Dave Butcher | 18/02/2021 12:28:28
Assos back at 700 Assos are a cycling apparel brand synonymous with quality and performance and are famed particularly for their shorts. Based in Switzerland on the border with Italy, Assos have been at the forefront of cycling clothing since the introduction in 1976, of their then revolutionary lycra cycling short. Over the years.... More
Dave Butcher | 09/01/2021 09:39:30
Sigh. Here we go again. Another year, another Covid. I’ll be honest (standard) 2020 was a mixed bag for me, both personally and from a business point of view. I have found it quite difficult to resolve as a year. The highs were significant for me : I moved house to.... More
Dave Butcher | 06/11/2020 00:03:40
OVERVIEW John and Joanne ride a fair amount. Joanne in particular is a racer at heart and dedicated cyclist, at the time she visited us she was still pushing a 53 x 25. Strong. Earlier this year, before Covid.... More
Dave Butcher | 03/11/2020 11:12:23
OVERVIEW A great part of being stockists for Sarto is that we get clients from all over the country come to the store for a full Guru Bike Fit and a conversation around their dream bike. Neill was one such case. Neill came to us with a dream bike in mind.... More
Dave Butcher | 19/08/2020 16:40:00
Note : This began as a write up for a range of new tubeless tyres and it quickly became a rambling missive on tubeless tyres in general - built upon several years of fighting with tubeless (interspersed with joyous moments of finding excellent tyre-rim combinations that improve your day in the workshop) and the constant education that is required for.... More
Dave Butcher | 19/08/2020 13:01:22
I’m both excited and concerned about writing about these shorts. Excited because these are a first and whatever I put down on this page is going to be true, effusive to the max and likely gushing. I’m concerned for two reasons. Firstly I have a tendency to dig deep into tech and (arguably) ramble on when I review a.... More
Jeandre Fourie | 28/03/2020 11:52:49
As I write this I’m stuck at home like the vast majority of the population wondering how the world has in many ways imploded in the matter of weeks. Poor Dave is acting as skeleton crew in the shop and is knee deep in indoor trainer orders and servicing, trying to keep our customers riding as much as is possible.... More
Dave Butcher | 20/03/2020 10:59:25
There are always going to be things that are outside our control. Little bastard : Covid-19 In times of stress, personal tragedy or national crisis, all we can attempt is stoicism and offer comfort to others - in whatever form that manifests. Amid the.... More
Jeandre Fourie | 22/02/2020 15:59:14
Before you get to the meat I’m hijacking this post briefly because – while the following words aren’t mine – they perfectly echo my sentiments. I knew I liked Jeandre. From the first email exchange when he used a 4 syllable word (something I haven’t seen on any CV in recent years) through my subsequent meetings with him.... More
Jeandre Fourie | 29/01/2020 16:44:13
I have had, as I assume the majority of you reading this blog have had, a tumultuous and tenuous relationships with saddles. Considering the intimate positioning of a saddle it is no wonder it has taken so many years for the reality of saddle discomfort to be addressed. We all look for a generic solution to a very.... More
Dave Butcher | 14/11/2019 08:02:09
In 2013 after 20 years at the pinnacle of cycle clothing design (much of which was spent developing ASSOS), Luigi Bergamo began his own cycling clothing venture. At the launch of his company – Q36.5 – he released his Essential collection. The Essential collection is just that : a range of cycling clothing that he believes is requisite for the.... More
Dave Butcher | 11/11/2019 12:18:00
OVERVIEW Jon is a long time customer of ours and we have been with him throughout his road cycling journey. His evolving bike collection had humble beginnings and has seen a logical progression from stock, mainstream bikes to more revered names such as Pinarello. Moving from off-the peg to dedicated builds, Jon’s journey has led him to appreciate the.... More
Dave Butcher | 14/10/2019 15:08:27
The off-season is here. In recent times, more riders are choosing to hang up their bikes when the weather turns, in favour of indoor cycling. More and more riders are committed to dedicated training programs than ever before – be that through indoor smart training platforms or via professional coaches. More than just cycling-based training, .... More
Dave Butcher | 22/08/2019 21:15:03
There’s a bit more to it than that though and several solid reasons for the change. I’ve always been a bit contrary – Marmite if you will - so it may come as no surprise to many that in an age of expectation, instant gratification and 24-7 deliveries, we’re bucking the trend. I believe it’s important to.... More
Dave Butcher | 03/07/2019 15:47:53
By now, if you’ve read anything I’ve written, you’ll know that I have an appreciation for tech, quality, innovation and genuine value. And very little time for bullshit! You’ll also know that I am very fond of the Italians and the way they do things when it comes to creating products for our sport : excellence married.... More