(thanks cozy beehive)

Does not speak much to how well each bicycle rides or performs.

I’m VERY interested in getting the BMC Team Machine out for a few rides when they land in the USA next month!

2XU compression garments get a nice review here and are a featured product in Portland Bicycle Studio!

I’m a fan of components that work well without gimmicks. The new Shimano Di-2 component groups is one of those well designed products. Shimano really means it when they say: STI (Shimano Total Integration). The group as a whole excels! Every component is dialed in to complement and work flawlessly with the other components in the group.

If you have the means, the Di-2 group is the best thing you can put on your bike.

I’ve raced and ridden on the new Ultegra. It is fantastic. I love the light shifting, the effortless move from the small ring to the big. It has greatly improved ergonomics, and all of the technology trickling down from the Dura Ace 7900 in a more affordable price range.

Complete BMC Pro Machine ($2599 frameset) as shown: $4599 USD

“Two EX You?”

Apparently either way works.

I met up with the rep for BONT shoes and 2XU compression garments. Going to bring the 2XU gear into Portland Bicycle Studio. Very awesome. Check out those BONT shoes too. FULL CARBON TT SHOES? Holy crap.

Have you seen these K-Edge chain watchers? This is the new clamp on style. Excellent for compact road crank sets and everything cyclocross. Keep your chain from dropping on the inside. Compatible with braze on front derailleurs too.

Dugast Rhinos, FMB cotton, Challenge Grifos. To name a few.

Keep in mind: I don’t have as many wheel sets as Sven Nys. But, I do have a few wheels per race bike. I mean, what serious cyclocross racer does not? You want to have tyres to cover all conditions or a decent all-around tyre if you only have one race wheel set.

A couple of race wheel set line ups:

1 set of FMB Grifo Sprints 32mm
2 sets of Challenge Grifo 32mm
2 sets of Dugast Rhino 32mm

or

1 set of FMB SSC Sprints 32mm
1 set of TUFO Flexus Primus 32mm
1 set of Challenge Grifo 32mm
1 set of FMB Grippo XL 32mm
1 set TUFO Flexus Cubus 32mm

These would cover all of your bases. Dry condition tyres, wet condition tyres. Fast tyres, agressive tyres.

But ah… Challenge has been having delivery problems. (which does not mean your LBS does not have any but, my little bike shop does not) and I am clean out of Dugasts. I’ve got an order of Dugast Rhinos on order that are due in late September! Late September!? I’ll have 8 cyclocross races behind me by then! (read: my fault here for NOT ordering dozens of Rhinos in the spring right?)

Francois has been turning out cx tyres for me like CRAZY. What was once a 4-8weeks (yes, that is quite the range) has been more like 2 week turn delivery. And the pricing is not ridiculous. It is downright reasonable. FMB has contracted to get Challenge and “Schwalbe” treads. So, now you can get an FMB cotton casing with a Grifo, Grifo xs or Fango tread. Not to mention the classic Racing Ralph tread design. Go Francois Marie!!

That is faster than I can get Challenge or Dugast tyres! In lieu of waiting to get Dugasts Rhinos and Challenge Grifos and as availability is slim right now:

I’m taking deposits on pre-orders for FMB and Dugast tyres.
This will be the best way to make sure you have what you need going in to the cyclocross season.

FMB Grifo mediums $120
FMB Grippo XL $130
Dugast Rhinos are $120

Add $10 for shipping in the continental US. Or free local pickup.

(existing PBS clients and attendees of the Upper Echelon-Portland Bicycle Studio cyclocross clinics are eligible for a discount on their order)

Email your order or questions to me here.

Tubular cyclocross tyre installation is $50 per tyre.

Portland Bicycle Studio works closely with a number of local frame builders. Providing fitting services to their clients, allowing them to spend more time creating!

More details to come.

THIS FITTING SERVICE IS INCLUDED WITH EVERY CUSTOM OR STOCK COMPLETE BICYCLE PURCHASED AT PORTLAND BICYCLE STUDIO.