Bianchi San Jose Road Bike

We here at Gearzilla love looking forward into the brave new world gear innovations. But sometime we like to pause and express our affection for products that have become part of our daily outdoor-lovin’ lives. Such is the case of the Bianchi San Jose. This single-speed all-steel bike gets everything right—one tester has been using it for daily commutes for years, but it has also performed well in mellow singletrack and on gravel and dirt towpaths. You can run it as a fixie, but we prefer the ability to…actually brake when cycling in urban environs. We swapped out the saddle and went for the Crank Brothers’ Eggbeater pedals, and over five years of near-daily use, we’ve had to swap in new tires, replace the chain, and re-wrap the handle bars—and soon the Cane Creek brakes will need a serious retrofit. But that’s typical of any bike, and it’s still as ridiculously light, nimble, and fun to ride as it was when we bought it over five years ago. The only sad part? It seems Bianchi isn’t offering the full bike; their site displays only the bike frame. But those less inclined to build up their own perfect commuter rig can still find the San Jose (including the gorgeous eggshell blue one) on Craigslist.

$399 (Frame Only)

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Rapha Challenges Riders to Join the Tour de France—and Win Big

The Tour de France may not get the national fanfare it once saw back in the Armstrong days, but for cycling purists not even the broken record of doping scandals can sour the sport’s premiere annual event. This year, British cycling apparel brand Rapha celebrates the Tour’s enduring legacy by issuing a call to cyclists everywhere to join the Tour’s peleton (the main pack of riders) by climbing the combined elevations of the Circle of Death. This fearsome loop through the Pyrenees boasts 22,575 feet in elevation gain, including Col d’Aubisque, Col du Tourmalet, Col d’Aspin, and Col de Peyresourde—all of it in just four punishing days, from July 15-22. Participants in the challenge will ride on those same days—and those who clock the same 22,575-foot gain (tracked via Strava.com’s GPS app and posted on their site) receive a Rapha Rising roundel, and will be entered to win a limited-edition Trek Madone 6.9 bike.

Rapha also wants to see who can clock the most elevation gain on July 18, the date of the famed Queen Stage of the Tour. The winner will get a Rapha Race Bag packed with a Circle of Death Jersey, Classic Big Shorts, and a pair of Grand Tour Shoes. And, of course, year-long bragging rights.

For additional info, check out the Rapha/Strava Circle of Death info page.

Price: Enduring the Climbs

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Marin Argenta A6 Road Bike

www.marinbikes.com
I love my Marin bike. I had a hybrid bicycle that I used on group rides and when competing in triathlons, but after enduring the middle ground of both worlds, I finally made up my mind to spend the money and get a quality road bike. I spent some time doing research, and after a few coworkers told me to check out California’s Marin Bikes, I finally found a bike worth the investment. My biggest focus when choosing a bike was on the drive train. I wanted to get at least Shimano 105 shifters and derailleur because I felt they would last longer and have a better performance. (I am the queen of using all of my gears…) Marin’s Argenta fulfilled this want/need. After riding this bike for about a half a year, it’s still a solid bike. The aluminum/carbon frame is light and something I can easily pick up and maneuver out of elevators or down escalators (ah, urban life). I would recommend this bike to anyone looking for a decent road bike for anything from leisure rides to racing the rest of the work commuters down the Washington & Old Dominion bike trail. Also, if you are looking to save money, look at last year’s bike models.
-Jennifer Seabolt

$1,400

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Specialized Rubaix Elite Compact Bike

www.specialized.com, 19 pounds
Road bikes evoke the childlike glee of your first ride in almost every cyclist, but they’re really God’s gift to aging athletes. For those 40-something outdoor warriors who’s indiscretions of youth are coming back to haunt them in the form of a bad back, sore knees, or nagging shoulder injury, a road bike (especially a lightweight carbon fiber stead) can be the fountain of youth. I used to spend my spare time running long distances and climbing magnificent peaks—until my joints told me it was time to stop. Thankfully, this bike has given me another 20 years of being an aggressive athlete. The Rubaix fits my body and riding style—it feels as the rig springs forward when I pedal. I’ve tried other carbon fiber bikes in its class and found them less responsive. Simply put, after over 1500 miles, I can confidently say that the bike fits my body, its movements and physical and cognitive abilities. Like most bikes, the Rubaix Elite comes with a dizzying array of components that rarely make sense to anyone but the first-class tech geek. A new FACT 8r carbon frame boasts Endurance Road geometry and a monocoque fork that dampens vibration, and Zertz inserts and tapered head tube provide the magical blend of stiffness, compliance, and light weight. The Campagnolo wheels (Fulcrum 6) are fast, light and durable enough for high-mileage training. Fav features include the adjustable alloy stem, precise Shimano 105 STI shifters, and comfortable BG Toupe Plus Comp saddle.
–John Bouchard

$2750

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