I recently took up a program in preparation for the Perth Crit Series and was advised that I would need a heart rate (hr) monitor to undertake the training.  Several friends already use them and thought I would see what they were all about.
When it comes to hr  bike computers Polar and Garmin are to 2 main contendors. I probably could have gone either way but the large screen and customisable display appealed along with the Garmin Connect website to archive/map your rides.

Out of the box the very quick setup was great, even for a technophobe the Garmins are a doddle being that they operate on GPS there is no wheel size setting etc. Basically charge it up enter some personal details when prompted and off you go. The only annoying thing is that they come with manual pause as default so you have to remember to turn it off so your timer doesn’t keep running when you stop for a coffee. A cool feature to turn on is the ‘auto lap’, being that it uses GPS it will detect laps done when on a circuit such as crits races or the Early Bird TT’s in Kings Park

The Edge 500′s display has several pages that you can customise according to the data you want to monitor while riding with heaps of information options to choose from along with the regulars. At the end of the ride, after opening up a Garmin Connect online account, you can upload your ride.
The ride is plotted on a map which in turn can be used to see what you were doing and when ie what hr at what speed at what part of the ride. All this data is displayed graphically and also in a numeric table on the side.

The Edge 500 can be charged from a wall outlet or from usb via the ‘puter and lasts about 4-5 rides of around 2-3hours.

While I don’t use one the Edge 500 is compatible with all third party ANT+ enabled power meters. Check the link out for all the tech and spec features. You can buy the head unit alone alone with all the accessories or as a bundle that has it all.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Edge 200
The Edge 200 is going to make it very hard to sell any other computer. Wireless is the way forward but sensorless is even better. This is a simplified version of the more advanced models and is a ‘real plug in and play’. Charge it up and you are ready to go. While it doesn’t store cadence and heart rate is does store all the normal bike computer features then maps your ride via GPS on Garmin Connect to view. Check out the link to the specs.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Please note our pricing is inline with the Garmin Australia site.

Along with some old favourites like Jonesy’s old Liquigas race bike now gone to greener pastures.

The Creux Clothing dudes are sitting pretty on our shelves. Gotta say their shirts are super comfortable and their shorts are the business!

Being a vain man I have to openly admit to prancing around the shop with a Catlike Whisper on me noggin and gazing longingly at myself in the mirror because they just look so damn good! Been waiting years for these! Although I am mighty impressed by our new Bell helmets. The Volt is my pick…..We are getting a few Giros in too!

A new development at Cycles Bespoke is we are 1 of 2 shops in Perth to be inducted into the bourgeois class of SRAM Ambassadors. What this means to you is we are fully trained and tech’d up on all things SRAM from servicing to sales. What it means to us is dapper jackets with stars on the shoulders and ribbons on the breast pocket a sign of our Ambassador status at groupset functions and the annual SRAM/Shimano/Campag ball.

Did someone say Campag….we got that too!

My last reference (for this post) to fancy bike stuff we sell is our rather impressive array of finishing kits. While not the most expensive the new 3T Team Stealth issue is mintox! *Note the number of shiny bit in the background…I don’t think we have ever had this many Chris King headsets in stock since we opened!

Last but not least the 4 day pain-fest or festival of lycra that is the Perth Crit Series is over for another year. Massive props to all those who took part especially our boys Carlos, Iain, Matt (and myself) also Team Delta who had us back and centre on their jerseys. Their man Craig Cook, brother of Olympic Road Champ Nicole rolled in second overall in the support race category.
I wish i had more fotos but unfortunately I spent the majority of the time gnawing my handlebar while on the bike or trying to re-insert my lungs into my chest cavity while draining the blood from my eyeballs. For anyone looking for some good action snaps check out Tony Lendrum photography on the Book of Faces.
What fotos I did capture were to be used as incriminating evidence but stuff it, I’ll post em now. It can be revealed the real reason we signed up for the crits was the free massage at the end.

And one of Team Delta watching on for good measure.

Adios muchachos.

Now on to shop biz. There has been a pleasing flow of very nice bikes, parts and general bit n bobs coming and going through the shop at the moment including the uber stealth Parlee Z5 SL Ltd.

The new for 2012 Pivot 5.7 Carbon.

Pivots 2012 Mach 429.

White Industries and ENVE parts.

Globe bikes are the shizzle oh and did I mention ENVE?

Picking up a carton of beer from the Baysie drive-through has never been more fun!!

We have also taken the plunge and just took delivery of our first pair of HED wheels. Stinger-4 Carbon Tubs.

Christoph creating dreams.

An enterprising local Oliver brought us in his own creations…Pedal straps with a clever design to keep the straps separated. The first 3 to respond get a pair and can be our test pilots as long as you provide us a review.

Our beloved floor.

Firstly Perth’s first ever cyclocross race went off without a hitch last weekend with good number across the 3 grades setting the scene for an even bigger race 2! Check out the highlights below. Big shout out to Paul Aubrey and Greg Murison for doing an awesome job and putting in a lot of hard work to get this up and running.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The next big bit of news is the addition of a couple of new brands to Cycles Be-Awesome. Firstly Globe Bikes have entered the fold with their range of town/city and commuter bikes. Classic looks with a modern edge including belt driven models to euro style errand runners. These bikes are mint and just in time for summer and with a price range from $599 to $1999 there is a bike for everyone.

We are also adding Park Tools to the line up to compliment Lezyne. Park have been a staple in any workshop for years and offer the same products to the consumer.
Bell is the next brand to enter our hallowed halls to go along with our current Catlike range.

So plenty going on here along with racing a-plenty!

Here is a preiview of the (unbunted) course. Just imagine chicanes, up-and-overs along with gates.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.