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 ...
@Cary
Welcome, I’m fairly new here too but a keen follower of the rules.
That’s a beautiful machine, however having a photo from the drive side would complement it’s crisp lines.
Despite the rules, remember to enjoy the ride!
Being completely new to the forum, I thought my first post would be a photo of my number #1. Please excuse any rule violations as I am still learning the ways of the prophet and the apostle. (Apologies in advance for the bidon in my bottle cage)
@Cary
Classic. Very nice indeed.
@KogaLover
I have a Hiro on my OLD Silca Pista and I’m using 3/16 fuel line as the hose. The Silca hose is terrible – and harder to find as well. That Hiro head is worthy of icon status like the Campy “peanut butter.” Thanks for the link.
Joe
@Ron
Old school nerd’s rare opportunity to contribute obscure knowledge. BTW what Ben said checks with me too. Tubulars seem to leak at at the valve when you’re first pumping a completely flat tire. Otherwise with a good air head, it will not leak even at 180 PSI. (Incidentally, you CAN tightly thread that Silca head into a 1 Liter Coke bottle neck using plumber’s tape. With the other end attached to a 1500 PSI Nitrogen tank, good entertainment may follow. Recommend goggles and long pants.)
Joe
@Joe
Sounds like someone needs to post that great pic of Mad Jacques, the mad fucker, accosting a rider in the Tour in the 20s. He didn’t need no stinkin Silca pump, he used his left nostril to expel air while inhaling coke up the right one. Skilled man, that Jacques.
@wiscot
Its weird what you can find like wondering a) what lead to this and b) the technique to exit bike while winding up left hook….
@Ron
I think there are few issues more frustrating than pump related ones. For me it’s when the Lezyne floor pump unscrews the valve core (somewhat negating its effectiveness) rather than just unscrewing from the valve…and unfortunately it’s becoming harder & harder to find tubes without a removable valve core.
@wiscot
You mean this article? http://www.velominati.com/nostalgia/anatomy-of-a-photo-mad-jacques-pioneer-of-neutral-service/
@Mikael Liddy
I’ve had the same problem. Love the screw on fitting for the track wheels but not the valve unscrewing issue. Found that if you nip up the valve core before you use the tube then the problem goes away. A spoke nipple tool or the valve core tool that comes with extenders will do the trick.
@Mikael Liddy
Loctite. Learn’t the hard way; it’s a bugger when the core comes out midway through mounting a sticky tubular.
I recently brought a new Lezyne pump which had a head like this, what a lot of shite. The old screw on one was so much better and never leaked or blew off accidentally.
@chris
The LBS just around the corner from home has tubes that A) don’t have screw in valve cores, and B) have appropriately short valves for those of us that don’t run deep dish wheels. Only problem is that by selling 5 for $25, the stocks don’t last long.
Latest rescue bike, 1981 Gios Super Record.
@Oski Bear
Ooo very nice. How many Gios do we have around here?
@Teocalli
Your RdV Era Gios is a thing of great beauty. This my second Gios.
Beautiful.
Weird and wonderful (and ugly?) shapes to return?
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/uci-set-to-scrap-rule-limiting-aero-bike-design-281563?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social
@Teocalli
it’s just about tube proportions, isn’t it? I suppose that may have more far-reaching implications than obvious…
@RobSandy
I guess you could have a carbon ice cream wafer with a tiny triangular hole in it somewhere………filled in rear triangles…..massive blade forks?
@Teocalli
I wonder if that means the traditional bike design will be replaced by all aero models.
@Rick
I hope not!
@Teocalli
As do I! I would hate for 6 month old steed to look obsolete next year.
@Rick
I suspect this will also end up with massively still racing bikes being ridden by recreational riders for whom they offer zero net benefit but at the cost of considerable discomfort. What it may do also is push the “classic” format down the range so net if you want a traditional frame you will not be able to get one built out of high end materials.
On the other hand the folk making custom carbon bikes may be rubbing their hands as they may still offer high spec traditional format. Such at this.
Oh and I was going to add, as new shapes get developed then you can expect lots of variations coming out and so at least initially a fairly rapid evolution precisely as you say. Most of which would be irrelevant to recreational cyclists.
@Teocalli
Here is an article discussing the possibilities.
Is this a “real” bike?
@sthilzy
yes, a motorbike.
@sthilzy
How ’bout the >>> perfect expression of who you are <<< ?? I’m not sure what that says about the person that wants that bike with its secret hidden motor. Tabbing down to bottom we can note the, shall we say, older gentleman rocking the serious ‘stache, on the bike. But seriously, if I wanted a motor on my road bike I could come up with some really good ideas. I wouldn’t worry about the motor being hidden. Ex, when I wanted a motor on a mtn bike I got this:
The boy has a new bike*, the fourth Cannondale in the family, a 2016 CAAD 12 105. It arrived on Friday. It’s a stunning thing for an aluminium bike but the downside is that he’s even faster on it than he was before. We’ve been out for a couple of short blasts and I’m having to work harder when he’s on the front.
The dork disc and reflectors have gone, he was desperate to ride on Saturday and we didn’t have a lot of time before heading of to a family event. The steerer tube will be cut down in due course.
*Technically, it’s mine for the next year while he pays it off. It’s a good fit for me so its a good incentive to make sure he does all his jobs.
@chris
@Frank will be impressed with the lad’s hair through the vents work…
@chris
CAADs and kids! Damn near perfect bikes and not much but a few grams is given up with 105 group san. My son knocked off 70 km on my CAADX w/105 with me yesterday w/over 43km being dirt road and some of toughest climbs in county. He’s raced CX and XC over last couple of seasons and letting him loose on some crits next year I’m ready to convert my CAAD10 to Jr’s gearing and turn it over to him. You sort out crank ring options for Jr’s? I’m guessing a little diff in UK vs US. I’d set my daughter up with a 44/34 CX rings and can use 11sp 12-28 with 44×12 still under USAC roll out. I understand going with a 41 big ring one can go with a 41×11 and be even closer to the 26′ USAC Jr roll out. Your son’s gonna love that bike. Even more so when riding by you!
I couldn’t resist a ’16 model close out deal on a new F-Si hardtail and had this green machine del’d last week. Just a little over 10kg for large Mtn Bike. Incredible. I dig Cannondales:
Cheers!
@Randy C
Agree on the Cannondale- I rode a Slate a while back and it was a totally fun machine to ride, got on it and went from the street over curbs onto a field/trail and back- might be on the short list of N+1(s).
Take care
@chris
Chris- awesome work there Dad, you are so correct, your son now has an awesome weapon at his disposal to dish you out some pain. You better start “secret” training while he is back in school.
That CAAD 12 is a terrific bike for a young lad!
I was riding in a group today with a husband and wife and their 14 year old son. We did 100 km @ 32kph. The lad rode at the back of the group not working through the pace line and for the most part he had no problem keeping the pace – got into a bit of trouble on the longer hills. The boy was on one of his Mother’s bikes – a lovely titanium Litespeed that fit him to a tee.
I have to get my son out riding again.
@Dean C
A Slate for winning a particularly brutal race.
@Randy C, @Mikael Liddy, @kixsand, @Dean C Angus has been getting stronger over the last year and a half and he’s into it all, club runs, time trials, racing, cross and a bit of track. The CAAD12 is a lot of bike for the money.
It’s an absolute blast to ride with him, especially on the days when we just ride for the sake of it. a brilliant way to connect with your kids.
That F-Si is nice but the Slate scares me a bit. I suspect that if I had one, the other bikes would make less sense. @frank and I were having a look at one at the Rouleur Classic, he said he didn’t really get but I suspect that as Keeper in Chief, he just couldn’t really admit it.
Forgot to mention, when I got home this evening he presented me with a training plan to be be put into effect between now and Christmas, complete with goals. If he hits his targets, I’m in the shit.
@chris
That- is when you know your role as Father, mentor, Dad, counselor and coach is almost complete. when the student out performs the teacher.
Keep up the strong work
Mikael – oh man, I recently had the nightmare happen with the Lezyne pumps unscrewing the valve core. Argh!
I called Park Took and thought I’d share this: guy said I can pull the head apart and swap the grommets. “First rebuild is built into the head.” Pretty damn smart! I’ll start with that.
Okay. I’ve acquired a new AL cross frameset and I’m looking to build it up as a 1×10 commuter with flat/mtn. bars, fenders, possibly a front disc brake (currently fork is for V/cantis so will need to decide if I want to sink the money).
Would love to hear from with anyone using a 1×10 flat bar set-up. Thanks! I know it’s not that complex, just wouldn’t mind hearing from someone who put a similar bike together.
In Keeping with Rule #19, I feel I should introduce myself. I am 54 years old. I live in Madison Wisconsin and have a business there as well. I ride a Giant TCR Advanced SL with a custom wheelset built by Sugar Wheel Works, They have Onyx Road Pro hubs and I run Continental Grand Prix 4000s, I have Cinelli Neo Morphe XL Carbon bars and a Selle Italia Saddle. The crank is Mid-Compact and as it is fairly flat around here with rolling hills I pretty much stay on the big dog. I know should have gotten the photo from the other side!
@Ron
First, what parts do you already have on hand other than the frame? I am assuming it is a budget build. If that is the case, a disc fork and disc specific front wheel will be a bit pricey even if you can find a nice used fork and front wheel. Many years ago I had a LeMond Poprad frame that I built as an around town/pub crawl/recovery ride bike. I ran canti brakes, a flat MTB bar, and fenders. It had a standard 9 speed Shimano 105 grouppo, brakes were TRP and levers and shifters were Shimano XTRs. Ultegra 12-27T cassette and Mavic Ksyrium SSC SL wheelset. I build it with mostly second hand parts except for the BB, cables, and tires. I think I spend about $600 total.
Potential N+1 tonight.
Track bike. Terry Dolan original. Steel.
Pretty excite.
@Sparty
Hey Sparty, I’m going to try and make this a budget build, though that tends to rarely happen. I have the frame, fork, BB, stem, seat post, headset, pedals, saddle, wheels.
I’ll need:
1x crankset; right/rear shifter (10s); brake levers; RD; brakes (I’m leaning towards Tektro/TRP v-brakes); cables/housing; cheapo mtn. bars
I did read the fork is really narrow and you can’t run big tires. I’m thinking of going pretty big, like 35-36mm, this is not going to be a speed bike, more a comfortable do-it-all commuter, lock up, grocery getter. I do want to stay with 10-s so the wheels are compatible with a few of my other bikes. Do want to do 1×10 to keep things simple. I will put the fork on other wheels I have to see about tire clearance. If it will only fit 28-30, might just have to go for a new fork, which means I’d likely go disc.
I’ll let you know once I asses, but thanks for the feedback!
@RobSandy
Rob, good luck with that- once it is in your hands- some pics please.
I have succumbed to the velodrome, meetings with the Man with the Hammer come quick and with utter ruthlessness.
@RobSandy
I approve of this.
@DVMR
@Dean C
This may be cheating – this is a photo of bike although it has not yet transferred to my keeping.
I’m picking it up Thursday. I’m open to track riding/racing may be something I could really get into, if so I think this is a good frame for upgrading wheels, repainting, etc, etc. Ambrosio wheels, apparently.
@RobSandy
I wish I was closer to a track. Might have to relocate back to Cardiff.
New Lizard Skins bar tape. Decided to add some color to the steed.
Uploaded two different pics, but don’t know why it’s two of the same.