Incycle 16

or some time we wanted to share with our retail partners and friends

a more meaningful insight into our business, its people and the brands we represent. At the same time we were ever mindful that you are inundated with information so anything we produced needed to be truly worthwhile.

So two years ago following a great deal of preparation we launched Incycle, a printed magazine that we felt sure would make you feel very connected to Saddleback! Since then the magazine has continued to evolve and we have received lots of really positive feedback about its direction.

Subsequently we feel the time is right to invest even more into the production of Incycle and, starting with this issue, you will see that it has a very enhanced look and feel. Some of the new features we are sure you will enjoy are a greater contribution from many more of our team, a more in depth look at new product arrivals, a closer insight into our sponsored athletes, as well as a truly inspiring photo gallery.

We really hope you like the direction that we are taking and that you continue to find it useful to your business!

ANDY WIGMORE MANAGING DIRECTOR

DESIGN [email protected]

CONTRIBUTORS DAVE BARNAVILLE, EMILY CARR, CHARLES COLEMAN, NICK COX, SCOT EASTER, ANDREW GRIFFITHS,

ROSS GRIMMETT, JESS GREAVES, JUSTIN HOY, ASH MATTHEWS, CHRIS TATTON, ANDY WIGMORE.

PHOTOGRAPHERS KAREN EDWARDS, JERED GRUBER, SVEN MARTIN, ANTHONY PEASE, DOC WARD.

SADDLEBACK LTD UNIT 10 EASTER COURT, WOODWARD AVENUE, YATE, BRISTOL BS37 5YS

ONLINE saddlebackb2b.co.uk | facebook.com/saddleback | twitter.com/Saddleback_Ltd | instagram.com/Saddleback_Ltd

COVER THE UMBRAIL PASS, ITALY - SWITZERLAND BORDER

PHOTOGRAPHER JERED GRUBER

16 THE GALLERY

12 NEWS

14 EVENTS

16 FRESH PRODUCE

20 THE OFFICE

24 BEST SELLERS

26 TEAM NFTO

28 DOWNHILL WORLD CUP

32 CANNODALE-GARMIN

36 MEDIA COVERAGE

38 COMING SOON

COULD THIS BE THE LAST SEASON FOR THE GREATEST DOWNHILL RACER OF ALL TIME?

07

08

MONT VENTOUX PROVENCEPHOTOGRAPHER CASTELLI

T H E G A L L E R Y

09

10

T H E G A L L E R YSTEVE PEAT FORT WILLIAM 2014PHOTOGRAPHER SVEN MARTIN

11

12

T H E G A L L E R YMTN QHUBEKA MALLORCA, SPAIN

TEAM PHOTOGRAPHER

13

NEWS

ASTUTESADDLES

DONNYRE-SIGNS

CAL CRUTCHLOW

TEAM PHOTO

PEATY’S BIKE BONANZA BRISTOL

Saddleback are proud to team up with Astute saddles. 100% Italian, 100% hand-made, 100% innovative and always new, continuously researching the most advanced technology and scouting the most updated aesthetic trends.The name and the logo Astute are the symbols of innovation and research of the best solutions, because perfect elegance is their mission. Astute creates value for customers by meeting their needs and passion for cycling with ideas, intuition and love, in order to create perfect and incomparable saddles. The superiority of Astute saddles is due to a revolutionary shape and padding. The particular shape of an Astute saddle is realised thanks to a new ultralight double base with a u-open shape that allows three times more padding capacity compared to what the market actually offers. This helps to keep the same dimensions of a traditional saddle while offering greater comfort. The new u-open shape of the saddle lowers the centre pressure point while making it more aerodynamic and performing, in order to increase ergonomic features. In the Astute saddles one can appreciate the manufacturers’ skill in all its parts. In the Astute project, the base plays a leading role and thanks to the creation of a double base system it is possible to create a saddle completely flawless with no glue smear or unaesthetic staples. Truly pleasing both in sight and touch. ASTUTE

Last year when Donny dropped by our office, we thought it would be nice to load him up with Enve and Smith Optics ready for his enduro race season, and what a season! Donny finished the season crowned the UK Gravity Enduro champion. Using Enve/Chris Kings wheels and Smith Optics goggles, Donny dominated and we were all stoked to hear that he would be staying with us for this year’s enduro season. Be sure to sign up or come along to the UKGE races this year, we’ll be there offering support and product knowledge. It’s sure to be a highly competitive and exciting race season. NICK COX

With the start of the Moto GP kicking off in Qatar back on the 29th, Cal Crutchlow prepared for the race season by putting in the miles on his road bike. As part of his strict training regime Cal often dressed head to toe in Castelli with the Gabba being a firm favourite of the LCR Honda team rider. Pre-season regime consisted of outings with none other than Mark Cavendish to assist in his training and push him that much harder. A great fan of Bont, Cal also wears Zero Plus’s and Vaypor Plus’s when riding his bike whether for training or social riding. If you didn’t catch Cal in his Castelli taking Neil Hodgson out for a training ride on BT Sport be sure to go on line and have a look back at two of the best British motorcyclists swapping their crotch rockets for road bikes. All the best for the remaining season Cal. NICK COX

Each year at Saddleback we try to get everyone together for a celebration of another 12 months under our belts. Combined with an excellent fun day put on by our generous owners, we also come together for a group photo. The Saddleback family is increasing every year as we grow as a business, but it’s not always easy to get everyone in one place. With the soon to launch new website here at Saddleback, be sure to put names to faces and meet the team on our staff webpage. We are a team of mixed ages and experiences which means there’s always something to laugh about and always someone who has an answer to a bike related question. NICK COX

After great success with the first Bike Bonanza, Peaty decided to bring it to Bristol. Local to us here at Saddleback, we had to go! Saturday consisted of riding with the legend himself followed by an evening of watching ‘Won’t Back Down’, the film that documents Peaty’s race life so far. Sunday was a bustling, buzzing atmosphere of shoppers with cash-stuffed pockets keen to grab a bargain. With all manner of bike related products, components, clothing and bikes themselves, it was hard to not get nostalgic over the retro bits on show or excited about the newer stuff at crazy prices. I think a lot of people now have their sheds/garages back in order now. NICK COX

NEW PRODUCT2015

HANDCRAFTED ITALIAN GOODNESS

ENDURO MASTER AND ALL ROUND NICE GUY STICKS WITH US.

FOR SALE

MOTOGP

OFFICE

INTRODUCING ASTUTE SADDLES AT CORE BIKE 2015

14

NEWS

COREBIKE

FOR MORE NEWS HEAD OVER TO WWW.SADDLEBACK.CO.UK

It was great to see and catch up with everyone who made it to CoreBike this January. In our 5th year of attendance at the industry show we were pleased to relocate to a larger exhibition area, giving greater space to present key lines including Castelli SS15 and a selection of AW15 garments. Saddleback were also proud to share the addition of new brand Astute to our portfolio, with the ‘100% made in Italy’ saddles in-stock today. We were privileged to

SOMETHING WRITTEN HERE

be joined by Matt Templeton from Stages and David Hallander of Silca, both flying in from the US to share technical and product knowledge during the show. If you didn’t get a chance to grab a copy of Saddleback’s (hot-off-the-press) new format Photography Collection and Product Catalogue, then your area manager will be along soon with fresh copies. If you can’t wait please contact our Customer Service team now. ANDREW GRIFFITHS

SMITHLOGO

Smith Optics celebrates fifty years of producing some of the world’s best eyewear by redesigning and launching a new logo. The Smith logo has evolved over the years but the new one is a fresh approach and a completely new design. Here’s to another fifty years of innovative eyewear and helmet design, we’re excited about what the future holds for Smith Optics.

WELSHGRAVITY

Thanks to the efforts of Saddleback’s very own Enduro racer Ross Grimmett we have managed to secure sponsorship of the new Welsh Gravity Enduro series. With Enve and Smith being the headline sponsors we look forward to an exciting race season across some of the best UK riding in Wales. Check out our next issue for a more in depth look at the series.

SCOTTBEAUMONT

National 4X champion and 4th in the Pro Tour, Scott Beaumont has recently received from us his Stages DXR crank. Keep an eye out for blistering watts posted up by one of the fastest out of the gate. We’re looking forward to working with Scott and getting his feedback on one of our fastest growing brands, Stages Power Meters. Head over to beaumontracing.com for more info.

ROUNDUP

15

SADDLEBACK EVENTS

LOVECROSSEDNew kid on the cyclocross block, Love Crossed, sees its first event become a great success. Supported by Saddleback and staff - the love affair begins.The preparation started six weeks before 14th of Feb for Scot,Charles and myself. As key sponsors part of our input was to design a course around the grounds of Chavenage House, creating a lap that would incorporate key aspects of cyclocross; mud, single track, off camber and gravel. Both James’ and Tanguin of Chavenage Challenges

put on a great event with a fully taped course, normally reserved for regional and national events. Spectators were not short changed either, with a double decker bus as a bar, coffee from a mobile café van and pizza ovens on site. The racing started at 10:30am with youth riders, through to the seniors at 2:45. The Vets and Seniors were

the two most contested races with father and son combo of Phil Roach (world champion) and Steven Roach (top 10 national) taking the top spots. An overall success which will see the event repeated as part of local league racing and possibly a venue for the 2015 regional championships. DAVE BARNAVILLE

ROUND UP

16

FREDWHITTON FORTWILLIAM

UKGESEASON

Raising money for charity whilst riding one of the most difficult of UK sportives - where do I sign?

It’s the greatest mountain bike show in the UK / Earth, so what better way to spend our weekend ‘working’.

Bigger and better, the UK Enduro scene continues to grow at an exponential rate and we will be there.

Here at Saddleback we love to support races and sportives and one of our favourite and longest running partnerships is with The Fred Whitton Challenge. Billed as the toughest sportive in the UK, it raises money for The MacMillan Cancer Fund. With a limited number of entrants it is also one of the mostly heavily subscribed sportives in the UK. We support the sportive every year and couldn’t be prouder to be part of something that does such a good work. Driving the course in support vans to make sure everyone is able to finish and producing the visual material are just some of the ways in which we use our passion and talent to help the Fred Whitton cause. NICK COX

Last year saw 20,000 members of the public over the space of a weekend gather at the Ben Nevis Range centre. Why? Fort William Downhill World Cup race, the largest attended bike race in the UK, thats why! So we just had to be a part of it and last year we were. Our Enve/Smith Optics stand was one of the most visited with raffle prize draws every day, which saw members of the public win Smith goggles, glasses and Enve bars. We even had a visit from the Santa Cruz Syndicate guys, most notably Josh Bryceland who signed our stand display. This year we’re going back and if you like good food, partying, racing, crashes and a tolerance for mosquitos - you have to be there! NICK COX

The coming 2015 season is the most exciting and highly anticipated that I can remember in years. There are so many quality stand-alone and series of Enduro races from highly respected organisers this year – it feels like you can go racing about every weekend! With competitive race ready bikes being offered by so many manufacturers now, riders have so much choice. The beauty is these bikes and kit are 100% relevant for your regular riding when you don’t have a number board on your handle bars. Watch out for ENVE and SMITH sponsored events all over the UK in 2015. ROSS GRIMMETT

SADDLEBACK EVENTS

PREVIEW PREVIEW

PREVIEW

17

FRESH PRODUCE

A group of the best Venetian craftsmen, combined with enthusiastic businessmen, Astute is the result of an Italian dream. Wholly handmade in Italy, the revolutionary saddles offer the cycling field a new benchmark of elegance, comfort, technology and performance.

ASTUTESADDLES

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FRESH PRODUCE

Ultra-lightweight at 250g, the Overtake is unlike traditional helmet designs. The

use of Koroyd provides a significantly increased venting surface for better

managed, highly focused airflow. These help reduce the helmet’s profile promoting

unique aerodynamic benefits. It has 21 optimized vents for balanced aerodynamic performance. It also has Smith’s VaporFit™

dial-operated 360 adjustable fit system.

SMITHOVERTAKE

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FRESH PRODUCE

NFTOFELTF1FRDCustom made for NFTO race team, introducing the Felt F1 FRD race bike. Not available to the public, only 40 of the NFTO F1 FRD have been produced. Full race spec includes Shimano Dura Ace Di2 and Enve finishing kit/wheels. Bespoke team issue Astute saddle sees the Skylite stiffened with dual carbon layers for even greater power transfer and anatomical fit. www.nftopro.com

BESPOKE TEAM ISSUE ASTUTE SADDLE

ENVE SEATPOST

CHRIS KING R45 HUBS

ARUNDEL MANDIBLE BOTTLE CAGE

STAGES DURA ACE POWER METER

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FRESH PRODUCE

ENVE CLASSIC 25 CLINCHER WHEELS

ENVE STEM

ENVE AERO RACE BAR

21

THE OFFICE

WHO IS CHRIS TATTON? The new boy at Saddleback

WHERE DO YOU LIVE? Yate WHAT’S YOUR JOB TITLE? Saddleback Customer Services Administrator WHAT DO YOU DO? Assist Adrian & Ross HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN AT SADDLEBACK? 2 Months WORST JOB YOU EVER HAD? Despatch Manager at MFI BEST PLACE TO RIDE? Any fast TT course FAVOURITE BIKE PRODUCT? Di2 gearing WHAT MAKES YOU ANGRY? Pettiness WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY? The people around me WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE SAYING? It’s not over until the fat lady sings – unless it’s a fat ladies singing competition BEST BIT OF ADVICE YOU COULD GIVE? Don’t eat yellow snow WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO NOW? Random stuff on my ipad HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED? For being a nice bloke, plus being fairly quick on a bike

SHOPFOCUS

DIGITALINCYCLE

A small shop with big brands and big customer service values. Based in Frankwell Shrewsbury, just off the Frankwell roundabout, The Trailhead Company has over 40 years combined industry knowledge of specific brands and an in-depth range, but they also cater for everyone, whether it be sizing up a child’s first bike or preparing a custom built ready-to-race gravity enduro bike. Sandy Plenty owner of the shop, had this to say about his Enve wheelset: “I’ve been enjoying the Santa Cruz 5010 all winter. I built it with Enve M60’s on King hubs, light & strong being the focus on this build. Then after 2 months of long muddy rides I felt it was time for a spruce up. Out came the blue stickers! I don’t think you’ll lose me on the trail”

THE TRAILHEAD BICYCLE COMPANY20 Frankwell, Shrewsbury, Shropshire,SY3 8JYthetrailhead.co.uk / [email protected]

Here at Saddleback we care about the environment, let’s face it if we ruin it where will we ride? So you can read and downlaod the latest issue of Incycle from the link below. Missed an issue? Head to the same link and download the back catalogue of any Incycle since its birth.www.issuu.com/saddleback

THIS MONTH WE MEET TEAM MEMBER CHRIS TATTON, HE GOT BUSY ON A BIKE BEFORE YOU DID!

MEET THE TEAM

SIMPLY JUST A BIKE OR A PIECE OF ARTWORK? I’LL LET YOU DECIDE

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THE OFFICE

THIS ISSUE WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE 2015 CASTELLI SUMMER STOCK DELIVERY

OFFICE IN NUMBERS

503

284

1028.3

20th

371of5

31

413

Boxes delivered to the Saddleback warehouse

The number of new designs

The first of 5 drops coming from Castelli

Total amount of summer lines

Miles travelled from Italy

February - summer lines available from

Number of pallets fork lifted off the lorries from Italy

The amount of man hours to rack it all away

in the wareouse by 5 staff

“Why on earth would one buy Dairylea when one can have Brie or Camembert?”LORD CHARLES COLEMAN SADDLEBACK CUSTOMER SERVICE

NICK COX SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERCASTELLI SAN REMO THERMOSUITRRP £260

Still being a relative newbie when it comes to all things road, I took the advice of my fellow colleague roadies and bought myself a San Remo Thermosuit last year. It sat in my wardrobe for a few months before the temperature dropped low enough to warrant wearing it. Once I managed to pluck up the courage to basically go out in public looking like a power ranger, there was no going back. Super warm, comfortable, easy to put on and most importantly black and fluro yellow - I was hooked. It has done me proud over the cold winter months but now as the temperature climbs and we enter spring, it’ll go back in the wardrobe until winter rolls around again and I break out, what my 2 year old daughter calls, my scorpion onesie. If you haven’t got one, get one, that is all.

POWERRANGERSTAFFPICKS

BAYWATCHJust over a year ago a race called ‘Battle on the Beach’ popped its head up. It was to be the UK’s first beach race, with a 2.5 mile blast up the beach of Pembrey sands, cutting inland through sand dunes and twisty woodland singletrack before throwing you back onto the beach for another two laps. It was organised by Matt Page, one of the UKs most prolific MTB racers and he’s fast becoming known for putting on some of the best races in the country, including the upcoming Epic Cymru, but more on that at a later date… Come race day and the weather couldn’t have been better, bright blue skies and warm (for March) temperatures. Competitors had come from all disciplines, MTB, Cyclocross, Road and even a few dedicated beach racers from the continent! The whole day was a huge success so I was chuffed to bits when I heard from Matt that the race would be back for 2015, taking place on March the 22nd and Saddleback will be there. Not only are we sponsoring the race with prizes from ENVE but we will be there with demo bikes including the Felt DD30 Fat Bike so you can put them through their paces on the sand (or snow….weather dependent). SCOT EASTER

http://www.battleonthebeach.co.uk/

Battle on the Beach returns for 2015

©ANTHONY PEASE PHOTOGRAPHY

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With the ever growing popularity of Bike Park Wales and the majority of people in the office hanging up their road bikes for a bit of winter mountain biking, it seemed it was time to head over to one of the best riding locations in the South West. Thanks to the excellent staff we managed to hire ourselves an uplift bus for the day. What we weren’t expecting when we booked the day back in December was the snow! At first it provided awesome grip and soft landing for the inevitable crashes that were to follow. However the snow soon became hard packed and super slippy - this meant even more fun! With lots of squirly runs, slips and slides we all had an awesome day! Bike Park Wales really is a destination that needs to be on your radar, with the continued building of new runs it will be long used by us all here at Saddleback. NICK COX

Last year we all had the privilege of meeting all round nice guy Paule Schmiedtke, son of Marc Schmiedtke, one of the directors of Felt Bicycles. Paule came to work here at Saddleback to get a taste of what we do and to visit our glorious country! Paule then returned to Germany to work for Mercedes. We all missed him, so when Jason said he had a surprise for us all it was awesome that it was our friend Paule back for a visit. NICK COX

THE OFFICE

MOST OF THE OFFICE AND A FEW OF OUR FRIENDS HEAD TO BIKE PARK WALES FOR SOME FUN IN THE SNOW.

PAULE SCHMIEDTKE FLIES IN FROM GERMANY FOR A QUICK VISIT TO MAKE SURE THE PLACE IS STILL STANDING

INSIDE THE OFFICE

INSIDE THE OFFICE

So we all went to Bike Park Wales for an uplift day. Booked long in advance, when our time came there was snow on the ground and ice everywhere else, but that made it even more fun. I was riding an alpine 160 that the guys from Orange kindly lent me and popped a set of the Enve M60s on to finish it off. The bike was built for all out fun. The wheels - they just work! They give you the confidence to ride everything that little bit more aggressively, without having to worry if they’re up to the job. They’ll take whatever you throw at them. Cornering feels super fast and fun, somehow they just hold the lines, leaving you with plenty of speed. You’ve got to a try a set.

EMILY’SCOLUMN

As the only resident triathlete here at Saddleback, I’m often asked if my bike is broken as I’m heading out for a run or looked at incredulously for suggesting a swim in a cold lake. However, I know there are many kindred spirits out there, and so this column was born! Having completed Ironman Wales in September, the winter has been about keeping fitness up with winter-battling commutes and dark morning pool swims. As the evenings get lighter, my mind has been firmly focused on the year ahead. First up it’s an ‘easy’ season opener at the Fred Whitton Challenge, a Saddleback supported sportive of epic pass climbs in the Lakes. This will bring me nicely into the main events, the top 3 being IM UK 70.3 in Exmoor, The Long Course Weekend in Tenby and culminating with IM Switzerland in July. Fingers crossed for an injury free and successful season! EMILY CARR

Apparently there is something else rather than just riding a bike...

ASH MATTHEWS BRAND MANAGERENVE M60 WHEELSETRRP £2500

SMITH BRAND MANAGER

ALWAYSENVESTAFFPICKS

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YOU WILL NEEDSlow CookerTimer PlugYesterday’s leftovers

Get yourself a timer plug and use it with your slow cooker and yesterday’s left overs, to get your tea ready for when you get home from a big day out riding. What better way to end a day of thrashing your bike around.

1. 160MM TRAIL BIKES Essentially a downhill bike that you can spend all day riding trails where uplifts don’t go. The best all-round mountain bike to date. 2. TUBELESS WHEELS/TYRES Not just about ‘no more pinch flats’, the ride quality is sublime, both on road and mountain. Rim design has also progressed massively due to tubeless tyre systems. 3. SHIMANO DI2 Those sprint shifters for riding in the drops are fantastic. Crit racing has never been the same. Just remember to charge the battery every once in a while (Emily)! 4. CASTELLI SPEED SUIT The most comfortable item of clothing you will ever wear. You always wear your shorts and jersey together so why not have them stitched together?! 5. MODERN LIGHTSHaving super-bright lights for night rides and dark lane road commutes with no battery pack to strap to your top tube is a revelation. Remote charging from USB is also a bonus.

“BIG SHOUT TO @pinkbike for the gravity racer of the year award!!!!! crazy how much love ive been getting from the MTB community for last season, makes me keener than ever to get back to full klanker at some races. thanks PB”JOSH BRYCELAND ENVE ATHLETE

WINTERSUNAfter giving my Downhill bike back to Don Skenes at the end of the 2014 Season I have been out on my Enduro bike, dying to get back on a DH bike! In the depths of winter, getting

stinking muddy at home I booked a week in Malaga, Spain with World Cup racer Emyr Davies and convinced Charles to come out having just recently swapped his lycra for baggies! Just managing to get the new bike ready in time, Malaga is the perfect pre season location, with a plethora of long alpine-style DH tracks ranging from tight and techy to fast and open. A solid week of uplifts meant I could set up the V10 and get it dialled in, whilst building my confidence and working out what I need to do for the remainder of the off-season to be ready by the time I hear those beeps at BDS Rd1! JESS GREAVES

“So lucky be able to get 7 days riding long technical tracks in January, while uplift roads are frozen back home”

THIS MONTH CUSTOMER SERVICE ELITE AND THOROUGHLY GOOD CHAP, CHARLES COLEMAN SHARES WITH US HIS TOP FIVE BIKE INVENTIONS

TOP FIVE

JESS GREAVES FROM OUR WAREHOUSE GETS TUNED UP READY FOR THE START OF THE DH SEASON.

TALES FROM THE DH CIRCUIT

CHARLES’S ENVE EQUIPPED TRAIL MACHINE.

ROSS GRIMMETT SENIOR MECHANICEVERY ISSUE WE WILL BRING YOU INSIDER TECH TIPS FROM OUR CHIEF MECHANIC ROSS

MEALSAFTERWHEELSTECHTIPS

FANTASYDOWNHILLFor the last few years, the Saddleback office has become a battleground. With the start of a Downhill World Cup we all pick our favourite, best and mostly punts riders to make up our individual fantasy team. In true fantasy league rules, we have limited funds to share amongst a fixed number of riders. With all the Saddleback office choices already submitted, if you would like to enter then please ask for more information by emailing the address below. Entries will need to be submitted by April 9th. There will be prizes! [email protected]

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BEST SELLERS

SMITH OPTICSPIVLOCK V2

RRP £120

STAGESULTEGRA 6800

RRP £699

SPORTIQUECENTURY RIDING

CREAM 180MLRRP £14.99

BESTSELLERSHere are some of our best selling products from the last few months. The Bont Riot and Sportique Century Riding Cream still remain firm favourites, whilst the Smith Optics Pivlock V2’s have grown in popularity - lets hope that means more sun is on the way.

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BEST SELLERS

ENVEOFFSET SEATPOST

RRP £240

BONTRIOT WHITERRP £99.99

CASTELLIDILUVIO GLOVE

RRP £35

JANUARY 2015 - MARCH 2015

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TEAM NFTO

NOTFORTHEORDINARYSaddleback Elite brands Castelli, Enve, Felt Bicycles, Arundel, Stages, Astute and Bont join forces with UCI Continental Team NFTO for the 2015 race season.

Two of our staff Justin Hoy and Richard Mardle, have joined UCI Continental team NFTO (Not For The Ordinary) for 2015 along with a pile of Saddleback’s products. The team will be fully kitted with Castelli clothing, Felt F1 frames, ENVE wheels and components, Stages Power cranks, new Astute saddles and finished off with Arundel for the whole season. John’s love for cycling

coupled with his competitive side led him to start the race team in 2011, bringing local talent from South Wales and the Hereford area together. This has now grown into one of the biggest teams in the country winning plenty of races in 2014, most notably victory in the Ride London race, a massive scalp from such world tour teams as Sky and BMC. This season has already started well for new recruit

Australian Steele Von Hoff, winning a stage of the Tour Down Under and Australian criterium championships.

Be sure to visit nftopro.com for all the latest race results, features and insights into what is going to be a full and successful race season. JUSTIN HOY

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TEAM NFTO

Dale ApplebyTom Barras Joins from Wheelbase-Altura MGDIan Bibby Joins from Madison-GenesisEdmund Bradbury Joins from Cambridge University RTEddie Dunbar Joins from Kanturk CCSam HarrisonJustin Hoy Joins from Felt-Colbornes-HargrovesJames LewisRhys Lloyd Joins from MetaltekJames Lowsley-WilliamsRichard Mardle Joins from Felt-Colbornes-HargrovesZach May Joins from MetaltekJohnny McEvoy Joins from NetApp-EnduraRob Partridge Joins from Giordana RacingSteele Von Hoff Joins from Garmin-SharpHugh WilsonJoe Wiltshire Joins from the NFTO Race Club

THE 2015 TEAM

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It’s all change on the downhill world cup circuit for many riders, however for the best rider in the world there’s no change... it’s still Enve.Last year was a great year for the Santa Cruz Syndicate rider Josh Bryceland, with a race season littered with first and second place finishes and what would have been the World Championship apart from over shooting the final jump and destroying his ankle. Notwithstanding that painful day, the previous continual high place finishes did land him the World Cup title and also the National British crown. →

UNSTOPPABLERATBOY

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DOWNHILL PREVIEW

TOP JOSH BRYCELAND CROSSING THE LINE AT WINDHAM, USA. PUTTING OVER 1.5 SECONDS INTO AARON GWIN WHO FINISHED SECOND.

BOTTOM JOSH BRYCELAND BEING CONGRATULATED BY SANTA CRUZ SYNDICATE MANAGER KATHY SESSLER, PEATY LOOKS PRETTY HAPPY TOO!

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“The thing corners on rails, we have a right little weapon on our hands”JOSH BRYCELAND ENVE ATHLETE

DOWNHILL PREVIEW

TOP BIG CELEBRATIONS AS BRYCELAND IS CROWNED WORLD CUP WINNER FOR 2014.

BOTTOM MINNAAR CELEBRATES 100 RACES AT WORLD CUP LEVEL, PEATY ENJOYS HIS 40TH BIRTHDAY

Bryceland being an Enve athlete means that all of us here at Saddleback follow his every move and his recovery from the serious injury to his ankle very closely. With the new season just around the corner, we have already been talking in the office about Fort William and our plans for our stand. This, teamed with the introduction of our Saddleback office fantasy downhill league, means the buzz and excitement is growing. There have been a lot of changes in the downhill world with riders swapping teams and some not even getting a ride this year, seriously good riders being left out in the cold. With some of our brands represented by pro downhill racers, there is no better way to show the quality and strength of these said brands than hooning them down the steepest, fastest, most tech and flat out downhill courses around the world. We will all be cheering on the Enve athletes Greg Minnaar, Steve Peat and Josh Bryceland – it’s going to be an interesting season with Minnaar back from injury, Bryceland recovering from injury and what some people are calling Steve Peats last season. Whatever happens this season we’ll be there either at our stand in Fort William or glued to our computers watching all the action. You should be too! NICK COX

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It was probably the worst kept secret of 2014, the hugely successful Green Machine, led by Peter Sagan that was Cannondale Pro Cycling was disbanding. Also that Team Garmin Sharp, the home of Dan Martin and the Crazy Panda Gang were going the same way… And despite the rumours that Cannondale could be going to Tinkoff, we all knew that Garmin and Cannondale would be coming together to form an all new super team. Led by Jonathan Vaughters and Slipstream Sports Management, the Cannondale-Garmin team will continue the old Garmin-Sharp mission

Introducing the all new Cannondale-Garmin Pro Cycling Team, representing Castelli on the Pro Tour.

of developing future champions. Indeed with this young roster comprised of 27 athletes from 14 different countries. Some of the more high profile youngsters include Joe Dombrowski, Alberto Bettiol, Davide Formolo, Matej Mohoric, Kristoffer Skjerping, Davide Villella and Ruben Zepuntke. The squad will be anchored by more experienced riders including Dan Martin, (Panda Man) winner of the 2014 Giro di Lombardia and 7th overall in the 2014 Vuelta; Ryder Hesjedal, 2012 Giro Champion and 2014 Vuelta stage winner; Ramunas Navardauskas, the 2014 Tour de France →

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“Even though the group is so diverse a common athletic spirit unites us in anticipation of the coming races. The atmosphere is energetic as riders and staff compare schedules figuring out which races they’ll do together”BEN KING TEAM MEMBER

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“What you can expect to see is an extremely talented group of young riders who will benefit greatly from the leadership and guidance of more experienced guys like Langeveld, Martin, Hesjedal and Talansky”JONATHAN VAUGHTERS GENERAL MANAGER

Stage winner and Lithuanian Time Trial Champion and Andrew Talansky, 2014 Dauphine winner and the top American in the 2013 Tour de France (where he was 10th overall). Notable absentees are Peter Sagan (ex Cannondale) who has gone to Tinkoff, Tyler Farrar (ex Garmin) who has gone to fellow Castelli sponsored Team MTN Qhubeka and Elia Viviani (ex Cannondale) who left to join Team Sky. The Cannondale tie in obviously brings in bikes and some strong team riders but also adds something new to the slipstream teams of old, notably the dropping of

the colour blue in favour of a Acid Green (Sprint Green in Castelli speak). The new black and green kit as well as being highly visible in the peloton is also a much more saleable kit, and for the first time should appeal as a jersey in its own right in a way that the Garmin Sharp kit never could. So if you have shied away from stocking team kits before, maybe its time for a fresh look (essential if your shop has a ‘Dale account). You can view the full range of Cannondale-Garmin kit on our new Saddleback B2B site. And as always with Castelli, the current collections benefit from some

team involvement so, not only can you get official Cannondale Garmin gear and team issue Gabbas (a first in the UK) you can also see the Acid Green influence in the non-team range. For example we have non-branded Sprint Green Gabba’s to add to the current three colour ways plus training jackets, gloves and even quilted mechanic’s jackets and beanies for the winter.

It’s an exciting new era for Castelli with two teams battling it out in all the major races. I wonder if we will still see the Pandas out for Dan? ADRIAN YATE

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MEDIACOVERAGEHere is a quick taste of some of the magazines our products have appeared in over the last few months. We pride ourselves on making sure products from all of our brands receive the most coverage possible... here’s the proof.

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1. SMITH OPTICS MOUNTAIN BIKING UK

2. FELT CYCLING PLUS

3. CASTELLI CYCLIST

4. STAGES CYCLING PLUS

5. CASTELLI CYCLING PLUS

6. ENVE CYCLING PLUS

7. SMITH CYCLING PLUS

8. SMITH CYCLING PLUS

JANUARY 2015 - MARCH 2015

9. BONT TRIATHLON PLUS

10. BONT CYCLING PLUS

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NEWENVEEVEN MORE CARBON EXCELLENCE COMING OUT OF UTAHINTRODUCING THE NEW MTB STEM AND SES 4.5 WHEELS

SUMMER ISSUE AVAILABLE FROM THE END OF JUNE

COMING SOON

MOUNTAINSTEM SES4.5

COMING SOON

The ENVE Mountain Stem is a perfect companion to our M-Series wheels and components. Featuring a choice blend of damping, stiffness, strength and weight, the ENVE Mountain Stem drives the desire to go further and faster.

The SES 4.5 features uncompromised aerodynamics, stability, lateral stiffness, braking, and cornering prowess. It’s the most stable rim in the SES line, making it the optimal choice for cyclists seeking confidence inspiring aero performance .

FRONTWEIGHT: 361GDT240: 575GDT180: 569GKING: 569GHOLE COUNT: 20DIAMETER: 700CERD: 563MM

REARWEIGHT: 399GDT240: 753GDT180: 712GKING: 743GHOLE COUNT: 24DIAMETER: 700CERD: 545MM

SETWEIGHT: 760GDT240: 1328GDT180: 1281GKING: 1313G

40MMWEIGHT: 85GSTACK HEIGHT: 37MMRISE: +/- 6 DEG.CLAMP DIAMETER: 31.8MM




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