In any race environment riding well, riding fast means to be able to optimize a myriad of variables internal and external with respect to the athlete. Choosing the best bicycle components and hammering endless hours on our saddles are not going to pay their dividends in terms of better race results unless our brain is able to recognize the inner extra potential and actually use it. If Autogenus Training (AT) or any other meditation exercise can help to create a focused, alerted and efficient “mind set”, a healthy brain can actually make it happen. Without going into complicated matters of cognitive science, I want to bring to your attention an interesting article that I read some time ago with the appealing title “22 Ways to Overclock Your Brain”, a list of simple suggestions on how to boost you brain power and beating the competition.
SAB bicycle frames(sab.sm)are now available in the USA . The Italian company located in San Marino offers several types of carbon frames each one with its own personality and/or technical characteristics.
CAPRI, ELBA, MONTECRISTO, LEVANZO Anyone of these frames can be personalized with an integrated seat tube, an head tube of 1'1/8” and 1’1/2”and with a BB30. The four models shares the same geometry and normally they come in 5 sizes (50-52-55-58-60), but, with a small cost differential, personal measurements could be requested. The frames are built in Italy using Deda carbon tubes wrapped so to obtain stiffness and comfort at the same time.
GIANNUTRI The Time Trial frame, it’s a carbon monocoque offered in three different sizes: 44 – 47,5 – 50cm. Two different colors: red/white/black and black/silver/white&yellow.
ALICUDI, LAMPEDUSA-TEAM MACHINE Carbon monocoque, 2 sloping frames sharing the same geometry. The Lampedusa comes with an oversized headset (1’1/8” – 1’1/2”) and BB30 in 5 different sizes (44-48-52-55-58). The Lampedusa is offered in a simple and elegant graphic that combines white, light blue and black. But the Lampedusa frame is also used for the Team Machine graphic: an original zebra inspired look that in the 2009 version had a splash of colors to recall the Italian flag. For 2010 SAB is offering other colors with the Team Machine graphic: red, blue, gold, black, silver, green and pink.
The Lampedusa is a frame for racers: stiff, stable and nimble at the same time. Extremely precise, the TM smoothly turns at high speed regardless of the radius, without any front pushing feeling, nervousness or reaction to braking. I have personally tested my Team Machine in crits, circuit, road races, in the dry as well wet conditions, in motorpacing and in 4+ hrs rides. The Lampedusa is an incredible frame that offers the best ratio $/performance. The Team Machine graphic is extremely attractive with the 3 k carbon fiber weave reveling itself in strategically chosen parts of the frame. The color details and the painting reveal a passion for quality, typical of the best Italian tradition. The SAB Team Machine is like a stunning woman receiving attention and compliments every time is strolling down the road.
I still remember when the San Marco Concor was introduced in the market in the early '80s. At that time I was racing with a San Marco Rolls, a very comfortable and somehow noticeable saddle with conspicuous "gold" details and unique leather. Unfortunately the precious accessory of my bike became obsolete when my friend/competitors start using the Concor, a saddle totally different with its "scoop" shape. My commitment to the new technology and the latest look crashed somehow with the practical but still essential issue of "comfort": I could not race with it! As soon as I moved toward the front of the saddle the pain was unbearable. Too bad, I had to pass on the new component, with the only solace that some other friends were experiencing the same problem. A lot of years have gone by and a lot of saddles have been used since. Last season I bought a Fi'zi:k Arione. It was love at first sight. A very friendly saddle with a unique design that makes very easy to position over the pedals. Yes, since it's long and flat, with collapsible sides, I found myself riding on the back, while strolling or climbing at low cadence, and on the front when hammering at max effort or high cadence. Of course, in the latter mode, typical of the race environment, I was experiencing some discomfort in the critical spot, but that it was considered normal, since I believe that every rider somehow experiences issuew in that area. Last August I was offered to test the SMP Evolution and my first reactions it was "no thank you: that shape does not work for me". Indeed they insisted, and after explaining me the proper use and set up I ended up replacing my beloved Arione. The SMP saddles require a precise nose calibration to optimize the position of the ischial bones, the bones that, because of the large middle opening of the saddle, will now take all the body weight sparing the pelvic floor tissue from the traditional compression responsible for pain and discomfort. Also the patented eagle beak creates strategic room to virtually eliminate the squeezing of our genitals when when we ride in a aero-position . The eagle beak prevents also the bibs to get caught when we go back on the saddle after a high spinning sprint standing over the pedals. Last but not the least technical attribute of the SMP saddles is that the scoop design offsets the typical reduction of leg extension that we riders experience when moving forward on the saddle. Great feature since it can reduce dramatically the quad burning in extended efforts with long gears. It's not a coincidence that the SMP Evolution has received the 2009 Best Roadbike REVIEW Award.
Often I am asked the question: who is behind the SAB brand? Answer: Mario Vicini, the owner of a company born in 1990 in San Marino, Italy for the creation and production of road racing bicycles aimed at the mass production as well as at customized products. Over two decades the company has developed the distribution of its products through a sales network of appointed agents and retailers in Italy and in the world. Mario Vicini indeed has been in the industry for much longer than 20 years since he has continued the business of bicycle manufacturer started by his father, Mario Vicini Senior, aka Gaibera, at the end of long career as professional road racer at international level in the years between 1930 - 1950
Gaibera has raced with some of the best racers of all the time, from Gino Bartali to Fausto Coppi, during some of the most epic years of the Italian cycling history. He was a strong climber and a fearless descender. The second place at the 1937 Tour de France is probably the best result of his career. Mario Vicini was without team, since for a series of circumstances he had signed up as private racer financing his trip to France by selling two gold medals won before becoming pro. In the same race he even worn, for a day, the prestigious yellow jersey.
Mario Vicini Sr has also won the Italian Championship in 1938, worn the Pink jersey in one of the several edition of Giro di Italia that he raced and won several other prestigious competitions as Giro del Lazio. He was still in his 20s, in prime shape, when the Second World War started and, indeed, it jeopardized the rest of his career. In 1946 he opened his first bicycle store that he would transform in a successful business over the years. He raced until 1952 when almost 40 but then he must have kept riding because in 1973, at 60, he won the Master World Title. Mario Vicini aka Gaibera kept working with his kids on the family bicycle business until 1995, when he passed away in Cesena, his hometown.
Many thanks to Mario Vicini Jr for kindly allowing the publication of his father's pictures. Biographical information: Wikepedia, Comune di Cesena
Giancarlo Pavoni, owner of the Il Canneto Restaurant finally on camera for one of his epic Mario Ferretti's radio race reports. Giancarlo is very well known in the local cycling community, if not for his past as race organizer and team manager, surely for his famous homemade pasta: egg noodles, ravioli and cannelloni. Avid fan of soccer beside professional cycling, he is able to remember race results and old stories better than anybody else. His passion for the sport is clear right from the moment you step in the restaurant with an entire wall covered of shirts, pics and autographs of champions from Bartali to De Luca. And should you still be in doubt about the appearance, please have a short conversation with one of his daughters Monica or Paola, or with one of his long time waiters.
Italian translation: Giancarlo Pavoni, proprietario del Ristorante Il Canneto (Roma, Italia) e Presidente della storica squadra GS Grottaferrata, finalmente ripreso in una delle sue epiche radiocronache di Mario Ferretti. Giancarlo e' tra le persone piu' conosciute nell'ambiente ciclistico laziale, se non per il suo passato di organizzatore di gare e di dirigente sportivo, sicuramente per il famoso trittico di fettuccine - agnolotti - cannelloni. Appassionatissimo di calcio oltre che di ciclismo e' capace di ricordare risultati ed aneddoti come nessun altro sarebbe in grado. Il suo fervore per lo sport risulta chiaro sin da quando si accede nel ristorante con una parete intera coperta da magliette, foto ed autografi di campioni da Bartali a De Luca. E se ancora ci fosse qualche dubbio a riguardo dell'apparenza, e' sufficiente farsi una chiacchierata con le figlie Monica e Paola o con i suoi camerieri di sempre.
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