One for the Women: a Grand Slam Grand Prize from Juliana Bicycles

07.16.2015 | 10:47 pm

This Monday, I’ll be starting my writeup of the 2015 Crusher in the Tushar race, which, I’m pleased to note, will include this picture of some sweet potato fries I ate the night before the race:

Today, however, I want to give you a little sneak preview from a moment I experienced during the race. Because it’s relevant to the next big grand prize I’m announcing in the Grand Slam for Kenya, that’s why.

It happens as follows:

Just one more mile ’til the top of the climb. I was in my element, racing like I had never raced before. Climbing like a man possessed. Possessed by something that likes to climb, that is.

I saw my next carrot: a woman wearing a “Juliana” jersey. 

I stood up, began rowing my bike. I wanted to see this woman’s bike. I had my reasons.

It was not easy to catch her. Not easy at all. But I managed. Barely.

I did not speak once I had caught her. I needed a minute for the tunnel vision to recede. As I tucked in and tried not to get dropped, I looked at her bike. 

Yes, it was as I suspected: a gorgeous Juliana Nevis hardtail. Outfitted with the incredible RS-1 fork and an XX1 drivetrain. A dream bike. 

This woman was killing me. Killing me on a dream bike…a lot like the one I’d be announcing the next week.

I had to take the opportunity to ask, “So, how do you like that Juliana?”

“It’s amazing,” the woman replied. “Really great in the descents, really fast on the climbs.”

I would have asked her more about this bike. I wanted to ask her more about this bike. I wanted to say, “Hey, I have a very particular interest in that bike!”

But I couldn’t say any of these things. Because she had already dropped me.

Later, after the race, I would discover this woman I was talking with was Kelli Emmett, who podiumed in the Pro division at the Crusher. 

This One’s For the Women

As you no doubt realize by now, the Juliana Nevis is a Grand Prize in the Grand Slam for Zambia. Check it out:

The all-new Nevis heralds the introduction of a race-ready carbon hardtail to the Juliana range, meeting the demands of riders like Juliana-SRAM Pro Team rider Kelli Emmett (check out this video of her and the others in the team) and the NorCal High School Cycling League teams, who want a low-slung lightweight carbon hardtail for racing.

This is a serious — and seriously gorgeous — bike, designed by women, for women. As such, this prize will be given to a woman.

One very, very lucky woman.

Here are a few details:

• The 69-degree head angle makes for a geometry that’s nimble on the ups, stable on the downs, and pretty darn perfect everywhere else!
• 27.5 wheels and compact chainstays strikes the balance between efficient rolling dynamics and a wickedly playful ride. 
• 100mm RS-1 fork with 15mm thru-axle (Note from Fatty: The RS-1 fork is without a doubt the best fork I have ever used)
• Flexes naturally to boost long-ride comfort on those 100 mile punishers without sacrificing efficiency.
• Low standover height: At 28” on the smallest size, the aggressive sloping top tube leaves plenty of room to maneuver on the bike and put a foot down.
• Internal cable routing: Simple internal cable routing gives the Nevis a clean, polished look worthy of its purpose.
• Matte Carbon: Raw carbon saves a 1?4 lb in paint weight and visually asserts the Nevis’ serious endurance intentions. Weights from 2.1 lbs (size M, frame only).
• Juliana Dot Grips: Designed by Juli Furtado herself, taking her palms to podiums since 1990. 
• Juliana Mountain Saddle: Designed by women, for women, to ensure a day in the saddle won’t feel like one.

These features will all be complemented by top-shelf SRAM components, making this exactly the bike I would buy and build for The Hammer, if I were buying and building a racing bike for The Hammer this year.

Trust me, that is a significant endorsement.

Perfect Fit

It makes terrific sense that Juliana Bicycles is supporting World Bicycle Relief and the Grand Slam for Kenya, especially when you consider that both Juliana and this fundraiser really focus on women. Here’s what Anka Martin, Juliana-SRAM Pro Team Rider and WBR Ambassador, has to say:

“The best thing about bikes is that they keep on giving. For most of us, bicycles are fun tools, but in many parts of the world, bikes truly have the ability to change peoples lives and I feel really proud to be a part of a company who supports that and charities like World Bicycle Relief: Women empowering women.” 

Heck yeah. This sounds like something you ought to be a part of, doesn’t it?

Let’s Recap Here, and Drop a Few Hints

We’re approximately halfway through the month of July, and approximately halfway through announcing what all the prizes are in the Grand Slam for Kenya. Here’s what we’ve got so far:

• Juliana Nevis
• 12-Day Cycling Trip to Italy with InGamba
• Trek Project One Bike of Your Choice
• Yet Another Trek Project One Bike of Your Choice