Interesting finds around the web
11-15-18, 11:50 AM
#2201
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Am I missing something here?
Are these chains significantly (or even moderately) better than a high quality, off-the-rack, properly lubricated, properly tensioned, un-stretched chain? Like the Izumi ECO or Super Toughness.
Anyone got any info that's not marketing material?
Are these chains significantly (or even moderately) better than a high quality, off-the-rack, properly lubricated, properly tensioned, un-stretched chain? Like the Izumi ECO or Super Toughness.
Anyone got any info that's not marketing material?
11-15-18, 12:47 PM
#2202
Senior Member
It's tough to test at home... or small scale at all. Enough time and you might tease it out like folks do with crr on tyres, but it'd be a task looking for such small % without proper equipment.
There is some % to be saved for sure. How much would depend on so many factors it'd be tough to put into cohesion. As ^700w alluded to, Wiggins Hour Record chain was the "best" of a bunch of (already high end) chains that were tested (there's variance in each chain from manufacturing)
If you were very interested in removing as much chain friction as possible, you'd buy an 11 speed Dura Ace chain, have it stripped and treated (lots of different ways to do it... I've never seen anything that was demonstrably better than the old Speed Wax recipe - cheap too!) and run the biggest chainring/cog combo you could. All 3/32 of course.
Hard to say what the difference between that and an Izumi would be... I don't know any tests that have been done on popular 1/8 chains. My guess is there is a fair gain there though... a watt?
There is some % to be saved for sure. How much would depend on so many factors it'd be tough to put into cohesion. As ^700w alluded to, Wiggins Hour Record chain was the "best" of a bunch of (already high end) chains that were tested (there's variance in each chain from manufacturing)
If you were very interested in removing as much chain friction as possible, you'd buy an 11 speed Dura Ace chain, have it stripped and treated (lots of different ways to do it... I've never seen anything that was demonstrably better than the old Speed Wax recipe - cheap too!) and run the biggest chainring/cog combo you could. All 3/32 of course.
Hard to say what the difference between that and an Izumi would be... I don't know any tests that have been done on popular 1/8 chains. My guess is there is a fair gain there though... a watt?
11-15-18, 02:15 PM
#2203
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Well, if anyone else wants to buy an extra watt, I’m available to scream bloody murder at you as you pass by every lap of your big event, or I could whisper motivational phrases in your ear in the infield (whatever floats your boat)...for $7,800 
11-15-18, 03:07 PM
#2204
Senior Member
I've been trying to sell myself as a personal "hype man" for years. There's got to be a market! All we need is a half hearted "study" showing a small improvement and people will eat it up!
11-15-18, 08:08 PM
#2205
Full Member
It's tough to test at home... or small scale at all. Enough time and you might tease it out like folks do with crr on tyres, but it'd be a task looking for such small % without proper equipment.
There is some % to be saved for sure. How much would depend on so many factors it'd be tough to put into cohesion. As ^700w alluded to, Wiggins Hour Record chain was the "best" of a bunch of (already high end) chains that were tested (there's variance in each chain from manufacturing)
If you were very interested in removing as much chain friction as possible, you'd buy an 11 speed Dura Ace chain, have it stripped and treated (lots of different ways to do it... I've never seen anything that was demonstrably better than the old Speed Wax recipe - cheap too!) and run the biggest chainring/cog combo you could. All 3/32 of course.
Hard to say what the difference between that and an Izumi would be... I don't know any tests that have been done on popular 1/8 chains. My guess is there is a fair gain there though... a watt?
There is some % to be saved for sure. How much would depend on so many factors it'd be tough to put into cohesion. As ^700w alluded to, Wiggins Hour Record chain was the "best" of a bunch of (already high end) chains that were tested (there's variance in each chain from manufacturing)
If you were very interested in removing as much chain friction as possible, you'd buy an 11 speed Dura Ace chain, have it stripped and treated (lots of different ways to do it... I've never seen anything that was demonstrably better than the old Speed Wax recipe - cheap too!) and run the biggest chainring/cog combo you could. All 3/32 of course.
Hard to say what the difference between that and an Izumi would be... I don't know any tests that have been done on popular 1/8 chains. My guess is there is a fair gain there though... a watt?
Last edited by tobukog; 11-15-18 at 08:11 PM.
11-16-18, 03:24 AM
#2206
Senior Member
There may be more than a watt... But compared to what? The very best 1/8 chain you can make /buy vs the best dura ace chain... I'm sure there's a difference, but slick drivetrain are already nearly 97-8%efficient, so there aren't big watt jumps from great to the best. Imo of course
11-16-18, 06:18 AM
#2207
Full Member
There may be more than a watt... But compared to what? The very best 1/8 chain you can make /buy vs the best dura ace chain... I'm sure there's a difference, but slick drivetrain are already nearly 97-8%efficient, so there aren't big watt jumps from great to the best. Imo of course
11-16-18, 06:27 AM
#2208
Senior Member
^ definitely possible. The difference between 105 and DA is big though. For trackies the problem is whether 1/8 is inherently worse than 3/32, or just that the 1/8 we have (which are generally marketed towards "tough" "unbreakable" etc) are worse. Without someone throwing them on the frictionfacts machine (or similar) it's just so tough to guess what starting place the 1/8 chain is at to then compare it to the DA chain. 5 watts is definitely possible in the drivetrain, no arguing that, I'm just hesitant to say there's that much difference between the "best" (whatever that is) 1/8 to a 3/32 DA chain. I have no doubt there is *some* difference though. It would be a fun test/project to build the ultimate enduro 1/8 chain.
*If anyone has a good test protocol and wants to try some high end 1/8 chains I've got
-Izumi (silver) chains - 1 waxed, 1 waxed + additives
-KMC 710sl - waxed + additives (that's the chain a lot of the uk guys - aerocoach,etc use)
-Izumi Super Toughness prototype from Premier Bicycles (triathlon bike manufacturer) which has been stripped/polished/coated
*If anyone has a good test protocol and wants to try some high end 1/8 chains I've got
-Izumi (silver) chains - 1 waxed, 1 waxed + additives
-KMC 710sl - waxed + additives (that's the chain a lot of the uk guys - aerocoach,etc use)
-Izumi Super Toughness prototype from Premier Bicycles (triathlon bike manufacturer) which has been stripped/polished/coated
Last edited by Morelock; 11-16-18 at 06:32 AM.
11-16-18, 07:21 PM
#2209
Lapped 3x
ASE files for chapter 11
https://www.velonews.com/2018/11/new...kruptcy_481472
I wonder if this will end up causing problems for some of the brands down the road. Maybe Fuji might be in trouble.
https://www.velonews.com/2018/11/new...kruptcy_481472
I wonder if this will end up causing problems for some of the brands down the road. Maybe Fuji might be in trouble.
11-17-18, 12:42 AM
#2210
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ASE files for chapter 11
https://www.velonews.com/2018/11/new...kruptcy_481472
I wonder if this will end up causing problems for some of the brands down the road. Maybe Fuji might be in trouble.
https://www.velonews.com/2018/11/new...kruptcy_481472
I wonder if this will end up causing problems for some of the brands down the road. Maybe Fuji might be in trouble.
Advanced Sports Enterprises (ASE), the parent company of retail chain Performance Bicycle, as well as bike brands Fuji, Kestrel, and Breezer Bikes, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the company confirmed Friday.
ASE was formed in August 2016 when Advanced Sports International merged with Performance Bicycle. The company also owns Bike Nashbar, SE, and Tuesday Cycles
ASE was formed in August 2016 when Advanced Sports International merged with Performance Bicycle. The company also owns Bike Nashbar, SE, and Tuesday Cycles
Sep 19, 2018:
[a certain President of the United States] approved import tariffs on 200 billion dollars worth of Chinese imports including $1 billion in goods in bicycle parts and components.
Chapter 11 vs Chapter 7:
When a business is unable to service its debt or pay its creditors, the business or its creditors can file with a federal bankruptcy court for protection under either Chapter 7 or Chapter 11.
In Chapter 7, the business ceases operations, a trustee sells all of its assets, and then distributes the proceeds to its creditors. Any residual amount is returned to the owners of the company.
In Chapter 11, in most instances the debtor remains in control of its business operations as a debtor in possession, and is subject to the oversight and jurisdiction of the court.
In Chapter 7, the business ceases operations, a trustee sells all of its assets, and then distributes the proceeds to its creditors. Any residual amount is returned to the owners of the company.
In Chapter 11, in most instances the debtor remains in control of its business operations as a debtor in possession, and is subject to the oversight and jurisdiction of the court.
11-17-18, 12:46 AM
#2211
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More:
https://www.bike-eu.com/sales-trends...ustry-10134414
[a certain President of the United States] ’s Tariffs on China Bike Imports Brings ‘Devastation to U.S. Industry’
WASHINGTON, USA – The by [a certain President of the United States] triggered trade war with China has led the United States to charge the import of regular bicycles as well as electric bikes and bike products from China with a 25 percent tariff. This comes on top of the regular 11 percent import duty (on ordinary bicycles) resulting in a total import tax rate of 36 percent. According to the country’s biggest bicycle importer – Huffy Corporation – it will have devastating impact on bike sales and it will devastate the American bicycle industry.
[a certain President of the United States] ’s Tariffs on China Bike Imports Brings ‘Devastation to U.S. Industry’ According to Huffy, U.S. biggest bicycle importer, Trump tariffs will have ‘devastating’ impact on bike sales.
The United States started to impose the 25 percent tariff on all bicycles imported from China on August 23. Earlier, at the public consultation rounds, Huffy’s President and CEO Bill Smith said in his comments to the U.S. Trade Representative “The tariff solves no problems. It only creates problems.” In particular as it brings serious disruptions to the current world trade in bikes and parts. That comes with the huge import volume in bicycles the Unites States annually imports from China.
WASHINGTON, USA – The by [a certain President of the United States] triggered trade war with China has led the United States to charge the import of regular bicycles as well as electric bikes and bike products from China with a 25 percent tariff. This comes on top of the regular 11 percent import duty (on ordinary bicycles) resulting in a total import tax rate of 36 percent. According to the country’s biggest bicycle importer – Huffy Corporation – it will have devastating impact on bike sales and it will devastate the American bicycle industry.
[a certain President of the United States] ’s Tariffs on China Bike Imports Brings ‘Devastation to U.S. Industry’ According to Huffy, U.S. biggest bicycle importer, Trump tariffs will have ‘devastating’ impact on bike sales.
The United States started to impose the 25 percent tariff on all bicycles imported from China on August 23. Earlier, at the public consultation rounds, Huffy’s President and CEO Bill Smith said in his comments to the U.S. Trade Representative “The tariff solves no problems. It only creates problems.” In particular as it brings serious disruptions to the current world trade in bikes and parts. That comes with the huge import volume in bicycles the Unites States annually imports from China.
11-17-18, 12:48 AM
#2212
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Profit margins in the bike game are already very, very slim compared to other retail markets (electronics, clothing, etc...). So, a 25% tariff is a death knell.
If Performance can't hang, what of the local bike shops?
If Performance can't hang, what of the local bike shops?
11-17-18, 07:02 AM
#2214
Senior Member
11-17-18, 09:07 AM
#2215
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@Spoonrobot, these issues that we both mention are not mutually-exclusive.
That's interesting!
Integrated seat mast...
Integrated seat mast...
11-17-18, 11:29 AM
#2216
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I don't think the issues with Performance have much relevance to the LBS, in this specific instance. And really closing 40 stores is going to drive a fair chunk of business to LBS, I suspect a great portion will go to REI as they are often much closer to each other than to an LBS but still would expect to see a lot of customers convert to their LBS.
Too bad. I remember they and Nashbar being my favorite mail-order stores (pre-internet) BITD and I actually was excited to shop at the Chapel Hill store on a visit to the area.
Edit: Looks like the Seattle store didn't make the cut:
https://www.performancebike.com/shop/free-shipping
Last edited by gl98115; 11-17-18 at 03:30 PM.
11-17-18, 01:25 PM
#2217
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@Spoonrobot, these issues that we both mention are not mutually-exclusive.
That's interesting!
Integrated seat mast...
That's interesting!
Integrated seat mast...
11-17-18, 04:06 PM
#2218
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@Spoonrobot, these issues that we both mention are not mutually-exclusive.
https://www.bicycleretailer.com/indu...ile-chapter-11
11-17-18, 05:12 PM
#2219
Full Member
Not necessarily related to Performance, but most of us are going to feel some effect from the tariffs. Business doesn't like uncertainty, and even the threat of tariffs in the bicycle industry makes it difficult for companies which are dependent on production or materials from International sources to confidently plan for the future. For myself, the team that I ride for lost a primary sponsor because they just couldn't determine if they could afford to continue sponsorship in the current climate of uncertainty.
11-17-18, 05:49 PM
#2220
Senior Member
The UCI has updated the rules for aerobars:
"...….the UCI also further refined the rules for time trial bikes, specifying the arm extensions for road time trial and track pursuit bikes must be in two parts, and there can only be elbow rests if there are also extensions. The rest can be only 12.5cm wide or long, and can only incline 15 degrees. There can only be a 10cm rise or drop between the elbow rest and the end of the extensions."
Source: UCI adds sock height, aero fabric regulations to 2019 rulebook | Cyclingnews.com
What does "two parts" mean? My aerobars contain eight parts excluding screws and bar tape (if they mean two assemblies then mine comply).
"...….the UCI also further refined the rules for time trial bikes, specifying the arm extensions for road time trial and track pursuit bikes must be in two parts, and there can only be elbow rests if there are also extensions. The rest can be only 12.5cm wide or long, and can only incline 15 degrees. There can only be a 10cm rise or drop between the elbow rest and the end of the extensions."
Source: UCI adds sock height, aero fabric regulations to 2019 rulebook | Cyclingnews.com
What does "two parts" mean? My aerobars contain eight parts excluding screws and bar tape (if they mean two assemblies then mine comply).
11-17-18, 07:08 PM
#2221
Senior Member
The UCI has updated the rules for aerobars:
"...….the UCI also further refined the rules for time trial bikes, specifying the arm extensions for road time trial and track pursuit bikes must be in two parts, and there can only be elbow rests if there are also extensions. The rest can be only 12.5cm wide or long, and can only incline 15 degrees. There can only be a 10cm rise or drop between the elbow rest and the end of the extensions."
Source: UCI adds sock height, aero fabric regulations to 2019 rulebook | Cyclingnews.com
What does "two parts" mean? My aerobars contain eight parts excluding screws and bar tape (if they mean two assemblies then mine comply).
"...….the UCI also further refined the rules for time trial bikes, specifying the arm extensions for road time trial and track pursuit bikes must be in two parts, and there can only be elbow rests if there are also extensions. The rest can be only 12.5cm wide or long, and can only incline 15 degrees. There can only be a 10cm rise or drop between the elbow rest and the end of the extensions."
Source: UCI adds sock height, aero fabric regulations to 2019 rulebook | Cyclingnews.com
What does "two parts" mean? My aerobars contain eight parts excluding screws and bar tape (if they mean two assemblies then mine comply).
[img]blob:https://www.bikeforums.net/7bc79fed-0b96-46f1-8c61-1beea914a9ec[/img]
11-18-18, 02:29 AM
#2222
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I think they’re referring to the bars that connect at the handhold end, and bars like a set of Dedas that I used to have that had a single mount and came out and separated to 2 handholds
[img]blob:https://www.bikeforums.net/7bc79fed-...1-1beea914a9ec
Last edited by Poppit; 11-18-18 at 02:34 AM.
11-19-18, 02:22 AM
#2223
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It's important to focus here, I'm not arguing tariffs are or are not going to create X issue in the bicycle industry at X time. I'm arguing that tariffs had such a minuscule impact on the financial health of ASE as to be immaterial in the face of their other issues, if they had any impact at all. I suspect they had no impact but that's a stretch without seeing the numbers.
It's Chapter 11 now or Chapter 7 later.
Last edited by carleton; 11-19-18 at 12:19 PM. Reason: grammar
11-19-18, 09:14 AM
#2224
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I see that Ashton Lambie has signed for the Huub Wattbike test team and will be riding with the rest of the team in Berlin.
11-19-18, 01:26 PM
#2225
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Spotted on GCN today -- they ID'ed these as Glaetzer's handlebars, but didn't have measurements. Anyone seen/heard anything about these?
