The Art of Bike Fit Revisited

About a year ago I posted much of my personal philosophy on bike fitting here on my blog. A recent question posed to fitting expert Steve Hogg on cyclingnews.com reminded me of one more point that I didn't make, which Steve makes so well. Here's the text of the question with Steve's answer - then I'll elaborate.

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Specialized Body Geometry 3D Fit vs. Retul
What are your thoughts on the Specialized Body Geometry 3D Fit System versus the Retul Fit System? I am considering getting a fit with one or the other and would like to make an informed decision. What are the pros and cons of each?
Thank you for taking the time to answer.

Zachary

Tested: Shimano WH 7850-C24-CL Wheelset

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We were fortunate enough to have a demo set of one of Shimano's newest wheel creations in our possession. So naturally, I had to take them out for a spin so I could write about them here for my 2.5 loyal readers! (Thanks mom, dad, and Fido...)

But, first - the model number is not enough to tell you what is going on with these very special wheels. This is truly a new and revolutionary product, using proven technology, but unlike anything I've seen applied to wheels in this industry. The 7850 C24 CL is both a carbon fiber clincher and an aluminum clincher. How's that work? Well, Shimano has engineered an extremely thin-walled aluminum double-wall clincher rim. Just how thin? Without caliper measurements; after seeing a cut-out rim section I would say that the walls of the box-section are no less than half the thickness of a similar, all-aluminum rim. On top of this super-thin rim, Shimano then bonds a carbon fiber "skin" which structually stiffens and strengthens the rim without adding great amounts of weight. The total product is a roughly 380 gram, 24mm deep rim. For comparison's sake; A Mavic Open Pro is 420 grams and a DT Swiss RR 1.1 is 410 grams.

2008 NAHMBS - Portland, Oregon

Wow! How to begin?!

I've attended plenty of bike industry trade shows and events. Quite frankly, after the first couple of years, it's the same ol' stuff, only now they make it in carbon, and everyone's is better than everyone else's. Oh yeah, and it's horizontally stiff and vertically compliant...

I don't know whether it was the more "homegrown" nature of the builders and exhibitors or the "open" nature of the show - unlike the other industry-only shows; or it might have just been that Portland is a bike-crazy town. Whatever it may have been, this was the coolest bike show I've been to. What a great experience. The combination of cutting-edge innovation and traditional, proven methods creates an atmosphere where it seems almost anything is possible. Creatively-minded technical craftsmen used common materials in uncommon ways or uncommon materials in traditional ways (yes, there really were bikes made of wood and bamboo/hemp/bull's horns). Contrary to popular belief, not all of the innovation in this industry comes from the big brands. The free-thinkers present at NAHMBS are using this platform to bring some truely great, original, practical ideas to the big stage of the bike industry's consciousness.

O.K., enough of my blabbering; here's what I saw that really caught my eye:

Shimano R300 shoe update

I received an anonymous comment on my post about my now not-so-new Shimano R300 shoes; and so I figured I'd post my reply here as well as in the comments field as I'm sure "Anonymous" is not the only one wondering about how a pair of $350 shoes hold up. My reply is as follows:

Anonymous said...

How are the shoes holding up?

Matt Magee said...

Good question. Thanks for asking.

The shoes are great. I took a good hard ride just last Saturday and did a great deal of climbing (West on Skyline Rd. past Cornelius Pass for those who know the area...) and still hold to every comment I made in my original review. Stiff, stable, comfortable.