jonathan's blog

2011 Fuji SL1 Comp, Pro, RC Review

Submitted by jonathan on Mon, 08/16/2010 - 11:26

2011 Fuji SL1 Comp, Pro, RC Review

I personally cannot wait for the 2011 versions of the SL1 comp, pro and RC to come out. Not just because I think they are awesome bikes, but because I feel like they satisfy an awesome price point in the market. Granted, one could get a 2011 CAAD10 for 1800 bucks, but for 400 more dollars you could get this full carbon bike. And trust my, do some road races over some shotty road surface and you will be grateful for any extra inch of compliance you can get.

Furthermore, with the SL1 over the CAAD10, you also get Askiums instead of shimano RS80s or whatever. But you have to hand it to Shimano, they certainly know how to make a nice looking boat anchor. Sorry for the shimano hate, it's just that my front derailleur recently completely stopped working. The reason: who knows. But I had to soak the thing in oil for about an hour just to get it to shift into the little ring.

Here is my prediction for the 2011: The continued use of the Ksyrium wheels (they seem to be raging these days). Color matching huds that look as good as they did in 2010, pictured below.

You can bet that one of the best bang for the buck bikes will be the 2011 Fuji SL1

2011 Cannondale Synapse 3,4,5 hi-mod, Di2 and Women's Review

Submitted by jonathan on Sun, 08/08/2010 - 10:22

2011 Cannondale Synapse 3,4,5 hi-mod, Di2 and women's

The 2011 Cannondale Synapse will continue to be one of cannondale's most comfortable bikes.

You can expect there to continue to be the 3,4,5 hi-mod, Di2 and women's versions.

Also, expect cannondale to continue to offer their BB30. One thing I don't like about the BB30 bikes is the limited crankset choice. Since there is no Rival BB30, you can't really expect to see any "full" rival builds. But hey, at least there is the alternative of a force crankset.

Last time I had my hands on a synapse frameset, I took the rear seatstays and squeezed them together. There was a noticable amount of flex that made this bike feel very comfortable. Another area devoted to comfort is the front fork. You can see how the blades taper in towards the hub. This also generates a buzz and bump absorbing flex that will smooth out chip and seal like no other bike.

While this bike appears to be a congruently comfortable, flexy bike, I don't really understand how the wheel and tire combo play into this marketing strategy. Did they just have some extra schwalabe race tires?

If this bike is meant to be comfortable on long rides, why put a puncture prone race tire on it?

Anyway, at the various price points offered for this bike, I'm sure that it will serve a great niche in cycling.

Check back in a couple of months when we actually get our hands on the 2011 Cannondale Synapse. Hopefully we can get the Di2 version and give you the full write-up!

2011 Scott Speedster S10, S20, S30, S40, S50

Submitted by jonathan on Wed, 08/04/2010 - 09:08

2011 Scott Speedster S10, S20, S30, S40, S50

The 2011 scott speedster will most likely come in a variety of flavors, just like previous years. Im guessing that they will start at the S50 with Sora and then Tiagra on the S40, a Tiagra/105 mix on the S30, a 105/ultegra mix on the S20 and a full Ultegra setup on the S10.

Maybe if we are lucky, we'll see some rival or apex in the mix somewhere. I guess it really all depends on what price points they want to offer.

I have to say though, that I'm really not vibing on this line. Even the top of the line model with their bias weight estimates comes in at a hefty 19 pounds.

The flat bar is cool and all but I think it takes away from the product as a whole. No one wants to buy an entry level road bike and throw it into a crit and see essentially the same bike being ridden on local trails at 10-11 mph.

What I'd like to see with the top of the line S10 is as follows: Ksyrium Elites, BB30 with a Force crankset and all other components rival. That build right there will give you a sub 2000 dollar bike weighing in somewhere around 17.5-18 pounds.

It's unclear what Scott is going to do for their 2011 bike lineup. But rest assured, the 2011 Scott Speedster will see some great changes.

2011 Specialized Roubaix SL3

Submitted by jonathan on Wed, 07/28/2010 - 06:25

2011 Specialized Ruby SL3

Well well well. Looks like more technology is trickling down from the Tarmac to Specialized lower end lines. I've seen the 2010 Specialized Roubaix before. The first thing I always notice when I look at this bike is the gap created by the curved top tube and the straight brake cable.

The 2011 Specialized Roubaix made it's debut at the Paris Roubaix.

My favorite part is that that finally routed the cables internally for this oddly shaped 2011 Specialized Roubaix

2011 Cannondale SuperSix Hi-Mod 1,2,3 and Ultimate

Submitted by jonathan on Wed, 07/28/2010 - 05:58

2011 Cannondale Supersix Hi-Mod 1,2,3 and Ultimate

In recent years, Cannondale has been pretty predictable. For example, with the CAAD9 to CAAD10, you could guess that after they took manufacturing out of the US, they would have to completely overhaul the seatstays that said "Made in The USA."

So what will be new with the 2011 Cannondale Supersix?

Fundamental frame changes: Don't expect anything major. No other big frame designers are creeping up on the Cannondale Supersix's differentiation points.

Wheel selection: Definitely will change. Expect to see every variety under the sun.

Groupsets: The lower end models will probably feature some form of Sram Force or Ultegra. The Ultegra models will most likely feature some sort of FSA SLk Lite crankset to accomodate the BB30. I'm pretty sure SRAM makes a Force BB30 BB. Other than that, expect some Di2, Red and DA action.

Other than that, expect some minor changes to the 2011 Cannondale SuperSix

2011 Cycling Jerseys, Bibs, Socks, Shorts, Caps

Submitted by jonathan on Sat, 07/24/2010 - 09:59

2011 Cycling Jerseys, Bibs, Socks, Shorts, Caps

2011 is going to be a massive year for us at Share The Damn Road. We are working with new suppliers from all over the world in an effort to give you what you want as quickly as possible.

In 2011 we are going to deliver you three distinct products: apparel, professional cycling tips, cycling gear reviews.

Apparel: Share The Damn Road is working with new suppliers to get our Custom Cycling Jerseys turnaround to under 4 weeks. We currently have the design capability to do full custom and factory capacity to do orders that well exceed anything a single team would ever need. Keep an eye out for Podium Apparel. We are going to reinvent the way cycling impacts your lifestyle.

Ask A Pro -- Professional Cycling Tips: We want you to have the best experience possible on your bike. It makes sense, doesn't it? We don't want you to bonk on your next sub 5 hour century ride while wearing one of our jerseys. So, ask away and get some advice you'd usually have to pay for.

Cycling Gear Reviews: Whenever we are sent or purchase a new great cycling product, we are going to relay what we think of it back to you guys, our valued customers. To be honest, we want you to have the greatest bang for the buck when it comes to your cycling purchases. Nothing turns me off cycling more than buying a set of carbon pedals only to find out that they make my knees feel like garbage. Conversely, nothing makes me feel better than shaving a few seconds off of a TT after riding around with a power meter for a few weeks.

2011 Trek 2.1 2.3 Review

Submitted by jonathan on Fri, 07/23/2010 - 06:30

2011 Trek 2.1 2.3 Review

Well golly, I don't know how much we can trust Trek after Lance's sad sad Tour de France performance this year.

Who am I kidding? The quality of the Trek that Team Radio Shack rides is probably far different from that of the ones you can find in the story. IE, the carbon fiber is probably laid by their most experienced people, geometry has been customized, the components are whatever the rider prefers.

I actually just heard on Eurosport that Trek actually pays Team Radio Shack upwards of 1,000,000 Euros to ride their bikes throughout the season. While this makes sense, I just have trouble believing anything I hear on TV.

Anywho, on to the trek 2.1/2.3, what to expect.

I think you'll see here the same Trek 2.3 you did last year with a couple of variations. You'll get a new seat, new bar tape, both color coordinated. You'll find the usual 105 that you find on every entry level race bike. The new addition I speculate will be Apex. Perhaps even a Sram Apex/Rival combo.

Hilarious Power Meter Fred

Submitted by jonathan on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 08:45

Actually sounds like some people I know.

Shimano Ultegra 6800 Review -- DA7900 Di3 Predictions

Submitted by jonathan on Mon, 07/19/2010 - 18:37


Shimano Ultegra 6800 Review -- DA7900 Di3 Predictions

Alright kiddos, sit back, relax, and take notes, you might actually learn something here.

Every year, bicycle component manufacturers dump millions of dollars into R&D. Out of these new wild innovations, a few cool tricks get applied to their top of the line sets. Where don't the innovations go to? Their lower end models. So, for 2011, you can anticipate a few things.

Shimano is scared. A lot of people out there are buying SRAM based on weight savings. I know that every day I think about buying a red group for my crit bike. Why spend twice as much on Ultegra when Rival is lighter? I would bet that you will see significant reductions in weight in 105 and Ultegra.

Ultegra may get a few carbon pieces, who knows.

What I do know is that Shimano needs to release Di3. This is a piece of the market that must be developed. It will essentially be a heavier, 9 speed, tiagra weight equivalent of Di2 and will be priced more affordably. This will essentially split the market and capture those who don't necessarily need a 15 pound bike and want a smooth, crisp shifting, low maintenance groupset.

2011 Specialized Allez Elite, Sport

Submitted by jonathan on Sun, 07/18/2010 - 08:02


To be quite honest, I never really thought specialized had their head screwed on straight in the Entry Level road bike market. Let's just analyze this picture from 2010 right quick. Skip to the bottom for the 2011 roundup.

Three things I dont like, right off the bat. First, HOLY SPOKE COUNT. What's the deal with that? A lot of people purchasing an entry level bike are probably going to buy on cool points above all else, I know I did when I first got one. And a 32 spoke wheel just looks bad, in my opinion. How come on Cannondale's similarly priced line, they can give you a decent pair of Shimano RS10s with 20/24 and bladed spokes? Remember, you're looking at their top model allez with 105.

Second: that black crankset. What part of the frame has black paint on it? Im not saying it should be white, just the black detracts from a lot of the cool white writing on the bike. A wag of my finger at you, Specialized.

Finally, take some spacers out of that headset for the showcase photo!Why are you flipping the stem if it is still going to be a mile high!? Look at any other bike pic on their website and you will see that the stem is slammed. I guess they are trying to appeal to riders who want a more relaxed geometry. Not saying there is anything wrong with riding a bike with high bars, just saying that for a photo that is supposed to make a bike look cool, take all the spacers out.

So Specialized, what have you learnnnnnned?

Not a lot, apparently. Check out the 2011 version pictured below.

Well, they did get rid of that black crankset. But oh, wait, there is now black lettering on the bike. It would have matched perfectly. Better luck next year, I suppose.

Poor color coordination? Check.
Massive spoke count? Check.
Bazillion spacers in showcase picture? Check.

But other than that, the bike looks ill. There apparently is going to be two versions of the Allez frame, the E5 and the A1, steak sauce.

The carbon blades on the fork are straight.

Oh my, what is that? Is that Sram Apex I see? RIP Shimano.

Good night, sweet prince.

PS. Don't forget to click the "Like" button at the top and share this with your friends on facebook.

Syndicate content