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I made the leap. Thanks to the encouragement of some fellow racers and a kind “grassroots” sponsorship of my team, I purchased a full RIVAL group mid-winter. Prior to doing so I was riding Shimano Ultegra, so it’s arguable that i took a step down in terms of the gruppo’s quality. That simply is not the case. SRAM is just nicer. This is not to say it is entirely free of flaws, but I’ve found it much better in many ways.

First, it was so much easier to install the rear deraileur. Shimano RDs would often take me panifully long to get shifting properly. The SRAM one worked so well almost right out of the box that I was nervous that something was/would go wrong. Not the case. from my understanding, it is much more ‘forgiving’ due to the amount of cable SRAM shifters pull as opposed to Shimano. anyway…

While my first uses of it were on the trainer indoors, I was impressed very early on by the stiffness of the crankset — especially given the price. The chainrings are also hard-anodized which is a nice feature and seems to make shifts up and down the two rings in the front very smooth. they also look very durable, but time will tell… one thing to note if you’re in the market: you may need an adaptor (my older frame required one) for your front derailleur if you do not have a braze-on mount, as they only offer a 31.8 and a 34.9 clamp size.

the “DoubleTap” control levers are really the highlight of the entire group — visually if nothing else. i did have a few instances of attempting upshifts by pushing in on the brake lever, coming from all Shimano, but having gotten used to it i almost dislike riding my “beater” w/ Shimano on it now. however, i have missed shifts. none while racing (despite a fast and rainy crit last night), but while on training rides in the rain, etc…the shift lever’s ability to be pulled inwards (for better shifting from the drops, etc…) occasionally allows my hand to slip between the brake and the shift lever. mostly this has occurred in the rain w/ gloves on, but once or twice just wearing gloves on a dry day. i would consider this, pretty much, a blessing and a curse. being able to “knuckle” your way down the cassette while sprinting from the drops is awesome and can’t be done on Ultegra, yet. so, i can’t really complain about it because it’s pretty much a push regarding benefit/drawback.

the brakes stopped me on my way down this. enough said. having to replace shiftercables is a bit difficult w. the control levers due to a awkward bend the cable needs to turn, but once you get past that it’s smooth sailing. all the other aspects, and diffrences from Ultegra, seem to work favorably and –like I said–just nicer. i highly recommend making the leap.

Georgia was amazing! I really didn’t even realize the magnitude until i rode to work last Monday morning. i was FLYING (i ran into my friend Ben, too). the fact that there was no grade anywhere had become foreign to me. every time we rode in Blairsville, and the surrounding area, it was either up or downhill. a totally new experience for me. in fact, most of the team’s derailleurs were in some sort of dis-repair duing some point of the trip — (who needs a derailleur in Chicago, right?)

i had no idea what to expect. i had ridden a mountain bike down an actual mountain when i was in high school, but i had never ‘climbed.’ i left my 11-23 cassette on — that goes to show what little insight i had. the ascents were the stuff that could break mere mortals, and every time i thought i could stop pedaling without going backwards i gave serious consideration to quitting.

the descents, on the other hand, were mind-blowing. miles of road to play with at speeds approaching 40-45 mph. several times i could not stop laughing hysterically; my voice obscured to others as winds howled past ears. as far as training goes, i am about as fit as i figured i’d be (not very but not bad at all). i am also positive i gained weight due to the team chef’s amazing meals.

today offically begins the road racing season. or, for me, “training for ‘cross” and hopefully being super-domestique to some of my teammates. we’ve got 5 days of racing for all to enjoy, so come down whenever you can! the new RIVAL is awesome, but i wanna race it a couple times too before my review. here’s a picture

i am back from camp and i have never felt faster on a bike… well, at least not for how much effort i’ve been putting out sine i’ve returned to Chicago. it’s amazing how much a little grade makes just riding around that much more of an ordeal!

RIVAL report asap! for more info on camp, check the team site again

I am off to team training camp in a matter of hours! I can not wait to ride outside of the city and get back into “racing shape.” Commuting is good for fitness, but not nearly as effective as long rides with little to no stopping (the opposite of all riding in Chicago…)

Upon my return I will be reviewing 2009 SRAM Rival. I’ve only ridden it on the trainer thusfar but i will put it through it’s paces this week — for sure. From the mag trainer to the mountains… I’m excited, to say the least!

Yes. That is correct. I have my “own” bike race. See www.halfacrecycling.org for details.

Anyone interested in giving back (or just plain giving) to the road bike racing community, please come out. We are in need of volunteers. It will last all week long, so there’ll be plenty of opportunities.

Overall, it’s a great introduction to criterium racing. I guarantee no one will ride away without having learned something.

contact me at kevin@bikeblogchicago.com

for more info.

I forgot to bring a camera… (I wish I had a shot of the IndyFab “crown-jewel” carbon lugs… ugh.)

That glaring oversight aside, this year’s NAHBS was amazing. The exhibitor list consisted of a good blend and the show floor was about as full as it could get. There was something for everyone, really; from art-conscious commuters to arduous roadies, and from cyclocross legends to mountain bike start-ups. All the bases were covered.

Beyond the show’s namesake – the hand-made bikes, there were plenty of other exhibitors displaying new components, clothing, fit-systems and everything in-between. It was these exhibitors that caught my attention most. I do love some bike eye-candy, but I’m a bit partial when it comes to custom bikes… hoping to call Brent for a Eurocross someday soon…

The first new “concept” that I got to demo at NAHBS was SRAM’s new Hammerschmidt mountain bike “front derailleur.” I “quote” it because it’s hard to explain. Also, with my very limited MTB experience I didn’t except to be as blown away as my fellow attendee and friend who is a dirt-bag from way back. Well, it is unbelievable. The shits are so crisp and its ability to positively engage both an up or down-shift while the rider isn’t even pedaling is mind boggling.

The other item that I was extremely impressed by was the electronic Dura Ace Di2 group. I got on the demo bike and the sales-rep kinda led me through it. Again, I didn’t expect much but ended up blown out of the saddle. At first I couldn’t figure it out, so he asked me if I’d used Shimano controls before. I have, but still couldn’t up-shift. The guy just pushed a button right above the paddle and viola! It was amazing and a lot of fun. The noise it makes is almost sci-fi film-like. I still like SRAM and can in now way afford Di2, but the future looks cool as hell thanks to Shimano.

Back to the bikes; the two Portland-located builders really stood out for me: Vanilla and Courage. If you love bike porn and had been to any UCI ‘cross races this past fall, there’s no way you could’ve overlooked the Vanilla team. I can confidently say they’ve got the hottest bikes in the Elite men’s field. Equally hot, but without an Elite squad – for now – is Courage. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting with Jonathan at Chicago Cyclocross Cup races. His bike is the classiest in the city, hands-down. They’ve got big things in the works for Midwest CX racing, and I hope to remain in contact with them.

It’s a bummer, for sure, to come back to another snowstorm after dreaming of decadent days in the saddle on my bike, but I can look back fondly. Scour the Web for pics – there’s some really cool stuff to look at. Don’t know where the show will be next year but if it remains as well-attended as it was Saturday, it should be a success.