Initial thoughts on: Fouriers Carbon handlebar

Initial thoughts on: Fouriers Carbon handlebar
By : Chris Sontag

Packaging: The handlebar came in a plastic bag. This is likely due to that it was included in a bulk shipment of other parts. It was comforting to see the quality control sticker on the inside of the handlebar (figure 1). As an engineer I understand the need to have quality controls in place, and I am happy to see them being used by the people at fouriers. 
Installation: The handle bar installed easily, and came labeled with alignment lines and torque values (figure 2). The handlebar comes with grooves for routing brake and shifting cables (figure 3). I found the grooves to be the correct size and position to run my cables from my sram shifters (figure 4). 
First Use: I came from using a set of zipp traditional bend handlebars. These handle bars have more of a ergonomic bend to them (figure 5). The drops are very comfortable, and I can spend as long as I need to in the drops without fatigue in my hands. I found the handlebar to be notably stiffer when sprinting. When I was descending I found the handlebar was stiff, and translated my thoughts into actions on the road.
Feedback: A quality product that I am happy to have on my bike. I look forward to spending more miles on these bars!

Figure 1 Quality control sticker:

Figure 2 Alignment lines and torque value:

Figure 3 Cable routing:

Figure 4 cables and housing installed:

Figure 5 handlebar shape:

Fouriers Website: http://www.fouriers-bike.com

Initial Thoughts on: Fouriers Carbon Chain Catcher by Chris Santog

Initial Thoughts on: Fouriers Carbon Chain Catcher

By : Chris Sontag

Packaging: The chain catcher came in a small plastic package along with the mounting hardware and instructions.

Installation: The chain catcher bolts inline with the braze on front derailleur. You place the bolt through a washer, then through the chain catcher, then through a large spacer and the curved spacer for the frame mount, and finally into the front derailleur. Some finesse and trial and error is required to align both the front derailleur and the chain catcher correctly.

First Use: After reinstalling my front derailleur I did not correctly readjust the limits of the front derailleur. Despite this mis-adjustment I never had my chain fall of when shifting!

Feedback: The chain catcher looks fantastic and is very light! If I were to improve the product I would make a way to be able to adjust it separate from the front derailleur. I propose a new part that would allow this.

Figure 1: Installed chain catcher

 Written by: Chris Santog 

Fouriers:

www.fouriers-bike.com 

Pedaling Forward:

www.pedalingforward.com

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Initial thoughts on: Xero wheels INERTIA TX2

Initial thoughts on: Xero wheels INERTIA TX2 (Original Article Link)
By : Chris Sontag

Packaging: The wheels came in a well protected box in protective sleeves. The skewers, 10 speed freehub body adapter and valve extenders were in bag taped onto the top cover on the wheels. The hubs were protected with plastic caps that were easily removed. 

Installation: The freehub is 11 speed compatible, so I installed the 10 speed washer onto the freehub body and installed my cassette as usual. The skewers were standard skewers with a good aggressive cam action. I chose to mount continental 4000s tires to the wheels. With tire levers they were installed easily. I used inner tubes with 60mm valves, so the valve extenders were not needed. I installed them to test them for thoroughness. The rubber O-rings were found to be a little brittle and would come apart when the valve extender was tightened onto the valve. They still formed a tight bond that allowed the tire to be inflated. 

First Use: The first thing I noticed was the whooshing carbon sound that is expected for those who use carbon wheels. The wheels were happy to be at speed and could hold speed well even on slight inclines. I did find the wheels a little slow to get up to speed from a dead stop. Going up moderate climbs the wheels were able to hold their speed, but the extra weight was noticed as the slope went above 8%. The free hub has good engagement, and has a pleasant sound to it. The spokes were all evenly tensioned and the wheels were true.
The wider rim creates a much larger volume of the tire, which creates more of a semi circle look, compared to a light bulb look on traditional width rims. From my studying of wider rims I knew I should be able to run a lower pressure than normal, so I chose to run 100 psi front and rear. With this pressure the bumps and rough areas in the pavement were notably less harsh compared to my standard width wheels. On the descents the change in the tire profile was most noticeable. The bike easily transitioned from side to side and picked up the roughness of the road, keeping the tires on the ground. I felt much more confident on these wheels than any other wheel I have used. 
The wider profile of the rim and the rounded inner edge provide increased stability in the wind. When the wind gusts come along I would still be pushed, but felt less of a steering force on the front wheel. The rounded edge makes the leading and trailing edges similar to how the wind sees them. Since the wind hits both the leading edge of the wheel, as well as the inner lip on the rear of the wheel, having similar aerodynamic shapes will create similar amounts of lift. Having similar amounts of lift reduces the steering feel the rider feels on the front wheel.

Feedback: The wheels are great for flat or rolling courses. Their weight of 1645 grams is their largest detractor. Losing some weight will greatly increase the wheels performance in my opinion. The O rings provided with the valve extenders have minimal use, if the tube is changed, the o ring is either destroyed, or left on the tube. If there is a way to have the seal be built into the valve extender, it would be more effective. 
The wheels are great, they corner, hold speed and spin great. I am sold on the advantages of the 23mm wide rim. I am ready to switch all of my wheels to 23mm wide!!

(Original Article Link)

*Content and Images provided by Chris Sontag to Pedaling Forward*