Pic Spocket

I just took delivery of my new wheels: a Kuota K-Factor Triathlon/Time Trial bike. It was not my first choice: I was looking at the very sexy Felt B12, but it was much more expensive, and I could not pass the deal I got on the K-Factor. I just could not justify spending about twice the money for marginal upgrades in components, especially for a first bike of this type.

The new bike will be a little bit better adapted for races than my Hybrid. One of the biggest change is weight: the K-Factor is a carbon fiber frame bike. It weights in at about 19.5 lbs compared to my 30 lbs hybrid. Also, the riding position is completely different, forcing you to take an aerodynamic position. I definitely need to get used to have the shifters and the brakes on 2 different locations.

Here are a couple of pictures of the racing machine:

access to larger pictures…

I took it out for a ride yesterday on Matchette Rd (see Fitness Log, ride dated 07/08). While I was faster than my previous practice rides in the area, it was not by much even though I did push. I was hoping for a larger difference. I was slower than my average speed during the Triceratops TRI race. Hopefully, I will get a bit more faster as I get more comfortable with the bike.

I finally received the photos from the Triceratops Triathlon in Michigan (my report here) from last june. These were taken by the event photographers. I have put them in our album. There is one pretty cool panning shot of me in the bike section, with the trees in motion blur in the background. here are a few pictures:

Click here so see more.