The Circle City Bicycles blog contains info on bicycles, cycling events, pro racing, bicycle touring, and just about anything else cycling related. Since our bike shop is located in Indianapolis, we focus on biking in the Midwest, but cycling fans anywhere in the world should find this blog interesting. We try to post daily Monday through Friday, but we occasionally miss a day. Each Friday we try to have an interesting bicycle related photo.
2015 Scott CR1: Perfect Balance of Performance and Comfort
Bill Hannah of Circle City Bicycles brings you a review of the 2015 Scott CR1.
A full carbon bike (including the fork) gives you a lighter frame as well as helping to absorb more of the shock from the road with it's greater vertical compliance.
The Shimano 105 components have more carbon alloy parts than less expensive bikes, further adding to the long-term value of this bike.
New 2015 Scott Addict SL - Lighter, Better Performance + Price Drop!
While the full package remains nearly
identical to the 2014 model, there are some minor changes, headlined by a
Syncros saddle, mid-compact gearing and updated paint.
2015 Scott Addict SL Features:
HMX-SL carbon layup for the ultimate in lightweight performance
Full SRAM Red 22 kit
Ritchey cockpit
Syncros RL1.0 carbon clincher wheels
Weight: Sub- 1kg frame/fork and 12.96 lbs (54cm complete)
2015 Scott Addict SL Technologies:
Oversized Bottom Bracket
In order to best manage power transfer our engineers developed a down tube and bottom bracket intersection that is the widest of any road bike currently on the
market. The wide cross section and smooth transitions better manage
loads and yield a laterally robust structure which increases pedaling
efficiency by effectively delivering power to the drivetrain rather than
losing it to unwanted frame flex.
Tapered Headtube
The Addict employs a tapered 1 1/4 - 1 1/8 tapered head tube and co-developed fork, adding structural integrity to the frameset without overdoing it.
HMX SL Carbon Fiber
HMX-SL utilizes Nano-technology, which incorporates a Carbon nanotube reinforced epoxy resin as well as T1000G Carbon Fiber. The Carbon nanotubes offer an improved strength perpendicular and at off-axis to fiber direction, which allows for a better inter-laminar shear strength. The cohesion between the fibers is improved compared to our industry leading HMX Carbon blend offering an unprecedented resistance. T1000G is the world's highest tensile strength fiber. This fiber is traditionally used for aerospace or defense applications. Strategic use of this new material results in a frame that is lightweight without compromise in power transfer.
Race Geometry
The geometry of the Addict and the
Foil is Competition Road, validated by out ORICA GreenEDGE and IAM
Cycling teams and enjoyed by the most discerning customers. The handling
and fit you’ve come to expect from SCOTT will be familiarly aggressive.
F01 Aero Technology
F01 Technology is based on the theory
that a partial airfoil shape without the trailing edge can produce the
same aerodynamic advantage as a traditional foil shape. Modern foil
shapes are largely based on models and ratios created for airplanes by
the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), but because
bicycles attain speeds far less than those of airplanes, these ratios do
not necessarily apply to bikes. SCOTT Aero Science engineers have thus
developed F01 Technology to create unique, bicycle specific tube shapes
which maximize aerodynamic efficiency at lower air speeds.
Why ride up the mountains when you can float up them on the 2015 Fuji Altamira SL
Ultra-lightweight, all-around competition platform that excels on the climbs.
Fuji outfitted this bike to be ready for climbing and racing straight out of the box. Every component was carefully thought out to deliver minimal weight and maximum performance. The Oval Concepts 724 aero alloy clinchers are lightweight, and offer superior braking performance.
Fuji used their top level C15 carbon fiber, and their revolutionary high compaction molding process. What this new process does is basically eliminate wrinkles and squeeze out every spare drop of epoxy. This makes for a denser, more consistent and lighter weight carbon layup than is usually found on bikes. They also looked at tube shape and thickness, tapering the top tube near the seat tube junction to save weight in low-stress areas.
The Oval 910SL handlebars, Oval 960 seatpost and Oval 900 saddle all feature full carbon fiber construction to shed excess grams and increase comfort and performance.
The Fork is a FC-330 carbon monocoque with an oversized, tapered full carbon steer tube for optimal stiffness and handling. The rake provides a level of handling that is impressively responsive without being twitchy or pushing you to the limits of comfort.
ABOUT SRAM RED 22: SRAM Red 22, with True 22 technology, is SRAM's best groupset yet. With the incredible YAW front derailleur, which revolutionized front shifting. Red 22 uses True 22 technology to eliminate the possibility of chainrub, even with the wider 11-speed sprocket.
The shifters and rear derailleur also have the latest iterations of ZeroLoss and Exact Actuation shifting so the chain moves smoothly across the cassette, even with the addition of the 11th cog--something that previous 11-speed groups have struggled to do. Lastly, the crankset is stiffer and lighter than ever before. In fact, Red 22 is claimed to be the lightest groupset on the market, and after picking up one of the cranksets, we believe it.
The Altamira is a climbing machine, light and nimble, it makes going uphill as good as it gets; Even beyond the engineered physical attributes of this bike, the sheer lightness of it will make you climb better. Climbing specialists will love it, as will the gravitationally challenged. If you regularly ride a bike of say 7.7kgs, try lugging 1.5kgs of extra weight next time you ride and see what it feels like when you offload! Making the move to such a lightweight machine will surprise you.
Stiff, Featherweight Carbon Frame - Yet Designed For Comfort!
Photos from RoadCyclingUK.com
The SCOTT CR1 20's IMP Carbon frame offers the perfect balance of
performance and comfort at a more affordable price point. Designed to
save the rider from shock and vibration, the CR1 is the ideal choice for
the enthusiast who wants to enjoy long rides but doesn't want to feel
beat up at the end of the day.
Like the Solace’s it has a geometry which
focuses on ‘all-day comfort’, so it’s shorter in the toptube and taller
in the headtube than the race-orientated Foil or Addict, to provide a
more relaxed, upright riding position.
Lightweight carbon rails and a carbon injected nylon base. It's
comfortable super light foam provides just the right amount of padding
to keep you comfortable for long rides without any extra bulk. Equipped
with a water and dirt repellent micro fabric cover.
S-bend Construction
Each tube profile is designed to absorb both abrupt and high frequency vertical input with no compromise in lateral stiffness. We’ve created an original tube shape that allows controlled deformation in the rear triangle called an S-bend. The SDS rear stays enable this S-bend deformation via unique tube structure, thickness, and shape in specific sections of the chain stays, seat stays and fork.
Frame:
CR1 Carbon / IMP Carbon technology / Road Comfort geometry / INT BB Fork: CR1 Carbon 1 1/8" Carbon Steerer Alloy Dropout Headset: Ritchey Int. Cartridge Rear Derailleur: Compact: Shimano 105 Black RD-5801-GS 22 Speed Front Derailleur: Compact: Shimano 105 Black FD-5800 Shifters: Compact: Shimano 105 Black ST-5800 Dual control 22 Speed Brakes: Shimano BR-R561 Black Super SLR Dual pivot Crankset: Compact: Shimano FC-RS500 Black Hyperdrive 34 x 50 T BB-Set: Compact: INT SM-BB7141 Handlebar: Syncros RR2.0 Anatomic 31.8mm Handlebar Stem: Syncros FL2.0 1 1/8" / four Bolt 31.8mm Seatpost: Syncros RR1.4 Carbon/AL 31.6 Seat: Syncros Road Endurance Hub: Formular Team 20 H Hub (Rear): Formular Team 24 H Chain: Compact: Shimano CN-HG600 11 Speed Cassette: Compact: Shimano 105 CS-5800 11-32 T Spokes: CN - AERO Black 2mm Rims: Syncros Race 27 Aero Profile 20 Front / 24 Rear Tires: Schwalbe Lugano 700 x 23C
Raise the bar at your next race with all-new 2015 Boardman Elite AiR TT 9.0 Triathlon Bike.
"If you aspire to race, for the money there’s little that can touch the superlative 9.0." Source: Bike of the Year Cycling Plus
FEATURES
- New AiR Aerodynamic Racing frame, fork and seatpost
- Full high modulus carbon fibre monocoque construction
- Wind tunnel developed tube profiles for real world conditions
- Down tube, seat tube and seatpost shaped for maximized airflow and reduced wind resistance in real world head and cross wind conditions
- Forks and seat stays have flat inside and curved outside surfaces for enhanced airflow interaction between the frame and wheel. This is further enhanced when using deep section wheels
- Full internal cable routing with cables entering behind the headtube for further airflow enhancement and clean lines
- Rear brake positioned underneath chainstay
- Mould design incorporates one piece PF30 bottom bracket and optimized oversize box section chainstays with steep taper at dropout for maximized power transfer and strength
- 4 position seat post to ensure that riding position can be dialled from 73º-75º for either Road, TT or Triathlon disciplines
- Stable, predictable geometry to cope with all race situations
- Full carbon fork with tapered fork steerer for increased stiffness and steering precision
- Mechanical and Di2 compatible cable routing
Size
XS, SM, MD, LG, XL
Colour
Metallic Race Red
Frame
AiR ultralight full carbon monocoque, tapered headtube, PF30, internal cable routing
The 2015 Solace 15 Disc will Help you Find Your Solace on All Roads and in All Weather Conditions.
The Solace Disc frame is built around
the same features of the Solace. Geometry is tweaked for comfort, with a
slightly taller (1cm) head tube and shorter top tube (again, 1cm)
relative to Scott’s race-oriented models, the Addict and Foil. Solace is
offered in seven sizes, as well as five sizes in the women’s Contessa
line.
In addition to a large selection of sizes, the Solace has
size-specific carbon layups. So a small frame offers a softer ride
relative to a large frame, presumably accounting for rider weight.
The Solace Disc uses a traditional post
disc mount on the fork and takes advantage of Shimano’s brand new Flat
Mount standard on the rear chainstay. The new mount, which we expect to
see adopted by quite a few bike brands in the next year or two, tightens
up bolt spacing for a more compact, lighter, and less visually
obtrusive package.
The Solace Disc features internal cable
routing, making for a clean finish. While the stock build comes with
mechanical Shimano Ultegra, the frame is fully compatible with
electronic shift systems.
Scott has decided to jump on a current
mountain bike axle standard, using a 15mm thru-axle up front and a 12mm
rear axle in the rear.
The SCOTT Solace 15 Disc was designed to provide you with a perfect
balance of comfort and performance on the roads. Its HMF Carbon Fiber
frame was designed with two zones, a Power Zone and a Comfort Zone, in
order to result in a stiff and responsive bike that will also keep you
comfortable all day long- regardless of frame size.
Come in today to find out more or to take a test ride!
We Have Lots Of Experience Helping Riders Find The Best Bike For Their Needs. Check Out This List of Pointers To Help With Your Decision
1. Budget
Determine how much you are willing to spend on your cycling habit.
Are you a beginner? Intermediate? Expert? Do you race? Looking to ride on gravel? Pavement? Track? Dirt Road?
All of these can factor into the price of the bike you may be interested. You should make a budget before you buy and stick relatively close to it.
2. Extra items
If this is your first bike, or at least first in a while, you want to factor extra items like a helmet, gloves, and cycling apparel into the budget. You may also want certain items like road shoes, clipless pedals, and cycling glasses too. About $200 should be enough to get just about everything you need.
3. Maintenance
Another $200 should be considered for yearly repair and replacement of parts. This would include a
new set of tires, a new chain, and some workshop labor. You can also save some money by trying to do some of the work yourself in your own garage if you are confident and willing to get a little dirty.
4. On-the-Road Emergency Items
There are a lot of things you could put in your saddle bag or handlebar bag, but the most important items are: a puncture repair kit, lights, a lock, and tire levers.
You may also want a frame pump to help in those extra sticky situations. $60-$120 will cover most of these, depending on the quality of the lock you buy.
5. Frame Composition
Now we get into the nitty gritty. Alloy? Steel? Aluminum? Carbon?
From this point onwards, oversized aluminium tubing is pretty much
dominant. As you head towards the $1,000 mark, you might start seeing
the appearance of carbon in the fork, and possibly portions of the
frame. Steel is the most forgiving of the trio, and will tolerate the
most neglect, as long as you don’t let it rust. Aluminium takes hard
knocks in its stride but has to be watched more closely after about
three years or more of use as it has a limited fatigue life. Carbon is
the most temperamental as any cracks or frame damage from careless use
usually mean the bike is toast. You should only consider carbon if
you’ve got a long commute on good roads or are planning more serious
riding beyond your everyday jaunt to work.
6. Sizing and Fitting
Like with clothes and shoes sizing tends to vary between manufacturers, so while you might need a
bike with a 54cm frame from one brand, you might require a slightly
smaller or bigger size from another. You should stand over the bike with
both feet flat on the ground, legs close together. Lift the bike up or
look at the amount of clearance: you should be able to lift the front
and back wheels evenly off the ground by about 7 to 8cm, which should
give the equivalent clearance between your crotch and top tube. As always, ask us if you are not sure.
Equally important is the reach, or distance from the saddle to the bars –
a test ride will help you to determine if your position on the bike of
your choice is going to be comfortable or not, and our experienced shop
staff are trained to help you achieve this correctly.
Come in to Circle City today and let us help you with all of your cycling needs.
Circle City Bicycles and Fitness 5506 Madison Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46227 (317) 786-9244 ed@circlecitybicycles.com
Confused About the Types of Bikes We Have Available? This Should Help.
