A while back I wrote a long post about the growing problem of people buying ripoff carbon frames from China and trying to pass them off as legitimately produced and sold bikes. Pinarello is perhaps the biggest victim of this scam these days, although other companies such as Cervelo and Trek are not immune. For that reason, consumers need to be extremely careful where they spend their dollars. For example, eBay is full of scams just like the one highlighted here.
SRAM has been leaking photos and details of their redesigned flagship Red group steadily over the past few weeks. Here's the teaser we've seen:
[dc]P[/dc]art of the problem with the winter/off season is that most cyclists suffer from withdrawal. There's a dearth of riding outside in the fresh air, sunshine is distinctly lacking, our well earned tan lines are fading, people are missing their mid-ride social stops with their buddies and miles are generally of the long, steady distance and are performed on a trainer. While some take to the sofa to put on their winter weight (much like a hibernating bear,) some take to online forums to discuss the latest news and gadgetry and some hit the slopes or the gym to get their endorphin fix, you CAN spend time with your bike and not hate it. This time spent can be of the intimate type (get your mind out of the gutter) that will let you appreciate your bike more when the time comes to climb back on and shed those accumulated winter pounds.