Cool Sheesh

Jaguar R Performance Academy

2011-05-07T10:58:00.000-07:00

March 28-30, 2011

As the cool Spring wind blew on this crystal clear, sunny day, a gorgeous white Jaguar XKR came to a screeching stop. The door flew open and a helmeted Adam Andretti got out of the car smiling, his passenger shaking his head and wobbly. Burnt tire smoke billowed from the car. They had just taken a “hot lap” at Las Vegas International’s 2.5 mile track. Andretti specializes in “drifting”—the practice of massive throttle-induced oversteer in which the tail end of the car hangs luridly out. Over do it, and the tail will come around, most likely ending in an uncontrolled spin which could have serious consequences. Incredibly, Andretti was doing these power slides at more than 90mph! And the poor car -- most tires are meant to last about 2 or more years, however, the brand new rear tires on this XKR were shot, done in by just three laps under Andretti’s helm as the cords were already showing.

I was at the Jaguar R Performance Academy, a program that is included with the purchase of the 510hp/461lbs torque Jaguar XKR and XFR models. Jaguar offers this free program for two primary reasons. First, 510hp in a regular street car is a lot of power, and though these cars have exceptional and incredible safety overrides such as traction control and automated braking (ABS), when these features are turned off, the docile Jag turns into a snarling race car. Jag wants to make sure that owners know the responsibilities and capabilities associated with owning such a powerful beast. Secondly, Jag also believes that this track school is a sort of “second honeymoon” as owners become familiarized with the stunning capabilities of the car they may have not known existed.

The Journey
I arrived at the Las Vegas airport and was warmly greeted in the “limo line” by a Jaguar representative. I was extremely nervous as I had never driven on the track and was petrified of what was to come. However, my nervousness was reduced as we went out to the awaiting XJL (stretched version of the XJ) and an assistant was in the expansive back seat. We hustled to THE Hotel at Mandalay Bay and, en route they demonstrated the navigation, seat massagers, and 1,200 watt Bowers and Wilkins sound system. I had a fantastic dinner with the Jaguar reps, professional drivers, and the rest of the 23 other press representatives who had come from Italy, Spain, Australia, the US, and England.

Day 1: Track Day
Bright and early, we drove out to the Las Vegas International Speedway in a fleet of XJLs. The race track was impressive with massive stands and we'd later see stock cars thundering through doing practice laps. We had an hour or so of instruction and were introduced to the nine professional drivers who would be our guides. These drivers included Davy Jones (placed second at the Indy 500 and won Lemans), Roberto Guerrero (placed second at the Indy 500 twice), and Adam Andretti (nephew of Mario and drifting savant).

We transferred from the XJs to the powerful XFR and XKRs, equipped with 510 thundering horsepower. Instruction began with a short autocross route, followed by a figure eight, then small oval course, and finished with laps on the high speed 2.5 mile course. The figure eight tested precise handling, acceleration, and braking. Initially, we drove the cars with the computerized safety settings turned on; they intervene when there is a loss of traction. In this mode, the XKR, though very powerful, was never uncontrolled. Once acquainted with the course, however, the instructor switched the traction control off. In an instant, the XKR was transformed into a beast. I was soon driving with the rear end sliding out, pouring smoke from the tires. I learned to (try) and control the oversteer by letting off the throttle and turning in to the slide. It was an absolute blast! Later, on the oval course, Adam Andretti was my guide as I shot toward the apex then hammered the throttle, tail out and grinning like an idiot as I became more familiar with the cars limits.

After lunch and some much needed down time, we headed back out to the high speed track. I settled in, turned the AC to 65 degrees and switched the seat coolers to max; amazing to have so much luxury in this performance car. We followed the lead car and spaced out three car lengths each. The lead car led us progressively faster, encouraging us to brake HARD before a turn, let the momentum carry toward the apex, and then hammer the throttle out. The goal was to take the shortest line. We had the XKR/XFRs in "track mode", which enabled the automatic transmission to consistently downshift to keep the engine at full boil. The traction control was also set at high limits which prevented dangerous oversteer-but just barely. I was able to keep up in the turns, but on the straight-aways, i was nervous as we hurtled up to 120 mph then slammed the brakes for the next turn. At one point, I entered a sweeping right turn too fast and slid out into the gravel. Needless to say, despite the A/C and seat coolers, I was sweating profusely at the end. The driving was incredibly intense, demanding both mental and physical attention while generating massive adrenalin. At the day's conclusion, we headed back to the hotel for yet another incredible meal and lively rehash of the days events.

Day 2: Hoover Dam
We got a much needed rest and left at 9AM the following day. We drove in the XJLs, the new Jaguar flagship for luxury and performance. Unlike the previous day, we were encouraged to maintain the posted speed limit as a squadron of these cars might seek attention from the local police on the open road.

The XJL had an incredibly smooth ride but also plenty of power as we headed out to Hoover Dam. We toured the structure then headed back out to the Ravella Resort on Lake Mead, where once again we had an incredible meal and enjoyed the crystal clear, sunny day.

Unfortunately, the journey had to come to an end. I was chauffeured in the XJL to the airport, and flew home with memories to last a life time.

The session gave me a new found appreciation for the track, along with improved skills that transfer to daily driving. I was also blown away at the incredible combination of luxury and performance that Jaguar offers across their entire product line.

Every Ride is a Race

2010-12-18T00:46:00.001-08:00

Tribute to the Sunday ride crew.

Xtranormal "Movie"

2010-12-18T00:01:00.000-08:00

Funny for those in the know

Ennio Morricone-Ecstasy of Gold - Live

2010-11-10T22:47:00.000-08:00

This is truly Cool Sheesh. Live performance of the best song off of The Good, The Bad, The Ugly Soundtrack. Tell me this doesn't give you chills.

adidas ZX8000 re-release

2010-10-05T22:40:00.000-07:00

According to Sneakerfiles, the original ZX8000 was released in 1988.
I had a pair of the blue ones; they were the best running shoe I'd ever had. Good support in the heel, excellent for anti-pronation, and one of the best trail running shoes ever. Not sure if it was because of their famous "torsion bar", but they were a bit firm, though. Regardless, my favorite running shoe of all time.
Here is a pic of the originals:

adidas re-released the ZX-8000 with an updated sole (see the blue one). Unfortunately, there is very little arch support. Shame because the shoe is very light and well made. I can't believe how many people comment on it.

Additionally, adidas has updated the series with a new "originals" version called the Mega Torsion RVI available in the original blue and a white/green/red version that is similar to the original. Unfortunately, these are strictly "casual" shoes and I wouldn't bother running in them. That said, also beautifully made.

Have a look at all three

and the different soles

I wish adidas would bring back the original in its true form!

Cool Way to Save Cash: Groupon.com

2009-12-15T17:26:00.000-08:00

Our local San Francisco Bay Area news radio station, KGO, interviewed the founder of groupon.com, and the concept peaked my interest as one who does not turn down free or discounted opportunities. What's the catch? None. Just register at the site picking your city (or one very close to you), and away you go. What is a groupon? It's a portmanteau of "group" and "coupon" ... effectively, businesses will offer a discounted deal to a group of people for a finite time period (usually 24-hours); the actual groupon is good for about a year or less much like a gift certificate. What kind of things can you buy? The daily emailed offerings vary, but they have been for things such as:

Farallon Island boat tour
Yoga sessions
Spa treatments
Coffeeshops
Restaurants
Hotel stays
Rafting trips
Car services

The best part of all is they're all at a discounted price. For example, I bought a $50 (face-value) Groupon for Pucinella's restaurant in San Francisco for $20 (a 60% discount). This is great for my wife and I as we like to go out on a regular basis, and we're not breaking the bank. One of the best parts is that purchasing the current groupon is very easy. After logging in, you simply indicate the quantity that you want to buy, and click one button. Your credit card info is stored by Groupon so you won't have to enter each time. Today's San Francisco groupon (Dec 15, 2009) is for a 2010 Snowbomb Tahoe Card (regularly $40 on sale for $20); it includes a bunch of free stuff including a lift ticket at Dodge Ridge. Where can you find a lift ticket for $20??? If you're interested in gettting these deals, sign up here: Groupon

Three infectiously great things

2009-09-23T23:36:00.000-07:00

1. Peter, Bjorn & John - Young Folks

2. Budweiser song "Anthem"

3. Glengarry Glen Christmas

VW Jetta Diesel

2009-07-26T22:07:00.000-07:00

Driving Impressions: 2009 Jetta Diesel

Diesel: what’s old is new, only better
I’ve been unintentionally green for a few weeks now; my beloved 2000 Audi A6 is in the shop getting major surgery including a transmission rebuild, new power steering rack, and catalytic converters. So I’ve been cycling and train-riding to work for the past few weeks. Unfortunately, the train station is quite a ways from work, so I’ve been riding a minimum of 9 miles, and sometimes 40 miles a day depending so I’m pretty tired.

Luckily, my backside got a welcome break with the chance to test the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta. But the “green” didn’t take a break with this frugal VW. It’s a fantastic car that offers plenty of room front and rear, fold down seats to easily put the bike into, excellent handling, and a thoroughly entertaining diesel engine. Entertaining? Diesel? Yep-this sucker features a turbocharger that kicks in for some prodigious torque. While the 2.0 liter 4 cylinder has only 140 horsepower, it packs a whopping 236 foot pounds of torque. While it lags a bit off the line, at highway speeds, the torque makes passing a joy. It is an ideal highway cruiser. Even more impressive, despite my notorious lead-footedness (I infamously logged just 22mpg in the ’08 Honda Fit), I averaged a stunning 37.5 mpg!

Then and now
In 1990, the president of the company I worked for swore by two things—PC’s instead of Macs and diesel instead of regular fuel. He drove a gargantuan Mercedes diesel 300 SEL and kept it for 15+ years. And he forbade Macs in the workplace. Years later, PCs have definitely dominated while diesels are just now coming back in to vogue. Back then, diesels were stinky, slow, and pumped out a lot of pollution. However, as my favorite mechanic points out, because of the trucking industry, getting diesel gas is relatively easy because the network of stations exists throughout the nation.

With the advent of the recent energy crisis and heightened awareness of conservation, European car companies, such as VW, Audi, BMW, and Mercedes Benz, are now re-testing the waters here with diesel offerings. Reportedly, over 50% of cars in Europe run on diesel, so the technology has already been widely deployed. Better still, diesel is now much cleaner; ultra-low sulfur diesel now burns 97% less sulfur and is widely available. And the CO2 emissions of this Jetta, while not the lowest, compare favorably to the miserly and clean burning Honda Civic, as seen in the chart below (statistics courtesy of : fueleconomy.gov)

The only real concern with newer “clean diesel” is the addition of ammonia (urea). Clean diesel engines require a separate source of ammonia which breaks down Nitric Oxide, a common air pollutant, into harmless nitrogen and oxygen. There concern is with maintenance issues and car owners making sure the ammonia is refilled.

What about alternative fuels?
Here in the U.S., though ethanol was broadly marketed, it’s nearly impossible to find a station that provides it. Elsewhere in the world, ethanol is popular and common-place in Brazil, and propane is used widely in India. But here in the US, we don’t really have another choice except electric or diesel. The vaunted hybrids such as the Prius and pure electrics like the Tesla, while very economical, pose a new question. What do we do with the batteries once they are “used up”? How long will they last? And how much will they cost to maintain? More importantly, how do we dispose of them? Suddenly, once stinky diesel seems appealing. With the pre-existing fuel network, lower emissions, excellent fuel economy, and the prospect of bio-diesel, diesel does have a lot working for it as a new standard of economy and efficiency. Perhaps there really is something here.

Life with a diesel.
So what’s it like to live with a diesel? This VW is impressive. While there is a slight “dieseling sound” at start up, it is not much louder than a standard engine. No smoke an no smell. Once underway, the diesel “clatter” is mostly muted and hardly noticeable. When I did have to find a station that offered diesel, it was slightly problematic. I visited three stations before I found one that carried diesel. If you are planning a trip in a diesel vehicle, it might be a good idea to look up gasbuddy.com to find stations along the route. Regardless, once at the station, I found the price to be $2.75/gallon, the same price as regular unleaded. Mid grade was $.10 more and Super was $.20 more per gallon. Only at the station did I detect the faint smell of petroleum jelly that is characteristic of diesel.. In any case, the price of diesel has come down, which is yet another reason to consider it. Additionally, with the VW’s 14.5 gallon gas tank and 30+mpg, you won’t need a fill up for close to 500 miles—that’s impressive!

So would I buy it? The Jetta was a very impressive car. It has great handling, plenty of space for four, and is a great freeway commuter. If I had to do long commute miles and used this car primarily for commuting, it would be extremely tough to beat.

2009 Tour de France predictions

2009-07-01T21:00:00.000-07:00

What are your predictions for the TDF? Here's our little contest:
- 1 point each for naming the top 3 riders
- 1 point for each position
- 1 point each for green and polka dot.
Max of 8.

Steve LeFevre:
1. Sastre
2. Evans
3. Armstrong
Points: Devolder
Green: Cavendish

Conrad Essen:
1. Contador
2. Evans
3. Sastre
Points: Moncoutie
Green: Cavendish

Michael McHenry:
1. Armstrong
2. A. Schelck
3. Contador
Points: Moncoutie
Green: Freire

Twain:
1. Contador
2. Menchov
3. A. Schleck
Points: A. Schleck
Green: Cavendish

Gary Chan
1. Sastre
2. Contador
3. Amrstrong

Jimmy Dworkin
1. Amrstrong
2. Contador
3. Kloden

Derrill Stepp
1. Contador
2. Armstrong
3. Evans
Points: Gesink
Green: Tyler Farrar

Eliott Jones
1. Contador
2. Evans
3. Armstrong
"Menchov gets nailed for doping"

Cool Free Service: 4INFO

2009-02-18T16:49:00.000-08:00

What's the address and phone number of that restaurant? What are the movie times? These are questions I often faced while out and about with my wife. I didn't have a data plan on my antiquated, push-button only phone nor did I want to pay $2 for a directory service call to my carrier. I was frustrated with a lack of options until I discovered 4INFO. 4INFO is a Silicon Valley startup that provides a free query service to find information (similar to a web browser on your pc) via text messaging. Did I mention that it's free! Okay, nothing is "free" so what's the catch? A small advertisement at the bottom of the resulting text message is all you have to endure. Say I'm at the Redwood City Starbucks on Whipple Avenue, and want to find the movies in Redwood City (California), I would text: movies 94062 (or a shortcut is M 94062) to 44636 (4INFO's short code). Subsequently, I replied "1" to the text message to get specific movie information at the Century Redwood City 20.

It's fast, free, and easy-to-use. There are shortcuts you can look at on their website. Here are some examples you could text to 44636:

N CHI (for current news about Chicago)
W 94062 (for weather in Redwood City) or W NYC (weather in New York City)
STARBUCK 94062 (list of the Starbucks in Redwood City)
AAPL (to get the current or closing price of Apple Computers)

Besides these simple queries, you can also set up alerts that are regularly delivered to your mobile phone for specific information such as weather conditions, stock prices, sports scores, jokes of the day, etc. When you no longer want the alert, you reply STOP to the specific alert or manage all of your 4INFO alerts through their management interface: Manage Alerts

Anyways, it's a cool service that I use all the time now. Try it out. You may get hooked (and it may save your marriage while trying to locate places!).

eecycle works eebrake

2009-01-28T11:00:00.000-08:00

This is a review of the eecycle works eebrake
These are Craig Edward's latest creation, the eebrake. Craig was originally known for his "Sweet Wings" cranks that came out during the early '90's. They were superlight cro-mo cranks that featured an integrated bb design that has since been copied (incidentally, he is also working on a new and lighter crank due later this year). His manufacturing and design talent can now be found in these stunning new brakes.

* Cost: $519 MSRP (without brake pads)
* Unique industrial design
* Exclusiveness; different
* Excellent performance
* Made in the USA
* Light weight: 162 grams (pair) without pads; 182 grams with Dura Ace pads
* Very easy to change out brake pads (for those that have alloy trainers and carbon racers)
* Adjustable reach to fit many bikes

Installation

Unfortunately, the brakes didn't come with pads so I purchased a Dura Ace set. Installing the pads was incredibly easy; the holders have wide tolerances that make it easy to slip the new pad in--which you do at an angle. You then pivot the rear section down and snap them in to place. The holders have a "no-screw" feature that makes it easy to install or replace. Yet the pads definitely feel secure. These brakes would be ideal for folks that like to switch between training wheels with alloy braking surfaces and carbon rims for racing.
The rest of the documentation was a bit daunting but proved easy once the front set was installed. The major hurdle is you need to remove a retaining nut to free up a the bolt that fits into the fork or rear stay. The retaining bolt features an eccentric design that allows you to pivot the bolt up or down, extending the "drop" of the brake if needed. It also allows fine-tuning for out of true wheels. Luckily I didn't have to remove too many links from my Nokon cables (PIA alert) to fit these brakes in place of my Zero Gravity Ti's.

Dialing in the brake pads was on par with any other brake set, and the cable length was easily adjusted (though different) with the large barrel adjuster.

Weight
Thanks to Zero Gravity, who really disrupted the space about 5 years ago, there is now a lot of innovation and choice with brakes, ranging from the ultra expensive to some great stand-byes.

On my scale, the eebrakes weighed 164 grams without pads and 184 grams with. For comparison, my Zero Gravity Ti's were 2 grams heavier. Below are actual weights for these two along with MSRPs and claimed weights (pads included) for other brakes that folks may be considering. (Note: Zero Gravity produces excellent products and has fantastic customer service. I fully support their products. Additionally, I own Zero Gravity Ti, Negative Gravity Ti, and Mavic SSC brakes).

Brake MSRP Weight $/gram
* AX-Lightness Orion $1,600 144 $11.11
* M5 $ 740 202 $ 3.66
* eebrake $ 519 184 $ 2.82
* Zero Gravity Ti $ 430 186 $ 2.31
* Negative Gravity Ti $ 400 230 $ 1.74
* Dura Ace 7900 $ 440 284 $ 1.55
* SRAM Red $ 295 265 $ 1.11
* Campy Record Skeleton $ 300 275 $ 1.09
* Dura Ace 7800 $ 235 314 $ 0.75
* Mavic SSC $ 190 310 $ 0.61

As you can see, the eebrakes are toward the upper end of $/gram. This being said, Shimano 7900 is certainly raising the price bar on "mass produced" brakes. And if you are paying $440 for Dura Ace, suddenly $100 more doesn't seem so far out of the question.

Performance
I think the closest comparison to the eebrake is the Zero Gravity Ti. Zero Gravs have stood the test of time with great industrial design, incredible light weight, and very good stopping performance. How would the eebrake compare?
From my testing, the eebrake provides superior braking performance (much stronger braking), good modulation, and a slight decrease in weight. They also have a much stronger return spring; the return spring helps "snap" the brake lever back into place and creates a very stable and secure feel. This feature would be very useful with TT brake levers that rely on cable tension versus return spring. And, as stated, braking performance was excellent.

What's truly amazing, though, is that despite it's 5-pivot design, there was no flex or "slop" in the brake. I find this incredible because each pivot should introduce some degree of "play". Yet there was none with this remarkable brake set.

Design
These brakes do their functional job extremely well; I don't think there really is a set of better stoppers out there. This being said, this brake isn't for everyone. They are very expensive. And they have a polarizing look; some may think it's ugly, others might think they are beautiful. As my friend said, "They aren't brakes. They are artwork"--I couldn't agree more.
On my carbon Cervelo R3, I found these brakes to look a bit out of place; something so classy and mechanical on a modern black carbon frame. Where these brakes would truly be at home is on a classic lightweight steel or Ti frame--Schwinn Paramount, Indy Fab, Colnago, Moots, or Cervelo Prodigy. It would be outstanding to see these calipers on the latest Reynolds 953 steel frames.

Summary
These brakes offer outstanding performance, a unique look, and exclusivity--but at a price.
If you are lucky enough to afford components in this price range, the eebrake is a compelling choice.

Fizik Antares Saddle

2009-01-07T00:29:00.000-08:00

Fizik Antares Saddle

Cost: $199 MSRP

Comfortable yet very light weight

Natural Leather Seat Cover

Made in Italy

ICS bag compatible

Weight: Claimed 175 grams. Actual: 177.

This is a review of the Fizik's latest saddle, the Antares.
It's supposed to be the "third dimension" between Fizik's excellent Airone and Aliante. I'm not sure what the third dimension really means but what I discovered that it's really a comfortable alternative to minimalist saddles like the Selle Italia SLR.

I decided to compare the Antares not only to it's brethren but also to the
Selle Italia SLR. Here's how they measured up:

Antares: Width: 140mm, Length: 275mm, 177 Grams

Aliante: Width: 135mm, Length: 265mm, 215 Grams

Airione: Width: 128mm, Length: 302mm, 241 Grams

SLR: Width: 125mm, Length: 275mm, 135 Grams

Comparing the saddles

My first experience with Fizik saddles was the Airone. It's a great
looking saddle that is much longer (25mm more than the Antares and SLR) than
most saddles. I suppose this is to give you more freedom to move for/aft for
spinning or pushing big gear. But despite it being the narrowest of the four--and with it's built in "wing flex", I've found that this saddle hits in the wrong places and is actually a bit of a disappointment; I tend to "get numb" when riding this saddle, especially when on the trainer. Lastly, the Airone isn't ICS compatible. ICS is Fizik's built-in adapter that allows you to clip in Fizik brand accessories like saddle bags and lights. The other two models are
ICS compatible.

I purchased the Aliante about 9 months ago -- and found it to be the
absolutely most comfortable saddle I've ever tried. I believe the secret to the
Aliante's comfort is its suspension; the seat is suspended like a hammock.
Notice the gold mesh in the picture above; it's essentially a fabric weave that
allows floatation. The Airone and Antares have more traditional carbon shells
(as does the SLR). The Aliante is supremely comfortable whether pushed back
against the upraised back or pushed forward on the padded nose. With the Aliante, it feels like you sit "in" the saddle versus being perched "on" it. I can't say enough great things about the Aliante.

So how would the Antares fair? Oddly, the Antares is the widest of the
bunch and slightly longer than the Aliante. It has a much slimmer profile and
weighs a very respectable 177 grams (there is a carbon railed version with a
claimed weight of 145 grams that costs $30 more). At first look, I thought it
would mimic the feel of the Selle Italia SLR: ridable but not exactly
comfortable. Amazingly, the Antares was fantastic. Despite it's slim profile,
the padding is dense yet comfortable and it's width fully supports your sit
bones. As with the Aliante, it was comfortable sitting toward the rear yet still
offered enough padding in the nose for spinning up hills. The saddle was very
comfortable over a 40+ mile ride, something I could never say about the Selle
Italia SLR. I'm looking forward to trying this on my tri bike--as I the nose has
more extension than the Aliante while also offering enough cushion for forward
position aero-bar riding.

Overall, I still think the Aliante is the most comfortable road bike
saddle--ever. The Antares is my second favorite saddle -- a lightweight
alternative for the weight weenie crowd that might even prove to be a good
solution for triathlons and time trials. I'll update this review when I've spent
some time on the tri bike with it.

SRAM Red 5-piece component upgrade

2008-09-30T08:19:00.000-07:00

Purchased 9/23/08
This is a review of the SRAM Red 5-piece upgrade. I've been sticking with Shimano 9-speed Dura Ace because I have 4 road bikes that I'm always switching components on. Plus, I haven't really seen a compelling reason to switch my Dura Ace Octalink BB (175 grams) and FSA Superlight Cranks (522 grams) for the new-tech outboard bearing cranks; they aren't significantly lighter and are a lot more expensive. However, I recently bought a new used Cervelo R3 and the weight-weenie bug struck hard. Plus, the 11-26 SRAM cogset seems like a great upgrade that lends a huge range of flexibility. Shimano offers only 11-23 or 12-25. And the Red component group is rumored to be much lighter. It was time to upgrade to 10 speed. Plus I pooled my 42nd birthday funds to afford the upgrade.

Cost/Benefit

Below is pricing and weights from the Excel Sports web site (as of 9/29/08). Last year's Dura Ace and Campy Record 10-speed currently have steep discounts while the new Dura Ace and Campy 11-speed have big premiums as they are being introduced. SRAM Red is in between; more expensive than the 2008 models but less expensive than the 2009 models. But lighter than all. Kudos to SRAM for forcing the competition to go back to the drawing board. This being said, the original Dura Ace 9 Speed has certainly stood the test of time and is a remarkable value for price and weight.

Weights

The SRAM shifters came with the shift cables installed. I didn't want to remove them so weighed them together, they came in at 323 grams, 53 more than the
claimed naked weight. But still far less than the 485 for D/A 9 Speed. Campy and SRAM shifters are a lot lighter than D/A, regardless of the model. Also, the cassette, chain, and rear derailleur were largely on track though the Front Derailleur was way off. I chose to compare "claimed" weight according to Excel Sports to provide the most consistent baseline.

Regarding costs, it is ABSURD to think that shifters are now over $500. And the new Dura Ace at SEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARS should be considered criminal. $300+ for a rear derailleur is also getting out of hand. As 2008 draws to a close, deals can be found on last year's models so keep an eye out.

Component Highlights - Shifters

In a few years, I think the cycling community will look at Shimano shifters
that have the derailleur cables coming out at 90 angles as totally primitive. SRAM and Campy offer cable routing that follows the taper of the bar. SRAM even offers the ability to route the derailleur cables either inboard or outboard. How smart is this? Having both cables route on the inside provides a seamless transition along the handlebar-awesome. Ironically, I did initially miss the "safety blanket" feel of the cable jutting out as a hand hold. But I'll get over this. As a side note, I believe Campy has offered multiple cable positions for some time.

Another cool feature is the SRAM Red shifters/brake levers also offer adjustable reach. But I chose to leave the reach in the default position.

How do they work? The shifters are very fast and have a nice, positive and substantial feel. The front derailleur has a bit of a long throw to get into the big ring, but it is not objectionable. Shifting the rear down from the 26 to the 23 was a bit tricky; it will take some time to master the small step down versus clanking all the way to the 21. But overall, not a traumatic change from Shimano. And as I get used to it, I am sure it will become second nature.

Component Highlights - Derailleurs

The derailleur set up was just plain finicky. SRAM provides terrible documentation, and the group I got from Colorado Cyclist had almost no packaging. I resorted to the web site's downloadable PDF for "dealers" . This proved to be helpful but not perfect.

Rear derailleur: What's cool-the angle between the cable exit and shifter comes out at a sharp angle which locks the cable; it's easier to adjust cable tension than with Shimano. But it was very difficult to set the b-tension screw
correctly. Unfortunately, perhaps because of the wide gear range provided by the 11-26, it wasn't possible to dial out chain rub in the 11 and 12 tooth cog while riding in the front small ring. There is significant chain rub in either gear. Additionally, the manual calls for maintenance/relube of the ceramic bearings every 100 miles. I have to say that that is a bit of a pain in the butt.

Front derailleur. The front derailleur provides trimming in the big ring; if you are mid-ring in back, you can semi-shift the FD to drop down a bit. This gives more flexibility in the middle gears and even allows cross-chaining without rub. This being said, in the 53x11, the chain would rub and slip. Adding more travel
to the big ring simply meant over-shifts with the chain dropping off. I think I have to visit my LBS for fine tuning of the front and rear.

Component Highlights - Cogset and Chain
The cogset really steals the show. It is machined from one piece of steel and is hollowed out inside! This is pretty ingenious. More amazing, I love the 11-26 combo and wonder why no one else thought of this. The cogset has a third piece-a sleeve that goes over the cassette body. This proved to be problematic as the sleeve wouldn't fit over the cassette body. I exercised restraint (ie, didn't hammer it in to place) and had my LBS, Calmar Cycles, do the final install. This involved using a Dremel tool to file down the detents in the freewheel. Please note, if you are an SRAM Red owner and don't have the sleeve--get one! The customer care rep at Easton (I have Easton Ascent II's) strongly suggested using it and warned of death/serious injury. SRAM also says it keeps water out. The cogs also feature flat spots that are supposed to make the chain pickup faster. Not sure if this works, but it seemed very quick to me. The finish is also a nice and bright. The chain, 1090-r, features hollowed side plates and weighs in at very light 260 grams. Not bad. The chain/cogset combo is a bit noisier than Shimano with a louder, more mechanical "whirring" sound.

The finished product!

All in all, the SRAM upgrade yielded wider gearing (11-26), 10-speed Shimano capability (you can use a Shimano cogset), as well as 8 ounces of weight savings. I also put on lighter cranks (-53 grams) and skewers (-23 grams) netting a loss of 270 grams/ 9.6 ounces.

Here's the finished product at 14pounds, 7 oz or 6560 grams.

Amazing Sheesh-chewing off too much

2008-03-23T12:15:00.000-07:00

Gary, Larry, and I were off on another Porta-Bote adventure at Anderson Resevoir, happily in search of crappie and large mouth bass. We noticed some splashing in the shallows and headed over. There was a large bass essentially paralyzed on the surface with a crappie jammed in it's mouth! I was able to grab the bass and lift it in to the boat. Using pliers, I pulled the crappie out of his mouth; the crappie was at least 8 inches long (unfortunately, pulled off part of his tail too...) but he was still alive. I let the crappie go then we weighed the bass; 3 pounds and 18 inches with a big fat belly. He looked blind in one eye--maybe that's why he bit off more than he could chew. Amazingly, it swam off just fine.

Amazing Sheesh!

Yo-Zuri Floating Crystal Minnow

2008-03-23T11:56:00.000-07:00

This lure is amazing! Caught 3 crappie and 2 bass at Anderson Resevoir in early spring (March 22 '08) with my Gary Chan and Larry Boyle.

You can buy them at Cabelas for $7-8. Expensive but worth it.

Triathlon gear: Vision Base Bars

2007-11-28T23:11:00.000-08:00

These Vision Base Bars from Full Speed Ahead are amazing. They are fairly light (around 230 grams), extremely stiff, and offer an excellent "in the drops" hand position. I am a fairly cautious descender, but these bars allow a very secure hand grip that inspires confidence. The flats of the bars allow a comfortable upright position. And while in the aero bars, the flat profile of the base bar allows easy transition from the aero extensions to the bar ends. I'm pairing these with Hed aerobars and it's a great combination.

The vision base bars are relatively cheap; around $100 for the alloy version. The carbon version is more expensive and only marginally lighter. In the San Francisco Bay Area you can get these from Front of the Pack which is where I got them.

Dean Kamen's Prosthetic Arm

2007-11-01T17:10:00.000-07:00

This is an incredible story and amazing technology that's come out of it. Dean Kamen is recently famous for the Segway scooter. This prosthetic arm is a much more impressive invention.

Porta-Bote

2007-10-22T20:52:00.000-07:00

This is the amazing Porta-Bote. It is unique because it actually folds for storage to a depth of just 4 inches thick. But when assembled is extremely sea-worthy and stable. They come in a variety of sizes; 8, 10, 12, and 14 feet. I have the 10 foot model which can accomodate 3 adults with a 6hp Tohatsu motor (purchased through Porta-Bote). For $2800 with engine, it's a cost effective way to enjoy the waterways.

There are some caveats, however. Though it folds flat, it is still heavy and awkard to transport. Our model weighs 60 pounds, but it is unweildy. It's best to have 2 people to move it around. Additionally, the 3 seats and transom piece must be carried and installed prior to assembly; this takes a lot of cargo space. Assembly is also relatively simple and intuitive but is challenging for one person; you have to sort of get in to the boat and stretch out the sides. If you aren't careful, the sides can snap back and toss you over. They include an indispensible spreader bar that makes assembly easier. But having 2 people is much more preferable.

Regardless of the set up challenges, it is a true joy to boat in. It's very stable (you can move around without fear of tipping) and it has handy features such as built in cup holders. With 3 people and gear, the 6hp engine is sufficient for ~7mph top end speed. Best of all, it's an awesome way to explore the waterways. Friends and family have enjoyed truly blissful and relaxing days out on the lake. It has provided many wonderful adventures in just a few months of ownership.

The Tohatsu outboard hasn't been as satisfying; gas engine use is restricted in the SF Bay Area; many reservoirs allow only electric motors. Plus the Tohatsu is hard to start. If I could do it again, I might try to get a Torqeedo trolling motor. They use lithium-ion batteries and can provide as much as 6-hp of power.

Magellan Crossover GPS 2500T

2007-10-12T23:46:00.000-07:00

This is my third Magellan having owned the Magellan 6000 and 2200T prior to this one. By far, the Magellan 2500T acquires and holds satellite signals much better. Living in a concrete block house, acquiring a satellite signal was impossible with the 6000 model; however, with the 2500T, I reliably can find satellites. Outside or in the car, I've never had an issue with satellite aquisition. Inputting addresses is easy by starting with either city or zip, and the graphics are good. I wish there was a way to categorize my personal addresses and search accordingly such as a "restaurant" category for all of the restaurants entries I created within my address book. I used the Crossover while traversing Southern Utah, and this GPS unit had fire roads that were far off the beaten path within its mapping software ... a very good thing when exploring back roads and trying to navigate pitch black wilderness roads at night. Text –to-speech is good, but it mangles some words or names. Battery life is excellent, and it charges quickly. I went down to LA this past weekend, and the battery made it all the way down from SF with some power remaining. I haven't tested the marine or the topo functions yet, but plan to. The display quality of the images I loaded on the SD card are ok, but it depends on the image size. Some higher resolution images appear pixelated for some reason. The car mount is very adjustable and vibration free. The firmware update two-months ago improved the graphics, and introduced a "tow truck" icon on the vehicle nav main page. I believe this is for the Magellan models that support the AAA towing service ... it's just not supported by the Crossover GPS. Instead, clicking on the icon displays the current location. I bought mine at Costco earlier this year for $350, but now you can find it for less on Amazon or Newegg.

Vector SLH100V HID Spotlight

2007-10-03T13:16:00.001-07:00

Being a flashlight collector/addict, I have always longed for a HID flashlight, but couldn't stomach the $300+ cost for most portable HID flashlights. When I saw the spotlight in the Cabela's catalog, for $150, I was very excited. This is not a flashlight (like a Maglite), but rather a spotlight similar to the gazillion-candlepower spotlights you can buy at sporting good stores or mega-retailers.

Here are the basics of the Vector SLH100V:

35W-6000 K metal halide bulb
12v-7Ah sealed lead acid battery
8.5 pound weight
3,500-lumen brightness
70-minutes run-time
Lens diameter: 6"
Nylon carrying strap
13.8V DC - 750mA charger

When I received the spotlight, I quickly read the instructions and plugged in the Vector. It didn't take very long for the battery to charge. Turning it on, it took a few seconds for the bulb to reach full brightness (just like the HID systems in cars). Dang, this is one bright light !!! DO NOT stare at the beam directly. It turned my dark backyard into an illuminated Candlestick Park wherever I pointed the light. I've never owned anything brighter. While checking some speaker wires under my desk, I used the built-in stand (ratchets to various angles) on the Vector to point the spotlight under the desk. It worked perfectly pointing the beam at the bottom of the desk while I checked wires. The on/off switch is a simple rocker switch under the handle, and a nylon shoulder/carrying strap is included. Though not small or portable, this is a highly recommended light at a bargain price.

- Gary

What the Muck?

2007-10-02T15:59:00.000-07:00

Yeah yeah, Crocs are cool. But have you seen Muck Boots? These were originally designed for working around horses and on farms where you need absolutely water proof and tough shoes. They are as advertised-very comfortable, easy to get on/off, and of course waterproof. Only downside is your feet get a little sweaty in them.

Available on Yahoo! Shopping.

Ultimate ... Fishing Line!

2007-09-26T22:48:00.000-07:00

The wonders never cease.

Who knew that FISHING LINE could benefit from the wonders of technology? This stuff, called Power Pro is made from Spectra Fiber, an invention from Honeywell.

Spectra® fiber is made from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene that is used in a patented gel-spinning process. Polyethylene is a remarkably durable plastic, and scientists at Spectra Technologies have captured the tremendous natural strength in the molecular backbone of this everyday plastic to create one of the world’s strongest and lightest fibers. The gel-spinning process and subsequent drawing steps allow Spectra® fiber to have a much higher melting temperature (150°C or 300°F) than standard polyethylene.

Spectra as fishing line is amazing. 15lb test line has the equivalent diameter of 4lb monofilimant line. This means you can spool up your dinky ultralight reels with line that won't snap if you sneeze too hard. Plus the line doesn't stretch so it transmits every bump back to your rod. And it's very limp and isn't prone to tangling on itself.
It's truly amazing.
The only downside is the line is too tough to cut with your teeth. You have to carry scissors or a knife. And it is more expensive than mono, though long term, you probably save money. You can buy it on Yahoo! Shopping.

Here is a review of the line from TackleTour.com, a great fishing gear site.

By the way, here is a whopper we caught using it:

The Mokai

2007-09-26T15:05:00.000-07:00

The Mokai is a completely new idea for water adventure. It is essentially a powered and very stable kayak that lets you explore wherever there is water. It uses a 6hp jet engine -- plenty of power for one person -- that can run in extremely shallow water. Think of riding UP rapids then cruising back down. Plus it looks stable enough to stand up while casting. At 100 pounds it's even reasonably lightweight and car-toppable.

If you live near water, this seems like a great way to explore. About $3500.

Welcome to Coolsheesh.com!

2007-09-26T13:21:00.001-07:00

My friend Gary and I have been tech-nerds since high school. We both appreciate products that feature great design and high quality. Our interests include:
- Home audio and home theater equipment
- Car stereos
- Bikes and cycling equipment
- Other triathlon-related gear
- Camping
- Backpacking
- Fishing
- Boating

Etc etc etc.

This is a chronicle of all things with great design ingenuity and product passion.