My bike is a toilet

I have mentioned in a couple of postings the Orbea Orca I have ordered which should have arrived last week. Then airbus stepped in and bought up all the carbon fibre available from the company that supply Orbea. So my bike is a toilet somewhere overhead. Two good things though - first of all it will only be about another three weeks..so six weeks in total, excellent timings for a bike built to my specification and much better than the times offered by many of the Italian manufacturers. Even better than settling for what is available in the shop. Secondly - Orbea have refused to compromise on the quality of carbon fibre and buy from elsewhere..even if it costs customers, very reassuring.

So while I am waiting I found this on the Internet http://www.twitvid.com/4JOWR It's Samuel Sanchez and worth a look. My personal view...if he had worked hard up the hill the motorbike wouldn't have been close on the downhill. Perhaps if he joins us for a Vita ride he can pick up a few tips....

Neil Pryde - Go Ride

Years ago I was addicted windsurfing. Neil Pryde were the ultimate in wind surfing equipment particularly in the design and quality of their sails. They recently surveyed their customers to find out more about their lifestyle. Surprisingly it would appear that a high percentage of windsurfers love race bikes too. Neil Pryde have subsequently taken years of knowledge about wind dynamics and turned it to race bike technology. Ratings in the press have been exceptional but, what do they know?
The bikes come in a range of colours and, I'm told, you will shortly be able to opt for custom colours. There are also a range of group sets but, for more on that, speak to your dealer.

I took out the diablo and boy was it a devil of a ride!

The first thing you notice is the quality of the finish and quality of the build, exceptional and something some of the Italian frame designers could learn from. The headset is a huge affair and the bike tends to push you forward over the bars in a sprinters position so the headset strength will be reassuring for you future Cavendish's out there.

These are the specifications of the bike I rode;

Frame: C6.7 high-modulus unidirectional carbon fibre full-monocoque

Groupset: Shimano Ultegra 6700

Wheels: Mavic Ksyrium SL

Seatpost: FSA Team Issue 27.2mm

Stem: OS-150 Carbon, 6° 31.8mm

Bars: Wing Pro Compact, 31.8mm

Seat: Selle Italia SL Kit Carbonio, w/ Vanox tube

Tyres: ATOM COMP, 700x23c

Weight: 7.25kg

The gears were positive and quick with no slippage, the wheels light and well balanced, no skimming the brakes when sprinting. The frame is very stiff and notice the weight, you don't get much lighter for this money. I only went on a short ride and found myself forward on the bike ready to sprint, urged on almost by the bike wanting to leap forward. When I did sprint it flew. This is a bike for the hard core racer, ideally suited to criteriums or short evening races on closed circuits when the action is non-stop and the sprinter is king. If you want a bit more comfort during longer rides consider the other Pryde the Alize, still  a racer but looks a touch more forgiving,(I've yet to ride it)

These are the first two offerings from Neil Pryde, their aero knowledge has transferred well and I look forward to future offerings. For now though a Matt black diablo with matching wheels is on the shopping list or it's my birthday in May if anyone is wondering what to buy me.................. 



http://www.neilprydebikes.com/usd/?country_id=US