Traditionally news of big name transfers in the cycling world comes at about this time of the year - usually right after the tour, but they continue on through the Vuelta before trailing off completely. Of course we already have one piece of Discovery Channel related news.. Eki’s Retirement as a rider but new position as a sporting director (joining Sean Yates among others) for Team Discovery.
Today, I was looking for some information for a good all-around, year-round commuting bike. I don’t want a mountain bike, but need something capable of some wider tires than I can get on my current road bike (700×23 is the widest that will squeeze between the chainstays). One bike that has come highly recommended by a couple of commuters in more inclement areas is the Trek Portland. I visited Trek and to look at the Portland and it does look in every respect like the year round bike I was looking for.
I love the though of the 52/39/30 triple crank set — not giving up top end, but gaining a 30 for hauling stuff and tired homeward trips up that hill. Bontrager makes durable wheels and the frame has room for at least 700×28 tires between the stays, which would make heavy rain and winter riding “doable”. The shifting and gears are mid range Shimano STI, but the stopping is from disc brakes. Oh yeah. That’s a big plus for me hauling anything, but especially precious cargo. The last trip with Johann’s add-a-tandem I had a big scare when I had to stop suddenly and both brake levers were feeling real mushy–pulled all the way back to the bars. They stopped us, and afterwards worked perfectly normal on a solo ride. Just weren’t made to stop all that added mass quickly. Disc brakes would be a big plus. Overall it looks like a good bike for commutes (with just some good panniers), general riding and attaching the add-a-tandem or a cargo trailer for family rides and shopping and errands. It only comes in one color, but then again that color is burnt orange…can’t complain about that. It really does look like Trek built a near perfect commuter bike for a roadie, now I understand why it comes so highly recommended.
While there I discovered a news blurb that Discovery Channel has signed Levi Leipheimer from Gerolsteiner for the 2007 season. Levi may not have had the tour he wanted, but other than the tour he had a good year with King of the Mountain and a stage win in the Tour of California, and the winner of the Dauphiné Libéré. Levi started riding with Saturn in ‘98 then moved to USPostal for the 2000-2001 seasons before moving to Rabobank and finally Gerolsteiner. When he was with USPostal before he never got the chance to ride the Tour de France but brought home a podium finish at the 2001 Vuelta (which also brought him to the attention of Rabobank?) Should be interesting to watch the leadership roles develop next year. I would think though that Levi is pegged to be the leader now, but…
Edit: Yes I have heard the reports regarding Floyd Landis, and that it turns out that 5 members of Astaná-Würth were formally cleared (only after destroying their tour and Vinokourov’s chances, he must be really ticked now!). Considering it all I will continue to regard Floyd innocent until everything is settled.
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