modules are also available in a Di2 edition, with integrated wiring throughout and a spot for the battery under the bottom bracket. Available in 4 colors, including the impressive "VIP" edition in gloss black and silver. Published weight (with pedals and a SRAM Red gruppo): 15.2 pounds. All in all, the RXRS uses the latest technology (Di2 wiring, seat mast, BB30, assymetric stays) to translate maximum power from "the pedals to the pavement", and guarantee an explosive ride.

"Instinct" is no doubt a reference to the effortless acceleration of the NXR and RX models. Both strive to offer race-worthy speed but with a slightly less aggressive geometry than the RXRS. These two models accomplish this through "ERGODRIVE" positioning, where a taller headtube raises your stance on the bike whilst eliminating the need for excess spacers. Time's RTM carbon braiding process is still present in these models, as is the SAFE+2 multidiameter carbon/vectran fork. While the RXRS is fully lugged, the NXR Instinct and RX Instinct have a monocoque front triangle with lugs attaching the chain and seat stays. The RX has a standard seatpost, while the NXR has a seat mast, saving some weight overall. If you take a closer look, you'll notice that the NXR also has a carbon front dropout and seatpost collar, formed at extremely high pressures using a process known as CMT. Both ride fast and are a little friendlier to your back and your wallet.

If you're looking for a complete bike out of the box, Time ships all three with either SRAM Red, Campagnolo Record/Super Record, or Shimano Dura-Ace/Di2 and Ultegra gruppos. Various editions of Mavic's Ksyrium wheelset come stock, though for bikes this nice we suggest that our hand-built wheels are more complimentary, and we can always provide custom selected groupsets. Time's other products may be worth your time, especially the brand new iClic pedals: the world's first pedal that uses a flexible carbon blade as opposed to metal springs to keep you locked in. The iClic pedal with titanium spindles weighs 175g a set! A nice addition to any Time bike...

So...do these bikes get better with age like a fine French wine? Only Time will tell. Ok, enough puns... Just come check them out.

Cyclcross season hits primetime

As summer turns to fall and the road racing season winds down, for many racers the next season is one that not many recreational cyclists have heard of…it’s known as “cyclocross”. This type of racing, which involves what looks to most like a somewhat normal road bike, is arguably one of the most exciting and spectator friendly types of racing anywhere. The races are short, from 30 to 60 minutes. The courses are also short, laps are usually between 6 and 10 minutes, so the crowd gets to see lots of action.

The sport of cyclocross, or “cross” as it’s known, began around the turn of the century in France. It was developed to give road racers some fall/winter training, and since the courses incorporate both pavement and dirt or grass, as well as barriers and running sections, their handling skills got a workout as well. In a few short years other northern European countries got in on the game, and now Belgium, Holland, and Czech are cross powerhouses. The international governing body of bicycle racing, the UCI, officially recognized cyclocross in 1950, and world championships have been held around the end of January ever since. It’s not unusual for 15,000 beer-fueled Belgian or Dutch fans to show up at races every weekend from October thru January, with 10 or 12 high caliber races taking place in the 2 week period around Christmas and New Years. The pro racers have fan clubs numbering in the thousands, and these rabid supporters will follow their favorites all over northern Europe during the fall months.

The cyclocross bicycle is very similar to a normal road bike, with drop handlebars and narrow rimmed wheels. The tires are somewhat larger, usually around 32mm wide compared to the normal road bike tire that is 23mm wide. There are many different tread designs for varying course conditions. To fit around the bigger tires, and to provide extra clearance for mud and grass, cross bikes use cantilever brakes, much like the original mountain bikes. This season, the UCI has legalized disc brakes for cross, it will be interesting to see how many racers make the switch. Gearing is similar to a road bike, w/ a double chainring up front, usually 39/46, and depending on the course, an 11/23 or 25 cassette in the back. Most pro and elite racers will use mid or deep section carbon rims just like a road racing bike, with tubular tires inflated to only 25 psi…traction and a smooth ride are very important. A top lever cross bike will weigh virtually the same as a road racing bike, many are right at the UCI weight limit of 6.8 kilos, or 14.9 pounds.

There are many hotbeds of cross racing in the United States. In the northwest, Seattle and Portland have historically had some of the largest and most well attended series in the country, if not the world. The bay area has also been cross-crazy for many years, in fact the first US national championships were held in Berkeley in 1975. There are currently series held in the bay area, Sacramento and Santa Cruz/Monterey, with other races held all over northern California from October thru December. Our US Nationals were just last weekend in Bend, OR. Colorado’s Katie Compton won her seventh consecutive womens elite national title. Another Colorado resident, Todd Wells, won the elite mens title, he won 2 mountain bike national titles earlier in the year. The best American racers are now preparing to head to Europe for various World Cup races, and then World Championships. One of our former local high school racers, Bjorn Fox, is heading to Belgium with US National Jr Team for a couple weeks of racing this month, then back for World Championships in January. If you’re interested in trying a race, or just getting to see some of the best racing around, check out the Northern California CX calendar at http://ncncacx.blogspot.com/p/calendar.html . If you decide you want to try out CX, stop by Paradigm Cycles in San Anselmo or City Cycle in San Francisco, we can take care of all your cycling needs! http://paradigmcycles.com/

2011 Ibis Mojo HD

We’ve been doing really well with the Ibis Mojo and Mojo SL at Paradigm for the last 3 years. They are really fun riding bikes with 140mm (5.5”) of travel front and rear. The patented DW link rear suspension is very plush, but still efficient. Combined w/ a 140mm travel front fork you can build a carbon-framed trail bike for as little as $3299.00. They can be built as light as 23 or 24 pounds as well. But there are always folks out there looking for a little more…a little more travel, a little more speed on the downhills. Back in ’09 we started hearing rumors about a longer travel Ibis. Brian Lopes, the Ibis factory team DH racer was riding something new…what was this new creation? Late in the year we got official word, the new bike was known as the Mojo HD.

We didn’t receive our first HD until a couple of months ago, but it was well worth the wait! 160mm (6.5”) of travel, stable 67° head angle, and a stiffer frame construction. The headtube now uses a tapered 1 1/8” – 1.5” construction for greater front end stiffness and precision. All of the pivot bearings have been upgraded to handle the increased travel. The rear end utilizes a 12 x 135mm Maxle rear axle set-up for greater stiffness. Fork options include the Rock Shox Lyric RC 160mm travel w/ Maxle Light axle, and the Fox Talas 36 RLC w/ 160/120mm of adjustable travel and the 20mm QR axle system. The rear shock mounting points can also be swapped for a mount that allows the frame to be set up with the same 140mm travel as the Mojo SL. Mount a 32mm Fox fork and you’ve got a 140mm travel bike w/ a 68° headtube angle and a stronger, stiffer frame than the SL, with a very small weight penalty.

The HD comes standard w/ the Fox RP23 air shock, but can be upgraded to the DHX Air or the RC4 coil spring shock. Entry level pricing for the full bike with a Shimano SLX group, Fox fork and Crank Brothers wheels is $3791.00!

Keep an eye on the store website for a possible Mojo HD demo opportunity coming up.

Check out the pictures!

Cervelo R5 and R5ca

The new year is quickly approaching and the new ’11 model bikes are starting to roll in at both City Cycle and Paradigm Cycles. Two of the most exciting new models are the R5 and R5CA from Cervelo. Building on the success of the “R” model Squoval tubed frames like the R3 and

R3SL, the R5 frames take performance and light weight to the next level. Some small but significant changes have been made to geometry as well, benefitting both the racer and the sport rider.

The geometry changes are primarily to the front of the bike. The head tubes have been made slightly taller to provide a more comfortable fit for sport riders, while not being too tall for racer-types. The head tube and fork steerer tube are tapered, being 1 1/8” at the top and 1 3/8” at the bottom. This increases the stiffness of the front end of the bike, making the handling just that much better. On the smaller sizes, the head tube and fork rake have been adjusted to reduce toe overlap that smaller riders have experienced in the past.

The R5CA is the new flagship model, the lightest frame that Cervelo has ever made, and it is produced in their Southern California engineering facility at the rate of approximately 1 frame per day. The materials and lay-up schedule have been optimized for light weight and performance. We recently received the first frame at City Cycles, and the 54cm size including bottom bracket bearings and seat collar weighed in at a scant 750g! The bottom bracket on the new R frames have been updated as well. Cervelo has developed a new bottom bracket standard called “BBright” that both reduces weight and increases efficiency. The R5CA frameset will include a superlight 280g fork, integrated/tapered headset w/ NORGLIDE bottom bracket bearings, Rotor crankset and chainrings. The whole package will retail for $9600.00

The R5 frame will be produced in Cervelo’s overseas facility, and utilize a slightly less labor intensive carbon lay-up. The ride quality will be virtually identical to the CA, just slightly heavier, although still lighter than the previous R3 models. The ‘normal’ R5 frameset will include the superlight fork, the tapered headset, bottom bracket bearings and the 3T Dorico LTD seatpost. It will retail for $4900.00.

All R5 frames will be black, the CA being unpainted for lieghtweight, the R5 will be gloss black w/ either green or yellow highlights.

If you’re looking for a new frame or complete bike and lightweight is at the top of your must-have list, check out these new frames from Cervelo!

Our Trek Dream Bigger Sale runs from July 16 to 25, the last 10 days of the Tour de France. Each of those days Trek is giving away a dream bike to a lucky winner and we're discounting 2010 Trek bicycles. We're kicking it up a notch by having everything on sale at both City Cycle and Paradigm!

Come on down and save! 15% off all 2010 Bicycles and Frames, 25% off all 2009 Bicycles and Frames, 25% off all Spring Clothing, 40% off all Winter Clothing, and 20% off all Parts & Accessories.

This is our biggest sale ever, so don't miss out!

Make sure to visit Trek online to enter to win (enter once a day), and then watch for Trek's emails telling if you won and what's on sale that day. Even if you don't win the bike, you could win a RadioShack bottle, and you'll save on sale items too! Good luck!

City Cycle Launch Party July 23, 2010!

Come celebrate our new venture at City Cycle on July 23, 2010 from 4pm to 8pm.

Food and drinks are on us and there will be special pricing on everything in the store!

Get your raffle tickets at the door for a chance to win a free Trek FX7.3 town bike in addition to many other prizes.

Space and tickets are limited. First come, first served!

3001 Steiner Street
San Francisco, CA 94123
415-346-2242