SRAM Apex is sick!

Just when the snow melts and the sun warms the ground I get sick. Not just a little sick…stuck in bed, fever sweating, coughing like I swallowed poison sick…drat! Well…I tried to ride on Friday but that lasted about 3-miles and I turned back home. I know, I know…rest and let it pass. I know this just as well as the next person but when the sun is shining after a long winter it is so hard to listen. So what does a cycling junkie so when they are stuck at home not able to ride? Read cycling product manuals of course.

One of the new products I am very excited about is the new SRAM Apex 10-speed component group. This new family of components is aimed at eliminating the need for triple cranks on a bike in favor of a double with multiple cassette choices for a wide choice of gearing. The Apex group is labeled as “WiFli” for Wider, Faster and Lighter. It has higher and lower gearing than a triple, shifts quicker than a triple and it’s about 250-grams lighter than a triple.

For starters, there is two different rear derailleurs with a short cage (28t capacity) and mid-cage (32t capacity). To make life easier on our legs SRAM is offering 11-32, 11-28, 11-26 and 11-23 cassettes. The SRAM Apex crank is offered in 53/39, 52/38, 52/36 (my personal favorite), 50/36, 50/34 and 46/38 (cyclocross). This means you can set up Apex as a standard, compact, mega-compact and cyclocross gearing. Apex shifters are Double Tap/Zero Loss with hidden cables and reach adjust. The Apex family can do it all. My sources tell me there is great interest by big bike companies in the 50/34 with the wide gearing to take on everything the road can throw at you.

This is why I am such a huge fan of SRAM. They are aggressive in developing new technology that customers can afford (anyone price electric Dura-Ace or Campagnolos 11-speed Record recently?), they seem to know what the average riders needs and they do it with great style. It is for this reason that Tommaso Nation will see the SRAM Apex in the Tommaso line up this Summer! I feel better already.

Tommaso Sponsors Pro Triathlete James Hadley

Tommaso Bicycles is pleased to announce the sponsorship of pro triathlete James Hadley. Hadley is a 30-year old professional triathlete from Weston, England. He is currently living in Boulder, CO and focusing on the North American 70.3 Ironman circuit. The partnership of athlete and bike is an effort by Tommaso to further its dedication to the sport and to provide Tommaso customers with pro level bikes they can afford.

This sponsorship is in conjunction with the launch of three new tri bike offerings from Tommaso. The new tri line will consist of an aluminum base model, the Coltello, and two carbon tri bikes; the Aereo and the Sixth Sense. Tommaso has made the necessary investment to compete at the highest level with their new tri line. The three new models have been in development for over two years and will offer customers the finest craftsmanship and a strong value story.

Part of the development cycle was the Tommaso Product Manager, and triathlon veteran, T.R. Maloney racing the Sixth Sense at Ironman Louisville in 2009. “We want our customers to know we are serious about triathlon and understand the sport. After the hours of training and racing I did on the Sixth Sense I know it is a great handling fast bike ready for the world’s toughest events” said Maloney.

“Tommaso is excited to partner with a Triathlete of James’s caliber and accomplishments and have him race on the all new Tommaso Sixth Sense, said Randall Weidberg, President of Tommaso Bikes. Our research and development department have been working extremely hard on producing one of the world’s finest full carbon triathlon bikes. We are extremely proud to bring the Tommaso Sixth Sense to market and look forward to a successful race season and partnership with James.”

The target of the aluminum tri bike is to open the door to those new to triathlon. The carbon models consist of a Shimano Ultegra version and a Shimano Dura-Ace version and are aimed at those looking to upgrade to a monocoque carbon racing bike worthy of the most grueling events.

Hadley will work with the product team at Tommaso by providing feedback on Tommaso road bikes, tri bikes and equipment. Another area Hadley will be involved in is the Social Media aspect of Tommaso bikes. James will appear on the Tommaso Facebook Fan Page daily and talk about training and answer questions from the fans of Tommaso known as “Tommaso Nation.”

About Tommaso Bicycles:

Founded in 1985 Tommaso Bicycle Company’s philosophy is to produce the finest bicycles in the world. Tommaso is committed to excellence in the design, craftsmanship, and distribution of our beloved road bicycles. Tommaso adheres to strict comprehensive quality control. Every bicycle must pass a relentless and rigorous criterion of tests before they ever make it into production. Our systematic prepping process guarantees precision setups. Every Tommaso bicycles leaves our factories with a lifetime guarantee. Tommaso’s mission is to combine our old world tradition of maximum attention to detail in shaping our premier frame tubes and precision paint schemes with cutting edge technology and innovation.