Here’s a prompt D211 at the top of Michael Gate Climb in Lincoln. Looks like Roubaix isn’t the only place to tackle some cobbles!
The great gear debate on Alpe d’Huez
3 SepWe like bikes here at PROMPT– no surprises there I guess. We also like the poetry and the views that the mountains inspire in us and offer up to us on each ride. Today, after bend 9 on the Alpe, our home town of Bourg d’Oisans was shrouded in the cloud that we had climbed through. The valley was as breathtaking as ever. We also like the technology and the endless debate about the benefits of this or that product, brand and design concept. For instance I love my beautiful hand made Cielo bike. But I also know that the PROMPT bikes ‘out-perform’ it in every possible way around here. They are simply more efficient- up, down and across. Perhaps the most frequent conversation concerns gear ratios and we basically opt for a ‘compact’ and 27/28 rear or a triple up front. There is no doubt that ‘spinning’ up these hills works best for most of our customers. There is also no doubt that the best ‘gear’ available to all of us is our own fitness. If you put the two together some amazing things start to happen in these mountains.
Cycling Alpe d’Huez in November
12 NovI completed Alpe d’Huez for the 40th consecutive month this week in glorious early winter sunshine. The purpose of the ride – to get my winter ski pass. The D211 performed faultlessly as I cruised up in 65 minutes despite having to stop for traffic lights on the last bend. There is not much snow about up top as the picture belows shows.
After the climb I road over to Oz en Oisans and took this photo overlooking Lake Verney where the Alpe d’Huez Triathlon Swim takes place.
We will be busy renovating our new pickup point in Bourg d’Oisans over the winter but will be available for pre booked bike hire until the end of November and starting again in February 2012.
D211 Prompt frame arrives
26 JanI have just had my PROMPT D211 frame arrive today along with carbon bars and carbon seatpost. Exciting times. I have a SRAM RED GROUPSET to install on the bike. Just need some warmer weather now. I will be riding this throughout the summer on our Tour d’Oisans and More Than 21 Bends cycling tours. The frame name pays homage to the 21 bends of Alpe d’Huez – the official road name is the D211. It has been designed with thin chainstays to add comfort with a larger downtube to add stiffness at the bottom bracket. The forks come with a carbon steerer. We have kept the graphic understated.
Meanwhile on another front the 2nd door is being installed in the shop today and we have just ordered a new window for the front.