Chris King new road hubs!!!

Absolutely beautiful! They weigh exactly 320 grams for the pair as advertised which makes them among the lightest FUNCTIONAL hubs out there. Yes, there are lighter hubs but we like things that last and perform as they should. These are 28 hole hubs and will be built with DT RR465 rims and a mix of DT Aerolite and Competition spokes. The have less drag in the seals and engagement mechanism than the classic kings and are available in all the pretty colors too. There are also plenty of drilling options for different rims. We have some more on the way and we will be building some really nice wheels with them using carbon rims. Stay tuned for more pics as they get built up.

2010 Yeti!

At last they have arrived. We have started receiving the 2010 Yeti bikes. We have the AS-R 5 Carbon. This is their all carbon 5 inch travel trail bike, one of their best all around mountain bikes. It has a tapered headtube and the weight for a medium frame is about 4.75 pounds. Check out the Yeti site for the rest of the details here.

Serotta's Mike Lopez Interview

This interview was posted on Cyclefit London's site. Mike Lopez is the man behind Serotta's carbon bikes. Serotta makes their own tubing and carbon bikes, by hand in Poway California (no, that is not a province in China believe it or not). The interview touches on several subjects including different types of carbon and the various methods of manufacturing. Check out the interview here.

Seven Cycles Charity Ride Program

Seven has implemented a program for cyclists participating in various charity benefit rides across the country. You get a custom paint job specifically for your cause, Seven donates 7% off the purchase price to your cause, and they put your name and cause on their sight to help promote your cause. This a great opportunity to have something truly unique that has special meaning. Check out the details on the Seven site here.

Tubeless Fulcrum Racing 1 2Way Fit Wheels

I am always wary of the latest flavor of the month products in our industry, too often are they over engineered, under-tested products that either change significantly in the first year or disappear entirely.

Our friends at QBP/Fulcrum were kind enough to loan us a pair of Racing 1 Tubeless wheels to try out. I have been riding tubeless mountain wheels for a number of years now with great success, I love them. That said, I was a bit skeptical with the road equivalent until now. The idea behind tubeless tires is less rolling resistance at lower tire pressure, lower or equivalent weight and no pinch flats. It's all true!

First off, my apollogies to the photo pros out there but I didn't clean these wheels up for the photos. That's because it's been raining every day and I've been beating the hell out of them. My experience after riding them for a month has been great. The first thing I noticed was that they are extremely comfortable. By running lower pressure, the tires are more supple even though the casing is thicker. Since there is no tube, the tire can absorb bumps and texture in the road more effectively and the contact patch with the ground is pretty much the same. This helps them roll very efficiently. They also corner very well. I put them through the ringer too, I've ridden them on fire roads, made an effort NOT to avoid pot holes and have pushed them in every way I can. Since I've been riding them I havn'e had a single flat! The system works. Fast, comfortable, durable, no pinch flats and solid in the corners, what more can you ask for?

So what's the down side? I like to keep these reviews as unbiased as I can so here goes. The only negative thing at this point is lack of tire selection. So far the only manufacturer is Hutchinson and they make three different tires. These tires are quite different from Hutchinson's standard line. All that on the table, the tires they supplied with the wheels are the Hutchinson Fusion 2 Tubeless and they are great. They make one lighter (the Atom) and one heavier (the Intensive).
The Atom is about 270 grams which is comparable to some light weight standard clinchers.

The wheels themselves are solid too. They are a great wheel for big guys and the weight is comparable to most wheels in this price range so they are well rounded. They have Campy Record hub internals and they've held up well under the abuse they've seen since I've been on them. They accelerate very well and are very torsionaly rigid.


In general, I expect that tubeless road technology will catch on sooner or later as more manufacturers get on board. The system works and the key players, Campagnolo, Fulcrum and Shimano are already moving forward. This is a solid system that does everything the marketing suggests. Want to try a pair out, give us a call and test out these wheels.

Winter Riding

Yes, you can! Winter riding can be fun if you are well prepared. Winter riding in the Bay Area is really like spring or fall riding anywhere else. It doesn't get all that cold and rain isn't as bad as it looks. No, we don't suggest riding during what we would cal a "storm"but you can get out there when the weather is only a bit spotty or it's only heavy mist. In this photo there are some essentials for winter riding in our area.

Assos Climajet Rain Shell: This is an extremely light, packable and breathable shell. These work amazingly well and are also available as a vest.

Assos Winter Plus Booties: Warm and dry feet are happy feet. This goes a long way when you're out in foul weather.

Assos Insulated Bib knickers/tights: Your legs may be wet but staying warm is the idea here.

Assos Early Winter Gloves: Wind Stopper fabric and a bit of insulation will keep those fingers warm and functional.

Mad Alchemy Cold Weather Embrocation: This is a warm-up aid applied to the legs before riding. It has an ingredient that stimulates blood flow and has a warming affect that lasts for hours. We've used many similar products but this stuff is far better than any of them.

Dumondetech Bio Green Chain Lube: Dumondetech makes the best lubricants we've tried. The Bio Green is great for winter because it's a little thicker and is harder to wash away than the lighter weight versions. It's also good because it is vegetable based and is easy on our environment.

Continental Grand Prix 4 Season Tires: On wet pavement you will require better traction, better puncture resistance and a more durable sidewall. These tires have it all and they still ride like a high quality racing tire. These are available in 23c, 25c, and 28c sizes.

Vittoria Open Pave: Same concept applies, better traction, and durability. These come in a 24c size and they ride really nicely.

Oakley Clear or Persimmon Lenses: Almost all Oakley sunglasses can be outfitted with a clear or lighter colored lens. They still offer the same 100% UV protection and are great for low light conditions or night riding. Protect those eyes, not just from the sun but from rocks and other debris.

Fenders: Be nice to the person riding behind you and use a fender. Keeping tire spray off yourself and those riding with you can make the day quite a bit more enjoyable.

Layering is also key, base layers, vests, arm and leg warmers are all things that can help get you out there this winter.

One thing to remember is that hydration is still very important. When it's cold and wet outside the last thing you may want is cold sports drink. Taking in Calories and electrolytes will also keep you warmer and more comfortable. You may not feel like you need it right away but stay focused on eating and drinking normally and you will be glad you did.

Sustainability at Bespoke

There's that word again, "Sustainability", it's a bit of a buzz word these days. These practices are very important to us at Bespoke, whether it’s in house or within the companies with whom we choose to do business. As time goes on, there are more and more products and technologies available to help us improve on what we are already doing. Our manufacturers and suppliers are also at the forefront of responsible manufacturing practices.

Here are some of the things we are doing as a shop:

We strive to do as much as possible to be a paperless business, we only use about 5 reams of paper per year, all of which is recycled/post consumer product.

We use a Local Union printer that specializes in green printing practices.

We use a low volume flash heater for our hot water.

Our cleaning supplies and associated products are also biodegradable or low impact products.

Our furniture and fixtures were all made locally and use a fair amount of reclaimed materials.

In the mechanical services we offer, we use a small ultrasonic parts cleaner which uses plain old soap and water. The typical equipment found in most shops is an automotive grade solvent tank that uses a disturbing amount of caustic solvents. We offer as many environmentally friendly lubricants and cleaners as are available. There are times we have to use chemical cleaners or solvents but we keep it to a minimum. Not only is this responsible but it keeps us healthier.

The bikes we sell are as green as they get. Over 95% of the bikes we’ve sold to date are made in the USA. Simply the fact that these companies adhere to our country's environmental laws sets them apart from the mass produces bikes of the world. Our builders also take steps to ensure they are doing everything in their power to do even better. The clothing we sell is also primarily made in North America and in the European Union. This is not a coincidence; we’ve just made the effort.

The fact that these companies are also making the absolute best products available today is the result of a similar ethic. These people live, work, and ride in the communities where they are producing their products. They are accountable, passionate, talented cyclists who strive to be the best in every facet of their industry. This is why we work with them.

What does the future hold? As we discover better products, we will certainly be looking into them. We are lucky to live, work and ride in one of the world's most beautiful places. We want to keep it that way.