WINTER ISSUE 19

ith so much going on in the business, I am never short of things to mention

as we look back over the last few months. In fact, it’s more a case of what to leave out than what to put in! The big news is that after many months of discussions, we will be representing Rotor exclusively in the UK from 1 January 2016. Carlos Sastre’s 2008 Tour de France win using Q-Rings brought Rotor to our attention and we have watched the brand’s progress closely, admiring its innovative approach to cycling ever since. As we welcome Rotor, along with Sidi, to our business, it is with great sadness that we have taken the decision to conclude our longstanding relationship with Felt Bicycles at the end of 2015. Deciding to go our separate ways was a very difficult choice to make, however, we could no longer ignore the fact that the two businesses were going in different directions and that it would be in everyone’s best interest to make a change in order to remain the best of friends. We are proud of what we have accomplished together and genuinely wish Felt every success in the future. As the business continues to grow at a rapid rate, and with more major international brands joining the portfolio, I am pleased that the groundwork for our new purpose-built headquarters is finally underway. The thought of having space to move again is exciting for everyone in the company and all being well, we should be in by the end of the summer. We will use our 2016 House Show as the perfect opportunity to welcome you all to our new home. 2016 promises to be another exciting chapter in our business and everyone here at Saddleback would like to thank you for your support and wishes you a successful year ahead.

ANDY WIGMORE MANAGING DIRECTOR

COVER CASTELLI WINTER TRAINING

PHOTOGRAPHER JERED GRUBER

DESIGN / EDITOR NICK.COX@SADDLEBACK.CO.UK

FEATURES EDITOR TOM BALLARD

CONTRIBUTORS DAVE BARNAVILLE, EMILY CARR, NICK COX, DAN DUGUID, JESS GREAVES, ROSS GRIMMETT, ASH MATTHEWS, ANDY WIGMORE.

PHOTOGRAPHERS NICK COX, PARIS GORE, JERED GRUBER, SVEN MARTIN, IAN MATTESON, XTERRA.

SADDLEBACK LTD UNIT 10 EASTER COURT, WOODWARD AVENUE, YATE, BRISTOL BS37 5YS

ONLINE saddlebackb2b.co.uk | facebook.com/saddleback | twitter.com/Saddleback_Ltd | instagram.com/Saddleback_Ltd

06 THE GALLERY

16 NEWS

20 EVENTS

26 FRESH PRODUCE

34 THE OFFICE

38 BEST SELLERS

40 ROTOR BIKE COMPONENTS

46 DIFFERENT PATHS

48 END OF AN ERA

50 PETER NADIN

52 BRAND IDENTITY

54 GOING FULL GAS

56 MEDIA COVERAGE

58 TEN QUESTIONS

60 INSTAGRAMS

CHRIS FROOME GETTING HIS SIDI SHOE READY FOR WAR.

61 STAFF RIDES

62 NEXT ISSUE

ENVE STAFF RIDERS ON SES 4.5 WHEELSSNOWBASIN ROAD, UTAH

PHOTOGRAPHER IAN MATTESON

T H E G A L L E R Y

ENVE STAFF RIDER ON SES 2.2 WHEELSWINTER CLIMBING, UTAH

PHOTOGRAPHER IAN MATTESON

T H E G A L L E R Y

LARS STERNBERG SMITH OPTICS ATHLETEHOOD RIVER, OREGON

PHOTOGRAPHER PARIS GORE

T H E G A L L E R Y

CASTELLI RIDERWINNER TRAINING

PHOTOGRAPHER JERED GRUBER

T H E G A L L E R Y

CASTELLI RIDERWINNER TRAINING

PHOTOGRAPHER JERED GRUBER

T H E G A L L E R Y

“Given the addition of high profile brands such as Sidi and Rotor, and being mindful of what is to come, we needed to add some extra strength to our brand team,” says Saddleback managing director Andy Wigmore. “With his considerable experience Dan will be ideally placed to help facilitate future brand growth.” TOM BALLARD

Former British CX champ and NFTO pro rider, Ian Bibby, has returned to the discipline to re-test his – now road focused – mettle against the cold and mud of the British cyclocross season. In only his second race back, the Prestonian took silver at the National Trophy race in Ipswich on 30 November.

“I’ve done two races so far this year,” says Bibby. “The first race was after a two-week holiday to America to eat burgers… so it was no surprise when I nearly got lapped. The second being this weekend’s National Trophy where I finished a more respectable second.”

With his last full ’cross season being back in 2009, Bibby is now seeking to repeat his 2010 National Cyclocross Championships title in Shrewsbury on 9-10 January. We’ll already know the outcome by the time you read this.

NFTO RIDER GOES BACK TO MUD

Following continued brand expansion, Saddleback has appointed Dan Duguid as our newest brand manager.Dan is the latest industry professional to make the move to Saddleback, and will be primarily taking good care of Rotor, Stages and Arundel. Dan is well known throughout the UK industry thanks to previous posts at Cycling Weekly and Cycle Sport magazines as well as his experience as an elite rider. He joins us following a hugely successful five years as Sigma Sport’s head buyer and will strengthen the brand team under senior brand manager Rich Mardle.

“Saddleback’s list of premium brands gives the company a unique position within the industry and with the recent acquisition of Rotor, it is an exciting time to join the brand team.” DAN DUGUID

BIBBY’SCXRETURNThe 20th Xterra World Championship proved massively successful for Saddleback brands, with sponsored athletes from Enve and Stages taking victory in the beautiful surroundings of Kapalua, Maui. The year’s most important off-road tri saw Enve-sponsored Josiah Middaugh, take the win. Coming out of the one mile swim two minutes behind the leaders, Middaugh managed to crash twice on the 20-mile bike course – but his Enve wheels helped him get back on track. Due to the crashes, the American left T2 with 1:40 to make up, then smashed the 6.5mile run course to storm to victory with a 41:59 run split, crossing the tape in 2:35:32.

Flora Duffy returned to the Xterra world champs with the pressure of defending her 2014 crown. The Stages athlete posted the fastest female swim to take a lead of 3:45 on two-time champ Lesley Paterson of Scotland, but like Middaugh, the Bermudan had a terrible bike ride; hitting a tree, falling in a big muddy puddle and sliding out on a corner. By the end of the two-wheeled section, Paterson had evened the score with the day’s fastest bike split. During the run leg, Duffy put five minutes into Paterson, who was fading from the effort. A stellar 46:23 run split meant a 2:54:17 finish to take her second consecutive title and place Stages and Enve at the top of the women’s and men’s podiums respectively. TOM BALLARD

ENVE AND STAGES ATHLETES TOP MAUI

SADDLEBACK STAFF

“I’m just sticking to my road training for most of the winter, with a cross race at weekends and then I will hopefully move to more specific stuff later.” IAN BIBBY

TEAM NFTO

NEWS

FOR MORE NEWS HEAD OVER TO WWW.SADDLEBACK.CO.UK

Among all the finery on show at the Rouleur Classic (see page 20) was this stunning Enve-equipped Cannondale CAAD12, decked out in striking USA colours to draw in showgoers. The frame was custom-sprayed by Fat Creations in Chichester, with expert masking used to pick out the stars and logo in the frame’s natural alloy. The distinctly patriotic flavour of the bike is enhanced by three major nods to the made-in-the-USA company from Ogden, Utah. Topping the list is a pair of Enve 4.5 tubular wheels. Built around silky Chris King hubs, the rims feature proud white decals and are wrapped in Schwalbe One rubber. Up font, there’s Enve’s impossibly light full carbon Short Shallow bar with stealthy black on black decals, matched by the two bolt seatpost, seen here in 25mm offset guise.

Enve’s latest creations, the SES 7.8 wheels are now in stock and available to order. The new design is Enve’s fastest to date, outdoing the deeper 8.9s while offering superior stability and a new brake track, which offers equally powerful wet and dry stopping power. All this will appeal to triathletes seeking maximum gains on tough courses such as Kona – the location of the 7.8’s official launch last October. It was also here that Enve athlete Rachel Joyce took second place overall at the Ironman World Championships.

USA! USA! USA!

ENVE SES 7.8

ENVECAAD12

CAVENDISHSIGNS

INSTOCK

Mark Cavendish will be racing using a selection of Enve and Rotor gear during the 2016 season as the Manx Missile signs for Team Dimension Data – formerly known as MTN-Qhubeka.

A coup for the African team, Cavendish will join the multi-national squad whose major goal outside top racing results is to change lives in Africa’s poorest areas by providing bicycles to those in need. At the time of going to press, nearly 5,000 bicycles have been funded in 2015 alone.

Cav’s signing has led to something of a former-teammate reunion, with right-hand lead-out man Mark Renshaw also coming aboard, along with Bernhard Eisel, who rode with Cavendish during his HTC and Team Sky days. Edvald Boasson Hagen – another Sky alumnus – is already a member of the squad along with American sprinter Tyler Farrar. All this means the star attraction’s lead-out train should be one of the strongest in the world.

Cavendish, along with these other top-tier signings, came at a crucial point for the team, which has just earned WorldTour status. The

MANX MISSILE ON ENVE AND ROTOR

“It’s fair to say that most of the peloton has seen how incredible the Team raced. To join it with the target of helping to win even more races with other strong, experienced household cycling names is going to be real special, as well as assisting the talent of the young, African riders to top level success.” MARK CAVENDISH

highest ranking in pro cycling, this will allow the team automatic entry to all three Grand Tours.

“I’m super excited about becoming a part of the Team for 2016,” said Cav. “It is a team that I have watched closely as it has grown, especially over [the 2015] season and been really impressed with the spirit, strength and dynamics of the group.”

The former world champ and Green Jersey winner added: “Also, for me personally, one of the biggest incentives is riding for a greater cause in the Qhubeka charity. I’m really looking forward to having a successful year on the road alongside the other guys and helping directly to get more bikes in the hands of people who need them.”

Rotor will be providing cranksets, chainrings, power meters and even the new Uno groupsets to the team for the 2016 season while Enve is building on its first Tour de France outing with increased support for the new season.

All this is great news for Saddleback, with one of the sport’s greatest riders showcasing our brands on the biggest possible stages in world cycling.

NEWS

In the last issue we mentioned our shared excitement about the prospect of a new office and we can now confirm that the build is firmly underway! We are hoping to move the mile or so from our current location this summer.

The new headquarters will boast a warehouse that’s six times bigger, a contempory office area and a high-end showroom to name but a few of the key features. The new bepsoke office space will reflect the ethos of elite performance and creativity that Saddleback stands for with high quality work areas in a sophisticatedly decorated space.

We have seen continual growth of our brands in the cycling market and this new headquaters is a statement of our investment and faith in the cycling industry and what it means to all of us here at Saddleback. NICK COX

Castelli athletes Andreas Raelert and Timothy O’Donnell battled searing heat in Kona, Hawaii, to score second and third place at the Ironman World Championship in October. Both athletes were instantly recognisable thanks to their striking Castelli custom tri suits. Raelert ran through the field to cross the line in 8:17:43 with a 2:50:02 marathon, while O’Donnell held tough for an 8:18:50 finish.

On 13 February, Justin ‘Juzy’ Hoy will celebrate 10 years at Saddleback. Our second longest-serving staff member, the ex-garage door salesman and elite road racer turned up for his job interview with a garage door atop his white Ford Escort. No-one could have then predicted the impact the rakish figure would have on the business.

The first Saddleback employee with an elite cycling pedigree, Justin jumped in as south-east area manager. He travelled the home counties, recruiting new dealers with self-effacing charm and considerably intimidating height.

“His reputation as a cyclist was excellent and remains so now, even in his ailing years!” says national sales manager Anthony Evans. “His racing pedigree was very influential in helping to attract high-end brands and increase Saddleback’s credibility. In fact, his inability to sell anything that’s not high-end has definitely influenced the company’s direction!”

Such was the case with Castelli: “Saddleback’s major change and shift towards road bikes happened when I bumped into Camilla from Castelli in October 2006 at the London Cycle Show” recounts Justin. “‘Hi I’m from Castelli and I would like to talk to you about clothing’ she said. ‘Yes! Come with me to meet Andy,’ I replied!”

Justin has also been key in developing our sponsored teams, including Felt Colbornes Hargroves and NFTO, while his determination to bravely fight through a red wine intolerance has led to Justin’s joint title as holder of the most expensive room bill at Core Bike.Congratulations to Justin for reaching this 10-year milestone. TOM BALLARD

In early November, the Saddleback Fred Whitton Challenge held a very special dinner at the Grange Hotel in Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, to celebrate the event’s achievement in raising £1 million for its partner charities. Marking this special accomplishment was an all-day affair, with most of the guests taking in a cycle ride around Arnside and Silverdale, both beautiful examples of the gorgeous local landscape. As the evening drew in, guests filled the Grange Hotel to share in the event’s charity success. Guest of honour, Team Sky rider and Tour hero, Ian Stannard, presented a cheque for £125,000 to Sue MacDonald of Macmillan Cancer Support.

In addition to this, local emergency services were rewarded for their sterling work. Great North Air Ambulance, North West Air Ambulance, and Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue each received £20,000.

The Fred Whitton has now been running for 16 years and has become one of the most popular sportives in the UK, with entrants’ names now having to go into a lottery in order to decide the final 2,500 places. This overwhelming hunger from British cyclists searching for a true challenge has led to support for a multitude of charities. In addition to those mentioned above, the Fred Whitton also helps youth cycling projects ranging from BMX to girls and boys racing, aiding disabled young riders and putting on school cycling workshops.

Event organiser Paul Loftus says, “The 112-mile ride has become an established major Cumbrian event, and has proved to be the forerunner of many other similar rides in the country. It has surpassed our wildest dreams that we started off with just 66 riders in 1999 and now we have to limit the ride to 2,500.” Loftus is now passing over organisation duties to Stuart Emms, who will aim to continue to build on the history of this now iconic event and raise yet more money for its associated charities. TOM BALLARD

“I would like to thank all the sponsors and people from Cumbria and beyond who have helped make this event the success it is.” PAUL LOFTUS

The 2016 edition of the Fred Whitton Challenge will take place on Sunday 8 May. All entry details will be available on www.fredwhittonchallenge.org.uk.

ON THE MOVE

RACE COVERAGE

SADDLEBACK STAFF

GOOD CAUSE

NEWOFFICE

MILESTONE

NEWS

FOR MORE NEWS HEAD OVER TO WWW.SADDLEBACK.CO.UK

NEWBRAND

Saddleback is thrilled to announce that Rotor is the latest prestigious brand to join our selection of the world’s best elite cycling marques. Producers of Q-Rings, INpower cranks and the new hydraulic Uno groupset, Rotor is also a key sponsor of Mark Cavendish’s new outfit, Team Dimension Data. The young Spanish company has already built a strong reputation for innovation as well as a serious pedigree in professional cycling and triathlon, having amassed victories in each Grand Tour – including the 2008 Tour de France; a pair of Olympic golds; over a dozen World Championships; and more than 30 Ironman wins. Welcoming Rotor to the Saddleback family, managing director, Andy Wigmore, said: “We have been long-time admirers of the Rotor

NEW BRAND

“With a strong focus on truly innovative performance products, as well as recognising the need to validate this at the highest levels of professional cycling, Rotor is a perfect partner for Saddleback. We are honoured to be taking over at this very exciting time in the brand’s development.” ANDY WIGMORE

brand and have watched it grow globally with great interest. On confirming an exclusive UK distribution agreement with Saddleback, Rotor’s global sales manager, José Luis Sanz, added: “Rotor has made significant inroads into the UK in the past several years, now the brand will look to Saddleback´s experience and professionalism to drive Rotor even deeper into this key European market. “This partnership will serve to reinforce both Rotor’s global presence and Saddleback’s position as the UK’s number one distributor of elite cycling products.” Stock of Rotor’s products is now available and the full collection will be officially unveiled at Core Bike on 31 January to 3 February 2016 – see more on page 24. TOM BALLARD

NEWS

SADDLEBACK EVENTS

Billed as the world’s finest road cycling exhibition, the inaugural edition of the Rouleur Classic took place in mid-November within the elegant surroundings of Vinopolis, just off the glittering Thames in Southwark.

The venue’s stark walls, bare brick arched ceilings and buffed, spot-lit concrete floors created a suitably sophisticated atmosphere for the world’s best cycling brands. The ambiance was amplified by a scattering of retro jerseys, vintage bikes and goose-bump inducing Tour commentary, not to mention the freely flowing champagne, which

maintained the high-class dinner party mood until the late-night finishes on Thursday and Friday evening. The exclusive guest list included Eddy Merckx, Alberto Contador, Fabian Cancellara, Lizzie Armitstead, Ernesto Colnago, Mario Cipollini, David Millar and Alex Dowsett – all of whom were interviewed in the intimate space of the Rouleur Classic Theatre.

All this provided a unique podium upon which Saddleback could present our Italian heritage brands – Castelli and Sidi – to engaged customers keen to add to their cycling wardrobes.

Our chosen position had the Castelli and Sidi stands facing one another, opposite the swanky Maserati lounge and in close proximity to one of the free bars and the entrance to the Rouleur Classic Theatre. This prime location gave our area of the show a unique feel, our brands highlighted and distanced slightly from those placed side by side elsewhere. The location also offered up a steady flow of foot traffic, which invariably became a gathered throng as the evenings progressed.

The Rouleur Classic was the first opportunity for Saddleback to show off Sidi to the cycling

Backed by the world’s most prestigious brands including Castelli and Sidi, the Rouleur Classic created a uniquely sophisticated cycling show in the heart of London – ideal for our elite customers.

RIGHT AND BELOW

NEW BRAND SIDI JOINED

THE EVER-POPULAR

CASTELLI AT THE

INAUGURAL SHOW.

SADDLEBACK EVENTS

ABOVE OUR STANDS WERE VERY

POPULAR WITH CUSTOMERS

AND PRO RIDERS ALIKE.

RIGHT SILCA PUMPS WERE ON SHOW

AT THE ROULEUR SHOP WHILE

WE GAVE AWAY HUNDREDS OF

ISSUES OF INCYCLE.

SADDLEBACK EVENTS

ABOVE

DAVID MILLAR MADE A BEELINE

FOR OUR STAND, WHILE THE

CASTELLI LINEA PELLE CREAM

WAS VERY POPULAR.

RIGHTPRO RIDERS SUCH AS

FABIAN CANCELLARA WERE

INTERVIEWED IN THE ROULEUR

CLASSIC THEATRE.

SADDLEBACK EVENTS

public and the reception was gratifyingly warm. Our display of shoes belonging to Chris Froome, Nino Schurter and Tony Martin were cooed over by everyone who passed, while many showgoers commented on the longevity, quality and value for money a Sidi purchase represents. Others were impressed by our commitment to increase the brand’s profile in the UK and bring in a larger range, and in more sizes, than previously available.

Visitors to the Castelli stand seemed to be drawn inexorably to the Chpt.III collection. With both

David Millar and designer Richard Pearce on hand to sing the praises of the sartorially inspired range, the pieces on show recieved lots of attention, while Pearce hinted at more exciting designs to come.

Elsewhere on the Castelli front, the Perfetto Light was a standout piece. Developed with pros, this new jersey for 2016 utilises a lightweight version of Gabba’s material at the front, partnered with water-resistant, yet breathable, Nanoflex at the back to give another option for racers as the Classics season winds down.

Finally, the brand new Linea Pelle chamois dry lube, warming skin cream and foul weather barrier cream had their first public outing – and proved to be hugely popular, with sample sachets sliding out of sight alarmingly fast.

The two matinee and two evening ‘stages’ were a huge success for us, our prestigious brands fitting perfectly into the Rouleur Classic’s elite ethos. With a new venue promised for the next edition, it appears the world’s finest road cycling exhibition will only grow in status during 2016. TOM BALLARD

“Visitors to the Castelli stand seemed to be drawn inexorably to the Chpt.III collection,

with both David Millar and designer Richard Pearce on hand to sing the praises of the

sartorially inspired range.”

LEFT ALL THE SHOW’S GUESTS SIGNED IN

ON THIS BOARD, A WHO’S-WHO OF

CYCLING GREATS.

SADDLEBACK EVENTS

COREBIKE2016Rotor is set for its first Saddleback outing along with Sidi’s Core Bike debut under our charge, key new brands featured alongside plenty of fresh new gear from the likes of Castelli, Enve, Stages and Astute.As the new year begins, much of our team’s efforts turn towards Core Bike, the UK’s premier cycling trade show. Held annually at Whittlebury Hall near Silverstone, the grandioise location and trade-only status offers visiting members of the industry and press a relaxed atmosphere that’s far away from the hustle and stress of other shows. It also provides us with the perfect setting to show the rest of the UK industry exactly why we’re the number one distributor of elite performance products.

Last year we created a Saddleback zone distinct from the rest of the show and we’ll be building upon that for the 2016 edition, highlighting our prestigious brands in a suitably high-end display, custom built for the show.

Core Bike will be the first opportunity to exhibit Saddleback’s newest world-class brand, Rotor Bike Components, which joined our ranks in November. With 21 years of innovation to draw on, Rotor has a myriad of beautifully made products and we’ll have plenty for showgoers to enjoy including Q-Rings; INpower and 3D+ cranksets. We’ll also be displaying the new hydraulic Uno groupset for the first time in the UK, with the chance to hop on and try it out for

yourself. Sidi will have its first Core Bike outing under the Saddleback banner and we’ll be proudly displaying a full range of men’s and women’s shoes including the Tour-winning Wire Carbon and top-end MTB Drako Carbon SRS as well as winter boots, mega-sized shoe variations and entry-level models. The show will offer a prime opportunity for prospective dealers to gain an up-close appreciation of the sheer quality of this prestigious shoemaker’s product.

With Castelli leading the way for other cycling clothiers to follow, everyone’s always keen to see what the Italian company has in store for its new collections. As with the Rouleur Classic (see page 20), the Gabba’s thinner cousin, the Perfetto Light, will be a key line for the new season. This short-sleeved jersey uses a lighter grade of the Gabba’s material on the front along with unbrushed Nanoflex on the back – giving protection from the elements as well as breathability.

The Enve stand will feature the US-brand’s latest tech including the new, and absurdly light, SES 2.2 wheels with carbon Enve hubs. These feathery smooth-rollers also appear on the company’s new SES 7.8 wheels – the fastest Enve has ever

produced. Both new wheelsets also feature a new braking surface that levels the playing field between alloy and carbon, offering exceptional stopping power in the wet as well as the dry.

On the Stages front, we’ll have the new carbon crankarm power meter, which opens the doors for SRAM customers, as well as the soon-to-launch Campagnolo versions. The latter will be ideal for style aficionados who wish for the benefit of power measurement without ruining the gorgeous Italian lines of their crankset.

Astute had its UK launch with us at Core Bike in 2015, but the addition of five new saddle designs means this year could be even bigger for the brand. Look out for the Mud, Astute’s first MTB saddle; the Rush, designed for the track; the long wider noses of the Sea and the Time Lite, for triathlon and TT respectively; and the Star, which offers a more rounded profile for roadies.

There will also be beautiful pumps and tools from Silca and the best accessories in the business from Arundel, along with a few surprises that are being kept under wraps until the show, so be sure to pay us a visit this year. TOM BALLARD

SADDLEBACK EVENTS

LOVECROSSED2016LoveCrossed returns for a second outing of mud-spitting, field churning action at the beautiful Chavenage House, where Saddleback’s David Barnaville hopes to improve on last year’s performance.By the time you read this, LoveCrossed 2016 will be upon us with scores of ’crossers taking on the event’s second running at the beautiful Chavenage House on 31 January. The inaugural event last year provided top class racing, the muddy action creating an incredible atmosphere for athletes and spectators alike. Our own CX junkie, David Barnaville, talks about course planning, going bigger this year and the mathematics of crucial league points.

“Working for Saddleback, I had the privilege of helping with the course planning,” says David. “It all started back in December 2014 for me and [former staff member] Scot Easter, with visits to the house to look at what would make a good course.”

The house in question, Chavenage, is a uniquely picturesque setting for cyclocross racing and gives LoveCrossed much of its character. The 16th-century estate, nestled in its glorious Cotswolds surroundings, was a base from which Cromwell’s Civil War strategy was played out in the 1600s. However, this history has been overshadowed more recently by its use in the TV drama Poldark.

The location’s cycling connection comes from professional NFTO rider James Lowsley-Williams, whose family own and operate Chavenage House. “The grounds make for a fantastic and diverse course throwing in all elements of CX racing,” says David. “Tarmac; gravel; single-track; open fields with natural features; and a fully taped course. The race also features an event village with full catering and refreshments.”

The first event was held on 14 February 2015 and having helped at the planning stages, David was keen to get out there when the mud was flying, even if he was a little under prepared. “I did have the pleasure of racing, but it was not my best effort if I’m honest! I pretty much had the season off, so it was hard going personally. But, as a standalone event, it was a fitting end to a great season for many riders.”

The success of LoveCrossed’s first outing means this year will be a generally grander affair. “The event will be bigger and better as it has affiliation with the Western Cyclocross league, which will attract greater rider participation.” If David’s race wasn’t ideal last year, there’s more at stake this

time around. “LoveCrossed is the last race in my calendar and a chance to steal league points from close rivals who may not be able to attend!

“It is still mathematically possible that I can finish up third overall, but this will require some good results over the next few rounds! Let’s hope I can do well and secure a good result on the day, and perhaps stand on the podium for the overall…”

Whether celebrating a podium position or revelling in the thrill of just finishing a cyclocross event, all riders will have plenty of post-race entertainment to look forward to. “LoveCrossed will also be screening the Cyclocross World Championships in the ballroom after the racing, for anyone to soak up the atmosphere while watching the real men have a go in Belgium.”

Saddleback is proud to support this unique grassroots event. The event’s headline sponsors are Enve, Sidi and Castelli, and we’ll be on-site with some great products as well as contributing to some amazing podium prizes. We will also be designing an exclusive Castelli winner’s jersey to crown this year’s champions. DAVID BARNVILLE

FRESH PRODUCE

Rotor’s 3D+ crank is a weight weenie’s dream, but also boasts the strength demanded by top professionals. Made from aeronautic-grade 7055 aluminium alloy, the cranks are CNC-machined in Spain to give the best possible stiffness to weight ratio, boosted by the Trinity Drilling System – three boreholes down the length to minimise mass. The result is a crankset that outperforms virtually every super-light carbon crank on the market. It weighs only 480g without rings for a 172.5mm length with a 110 BCD – which allows installation of Q-Rings up to 56 / 44t. Thanks to Rotor’s UBB bottom bracket options, it’ll fit most bike frames too.

ROTORT3D+

FRESH PRODUCE

Q-Rings have helped professional athletes earn three Grand Tour victories – including the 2008 Tour, a pair of Olympic golds, over a dozen World Championships and more than 30 Ironman wins. The oval shape gets you through so-called dead spots quicker, and lengthens the force-producing downstroke segments for a more even power output. The design is the opposite of that oft-cited failed Shimano experiment, Biopace, and offers a gloriously smooth rounder-than-round feeling.

ROTORQRINGS

FRESH PRODUCE

Previously only available to Team Sky riders, this special blue edition of the Wire Carbon Vernice has now been launched to the public, with Sidi producing special packaging to celebrate Chris Froome’s ongoing success. The shoe itself packs in over 40 years of Sidi knowhow and innovation including an ultra light, super stiff carbon sole with custom ventilation; Tecno-3 Push closure system for a close, adjustable fit; and Sidi’s Heel Retention Device, which eliminates heel slippage. In short, it’s everything the world’s best pros need in a racing shoe, combined with inimitable Italian style.

SIDIFROOME

This special edition version of the Skylite VT has a limited production run of just 88 pieces

– all of which have been pre-sold. So, while you might not actually be able to buy it, we

wanted to show you the beautiful floral print on the waterproof Future microfibre cover. The artistic design perfectly complements

Astute’s unique production process; the colours matching the white nylon soft

touch shell and full carbon rails to produce something truly special.

FRESH PRODUCE

ASTUTEFLOWERS

FRESH PRODUCE

Castelli’s Linea Pelle range arrives in the UK to give loyal followers of the scorpion an even comfier ride. Heading the range is the Chamois Dry Lube. Non-greasy and long lasting, the anti-friction cream contains tea tree oil and will help maintain comfort on long rides. The Warming Embro Cream aptly creates a warm sensation when applied to the skin, making forays into the chilly off-season a little more bearable. The Foul Weather Cream goes a step further, creating a barrier against water, wind and cold that’s ideal for the British winter.

LINEAPELLE

FRESH PRODUCE

Enve’s newest climbing wheel proved itself in a baptism of fire this summer as MTN-

Qhubeka’s Steve Cummings soared to a Tour stage victory in July. Ridiculously light, built

on ultra-smooth Enve Carbon Road Hubs and boasting superior braking performance

in both wet and dry conditions, the 2.2 is the darling of every would-be King

of the Mountains. This clincher version backs Enve’s beautiful design with the

practicality borne of tyre and tube set-ups, offering riders otherworldly

weight with real-world usefulness.

ENVE2.2CLINCHER

History has produced so many great partnerships, Han Solo and Chewbacca, Bonnie and Clyde, burger and fries – but there is one that is emerging as a successor to these: a pair of full Enve-equipped Santa Cruz Nomads, which can be seen hurtling down the fastest of descents in South Wales (when Ash isn’t injured or I’m not changing nappies). Ok, that’s a pretty overblown introduction, but these two bikes have produced so much fun for Ash and me. We’ve taken a really well-reviewed bike and made it better with a sprinkling of Enve. In fact, with a full Enve build, these bikes are some of the best we’ve ever ridden. So if you see a flash of turquoise and the spin of an Enve logo, come and have a chat – and a race! NICK COX

DOUBLETROUBLE

ENVE MOUNTAIN STEM 55MM

ENVE M60 RIM

CHRIS KING HUB

CHRIS KING HUB

ENVE M60 RIM

ENVE DOWNHILL BAR CUT TO 760MM

FRESH PRODUCE

ENVE MOUNTAIN STEM 55MM

ENVE M60 RIM

CHRIS KING HUB

CHRIS KING HUB

ENVE M60 RIM

ENVE DOWNHILL BAR CUT TO 760MM

FRESH PRODUCE

THE OFFICE

TECHTIPS

WHO IS DAN?A man. But for those interested, I have always been involved in the bike industry whether it be working on the shop floor, dabbling as a journalist or working for Sigma Sport – where I was head buyer for a number of years – as well as helping to run its UCI team from initial conception as Sigma Sport-Specialized through to IG-Sigma Sport. Racing has always been a big part of my life. I started as a mountain biker in the early days, racing for Kona before moving across to the road and racing the Tour Series and Premier Calendar events for Sigma Sport-Specialized.

WHERE DO YOU LIVE? Church Crookham, Hampshire.

WHAT’S YOUR JOB TITLE? Brand manager. Looking after Stages, Rotor, Silca and Arundel.

WORST JOB YOU EVER HAD? I was a security guard for a while at university. It was night work and I like my sleep so wasn’t a good match.

FAVOURITE PLACE TO RIDE? The Alps but in the UK it has to be Wales.

FAVOURITE BIKE INVENTION? I do enjoy a good chat about bottom brackets. And bearings.

WHAT MAKES YOU ANGRY? Being stuck in stationary traffic.

WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY? Not being stuck in stationary traffic.

WHAT’S THE #1 MOST PLAYED SONG ON YOUR IPOD?I like to dabble with a bit of everything, so hard to say.

WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR FAVOURITE QUOTES?“If everything seems under control, you’re not going fast enough.” Mario Andretti.

WHAT CHORE DO YOU ABSOLUTELY HATE DOING?I hate cleaning. Unless it’s a car, motorbike or bike, then I find nothing more enjoyable than a good polish.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE TIME OF THE YEAR?Any time of year as long as it’s dry and the sun is shining.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE MODE OF TRANSPORTATION?It’s a tough call between the motorbike and bike. Really depends on my (lack of) form.

WHAT’S YOUR LEAST FAVOURITE MODE OF TRANSPORTATION?I’m not a great fan of public transport, more specifically a crammed train carriage on a hot day.

IF YOU COULD CHOOSE TO STAY A CERTAIN AGE FOREVER, WHAT AGE WOULD IT BE?Probably 25, I was racing and travelling a lot. Good times.

IF YOU COULD LEARN TO DO ANYTHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?Elbow down on a motorbike, but this is certain not to end well so I’ll stick with learning to do it...

IF YOU HAD TO CHANGE YOUR FIRST NAME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE IT TO?Can I change my surname to something people can pronounce? [That’s “Do-good” - Ed]

IF YOU COULD MEET ANYONE, LIVING OR DEAD, WHO WOULD YOU MEET?Jason McRoy, Joey Dunlop and Steve McQueen.

WHICH CELEBRITY DO YOU GET MISTAKEN FOR?Not anyone I care to mention.

THE BEST/WORST GIFT YOU’VE EVER GIVEN/RECEIVED?The best gift I’ve received has to be my Tamiya Hornet remote control car when I was a kid. I still have it now.

WHAT’S THE BEST BIT OF ADVICE YOU COULD GIVE?Don’t follow me. I’m terrible with directions.

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED?For always giving it my all.

OUR FAVOURITE PRO QUOTE

“Next year is time for my final World Cup season. My priorities may change but the fun and adventure

two wheels gives me will continue forever”STEVE PEAT SANTA CRUZ SYNDICATE / ENVE ATHLETE

THIS ISSUE WE MEET SADDLEBACK’S NEW BRAND MANAGER, DAN DUGUID.

YOU WILL NEEDEmpty Lucozade bottle and a spoke

“An empty Lucozade Sport bottle makes an ideal brake bleed catch bottle. Cut the cellophane wrap off the bottle, and thread the bleed pipe though the rubber mouth at the top. The next thing to do is put a tiny hole in the bottle at the top of the neck with a sharp pin, this prevents the bottle becoming pressurised in use. A spoke bent around the neck of the bottle and curved upwards into a coat hanger type hook finishes the job.”

ROSS GRIMMETT SENIOR MECHANICEVERY ISSUE WE WILL BRING YOU INSIDER TECH TIPS FROM OUR CHIEF MECHANIC ROSS

BRAKEBLEEDBOTTLE

SUMMERSMILES

As we are now fully into the early dark nights and cold mornings of the winter season, I thought I’d look back at sunnier (and much more painful) times! Leaving the gloom of the UK for a very sunny Mallorca back in September with lots of overweight and oversized luggage could only mean one thing – Ironman. Having never been to the north of the island, I can now see why so many choose it as an early season training base. Warm weather, beautiful beaches and challenging mountain roads are the perfect cocktail for training, and indeed racing. Ironman race day started at 4am, very thankfully the 30-degree air temperature hadn’t warmed the sea over non-wetsuit temperatures. The swim went very well at just over the hour, the bike leg over a mountain pass went OK and then came the run… At 30-plus degrees, this truly was a slog but I managed to endure it and crossed the line within my aim of sub-13hrs at 12:58! A few days of rest in the sun followed, then back to the UK with a bump of rainy commutes and headwinds. Winter miles bring summer smiles, I hope… EMILY CARR

Winter miles lead to summer smiles... I hope.

MEET THE TEAM

THE OFFICE

OFFICE IN NUMBERS

STAFFPICKS

Here at Saddleback we care about the environment, let’s face it if we ruin it where will we ride? So you can read and download the latest issue of incycle from the link below. Missed an issue? Head to the same link and download the back catalogue of any incycle since its birth. www.issuu.com/saddleback

DIGITALINCYCLE

AS STEVE PEAT ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT WE TAKE A LOOK HIS MOUNTAIN BIKE LIFE IN NUMBERS.

OFFICE IN NUMBERS

41

5

252

17

1

9

17

Peaty’s current age

The number of pro teams he has ridden for

World Cup wins

film made about his life

Years wearing Smith Optics

European Championships

British Championships

World Cup podiums

CHARLES COLEMAN CUSTOMER SERVICEENVE CARBON CERAMIC HUBSRRP £1250

Towards the end of summer, I was fortunate enough to adorn the race bike with a pair of the new Enve Carbon hubs laced to SES 3.4 rims. They rode beautifully and rolled very fast. However the biggest difference was in the ride quality – it was so smooth and soft it was almost like riding a handbuilt Ambrosio rim with the tyre pressure dropped 15psi, however remaining incredibly stiff as we have become accustomed to with Enve. The DT Swiss internals and Ceramic Speed bearings make the hubs ever so easy to maintain, meaning these really are the cream of the crop.

MILEEATER

WINTERRAMPS

My favourite part of winter is heading to Rampworld Skatepark in Cardiff! A massive warehouse full of wooden jump boxes, a bowl and a foam pit equals mega fun! A good place to work on bike handling skills whilst escaping the cold, dark nights, they do some really good coffees too, which I don’t normally expect from a skatepark! I’ve also been out riding some of South Wales’ finest trails, shooting with Andy Lloyd for Natural Resources Wales. It reminded me of how lucky I am to be able to drive over a bridge and 20 minutes later, have a plethora of world-class trails to choose from on some proper hills. Even in the cold winter weather, it’s worth it once you get out there! JESS GREAVES

Jess escapes the dark by hitting the jumps at Rampworld Skatepark.

MY ENVE’D UP RIDE FILMING FOR SOUTH WALES’ FINEST TRAIL CENTRES

THE OFFICE

CHARLES COLEMAN CUSTOMER SERVICESIDI ERGO 4RRP £240

ITALIANMADESTAFFPICKS

ASH’SADVENTURES

CROSSCHALMERS

Charles and I headed over to BikePark Wales to escape from the office for some midweek ‘product testing’, both sporting our M-series wheels. We sampled a mixture of blue, red and black runs to keep things interesting. BPW really is an awesome place to give the M60s some more testing time, and a year on they’re still running flawlessly. We managed to dodge the rain for the morning, but after lunch it caught us. We got soaked through, but that added to the laughs. The trails still ride unbelievably well in the wet. Eight runs in and the winter’s night decided to call it a day for us – just as well though, I was done by then. Oh, and Charles managed to hit the deck on a flat section, and it’s on camera! Pretty keen to see how the M60 High Volume rims compare now. ASH MATTHEWS

Bike Park Wales still a firm favourite of mine.

SHOPFOCUSNFTO BIKE SHOP12A Bridge St, Hereford HR4 9DFwww.nfto.com

The Cyclocross season is in full swing now and I’m loving it! With the National Trophy Series, Western League and a weekend’s racing in Belgium, I’ve been a busy boy. I’ve really enjoyed the Trophy races so far, competing against the top lads in the country on mint courses, the results are getting there slowly but surely. Back on the local scene I’ve racked up a good few wins – some great opportunities to get the finish-line wheelie out! Oh, I almost forgot to mention the epic Three Peaks cyclocross in early September, my second attempt at the gruelling 38mile event. I managed to crack the top 20 this time, coming in 18th. I was pretty happy with that, so roll on next year! A little trip to Belgium with my pit man Disco Stu was lots of fun. I managed to fit in two very wet, cold and sandy races. Racing is really hard over there, but always fun, and Belgium offers some ace courses. This year I managed fifth on the Sunday in Hoegaarden. We finished the weekend off watching Iljo Keisse and Michael Morkov win the Gent Six Day – now that was impressive. I want a track bike again… SCOTT CHALMERS

Having owned a pair of Sidi Ergo 2 shoes for the past six years, I thought it was about time to update given that after being used as a race shoe, commuter shoe and then wet weather shoe, they were finally showing signs of wear. I purchased a pair of new Ergo 4’s in exactly the same size and was pleasantly surprised to find that the slipper-like fit is exactly the same as my previous shoe. I have no doubt that these will last just as long, going through the same use pattern (race, commute, rain) and providing my feet with hours and hours of comfort just like the last pair.

With new brand Sidi going great guns and stock ready for order, I visited the NFTO store in Hereford to give the guys some shop design support. With an Italian theme running strong throughout the design, I created a bench for customers to sit on and try on the shoes, complete with room to store stock in the drawers beneath. Floating shelves dressed with the Italian flag stripes and the large impactful image to the rear of the Sidi room made for a sophisticated space within which people can get a taste of Italy whilst they try on the hottest shoes on the market. If you would like any support with the Saddleback brands in your store, please contact your rep. NICK COX

Wet. Cold. Sand. What’s not to like?

OUR NEW BRAND MANAGER DAN DUGUID SHARES HIS TOP FIVE BIKE PRODUCTS.

TOP FIVE

TOM’STRUNKS

WINTERLOVEIt’s the most wonderful time of the year.

THE OFFICE

ROSS GRIMMETT SENIOR MECHANICEVERY ISSUE WE WILL BRING YOU INSIDER TECH TIPS FROM OUR CHIEF MECHANIC ROSS

SQUAREALLENTECHTIPS

MY WIRE CARBON AIRS TAKING THE FULL BRUNT OF WINTER IN THEIR STRIDE.

1. ROTOR QARBON Q RING20 per cent stiffer and eight per cent lighter, Rotor’s famed Q-Rings just got even better.

2. SILCA SUPERPISTA ULTIMATE TRACK PUMPThis pump really is a work of art and deserves the word ‘Ultimate’ in its name. The quality of the pump is exceptional and will give decades of good service.

3. ENVE SES 2.2 CARBON CLINCHER RIMThe latest addition from Enve, these rims are packed with features. Tubeless ready and with a new moulded brake track, the SES 2.2 allows for equal braking in the wet and dry conditions, these are a must-have.

4. SRAM ETAPMavic launched ‘Mektronic’ the first wireless electronic groupset way back in 1999, but technical blights hindered its continued production. Etap is unlikely to suffer the same fate and is likely to change both frame designs and the electronic groupset playing field.

5. STAGES POWER METERSStages opened up power to a whole new audience by offering an easy to fit, easy to use single crank arm power upgrade. This forced many brands to sit up and take note, greatly influencing the single-sided power meters we see today.

As the off-season rolls on, it’s mostly done so without me. Being an insufferable multi-sporter has its benefits, including becoming desensitised to comments about skin-tight kit, a slightly less hunched posture and upper body strength enough to protect from drowning. On the other hand, it also opens you up to a load of other potential injuries. Apparently you’re not supposed to run 6km on a badly rolled ankle because it means what seemed to be a small ligament tear takes months longer to heal than it should. That put paid to pavement pounding, so I wheeled out the dreaded turbo for pre-work training. With Sidi shoes dialled up tight, my foot was supported – until an unwitting twist of the ankle to unclip sent me floundering across the garage in paroxysms of pain and swearing. Back to the trunks then. Surely swimming, that non-weight bearing, body-reviving goodness – not counting water ‘additives’ – would see me through. But no: rotator cuff tear. I’ve turned 30 and my body’s had enough. Maybe I should’ve stuck with the bike in the first place! But life on the edge and all that… TOM BALLARD

Tearing it up, but not in a good way…

So I’m one of those odd people that enjoys the plummeting temperatures and the sun disappearing at 3pm; there’s a real beauty that comes with the winter season. Frosty early morning commutes, wet and windy lunchtime rides that really make you feel like you’ve won a battle at the finish, and the quieter mountain bike trails. The people that only dragged their mountain bikes out of storage for the sunny months have now returned it the corner of the shed under the gardening tools and tins of paint. This can only mean less trail traffic! Don’t get me wrong, the more people on bikes the better, but sometimes having a bit of ‘me’ time out on a trail is awesome. Layering up in the best winter weather clothing from Castelli proves its worth and capabilities. Also, my new Sidi shoes have been put through their paces this winter season and even though I’ve not kept them as clean as I should, they’ve been faultless. NICK COX

YOU WILL NEEDA Dremel and a bench grinder.

“I run two sets of Park Tool P-handle Allen keys in the workshop. On one set, I have removed the ball ends using a Dremel then a bench grinder to put a single clean end on them. Ball ends are useful for a certain few light load tasks, but squared off ends rule. Keeping your Allen key ends square is essential to minimising damage to bolt heads. Bench grinders are inexpensive and a workshop must-have. Practice on an old Allen key, and get the hang of squaring the end off – without causing too much heat. Going gently and lightly, removing only a tiny amount of material is the trick. If the Allen key starts to change colour, it’s already gottoo hot and will have lost hardness.”

BEST SELLERS

BESTSELLERS

ASTUTESKYLINE VT

RRP £125

SMITH FOREFRONT HELMET RRP £190

Over the last few months, these have been five of the star buys flying off our warehouse shelves. The Astute Skyline VT’s flexy-shell comfort makes it a regular favourite with roadies while the Smith Forefront maxes out on safety and style for off-road riding. The Sidi Wire Carbon

Air’s popularity, helped along by a certain Mr Froome, has been riding high since the brand joined us last August. Stages’ Gen 2 update has only increased the allure of this bestselling power meter while Castelli’s Diluvio gloves have proved a protective favourite in the run-up to winter.

BEST SELLERS

OCTOBER 2015 - DECEMBER 2015

SIDIWIRE CARBON AIR

RRP £300

STAGESULTEGRARRP £599

CASTELLIDILUVIO GLOVE

RRP £34

Through passion, ingenuity and innovation, Rotor went from out-there concept to a major player in the worldwide cycling landscape. Here’s how.

For riders in the know, the Rotor name is synonymous with the cream of cycling componentry – a reputation that the Spanish brand has established over 21 years through incredible product innovation and elite results. With the company joining the Saddleback family, we look back at how the founders’ earliest endeavours have evolved into the industry-leading products we recognise today. Rotor is perhaps most closely associated with its oval Q-Rings and the magically smooth feeling they produce. The genesis of these pedalling marvels began at the Aeronautical Engineering School of Madrid on 21 November 1994, where a group of students, including Rotor founder Pablo Carrasco, wondered if there was a way to eliminate dead spots in the pedal cycle. The next couple of years saw the production of several prototype units testing just that. From dual-sided independent drivetrains, to offset chainrings and even cog-based drive, these young engineers applied themselves totally to creating a smoother pedal stroke. By 1996, so certain of the idea’s worth, Carrasco entered into a business partnership with attorney Ignacio Estellés. The goal? Bringing the Rotor system to market. ▶

ROTORTIMELINE

ROTOR FOUNDED 1994

CARRASCO AND ESTELLÉS JOIN FORCES 1996

ROTOR BOX 2000 RCK 2001

RS4 2004

RS4X 2005

Q-RINGS 2006

MARIANNE VOS WINS ROAD, CX WORLD CHAMPS 2006

AGILIS CRANKSET 2007

“As the Schleck brothers played interference, Sastre pulled away from the leading group in a perfectly judged time trial effort, ticking off the famous hairpins before clinching a victory that would see him top the podium in Paris.”

RIGHT CARLOS SASTRE

WON THE 2008

TOUR DE FRANCE

USING Q-RINGS.

LEFT ROTOR’S

COMMITMENT

TO QUALITY

CONTROL IS

OUTSTANDING.

ROTOR BIKE COMPONENTS

Research and development continued apace and following a positive study on the system’s efficacy from the University of Ferrara in 1998, the Rotor Box launched in 2000. Produced by high-end Spanish component manufacturer EDR, the Rotor Box was an alloy-framed road bike that housed the Rotor mechanism in a custom-made rectangular bottom bracket shell. This design also included a large central dial allowing riders to optimise the orientation of the slowest and fastest segments of each pedal rotation – a precursor to today’s Optimum Chainring Position (OCP) customisation. While the Rotor Box earned fans, the UCI refused to authorise it for competition, leading Rotor to the development of the Rotor Concept Kit (RCK), a crankset-only solution that provided riders a smoother, more efficient feel without having to change frames. The genius of the RCK was that the crankarms weren’t fixed at 180-degrees. Rather, the angles varied in relation to one another thanks to a synchronised set of cams, which accelerated the crank through the dead spot at the top of the stroke and prolonged the power-producing downwards phase – exactly the effect produced by Q-Rings. Launched in 2001, the RCK became an immediate bestseller, gaining UCI and pro approval. The system underwent several changes over the next few years and was increasingly adopted by world-class triathletes, including 2003 long-course world champ Eneko Llanos. The RS4x, debuted in 2005, perfected this original concept – but the real breakthrough was just around the corner. To negate the barrier to more widespread acceptance, Rotor needed something that didn’t require a crank upgrade or a weight penalty. The result would become Rotor’s most popular line to date: Q-Rings. The cycling industry has been playing with non-round rings on and off since the late 1800s, with Shimano’s mid-1980s Biopace being one of the most infamous attempts. That design actually used the oval shape to increase the effective gear ratio in the dead spots – leading to knee injuries. Q-Rings use the opposite theory – making the most of the powerful downstroke and minimising time spent in the dead spots. What makes Q-Rings

really special, though, is the ability for riders to easily change the rotation of the rings, with five OCP settings to choose from depending on discipline and comfort – giving a tailored feel. Following their launch in 2006, a groundswell of support began to build as riders experimented with Q-Rings, first experiencing the magical pedalling sensation that actually feels rounder than traditional rings. One of the sport’s greatest ever athletes, Marianne Vos, was an early adopter of Q-Rings and used them to win her first cyclocross and road world championships that same year. The Dutchwoman has to date taken six CX world titles, three rainbow jerseys on the road, Olympic gold and two European championships using Q-Rings. The success of Q-Rings led Rotor, perhaps a little ironically, to turn its attention back to cranksets. At only 720g including Q-Rings, the Agilis set Rotor’s reputation for high-performance, light-weight cranksets when it launched in 2007, but Q-Rings remained the star, accounting for 60 per cent of Rotor’s sales. The company’s distribution networks blossomed across 20 countries and more components were designed and marketed. A bigger boon for the company was in the offing, however, with the validity of Q-Rings set to be proven on the sport’s biggest stage. Leader of the CSC-Saxo Bank team, Carlos Sastre went into the 2008 Tour de France with a real chance at the podium. Hovering around the top five and within a minute of yellow for much of the race, Sastre targeted the Stage 17 summit finish on Alpe d’Huez to stake his claim on the Maillot Jaune.

As the Schleck brothers played interference, Sastre pulled away from the leading group in a perfectly judged time trial effort, ticking off the famous hairpins before clinching victory. In the process, the Spaniard gained crucial time that would see him top the podium in Paris. Sastre’s success pushed the Q-Rings story to the fore, generating widespread international media attention. New stems, seatposts, chains and bottom brackets were soon on the stock list while cranks and Q-Rings were refined and restyled. These developments included the launch of the high-end Rotor 3D crankset in 2009, which Norway’s Thor Hushovd used to win that year’s Green Jersey at the Tour.

SASTRE WINS TOUR DE FRANCE 2008

3D CRANKSET 2009

THOR HUSHOVD WINS GREEN JERSEY 2009

MARIANNE VOS WINS CX WORLD CHAMPS 2009 MARIANNE VOS WINS CX WORLD CHAMPS 2010

THOR HUSHOVD WINS ROAD WORLD CHAMPS 2010

ROTOR 3D POWER PROTOTYPE AT EUROBIKE 2011

3D+ CRANKSET, UBB 2010

MICRO ADJUST SPIDER (MAS) 2012 KRISTIN ARMSTRONG WINS OLYMPIC TT 2012MARIANNE VOS WINS CX WORLD CHAMPS 2011 JOHAN VANSUMMEREN WINS PARIS-ROUBAIX 2011

CHRISTOPH SAUSER WINS THE MTB MARATHON WORLD CHAMPS 2011 JUAN JOSÉ COBO WINS VUELTA A ESPANA 2011 ROTOR POWER 2012ROTOR FLOW 2012

MARIANNE VOS WINS OLYMPIC ROAD RACE, ROAD WORLD CHAMPS 2012

RYDER HESJEDAL WINS GIRO D’ITALIA 2012

QXL 2013 REX CRANKSET 2013 QX1 2013

MARIANNE VOS WINS ROAD WORLD CHAMPS 2013

POWER LT, POWER LT-R 2014

INPOWER 2015 UNO GROUPSET 2015QARBON Q-RINGS 2015

THEFUTURE

ROTOR BIKE COMPONENTS

In 2010, Rotor adopted a 30mm spindle, launching the 3D+ cranks and ushering in the Universal Bottom Bracket (UBB) platform, which allows near total compatibility of Rotor’s 24 and 30mm cranks regardless of frame standard. As the patents piled up, Rotor also identified the opportunity to improve on existing power meters and showed a prototype Rotor 3D Power at Eurobike in 2011. That year was equally successful for Rotor riders, who gave the company plenty to celebrate. Johan Vansummeren won Paris-Roubaix, Christoph Sauser took the MTB Marathon World Championships and Vos continued her racing domination. Rotor could also bask in the reflected glory of a second Grand Tour victory as Spain’s Juan José Cobo edged out Chris Froome and Bradley Wiggins to win the Vuelta. 2012 was no less spectacular. Rotor Power came to the market, offering riders true left and right power and unparalleled pedalling analysis. The aerodynamic Flow crank was also released, with both this and Rotor Power utilising a new Micro Adjust Spider (MAS) that offers half-way points between the usual five OCP positions. In addition to Vos’ Olympic road race victory, Kristin Armstrong also took gold against the clock in London, while Ryder Hesjedal’s Giro d’Italia victory completed the collection of Grand Tour titles won on Rotor components. Rotor’s ongoing work with professional athletes led to the launch of QXL rings in 2013, which have greater ‘ovality’ – a more pronounced oval shape that allows users to push an even bigger effective gear ratio on the downstroke. Best for high-powered athletes, the QXL gave existing Q-Rings users another avenue of performance gains to explore.

The following years have shown a renewed commitment to MTB-specific products including Rex cranks and QX1 – 1x Q-Rings. Downhill and enduro star Cedric Gracia has recently teamed with Rotor to aid the company’s development of MTB components, so off-road riders will have plenty to look forward to over the next few seasons. Q-Ring compatibility has also steadily improved, including four-bolt Shimano and Campagnolo options, while the latest innovation in this line is last year’s Qarbon, a carbon-reinforced outer ring that’s lighter and stiffer than the standard version. Similarly, power has also evolved. Rotor Power and its single-sided variations, the LT and LT-R, have made way for INpower, an axle-housed single-sided power meter that benefits from easy AA battery changes and a resilient design ideal for cyclocross and mountain biking as well as road riding. INpower also boasts software to detect riders’ individual OCP setting. INpower’s launch started 2015 in style for Rotor, but a bigger reveal was on the way in the form of the Uno groupset, which debuted at Eurobike in August. To break into this market, Rotor needed to create something totally unique with tangible performance increases – exactly what Uno promises. The system utilises hydraulic lines to operate the derailleurs, which are impervious to kinks – great for TT bikes – and don’t need the regular maintenance of traditional cables. Riders will also have the option of hydraulic disc or rim brakes for improved stopping power and wide frame compatibility. Set to be used by members of Mark Cavendish’s Team Dimension Data next season, 2016 should prove to be yet another landmark year for this innovative, performance-focused brand. TOM BALLARD

ABOVE ROTOR’S

CHAINRINGS ARE

MACHINED AND

DRILLED FOR

MINIMUM WEIGHT.

LEFT MARIANNE VOS

HAS BEEN A LONG-

TIME USER OF

Q-RINGS.

DIFFERENT PATHS

DIFFERENT PATHS

After 10 fruitful years working together, Felt Bicycles and Saddleback have parted ways. The American company has been a key brand in Saddleback’s rapid development and integral to our story, but the differing direction we wish to pursue has signalled the end of what’s been a very close partnership.

“I will remain eternally grateful to Felt Bicycles, and Michael Müllmann especially, for the confidence that they showed in our fledgling business a decade ago,” says Andy Wigmore, Saddleback MD. “It has been a real pleasure to assist in growing their brand and given the close relationship we have always had, deciding to go our separate ways was a very difficult decision to make. We remain the best of friends and genuinely wish them every success in the future.”

“Felt Bicycles and Saddleback’s partnership has been a great success story,” adds Felt Bicycles president, Michael Müllmann. “I remember sitting in Andy and Sarah’s living room with tea and biscuits, closing the distribution agreement with a handshake. Both companies have seen tremendous growth over a decade together, yet now it is time to move on. I want to thank the whole team at Saddleback for their hard and professional work, and even though we are parting ways, I am looking forward to visiting them on my many trips to the UK.”

In some ways it’s a bittersweet parting, with so many of Saddleback’s staff having had the opportunity to ride and own some truly special bikes all around the UK. However, our priority remains firmly the top-end cycling product sector

– the point at which Felt’s interests diverge from our own.

Bringing Sidi and most recently Rotor (see page 19) to our powerhouse line-up of the world’s best cycling brands illustrates our continued efforts to grow Saddleback’s reputation as the UK’s premier distributor of elite cycling products. Maintaining this position requires complete focus on brands associated with the highest echelons of the sport; whether those showcased at a professional level or those boasting exclusive, industry-leading designs appealing to high-end customers.

Our departure from Felt naturally paves the way for future developments at Saddleback and indeed, further positive brand discussions are nearing their climax, making for an exciting 2016.

“Both companies have seen tremendous growth over a decade together, yet now it is time to move on. I want to thank the whole team at Saddleback for their hard and professional work.” MICHAEL MÜLLMANN

So here I am, sat at my work desk on another unusually warm November’s day when my daily checking of the online mountain bike world produces something that I never wanted to see, but knew would eventually happen. Steve Peat, the legend that I grew up watching on so many cult mountain bike videos, and met when I was 14, is to retire from World Cup racing.

Peaty has always been a big part of mountain biking for me, the 20 years of him racing at the top level ran parallel to my own love of off-road riding. It even dictated which bike I purchased. At the time Peaty was riding for GT, all I ever wanted was an LTS because he had one and was truly brilliant on it. I could never afford one, however, years later, I managed to put my student loan to good use and bought one, it was my time to shine and be (well try to be) like Peaty!

Not only has he had an illustrious career, Peaty has also turned his attention to mentoring riders and none more so than Josh Bryceland, who has gone onto be one of the fastest downhill racers on the planet. He has also been an amazing

ambassador for two of Saddleback’s brands. Peaty has worn Smith goggles for around 17 years and ridden Enve wheels for the last five years. In that time, he’s been responsible for years of testing and development for these brands, helping to improve their products.

For me, one of the lasting race memories is Peaty holding aloft his Orange back on 11 September 2005 when he won at Fort William. I wasn’t even there but this image led me to make it my mission to attend every Fort William World Cup. This is what Peaty has done; he’s stirred up the passion and fun in so many of us for downhill racing and made us proud to have a Brit on top for so long. This man has inspired generations to ride and have fun. 2016 will be his last World Cup season and I would love him to win a race, what a send off that would be! NICK COX

END OF AN ERA

The greatest downhill racer (as far as I’m concerned) of all time is to hang up his full face at the end of next season. Begin the tears.

PETER NADIN

PETERNADIN

n unusual amount of determination is needed to commit to a 24-hour cycling challenge and an even greater serving is

required to see through the exhilarating highs and crushing lows that come with a full day and night’s riding. For some, though, it’s a natural combination of strong body and stronger mind.

One such ultra athlete is recently crowned UK 24-hour solo MTB champion, Peter Nadin. A 48-year-old dentist from Staffordshire might not seem an obvious national champion, but this long-distance specialist combined positivity, intensive training and his Stages power meter to take the win.

Peter’s 24-hour racing odyssey began in 2008 when he took on the Wild Boar 24 in Grizedale,

Cumbria, with younger brother Jason. Remarkably, the toil against the clock, weather, dark and fatigue only resulted in a hunger to step up to a solo trial.

A more local event would provide the backdrop for Peter’s 2009 solo debut: Sleepless in the Saddle, a flattish round-a-field affair held at Catton Park in Derbyshire. Braving so tough a 24 hours that Jack Bauer would be left shellshocked, Peter rode no fewer than 136 miles, coming 23rd out of 79 solo athletes and raised over £3,000 for the Donna Louise Children’s Hospice Trust.

“Within two hours of finishing I was already discussing how I could’ve squeezed in another lap,” said Peter at the time. “And within two days I’d pretty much resigned myself to doing it again!”

True to his word, Peter returned for his second attempt in 2011. “You do that first one to see if you can complete it, you do your second one to see if you can race it. That didn’t go quite as well. During the event I chased a friend when I shouldn’t have, crashed, messed up my nutrition – everything went wrong. I still finished, but it was miserable.”

In fact, that second difficult outing put Peter on hiatus from 24-hour solo events, but the hunger to take on another smouldered into burning desire over the next few years. “I had unfinished business,” he says. “In 2014, the world champs were going to be at Fort William and anyone can enter, so that became the goal.”

Many hundreds of training hours later, and having

Most athletes we consider world class wouldn’t even attempt 24 hours in the saddle, but for Peter Nadin, there’s nothing more invigorating than this ultimate cycling test of mind, body and soul.

ENVE X BPWPETER NADIN

lost four stone in the process, Peter arrived in Fort William to contest the World 24 Hour Solo Mountain Bike Championships – a far trickier challenge than a field in Derbyshire.

“It’s a course like no other. By their nature, most 24 events aren’t technical as they have to cater for a broad range of abilities. But there’s stuff at Fort William that’s proper red and the sharp end of red in places.” As the race got underway, Peter relied on patience to see him through. “I began my steady, controlled, managed pace. Out of 150 riders I was probably 140th by half-way through the first lap, but in the end I managed to get silver in my age group and was closing in on first. It was pretty cool, a fairy-tale race really.”

Such success meant the addiction was well and truly back, and soon Nadin had committed to the 2015 UK championships – back in Fort William on 31 October – along with the 2016 world champs in New Zealand the following February. “In 2014, all my training was done by feel and heart rate. We thought that there’s no point in doing it again if you’re not going to take it up a notch.” The natural solution? An upgrade to a Stages power meter.

“All my training was power based; about 50 per cent of my training was indoor, and the rest outside. I’ve enjoyed fantastic progress this year using my Stages XT power meter to really get the very best out of my training and to help my coach assess and manage my progress via the data recorded. “I’ve put many thousands of hard miles and hundreds of long hours on my Stages metered bikes, and they have made an awesome difference. It meant I knew exactly what effort I was putting in during training. The numbers don’t lie.”

Even with quality training-by-power sessions and invaluable feedback from his coach Alex Welburn, Nadin had to put everything into achieving peak performance. “I worked very hard for nine months, cranking it up to the point where riding 24 hours isn’t an issue,” he pauses. “Well, it is an issue, of course! But you know you can do it.”

Having by now built up an impressive ultra-distance CV comprising three solo and seven team 24-hour races, as well as some six and 10-hour solo and paired events, Halloween 2015 saw Peter’s return to the scene of his best performance to date

– Relentless 24 at Fort William, run by No Fuss Events. “The event is fantastic. It’s put on by great guys and considering it’s in the middle of nowhere, they get a good number of people taking part.”

Fortunately for competitors, who were feverishly checking weather reports amidst driving rain and gales that had already displaced several gazebos from car park to tree top, the race took place in the eye of the storm. “We were lucky with the weather. It was foul before and foul after,” says Peter. “In fact, it was raining in the morning and cleared up just as we got underway.”

The midday start saw 106 solo athletes ride away, Peter astride his Trek Superfly FS, dosed up with Torq nutrition and setting a pace based on his Stages numbers. There were only a few hours of settling into the tough and technical course over the Leanachan Forest before daylight ebbed away – the event is won or lost in the dark. “It’s certainly not a course you could ever get bored on and one which demanded your full attention at all times, lest it get the better of you and teach you all about the harshness of Scottish granite!”

Peter rode the first 10 hours with training partner Nick Glassey, who then started to fade, battling the lows of such a gruelling test of physical and mental strength. “We’ve all had a few of those grim times when you just have to wonder if, or how, you’re ever going to get to the finish that is still so many hours away,” says Peter. While Glassey struggled, Peter focused on the positives. “I really enjoyed the course and the company was great too: for a relative newcomer, getting pats on the back from the top-end team riders was really special.”

That great company also extended to Peter’s expert pit crew: coach Alex; brother Jason on spanners; wife Tania on clothing and food; and daughter Ellie on timings and cow-bell enhanced support. “I couldn’t have done it without my absolutely awesome pit crew, who had me in and out every lap, often without even needing to unclip at all. They were so slick, so totally in control and on top of everything, giving me splits and reacting to everything fast. Seriously, they were absolutely peerless in the way they performed for me. Formula one could learn a thing or two from them.” Another key partnership during the race was between Peter and his Stages. “Over 24 hours

there’s a huge amount of cardiac drift, so you can’t rely on heart rate as a measure of effort, but the power numbers don’t lie. I find that power helps to recalibrate the feel for the effort I’m putting in. Sometimes I’d start to feel it after a climb and I’d say to myself, ‘Of course you can feel it, you were doing 400 watts up there!’” Fireworks at midnight marked the half-way point of the event, with Peter fighting his circadian rhythm to stay focused and get the carbs in. “One of the biggest highs was getting past half way,” he says.

Despite a puncture at 3am – “it was a bit of a devil, but there you go, it happens,” – Peter gained the lead in the early hours, Glassey rallying to move into second as dawn approached. “Feeling good I pushed on, holding a pace I felt comfy with whilst not taking too many risks,” says Peter. “At six hours to go, I had a good lead in the overall. My amazing pit crew were saying, ‘It’s yours to throw away.’”

Sticking to his power numbers and continuing to manage his effort as closely as possible, Peter pushed on to the finish, completing 280km in 24:13:13 to take the overall victory and be crowned UK Champion. “To win exceeded everything we’d hoped for. I finished one lap ahead in the end and Nick toughed it out through his bad spell, upped his pace enough to keep me honest for a while, and secured second overall, in only his second ever 24 solo – quite an achievement!”

After 24 hours of bone-rattling, pedal churning effort, the euphoria of winning was inescapably short lived. “You have 20 minutes of feeling as high as a kite, then your body starts to switch off,” says Peter, whose thoughts now turn to the February world champs in Rotorua, New Zealand. “I don’t know how it will go,” he says of that biggest challenge. “I want to to give a good account of myself to the world’s best riders. You want to put yourself in contention, but just to be lining up on the start line on merit, that’s very satisfying.

“Taking the UK champs jersey with me is a huge confidence boost, and will help my focus for maintaining training in the next few grim winter months, where my power meter will again come into its own. I shall be relying on my Stages to help pace me in the geothermal heat and humidity of 24 hours in Rotorua, where it will never have been more important.” TOM BALLARD

I’ve enjoyed fantastic progress this year using my Stages XT power meter to really get the very best out of my training and to help my coach assess and manage my progress via the data recorded.

BRAND IDENTITY

BRANDIDENTITY

I didn’t want the designs to just be technical, nor distinctive for the sake of it, but to create a beautiful series of prints that could you could easily imagine being hung on a wall – something fit for the world’s best cycling shoe brand.

The amazing work of our creative team means the riding public is increasingly associating the Saddleback name with high-end cycling, but balancing our own identity with world-class brands is far from simple…

Adding an enormously prestigious company such as Sidi to our portfolio gives Saddleback’s head of creative, Nick Cox, plenty to do, but the opportunity to visually unite a world-class brand with our own identity is something to relish.

One of the biggest challenges is the production of print advertisements for industry leading magazines such as ProCycling, Rouleur and Cyclist. These introductions between Sidi and potential customers have to be finely balanced to create the desired high-end, aspirational effect.

“It’s a collaborative process involving [senior brand manager] Rich Mardle, [marketing manager] Martin Astley, and the team at Sidi,” says Nick. “We want to make sure we’re showing the brand in a mutually beneficial way that everyone’s happy with.

“That doesn’t mean we can’t be creative though. In fact, it’s an opportunity to create something new and different, with a striking visual style.

“A lot of adverts in the cycling industry today can so easily be mistaken for editorial or lost among

product-heavy pages, so for Sidi, I needed to create something that would really stand out.

“I want continuity across all the Sidi adverts we’ll do, which is why we’ve used quite a rigid template: the shoes are always at the same angle; font and logo placements remain constant. The idea is that once we’ve run a few, people will instantly connect that design with Sidi and Saddleback.

“Taking inspiration from the likes of Nike and other leading companies dealing with hyperrealism, we started with the highly detailed, beautifully shot images of the shoes taken by Sidi in Italy. These provided a foundation to build on.

“Normally, the focus of an ad is firmly on the product, but here I’ve gone for a closer split between product and concept, which helps lead the reader’s imagination and appeal to people’s aesthetic instincts.

“To achieve this, we created a visual support for each shoe being featured, based on a more emotional story that Sidi riders’ results lets us

tell. For example, the map of France to highlight Froome’s 2015 Tour de France win for the Wire Carbon or rainbow stripes for the Drako Carbon SRS, as worn by Nino Schurter.

“Thanks to the consistent layouts, that professional connection is shared with the third advert, which uses splashes of paint to highlight the colourful accessory customisation Sidi offers.

“The adverts also have to be tailored to the UK market while reflecting Saddleback’s own values in order to closely align our own identity with that of our elite brands. This is how we tackle all our brands: each has a clear, individual style, but you also know the advert is from Saddleback. Maintaining that consistency while reflecting the brand’s heritage and style is one of the biggest challenges we have.

“I didn’t want the designs to just be technical, nor distinctive for the sake of it, but to create a beautiful series of prints that could you could easily imagine being hung on a wall – something fit for the world’s best cycling shoe brand.” TOM BALLARD

BRAND IDENTITY

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BOTTOM LEFT RAINBOW STRIPES OVER NINO SCHURTER’S DRAKO CARBON SRS.

ABOVE SIDI COLOUR CUSTOMISATION, THE SADDLEBACK WAY.

GOING FULL GAS

GOINGFULLGASKnowing your FTP is top priority for new power meter users looking for better performance, but be prepared for burning legs and searing lungs. Stages’ Benjamin Sharp shows you the way of the Watt.

Functional Threshold Power (FTP) is probably the single most important power training term. For Benjamin Sharp, former USA Cycling National Team coach and Stages’ power education expert, the value of knowing your FTP is simple: “Functional Threshold Power is a basic way to gauge fitness,” he says. “Over the course of a season, an increase in FTP is an indication that aerobic fitness has increased.”

Equivalent to the maximum power you can sustain for an hour’s riding, FTP is also key in setting training zones and can be used to help pacing in road racing, triathlon events and sportives. While the thought of an FTP test strikes fear into the heart of many a power meter user, it’s an essential part of getting the most out of your power meter and your cycling performance – and you don’t even have to ride for a full hour.

“The 20-minute test protocol asks for a full-gas, 20 minute effort,” says Sharp. “After the effort, subtract five per cent from the average power to estimate FTP.

“I prefer the 20-minute test over the 30-minute test, especially for newer athletes, because the shorter the test, the less critical pacing is. Further, staying focused for a 30-minute effort can be challenging and the longer test might be a bit more disruptive to training as it requires a bit of recovery before and after the test to assure the best possible result.”

“Regarding pacing, this is the strategy I like to give my athletes,” says Sharp. “There are any number of mental or physical strategies you might want to employ for a 20-minute time trial. One option is to think of the test as 4x5min TT efforts. A full 20-minute test can be a bit daunting and many athletes find it more manageable to break the effort into smaller pieces.

“Further, focusing on five minutes at a time orients the chance of pacing properly more in your favour. If using this method, have an average wattage goal for each five-minute segment. As you get to the end of each five-minute segment, take an assessment based on your rate of perceived exertion. Can you keep at this intensity? Can you increase the intensity for the duration of the test? For the next five minutes?

“Trying to increase the average power for each five-minute segment (compared to the segment

prior) will go a long way to helping you achieve proper pacing. When it comes to the last few minutes, you should be at full effort, eking out every last bit of energy to assure that you have averaged the highest power possible.”

Performing the test on an indoor trainer removes many of the variables associated with riding outdoors and gives more repeatable results when re-testing, but can lead to slightly different figures than on the road.

“Just like riding a bike in a different position (e.g. TT versus standard road versus mtb), it’s not uncommon to see values that differ slightly when training indoors on a turbo trainer versus outdoors. In my experience, most people, if they see a difference, see a slightly lower power output for the same perceived effort and / or heart rate, when training indoors versus outdoors.

“This can be caused by any number of factors. A big contributing factor to inflated perceived exertion and heart rate can be that evaporative cooling is nearly non-existent indoors. I therefore recommend setting up an indoor training environment with plenty of air flow and possibly with access to cool air (e.g. a very large fan in a window in the winter).

While FTP is a crucial number to know, testing isn’t completely fool proof and neither is your body’s reaction to different bikes and alternative riding positions.

“The word ‘functional’ is in the definition of FTP,” says Sharp. “It’s important to acknowledge that we are estimating FTP in a real world setting, not in a human performance laboratory. There are a myriad of factors that might influence FTP, particularly when comparing bike-to-bike and position to position.

“For example, FTP will vary depending on if a rider is testing on a road bike in a standard road position versus on a time trial bike in an aerodynamic position. If it’s noted that there is a difference, it’s perfectly acceptable to have a different FTP depending on the bike or position being utilised.”

With your FTP figure in hand, you can set your training zones, enabling you to get the most benefits from your training sessions (see panel). “It’s important to realise that each of

the training zones more or less represents a different physiological energy system,” says Sharp. “Depending on what the demands of your discipline are, an athlete will want to spend time developing the appropriate energy system. For example, a BMX athlete, who must produce a high amount of power in the opening few pedal strokes, will spend much more time developing Z7 power than an Ironman-distance triathlete who is relying on aerobic development for success.”

If your fitness changes, your FTP will do too. Training by power allows you to train in a way that’s tailored specifically to you as a rider, so it’s important to keep that figure current. “The classic answer for how often you should test is, ‘it depends’. For newer athletes that are (probably) going to see big changes in their fitness, quickly, they might want to test as frequently as every six weeks to two months. More established athletes that might not be seeing those swings in fitness might be best served by testing every three months or so.

“Testing can be perceived as being disruptive to training and athletes might postpone testing because they don’t want to interfere with their training schedules. However, it’s important to keep in mind that testing is training! There are benefits to doing the testing, including but not limited to, the stimulus of doing the test itself, as well as an opportunity to practice good pacing strategies for time trials and other steady efforts.”

These zones will allow you to get the most from your training plan – or help you write one depending on your goals and event type.

Z1 (ACTIVE RECOVERY) up to 55% of FTP (0.55 Intensity Factor) Z2 (AEROBIC ENDURANCE) 56-75% of FTP (0.56-0.75 Intensity Factor) Z3 (TEMPO) 76-90% of FTP (0.76-0.9 Intensity Factor) Z4 (LACTATE THRESHOLD) 91-105% of FTP (0.91-1.05 Intensity Factor) Z5 (VO2 MAX) 106-120% of FTP (1.06-1.2 Intensity Factor) Z6 (ANAEROBIC CAPACITY) 121-150% FTP (1.21-1.5 Intensity Factor) Z7 (SPRINT POWER) more than 150% of FTP (1.5+ Intensity Factor)

GOING FULL GAS

“When it comes to the last few minutes, you should be at full effort, eking out every last bit of energy to assure that you

have averaged the highest power possible.”

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MEDIACOVERAGEHere is a quick taste of some of the magazines our products have appeared in over the last few months. We pride ourselves on making sure products from our brands receive the most coverage possible... here’s the proof.

1

2

3

4

MEDIA COVERAGE

1. SILCA BICYCLING

2. ENVE PROCYCLING

3. SIDI ROAD.CC

4.CASTELLI CYCLING PLUS

5. CASTELLI PROCYCLING

6. CASTELLI CYCLING PLUS

7. CASTELLI CYCLING PLUS

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OCTOBER 2015 - DECEMBER 2015

5

7

MEDIA COVERAGE

6

TEN QUESTIONS

1Who is Camilla Bonomi?I’m an enthusiastic person who likes challenges; and one of these was to see Castelli become the go-to

brand of road cyclists worldwide.

2How did you find your way into the cycling industry?Since I was a child, I always liked cycling and I loved watching races on television with my grandfather.

I started racing my MTB for fun when I was 25. On finishing University, and after some years of collaboration with an Italian outdoors company, I wanted to try something new. My friend recommended that I send my resumé to Gruppo S.p.A (owners of Cinelli and Columbus) who were advertising for new staff. I followed his suggestion and by coincidence, I met the owner of Gruppo S.p.A., Antonio Colombo, who at that time was president of Castelli too. We liked each other and he offered me a job workings as Castelli’s international sales manager.

3Weight weenie, aero geek or off-road junkie?Recreational road cyclist with a mix of dirt once in a while :)

4How would you describe yourself as a rider?I really like riding long distances, but I’m probably more attracted from the beauty of the nature than

my personal results.

5What can you do better than anyone else you know?Home-made Tagliatelle alla Bolognese.

6What’s the piece of cycling kit you couldn’t live without?I have more than one: for summer, the Free Aero Race Women bib-short and the Climber’s Jersey; and

for autumn-winter, the Gabba and Sorpasso W tight.

7Where’s your favourite place in the world to ride?The Dolomites, road bike and MTB.

8What’s your best piece of advice for new riders?Try to understand which are the right pieces of kit you should wear in different weather conditions.

Buy a few pieces, but the right ones. Don’t always focus on the price, but look at quality products and you will feel the difference. And why not buy something that makes you look good too?!

9Who’s your cycling hero?It is probably what you were expecting me to say, but it has been, and always will be, Pantani.

10Who does your hair?Even if I’m a not really a fancy person, I like to go to the Alan and Elena hairdresser salon in

Feltre, where I live. They’re a young, well-equipped salon and several times a year, they attend the Sassoon Academy in London to learn all the new techniques and styles. They also give you good advice, are creative and really listen to your thoughts and preferences.

GET TO KNOW CASTELLI’S INTERNATIONAL SALES MANAGER A LITTLE BETTER WITH OUR QUICK 10 QUESTIONS.

CAMILLABONOMI

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INSTAGRAMS

BRANDINSTAGRAMSTAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE LATEST INSTAGRAMS FROM OUR

BRANDS, BE SURE TO FOLLOW THEM FOR THE LATEST NEWS,

CUSTOM PRODUCTS AND ALL ROUND COOL STUFF.

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@ S I L C A _ V E L O

So winter rolls in and the race bike gets retired to the back of garage, hibernating until summer rolls round again. So what to do in the other three long, cold, wet seasons the UK likes to throw at us? You get yourself a Cannondale CAAD10. My colleague Charles recommended it, and it’s turned out to be one of the best bikes I’ve ever owned. I got this one at the beginning of summer as a good

weather training bike, but it soon became my go-to bike for pretty much everything. Mine sports a Shimano Ultegra 11-speed groupset and a Praxis compact 50/34t chainset, which helps me up those winter training hills and inspires some early season confidence. This bike can do everything – stiff enough for lunchtime sprints with the Saddleback crew, strong enough for winter commuting and

takes me well into spring training here and abroad. It’s been everywhere: in cars, on planes and trains. The CAAD10 is hugely confidence inspiring and makes those winter miles much more bearable. It will soon get an Enve upgrade, something that it fully deserves, riding bikes is one of the simplest pleasures, and this bike makes it that little bit better. EMILY CARR

THE WINTER MILE DESTROYER

STAFFRIDES

SPRING ISSUE AVAILABLE FROM THE END OF MARCH