Archive for category: Product Updates

Testing of dual side PRECISION is going very well and is currently targeting early 2016 production.   Firm dates will be announced as soon as they are confirmed.) In the meantime, check out a sneak preview posted today on DCRainmaker’s blog!

Next week we’ll be posting information about the upcoming PRECISION firmware release.  The upgrade offers new usability features and also addresses the unusual pedalling styles exhibited by a few riders.  This will be helpful to those of you who are comparing multiple power meters.   It should be mentioned that for those who only use power-based training plans, an unusual pedalling style is of no consequence because PRECISION measurements are consistent and relative from day to day.

Now, if cracked ribs and separated shoulder have you stuck on the couch like our Cross Crasher Karel, here’s a view of what’s happening in the global cycling world. The inaugural Abu Dhabi Tour is underway and well worth checking out (https://www.abudhabitour.com/home.php).  The race is mostly a sprinter’s delight with flat finishes, racing through unique landscapes that aren’t often seen in pro cycling.

Keener triathletes are also chomping at the bit to see the results from the Ironman World Championships in Kona.  The big race is tomorrow with many athletes braving the choppy waters, the heat and the wind of the event.  Kona is one of the rare events on the tri calendar that is renowned for windy conditions – to the extent that disc wheels are prohibited.  Slowtwitch.com has fantastic coverage from the week leading up to the big event.

And finally on home turf, a 4iiii relay running team will compete in the Grizzly Ultra Marathon in Canmore, Alberta this Sunday. The team will take on the five legs of pretty technical terrain, running a combined 50km.  Our motivation is simple:  run enough to justify a trip to the Poutinerie (aka the restaurant that serves poutine) post race!  This day’s activity will also serve as a great antidote for our big turkey dinners on holiday Monday.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you north of the 49th!

You definitely know it’s cross season when conversation turns to pumpkin spiced lattes, modular clothing and embrocation cream. For those of you south of the equator, you’re leaving these favs behind but for us up north, road racing is over, cyclocross is in full swing and riders are out to ride for fun before winter arrives in earnest.

The most marked difference between summer and fall riding in our part of the world is the need for different clothing systems. Rides can start in very chilly morning conditions and end in almost summer-like heat in the afternoon. Dressing in tights and winter riding boots (fatbikers rejoice!) for the morning will leave you sweltering later on in the day. Obviously, the reverse is also true and dressing in a jersey and shorts might be comfortable in the afternoon, but you’ll have to suffer through the morning to the heat of the day.

Without question, the key to transitioning between seasons, regardless of your hemisphere, is the modular clothing system. Ideally, this consists of arm warmers, leg warmers (or knee covers), shoe covers and full-fingered but light gloves. The most important component is a nice, light vest with pockets. This combination leaves you toasty-warm in the morning, but the shoe covers, leg warmers and arm warmers can be removed at various times to always maintain the perfect body temperature. The vest we talked about is required because you need the pocket space to stow all of this extra gear later in the day.

The other approach is to use embrocation cream directly on your skin when you don’t have room to stash your clothing pieces. Creams, such as that made by Mad Alchemy provide a nice warming sensation by increasing blood flow to the anointed areas. I use the medium strength on my legs and hands – it’s kind of like having a cushion of warm air around your exposed skin. Caution should be taken as embrocated areas feel like they are burning when hit by intense sunlight. You’re best to only use the cream on long rides when the forecast is for overcast skies. And whatever you do, don’t get the cream in your eyes. One last tip is to wipe applied areas with dish soap before showering. This helps to remove the cream that can burn a little when hot water hits.

Happy riding and remember to use your lights as the days get shorter!

We’re on the road again – this time to Interbike in Vegas!
As of Monday and Tuesday, we’ll be set up at the Outdoor Demo (aka Demo Days) where cyclists will be able to
ride with PRECISION on the set road course.  Then, Wednesday through Friday, we’ll go indoors (booth #
28226) to the tradeshow and work with industry partners to set up next year’s season.  As you know from all of
your own riding, cycling is one of those sports where it’s all about the collaborative effort and success.  The
overall industry is every bit the same as many of us collectively and enthusiastically grow the sport that is
taking the world by storm.  The result for you is access to products and information that will help you get to
where you’re going.
Speaking of which, there are more and more excellent events that give truly committed athletes a place to
push their own limits.  The Tour of Alberta, which ran throughout the Rockies recently, is one of those events.
It’s a 2.1 ranked professional stage race sanctioned by the Union Cycliste Internationale and featured 15 pro
teams from around the world.  Congrats to both the riding and organizational teams for adding to the
enormous wave of interest in cycling.   https://tourofalberta.ca/

When we’re not busy building PRECISION power meters and other products, we’re out there pushing our own personal limits too. PRECISION product manager, Emma is racing the Ironman World Championships in Austria this Sunday and we wish her the best of luck.

Sometimes the limits we all push aren’t physical, but psychological. Those of you who ride mountain bikes know that often the limits are all in your head. Here is a brief video clip of Karel from our support team pushing his comfort zone down the local test-piece Razor’s Edge. We’ve added live metrics to the video, so you can see Karel’s heart rate on the left, and his speed and PRECISION power data on the right. As you’d expect, while he’s climbing his heart rate continues to rise and he has to maintain sufficiently high power output to get over the obstacles. The real challenge on Razor’s Edge is the downhill, where his speed goes up. On technical descents, balance and concentration prevent his heart rate from going too low. Gravity is all that’s needed for propulsion and the last thing he wants to do is go faster, so power output is usually zero.

Summer around here is starting to dwindle so enjoy your ride whether road, cross or mountain, and let us know how we can help you push your own limits.

Razor’s Edge, Bow Valley Mountain Biking from 4iiii Innovations on Vimeo.