Sampson and their pedals have been around on the main circuit since 1987, and throughout the years are a exceptional choice for many cyclist. Now we are in 2010, and Sampson introduces the Stratics s5 and s6 Road Pedals, using the 22 year clipless innovation to bring us a light and for a smoother ride pedal. The Sampson Stratics s5 only weighs 121 grams, while the s6 is at a shocking 99 grams. Other highlights are the rigid alloy body, and 62mm wide platform. The s5 retails for $129, while the s6 is priced at $239. Expected release time for the s6 is March 2010.

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Shimano American Corp. has signed a one-year deal with North American Handmade Bicycle Show Inc. for the title sponsorship of the world’s biggest custom bicycle show. The event’s official name for this year is quite a mouthful: the Shimano North American Handmade Bicycle Show.


Don Walker, the founder and director of the NAHBS, doesn’t mind the long names. He says that he is “thrilled” by the prospect of having Shimano as a title sponsor, and hopes that the deal with the world-leading bicycle components maker will continue on into the future.


Walker also mentions that Shimano has already been involved with NAHBS since 2006, and is delighted that the manufacturer has made a decision to “step up” their association with NAHBS into a full-fledged sponsorship.


Shimano Corp. has always played an active role in NAHBS for the past several years, but only as an exhibitor or low-level sponsor. It was not until this year that the reputable bicycle component manufacturer decided to go for it and play the role of leading sponsor for the event.


Dustin Brady, brand manager for Shimano, says that NAHBS provides a great opportuity for world-class framebuilders to show off their art and skill, and that the company is glad for the chance to “support their customers” through their sponsorship.


NAHBS serves as an excellent venue for communicating and interacting with the framebuilders. It gives Shimano the chance to get in touch with the people who buy and use their products, as well as allowing them to display and demonstrate new equippable component systems like the Dura-Ace Di2 and Ultegra.

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The ProTour squad Team Milram received bad news last Thursday when they didn’t get on the list of the starting squads for the 2010 Paris-Nice. The Amaury Sport Organization (ASO) has offered a consolation prize to the team, however, by promising to include them in other ASO events.


The German ProTour team will be missing the Paris-Nice this season, so they will have to look forward instead to competing in upcoming events such as the Paris-Roubaix, Liège-Bastogen-Liège, the Dauphiné Libéré, and of course, the Tour de France.


Milram team manager Gerry Van Gerwen admitted that the team is expectedly disappointed by the ASO’s decision to leave them out of the race. They will need to rearrange their riders’ schedules and look for other options to Paris-Nice.


Team Milram will still be very busy this season, starting with the Tour of Qatar from February 7-12 and the Tour of Oman from February 14-19, respectively. Both events are organized b ASO. The cycling team will also join other major events such as the Grand Tours and the Classics.

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Olympian cyclist Shane Kelly of Australia will take the lead in the 2010 Ventou Marysville Lake Mountain Challenge next month on February 20, 2010. The event takes place one year after the region was ravaged by bush fires, and will be held for the benefit of the Country Fire Authority and State Emergency Service.


Kelly says that the event will be a challenge, not an actual race. He expressed his certainty about the participating cyclists being able to finish the course, despite having less than three weeks to prepare for the event.


The Australian cyclist has won the International Cycling Union Track World Championships several times already, and has been consistently performing on the Olympic levels ever since starting out way back in 1990. He has twice won the bronze medal in Olympic cycling events, back in 2000 and 2004.


The fundraising ride will pass through the areas that were affected by the bush fires last year, including Buxton, Alexandra, Eildon, Taggerty, Narbethong, and Thornton. Last year’s event saw over 1,500 cyclists joining, and raised $38,225 for the benefit of the Victorian Bushfire appeal.

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Mathias Frank’s training ride last Thursday did not turn out as he expected. Instead of gaining some improvement in his time and form, the Swiss rider instead suffered a painful crash after getting past the halfway mark on a five-hour ride, which saw him end up with a lacerated left elbow and horrible road rash on both legs.


Frank explained later that the crash happened when he tried to put on his vest during a descent and went off balance. He remains philosophical about the whole thing, saying that “these things happen”. Team doctor Max Testa adds that Frank’s ability to remember everything before and after the crash is an apparent sign that the rider is not suffering from concussions.


The most important thing for the team now is to give Frank lots of time to rest and recover. Testa says that they will be monitoring Frank’s condition around the clock, and after 24 hours of observation, they will be making a decision whether or not Frank will have to undergo further medical tests.

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Zipp knows that cycling in the cold can be tragic at times, so here is a product by the brand that will assist you in being warm, the Zippicelli Commemorative Wool Cycling Jersey. Made of 100% Australian Merino wool, the Zippicelli Commemorative Wool Cycling Jersey is machine washable, the wool is actually a climate adjuster so if you start heating up it breathes so you can cool down, using 3 pockets at the rear, and a old school Zipp logo with original felt materials. Sizes available are extra small to XXL.

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We have all learned about the Periodic Table during school, and yet the scientific table is very confusing, and a majority will not actually use the table. But now, Cyclocosm has launched a new poster that will hit home for most of us, the Periodic Table of Professional Cycling Poster. The poster features 100+ professional cycling events by location, and is easy to read. Measuring 24×36 inches, the Periodic Table of Professional Cycling Poster is printed on premium glossy paper. You can purchase now here for $22.99.

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