Win a Trip for 2 to the 2012 TDF, buy any Garmin instore for details.

Garmin_copy

Garmin Tour de France Competition Entry Form
 
Conditions apply. Valid 15 February 2012 - 15 May 2012.
Final entries close 15 May 2012

Buy any Garmin product (excluding accessories) between 15 Feb and 15 May 2012 for your chance to go in the draw to win. There are two trips for you and a friend to be won to see the Paris stage of the Tour de France with flights, five nights accommodation and spending money included.

Garmin Edge 500

Garmin Edge 800

Garmin Edge 200

Garmin Forerunner 910XT

all available in store.

Taking Pre-Orders now for New SRAM Red, pics of SRAM RED Hydraulic Rim and disc Brakes

We are expecting our first delivery of the New SRAM Red groupsets any day now. Call or email to secure one. 9521 8700 or info@hamptoncycles.com.au

 

I found these on the internet so they must be true!

Sram_red_hydraulic_disc_brake
and

Sram_road_hydraulic_rim_caliper
What are your thoughts on Hydraulic brakes for Road Bikes?

From what I have been told......Don't knock them until you have tried them.

IM coming soon Shiv Experts in Medium & Large ready to buy! $4499 Dura Ace

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$4499 - Just add race wheels.

We ignored UCI rules and designed the Shiv exclusively for triathlon: with unmatched aerodynamics, the Fuelselage integrated hydration system, and a huge range of fit adjustability. The FACT IS 10r carbon frame and Shimano Dura-Ace/Ultegra drivetrain make the Expert an amazing race-ready value.

The ultimate frame for all distances of triathlon, this FACT IS 10r carbon frame with OSBB is optimised for crosswinds and the most aerodynamic race-ready frame anywhere
Specialized FACT carbon monocoque fork with crosswind-optimised airfoils is stiff and stealthy for precision steering and max speed
Fuelselage™ integrated hydration system keeps your fluids hidden inside the down tube for ergonomic fuelling and optimal aerodynamics
New, fully adjustable, Specialized Hydroformed Alloy Aerobar fits any rider to provide the fastest position
Lightweight and ultra-smooth Shimano Dura-Ace derailleur offers legendary performance
Stiff, light, contoured Body Geometry Romin Evo Comp saddle positions the rider for optimal power transfer and comfort

Lightweight,12.5mm offset, Shiv FACT aero carbon seatpost is reversible for wide range of saddle fit.

 

Specialized Helmet Amnesty still on. S-Works Helmet $149 Propero $79. Be quick

Specialized Helmet Amnesty

Until March 30th you can bring in your old helmet, it doesn’t matter what brand,and exchange it for a Specialized Propero or S-Works helmet at a reduced price.

So take advantage of this great offer and ride away in a new helmet and feel the benefits of the Specialized helmets great features, including;

Propero Was $149 Now  $79 -This race-inspired design is known for its great fit and great value. With similar features to the S-Works Prevail—like the Tri-Fix webbing system and 4th Dimension Cooling—the Propero II handles even the most intense efforts on the pavement.

S-Works Was $239 Now $149 -The S-Works is Specialized’s ultra-light CPSC-certified helmet. It’s all about minimum weight, maximum ventilation and complete comfort.

Helmetamnesty

Specialized S-Works McLaren Venge

Every once in a while a bike comes along that just cant be explained with words. Specialized along with McLaren collaborated to put together such a bike.

This week we took deliver of 2 of them a 54cm & 56cm bike.

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The 56cm Bike built up.

I had seen the press releases, the pictures on cyclingnews, managed to see one over at Specialized HQ, Morgan Hill in California late last year. Until holding it in my hands, closely inspecting the workmanship and details that have gone into producing such a special bike, I was not sure if it would live up to its hype.

Unboxing it last week, I have to say it sure does. Built up out of the box a 56cm bike weighs in at 6.3kg. Thats with Zipp Vuka bars, Zipp Speed stem, Zipp 404 Firecrest Tubulars. Shimano Di2 Groupset, S-Works Carbon Cranks, S-Works Carbon Toupe saddle and the amazingly light and strong EE Cycleworks brakes.

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EE Cycleworks brakes 94gms the pair.

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The paint finish on this bike is amazing! Vibrant red pinstriping would have taken quite some time to get it just right.

The normal S-Works Venge frame takes about 15-20 hours to make in labour. The McLaren frame takes upto 10 times that at 150-160 hours in carbon layup and optimization as well as frame finish and painting.

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My only dissappointment with the bike is the archaic way that the Di2 battery has to be mounted. The cable tie is only there for transporting but at $18000 AUD I would have liked it to be a little more exotic. We will be putting the battery inside the seatpost for the customer lucky enough to buy our specimens.

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We have for sale a 54cm and a 56cm complete bike. They are priced at $18000 and we will be including an internal Di2 battery with the bike at no extra cost. Come in and have a look at it in person or call/email if interested in the bikes.

info@hamptoncycles.com.au
03 9521 8700

For more details please see this website.

http://venge.specialized.com/html/content/en/index.html

 

Tour Down Under Flying Fosters Tour 2012 Stage 5

So another Flying Fosters Tour is complete. The Tour Down Under 2012 will go down as another fine week of riding through the streets of Adelaide and regional SA.

The stage to Willunga Hill is easliy the best stage to watch due to the number of times you see the race go past as well as the pain and slower speed as they climb Willunga Hill. This year with the summit finish would mean so much more pain to be seen on their faces.

We set out on our ride up Old Norton Summit Rd today having taken Norton Summit 2 days earlier. The pace was always going to be on, Manly taking the points on this one.

Not content with Norton, we changed course to summit Mt Lofty and take some of the most scenic roads we have encountered this week on the way to Crafters and McLaren Vale.

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Heat vs Chomps = Big Chomp.

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Some great little roads out the back of Stirling

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The wide openness just before we got to McLaren Vale

We stopped about 500m before the old finish in Willunga to see the peleton go by.

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The boys getting a view of the TDU close-up.

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Specialized had a little Italian restaurant booked on the base of the climb for their dealers at the TDU. Damo and I made use of it for some much neede R&R and to catch up with our colleagues. Thanks Specialized Australia for your hospitality.

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Damo at the base of the climb.

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Stand up sleeping on Willunga Hill. This guy spent 30mins like this.

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My Favourite picture of the TDU. You wouldn't pick what year this was taken in other than by the Cars at the front of pic.

We had a great ride home to Adelaide starting with the high speed descent down the Willunga Rd.

The brakes were used a little this descent and I only managed to hit 98kph, luckily getting a rear tyre blowout at the base of the descent at about 40kph. Whilst changing my tube I thought of the possibilities had it occurred earlier. Damn....that was close.

 

The week had taken its toll on my unprepared body and I couldn't keep up with the guys on the trip home.

The 5 days riding saw me accumulate 750kms and 9001m vertical climbing. Pretty drastic change to the 250kms a wekk and maybe 1000m I would do in a regular week back here in Melbourne

We all had an awesome week on and off the bikes, such a diverse group of guys with a common love of cycling bringing us together for a few days every year. Easily the week I look forward to most in my year. Thanks to everyone that had any input into the week. I am hesitant to try and name you all as I know I will forget someone. So thanks to you all!

See everyone in 360 days in 2013.... Can't wait.

 

Tour Down Under Flying Fosters Tour 2012 Stage 4 The day after the long one

After the long kms ridden the day before, everyone was a little sheepish about the rollout towards Norton Summit. We got stuck at a set of traffic lights just before the base of the climb. It was later revelaed one cheeky Sydney rider managed to sneak across the road unbeknowns to the rest of the bunch.

Upon reaching the 1km to go point El Presidente was on the side of the road on his Blackberry. As if climbing to 1km before the summit qualifies at KOM points.... tell that to Contador.

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Dave Foster at Lobethal.

We took the points with Gus flying by the Fozz on the side of the road.

Descending back through the Basket Range for the third time this week, we had learnt the lines to take and when to brake. Unfortunately the legs were feeling yesterdays kms and wouldn't co-operate. We managed to isolate the President again and worked him over all the way to Lobethal with Damo taking the points into there. The cakewalk continued.

A slight change of direction after Lobethal saw us head along toward the back ascent of Checker's Hill. A rd with a slight tailwind we hit 60kph down last year. I was determined to go a little better. Hitting 70kph this year was a bit beter than I had hoped for and strung the bunch out nicely before the surprise turn up towards Checker's Hill.

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The climb up the backside of Checker's is not as short or steep as the front approach. It still takes it out of you though. Damo managed to suck wheel betterthan Mike and pipped him up the top of the climb. Another KOM point for the Vics.

At the top I announced to all the newcombers to the TDU it was a rite of passage to climb Checker's Hill or forever you will be ridiculed. It turned out I was the one ridiculed as no-one would accept the challenge. Next year boys!

Heading towards the KOM at South Rd Hill the little engine that kept going Jacko managed to snavel the KOM points only just mind you.

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Jacko takes the Points here.

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Vantage point at KOM.

A bit of disorganisation followed the descent with some turning left & right. Most headed towards Williamstown for lunch with some heading back down the Gorge Rd.

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The bunch through Williamstown.

With the BUPA challenge on the same day, it was a pretty busy rd on the way home, catching 100 BUPA's just before the Chain Of Ponds I was a little concerned about the turn into Cudlee Creek and the descent down the Gorge. Dragging 100 BUPA's would be dangerous.

I lifted the speed of our bunch to overtake. Mainly the FFT guys kept up. Celtic Giant, Manly, Hampton and a few DeGrandi cyclists stayed in touch, making for an entertaining smashfest down the Gorge. I did a little too much work on the front as usual and popped myself on the last little climb out of the Gorge. No points awarded here then.

Damo and the Prez both recover the same way in the afternoon.

 

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The last stage up tomorrow.

 

 

 

Tour Down Under Flying Fosters Tour 2012 Stage 3 - The long one!

This was the one us Vics have been waiting for 185kms (200kms for me) of long hard windy, rolling hills. The type of riding that we love and know the Sydney boys cant keep up with.

A huge bunch of cyclists greeted us down at Glenelg for the ride down to Victor(ia) Harbour via the KOM at Sellicks Beach.

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I counted about 70 riders rolling out from Glenelg including the Giant Celtic team, Artisan Cycles boys, Omara Cycles and the usual suspects Hampton Cycles and the Manly boys.

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Looking forward as far as the eye could see.... cyclists.

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Looking back as far as the eye could see...cyclists.

One of the 1st timers asked me if I expected this many people to show up. My answer was no, but I dont expect many of them to be there by Victor Harbour. The detour through the caravan park sorted a few of them out as did the climb up to the train lines. By the time we had reached the main road I would be guessing we lost 20 of them.

The pace was on, we collected many small bunches along the way to Commercial Rd and our 1st stop at the Servo to top up water supplies. Most of those not in the know kept on going which was a blessing in disguise.

The first real test of strength was the sprint climb into Aldinga up the Old Coach Rd. If you have ever seen a cyclist half claim a victory only to see a rider slip by on the inside and take the win, that is what you ould have seen with Buzz getting his arm halfway up before seeing Damo sprint past his left. Very amusing from our vantage point. Scoreboard for the day Vics 1 NSW 0

The next challenge was the Sellicks Hill climb up to the KOM. One of may favourite climbs of the week cause its less than 5% in any one spot. I hadn't counted on the winds or the inept ability for South Australlian Fluoro vest wearing hired help not being able to tether the 500m to go overhead banner.

I attacked on the downhill approach 1km before the climb to find that the hardest part of the ride. Damo and the Koala Foster letting me roll off the front. Managing to get 200-300m on the bunch and growing that out as the 8km climb progressed. Got smacked by the Crosswinds 20m after passing the Crosswinds sign. looking back the boys were out of sight. with 5km to the KOM I was feeling good. Having a marker every km did my head in and with 800m to go I turned the corner to see the Skoda banner lying accross the road banking up traffic. I had been stumped.

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The offending banner.

I waited for a minute or so untl they caught me. Still sprinting the last 600m with heavy legs to take out the KOM Scoreboard Vics 2 NSW 0

We hung out for an hour taking advantage of the free Powerade and Jelly Beans on offer to get some more calories in. Many were doubting their abilities to make the distance to Victor Harbour.

We headed off towards Victor Harbour, the Giant Celtic crew with their fresh legs and many of our guys took the more scenic option of riding through the McLaren Vale back to town. That left about 20 of the original group and a few ringins. We still had a head-crosswind and the Artisan boys were a blessing. They held tempo for most of the 30kms into Victor. Much appreciated boys.

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The descent into Victor Harbour.

Keeping it short and sweet I dont want to rub it in to the NSW guys too much, the Sprint into Victor harbour was again taken out by yours truly. The Sydney boys not even in sight. Scoreboard 3-0

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The viewing place for many at the Sprint finish in Victor Harbour.

 

Buzz had a great route planned for the way home, actually adding extra kms to the already long day. When given the choice it was awesome to see that almost everyone chose to do those extra kms. This turned into an epic mini journey, down a couple of really remote roads with some different scenery. Good detaour so far Buzz. We were heading away from Adelaide and the homing beacon was sensing something was wrong but just trying to ignore it. Minutes later we crossed a cool little bridge that was met at the other side with Gravel. Argh. route destroyed. 10km detour later we were still in good spirits, tailwind at our backs, we were on our way home down the highway.

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Loved this back road.

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Nice!

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Gravel roads, not for Damo on his Singles.

The trip home was pretty fun, without the usual repetitive attacks. The descent down the highway past Willunga will not be forgotten. Buzz hitting 101kph and many of us just missing the ton at 99....kph each. Sam from Artisan almost had the death wobbles at 90+kph I had to brake and detour, scared that he was going to come off I had to change line and lost some momentum too.

Overtaking at 95kph, doing a headcheck was scarey. At the bottom of the hill many a smile was to be had at the max speeds.

We collected a young fella from Newcastle who on restricted gearings still managed to string the bunch out at over 60kph down the A13. We were smashed.

At 185kms I decided that I was far too close to 200kms to head home, I made a left turn into Glenelg and just clicked over 200 just before I got back to the Medina. I was willing to do laps of the village just to get there.

Scoreboard Vics 4 NSW 1 for buzz descending on a 20kg TT bike. The wind tunnel tested chin aiding his maxmum speed the 1 point.