2010 Specialized

Approaching the middle of the year as we are, it's time to start thinking about 2010. Especially in the case of Specialized where 2009 has been a mad sell-out.
Already unveiled and ready to order are do-it-all mountain bikes Hardrock and Myka and the best-selling Allez range of road bikes.


Hardrock

















Myka

















Allez

SXual Evolution - John's New Ride

So the SX Trail was Specialized's longest lasting full-sus design, widely regarded as the best long travel playbike ever to get thrown off a drop. When word filtered out that Spesh were revamping the model there were howls of dismay on the forums - why fix something that ain't broke? Surely tinkering with such a sorted platform would only lead to a diminished or compromised ride. Pro-change advocates argued that if the SX stayed still it would eventually get overtaken, even though that hadn't happened in five years.

Anyhoo, the new SX Trail was released, all swoopy lines and natty graphics and initial reviews were very positive, suggesting the fears of the naysayers were unfounded. Much was said about revised shock ratios and the unique eccentric pivot design but you and I all know that's not what's going through your mind when you're in the air hoping that your next contact with the ground will be tyres (rather than face) first.

As you'll know by now, we at Streetlife take product testing almost too seriously so it was with some joy that I was able to get my mittens on a (supposedly sold-out) SX Trail 1 2009. Now I could find out just how the new compared to the old, having previously given an ample thrashing to the original model. Well how can I put it? Fans of Spinal Tap, Campagnolo groupsets and football team talks will all be familiar with the illogical concept of 110%. Bearing in mind the old SX was perfect, the new one is 20% better in every respect. Hmmmm.

Basically, the frame is stiffer, especially through the linkage. This means it responds super quick to any rider input, whether you're popping it off a lip, stamping on the pedals to accelerate up a slope or snapping through sharp turns on sketchy terrain. The shapely tapered headtube helps out at the front while there's no doubt that the aforementioned eccentric pivot keeps things uber-tight in the heart of the beast. The result is a solid and incredibly well balanced bike that makes you want to do mad things. If you like to go big, you'll feel capable of going bigger; if you're a pinner, you'll be pinning it harder and faster than before. I'm riding lines that I spent three years peering nervously at, boosting lips I would have always compressed in the past and generally attacking the trails with a confidence and speed that'll no doubt land me in a pickle at some point. Watch out for some action shots as soon as I can free the bike from this danged hedge.

Bontrager TwentyFour12: 25-26 July

Sometime in the future it will be summer; the days will be warm and long and the nights short. That means the only way to really suffer on a bike will be to ride far too hard for far too long. To this end, Team Streetlife will be heading down in numbers to the annual Bontrager TwentyFour12 at Newnham Park near Plymouth. So if you fancy the idea of being part of a relay team riding for 24 hours then get in touch.

My Batteries Are Flat

So it's these winter rides where you learn about yourself isn't it? Well I've discovered several things:

1) What that bit of towelling on the thumb of my cycling glove is for

2) Warm, dry feet are the key to happiness

3) I feel safer in a bunch but sometimes I just like to ride by myself and get lost on my own time

4) Unless you're a milkman you'll be doing your after-work riding in the dark

5) I can't see in the dark (see item 4)

6) With bright lights and good physical preparation a winter blast can be the most fun you'll have on your bike all year

And here's the point - I've noticed a rather alarming parallel developing between the state of my bike light and the state of my body. All week I'm charging up and full of confidence, then the ride comes round and not only is the level of performance lower than I'd hoped but I fade badly over the second half and run out of steam all together about five miles from home. My legs twitching like a blinking backup LED, I grovel back to base in an embarrassingly low gear and recharge the batteries with recovery protein, hoping that if I eat enough I'll somehow burn brighter next time.

A hard ride is always good for promoting irrational thoughts - 'Are my tyres going down?' 'Will I get into a climbing rhythm if I sing an old Duran Duran song in my head?' 'Perhaps my speedo isn't working properly'. A dark winter ride just exaggerates the process. I mean, the other evening I was thinking, 'If my lights were better would I be fitter?' John

2009 Product wish list.

Rumours are out that these bad boys will be acquiring UK citizenship this year with the launch of Specialized 2009/10 equipment range. First up, the new to the UK but old to Specialized S-Works Chainsets. These in their various forms should be gracing our shores this coming year. Firstly the road sets, these are hollow carbon armed BB30 compatible cranks with interchangeable spiders available in 130bcd Nitride-Boron coated 53-39 ring configuration and 110bcd 50-34 and 48-34. There are also cheaper 53-39 130bcd,and also 50-34, 48-34 110bcd standard 7005 T-6 Hard-coat rings.

Second up are the mountain bike chainsets made using the same 2nd generation hollow carbon crank arms as the road models, these are available in a 42-26 double ring set up and also 44-32-22 configurations. They should be available in 170 and 175mm crank lengths.

Both these set ups are as yet only available in BB30 compatible units but they should be compatible with non-specialized BB30 set ups. Prices are as yet unconfirmed but should be around £350-£500rrp, pricey but totally worth it for what is a claimed 20% stiffness increase over conventional set ups.

Finally there are the new Roval wheels which might be with us this year if not 2010, already available in the states Specialized UK have loose plans to bring them into the UK. The newish ROVAL ROUBAIX™ 322X WHEELSET are desribe by specialized thus "A Classics-styled, endurance-ready wheel, the Roubaix uses a unique spoke pattern to create incomparable compliance-enough to carry you through 8 hours of cobbles and the velodrome sprint-while maintaining exceptionally high drive efficiency." Personally I think they look the nuts and as soon as they become available a pair will hit the tarmac on my tarmac.

Once again retail is unknown, but an educated guess would be between £450-£550, and claimed weight is 1550grams the pair. Watch this space for updates.

The Streetlife 100!

I am pleased to announce the date of the first monthly Streetlife 100 mile road ride. The inaugural event will commence at 7.00am on Sunday the 1st of February, leaving from Streetlife (54 West End Street NR2 4NA). The route is as yet unconfirmed but will take a rough route out towards Harleston, arching over towards Southwold, Beccles, Reedham, Cantley, Freethorpe, Wroxham, Felthorpe and then home, confirmed route and map will be posted on this blog closer to the date.

The ride is open to all levels of riding but remember it could be super cold and wet so only come if you are confident of riding at least 50miles on a bleak and dark winters morning (so lights please). The ride is primarily to meet other riders in the area and build a good social riding network for all levels. My intentions for this first ride are to get different levels of riders together and find the groups that people are happy to ride in and produce more effective training groups from it, and to introduce people to riders that can meet and ride with each other on separate occasions developing a broader range of training and social rides in the area.

If you have never ridden this kind of distance before the winter months are a tough time to start make sure you are confident you will be warm and dry, especially head, feet and hands. We will stop for a coffee and head count in Southwold so a little bit of cash would be a thought. If anyone has any questions please feel free to e-mail us at streetlifecycles@gmail.com

Top Lovely Bikes

We've just taken delivery of three spangly Specialized demo bikes at the Norwich shop. From the worlds of XC, Tri and Road, they all feature world-beating technology as well as looking downright lovely.

Epic Marathon Carbon

Transition Comp

Roubaix Expert

To see them in the carbon flesh give us a call to check they're here.
01603 626660.

New Streetlife Website

As you'll know if you've navigated from it, the Streetlife website has had a revamp and now works. We're keen to make it the first port of call for anyone in the area who wants to find out about bikes. That means we want to load it up with plenty of links, so if you know any sites that you think we should hook up to, send us the url. Catch us at streetlifecycles@gmail.com or visit streetlifecycles.co.uk.

Chicksands Jaunt - not another broken wrist

There was a fine turnout for the latest Chicksands excursion. Even Alex, our revered Manager and famously both wheels on the ground rider, switched to flat pedals and donned the shinnies and p. pot.






Andrew was on fire, hitting up the dirt jumps in the rarefied company of Chicksands golden boy Tom Dowie. Only a couple of other riders took on the big set all day so props to Andrew.



Charlie looked like he was going to be a candidate for rider of the day but opted instead for the less sought-after broken wrist award. There are ways of tackling the wallride successfully but Charlie ignored these and approached at top speed (top). The writing was, er, on the wall when Charlie's front wheel cleared the top edge (middle). At this point the key decision was how to dismount and quick thinking Charlie chose to land on his face and hands in a bank of earth (bottom).

Unfortunately, the combination of high velocity and immovable ground was more than Charlie's wrist could manage and a spot of surgery followed by a period of rehabilitation now beckons. Time to work on the glum but slightly heroic expression.

Oooo sweeties!

Various nice bits have come through the shop in recent weeks proving the old adage that things that look right normally work right. First up, the classic bling accessory - Chris King heasdsets. Top quality finish, legendary reliability and a great range of colours (we've even got the rasta colourscheme).








Profile Racing are famous in BMX circles, and increasingly among MTBers for their no-compromise approach to bike bits. For ultimate 3 piece cranks, disgustingly purposeful hubs and quite rudely beautiful stems, they're a hard brand to beat.







Are your barspins hampered by having ten feet of hydraulic cable flapping about at the front end of your bike. Fret not, the hydraulic gyro is here. Trickstuff's Tr!xer doesn't even need tabs on the head tube and comes recommended by the likes of Chris Smith and Slopestyle win machine Cam McCaul.

Having trouble posting?

It seems there may be some obstacles to you good people sending images direct to the blog. If this is the case you can still get your stuff up by emailing it to us on streetlifecycles@gmail.com. Attach any piccies (.jpg probably best) and don't forget to include your name and what/where the picture is. Also, if you've got any stills or video hosted elsewhere on the net, send us a link so we can all share the fun.

If your bike looks nicer than this...

...then send us a photo of it for goodness sake.
Actually, whatever your ride, let us know what you think of it. It doesn't have to be new - it could be some old crate that you just love.

Write a few well chosen words, give it marks out of ten, stars, whatever. Tell us why you like it, things you'd change, what else you'd compare it to. And include a piccy if you can.






By the way, the Colnago in these photos took two weeks to hand paint and has a price tag of seven and a half grand. It is not available from Streetlife.

Nice isn't it? New P2 CroMo

We've just taken delivery of a pair of these cheeky chaps and they really are the business. Your eyes may be drawn to the fashionable brown and white colour theme but check the details as well - Marzocchi DJ3 with none of that tiresome top-out, solid SRAM, Truvativ and Avid bits and Specialized's own big flange hubs in pimpin' pink. Sweet.

What's New?

Hi everyone, sorry about the lack of posts. Plenty to report.


First up, the BMX race meeting at Sloughbottom Nov 19th. All the guys with Streetlife stickers on their bikes gave a good account of themselves. Chris Carr made the Formula 1 A Final, which was a blistering race, won by World number 2 Alan Hill from National Champion John Lillingstone. Nice company to be rubbing elbows with! Fruity was on fire in his motos and semi but unfortunately got squeezed in the Formula 2 A Final. Charlie made the Formula 2 B Final riding his MTB but a quick switch to the Revell cruiser turbocharged him and he ruled it from gate to line. Andrew and Gary both rode well throughout the day and considering it was the first competitive outing for most of the gang a very fine day's riding by all. Big thanks to Norwich Flyers BMX Club for organising a great meet.


Streetlife regular and bike mentalist Chris Betts has been in with his self-produced video. If we can work out how to get it online, we will. It contains plenty of nutty moments from Chris's favourite Norwich haunts, Mousehold and the UEA.

We'd like to point out that all Chris's crazy ideas are entirely his own. Also that he's a shining example of what can happen if you spend too much time riding your bike.


Chris, years ago

Chris, recently

So the weather's a bit iffy at the moment, but that just makes it more fun to dream about the summer and perfect riding conditions. The 2007 Norwich 100/50 takes place on Sunday June 3rd so you'll want to get in training soon. In our opinion there's no better bike on which to ride the 100 than a Specialized Roubaix (Tom Boonen's new steed) so why not pop in and order yourself some cushy carbon comfort right now. (You can always stick it on a trainer until the rain stops in April).

Cushy Carbon Comfort

Send us your comments, pics, thoughts, rants etc. Also let us know of any good websites, blogs etc. you've come across. Dave Ansell introduced us to the following gems:
http://www.swobo.com/
http://www.howtoavoidthebummerlife.com/weblog/
Get clicking.

BMX Track Sunday 12th

Fruity
















Rebecca

















Chris

















Fruity and Andrew

















On the gate















Pix: Tim

Streetlife Cycles Now Blogging

Well, here we are. Trying to keep up to date with the march of technology we've set up this blog to keep the world up to date on what's going on in the land of Streetlife. Whether it's new bikes or products coming into the stores, pictures of nice / exciting / scary things, or just our thoughts about bikes and biking, it'll all be here.

Best of all, you out there can chip in with stories, links, race reports, whatever's on your brain. It'll be just like being in the shop but without the smell of the tyres (tip: stick your bike next to your PC).

Drop in.

Cheers, the Streetlife Team