Fred Brown with Cannondale Cross PRO Tim Johnson

The Mercer Cup came around again this week and it was as muddy as it could get.  I can’t really put it into words just how hard it was or just how crappy the conditions were.  I can say for sure that it was still really fun and a super test of will power & strength.  For me the running was the hardest part by far.  I am not a runner nor will I ever be.  My heart rate spiked each time my feet hit the ground.  That being said I rode more than most guys.

Fred Brown (WWW.MTBNJ.com / Halter’s) killed it both days.  Fred is on fire this year.  He lost a ton of weight and has done all the right things to come back much stronger for his 2nd year of cross racing.

This race was very well attended and we saw support from many of the brands we love:  SRAM, Zipp, Crank Bros, Thule, and Craft come to mind.

If you missed this race you missed a lot of fun.  See you all next year.

We are once again stocking all the Light & Motion LED lighting systems.  It cam as a surrise to me that they totally dumper the HID lights but when I tested the SECA 700 I saw why.  They are brighter for sure.

LED

LED stands for Light Emitting Diode. Simply put, it’s a special piece of electronic hardware that turns electrical current into light. A key advantage of LED lighting is its high efficiency, as measured by its light output per unit power input. Another advantage is the fact that LED’s are “Solid-State” devices. This means that they are based on semiconductors like the ‘chip’ in a computer, and contain no moving parts. Because LED’s are solid-state devices, they have much longer service lives than traditional bulbs (halogen) or bulb/ballast units (HID).

Yet another bonus with LED’s is their ability to withstand external shock, making them ideal for cycling and other outdoor activities. The fact that they light up quickly and have virtually no warm-up cycle is also helpful.

The big challenge with LEDs is managing the heat. Unlike Halogen and HID, LED’s are very sensitive to internal temperatures. Great care must be taken to design an effective heatsink. We optimize our heatsinks for cycling, and in the event that the light gets too hot, we use software to protect the LEDs – ensuring your light will last a long time.

http://www.bicycling.com/gear/detail/0,7989,s1-14-30-1750-0,00.html

For a full run down have a look at their site:

www.bikelights.com

Longtime Customer and good freind Bill Dix has made a home in Brazil.  In this photo he poses with his Seven Axiom that I built him years ago.   Ride Safe bill!!

J_

FINALLY!!

So I am a huge fan of the fit and function of Bell helmets.   A long while back I saw some spy shots of this helmet and I knew it was going to be a winner.  We sell both Bell and Giro but I have always thought that bell offered more for the money as well as a better fit.  This helmet continues that trend.

This year the volt comes with a visor.  So it is basically both a road and MT helmet in one.

Stop by and try it on.

There are a LOT of good color choices and a very good fit.

Here is the data:

Bell strikes with electromotive force this summer debuting the all-new Volt, an amazing combination of massive ventilation, svelte weight, and high-tech comfort. Eleven frontal vents corral massive amounts of air with the help of the Volt’s custom-sculpted Composite Fiber Intakes™ (CFI) which direct flow to the helmet’s internal StreamJet Ventilation™ channels. Rearward exhaust ports and the moisture-wicking X-Static™ padding work in tandem to help keep the rider cool and dry. The Volt is made even more comfortable by Bell’s next-generation Twin Axis Gear™ (TAG) fit system that allows riders to both dial in the exact fit, as well as adjust the mechanism’s horizontal position on the back of the head. Designed to be used on- or off-road, the Volt features Bell’s removable Variable Position Visor™ (VPV) and will debut simultaneously at the 2008 Tour de France and on the World Cup XC mountain bike circuit.

• SIZES: Small: 51-55 cm, Medium: 55-59 cm, Large: 59-63 cm

  COLORS: Black/Carbon; Silver/White; Red/White; Blue/White; Team CSC Limited Edition; Team Credit Agricole Limited Edition

  WEIGHT: 280 grams – 9.9 oz (estimated)

  VENTS: 22 (11 front, 11 back)

  TECHNOLOGIES:

  - Fusion™ In-Mold Microshell bonds EPS foam to shell for durability

  - CFI™ composite construction directs airflow and reinforces helmet

  - TAG™ Fit System allows riders to both dial in the exact fit in two directions

  - VPV™ Visor is adjustable and removable for on- or off-road use

  - Thermodynamic X-Static™ Padding is quick-drying and anti-microbial

  - Internal Reinforcement cage fortifies helmet like rebar in concrete

  - StreamJet Ventilation™ internal airflow channels for maximum ventilation

  - Cam-lock™ Levers for easy strap adjustments

  - Registered Graphics for stunning visual appeal

  - Visor Plugs are provided for a clean look when visor is removed

We packed up the car and went to the 1st local Cross race of the season.  The race was in Elmer NJ.  Fred brought home 1st place in the c class.  The rest of us were about 2 minutes behind.  This was my 1st race ever.  It was mega fun although my lower back wasn’t super happy.  Cross is infectious.  Try it..

j-

This video clip is pretty neat.  It features Stan trying to kill a tire:

http://www.notubes.com/movie_newdemo.php