I break Accessories into three categories:

1.)    “The Essentials”

2.)    “You Are Going to Want Them”

3.)     “Nice to Have”

“The Essentials”

These are the accessories that I think everyone who rides needs to have.

1.)    Helmet – Need I say more? It’s a law for children under 16 years old in Maryland.

2.)    Bell or Horn – In Maryland it is a law that you have a bell or horn on your bike. Many will say that your voice counts, but it doesn’t meet the requirement of the law. A bell is such an easy way to let people know you are approaching them.

3.)    Hydration – You need to stay hydrated while you ride. A water bottle and cage is a small investment. Need to carry more water? A hydration pack can allow you to carry up to a hundred ounces of water and provide you with additional carrying capacity for stuff.

4.)    Gloves – I don’t know what you do for a living but I imagine you use your hands on a daily basis. Gloves are a lot easier to replace then to clean your hands of debris from a fall and nurse them back to health. They also make holding the grips a lot more comfortable.

5.)    Floor Pump – Proper tire inflation is one of the keys to avoid flat tires. A floor pump is the best way to inflate your tires. My favorite is the Bontrager Turbo Charger.

6.)    ID – I like RoadID so if the worst occurs people will know who to contact. Another great solution is to take a luggage tag and include your important emergency contact information and medical information on it. Place this in your jersey pocket or in your saddle bag.

“You Are Going to Want Them”

While not essential, if you ride on a regular basis the accessories in this category are going to greatly increase your riding enjoyment.

1.)    Fix a Flat Kit – Seat Bag, Inflation Device (pump or CO2), Patch Kit, Spare Tube, Tire Levers and a multi tool. In many ways I think this is an “Essential” accessory. Even if you don’t know how to fix a flat tire a fellow rider who passes by may be able to help you as long as you have the right stuff. It’s in the Cyclist Creed that you don’t ride past a fellow cyclist stop on the side of the road without asking if they are okay. Now a days with cell phones you are less likely to get stuck without a ride home, but your ride won’t have to end if you can fix your flat.

2.)    Cycling Shorts – Shorts provide you riding comfort. If you ride on a regular basis and our distances of 10 miles or more a pair of cycling shorts in going to make all the difference in the world. There are two styles Traditional and Baggy.

3.)    Shoes – Cycling shoes bring comfort to your feet by adding a constant platform for your feet. Riding longer distances, I think these move into “The Essentials” category. If your riding in cycling shoes I also think clipless pedals are a necessary accessory.

4.)    Sunglasses – To protect your eyes from the sun, bugs and road debris. Glasses for cycling will offer you greater protection for your eyes and have features that keep them from fogging up and slipping off your face.

5.)    Cycling Computer – It’s always fun to know how far you’ve gone. Did you ride your twenty mile loop faster today then last week? If you are riding in an organized ride your going to need a computer so you know where you should be turning.

7.)    Chain Lubricant – Keeping your chain properly lube will keep your bike shifting smoother and increase the life of your chain.

8.)    Car Rack – A car rack will make it easier for you to get you and your bike to all of the great places to ride. Make it easy to ride and you’ll ride more often. Check out my post about car racks.

9.)   Lock – If you are going to leave you bike somewhere while you are riding a lock is going to give you peace of mind.

When I think about important areas on the bike I always look at the contact points of your body. Consider these when you think about your cycling accessories and when you plan to purchase them.

1.)    Hands – Gloves and Grips

2.)    Rear End – Shorts and Saddles

3.)    Feet – Shoes, Socks and Gloves

“Nice to Have”

As you get more and more into your riding you’ll see many of things being added to your cycling items.

1.)    Cycling Jersey – Jerseys can keep you cooler while riding by helping your body manage it’s moisture.

2.)    Bicycle Cleaning Kit – Keeping your bike clean will increase the life span while protecting the finish. Items can be bought separately or in a kit. I recommend a bicycle cleaner like Pedro’s Green Fizz, a bicycle polish like Bike Lust, chain cleaner, some cleaning brushes and a gear cleaning brush are a good start.

3.)    Cycling Socks – A good pair of cycling socks will give your feet support and help them manage the moisture. I love Swiftwick socks and they are the only ones I’ll wear now. My wife was shocked at all the benefits a true pair of cycling socks offered. Now she is hooked!

4.)    GPS – If you’re a data junkie or just want to know where you are a GPS well serve you well.

5.)    Heart Rate Monitor (HRM) – If you’re trying to improve your fitness a HRM is a great tool to help you do that. HRM’s start around fifty dollars and also can come integrated into a cycling computer.

6.)    Lights – If you think you may be completing your ride around dusk lights are essential to keeping you safe.

7.)    Bags – If you are riding for several hours or day touring a handlebar bar or rack trunk will come in handy for storing your camera, bringing along food and much more.

8.)    Cleat Covers – If you ride with clipless pedals cleat covers will increase the life of your cleats while making them easier to walk in.

9.)    Repair Stand – If you like to clean your bike and do basic maintenance a repair stand will make your life a lot easier.

10.) Indoor Trainer – Sometimes it is just too ugly to ride outside or your schedule doesn’t permit it.

Transporting your bike in the back of your car presents its own sets of challenges. For one if you have more than one person who you want to bring along to ride with it will be a challenge to get everything in your car. You can damage the interior of your vehicle, ripped fabric or grease on the seats are never fun to fix or clean. Damage can also occur to the bike, bending the rear derailleur or affecting the adjustments of the brakes.

The investment of a good rack will protect your bike, protect your car and make it easier for you to get out and enjoy all of the great places to ride. The price you pay for a quality bicycle rack is a small price when you consider the damage that a poor fitting or the wrong rack for your car could cause.

There are several types of racks that fit most vehicles; strap racks, receiver racks and roof racks. As with everything there are pros and cons.

STRAP RACKS

These racks are the least expensive and are designed to carry one to three bikes depending on your car.

I like racks that have six straps to secure them to the back of the car. Two straps go to the top, two to the bottom and one to each side of the vehicle to keep the rack from shifting when you go flying around an on or off ramp.

These racks mount to the back of the car on the trunk or hatch back and are an easy height to get the bikes on.

As the racks increase in price they generally come with more features to protect your bikes and to protect your car.

One of the most important things with strap racks is to check the manufactures recommended fits. Not all racks will fit all vehicles. Installing a rack on a car that it is not compatible is a big mistake. You risk damaging your car, your bike and maybe something even worse if the bike falls off while you are driving. As it is with every car rack it is important to follow the manufactures recommendations when installing your rack. Your local bicycle store will likely have trained staff that can help you install your rack on your car the first time.

Recommendations:

Old socks make great protectors for your bike. Just slide them over your pedals to prevent them from scratching your car or the other bikes on the rack.

Traveling a longer distance? Don’t forget to check the straps to make sure they are tight and then check the bikes to make sure they haven’t shifted.

Have a women’s frame? Be sure to purchase an “artificial top tube” such as a Saris Bike Beam it will make it so much easier to load your bike on the rack. These work for both strap racks and receiver racks.

When placing your bike on the rack make sure your wheels and tires aren’t near the exhaust. I learned the hard way after driving several hours on a holiday only to arrive and find my tires melted from the heat of the exhaust.

RECEIVER OR HITCH MOUNT RACKS

One of the things I love about receiver racks is that nothing physically is touching the car. Like a roof rack the car is completely protected from anything that may scratch it while driving. Their height makes it easy to load bikes on and off the rack.

There are two styles of these racks; the “original style” that the bike hangs from and a newer style where the wheels are supported by trays, much like a roof rack. I love the “new style” they are easy to get bikes on and off, and work great with women’s bikes. Many prefer this style to the hanging version. This style also keeps the bikes separated; the bikes don’t sway while they are on the rack. One down side is this style will stick out a little father then the hanging version.

These racks are designed to carry one to five bikes depending on the cars hitch and the model you purchase.

One of the challenges of these racks is that they can be a little heavy, making installation and removal a little cumbersome for some. The good news is that in the last few years lighter racks have come on the market drastically reducing the weight of the racks. When you are choosing your rack make sure that you can easily handle it. If you are only occasionally using the rack weight may not be a factor. As with most things the more you use it the easier it is to get the rack on and off the car. Your local shop will likely have some pointers for you to make it easier.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

I think an essential accessory for these racks is a lock that locks the rack to the car itself. It will give you piece of mind when you are away from your vehicle. Some racks will come with these locks they will be options on other racks.

Have a women’s frame? Be sure to purchase an “artificial top tube” such as a Saris Bike Beam it will make it so much easier to load your bike on the rack. These work for both strap racks and receiver racks.

ROOF RACKS

A roof rack is my personal favorite. These are the most versatile racks, not only will they carry your bike they will carry almost everything else you can imagine. Another great thing about roof racks is they allow you access to every door on your vehicle. It never fails that you’ll need something that is buried in the very back of the trunk.

I am a huge fan of the Thule roof racks as I find their systems to fit the best and they are the OEM manufacturer for most of the auto makers. The fact that 95% of their racks are Made in the USA is a nice benefit as well.

Recommendations:

If you use a roof rack and have a garage door opener; when you have your bikes on the roof place the garage door opener in the back of the car so you don’t drive into your garage with the bikes on the roof. I’ve seen this happen more than once with varying levels of damage to the bikes, the car and the house.

Vertically Challenged? (nice words for short): If you own a vehicle that is taller than you, consider carrying a step stool to make it easier to get your bicycle on and off your car.

Fixing a flat is something that is relatively easy to do especially if you have the right tools. Even if you don’t know how to fix a flat you will have what you need to make the repairs. That way when a fellow cyclist comes along they will be able to assist you. They may not have the right tools to fix your bike but since you are prepared you will be all set. It is in the cyclists creed to offer assistance to a fellow stranded cyclist. If you don’t know how to fix a flat you should head to your local bike store for some lessons. We offer classes throughout the year as do many shops.

So here is what I carry in my fix a flat kit:

1. Seat/saddle bag
2. Spare tube
3. Patch kit – Park VP-1
4. Pedro’s Tire levers
5. Genuine Innovations Ultraflate Plus Inflator
6. Spare 16 gram CO2 Cartridge
7. Pedro’s Multi Tool with screwdrivers
8. Park Tire Boots

If I get a flat I always replace it with a new tube. If I get a second flat I then have two tubes to choose from to patch. I pick the better or easier of the two tubes to patch. When I ride my road bike I use a CO2 inflator. When I mountain bike I use a mini pump designed for a mountain bike. These pumps push a larger volume of air. I used to use a frame or mini pump for the longest time. They are reusable and less expensive than a CO2 system in the cost per use. Unless you have the patience of a saint you’ll likely be unable to inflate a road tire to 100 plus psi. That isn’t a problem with a CO2 system it is quick and easy and great for group rides when you don’t want to hold others up. They make CO2 systems for mountain bikes which use a 25 gram cartridge called Big Air.

I like the Ultraflate Plus inflator because it is a system that has a trigger that makes it easy to control the air flow. Some people will prefer a more minimalist system to save weight. Look at the different options available to you and pick what will work best for you.

One thing I recommend doing is once you have picked your inflation device take it home and get familiar with it. Try using it in the comfort of your home. So when the day comes that you need to use it you’ll be comfortable doing so.

Saddle bags come in different sizes depending on what and how much stuff you want to carry. One of the features I look for in a saddle bag is a place on the outside to hook a flashing light to for those rainy rides, dusk and night rides.

Another thing that I used to carry in my kit was a luggage tag that I had my emergency contact information and medical information on it. I printed it out and slid the paper in the luggage tag and sealed it with packing tape. Now I have upgraded that  system to a RoadID that I wear. One advantage to the luggage tag is you can place a lot of information on it. What is nice about the RoadID is that it is attached to you and doesn’t require a first responder to search for your information. RoadID also offers a way to register your tag to a web site that will allow you to have more information available.

I’ve started carrying tire boots for those bigger cuts in the tires. In the past I have used dollar bills or old energy bar or gel wrappers. Tire boots just do a better job and make it easier to get the job done.

Getting a flat on a ride really sucks, but it is even worse when you don’t have the right tools and equipment to fix it.

Have a great ride!

I’ve never used a trainer specific tire in the past. I’ve always just used older tires or a cheap tire I didn’t care about. Boy was I missing out. The trainer tire is much smoother and offers a very consistent feel on the trainer. You don’t get the slipping sensation or loss of contact feeling I’ve experienced in the past with a standard tire.

Installing it was another story. It is by far the hardest tire I have ever installed. It took myself and some help from Amanda to mount the tire. When I came back to the store and commented on that to John the next day he just chuckled and said “Yeah we forgot to tell you that.”

Nathan had been riding one on his trainer and has also been impressed with it. John and Nate had the same experience mounting the tire as I did. Nathan also commented to me about the noticeable difference in the ride quality on the trainer.

The only down side I can see to this tire is that it can’t be ridden indoors and out. So if you have one bike and go from inside to out that could be a pain. One solution would be a separate wheel but that offers challenges as well depending on your set up. I haven’t tried to remove my tire yet and it is very possible it will have stretched making it easier to remount.

At about $45 I think it is a good investment since it will certainly last longer then two twenty dollar tires and the added ride quality is certainly worth it.

I’d love to hear what you think about the tire.

This year and last year has seen a lot happen on the component side of things. SRAM has become a legitimate player on the road side of components with the release of Red and the redesign of Rival. Shimano released the long awaited redesign of Dura Ace with an electronic shifting version to be out late spring. Not to be out done Campagnolo has come out with an eleven speed versus of their Record and Chorus groups as well as a Super Record Group. Things happen in threes right?

I haven’t gotten a chance to play with any of the Campy groups but I have seen and played with the new Dura Ace 7900 Group. Very neat stuff all around it is hard to know where to start to talk about it. The most obvious change is the overall appearance of the components. Next is the fact that the shifter cables and housing are now internally routed to the bar. A much cleaner look overall and something that will trickle down to a new Ultegra group that Shimano is going to call Ultegra 6700. So with Ultegra SL just recently on the market Shimano will be at it again with Ultegra 6700. Next up in obvious changes are the ergonomics of the Dura Ace, a much more comfortable grip shape for the hoods, flared out shifter blades and new adjustable reach at a Pro Level component group. What is also interesting to learn is that Dura Ace will have a smaller hood then even the new Ultegra. The Shimano folks tell me this will always be the case because they view Ultegra as for the enthusiast and longer distance rider wanting to offer them a larger hood position for comfort. Also for the first time Dura Ace will have a Dura Ace level compact crankset. I’ve haven’t had a chance to ride the Dura Ace so I will hold off from a full review and an opinion. If you have to have one there are plenty of other sites that offer a complete review of the extensive revisions (which I haven’t mentioned them all) to it so I will hold off from an opinion of the functionality and performance. Early reports are strong. I am looking forward to having a chance to ride it enough to give you an opinion.

What I am excited to ride is the Electronic version of the Dura Ace, Dura Ace Di2. I have played with it on a bike in the stand and it is impressive! Shimano Dura Ace Di2 is a huge improvement over the electronic groupo that Mavic had on the market for a short period of time in the early nineties. When I first heard about Di2 the purist in me was thinking “why would you want an electronic shifter?” Check out the photos I took.

Well for starters, how about never missing a shift and a self adjusting front derailleur? The system is light and very weather proof, it held up to the rigors’ of Paris Roubaix. The pricing is not out yet from Shimano but the rumor on the street is the group should run about a thousand dollars more than the new 7900 Dura Ace group. I think the first early adopters of Di2 may very well be the triathletes. I was impressed with the performance of the components the shifting was flawless. Time will tell but I think that electronic shifting is here to stay and will be the shifting method of choice for the future!

Also due out from Shimano will be a revised version of the Flight Deck that will be wireless and Shimano appears to have designed the new Flight Deck and Dura Ace together so they will integrate seamlessly.

Once again Shimano proves why it is in the industry leader and the component manufacturer of choice for riders around the world! I’ll report back as I learn more and have more time under my belt with the new stuff.

Also I just returned from the Park Tools 2009 Tech Summit and got to play with the Dura Ace Di2 electronic gruppo. It isn’t out yet but will be available in several months. I managed to get a few photos of it and have also posted them in my Gallery in the Components section.

Hope everyone is staying warm!

There are several types of trainers. There are wind trainers that rely on wind to create riding resistance, mag trainers which rely on magnetic resistance, fluid trainers which rely on fluid and electronic trainers. There are also rollers which have different methods of resistance.  Trainer technology has come a long way in the last few years and we could spend a long time discussing all of the different trainers available on the market today.

One of my personal favorites is the CycleOps Fluid2 by Saris. CycleOps offers a full range of indoor training products and new for 2009 is a new Pro series line of trainers. Their trainers are assembled right here in the USA in Madison, Wisconsin. The Fluid2 is not new to the line it has been a mainstay of the CycleOps trainer line for years and along the way has received minor upgrades.

When you open the box you’ll need to initially assemble the trainer for the first use which should take you a few minutes. I am sure if you ask your local shop where you purchase the trainer they can help you assemble it.  The trainer also comes with a more durable rear skewer you should use so as not to damage your light weight aluminum skewer.  Also included is a workout DVD;  DVD’s such as these can really add a whole new dimension to your indoor training.

One thing that is not included with the trainer is a riser block to level the front of the bike so that you don’t feel like you are riding down a hill the whole time you are working out on the trainer. This is one accessory I highly recommend that you purchase when you pick up your trainer. They range from approximately $10 to $20. Some other optional accessories to consider are a mat for underneath your trainer to protect the floor perspiration; there is also a bike thong that is available to protect your bike from perspiration. A feature of the bike thong net that I like is the pockets for holding your phone and TV remotes.  When you pick up your trainer you also might want to consider picking up a few more workout videos for your indoor training. Of course a cycle computer that mounts to the rear wheel to record your speed and distance is a valuable tool to provide feedback for your workout.

Setting up the bike in the trainer is easy with the bolt action quick release lever. Once you set the spacing for your bike the first time it is easy to take your bike in and out of the trainer. Applying the resistance unit to the rear wheel is a snap with the quick release lever that Saris added a few years ago replacing the adjusting knob. To ensure you have a stable platform to ride the trainer also has adjustable leveling feet. As all of the Saris trainers the Fluid2 is backed by a lifetime warranty.

There is a lot to like about this trainer and a lot that I like about this trainer. One of the coolest things about this trainer is that it is a very quiet trainer. When riding it you won’t run your house mates out of the house.  One of my friends sets up his Fluid2 up in the living room and he would do his workout while watching a movie with his wife.  This comes from the silicone fluid that CycleOps uses in the resistance unit along with sealed-cartridge bearings to unsure a quiet ride and better inertia just like you are on the open road. While the amount of noise that the trainer produces is important to consider when selecting a trainer there are other features that I think you should consider when selecting your trainer.

I’ve been using a Fluid2 for some time now. It originally was call the Fluid Team Edition because it had a larger fly wheel then their standard fluid trainer. Eventually Saris standardized on the larger flywheel for their fluid trainers added a few features and called it the Fluid2 trainer. The fly wheel is a 2.75 pound individually precision balanced flywheel which offers a smooth ride and ride like inertia when you accelerate and decelerate.

The Fluid2 offers the rider progressive resistance, so the faster your ride the harder it becomes to pedal your bike. The bike will accelerate and decelerate just like you are riding on the road. Of course you can still utilize your gears to increase or decrease the amount of power you are generating on the trainer.

To reduce the wear and tear on your tire the Fluid2 has a larger diameter drum which also gives a smooth ride. Trainers tend to be hard on tires so I highly recommend using a durable tire for your trainer.  Don’t shorten the life of your high end tire, in fact some of the high end tires are not suitable for use on the trainer they can deteriorate from the heat generated by the trainers causing the clue used to hold them together to separate. There are even some trainer specific tires that are available on the market.

I’ve logged a bunch of miles on my Fluid2 trainer and I love it. It is just as quiet as the day that I first rode it.  I am a huge fan of the fluid style trainers they are quiet and do not stir up dust when using them.  My trainer has held up well over the years and is very stable when I get out of the saddle to do a sprint workout. The oversized drum that the wheel rides on does indeed offer a smoother ride and reduces the wear on the rear tire. The progressive resistance works like a champ and has been able to handle everything that I have asked it to. This trainer would be a great addition to your cycling equipment and will help you pass the training hours until the weather outdoors is to your liking.

Please buy local to support your local businesses, workforce and economy.

Saris Web Site

Fluid2 Trainer

It is great that you are thinking about getting your child or children out with you to enjoy cycling. A child seat or child trailers both allow you to bring your kids along for the ride.

This Guide is designed to help you choose which product is the best choice for your family.

Quick Overview:

Child Seats:

Child seats are ideal for use when riding on bike paths at speeds about 10MPH. Child seats are generally rated to 40LBS of weight approximately 1-3 years of age. Often many children get to long for a child seat before they exceed the weight limit of the child seat.

When occupied child seats raise the center of gravity of the bike and thus will affect the way the bike handles. One of the biggest challenges of child seats is getting the child in and out of the seat.  Loading and unloading the child is made easier when you have one person to support the bike while the second person works with the child. Also while the rider gets off the saddle or is dismounting the bike they may find it harder to balance the bicycle. The greater the weight of the child the greater the impact they will have on the bikes stability. In general smaller riders will notice the effect of the additional weight more so then a larger rider. In addition any sudden movements by the children are likely to be noticed by the bicycle rider.

In the case of a crash the child is likely to sustain minor injuries, even with all of the safety features that today’s child seats offer.

When shopping for a child seat, look for one that provides protection for the child’s head and a multiple point retention system for the child.

Some child seats have the option of purchasing a second rack to mount to an additional bike so that you can share the child seat among bikes. This is generally a $30-$50 option.

Child Trailers:

Child trailers will carry up to 2 children or a 100LBS of weight and most provide ample room for the child to bring along their favorite toys, books, food and drink and other items. Many trailers offer storage room behind the child’s seating area so that you can bring along all the stuff that goes with having a child. Each of these features adds enjoyment for both bicycle rider and child and help accommodate longer rides. While all trailers come with a protective cover to keep debris out many child trailers come equipped or offer the option of a two and one cover, where the second cover is plastic to keep the rain out or provide warmth to allow riding in cooler temperatures. Trailers are also designed with airflow in mind to keep the child cool during the warmer months. UV protection is a feature offered in some covers as well.

Trailers generally mount to the bikes rear triangle and have very little affect on how the bike handles. Trailers do require a little more room on the trail or the road because of their width and require a little more room to make a turn however each of these issues are easily adapted to. With child trailers being easy to mount they are easy to share among different bikes even during a ride.

Trailers are usually constructed out of bright covers to increase visibility come with reflective stripping areas to mount flashing lights to and safety flags.

In the case of a crash the child will stay upright because the child trailer hitches are designed to allow the bike to be knocked over or laid down without affecting the trailer itself. For added stability many trailers have the wheels angled in to increase stability.

When shopping for trailers look for one that is well constructed lightweight and easy to fold up for transportation. Some trailer models even offer the option to be converted into a jogging stroller or a stroller.

Child trailers hold a high resale value and overall have a lower cost of ownership then a child seat.

RECOMMEND ACCESSORIES:

Child Seat:

            Helmet

            Flashing light

            Extra rack to mount the child seat on a second bike

Trailer:

            Helmet

            Rearview mirror for bicycle

            Flashing light

            Spare tube or patch kit.

            Jogging attachment if available

Opinions are those of the author – copywrite 2008

Mavic has built some of the world’s best wheels for a long time and their wheels are well loved by cyclists around the world. The R-SYS wheels use carbon tubular spokes on the front and on the non drive side in the rear. The drive side still uses aluminum spokes on the rear.

Check out what Mavic has to say about the R-SYS on their web site below.

So I put several hundred miles on them and came away impressed with them. The wheels accelerate like no other wheels that I have ridden. When you power into your pedal stroke you immediately feel the bike leap forward from your output. The wheels are very stiff and certainly don’t flex in when you corner with them. The wheels are very very responsive and of course smooth like one expect Mavic’s to be. They have the best bearing the industry has to offer. Mavic is so proud of the bearings that you don’t see them talking about ceramic bearings for their wheels.  As I rode the R-SYS more and more I finally noticed the flex that some people had complained about out of the front hub.  This was an issue with the early release wheels that Mavic was aware of and has since rendered a fix for them. I sent our wheels back for the fix but have not had a chance to ride them since. For me I didn’t notice the flex when I first started riding the wheels, because I believe the flex wasn’t there. When I finally got the flex to show it was under extreme load and only while out of the saddle climbing. One of our customers who rode them prior to me who is a larger rider and much stronger then I am notice the movement in the front right from the start. But again as Mavic does they have since remedied the problem.I was very impressed with the wheels until I rode them out in Thurmont. During that ride we did a lot of climbing which the wheels excelled at. Trust me on that day I needed all the help I could get, wheels, compact crankset etc..Where I didn’t like them was on a rough descent they were so stiff that it was not very fun going down the mountain. With the harsher conditions it didn’t dampen the vibration and it transmitted them strait to me. In fairness to the wheels some of it could have been the bike. The Madone 5.2 does not use as much of the high modulus and very high modulus carbon that I am used to riding. I’ll talk about that more when I review the Madone. The wheels were great when I descended with them on smooth roads on the harsher road I was not impressed. So not impressed that I took the wheels off the bike when I got back and placed a set of demo Bontrager wheels we have on them.I do think that for most riders these wheels are hard to beat. If you want a light stiff responsive wheel then these are the wheels for you. They accelerate like a champ. I think they would be ideal for long days of climbing and crit racing. For now I can confidently say they are ideal for midsized riders. If you are on the larger size you might want to test them out before you commit to buying them to make sure the issue with the front hub has been resolved which I am sure it has. If you are on the smaller size you might want to check them out as well to see if they are too stiff for you. For the racing crowd I would find it hard to believe that they could be too stiff for many.I look forward to trying out the wheels now that they are back from Mavic. I’ll do a follow up review after I get some more miles on them.

This is what the Mavic Website says about the wheels:

Introduced one year ago, R-SYS and its revolutionary TraComp technology has been immediately rated as the best wheel ever by pro racers, journalists and every day riders. TraComp technology prevents a loss of tension on spokes to maintain high stiffness under high loads and carbon spokes don’t stretch as much as steel or aluminum ones. Result : the best ratio stiffness/lightness on the market.

Stiff to transform all of your power into pure speed  TracompTM technology prevents loss of tension on spokes to maintain high stiffness under high loads Maximized rear wheel dish increases lateral stiffness  Carbon spokes don’t stretch as much as steel or aluminum which limit wheel distortion Light for instant acceleration Carbon spokes are lighter than their alloy counterpart  Low stress wheels allow extra light rim extrusion and maximized ISM* to reduce inertia. (*ISM : Inter Spoke Milling)