Mid-Week Report: The Latest News, Products and Events
Welcome to the November 13th, Mid-Week Report!
Welcome to the November 13th, Mid-Week Report!
PRODUCT TEST: BONTRAGER ELITE RIDETIME COMPUTER
Believe it or not, not everyone makes it a point to upload their rides to Strava. In fact, there are even plenty of cyclists who don’t even use computers. Mind-blowing, right? For those that have the inkling to start tracking their rides with some of the modern tech, Bontrager has updated their entry-level Ridetime computer to keep up with the trends all the while keeping things simple.
THE TECH
Sleek and minimal, the Ridetime computer weighs 27 grams, and with only one front and one rear button to operate, it keeps setup and navigation of the 2-inch screen intuitive. The Ridetime is only able to log ride time alone, but it is ANT+ compatible with speed sensors, cadence sensors, heart-rate monitors and power meters. With the additional sensors, the Ridetime can track total miles as an odometer as well. Bontrager sells a bundle with the Trek frame-proprietary DuoTrap S speed and cadence sensor, along with the computer for $130.
An out-front 21-gram mount is included with the unit. It is compatible with 22.2mm to 35mm handlebars and places the computer about 2 inches out and an inch above the bar for easy reading.
Additionally, the mount can only be used on round bars; for those with aero bars, Bontrager designed it to be compatible with their Blendr stem mounting system.
One data field can be chosen as the top display, with two more in the bottom third of the screen with the ability to toggle to the additional fields.
THE RIDE![]()
As we’ve now grown accustomed to the 15–20-minute sign-up process through an app that goes along with the new Garmin and Wahoo GPS computers, we have to say that right off the bat we liked the sub-10-minute setup it took to get the Ridetime ready to ride and connected to our sensors. The setup process asked for rider age, weight and gender to estimate calories used during a ride, as well as bike type to generate service reminders, a quick scan of our sensors and the necessary mount installation. We then selected the power reading for the top display with speed and ride time on the first page.
Our power numbers were constantly changing and hard to keep track of due to the 1-second power display being the only option for live power tracking, unlike other computer units with the 3-second option we prefer. However, our speed and cadence numbers were quick to display accurately and easy to track.
Toggling between data fields is simple with the single button up front, the display is easy to read and navigate during the day and in low-light conditions. However, to enter the settings mode during a ride, the computer must be removed from the mount to access the rear button.
THE VERDICT
Priced at $70, Bontrager’s updated Ridetime computer is priced fairly high for what it provides, but the sleek design helps it dress up an empty handlebar. Its wireless design aids in its quick setup and is a worthy upgrade from its wired predecessors. A few additional ANT+ sensors can provide the data to keep ride numbers coming in, but don’t expect to be uploading rides to Stava or any other third-party ride tracking apps, as there is no GPS, minimal on-board storage and no way to connect to a computer through USB or Bluetooth.
PUNCH LINES
• Sleek look and lightweight
• Requires additional sensors at an added expense
• Can’t upload rides
STATS
Price: $70
Weight: 27 grams; 48 grams with mount
SILCA TIRE PRESSURE CALCULATOR![]()
For more than a decade, the team at Silca team have been travelling the world helping professional and top level amateur athletes optimize tire pressures to give them that winning edge at events ranging from the Tour de France, to Paris Roubaix, to Ironman Kona. As a result of these efforts, they have more than 4000 data points on optimal pressures for different rider weights, surfaces, tire sizes and other variables. From this, they’ve developed an algorithm to predict your optimal pressure. Check it out here: www.silca.com
UPGRADE DOWNTOWN EMPORIA![]()
BELGIAN WAFFLE RIDE MAY 3, 2020
Press release: Registration opens Friday, November 15 at high noon (PST)! The most unique cycling event in the country, the Canyon Belgian Waffle Ride (BWR), returns dirtier than ever for its ninth consecutive edition of pedaling perversity with an unexpected boost by way of the absence of the Amgen Tour of California. Created as an extremely challenging race in the spirit of the great European one-day Spring Classics, the BWR returns to North County San Diego on May 3, 2019 with a Belgique theme unlike anything the cycling world has ever tasted is sure to test World Tour and Continental Pros in untold ways. This year the event will offer a larger prize purse than ever before for the deepest PRO field ever assembled for an event of its kind. As expected with the explosive growth of the BWR, there will be an expanded Canyon Pure Cycling Expo at the Lost Abbey Brewery in San Marcos, California, where the race is held each year.
The Canyon BWR will be offering a prize purse to the top ten riders, both female and male, in support of what will be the most exciting and competitive professional field ever assembled for the ‘Hell of the North (County).’ Once again, the women will receive a larger prize purse than the men. Racers and event patrons will again be treated to Belgian waffles, moules-frites, cheese, bread, Lost Abbey Belgian ale, more waffles and more Lost Abbey ale on race day. The Waffle race itself promises masochistic punishment of entrants along a 221-kilometer course, which features more than 12,000 feet of undulating climbs and over 50-miles of off-road terrain that harken to the teeth-rattling cobblestones of Europe’s most grueling race routes.
GRAN FONDO HINCAPIE 2020: MARCH 28 AND MAY 2
After two successful fondos earlier this year in Greenville South Carolina and Boise, Idaho Gran Fondo Hicapie has two more events lined up for 2020. Join a host of current and former pro riders on the roads of Fort Worth, Texas and Chattanooga, Tennessee on March 28 and May 2 2020.
Website: www.hincapie.com/granfondo
2020 DIRTY KANZA REGISTRATION DETAILS
2020, here we come! Mark you calendars for the 15th annual Garmin Dirty Kanza on May 30, 2020. Thank you for making this year’s race one of the best ever.
The random selection process for the 2020 race will open on January 6 through January 19. Selections will then be made on or before January 27.
THE RIFT ICELAND JULY 25, 2020
The Rift is a gravel race through the dark lava fields in the highlands of Iceland – taking place on the tectonic split between North America and Eurasia. An ever-growing battlefield that grows an inch every year.
The battlefield sculpted by volcanic eruptions is vast, rugged and unpredictable – making the Rift a challenge of endurance, mental fortitude and most likely the bare elements. And in the end – a gravel battle between the continents!
The course starts out of a small town along the southern coast called Hvolsvöllur. This incredible shoreline stretches from the greater Reykjavík area in the west to the magnificent Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon in the east. It is lined with countless natural wonders such as cascading waterfalls, black sand beaches, glaciers and volcanos – circumnavigating one of the most active volcanos on the island, Hekla.
Website: www.therift.bike
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