The Bikes
The Bike. It is the central tool in pursuit of our craft. A Velominatus meticulously maintains their bicycles and adorns them with the essential, yet minimal, accoutrement. The Rules specify the principles of good taste in configuration and setup of our machines, but within those principles lies almost infinite room for personal taste.
It seems in some ways like a kind of Stockholm Syndrome, the way we honor our machines. We love them to a point that lies well beyond obsession. Upon these machines upon we endure endless suffering, but also find an unending pleasure. The rhythm, the harmony between rider and machine, the outdoors, the wind in our faces and air in our lungs.
The Bikes is devoted entirely to our machines. Ours, The Keepers, and yours, the Community. It features articles devoted to our bikes, and proves a forum for uploading photos of your own machines for discussion. We will be harsh, but fair; this is a place to enforce and enhance our observation of The Rules.
If you’d like to submit an article about your own beloved bike, please feel free to send it to us and we’ll do our best to work with you to include it.
- Rule #12 and the Cascade Effect
That is a very reasonable opening salvo for the Rule about bike ownership. Three is good and certainly a minimum, and we are talking road bikes here, if there was any doubt. They naturally become ordered: the #1 is ichi-ban, top dog, go-to bike for every and all rides. #2 was the old #1, ... - Guest Article: Black Is Not The New Black@kogalover is singing my song here. Bikes are beautiful. ’nuff said. VLVV, Gianni With all those posts on riding in winter and being visible, either by putting Eyes of Sauron or other car melting devices on one’s steed, or by even considering a YJA instead of donning plain black kit, it was about time to finally get ...
- Dialing in the StableThis was going to be an article about Rule #45. It is amazing how much time is wasted and matches burned when professionals stop for that second bike change to get back on their #1. With all the jigs available to team mechanics it would seem they could set up five bikes exactly the same. And ...
- Matching the drapes to the rugAs a longtime titanium bike owner, I’ve always been jealous of a beautiful painted frame but Ti and carbon frames don’t need paint like a steel frame needs paint. But I want some painted beauty. It’s like buying a white car; I can’t do white, need some color. So between a Ti frame and a ...
- Festum Prophetae: Waiting for the HourEveryone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth. – Mike Tyson The one thing everyone should always plan for is that however well-conceived a program might be, things will never go to plan. The high level plan for my Festum Prophetae Hour Ride was as follows: Have a custom Hour Bike built by Don Walker. Because reasons. Reasons like custom ...
Damn auto-correct;that should be ultegra of course.
Dont normally show people my stuff until its fully built and buffed but I’m more excited than usual by this one. It’s a Colnago Carbon Volo (less than 200 produced in 1988) and I have the gruppo to go with it (full C-Record, of course) and the original Ambrosio Metamorphosis/CR freewheel hubs.
The first Colnago full carbon monocoque frame in all its crazy 1980ness topped by a ridiculous marmo/marble paint job and with the original owners signature on the top tube (Ottaviano Frugeri). Will post more when finished.
…and no comments about the dogs dinner please.
@Kay_Jay
Wow. That will get some looks on the group rides. What a collector’s piece. The color is intriguing….and disturbing at the same time. Ernesto must have partied hard in the late 1980’s.
@Kay_Jay
That is one mad looking bike. Never saw one of these before. Looks a bit like it was designed by HR Giger.
Interesting construction and provenance. Definitely a collector’s item!
@frank
Upcoming No.1 solution to start/finish on time. TID 36mm version
@frank
“It does look big from that angle but it is pretty tiny” — Mikael’s Wife
(all in fun)
@DVMR
thanks – its gonna be ridden not hung on a wall but maybe only on dry days!
Fellow Velominati,
Here is a photo of my brand new steed for your enjoyment/critique/suggestions. Personally, I appreciate the manner in which the Italians take Rule #8 to a new level.
@Kay_Jay
Absolutely! Otherwise, what is the point?
@Kay_Jay
Very funky!
Cross-referencing Gianni’s article on Velo-Geno, looks like the love child of Dali and Pollock!
@Rick
Sweet, but I am a practicing Pina fan. Though for me it has to be Campy too.
@Teocalli
Thanks, I have only ever ridden a Group-San and didn’t want to change. However, I do understand and respect your views about Campy on a Pina. If Team Sky can ride Dura Ace on their Dogmas, I figure cross culture riding is ok for me too.
I know it’s not #26 compliant, I know I have posted it before, and yes it is in a men’s room. But why on earth would you want a sloping top tube, aero whatever the fuck, and anything other than steel and Campagnolo?
@EBruner
My first was a steel Bottecchia complete with the beautiful chrome fork. It was still the best ride I ever had. My Pina comes close but I till miss the steel ride.
@Rick
Seems fair enough if the Pro’s go that way to set the standard – then again there is always the Astana and Tinkoff team kit…….
@Teocalli
There is a line!
While traditionalists may scoff at riding a Group-San on a Pinarello, the practice does not technically violate any rules. Personally, I strictly adhere to Rule #14, Rule #16, and Rule #17. Wearing either of the kits you mention would violate #14, and #17 not to mention the boundaries of good tastes.
If it is true that to look good is to already go fast, then the corollary must also be true. Therefore, I fail to see how either of those teams can ever win as single race!
@EBruner
VERY Nice!!! I agree but would add that Ti with Campag also fits the mold!
@Buck Rogers
I agree Ti is nice. I am even good with carbon, just needs to be standard geometry. As of late I am really turned off by sloping geometry. I have a couple myself, and I just can’t look at them with the same love as a standard. level top tube.
@Rick
Real traditionalists would know there’s a long and proud history of Italians, Italian marques and Italian teams using Group-San; from Moser using it in the very early 80s on his own branded frames, to Bugno and Gatorade using it in the early 90s (on Mosers then Bianchis) through to Mapei’s loyalty to it on their Colnagos right through the 90s and into the 2000s, among only a few more notable examples.
In short, a Pinarello with Shimano is totes appropes.
I did say “Though for me…..”
@EBruner
looking at this bike, scrolling through every detail i can find on Jaegher’s website, reading this i’m pretty certain it has changed my N+1 goals completely.
@hudson
Man, what a build on that link you posted. After much, much deliberation between Jaegher and Hampsten, I went with Hampsten but one cannot go wrong with Jaegher, either. Hampsten was a better fit for me as I wanted a Ti frame and they have Eriksen do their Ti welding and also I am traveling to Seattle next week for a business trip and I set up a meeting with Steve and he is really great to work with. And, I have always loved Andy Hampsten and his humble, winning ways and not taking everything too seriously.
But, for the NEXT bike ….
@Teocalli
Haha, fair enough!
@EBruner
Sloping (or semi-sloping) geometry is what allows me to fit properly on my Felt FC frameset. It’s 54cm and ordinarily, i.e., traditional, horizontal top tube, a 54cm would be too big for me. But I need a longer top tube. It just turns out that a 54cm Felt FC has the same exact length top tube as my oldie but goodie custom Hollands (53cm with 54.5cm top tube) and the slightly sloping top tube gives me standover that I wouldn’t have with a horizontal top tube. I don’t have a ton of seat post exposed so it ends up looking a little more traditional (especially with a -17 degree stem).
@hudson
That Busyman bar tape is something else.
Kay_Jay – oh my! Paint reminds me of some of the Zullos. Resident historians: who did that style first (on bikes) Zullo or Colnago? (I’m guessing someone did it on something else before…a canvas, a car, etc.)
@Buck Rogers
Well done, sir! Glad your deliberations had you ending up with Steve — you will be delighted. I’ve had a chance to meet Andy a couple of times (he even rode my Hampsten when I was with him in Boulder) and signed my 7-Eleven jersey. Totally a class guy, as is Steve.
@Buck Rogers
You picked a top shelf build there also. A Hampsten is on short list as well. I have a Stainless Jaegher being built that should be here in a week or two, then what is next we will see. I loved watching Andy race. He is top drawer all the way around.
My new steed posted for your critique/suggestions :) Hopefully I learned something from the last time I posted my old bike.
@PanzerPuss
Nice. I’m not a great fan of Cervelos – I find them very samey – but I quite like that white top tube effect.
No obvious misdemeanours I can spot. Might have an issue with the stem angle… is that a Rule?
Your choice of reading material on the other hand…
@ChrisO
Thanks Chris. I am breaking a rule on the slammed stem but its a new bike and graduating from a Giant Defy I am still dialing in my position before I remove the two spacers.
As for the books … have a wife that’s all I’m gonna say about that ;)
@PanzerPuss
Like the white top tube. And even though I’m a Shimano guy, what’s not to like about your full Campy build!
@PanzerPuss
Aesthetics aside, you need to get your stem/bar height at whatever height works for you. Doesn’t do any good to go long and low if it’s going to kill your back. That said, you should ditch the spacer and swap in a -17 degree stem.
@chuckp
Thanks for the advice Chuck :) This is my first Campy bike too, my other ones are Shimano … loving it so far.
I will stick to the two spacers for a few more weeks and then make a call on slamming the thing. The negative angle stems are beyond my flexibility limits now … I know HTFU …
@PanzerPuss
Not sure what headset you have, but if it came with a taller top cap you could probably use that with one spacer and still be OK. When I first built my Felt FC I used the taller top cap with one 10mm spacer under the stem. Have since ditched the spacer (so 2x10mm on top, which is OK since I saw a pic of Wiggo’s Dogma with 20mm worth of spacers on top of his stem) and after going 20mm shorter on my original stem length went 10mm longer (from the shorter stem). Oh yeah … -17 degree stem. Part of me says I could swap out the taller top cap for the shorter one (maybe 5mm difference) and still be OK, but I don’t want to tempt fate.
@chuckp
Sorry Chuck trying to keep up … so your saying that you switched to a longer stem and removed all the spacers below it and stacked them on top instead? Are the spacers on top insurance in case you change your mind about the slammed stem? What other benefit does the taller top cap provide?
Also, is that a -17 degree stem? Whats the length on that?
@PanzerPuss
My original build was with a 3T ARX Pro 120mm -17 degree stem, a 10mm spacer below, and a 10mm spacer above. But the stem was actually longer than 120mm (3T takes the measurement for +17 degrees), almost 140mm! So I got a 100mm ARX Pro stem. After riding it for a year, I thought I could ride a little more stretched out and lower. I found a 110mm ARX Pro stem on eBay for cheap, ditched the spacer under the stem, and added it to the spacer on top. My plan was to cut the steerer tube (carbon) once I was sure I was OK with the longer and lower position. But after seeing a pick of Wiggins’ Dogma with 20mm spacer on top, I decided if Wiggo is willing to ride that way so can I and to just keep the spacers on top. That does give me the option of raising the stem if I ever decide I want to do that. It’s overkill in terms of having sufficient steerer tube above the stem to guard against possible steerer tube breakage. Everything I’ve read says a 5mm spacer is OK and 10mm is ideal. 20mm is about as much as I would go. I’ve seen guys riding with 30mm worth of spacers above the stem and it looks dorky.
Yes, -17 degree stem. 110mm according to 3T spec but actually measures out more like 120mm.
What are these “spacers” you speak of?
@EBruner
They are part of a kit of parts from a different generation than filigree, polished lugs and sexy quill stems! Very nice.
@EBruner
Now we’re talking!
@PanzerPuss
First off, smart choice of chorus groupo. I would argue that that it’s the best campag group regardless of price. I think chorus has a better, more durable chain and cassette than SR/Record, a stronger FD and sturdier RD cage. Weight penalty is realistically about 30 grams in the crankset through the use of Ti bolts. Bora Ones are perfect. The only no no I see is the setback seatpost with the saddle pushed full forward: Zero setback post with saddle in the middle of rails would be perfect. Great looking bike!
@PanzerPuss
Hold it on the stem!
Let’s look at the history of a -17 stem. This number came about because bikes of yesteryear had level top tubes and a 73 deg head tube. In order to give a level appearance with regard to the 73 HT angle, 17 degree was used. With a quill stem, you simply undid the bolt and raised or lowered the stem to the best height. 17 degree was purely to balance the aesthetic.
Nowadays, the -17 stem is a pro bailout move that says ” my damn sponsor only makes one size head tube in their plastic bike that fits my TT length, so I need to rig it.”
We, as smart consumers, can choose proper fitting custom sleds, or choose between various manufacteurers to get a bike that actually fits us. Additionally, a 7 or 8 degree stem compliments the geometry of both sloping and traditional geometries.
Remember, the idea of bike fit is to be able to ride comfortably in the drops for the MAJORITY of the time you are riding on level terrain, with your back as flat as possible.
@fignons barber
Nowadays, the -17 stem is a pro bailout move that says ” my damn sponsor only makes one size head tube in their plastic bike that fits my TT length, so I need to rig it.”
Spot Fucking On!!!! Preach it!!
@fignons barber
interesting you mention that, it’s the exact same issue I have (aesthetically) with the R5. There’s one of these in the near future – https://www.bikethomson.com/product/masterpiece-seatpost/
@fignons barber
Thanks for the compliments.
Good spot on the seat position. I was tying to replicate the position on my endurance bike which I bought a frame size too large and hence had to get a zero setback seatpost. This one is a small but I set it up just like my old bike. Realized the mistake one halfway through the second ride when the knees started hurting. The seat is now moved back halfway between the rails.
@chuckp
Thanks Chuck for the detailed explanation. Will wait it out a little bit. Get more comfy on the bike. Its a different experience than riding my Giant Defy and I definitely had some back aches on the first few rides getting used to the more long and low position as compared to the Defy.
@EBruner
Beautiful!! What bar tape are you using?
@fignons barber
@fignons barber
Much needed history lesson ;) I learn new things everyday here …
@Kay_Jay
That’s one heck of a paint job. Looks beautiful. You never have to worry about scratches ;)