Mechanical Services & Maintenance Headset: Adjusting the Headset The headset is a bearing fitted into the frame of the bicycle that allows the handlebars to turn smoothly. If the headset is not properly adjusted, handling will suffer and premature wear is possible. To test if your headset is tight, with the bike on the ground,…
At Fit Werx, our goal is to provide the most consistent builds possible. All bicycles from Fit Werx are designed to provide their owners with the best possible long-term ownership experience and to require as little adjustments as possible. Fit Werx Pro Build Steps Frame and Fork Frame Bearing Component Installation Cockpit Component Installation Wheels…
A version of this article was originally published in Triathlete Magazine Dear Tech Support, Are there any products or services that most athletes could benefit from, but that many people don’t use simply because they are not familiar with them? Fran, via email Dear Fran, This is a great question. Big and small, here are…
Here at Fit Werx our goal is to provide the most consistent builds possible. All bicycles from Fit Werx are designed to provide their owners with the best possible long-term ownership experience and to require as little adjustments as possible. Below we will detail what goes into our Pro Build step by step to show…
We have 2009 products coming in each week now and I don’t think we have been more excited about anything we have received than the new additions from Mavic. They have expanded their offerings this year with new wheel models, shoes, a very technical clothing line, updated computers, and pedals (available after the new year)….
My coach wants me to start using a power meter when riding so that we can track my progress in the coming season in hopes that I can race more consistently. The two main options that I have found are PowerTap and SRM. There looks to be a pretty big price difference between these two….
While everything from fans to magnets are used to create resistance in cycling trainers for 2008, fluid or centrifugal force are much better methods. At around $300, these three units offer some of the smoothest and most progressive resistance available; regardless of price, they are the heart of the value equation in trainers for most…
Mechanical, Compatibility & Friction – Energy and Power Use Breakdown* % of Total Power Consumption: Mechanics, Compatibility and Friction: 2%-100% of overall energy/power consumption The bottom line: Friction from an adequately maintained drive train, etc. can use up to 2% of your energy. Component incompatibility and mechanical issues are deal breakers. From flat tires and…
Weight of Bicycle – Energy and Power Use Breakdown* % of Total Power Consumption: Weight of Bicycle: ≈08% of overall energy/power consumption The bottom line: First, never forget that you the rider are 85-95% of the total vehicle’s weight – the bike and components are only 5-15%. Bicycle weight plays a comparatively small role in…
Tech Center Archive Ian Buchanan, co-owner of Fit Werx, VT has written Triathlete Magazine’s “Tech Support” articles as a contributing writer since 2001 and is a Serotta International Cycling Institute (SICI) core instructor. Dean Phillips, co-owner of Fit Werx2, writes” Bike Tech by Fit Werx” for beginnertriathlete.com Power Consumption Variables Power Consumption Overview Rider Aerodynamics…
A version of this article was originally published in Triathlete Magazine Part one of this series provided an overview of the most common manufacturing processes used in carbon fiber manufacturing in bicycles and bicycle component fabrication. In part two, we will discuss the raw materials (the ingredients) that go into making the carbon fiber prepreg…
A version of this article was originally published in Triathlete Magazine I want to get a new bike with Shimano’s Dura Ace components and with Zipp 404 race wheels. The problem is that I can’t afford both. Am I better off getting the race wheels and downgrading to Ultegra on the components or should I…