February 2012

     Wet Weather Service Special:

    Free complete bike clean including      drive train degrease with any Bronze service $75.

Call 32529997 to book or click here to book by email.

Free Bike Maintenance Workshop

Thu 23 Feb

Course Content:

1. How to change a flat tyre and tips to do it fast

2. What to do to maintain your bike after riding in the wet

3. General maintenance to prolong the life of your bike parts

4. Bike servicing – how often, what your bike will need

Bike Maintenance course is FREE and will be held at Fusion Cycles 68 Commercial Rd, Newstead.

This course is a demonstration workshop, no bike needed. Click here to register by email.

Fusion Trip to Tour de France 2012!

Only 12 spots!  Register Now!

 8-15 July, 8 day tour, 3 stage viewings in the alps, 7 nights accom in private Chalet, ensuite bedrooms, group of
15 max, all Brekky's and dinners included except 1 dinner.

costs: $2995 per person + airfares

click here for more info

Rrp $5,399.00 special $4,599.00

for more info on this bike, click here

I have been racing for years and have ridden lots of bikes, including a 2010 Supersix Di2. This year I have been riding a Cervelo S3 and had been really impressed. So, when I mentioned to the Fusion guys that I wanted to try something new, they were going to have to find something pretty special to beat it! I had read all the write-ups on the "695 gram" Evo but having already ridden a Supersix, I was pretty set on something different. This idea lasted all of about 15 seconds after Matty convinced me to climb on a 54" Supersix Evo 1 Sram Red.

To understand why it took all of 15 seconds for me to be hooked you need to understand  the evolution the Cannondale team has undergone with this bike. With the geometry unchanged, it is the technology invested in this frame that makes this bike so special.

The Cannondale boffins have used their Ballis Tec technology to engineer one of the lightest frames on the market. This technology identifies all the loads on the frame and optimises the exact number of unidirectional carbon layers required at each point to oppose them. In doing this, they have developed a bike that has also been tested as one of the stiffest and strongest carbon frames on the market.

Typically, stiffness and strength do not allow for comfort but the engineers have also thought of this. Using their Speed Save technology, similar to what is used in F1 cars, Cannondale have developed subtle flex zones in the rear stay, seat tube and fork.  These zones dampen road vibration while helping the bike roll faster, giving great comfort for the long kilometers on the road.

I have had the new bike for 6 weeks now and have definitely put it through some long and hard kilometers. A busy criterium racing schedule and a need for long kilometres before next road season has given me plenty of opportunity to really test the bike.

The first thing I noticed about the Evo was just how stiff it was. The Boffins have done well. Climbing in and out of the saddle really does give you full benefit for your effort. Being so light (with Mavic Open Pro CD wheels and a Quarq power meter it is still sub-7kg) the bike is rock solid under you making each pedal stroke count. This was also really noticeable in the bunch sprints of criteriums. Going for everything, I was really impressed. I actually had to adjust my sprint position to account for just how stiff this bike is. 

Super light and incredibly stiff are just the start. I have had even more fun on this bike when the road goes down. With Cannondale's tradition race geometry, which includes a horizontal top tube, I have been able to fit a size 54' instead of my usual 56' to get the body position I ride with. The Evo's handling and liveliness gives you a real confidence to attack corners without fear. I have noticed an increase in speed through many of the descents of my regular training circuits.

Overall, the technology that Cannondale has invested in the Supersix Evo range has created a great bike, well balanced for all conditions. The production models are exactly the same as those ridden at the highest level on the Protour by the Liquigas/Cannondale team. I am genuinely excited to get out on my Evo each day and to date my only gripe are the tired legs as a result.

Cheers, James Mansfield, Team Fusion