FLASH-POINT BLOG ARCHIVE: Aug 2006

We have a new Flash-Point vehicle and trailer for support at selected races, to carry our favorite wheels to exhibits, dealer training sessions and bike shows. BTW Flash-Point will be on show at InterBike - booth 4781 (west quad). Be sure to visit, see and feel the changes and improvements we have made.
Laminate changes now give a stiffer, more resilient wheel that builds easier and rides better.
Our theme for 2007 is "Break away from the pack". From all accounts - read the fanatics blog http://flash-pointracing.com/fanatics/ - serious riders are finding this wheel performs with the best and is proving itself a worthy tool for training, team rides and in tri races.
You can subscribe to RSS feeds for our development blog, the fanatics blog or a combined feed on the Flash-Point web site  at www.flash-pointracing.com We will be updating and giving our site a new look and feel in the next few months.
Did you know all our Flash-Point wheels are hand built in the USA and developed by Zipp?
 
 

Flashpoint is alive and well. Since I last blogged, we have redesigned the rim from the inside out, changed the laminate structure, moved to these new more apealing decals and issued a new catalog. The FP60 is almost a new product.
Field tests have proved the wheel is highly valued by a wide range of riders from Ironman to club rides, FP60 is gaining in visibility - a sure sign the brand is catching on in the market. If you would like to sample how this wheel set performs, please call our customer service at 1-800-472-3972.
We will try our best to get you on a set of demo wheels so you can experience the comfort, speed and value for yourself. Visit www.flash-pointracing.com for more info

 I just turned 29 years old. I am now less than 363 days away from the BIG BAD 3-0!! And I don't care. In fact I'm not even depressed. Why?
Because I am in the best damn shape of my life. For that I thank sport. I love to fight for a spot in the water, to track down that cyclist far down the road, and hold off the heavy breather hovering over my shoulder with less than 200 yards to go to the finish. Sometimes it works, sometimes... Well we've all been there too.
And that unpredictability is what makes competion great.
My first full tri season is pretty much over. And I'd rate it as a success. I had modest goals and accomplished most of them. Sub 20min 5k-check. Take 5 minutes off my fav 40k course-check. Win some Ag group hardware-check. Of course it wasn't all a love fest. I've raced in sleet, donated some skin to a roadway, and nearly drowned in my first open water swim.
Through it all I've had my flashpoints.Like I said in previous posts, you don't plop these on your bike and see your splits go from 18 to 28mph. Or even 18 to 21. You still have to put in the work. Zipp does not put in what you leave out.But these wheels will make a difference.
We are talking wattage reduction --in that you go faster with the same effort. Is there a nastified headwind and your competeitors are using standard wheels? You might as well be holding five aces in a hand of poker.For even if they go faster than you, they are using alot more energy to do so. So unless they are way out of your league, using wheels like the flashpoints will keep your legs fresh thus giving you an advantage in the run.
And what the hell, since you only live once, there's nothing wrong with winning the bike leg or the race flat out and guess what? If you put in the work this wheelset will go a long, long  way to helping you out there as well.
So what does my future hold. Well my daughter, my God they grow up way too quick, will be turning one in 3 and half months. Next summer I'm going to try to get her on a tricycle. (She's advanced-I think). But in the short term I have some 5k's. and at least two time trials.
You can bet that my flashpoints will be invited to those events. Until then I'll be running and biking (swim is on pause) And just enjoying the end of summer with family, friends and a cold beer.
Keep riding fast

It seems like this wheelset is finally catching on with the masses. In my race last weekend I saw numerous FP60's in the transition area. And in just the past week I've had three different riders ask me about my carbon wheels.
I say that it's about time. This is truly a high-value wheelset at a moderate cost. I can't imagine another clincher-- even zipp's dimpled 404-- offering much more to a rider. If you put in the work you can fly with these shoes. The results don't lie:
I finished last Saturday's multisport race with the 2nd fastest bike split. Which, with the help of a solid 5k run, helped me wrangle 3rd overall. Now I wasn't exactly racing against a field of Olympians but that's the best I've ever done and I'm proud of it. Further more this is all the wheelset that you most likely will need. As I out rode those who shod their steeds with some HED 3's, a Blackwell 100 and even a brand new 909 set.
Finally on the new FP60's in the transition area I saw some revised decals. And I must say they made me a little jealous as the new decals look smokin' compared to mine. So now with performance and looks I expect these wheels to start to dominate the market.
But one piece of advice to Zipp. Everybody knows that you make these wheels. Why not put your name on them? I don't forsee a product dillution. Just call them Zipp Flashpoints, and keep the number designation for your premium set. Also how about a link from the Zipp website to this one.  

So I finally got a chance to race on the Flashpoints!  In late July each year, we have a race in my hometown, Zionsville, IN, downtown on the main street.  What makes this race unique is that Main Street is a brick road, so for 1/4 of each lap we are racing on the cobbles (our own little Paris Roubaix!).  I decided to race the Flashpoints for the first time this season, and they came away victorious!!  They handled the bricks beautifully and accelerated nicely coming out of each corner!  It was a blast!
 
 

sorry for the delay.
For some weeks (or was it now months ago) i let my tubular-racewheels on the bike. last week, i changed the wheels finally again. now i'm riding again with the FP's.
They are so d*** good in the flat. in the mountains they are a little bit heavy, but for the training is that no so bad ;--). But in the flat, they are so fast. And the sound, i missed it a little bit. A real good noise, they make.
Myself, i've done some races in the last two months. one in south of france. there i rode 600km with 11'000hm in 25,5h. the other one was the europeanchampionship here in switzerland. 720km in 25,5h. And last week, i rode a 24h-challenge in germany, where i've won last year. This year, one was better again. But with the second place i'm happy to. 742km with nearly 9'000hm in 23.45h. That was not so bad.
Now, i'm ready for my biggest challenge, the TourUltime. 4'000km nonstop. A race such as the RAAM, but here in europe.
More informations you'll find on my own page http://www.ratschob.li
enjoy your rideThomas