http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2uFsFs5_Kc

Sorry I didn’t have more time to get some extended video of the bike. It really is a pretty neat contraption. Because it is electric assist and not a motorized bicycle, you can even use it on the Swamp Rabbit Trail. It would make a neat urban ride.

Now, don’t get on it thinking that it is a moped or something like that. It does take some effort to pedal – just not as much as you normally would need. You must keep pressure on the crank in order to engage the motor. If you stop pedaling the motor will disengage. Also if you start rolling faster than 15 mph the motor will stop. You’re on your own at that point!

The Giant Bicycles Twist is intended for the urban commuter who needs a little assist getting up to the top of that hill without breaking out into a sweat. It doesn’t try to take the pedaling out of cycling. I would have no problem riding this thing to work in my suit.

Want to check it out? There is one for you to throw your leg over at Sunshine Cycle Shop. Give it a try. What I want to do it give it a try up Paris Mountain. If I could average 15 mph up Altamont Road…

The bike as I like to remember it

As with many things evil, The Demon Bike was a work of beauty and I had to sacrifice to get it. I sold my Specialized Tarmac Pro and my back up bike, a Specialized Allez. It gave every reason for me to believe it would be a great relationship. I used the bike nearly through the entire 2009 race season.

The first crack in our relationship

Now as I think back, that year was a very rough one. I went down several times – not all of them on the black Giant (what I took to calling it later when I replaced it with a white Giant). The ultimate fall came at the 2009 SC State Road Racing Championship. I was taken out by another rider and ended up pretty beat up. The Giant was beat up more with the top tube cracked right through (see the above image).

I thought the bike was gone. I even replaced it with my current bike — a white 2010 Giant TCR Advanced. Perhaps it should have stayed that way. However, I learned that the frame could be repaired. Seeing how I missed having a back-up bike, I thought it might be a good idea to spend the several hundred dollars to get the bike back in my stable. I did and was impressed with the results.

That brings us to the end of the story. I used the bike for several events and for setting up a test of the iBike powermeter. Then I got some really fly Boyd wheels that just set the black frame off perfectly. I found myself drawn to ride the black Giant more and more.

So it was that loaded up the bike configured as you see it in the first photo above. I planned to race it for the first time since bringing it back on the road. Perhaps I never should have. Just several hours after the above picture was taken the bike looked like this.

The aftermath of the final crash

Notice the head tube and front fork. The bike broke above and below the head tube. That is a lot of force folks! Actually, since this incident, I’ve learned the regional Giant rep is taking a picture of the bike around with him. In his words, “That is pretty impressive!”

Notice the front fork and wheel

It is funny, I raced most of my 2010 season on the white Giant. I had some close calls as you always will in a Category 4 race, but I never went down. Life was good! Multiple podium finishes had me upgraded to Category 3 and the sky seemed to be the limit.

Then In my first race back on the black Giant — and my first as a Category 3 racer — I had the hardest crash of my life! I’m now out for the season. Wow, even if I could repair that bike frame (not only was the headset and front fork damaged, the head tube was also crushed), I don’t think I would do it! It is time to put The Demon Bike away!

Now, this post is tongue in cheek. I don’t really believe that a bike can contain some type of evil energy that would cause me to wreck. I would more prefer to think that God allowed me to wreck on the black frame so I wouldn’t ruin my white one!

It is just kind of funny how that when I first put the two bikes — a white one and black one — together I joked that they were like the two angels on your shoulders. The black one was the bad angel and the white one the good. I just find it ironic that the joke seemed to be true!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M58d4d1jJS4

Back when I joined the POA Cycling Team, I sold my Specialized Tarmac Pro and my first road bike, a Specialized Allez Elite, in order to get the team bike – a black 2009 TCR Advanced with Force components. It was a great bike and I was glad I made the switch.  However, the problem it created was that I only had one bike.

2009 Giant TCR Advanced

Now, for most people that isn’t a problem. What I found for me was that I often ran into situations where I would have the bike in the shop for a tune-up or to have something fixed that I had broken, and I would be bike-less. I came to regret getting rid of both of those bikes.

That was never more the case than in September 2009 when I was taken out in a race. The black Giant was cracked on the top tube. I had no bike at all.

Thankfully, Giant sent me a replacement frame. To make things nicer, it was a 2010 Giant TCR Advanced. I was able to build it up with 2010 SRAM Force components. It was the bike I used to ride the relay from Greenville to Austin in October.

2010 Giant TCR Advanced

When Giant sent me the new frame, they did not request me to return the old one. At first I didn’t know what to do with it. Then a friend of mine told me that he had a frame fixed with Calfee Design. I looked into it and found that for a little over $300 I could get the black frame fixed.

So, I sent it off and received it about the time we placed the team order for 2010 SRAM parts for the team. It is way too good of a deal to pass up and I decided to snag some Red components. The plan was to move the Force group to the black TCR Advanced and put the Red group on the white TCR Advanced.

FINALLY, after months it all came together. Then I couldn’t decide which bike to use as my primary bike! That is important because my one Quarq CinQo powermeter is in the crank – a SRAM S900. The number 1 bike would need to have that crank.

After a bit of deliberation, I decided to go with my original plans. I get differing reactions from people regarding the look of the two bikes. Some like the white. Some like the black. I think I like the both.

Maybe I’ll be able to find a way to get power on the black bike and I’ll be able to switch between the two of them more often. I could ride the one that best fits the mood of the day! More importantly, I’ll have a bike to ride whether one is in the shop or not.

Now… if the snow would just clear from the roads so I could ride one of them…

Ebony and ivory

Now I’m left with a quandary. Which frame do I put the components on? The white Giant or the black one?

2009 (black) and 2010 (white) TCR Advanced frames

My original intention was to move the ’09 Force group from the white bike to the black bike and then build up the white one with the ’10 Red group. With that in mind I ordered a new Force crank so I could keep my SRAM S900 with the Quarq CinQo on the white bike.

That would have full Red on the white bike except for the crank and full Force on the black bike. It all made perfect sense until some friends told me I should consider racing the black frame with the Force group and leave the white frame and the Red for the cookie rides. The idea makes sense.

Let’s face it, there really isn’t that much of a difference in the components. Yes, the Red is lighter with a slightly different construction, but when it comes to someone at my skill level it really doesn’t make that much difference. I hate to say it, but it really comes down to what looks good.

That is the problem. Since I only have one Quarq CinQo and I am training this year, I have to keep the powermeter crank on the bike that I plan to race. Unless I plan to mix the Force crank with the remaining Red group, I have to keep the Red stuff with the S900.

I’m leaning heavily toward my original plan – build the white Giant up with the Red group and the CinQo. The black bike would then be all Force. If looks count for anything, that is definitely the way to go.

2010 Giant TCR Advanced

Then again… if I race the white Giant, I will be the only POA rider on a white bike — all the other Giant frames on the team are black. Also, the black frame is the repaired frame and keeping the white frame out of the racing action would keep it safer. Who cares if the black frame gets nicked?

2009 Giant TCR Advanced

Then again… you only live once and that white frame is really sweet. With the Red group on it, that white Giant is going to stand out… though I have to admit the black frame just looks more menacing.

Silly, isn’t it?

Help!!!! I can’t make up my mind!

Then the other night I was switching out my rear skewer so I could put it on the trainer. As I released the lock the rear seat stay flexed out (as normal) and a white flake of paint popped off. “Oh great!” I thought to myself. “My first damage to the frame and I didn’t even do anything.”

My first paint chip on the 2010 TCR

Interestingly, I was able to get a glimpse of the paint job. At least at that point of the bike, it is pretty thick! The chip that came off felt pretty substantial.  I think it would have taken a bit of force to try to break it in two. I didn’t try, of course!

So, I went about fixing it. At first I thought of getting some model paint and touch up the spot. Then I remembered some glue that my son and I were using to fix some of his toys. It was Elmers brand Gorrilla Glue. It did a good job on the toys and since this chip was more like a “piece” than a flake, I decided to try gluing it.

Applying the Elmers Gorrilla Glue

After letting it set for a bit, I took some white fingernail polish and coated it a few times. Later I checked on it and it was pretty solid. I’ve ridden it several times since then and the blemish is still there, but you would have to be looking for it.

The finished repair

I would be interested in knowing if anyone else has had any issues with the paint job on the Giant. This is the replacement frame that is a matte finish. I did not damage the frame by bumping it into anything or crashing.

It almost appears that the rear dropout must flex and it loosened a weak point in the paint causing it to pop off. I say that because the chip actually “popped” away from the frame as though it was under pressure and then released.

Oh well, no big deal, at least I don’t have to be so obsessive about avoiding my first scratch. There is also a measure of relief that the first one was not due to my stupidity! I’m still loving the bike.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK-xAoORYZI

Then a friend of mine told me that he was sending a frame off to Calfee Design for a repair. To make a long story short, I decided to give the service a try. Less than two months after sending the frame out to California, it arrived back at Sunshine Cycle Shop when I was out of town last week.

I got to see it today. Wow! It looks even better in person. Yes, if you look close, you can see where the repair was made.  However, as I told someone at the shop… “You won’t be able to notice it when I’m going pass you!” Now I’ve got $1500 quality frame for just a few hundred. Can’t wait to get my SRAM Force group set on that thing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5jdwLhRVbo

So, would I recommend you send your next busted carbon fiber frame to Calfee Design? You betcha. Be sure to remember this URL – CalfeeDesign.com.

On my way to Sunshine Cycle Shop, I thought it through and it only made sense to get the same saddle this time around. First, I love the Toupe saddle. It is the saddle I have used since I started riding the road bike. Second, it would make the adjustment of the bike much easier seeing that the measurements could be moved from the old to the new and there would be less chance for an ill fit.

Then it was time for the most important question of all… What color should I get?

Specialized Toupe Saddle - White

I decided on white. When I first got the white frame, I determined I would not go euro and turn it into an all white bike. The temptation was there and I was even encouraged to do so. However, I resisted.

I grabbed several saddles and put them in position on the seat post. After alternating back and forth between the white and black, I just couldn’t get away from the white. The black and gray accents just seemed to be made for my Giant TCR Advanced frame — which is white, gray, and black. I just had to do it.

Looking good with the white Giant TCR Advanced

Now I’m pretty pleased with the look. I still have the black bar tape going. I really don’t see myself going white with that. However, I might try a gray tape at some point when my current black wears out.

Yep, the white is taking over. Next up? Check it out!

Specialized BG S-WORKS Road Shoe

Purrrfect!  White out!

2009 (black) and 2010 (white) TCR Advanced frames

Of course, you can’t see here, but the top tube of the black frame above is cracked.  This caused me to order a replacement frame.  It arrived last week.

Just after cleaning my 2010 Giant TCR Advanced

At first, I thought the frame had a different geometry.  I kept looking and it appeared that the rear triangle of the 2010 frame was different.  The chain stays appeared to be thicker and the carbon molding seemed to have some different angles.

I'm loving the head tube graphics.

Even the head tube seemed to be smaller.  Other TCR Advanced owners commented that it appeared the seat tube was also more aerodynamic.  It was enough to get me to get the two frames side by side for some close inspection.

Pretty cool graphics on the seat tube as well.

Bottom line is that the only changes between the 2009 and 2010 frames are the paint jobs and graphics.  I loved my black Advanced.  To be honest, I wasn’t real excited about getting a white frame, but it was the only replacement frame that they had.

The chain stays are going to be the challenge.

Now that I have it, I really like it.  The graphics have some nice visual tricks.  For instance, what appears to be black decals on the down tube are actually exposed carbon weave.  It is the same with the “graphics” running along the top tube.  In the sun light you can clearly see the weave.

Let's get out an ride!

So, I had hoped to come and give a review of how much better the new frame is.  Well, here is the good news.  It is just like old frame.  On yesterday’s ride I had people asking me if I liked the ride of the new frame.  My answer was, “Well, I don’t even realize I’m on a new frame until I look down at it.”

That is exactly how I hoped it would be.  It does look sweet…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK-xAoORYZI

You get the idea of the force with which that guy hit me.  People have the impression that carbon fiber is very fragile.  Really it isn’t.  It takes just the right force applied in just the right way to end up with a result like that.

Well, out with the old!

The crack in my 2009 Giant TCR Advanced frame

In with the new!

My new 2010 Giant TCR Advanced frame!

The main reason why I stopped by the shop was because John had sent me a text just as I sat down for lunch letting me know that the replacement frame from Giant had arrived.  Oooooooo, a 2010 Giant TCR Advanced frame with a white satin mate finish.  The lettering is a combination of exposed carbon weave and a black paint with silver highlights.

The frame weighs in at 2.8 pounds.  The geometry seems to be the same, but the size of the tubes seem to be a bit smaller.  I’ll have a better idea of the setup once my components get moved over.  Oh, there is also a matching fork to complete the set.

Funny, but the new SRAM Force shifters I received have white accents.  It is as though they were made for this frame.  I’ve got my fingers crossed hoping that today I’ll get another text from John telling me that I need to take this sweetness out for a test ride!

The Honda Fit comes to the rescue!  I really try to avoid driving the Suburban if I can help it.  It seems like a lot of truck just to haul a bicycle around.  My Honda Fit is set up just perfect for carrying my bike.

Unfortunately, add three kids to the mix and you have a space problem… or so you would think.  Tonight I went out to try an idea.  What if I could put the kids in the back seat and then load the bike in the back compartment?

Three peas in a pod... and a bicycle too!

It turns out that it works just great.  I even have some space left for the rest of my gear.  Now, I can head over to help set up for the event and drop the kids off with their grandparents on the way.  Hopefully, they’ll all be able to come over to the old Greenville Braves stadium for the race at 6 PM.

At least there is plenty of room in that back seat!  This might be the ticket for them to come up to Marion when they pick me up after I finish the Assault On Mount Mitchell.

Three kids & a bike in the back... Mom & Dad in the front

Once again, I can’t say enough about my 2009 Honda Fit.  I used it going down the Charleston for the criterium races this weekend and it made a great platform for all the things I needed.  One of the best advantages?  I could park in places larger vehicles couldn’t.