Van Dessel Kermis Ultegra 10 Pro Road Bike

Amazon.com Product Description Equally at home in road races, rough criteriums, and casual century rides, the Van Dessel Kermis road bike is a must for the demanding professional rider. The bike was named after the Pro Kermesse Circuit of Belgium and northern France--Kermis is Flemish for Kermesse--and pays tribute to some of the most grueling and punishing terrain known to cycling. As a result, the Kermis can handle it all: cobblestone alleys, tight corners, narrow streets, and speeds that never dip below 30 miles per hour. Design-wise, the Kermis is offered in a size range of 46 to 63 cm (see sizing chart below) and is built around Columbus s highest-end Airplane main triangle frame, with aero carbon seat stays, carbon chain stays, and a full carbon fork. The elite frame and construction makes this a true purebred racing and long-mile road brake. Other components include Shimano Ultegra 10-speed shifters, a Ritchey Pro handlebar, stem, and seat post, an FSA RD200 spoke wheel set, and Hutchinson Fusion Comp 700 x 23c tires. Add it all up and you have a bike that dominated the 2005 racing season for the Louis Garmeau Elite team and won the 2005 Arizona State Pro/1/2 Road Race Championship. Specifications: Build: Ultegra Pro Build Frame: Columbus Airplane w/ carbon rear triangle Fork: Alpha Q SUB3 Shifters: Shimano Ultegra 10spd Head Set: Cane Creek IS2 HandleBars: Ritchey Pro Stem: Ritchey Pro Seat Post: Ritchey Pro Saddle: Van Dessel Carbon injected base w/ Ti rails Cranks: Shimano Ultegra 10spd Bottom Bracket: Shimano Ultegra 10spd Front Deraileur: Shimano Ultegra 10spd Rear Deraileur: Shimano Ultegra 10spd Brakes: Shimano Ultegra 10spd Cassete: Shimano Ultegra 10spd Tires: Hutchinson Fusion Wheels: FSA RD200 Amazon.com Bicycle Buying Guide Finding the Right Bike To really enjoy cycling, it s important to find a bicycle that works for you. Here are some things to keep in mind when you re in the market for a new bike: The Right Ride In general, bikes are broken down into three major categories: Road and Racing Bikes--As a general rule, road and racing are built for speed and longer distances on paved surfaces. Thinner tires, lightweight 29-inch (700c) wheels and drop bars that allow for a more aerodynamic position are the norm. Most road bikes, regardless of price, offer many gears for tackling both hilly and flat terrain. Mountain Bikes--With their larger tires, hill-friendly gearing and upright position, mountain bikes are very popular for all types of riding, both on pavement and off. Mountain bikes that are designed specifically for rugged trail use typically feature a suspension fork. Some may have rear suspension, as well. A quick change of the tires on any mountain bike--even one that you use regularly on trails--adds to its versatility and makes it a worthy street machine. Comfort/Cruiser Bikes--For tooling around on bike paths, light trails, or for cruising a quiet beach-side lane, comfort/cruiser bikes are the ticket. With a super-relaxed riding position, padded seats, and limited or no gearing, these bikes are made for enjoying the scenery and having fun with the family. The Right Price A bike s price boils down to three essentials: frame materials, bike weight, and component quality and durability. Entry-level--You ll find a wide range of comfort and cruiser bikes in this category, as well as some lower-end mountain bikes and road bikes. Most will have steel frames and components that are designed to last for several years with frequent use. Mid-range--Bikes in this range may feature a lighter aluminum frame with mid-range components that keep performing after miles of use. If you re looking for a quality bike that is relatively lightweight and will stand up to abuse, this is the sweet spot. Most serious commuter and touring bikes fall into this category, as do mid-range mountain bikes with a decent front suspension. High-end--Racers and serious enthusiasts who expect lightweight, high-performance components will want to stick to this category. For road bikes, exotic frame materials (carbon fiber, titanium) and ultra-lightweight components can add thousands to the price tag. Mountain bikes in this class often feature advanced front and rear suspension technology, as well as components designed to handle lots of rugged trail action. The Right Size Fit is crucial for comfort, control, and proper power and endurance on a bike. Here are some basic bike fit tips: Stand-over Height--To find out if a bike s overall height fits your body, measure your inseam. Next, determine how much clearance you ll need between your crotch and the top tube of the bike. For a mountain bike, you ll want three to five inches of clearance. A road bike should offer between one and two inches of clearance, while a commuter bike should have two to four inches. Compare the stand-over height for a given bike to your measurements (inseam + clearance) to determine the right bike height. Top Tube Length--You can measure your torso to get a good estimate of proper top tube length. First, make a fist and extend your arm. Measure from the center of your fist to the end of your collarbone (the part that intersects your shoulder). Next, measure your torso by placing a book against your crotch with the spine facing up. Measure from the spine to the bottom of your throat (the spot between your collarbones). Finally, add the two measurements (arm length + torso length), divide the number in half and subtract six inches. This is your approximate top tube length. Compare this number to a bike s posted top tube length. You can allow for about two inches longer or shorter, as most bikes can be adjusted via stem length/height and saddle fore/aft position to make fine adjustments to the fit. Bikes for Women--Proportionally, women tend to have a shorter torso and longer legs than men. Bike makers design women s bikes that offer a shorter top tube and many comfort/cruiser bikes built for women may also provide more stand-over clearance. The Right Accessories When you make a bike purchase, don t forget these crucial add-ons: Helmet (this is a must!) Seat pack Lock Hydration pack, or water bottles and bottle cages Spare tubes Portable bike pump Gloves Size *Seat Tube **Top Tube Head Tube Head Angle Seat Angle Chainstay BB drop Wheelbase 46 45 49.5 9.8 71.5 74.5 40.5 7 94.4 48 46.5 52 9.8 72 74.5 40.5 7 96.6 50 48.5 53.5 9.8 72.5 74 40.5 7 97.3 52 50.5 54.5 11.3 72.5 73 40.5 7 97.4 54 52.5 55.5 12.5 73 73 40.5 7 97.9 56 54.5 56.5 14.5 73 73 40.5 7 98.9 58 56.5 58 16.5 73 73 40.5 7 100.4 60 58.5 59.5 18.5 73 73 40.5 7 101.7 63 61 62 20.1 73 73 40.5 7 104.5 * Seat tube measurement is from the center of the bottom bracket to the top of the top tube. ** All top tubes are effective top tube length (measured horizontally c-c).