New Bikes, Products & Events You Should Know About

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

41° edizione TOUR OF THE ALPS 1° tappa Kuftein - Innsbruck Km 145,10 -17-04-2017 vittoria di MICHELE SCARPONI che precede GERAINT THOMAS e THIBAUT PINOT — Just days after he won a stage in the Tour of the Alps, Team Astana rider Michele Scarponi returned home for some rest with the family. On his first day back he went out for a recovery ride and never returned. For a fitting tribute to Michele Scarponi

NEW PRODUCT

Garmin has just rolled out a new high-intensity headlight that projects a steady 800 lumens for up to 1.5 hours with five different modes to automatically adjust its beam intensity to changing light conditions, the cyclist’s speed and ride profile to extend battery life. At full power, it is visible in daylight from more than one mile away. Its low-profile, lightweight design easily attaches to the handlebar with an out-front mount or to a helmet with a friction mount2. The Garmin Varia UT800 Urban Edition includes a universal out-front mount and sells for $149.99.

31st TOUR OF THE GILA WINNERS

Evan Huffman: “We put on a massive display of strength as a team, controlling the race from start to finish. There were some significant attacks from general classification rivals, but I just stayed calm and leaned on my teammates to ride them back. We had a numbers advantage coming into the finish with four out of eight in the lead group. We kept the pace high to discourage attacks, and the result is the biggest win of my career!”

Tayler Wiles: “‘This win means so much to be because of how incredible our team raced,” Wiles said. “Everyone put their whole heart into every stage. We trusted each other and had confidence every step of the way. I’ve always dreamed of winning this race and winning as one team was perfect. I want to thank my coach Neal Henderson and my parents for surprising me by showing up in Silver City to watch the last two stages. It was really special.” (Photo: Mitch Clinton)

HEADED TO ITALY?

Press Release: L’Eroica powered by Bianchi (September 25th to October 2nd) is a memorable bike experience with luxury excursions across the Strade Bianche in Tuscany and a guaranteed entry to the original L’Eroica vintage event, gathering cyclists from all over the world, in Gaiole in Chianti.

During the first six days guests will enjoy performance rides on the highly-acclaimed Infinito CV through the Chianti’s countryside, covering 658 kilometers overall, whilst on Sunday they will swap to a real vintage bike taking part in the famous Eroica granfondo event.

Participants will also have the opportunity to purchase a Bianchi L’Eroica that was inspired by the classic Bianchi road racing machines of the 50’s and 60’s. The frame is made in Italy from Columbus steel tubing and painted in the traditional Celeste color with chrome lugs and fork ends. The Bianchi L’Eroica model is the only bicycle in the world certified by the Eroica committee to be used in all Eroica events.

Classic Tuscan rides: enjoy six days of classic rides throughout the best of the Tuscan countryside and choose your distance: 46, 75, 135 or 209km.

YOUR CHANCE TO WIN
Once a year we do our best to glean some consumer info from RBA readers so that we can keep track of who is reading along and what their interests are…that would be you! Just to sweeten the deal, for the few minutes it takes to fill out the survey, we will hand-off a new Pivot Vault to a randomly selected entry…that could be you. Click on over to the 2017 Road Bike Action Reader Survey so we can find out more about what you want to see in your favorite road bike mag and you can be entered to win.

SEA OTTER REVIEW

We spent the last four days of last week at Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway attending what is easily America’s biggest public bike expo – the Sea Otter Classic. In case you missed it, click here to see our recap of the bikes and people that made the event worth talking about.

LITESPEED’S LATEST

One of the many bikes we saw and liked at the Sea Otter was the new Gravel bike from Litespeed. Yep, still titanium and still built in Tennessee. To hear more about the Gravel and other new tricks up Litespeed’s sleeve, here it is “live”…

IN THE OFFICE THIS WEEK

mid week 1 — SRAM road tech Nate Newton dropped by to install a new Red eTap wireless drivetrain on a Alchemy Aithon. The electronic drivetrain is chock-full of improvements.

mid week 2 — The eTap drivetrain has been updated as have the all new Zipp 303 disc specific wheels that have a 21mm internal width. The bike is still getting finished, but look for much more to come soon.

mid-week 3 — This Turner Psycosis was built-up as a RBA project bike and it was unofficially voted the “Bike of the Sea Otter” by virtually everyone who laid eyes on it. From the TRP hydro disc brakes, to the Shimano Di2 drivetrain with remote button shifters mated to a Shimano Deore XT rear derailleur with an E-Thirteen 9-42 gear spread and a Rotor crank, and including the Knight wheels, this ‘cross/gravel bike is filled with so much bling that our heads are still spinning. Oh yeah, the wild paint is courtesy of Joe’s Paint & Carbon Repair.

mid week 4 — Talk about a color fest, in addition to the Turner, we came out of the Sea Otter Classic with a neon fade, made in America, Fat Chance Slim Chance road bike mounted on our roof rack. Look for a first look and full test soon.

TIME FOR SOME SUDS?
This weekend marks the 1oth anniversary of the Brooklyn Red Hook Criterium with teams of fixed gear riders gathering from all over the world. Three teams competing will be there with sponsorship from aBloc Beer, a self-described “cyclists beer.” Don’t forget that the Red Hook series carries on in Europe on July 22 in London, September 2 in Barcelona and October 14 in Milan0.

A DIRTY WEEKEND

For any cyclists within earshot of Prescott, Arizona, this weekend the mountain town will be hosting the Whiskey 50 mountain bike race & festival. Why do we mention that? Because this year the event is paying tribute to RBA’s own Zap Espinoza for all his early year efforts in the mountain bike scene…so come out and jeer him on as he re-tries his hand in a flat bar race!

Well that’s all for this weeks Mid-Week Report. Be sure to check back every Wednesday to see the latest news, views and products that have come our way. If you have any questions, comments or requests, let us know: [email protected]