Recon Gold Cassette

It's been a while since I posted my last product review Blog. This definitely deserves some consideration if you're in the market for a new cassette and some bike bling at the same time.

I've been ridding the cassette as part of my race wheel set which consists of XLR8 50mm Carbon Clincher Wheels with Conti GP4000s tyres. The cassette weighs in at approx 89grams, that's almost half the weight of a SRAM Red cassette.

The cassette is machined out of a single piece of aluminium and the teeth are cut to give optimised gear shift. The most impressive thing is that the inside of the cassette is hollow, impressive machining. The whole cassette is covered in a gold hard coat to increase its durability and life.

The gear shift on this cassette is superb, I was expecting a decrease in quality over the main brands of SRAM, Shimano and Campagnolo. I'm running a KMC X10 SL chain (Silver) and they integrate perfectly. What you do get is a distinctive noise, if you've ever ridden a SRAM Red cassette you hear a noise that can only be described as hollow metallic. You get a similar noise with the Recon Cassette but not as load, this is probably because the back of the cassette is open and not closed like the SRAM Red.

The cassette is available in 11-23, 11-25 and 11-27, from Blackhawk Bikes @ £99.99.

Wansbeck....Result

Another talent heavy field lined up in three groups for the Wansbeck Australian Pursuit on Sunday 20th March. The larger clubs/teams had at least one representative in each of the three groups so it was to be anyone's day.

Dave Charman (Picture by Phil Marks)

Blackhawkbikes.com had 6 riders (Simon Davison, Alan Nixon, James Alder, Marcus Smith, Tony Macgouran and Dave Charman), split across the groups.

Simon Davison & Tony Macgouran (Picture by Phil Marks)

The front group were given a 3min lead over the middle group, which was reduced down to 2mins after the first lap of chasing. The chasing continued and the front group were caught during the 4th lap of the 7lap race.

With the front and middle group now together they continued to push hard and make life difficult for the chasing group made up of Elites/1st & 2nd cat riders. 

Alan Nixon (Picture by Phil Marks)

At the start of the final lap Thomas Bustard (Velo29) made a power move up the finishing straight over the line to start the final lap and moved clear of the main field, Blackhawkbikes.com rider Simon Davison covered the move and road clear with 5 other riders to form a breakaway group of 7 for the final lap.

The breakaway group established a 20second lead over the main peleton who were still yet to be caught by the elite group. Coming into the final run in the lead only dropped to 10seconds before the breakaway 7 swung left onto the final ascend upto the finish line.

Again Thomas Bustard (Velo29) displayed the power of 10men to ride clear on the climb to take a deserved win. Simon Davison launched his sprint and was only able to secure a thrid place for Blackhawkbikes.com narrowly being beaten to the line by a Fiesten Tempo rider.

Simon Davison crossing the line 3rd (Picture Phil Marks)

The elite group made contact with the chasing peleton on the final lap and now the race was on for the minor places. James Moss (Endura) and Mike Dales (Velo29) attacked off the front on the final run in to take 8th and 9th. Alan Nixon from Blackhawkbikes.com also broke free from the charging group and stayed away to take the final point of the day coming home in 10th place.

Alan Nixon 10th (Picture by Phil Marks)

Another good result for the Blackhawkbikes.com road race team with another two riders placing top 10 in a quality line up.

new Blackhawkbikes.com website.

Blackhawkbikes.com

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

KASK C50 Project - Blackhawkbikes.com Team Helmet for 2011

First ride with the new team helmet today, a big gear smashing session around Richmond and Downholme with the hitters.

A much needed coffee hit after a brutal 60+ miles.

The helmet fits like a glove, first thing I noticed when I first put it on was how grippy the head lock system is. It has large gel pads that seem to stick to your head like glue preventing the helmet from slipping back and forth. With the state of our pot holed roads, following the harsh winter and no sign the of the council being able to afford to repair them this can only be a good thing.

I especially like the chin strap, it comes either side of your ears in the usual nylon webbing but this is faced with a white leather (probably faux leather), keeping the nylon off your face and providing a wipe clean surface. The main under chin strap is also white leather, this is a very nice touch and is certainly more hygienic and comfortable than the usual nylon chin straps.

I can't comment on the ventilation of the helmet just yet as I was wearing a cap to fend off the cold wind, but as the day warmed up I didn't notice my head getting hot.

All in all a very stylish and well made helmet.

New team helmet arrives...

The new team helmet has arrived, KASK C50, first outing today.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

Velo29 North East Trophy

Saturday saw an impressive line up for the Velo29 North East Trophy Race at Croft Motor Racing Circuit. The £500 prize list was almost certainly an incentive for the 100 riders that signed up for the E/1/2/3/4 race.

Simon Davison - Blackhawkbikes.com

Blackhawkbikes.com race team had four of its riders on the start line, Simon Davison, Alan Nixon, James Alder and Marcus Smith, for the first major event of the season. This would prove to be a testing race with appearances from Mat Kiplin - Raleigh RT, Tom Barras - Cyclepremier and David Lines - Endura.

Read the full race report here - http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=97c4cd7fb15bd1a83d27dfee1&id=2bdffbfbf4

Alan Nixon - Heading up the chasing Peleton

Alan Nixon was showcasing the 2011 Team Bike, The Venom II Sram Force with Edge Carbon Bars and Stem. Look out for future posts, each team rider will give you their insight and reviews of the new Venom II frame and Edge finishing kit.

Despite valiant efforts by Blackhawkbikes.com racing team to get the chasing peleton working together the breakaway remained some 3mins ahead of the main field and the race was won by Mat Kiplin of Raleigh RT.

Full Results - https://cid-368391d6b5cef36b.office.live.com/view.aspx/V29%20NE%20Trophy%20Result.xlsx

James Alder - Blackhawkbikes.com

Marcus Smith - Blackhawkbikes.com

The next race on the calender for Blackhawkbikes.com race team with be the Neil White Memorial Handicap Road Race, Stokesley on 13th March '11. Race start time will be 10.30am...

Venom II Review

I have been without a road bike for a month, following a visit from the local low lives who decided to empty my garage of all my favourite carbon toys, i am now delighted to be riding my new machine - the Blackhawk Venom II. Ive done well over 1000 miles on it and tested it on all kinds of roads. This includes Wrynose pass, Hardknott pass and Honister pass in the Lakes. Ive raced it twice and it rides like a dream.

The venom gives a very responsive ride that accelerates quickly out of corners. The bb30 bottom bracket is very stiff and extremely positive in the sprints. The power put down through the pedals is delivered to the road without wasted effort. The slim rear stays compliment this well, giving a comfortable ride.

The SRAM Force groupset looks good on the Venom and works faultlessly further enhancing the smooth ride.

This is certainly one lightweight race ready road bike which punches way above it's price tag, out performing many top end carbon race machines.