Author: John Dodgin

We’re all too familiar with training in the rain here at Wheelbase; with stores in the Lake District, the North East and Yorkshire we know all too well that it can (sometimes) be ‘grim oop North’.

Chances are though, if you’re a keen cyclist ANYWHERE in the UK and are determined to train throughout the year regardless of the weather and time of year then then you’ll no doubt be regularly faced with cold, wet weather where the large majority of your attention is focused on trying to stay as warm and dry as possible for the duration of the ride.

You may be familiar with the saying ‘necessity is the mother of invention’, well Tom Barras the former UK-based professional cyclist, is testament to it! The founder of Spatz Wear has spent countless hours training on the grippy roads of Yorkshire in weather conditions that define the word grim. Tom who also has a background in product design would often dream of a solution to having cold wet feet whilst cycling; having tried all forms of overshoe over the years Tom felt sure that he could improve on what was available at the time.

Like all good product designers Tom threw out the rulebook and came at the problem from a whole new angle, starting from scratch Tom devised a new, hugely different protype overshoe and handmade the first pair at his dining room table. Wearing them under his tights Tom began to test these new overshoes in real-world Yorkshire conditions.

Shortly after, during a regular training session with a certain British Olympic Triathlete, ridden in all-too-familiar cold, wet conditions Tom’s training partner got talking about how much he was suffering with his cold feet. It was time for the big reveal – when Tom shared his amazing idea the response was that this design solution was a revelation and a business partnership was quickly born.

Shortly after and following numerous design prototypes and extensive product testing Spatz were ready to be launched to the public. When this first Spatz over shoe was revealed to the UK cycling community the response was the same  – riders instantly recognised the need for such an overshoe with the first product batch quickly snapped up.

The growth of the Spatz range has been rapid, with each new product being born out of the same fresh-thinking design approach to the usual established ‘norm’. Whether it’s base layers, gloves, overshoes, socks or gilets Tom has taken on the problem and found the solution by starting with a completely fresh outlook before refining each concept with the best materials and manufacturing processes.

Here’s a brief look at some of the key Spatz products for this season….

 

 

 

 

 

We love the look of the 2021 Trek Emonda ALR 6 with its eye-catching Cobra Blood Red to Viper Red Fade, fresh in stock at Wheelbase!

The Trek Emonda ALR has been available in one guise or another for the past 5 years and during that time it has been constantly refined, re-engineered and improved. Such changes include the move from caliper brakes and external cable routing to disc brake only with internally routed cables; Trek’s invisible weld technology has continued to evolve over the years too creating superior connections at each tube junction increasing strength and frame stiffness while actually using less material. Made from Trek’s 300 Series Alpha Aluminium the Emonda ALR 6 features sophisticated hydroformed tubing which closely mirrors both the aesthetics and properties of the more expensive carbon fibre versions.

The geometry of the aluminium Emonda ALR is exactly the same as Trek’s carbon Emonda range and this is one of the stand-out features of this bike. Trek have tweaked and refined this geometry over the past 10-15 years of racing at the highest level of professional cycling; with valuable feedback from some of the most successful professional cyclists they have applied this feedback to countless road bike models including the latest iteration of the Trek Emonda ALR.

So what about ride quality? Having ridden a Trek Emonda ALR myself over the past few years I can certainly testify to the Emonda’s refined geometry which gives a confident, responsive feel. The Emonda is the most agile road bike I have ever ridden; it corners as if on rails and descends in a predictable, stable way that gives the rider more confidence and a greater feeling of control. Even with your pedals in a horizontal position you can quickly lean the bike and throw it into corners, making quick changes of direction with no feeling of risk or panic; the Emonda has given me (a very average descender) new-found confidence on the downhills.

The Trek Emonda ALR 6 with its Shimano Ultegra mechanical groupset marks the pinnacle of Trek’s Emonda ALR range, this brilliantly functional, precise-shifting 11-speed groupset combined with powerful, but easy to modulate hydraulic disc brakes gives you a wide range of gearing that can handle any gradient you’ll encounter and brakes that keep you in control on any road surface and in any weather conditions. The ALR 6 comes with wide 28mm tyres too; fast becoming the standard for the everyday road cyclists they give you a little more cushioning on variable road surfaces and keep you in control on tight downhill turns when combined with the superior stopping-power of the ALR’s disc brakes.

So who is this alloy road bike for? Well, it’s the type of bike that will suit a lot people. For those on a tighter budget, this is a really good option when compared to some carbon bikes at a similar price which may well give an inferior riding experience. For the money you’ll get a proven, lightweight alloy frame informed by a rich racing heritage, Shimano’s fantastic Ultegra mechanical groupset and powerful hydraulic disc brakes making this a great bike for privateer road racers too; the Emonda ALR makes the perfect Crit racing weapon.

And then there’s the Emonda ALR 6’s devilishly good looks, the Cobra Blood Red to Viper Red Fade just looks stunning as you can see in James Vincent’s photos.

Learn more about the Trek Emonda ALR 6 here

Blog written by Johnny Dodgin

All photos by James Vincent

 

As the clocks go back and daylight hours decrease significantly, outside temperatures begin to drop with time-pushed cyclists struggling to achieve quality training miles outside, indoor smart trainers really come into their own.

Wahoo Smart Trainers are available at Wheelbase on 0% finance which means you can spread the cost of your investment while your fitness reaches new heights.

Wahoo’s range of indoor smart trainers and accessories make cycling indoors more fun, with an authentic feel giving cyclists a challenging, structured workout.

Compatible with Zwift riders can experience real-time racing and training with other riders from all over the world.

Wahoo’s KICKR Climb and Headwind adds even more authenticity to your indoor workouts.

 

 

We’ve got good levels of stock ready to deliver direct to your home now, or why not come in store and learn more about our Wahoo Smart Trainer range.

 

 

SATURDAY 7TH OF NOVEMBER, 12 NOON – 4.30PM

Join us at Wheelbase Yorkshire in Ilkley for the Wahoo Roadshow!

This is your chance to see Wahoo’s latest fitness training equipment in action, but be quick we only have six places available*

Book your very own free one to one session NOW with a Wahoo fitness consultant and ride the latest Wahoo fitness training equipment.

* Each one to one session is 45 mins

*COVID Secure Event*

 

Time Slots Available:

Session 1.     12.00pm-12.45pm – Booked

Session 2.     12.45pm-13.30pm

Session 3.     13.30pm-14.15pm

Session 4.     14.15pm-15.00pm

Session 5.     15.00pm-15.45pm

Session 6.     15.45pm-16.30pm – Booked

Time slots will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis.

 

Please email demo@wheelbase.co.uk with your chosen time slot. Please include your name, phone number and height in centimetres. Feel free to bring your own cycling shoes and pedals for your session.

 

Beat the busier roads, increasing travel costs, rocketing pollution and health risks of using public transport and reignite your freedom to move. The e-Scooter is a new eco-friendly way to travel, we stock sleek and efficient electric scooters to help you answer all the challenges of travelling around your city and more. Available to buy now with no deposit and 0% interest spread over 6 or 12 months. Join the e-Scooter revolution!

 

E4 Plus – Learn More   

 

E4 – Learn More

 

Egret Ten V3 X 48V – Learn More

 

Egret Ten V3 X 36V – Learn more

 

Urban #HMBRG V2 – Learn more

See a review of the Reid e4 and E4 Plus Here

 

See more from Reid E-Scooters Here

 

 

Current Legislation

Please note, the use and enjoyment of e-scooters is only legal on private property for now; as it stands it is currently against UK law to use a powered transporter such as an e-scooter or segway on pavements, roads and cycle lanes. Here at Wheelbase we can really see the advantages of travelling short distances to and from work without getting in a car to do so, decreasing traffic congestion and helping to improve air quality.

With the added impact of the Coronavirus and the need to travel safely, avoiding public transport where possible we recognise the importance that this new technology can play, which is why Wheelbase have got behind e-scooters now. We have already seen their popularity in cities all across Europe and want to be ahead of the curve in terms of the brands we stock, our product expertise and customer service.

The government has now begun trials of e-scooters for approved rental services within some cities around the UK and we are optimistic that key legislation around the use of e-scooters will change very soon. See more here

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

The 2021 Cannondale Moterra Neo 3+ eMTB thrives on challenging UK trails, up or downhill, out in the elements in all weather conditions. Riding such an impressively precise & uncommonly agile eMTB helps you to redefine what you thought was possible on a mountain bike; you’ll quickly find yourself revisiting old stomping grounds to ride what you previously thought was unrideable. With its low center of gravity, modern geometry, short chainstays and enhance traction the Cannondale Moterra’s handling feels like it’s in a class of its own.

Over the past few seasons Cannondale have quickly refined the functionality and styling of their eMTB’s, the Moterra Neo 3+ features Bosch’s powerful new Performance CX drive unit with an increased torque of up to 85Nm and extended boost for effortless speed and endless fun while a long-lasting 625Wh PowerTube battery is fully integrated cleanly into Moterra’s burly carbon frame.

Like all good modern bike brands Cannondale don’t hold back on the technical jargon, quoting ‘Proportional Response’ and ‘AI Offset’ among others. In a nutshell Proportional Response reflects their focus on rider size and specifically tailoring the Moterra’s suspension layout per bike size option so that every rider enjoys optimal traction, suppleness and control. Cannondale’s ‘AI Offset’ refers to their design solution that creates a rear triangle with enhanced tyre clearance and short chainstays for a more agile, nimble feeling eMTB.

The Cannondale Moterra Neo 3+ features a RockShox 35 Gold RL fork with 160mm of travel paired with a Deluxe Select rear shock, again, with a capable 160mm amount of travel. A SRAM SX Eagle 12-Speed groupset gives a super-wide range of gears to help you negotiate even the steepest, most technical climbs while small design details include the space to run a water bottle on every frame size making the Moterra Neo 3+ a really versatile, user-friendly and FUN eMTB.

The 2021 Cannondale Moterra Neo 3+ eMTB will be available at Wheelbase in-store and online from next week.

Last November Trek Factory Racing’s Evie Richards kindly joined us on a group ride as part of the Kendal Mountain Festival. It was great to get to ride with one of the most talented young Cross Country mountain bikers in the world. Little did we all know then, that she would have to wait more than a year to race again at an international level due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Evie has since moved up to the highest level of World Cup racing and took on her very first senior level Short Track World Cup race in Nové Město in the Czech Republic yesterday. Fought out in conditions more typical to a wet Autumn day in the UK Evie excelled taking THE WIN in a sprint finish against the reigning Mountain Bike World Champion!

When it comes to selecting the appropriate race bike for the job Evie has the best range of cross country mountain bikes available, choosing the Trek Supercaliber with its exclusive IsoStrut tuneable, damped shock built into the integral structure of the frame. This clever piece of engineering allows for a small amount of travel to take the sting out the rough stuff without compromising pedalling input – perfect for the kind of sprint finish that Evie dominated.

See the Supercaliber HERE

The Whyte E-160 S V1 enduro eMTB has been designed and developed to excel on British trails, featuring all-weather reliability for a do-it-all trailbike that packs more punch into every ride.

Whyte have taken their agile handling and capable suspension from their E-150 and increased the fork travel by 10mm to handle the most technical, demanding terrain. They have also increased ground clearance whilst maintaining that distinctive feel of being able to really rail the turns, which has been so familiar with previous Whyte Trail/Enduro mountain bikes.

The E-160 S is available in 5 sizes from XS to XL and features the brilliant Bosch gen 4 motor paired with a 625Wh battery. This brand new high-torque Bosch Gen 4 motor is super-compact with exceptionally smooth power delivery giving a more natural, enhanced pedalling feel while the powerful 625Wh battery means there is no need for any ‘range anxiety’ associated with some other eMTB’s. Whyte’s slide in battery fitment means that the structural integrity of the frame is maintained while weight is kept to a minimum.

Whyte have paired the new RockShox ZEB 160mm eMTB-specific 38mm stanchioned forks up-front with a RockShox Deluxe Select rear shock. SRAM’s proven GX Eagle groupset featuring a 34T chainring combined with a wide-ratio 11-50T 12 speed cassette provides ample gearing for the steepest off road climbs and gravity-assisted drops. Powerful SRAM Guide 4 Pot brakes combined with 220mm/200mm rotors means that scrubbing off speed and remaining in control through tight downhill turns is taken care of.

Available now in-store and online – the 2021 Whyte E-160 S keeps your riding rowdy and fun regardless of what you throw at it.

Find out more here: Whyte E-160 S

The all-new Trek Slash is quite possibly the ultimate trail bike. This long-travel 29er enduro bike is built to be fast, smooth and fun in the wildest terrain. This versatile, aggressive bike rips the trails while remaining light and planted on punchy climbs and if you’re into park runs the Slash can deliver rowdy downhill fun run after run. The all-new Slash is available in carbon or alloy options, each built with new, improved burlier suspension and Trek’s newly developed enduro geometry that keeps you long and low. Fast rolling 29er wheels carry your speed through technical terrain for a rip roaring good time in the rough.

Trek declare the Slash as an evolution in enduro suspension, with an all-new Super Deluxe Thru Shaft air shock developed in partnership with RockShox engineers with the shared goal of developing the perfect enduro-specific suspension platform with a super-sensitive shock that reacts to the trail, not you. This enduro bike knows the difference between what you’re putting into it and what the trail is; the slow speed adjuster cleverly nullifies pedal strokes without affecting the bike’s capacity to handle high-speed compressions on the most brutal trails.

So how would we describe the geometry of the new Slash? Well, simply put it’s now longer, slacker and lower while accommodating more travel. This delivers more high-speed stability in the steepest, loosest terrain, while the Slashes’ steep seat tube angle keeps your pedaling efficient when your negotiating long climbs and transition stages.

With an eye for detail and a focus on small practicalities that can make the difference between a fun day out and a frustrating ride, all Slashes now feature a full-length downtube guard to protect your bike from trail debris as well as providing a little more durability when tailgate shuttling. Another key feature is Trek’s clever internal frame storage compartment underneath the bottle cage on the downtube where you can store tools, a spare tube or your favourite trail snacks.

Find out more here