Lately, we have been selling many a race wheel to the serious recreational cyclist. Is this poor form, you ask?  Do riders really need aero wheels if they can't maintain an average of 18 mile per hour most of the time? 

We don't think so. While we don't totally embrace the use of tubular race wheels for everyday riding, especially here in Marin County where the roads are less than third world, we think a tubeless or clincher aero wheelset has some serious advantages.  And most important are fun to ride. 

The Mavic Cosmic Carbon SLR, one of our favorite deep-dish, clinchers, stands high above all other wheels in the aero, sub 60mm depth class.

Here is why: The Cosmic Carbone SLR is the first aerodynamic clincher Wheel-Tire System. These wheels pair up with a light-weight and highly efficient rolling system (tire), offering many a benefit on the road and on the race course. The exclusive Exalith technology enhances the braking efficiency and the overall look, matching nicely with any stealth bummer.

A few key benefits that you will want to remember:  

The Wheel-Tire combination comes with the front GripLink & rear PowerLink tire, both slick looking while offering high performance and thus far (more than 750 miles) puncture protection. 
The Exalith braking is improved in both wet and dry conditions and have a distinctive full black finish. 
I can emphasize enough how much better these wheels stop in both conditions. Think, the first time you road a disc brake mtb after years of hand fatigue. While the braking is not that much better, it does contrast the standard alloy braking surface combined with the standard brake pad.

The aerodynamics of these wheels speak for themselves. Though not the lightest 50+mm wheels on the market, the Cosmic Carbon SLR roll fast and sound fast!  
I liken it to a spaceship taking off.

With 52 mm elliptical rims and integrated aero spokes, which reduces frontal drag, the 
profiled hub caps provide low frontal drag and a stylish and clean finish on any bike

At under 1595 grams with 12k carbon flanges on superlight alloy rims, coupled with carbon spokes that you can true, this wheelset is hard to pass up.  Think fast, durable and easy to true. A true 1,2, 3 punch in a category where normally 2 out of 3 is the best combination. 

Come ride a pair anytime at Studio Velo. 

Running through the Presidio early Friday morning, my camera banging against my knees, I learned what it meant to be apart of the Studio Velo biking community. Fearing I would be left behind, and regretting my decision to walk to the Sports Basement meeting place, I nearly ran past the friendly face that pulled over to offer me a ride. “Are you headed to the Coast Ride?” Not a question I would have thought to ask a disheveled bikeless sprinter - just one of the perks of representing Studio Velo. Thanks to my token Studio Velo black T-shirt  and the caring SF bike community I was given a ride to the group and was able to begin my journey as SAG.

As a new California resident I hadn’t had the opportunity to explore much South of San Francisco. The route and pace set by the bikers gave me ample opportunity to observe the light blue water of the central coast, already so much more welcoming than the darker seas up North. Following the trail of bright kits I was in awe as we moved in and out of the fog along the cliffs counting cows and bikers and taking green tinted photos through the windshield. 

 Having conquered Santa Cruz, a long swim, and feeling buoyant with warm weather energy- day number two brought more to absorb. Despite my momentary dismay when my crew of cyclists crossed the railroad tracks and disappeared behind the Santa Cruz boardwalk; I quickly realized you couldn’t get too lost following the water. Sneaking through parts of towns I never would have known to look for, passing bustling beach breaks and farm stands advertising fried artichokes I determined I would have to come back and ride my bike along this route. 

Having up until this point considered cycling an individual sport I found the community energy very appealing. As I drifted along behind the group or leap frogged ahead to take pictures, I took note of the constant motion as each person took turns pulling.  As the cyclists shed layers and everyone stopped for water - I was starting, in my own way, to feel a real role in our team.

 It was with renewed excitement that I reconnected with my group passing the electric pink coast in Monterey and on to 17 Mile Drive. Fortunately, my role as sag was hardly necessary, for the most part people were well prepared and strong. However, as Meredith Kessler one of the Velo Sf guides said, “It is much easy to relax and have a good time when you are aware support is available.”

 

Driving a support vehicle for the Coast Ride was an awesome opportunity to explore California, meet and get to know the people I see in the shop, and get a better understanding of our cycling community. Last weekend I made my way South again. I parked my car and I did a little wandering on my bike. The pace, mobility, and the experience of propelling yourself along the coast is unique in the distance you can gain while truly experiencing the environment you are in. I'm sold!

 

 

 

 

What does it mean to ride the coast? If you are riding South on the CA Highway 1 it means pedaling into the fog and emerging to find the only thing between you and the Pacific is a long drop and your bicycle.  Skirting the coast between Halfmoon Bay and Cayucos our crew of 60 plus riders made the distance over 250 miles under their own power.

Follow our journey though sleepy surfer towns, fields of strawberries and Artichokes near Watsonville, the electric pink flowers along the Monterey water front, the rolling coastal hills of Big Sur, to the seal laden shores just beyond. The pace, route, and unique experience of pedaling the distance allows for a view not available to the typical traveler.

 

 

Leaving the fog behind as we ascended out of Halfmoon Bay for the first major climb of day one.

Final push to lunch.

  

Tired bikes at lunch day one.

Ready to ride day two!

Exploring the agricultural lands around Watsonville

On the bike path coming into Monterey

Lunch location day two Seventeen Mile Drive.

 

 

Rolling through the fog.

Big Sur

NICE!

Day three chilly morning.

Celebrating the final turn on the way onto Cayucos! We made it :D

“Simple, classic and comfortable.” Dan McCarthy stated, “I love them.” We have come to expect the highest quality from Rapha; the ultimate in both style and functionality, and the new Grand Tour Shoes are no exception.

“It fits like a glove,” said Tyler Comann as he tightened his new Rapha Grand Tour shoe. “It is amazing the feel of a real leather shoe.” The Grand Tour Shoes boast exclusive hand cut uppers made of Yak leather and are truly unique in their fit. Like the Yaks they come from, the leather has the qualities necessary to survive in harsh conditions: competitive water resistance, outstanding tensile strength and breathability.

 The shoes are incredibly durable, lightweight and will wear nicely, becoming more comfortable with time. "The leather is beautiful," said David Lorsch. Finally, the uppers are treated with water and stain repellency so they are easy to maintain and will stay as striking as when you first bought them.

The Grand Tour Shoes feature the special edition Easton® EC90 carbon sole. The EC90 carbon soles offer unbeatable connection with the pedal and premium stiffness.

The classic subtleness of the shoe has huge appeal. “I am mesmerized by the idea of riding without a huge brand on my foot,” said Comann. While clearly a Rapha product the Grand Tour Shoes are not overly branded with a couple small stitched tags on the same color background.The look is clean but they certainly make a statement.

                             

This shoes adds a whole new dimension as far as what is expected in a cycling shoe. Don’t believe us? Come in and put one on your foot and experience it for yourself.