Author: John Dodgin

We’ve got new bikes coming into stock every day at WHEELBASE, here’s just a selection of some of our latest arrivals from the World’s best brands…

 

Wheelbase is proud to continue their support of Lucy Bell alongside Cannondale UK for 2021. A regular visitor to our North East store in Darlington, Lucy has tons of energy and an almost unmeasurable passion for nearly all forms of cycling; she’s in the enviable position of having ongoing support from Cannondale UK who provide her with all the bikes she’ll need to compete across multiple cycling disciplines and take on a number of personally-set cycling challenges. Along with Lucy’s partner Helen Gaskell (the former World Cup Downhill mountain biker) and Travis their adorable trail dog she will be taking on numerous races, events and challenges in the coming months, carefully selecting the most appropriate weapon for the task-in-hand from her stunning stable of Cannondale bikes.

We’ve pulled together some of Lucy’s best pics from her collection to showcase her cycling talents and her amazing fleet of Cannondale bikes; recently Lucy has been taking on epic all-day challenges onboard her Topstone Lefty gravel bike, spending quality time on her blinged-out Habit which is adorned with some stunning pink-anodised parts and even completing a vomit-inducing 100 miles on her home trainer holding an average speed of 20mph on Zwift for the duration of her ride. Open to all forms of cycling Lucy has used a Supersix EVO Neo 2 e-road bike to aid recovery between more intense training sessions and also uses her Cannondale Moterra e-MTB for fun days on the trails when she’s focusing on honing her bike-handling skills (we hope you’ve recovered from your recent tumble Lucy?!) see crash pic further down in this feature.

Lucy and Travis hanging out in her home workshop…

We’ve asked Lucy 20 quick-fire questions to get to know what makes her tick, check out her answers below and be sure to give her a follow on Instagram so you can keep up with all of her cycling antics…

20 QUESTIONS WITH LUCY BELL…

Drop bars or straight bars? Both!

Clips or flats? Clips

Dinner or dessert? Dinner x2

Hike-a-bike or e-Bike? e-Bike

29er or 27.5”? 29er

Fiction or biography? Biography

Singletrack or mountain pass? Singletrack

MTB Enduro or MTB Marathon? Both!!

Bar bag or backpack? Bar bag

Crisps or Chocolate? Both!

Black or tan walls? Tanwalls (very bike dependant though!) 

Night in or night out? Night in

Pumptrack or hill-reps? Hill-reps

Album or Podcast? Podcast

Haribo or energy gel? Haribo

Snow or mud? Mud

Fully aero or baggies? Tight baggies, it’s defo a thing!

Goggles or glasses? Glasses

Rocks or roots? Rocks

Bike maintenance or trail maintenance? Bike maintenance

 

Give Lucy a follow on Instagram to keep up with all of her adventures onboard her multiple Cannondale bikes this year: @loowcie

 

Lucy’s custom Cannondale Habit features a stunning ‘purple spangle’ paintjob and bling pink components…

Lucy’s ready to take on the most technical Enduro races out there onboard her custom Habit…

A pink anodised Burgtec Enduro MK3 stem looks hot, and that paintjob….

Lucy’s no stranger to long-distance mountain bike races such as the Cold Brew 8 Hour race which she won last season… (pic by Jerry Tatton)

Lucy rides a Cannondale Scalpel Carbon 3 with iconic Lefty Ocho fork for long-distance MTB rides and races…

No stranger to smashing out the training miles Lucy rides a cutting-edge Cannondale SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod Ultegra Di2 bike on the road…

Lucy struck out on countless gravel riding adventures last year including a trip to the Scottish Highlands…

Lucy rides a top-spec Cannondale Topstone Lefty featuring their gravel-specific Lefty Ocho fork and SRAM’s brilliant Force eTap wireless groupset…

650B wheels on the Topstone Lefty means Lucy can get pretty rowdy on technical terrain…

Lucy is no stranger to the benefits of an e-MTB, using her Cannondale Moterra for days when she’s focused on honing her bike-handling skills…

Lucy recently took a nasty tumble on her Moterra, see the video on her Instagram page; hope you’re feeling better Lucy!…

Recovery days between hard training sessions calls for the Cannondale Supersix EVO Neo 2 e-Road bike…

Coming to an event near you soon, Lucy is ready to race!… (pic by Jerry Tatton)

Travis is the latest addition to Lucy’s bike-mad family…

Give Lucy a follow on Instagram to keep up with all of her adventures onboard her multiple Cannondale bikes this year: @loowcie

Launched today! Introducing the all-new Cervelo Aspero-5 series…

…following hot on the heels of Cervelo’s original Aspero gravel bike, today sees the launch of the all-new Aspero-5 model featuring a number of significant upgrades from the original Aspero. As we’ve highlighted before in our regular Fast Bike Friday feature, there is now a veritable sea of gravel bikes out there, with an ever-growing range of options when it comes to exactly what type of gravel riding you want to do. When you start looking in more depth at the type of gravel bikes currently on offer you soon discover that there are ‘sub-types’ within the gravel bike genre – super-lightweight aero race machines, tough utilitarian bike-packing machines, affordable alloy bikes with geometries that are closer to more traditional road bikes, playful burly options with 650b wheels & dropper posts and carbon gravel bikes with cleverly engineered technology designed to isolate you from rough terrain.

Let’s be clear, the Aspero-5 is an out-and-out performance gravel bike designed for speed, with Cervelo describing it as an off-road race bike. As the gravel bike market grows and evolves we have found that our customers are coming over to gravel riding from three very different cycling disciplines – mountain biking, light-touring and road riding; the pattern so far is that the MTB’ers tend to gravitate to the more playful, burly options, sometimes with larger-volume 650B wheels and relaxed angles. The adventure and light-touring cyclists are looking for functional utilitarian gravel bikes capable of carrying a load. The roadies coming over to gravel bring their high-fitness and performance expectations with them and this is where the Cervelo Aspero-5 really fits the bill.

The Cervelo Aspero-5 features an all-new cockpit with internal cables running trough the carbon bars, into the alloy stem and through into the carbon frame and fork. You can adjust the trail of the fork by simply changing the position of the fork dropouts; the ‘Trailmix’ dropout comes into effect when you’re moving from a 700c to a 650B wheel size, allowing you to fine tune the wheelbase of the bike and the contact patches of your tyres. Another trend we’re seeing with our gravel customers is a mix in preferences for the bike’s drivetrain, again the split tends to be between riders coming over from road and mountain biking; MTB’ers tend to enjoy the 1X drivetrain for its simplicity and performance off-road. Roadies on the whole seem to prefer a 2X drivetrain, giving them a slightly larger range of gears that are better suited to rides than spread themselves equally between miles on and off-road. Cervelo have included two SRAM 1X options and one Shimano GRX 2X option within this new Aspero-5 sub-range of gravel bikes; there’s a neat removeable front derailleur mount on the frame to cater to all tastes.

All Cervelo-5 models include a fully-integrated bar, stem, frame & fork combo. The bar on each bike is a carbon bar with a slight flare but nothing too excessive – another hint towards this bike’s focus on high-speed performance. There’s some welcome rubberised downtube protection to protect the carbon frame from small rocks and stones flipping up from gravel roads; Cervelo have spec’d a 27.2 carbon seatpost to help add a little bit of compliance and enhanced comfort when you’re in the saddle. As we mentioned earlier, there’s the option to run 700c or 650B wheels and tyres; when is comes to clearance between frame and tyre you’ll be able to run a maximum tyre width of 51mm on 650B wheels and 45mm wide tyres on 700c wheels. Check out the full specs of the three Aspero-5 models below…

Cervelo Aspero-5 Red eTap AXS 1 £10,799.00  We will have a 54cm in Lime Shimmer in stock in two weeks time – contact us to pre-order!…

Full Specification:

• Frame: Cervelo Aspero-5 Carbon
• Fork: Cervélo All-Carbon, Tapered Áspero-5 Fork with Adjustable Trail
• Headset: FSA IS2 1-1/4 x 1-1/2
• Thru Axles: Cervelo Indexed Thru-Axles w/ Lever, 12×100/142
• Shifters: SRAM RED eTap AXS HRD 12 spd
• Rear Derailleur: SRAM RED eTap AXS Max Wide 12 spd
• Front Derailleur: N/A
• Cassette: SRAM Force 12s XG1270, 10-36
• Crankset: SRAM Red AXS 1 with Power Meter 36T
• Bottom Bracket: SRAM Dub
• Brake Lever: SRAM Red HRD
• Brake Caliper: SRAM Red HRD
• Brake Rotor : SRAM CenterLine XR 160mm
• Wheels: Reserve 32mm DT350 XDR, 24h (F), 24h (R), 24mm IW, Center-Lock, Tubeless Ready
• Tyres: Panaracer Gravel King SK Folding 700×38
• Handlebar: Carbon AB09 16deg Flared Carbon
• Stem: Cervélo ST32 Alloy
• Saddle: Prologo Dimension NACK
• Seatpost: Cervélo SP19 27.2 Carbon
• Accessories : Cervelo Faceplate Front Computer/Accessory Mount, Cervelo Rear Accessory Mount, Smartpak 400A Top Tube Storage Bag

 

  Cervelo Aspero-5 GRX RX815 Di2 £8,699.00  In stock now…

Full Specification:

• Frame: Cervélo Aspero-5 Carbon
• Fork: Cervélo All-Carbon, Tapered Áspero-5 Fork with Adjustable Trail
• Headset: FSA IS2 1-1/4 x 1-1/2
• Thru Axles: Cervelo Indexed Thru-Axles w/ Lever, 12×100/142
• Shifters: Shimano GRX RX815 Di2, 11 spd
• Rear Derailleur: Shimano GRX 815 Di2, 11 spd
• Front Derailleur: Shimano GRX 815 Di2, 11 spd
• Cassette: Shimano HG800, 11 spd, 11-34
• Crankset: Shimano GRX 810 48/31 w/ 4iiii Precision Dual Sided Power Meter
• Bottom Bracket: JY-BB 24
• Brake Lever: GRX RX815 Hydraulic Disc
• Brake Caliper: Shimano GRX RX815 Hydraulic Disc
• Brake Rotor : Shimano SM-RT800, 160mm
• Wheels: Reserve Reserve 32mm DT350, 24h (F), 24h (R), 24mm IW, Center-Lock, Tubeless Ready
• Tyres: Panaracer Gravel King SK Folding 700×38
• Handlebar: Carbon AB09 16deg Flared Carbon
• Stem: Cervélo ST32 Alloy
• Saddle: Prologo Dimension NACK
• Seatpost: Cervélo SP19 27.2 Carbon
• Accessories : Cervélo Faceplate Front Computer/Accessory Mount, Cervélo Rear Accessory Mount, Smartpak 400A Top Tube Storage Bag

 

Cervelo Aspero-5 Force eTap AXS 1 £8,199.00 In stock now…

Full Specification:

• Frame: Cervélo Aspero-5 Carbon
• Fork: Cervélo All-Carbon, Tapered Áspero-5 Fork with Adjustable Trail
• Headset: FSA IS2 1-1/4 x 1-1/2
• Thru Axles: Cervelo Indexed Thru-Axles w/ Lever, 12×100/142
• Shifters: SRAM Force eTap AXS HRD 12 spd
• Rear Derailleur: SRAM Force eTap AXS Wide 12 spd
• Front Derailleur: N/A
• Cassette: SRAM Force 12s XG1270, 10-36
• Crankset: SRAM Force AXS 1 with Power Meter 36T
• Bottom Bracket: SRAM Dub
• Brake Lever: SRAM Force HRD
• Brake Caliper: SRAM Force HRD
• Brake Rotor : SRAM Paceline 160mm
• Wheels: Reserve 32mm DT370 XDR, 24h (F), 24h (R), 24mm IW, Center-Lock, Tubeless Ready
• Tyres: Panaracer Gravel King SK Folding 700×38
• Handlebar: Carbon AB09 16deg Flared Carbon
• Stem: Cervélo ST32 Alloy
• Saddle: Prologo Dimension NDR T4.0
• Seatpost: Cervélo SP19 27.2 Carbon
• Accessories : Cervelo Faceplate Front Computer/Accessory Mount, Cervelo Rear Accessory Mount, Smartpak 400A Top Tube Storage Bag

 

The all-new Cervelo Aspero-5 is in stock at Wheelbase now! Available instore and online…

Every now and then a bike lands at Wheelbase and when it’s out of the box and built, nearly all staff (roadies included) stop what they’re doing to take a better look; when we wheeled this awesome new Nukeproof through the shop to prepare it for its photoshoot the Giga got just such a reaction! This week for our Fast Bike Friday feature we’re taking a detailed look at the all-new Giga 290 Elite; Nukeproof have billed this type of machine as a ‘Super Enduro’ bike, with capabilities sitting neatly between that of a typical downhill bike and a conventional enduro bike. With increased suspension travel and an ability to handle the biggest hits is there a legit need for such a bike? And if so have Nukeproof met the brief?…

There’s a three-way evolution going on between gravity-focused riders, the bikes that they pilot and the terrain that they ride. With each factor influencing the other it’s a constant arms race between them; riders are more skilled, the trails get more demanding, the bikes get bigger to cope with the extra demands. This is real chicken and egg stuff – are the bikes getting bigger because the trails are getting bigger or are the trails getting bigger because the bikes are getting bigger?! Either way the Nukeproof Giga has been developed specifically to suit this scenario; as gravity-focused riders continue to push the boundaries we’ve seen bikes with bigger wheelbases and longer reach developed for faster speeds, taller berms and bigger jumps.

The Giga has been billed as a ‘Super-Enduro’ bike…

With 170mm of rear travel the Giga 290 Elite is a monster truck of a bike which has its origins in the Nukeproof Dissent (their downhill race bike) but has been adapted specifically for ‘Super Enduro’ duties; to be genuinely enduro-capable the Giga has to be able to shred the downhills but also climb pretty efficiently too. Frame geometry is long, low and slack with a 63.5° head angle (compared with 63° on their Dissent downhill bike and 64° on their Mega enduro bike) but also features a steep seattube angle to help ensure that a seated climbing position remains effective. Nukeproof have done a brilliant job of squeezing massive amounts of travel into the frame with enough clearance for those large 29” wheels; yes it’s a big bike with a big bike feel but it still rides like a versatile enduro bike thanks to the way the Giga uses its travel. How exactly to they do this? Well the suspension platform has been cleverly designed to be super supple off the top, supportive in the mid stroke and progressive throughout the rest of its travel. Meanwhile the anti-squat has been optimised to so that climbing is not an uncomfortable inefficient experience like it would be on most full-on downhill bikes.

Frame geometry is long, low and slack with a 63.5° head angle…

There’s some clever stuff going on with the Giga’s suspension platform and, as we’re increasingly seeing from all key brands, there’s a good amount of adjustability to help you to fine tune the bike to suit your riding style. The Nuke Proof Giga’s platform is based on the same horseshoe driven linkage that features on their Dissent downhill bike but in this instance there’s also a two-stage flip-chip located on the main pivot.

Despite the complicated looking horseshoe linkage this is really a single pivot bike; that single pivot can be moved up and down by rotating a small tab within an eccentric axle. This is a really well thought out feature which allows you to alter the progressivity of the rear suspension; rather brilliantly this can easily be done on the trailside with an 8mm allen key, simply loosen the 8mm bolt, take weight off bike, swing the tab through 180 degrees and retighten the 8mm bolt. There are two settings to choose from – 25.5% progression  and 29% progression; the default factory setting is the 25.5% (low position) option which is more supportive in the early stages of the travel with slightly more leverage at the end of the stroke. Alternatively, in the 29% option the suspension platform is more compliant on small hits with more force required to bottom out the suspension.

You can quickly and easily alter the Giga’s progressivity with this swing tab…

The Giga 290 Elite’s frame and rear tringle is constructed from UD 700/800 Carbon fibre allowing the Nukeproof designers to optimise the stiffness and compliance of key areas of the frame. The Giga’s front triangle has been tuned to be stable and to provide precise handling and the rear triangle has been constructed to enhance compliance, track well and provide extra traction. Another benefit of the rear triangle being carbon is that there’s a lower un-sprung mass which help the suspension perform even better.

Full carbon construction means a ride-enhancing mix of stiffness and compliance in the main frame and rear triangle…

The Giga’s frame features a small mudgaurd to help protect the rear suspension linkages…

The Giga 290 has been sculpted to fit a 750ml water bottle, allowing the bottle to sit securely within the frame (Nukeproof have even included a carbon bottle cage); with the demands of Enduro competition in mind there’s also an accessory mount under the top tube for multi-tools and like. The frame even includes a pre-fitted clear paint protection kit which is a really nice touch and there’s some substantial protection from the 3D contoured rubber downtube protector as well as additional seat and chainstay protection to help negate the inevitable scuffs and scrapes that come with aggressive gravity-focused riding.

The carbon frame features a sculpted recess to allow a bottle to sit securely…

Nukeproof have spec’d the Giga Elite with a very capable Fox Float X2 rear shock which includes a 2-position lever designed to allow you to make on-the-fly adjustments to the shock. In the open setting the shock utilises its preset high and low speed compression settings (these settings only have an effect on compression damping when the lever is in the OPEN position. Flip the 2-position lever to the FIRM setting and the shock takes on a very firm low-speed compression setting to give a more effective climbing and sprinting platform. Being able to adjust low-speed rebound allows you to better control the shock’s performance under braking bumps, technical climbing and off-camber cornering when you need extra traction.

The Fox Float X2 2-position lever allows you to make on-the-fly adjustments…

The low-speed rebound allows you to better control the shock’s performance under braking bumps, technical climbing and off-camber cornering…

A Super-Enduro bike like the Giga deserves an out and out Enduro-focused fork to handle just what this bike is being asked to do. Nukeproof have spec’d a pair of Fox 38 Performance Elite forks with 180mm of travel and a Grip 2 Damper; this long travel fork is packed full of technical features and includes super-wide 38mm stanchions providing sublime lateral stiffness and enhanced steering. The 38s feature a floating axle providing smoother movement throughout the entire range of the fork’s travel and dramatically improving sensitivity on smaller hits.

The Fox 38 Performance Grip Damper forks also feature lower leg channels which dramatically increases air volume in the lower legs; why is this important? Well, when a fork compresses the volume of the air in the lower legs decreases; the more the compression the more the pressure increases which actually prevents the fork achieving full travel. These channels help reduce that pressure while also helping the bath oil to circulate further up into the fork’s lower legs helping to keep the foam rings and bushings lubricated as the fork moves through its travel. This model also includes Fox’s Bleeders which allow you to quickly equalize atmospheric pressure (there’s a potential for pressure to build-up in fork lower legs, preventing full travel being achieved) so this feature is a brilliant little detail.

Nukeproof have spec’d a pair of Fox 38 Performance Elite forks with 180mm of travel…

A FLOAT EVOL air spring features technology which increases negative air spring volume helping to optimise the fork’s small bump sensitivity; the FLOAT EVOL air spring is renowned for its ‘linear spring curve’ which basically means that under compression the air spring consistently travels through plushness, extra mid-stroke support and tunable bottom-out progression. Those lower leg channels we just highlighted work in perfect unison with the FLOAT EVOL air shock helping to reduce air pressure captured in the lower legs and allowing the EVOL to move freely with no additional forces applied.

As the model name suggests these Fox 38 Performance Elite Grip Damper forks include Fox’s GRIP damper, inspired from their MOTO background it uses their FIT sealed cartridge technology combined with an independent floating piston. GRIP allows excess oil to purge through specially designed ports at the top of the damper helping to maintain consistent damping. Adjustment of the Fox 38 Performance Elite fork’s compression and rebound is quick and easy, allowing you to tune how your fork performs using the dials at the top of the fork crown and the bottom of the fork leg.

Adjustment:

• High-speed compression (outer dial on fork crown) 8 clicks
• Low-speed compression (inner dial on fork crown) 16 clicks
• High-speed rebound (upper dial on bottom of fork leg) 8 clicks
• Low-speed rebound (lower dial on bottom of fork leg) 16 clicks

You’ll be able to fine tune the performance of this fork to suit you and your riding style…

The FLOAT EVOL air spring is renowned for its ‘linear spring curve’…

Nukeproof have spec’d a full Shimano SLX groupset on the Giga 290 Elite; this 12-speed drivetrain is ultra-reliable with precise, consistent gear shifting pretty much guaranteed in any riding conditions making it perfect for the demands of Enduro racing and aggressive trail riding. With a compact 30T chainring up front matched with a wide ratio cassette consisting of cogs ranging from 10 to 52 teeth there’s a gear ratio to suit all eventualities, regardless of whether you’re pointed uphill or downhill. The Shimano SLX 12-speed shadow plus rear derailleur features a clutch mechanism to help keep the 12-speed chain securely located and Nukeproof have also included a small chain catcher of their own located on the chainring so even when your riding gets really rowdy and you’re rattling through a set of stutter bumps the drivetrain will stay functional and efficient.

A Shimano SLX chainset with Hollowtech 2 cranks and a compact 32T chainring is up to the job…

A Shimano SLX wide ratio cassette provides all the gear combinations you’ll need, uphill or downhill…

An 11-Speed SLX rear derailleur with a clutch provides precise gear changes and keeps the chain secure…

A Shimano SLX 12-speed trigger shifter provides light, crisp gear shifting in all conditions…

Nukeproof have included their own neat chain catcher…

It’s nice to see that Nukeproof haven’t cut any corners speccing the Giga 290; they’ve fitted a complete Shimano SLX braking system that consists some small functional details that make it perfectly suited to the demands of hardcore downhill riding. As you’d expect the SLX hydraulic brake calipers are four pot and they come fitted with Shimano metallic brake pads with fins to keep the brakes cool and in control. Front and rear brake rotors are 203mm diameter so there’s plenty of braking surface for those four pot calipers so you’ll be able to quickly and effectively scrub off speed as and when you need to without the fear of the system over-heating.

Compact SLX brake levers provide a controlled, confidence-inspiring feel…

Shimano SLX four pot brake calipers provide ample stopping-power…

Small details help make braking more efficient – metallic brake pads with fins take care of braking business…

Well-proven Shimano braking technology is pretty much fit and forget…

There’s 203mm brake rotors front and rear to help scrub off speed quickly and effectively…

Let’s move onto the wheels; a bike that’s this big, with so much travel and large 29” wheels is going to gain speed very quickly, allowing you to plow through rough terrain and hold your speed on tall, tight berms. This type of full-on riding is going to ask a lot of your wheels, but thankfully Nukeproof have come through again speccing a high-quality wheelset that meets the brief. The Giga 290 Elite features a pair of DT Swiss E 1900 Spline 29” wheels, a wheelset that has been developed specifically to handle the rigours of Enduro racing and riding (the ‘E’ in their product name hinting at their suitability for Enduro duties); DT have managed to strike just the right balance between weight and stiffness with tough aluminium rims laced to durable DT Swiss hubs via strong straight pull spokes.

A durable DT Swiss rear hub with sealed bearings and a 3 pawl freehub is smooth and functional…

Front and Rear DT Swiss hubs feature strong straight-pull spokes…

Wide E 1900 rims with a 30mm inner-width are stiff, durable and give the tyres a nice square profile…

The Nukeproof Enduro Racing team including the legend Sam Hill race on Michelin tyres so it’s not surprising to see the Giga 290 Elite shod with Michelin’s brilliant Wild Enduro 29×2.4 Gum-X tubeless ready tyres. The Wild Enduro Gum-X tyres feature a special GUM-X3D rubber compound with decreased rigidity for better directional control and enhanced versatility in the dry or on slightly wetter trails, making these durable all-rounders well suited to riding in mixed conditions. There’s a tough Enduro-specific Gravity Shield TPI casing to help prevent damage to the sidewall from rocks and trail debris; the Wild Enduro tyres feature front and rear-specific tread patterns developed to excel regardless of what’s thrown at them, with the rear focused on providing traction and support and the front focused on superior control with those big side knobs keeping you in control as you rail the berms.

Race-proven on the Enduro World Series Michelin Wild Enduro 29 x 2.40″ tyres will keep you in control…

Look at those big side knobs – they’ll help you rail round loose turns…

Thanks to their clever rubber compound and open tread pattern the Wild Enduros will excel in most conditions… 

An Enduro-specific Gravity Shield TPI casing will help prevent sidewall damage…

The rear tyre’s tread pattern provides plenty of traction but rolls fast too…

Finishing kit on the Giga 290 Elite is made up of Nukeproof’s own brand components with a solid looking machined 50mm Horizon stem matched up neatly with their Horizon V2 handlebars featuring a 25mm rise and a proportional width depending on the size of Giga you choose to ride – 780mm for small and medium bikes, 800mm for large, extra-large and xx-large bikes. Nukeproof have spec’d a pair of Sam Hill signature grips which are lock-on and feature a nice grip pattern that feel comfortable in gloved hands.

Nukeproof’s own Horizon components adorn the Giga 290 Elite…

Sam Hill signature lock-on grips are slim and comfortable…

A Brand X Ascend internally routed, cable-activated dropper post takes care of getting your saddle out of the way quickly when you’re dropping into a steep, technical trail. The dropper is activated by a neat Shimano lever on the underside of the left-hand handlebar; The amount of drop differs depending on the size of Giga – 125mm drop on the small bike, 150mm drop on the medium and 170mm drop on the large, extra-large and xx-large bikes.

A Brand X Ascend dropper post gets your saddle out of the way quickly…

A neat Shimano lever controls the cable-activated dropper post…

Finally, there’s a Nukeproof Horizon saddle which features a good profile that should suit most riders (when you’re in the saddle grinding back up the hill to the next timed stage) and includes a pressure-reliving cut out as well as a tough finish to stand up to the rough and tumble of Enduro racing and gravity-focused trail riding.

The stubby Horizon saddle features a profile which suit most riders…

The Nukeproof Giga has caught the attention of a lot of the mountain bike community in the short time that it’s been released. Industry insiders, the cycling media and bike retailers alike (including us!) have all enthused over what Nukeproof have achieved with the Giga. This really is a bike that’s not only kept up with the demands of aggressive Enduro-style riding but has actually surpassed them; it’s a bike that helps to redefine what’s possible to ride. By merging the best attributes of both their Downhill and their Enduro bikes Nukeprooof have created a versatile machine capable of helping you excel during full-on gravity riding; this bike can more than hold its own on any fast, technical trail, it’ll be bags of fun at your favourite bike park and can handle uplift sessions on huge Alpine mountains; built to shred steep, rough terrain and be stable at super-high speeds you’ll be seeking out increasingly demanding trails to test yourself and your Giga.

The Nukeproof Giga has surpassed the demands of Enduro racing and has created its own ‘Super-Enduro’ category…

The Nukeproof Giga 290 Elite and other Giga models are available now but stock is frenetic! If you’re interested in buying the Giga please check with us in-store or online for availability…

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

Photos by James Vincent

 

Want to see more fast bikes? You can now see all of our featured bikes in one place over on Pinterest where you’ll find links to each of our Fast Bike Friday Blogs too!

Click the link below and search our archive…

 

We’ve got new bikes coming into stock every day at WHEELBASE, here’s just a selection of some of our latest arrivals from the World’s best brands…

 

 

As E-Bike systems continue to revolutionise how a growing number of our customers participate in cycling, hi-tech brands with their fingers on the pulse continue to push their design and manufacturing processes to create e-bike hardware and software that really improves rider-experience; Shimano is one such company and is arguably one of brands at the forefront of e-bike development. Calling on their wealth of experience in the development of e-bike technology Shimano are back with an all new e-bike motor – introducing the Shimano Steps EP8 motor….

The Shimano Steps EP8 motor in detail…

The new EP8 motor is considerably more quiet that its closest predecessor, boasting a significantly lighter weight overall, cleaner, more compact integration and smoother, more natural feeling pedaling assistance. Key improvements include:

• High power with greater bike control
• Lightweight
• Clean integration
• Quieter drive unit
• Smoother pedaling
• Heat management

The Shimano Steps EP8 motor has a maximum torque output of 85Nm with the power delivery being direct but incredibly smooth to ensure you are in full control with a natural ride feeling. The motor features a Magnesium drive unit casing which is more compact than previous Shimano motors as well as being 300g lighter than their E8000 motor.

EP8 Hardware – Key Features:

• 85Nm high torque output
• Highly efficient for long riding range
• HOLLOWTECH shaft increases stiffness and decreases weight
• One-way clutch produces smooth, immediate engagement and reduces drag for natural feel
• 3-Stage gearing system gives 6 gears in total in a compact design
• 2-piece high-precision torque sensor gives high-accuracy torque measuring for responsive characteristics and natural power output
• Refined trail mode boosts rider comfort, control and confidence
• E-tube project App allows you to customise your ride
• Compact magnesium body allows for optimised frame design, decreasing weight and enhancing handling
• Pedaling drag cut by 36% (vs. E8000 motor)
• Better heat resistance – outputs max torque for longer without overheating

Using the EP8 Assist Switch…

The EP8’s system includes an SW-EM800-L assist switch to control the motor. Improvements on this model over its predecessors include a more ergonomic concave button profile and easier operation without gloves.

Key features include:

• Compact design for neater cockpit setup
• Switch between ‘Off’ ‘Eco’ ‘Trail’ and ‘Boost’ modes

EP8 Software explained…

Shimano haven’t just stopped at improving their e-bike motors; they’ve focused on the system’s software too with a number of advancements in technology on previous versions.
Key improvements:

• The right power at the right time
• Optimised TRAIL mode
• Long cruising range
• Highly customizable
• Rider-friendly tuning on the fly
• Refined intelligent walk assist

When you’re riding in Optimised Trail mode it’s possible to control the motor so that there is less energy consumption at low input torques, however, when you push harder the EP8 motor provides additional support to help you power up the trail.

The Shimano Steps EP8 software enables you to customise a multitude of factors to suit a wide variety of bikes, terrains and riding styles; using the E-TUBE PROJECT App you can customise:

• Assist character (10 levels)
• Max torque (20-85Nm)
• Assist start (5 levels)

Using the 2 pre-set Profiles…

To get you out there riding, Shimano have pre-loaded two profiles which are accessible via the display. These profiles are suited to a variety of terrain, from challenging singletrack and flowing fire roads all the way through to technical rocky sections. The original factory settings consist of Profile 1 with more versatile assist settings that cover everything from fire roads to challenging single tracks and a Profile 2 with high-performance default assist settings tuned for extreme riding, rapidly delivering the maximum assist in technical sections without sacrificing controllability. The rider can then adjust these profiles to his or her needs.

Profile 1:

• ECO: Great for daily commuting, accessing basic trails and riding on fire roads. Provides moderate assist output and low battery consumption.
• TRAIL: Versatile setting that covers everything from fire roads to difficult single tracks. Excellent assist torque control provides the proper amount of torque output according to the rider’s pedaling force, and reliably transmits this force to the ground.
• BOOST: Produces effective bike control on technical trails. Emphasises faster application of assist torque for situations where high assist torque needs to be rapidly applied.

Profile 2:

• ECO: Great for daily commuting, accessing basic trails and riding on fire roads. Provides moderate assist output and low battery consumption.
• TRAIL: More powerful assist supports difficult single track riding while maintaining the controllability of output torque. Excellent assist torque control provides the proper amount of torque output according to the rider’s pedaling force, and reliably transmits it to the ground’s surface.
• BOOST: Drive unit’s assist is set to the maximum level to support extreme riding. This mode is highly effective in situations that require a sharp rise in acceleration, such as climbing on steep slopes and maintaining bike control when riding over obstacles.

So what about the EP3 system’s Battery?…

To accompany their new Steps EP8 e-bike motor system Shimano have produced an equally compact integrated battery for the downtube, freeing up bike brands to create even more svelte-looking e-bikes, as seen here on the Merida eOne-Sixty 8000 e-MTB. This 630Wh integrated battery is quick charging with a 50% charge taking 2.5 hours and a full charge taking 6 hours.

So that’s a quick highlight of some of the best aspects of the brilliant Shimano Steps EP8 e-bike motor; you’ll see this system being spec’d on more and more e-MTB’s in the coming months. We’ve recently taken delivery of the very impressive Merida eOne-Sixty 8000 e-MTB with it’s super-cool 27.5 / 29″ wheel ‘mullet’ configuration (business up front, party at the back). Check out a full review of the bike in our Fast Bike Friday Blog now…

 

Written by Johnny Dodgin

Merida eOne-Sixty 8000 Photos by James Vincent

 

 

 

 

 

We’ve got new bikes coming into stock every day at WHEELBASE, here’s just a selection of some of our latest arrivals from the World’s best brands…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are you just getting into cycling? If you’re planning on buying your first road bike then look no further than the Specialized Allez road bike, available in three different specifications they’re designed to suit your budget and cycling ambitions.

Whether you want to start riding socially on the road or to save money and get fit by commuting to work the Specialized Allez is a fantastic road bike to start your journey. Perhaps you want to set up your new road bike on a static indoor trainer during the week and then quickly and easily head out at the weekends to explore your local roads? Have you set yourself a cycling challenge such as a Sportive or are attempting your first Triathlon? We would recommend a Specialized Allez for a number of reasons, not least because of the amount ‘trickle-down technology’ included on these bikes.

What’s trickle-down technology? It’s a term we use in the bike industry to describe design innovation and componentry that was initially implemented a lot further up the food chain but is now utilised on entry-level bikes, what does this mean in reality? It means you’ll directly benefit from technology that makes your entry into road cycling all the more user-friendly and enjoyable.

At the heart of each Allez model is a superlight Specialized E5 frame and carbon fibre fork. Taking a lot of the engineering principles that the Specialized designers have developed on their top-of-the-line carbon fibre frames each alloy tube is cleverly manipulated and shaped to save weight and increase strength and stiffness where it is needed most. While some entry-level road bikes feature alloy or cheap carbon fibre forks which detract from the overall ride quality, there’s no such compromise here. Specialized have fitted a full FACT carbon fibre fork which drops the overall weight of the bike, contributes to better handling and gives you more confidence to ride faster on tricky descents and tight turns.

With versatility in mind and the consideration that you may well be commuting on your Allez during the week Specialized have included pannier rack and mudguard mounts to allow you to equip your bike for the daily demands of riding to and from work. The geometry of the bike (how it fits you) has been developed using Specialized’s 30+ years of experience in designing and constructing bikes; the Allez features user-friendly geometry that is comfortable and confidence-inspiring while still providing performance-minded handling that you’d expect from your first road bike.

The alloy frame and carbon fibre fork is the same across all three Allez bikes we are looking at here, so what determines the price difference? If you chose to pay a little more what are you getting that’s different and how will it benefit you and your riding? The biggest, most significant difference between each bike is the ‘Groupset’ it has been spec’d with. When we talk about the groupset we are referring to the componentry that drives the bike forward, handles the gear changing and takes care of the braking duties. When you pay a little more you can expect a groupset with a wider choice of gearing (basically there are more gears available on the bike); all three models feature two chainrings at the front of the drivetrain combined with a cluster of gears (cassette) on the rear wheel. The Allez Elite features an 11-speed cassette, the Allez Sport a 9-speed cassette and the Allez an 8-speed cassette; the more gears that are squeezed into the cassette the wider choice of gearing you’ll have. What’s the main benefit of this? Well it means that the change between each gear is less dramatic allowing you to pedal more smoothly and feel less fatigued and you’ll also find that you have a gear to suit every gradient you encounter.

All three Allez models come spec’d with Shimano groupsets – Shimano are the world leaders in cycling drivetrain componentry. The key differences of each Shimano groupset as you move up towards the higher-priced options are the quality of the gear changing mechanisms (the front and rear derailleur) which move the chain to the gear you have selected, with components becoming lighter and slightly more efficient as you move up the Allez range. It’s worth pointing out that, again, Shimano groupsets are an excellent example of trickle-down technology in the bicycle industry with all of the componentry being heavily influenced from their predecessors further up the Shimano range. This means that each component gets more and more user-friendly with each generation, providing lighter-action, more precise gear selections with each iteration.

Another key consideration when you’re choosing your first road bike, along with seeking a light & comfortable frame and efficient groupset is the brakes that have been spec’d. If you’re starting out riding on a road bike you’ll want to feel confident and in control at all times; a lot of that control comes from your bike’s braking system and how effective it is, particularly when something unforeseen happens in front of you.

You’ll have no-doubt seen that more and more road bikes now feature disc brakes (brakes located at the centre of the wheel on the hub); this is relatively new technology that typically features higher up the price range of road bikes. The reason for this is that the technology and materials involved to make the disc brakes and disc-brake-specific wheels is more expensive. We’ve not yet seen this sort of technology available at the price point of the Allez road bikes we’re looking at here; it’s also important to note that if and when disc brakes ARE spec’d on bikes at this price point (as you may see with some alternative bike brands) the cheaper, more affordable disc-brake-specific-wheels tend to be noticeably heavier than a conventional wheel.

All three models of Specialized Allez feature conventional rim brakes which are powerful and easy to modulate, this simple, effective setup keeps the overall weight of your bike down and makes for a more lively, spritely feel on the road. Specialized have spec’d light, durable road 700c diameter road wheels to all of the Allez and have shod them with slick, fat-rolling Specialized Roadsport wheels with a 26mm width to help cushion you from harsh road surfaces and provide you with plenty of confidence-inspiring grip on flowing downhill descents.

If you’re considering your first road bike the Specialized Allez is a fantastic option, with a range of specifications and prices to suit your cycling ambitions and budgets. The bikes are packed full of proven technology and have been designed to be versatile and user-friendly as you begin to progress in the sport of cycling. As the weather improves and the days get longer there’s more opportunities to get out and get fit so now is the time to get properly equipped for the more enjoyable days ahead. If you want more advice and guidance why not come in and see us in any of our three stores – Wheelbase Lake District, Yorkshire and North East or get in touch with our customer support team and shop conveniently online. We have some great buying options too; why not spread the cost of your new bike with our Finance options or buy through a Cycle to Work Scheme….

Buying your first road bike? Look no further than the Specialized Allez…

 

Specialized Allez Elite £1,249.00

Specialized Allez Elite Specification:

Frame: Specialized E5 Premium Aluminum, fully manipulated tubing w/ SmoothWelds, 1-1/8″- 1-3/8″ tapered head tube, internal cable routing, threaded BB, 130mm spacing

Fork: Specialized FACT carbon, 1-1/8″ to 1-3/8″ taper, fender eyelets

Stem: Specialized, 3D-forged alloy, 4-bolt, 7-degree rise

Handle Bars: Specialized Shallow Drop, 6061, 70x125mm, 31.8mm clamp

Brakes: Axis 1.0 caliper

Rear Derailleur: Shimano 105 R7000 GS, medium cage, 11-speed

Shift Levers: Shimano 105 R7000, 11-speed

Cassette: Shimano 105, 11-speed, 11-32t

Chainset: Praxis Alba

Wheels: DT R460, sealed cartridge hubs, 14g spokes

Front Tyre: RoadSport, 700×26

Rear Tyre: RoadSport, 700×26

Saddle: Body Geometry Bridge Saddle, steel rails

Seat Post: Alloy, 2-bolt Clamp, 12mm offset, 27.2mm, anti-corrosion hardware

SHOP NOW

 

Specialized Allez Sport £999.00

Specialized Allez Sport Specification:

Frame: Specialized E5 Premium Aluminum, fully manipulated tubing w/ SmoothWelds, 1-1/8″- 1-3/8″ tapered head tube, internal cable routing, threaded BB, 130mm spacing

Fork: Specialized FACT carbon, 1-1/8″ to 1-3/8″ taper, fender eyelets

Stem: Specialized, 3D-forged alloy, 4-bolt, 7-degree rise

Handle Bars: Specialized Shallow Drop, 6061, 70x125mm, 31.8mm clamp

Brakes: Axis 1.0 caliper

Rear Derailleur: Shimano Sora, 9-speed

Shift Levers: Shimano Sora, 9-speed

Cassette: SunRace, 9-speed, 11-32t

Chainset: Praxis Alba

Wheels: Axis Sport

Front Tyre: RoadSport, 700×26

Rear Tyre: RoadSport, 700×26

Saddle: Body Geometry Bridge Saddle, steel rails

Seat Post: Alloy, 2-bolt Clamp, 12mm offset, 27.2mm, anti-corrosion hardware

SHOP NOW

 

Specialized Allez £799.00

Specialized Allez Specification:

Frame: Specialized E5 Premium Aluminum, fully manipulated tubing w/ SmoothWelds, 1-1/8″- 1-3/8″ tapered head tube, internal cable routing, threaded BB, 130mm spacing

Fork: Specialized FACT carbon, 1-1/8″ to 1-3/8″ taper, fender eyelets

Stem: Specialized, 3D-forged alloy, 4-bolt, 7-degree rise

Handle Bars: Specialized Shallow Drop, 6061, 70x125mm, 31.8mm clamp

Brakes: Tektro, alloy, dual-pivot

Rear Derailleur: Shimano Claris, 8-speed

Shift Levers: Shimano Claris 2000, 8-speed

Cassette: SunRace, 8-speed, 11-32t

Chainset: Shimano Claris R200

Wheels: Axis Sport

Front Tyre: RoadSport, 700×26

Rear Tyre: RoadSport, 700×26

Saddle: Body Geometry Bridge Saddle, steel rails

Seat Post: Alloy, 2-bolt Clamp, 12mm offset, 27.2mm, anti-corrosion hardware

SHOP NOW

 

Feature written by Johnny Dodgin

Photos by James Vincent

Cold Brew Events 8 Hour Endurance XC

Last weekend saw Wheelbase North East’s Lucy Bell take on the Cold Brew Events 8 Hour Endurance Cross Country Mountain Bike race, which took place during a typical day-long deluge all too familiar with those who ride in the North of England in Autumn.

The race, organised by the Coldbrew events team was successfully run despite the current restrictions brought on by the Coronavirus pandemic, with a change from the original Hamsterley Forest venue to Eastgate on privately owned land. This gruelling event sees competitors competing on a demanding course over an 8 hour period, with the winners completing the most amount of laps in the best time.

The course harked back to the good old days of mountain bike racing from the 1990’s with no manicured trail-centre type terrain here, instead there was brutal climbing sections, fast descents on open land and super-soft, muddy ground which was made all the more demanding due to the constant, heavy rainfall the persisted throughout the 8 hours.

Lucy rode a great race winning the women’s category by completing 10 laps, with the win coming down to a difference of only 6 minutes between Lucy and her nearest competitor Charlotte Somers-Cocks after 8 hours of racing in some of the most difficult conditions she has ever had to compete in.

Lucy chose to race onboard the excellent Cannondale Scalpel Carbon 3 with Cannondale’s iconic Lefty Ocho fork.

 

CONGRATULATIONS ON THE WIN LUCY!

 

Photos by Jerry Tatton

See all the race results here

For more race information on Cold Brew Events, see their website here

 

Round 1 National Cyclocross Trophy, Westmorland County Showground, Cumbria.

After an uncertain time right up until the event, Dave Haygarth and his brilliant team of helpers successfully hosted Round 1 of the National Cyclocross Trophy at the Westmorland County Showground in Cumbria supported by Wheelbase.

The race organisation and British Cycling worked tirelessly in the run up to the event to ensure that strict Covid Protocols were followed by everyone involved. Face masks and hand sanitizers were in good supply and, most significantly, there were big changes to the usual bike pit area.

For this event there were no jet washers or pit crews allowed with the organisers creating a simple transition area where riders could change to their spare bike but with no outside assistance or bike-cleaning. This would pose an additional challenge to racers throughout the weekend where the weather and ever-changing racing conditions could influence the outcomes of the race.

The event was really well subscribed despite the additional changes to race rules and the uncertainty around Covid19 in the run up to the event with riders from all over the UK desperate to race after a long lay-off due to the Coronavirus. A packed race schedule over the two days saw racers deal with contrasting conditions – VERY wet with continuous rain on Saturday meant the racing was fast, the course stayed grippy and bikes stayed relatively free of mud.

Sunday was a different story, with blue skies and sunshine beginning to dry out the course turning it into a muddy, sticky, slower-riding course. Racing in these conditions was markedly different, with more focus required to stay upright on the tight dog-leg turns and an ability to cope with steep, slick run-ups. These conditions brought extra challenges as riders tried to finesse their bikes to the finish without the usual luxury of having a jet wash-equipped pit-crew ready with a clean bike every lap or so.

The Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli race team was well represented throughout the two days racing across most of the categories. On Saturday in the Vet 40 race our very own National Champion Lewis Craven raced hard to take an excellent 3^rd place. Davie Lines fought back from a lowly gridding to take a strong 7^th place while our digital marketing man Johnny Dodgin returned to national-level racing after a couple of years out. As the afternoon’s weather worsened the under 14’s race saw Elsie Haygarth take 22^nd despite the difficult conditions.

Sunday morning saw our Junior lads racing when the course was at its most challenging, taking place after 12 hours of continuous rain. The strong-performing team saw Adam Bent take 2^nd place with Ben Houlihan in 7^th and Flynn Gregory in 8^th collectively making a big statement for this newest branch of the Wheelbase team. As the day warmed up and the wind began to dry out parts of the course Kate Taylor raced strongly in the national senior women’s event taking 22^nd place overall and 15^th place in the under 23 category.

The big final event of the day – the senior race was fast and frenetic with the very best racers in the UK coming together to race for the first time since January. Wheelbase rider Giles Drake was locked in a race-long battle to secure a top ten placing, just missing out on the final lap to finish an excellent 11^th place. David Duggan made the trip down from Scotland taking 27^th place while our younger under 23 riders Ryan Middlemiss and Tyla Loftus took 45^th and 47^th place respectively placing them in 21^st and 23^rd in the under 23 sub-category.

We would like to thank all of the event organisers and helpers as well as all of the competitors who came from far and wide, raced sensibly and adhered to the new Covid protocols throughout the weekend.

All Photographs by @jamesvincent www.jamesianvincent.com