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⚫	A '''Goldsprint''' is a ] racing and social event. Riders on stationary bikes compete against each other in front of a cheering crowd.

		⚫	A '''Goldsprint''' is a ] racing and social event. Riders on stationary bikes compete against each other in front of a cheering crowd.
⚫	While roller racing has a history going back to the beginning of cycling, Goldsprints are fairly new and closely related to ] culture. It began in Zurich, Switzerland as part of the 1999 ]. At which point the name and the event were founded by Adrien Weber, a passionate cyclist and owner of the only brewery in Zurich, Turbinenbräu. The event was named after their beer brand "Gold-Sprint".

		⚫	While roller racing has a history going back to the beginning of cycling, Goldsprints are fairly new and closely related to ] culture. It began in Zurich, Switzerland as part of the 1999 ]. At which point the name and the event were founded by Adrien Weber, a passionate cyclist and owner of the only brewery in Zurich, Turbinenbräu. The event was named after their beer brand "Gold-Sprint".
⚫	As opposed to traditional roller racing, where riders have to balance, Goldsprints use forkstands so that the riders don't have to balance, only pedal as fast as they can. This provides an easy way for anyone to try Goldsprints. However some Goldsprints groups are now adding traditional ], without forkstands, to their equipment to challenge the advanced riders. As with roller racing in general, the rollers are in turn attached to a device that measures distance and can display the progress of the riders. Goldsprints can also feature modern 2D and 3D visualizations.

		⚫	As opposed to traditional roller racing, where riders have to balance, Goldsprints use forkstands so that the riders don't have to balance, only pedal as fast as they can. This provides an easy way for anyone to try Goldsprints. However some Goldsprints groups are now adding traditional ], without forkstands, to their equipment to challenge the advanced riders. As with roller racing in general, the rollers are in turn attached to a device that measures distance and can display the progress of the riders. Goldsprints can also feature modern 2D and 3D visualizations.

	== Technology ==		== Technology ==
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	'''Electronic'''		'''Electronic'''

			]

	* Used for large crowds. Digital projectors and screens can project the graphical dial as big as needed.		* Used for large crowds. Digital projectors and screens can project the graphical dial as big as needed.
	* Electronically driven, utilizing a ] sensor (typically a ], ] or a ]), and visualizations are digitally projected on a screen.		* Electronically driven, utilizing a ] sensor (typically a ], ] or a ]), and visualizations are digitally projected on a screen.
	* Compact and portable. Team Beer (Portland, Oregon, USA) transports their entire system (including two bikes) via a ] cargo bike.		* Compact and portable. Team Beer (Portland, Oregon, USA) transports their entire system (including two bikes) via a ] cargo bike.
	* Cost effective. Whether you are building a system from scratch or buying a turn key it is considerably cheaper/less time-consuming to build or buy than mechanical systems.		* Cost effective. Whether you are building a system from scratch or buying a turn key it is considerably cheaper/less time-consuming to build or buy than mechanical systems.
	* Customizable interfaces. Software can be changed and re-skined. Giving homage to Barelli rollers, most interfaces include a clock face with primary colors for the clock arms.		* Customizable interfaces. Software can be changed and re-skined. Giving homage to Barelli rollers, most interfaces include a clock face with primary colors for the clock arms.

	'''Mechanical'''		'''Mechanical'''

			]
			]

	* Can determine placing, but still require an electronic system (and ]) for showing actual times.		* Can determine placing, but still require an electronic system (and ]) for showing actual times.
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	== Systems ==		== Systems ==

			]
			]

	* Barelli Quadrulet Competition Rollers were the name brand in mechanical systems.		* Barelli Quadrulet Competition Rollers were the name brand in mechanical systems.
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	* West Coast Goldsprints Roller Racing debuted a similar system to Navid in 2006 and has run events in many cities in the western half of the US.		* West Coast Goldsprints Roller Racing debuted a similar system to Navid in 2006 and has run events in many cities in the western half of the US.
	* OpenSprints, debuted in 2007 by IroSprints (Chicago), formed as a company, OpenSprints LLC.		* OpenSprints, debuted in 2007 by IroSprints (Chicago), formed as a company, OpenSprints LLC.
	** Systems on every continent except Antarctica, in over 30 major US cities. In 2009 there were almost 400 events in the US alone.		** Systems on every continent except Antarctica, in over 30 major US cities. In 2009 there were almost 400 events in the US alone.
	** The OpenSprints project is an ] (GPL) project, which is the first commercially available Goldsprints system.		** The OpenSprints project is an ] (GPL) project, which is the first commercially available Goldsprints system.
	** They also sell ] electronics kits.		** They also sell ] electronics kits.
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	** Supports OSX and Windows.		** Supports OSX and Windows.
	** Brand-able.		** Brand-able.
	* Rollapaluza operated over 70 events in 2008 in the UK and Europe. They started out refurbishing old Barelli systems, and then started manufacturing their own. They also have a schools program and will be launching events in the Philippines in 2009. The original Goldsprints in Zurich used this kind of system. Four of these systems are operated by Rollapaluza in the UK. A system of this type was debuted in Portland by Rapha in mid-2008		* Rollapaluza operated over 70 events in 2008 in the UK and Europe. They started out refurbishing old Barelli systems, and then started manufacturing their own. They also have a schools program and will be launching events in the Philippines in 2009. The original Goldsprints in Zurich used this kind of system. Four of these systems are operated by Rollapaluza in the UK. A system of this type was debuted in Portland by Rapha in mid-2008
	** All Rollapaluza rigs are tested and calibrated to be identical meaning global performances are comparable designed and built by Rollapaluza based on 8 years experience with four different vintage rigs.		** All Rollapaluza rigs are tested and calibrated to be identical meaning global performances are comparable designed and built by Rollapaluza based on 8 years experience with four different vintage rigs.
	** Super sturdy, over 10,000 riders per year		** Super sturdy, over 10,000 riders per year
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	=== Other Industry Sponsorships ===		=== Other Industry Sponsorships ===

	Other industries, such as alcohol, have invested in the GoldSprints as a promotional tool. In the summer of 2009, OpenSprints LLC was contracted by ] vodka (owned by ]) to build twenty two 42BELOW branded turn-key kits (which are now commercially available). OpenSprints subcontracted ] to develop a custom roller system (which is also now commercially available) for GoldSprints. In addition 42BELOW hired Salt City Sprints LLC to execute and support up to 400 events in 20 cities across the United States in 12 weeks. In addition GoldSprints became a common event in each of the ] locations. Each city had a designated OpenSprints Technician who in turn kept the kit. The following 20 cities now have identical setups:		Other industries, such as alcohol, have invested in the GoldSprints as a promotional tool. In the summer of 2009, OpenSprints LLC was contracted by ] vodka (owned by ]) to build twenty two 42BELOW branded turn-key kits (which are now commercially available). OpenSprints subcontracted ] to develop a custom roller system (which is also now commercially available) for GoldSprints. In addition 42BELOW hired Salt City Sprints LLC to execute and support up to 400 events in 20 cities across the United States in 12 weeks. In addition GoldSprints became a common event in each of the ] locations. Each city had a designated OpenSprints Technician who in turn kept the kit. The following 20 cities now have identical setups:

	* Des Moines		* Des Moines
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	* Austin		* Austin

	== See also ==		==See also==
	* ]		* ]

	== External links ==		== External links ==
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	* - Goldsprints in ]		* - Goldsprints in ]
	* OpenSprints in ]		* OpenSprints in ]
	* "Goldsprints" in ]		* "Goldsprints" in ]
	*		*
	* OpenSprints in ]		* OpenSprints in ]
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	* - GreenSprints in: ]		* - GreenSprints in: ]
	* - Opensprint Roller Racing in: ] and the North		* - Opensprint Roller Racing in: ] and the North
⚫	{{Portal\|Cycling}}

	]		]

		⚫	{{Portal\|Cycling}}

Revision as of 22:50, 14 July 2010

File:Goldsprints equipment goldsprintsfx.jpg

Goldsprints are the modern electronic version of old fashion Roller Racing.

A Goldsprint is a bicycle rollers racing and social event. Riders on stationary bikes compete against each other in front of a cheering crowd.

While roller racing has a history going back to the beginning of cycling, Goldsprints are fairly new and closely related to bicycle messenger culture. It began in Zurich, Switzerland as part of the 1999 Cycle Messenger World Championships. At which point the name and the event were founded by Adrien Weber, a passionate cyclist and owner of the only brewery in Zurich, Turbinenbräu. The event was named after their beer brand "Gold-Sprint".

As opposed to traditional roller racing, where riders have to balance, Goldsprints use forkstands so that the riders don't have to balance, only pedal as fast as they can. This provides an easy way for anyone to try Goldsprints. However some Goldsprints groups are now adding traditional rollers, without forkstands, to their equipment to challenge the advanced riders. As with roller racing in general, the rollers are in turn attached to a device that measures distance and can display the progress of the riders. Goldsprints can also feature modern 2D and 3D visualizations.

Technology

At first Goldsprints systems were assembled piece by piece by the event promoters, now there are commercial systems available.

There are two varieties of Goldsprints system:

Electronic

File:Opensprints system.jpg

OpenSprints Electronic Timing System for GoldSprints

Used for large crowds. Digital projectors and screens can project the graphical dial as big as needed.
Electronically driven, utilizing a tachometer sensor (typically a reed switch, hall effect sensor or a photo-interrupter), and visualizations are digitally projected on a screen.
Compact and portable. Team Beer (Portland, Oregon, USA) transports their entire system (including two bikes) via a Metrofiets cargo bike.
Cost effective. Whether you are building a system from scratch or buying a turn key it is considerably cheaper/less time-consuming to build or buy than mechanical systems.
Customizable interfaces. Software can be changed and re-skined. Giving homage to Barelli rollers, most interfaces include a clock face with primary colors for the clock arms.

Mechanical

File:Rollapaluza system.jpg

Rollapaluza manufactures this analog system. These rigs are available as part of their franchise agreement.

File:4up rollapaluza system.jpg

Rollapaluza system completely assembled.

Can determine placing, but still require an electronic system (and electricity) for showing actual times.
The system is driven mechanically by custom belts and pulleys, and drives a physical clock face or other display which shows rider progress.
These systems are large and heavy, but stable and simple and were the only systems prior to the spread of affordable microcomputers.
If place is determined, but not times, they offer the advantage of being able to operate without any external power (i.e. electricity).

Systems

File:Kreitler goldsprints system.jpg

Kreitler OpenSprints Edition Goldsprint Rollers

File:Kreitler goldsprints system folded.jpg

Kreitler OpenSprints Edition Goldsprint Rollers folded.

Barelli Quadrulet Competition Rollers were the name brand in mechanical systems.
Al Kreitler commissioned a DOS application called Roller Fusion, which was sold briefly in the mid 1990s.
Navid Taslimi commissioned a graphical goldsprint system to be made after seeing Roller Fusion and has sold it to organizations like Goldsprints NYC.
West Coast Goldsprints Roller Racing debuted a similar system to Navid in 2006 and has run events in many cities in the western half of the US.
OpenSprints, debuted in 2007 by IroSprints (Chicago), formed as a company, OpenSprints LLC.
- Systems on every continent except Antarctica, in over 30 major US cities. In 2009 there were almost 400 events in the US alone.
- The OpenSprints project is an Open Source (GPL) project, which is the first commercially available Goldsprints system.
- They also sell DIY electronics kits.
- Distribute Kreitler OpenSprints Edition Goldsprint Rollers.
In 2009 Kreitler, the brand name in rollers, developed an OpenSprints Edition Goldsprint Rollers.
- Offers both traditional free-roller racing and fork-mounted GoldSprints racing
- Sold in 2-bike pairs that can be linked together for added stability.
In 2009 Ed Husar, created Goldsprints FX, which is a software alternative to OpenSprints written in Adobe AIR.
- Supports OSX and Windows.
- Brand-able.
Rollapaluza operated over 70 events in 2008 in the UK and Europe. They started out refurbishing old Barelli systems, and then started manufacturing their own. They also have a schools program and will be launching events in the Philippines in 2009. The original Goldsprints in Zurich used this kind of system. Four of these systems are operated by Rollapaluza in the UK. A system of this type was debuted in Portland by Rapha in mid-2008
- All Rollapaluza rigs are tested and calibrated to be identical meaning global performances are comparable designed and built by Rollapaluza based on 8 years experience with four different vintage rigs.
- Super sturdy, over 10,000 riders per year
- Rigs available on franchise program
- two-up or four-up configuration available
- Optional digital timing.

Cities

Many cities have goldsprints systems:

Italy, Vicenza
Philadelphia
Seattle
Houston
Boston
New York
Toronto
Salt Lake City
Chicago
Cincinnati
Minneapolis
London
San Francisco, CA
San Jose, CA
Bozeman
New Orleans
Phoenix
Long Beach, CA
Sacramento
Kansas City, MO
Pittsburgh, PA
Vancouver, BC
Denver, CO
Kyoto, Japan
Vienna, Austria
Gothenburg, Sweden
San Diego, California USA
Laika bar, Tel Aviv, Israel

Cycling Industry Sponsorships

Specialized Bicycle Components, one of the largest bike manufactures in the world, has been buying OpenSprints systems for their major events and has local reps sub-contract with local groups (see below) that own OpenSprints systems.

Other Industry Sponsorships

Other industries, such as alcohol, have invested in the GoldSprints as a promotional tool. In the summer of 2009, OpenSprints LLC was contracted by 42BELOW vodka (owned by Bacardi) to build twenty two 42BELOW branded turn-key kits (which are now commercially available). OpenSprints subcontracted Kreitler to develop a custom roller system (which is also now commercially available) for GoldSprints. In addition 42BELOW hired Salt City Sprints LLC to execute and support up to 400 events in 20 cities across the United States in 12 weeks. In addition GoldSprints became a common event in each of the Bicycle Film Festival locations. Each city had a designated OpenSprints Technician who in turn kept the kit. The following 20 cities now have identical setups: