Fi'zi:k Tundra 2 saddle // short term test review

After a good bit of hesitation I finally decided to get a new saddle for the XC bike. The choice was the beast looking Fi'zi:k Tundra 2. I use Fi'zi:k saddle on my road bike as well for many years so I know how good these saddles are. I always had my eyes on this beauty but I fell in love with it at the Irish Cycling Show and there was no turning back! 

I just got this saddle recently but I think it well worth to write few words about 'cause it is an absolutely great saddle for XC riders. I got this fitted on the bike straight after the show and used it for 3 proper off-road spins so far. 

Ready for testing

I've spent about 10 hours riding time on this saddle at this stage and the first thing that I realized besides the low enough weight was the really comfortable riding position on the bike. I like the way the nose of the saddle is pretty narrow and it isn't too wide at the back either. This provides easy possibility to slide behind the saddle on some seriously steep and technical descents. The shape of the saddle is very flat looking from the side, there is no curve at all like we see that on the Gobi model from the same manufacturer company.    

The padding is pretty thin and kind of hardish in my opinion but I'm happy with that since I prefer less padding and harder saddles in general. The added flexiblity increases the comfort on more extreme terrain. I managed to try out this saddle in pretty much every situation (tarmac, fire road, steep technical climb, rocks, roots, etc...) and it was simply comfy all the way!

Description                                         

• weight: 220 gr                                            
• dimensions: 290 mm x 125 mm                    
• shell: Nylon Carbon reinforced
• front cover: White MicroTex
• central cover: White MicroTex
• rear cover: White glossy MicroTex
• rail: Hollow Manganese 7 mm

Pros

• comfortable
• durable looking cover
• cool design
• low enough weight

Cons:

• very high profile (seat height needed proper adjustment)

So, after this very short term testing I'm very happy with the Tundra 2 so far. It's a great saddle indeed for every rider who prefers high performance saddle on the bike. I'm glad I've picked this model and I'm sure it will serve my perfectly through all the training and racing hopefully for many years to come! I'm simply loving it! :)

Brand new ThinkBike.ie CC gear for 2012

It felt like Christmas time returned to the Lower Rathmines Road for a short time this afternoon when this box has been delivered. Opened it up quickly and there it was: brand new & refreshed ThinkBike.ie CC club gear for 2012. 

The main design of the kit remains the same but few changes are there: new logos instead of some of the old ones, but the biggest difference is the Dublin crest and the text that marks Rathmines.  

My new set of XS kit for this year :)

I'm glad I could get my hands on this hot, new gear and can't wait to wear it proudly for the first time when I will be out on the bike! Exciting times! 

Forced to turn back // Torn off rear mech...

So, there I was, having fun up on Threerock just as I normally do. Toasty hot day, dusty dry trails, listening to my favourite song through my earphones and riding the sweetest trails on the back of the mountain. It was too good to be true I guess 'cause all I heard was this horrible sound. The kind that I heard before and I don't really want to hear too often. The rear mech hanger got torn off...

I knew it straight away I have a pretty long walk before I get back home. There was nothing else to do but start pushing the bike back towards the top of the mountain. Luckily I found a rubber hair band on the fire road that I could use to secure the mech to the chainstay so at least it didn't bounce against the ground and the spokes anymore...When I got up to the top I met a fellow mountain biker, who helped me out with some cable ties to secure the mech properly, so I can freewheel home at least on the downhill part of the way. 

Hair band & cable ties can fix everything! :)

Once the DIY repair was done I was ready to roll (as much as I could do that) with the broken bike...Rolling downhill, walking on flat and uphill. Wasn't the type of fun I bargained for when I left my house. But hey! I was on my way back home and that was good enough for me! :)

The end of my freewheeling session, non-stop walk from this point

Once I got to Dundrum, there was no more downhill to enjoy so nothing else left to do but get off the bike and start walking. Luckily I don't live that far from there so it wasn't too bad. 

Nice little "adventure" for today. This little incident has ruined my spin and now I have to get a new hanger sorted for the bike as well. Ah well, it's a technical sport, things like this could happen. Although I hope the next time when this will happen to me is about 5 years from today! :)  

Note to self:

- always carry an extra rear mech hanger just in case

- never have funny thoughts about guys who ride with backpacks, one of them just saved me today! Fair play to him!  

Riding my bike & living life // Summer mode is ON!

 

After about a week and a half non-biking time I was dying to get out on the bike! I got some nice overtime built up at work so I'm off for couple of days and I got to admit that the timing couldn't be any better: summer has arrived!!! Clear sky, super hot days, sunburn and everything! :)

What to wait for then?! I was on my way in no time!

I managed to get 2 spins done in the last 2 days with the total riding time of 4 hours and 20 minutes, which I'm pretty happy with mainly 'cause I'm on 24/7 Baby Alert at this stage. This was the main reason why I stayed around the local mountains, kind of hoping to be able to get back home fast enough if I need to. :) 

Excellent view!

The plan was that I had no plan. I've decided I take it as it comes but the only criteria was to visit most of my favourite places around Dublin. Here is the list of these super cool places that I never get bored with: Ticknock, Fairy Castle, Threerock, Wicklow Way, Tibradden, Kilmashogue. 

Fun time on the Metro trail

Now, the only thing I can tell is that when I ride my bike only once a week it does not help to stay fast that's for sure. These spins aren't Strava worthy ones or anything but I sure did have fun and enjoyed the hell out of my time on the bike! I was riding all over the place, riding trails back and forward and enjoyed the mega hot summer days with temperature that I don't remember when I seen in Ireland for the last time. I might even risk it to say it out loud: summer is here! :)

Near Tibradden

Enjoying the sun on Threerock

Managed some sweet max. speed on the Kilmashogue fire road: 65,4 km/hour...

Mountain biking is fantastic in weather like this but also can be done in pretty much every other conditions. The only thing that can't really be fun on a crapy day is a proper BBQ! So, we didn't want to miss our chance: fired up the grill and got some lovely chicken breats thrown on it. After the savage spin this was the perfect way to finish the day! 100%  loved it! :)

Chillin' with the BBQ & my bubbly (strictly non-alcoholic one)   ;)

Here it is, the best home made chicken burger in town! :)

The last 2 days were absolutely fantastic: spent lots of time with my wife Anett, went for mountain bike spins, got lots of rest, had lovely food and I did all this in proper summer conditions! Needless to say: life is great! :)

Irish Cycling Show '12 // What a weekend it was!

Huh, what a weekend I've had...wow! The first Irish Cycling Show was absolutely brilliant event and I have to say, whoever wasn't there at the RDS this weekend possibly missed out a fun filled two days! I spent 3 days there (1 day to set up and 2 more days when the show was open to the public) on the ThinkBike stand.

Ready for all the visitors! ;)

Of course besides all the work I've been doing I had plenty of chance to look around and find stuff that I'm interested in: Trek, Kona, Rotor, Q-Rings, USN, some sweet Titanium Bikes, Stunt Show and all the nice gear! 

With Stephen Roche

But of course one of the most important thing to me was that one of the biggest, legendery cyclist was present: Stephen Roche who won the Tour de France, Giro d'Italia and the World Championship in 1987. I met him once before (Tour of Ireland, couple of years back) but it was such a nice opportonuty to see him again, chat for a little while and of course get a nice autograph as well that goes to my collection on my wall! I'm truly amazed how nice and friendly personality he has! Wow, what a champion! Was fantastic to meet him once again! :)

 

I met countless friends and cycling buddies over the 2 days and had some great conversations indeed about new bikes, gear and about the show in general.

At this point I'm pretty tired but still buzzing and thinking about how good the weekend was. I'm already looking forward to next year's event, I hope I get to be there too! It would be super cool to see the Cycling Show back in 2013! :)