Month: January 2020

Now is the time of year when as cyclists we’re looking ahead and planning our goals and events for the upcoming season. We’ve likely had some time off the bike over the holiday period and will soon be ramping up the miles training for the year ahead. Now is the perfect time to fine tune your position on the bike.

• Are the aches and pains just part of cycling?
• Can I get more comfortable?
• Is my bike set up for maximum efficiency?
• Can I improve my power transfer?
• Am I getting the best out of my cycling?

If you have asked yourself any or all of these questions then there is one sure-fire way to find the answer, with a precision bike fit. At our Wheelbase Lake District and Wheelbase Yorkshire stores we have a highly experienced team of dedicated professionals who can adjust the setup of your current bike, confirm size and discern your ideal riding position.

We have recently invested in the Selle Italia idmatch system which, through a sophisticated algorithm, will offer each individual rider the perfect fit for saddle and cleats based on a few simple body measurements.

How does it work?

What to Wear

You should wear clothing and cycling shoes that you would normally wear on your bike. We have changing facilities available for you to use.

The Interview

The Wheelbase Precision Bike Fit begins with a discussion about your current riding, future aspirations and any issues or injuries you have experienced which helps us determine your perfect riding position.

Physical Assessment

The physical assessment allows us to gauge your flexibility, stability and understand your individual body-mechanics in relation to your bike position.

From The Feet Up

Selle Italia’s idmatch process uses precise foot measurements, biomechanical assessment and sophisticated software to determine optimum cleat position. As a ‘fixed point’ of contact between you and your bike it is essential to get this right first.

The Perfect Position

Once we’re happy with your shoe/pedal setup we use the Precision Fit jig to establish your ideal riding position. Your Precision Fit specialist will go through a series of adjustments to saddle and handlebar position to determine your optimum position.

The Result

Your new position is taken from our jig and using geometry data is applied to your bike. All details of your fit will remain on our database and can be recalled at any time, with the option of a follow up consultation to see how you are getting on.

What our customers say…

“The bike fit has transformed my ride – feels like a new bike!” Steve, Kendal 

“It’s like a different bike. Ride was so much more comfortable, ride position is loads better and the new seat has made a massive difference, I can now walk after a 3hr ride instead of hobbling around for the rest of the day!!!” Caroline, Cotswolds

“I figured if I had a new bike I should have a new fit. Having just completed an epic adventure by riding from Preston to London in a day for the last train home, I can honestly say not once during my ride did I feel the previous knee niggles, lower back pain or neck ache I had prior to the bike fit. Considering this was over a non-stop 226 mile journey it can only be testament to the bike fit I had.” Hannah, Cheshire

“..excellent and thorough bike fit..I went out yesterday and ended up doing 86 miles and the bike was perfect.” – Andrew, Sunderland.

Full Precision Bike Fit – £199

Cleat Fit £25

Gift vouchers available to purchase online

Our WHEELBASE CabTech Castelli rider Lewis Craven took the win and the National Champs Jersey at this weekends National CycloCross Championships in the Vet40 class.

This weekend sees the final big event on the UK Cyclocross calendar. The UK National Cyclocross Championships takes place in Shrewsbury over Saturday and Sunday with competitors from all over the  country heading to the infamously demanding (usually very muddy!) Shrewsbury course to compete in a wide range of age categories.

The Wheelbase Cyclocross team are heading to Shrewsbury with high hopes following a successful season racing at the highest level in the National Trophy Cyclocross series. Lewis Craven will be doubling up again, competing in both the Vet’s race on the Saturday and the Senior race on the Sunday. Lewis has shown some cracking form recently with a fantastic win in the Vet’s race at the last National Trophy round in York just before Christmas. Known for his technical skills in the muddiest conditions we’re all doing a rain dance for him in the hope he has similar conditions to contend with on Saturday!

Giles Drake our talented Senior racer has once again dominated his local North West Cyclocross Series as well as achieving some very consistent top 10 placings in the National Trophies so fingers crossed lady luck stays on his side for the most important race of the season in the final race of the weekend when he goes up against some of the most talented International racers around including Tom Pidcock who has raced a full season in Belgium. Lewis Craven will go again in the Senior race, being one of the few riders to take on multiple races during the weekend. Lewis has podiumed before in the Senior National Championships and will be sure to up there in the results for this race too.

Tom Martin has the potential to go well in the Under 23 Championships, however, after a slow return to racing following a small injury we are unsure at this time whether he’ll make the start line. Behind the team there is a hard-working pit-crew ready to take on multiple bike changes during the race to keep our riders going regardless of conditions. We wish all of our riders and support staff the best of luck for this weekend! See you there!

With the UK gripped in the horrible Covid 19 (Coronovirus) pandemic an indoor turbo trainer offers an outlet for quality, reliable training for all cyclists. Our range of Tacx smart trainers are available on 0% finance which means you can spread the cost of your investment while your fitness reaches new heights.

Gone are the days when a session on the indoor turbo trainer meant staring at a cold brick wall in the garage while cranking out max efforts based on perceived exertion alone. Now an indoor cycling experience can be as immersive as riding your favourite roads alongside hundreds of fellow (virtual) riders.

It’s long been established that a key component to maintaining cycling fitness through winter is a regular dose of short, intense, mostly uncomfortable intervals. While in theory these sessions can be done outside on the road, an indoor trainer provides a much more reliable and practical way to train. Here in the UK especially, with limited daylight hours, family commitments and unpredictable weather, we’re increasingly time pressed and restricted by when and where we can take on those quality sessions. Investing in an indoor trainer can provide a consistency and intensity to your training that will have you riding into spring in the form of your life.

Like so many areas of cycling today, the technological advancement in the turbo trainer market means consumers are faced with a seemingly endless array of options to choose from. In order to select the right model of trainer you’ll first need to establish a budget, your training goals, how much time you’re going to commit to training and what sort of experience you’re looking for. We’ll take a look at the most popular trainers from market leader Tacx in this guide and explain the features and advantages each trainer has to offer.

Tacx Neo 2T Smart Trainer

Top-of-the-range direct drive trainer

The Neo 2T is an updated version of the Neo 2, with the newest iteration becoming even quieter and smarter. The original Neo set the standard for the ultimate smart trainer and its predecessors continue to lead the way in terms of indoor cycling experience. The motor has been redesigned in order to provide a better indoor cycling experience and ride feel, especially during climbs and sprints.

Sharing many features with the Neo Smart Bike, the Neo 2T offers the Tacx Ride Feel, which simulates riding over cobblestones, gravel and other surfaces. The Neo 2T features both bluetooth and ANT+, allowing it to be easily connected to heart rate monitors and training apps.

Tacx Flux 2 Smart Trainer

Realistic ride feel at a more wallet-friendly price

Upgraded from the iconic Flux, this smart trainer features much of the same technology as the more expensive Neo. The main improvements from the previous iteration include a bigger and stronger flywheel which results in a wider simulation range, better ride feel and a more accurate power measurement (<2.5%). The Flux 2 can simulate gradients of up to 16% and take a power surge of up to 2000 watts, slightly lower than the Neo 2T but a monumental effort nonetheless.

As with the Neo 2T the Flux 2 is easily connectable with training apps such as Tacx’s own software as well as Zwift and other training software programmes.

Tacx Satori Smart Trainer

Wheel-on smart trainer that offers connectivity and data

The Satori Smart is the only manually controlled trainer from Tacx that measures power, speed and cadence. It comes with ANT+ and bluetooth compatibility and can be connected to training apps just like the top of the range smart trainers in the  Tacx lineup. Unlike the direct drive trainers the Satori controls resistance manually through 10 handlebar positions. This trainer can take up to 950 watts of power which still means it can be used for some very high intensity interval workouts.

This trainer is ideal for those on a tight budget who still want to monitor their data and get the most out of their indoor workouts throughout the year. With a wheel-on smart trainer we’d always recommend using a turbo-specific tyre as a normal road tyre will suffer wear as you’re cranking out the watts during those big sprints.