Bicycling Video and Audio

Talking Wheels and More with Steve Hed

A Bicycling Tech Feature powered by VelocityNation, who caught up with Hed at Interbike this year. Hed returned the favor by dropping some serious knowledge on their heads.

We got to talk to Steve Hed for a really long time this year. This, to me, is the equivalent of a long moonlit walk on the beach with Thor for Schmalz. Hed threw so much stuff at us it made my head spin, while Schmalz did his usual 'dog staring at radio' routine.

Hed will be in NY later in the year, we're going to try to get him to give us a seminar while he's in town. Here's some highlights from our talk:

Hed is moving towards wider rims for a few reasons. First of all, they blend better with the tire for superior aerodynamics. Secondly, wider tubular rims have a deeper tire well. This gives it more gluing surface, allowing you to use less glue, reducing glue squirm, a source of energy loss. For clinchers, wider rims change the shape of the inflated tire, producing a wider contact patch. This means for a given psi, you'll get a wider and shorter contact patch. The shorter contact patch should have less leverage to push back against the axle, meaning less rolling resistance. Also, at 1360 grams, the Ardennes are lighter than Campy Hyperons, at a quarter the price.

Hed's new aerobars are in their 2nd year, and this year they have integrated brake levers with a built in return spring. The base bars are available flat or with a drop. The dropped version is for better weight distribution and handling on technical courses. There are a variety of extension shapes, including a unique 'Lazy S' shape that Hed really likes. For Hed, extension shape isn't just about hand position. He thinks different shapes have an effect on how you hold your shoulders. He also doesn't believe in a static aero position – riders should have slippery positions for certain times, and more powerful positions for others.

To read this rest of this story and to check out some pictures from Hed's laboratory, go to VelocityNation.com.

Wiens Beats Lance In Leadville

LEADVILLE, August 10, 2008 (AFP) - Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong finished second in his first race since 2005 on Saturday.

The 36-year-old American was runner-up in the Leadville Trail 100, behind Dave Wiens, winner of the past six editions of the race. Wiens bested his own course record by more than 13 minutes finishing in 6 hours and 45 minutes.

"It's the first time in three years that I've done seven hours of cycling," said Armstrong of the tough, single-day mountain bike race.

Watch a Video of the Leadville 100 and an interview with Wiens and Armstrong

Video courtesy VailDaily.com

The Latest From Bicycling A/V

Push play to listen to the most recent audiocasts.

The Latest From Bicycling A/V

Push play to listen to the most recent audiocasts.

Team Slipstream Strategy

Team Slipstream's head trainer Allen Lim talks about the squad's strategy going into races this year.

Interview: Astana's Chris Horner and Levi Leipheimer

Bicycling.com caught up with two new American riders on Team Astana during its training camp in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Interviews and photos by Jason Sumner

A pre-season chat with one of the many new riders on riders on Team Astana: Chris Horner.

Chris Horner.
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Levi Leipheimer talks about his new team, Astana, and his hopes for another successful run on the 2008 Pro Tour.

Levi Leipheimer
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An Interview With Tim Johnson

Todd Gogulski sat down with 2007 U.S. National Cyclocross champion Tim Johnson to reflect on an epic race and a monumental win for the Cannondale rider.

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Mud-splattered 2007 national cross champ Tim Johnson post race.
The Elite Men's race was a battle from the gun with Jonathan Page (Sunwebprojob), the silver medalist at 2007 Cyclocross Worlds, swapping leads with Jeremy Powers (cyclocrossworld.com) in the early going. Powers eventually crashed and lost position at the front. Next it was Todd Wells (GT Bicycles) who got up to Page, and then went clear for about 10 minutes. But Page brought Wells back, with Tim Johnson (Cannondale/Leer/cyclocrossworld.com) picking off riders behind them and getting into the top 5. Ryan Trebon (Kona-Les Gets), the reigning National 'Cross champion had a nasty crash (ultimately he wasn't seriously injured) and was out of the race. In the closing third of the 60 minute event, Johnson caught Page, then overtook him and held on for the win. It was a muddy challenging course with tons of excitement for spectators and racers alike.
Katie Compton after her fourth consecutive U.S. cyclocross natinal championship.
Earlier in the day, nobody could match Katie Compton (Spike-Shooter), also the silver medalist at the 2007 Cyclocross Worlds). Compton rode to her 4th straight National 'Cross Championship. Also having great rides were Rachel Lloyd (Proman/Paradigm) in 2nd, and Georgia Gould (Luna Chix) in 3rd.

PODCAST: An Interview With Kona's Ryan Trebon

Bicycling's Todd Gogulski talks about conditions and race outlook with defending 2006 U.S. National Cyclocross champion Ryan Trebon.

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PODCAST: An Interview With GT's Todd Wells

Bicycling's Todd Gogulski catches up with 2005 U.S. Cyclocross National Champion Todd Wells before the big 2007 elite national championship race in Kansas City.

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2007 U.S. Cyclocross Nationals Day Two: Masters and Juniors Mudfest

Tilford Tops Master, Keough Wins Juniors At 07 Cross Nats

Tilford on top of the podium...again.
Steve Tilford proved once again he is the master winning the men's 45 - 49 masters' national championship. On the other end of the age spectrum, Luke Keough showed why he's one to watch for the future of American cross winning the junior 17 - 18 national championship on another cold, muddy day in Kansas City at the 2007 U.S. Cyclocross National Championships.

Press Play For A Post-Race Interview WIth Masters' National Champion Steve Tilford

Check out Tilly's blog about the race.

Keough has a closet full of champion's jerseys. Last year's winner of the 15-16 Jr Mens Nationals, followed that up with a win of the Jr Men 17-18 US Grand Prix of Cyclocross and capped it off with a 2007 National's win in the Jr Men 17-18 race this year. Keough has punished his competition this year and is further proof why America has become one of the best nations in the world when it comes to 'cross.
Luke Keough post race. Yeah it was a muddy one.
For more information and complete results go to KCCrossNationals.com, or USACycling.org