La Guru Grande Vitesse

StephaniePage
Originally uploaded by shamacycles

Stephanie is one of my girls who race for me and this year was her first year to race. She did great and is very strong...even though she was on a bike that drove me nuts to try to fit her on and was heavier than some mountain bikes. She really just has a great time riding and loves to go as hard as possible and really challenge herself. Not to mention giving her husband a run for his money when they ride as well. See Stephanie is french and grew up riding in the Alps and loving the tough stuff. Yes...her child hard had to be awful. haha
This past September she finally came to me to say she wanted to get a new bike I could barely control myself. So how does one go about parting out a custom frame for road racing with out going crazy? Well the Geneo frame is very stiff in the bb and offers great acceleration while the seat stays still offer a great deal of comfort...not to mention its one of the nicest fully custom carbon frames you can buy. The paint is a Pearl White with Platinum. In the sun light this frame looks amazing! We chose FSA bars and stem in white for fit and looks...can't go wrong with white powder coat parts on a frame like this. We also used a white headset and spacers. Her Zipp wheels are a couple years old with the old stickers...I couldn't have that so we updated the wheels with new stickers that look MUCH better than the old. We chose Sram Force front and rear D and shifters. Sram Red cranks for the 167.5 length and Enduro Zero ceramic pulley wheels and bb. Zero Gravity GSL brakes stop this rig on a dime. New Ultimate carbon post is super light holding a Selle SMP Forma saddle. This is the first one out as I took this saddle from Interbike. Nokons of course were used for the cables and I even got in some silver Lizard Skin bartape that is not for sale since they thought the color wouldn't sell...I bought the last they had.
I really can't wait to hear about Stephanie's first ride and how great it is! Stay tuned...

Interbike finds on a Guru Crono

Cinco 010
Originally uploaded by shamacycles

So here we are a month out of Interbike and already I have some new bits on a build. While having the new custom Zero Gravity GSL brakes and Rotor 3D cranks on this bike is quite impressive and fast...getting the frame in was anything but. Sure it was within the typical time line of a Guru, John wanted it for Try Andy's Tri and was tired of being uncomfortable on his Felt...of course the bike did not make it in in time. The following week the frame came in on Thursday and did the pre fit on Friday and had it built and ready to go no Saturday so he could race it on a last minute race sign up at Firethorne Tri on Sunday. So does this once again become a story about how with the first ride on a bike being race day gives the athlete a PR like my athletes have done before...that would be a big fat NOPE! See John was late picking up the bike on Saturday due to his daughter being sick...he got the bike....we did a proper fitting and he was off. He did not make it to the race Sunday morning since he choose to stay home with his sick little girl. While I was bummed not to see this bad a$$ rig race morning...I know we will see more of this little jewel next season collecting hardware.

Guru Crono, Platinum/black

First Pics 017
Originally uploaded by shamacycles

So this bike was one of my built at the shop earlier this year. Brett was always a contender but since getting this steed he has been KILLING the races he enters. No only is his bike splits faster but as consistent with all my custom tri bikes, his run off the bike is also faster. He is a great athlete and person even off the bike. Its great when I get to be involved in the racing exploits of such great people. Though the same week his bike came in last January...so did Rich's and these two guys have been dishing out blows to each other at races this season that has left all the other Master's seekers settling for 2nd or 3rd in the AG. Great fun to watch. Both bikes by the way look totally different but essentially have the same components with very little differences. So really with both racing custom bikes...its all about who has been putting in the work....cause with the way these bikes are built...riding one really takes away all your excuses...

KH Ventus

KH Ventus
Originally uploaded by shamacycles

Kristine came to me with a passion for riding on a old road bike that was way too big for her. She wanted to get into triathlons and time trials and needed a proper bike to get her there. She came to me recommended by a friend who has one of my Gurus already. Though this was all so new to her and her budget was not quite ready for a Guru, she quickly found a way to make it work. After waiting patiently for it to come in, it came in in time for Du The Bear...where she went down on that rainy course. After a proper break in she then redeemed herself at Try Andy's Tri with 2nd in her AG and the fastest bike split in her AG and 4th fastest female bikesplit overall. What is it and what makes her so fast so quick??? Its an aluminum frame, 650 wheels that are regular spoked wheels...but it is custom and fits her like a glove. She is comfortable...and fast! Guru Ventus with a carbon fork and seatpost. Velocity Helios wheelset. Sram Rival components. Profile aerobars. Nothing crazy fast...just fit well. Oh yeah...its beautiful too! Just like a bike should be....I mean after all. Its all about the race pics right???

Firethorne Triathlon

Cinco 051
Originally uploaded by shamacycles

So this was formerly known as Cinco Ranch Tri and has moved a little further west and seems to be later in the year. What a great venue though and nice area for a tri. Though I have to say with the mess traffic was getting in and out of the neighborhood and for what the racers had to negotiate on the bike with the cars, I am sure they will clear this up for next year. I got there after the race started since it took me 30 minutes to defeat my pillow in its battle for my head. I did get there for the best part...the bike. There was some great talent out there and I was as proud as always to see my FOPs have great races.

Kathleen W 5th in AG
Diann H Masters/AG winner with fastest female time & 4th overall!
Dana B was 14th in her AG but since her refitting posted a PR here.
Jacqueline F 1st in AG
Wilmer G 1st in AG 5th overall
Jon E 3rd in AG
Greg C AG/Masters winner 6th overall.
Michael S 6th in AG
Scott P 4th in AG
Jeff G 6th in AG
Relays...
Euan M was the cyclist for the mixed relay team that was the fastest team of the day!

A note of correction...Trent Stephens was posted as winning overall...while Trent is one of my fastest guys and races as a PRO for Shama Cycles, he was not the overall winner. Along with several other early racers he was lead off course and by the time the correction was realized he was out of the race. He rolled in only behind the first bike to finish and turned in his chip..opting for an easy day while nursing a sketchy ankle for Ironman Florida. Some how he was still at the race recorded as winning though he DNFd.
I had coffee with him this week and we talked about this and him getting this corrected in the results. Guys like Trent only have their word and when he wins a race he does not need anyone to question his race ethics. Thanks Trent for being true to the sport and keeping it honorable. You make us look good even when you don't win...

Kona Concluded

What a tale of real life racing. Andrew Strong pushes it all year long. Making the most of each workout in order to balance training, recovery, work and most of all family. So of course his family was in Kona with him and he was able to make it a bit of a vaca post Ironman Kona by staying in Hawaii for some family time. He killed Canada (where he got 3rd in his AG earning his Kona slot) with a sub 10 and had goals to shoot for a 9:40 at Kona. Tuned up and ready to go leading up to it, less than 24hours to GO TIME, I get a phone call from Andrew at the expo buying me a jersey for the shop and I hear the scratch in his voice. NOT GOOD! Of course we talked about how he is not feeling that great and is worried about starting in the morning with not feeling 100%. So what was the call??? In true Shama Cycles fashion he started the swim, made it through in a decent time for him but was behind last years time. Then I followed the bike and realized he was not having his best day. Ahhhh....it was painful to watch online and I know Andrew was pushing through even harder. Of course with dragging the family to Kona and the long training weekends and sacrifice he had no other option than to finish. That same drive and toughness that gave him a PR earlier this year carried him to the finish line to have his wife and two kids greet him...finishing the race and beginning his vacation and off season. Was his 10:40 what he wanted? No...but then again we all have those races...well not all of us can do a 10:40 on our best day but you get what I am saying. That is part of what makes those great days so great...knowing that you avoided a bad day. Next season...will only be better.
Thank you Andrew for your support and race ethic. You inspire us all.

Try Andy's Tri

Try Andy's Tri
Originally uploaded by shamacycles

Try Andy's Tri was my very first triathlon ever. I remember all the mistakes I made and how slow I was. But I always loved this race and its a high light in the Houston area racing calendar. Same course for years and people love it! This year the C-different team was there and Shama Cycle's very own Brett Cole teamed up to compete with a C-Different athlete for the race. Unfortunately they had two flats during the bike and had to walk it in...but then finished with a solid run. Great job Brett! I got there after the swim started to watch the bikes pour out of T1. I was amazed to see how many two piece swim suits on girls and topless guys I saw...while I was in a long sleeve base layer under my Shama Tech T. It was in the 50s and I saw some bare chested guys come back red! It had to be cold! Finishes of note...
Shawn Smith's first triathlon in over a year after an injury and is on a new Guru Magis. He won Master's Male! Congrats!
Diann H, is back in form on her road bike with some mods we made for triathlon. Even though she won Master's Female, she wants to be faster and a Guru is in her future now.
Kristine Harper got 2nd in her AG and had the fastest bike split in her AG in her first tri on her Guru Ventus.
Melanie Sun won her AG and bike split in her AG on her Guru Magis.
Carlye Graydon got 3rd in her AG after making some mods and refitting her road bike the previous week....her 4th tri...only getting faster!
Cory Gholson got 2nd in his AG with fastest bike split in his AG on
his Guru Crono
Greg Witherow was back after an injury for running, 3rd on the bike in his AG and just had a nice jog in....
Walt Yarrow won his AG on his Guru Merus.
Greg Colvin got 5th in his AG with the fastest bike split in his AG on his refitted and upgraded tri bike.
Sussan Wallace got 5th in her AG but still had the fastest bike split in it with her refitted and upgraded tri bike.
Anne Ekern won her AG...glad to have her back racing in Houston again.
Nigel Willerton got 3rd in his AG with the fastest bike split of the AG....just wait till his Guru Crono is built and he REALLY gets fast!
Jacqueline won her AG with the fastest bike split in it on her Guru Crono!
Congrats to ALL the FOPs out there that put in the training and hard work for the above results.
There is a trend here. The fastest bikes are ones that fit...not the ones with the latest marketing buzz words. Don't get hung up on indoor testing numbers...follow real world real people results!

Du The Bear

DuTheBear2009 036
Originally uploaded by shamacycles

What a day! Du the Bear is now a mainstay in the Houston area and its growing. Close to 500 racers signed up. Heading over there I couldn't believe I am heading out there and its raining and for the first time since last winter its too cold for shorts.I am not race so WHY ON EARTH am I doing this???? Oh yeah, I want to support my clients/athletes/friends...CRAP! With a wheel magnet and water bottle in tow Joy, my ever enduring fiance' dropped me off at the race start to get some last minute fixes to two racers. Mission accomplished I see the men go off and then just as the women are about to go it starts to rain. The crowd of families and friends began to run for cover leaving the racers out alone. As everyone comes back in from the run and out of T1 the Bike Out turns to mud and I begin to shudder as I see all the bikes I built get ready to get so trashed! Since my wreck I have pretty much been dying to get into every race I can...except for today. I was SO glad not to be racing...the weather was awful. Of course everyone made the best of it and got on with racing. There seemed to be a bit of communication with traffic control as cars were let onto the bike course and I heard later that one officer at one intersection was stopping the racers to let traffic by. I couldn't believe it. Again though...sometimes that's just racing. Everyone seemed to come back in fine, off the bike. I know one road gave alot of athletes flats and even caused a wreck...namely Kristine Harper who was racing her Guru Ventus for the first time. She was pretty banged up but her bike seemed to only suffer some ripped bartape and a scratched pedal. From there it just seemed to be a part muddy and part wet pavement run for all. Overall a great race and well run as always. We had to wait for the awards for what seemed like forever. Mostly just because it was cold and rainy and no one was really that prepared for it. The awards came and I just couldn't be prouder. Shama Cycles athletes took home the Overall Female win with Melanie, Masters Male and Female wins with Brett and Laura. Shawn and Jacqueline both won their AGs as well as Walt placing in his. I can't believe how well they all did and am so proud of them all and their hard work.
Next year...I will be back and ready to race! I can't wait!

Press for Shama Cycles at LA Tri.

http://triathlon.competitor.com/2009/10/photos/la-triathlon-photo-gallery_4979?pid=2621#ngtop

Shama Cycles athlete Richard Cairns on his way to 2nd in his AG at the LA Tri this past weekend.
Best part is that even Competitor/Inside Triathlon thought he and his Guru Crono were good enough to post on the website pics.
Congrats Rich on a strong day!

Ironman Hawaii here we come!

Andrew out on one of his many long training rides
the simple machine...titanium...though he will be using HED Jet 6 wheels come race day

I think the pinnacle of any triathlete is to be able to race in Kona....the Super Bowl of Ironman. Better yet is to be able to qualify. Andrew Strong did just that on his Guru Merus by coming in 3rd in his Age Group at Ironman Canada with a 9:55!!! In preparation for Kona I spent some time with him to help make sure he is as ready as he can be. I am not scared to bend the rules, go against convention, make waves, set my own trends. Today was no exception, today we Retul fitted Andrew Strong for his Lazer Tardiz helmet in conjunction with wind tunnel testing. Yes...Shama Cycles has our wind tunnel. Ok, not like at Texas A&M but I have a fan and a smoke machine...what ever its the same thing! With the careful supervision of our local Pro/Coach Trent Stephens (Trent held the smoke machine in front of the carefully placed fan) it was determined that Andrew was actually more aero having the helmet on backwards....which means that Lazer designed it wrong. Don't worry, my daughter is writing them a letter with hand drawn graphs proving our theory. We did test the Giro Advantage 2 helmet, but because I don't sell Giro it was determined after extensive testing that it was in no way aero dynamic at all. There is a video and pictures of our testing procedure but of course that is top secret and just can't be shared...unless you spend $10,000 on a new Guru from me. Just saying...
Finally you will notice in the pic the Shama Cycles Wind Vest over his Ironman Canada finishers tshirt. We choose that tshirt for two reasons. One we are hoping that by wearing an official Ironman tshirt that the officials won't penalize him for drafting on the bike. Reason number two is cotton can retain more water than a tech tee, we are hoping that the cotton tshirt will make for a good base layer to hold in the sweat to help cool him down and the wind vest will protect him from the vicious cross winds on the bike course. Wind vests protect us from the wind right??? Personally I think these changes will be the secret to his sub 9 hour Ironman. I mean we already made him faster with his Guru Merus over his old Cervelo P3C. Why not keep going with what sounds crazy and make him even faster!

Next Saturday on the 1oth follow him on his quest to his best Ironman yet. I pray he has his best day. Good luck and God's speed Andrew!

My old Geneo has found a new home

WG Crono
Originally uploaded by shamacycles

So upon opening Shama Cycles I had Guru build me the ultimate Geneo. Custom for me for road racing and climbing (I am NOT a climber) in those races. Not only was it a custom in the geometry it was custom in the carbon lay up for BB stiffness and power transfer with out a real weight penalty. I had it built up with a mix of Rotor, Sram Red, Edge and TRP parts. It weighed 14lbs on race day. carbon tubulars help alot! I had my best road racing season on this frame.
But alas I can't keep these frames forever...guys who are 5'7 to 5'9" are in luck when I move off of one frame and onto another. Wilmer is one such guy. A friend of mine who I ride with often on the weekends needed a new road bike. By needed I mean he was on a Giant road bike that was 7 years old with the original saddle. It was nearly painful just to watch him ride...haha. So now...after 7 years he is on a new rig...FINALLY! The funny thing is...my Geneo part 2...I think it looks better now than when I had it. Seriously...this build is WAY TOO CLEAN! With the HED Bastogne wheelset...it looks perfect!!!
The best part is...after 5 months of hard riding and racing the Geneo frame polished up better than new...giving Wilmer a new bike...that will last him another 7 years.

Guru Crono, Johnny Cash Style

Coy Connelly 005
Originally uploaded by shamacycles

By far the most popular custom tri bike is the Guru Crono. I get to do these frames in all kinds of colors...here I am doing one in plain black with white letters. While it might sound plain to some...there is still a certain look to it that still most bikes just don't have. We did what was smart and light here. Not to mention the HED Jet 6 FR wheelset.
Syntace CX base bar, Vision carbon aero bars, KCNC stem, KCNC brakes, Nokon cables, Sram Force front and rear D, shifters, carbon brake levers. Selle SMP saddle. A serious machine for a guy who LOVES to ride and race at his best...not to mention look good for the pics! haha!

Sometimes the color surprises me

TRP 029
Originally uploaded by shamacycles

With all the paint options Guru has and the paint box I have at the shop to help decide some times you just don't know how its going to look when it comes in. This frame showed up and I ripped it out of the bike and was amazed. What brilliance and color. The pictures do not do it justice. From here we built it up with a basic build and HED wheels. The important thing to Mike was that he got the custom frame and as we upgrade this frame with high end components we get to kick these parts down to his old road bike which is 8speed. Yes...8 speed. But that can come later. For now...we are super happy with the set up and he can't wait to kill it at the next race. More importantly finally have his father's respect at a race....since his dad has had a Guru titanium tri bike for 4 years now. HAHAHA