13/12/2019, 16:40
Fulcrum introduces Racing Zero Cmptzn DB wheelset
Fulcrum has introduced a new lightweight aluminium wheelset to its Racing Zero range: the Cmptzn DB, for bikes with disc brakes.
"One of the strongest and most responsive wheels on the market has been improved thanks to the use of CULT bearings and the classic 2:1 spoke pattern with oversize double-butted aluminium parts," says Fulcrum.
The Italian brand says that the steel races of its CULT (Ceramic Ultimate Level Technology) bearings are extremely resistant to corrosion so they can be lubricated with a thin layer of oil instead of grease, and this helps to reduce friction.
The aluminium rims are 30mm deep and have a 19mm inner width. They're 2-Way Fit, meaning that you can use standard clincher tyres or run them tubeless thanks to the absence of holes in the rim bed.
The straight-pull spokes are bladed aluminium, 21 per wheel (14 left, 7 right on the front wheel; 7 left, 14 right on the rear wheel)
There are no decals, the black-on-black reflective graphics being created with a surface treatment.
Fulcrum claims a wheelset weight of 1,570g – a saving of 20g over the existing Racing Zero DB wheelset (£899.99) with the brand's USB bearings.
If you've not twigged, Cmptzn is a vowel-less version of the Italian word 'competizione'.
The UK price is £1,299.99 (to be confirmed).
Get more info at www.fulcrumwheels.com.
13/12/2019, 15:55
Haute Route launches new destination ... Brazil
This looks pretty special; one for the bucket list?
13/12/2019, 15:06
Deceuninck-Quick Step unveils new jersey for 2020
It's a bit 'meh' if you ask us ... but we'd better get used to it, we'll be seeing this kit crossing the line first in a lot of races next year.
Feast your eyes with the beautiful and stylish kit - designed again by @VermarcSport - that our Deceuninck - Quick-Step riders will wear next season, when they'll give it their all to keep #TheWolfpack at the top of the game: https://t.co/CYwj9Y6sfd
Video: @lapedaleccpic.twitter.com/xwXnkmgyfX— Deceuninck-QuickStep (@deceuninck_qst) December 13, 2019
13/12/2019, 14:49
British Cycling to publish updated technical regulations
British Cycling will next month publish updated technical regulations operating across all its disciplines following consultation with stakeholders.
The governing body's head of legal, Jo Seed, said: “This has been an extensive process, which we are delighted to be close to finalising. We assess our technical regulations every year, but this year it was decided that a more comprehensive process was needed in order to ensure that the general regulations truly apply to all, and that the discipline-specific regulations are consistent and easily digestible.
“We have worked very closely with Scottish Cycling and Welsh Cycling to bring consistency across the technical regulations for all home nations, and to make sure that the technical regulations are in line with what our sport requires.
“This is by no means a wholesale change. Indeed, fundamentally, very few regulations have altered in their operation in practice. Further changes are in the pipeline for 2021 once invaluable input from the various commissions that have been newly appointed throughout this year has been obtained.”
The new regulations will take effect from 1 March next year, with the current 2019/20 cyclo-cross season subject to the existing ones.
13/12/2019, 12:49
Work finally starts on London's Cycleway 9
And the Conservative candidate in Brentord & Isleworth who made opposing the scheme a key part of her electoral campaign was soundly beaten as Labour's Ruth Cadbury - co-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group - retained her seat.
We’ve started work to transform Kew Bridge for everyone
Our plans will add segregated cycle lanes and new pedestrian crossings, making walking and cycling much safer and easier
Please plan ahead and allow extra time for journeys in the area pic.twitter.com/Bwzrn2hbzJ— Transport for London (@TfL) December 13, 2019
13/12/2019, 12:33
Does "the alcoholic type" count as an answer?
Asking for a friend, obvs.
What type of off-seasoner are you? Funniest answer in the comments wins some socks. Go.
13/12/2019, 12:12
It seems the president of Kenya once forgot Boris Johnson's name ...
... so, thinking on his feet, Uhuri Kenyatta instead referred to him as the "bicycle guy."
Which is a lot kinder than some of the other nicknames we've heard for him over the past few days.
13/12/2019, 12:11
13/12/2019, 12:01
Win a Bespoked 2020 calendar!
It's nearly a new decade* so celebrate by winning yourself a nice new calendar to hang on your wall, featuring lovely hand-made bikes from the Bespoked show. Lob your details in the form below. UK only, sorry!
Or you could just pony up for one at bespoked.cc
*depending on whether you're a pedant or not
13/12/2019, 11:49
Cycling UK "alarmed" at Tories' lack of funding for cycling
Alex has covered the charity's response to the general election result here. We'll never know how realistic Labour's pledge to spend £50 per person a year on active travel was ... but £1.55 a head is woeful.
13/12/2019, 11:32
Freeman lawyer loses attempt to have case thrown out
Mary O'Rourke QC, the barrister defending former British Cycling and Team Sky doctor Richard Freeman at a medical tribunal that could result in him being struck off, has failed to have the four charges he denies thrown out.
Freeman has admitted 18 of the 22 charges against him but denies that testosterone patches delivered to British Cycling headquarters in 2011 were intended to help an athlete's performance.
After two days considering Freeman's application to have the four outstanding charges thrown out, tribunal chair Neil Dalton ruled he has a "case to answer for all outstanding matters,"reports the BBC.
Freeman did not attend the tribunal today because he was too "unwell."
The hearing has now been adjourned as Dr Freeman is too "unwell" to attend on Friday.
O'Rourke said: "Dr Freeman is seeing his psychiatrist today so I'm not in position to get any instructions."
13/12/2019, 09:20
Yet more quaxing
We could do this all day.
Maybe we'll do this all day.
I see your bike basket ....
and raise you a kitchen table #quaxingpic.twitter.com/guhXkqmU9Y— Chris Kenyon (@BoxbikeLondon) July 7, 2019
13/12/2019, 09:18
More quaxing
No, you're getting distracted by other things...
Mein Freund, der 5-Meter-Baum, wollte halt vom Gartenmarkt so schnell wie möglich in die Erde, und kein Auto hätte ihm helfen können. #MehrPlatzfuersRadpic.twitter.com/phLf4F2lpr
— Michael Schroeren (@MSchroeren) October 16, 2019
13/12/2019, 09:12
Quaxing
For those who don’t know, ‘to quax’ means to shop by means of walking, cycling or public transit.
The word comes from the spectacularly-named Dick Quax, who won a silver medal for New Zealand in the 5,000m at the 1976 Olympics and who later became a politician.
In January 2015, Quax tweeted his disbelief that anyone in the Western world would go shopping by means of "walking, cycling, or public transit."
Danes: "Hmm. Cool. Interesting technique".
Rest of the world: "WTF?! Amazing!"
Recife, Brazil. Next level #quaxingpic.twitter.com/XdUhUKS722— Mikael Colville-Andersen (@colvilleandersn) December 12, 2019
13/12/2019, 09:10
Morning!
Working on the principle that if you've found yourself on our live blog this morning, you're most likely making a conscious effort to avoid other news, let's start with something completely unrelated to the UK general election.
We'll probably mention it at some point though. It's kinda newsworthy.