Colnago Master Light AD4 Build - Colnago Perfection

We have been building up a very special bike over the past few months.  Since December, we have been compiling components and waiting for the hand built and hand painted Colnago Master frame set to arrive.  It landed a week ago and the last seven days have been spent watching as this beautiful machine comes to fruition.

We've taken a few photos but they won't do it justice.

Build

Master AD4 size 53 frameset

Colnago Carbon 1" Street Fork

Campagnolo Super Record Groupset 53/39 w. 12-29 Chorus Cassette

Colnago Master Seatpost

Colnago Carbon Headset

Colnago SLR Ti Saddle

3T Stealth Stem

3T Ergonova Bars

Campagnolo Scirocco 35mm Clincher Wheelset GP4000 Tyres

Colnago Cages

Build - Josh Prete

Cycling Orthotics. What do they do?

I've covered this topic previously in fairly scientific terms and unfortunately, the jargon contained therein makes for pretty heavy reading.  To simplify, let's approach the topic in a more example driven context and explain what we can achieve when using orthotic therapy in cycling.  But first, let's run through a couple of the frequently presented pathologies to us at The Pedaler and across our sister brand Cobra9 Cycling Orthotics.

1. Hot foot - Either focal regions or the whole forefoot.  Very common.

2. Numb foot - Again, either focal regions or the whole foot.  Very common.

3. Painful boney 'lumps' - These can be over bunions or soft tissue swellings.

4. Lower limb overuse injuries - Knee pain, hip pain or ankle impingement.  Very common.

5. Arch strain / pain - Typically in the arch or on the outside of the foot.  Less common.

The use of cycling orthotics to treat these conditions depends on the circumstances behind their emergence and no broad generalisation of treatment options is possible.  However the method by which a cycling orthotic may effect these conditions is set out below.

1.  Increasing the surface are for reduction is pressure.  Simply, Pressure = Force / Area of distribution.  

By providing an increase in the surface area, you can reduce the peak pressure (as long as the force remains constant).  We shouldn't over estimate our influence here as the orthotic in the shoe is an inert object.  It doesn't 'push' back.  However, a stable and well designed shell can alter the pressure.

2. Reducing overuse injuries by altering the direction of force of the pedal stroke.  By shifting the angle of the orthotic we can adjust the direction that the load passes through the foot and ankle.  Again, we shouldn't over estimate the impact here and imagine meteoric shifts in visual outcomes, but given the repetition involved in cycling, small changes can make a huge difference.  

3.  Altering focal areas of pressure via prescribed additions.  We can modify an orthotic and add a range of options to alter pressure points.  Domes, deflection cut outs, dual density materials, memory foam and camber shifts are a few examples whereby you can improve pain by moving load to a tolerable location on the foot.  

When treating a cyclist or any patient for that matter, providing generalised treatment prescriptions is impossible.  There are far too many other variables to simplify the process down to a pure formula.  However, you can begin to see where the relationships emerge.

Someone who complains of focal forefoot burning may benefit from an increase in area of pressure distribution along with selected topical orthotic modifications to shift the load away from boney, swollen or painful regions.  

A cyclist with a sore knee due to repetitious knee movement may benefit from altering the direction of load from the 'foot up'.  

A cyclist suffering from 'numb foot' may benefit from a reduction in insole thickness paired with changing shoes and/or the alteration of the forefoot load by modifying the shape of the forefoot of an orthotic with a dome / cut out or a combination of both.

As you may have noticed, the concept of power has not been discussed.  That is simply because there is no scientific study to back it up and what current studies that do exist within this field are either statistically imperfect or not relevant to the use of prescription orthotics.  It is unlikely this will change as placebo double blinded trials with prescription orthotic therapy are incredibly difficult given no two prescribed orthotics are the same and a placebo prescription cycling orthotic is virtually impossible to create.  There is however, a great deal of good research into other cycling orthotic based outcomes from a variety of institutions including some very good examples from Brisbane's own University of Queensland.

As a consequence, most studies end with similar conclusions supporting the notion of a case by case approach to orthotic therapy whilst using as much evidence based practise as practically possible. This is our approach at The Pedaler and Cobra9.  Our 16 years of experience treating cyclists certainly helps as well.

So when you are considering whether a cycling orthotic is what you need, remember that they aren't magic wands.  They are one treatment option among many others and may require fine tuning.  Make sure your condition is explained to you first, then the basis behind why orthotic therapy may help your pathology needs to be clearly outlined.  Be informed......then get something cool from your Private Health Insurance for a change!!

Nathan White B Hth Sc (Hons) Podiatry, M A Pod A, AAPSM, SMA

How often do I need to service my bike?

How often should you be servicing your bike?

A common question asked at bike shops is 'how often should I be servicing my bike?'. Unfortunately, there is no blanket rule, and a lot of variables influence our answer.  

For arguments sake lets say you are a cyclist who rides 4-5 times a week, races a crit on the weekend and has a few big goals throughout the year. Apart from a major incident, the components on your bike will wear out a pretty steady rate. This makes it difficult to know when your bike needs a service until its blatantly obvious, (e.g a cable splitting inside the lever).  

For the most part, the work that should be done to keep your bike in a great condition is stuff that can be done at home, so I have come up with a bit of a schedule of what you should be doing to keep your bike rolling as it did when you bought it.

Daily:

·         Pump up your tyres and check for cuts

·         If you have done a sweaty ergo session, hose your bike down, and get the sweat off your bars and levers. We sweat a lot in Qld, and the amount of salt that gathers under some peoples bar tape is incredible. The last thing you want is for your alloy bars to snap under you. It happens.

Weekly:

·         Wash your bike. Degrease the drive-train and apply some fresh lube to the chain, jockey wheels and pivot points on the derailleurs and brakes.

·         Look for any wear and tear while doing this, particularly fraying cables and gritty bottom bracket and headset bearings.

Monthly:

·         Check the state of your chain. Bring your bike into The Pedaler and let us measure the chain to check the wear.

·         If you have Di2, we can check for new firmware updates and make sure you have the latest software and do an error check.

Quarterly:

·         Degrease and re-grease the Headset and Bottom Bracket. Its good to know how much life you have left in your bearings. Spin the bearings with your finger and feel for roughness.

Half Year:

·         Replace Cables, chain, tyres, handlebar tape and cleats. For both safety and aesthetics.   

The most important aspects of this process are the first two. By keeping your bike clean and tidy you will be fixing problems before they arise. Your drive-train will last longer and you won’t be getting any corrosion on your bars and levers.

Obviously this can all be quite time consuming, and that’s where we step in.  We are happy to do the little jobs, and keep your bike running smoothly and looking awesome. A good quality bike deserves to be maintained, not ridden into the ground then resurrected.  

'The Athletic' lands at The Pedaler - Smoove.

The Athletic drops in Brisvegas.  

We've been pretty keen on the Portland flavoured gear from 'The Athletic' for some time.  After sampling the goods at Wheelhaus in Sydney and having every member in our team asking after it, the first shipment of Socks, Caps and Bidons have landed today.

We pride ourselves in stocking the best gear possible and we are stoked to add to our ever growing wall of sock.  Come on in and sample to goodness.  The Athletic will not be available in our online shop.  

The Colours Edition V1-r Colnagos are so much more then beautiful wall art.

The smooth curves of the V1-r paired with Colnago's renown paint quality creates a race machine that is in it's own category.  The V1-r is lightweight designed to reduce drag yet still inspire the superb ride quality synonymous with every one of Colnago's high end frames. 

It is not often you can have one of the world's fastest bikes turned out with a paint finish that you would normally associate with an after market job.  The subtle Ferrari logo hints at the underlying pedigree of these machines.  We are building up two of these at the moment and we will provide updated images as they progress.  

The Pedaler Punches on in Summer Team Series

A solid squad represented The Pedaler on Sunday at Murrarie.  As well as setting up a mobile shop at the event, The Pedaler also represented with Josh, Sam, Matt, Phil and JJ  in the A Grade Teams race.  A few early attacks by Phil, with Matt, JJ, Josh and Sam helping bring back a late break.  It was a fantastic event and having Jared from Scool bikes on hand to help the young ones rip around the short track was a huge boost.

Thanks to everyone who popped in and ate us out of Megabake Witcheaters!!  We'll be back next year.

Fat bikes rule.  Henry rocking the Scool 20inch fattie and ATQ cap.

photos Bear Liange

Wurkshop Launches at The Pedaler

After careful deliberation, we now provide full bike mechanic services out of our Milton Cyclery.  We also offer a Valet Service for those that are too busy to drop off and pick up.

To cater for this service, The Pedaler welcomes Joshua Prete into our family.  Josh has raced extensively across Australia and internationally.   He has also has been working as a mechanic for the past 5 years including many years specifically working with Colnagos.

We offer an extensive range of bike service options and use only Park Tools and Wurkstands within our Service Course.  Give us a call when you next need a service for your bike or yourself.

Shop Launch // Cobra9 Intebuild Team Launch

Thanks to everyone who made the Official Shop Launch a huge success.  Over 100 people enjoyed a balmy afternoon sipping Peroni, eating Pizza and listening to tunes.  The Watt Bike Competition was fiercely contested with Melita and Josh taking out honours and a coffee coupon from Odyssey Project for their endeavours.  

The Elite Cobra9 Intebuild Race Team was also announced with 12 fresh faces looking forward to a huge year of racing.  Thanks to Jac from Wonderbox for the cracking shots.