Fight Cancer, Win an Orbea Orca With Shimano Di2, or a Trip to Ride for the Roses
About a year ago, Dustin at Shimano helped me give away a mind-boggling road bike to help Team Fatty raise money for our fight against cancer.
An Orbea Orca, equipped with the new outrageous technological marvel from Shimano: Dura-Ace Di2: the electronic shifting group. Not to mention Dura-Ace carbon tubeless wheels and PRO components.
A dream bike’s dream bike. Easily worth around $10,000.
And then, after the contest, Dustin did me another huge favor: he helped me get the exact same bike for myself.
And now, after having ridden this bike for a year, I have no problem whatsoever saying that I am totally, hopelessly elatedly in love with both the Orbea Orca and the incredible — yes, I mean incredible — Di2 shifting group.
And I’m giddy that I get to announce that — in the name of our fight against cancer — we are going to once again have a contest to win this bike.
But this time, it’s the new 2011 version:
That’ right. You can win the beautiful, strong, light (I’ll talk about each of these adjectives in a minute) 2011 Orbea Orca, outfitted with the most incredible set of components imaginable, all by joining Team Fatty in our fight against cancer. Read on to find out how, or just head on over to my LiveStrong Challenge Page to enter now.
And that’s not the only reason you should enter. Because — get this — thanks to my good friends at Twin Six, I’m also giving away a trip for two to Austin to join me and the rest of Team Fatty for the Ride for the Roses.
But first, I’m going to tell you about why I love my own Orbea Orca with Shimano Dura-Ace Di2.
What I Love About the Orca
I don’t even know how many times people have stopped me to just ogle my Orbea Orca (check out some photos here).
It’s just a gorgeous bike. Sculpted without getting wacky. Functional and elegant.
It’s a joy to look at, frankly.
But it’s not simply a looker. The front end is unlike anything i have ever experienced on a bike. never realized how stiff a bike’s front end could be until I rode the Orca for the first time.
And I have never been so fast on the road as I am on this bike. I am a faster climber. Part of that’s because this bike is easy to build at under 16 pounds. More importantly, though, power transfer with the Orca is amazing.
And on the descents, I am faster than ever before. This bike makes me feel stable and confident.
Of course, these things are all true for the 2010 edition of the bike, which is what I own. For 2011 — the bike we’ll be giving away with this contest — the Orca keeps the stiffness I love, but gains smoothness. It’s more aerodynamic, and the winner will get a special version of the frame with internal routing.
Oh, and did I mention it’s going to be beautiful? Cuz it is.
What I Love About Shimano Di2
Electronic shifting. People who haven’t tried it are often quick to dismiss it. After all, non-electrong shifting works just fine, right? So why would you need or want the Shimano Di2 group?
People who have actually ridden and lived with the Di2 group, on the other hand, don’t ask that question. Here are some of my takeaways from my experience with riding with Dura-Ace Di2:
- Shifting is practically effortless. A quick tap of the right buttons — which are placed so as to feel perfectly natural to those of us who are used to traditional shifting — makes the gear change. Perfectly. Every time. Ever since messing up my left wrist a few years ago, going to the big ring with old shifters hurts. And for anyone, if you don’t make the shift throw correctly, you’re likely to drop your chain. I have never ever dropped the chain with Di2. Perfect shifts every time.
- Shifting is so fast and perfect. I can go up and down the cassette at crazy speeds with Di2, and I can move from the small to big ring (and back again) in no time at all. And I can do it no matter what the gradient is or how much stress I’m putting on the pedals. Shifting is in service to me, instead of the other way around.
- Shifting is maintenance-free. You’d think that electronic shifting would require more hassle on my part, but the reverse has been true. I have had to do no maintenance of the Di2 system. Cable stretch is not a problem. The derailleurs never get out of alignment — they shift as crisply and perfectly now as on day 1. It’s just amazing.
- Auto-trim is awesome. When you shift — front or rear — the front derailleur makes instant, tiny adjustments to keep the chain perfectly aligned. It’s brilliant.
- The battery lasts for months. I was initially worried that I’d have to charge the battery every couple of rides. Or at least once a week. But even with several rides per week, I only have to charge the battery every few months. I wish my phone would go that long between charges.
- I love the R2D2 sound. When you shift, you get a cool “bwwwrp-zzp” sound as the motors move the derailleurs. I love this sound so much I sometimes shift just to hear it. Really.
I should also mention that I also love the Shimano Dura-Ace Carbon Tubeless wheels. So light. So fast. And since I only have to inflate them to 80psi, the comfort on the road — not to mention handling — is just off the charts.
Honestly, this bike is just perfect. It’s like nothing I’ve ever owned.
And now, if you help out Team Fatty as we raise money for the fight against cancer, you have a chance at winning one for yourself.
Specifically — and I’m going to go with bold for the rest of this paragraph — you will get a 2011 Orbea Orca, outfitted with the Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 group, Dura-Ace Wheels, and an a full complement of PRO components. A bike which would retail for between $10,000 and $12,000.
Wow.
How You Can Win
Oh, you think you’d like to have this bike? Well, of course you would. Well, to win it, you’re going to need to do a little cancer fighting with me. Here are the ways you can donate.
- By Donating at my Austin LiveStrong Challenge Page: For every $5 you donate at my LiveStrong Challenge page, you get another row on my spreadsheet. That DOES NOT mean that if you want to donate $50, you’ve got to do ten $5.00 donations. I’m awesome at Excel and will be able to give you the correct number of chances automatically, based on how much you donate. Click here to donate now .
- By Raising Money at Your OWN Team Fatty LiveStrong Challenge Page: If you’re a member of Team Fatty, now’s a great time to donate money to your own LiveStrong Challenge, as well as to get others to donate to it. For every $5 you raise between the beginning of the year to the end of the contest, you get another chance at this bike.
The contest ends Friday, October 1, at Midnight, MDT. At that point I will choose a winner at random from my spreadsheet, using random.org to pick the lucky person. I will then fire off an email to the winner. Once I get acknowledgement, I’ll announce it on my blog, and you can begin collecting envious looks.
You Can Also Win a Trip to Austin to Join Team Fatty for the Ride for the Roses
As if winning a $10,000 bike isn’t enough, I now have another grand prize with this contest. Some lucky person who donates at my LiveStrong Challenge page will win a trip for two to the Ride for the Roses. You will be treated at the “yellow jersey” level, getting:
- Airfare (within the US) for the two of you
- 3-night hotel stay
- Sunday ride front starting line position
- Ride for the roses jacket and jersey
- Access to the Sunday hospitality tent
And you’ll — most importantly — get to hang out with the rest of Team Fatty at this event.
How am I able to give away this prize? Simple: my good friends at Twin Six are giving up their hard-earned spots. They say that they got to go last year and now they want to give that opportunity to someone else.
Honestly, these are the nicest guys in the world.
Donate Now
With an amazing bike and an amazing trip as grand prizes, this is a huge contest. And a couple of lucky people are going to get these incredible prizes.
But, chances are, you won’t win. And that’s totally fine. Because — whether you win or not — you will have contributed money to LiveStrong, and you’ll have helped in the fight against cancer. And that matters.
So, head to my LiveStrong Challenge page and donate. Or join Team Fatty and start raising money on your own LiveStrong Challenge page. Either way is a great way to win, and a meaningful way to help in the fight against cancer.
Good luck!
Comment by Paul Guyot | 09.24.2010 | 6:59 am
Dear, God, what a post to wake up to.
Reading your contests is like riding the Pyrenees (I would guess)… I get so high thinking about winning, and then descend so fast when I don’t.
Over and over.
Okay, off to your Yellowrebel page to donate.
Comment by Jenni | 09.24.2010 | 7:10 am
I am going right now to donate $100 to my own page.
For those of us in more than one city, will our multiple fundraising efforts all be counted?
Comment by RANTWICK | 09.24.2010 | 7:27 am
Good God, man. I’ll donate, because that bike is insane, but I’m not worthy. That bike would DEMAND I become a full-blown roadie, and I’m not sure I could face (or achieve) that.
Comment by Franky | 09.24.2010 | 7:36 am
It is an awesome bike!!! One more reason to love the DI2: A few weeks ago I had the bike laying inside my VW Beetle and somehow the derailleur must have been moved a tad so when I rolled off and started pedaling the chain was slightly off and rubbed a bit. With a regular shifter I would have to stop and adjust the alignment with a screwdriver…annoying to say the least! This is not the case with the DI2, you can adjust it by activating the adjustment mode on the handlebar and by micro-moving the derailleur WHILE riding the bike.
Comment by Tommy F | 09.24.2010 | 7:46 am
I have never wanted a $10,000 to $12,000 bike more than now after reading this post.
Kudos to Twin Six also.
Comment by Clydesteve | 09.24.2010 | 6:34 pm
I really really want to eligible for this contest. Please?
Comment by Paul Guyot | 09.24.2010 | 7:37 pm
Dude. You’re freaking me out with all this post shuffling.
Wait… this is a clever ruse to get us to donate TWICE to your Livestrong page, isn’t it?
It worked. I’m heading back there now.
Comment by Lori Scheel | 09.24.2010 | 8:52 pm
Unlike RANTWICK, I am a full-blown roadie. I secretly hoped I wouldn’t win the last bike because I would have given it to my hubby – he would have totally appreciated all of it’s mountain bike splendor. I would have ridden it like a sissie. My logic: It wouldn’t be right to win more than one (don’t know when I became such an optimist!) This one, however, I covet for my very own. Nice write up, Fatty. At the very least, I’ll test ride one before I buy again… if I don’t win it :). Pick ME!!
Comment by Bee | 09.24.2010 | 9:06 pm
Awesome bike, but I love the comments, esp the guy who mentions he stuffs his bike in his Beetle. I’ve done the same with my Beetle- I stuffed a bike in there the first few months until I racked it out. Beetles and bikes…
And that is one hell of a bike. Wow… I mean… wow…
Comment by TheChief | 09.24.2010 | 9:56 pm
Wow, my wife would never let me buy that beautiful bike but she will let me donate to livestrong and team fatty! Guess fingers will be firmly crossed for a while.
Comment by Lloyd | 09.24.2010 | 9:59 pm
Ok, I have a question (and it will lay bare my ignorance), and I mean this in all sincerity and humility, because the true is, I really don’t know. So just exactly how does LiveStrong help in the fight against cancer? I’ve hear rumors to the effect that a very high percentage of what they take in goes into travel, fund raising, etc. And one thing I heard said that they’ve not yet actually put anything into cancer research. For myself, I truthfully have no idea what’s true, but I figure Fatty may have some idea. I’d just like someone to set the record straight for me. Thanks.
Comment by Squirrelhead | 09.24.2010 | 11:10 pm
Fatty you have come up with a truly amazing contest. I can only hope that the $50 that I donated helps to do some good and buys me the golden ticket. That bike is a work of art.
Comment by Don Davis | 09.25.2010 | 3:33 am
Elden: You have some truly generous companies, willing to give in order to help others……
Comment by Philly Jen | 09.25.2010 | 4:31 am
@ Lloyd: Good question! In fact, it can be somewhat confusing, and I know many people who are actively fundraising for Livestrong are also not completely clear on what the answer is. Please permit me to try to set some things straight.
First, right off the bat: Due to very generous support from corporate sponsors, 100% of every donation made in support of the 2010 Livestrong Challenge events (Seattle, San Jose, Philly, and Austin) goes to the programmatic work of Livestrong — there is absolutely zero event-related fundraising overhead this year. That’s impossible to top in the non-profit arena.
And what is this programmatic work? Much of Livestrong’s efforts are focused on patient care, education, and support issues. They provide vital information and support to people all over the globe who have been diagnosed with cancer, helping to cancer patients to understand, uncover, and sort through their treatment options and life decisions — in person, over the telephone, through the Internet. You can read in much greater detail about the whole gamut of what Livestrong does at http://www.livestrong.org.
Yes, it’s true that Livestrong has put only a very small percentage of its funds towards cancer research (specifically, testicular cancer research). That’s not their primary focus — nor should it be, if I may toss in my own two cents here.
Livestrong brought in over $31.6 million during its 2008 fiscal year. While that sounds like a tremendous amount, and the people who put themselves out there for Livestrong can attest to how much hard work went into raising that kind of money, it pales in comparison to the staggering amounts already being poured into cancer research by other organizations.
In its 2008 fiscal year, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in the U.S. funded over $3.24 billion in cancer research. That’s just the NCI, in one country, in one year — which doesn’t even touch on the research monies laid out by private foundations, private industry, other US government agencies, and other national governments worldwide.
To frame this with numbers plucked from my backyard: the 2010 Philly Livestrong Challenge raised slightly over $3 million. In fiscal year 2009, the NCI alone funded nearly $89 million in cancer research to institutions located within in a single zip code in the city of Philadelphia (19104) — more than the Livestrong Challenge Series has raised during its entire, decade-plus history.
In short, as far as funding pools go, Livestrong is the $75 bike in this picture.
What this means is that Livestrong has needed to be judicious and strategic in how it chooses to deploy its resources. They’ve focused their energies where they can most improve the cancer experience, helping individuals to chart their courses through the healthcare and insurance systems as cancer patients and survivors. They assist patients in translating the technical, complex body of current cancer research into practical, real-world actions and outcomes.
Years ago, when Susan was sick and Fatty called, Livestrong picked up the phone and helped them find answers. And that made all the difference.
There are times when you simply don’t want to walk the road ahead on your own — when you would give your kingdom for a $75 bike.
That’s when Livestrong really counts. And why your support matters. Thank you.
Philly Jen, that was a great — and entertaining! — explanation. Thanks tons for taking the time to write that, and thanks for everything you’ve done and continue to do for both Team Fatty and LiveStrong. – FC
Comment by Doug (way upstaye NY) | 09.25.2010 | 4:46 am
Well said Jen!
That bike……I cannot even imagine a call about winning it……. wait, yes I can.
Comment by Lloyd | 09.25.2010 | 8:39 am
@Philly Jen. Thank you… sincerely.
Comment by Allan | 09.25.2010 | 9:09 am
Nice to know that Livestrong and cancer patients are being used to sell Orbea bikes and Shimano components.
Seriously, you don’t just offer the bike up as an incentive, you write up a glowing review about it. Given your readership, that’s easily worth more than $10K in advertising right there.
Good example of the morally ambiguous swamp that is corporate sponsorship of fundraising efforts.
Um, maybe you haven’t noticed that I’m in the middle of the “Stuff Fatty Loves” series? I’ve been writing about things I use and love all week. It’s just that this time I have arranged to give that thing away, because a guy at Shimano cares as much about the fight against cancer as I do, for the same reasons I do, and together we have the ability to do something about it.
There’s nothing sinister or corporate going on here. We’re a couple of guys, trying to do something good. You have the choice to participate, or not. Or you could spend your time knocking other people’s efforts. – FC
Comment by Heidi | 09.25.2010 | 9:59 am
So what you’re saying is, this is better than the $75 WalMart bike?
Comment by cece | 09.25.2010 | 11:49 am
Just made my donation and I will have my fingers crossed!
Loved Philly Jen’s comments! I think we are all doing what we can (incl the large fund raising organizations) , in our own little realms to fight cancer. I ride for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society too..support breast cancer research and Livestrong…why because I have a huge cancer genealogy in my family and it is something I can do to help find a cure.All of these orgs must report on how they spend their money and it is always avail on their web site so you will be able to see what percentage goes to management, staffing and travel etc.
Cece
Comment by JodieA | 09.25.2010 | 1:25 pm
Allen’s is the first cynical post I remember seeing on this blog (been reading for about 4 years). Fatty, this is not how the rest of us feel. It’s great that you can offer this kind of incentive to raise more money for a very worthy cause. There are enough cynics in this world–I appreciate the simple faith in people that everyone connected with Fatty has. It’s great to see a group who knows they can make a difference and goes out and does it. I’ll be donating, not because I want to win the bike, but because I believe in this group and their heart for people fighting cancer. Let’s keep up the good work. Win!
Comment by bykjunkie | 09.25.2010 | 5:41 pm
Dude that’s awesome!!!!
And it will be better next week when I get my Fatty gear from TwinSix
Comment by Erik | 09.25.2010 | 5:57 pm
Go Team Fatty!
I never win anything, so maybe I’ll get lucky.
Comment by Lori Scheel | 09.25.2010 | 8:03 pm
Thank you, Philly Jen, for the time it took and the knowledge it required to write that very accurate post. I choose my charities VERY carefully and LIVESTRONG has passed my test. Sometimes it takes a cancer diagnosis for people to appreciate what LIVESTRONG does…I wish everyone complete ignorance.
Comment by Carl | 09.25.2010 | 8:51 pm
@Allan – If I’m not mistaken, I believe the readership for this blog is 10,000 people. I really doubt that Shimano and Orbea would spend $1 per person in advertising…
@Philly Jen – Great job, as always, you are a class act! Have you had an “water ice” lately?
Comment by Mike Grace | 09.26.2010 | 12:41 am
Oh man! What a sweet bike!!! I would love to donate to the livestrong foundation. ; )
Comment by Pedalpink | 09.26.2010 | 6:38 am
I join Lori, Carl and others to thank Philly Jen for your answer to Lloyd about how our funds are used by LiveStrong. With tears in my eyes, I, too, wish everyone ignorance of the support they’ll receive from the funds we’ve raised. I also wish everyone to experience the friendship, strength and more that we experience as members of Team Fatty.
Comment by Paul Guyot | 09.26.2010 | 10:01 am
So, Philly Jen.
Are you saying the actual money goes to pay all these people who do all this amazing work for Livestrong?
“Translating research into actions and outcomes” – I’m assuming you’re saying all the money goes to pay these people, is that right?
Or are there other high end expenses?
Thanks!
Comment by Allie | 09.26.2010 | 4:02 pm
Wow, $18,000+ and counting…impressive!! Thanks for taking up the fight!!!
Pingback by 28 Days of Giving: Fight Cancer, Win Cool Schwag « Three Nomads | 09.26.2010 | 6:22 pm
[...] chance to win a saw-WEET Orbea road bike, easily valued at $10,000. You can read all the details here on [...]
Comment by Sean @ Learn Fitness | 09.26.2010 | 6:52 pm
Are people who donated back in June elidgable for this bike or is this a new challenge? Sorry if I’m confused, I donated back on June 25th to your page. Thanks!
Any donations you made to your own LiveStrong Challenge page are eligible for every drawing. Donations made to my LiveStrong Challenge page are eligible for the current drawing only. (See, I’m trying to encourage people to start their own LiveStrong Challenges, get involved and raise money — rather than to just donate and forget about it.) – FC
Comment by Janneke Kimstra | 09.27.2010 | 4:07 am
Done!! I soooo need that bike!! Just committed to loosing some (and then some more) kilos of extra me!!
Comment by Bruuks | 09.27.2010 | 7:17 am
http://goo.gl/6xSt
It says your goal is $0.00 and that you’ve surpassed it already. Good work. I think I’ll still donate, even though it’ll put you further past the $0.00 mark.
Comment by egonlou | 09.27.2010 | 7:46 am
I remember seeing that over 80% went to programmatic work. Here is the link- http://www.livestrong.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Strength/Financial-Information
81 cents of every dollar raised has gone directly to support our programs and services for survivors.
Fatty, please somehow non randomly pull name name out of the hat. Thanks for all you do.
Comment by Richard | 09.27.2010 | 8:07 am
I am more than happy to cop the freight to Ozstralia if I am so lucky . . .
Happy to help, Fatty.
Can’t wait for my new Fatty gear,
Comment by centurion | 09.27.2010 | 11:58 am
Does it come with pedals?
Comment by NYCCarlos | 09.27.2010 | 12:26 pm
@centurion I think because shimano does make pedals, it probably comes with some since they’re supplying everything else. If it doesn’t though, I’d put some speedplay nanogram’s on it since you’re not spending any other money getting a sick bike (aside from your donation)… may as well drop a few hundred on pedals!
Comment by Jacob | 09.27.2010 | 12:40 pm
What a fantastic gift.
The comment/explanation from Philly Jen is pure gold.
And the comment from Centurion…!!! Well I found it to be funny.
BTW is seems that not only is the wiring internal – it seems that even the battery pack has been hidden away somewhere. Which in my opinion makes this bike look a lot nice then any other DI2 equipped bike I’ve seen.
Comment by Drew | 09.27.2010 | 1:45 pm
Broke. Totaled my bike. Two square feet of road rash all over the right side of my body and this comes up. If it doesn’t come with pedals and I win, I’ll just make pedals out of discarded boxes of Teddy Grahams.
Comment by Team Coffee Nook | 09.27.2010 | 1:45 pm
Twin Six stuff good. Twin Six people good too.
Comment by briebecca | 09.27.2010 | 1:58 pm
Of all the fundraising give-aways, this is the first one that has me salivating.. $20 donated.
Comment by Eric L | 09.27.2010 | 2:17 pm
Elden, your awesomeness is showing again.
Nice to know that many, like me, are hopping about like impatient 5 year olds waiting for our new Fatty Gear to arrive.
Comment by MattC | 09.27.2010 | 2:50 pm
You have outdone yourself Fatty…which must be pretty hard to do. Surely a dreambike if there ever was one!
As to awaiting arrival of the new Fatty gear…I think I’ll stick w/ my white one for a bit longer! It was 103F when I finished my ride yesterday…and I can guarantee you I was thinking how AWESOME the white Fatty jersey is (while I lay in my lawn trying not to die after finally making it home). So while I do await the new kit, I won’t be sporting it anytime soon I daresay.
Comment by George and Kacie Darden | 09.27.2010 | 7:56 pm
Great work! We are happy to donate and crossing our fingers! That bike is beautiful and we both adore austin! Great combo! Thank you!
Comment by KK | 09.28.2010 | 8:34 am
@ Paul Guyot 10:01 AM
http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=6570
The site includes detailed explanations of the ratings.
Comment by MattC | 09.28.2010 | 9:03 am
To those that ask where the LIVESTRONG money goes, here’s a link that directly addresses that question:
http://www.livestrong.org/What-We-Do/Our-Approach/Where-the-Money-Goes
This page also has many other links that describe WHAT they do and various other stuff…but I think the best people to ask would be people who have used their services (thankfully I’m NOT one of those people).
I know that at the Awards dinner this year (San Jose anyway) they had their new 3-ring Suvivor binders on all the tables for us to browse (and keep…though I did not get one)…it’s all part of the ‘knowledge is power’ part of their strategy. Once you are diagnosed this colletion of knowledge guides you thru every step providing info to help you SURVIVE your battle. I think it was when Lance was on Larry King a while back when he was asked whats the biggest problem facing cancer patients today, and how the LAF helps(something like that anyway) and his answer was that there is TONS of research being done all over the world, and there is SO MUCH knowledge already out there (and increasing every single day)…and the biggest problem was that the people who need this information aren’t getting it. That’s where the LAF comes in. They provide that link.
Anyway, that’s my simplistic 25 cent understanding of what they do. I’m not nearly as well spoken as Fatty or PhillyJen…sorry. I just like it that somebody cares about the little people, those who can’t afford to assemble the very best Dr’s and clinics around the world. That these people are ready to help anybody, anytime. THAT’S why I choose to help the LAF.
Comment by MattC | 09.28.2010 | 9:15 am
Oh, sorry to take up MORE space, but I would be remiss if I didn’t say how utterly awesome it is for TwinSix to give up their RFTR slot in Austin to some lucky people…I got to meet Brent and Ryan last year and they are really great guys. To give away their Yellow Jersey slot..that is just insanely cool! Airfare, room, VIP treatment…wow! Somebody is going to have an amazing time in their place! You guys ROCK!
Comment by Mike Roadie | 09.28.2010 | 11:00 am
Maybe, maybe, maybe I can finally win the bike! and that’s a thing that I like!
Comment by DanO | 09.28.2010 | 1:42 pm
I’m drooling over that set up from a hospital bed. Stupid Cancer caused pneumonia! I’ll be ready for Austin though, even if I had to reduce my mileage goal.
Comment by Eva | 09.28.2010 | 11:37 pm
Awesome Fatty, awesome TwinSix, awesome Philly Jen!
@DanO: Hang in there… Pneunomia too shall pass and Austin will be waiting for you with open arms!
Comment by NYCCarlos | 09.29.2010 | 9:19 am
@DanO – Feel better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@Everyone Else – Check out the ESPN 30 For 30 called “Into the Wind”. It’s about Terry Fox’s run across Canada to raise cancer awareness after losing his leg to bone cancer. Really cool (and inspiring) stuff.
Pingback by Fat Cyclist » Blog Archive » Conditioned Reflexes | 09.29.2010 | 12:20 pm
[...] « Fight Cancer, Win an Orbea Orca With Shimano Di2, or a Trip to Ride for the Roses [...]
Comment by Average Joe Cyclist | 09.29.2010 | 1:05 pm
Hi Fatty – just wondering – can people in Canada enter this competition?
Comment by Cary | 09.29.2010 | 5:12 pm
Shimano Problems-I just wanted to let everyone know that there is a serious problem with the Shimano Bar end shifters. The indexing mechanism breaks (both the plastic ring and the metal indexing ring break in the same spot every time)and has caused a number of accidents including near misses with cars. Shimano is not taking any responsibility for the problems and continues to send out defective parts as replacements. This caused my wife to wreck when the third set in less than one year broke. She was injured and shimano is only willing to replace the defective lever. Of course, she is not willing to risk riding with the Shimano components and has switched to SRAM. She normally rides several thousand miles per year on two custom built Waterfords, a road bike and a touring and has qualified for Paris-Brest-Paris, toured across the US, and ridden many cross state rides and many centuries. On her recent ride on BRAT, (bicycle ride across tennessee) she encountered a number of riders who had the same experiences. Please be aware of the problem and let your bike shops know there is a problem. I don’t want anyone else injured. More information can be found at http://catrike.yuku.com/topic/5158 and http://forum.bacchettabikes.com/forum2/tm.asp?m=66887
Pingback by Fat Cyclist » Blog Archive » Guest Post from Chuck Ibis: “The Flapper” (Plus Commentary from Fatty) | 09.30.2010 | 7:47 am
[...] Don’t forget that today and tomorrow are the last days you can enter the Orbea Orca with Shimano Di2 / Ride for the Roses [...]
Comment by Lucien Brady Price | 09.30.2010 | 10:45 am
Fatty, i just donated to your cause. Spare a couple bucks for mine? I am participating in the 3rd Annual Cure On Wheels event in Tampa, Fl this November 7th. See the attached website, which is my donation page.
Thanks!
Pingback by Fat Cyclist » Blog Archive » I Am Ready To Help Contador Beat His Doping Rap | 10.1.2010 | 10:04 am
[...] with Shimano Di2 components or a trip to Austin to ride with Team Fatty at the Ride for the Roses. Click here for details, or click here to enter [...]
Pingback by Fat Cyclist » Blog Archive » Winners Now, More Winners Soon | 10.4.2010 | 10:11 am
[...] — a Team Fatty member who has raised $2105 this year — is the winner of the latest Shimano / Orbea giveaway, and will shortly be riding [...]