Table of contents for March 2016 in Cyclist

While in the UK it means you have a license to kill, in Italy the ‘00’ label means ‘the top’, making it a rather appropriate name for Fizik’s new premium finishing kit. Understated and spectral, the exposed unidirectional carbon finish of most items in the Cyrano 00 range intimates their ghostly weights. The seatpost tips the scales at 195g and the bars at just 170g. Even the alloy Cyrano R1 stem is a mere 128g. ‘The weights are made possible through the almost exclusive use of high modulus carbon fibre, along with other premium materials such as titanium bolts in the seatclamp and stem,’ says Hamish Bingley, Fizik’s UK brand manager. The seatpost has undergone a complete redesign. It has an entirely new head, while the clamp is designed to…

During a stage, I might take in six or seven gels. I’ll also have four or five bars and of course I’ll sip on energy drinks. You need a lot to get through the Tour.’ That’s Trek-Segafredo’s Bauke Mollema offering a snapshot of what he consumes during a day of the Tour de France. But which of those will get Mollema the energy he needs fastest? And is there a best time to consume each of them? Let’s examine the science. ‘In one study we showed that an energy gel, if taken with water, is as fast at delivering energy as a drink,’ says Asker Jeukendrup, a sports nutritionist who works with Lotto-Soudal. ‘That’s not surprising because you’re consuming a similar amount of carbs but, instead of diluting it in…

1 LIFELINE PRIME TYRES £14, wiggle.co.uk The first winner of the American Who Wants To Be A Millionaire used his ‘phone a friend’ lifeline on the final question to call his father to tell him he was about to win a million dollars. That’s some serious belief, a trait LifeLine shares in its new Prime tyres, which boast 120tpi carcasses and weigh a respectable 241g for the Race and 279g for the puncture-resistant Armour. They could be your final answer. 2 GORILLA TAPE from £2.79, madison.co.uk If King Kong rode tubeless tyres, this is what he’d use to seal his rim beds. Airtight, waterproof and insanely sticky, Gorilla Tape comes in a variety of widths and finishes, from regular black to frame-protecting clear. There’s even a camouflage version, essential for…

To download this route, go to cyclist.co.uk/45croatia. From the port of Stari Grad head south on the 6204 to Dol, then take the 6206 through Svirce and Vrisnik before joining the D116 to Zastra›i››e. On the return leg, the route hugs the coast through Jelsa to Vrboska before heading inland to join the D116. Just past Stari Grad, take the 6252 for the main climb of the day, which descends to Hvar on the south west coast.…

You’ve almost certainly had times on a ride when you’re so cold you feel as though you must be losing strength, or so hot that your power is wilting fast. The issue is your body’s homeostasis – the combination of mental and physical trickery that conspires to keep your core as close as possible to around 37°C, regardless of the outside temperature or your work rate. Tales may abound of pros producing extraordinary feats of endurance at both ends of the temperature scale, but we wanted to know how the average cyclist is affected by the external temperature, and whether you can train to maximise your performance. The chill wind Windchill is something every cyclist is uncomfortably aware of, and there are various calculations to ascertain the cooling effect dependent…

Lizzie Armitstead is strolling past the clinking masts and bobbing yachts of Cap d’Ail, an opulent seaside resort on the French Riviera near the glamorous city state of Monaco where the Otley-born cyclist now lives and trains. Lavish cream and ochre apartments line the waterfront. Expensive boutiques, clay tennis courts, casinos and five-star poodle-pampering parlours are just a short stroll away. But the queen of women’s cycling is far from dazzled by her residency in this luxurious land of leisure and loot. ‘I always think yachts look a bit weird,’ she confesses with characteristic Yorkshire bluntness. ‘It’s all those white plastic-looking bits. They look like caravans on water.’ Elizabeth Mary Armitstead has come a long way since her childhood days spent riding a second-hand purple bike decorated with balloon stencils…

The shore of Loch Tummel is a stretch of undulating, narrow road that feels a million miles from civilisation The peace and tranquillity of the Perthshire countryside are suddenly shattered by the sound of my co-rider’s phone. It’s the police. They’d like him to come in for questioning as soon as possible. All I know about Alan Anderson up to this point is that he is a Glaswegian stand-up comedian who also organises sportives and triathlons. Oh, and that he once wore Frank Sidebottom’s big papiermâché head. Other than these paltry details there is no hint he might harbour a dark past or be involved in nefarious activities. And yet here he is, wanted by the police. ‘Did he ever return Frank’s head?’ I find myself wondering. We’ve been riding…

Jack Nicholson grew up thinking his mother was his sister; Woody Harrelson’s father was a contract killer; David Bowie’s Major Tom was named after John Major’s dad; Freddie Mercury was born in Zanzibar, and Mowgli was raised by wolves. Which goes to show that behind every great name is an even greater story of origin, and it’s the same with bicycles. So this month enjoy tales of revolutionary designs, secret artisans and sewing machine repairmen. Plus, of course, impartial, considered views on which bikes have really made the grade. Commencing countdown……

This could be Enve’s most versatile wheelset yet. Designed in collaboration with aerodynamicist Simon Smart (that’s the SES bit – Smart Enve System), the SES 2.2s have a low 25mm profile that is actually wider than it is tall – the rim width is 27mm at the widest point. Wind-tunnel testing ensures great aero credentials without the associated downsides of deep sections in crosswinds, plus they are super light; we weighed this set at 1,320g (605g front, 715g rear). These are Enve’s first rims that are tubeless compatible, plus they have a new textured brake track that, combined with specially matched brake pads, brings wet weather braking performance in line with dry conditions. Or so Enve claims. Enve also appears to have pulled off the impossible by producing its own…

This portable set of rollers could be the answer to your pre-race warm-up needs. When in use, the trainer is 150cm long, with tripod legs that stretch 67cm wide to support your wheel-less front fork, but the whole thing folds up into a package just 60cm long and weighing 6.2kg, making it easy to transport. SportsCrafters claims the Omnium will even meet the carry-on luggage regulations when jumping on a flight. The rollers use the same ARC Technology as the rest of the company’s range, helping to reduce tyre wear and give a ‘real road’ feel.…

‘I found myself clear with these two Italians. I dropped a bottle and shouted, “Oh Christ!”, making a big show about it. They both looked back, and that’s when I got the jump’ Cyclist: How did you get into cycling? Vin Denson: I started by playing football, and I was always running and jumping over ditches in wartime to get stuff from the fields for my mum because you couldn’t get groceries like you do now. But I injured my knee and someone said, ‘You have to take up cycling because it’s the best sport for lubricating joints.’ Cyc: You became a super-domestique for some of the top riders, but did you ever want to be a team leader? VD: No, I don’t think so. I did my…

Think of the Costa Blanca and you paint a vivid mental picture of high-rise apartments and beer-bellied Brits. Some would argue such resorts are pockmarks on one of the most beautiful areas of Spain. Still, that’s where Etixx-Quick-Step is holding its January training camp, in the coastal resort of Calpe. With kebab shops nestled next to back-alley British dentists, it’s an incongruous setting for one of the richest teams in cycling – both financially and in historical terms – to prepare for their 2016 season. ‘Why do we train in Calpe?’ says directeur sportif Tom Steels, an ex-pro who won nine stages at the Tour de France. ‘Simple: the weather and terrain.’ Blue skies and temperatures of 15-18°C are near guaranteed, providing a more bike-friendly venue for riders who live…

Dear Frank How bad does the weather have to be before it’s OK to skip a ride? There is surely a fine line between being a ‘badass’ (Rule #9) and an idiot. Jered, by email Dear Jered The problem with your question is that you’re asking an idiot, so this is a lot like asking your coke dealer if you should be doing drugs. Bad weather is a relative madness, not an absolute one. A friend of mine recently rode up a mountain pass in Denver, Colorado, in high winter. That’s a double ‘high’ because Denver is already the Mile High City, and December in Denver is cold. More to the point, this friend tackled the pass in lightweight autumn attire consisting of knee warmers, a long-sleeve jersey, no hat,…

As women’s bikes go the S-Works Amira is an anomaly. There’s not a hint of pink on the frame, no mention of ‘endurance riding’ in the blurb and it comes with the stem slammed. The bike is all about stiffness and power transfer. It’s made for racing and as such is most at home in a competitive environment. That’s not to say that it’s uncomfortable – there’s enough compliance in the frame to make all-day riding a joy. It’s just that if you want to ride fast (and your bank balance is healthy) this could be the bike for you. Testament to the S-Works Amira’s performance is that Lizzie Armitstead rode one to victory at the 2015 World Road Race Championships. One of the reasons this bike is so fast…

To download this route go to cyclist. co.uk/45pitlochry . From the centre of town head east along the A924, then turn right on to Bridge Road and follow all the way until you reach the A9. Instead of crossing this dangerous road, join the cycle path to your right and join Foss Road for 20km, then turn right at the T-junction signposted Tummel Bridge. At the next T-junction, turn left for Kinloch Rannoch. Here, follow the signs for Rannoch Station, where the road ends. After retracing your route back to Bridge of Gaur, turn right along Loch Rannoch. At the end of the loch, bear right following the signs for Schiehallion. After the climb turn left on the B846, then at Tummel Bridge turn right…

The most alluring feature of any cycling weekend in Italy, apart from beautiful mountains and the opportunity to pedal in the wheeltracks of greats such as Fausto Coppi, Felice Gimondi and Gino Bartali, is the amazing food you get to demolish afterwards. So it’s apt that the first climb of the 2015 Gran Fondo Felice Gimondi-Bianchi, a scenic 162km odyssey that weaves like a soft string of spaghetti around the lush hills north of Bergamo in Lombardy, is called the Colle dei Pasta. I’m pedalling with gusto in the early-morning sunshine, enjoying that unmistakable feeling of dewy freshness that accompanies a pair of just-shaven man-legs and pristine lycra. The fragrance of sun lotion oozing from the peloton blends with the scent of fresh coffee wafting over from the balconies of…

THE SPEC Model Hersh Disc Groupset Shimano Ultegra 6800 Deviations Shimano RS685 hydraulic disc brakes Wheels Hersh 50mm carbon disc Finishing kit Deda Zero 100 stem, bars and seatpost, Selle Italia X1 saddle Weight 8.12kg Price £2,450 frameset, approx £4,895 as tested Contact  rosasport.co.uk Pop quiz. What do the following acronyms stand for? (1) Nasa (2) Scuba (3) Quango (4) Laser (5) Hersh. Answers on p126. OK, I’ll give you one now: Hersh. When I first encountered the brand, I assumed that Hersh was the surname of an ageing Italian master framebuilder who used to create bespoke bikes for pros in the 1960s that were rebranded with the logos of a major bike marque in order to avoid sponsorship conflicts, but who then set up shop for himself when all…

In their constant quest to keep us riding through even the coldest months of the year, clothing manufacturers are finding new ways to keep cyclists cosy when the temperature drops to freezing levels. And the latest weapon in the winter armoury is the insulated jacket. With the advent of hyper-efficient synthetic insulation from the likes of Primaloft and Polartec, these jackets promise to be exceptionally warm and light, without losing too much performance in the event of getting wet, which can happen with natural down fillings. They’re not as figure-hugging or as weather proof as many winter jackets and jerseys out there, but for cold, clear training days when speed isn’t the priority, they could prove to be the perfect partner. Some brands such as Castelli and Vulpine have created…

‘During a ride, a banana will often change colour from green to brown as your body heat ripens it. That will actually give you faster energy release when you need it the most’ The first shipment of bananas arrived in the UK in 1888, around the same time as the two-wheeled safety bicycle was starting to replace the penny-farthing. At that time, cyclists were generally of the upper classes and tended to refuel by stopping at inns and feasting on a four-course meal washed down with ale and followed by port and cigars. It wasn’t until more than half a century later that bananas made an unexpected appearance in the peloton. It was 1953 and Algerian professional cyclist Ahmed Kebaili, who had finished 40th in the 1950 Tour de France…

Hvar claims to have 2,700 hours of sunshine a year, which is around 1,000 hours more than most places in the UK The Hvar Hygienic Society was formed in 1868 to encourage the afflicted of northern Europe to bring their ‘diseased lungs’ to the island of Hvar, off the coast of southern Croatia. The society boasted proudly of the ‘mildness of our climate and our soothing air’, and urged sickly Austrians and Germans to experience Hvar life and enjoy a holiday where the society would provide ‘everything necessary for a comfortable stay for foreigners’. Cyclists weren’t on the island’s original guest list but they probably should have been. Hvar is a sliver of land measuring only 68.5km in length and just 10.5km at its widest point, but despite its size…

THE SPEC Model Cervélo S5 Groupset Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 9070 Deviations None Wheels HED Jet 6 Plus SCT Finishing Kit Cervélo All-Carbon Aero bars, FSA OS-99 CSI stem, Fizik Antares saddle Weight 7.22kg (size 56cm) Price £7,299 Contact  derby-cycle.com When Cervélo released the S5 four years ago it felt as if the brand had lifted bike design to new heights. Scientific white papers, wind-tunnel tests and stiffness analysis all played a part in a grand engineering project aimed at creating the most aerodynamic bike ever. In that sense it was a success, but it alarmed some onlookers with its abominable curves and aggressive tube shapes. This revision is undoubtedly more handsome, but Cervélo now has some formidable competition in the fight to lay claim to the fastest bike on the…

THE SPEC Model Chesini GP Groupset Campagnolo Record 2014 Deviations OMC V-Strong One alloy chainset Wheels Gest Balance C30 carbon Finishing kit Deda Superleggero alloy bars and stem, Deda Superleggero RS carbon seatpost, San Marco Aspide Carbon saddle Weight 7.82kg (size 56cm) Price £1,850 frameset, £4,880 as tested Contact  creazzo.co.uk Recently a debate raged on Cyclist’s Facebook page. Well, raged is possibly a bit strong for a thread that contained two-dozen comments and an emoji (it was the winky-tongue-outsmiley one). But nevertheless, it wasn’t long before saddles were flung over computers and the keyboard jockeys were off. I shan’t bore you with the details, but the main thrust of the argument being proposed by some people was: bikes made in Asia are mass-produced; mass-produced means poor quality; therefore Asian-made bikes…

THE DETAILS Weight 1,695g (916g rear, 779g front) Rim depth 45mm Rim width External 23mm Spoke count 16 front, 16 rear Price £1,750 Contact equinoxcarbonwheels.co.uk When these wheels arrived in the Cyclist offices, we were struck by déjà vu. Two years ago at the Eurobike trade show in Germany, we wandered over to the back of the vast aircraft hanger where the show is hosted to a tiny row of booths that were hidden out of sight of the main show. Far from being insignificant brands, these modest stands represented some of the real giants of the cycling world – a selection of manufacturers from Taiwan and China. One such factory, named Gigantex, had an intriguing wheel design, with a carbon rim laced extravagantly with carbon spokes. The wheelset was…