October | 2010 | Tiong Hin Co Tyre

Archive for October, 2010

Eddy Merckx Urban Bike Project 2011

October 31, 2010 at 3:24 pm · Filed under Eddy Merckx, New Products, News ·Tagged Eddy Merckx, Fix gear, Urban Bikes

Imagine a specially designed Eddy Merckx bike for riding in the city: a real urban bike. what would it be like?

Made of steel – it’s got to be strong, and got to be sturdy – it’s able to withstand the rough roads and cobble stones of a city; it would have built in safety features: lights, reflectors, a bell, and a simple gear change; it would be beautiful and cool looking – with an old school shifter, integrated wiring, comfortable pedals and a space for the number plate.

The inspiration for this bike is of course ‘the’ famous World-Hour-Record bike – conceived and ridden by Eddy himself. No frills, no fluff – just strong, fast and perfectly proportioned. We’ve got two, and both are inspired by that incredible feat of sporting endeavour.

The first is the ‘Cannibal Limited Edition’. Beautiful, sleek and made for urban biking, it’s a mixture of our rich heritage and new technology giving a bike that can be used everyday, everywhere – safely and comfortably. The second is our ‘Mexico City Series’ – similar to the Cannibal Limited Edition but just that much easier to use in the city with its flat horizontal handlebars and 14 gears.

It’s just the beginning, more “urban bikes” will beat the road, but for now Eddy Merckx Cycles have delivered the first ultimate Urban Bike – because for some cycling is more than just a Sunday outing, it’s become a new way of life.

Eddy Merckx’s new ‘urban bike’ concept, built with a comfortable lugged steel frame and with a versatile geometry that can accommodate a variety of different builds.

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Tionghin’s Road Bike Servicing Package

October 31, 2010 at 2:47 pm · Filed under News ·Tagged Servicing

A road bike servicing is always essential if you want to maintain your bike for maximum life. A well maintained bike performs at its best and also ensures that your components last longer. All the training in the world won’t help if you get a mechanical fault in a big race, so limit those chances by being well prepared. We provide an overhaul bike service which involves stripping your bike down to the frame and its components.

Full Road Bike Service @ $90

Strip entire bike components
Clean and adjust wheel alignment
Dismantle and regrease hubs bearings
Clean brake pads
Check and adjust brakes calipers
Regrease headset bearings
Regrease bottom bracket
Drivetrain degrease
Clean and lubricate all gear and brake cables
Check and adjust gears
Check and tighten all components to specific manufacture torque level
Clean and lubricate all necessary bolts
Inflate to require tyre pressure
Lastly, a test ride ensuring the bike is safe to go!

*Please note all service charges are for labour only, and any parts required will be at additional cost.

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Tom Steels’ training methods with Team Quick Step in 2011

October 30, 2010 at 2:30 pm · Filed under Eddy Merckx, News, Quickstep ·Tagged Eddy Merckx, Quickstep, Tom Steels

Tom Steels of Belgium raises his arms as he crosses the finish line to win the third stage of the Tour de France cycling race from Nantes to Laval, western France July 6 1999.

Team Quick Step is happy to announce that they’ve reached an agreement with Tom Steels for the 2011 season. He’ll sign on as a trainer while also following riders from the team’s car as sports director in some of the races on the international calendar.

“We’re happy to have Tom with us – says Team Manager Patrick Lefevere – After a series of meetings with our staff we managed to work out a deal. His training methods are considered valid and efficient. Tom will also get the chance to put all his experience as a rider and his vision of the race to work for the team as occasional sports director for some particular times during the season.”

“The Powertec training method I use – explains Steels – is based on a scientific approach to training. It’s a system that analyses and elaborates data collected from the athletes through power measuring instruments used by every rider during trainings and competitions to improve their performance. My thanks to the squad for the faith they are showing me. I’m sure that our collaboration will deliver mutual benefits. I’m very happy to be working with one of the strongest teams in the world. I also know many members of this group, whom I’ve already had the chance to work with, back when I was a rider.”

More about Tom Steels…

Tom Steels was a Belgian professional road bicycle racer, specialising in sprint finishes and one-day races. He was one of the top sprinters in the peloton.

Steels began his professional cycling career in 1994 with the Vlaanderen 2002 team , winning eight times in his first two seasons. His breakthrough was after he signed with Mapei in 1996. That year he won Omloop Het Volk, and Gent–Wevelgem. In 1997, he rode in his first Tour de France, and looked capable of a stage win after coming second on Stage 2[2]. However, during the sprint for the finish for the sixth stage he found himself blocked and boxed in by other sprinters and in frustration threw his water bottle at another rider, for which he was thrown out of that year’s Tour [3]

His best season was 1998 when he won the national championship for the second time and returned to the Tour de France to win four stages. He was also national champion in 2002 and 2004 and won five more stages in the Tour. 2006 was his first year as a professional that he failed to win a race.

Victories
1994
* Stage Tour de l’Avenir
* GP Zele

1995
* 1 mei Prijs Hoboken
* Stage West Virginia Mountain Classic
* GP Rik Van Steenbergen
* Dwars door ’t Pajottenland
* Stage Ronde van Nederland
* Grote Sluitingsprijs Putte-Kapellen

1996
* Omloop Het Volk
* Gent–Wevelgem
* Stage, Tour de la Mediterranée
* 2 Stages, Tour of Belgium
* Stage, Volta a la Comunidad Galega
* Kustpijl
* Criterium Aalst

1997
* Belgium national road championship
* Vuelta a Mallorca
* 4 Stages, Paris–Nice
* Stage, Tour de Luxembourg
* Stage, Tour de Suisse
* 2 Stages, Tour de la Région Wallonne
* Schaals Sels Merksem

1998
* 4 Stages, Tour de France
* Belgium national road championship
* Trofeo Pollensa-Alcudia
* Trofeo Magalluff-Calvia
* 2 Stages, Ruta del Sol
* 2 Stages, Parijs-Nice
* Dwars door België
* Criterium Aalst
* Oostrozebeke
* GP Merelbeke

1999
* 3 Stages, Tour de France
* Gent–Wevelgem
* 2 Stages, Ruta del Sol
* Stage, Paris–Nice
* Stage, Driedaagse van de Panne

2000
* 2 Stages, Tour de France
* Stage, Tour de la Mediterrannée
* Stage, Paris – Nice
* Stage, Driedaagse van De Panne
* 2 Stages, Tour de la Région Wallonne

2001
* Stage, Deutschland Tour
* 2 Stages, Tour de Suède

2002
* Belgium national road championship
* Stage, 4-jours de Dunkerque
* Stage, Tour de Catalonia

2003

* Stage, Étoile de Bessèges
* Stage, Tour of Belgium
* Stage, Tour de l’Autriche
* GP Heusden

2004
* Belgium national road championship
* Stage, Étoile de Bessèges
* Stage, Tour de Luxembourg
* 2 Stages, Tour de l’Autriche
* Dernycriterium St Niklaas

2005
* 2 Stages, Étoile de Bessèges
* Stage, Volta ao Algarve
* Stage, Driedaagse van De Panne-Koksijde

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Turbo Trainer – Good Training Device For Bad Weather

October 26, 2010 at 10:06 am · Filed under News, Quickstep, Training ·Tagged Intervals, Training

Bad weather and hazy evenings can be overcome by a good session indoors on a turbo trainers. The basis idea of the turbo trainer is to provide a stationary support via a folding ‘A’ frame. The bike’s rear wheel is then clamped (over the quick release lever) into the frame and the roller is usually pressed up again the rear tyre.

The turbo trainer is ideal for high quality 20-60 minute work outs, raising your heart-rate to higher levels for fitness gains and to develop cycling-specific muscle. Do not attempt to replicate a long ride on a turbo trainer – you will become very numb and very bored. Concentrate on good quality exercise – most of your sessions will be in Zone 3 to 6.

Here are some training tips for using a turbo trainer:

Allow at least 15 minutes to warm up and cool down, using low gears
Leg speed intervals: Leg speed intervals are best executed in a moderate gear and will improve your lactate threshold, cadence and ability to repeat high-speed efforts. Accelerate in the saddle and maintain a high cadence (around 100 to 120 RPM) for a minute before recovering for a minute.
Power sprints: These sprints aim to produce explosive speed as needed for any sprint situation. Accelerate in a big gear as hard as you can for 10 – 15 seconds. Allow yourself time to recover and repeat this 6 – 8 times.
30-Minute Time Trial: Your objective is to hold your sustainable zone 4 pace for the duration of this ride. Part of the training is learning to pace yourself to ride a steady and sustainable pace for the duration of the time trial. Increase your pace to zone 4 and hold it for 30 minutes. Avoid getting to fast at the beginning. Use a heart rate monitor or power meter to judge your effort. If possible, record your speed and HR/power during this session and compare it to another 30-minute time trial to determine if you are able to ride faster at a similar HR or power.
Recovery spin: Purpose of recovery spin is to loosen up stiff, sore legs and to circulate blood to flush out waste products. This should be ridden in low gear with less resistance at a fairly high cadence (85-100RPM) It should feel as though there is no pressure on the legs. Total workout length 30-45 minutes.

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Knock Out Knee Pain

October 25, 2010 at 3:35 pm · Filed under Injury Prevention, News ·Tagged injury, Knee

Protect your knees with these four tried and true training tips.
“Patellofemoral Syndrome in cycling results from the under surface of the knee cap rubbing too hard and for too many repetitions against the femur, grinding away the smooth cartilage on both,” says Brian Prax, a physical therapist based in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Stay in the saddle and out of Prax’s office with this knee-saving advice.

Raise Your Cadence – A low cadence (fewer than 60 rpm) not only taxes your muscles, but also puts extra stress on your joints. Spin above 80 rpm.

Find the Right Float – The wrong foot positioning can cause knee pain. Your cleat angle should mirror the natural angle of your heel. While no-float pedals have been linked to knee problems, too much float can be just as damaging. Most riders should be comfortable with a maximum of 4.5 degrees of float.

Move Back – When in doubt—and in pain—try moving your cleat back a couple of millimeters. This tiny adjustment can drastically reduce the impact on your knees.

Pedal in Circles – While maintaining a circular pedal stroke, make sure your knees aren’t jutting outward or inward.

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Campagnolo 2011 Super Record Available Now

October 18, 2010 at 1:18 pm · Filed under New Products, News ·Tagged Campagnolo

According to Campagnolo, its 2011 Super Record component set “is speeding up, overtaking even itself!”

The Italian masters have managed to spare about 100 grams or 5% from the approximate 2,000g weight of the 2009 groupset, down to under 1,900 grams for 2011, assuming we’re fitting the optional titanium version of the Ultra Torque bottom bracket.

The speed and feel of the gear shifts is the area where die-hard fans might argue that the Campagnolo ‘clunk’ was its best feature, signifying positivity and durability. But for many, though, a ‘snick’, and a super fast one at that, is what they’re looking for.

Campagnolo 2011 Super Record Rear Derailleur. At 155g, 15g lighter than 2009 with its new aluminum fixing bolt.

Campagnolo 2011 Super Record Front Derailleur ● 72g for braze-on ● 3g lighter ● Ultra-shift carbon outer cage.

Campagnolo 2011 Super Record Ergopower Ultra Shift levers ● 330g ● approx 10g lighter ● new composite body with revised cable routing ● insert available for larger hands ● hoods available in black, white or red.

Campagnolo 2011 Super Record Chainset ● 680g with standard BB or 640g with optional titanium BB ● Completely new eXtreme Performance Shift System (XPSS) chainrings with 8 chain upshift zones and 2 chain downshift zones ● Optional titanium Ultra Torque axles ● Reverse thread titanium fixing bolt.

Campagnolo 2011 Super Record Brakes ● 272g ● Rear now available optionally with more powerful dual pivot mechanism to match front ● New shoe fitting system ● longer pad in new compound.

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2011 Eddy Merckx EMX-7 Anniversary Limited Edition – Bike Reviews

October 17, 2010 at 5:52 am · Filed under Eddy Merckx, New Products, News ·Tagged Eddy Merckx

If you were a world famous cyclists, how would you celebrate your 65th birthday? Eddy Merckx will launch a 2011 EMX-7 Anniversary road bike in celebration of his birthday and 525 victories.

The 2011 Eddy Merckx EMX-7 Anniversary features Merckx’s major wins on special lightweight carbon fiber wheels. This EMX-7 has Xs weaved throughout the frame, internal cable routing, among many more features, making it unlike any other released.

Building the 2011 Eddy Merckx EMX-7 Anniversary Bike was accomplished with three factors in mind. First, the company concentrated on the stiffness in the head tube. From there, designers turned their attentions to the shaping. Lastly, they focused on its aerodynamics.

We were told only 200 will release, and at the time 50 were already sold. What is jaw dropping is the retail price, which comes in at a whopping $21,000!

62HM 1K / HS Fiber combination
Carbon Laminate +
OSR Technology
Airfoil shaped tubing
Airfoil Shape seat tube design
Aerofork design
Internal cables (smooth design)
Asymmetric chain stay
Tapered head tube 1,5 – 1 1/8 inch
Oversized bottom bracket
Sizes – 50 / 52 / 54 / 56 / 58 / 60

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Wouter Weylandt just misses win in Sluitingsprijs

October 12, 2010 at 6:31 pm · Filed under Eddy Merckx, News, Quickstep ·Tagged Eddy Merckx, Quickstep

The peloton in full sprint with 100m to go.

Today the peloton started in the Sluitingsprijs Putte-Kapelen, the traditional final race of the Belgian cycling season. A five man lead group dominated the race, but in the eleventh and final local lap they were caught by the peloton. So a bunch sprint had to bring the decision in this last Belgian race of 2010. Wouter Weylandt was looking for another win, but he was beated by Adam Blythe. Weylandt had to be satisfied with a second place.

The race was also Tom Boonen’s final race of a troubled 2010 season. The Quick Step team leader has opted not to ride the Giro del Piemonte on Thursday and will now focus on completing his rehabilitation treatment on his knee.

Result
1. Adam Blythe (GB)
2. Wouter Weylandt (Bel) Quick Step
3. Stefan van Dijk (Ned)

36.Tom Boonen (Bel) Quick Step
78. Kurt Hovelynck (Bel) Quick Step
79. Kevin Hulsmans (Bel) Quick Step
106. Nikolas Maes (Bel) Quick Step
126. Kevin Van Impe (Bel) Quick Step

Wouter Weylandt put up an impressive sprint but he was beated by Adam Blythe

Podium (l-r): 2nd: Wouter Weylandt (Quick Step), 1st: Adam Blythe (Omega Pharma – Lotto), 3rd: Stefan Van Dijck (Verandas Willems)

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Paris-Tours: Weylandt finishes 8th; Dario Cataldo wins GP Beghelli

October 11, 2010 at 4:39 am · Filed under Eddy Merckx, Events, News, Quickstep ·Tagged Eddy Merckx, Quickstep

Paris-Tours
Belgian rider Nikolas Maes dominated Paris-Tours with a long breakaway. Together with Saramotins, Flecha, Pichon, Jorgensen, Meyer, Krivtsov and Geschke he was in the front for a long time. The eight escapees took a maximum lead of 4 minutes, but the peloton kept them under control. After 203,5 kilometres Geschke attacked on the Côte du Crochu, Maes was the only one who could follow him. They took a small lead, while their former companions were caught with 20 kilometres. Five kilometres later Maes and Geschke were caught also.

The peloton prepared itself for a bunch sprint then, the last one on the Avenue de Grammont. The planned tramway will relocate the finish before next year’s race, making this edition the last to use the classic finish line. In this year’s bunch sprint the Spaniard Freire took the win in front of Furlan and Steegmans. Wouter Weylandt finished the race in 8th place.

8. Wouter Weylandt (Bel)
51. Sylvain Chavanel (Fra)
87. Matteo Tosatto (Ita) 1.22
92. Kurt Hovelijnck (Bel) 2.29
125. Nikolas Maes (Bel) 5.39
132. Andreas Stauff (Ger) 7.15
136. Tom Boonen (Bel)
167. Kevin Hulsmans (Bel) 11.46

Nikolas Maes in the breakaway

Wouter Weylandt finished the race in 8th place

Tom Boonen rolls in with the pack

GP Beghelli
Italy’s Dario Cataldo (Quick Step) won the GP Beghelli race in Italy with sprint that left his rivals distanced by several bike lengths. Cataldo gave Team Quick Step a beautiful victory in the GP Beghelli. Cataldo was the strongest in a group sprint after 198 kilometres. The 25-year-old Team Quick Step rider edged out a small group of about 15 riders in a final sprint, after the group broke away from the peloton on the Zappolino slope, around 5 kilometers prior to arrival. Cataldo started the sprint early, but managed to fence off attacks from Jacob Fulgsang and Daniele Pietropolli, edging them out on the Monteveglio finish line. At the podium in Monteveglio Cataldo was accompanied by Fuglsang and Pietropolli.

“I’m very happy both for myself and the team”, said Cataldo after his first individual success in his career. “I got close to victory more than once this season. My dream of a stage win at the Giro d’Italia lasted until about a few meters from the finish line during the L’Aquila stage. Eventually success came today, in a race that is maybe not ideal for my characteristics as a rider. I felt really good this morning and I think I managed to exploit in the best possible way the only point in the race where a difference could be made: the Zappolino slope. During the sprint I only thought about giving everything that I had left, without looking at my opponents. I really, really wanted this win! This success is a reward to my consistence in the 2010 season. Now the Giro di Lombardia awaits me. I would like to do well in that race both for myself and for the team… and in order to honor my season once again.”

Dario Cataldo (Quick Step) opened a gap on the climb to the finish

Dario Cataldo (Quick Step) left his rivals well behind him on the rising

Trophy for Dario Cataldo (Quick Step Cycling Team)

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Joo’s Blue EMX-1 Bike Check

October 10, 2010 at 9:13 am · Filed under Bike Checks, Eddy Merckx, News ·Tagged Eddy Merckx, frame, Road bike

Joo, who used to ride BMX during his younger days, has decide to pick up road cycling together with his group of friends. This is his first road bike and EMX-1 with Eddy Merckx performance geometry that suits him best. EMX-1 has a slightly taller head tube and shorter top tube for a more upright position. It had been designed with both performance and comfort in mind. More comfort, better fit and feel equates to better results on the bike. Check out how it’s set up…

Frameset: Eddy Merckx EMX-1 (24HM UDM Toray Carbon)
Fork: Eddy Merckx UDM Carbon
Handlebar: Selfcof White Alu Handlebar
Bar tape: Lizard Skins
Stem: Selfcof White Alu Stem
Saddle: Prologo Scratch Pro (Upgraded)
Seatpost: Eddy Merckx 3K Carbon Wrap
Groupset: Ultegra 6700
Wheelset: Fulcrum Racing 5
Tyre: Vittoria Zaffiro Pro

Selfcof Handlebar & Stem