Most Innovative MTB for 2011

I was invited in July to see the 2011 Cannondale bicycles in Utah. I left thinking that Cannondale has amazing bikes and they are committed to their brand value of "innovation". The most impressive bike, in my opinion, was the new created Cannondale Jekyll. What an amazing bike, they created a bike that re-defines the All-mountain category. How about a bike that hits an ascent at 3" of travel and elongates to 6" of travel for gnarly descents. I found this tech report from Bike Rumor that has plenty of photos for you to inspect. Great images of the bike. You should have some tissues to catch your dripping saliva.

2011 Cannondale Jekyll re-defines the All-MTN category.
Say Good Bye to All Mtn and Make way for Over-MTN

We are so proud to represent 2011 Cannondale bikes. Jekyll bikes will be rolling in here early March. Save your lunch money for your next EPIC ride.

Sugoi Wallaroo 290 Baselayer

Hey guys,

Purchased the Sugoi Wallaroo 290 full zip top as a middle layer over the Christmas holidays.

It rocks.

For running, paired with a short-sleeved base layer and my winter-weight running jacket, the zip top keeps me toasty warm in conditions well below -20C wind chill. Over the weekend, I did two hours in -27C wind chills and felt very comfortable. On this morning's -18C wind chill run, I was too hot and had to unzip my jacket and take off my hat to keep from roasting. As such, I use the top between -20 and -30 wind chills as a middle layer.

For riding, I have paired the Wallaroo with a long-sleeved Cannondale base layer and last year's Cannondale LE Carbon jacket and have ridden comfortably in conditions as cold as -10C. (I have the Cannondale LE winter bib tights on my lower half). It was plenty warm during a two-hour ride - although I doubt if I could have tolerated conditions much colder. My C'Dale winter gloves struggled a bit, and below -5C, I have to augment them with chemical hand warmers.

As an aside, I see that you have 2XU thermal compression gear. I would be curious to hear feedback from runners. I use the normal tight down to -10C as a single layer and have raced down to -14C. Well, not exactly a single layer - I was wearing a running brief with a windproof panel where you would want a windproof panel. For training in condiitions below -10C, the compression tight becomes a base layer under my running pants. The combination of compression tight and running pant is good down to -30C. I am curious to hear about runners' experience with running with the thermal tight alone in conditions below -10C.

Warren

2XU Compression Calf Guards

I love technology when it works. There are bold claims that compression apparel provide benefits to recovery through a more efficient distribution of blood flow. These are tall claims and I have been researching the subject and excited that pro cycling teams like Garmin and Cervelo have incorporated this science into their recovery regime.
As many of you know I love cycling and it is my game. But Canadian winters are long and I have been running to help maintain some fitness; triathletes understand the cross training concept.
I have been running for about 6 weeks and feel stronger week over week. I have trying to stretch and get used to run training. I have been trying to run quicker run times week over week. I think the volume of km's, intensity and colder weather I have been feeling tightness in my right lower calf muscle. On Sunday I went for an hour run and after the run I stretch and try to recover but the pain did not subside. The next day while in the store, Via Ciclante, a friend and I were talking about compression and decided that I should try the 2XU calf guard. After some deliberation I slipped off my shoes and slowly put on the compression garments. They were incredibly tight and difficult to get over my heels but within 30minutes I had started to feel some relief. I carried on with the rest of my day not feeling the dull pain in my calf.
Later that evening I decided that I need to spin my legs on the trainer and rode for an hour pedaling quickly at a low heartrate. The strategy of combining compression garment with low intensity effort produced a positive effect. I was no longer feeling the ultra tight calf muscles. I stretched for the final time and left the compression calf guards on and after 10mins of stretching I decided to take off the guards. As soon as I removed them I could feel my feet getting warmer. The tightness in around the calf restricted blood flow to my feet.
Wearing the compression guards made a positive difference. I had felt this kind of calf fatigue from running over the last few weeks and with the guards the recovery time has been reduced dramatically. I may not run faster with guards but recovery is much faster, so I can get back at it day after day.

THIS BIKE IS PURE FREAKING SPEED!!!!

Giant Trinity Advanced SL 2

Seriously though, this bike is amazing. We will have the bike on display for the next few weeks as a lead up to us stocking the bike for 2010. The lines on this bike are so clean it looks like a space ship, all while maintaining the UCI's 3:1 ruling. Come by the shop to see the TT bike my own personal hero Lars Boom will be killing it on for 2010.