I started to use the basic model of the new Look S-Track pedals a month ago, so I think it's enough time to be able to look into a short term review on them.
The first couple of days were a bit bumpy I need to admit that. Setting up the cleats were a bit tricky I think. Using the provided shims during the fitting was very important. After many attempts for setting up everything right I ended up finding the perfect fit with the 1mm thick shims under the cleats. Now, once that was out of the way I was able to truly enjoy these fantastic pedals from Look.
I have tested them in every possible conditions that can be found during the summer months. They performed very well even in the deepest sticky-mud situations and never left me in trouble during the last 4 weeks.
Docking-in and cliping-out has a solid & definite feel and the increased contact surface on the pedals really helps to be confident on the trails. The float amount is perfect and there's a clear point before release.
The cleats are in perfect condition, although I would be surprised if they would be any different after only 4 weeks of riding. The rubber inserts are also very durable, there's no damage on the whatsoever.
I've heard lots of mixed opinions about the S-Track pedals before, but after I got them fitted on the bike I'm 100% convinced about how good they are. Reliable and comfortable system so far that doesn't add too much weith to the bike either. I like them a lot after the first 4 weeks, but let's see how they will perform over the upcoming months.
I hope I can say nothing but good about them after a bit more testing!
Wow! What a brilliant race it was, I'm still buzzing. I have raced the 2014 European MTB Marathon Champs in Ballyhoura (Ireland) last Saturday. This was my first race of the year, mainly because my whole preparation was focused on this particular event. And after the long-long winter months, after all the hard work the race weekend has finally arrived. But let's go from the start!
I have signed up for the Masters Category on Saturday and decided to travel to the race venue on Friday and stay over night. So, I had the family Skoda all packed up and hit the road shortly after lunch. After the nearly 2 and a half hours drive I arrived to Kilfinnane. Quick registration and then straight back to the camping site to get my HQ up and running.
All set for the night
Next morning, race day, all excited and ready to hit the trails. Packed up and started to get ready for our start that was at 11 am sharp. Got the final touches done and I was all good to go, ready to face all those savage trails and mighty climbs in the Ballyhoura Country.
Food & drink are sorted for the feed zones
At the race centre just before the race. Ready to roll
Gridding was done, had a few last words and jokes with the lads just before the race. As I was watching the timer I had one thought crossing my mind: "Here we are, this is it now. Give absolutely everything today." And then there was no more waiting, off we went. The first long fire road started to make the selection pretty quickly. By the time we finished our start loop I managed to settle and do my own thing.
Out on the start loop shortly after the start.
After the start loop the real race has started
Bend after bend, climb after climb we started to eat up the kilometers of the course. Felt a bit all over the place at the beginning of the race, I needed about 25 km to find myself. Had some difficulty to pick the groups that I can or can't deal with in relation of the pace. But just shortly before I reached the second tech / feed zone I really started to feel what I was doing and started to really race my race.
In my own little bubble.
At this point the weather started to kick in properly. The roasting hot Irish sun turned the heat on, turning the race even more fun. The conditions on the course were ideal for me: mix of dusty dry fire roads and muddy and wet single tracks spiced up with some proper river crossing along the way. Simply brilliant spot on the Earth to race XC Marathon!
Hour after hour, climb after climb, feed zone after feed zone. Battles on climbs, holding onto wheels on the fast descents. Before I knew it I was back to the start / finish area to head out for the last short section of the course. It gave me such a huge boost to cross the busy race centre. All the noise, the music, the familiar faces and all the cheering. It was priceless! I felt lifted...
Heading out for the last bit of the course
... but not for very long time. Once I hit the fie road climb again I hit the wall as well. Felt absolutelly horrible for a little while. Started to suffer and things got even worst as I was kicking the pedals. Felt like I'm getting nowhere and there was still about 10 km to go. Then the course got nicer again with a bit of a flow to it, so I managed to pull things together and started to push harder again. Also knew I was getting closer and closer to the finish, so that helped me a good bit also.
Then there I was. Let, right, left, the final muddy and slippery descent and left again. The finish line was only a few metres away. Brilliant! I did it! Crossed the finish line!!
Catching my breath just minutes after the race
The faithful Cannondale, what a bike for the job! No mechanical issues whatsoever and the 29er wheels are the business for a race like this!
I finished the 75 km race with 1950 elevation gain under 4 hours and 33 minutes. This was enough for me to get the 25th place out on the 84 riders in the Masters field.
I am very happy with this result. I had a great race where everything fell in place. There was no drama along the way: no mechanical issues, managed to get the food and drink right, gave absolutely 100% and even the weather was brilliant. What more could I ask for?
Check out this amazing footage, it's really shows what it's all about!
Thanks to Niall Davis and for everyone from the Biking.ie crew for putting another spectacular show on. Very well run event, easily the best I ever raced! It was fantastic experience to be there and race in Ballyhoura!
Also huge thanks to Judit Török from the Beauty Boudoir for all her support during the preparation, for the Cycle SuperStore for getting me sorted with the superb Cannondale race bike and for helping out with the pre-race bike prep.
I love every race I do, but this one is going to truly special to me. Tons of priceless memories that I never going to forget. Many thanks again!
The last update before the race on Saturday. What can I say? The training is done, the bike is prepared, the gear is prepared, I'm pretty much all sorted at this point. Only a good night sleep and a long drive is between me and possibly the best race I ever signed up for!
Started to feel the buzz and I can't wait to get to the Race Village! Ballyhoura here I come!
I have been contacted by Wickow based photographer Rodrigo Cunha not long ago to work together and make one of his project come true. This project was based on mountain biking, so needless to say that I was on board straight away! After weeks of planning (and hoping for good enough weather for the photoshoot) we have finally managed to get the job done. Went up to Threerock to capture some nice XC action on the local trails.
Here's a sweet shot, just to see what we have been up to. There's plenty more to come, so stay tuned. And in the main time check out his website on www.rcportraits.com !
It was brilliant to work together with him, I was delighted to be part of this photo project of his. Many thanks for the stunning images, can't wait to see the rest of them! :)
Over the last 8 months I was pretty busy with my training to get ready for the upcoming XCM European Champs. But besides all the hard work the other very important thing was the recovery. And my recovery couldn't be this good without the amazing support of TheBeauty Boudoir in Rathmines.
I would like to say a massive thank you for all the help over the last 6 months. The massage on the tired legs was helping me so much every time thanks to Judit Török. Lovely place, relaxing atmosphere and very friendly staff. It was brilliant to visit you every time and many thanks for everything, appreciate the support! Hope to see you soon!
Here's the new generation of the Look MTB pedals. The S-Track is the replacement version of the Look Quartz model. They are designed to be more reliable than the old version.
The basic version has Cromoly steel axle and composite body. It tips the scale at 284g/ pair. The deflectors help to flip the pedal for easy clip-in. They have +/- 3 degrees float and 15 degree release angle.
Ready for the first test ride
The new cleats and the various shims to find the perfect fit with your shoes
The increased contact surface gives
extra support to the sole of the shoes but to achieve the best result
you need to use the perfect amount of the provided shims.
One
of the most important thing for XC and Cyclocross riders is the the
mud-shedding capability. It's ment to be outstanding thanks to the
cutaway type cleat design and also to the profile of the pedals
I recently got a pair of these bad boys for testing thanks to the Cycle SuperStore. I will be using them and will be writing a short and long term review on them. I have them fitted on the bike already and testing has started already. I'm looking forward to give them a proper go on the next few months and to see how much the legendary company improved on their MTB pedal range.
There's less than 2 weeks to go until the race, so I figured it's time to post another quick update about what I've been up to lately. In a nutshell: everything is going great! Training has been going good, luckily I managed to avoid sickness also. Happy days! :)
I have completed my registration to the event as well, so that part is sorted out. At this point I'm trying to organize my weekend in Kilfinane Village. I've decided to do some camping and go through the weekend with a bit of a nomad style. Tent, sleeping bag and all the rest. It'll be fun I have to say, all I need is good weather and it'll be grand.
Only a few hard MTB sessions left before the race and then I get to see how well the preparation went in the last 8 months. I feel ready and I'm excited too. Counting the days already, bring it on Ballyhoura!! :)
