Motivational Monday with Ann Groninger
One part lawyer, one part cyclist, and all around great person!
2012 Raleigh RX Women’s Cyclocross Bikes
This is part of a series of short posts releasing the new 2012 Raleigh Bicycles women’s line. Everything from 29er mountain bikes, road bikes, hybrids, more carbon and women’s cyclocross bikes. I’ve got the scope, but we can thank Raleigh’s Sally on this one.
Want to know how I can tell you with 100% certainty that the bicycle industry is finally valuing women? Two things, women’s 29ers and women’s CYCLOCROSS bikes. Yes, it is old news (other news sites scooped it a couple weeks ago) but I need to share with you one of those things that I am so super excited about. Two, yes two, women’s cyclocross full bicycles from Raleigh Bicycles in 2012.
This could be do to Raleigh’s Sally having a girlfriend these days and realizing the needs of women. Maybe Raleigh’s Sally needs the shorter top tube and taller head-tubes that women’s bikes have to offer. Raleigh is taking a stand for cyclocross in 2012 with 8 models for cyclocross and I am proud of them for stepping up.
2012 Raleigh RX 1.0 Women’s Cyclocross $1,650
Aluminum frame, EC70 carbon cross fork and BB30. SRAM Apex & Rival 10 Speed.
2012 Raleigh RX Women’s Cyclocross $1,100
Same frame and fork as the 1.0 but stepping down to Shimano Sora 9 speed.
Photos from Bike Rumor
Stealing the photos from BikeRumor.com
2012 Raleigh Bicycles Women’s 29er Mountain Bikes
This is part of a series of short posts releasing the new 2012 Raleigh Bicycles women’s line. Everything from 29er mountain bikes, road bikes, hybrids, more carbon and women’s cyclocross bikes. I’ve got the scope, but we can thank Raleigh’s Sally on this one.
2012 Raleigh Eva 29er Women’s Mountain Bikes
You are hearing it here first, two models of 29ers for women from Raleigh for 2012. Yes, another large bike manufacturer seeing that women like 29ers too. Each model of the Raleigh Eva 29 will be available in three sizes, Sm, MD, LG, with women’s geometry (waiting for geometry chart.) Both bikes are mid to entry level but a great place to start for Raleigh. Once I see the geometry I’ll give more feedback! Raleigh did get the brake rotor size right. 180mm front rotors and 165mm rear rotors on both bikes.
2012 Raleigh Eva 29 Comp $1,050
SR Suntour 80mm fork with lockout. A mix of Shimano Deore and Alivio in 9-speed and Tektro Draco Hydralulic brakes.
2012 Raleigh Eva 29 Sport $770
Suntour XCR 80mm fork with lockout. Shimano Alivio 9-speed and Hayes Mechanical disc brakes.
2012 Raleigh Bicycles Capri Womens Road
This is part of a series of short posts releasing the new 2012 Raleigh Bicycles women’s line. Everything from 29er mountain bikes, road bikes, hybrids, more carbon and women’s cyclocross bikes. I’ve got the scope, but we can thank Raleigh’s Sally on this one.
2012 Raleigh Capri Women’s Road Bikes
You may or may not know but I’ve been test riding a 2011 Raleigh Capri for the past couple months. Timing seems to be everything as right when I’m about to post a review about a bike, Sally turns around and sends me the new information for the 2012 line.
Raleigh Capri Carbon 3.0 MSRP $3,000
Full carbon frame and fork with the same geometry as the Capri from 2011. A mix of Shimano Ultegra and 105 but mostly all Ultegra besides the 105 shifters and brakes. Available in 49, 52, 54, 56cm
Raleigh Capri Carbon 2.0 MSRP $2,400
Same frameset, full carbon as the Capri Carbon 3.0. Full 105 groupo and a lesser quality hub but same rims. Available in 49, 52, 54, 56cm
Raleigh Capri Carbon 1.0 MSRP $2,000
Same frameset, full carbon as the Capri Carbon 3.0. New Shimano Tiagra 10 speed and KMC chain (come on Raleigh.) Available in 49, 52, 54, 56cm
Raleigh Capri 4.0 MSRP $1,650
Hydroformed aluminum frame, carbon fork with alloy steerer. Full Shimano Ultegra 10-speed except for brake calipers. Available in 49, 52, 54, 56cm
Raleigh Capri 3.0 MSRP $1,300
Same aluminum frame and fork, but with a downgrade on parts to Shimano 105 10-speed for the majority of the drivetrain. Available in 49, 52, 54, 56cm
Raleigh Capri 2.0 MSRP $930
This bike takes a step down to Shimano Sora 9-speed and FSA cranks. A step up from the 1.0 with 8-speed but still not with the mainstay of 10 speed. Available in 45, 49, 52, 54, 56cm
Raleigh Capri 1.0 MSRP $710
The starter model for Raleigh, Shimano 2300 8-speed. A good beginner bike but if you get riding you’ll quickly ride out of this bike. Available in 45, 49, 52, 54, 56cm
Specialized Amira in the Wild
Do you remember the 2012 Specialized Amira I was so excited about? Bike Hugger captured a photo of one in the wild!
Photo Credit: Bike Hugger
View this and others over at BikeHugger.com
Review: Airborne Delta CX
I won’t lie, the Airborne Delta CX was the most exciting part of becoming a member of the Airborne Flight Crew this past spring. I was going to have the inside scoop, test ride and ride for a season a wonderful cyclocross bike that hopefully would crack open a huge “hidden nut” in the bicycle industry. A budget priced, disc brake, cyclocross bike. As a lover of cyclocross bikes for the utility and functionality, this bike fit right into my arsenal to refer friends and followers to.
Why a Cyclocross Bike?
Cyclocross bicycles to me don’t require you to race cyclocross, or even to know what cyclocross racing is. Instead, I’ve always looked at them as utility road bikes. You are able to run skinny tires (most cross rims can go down to 700×23) with more clearance for fenders, racks and all in a more upright position for commuting or those starting to ride on the road. These bikes are often equipped with more durable wheels, easier gearing and sometimes more durable frame/forks. The person buying one won’t have to worry about staying only on the pavement as ‘cross bikes handle gravel and light off road very well. Before the “comfort” fits that companies started coming out with 6-7 years ago I would put customers on ‘cross bikes for the more upright and comfortable fit.
Initial Thoughts of the Airborne Delta CX
The first time I rode the Delta CX was commuting from Monterrey California to the 2011 Sea Otter Classic. Straight up a huge hill, with the very aggressive tread cyclocross tires that come stock on the bike. I knew the bike wasn’t really setup for me, and all I had was 9 miles of trying it out but I really enjoyed the bike, especially the mountain bike cassette on the rear!
Fast forward a couple months, my second ride on the Delta CX was again a commute, 27 miles from my work in Charlotte North Carolina home to Mooresville North Carolina. Unfortunately it was a commute from hell. A flat in the middle of the worse part of town, a slipping seat post, and a creaking bottom bracket. All of these things are my own fault, a demo bike that was used in Sea Otter deserved a complete overhaul before a serious first ride. I didn’t give my little bike that luxury.
On my commute I did realize a few things on the bike quickly:
- I love disc brakes on cyclocross bikes
- The handlebars were super narrow
- Installing a standard rear rack on this bike would be difficult, time to look at disc brake specific rear racks.
Initial weight of my 55cm without pedals or bottle cages was 23.5 lbs
Critical Highlights Important to Me
In no specific order there is several things I feel folks should know about the bike when they are looking at it.
Obviously is the SRAM Apex drive train (minus cranks) which gives you 2×10 technology with gearing of 46/36 cranks and 11-32t cassette. Perfect for someone looking for a do all bike, and someone getting into cyclocross.
Next up is the disc brakes. This is something that is becoming a trend now that the UCI (main rule makers for pro cyclocross racers) have approved disc brakes starting this coming season. We will see in the next couple seasons a ton of manufactures expanding or switching their current cyclocross line up to disc brake equipped or at least disc brake ready frames and fork. You should know that the front disc is 160mm, standard disc brake sizing. The rear is a 140mm, which is perfectly fine for this usage but you normally only see this size on XC weight weenies.
Ability for fenders and a rear rack. The main guy behind product development, Jeremy Mudd, wanted this bike to be able to a little bit of everything. With rear rack mounts on the top of the seat stays and mounts for fenders at the bottom bracket chain stay bridge, and fork drop outs. You will need a disc brake rear rack, the guys at Airborne recommend the Blackburn EX-1 Disc that comes with a skewer to mount the bottom of the rack to.
Well equipped and well priced. Airborne Bicycles takes out the bicycle shop from the equation, saving the end user the extra margin that the bike shop would need. At an MSRP of $1,199 I can guarantee you won’t find a well equipped bike like this, with proper research and development behind it.
A warranty. Do I need to say more? How many “mail order” companies deliver a warranty with their bike, and a customer service line to call with any questions.
Swapping Parts on my Delta CX
Quickly I needed to change a few things out, saddle (immediately), handlebar, handlebar tape, tires, and seatpost.
Tires were swapped to my normal Kenda Small Block 8 that I live on other than muddy races. I’m able to pump up the tires to 80lbs and ride the bike on the road while still having the ability to hop off road when I need.
Handlebar was swapped mainly due to size. The 42cm FSA handlebar that comes stock on the bike measures 38cm center to center, causing shoulder pain and making the bike feel very twitchy.
When I swapped handlebars I installed Lizard Skin DSP 2.5 in Pink, but kept the stock stem.
Seat was immediate to a WTB Diva demo saddle, and the seatpost is a Ritchey WCS aluminum.
After swapping out these parts and installing Crank Brothers Candy SL (in pink) the bike currently sits at 22.1 lbs
Long Term Feelings of the Delta CX
Overall I am really enjoying the Delta. The disc brakes are encouraging when I hit some single track on the bike, and the mountain bike sized rear cassette has bailed me out on some steep mountain bike climbs. Now that I’ve swapped out all of the “touch points” I can say that the bike is handling and riding as I want. The last large upgrade will be the wheels, in hopes to bring the bike under the 20 lb mark for hauling over barriers this fall and winter during cyclocross races!
The Avid BB5 disc brakes do take some time to setup and be proper. Part of that is the long throw road calipers and disc brakes, part of that is the close tolerances I like to run on my disc brakes.
If you are in the market take the time and go check out the Airborne Delta CX before they sell out for cyclocross season. The bike might not fit your needs, but it will crack open that nut of the cyclocross market like no other mass producer will have the ability to do so.
Visit Airborne Bicycles, tell them I sent you.
FTC Disclaimer : I was not paid or bribed for this review. The Airborne Delta CX was loaned to me, Arleigh Jenkins, for free for the 2011 entire season. I was flown to Sea Otter for an all expense paid trip with Airborne Bicycles but hopefully you know from reading my reviews that the trip, nor the bike would change how I feel about the bike.
Exclusive Preview: Road Holland The Aalsmeer Jersey
A sneak peak exclusive for Bike Shop Girl from our friends at Road Holland. The folks at Road Holland are pulling their subtle styles and beautiful reasoning into a lighter weight merino wool (and polyester) full zip jersey, The Aalsmeer. It helps the jersey comes in two of my favorite colors, light blue and ORANGE! Did I mention they are being made in Miami?? Most of the photos displayed are the women’s jerseys but we are sneaking in a few of the guys for all you male lurkers out there! 
Welcome The Aalsmeer Jersey from Road Holland
When we launched Road Holland, we were flooded with emails from women who applauded our no girly-girl flower print design aesthetic. However, we underestimated a couple of things. One – that women like full zip jerseys just as much as men (even moreso if they wear bibs and we’ll leave it at that…). And two – that they really like Royal Orange.We listened and The Aalsmeer, our newest poly-blend merino wool cycling jersey, is our response.Cut from a lighter than air fabric, The Aalmsmeer is the perfect combination of sophisticated styling and serious performance. We’ve included a subtle Road Holland crown embroidery on the collar which is then lined with a smart tulip print (the only flowers you’ll see on our jerseys!).On the back, there are 3 ample cargo pockets and an exterior stash pocket that is perfect for holding credit cards and cash – things you don’t want flying out when you reach for that energy bar.The Aalsmeer is available in Royal Orange (Go Cavs!), Carolina Blue (Go Heels!), and Milky White.KEY FEATURES79% Polyester / 21% Merino WoolRoad Holland embroidered accentsStriped print inside the collarThree rear cargo pocketsAngled exterior stash pocketWaist gripperEarbud/headphone cord pass-through in middle pocket MSRP of $120
With an MSRP of $120 it makes these jerseys very competitive, as long as the fit goes along with all the wonderful things I have heard about Road Holland I’m sure these will be a knock out of the park.
What is the word Aalsmeer mean?
First, Road Holland names all their jerseys after a town in Holland (get it, Road Holland?) and Aalsmeer is where 90% of the world’s flowers pass through…. goes with our saying “women want real flowers, not flower prints on their Jerseys”
About Road Holland
We make serious and stylish cycling wear. Serious because cycling demands clothes that fit well, perform well, and last. Stylish because we believe riders shouldn’t look like ad-emblazoned corporate team clowns just because they are on two wheels. Do you wear a full Redskins kit for that casual weekend match of flag football? What about an authentic Yankees uniform for the afterwork softballl game? We didn’t think so. So if you’re looking for skin-tight, dye-sublimated cheap polyester with lightning bolts, cereal box characters, and team sponsor logos, you won’t find them here. You also won’t find any pretentious attitude here about what and who constitutes cycling. What you will find are friendly down-to-earth people with a love for top-notch materials, always in style designs with fun accents, and flattering cuts that make you look good on and off the bike, whether you are a male, a female, a whip thin racer, or a Clydesdale.
Road Holland is essentially two guys, the founder is Jonathan Schneider the designer and guy behind all the designs and reasoning. Richard Grossman seems to be the man keeping all the wheels turning in the background! Both having essential jobs to making Road Holland a quick success over their first year. 
A Somber Motivational Monday: Jeff Papenfus
A day late, but I hope my readers can recognize why and this Motivational Monday (on Tuesday) reaches folks where it matters. The setup will be a bit different, as this is a story from my fingers on someone that has motivated me consistently over the past 10 months.
There are people that you meet in life that hold your thoughts, and make you strive to be a better person or citizen. An example is every time I meet a proud Marine it makes my heart skip a beat, knowing what is behind the Insignia of the Marine Corps. Coaches that make you be a better athlete, bosses that make you smarter employees and parents that create amazing human beings.
Jeff Papenfus was and will always be remembered as an amazing human being. Always there to coach, cheer and motivate. After my accident last year Jeff was one of the main online contributors that got me back on the bike. He has always been at the end of an email string when I’ve had small questions about adventure racing, bike teams, life and even computer technology.
This past spring when I started the talk of EM:PWR cycling, he was one of the first people stepping up with words of wisdom and throwing his own money into the pot for a team jersey. The jersey still sits in my desk drawer, waiting for the lunch he has promised me for the past 6 weeks.
This past weekend Jeff was finishing up a mountain bike ride, the exact cause of why he crashed is unknown but he crashed. Sliding down off the road and into a yellow jacket hive. A friend was trailing behind him and when she pulled up she tried to give CPR while dialing 911 and being stung by over 100 yellow jackets. Jeff was pronounced dead at the scene with a neck injury, my hopes are that it was quick and easy for his passing.
Jeff’s accident and passing has changed feelings in my head and soul more than I thought. A guy that touched so many people, and is still touching my thoughts after his passing. To dedicate my cyclocross season and bike rides do not seem to give it justice. To push myself that extra 50% every time I put out the effort in life, that doesn’t seem to give it justice either.
I employ all of you to go for a ride for Jeff this week. Take in the sights, feel the breeze, look at the leaves and enjoy yourself for a moment. We never know how many tomorrow’s are left.
All the lonely people cryin’
It could change if we just get started
Lift the darkness, light a fire
For the silent and the broken heartedWon’t you stand up
Stand Up
Stand Up
Won’t you stand up you girls and boys?Won’t you stand up
Stand Up
Stand Up
Won’t you stand up and use your voice?There’s a comfort
There’s healing
High above the pain and sorrow
Change is coming
Can you feel it?
Calling us in to a new tomorrowWon’t you stand up
Stand Up
Stand Up
Won’t you stand up you girls and boys?Won’t you stand up
Stand Up
Stand Up
Won’t you stand up and use your voice?When the walls fall all around you
When your hope has turned to dust
Let the sound of love surround you
Beat like a heart in each of usWon’t you stand up
Stand Up
Stand Up
Won’t you stand up you girls and boys?Won’t you stand up
Stand Up
Stand Up
Won’t you stand up and use your voice?Won’t you stand up
Stand Up
Stand Up
Won’t you stand up you girls and boys?Won’t you stand up
Stand Up
Stand Up
Won’t you stand upWon’t you stand up
Stand Up
Stand Up
Won’t you stand up and use your voice? – Sugarland
Monday is an Easy Ride
Today is the day I started “cyclocross training.” It should have been July 1st, but well I didn’t. August 1st is a doable time period as NC Cyclocross runs later than most parts of the country, October 22nd is the first race. What does this mean?
This means I need to stay inspired and motivated for the next 6 months, through the end of January. It also means I hope to pull my friends kicking and screaming into the scene, while meeting new friends within the scene.
This means I need to ride, I am plugging into TrainingPeaks.com and doing my best to track things. I need to finish my food intake for the day, but normally within 3-4 days things click in my head and I easily start eating healthier. Easily finding comfort in a routine.
Ride One of the Season
What a better way to start of the season than with friends? An easy 1 hour spin around the neighborhoods and along the lake shore. Not a ton of miles (not much at all) but spinning around with 3 good friends is perfect. Tomorrow I hear they are dragging me out to run, good thing it is x-train and lifting day! Now to log off and finish watching the Bacherlotte!
Postponing a Motivational Monday
A very difficult motivational Monday will be coming, but probably on a Tuesday morning.
A dear friend, team-mater and supporter through the last year had a fatal accident over the weekend…
Follow Friday Links: Training for Cyclocross
I’m officially getting pumped for the upcoming cyclocross season. Maybe it is delirium over the heat lately, or maybe the simple feeling of setting a goal for myself and really wanting to meet it?
Over the years I have compiled a great list of resources for inspiration, information, tips and basic outlines of creating a training plan for the season. By no means am I recommended that any of these are replacing a dedicated coach, but it will give you some structure and inspiration! Next week I’ll work on the ‘cross blogs worth your following!
Training Peaks – Tons of training plans, great coaches, and their personal workout/food/training online system is killer. With a free option, or for a small fee a year they will track all your workouts, weight, nutrition and goals with ease! (I personally use this system, and have used it for the past 4 years.)
Cycle Smart - You can’t be in the cyclocross industry without hearing Adam’s name, or see the Cycle Smart kits. Adam has been an online friend of mine for years and always an inspiration come June/July through the winter.
CX Magazine – Daily news, tips and resources for the cyclocross racer.
Bike Radar - How to fit cyclocross training into a full time job
NC Cyclocross – My local series, come play with me!