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KMC X10SL DLC Chain Review

Being somewhat anal retentive about my maintenance schedules, I tend to rotate several chains every 2500 miles or so in order to extend the life of my cogs and chainrings as much as possible.  So when it came time to rotate my chain this spring, I realized that I didn't have another fresh chain to replace the current one.  I typically run a Dura Ace 7900 chain on an Ultegra or Dura Ace cassette, which I have found to be among the best shifting combinations available on the market today.  After hearing so many good things about KMC chains (including their phenomenal wear resistance) I pondered the idea of going with a KMC this time.  What I ended up with at the end of the day was the KMC equivalent of Dura Ace: the KMC X10SL DLC.

After putting about 2500 miles on it, here are my impressions (after the jump):

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SRAM Red Hydro Discs at CXLA

It looks like a spring release for the long awaited Red hydraulic system (which means they'll really see action in next year's cross season and possibly the few road disc frames out there.)

Now's your chance, disc brake fans.

Honestly, I see no value in discs on the road, and hardly any in ‘cross (except the obvious mud clearing ability) since traction will be far more of an issue in either case than stopping power, and modulation with today's calipers is already superb.  The argument of lighter rims and less rotating mass falls on deaf ears as well: there still has to be sufficient material for a bead hook on the rim and with the carbon clincher craze, you're not going to lose much material from that bead hook.

In my opinion: a solution looking for a problem.  But it's always nice to see nifty new things.

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SRAM Red Hydraulic Road Discs in Cyclocross

SRAM Red Hydro discs on Tim Johnson's Cannondale Cyclocrossworld bike.Just a quick update: it appears that SRAM's timeline of a late summer release for their hydraulic disc systems was a little…liberal.  However, Tim Johnson has been putting them well and truly through their paces on his 'cross rig (see photo at right.)

Perhaps this will mean they're slated to hit the market soon?

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Garmin Vector: 2013???

Garmin Vaporware finally condensing?

Vector System

From Garmin's German website, it appears like the Vector pedal based power meter, which had been grossly delayed several times, may finally see the light of day.  While the price has yet to be released, it will likely stay at the $1500 mark as had been reported earlier.

The biggest problem with the Vector is that it has been delayed on numerous occasions.  Looking at the screen grab from the German version of Garmin's website, you'll see in bright red print, January 2013.

German Garmin SiteThis is probably good news for those who are still interested, but I can't help thinking the release of the new Red Quarq (and subsequent dropping of the Cinqo Saturn prices) along with the lighter, smaller Powertap G3 have severely cut into the market for the Vector.  On top of those releases, the Polar Power Pedals and Power2Max crank based units are starting to become more widely available, further shrinking Garmin's market share before they even have a product on the shelves.

Honestly, if you're in the market for a power meter, don't waste your time on the Vector.  It's already been delayed several times for what has been described as “significant problems.”  First adopters will have to deal with those bugs and issues, and the last thing anyone wants is a buggy power meter.

Get yourself a Quarq, SRM or Powertap and enjoy it.  You'll be glad you did.

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Quarq Cinqo Installation

Quarq Cinqo unpacked

With the release of the 2012 Sram Red Quarq, prices for the previous Quarq Cinqo Saturn have been dropping precipitously.  That being the case, now is the perfect time to grab them before they disappear from the market and used becomes your only option.

Since mid-season rest weeks are always prime tinkering time for me, what better time to change things up and swap out my Powertap in favor of one of the aforementioned Cinqo Saturns?  After scoring a brandy new 130mm bcd Cinqo and having it arrive safely at my door (thank you UPS for not throwing it from 15 feet away) it was time to get my hands dirty and swap cranksets.

 

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