Category: Bikes & Gear

Zipp have announed 3 new wheelsets at today’s product launch – the road Zipp 454 NSW, the road Zipp 404 Firecrest, and the time-trial Zipp 858 NSW. Zipp are coming to the market with wheels promising more speed & at a seriously reduced price – here we take a look at the tech & how they’ve done it. Not convinced by the science? We are an official Sram – Zipp test centre & we have Demo Zipp wheels available for test rides from our Girona shop.

Zipp Wheel Philosophy: Total System Efficiency

Zipp have a simple philosophy for their wheels: “Total System Efficiency”. The barriers to speed are wind resistance; gravity; and rolling resistance. It’s well known that as speed increases the need for better aerodynamics increases. Historically brands have been focusing entirelly on aerodynamics & relying on wind-tunnel testing to prove new imporvements in performance. In their new line Zipp have also given thought to reducing weight & rolling resistance & headed out for some real-life, on-road testing. The results are dramatic at lower speeds which, let’s face it, are more the norm for most of us, especially when heading out on rough gravel trails.

Zipp Tech: Hookless Rims – What Are They & Why Are They Catching on?

A key part of the Zipp philosophy is hookless rims; these rims are just as safe as traditional hook interface regarding tyre retention & come with a whole host of benefits. With hookless rims you can use a hard tool to shape the rim instead of silicon in the manfacturing process. Silicon is thrown away creating waste, whereas the hard tool can be reused many times. Not only does this give a more consistent rim, the production uses less resources & is also cheaper to produce.

Zipp have kindly decided to pass these cost savings on to the cyclist, meaning we can purchase lighter wheels at a better price. A note of warning –  not every tyre is compatible with hookless rims, so you’ll need to ensure the tyres you choose to ride are compatible (head over to our you tube channel to see Head Mechanic WillemJan chat all about tubeless set up)

There are three new wheelsets, two road racing sets, and one time-trial set!

Road Racing Wheelsets

The two new wheelsets are the 454 NSE, and 404 Firecrest. These have evolved from the Zipp 400 (1990), and the 404 Firecrest (2010).

Zipp 454 NSW Tubeless

These wheels have a sawtooth rim design and are stable in crosswinds. The hookless design means they’re 420g lighter (that’s a whole jar of Nutella lighter!) They also have a new hub which means there is less drag, and it’s lighter too.

These wheels are meant for the road & not for high speed time trials. Adopting their total system efficiency philosophy, Zipp have come up with a design which is slightly less aero that their predecessors but achieves a lot less rolling resistance – meaning a rider of average weight can travel at the same speed, but save 12 watts of power. Zipp have sacrificing a little bit of aerodynmaics, but made huge gains in other areas.

The price has also come down to €3600 for the set from €4000, a nice saving of €400.

Zipp 404 Firecrest Tubeless

Zipp have gone for another hookless design which are 350g lighter for the set! These are built with wide, 23 mm internal rims, and are tubeless only. The wheels are optimised for 25c but depending on the rider weight 28c could perform better.

The price is down to €1800 from €2600 – a huge saving of €800.

Time Trialling Wheelset: Zipp 858 NSW

Zipp have made some small updates to their time-trial wheelset. These are more aero, although not as light. There is no change to the rims, but they do have a new hub! The Cognition DB v2 with a new spring system ‘cylamer’ foam. The hub is light and retains shape, and replaces the 12 parts in the old hub, it also reduces friction when freewheeling.

The wheelset retails at €4400 – no change in pricing.

Lets Talk Tyre Pressure

Tyre pressure choice is different for every individual, circumstance, tyre, and weather, its about education on what will work best for you on the day!

Use the Tubeless Tire Pressure Calculator in AXS app to help and Tire Pressure Whizz to measure tyre pressure in real time. Also, check out our Cyclist’s Guide to Tyre Pressure for more information.

Zipp Wheels In Stock

We stock a number of Zipp wheels, and are also currently running a  Zipp Wheel Test Programme!⁠⁠ You can book yourself a test ride on the Zipp 303s, or 303 Firecrests – with the new 404 Firecrests on the way.
⁠⁠
Come to the shop with your current wheels, we’ll swap your cassette and discs, and fit the wheels to your bike. ⁠⁠⁠They’re free to test, but a deposit is required. Please bring your ID.⁠⁠

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Bre Vine has recently moved from Australia to Girona with her husband and professional cyclist Jay Vine. Upon arriving, Bre found that it was time to upgrade her previous bike for one more suited to the riding style here, and she and Jay bought a stunning Colnago C64 to take on the roads and climbs of Girona. Girona is a wonderful city, full of culture, old and new, and over the past few years it has become a hub for professional cycling. Everyone’s story of they ended up here differs and I love hearing how people came to be living in Girona. I spoke to Bre to find out a little more on why she opted to go for the Colnago C64.

How did you end up in Girona?

So a bit of a long story, but here’s the short version, my husband and I committed a few years ago to try and get him a professional contract as a cyclist. It hasn’t been an easy journey, and coming from Australia made things that extra bit hard, back at the start of 2020, we got close to getting a contract, then Covid-19 hit and all races and opportunities went out the window. In December 2020, my husband won Zwift Academy and landed himself a 1-year professional contract riding with Alpecin- Fenix for 2021. So we packed up our lives, sold everything we own and made the big move over! And here we are!

Why did you choose the Colnago C64?

We had a few bike brands in mind at the time, Orbea, Canyon, Factor etc, and to be honest it all came down to what was available that ticked the boxes, we were searching around and got told most brands were going to be a minimum 4 -6 months before coming available (due to a bit of boat and shipping issues…).

Now lucky for me, I’m short and that meant there were 3 options in-store at Eat Sleep Cycle. I had a bright orange Basso available, and a rainbow-coloured Factor, both which just didn’t give me the very important ‘new bike feelings’.

Then of course there was the Colnago C64, at first I didn’t even think this was going to be an option because it was a bit more extravagant, but it ticked all the boxes, it was a stunning bike, and we knew it was going to be a bike I’d easily put the kms on, and to top it off Eat Sleep Cycle was able to come to the table with a reasonable price. So long story short Jay spoilt me and got me the fancy *Italian Job* meaning, I got to ride out with the ‘new bike feeling’ and the Colnago C64 It’s been an awesome ride so far, and I’m really glad we opted for the fancy Italian Job.

Has your riding style changed with the Colnago C64?

I was previously on an 2017 Orbea Orca Aero (Rim Brake), which was a great bike for the level of riding I was doing back in Australia. Since moving to Girona, my riding has gone up another level and the Colnago C64 has been crucial to that development, with more climbing, longer descents and more hours in the saddle, Jay and I knew I needed a bike that wouldn’t be shy to long hard weeks of training, whilst also giving the *WOW* factor.

Overall, I’m really happy we got the Colnago, it just glides over the tarmac, whether I’m doing efforts up Amer, or descending down Sant Hilari, it takes it all in it’s stride. I’m really excited to keep exploring Spain on this beauty!

Do you have a favourite route you like to do from Girona?

My favourite ride in Girona to date has got to be out to St Hilari, it’s got everything I want in a good fun bike ride. You start out in Girona, go through some beautiful small towns, then it’s time to put your climbing legs on because you’ve got a nice long climb, but but whilst you’re suffering you have a stunning view to distract you from your burning legs, once you make it to the top you have what I think is the best view in Girona, then after taking that all in, you cruise through the town then you’re in for a fast and winding descent down to Angles before heading back into Girona. By far one of my favourite rides to date (But let’s be honest, I’m a sucker for good view whilst climbing).

(I have to say, this is also one of my favourite climbs in Girona and for the same reason! I actually love to go up from Angles and down the other side to get the views.)

Bre’s Custom Built Colnago C64

Of course, we like to make sure our customers get exactly what they are looking for, and anyone who buys a bike at Eat Sleep Cycle should not feel limited by the factory builds. Bre customized her bike to the following spec:

• Group set: Shimano Dura Ace Di2
• Carbon wheels: Black Inc THIRTY Disc Wheelset (Team Edition)
• Custom fit, including stem and handlebars after a bike fit

Bre is an ambassador for Soomom.

Want to find out more about Colnago bikes?

We are the official Colnago point of sale for Girona. Head over to our Colnago bike section on our website or get in touch!

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Sram have announced their latest release, a market-leading wireless groupset, cementing their stance that electronic shifting is something they want to make accessible to all riders.

Sram Rival eTap AXS: First Reactions

We asked the Eat Sleep Cycle team for their first reactions.

Bernat from our Sales & Purchasing team says:

It’s a game-changer in the world of electronic groupsets. More people are going to be able to afford a full electronic, wireless groupset. It is nice, it’s a step forward in design for Rival after a long time – for example the crankset is much nicer. It’s super sleak & stealthy & has the looks of the more expensive options.

Our Mechanic Daan says:

I think it’s nice that they bought the same tech from the higher end groups to the lower end. Together with the new GX you can make an affordable mullet set up; pairing road shifters & a mtb derailler gives you a 1 x high-range groupset at a much more affordable price.

Partner Lee says:

I think that going 100% electronic is definitely the way to go. Just because you’re on a smaller budget you shouldn’t be denied an electronic groupset. Sram are going the right way there. Also it looks super cool, stealthy black. I also can’t wait to see what’s next for Force & Red.

What’s the Difference between Red, Force & Rival AXS?

With 3 electronic groupsets in the range, let’s take a look at what defines each one:

1. The hood shape for the Rival eTap AXS shifter has changed from the SRAM RED and Force eTap AXS systems to a narrower grip. The Rival eTap AXS does not allow for auxiliary remote shift buttons, whereas SRAM RED has two each per shifter and Force eTap AXS has one each per shifter.
2. Rival eTap AXS has an alloy brake lever.
3. Rival eTap AXS 2x cranksets come in polished aluminum. Both SRAM RED and Force crank arms are carbon.
4. Rival eTap AXS 1x has an integrated spider. You cannot swap from 2x to 1x as you can with the RED and Force eTap AXS cranksets.

How much does Rival eTap AXS Cost?

A groupset includes: Shift-brake system, rotors, crankset, bottom bracket, chain, cassette, derailleur (front and rear for 2x, rear only for 1x), batteries, charger.

2x with power meter: €1688*
2x no power meter: €1463*
1x with power meter: €1453*
1x no power meter:  €1228*

*VAT included with £ and € pricing.

The groupset is avaialble to order now in store.

Still Not Convinced? Test Ride Sram with our Demo bike program

We are a Sram test centre & have a number of Demo bikes equipped with Sram groupsets – ask us about a test ride! Our rental fleet also contains Sram bikes – head over to our bike rental page to select your dream ride for your visit to Girona. Rest assured that bikes equipped with Rival eTap AXS are coming soon!

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In the days before a big Sram product launch (standby for April 15th!) Eat Sleep Cycle founder Lee explains why he’s a recent convert to Sram. 

Sram vs Shimano

I confess – I am a SRAM convert. I am a roadie at heart and up until recently had been riding race bikes equipped with Shimano all my life. In this article I will tell you the 5 reasons why I have switched to SRAM & why I’ll be sticking with it. 

1. Sram has a wider gear range

The 12 speeds on the ETAP AXS groupset provide more range and tighter steps. At first sight I was almost confused by the SRAM chainring sizes, where is the 53-39 and the 11-28 that Shimano provide?! After just one ride I was already convinced that SRAM gearing provides more options for that right gear, going uphill, downhill and on the flats. I found myself jumping between the small and large chainring at the front much less and just that feeling of finding the right cadence – it felt great!

2. Sram has Interchangeable Batteries

If you ride electronic gearing and you are a busy person you have probably been caught out with a flat battery mid ride. This happens to me more than I would like to admit! In the past, with Shimano Ultegra di2, it has been a laborious ride back stuck in the small chainring at the front and little at the rear. It leaves no room for a steep hill (ouch knees) or fast flat section (spinny spinny) for that matter. When my SRAM Force AXS rear derailleur ran flat recently I simply swapped the battery from my front derailleur, which allowed me not only to get home but to complete my valuable lunchtime ride which included a series of steep hills. I was blown away by this capability, really designing real life situations into the groupset functionality. Plus I had a damn good ride which would have been interrupted with a Shimano electronic groupset.

3. Sram Levers are comfortable

I really wasn’t sure about the larger levers of SRAM ETAP AXS compared to both Ultegra and Dura Ace di2, mainly due to aesthetics. But after several longer rides what I realised is that there are more positions to put your hands on the hoods. More positions means less wear and fatigue in one same position. Especially as I get older and the inevitable aches and pains start, I really respect having the ergonomics considered in the groupset and not just the looks. Now I will never go back to a smaller hood.

4. Sram Shifting is More Intuative

If like me you have always ridden with Shimano this could be, even if you don’t admit it, the biggest reason you do not change over. With Shimano di2 the left lever is for the front chainring and right for the rear cassette. With SRAM the left lever shifts down and the right lever up the rear cassette and pressing both changes the front chain ring. I was surprised how quickly this came naturally to my riding. As well as giving a precision and certain change, it just now feels right making the majority of my changes with clicks to the left (down) and right (up) levers, rather than on the same right lever. I can change gear mid stroke on a climb or in a critical sprint against the team on the lunchtime ride!

5. Wireless is the Future – & Sram Have Already Done It

Whether it is behind the tv at home or on my race bike I do not like cables. As an engineer I completely respect the need for cables but when given the option I will always go for without. It’s so much cleaner, tidier and organised in every application. I have ridden a lot of Shimano di2 bikes with batteries and junction boxes in various places. Whether it’s a cable connection coming loose on one of the derailleurs or the cable catching in the seat tube of the frame, cables are prone to errors, I have seen it time and time again. So wireless for me absolutely is the way to go.

Leading the way in innovation & development

Whilst there are many more features of SRAM ETAP AXS that make it great (like analysis and programming) these are the 5 reasons why I am a SRAM convert. I will leave you with one last thought. Wherever Shimano go now with their groupsets, will they do their own thing or follow SRAM’s innovation and development?! Do you want to be riding the latest developments designed with you, the rider in mind, or following with these updates a few years later? For me, I am well and truly converted and will ride every development SRAM offers to me on the road. Chapeau SRAM Road!

Still Not Convinced? Test Ride Sram with our Demo bike program

We are a Sram test centre & have a number of Demo bikes equipped with Sram groupsets – ask us about a test ride! Our rental fleet also contains Sram bikes – head over to our bike rental page to select your dream ride for your visit to Girona.

P.S. Enjoyed this blog? Why not sign up to receive notifications every time we post and get regular updates on our latest tours!

Our new Girona Onyar summer collection celebrates the life of the River Onyar & the fresh colours & good vibes of Spring. The kit is a collaboration with Tactic, a local kit manufaturer with a factory just 2 kms from the centre of Girona.

We wanted to create a kit with soul, inspired by the colours, sounds & history of Girona – this awesome cycling paradise which we are proud to call home. It made total sense to work with Tactic & together we developed the concept & design.

The River Onyar

Let’s take a look at the source. The Riu Onyar has it’s source 34 km south west of Girona, in Brunyola. The river carves a path from Brunyola through the villages of Vilobí d’Onyar , Riudellots de la Selva , Sant Andreu Salou , Campllong , Fornells de la Selva , Quart and finally runs through the centre of Girona where it joins the River Ter.

The Onyar is a river with a tumultuous past & has bought great floods to the region over the centuries. The brightly painted façades of the houses overlooking the Onyar create an image which is quintessestially Girona, bringing joy & good memories to the minds of cyclists across the golbe – this image is our inspiration.

Made in Girona: Tactic

Tactic were the obvious kit partners to create our Girona Onyar collection (check out our Tactic Factory Tour blog to see inside). They are a tight-knit workforce of cyclists who love to test the kit they create. Lots of the Tactic team are regulars at Eat Sleep Cycle too, so if felt good to return the good vibes & work together on the kit. Guillem is the Tactic designer who turned our concept into a cool reality. Daan is our man at Eat Sleep Cycle who selected the fresh new colours for our 2021 Collection.

Choose Your Girona Onyar Jersey

You can shop our Girona Onyar Collection online or in our Girona store! Make sure you also check out the new summer kit releases by Tactic.

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Merche grew up in different villages along the Costa Brava. Now she’s a psycologist & lives with her partner Nestor in Girona’s Barri Vell. She currently works as a child and youth psychologist in a health center & is a professor at the University of Girona and the Open University of Catalonia.

Basso Venta

Basso Bikes is an Italian, family run bike manufacturer that was founded in 1977 by Alcide Basso. The factory is nestled at the foot of Monte Grappa, an iconic cycling climb with more that 10 different ways up. Further north lie the Italian Alps & to the south is the Venitian plain – in short Basso Bikes is surrounding by the perfect testing ground for it’s hand-crafted machines.

Basso are known for creating bikes with a sublime ride quality & this carries through to the Venta – the brands ‘entry level’ model. Basso claim that the Venta has the same quality construction and long lasting performance as their top of the range bikes. The Venta offers incredible value & it’s no surprise why it’s the bike of choice for many new riders coming though the Eat Sleep Cycle doors.

Merche is new to cycling – we went for a spin around town to find out more about her Basso Venta & ask her about why she’s inspired to ride.

Why did you choose the Basso Venta?

Elegí Basso porqué tenía muy buenas referencias de esta marca italiana. A nivel estético el modelo Basso Venta me pareció espectacular!

I chose Basso because I heard very good things about this Italian brand. At an aesthetic level I think the Basso Venta is spectacular! 

Has the Venta changed how you ride? 

Esta es mi primera bicicleta. Antes había alquilado otras marcas y la verdad es que ninguna se puede comparar a la Basso. Es una bicicleta muy ligera y cómoda. Kilómetro a kilómetro disfruto cada vez más de pedalear sobre ella.

This is my first bike. Before I bought it I had rented other brands and the truth is that none can be compared to the Basso. It is a very light and comfortable bicycle. Every kilometer with her I enjoy more than the last.

Why do you cycle? 

Uno de mis goals del 2020 era iniciarme en algún deporte nuevo. Hice mi primera ruta en bici de carretera el pasado mayo y des de el primer día supe que no querría dejar de pedalear. Creo que en este deporte además de una buena forma física se necesita mucha fortaleza mental. Y eso me gusta! Encima de la bicicleta no solo hago ejercicio, trabajo la confianza y la autosuperación compitiendo conmigo misma. Cada ruta es una nueva oportunidad para mejorar dando lo mejor de ti, para descubrir que muchas veces no hay límites, que los límites te los pones tu.

One of my goals in 2020 was to start a new sport. I did my first road bike ride last May & from the first day I did not want to stop pedalling. I think that this sport, in addition to good physical shape you also need mental strength, and I like that! On the bike I not only exercise, I work on confidence and self-improvement competing with myself. Each route is a new opportunity to improve & give your best, to discover that many times there are no limits, that the limits are set by you.

What is your favourite route to enjoy on your Basso Venta?

Girona está lleno de lugares increíbles. Quedar-me con uno es difícil:
– La subida a Els Ángels, una ruta cerca de casa, fácil pero en la que has de ser constante. Con un santuario mágico y con una vistas increíbles.
– Perderse por los caminos que llevan a Canet d’Adri también me encanta. Rodearte de naturaleza al lado de casa no tiene precio!

Girona is full of incredible places. Choosing one route is difficult, but; the climb to Els Ángels is a perfect route close to home, it’s easy but you have to ride a consistent pace. At top is a magical sanctuary and incredible views. I also love getting lost on the roads that lead to Canet d’Adri. Surrounding yourself with nature next to home is priceless!

Want to find out more about Basso Bikes?

We are the official Basso point of sale for Girona. Head over to our Basso Bikes section on our online shop or get in touch!

P.S. Enjoyed this blog? Why not sign up to receive notifications every time we post and get regular updates on our latest tours!

Oscar is from the small village of Esparreguera, nestled in the mountains to the north-west of Barcelona, he’s been ripping up the gravel routes around Vic & will soon be doing the same here in Girona! Oscar came to speak to us last year when he was looking for a gravel bike to help keep him sane during the lockdown restrictions. He joined us for a siesta lunch ride to share his story & thoughts on his bike – the Ridley Kanzo Adventure.

Ridley Kanzo Adventure

Ridley are best known for making cyclocross bikes & supporting World Tour team Lotto Soudal with the Fenix SLiC, Helium & Noah Fast on the road. Their first foray into gravel bikes was the Ridley X-Trail – a bike which was hugely popular & got rave reviews from across the globe. The Kanzo Speed is the descendent of the X-Trail & is built for fast gravel riding. The Kanzo Adventure is its adventurous counterpart, developed to optimize fun & to be the perfect companion on long rides & multi-day adventures.

We asked Oscar why he chose the Ridley Kanzo:

I was looking at a different bike, then I spoke with Lee, and he told me this was great for me. I was looking for a reactive bike but thas also comfortable on long rides.

Kanzo Adventure Ride Quality

The Kanzo Adventure is a bike which promises to be fun in the marketing materials. But what is the reality like? We asked Oscar if the bike has changed the way he rides:

100%! I really found exactly what Lee said about this bike – its a fast bike but also with the 45c tyres you can use it as a mountain bike. This bike has confirmed my passion for gravel!

The Wow Factor: Born to Ride Bikes

We asked Oscar what inspires him to ride:

Big question, it’s not easy. For me its the best way to forget everything & I like it because every ride I feel the same, like the first ride in my life… WOW!!

Oscar has a history of going on adventures & he loves to explore. His rides right now focus on staying closer to home but we asked what his dream ride would be on the Kanzo:

I got the bike during covid restriccions so I have the ridden the routes around Vic so far. My dream trip with this bike would be Uganda, Congo, Ethiopa.

Want to find out more about Ridley Bikes or Gravel Bike options?

We are the official Ridley Bikes point of sale for Girona. Head over to our Ridley Bikes section on our online shop or get in touch! We carry a wide range of gravel bikes from different brands too – check out our Gravel Bikes online.

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Willem Jan is a talented mechanic from Holland, now living in Girona & running the show in the Eat Sleep Cycle workshop. Willem moved to Girona with his partner Annemiek to continue working in the cycling industry & to enjoy perfect conditions for cycling & racing year-round.

Willem Jan is a skilled mountain biker but loves to race road bikes too. When he started working with Eat Sleep Cycle in summer 2020 he wasted no time in test riding all of our demo bikes – the Factor VAM, the Ridley Helium, the Ridley Fenix in search of a new bike. Ultimately the Astra stole his heart.

Why the Basso Astra?

We joined Willem for a spin out on a favourite local lunchtime route & asked him more about his Basso Astra.

The funny thing is that I didn’t expect to buy a Basso Astra! When I started my new job at ESC I knew I wanted to ride on a brand from the shop. But which one was not clear yet, so I tested some of the amazing bikes that we have at ESC! From pure climber bikes to flat out Aero machines.

Then I took a Basso Astra built with Ultegra Disc mechanical & fitted my carbon wheels for a fair test ride. The first test ride was the Olot loop – 110 km with different kind of roads from smooth to climbing and some bumpy less-smooth surfaces! From the beginning it was already clear that the Basso was super smooth in the Girona city streets & after 20 km I said to Annemiek “I think I found my new bike” with a big smile on my face!

The Basso Road Bike Range

The Astra sits in the midle of the Basso road bike range, it takes it’s cues from the top of the range Diamante with its straight fork & rear triangle design. The goal of the Astra is to combine snappy handling & acceleration with a more comfortable postition for the longer rides.

We asked Willem Jan how the Astra has impacted his riding style:

The handling is so good that it rides really easy straight out, but when you are cornering it goes directly with a trust feeling and still a good amount of space to change your line. And that is for me a sign of a good bike. Doing sprints with this bike is a big joy! Every pedal push is forward movement.

Louise, Eat Sleep Cycle partner (& rider of a Basso Diamante) says of Basso:

Basso don’t aim to have the lightest, the stiffest or the most aerodymanic bike. Their philosophy is rooted in bike racing & the pursuite of the ultimate ride quality. Once you’ve experienced a sliky smooth, beautifully balanced Basso, it’s tough to go back.

Famiglia Basso Bikes

Basso Bikes remains a family run business based in Bassano del Grappa, a town nestled between Venice & the Italian Dolomites. The story is a beautiful one. Alcide Basso started making racing bikes in his parents garage in 1974. He supported his pro-cyclist & World Champion brother, Marino, as a mechanic on his race team. He learnt here what it was to ride, what a bicycle was to the rider & Basso bikes was born.

Alcide strived to create a frame which offers the best possible riding experience & 40 years later his company is still innovating. A Basso is made in Italy, it oozes elegance & style whilst performing at the highest level.

For Basso, the experience of riding one of their bikes isn’t quantifiable & must be experienced to appreciate it. In their own words:

At Basso it is all about the ride. There most certainly exist lighter bikes, more aero bikes, but none that ride, handle and inspire like a Basso. Every fiber in its construction, every angle in its geometry and every shape of every tube in a Basso frame is designed around the never-ending quest to produce a total ride experience that redefines the joy in performance cycling.

The Basso Astra – Build Options

The Astra is in its 6th iteration & is still handcrafted in the Basso Factory in Italy. The 2021 edition features an integrated seatpost clamp, internally routed cables, a revised carbon tube structure & a choice of three paint colours – Ice Silver, Siena Terra or Dark Asphalt. The standard builds available are Sram Force AXS & Shimano Ultegra Di2 with Campagnolo Chorus & Sram Rival becmoing available in June 2021. The standard wheelset is the MR Lite, a decent, hard working wheelset which comes as standard.

However, the Astra really excels when you treat her to a wheel upgrade the MR38 Disc or the DT Swiss PRC 1800 are well worth the extra investment.

Willem Jan reckons the Astra is a great all-round bike:

I use the Basso Astra for easy spins, intervals, and racing. And all of that is feeling perfect on the bike! A little thing that I love are the sprint shifters that I need to use in our weekly team lunch ride . This in-house carbon frame from Basso is nailing everything that they say on their website! And that is pretty nice.

Basso Astra Custom Options

Of course, we like to make sure our customers get exactly what they are looking for, and anyone who buys a bike at Eat Sleep Cycle should not feel limited by the factory builds. Willem Jan customized his bike to the following spec:

Group set: Shimano Ultegra Di2
Chainrings: 53-36
Cassete: 11-28
Powermeter: 4iii left only
Carbon wheels: 50 high
Tyres: Vittoria Corsa Tubeless
Handlebar: Zipp compact 40 width
Stem: Basso 13 cm
Saddle: Pro stealth 152
Bottlecages: Arundel Carbon
Bartape: Lizard skin

Finally, we asked Willem Jan to share his favourite ride:

My favorite loop to ride around Girona is the Hincapie loop! Flat sections climbs and everything next to Girona

Want to find out more about Basso Bikes?

We are the official Basso Bikes point of sale for Girona. Head over to our Basso Bikes section on our online shop or get in touch!

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Mick is the owner of Equipe Girona, a stylish guesthouse here in Girona which he runs with his wife Wilma. After years of working for a big global company Mick wanted to start something not based on excel sheets but run a stay with a heart. After looking at different locations Wilma & Mick found that Girona was perfect for their sports friendly Equipe house!

When not looking after his guests, Mick rides a Focus Izalco Max. We joined him at Equipe for a siesta spin to find out more about his bike.

Why the Focus Izalco Max?

Chosing a new bike is a glorious, tough decision to make in today’s market as there are so many great options out there. But it’s worth the search – find the right one for you & your riding style & you can transform your experience on the bike.  Eat Sleep Cycle founder Lee says:

The Izalco is perfect for riders looking for a fast bike. It’s stiff and ultra-responsive when you push down on the pedals.

We asked Mick what drew him to choose the Izalco Max for his new bike day:

I wanted a more racey bike, one that didnt look to aero but with clean looks and good value for money.

Focus Bikes – German Engineering

Focus Bikes was founded in 1993 by German three-time cyclocross world champion Mike Kluge. After creating his first cyclocross bike, Focus then started out manufacturing mountain bikes & touring bikes & by 2003 were producing high quality road bikes too.The Izalco model has been the top of the range bike for a while & in 2019 it went aero – the Izalco Max.

We asked Mick how the Izalco has impacted his riding style:

 Its fast! So you tend to be more in the bars riding fast and riding harder than on a more endurance style bike. This bike excels on smooth fast roads & nice technical descents. For me Sant Hilari from Àngels is one of my favourite loops to ride on the Izalco.

The Focus Izalco Max – Build Options

Focus describe the Izalco as a bike with style elegance & passion. It is more than an aero bike & is a declaration of intent – it’s aero, light & super fast. It features intelligent design & has been optimised with wind tunnel testing. The seatpost has been optimised for speed and comfort.

The Izalco comes in a choice of 8 different build options on two different framesets. Both have the same geometry but one has a standard & one has a superlight, high grade carbon with fully integrated cabling. The standard frame is called the 8 series with prices ranging from €2,499 to €4,799 for a complete bike & the superlight is the 9 series with prices starting at €5,999 & rising to a tasty €9,499 for a full Dura Ace Di2 build.

Mick’s weapon of choice is the Focus Izalco Max 9.6. This features the superlight frameset & is built with a Shimano Ultegra Di2 groupset & a fast set of DT Swiss ARC 1450 wheels. The bike is built for speed and comes as standard with 52-36 / 11-30 gearing. Nice for flat & fast terrain but not so practical when you live at the top of Montjuic, a notoriously steep climb next to Girona’s old town.

Mick says:

The standard gearing is for fast riding (or very strong riders), so that I changed to a little semi compact set up.

Want to find out more about Focus Bikes?

We are the official Focus Bikes point of sale for Girona. Head over to our Focus bikes section on our online shop or get in touch!

P.S. Enjoyed this blog? Why not sign up to receive notifications every time we post and get regular updates on our latest tours!