Data gathering
The first step was a massive undertaking but we wanted to compiled a dataset from all the major brands (Fox, RockShox, Marzocchi, Manitou, SR Suntour & Ohlins) and their most common offerings. We created a digital mockup of each fork before making the biggest overlap stack you’ve ever seen. This gigantic mess of intertwined mockups allowed us to understand the common surfaces between the forks that we could safely place protection without interference.
Cannondale lefty aside, most forks share a similar design philosophy with mounts for the crown and thru axle extended slightly into the main fork leg. These areas are the most troublesome for creating a universal protector, as each brand has their own way of connecting the elements, and even differ in approach between model variants.
Maximum coverage, maximum options
The new protectors are available for 26”, 27.5” and 29” which allows us to offer maximum coverage in terms of length, but also the design itself is somewhat modular allowing for more installation options on the horizontal plane if you will. For a start you’ll notice the protectors are now asymmetric, with the non-drive side having a cut out to account for the brake mounts. This allows for a more rearwards install if you desire greater coverage there, with the other cuts and steps allowing for a more forward install, for those who lead the pack and find themselves snapping branches to clear the path.
Fit and finish
We also now offer them in all three of our materials which allows you to match your fork’s finish with the Gloss or Matt clear, or to flex on the rest with our Carbon effect. All three offer the same level of protection so the choice is just a cosmetic one.
You’ll also find a front brake cable rub patch that can be used on the crown if your forks don’t have a dedicated routing system or elsewhere if it does.
Hit the trails!
We hope you like the new design as much as we do, if you have any questions just shoot us a message. Best of luck out there and may your forks be forever pristine.
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Which models are affected?
All 12 Speed models:
Red AXS
Force AXS & D2
Rival AXS
Apex AXS
I purchased a full bike, do I need to worry?
No. The affected products were only sold as aftermarket sets. If you purchased a new bike from a local store or online dealer, your shifters will not be affected.
Check tightness
SRAM recommend checking the clamp bolt is torqued to the required 6Nm then applying light pressure to the shifter body, pushing towards the centre of the handlebars. If the shifter rotates or slips, cease using the bike until you have either followed their re-tightening procedure or contacted your local SRAM dealer.
Re-tightening Procedure
If your shifters are affected you can first attempt to resolve the issue yourself using their recommended procedure. You can find additional details and a diagram HERE.
The procedure didn’t fix the problem?
If your shifter still moves or slip after completed the re-tightening procedure, SRAM recommend contacting your local dealer where an authorised mechanic will resolve the issue at no cost to you.
Additional Info
Please visit SRAM’s official article on the recall for additional information and a link to contact your local dealer.
]]>As with many of these types of projects it isn't economically viable to start shipping a bike back and forth to gather measurements, so we would need to utilise the geometry data provided by Cannondale to create a digital mock up of a 58cm SystemSix frame that we could use as a template. Once created this would give us a canvas on which to work, knowing the final results would be to scale.
As mentioned the design elements were relatively straightforward, using a collection of simple shapes and vinyl pieces. The difficulty from our perspective is with precision. Some of the elements follow the frame lines incredibly closely, so we needed to be precise with our frame mockup to ensure the finished stickers would sit along those contours as intended.
Speaking of contours, the other challenge was balancing ease of installation with difficulty of installation. Let me explain. It's easier to apply a single sheet with each element spaced correctly, than it is to apply lots of individual stickers, putting the burden of spacing on the installer. The issue is modern frames have lots of creases and contours which are difficult to follow when applying a large sheet. The vinyl itself can bend and curve around everything, but the application tape used to transfer them with the correct spacing doesn't.
This means we would need to study the various lumps and bumps of the SystemSix to identify the areas that could cause the most trouble during the install process and separate the design accordingly, this would make the difficulty of installation better but if we separate things too much, you start to impact the ease of installation.
Eventually we settled on 7 large sheets, with just a handful of separated elements that would need to be applied 'free hand'. The biggest area of concern was towards the top of the down tube where it meets the head tube/forks. The largest piece of the whole design was the down tube element and it just starts to encroach on this area, so a selection of the triangles would need to be placed by hand. Overall this was a really fun project to tackle and we think Llody did a fantastic job with the install!
Let us know what project you think we should tackle next?
]]>Which models are affected?
ULTEGRA FC-6800
DURA-ACE FC-9000
ULTEGRA FC-R8000
DURA-ACE FC-R9100
DURA-ACE FC-R9100-P
Do my cranks need inspecting?
A two letter identification code is stamped on the back side of each crank arm, next to the crank length. If your cranks are pre July 2019 and have one of the following manufacturer codes, please contact your local Shimano dealer.
KF, KG, KH, KI, KJ, KK, KL, LA, LB, LC, LD, LE, LF, LG, LH, LI, LJ, LK, LL, MA, MB, MC, MD, ME, MF, MG, MH, MI, MJ, MK, ML, NA, NB, NC, ND, NE, NF, NG, NH, NI, NJ, NK, NL, OA, OB, OC, OD, OE, OF, OG, OH, OI, OJ, OK, OL, PA, PB, PC, PD, PE, PF, PG, PH, PI, PJ, PK, PL, QA, QB, QC, QD, QE, QF, QG, QH, QI, QJ, QK, QL, RA, RB, RC, RD, RE, and RF.
Finding a local dealer
You can use Shimano's locator tool to find your local dealer. Inspections are free of charge
Additional Info
If you have a crank protector fitted, this does not void any warranty issued by Shimano, however we do suggest removing protectors before they are inspected to ensure they do not interfere with the process.
For more information see Shimano's guide HERE
]]>Memorial Ride
The first real event was the Jon Mould memorial ride, in honour of one of the local club founders who we sadly lost this year. The opportunity to share stories and reminisce was much appreciated by all, a fitting tribute to somebody who dedicated so much energy to the club over the decades.
We documented the ride with a short vlog posted on our Youtube channel, and despite me dropping the GoPro at one point, I think it turned out alright. It's definitely something we want to explore more next year, and provides some added motivation to sign up for new and interesting routes.
Lincoln Grand Prix
Next was the Lincoln Grand Prix. A can't miss event in the local cycling scene and what a display of dominance from the guys at Saint Piran. Has a team ever locked out the podium before in the race's history?
Don't overlook the women's race too, starting earlier in the day and running until lunch, the action is just as frantic. Katie Scott's video offers a fantastic behind the scenes look.
Overall it's just a fantastic day out. If you've never been I can't recommend it enough. Grab a coffee and watch some of the brightest young stars battle it out up Michaelgate!
Humber Bridge Sportive
Well and truly motivated after watching the racing action, we signed up for the Humber Sportive, which saw us crossing the mammoth suspension bridge to bookend a 100km route. The highlight of this event was the lunch stop, really well stocked despite a 200 strong entry list. The route itself was mostly on roads we're familiar with, which on the one hand was comforting, but I think we're going to consider something further afield next year to
Reliability Ride
The final big ride of the year is back with the local club, tackling the same route as the season opener. I'll remember this one for the relentless pace that was set from the off. The ride isn't a race, but you wouldn't know it!
Graced with unbelievable weather for a September morning, this was one of the hottest rides of the year. Although it has been mostly dry here, we haven't had the warmest summer. Through a lot of July and August I was still wearing a gillet over my jersey. So this late season sun was a welcome surprise.
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An overall fantastic season of riding, obviously interspersed with Sunday group rides, week night recovery sessions and the obligatory product testing/photoshoot outings. Can't wait until next year!
]]>One week into ownership
At the time I really wanted SRAM, I'd ridden Shimano for pretty much my entire cycling life at that point and was desperate to try something new. With most brands shipping bikes with one groupset option, I ended up at Ribble, as they offering customisation, allowing you to upgrade not only the groupset, but any component on the bike.
Having owned so few bikes up to this point I really am not qualified to offer any insights into its stiffness and handling. It felt pretty good to me, but the experience was definitely improved when a couple of years ago I upgraded the wheels to a set of Giant SLR carbon's along with a set of Pirelli P Zero Velo. This transformed the bike, it gained a sense of effortlessness rolling on flats, and the added weight save was much appreciated on the hills.
I'll also remember the bike as our test mule here at Cyclistck HQ. Over the years we have thrown all sorts of different ideas at it to trial, some found their way to the store and others didn't. The matt paintwork wasn't too difficult to live with either, you do need to be careful with polishes or high gloss LSP's. I found a simple IPA wipe down worked best after a wash.
The underside of the down tube and top side of the top tube were finished in gloss black so I used our normal gloss protection film on those areas, saving the matt film for the chain stay and cable rub patches.
And so as one chapter ends another one starts. It's sad to see her go but I'm looking forward to new adventures and more product testing with the new ride.
/Happy Riding!
]]>We couldn't have asked for a better day as we set out to tackled a 100km route, complete with a stop for coffee and home made cakes.
I did lose the GoPro at one point, luckily everyone managed to avoid it but I'll need to look into a better mounting solution on the helmet. It would be nice to have a quick release system to go from mounted to handheld while riding, so if you have any suggests please get in touch.
We had a lot of fun making the video and have more planned this summer, so feel free to subscribe on Youtube or join our mailing list.
/Happy Riding
]]>The route today would see us heading into the Lincolnshire Wolds. Firstly through the micro villages of Beelsby, Ratcliffe and East Ravendale, who’s roads meander and twist as they navigate between woodland and farms. There’s not many big hills around here, but the Wolds is littered with small rises and drops, one following another so momentum is key. The roads are condensed in width, but you’re likely to encounter more horses than cars at this time on a Sunday morning.
Wold Newton next and it’s a personal favourite. The old club road race used to come through here, where I finished 2nd in my first ever event. Sadly I haven’t done as much racing as I’d like. As local clubs have shifted over the years the complexities of hosting road racing events has lead many to remove them from their calendars.
North Elkington is our turn around point, and it’s by now that the sun has dispersed the clouds and started warming the air. An absolute beautiful moment in cycling is when you’re neither hot nor cold. Extremities and core are in perfect equilibrium. I’ve never tried a sensory deprivation tank but I imagine this is what it feels like.
Past the Kelstern Airfield War Memorial and RAF Binbrook, daffodils line the road as long grass sways in the breeze. The trees are still bare but signs of life are starting to show. The sky is getting bluer by the mile, the air warmer. The contrast to earlier is so great you’d question if it was even the same day.
Taking a right at Thoresway, a sobering moment as we climb towards Swallow past a burnt out car. We’ve spent the morning saying hello to local walkers and waving at other cyclists, you start to forget about the harsher edges of life.
Our ride concludes as we pop out of the north side of the Wolds, but there’s one more set of rollers between Caistor Road and the A1173. The last with a deceptively steep climb. On reaching the cross roads there’s a moment to pause and take in the humber bank skyline, not particularly picturesque but still impressive in its expanse.
It’s all downhill back home from here. Easy peddling towards the summer.
Happy Riding!
Follow us on Instagram @Cyclistick]]>
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The first job was to remove the original stickers, which proved a slight challenge. The vinyl used by Tacx is slightly metallic and these have a habit of going brittle over time This causes the vinyl to fracture instead of peeling away in large pieces, using a heat gun can help to soften to adhesive, but unfortunately there's no substitute for patient scraping.
Once the stickers were removed it was time to for polishing. The paintwork is single stage which is less durable compared to a two stage (paint and clear coat), and tends to oxidise over time reducing the shine. With some of the scratches being rather deep I went for Chemical Guys No. 721 which is their medium abrasive compound.
The polishing really helped to lift the dullness from the legs but the paintwork is still on the satin side. I thought matching a set of Matt Grey decals would make for a more cohesive look compared to a gloss, metallic replacement of the original design.
The outside decals kept their traditional placement, but I decided to lower the inside stickers for a more contemporary look. It’s a small detail but it feels more balanced to me now.
Unfortunately the plastics are showing their age with the white sections at the top of each leg starting to yellow, and the area around the tyre roller having soaked up oil fling that is well established into the surface. Overall though it’s looking much happier. A pain cave is intended for function, but form is important too.
Happy riding!
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The early morning chill is eventually overpowered by the sun as it makes its gradual crest over the the natural and man made obstacles that clutter the horizon. Only a short time ago it had no trouble asserting its dominance over the sky, but as the year winds down, so too does its ability to rise before us. That winter bite to the air hasn’t fully developed yet, but you can sense its presence, subtle but thankfully fleeting.
The first few miles are spent debating if an additional layer would have been the right decision.Up over the first rise the core starts to radiate heat, like eating porridge backwards. The more energy it produces the more functions come online. The stiffness subsides and everything starts to move in rhythm with the road, the uneven surface persists but arms and legs act like shock absorbers, once rusted, now free.
As the miles cascade, so too do the leaves. Burning amber strewn on the ground, crisp and bright. The trees majestic in their peacock state, a final display of natura before the hollow winter. A once lush canopy now breached by sunlight is the ultimate distraction, white, black, white, black. The eyes can’t quite keep up.
Descending into the village it’s damp under tyre, fingers instinctively cover the brakes. The road a patchwork of moisture and debris, it’s hard to pick a line. A flat seems inevitable. Challenging surface conditions only elevate the ride though, pulling a turn now comes with added responsibilities. Distinguishing the real hazards from the benign requires immediate focus, scanning and analysing the abundance of stimuli is almost as tiring as the riding.
The effort is well and truly rewarded by the scenery. Natures golden hour supplies the senses with a warm embrace. The green turned orange, on it’s way to grey provides a reminder that rising before most on a Sunday morning has its benefits.
My heart belongs to those picturesque days.
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]]>I first read Let My People Go Surfing by Yvon Chouinard back in 2016 and it made an immediate impression on me. The combination of hobby and business clearly resonated as I was in a position with Cyclistick to enact many of Yvon’s lessons. From his perspective businesses can not only be conscious of their impact, but also be a force for good and change.
As a small business we don’t command the same social reach as Patagonia, but we can start to emulate their way of operating by becoming aware of the ways our business may impact the planet, and what steps we can take to mitigate the impression we leave.
We use fully recyclable packaging that is also made from recycled material and where known, is FSC and PEFC Certified. Our info cards included with each order are also FSC Certified and again made from recycled material and are 100% recyclable through your local kerbside collection. Additionally if these products do find themselves in general waste, they are biodegradable. We utilise software to minimise material waste when cutting our protection products from the roll. We also recycle the backing material at a local soft plastic recycling centre.
The biggest difficulty here is with the product itself. All our protection products are made from Polymeric PVC cast film. Although there are some sprouting enterprise for recycling rigid PVC, cast films use plasticisers to convert PVC into a soft and flexible material. As a result these films cannot currently be recycled.
This does however result in a film that is extremely weather resistant and has a 5-7 year lifespan, which covers the expected use cycle of most bicycles within the cyclist community. Over 42% of cyclists on a Pinkbike Poll said they keep their bike for around 4-10 seasons, with 23% keeping their bike for less than 4. The main contributing factors for selling are to benefit from new technologies or for updated geometry. With this in mind we’re confident our protection will keep performing for the lifespan of your bike, which goes some way to offsetting its inability to be recycled currently.
You can now find all the relevant information on each of the pieces that make up your order, and how best to dispose of them on our Impact page. This page will be updated as necessary to provide the most up to date information. We see this as the first step in a continued effort to not only ensure the business is efficient in how we operate, but also in an attempting to become a leader in the space. As a results we will force our competitors to follow suit and improve their sustainability practices as standards and expectations increase.
Happy Riding
/Simon
Find the set at: https://cyclistick.co.uk/collections/frame-protection/products/full-length-road-bike-protection-set
Happy Riding
/Simon
Eventually we shelved the project and continued to build out current product lines and refine others, until earlier this year. The idea of shifter protectors arose again and pure curiosity lead me to try a prototype version on my personal bike. It started as nothing more than a “let’s just see if it can be done” endeavour, but along the way, through many revisions and adjustments we landed on a product I felt was arguably one of our best.
Step 1 - Template
The first step was to get a net template of the lever into our design software so we could start working on a prototype. A piece of backing paper from a postage label proved to be the most useful material for getting the rough shape outlined, which we could re-scale digitally and start with prototype 001
Step 2 - Design
The first pass design is really rough but it gives us the opportunity to see how the vinyl contours around the lever, highlighting any problem areas. The balance here is maximising coverage while keep the install process user friendly. These two factors are often mutually exclusive and where the real design work shines. Our mandate is to prioritise easy application, as a full coverage protector does no good if the end user struggles to apply it neatly and ends up punting it in the bin.
Step 3 - Testing
After we have an acceptable design we run a test fit to see what areas need improvements. This then leads us back to the design phase of step 2 and the cycle repeats until we’ve ironed out all the kinks. During this time it’s easy to let the user friendly installation factor slide, as the more times you test fit the protector, the more you figure out a good technique for applying it…something a first time customer doesn’t have.
So I recruited a few friends, handed them an Ultegra 6800 shifter and accompanying protector prototype and offered zero guidance on the application process. A few interesting lesson were learned from the experiment but ultimately they all did very well indeed.
Step 4 - Refining
During the creation process we had 8 different shifter sets being worked on during a 2 week period. One day after the next we were repeating the processes above, so once all the designs were complete I took to the road for some ‘Product Testing’ which was just an excuse to separate myself from the protectors long enough to be able to view them with fresh eyes a few days later.
This proved extremely useful and lead to a lot of small tweaks which I felt improved the protectors and one major refinement that turned them into a product. For context with our crank protectors we write on the reverse side the model name/number and the crank length. This is so both us and the customer can easily identify which is which. For the shifters however we don’t have the constraint of varying lengths so marking each isn’t as vital.
This lead me to test out model inscriptions that are cut into the vinyl. It was a silly idea at first but once we nailed down the right font it turned a good protector into a great feeling product. I’d like to think this small detail elevate our product above the competition and signifies the hard work and attention to detail that went into creating them.
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Optimal shipping costs are mutually beneficial as not only do you, the customer only get charged for what is necessary. But we receive more orders, as a result of less abandoned carts due to more favourable shipping rates quoted at checkout.
Post Brexit, international shipping has become more difficult with the addition of various rules and requirements now needed for a safe and speedy transit. It is our desire to continue to ship internationally, for which we have and will continue to exhaust whatever avenues necessary to continue dispatching orders globally as Brexit/EU rules continue to change into the future.
It was because of these Brexit rule changes that lead us to take a closer look at our shipping policy and work to optimise them for the many regions we delivery too. As a result the shipping prices are now split between two catalogues: Standard Size and Large Letter Size. The breakdown is as follows
We currently don’t have any products listed on the store over 318mm in length, so for custom orders which may exceed this size, we’ll handle those separately.
The shipping prices are now calculated based on what items are in the basket, instead of each item having it’s own size and weight parameters that are used to calculate a total order volume. This new method of calculating shipping allows us to optimise for each specific order by only charging the additional cost between a standard envelope and large envelope as defined by Royal Mail.
For example an order comprising of 4 different crank protectors would have resulted in increased prices being quoted on the previous system, due to the limitation of the Shopify automated packaging calculator not being optimised for such thin products.
Now however, the 4 crank protector order will only display prices that relate to the Standard Size as the basket does not contain an item that is larger than 220mm.
The obvious problem with this system however, is a scenario where an order contains X number of Standard Size products (smaller than 220mm) that in total, would exceed the maximum depth or weight that Royal Mail allow for standard size envelopes. For this scenario we have always taken the position that we upgrade and cover the additional shipping costs. This is partly a good will gesture towards customer who place large orders, but also allows us to include tracked shipping to ensure the products are insured against loss or damage.
We have also added further granularity with regards to postal regions and methods of shipping. This includes specific prices for Standard and Tracked shipping for Europe, North America, Asia and RotW. Along with 1st Class, 1st Class Signed and Guaranteed by 1pm for UK orders.
If you have any further questions don’t hesitate to get in touch, and we wish you all a great summer of cycling.
Happy Riding
/Simon
The year started with a full re-design of our protection products. This actually set the stage for the year ahead, leading us to refer to 2019 as a reset year. As I outlined in a previous blog post, we had designed and created a whole range of protection products over the years, but never specified a design ethos that translated across the entire product range. The outcome of which was a collection of products that weren’t cohesive, distant cousins as apposed to a tight-knit family if you will. Once we had finished this project we turned our attention to the rest of the product lines.
What started as an innocent overview of the products we offered, quickly escalated into an existential discussion about various aspects of the business. For example, from the inside it made complete sense why we sell the various products we do. From the outside however it could be construed as disjointed, and unfocused. This ‘outsiders’ perspective has really troubled me recently, and got me thinking a lot about narrowing our focus as a business to the more functional products. As a first step down this road we started to discontinue some product lines that fell outside of this mandate. Most of which had seen declining sales in recent years anyway, so there wasn’t any particularly hard decision to make.
The other facet of this new, more narrowed approach means we can focus our efforts on say Protection or Safety products, which we hope will lead to more innovation as we’re no longer casting our net too wide. This is something I think we’ve done badly in the past. The adage “if you can, you should” might be good when it comes to going after a Strava segment, but not introducing new product lines.
So if 2019 was a Reset year, then 2020 will be a Focus year. Where we continue to sharpen our skills as we head towards a more nuanced future. A future and a past for that matter, that couldn’t happen without the support from our customers, of which I’d like to say a big thank you, happy holidays and all the best for next year.
Happy Riding
/Simon
Over the past 7 years we’ve introduced a host of new protection products, from chainstay protectors to full bike kits, but all on an individual basis. As new ideas or requirements cross our path, we design a product that does the job and move on to the next. While not a particularly terrible process, it struck me the other day just how disjointed the various products have become. Disjointed in their design ethos.
Let me clarify my interpretation of design direction vs ethos. I see design direction as the requirements that make a product viable, competent if you will. For example we use rounded corners on all our protection products to avoid unwanted lift or dirt ingress and we have set minimums for this radius. This is an element that dictates the direction the design goes in. Ethos on the other hand is the symbiotic relationship that underpins the aesthetics that give each product a familiar look or feel. It’s this ethos that I think we were missing, with our protection range being a hodgepodge of different styles instead of being part of the same family.
The first step was to pull all the designs into illustrator and proceed to stare at them for several days. As a collection they were horribly disconnected and I wasn’t sure why it had taken so long to realise this. When you’re on the inside of a business it’s difficult to view what you do and how you do it, from your customers perspective. With everything in one place however, it allowed me some insight into what may seem plainly obvious to someone browsing our website.
The first step down the road to redemption was to pick out the elements I thought worked well and cast aside those I had aversion for. It was then a case of translating those elements across the different applications, but do so in a way that didn’t compromise the design direction. This was where the real challenge was. When it comes to products like this it’s function over form every time. They’re designed to serve a purpose, and although this exercise appears to be about making everything look good, it’s actually about imprinting each product with a shared identity while maintaining that function.
Going into this my perspective was mostly centred around a compulsion to have everything looking uniformed. But very quickly it become apparent that by sharing the ethos across the range it started to impart a brand identity onto what were largely generic looking products. This was reinforced by adding our logo onto several of the designs that helped to cement them as ours.
So my biggest hope in accomplishing this re-designs is actually that not many people even notice. That our products continue to get used and continue to server their purpose, just with a little more unity.
Happy riding
/Simon
For the past couple of years I’d had my reservations about the film we used. Customer feedback has always been positive and the failure rate was near zero, but I still wasn’t in love with the end product. So with this in mind I set out to find a replacement, which proved to be a long and painful road.
When it came to sourcing a new film, the most important factor for us was price point. Price is what gives the customer a frame of reference by which to uphold an item or service and determine if it represents value to them. This is important to us because some alternative film options would have required a 3x price increase, which gave me serious pause when it came to ‘representing true value’. I say this because a 3x increase in price would not equate to a 3x increase in film performance or longevity.
The vinyl we use (and did use) is rated for 5-7 year exterior use. But this rating only refers to the UV degradation of the adhesive and failure of the film. This rating does not account for the user experience of a crank protector. Riders who have an aggressive cleat angle may need to replace their protectors once a season, but others find they swap bikes before the protector reaches the end of its lifecycle. This is then one of our limiting factors around representing value. For the heavy user who is forced to replace their protector once a year regardless, a price point of £5 is presumably better than £15.
There are other considerations too, including vinyl thickness, adhesive quality, film clarity…and even what backing paper the film was on. Sadly we don’t do the type of volume that would be required to have a custom solution manufactured, so we were limited to what’s already on the market. This lead to 2 years of emails, samples and testing which never produced an option that was viable. Late in 2018 however, we found it!
So vinyl 2.0 as I call it is a marked improvement in all of the technical specifications we required. But beyond the adhesive clarity and gsm ratings, i’m more proud of the final product. It feels much closer to my ideals than before and I think that translates when customers first open their order. That initial contact and experience is very important to me, and something I look for as a customer.
That leaves us with the issue of price point. The new vinyl is more expensive than vinyl 1.0, but we’ve made the decision to not pass this cost onto you. As a business that relies on positive experiences and word of mouth, we see this as just an investment where it matters most. And as such we will continue the endeavour of perfection and bringing those who support us, the best possible products.
Happy riding
/Simon
What I learned over the years is I really like the simplicity of velcro straps, no gimmicks or chunky buckles to deal with, just clean straps that allow me to rock my much loved over socks...think Iban Mayo circa 2003. I'm sure the Boa lovers will disagree here but I find straps easy to adjust and achieve an acceptable tightness with a fair degree of granularity. Now having never tried a pair with Boa fittings I can't speak on how they perform, but the fact is i'm not sure I like the look of the Boa, and you know cycling is all about the aesthetics!
So a couple years ago I decided to go on the hunt to finally replace the Shimano's and the first place I landed was Rapha. I'm a big fan of Rapha's design philosophy and so I was immediately drawn to the Climber's shoes, which at the time were about to be discontinued and so they only had a limited number of sizes left. I normally wear a size 42/43 and all Rapha had close was a 41.5...needless to say they were way too small and after much searching online I couldn't find a larger size anywhere.
Another year goes by and one afternoon I find myself browsing the shoe sections again. My picky requirements however soon narrowed down the options to not a lot...except the Giro Emipre's. Ok so not velcro but laces looked just as sleek so I ordered a pair of the ACC's. Now i'm not here to debate the merits of any shoe tightening system, but for me laces just didn't work. I've spoke to many who swear by them, but I couldn't get onboard with the added hassle of pulling through each lace to achieve the correct fit. I'd say I'm semi particular about how I have my shoes so perhaps that added to the distain.
Either way I was left shoeless once again.
Then I stumbled across an Instagram post from an unknown account that had leaked Fizik's new Tempo powerstraps, I was in love once again! Luckily only a day later Fizik would actually announce them officially and list them on their site. I got a size 42.5 which fit me perfectly, the straps (at least on first impressions) offer good support and adjustability and they look incredible.
It's early days so I don't have a comprehensive review but their composite soles are a big improvement of the Shimano's, they're a much closer cut and fit too which I think is a sign of the added quality you get from a doubling in price. Either way I'm just glad the search is over.
Happy riding
/Simon
Cycling Stickers will continue to be a family run business, dedicated to creating great products for cyclists. We started life as a small shop on several sales platforms and over the past 5 years have strived to carve our own path. The launch of our own site came just over a year ago and we’ve received amazing support from the community. Moving forward we’ve decided on a name change and slight rebranding to help better position ourselves for what’s the come.
Looking forward our aim is to become a real player in the bicycle protection world, protection for both you and your bike. We will continue to offer our decals and custom design services, but moving into 2018 our R&D focus will be on improving and integrating new protective products for frames, components & equipment.
We will also be continuing our partnership with PW Cycle Coaching to offer a wider range of .FIT workouts, with Power based training currently in the works. This means we will be looking towards formalising RideFit as a stand alone brand with the addition of a dedicated website. Until then the RideFit products will be available on the CyclingStickers/Cyclistick website.
The remainder of this year will be focused on Cyclistick products, making improvements to existing lines and introducing new ones. As we roll into the new year a larger portion of our efforts will be focused towards RideFit for both the training plans and clothing range. Nothing will change with the day to day operations of Cyclistick, our same day dispatch policy and eagerness to provide the very best customer service are going no where!
But we want to do more and RideFit allows us to explore new avenues. We consider it an experiment both in terms of product development but also in terms of business development. Our long term mission is to collaborate with the very best in British cycling brands to deliver new and interesting products, and help build exposure for them. Early next year we’ll release a post detailing this goal further, but for right now we’ve got stickers to make!
Thanks as always for the support
Happy Riding
/Simon
Follow us on Instagram: @Cyclistick
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I often end emails, blog posts or Instagram comments with, Thank you for the support. This isn’t just a subconscious positive wrap up to a message, but instead a truly heartfelt response to the support that you, the customers provide. As a small, relatively unknown business our reputation is vitally important to our continued development and growth. As such we truly care about every order, every mention, every email we receive, and consider it our duty to provide the best possible experience.
To further our commitment to providing great products and a great service, we’ve introduced product reviews to the site. Now this does require an additional time commitment from you guys, but once you've had time to test your purchases we’d love to hear your thoughts. This also helps new customers understand what other people’s experiences were, adding to our ethos of transparency.
We believe the seller/consumer interaction should be a two way conversation, not just a transaction. We’re lifetime cyclists, creating products for lifetime cyclists. We’re as much a part of the ecosystem as anyone else and conduct our business according to how we feel cycling should be represented.
Happy riding out there,
and thank you for the support!
/Simon