Specialized S-Works Epic Carbon 29 XTR

S-Works Epic Carbon 29 XTR

The full-suspension, carbon fibre, S-Works Epic 29 is the first 29er to win a World Cup event, and the bike Mountain Bike Action magazine describes as the "best bike we've ever ridden". One of two S-Works versions, this model is equipped with Shimano's XTR component group.

Features

Technical Specifications

Geometry

• Super-light FACT IS 11m full carbon frame with dedicated 29er geometry, PF30 BB, sealed cartridge bearing pivots and 142mm dropouts delivers the all-around best performing 100mm-travel Competitive XC bike
• Specialized/Fox remote Mini-Brain inertia-valve shock with Kashima coating and new 2012 tune to seamlessly transition from efficient pedalling on smooth terrain to fully active on rough terrain
• Custom RockShox SID World Cup 29 fork with Specialized Brain inertia-valve damping has 100mm of air-sprung travel and a carbon steerer tube to create the most efficient and supple cross-country fork available
• Roval Control SL 29 wheelset with carbon rims, OS28 end caps, 142+ spacing, and DT Swiss spokes and internals is insanely stiff, light and durable for greater control and quickness
• Specialized FACT OSBB, PF30, carbon crankset with ceramic bearings is paired with a SRAM spider and rings for ultimate power transfer
• Shimano XTR brakes are lighter than ever while staying cooler and more consistent with the help of Ice Tech rotors and new ergonomic levers

The Mekk 2G Poggio P20 Carbon Race Road Bike 2012 is quite possibly the best value for money road bike on the market. With a complete carbon fibre composite frame and forks, the 2G Poggio is an absolute bargain at just £999.

This stylish lightweight bike is designed to give you all round comfort and performance with its Shimano gearing system and slick tyres. The frame geometry gives instant power transfer from the pedals allowing you to get the power down and keep up those fast road speeds!

Frame

The entire frame, as well as the forks, is made up of carbon fibre, making it super strong, extremely lightweight and durable. It has two bottle cage mounts to ensure you never run out of fluids.  Its tapered headset and internally run cables gives you a clean and classy look, letting you ride the open roads in style!

Brakes

The Ice Calliper brakes offer sharp powerful braking with a small lightweight design. The tightly packed layout enables weight save, but also facilitates an effective powerful brake thanks to its duel pivot arms, letting you pull on those brakes all day without getting arm pump.

Drivetrain

The Drivetrain of the 2G Poggio consists of a Shimano Tiagra front derailleur, Shimano 105 rear derailleur, Shimano 11-25t-rear cassette, Shimano Tiagra shifters and Ice Compact 50/34t chainset. This mixture of Shimano and Ice components results in a smooth and effortless gear changing drivetrain. By only having 20 gearing options, it is slightly limited, but with such a light bike, the gearing compliments it perfectly, allowing you to maintain those all-important high speeds on the roads.

Tyres

The slick Kenda Kampaign tyres have minimal tread to allow for high rolling speeds and reduced drag. Unlike super slicks, the small tread pattern permits at least some grip in wet conditions, meaning you will stick to the ground giving you confidence in your riding.

Extra Features

The 2G is packed out with a complete Shimano R500 wheelset, giving you a strong reliable wheel that is only made better by the Kenda tyres. It comes with Ritchey Comp bars, stem and seat post, that give you a well-matched finish keeping a stylish, well-planned look throughout the entire bike!

Verdict

The 2G Poggio P-20 Carbon is a road bike that definitely shows off as a high-end bike, but comes with the price of a mid-ranged road bike! Having a complete carbon frame, Shimano components and super low price, Mekk have definitely gone all out in providing the best performance and comfort possible while saving your wallet. An opening into the sport of carbon road riding has never been cheaper! We recommend you purchase your bike clothing and bike accessories from Wheelies.

Specialized Hardrock Mountain Bike Review

There are four bikes in the 2012 Specialized Hardrock range. This is the top model, and it’s the only one to get the custom-tuned version of SR Suntour’s XCR fork. Other bikes may theoretically offer more suspension travel, but the 80mm provided here is so well controlled that it gives the bike a major advantage over most of its price rivals when the going gets rough. 

Ride & handling: Comfort is key

After half a dozen frustrating mis-shifts and chain jumps, thanks to a stiff link in the chain, the Hardrock’s Shimano Alivio drivetrain performed perfectly throughout the rest of the test period.
The Shimano brakes took longer than most to bed in to produce their best performance. However, most riders found them more than adequate for normal trails.
The wheels are well built, shod with Specialized’s appropriately named Fast Trak treads. These roll fast and grip surprisingly well in both wet and dry conditions. Bigger-profile treads would add a little more comfort, but with a decent fork and comfy saddle this isn’t really an issue on the Pro.
Everyone found the saddle really comfy. In fact, the Specialized finishing kit is all pretty decent. The seatpost is a sturdy twin-bolted offering and the handlebar is a  better-than-average butted low-rise model with a generous 27in width, ideal for control on challenging terrain. 
The handling of the Hardrock Pro is neutral in the best possible way. It gives you confidence to tackle the sort of ground that’s often too much of a handful for lesser £600 bikes.
The low (11.75in) bottom bracket keeps everything stable at speed, but you’ll need to be aware of possible pedal strikes as you power through bumpy bends.

Frame: Simple and practical

The Hardrock frame is a pretty special offering. The relatively slim tubes give a noticeably more forgiving ride than those on the chunkier Hardrocks from a few years back, but the clever shape-shifting of the top tube and down tube, plus internal butting in the right places, boosts strength and keeps the weight reasonable.
This is definitely a frame that’s worth a few parts upgrades as stuff wears out. However, like most others on bikes of this price, it’s also thoroughly practical. There are rack eyelets on the seatstays, two sets of bottle bosses, a forward-facing seat clamp slot and a long, neutral handling geometry that should please both relative novices and riders looking for more performance at speed. 
The biggest compliment we can pay to the rest of the bike is that it simply lets you get on with enjoying the ride. The saddle-to-handlebar reach is generous enough (with a 23.5in top tube onthe 19in model) to create a powerful flat-backed posture on climbs, to the point where you hardly ever feel aware of the 13kg (28.7lb) weight.

Equipment: Reliable travel and solid kit

A decent fork on a £600 bike makes a massive difference to ride confidence, simply because it makes the bike far easier to control when trails get rough.
SR Suntour’s XCR appears in different forms on different bikes, and its performance varies enormously. Specialized’s custom-tuned version simply gets decent damping, something that’s sorely lacking on most other rides in this price bracket.
Its 80mm of travel is a genuine 80mm, not exactly plush but always active unless you flick the lockout lever or tighten the preload. The lockout lever on top of the right leg is very effective too. It’s amazing how much influence a fork can have on the overall ride character of a bike around this price.
You won’t be choosing this particular model if you’re not a fan of Specialized’s bright red-and-white colour schemes. Fortunately, it comes in black and grey too.
To sum up, we simply couldn’t find anything about the Hardrock Pro to moan about in terms of trail performance. We’ve seen better finishing parts on £600 bikes but the fork performance and frame quality more than make up for that.

Don't forget you'll need bike accessories and bike clothing to go with your brand new Specialized Hardrock . Also, if you get a chance, look at our bike replacement website.

Cycle To Work Scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Some employers run a cycle to work scheme to encourage their employees to make healthier, greener journeys to work. Your employer could loan you a bike and/or cycling safety equipment to travel all or part of your journey to and from work. Find out about the schemes.

How a cycle to work scheme works

Your employer may either run a cycle to work scheme themselves or through a third-party provider, like a bike shop. Through the scheme, you could get access to a loaned bike and/or safety equipment.
You must use the bike and/or safety equipment mainly (more than 50 per cent of the time) for 'qualifying' journeys. This means a journey or part of a journey:

• between your home and workplace
• between one workplace and another
• to and from the train station to get to work

Taking part in the scheme means that you don't have to pay a lump sum up front to buy a bike and/or safety equipment. Instead, you could loan the bike and/or equipment from your employer, usually up to the value of £1000.

Making loan repayments

Your employer may want to recover all or part of the cost of loaning you the bike and/or safety equipment. If so, you would then make loan payments back to your employer over an agreed period (typically 12 to 18 months) to spread the cost.
The loan payments are usually taken out of your salary through a 'salary sacrifice' arrangement. This means you agree to accept a lower amount of salary in return for a benefit - the loan of a cycle and/or safety equipment. For more advice about the salary sacrifice arrangement and what you should consider before taking part, ask your employer or follow the link below.

• Advice on salary sacrifice arrangements - HM Revenue and Customs Opens new window

At the end of the loan, your employer may give you the opportunity to buy the bike for its full market value, if you wish. Or, you may be able to continue loaning the bike at no cost - as long as you still use it for qualifying journeys.

Talk to your employer about the scheme

It's up to your employer to decide whether to run a cycle to work scheme and how it will work. So, talk to your employer directly if you're interested in taking part.
Make sure you check whether you or your employer will be responsible for maintenance and insurance for the bike. You should also ask your employer what happens if you decide to leave the scheme before the end of the loan period.

Encouraging your employer to start a cycle to work scheme

By setting up a cycle to work scheme, your employer can take advantage of an annual tax exemption. This means they can claim back the VAT they paid on the bike and/or equipment, and make use of any capital allowances available.

• Capital allowances: the basics - Businesslink website Opens new window

• VAT: an introduction - HM Revenue and Customs Opens new window

If you want to encourage your employer to set up a scheme, you could point them to some advice and resources about its benefits.

• Cycle to work scheme - implementation guidance Opens new window

• Toolkit for employers - Cycle to work guarantee website Opens new window

If you're self-employed

If you're self-employed, you should seek advice about tax relief and deductions for business expenditure for the self-employed, including cycling equipment used for business purposes.

• Tax allowances and reliefs if you're self-employed - HM Revenue and Customs Opens new window

• Reclaiming VAT on your purchases - HM Revenue and Customs Opens new window

Cycle training and planning your bike route to work

See 'Where you can use your bike' for information about finding cycle routes and taking your bike on public transport. If you want to build your confidence about cycling on busy roads, get some cycle training.

• Where you can use your bike

• Cycle training
• Bike Clothing
• Bike Accessories

Specialized Carve Mountain Bike 29er Review £1000

The Specialized Carve range was only introduced this year. The Carve is a purpose built 29er hardtail and is a bit like a 29er version of the Specialized Hardrock range. The Carve is designed as a 29er so the angles and geometry are slightly better than you get with some of the 26” bikes that are made to work as a 29er.

29ers

The whole are 29ers better argument is old news now. We know that they excel in certain areas over a 26” equivalent, but there are areas where you are going to enjoy a 26” bike more.
For trail centre use, and we are talking singletrack with flowy corners and grade reversals, switchbacks and berms, a 26” bike is going to be more fun. There is an argument that a 29er can be quicker… yeah but it’s never going to be as much fun at a trail centre – and that’s what biking is all about?
Where 29ers excel is in cross country(XC) territory  and open moor land. The larger wheel will rollover rough ground better and the rolling efficiency of the larger wheel will carry more speed. It’s just a case of riding one and seeing which works better for you.

Frame and forks

The Carve is built with Specialized’s M4SL aluminium alloy which is both light and strong but is also super stiff. The frame is designed with XC geometry so it’s going to really favour climbing and long rides and the head tube is both integrated and tapered for maximal stiffness.
At the front the Carve is fitted with an air sprung Rock Shox Recon, 29er specific fork. The recon is a great for the kind of riding you’ll be doing on a 29er and its light weight means the bikes weight will remain low.

Groupset

With its 10-speed groupset the Carve Expert definitely has a good spread of gear options. An 11-36 rear cassette combined with a triple 42/32/24t combo at the front gives you a massive range of gears as well as a large number – the ranger of gears is far more important that how many you have in total. That ability to run a 24:36 ratio means you don’t need the legs of a track sprinter to get up the hills. It would also mean you can run a 1X10 drive train if you want to remove the front mech and opt for a lighter chain device.
The Carve Expert also comes with Shimano BR-M505 brakes; Shimano are widely recognised as one of the best brake manufacturers and their performance, reliability and ease of service are second to none.

Wheels

The Carve Expert has Specialized’s on Carve rims built onto Formula hubs with 32 spoke construction. The rubber comes in the form of The Captain Control tyres 29x2.0. The Captain Tyres are a really fast rolling and grippy tyre that will work on and off the mountain. They are also 2Bliss (tubeless) ready so you can convert them if you wanted to.

Overall

The Carve Expert is a great mountain bike for XC and open land. It will feel a bit heavy at a trail centre but will roll fast and smoothly. Yes, you could commute on the Carve although you might want to stick to shorter distances – or change the tyres for something like the fast rolling Maxxis Crossmark, but the Carve will certainly eat up the miles with its larger wheels.

We recommend to buy it from Wheelies or Tredz. Wheelies also stock bike clothing & bike accessories

Scott Bikes - A Short History !

Scott Bikes  – Brand Overview

The makers of the world’s first full suspension bike

Bikes are only part of the wide range of Scott sporting products, but on two wheels, few can match the company’s reputation for high-end sophistication.

The outstanding range of Scott bikes does not exclude value from the equation and in their range of mountain, road and hybrid bikes they present an opportunity for the discerning rider to experience the sensation of something special.

Founded in Idaho in 1958 by Ed Scott, and now headquartered in Switzerland, the business progressively broadened their product range from ski poles to protection goggles and then blazed the trail with the world’s first full suspension mountain bike in 1991.

The distinctive look and feel of a Scott bike is complimented by their astonishing light weight. Across a broad range of bikes they offer an extremely comfortable and responsive riding experience, and in their current crop of mountain bikes, the elite Scale, Spark and Genius models are complemented by the superb value of the Aspect.

Scott are generously invest high production values into their bikes, and their range of road bikes, including the Foil, CR1, and Speedster offer a tantalising package of advanced componentry, sleek design and light frame weight. 

 

The Scott Contessa range of women’s road and mountain bikes also adds an extra dimension of choice for women wanting to experience the addiction of cycling.

Wheelies stock a wide range of Scott bikes and bike accessories and bike clothing, and we believe any customer may find that their first Scott bike could be the beginning of a long lasting brand affinity.

Cannondale Bikes - What you need to know !

Cannondale Bikes 

A legend re-born

For much of the 1970s, 80s and 90s, Cannondale bikes occupied a particular niche in the American bike market owing to their distinctive outsized aluminium frames. With a cult following, the large aluminium tubing provided the super-lightweight and stiff geometry loved by a particular generation of road and mountain bikers. 

 

Began in Connecticut, Cannondale started out in 1971 as a manufacturer of backpacks and bags before branching out with their highly distinctive bikes.

Since coming under new ownership, Cannondale continue to make distinctive, technologically-advanced bikes. The aluminium frames are now complimented by carbon fibre and composite materials, and their wide range of mountain and road bikes are admired for their sleek, hi-tech looks, top-quality components and their capable performance. 

 

Cannondale mountain bikes have captured 11 World Championships, 17 World Cup Series overall titles, 16 National Championships, and two Olympic medals as well as overall victory in the Cape Epic stage race.

 

The company's road racing bikes have won 11 stages at the Tour de France, 27 stages at the Giro d'Italia, two Giro d'Italia overall victories, a Professional World Championship title, and two Italian National Championships.

 

In pioneering the unique ‘Lefty’ fork, Cannondale added to the distinctiveness of their strong mountain bike product range, which includes the mighty Claymore, versatile Cannondale Trail and agile Flash.

In keeping with the heritage of the brand, Cannondale road bikes including the Synapse, Slice and Supersix, all cut a distinctive dash.

Wheelies also stock a wide range of ultra-modern Cannondale helmets, pumps, computers, lights, bags and tools.

Plus bike clothing & bike accessories, don't forget our Cycle To Work Scheme is also available

Giant Bikes - A Short History

Giant Bikes – A Short History

The World’s Largest Bike Maker

Giant are the World’s largest bicycle manufacturer. Appropriately named, this immensely respected brand sells a vast range of quality bikes and cycling products through a strong international presence in bike shops around the world.

Based in Taiwan, and founded in 1972, innovation, manufacturing and business expertise have set Giant apart. Beyond its bike manufacturing roots, the Giant brand has experienced massive growth in its own right through winning over a dedicated and loyal band of customers. 

 

40 years-worth of foresight, meticulous attention to detail, and responding to the evolving needs of cyclists has resulted in a stellar range of mountain; road; comfort; children’s; triathlon; BMX and indoor bikes. 

 

Now manufacturing several million bikes per year, Giant’s success has been fostered in an innovative and progressive product culture. They delight a worldwide community of riders who admire the consistent quality of their bikes and accessories, while appreciating the outstanding value they represent. 

 

Professional cycling competitions bear testimony to this affinity, with the huge presence of Giant bikes in a variety of racing disciplines. Giant also sponsors three international cycling teams, the Global Giant Mountain Bike Team and Team Rabobank, as well as many national teams. World Champion’s ride Giant bikes, including Marianne Vos of the Netherlands, and Danny Hart of the UK.

 

Wheelies are one of the UK’s largest distributors of Giant bikes and accessories. Their state-of-the-art mountain bikes cover the whole range of recreational and competitive uses including the awesome Anthem; Glory; XtC; and Reign. Road bikes with a racing pedigree include the Defy and TCR, and the ladies specific Avail.

A full range of accessories compliment the Giant brand with rider, bike and service gear.

As comprehensive and thorough a range of quality bike products as you are likely to find, the Giant brand travels far throughout the world on millions of bike journeys each day. 

The best place to get advice on Giant Bikes, Bike Clothing & Bike Accessories is from Wheelies in the UK.  

Specialized Bikes - A Short History

Specialized Bikes – A Short History

A Bike for all Reasons…

When considering its history, it is hardly surprising that a Specialized bike found its way into the Museum of American Life. Since its humble beginnings in 1974, Specialized has fostered a culture of innovation that has generated a long line of bike industry firsts. 

 

Not least is its achievement in making the world’s first mass-produced mountain bike.

The rugged trails of Northern California's foothills have given birth to some of the most legendary names in mountain biking, but none more so than the iconic Stumpjumper. 

 

So ground-breaking was this legendary mountain bike when first introduced in 1981, one of the original production models is now enshrined at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC.

Founded by Mike Sinyard, who began and still runs this hugely successful business, Specialized continues to produce the Stumpjumper, which - like mountain bikes in general - has evolved significantly since 1981 and now comes in full suspension and hardtail options.

At the pinnacle of bike engineering, the current range of Specialized bikes now fills the entire cycling spectrum from road, to mountain, triathlon and dirt, more than satisfying the needs of both world champion riders and amateur enthusiasts. Specialized bikes are admired, prized and loved by their owners. 

 

With the help of gravity and a Specialized Demo bike, Sam Hill became World Champion Downhill Rider in 2010.

For the making of magical singletrack memories, among the current range of Specialized mountain bikes are the legendary and capable Stumpjumper; the agile Camber, Status and Carve; and the aspirational Rockhopper and Specialized Hardrock.

Road bikes, used by the fittest cyclists on earth include the Venge, Tarmac and Allez models. Those who combine road and trail indulge in the hugely popular Crosstrail, while Cyclocross competitors can push the Tricross to the limit.

Beyond the bikes, there is a range of top quality tyres, accessories and clothing that shine with the kudos of the brand.

Wheelies are proud to sell a full and varied range of Specialized bikes, bike clothing &  other cycling products, which to this day embody the very best of thinking, engineering and design. Also, we now offer a Cycle To Work Scheme. If you're looking for bike replacement, we can also help you.