Author: Sean Leckey

Our end of season sale is here.

This summer we’re offering some fantastic savings across a great range of bikes from some of the world’s best brands. There’s still plenty of time to ride before we turn towards winter so now is the perfect opportunity to grab a bargain and treat yourself to a new 2018 bike. We’ve compiled some of our stand-out offers on 2018 bikes below.

Cervelo S3 Ultegra Road Bike 2018 – WAS £2999 NOW £2149 | Save 28%

Combine proven S Series aero performance with cutting-edge stiffness and lightweight design. The S3 is ready to put the hurt on a ‘friendly’ Saturday morning ride, or just get you to the coffee shop a little faster. Stiffer, better-riding, aero as ever. All with zero weight penalty.

• Award winning aero frame
• Shimano Ultegra R8000 groupset
• Mavic Cosmic Wheelset

Cannondale Synapse Hi Mod Disc Dura Ace Road Bike 2018 – WAS £4999 NOW £3999 | Save 20%

The Synapse has always been a bike dedicated to full-on, day-long, big-mile rides. For 2018 Cannondale have adapted the established Synapse platform into a more aggressive, lightweight all-rounder that rides faster for longer.

• Hi Mod carbon fibre frame
• Cannondale Hollowgram carbon wheelset
• Shimano Dura Ace groupset with hydraulic disc brakes

Focus Cayo Disc Rival Road Bike – WAS £1999 NOW £1149 | Save 43%

Built for riders with an adventurous spirit, the Cayo Disc Rival features a lightweight carbon fibre frame and reliable SRAM Rival 22 groupset. The reliable stopping power of the SRAM Rival HRD hydraulic disc brakes ensures full control in all weather even on the most technical descents.

• Lightweight carbon fibre disc frame
• SRAM Rival 22-speed groupset
• HRD hydraulic disc brakes

Whyte T-130 C RS – WAS £3799 NOW £2799 | Save 26%

The T-130 C RS features Whyte’s award winning single ring specific carbon frame – a full width main pivot that increases torsional stiffness, extends bearing life and maximises suspension performance. The evolutionary SRAM Eagle GX groupset gives a massive 10-50 gear spread cassette, allowing the chainring to be increased to 34t, giving both top and bottom range improvement.

• Award winning carbon frame
• SRAM Eagle GX 12-speed groupset
• Tubeless ready RaceFace AR 30 wheels

Whyte T-130 RS – WAS £3150 NOW £2150 | Save 32%

The T-130 RS features the multi award winning SCR single ring specific frame with mega-stiff symmetrical chainstays. The Fox 34 Performance Elite fork is easy to set up and offers impressive control. The T-130 RS is a super responsive bike with surefooted handling and offers a kit package which is truly value for money.

• Award winning carbon frame
• Fox 34 Performance Elite fork
• WHAT MOUNTAIN BIKE Trail Bike of the Year winner

Whyte 901 – WAS £1350 NOW £999 | Save 26%

One of the best hardtails around, the 901 inspires confidence with its category defining geometry. The award winning 901 features the ‘Get a Grip’ seat post clamp to allow on-the-fly adjustment and an ergonomic lever which is easy to operate even in the coldest temperatures.

• Confidence inspiring geometry
• 2.6″ Maxxis tyres create more comfort and fun
• SRAM NX 11-speed groupset

 

 

Our team photographer and all round top bloke Dan Monaghan of www.cadenceimages.co.uk took a seriously pimped out 3T Exploro gravel bike to the Isle of Arran for Grinduro 2018. Here’s his write up of the event and his thoughts on the bike.

GRAAAAAAVEL…
First off, it’s important that I give you some background to me and my capabilities….

* I’m not the lightest rider, I’d like to be but I like pizza and beer too much.

* I’ve ridden quite a few bikes, my original love of 2 wheels started on a mountain bike, then moved to 23mm tyres.

* I love riding; I ride as much as possible on anything I can. I’ve done Time Trialling, raced CX, ride with a club, done long rides but lately I’ve developed a love of all things adventure and gravel. I still ride tar and will race CX when the mud comes but for now, adventure is where it’s at!

So when my friends at Wheelbase and Saddleback very kindly allowed me to look after the 3T Exploro for the 2018 Grinduro I couldn’t help but smile. This is more bike than I’ve ever had the luxury of mounting, the wheels alone surpass any of the previous steeds I’ve ridden. Hopefully this gives me the ability to give you an honest insight into how the bike did over the 80km, Isle of Arran Grinduro adventure and also how I did (heads up, it ends in cramp)!

THE COURSE:

Grinduro 2018

Isle of Arran

83 km

4 timed stages

Singletrack, fire track, woodland, tarmac

I think at this point it’s worth making my excuses – I was carrying some camera gear in order to capture the event as it played out, also being a cycling photographer, whilst fantastic doesn’t afford time to ride as much as I’d like, so fitness is just ok…. onto the bike.

I took the bike out for a spin on Friday when I arrived, around 14 km, just to test the set up and make sure I was comfy. The main adjustment being the seat post (I ride slightly lower than tarmac). To access the seat adjustment you need a long allen key which unlocks on the down frame, slightly awkwardly, but manageable. My first impression was ‘woah….. I better take it easy’…. from the moment you first get on the bike it wants to go, it wants input, it wants pushing. I don’t mind fast bikes that keep you on your toes, in fact it’s often fun and this bike was a hell of a lot of fun. From the acceleration to steering and its responsiveness to the unbelievable braking it was a a feedback sensory overload… in a good way.

My first dab of the brakes found me skidding like a 12 year old on his first mountain bike. It wasn’t deliberate but it felt good. Filled with confidence in the Exploro’s stopping power meant I could focus on handling and getting the most out of the bike. This bike wants you to push it, to ride harder, faster, more technical and when you do its rewarding. The bike never feels soft or flexible whereby you feel like your losing anything to the ground.

During the event there where 4 timed sections, Fireroad of fury (2.5km descent)…Lung buster (2.8km climb)….lunch roll (5.5km rolling)….final fling (3.2km singletrack descent)…. alongside the 14 km of timed stages and the other 66 km of route I was able to test the 3T on lots of terrain. Whether going up, down, singletrack, rooty, gravel, tarmac the Exploro really excelled. I found myself on the drops many times cruising at 40+mph easily.

The combination of frame and components made this a really special bike, one I wanted to spend more time with, to see just how far it and me could be pushed. The Exploro LTD would make a fantastic trail bike, gravel grinder, adventure rig, cross bike. If you can test one out do so, but bear in mind you may find yourself disappearing off into the gravelly sunset never to be seen again!

ALMOST FORGOT…
How did I do I hear you cry (murmur?)…. Well I rolled in and out of the first feed (Free Gin and Ice Cream) with a massive smile on my face….lunch break, smile was bigger…. post lunch (apart from the looooong climb) massive smile…… rolling towards the finish, no smile, cramp face…… not to worry, 15 minutes spent ‘stretching’ (read rolling on the floor like a lunatic) and a 2 km roll to the finish = smile from ear to ear…..WOW….. what an event…… Sooooooooo good. Organisation, course, weather, company = AMAZING…. where can i sign up for 2019??

Words and images from Dan Monaghan. The 3T Exploro is available to view in store and order online.

Introducing the Paralane², the first Focus electric bike designed for the road.

The Focus Paralane² e-road bike is fast like a road bike and strong like an eBike. Falling into the endurance road and gravel road bike categories, the Paralane is a bike that can go just about anywhere and now with power assistance can go even further.

The PARALANE² is revolutionary, offering support when you need it, in a road bike that is under 13 kilograms. Fly up climbs, take it easy into headwinds, or spin lightly on the way home. With 250 watts of support, you’ll always have juice left for the last stretch and the power to overcome any of the old hurdles.

With e-bikes now very much established in the mountain bike and hybrid markets, bringing motor assistance to the road presents some slightly different challenges. The major obstacle being the added weight of a battery and motor system in a discipline where lightweight is such a defining factor. Focus worked closely with German start-up manufacturer Fazua (Bavarian slang for ‘go-on’) to develop a minimal, lightweight motor system that allowed the Paralane to retain its road bike look and feel. When compared with existing battery and motor systems on an e-mountain bike, the Fazua drive unit comes in at a remarkably measly 3.5 kg. The ability to completely remove the battery and motor and replace with an included cover gives users the option to ride the PARALANE² as a non-assisted, 10 kg road bike.

The Fazua system will provide motor assistance up to 25 km/h before disengaging, and due to its integrated freewheel system does not produce any drag as is the case with other e-bike systems, therefore riding just like any other road bike.

The PARALANE² 9.7 is now available to order online and to view in our Lake District store, 1 of only 3 models available in the UK and the only stock in the North! Other models will be available soon.

We were recently invited to Altea, Spain for the launch of the 2019 Mondraker bike range and we were lucky enough to test ride a couple of their new models. With the mid-afternoon sun too much to bear we opted for an early evening ride and took to the dusty trails in the Altea mountains on the new Crusher XR+ and R+. We have to say on first looks they are two fine-looking bikes and once out on the trails we discovered they also ride like a dream.

The riding around the Costa Blanca region is mostly on natural trails and, given the climate, they’re usually dry and dusty. We certainly found this to be the case and revelled on the hard packed gravel with the odd rock garden thrown in to spice up some of our descents.

Powered by the Shimano Steps e8000 drive unit, the Crushers cruised up the climbs (which around Altea are never insanely steep, compared to what we’re used to here in the Lakes) and with Mondraker’s renowned Forward Geometry the bikes were a blast on the challenging downhills. The 160mm front travel ate up the odd rock gardens and any encountered bumps with consummate ease.

We’re extremely excited to see more of these bikes and explore the full 2019 Mondraker lineup. The bikes will be arriving and will be available to order very soon, check back for more information.

 

The Cube Acid Hybrid ONE is your passport to a new world of off-road adventure. With a brand new sleek frame design, Bosch’s third generation drive unit and the kind of attention to detail you’d expect from Cube, it’s a superbly capable all terrain bike that will take you wherever your curiosity leads you. The 100mm suspension fork, wide profile tyres and powerful hydraulic disc brakes add comfort and control, while Shimano 9 speed transmission gives you the perfect gear for any situation.

For the Acid Hybrid One Cube have designed a custom battery cover that semi-integrates into the hydro-formed down tube.  There is a forged bottom bracket housing for the Bosch Active Plus drive unit for the most efficient power transfer. Internally routed cables contribute to an incredibly sleek looking design as do the integrated rack and mudguard mounts.

The compact Bosch Purion is easily operable by thumb so there’s no need to take your hands off the bars when switching between modes. There are four riding modes offering varying levels of power assistance with an additional walking mode for the utmost safety when pushing the bike along. The computer displays all of your essential information without overloading the rider with neeedless metrics and numbers.

The Acid Hybrid One is available with assistance from a 400 or 500wh battery and all model sizes come standard with 29″ wheels. The 100mm suspension fork comes with a lockout feature which allows the suspension to be completely switched off for riding on tarmac and for when climbing out of the saddle. Shimano hydraulic disc brakes provide ultimate stopping power when descending at speed and riding through traffic in built up areas.

Ideal for light trail riding, commuting and riding on bridleways, the Acid Hybrid One is a versatile electric bike that comes with the most up-to-date Bosch Active Line motor and impressive specification package for the price point.

Cube Acid Hybrid One 500 – £1799

Specification:

Battery: Bosch PowerPack 500

Motor: Bosch Drive Unit Active Plus (50Nm)(250Watt)

Display: Bosch Purion

Frame: Aluminum Superlite, Advanced Hydroforming, ARG, Double Butted, Tapered Headtube, Internal Cable Routing

Fork: SR Suntour XCM ATB Coil, 100mm, Lockout

Headset: FSA Orbit 1.5B ZS-R, Top Zero-Stack 1 1/8″ (OD 44mm), Bottom Zero-Stack 1 1/2″ (OD 56mm)

Stem: CUBE Performance Stem Pro, 31.8mm

Handlebars: CUBE Rise Trail Bar, 680mm

Grips: CUBE Performance Grip

Rear Derailleur: Shimano RD-M2000-SGS, 9-Speed

Shifters: Shimano SL-M2000, Rapidfire-Plus

Brakes: Shimano BR-M315, Hydr. Disc Brake (180/180)

Crankset: FSA CK-602, 38T

Chain: KMC X9

Cassette: Shimano CS-HG200, 11-34T

Rims: CUBE ZX20, 32H, Disc

Rear Tyre: Schwalbe Rapid Rob, Active, 2.25

Front Tyre: Schwalbe Tough Tom, Active, 2.25

Saddle: Selle Royal MTB

Seatpost: CUBE Performance Post, 30.9mm

 

The South Lakes Bike Fest will be celebrating everything great about riding in the mountains. New for 2018, there will be bikepacking, gravel, XC, all-mountain and family rides going out over the weekend as well as demo bikes to try and MTB skills coaching sessions running.

The weekend kicks off on Friday evening with rides heading out into the hills from the Eagle and Child pub in Staveley. On Saturday there’ll be an 80 mile gravel ride, a 50 mile bikepacking route taking in some great vistas and cafes plus a couple of very hilly MTB routes and much, much more.

Kirkby Lonsdale Brewery will be bringing the beer for the weekend, WHEELBASE and Alpkit will be bringing some demo bikes and equipment to try out and there’ll be wood-fired pizzas as well as fine coffee and cakes to enjoy. Trailhum will be offering free MTB skills session for all abilities over the course of the weekend.

There is camping available for the weekend which opens on Thursday with a £15 fee for staying the whole weekend, with under 16’s staying for free with a paying adult. Tickets are available to buy online now.

Weekend schedule:

Friday

6.30pm – Sam Houghton Ride, outside Eagle & Child – drinks on route and post ride curry included with £10 entry fee.

6.30pm – mass start 50 mile Bike Packing route in the Lakes, GPX route will be provided.

There will be coffee and pizza served at the campsite marquee.

Saturday

9.30am – 80 mile gravel ride departs, GPX route will be provided.

From 10am – 3 all-mountain routes. GPX routes provided and maps are available (at a cost) (Nan Bield / Garburn / High Street)

From 10am – 3 Cross Country routes depart (none official guide Longsleddle / Garburn and 3 Rivers / Full Sam Houghton). GPX routes will be provided.

From 10am – Family route Brow Foot Lane, down 3 Rivers.

On Saturday there will be Little Rippers coaching as well as skills coaching with Lucy Allan, Alpkit and Trail Hump.

Kirkby Lonsdale Brewery will be running a bar from 2pm, serving a fine selection of locally brewed beers. There will be music from 5pm and wood-fired pizza served from 7.30pm.

 

Our annual Tour de Staveley social sportive took place on Saturday 14 July and we welcomed 250 riders for a choice of two stunning routes around the lanes of the south Lakes. For 2018 we partnered with Kendal CC and all proceeds from the event have been donated to their nominated charity – Wheels for All. We’d like to say a huge thanks to all of the riders, marshals, volunteers, Wilf’s Cafe, Hawkshead Brewery and of course Kendal CC.

CLICK HERE for the results powered by My TriClub

CLICK HERE for the photo gallery by James Kirby

 

250 riders set off over both courses from 3pm on Saturday afternoon in glorious sunshine and the weather held for the duration of the ride and into the evening. After completing the ride there was a 2-course dinner served up at Wilf’s Cafe followed by highlights of the day’s Tour de France action on the big screen in Hawkshead Brewery, where riders enjoyed a much deserved social drink.

Riding away from our Lake District store, the riders headed out towards Crook before following the road down into the Lyth Valley, passing through the villages of Underbarrow and Brigsteer. The riders continued along the valley to the bottom of Tow Top Road, where the long course goes vertical and up the brutal 1 km climb and the short course turns right, following the road underneath Cartmel Fell. Averaging 12% over its 1 km ascent, Tow Top provides the first real challenge of the day for the long course riders and is where we positioned our first King and Queen of the mountain section with Ben Bardsley and Helen Jackson taking the crowns. Both riders will receive a Wheelbase jersey as a prize. Once over the climb the long course riders continue on quiet, rolling lanes onto Haverthwaite, Oxen Park and Rusland before turning for home at Newby Bridge. The second big challenge of the day is the climb of Gummers How, which ascends for 1.4 km at an average gradient of 11% and offers outstanding views of Lake Windermere from its summit. This was also our second timed section of the day with the same two riders taking the honours. After climbing Gummers How the riders rolled down the hill to an optional pub stop at the Hare & Hounds, Bowland Bridge. It is here where the two courses rejoined with around 10 miles back to base.

Check back for details of the 2019 edition – https://www.wheelbase.co.uk/about-us/events/

 

 

Important RIDER NOTES

THERE ARE A LIMITED NUMBER OF PLACES AVAILABLE ON THE DAY AS WELL AS FOOD ONLY TICKETS AND UPGRADES ON SKINNY RIDES.

In association with Kendal Cycle Club – the friendly, social, sportive for all abilities!

Date: Saturday 14 July 2018

Start: WHEELBASE, The Lake District, LA8 9LR Staggered start times: from 3pm

Now enjoying it’s 10th anniversary Le Tour de Staveley boasts two stunning Lakeland routes and in 2018 we have now partnered with the burgeoning Kendal Cycle Club with all proceeds from the event donated to further this energetic club.

Starting at the UK’s largest cycle store WHEELBASE with a feed station positioned 3/4 at Hare & Hounds, Bowland Bridge. Both distances take in fabulous scenery and famous climbs before finishing with a 2-course dinner in served up by the Wilf’s with the days Tour de France action playing on the big screen.

Le Petit Tour: 28 Miles Tour of Staveley: 48.5 Miles 3x ticket options inc post ride French meal & drinks.

Le Petit Tour: 28 Miles – Short course map

Tour of Staveley: 45 Miles – Long course map

TICKETS:
Full Monty £35: Ride + 2-course French themed meal, 3x pre-paid drinks
Demi £25: Ride + 2-course French themed meal
Skinny £15: Ride only
Food only £12

POST-RIDE FOOD MENU:

Main Course: Coq qu Vin or Veggie Sausage Cassoulet with Pomme frites, Boulangere Potatoes, French bread, mixed leaves and coleslaw.

Desert: Tart au Citron or Crepes with chocolate crème pattisena.

 

 

 

Trek has unveiled the newest version of its ultimate race bike and it comes with disc brakes.

The Madone, since it was first launched in 2003,  has repeatedly proven to be one of the fastest superbikes around. But more than being just out and out speed, the Madone combines aerodynamics with ride quality, ultra-lightweight and, now with the option of disc brakes, unprecedented integration. Trek describe it as ‘the ultimate race bike’.

The Madone, now in its sixth iteration, is a bike that delivers full aero speed and can take on cobbles, climbs and descents. The most notable development with the newest model is the integration of disc brakes, a feature just about every manufacturer is now embracing and is becoming the norm for aero road bikes. The other major upgrade for the new Madone is the Adjustable Toptube Isospeed, which allows customisation of compliance depending on rider preference and terrain. At its most compliant, the new Madone SLR is up to 17% more compliant than the previous generation Madone.

Another benefit of this new technology is the ability to closely match the vertical compliance values across all frame sizes. No matter what size bike you ride, you will benefit fully from the IsoSpeed compliance.

Women’s Models

The Madone SLR comes in women’s specific models that feature the same best in class frame platform as the mainline models. Women specific touch-points like saddle, handlebar width and stem length that are spec’d to fit most women better from the start.

Fit and Geometry

Working alongside pro teams Trek-Segafredo and Trek-Drops has allowed the American manufacturer to fine tune its H1.5 geometry, present on the SLR versions, to put the rider in the optimal aero position. The new Madone SL features Trek’s proven H2 fit.

The all-new Madone SLR/SL lineup is as follows and is now available for pre-order, just give us a call or email to find out more.

• Madone SLR 9 Disc
• Madone SLR 8
• Madone SLR 6 Disc
• Madone SLR 6 Disc Women’s
• Madone SL 6

Our Wheelbase Castelli MGD team will be racing the Otley Grand Prix tonight as part of the British Cycling HSBC national series. The town centre crit race has run annually for the past 33 years in the picturesque market town of Otley in Yorkshire. One of the most prestigious criteriums on the British calendar, the race boasts a history of big-name winners including local stars Scott Thwaites and Lizzie Deignan (née Armitstead) as well as World Tour stars Steve Cummings and Mark Cavendish.

Last years event was won by British rider Chris Lawless, his second win in as many years, as the rain battered the riders from start to finish. Despite the inclement weather enthusiastic crowds lined the course in a mass gathering of raincoats and umbrellas to cheer on the riders as they whirred by, reaching speeds of up to and exceeding 50km/h.

Coming off the back of last week’s Ilkley town centre crit, where we placed 4 riders in the top 30, our team will be confident of following up with another strong showing on what promises to be a fast and exciting evening of bike racing.