Campagnolo: 75 Years of Cycling Passion
by Paolo Facchinetti & Guido Rubino. Pre-order it now from Amazon.com.

I think I’m about to have an orgasm.

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Completed the climb up Emigration Canyon for the second time this season … felt pretty good, although my asthma definitely kicked my butt on the early parts of the climb before my lungs settled down. Had to take it easy the rest of the way of the climb, but managed to make it.

Unfortunately, my ride home ended in a minor tragedy on 27th South near 23rd East, when somehow a piece of bubble gum managed to destroy my rear derailleur … and my discount code for Backcountry.com doesn’t work for the one Record derailleur they have in stock.

They're not supposed to look like this, are they?

VeloNews | Shimano’s electronic Dura-Ace

Shimano has formally announced plans to release Dura-Ace Di2, a new electronic shifting option for the all-new 7900 series Dura-Ace, in January.

Composed of dual control shift/brake levers, front derailleur, rear derailleur, a wiring harness and battery pack, the new Dura-Ace Di2 7970 components integrate with components from the upcoming 7900 series Dura-Ace group, while adding only 68 grams.

Electrically actuated shifting eliminates cable friction and contamination. The shifters are now merely switches, which also allows for creative placement of optional remote shifters while reducing the weight and profile of the main shifting units. For example, a rider could place remote switches out on the ends of aero bars as well as on the top of drop bars near the stem.

Derailleur movements are computer-controlled and servo motors in both front and rear derailleur create synchronized shifts.

You know, because manual shifting is so difficult.

When Mavic tried this 10 years ago, they had no end of problems with their Zap and Mektronic systems. Knowing their thoroughness of design, I’m sure that Shimano has worked out all of those kinks, but I still just don’t see the point.

Although, I have to admit, with the exception of the battery pack, the stuff sure does LOOK sexy.

But I’ll stick with Campagnolo, unless someone feels like putting a full SRAM Red kit (along with some Reynolds carbon wheels) into my hot little hands.

VeloNews | Tech Report: The Campagnolo 11-speed Super Record group

In Feltre, Italy, this week, just 15km away from the memorial to Tullio Campagnolo at the summit of the Croce d’Aune pass, Campagnolo reintroduced its Super Record racing group.

Super Record was Campagnolo’s mystical racing group, but it has been decommissioned for more than 20 years. For 2009, it, along with new Record and Chorus groups, will help celebrate the brand’s 75th anniversary. In addition to the groups, Campagnolo will offer new versions of its four top wheelsets: Hyperon Ultra Two, Bora Ultra Two, Shamal 2-Way Fit and Eurus 2-Way Fit.

The technologies and the range of products presented are nothing short of truly impressive. With SRAM’s Red, the new Shimano 7900 Dura-Ace group and now Campagnolo’s three new groups, 2009 will offer more choice and technology than ever before for those in the market for a new set of components.

But this is about Campagnolo. Its new products highlight the brand’s willingness to approach its competitors head on with its own innovation and new technology. On another hand, Campagnolo hasn’t lost its passion or respect for its own heritage; the new groups are as artful and stylish as any it has ever produced. And the new components are all still produced in Campagnolo’s factory in Vicenza, Italy. The three groups are based on and share technologies surrounding two key features: the third edition of Ergopower, which is called Ergopower Ultra-Shift, and an 11-speed cassette.

I know, I know … I should actually ride more before I start drooling over more bike parts; but you have to admit this group is absolutely gorgeous!!!

It’s amazing how much changes of just a few millimetres can make a difference on a bike.

I learned a lot about fitting when I worked for Tony Tom at A Bicycle Odyssey, in Sausalito, CA. One of the key things I learned is that it’s almost impossible to fit yourself.

I also learned that it’s a good idea to get your position checked professionally every couple of years to verify whether something worked for you previously is still ideal. This latter lesson is one that I’ve let slip over the past several years since moving to Utah, primarily because I’ve never really found someone that I trust as much as Tony.

I met with Dave Harward last night, for about 3 hours while we went over my position, and I definitely think I’m on the right track. I was heartened to find that my position was actually pretty close to what it needed to be, and that for now, it’s more a matter of refinement.

Raised the saddle 2 mm and moved it forward about 3 mm; swapped out the Campagnolo Record Pro-Fit pedals for my old Look CX6 pedals; and shimmed the cleats with Big Meat Power Wedges.

I know this doesn’t sound like a lot, but when you’ve been riding as long as I have, your body knows when something has changed.

I was really impressed at how thorough Dave was; taking multiple measurements on each side of hip-torso and elbow angles in the tops, hoods, and drops; of the knee angle when pedals were at 3:00 and when the legs were fully extended. Obviously, he doesn’t have the almost 30-years of experience that Tony does, but his process is sound, and he is well on the way.

Dave’s theory is that the position changes will open up my hip-torso angle a bit more, allowing my left leg to remain in a vertical plane more when pedaling, instead of swinging to the outside (as it is wont to do on about every 4th or 5th pedal stroke). This should ease some of the problems I have with the collateral fibular ligament that I’ve been dealing with for the past few years, allowing me to work on strengthening the left leg a bit more so that I’m getting more equal power, rather than favoring the right leg as I do now. Ultimately, this will make me a far more efficient rider.

For the next couple of weeks, I’ll be paying attention to how my body responds to the changes that have been made.

Then, as I keep working with Greg Freebairn to get my back and hips back into good working order, stretching to improve my flexibility, and dropping more weight to get me back under 170 lbs., Dave and I will tweak the position a bit more.

We’ll see how it goes.

In the meantime … call Dave, email Dave, or send a carrier pigeon to his house. Get fitted!

And stupid motherfuckers, at that.

My Trooper got broken into last night … the “thieves” smashed the front passenger window, knocked my roof rack all out-of-whack, and tried to steal my stereo, breaking my dash in the process.

They didn’t succeed in getting the stereo, which was held in by two small Phillips-head screws. Seems like any thief worth anything would carry tools for such an event.

They also didn’t steal my way-too-expensive bike, my extra set of Campagnolo wheels, my tools, my CDs, or any of the vast number of other items that were just sitting there in the open, in my now-unlocked SUV, with the alarm turned off.

Fuckin’ idiots.

And I am one lucky bastard to get off with only a broken window and dash.

Cops were called; they didn’t even want to come out to the house to “investigate”, just wanted to give me a case number over the phone. I convinced them to at least make a cursory inspection, then called the insurance company once I got my case number.

Glass has been replaced. Broken glass has been vacuumed out. Bike is back in the house under lock and key … and the alarm is now turn on, and will remain on in perpetuity.

The only thing left is to get the dashboard fixed, which should happen in the next week or so, once I get the estimate done and approved by Liberty Mutual (or Liberty Seguros, for our Spanish-speaking cycling fans).

Still can’t believe how lucky I was, though.