Gusty's New ASR Carbon MTB -- Powered by SV

Here is a super write up from a valued client who has shifted gears from road to MTB lately. Thank you Gusty for taking the time to post a blog entry on our site. It's always more fun to receive testimonials than to write them ourselves. Thanks Gusty!

Scott

FYI.. here are more great photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/gusty.denis/ForSVBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCIXwoJmw46eYDQ#

Studio Velo:

A few words about Studio Velo….

If you are a cyclist, and if you are reading this chances are you qualify, you fantasize about the perfect bike shop – one that combines pro-pedigree expertise, state of the art product offerings, focus, industry insider connections...and in the fantasy, its owned and managed by friends. Basically the unattainable pipe dream. In Studio Velo we get it all.

Part pro-peloton, part couture boutique, part club-house – SV is sophisticated enough for the most jaded and discerning client and yet laid back and welcoming enough to put a relative newbie at ease.

Having lived in several different regions of the country, I have come to realize that we are spoiled in the Bay area with many legitimately excellent pro-shops. What differentiates SV from the elite competition is all the attributes mentioned above plus the unique community culture that they have created. While other shops are purely merchants; Scott, Chris, and Colin have worked tirelessly to create a society or club to promote and enrich the cycling experience of its participants. From the week of events surrounding the Amgen Tour of California in February, to an Evening Ride with Rapha in May, to the now infamous King Ridge Ramble, the guys have continuously organized, sponsored and participated in special events that are about enrichment of experience, not revenues.

Though the emphasis may be on the overall cycling experience, when it comes to matching you with your dream bike, the attention to detail is utterly first class and totally customized. I have had my eye on a mountain bike since moving to the bay a year ago.

I had several consultations with each one of the SV guys to get each of their unique perspectives. After discussing my strengths/weaknesses, mtb objectives and choice in terrain, it was clear that a XC racing frame was the ideal platform to build the dream bike. We ultimately decided on the Yeti ASR-Carbon – a purebred carbon racing frame that is incredibly light and stiff with a press-in integrated bottom bracket and integrated seat mast. The seat mast and BB increase lateral stiffness, reduce weight and supercharge power efficiency.



The frame, however, was only the beginning. The guys flawlessly matched the frame with Shimano’s top-of-the-line XTR component gruppo and wheels, Magura Marta Superlight disc brakes, Edge Composite handlebar, King titanium bottle case – and as the coup de grace fitting for a dream bike, the guys ordered a custom red & black saddle with braided carbon rails directly from Fizik in Italy.

In the grueling intervening time between “decision” and “delivery” (less than a week!) Scott called on multiple occasions to update me on the shipment of various parts and to schedule the custom RETUL fitting consultation (a ~$300 service that is included with the purchase).



If you are unfamiliar with the computerized RETUL fitting, I highly recommend it. I was so impressed with the improvement in performance; I have had it done with both my mountain and road bike. In short, using a computer-generated model of your positioning on your bike, RETUL enables the user to optimize the ankle, knee and hip angles as well as back position and reach in order to efficiently generate maximum power and comfort. Proper fit will improve your performance and limit injuries over the season.

After the components had arrived at the shop, the guys built and tuned the bike beautifully – truly a work of art! Colin and Chris worked with me to fine tune the fit and thoroughly review all details of the machine.

The experience with Studio Velo has been tremendous from start to finish. In an area of the country that is crowded witg expert riders and excellent shops, Scott, Chris, and Colin - and what they have created in Studio Velo - are a cut above the rest.