This is a gallery of some of the fantastic kit we will be racing on this year, big thanks to all the sponsors for making it happen. We have already raced in Grand Canaria this year and the bikes and components were faultless, check out the pics and get some of this kit on your own bikes.
Andy Pattersons 2007 Speed II SL Custom
Words by Andy Patterson
Consider this... We are all as individuals a little bit different. Unless identical twins become more common or genetic human cloning becomes a reality we must all realise that there is only one of us. There may be others very similar in size and shape, there may even be people who look very similar, but out of 6,602,224,175 people on this planet I am unique.
Not only in our genetic make are we unique, the way we have been raised within our environmental and social constraints has shaped who we are today. "What are you getting at" I hear you ask.
In this day and age where every high street looks the same, where bike manufacturers have their bikes made in one huge factory where rival manufacturers are also having their bikes built, where clothing is made to fit around small deviations from the athropometric average and small, medium and large is supposed to fit all, its nice to have something at bit unique, something made just for you.
Custom kit can be costly and is only done by very top end companies or very small companies who don't turn out huge numbers of bikes. Either way you will have to pay a bit extra for the re alignment of the frame jigs, the measuring up of your unique body, the calculation of frame angles and the time taken to ensure the tubing or design used for your bike is strong enough to do the job it's required to do.
Endorfin do the whole custom package very well. I supplied my own frame measurements without any bike set up data as the 20 + years I have been riding different bikes has enabled me to mentally critique bikes, reducing a degree or two here, or add a cm there when im out riding.
The biggest problem for me is that I'm 6 feet 4 inches tall, no off the peg bike I have ever ridden for aggressive cross country use fits me. Most MTB's are made to fit around an average sized person at about 5 feet 9 inches. That 7 inches may not be much of a height difference but most bike's have only a 4 cm difference in top tube length from the medium to the largest size for example an 18 inch will have a 60 cm top tube and a 21 inch will have a 64 cm top tube (Sorry for the use of inches I'm using US geometry tables). Once you start adding longer stems and putting seat posts up to the limit its like riding a drunken horse.
My Endorfin Speed II SL had a stock back end only changed by a slightly longer seat tube. The main part of the custom build was the top tube at 65 cm it enabled me to come down to a 11 cm stem from my usual 13 cm beast, which has radically improved the handling around fast bends. I can also use a straight seatpost (although I don't have one at the moment), this will prevent me from sitting over the back wheel where I experience the full force of every bump that I ride over. A longer head tube also allows me to sit up more taking the weight off my hands without the need for a stack of spacers.
The curved seat stays do seem to be a little less harsh than standard straight stays but they are very thick tubes so the stiffness shows up any weakness in the spoke tension.
The finish of the bike is superb, Endorfin added custom Patterson Training graphics to the chain stays for that extra personal touch. I had a bit of fun fitting a pink Chris King headset that I had in the shed and some pink gear cables to match. I also used pink Gusset Bastard BMX grips to remind me of my roots but more to annoy jenn who took the mick constantly.
If you want something special that you know will enhance your riding experience have a look at the Endorfin website, it's good solid German engineering and to top it off they kit the bikes out with Uber components such as Tune, AX Lightness, and Syntace, adding to the whole ride experience.
Feel special go custom!
Dave Nelsons Clavicula Cranks
Words by Andy Patterson
David Nelson sent me these photos of his new Clavicula carbon cranks in May and I have just realised I haven't put them on the website so my appologies to David and here they are in all there glory.
I don't know much about these cranks other than the price which is a hefty £642.00 from Posh Bikes (http://www.poshbikes.com/product.php?id=365). The vital statistics are as follows,
Weight: 440 grams - Complete crank and bottom bracket assembly
Mounting: Fits any 68mm / 73mm BSA. Compatible with BB-mounted derailleurs (e.g. Shimano E-type)
Available lengths: 172.5mm or 175mm
Q-factor: 169mm
Finish: Gloss or satin clear lacquer
This is what the manufacturer has to say The "Clavicula" is a revolutionary new design of all-carbon crank. Designed in close cooperation with the Cologne-based design-specialist 'Formagic'.
New production methods never before used for cranks, achieve a giant leap in total stiffness, and the crank's stiffness-to-weight ratio sets new standards. In-house lab testing of various high-end cranks has proven the superior performance of the "Clavicula" crank system.
The cranks have a bolt circle diameter of 94 x 58bcd / 73mm with 172.5 mm and 175 mm crank arms. The sealed bearing bottom bracket attaches outside of the frame using the standard BSA threads (ITA also available for Italian frames). This design allows the use of larger diameter bearings and a wider bearing placement. In combination with the 30mm diameter axle these features make for a very stiff drivetrain.
Extensive testing, both static and dynamic have been completed successfully, to avoid even the slightest risk THM have set a rider weight limit of 85 kg (187 lbs.). These cranks have undergone extensive road tests with heavier riders and THM expect to be able to lift the limit after gathering enough information. Rider safety is top priority and the "Clavicula" is able to continually withstand highest loads - be it in hard sprints or during the toughest classics.
Sounds Good however for those weight weenies out there, remember that stiffness to weight just indicates that the crank is very stiff but its stiffness is related to its very light weight. It will flex more than a heavier high quality crank but then you will have to deal with the extra weight of the heavier stiffer crank.
Saying that in December 2006 THM Carbones issued this statement.
While several carbon fiber parts from Far East recently made the news with recalls, THM has decided to raise the weight limit for their Clavicula carbon fiber crankset from 85 kg to 95 kg (209 lbs instead of 187 lbs). Due to positive results with riders in the 85 kg to 100 kg weight range we have decided to raise the conservative weigh limit accordingly. Only the extremely lightweight double MTB crankset currently remains at a recommended max weight of 85 kg.
From a sport science perspective MTB cranks don't have to put up with high sprint loads that road cranks do, this can be seen on the world cup MTB and pro road race data that is supplied with SRM cranks. The peak power outputs are much greater in road cycling during fast accelerations whereas the power in an average mountain bike race is delivered much more smoothly in order to maintain traction and good pacing as you would in a time trial. So as long as you don't bash them of too many rocks they will be fine for most MTB riders, thats if you can afford them.
Dave's 2007 World masters race report can be seen on the News and Race reports page.
Jenn O'Connors 2007 VP4 Jenn
Words by Andy Patterson
If you have been keeping up with what the elite female riders have been riding this season you will be aware that Jenn has been racing on a two year old S-Works Stumpjumper that "luckily enough" we did't sell at the end of the 2005 season.
Whilst the vast majority of the teams had their bikes lined up and ready to go from October, we simply could not get hold of a small Scott Spark. Scott could easily sell their full stock of bikes four times over and their dealers are given priority over sponsored riders.
As Jenn is one of the few elite female riders who is comfortable on a full suspension bike, riding the stumpy all summer was not an option especially for longer rides greater than the usual two hour cross country race. And besides, learn how to change your riding style and put more of your training time into technical training and you will reap the benefits of a nice full suspension. The slow feeling is in your head its poor rider technique loosing efficiency that makes full suspension bikes feel slow.
The nice Adel Greshon at Nomark Distribution has recently become the UK distributor of Endorfin bikes (www.endorfinbikes.co.uk) and came to our rescue. They had the bike custom built with a custom paint job, and kitted it out with the AX Lightness seatpost, Smolke bars and carbon DT swiss shock all within about 2 weeks. So not only would we like to thank Adele and Mark for their kind help we would also like to congratulate them on the birth of their child this weekend, and If you need a long term athlete developement plan for the little one I'm your man.
Back to the bike.... What was noticable about the bike when I built it was the angles, it turns like a big bore Ducati 853 I used to have but it isnt too steep to limit its downhill stability which if you wanted to increase could easily be enhanced by fitting out World Cup Reba 100 mm travel forks.
The bike is very well balanced and even with the after market bling components that Jan Ullrich would be happy with, it still maintains its balance and is not weight bias towards the rear as seems to be the case with alot of full suspension bikes when you lighten up the front end.
The other noticable feature is the stiffness of the frame, it is an extra small so you would expect it to be stiff, but when paired with all the super light rotating components gives a very fast feel to the bike both in a straight line and on twisting singletrack. Also there is more than enough mud clearence that bikes ridden in the UK must have
With any full suspension bike climbing and energy loss are a big worry for most riders, even with a good riding style some linkage systems are not that efficient at getting the riders torque through the suspension to the track. Not the case with this, Jenn put 20 minutes into her nearest elite rival in the third round of the National Marathon Series on the hilly Margam Park course.... what more proof do you need.
The feedback from Jenn and the rave reviews in the magazines indicate that this is a serious bit of functional bespoke German bling, If you want to test ride one there will be a full fleet at Mountain Mayhem and Lutz Neuman from Endorfin Germany will be there to answer your Questions
I'll leave you with some VP - 4 review comments.
“Beautifully subtle detailing in more shades than you knew were possible, this lightweight German frame is a true multi coloured dreamboat.”
“When we noticed the almost imperceptibly bulged wall on the down tube after half an hour of casual ogling we knew we were staring at something special.”
“This is one seriously fast bike. The low overall weight is part of the instant zip drive acceleration of the bike, but its whole ride just screams speed.”
“The bike was a real reminder how good a proper 4 bar bike is.”
“It’d undoubtedly be a perfect Marathon/ Enduro/ Epic day bike”
“It might be a classic design, but there are fewer and fewer bikes with the total neutrality and permanent poise of a true 4 bar. Add the subtle details of every part of the Endorfin, an infectiously agile, instantly responsive, speed hungry character and some unique spec options, and there’s only one problem…What colour should you choose?”
Dave Nelsons Colnago C50
Words by Andy Patterson
The C50 is described as the MUST, the reference, the standard by which pro riders measure their bicycles. Winner of all the toughest one-day races like Paris-Roubaix, and Grand Tours, C50 Road has tubing and lugs of new generation high modulus unidirectional carbon fiber which provide extra stiffness and lighter weight.
The C50 Road has patented HP chain stays that increase stiffness under force and diminish road vibration. The rear seat stays use Colnago's B-Stay configuration which has 4 various sizes to optimize performance.
The bottom bracket is in CNC Titanium to facilitate maintenance.the MUST, the reference, the standard by which pro riders measure their bicycles. Winner of all the toughest one-day races like Paris-Roubaix, and Grand Tours, C50 Road has tubing and lugs of new generation high modulus unidirectional carbon fiber which provide extra stiffness and lighter weight.
The C50 Road has patented HP chain stays that increase stiffness under force and diminish road vibration. The rear seat stays use Colnago's B-Stay configuration which has 4 various sizes to optimize performance.
David has quite rightly equiped the bike with Campag Record, to me Shimano on an italian work of art like this is well.... wrong. The blue paint is one of Colnago's better options that keeps the classy look about the bike without it looking over painted and busy.
David has been shopping again as he wasn't happy with plain old Hyperon wheels, so he found himself a pair of Lightweights to give him a bit more zing on his rides. Having ridden and compared Lightweight wheels to Zipps and Mavic Cosmic carbon rims I wouldn't say they aren't any faster than the Zipps or Mavic rims which both roll very well and are very aerodynamic allowing you to use a bigger gear for the same power output.
Its on hills that the stiffness and very low weight of the Lightweights come into their own. If you use a standard spoke wheel on a hill climb and then replace the standard spoke wheel with the Lightweight wheel the feel of increased acceleration is very noticable. As soon as you push the pedal at the start of the down stroke the bike surges forward with ease, whilst giving off a pleasing resonance that reminds you of the extra speed you have at your disposal.
Are They worth the money? well If I had a spare £2000 I wouldn't deny myself a pair, they are worth it for the reliability (No spokes have ever been broken) combined with the low weight and fantastic looks, and remember "never substitute style for function".
Having a bike of this quality to tempt you away from cleaning the car or painting the kitchen is probrobly out of reach of most of us, but any bike that appeals to its owner and puts a smile on your face when you crest a long climb or zoom through a set of hair pin bends is worth its weight in gold.
Cycling is still the most efficient, healthy, environmentally friendly and enjoyable way to get around, so use the money you have been saving for the bigger car or house extension that you don't really need, get a bike and just ride.
Greg Roach and Sunday Cycles
Report By Andy Patterson
The Cheshire based KFS Sunday Bicycles pro road rider Greg Roach along with his wife Beth have launched their own brand of titanium road bikes named Sunday Bicycles (www.sundaybicycles.co.uk). The 3AL 2.5V titanium bikes are built around four framesets, road racing, etape, track and time trial. Follow the link to get all the details about the different bikes and read about the team that includes many top riders such as Rob Sharman who will be aiming to challenge the other major teams in the 2007 UK Premier Calendar.
The Silk Road Pro (Shown Below) is a top end high stiffness to weight ratio racing frame with built in comfort thanks to the unrivaled qualities of titanium and the curved seat stays. All the bikes are built in China and unless you have been living on the moon over the last few years, you should be aware that the technology and skill used to manufacture bikes in the far east is as good as if not better than europe or the US. I have not ridden the bike but it has that solid feel that goes with titanium bikes and built up with Easton EC90 and Dura Ace like the model shown below it weighs in at 16.8 lbs (56 cm). Ride quality and comfort were key factors in the design of the bikes and there are some neat features in the design such as the cable guides located on the head tube which allow on the fly adjustment without the risk of putting your fingers in the pokes and prevent cable outers rattling on the frame.
The bikes are neat, functional, light and comfortable and can be built up with a range of different specifications. The Silk Road Pro shown below retails from £1500 to £3100 for the spec shown below.
Dave Nelsons S Works Carbon Hardtail
Ian Marsdens Draft Handcycle
Andy Pattersons Gios
Patterson Training : Flat 9 St Lukes House : Pavillion Way : Macclesfield : Cheshire : SK10 3NE Tel No.07841118167
