Few bike brands can claim to be as beautifully crafted or as lovingly made as De Rosa – so we’re understandably excited about stocking them at Wiggle.
De Rosa is synonymous with everything cyclists know and love about Italian bikes: passion, master craftsmanship, skill and precision. Whether it’s the hand-finished steel Neo Primato frameset which catches your eye or the Merak Carbon, all bikes are created with the same close attention to detail by the family-run De Rosa company, which is based in Milan.
These are the bikes which Ugo de Rosa dreamt of building as a teenager back in 1947. More than half a century later, his dreams are reality and countless champions have ridden – and still ride – his prestigious bikes. His love and enthusiasm for cycling is reflected in every single bike made. A De Rosa bike is the kind of bike you buy and keep forever…
Here at Wiggle we are stocking four different framesets:
The striking Verenti Kilmeston is without a doubt the most versatile and probably the best value of all bikes accross the new Verenti Sportive range. A well thought out frame coupled with price-point beating componentry set the Kilmeston apart from the rest.
Built with the excellent SRAM Rival groupset and featuring a hill-friendly Truvativ compact chainset, a hand-built carbon fork and a power saving 7005 alloy frame; the Kilmeston is the ideal sportive ride: comfortable, lightweight and robust. Factor in fitted mudguards and provision for mounting a rack and you have what is truly a ‘bike for all seasons’.
We have used a 7005 triple butted alloy which is strong, lightweight and ideal for frames such as the Kilmeston. The ‘Triple butting’ refers to the three tube wall thicknesses in each main tube, the ends are thicker than the centre section, allowing for perfect welding whilst still giving a comfy and lightweight ride-feel.
This bike is fast, light and comfortable with a great selection of features and components.
We are confident the Verenti Sportive range and the specially designed ‘Me’ components will garner enthusiastic interest from riders of all ages and abilities – whether an experienced sportive veteran or novice looking to enter their first event.
We want you to have the same confidence in our products as we do; so we have made sure that our bicycles conform to and exceed all the latest European standards (Road standard: EN147810) which involves rigorous testing by the worlds leading testing facilities:
Wiggle offer a Thirty-day ‘ride and return’ policy on bikes – so if you order a Verenti and are not happy with it you can return it for a full refund.
Cold, rain, mud, cobbles – not the sort of environment most cyclists look forward to.
On a cold and windy Wednesday morning, nine riders of the Cervélo TestTeam spent a couple of hours training on the parcours of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.
They were trying out the new Aero Rain Jacket for cold and wet racing, based on some ideas that came out from a focus group with the Cervélo TestTeam “Wet & Cold” Spring classic riders last summer.
“Luckily”, the weather cooperated by swinging from beautiful to nasty and back with regularity.
The Aero Jacket is a prototype which may go into production for Winter 2011. It’s great to see that Castelli are working with the Cervelo Test Team and are continually working to produce better products through feedback.
All the current team clothing is available and already has had very extensive testing. These can be found below
On Thursday 11th Feb we took delivery of the much anticipated range of Museeuw Bikes with the legend himself, Johan Museeuw, taking time-out of his busy schedule to revisit Wiggle and help promote the range of bikes.
With the help of Fanjio, technical expert, they both spent a good few hours explaining to various Wiggle employees the construction of the frames which uses a mixture of carbon fibre and Flax fibre. Fangio explained that weaving these two fibres together creates a composite material which is stronger and more able to absorb vibration and coupled with a 7 layer make-up on the carbon lugs gives the frame stiffness as well as the ability to absorb far more vibration than conventional carbon fibre frames. The frames are slightly heavier than full carbon fibre frames, but Johan believes that rider comfort should come first especially over rough roads.
As the photo shows (see photo below), Fanjio is explaining the Flax used on the MC2 road bike, which is an Wiggle exclusive as we asked Museeuw Bikes if they could alter this bike slightly by introducing a semi-integrated aero seatpost instead of a full integrated seatpost. The reason behind this was 2-fold.
Firstly a sizing issue as regards to fitting into a bike box etc and secondly to eliminate the possibility of incorrectly cutting of the seatpost when trying to correct your sizing. This is also the case with the MF-01, not so with the MF-1 frameset, also available at Wiggle. Also the MF-1 has a colour scheme (white) which is exclusive to Wiggle.
Johan also kindly took the time jump on his bike, in Wiggle Team Kit, so we could get some photos of himself and the MF-1 (naked Carbon/Flax) which he rides.
It’s all about Flax!
Below is a video where Fanjio talks about the benefits of Flax!
More About Flax
“to feel is to believe” is the company motto. Too true as when viewing and sitting on the bike in Wiggle HQ, you wouldn’t tell this was more than your average Carbon road bike. One tell-tale sign is a unique material pattern underneath the lacquer that tells you this isn’t carbon, rather Flax, an old material finally being utilised as it should.
Only when you jump on a Museeuw Bike and jet off down the road do you notice the difference. And it’s an instant difference too, one hard pedal stroke and you find yourself propelled at high speed like the fastest of race bikes, yet the usually coarse, decrepit road surface was ironed out to feel like freshly laid tarmac. An instantly unique ride, you will never have before experienced.
Flax is a plant which was extensively cultivated in ancient Egypt and has been used in multiple uses ever since, including on the wings of the famous Spitfire fighter plane. Two materials are found in flax, the first being flax oil, used in the production of linseed. The second is flax fibre, used in the production of textiles and bank notes. The chances are, you have flax in your wallet right now.
Today, flax is predominantly produced in the north of France. Museeuw bikes have perfected a process to combine flax fibre with carbon fibre to produce a composite material exclusive to Museeuw. At last, an environmentally friendly material that can be 100% recyclable. That’s why Museeuw are licensing the technology to the car industry to help reduce the car industries carbon footprint.
Unlike 100% carbon fibre frames, Museeuw bikes can be easily repaired and carry a lifetime warranty. When carbon fibre fails, it usually brakes clean, failing totally in an instant. Because flax has longer strands and is laid in a random order, unlike the uniformed layout of carbon, if the frame were to ever fail, it would fail slowly and not suddenly. Museeuw would then take the frame back, repair it fully to be as strong as new and return it. What’s more, for a premium, custom geometry and paint options are available.
Why has the BONT shoe become the current New favourite shoe in the Pro peloton. The answer is that having the best fitting and stiffest shoe equals to increased power delivery.
These shoes have been worn by many of the Olympic Track heroes including Bradley Wiggins and Chris Hoy, but as their shoes have been covered up by aero covers the secret weapon remained out of the limelight to the general public. But the word got around the peloton and riders started to use them more and more in the 2009 season. British riders on the Cervelo Test Team like Roger Hammond and Daniel Lloyd made the presence know very early on last year at the Tour of Qatar blowing the peloton apart riding into the hot desert winds, no doubt aided by the extra watts that the shoe gives.
As the shoes sole is completely mouldable to the wearers foot it offers a fit which aids tracking and stability on the bike. Comfort is enhanced as you are experiencing the Cinderella effect as the shoe once moulded will only fit the wearer. For those riders looking for that little bit extra the Bont shoe should be a major consideration to offer a real performance boost.
Named after the coldest, most unforgiving side of a mountain, Wiggle are pleased to announce the arrival of The North Face. The guys and girls in San Francisco’s North Beach Neighbourhood have been doing what they love since the mid-sixties and have been selling their products mail order longer than we have here at Wiggle. Although I’m sure allot has changed in the way they do business since then.
Now operating out of Berkley, California, The North Face is one of the most well-known and reputable outdoor clothing and equipment manufacturers in the world, remaining the choice products of the world’s most accomplished climbers, mountaineers, extreme skiers, snowboarders, endurance runners, and explorers.
Wiggle have selected a number of products, ranging from Hydration bags and base layers, to scarf’s and beanie hats.
Their trade mark – Never Stop Exploring™ – stands by their goals to help you push the limits. Wiggle has chosen a line of North Face products to complement our wide choice of outdoor gear.
Looking to expand our shoe range, Wiggle is proud to announce the arrival of K-Swiss into our range. K-Swiss made its debut at Wimbledon in 1966 with the first leather tennis shoe. Although materials and workmanship has changed as technology evolved, the style staple “The Classic” still remains some 40 years later resembling very strongly, the original. K-Swiss made their lifestyle range quite well-known through their trendy TV ad campaigns over the years, but lesser known to the masses are K-Swiss sports shoes.
Today, K-Swiss still make tennis shoes, but more appropriate to Wiggle customers, is K-Swiss’s extensive range of running shoes aimed at the demanding runner and trendsetter alike. There’s no doubting these are good looking shoes, but also some of the strongest. Take a closer look here.
The K-ONA™ is the culmination of taking 42 years of making innovative technology performance footwear and putting that together with the K-Swiss athletes’ feedback on what their needs are on the race course. They have been tested and proven by K-Swiss athletes. The shoe is very light, extremely well cushioned and supportive, provides optimal fit and comfort, has industry leading water drainage and taped seams for sock less wear during shorter races.
• Durability is achieved with an Aosta® II rubber outsole
• Flexibility is enhanced by anatomically correct flex-grooves
• Support is obtained with a direct injected urethane support cage with five-stripe branding on top
• Stability comes from a rigid TPU midfoot shank
• Breathability is enhanced by a Flow Cool System™ for moisture management located from heel to toe to keep feet cool and dry
• Cushioning is provided by Superfoam® technology, and S I-18® technology crash pad and a K-EVA midsole
• Comfort is enhanced with a seamless upper construction excellent for barefoot running
The Konejo™ II is a lightweight stable running shoe for women. The stability and motion control are enhanced with a “Y-Beam” TPU arch support and medial posted midsole. Cushioning is maximized through guideglide guidance system™ and a triple-density Superfoam® compound. Durability is enhanced with an Aosta® II outsole with anatomically Konejo™ correct flex-grooves.
• Extra cushioning is provided by removable sockliner
• Stability in midfoot provided by K-age rubberized material welded to mesh for lightweight reinforcement
• Motion control is maximized by blown rubber forefoot compound for great transition and softer feel
• Safety provided by reflectivity
Along with their exceptional range of bikes, frames and accessories, Charge bikes have produced a limited range or gear available only through Wiggle. Charge have kindly customised two saddles and a set of grips with wiggly orange details to appeal to those of you who like to have something a little bit different. These products won’t be available anywhere else, so grab them now before it’s too late. I’m going to grab a Bucket Saddle for my Charge Plug Racer. View the Charge Ltd Edition kit
The latest bike to land at BikeRadar HQ is this £1,500 Thunder 3.0 all-mountain machine from German manufacturers Focus.
The three-bike Thunder range uses a Knuckle Box four-bar linkage out back (which it shares with Diamond Back’s Mission range) which Focus say allows for improved small bump compliance, more perceived travel and an optimised and neutral axle path.
Focus’s EABS (Easy Access Bearing System) is built into the frame to allow for easy maintenance and adjustment. DT Swiss’s M210 Air shock provides 140mm of rear travel while Suntour’s Epicon-XC 100 fork gives 140mm of adjustable travel up front. A mixture of Shimano XT and SLX take care of shifting, with Hayes Stroker Ryde brakes look after stopping.
We’re looking forward to hitting the trails with the Thunder 3.0, and we’ll let you know how we get on in an upcoming issue of Mountain Biking UK magazine. Focus bikes are available via Wiggle in the UK.
The first day of a weekend of UCI-sanctioned ‘cross racing in the Boulder, Colorado area happened to fall on Halloween this year and while much of the amateur field donned a plethora of colorful costumes to celebrate, the pros were predictably more seriously attired – all but Chris Jones, that is.
Conveniently, Jones’ title sponsor, Champion System, is a custom cycling clothing company and they provided their star rider with a special black and orange skinsuit, complete with jack-o-lanterns front-and-rear and a cheeky – literally – ‘Happy Halloween’ greeting on the back. Not only that but his Focus Mares Team race machine was also dressed to suit with a host of orange details such as the saddle, bar tape, brake hoods, pedals, rim decals and yes, even the cable donuts.
Aside from the whimsical colouring, though, Jones’ bike was all business.
Germany-based Focus is well known in Europe, but has only just this season started to bring bikes into the US and Jones’ Mares Team is the company’s flagship model. The full-carbon frame clearly places heavy emphasis on front triangle and drivetrain efficiency with a giant down tube and top tube, a tapered head tube, a bulbous BB30-compatible bottom bracket shell, plus an enormous asymmetrical seat tube.
The matching fork is equally stout in appearance, too, featuring a giant, widely spaced crown and straight blades with huge cross-sections front-to-back.
Even so, Focus looks to have factored in some vertical give for better rider comfort and improved traction. The giant chain stays are matched to relatively slim seat stays, the top tube is highly ovalized horizontally to allow the front end to flex a tad – while also improving shouldering comfort – and the tapered front end flares from 1 1/8″ up top to a modest 1 1/4″ at the crown instead of the more common 1 1/2″ dimension. Even the seatpost measures a slim 27.2mm for a modicum of extra cush.
Finishing kit is decidedly high-end throughout, without being over the top. SRAM provides the transmission and drivetrain with Red DoubleTap levers, rear derailleur and BB30-edition crankset with pro-only SRAM 38/46T chainrings, Force front derailleur (a popular choice among pros given the stiffer steel cage), PC-1090 chain and OG-1070 cassette instead of the mud-prone Powerdome model.
Williams Cycling provides Jones with its Wheelsystem 38 carbon tubular wheels, which he then wraps with tires from Dugast and Challenge. Unfortunately, Jones doesn’t actually have an official tire sponsor so his equipment costs are higher than some other top domestic pros, but on the upside, that also means he has more freedom of choice and keeps an unusually generous array of six different treads on hand.
Finishing kit includes an FSA Energy Anatomic alloy bar and Orbit CX headset, a Thomson X2 stem and Masterpiece seatpost, TRP EuroX Mag wide-profile cantilevers, fi’zi:k Aliante saddle, and Crankbrothers Candy 4ti pedals. Total weight is an admirable 7.60kg (16.67lb).
It’s a good thing that Jones had all of those wheels and tires at his disposal, though, as he flatted three times on Saturday – once in warm-up and twice during the race. Add in a broken shoe buckle and that was about all the sign Jones needed that the fight was best left for another day. With another day of warm and sunny weather on tap after two days of monster snow, Sunday’s race promises to be much faster – and much drier. A comparatively fresh Chris Jones will hope to put himself on the podium for a third time this year.
