Wrenching with Sweet

By Chris Sweet

It's been more than 15 years since I first started racing triathlons. For those first races I borrowed my mom's steel Ross 10 speed (that's 10 gears total for you newbies!). The bike was too big for me and never intended for racing in the first place. During one of my first kids triathlons my chain fell off at least two times during a six mile ride. I think I managed to win the race, but the important lesson I learned was about bike maintenance. While I was fixing the chain and getting passed, I vowed to learn everything I could about how my bike worked. After that race I began taking bikes apart and putting them back together so that I knew how each piece worked. In the long run, this has saved me a lot of money, but more importantly I have a dialed in bike on race day as well as the knowledge to handle almost any mechanical problem that may occur.

When I found out that my new Evotri teammate, Charlie who lives in the boonies did not have a BMC dealer anywhere in the vicinity to assemble his new bike, I said no problem, I'll put it together. This video compresses Charlie's bike build from a couple hours down to a couple minutes. Hey, I'm good, but not that good!

Here's how the 2008 Evotri Team Bikes are spec'd:

BMC TT02 Frame
Easton EC 90 Aero Fork
Zipp 606 clincher wheelset with Wireless Powertap
Zipp Vuka aerobars
Zipp VumaQuad Crankset
Full SRAM Force groupset

If you want to improve your wrenching skills I recommend either of these books: The Bicycling Guide to Complete Bicycle Maintenance and Repair (5th edition) or Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance (2nd Edition). A few of the best websites are: Sheldon Brown's Bicycle Technical Info and The Bike Website.

Don't be afraid to try something yourself. Yeah, you'll probably screw something up along the way, but figuring out what you did wrong is one of the best ways to learn!

The New Zipp VumaQuad

Vuma is a word in multiple African languages, and when translated from Kiswahili, means, "to move fast, have energy, or be spirited." At 579g, including compact rings spindle and bearings cups, the new VumaQuad is the lightest and strongest carbon crank on the market, and we couldn't be more impressed with it.

Learn more about the hottest crank now on the market at Zipp.com, and catch it in action on the newest Team Evotri BMC TT02 Time Machines.

Brand New Innovations, Same Speed Domination

Impossible as it may seem, this year Zipp has found a way to be even sleeker, even faster, and even more stylish than in years past. As always, the leaders in speed have been working tirelessly to bring you the latest in cutting-edge design and technology, as well as the most coveted in unsurpassed quality.

From their all-newly-designed color schemes to their new VukaShift wrist saving ergonomics, there's a reason you'll always find Zipp at the head of the pack. That said, get ready to flash those dimples boys and girls, here's just one fine example of the new innovative gear now available for another dominating year:

"At 110g per pair the new Vuka Brake's are the lightest, all carbon plug-in style brakes on the market. The center-pull design routes the brake cables directly into the Vuka Bull and most competing, base bars, increasing aerodynamics and eliminating messy and potentially uncomfortable external cables. The blade-like lever utilizes the same super aero shape, and has the confident stopping feel as our popular VukaAero integrated aerobar system.

The Vuka Brake lever has been fatigue tested to the highest standards, has an internal spring ensuring a snappy return and a superb ergonomic shape, making it comfortable to the hand. Available and shipping within 24 hours."

Check out all the latest in speed and style innovation by downloading Zipp's 2008 catalog here.

The Gear

BMC TT02


This past fall at Ironman Florida, a little known rookie pro triathlete named Tyler Stewart broke the long standing women’s record for the bike split during an Ironman. Stewart rode 112 miles in the blistering time of 4:47:59! She set this record on board the BMC Time Machine 02, the exact same frame provided to all members of the EvoTri team. Since its introduction, this frame has seen many victories under triathletes and professional cyclists alike.

Amazingly enough, the TT02 actually falls in the middle of BMC’s tri bike lineup. The top-of-the-line TT01 is a full custom, full carbon beauty that utilizes BMC’s innovative Aero Hinge steering system. All BMC frames are designed and developed in Switzerland with traditional Swiss precision. The BMC TT02 benefits from the airfoil tube shapes found on the TT01, but replaces some of the carbon with shaped aluminum tubes and also comes with a traditional steering system for one of the best values in triathlon. Rounding out BMC’s tri line is the all-aluminum TT03. All of the Time Machine series bikes feature Easton aero forks, a wind cheating rear wheel cut-out, internal cable routing and deep-section carbon aero seatposts. For more information on BMC bikes check out their website: http://www.bmc-racing.com/en/us/home.

SRAM Components

SRAM is one of the most innovative and quickly growing companies in cycling. In the last few years, SRAM has successfully established itself in the ultra-competitive component market traditionally dominated by Shimano and Campagnolo. Based in Chicago, Illinois SRAM has acquired Rock Shox, Truvativ, Avid, Vision Tech and most recently, Zipp. The addition of these companies gives SRAM an impressive lineup of components, wheels and bars. SRAM provides team EvoTri members with components from its excellent Force group. Reengineered from the ground up, Force components couple innovative designs with high end materials for a light yet durable and precise drive train. Will you make the leap? Check out SRAM’s website: http://www.willyoumaketheleap.com.

Zipp VumaQuad Crank

Vuma is a word in multiple African languages, and when translated from Kiswahili, means, "to move fast, have energy, or be spirited", and at 570g (including compact rings spindle and bearings cups), the new VumaQuad takes compact crank design and performance to another level. It is the lightest stiffest and strongest carbon crank on the market, passing the new, far stricter CEN fatigue test at the new standard of 1800 Newtons, while many other brands were simply grandfathered in. 33% stiffer than the next lightest product on the market, the VumaQuad is a 4-arm carbon crank, available with standard and compact chain rings, and has a 30.0mm spindle with 30mm external bearings. Staggeringly, the Q factor is also just mere 146mm.

The standard bearings (grey cups) are USA made with ABEC 5 grade races and Grade 10 steel balls, no less than 2.5 times as round as the rest of the industry, and also available are (gold) ceramic cup upgrades with ABEC 7 grade races and Grade 2 balls.

The spindle, prebonded to the left arm, is aluminum 30mm, with a unique design that allows for weight reduction while retaining structural integrity and durability. The VumaQuad is definitely strong enough for the long haul, and has been fatigue tested beyond 100,000 cycles. It's available in 170 mm, 172.5 mm, 175 mm and 180 mm, and alternative chain rings may be purchased as aftermarket items (53/39 or 50/34). Visit Zipp.com for more information about the hottest crank on the market.

Zipp 606 Wheelset with Saris’s Wireless Power Tap

A match made in heaven: the versatile 606 carbon wheelset from Zipp mated with the monitoring capabilities of the wireless Power Tap from Saris/Cycleops.

The 606 is the best all-condition wheelset from industry-leading wheel manufacturer, Zipp. Consisting of a 404 front and 808 rear this wheelset is equally at home on the Queen K highway or your local sprint triathlon. Dozens of Zipp patents make their wheels the lightest and most aerodynamic on the market. In addition to the wheels, EvoTri members will be outfitted with Zipp Vuka aerobars and Zipp cranks.

Training and racing like the pros requires precise workouts and race day efforts. Team EvoTri’s 606 wheelsets will all be equipped with the top-of-the-line wireless Power Tap from Saris/Cycleops. The wireless Power Tap transmits all your data directly to the head unit without messy wires. All Power Tap hubs measure wattage with an accuracy of +/- 1.5%! PowerAgent software allows you to analyze workout and race data to your heart’s content.

Learn more about Zipp wheels and Power Tap Hubs on their websites:

http://www.zipp.com
http://www.cycleops.com