Vittoria Open Corsa Evo CX 320 Tpi - IMO

Testing tyres in many ways is one of the easier things you can test. Take off the old ones, discard old tubes (if you are being really good), fit new ones inflate and ride. Damn sounds really easy. The hard bit comes in trying to find different types of surfaces to try them on and in varied weather conditions. Over the period of the test neither have been a problem.



Okay to the first ride. This also happened to be my last epic ride in Hertfordshire so it has clear and fond memories. I left the house early, the weather was gently simmering away, not hot but at the same time not cold, ideal conditions in my books. Not bothering with knee warmers I ensured the legs had some embrocation on them, just in case. Jacket stuffed into the back pocket I was off.

Ten kilometres into the ride I had to stop, bollocks I thought I have a puncture. Getting off the bike and giving the tyre a knowing squeeze I was surprised to find that the tyre was solid. Great I thought, but I thought wow this tyre is supple. Concerned I may be too heavy (this tyre is very light at 210g) for it I was conscious of the road terrain so not to tempt fate.



The ride turned out to be an epic 100km one, which hadn't been planned but just ended up being a great first ride test. I had encountered the rough lanes of Herts plus some unplanned off road section of around 3km. So that was the varied terrain covered. Weather wise as I have already mentioned was a nice Spring day, warm at 16 degrees but towards the last 25km it started to rain. It was the nice warm rain that is surprisingly refreshing to tired legs.

Onto the performance. As I mentioned above this tyre is very supple. I think that this is the closest I have ridden to a tubular performance on a clincher. If you wanted to go for the ultimate experience you could try fitting a latex tube as this would narrow the gap. Dry weather performance is awesome with the herringbone and file treads combined with the tyre's compound offering bags of grip. Rolling resistance, or the lack of it, is awesome even at 120-130 psi. I put this down to one thing the 320tpi casing of the tyre, which although is only 30tpi higher than the original has transformed a great tyre into a "must have' one.



I have ridden these tyres in rides where it has started off dry and ended up being wet and greasy, Unlike some top end tyres that require some adjustment to your riding style once the conditions turn the Open CX just kept on offering bags of grip time and time again. Railing around corners in the wet or dry was awesome and never once did I have one of those moments when you think 'oh shit'.

I have ridden around a 1000km on this tyre on a multitude of roads and two different countries and I have to say that this is a 5 star tyre, truly is a real performance enhancer for your bike. In the test period I never suffered a single puncture and small cuts are to a minimum, which considering the price is welcome as it enables you to buy with confidence. Some of this has to be down to the 320tpi casing and the new PRB 2.0 Aramidic protective belt, it's light and it works better than the previous version.



Now the big question Would I Ride it at Flanders (WIRIAF), that would be a resounding yes, especially as they have a 25mm tyre which would offer more comfort and grip over the cobbles. I'll be buying some more once these wear out, I'd advise you to do the same they are brilliant.

Northwave Aerlite 3 Road Show - IMO

Northwave lie in the Treviso region, the heartland of Italian cycling manufacturing bicycles and parts. Over the years the company has made just as much impact with their memorable advertising campaigns as the products that they sell. The designs may have toned down a little and both shoes are now the same colour, but at the heart of it all is their passion to make great shoes.



Looking at their current riders list (whether they are fully sponsored or have just a kit deal) reads like a 'who's who of cycling'. Okay the company doesn't have the long history surrounding it as Sidi may have, but hey they have only been making cycling shoes since '95, first making snow board boots in '91. In that time Northwave have helped propel riders to great victories, which include Paris Roubaix (4 times), Tour of Flanders (3 times) and numerous Grand Tour stage wins.



The hard men of the sport have adopted this shoe as their own, with Boonen bringing attention to the brand whenever he throws a leg over the bike. Speaking of Boonen, although cosmetically it looks like he also rides a Aerlite 3, he doesn't. Upon some investigation I found out that the top is indeed unchanged, but the bottom comes from the range topping Aerlite SBS. The reason given is that Tom has a high instep and so prefers the adjustability that the three velcro straps offer. Although the new ratchet top strap is now adjustable, and could deal with the high instep, PRO riders will normally stick to what they know. Unfortunately the custom option is not available until you can exchange it for a Rainbow jersey or a Monument win.



Since Northwave started to make shoes the last used was pretty normal in width and length. Then in 2001 the last got a little wider around the ball of the foot, having it's widest period between 2004 - 07. For 2008 the shoe has lost some width, which depending on size is 5-10 mm across the mid section. The toe box shape is also has a little less volume and has again become more pointed like the Genetix of 2001. These comments are probably only relevant if you have had NW's shoes before, or tried them on.



Having spent the last couple of years wearing various shoes, but most recently three different models of Specialized, they share some common areas of fit. Both are wider than the norm (for me the normal width is Shimano) and both share good volume around the toe box area. Over recent years I have been plagued by hotspots in long warm Sportives. Talking with RCUK's Richard Hallett he recommended that I try a less stiff shoe. I first tried this option with a Specialized Expert shoe, which solved the sore feet problem, but compared to other options in the SBC range did not afford the same fit I needed. The quest for a more voluminous shoe began.



As all quests take you on many paths mine led to Northwave. I bought them in February and knowing that the 2008 edition of the Ronde was just around the corner I was conscious that I needed something comfy on my feet. Fitting in some long training rides presented no problems and all was good. Quickly the Ronde was upon me, and the kasseien sections would prove the ultimate test. Hitting the pave left my hands and wrists with a tingling buzzing feeling, a bit like using a large pneumatic drill, the feet had no issues at all. Seventh heaven.


Part of the comfort comes from the sole having an 8.4 rating (which is a three layer carbon number), but the unseen aid is the cork footbed that lays hidden under the insole. At one point you could find this on cycling shoes, but now many forgo it due to the extra expense. If you have ever walked on cork flooring you will be able to testify to the spring in your step as you move across it. The shoe now comes with replacement heels, as this had been a criticism thrown at the shoe in previous editions. Sometimes it is the small details that add up, and in end make a better shoe.



My only gripe is that I don't have a wide foot across the mid and heel section. At times I would have preferred a ratchet for that locked in feeling, even though the long velcro straps offer lots of adjustment. Having talked to Paul at Jim Walker (Northwave's UK importer) he assures me that switching to the SBS model would be equally comfortable. The added stiffness of the SBS sole (five layer carbon) is offset slightly by the use of a wood laminate between the sole and insole. I asked if it was made by Quickstep to which he laughed and said "No". I am hoping at some point to test the Aerlite S.B.S. model and I'll be able to tell you for myself.

I can't really fault the shoe for me. Having used the shoe pretty much exclusively since February I have not suffered a single hotspot. Depending on your foot shape it may not work for you, but if you have a wider foot it is worth trying a pair on, as if they fit in the showroom the ride should be a sublime experience.