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 EffectRule #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 BlackGuest 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 StableDialing in the Stable
    This 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 rugMatching the drapes to the rug
    As 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 HourFestum Prophetae: Waiting for the Hour
    Everyone 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 ...

15,871 Replies to “The Bikes”

  1. @Teocalli

    @RobSandy

    I wish I was closer to a track. Might have to relocate back to Cardiff.

    Did you actually used to live here then? I’ve gathered you’ve ridden around here a bit.

  2. @RobSandy

    @Teocalli

    @RobSandy

    I wish I was closer to a track. Might have to relocate back to Cardiff.

    Did you actually used to live here then? I’ve gathered you’ve ridden around here a bit.

    Used to live not far from you on Ty Glas Road, Llanishen till 18.  Though I was away at school most of the time.

  3. @Teocalli

    @RobSandy

    @Teocalli

    @RobSandy

    I wish I was closer to a track. Might have to relocate back to Cardiff.

    Did you actually used to live here then? I’ve gathered you’ve ridden around here a bit.

    Used to live not far from you on Ty Glas Road, Llanishen till 18. Though I was away at school most of the time.

    Explains the Max Boyce references!

    It’s a pretty good place to cycle, rollers, flats, savage steep hills and loads of wild countryside accessible, plus an outdoor and indoor velodrome within spitting distance.

    Wish i’d got into cycling when I was at uni. I was a bit busy drinking myself senseless though.

  4. @David Dean Robbins

    Welcome, sir.

    Nice Giant, that – and I dig the color scheme. (My all-round training bike and part-time tourer is a Giant: a modest, alloy Defy 1 – and black as coal. Am still really pleased with it, though, and particularly like the smooth, steamroller’ish quality of the ride.(But I imagine your TCR to be considerably ‘edgier’ than a Defy)

  5. @RobSandy

    @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.

    Nice. Yeah, looks you’ve got the makings of a decent track bike there man. You can’t go wrong with a steel frame, although I would advise against respraying unless absolutely necessary. Look like good high-flange hubs on there too. Have Ambrosio rims on my #1, love them, but alas, I’m going to have to replace them soon. Oh well, I’ll just have to replace them with nemeses then. And while I’m at it, might as well get a spare set for the other #1 – in progress. OK, now I’m rambling…

  6. @Dean C

    @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.

    yeah they do!  lol  one minute you’re on top of the gear, and the next you’re dry heaving in the infield.  that’s good stuff right there.

  7. A few quick photos of my new to me 1984 Schwinn Paramount. Cinelli BB shell. Campagnolo dropouts, and sweet Columbus SL throughout. Original near mint paint.

  8. @EBruner

    That is simply awesome. I flat out really dig Paramounts. The folks at Waterford and Richard Schwinn will build ya a new Paramount today. I can only imagine how much fun it’d be to line up at a local road race on a modern lugged frame Paramount. In candy apple red ! I bombed around the city of Pittsburgh for years while in college racing up and down the hills and thru the city on a Schwinn. It was a 12 sp Voyageur. I wasn’t cool enough for a Paramount. What a gorgeous great fun ride you have! Cheers

  9. @DVMR

    @RobSandy

    @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.

     

    Nice. Yeah, looks you’ve got the makings of a decent track bike there man. You can’t go wrong with a steel frame, although I would advise against respraying unless absolutely necessary. Look like good high-flange hubs on there too. Have Ambrosio rims on my #1, love them, but alas, I’m going to have to replace them soon. Oh well, I’ll just have to replace them with nemeses then. And while I’m at it, might as well get a spare set for the other #1 – in progress. OK, now I’m rambling…

    I think I’m getting a bargain, actually. I’m buying it for £140…

    Think it’s the sort of bike that was pretty decent, what, 15 years ago? I’ve seen a photo of one online which was almost identical except it had Alex Dowsett’s name on the top tube.

    Why would you advise against respraying, out of interest? I’m not going to rush out and do it tomorrow, in any case.

  10. @Ron

    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

    Not a flat bar but I’ve been running my Planet X cross bike as a 1×10 for a while now and it’s been really good;use a 9-spd deore lx mech with 105 levers,the odd miss-shift but generally fine.

    Would think a flat bar 1×10 will be straightforward,should be plenty of older mtb bits around ;the only thing I found with a single chainring was the odd chain drop but an assymetric one chainring from Hope cured that.

    .For the crankset it might be best to get an old cx or road one,the chainring and some single chainring bolts;I have Miche cranks on the planet X  so 110bcd and plenty of choice with chainrings although the Hope ones only go to 46t but that’s fine for my commute with a wide cassette,I actually picked up an old square taper FSA cross crankset for the Trek I’m converting(£20 s/h here in the UK)but that will be run with double rings.

  11. @RobSandy

    @DVMR

    @RobSandy

    @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.

    Nice. Yeah, looks you’ve got the makings of a decent track bike there man. You can’t go wrong with a steel frame, although I would advise against respraying unless absolutely necessary. Look like good high-flange hubs on there too. Have Ambrosio rims on my #1, love them, but alas, I’m going to have to replace them soon. Oh well, I’ll just have to replace them with nemeses then. And while I’m at it, might as well get a spare set for the other #1 – in progress. OK, now I’m rambling…

    I think I’m getting a bargain, actually. I’m buying it for £140…

    Think it’s the sort of bike that was pretty decent, what, 15 years ago? I’ve seen a photo of one online which was almost identical except it had Alex Dowsett’s name on the top tube.

    Why would you advise against respraying, out of interest? I’m not going to rush out and do it tomorrow, in any case.

    That’s a great price for a pretty much good-to-go fully upgradeable track bike, well done in finding that. And hey, if it’s good enough for Alex Dowsett…

    Oh, don’t be listening to me, but I had a perfectly fine frame resprayed once, and I still regret it to this day. A frame’s paint is like its soul, it’s life story… and so on and so forth.

  12. @RobSandy

    Rob, you got a winner there pal- love the bike, and the paint is awesome as-is, adds to the history of the bike.

    You cant go wrong with steel, especially for sprint events.

    Upgrade the wheels, have it fit to you and maybe swap out bars/saddle if needed and get yourself a small collection of rings and cogs and link up with a buddy you trust who already rides the track who can show you the ropes and dive in.

     

    Great find, enjoy the bike

  13. @Dean C

    @DVMR

    Thanks guys, you’re making me even more pleased with myself. Picked it up on foot last night so I could ride it home – joyride slightly spoiled by a slow front wheel puncture. But loved it. Never had a steel bike before.

    Gave it a good primping when I got home – I was given a spare cog so I’ve currently got a choice of 50×18 or 50×16. Any thoughts?

    Re: respraying, my only thought was with a nice clean paint job and some new wheels it would actually look like a very modern bike. And also the existing paint is very chipped. Could always see if I could get it touched up and ride it looking ‘classic’.

    Anyway, I’m going to ride it as is for now.

    Happy.

  14. @RobSandy

    @Dean C

    @DVMR

    Thanks guys, you’re making me even more pleased with myself. Picked it up on foot last night so I could ride it home – joyride slightly spoiled by a slow front wheel puncture. But loved it. Never had a steel bike before.

    Gave it a good primping when I got home – I was given a spare cog so I’ve currently got a choice of 50×18 or 50×16. Any thoughts?

    Re: respraying, my only thought was with a nice clean paint job and some new wheels it would actually look like a very modern bike. And also the existing paint is very chipped. Could always see if I could get it touched up and ride it looking ‘classic’.

    Anyway, I’m going to ride it as is for now.

    Happy.

    Get a Flip-Flop Hub?

  15. @RobSandy

    I was given a spare cog so I’ve currently got a choice of 50×18 or 50×16. Any thoughts?

    Try both. I guess it depends on where you live. If it’s flat, 50×16 but if hilly you may want to have a somewhat lighter gearratio. And whether you are a grinder or spinner.

  16. @KogaLover

    @RobSandy

    I was given a spare cog so I’ve currently got a choice of 50×18 or 50×16. Any thoughts?

    Try both. I guess it depends on where you live. If it’s flat, 50×16 but if hilly you may want to have a somewhat lighter gearratio. And whether you are a grinder or spinner.

    It’s for the track mate!

    If I change to 50×16 that will be 84 gear inches which should be ok. I’d be worried about the cadence I’d have to ride to maintain any sort of speed in the 50×18.

  17. @Teocalli

    @RobSandy

    I think you need to fit one of these……

    Bearing in mind the speed I’ll be going I think something like that would be appropriate.

    The rear sprocket looks a bit big, actually.

  18. @Teocalli

    @RobSandy

    errr – you might have that the wrong way round – if you could turn that thing you’d be nearing escape velocity!

    Yeh, I know. I was taking the piss like. Could probably work out the speed I’d be going if I was able to turn that gear around at 90rpm. If I could be bothered.

  19. @Teocalli

    @RobSandy

    I think you need to fit one of these……

    Can you imagine how tricky that bike would have been to ride? Assuming you could get it up to speed, the fact that there’s no stem and your hands are behind the headtube, means it must have been as twitchy as all-get out.

  20. @wiscot

    Yeah – given the power needed to start a gear most of us would find superhuman and still keep a bike upright you’d need a derny town to just get moving……I think I did read somewhere that it was a joke.

  21. @RobSandy

    All this will depend on where you ride, the track the surface the conditions and the type of event(s) you are in.

    the rings and cogs are so personal as well as the tire pressure(s) for different tracks. This is why it is so good if you have a buddy you can go with first few times who wont point you in any strange directions.

    In between events the infield of the track looks like a NASCAR pit area everyone changing rings and cogs for the next event- and dont dare ask anyone which they are using…you would think you are asking for their mothers secret family recipe for soup or something like that.  Thats why its best if you just go during some open track time and go out and blast away and find out what combo works best for you in short vs long events. Good chances are the cogs you have will need to be added to with a 16, 15, and 14, dont forget that your chain whip you have now for your road bike will not work on the track bike….also will need a cog/lock ring tool.

    Sure you have googled and youtubed the snot out of it- I know I did, but after all the watching and “learning” the only way to figure it out is to go and spin it out or blow up on the track from lactic acid spurting from your eyes…either way its going to hurt.

     

    Enjoy it pal, you got a great deal on a great bike

  22. @Dean C

    @RobSandy

    All this will depend on where you ride, the track the surface the conditions and the type of event(s) you are in.

     

    Sure you have googled and youtubed the snot out of it- I know I did, but after all the watching and “learning” the only way to figure it out is to go and spin it out or blow up on the track from lactic acid spurting from your eyes…either way its going to hurt.

    Enjoy it pal, you got a great deal on a great bike

    I’ve gone for the 16T – did the job last night and (touch wood) seem to have got the chain tension ok first go.

    We’ll see where it takes me – I’m open to the idea of racing on the track but I’ll have to see how the winter goes/how my speed is/how my bike handling and racecraft improve.

    I’m also planning to do a shitload of weights which wont do my sprinting any harm.

    Isn’t having a new bike lovely? I keep finding myself in the same room with it, finding something to tinker with.

  23. one of the topics i appreciate is the search for the v-locus.  20 years ago, i took a test ride on one of these, ishiwata chromoly, ultegra 600, tigged Ritchey steel quill, etc.  it just fit perfectly.  vertically compliant, laterally stiff, all the qualities of a prime steel ride immediately evident.  i foolishly bought an Eddy Merckx Corsa instead.  most expensive bike i ever purchased, and easily the worst.  the ride was dead, and the bottom bracket flexy as could be, helped not at all by an extremely shitty Campagnolo Chorus weight relieved noodle of a crankset.  lesson learned.  the name on the frame doesn’t matter unless it sings in the big ring.  every bike i’ve ridden since, road, track, or cross, has been measured against that Bridgestone RB-1.

  24. @RobSandy

    Isn’t having a new bike lovely? I keep finding myself in the same room with it, finding something to tinker with.

    indeed it is.  especially after the honeymoon is over, you’ve got a few hundred miles in it, and you realize you’re DIALED.  it does what you want, and illuminates possibilities previously unimagined.

    i like the process of discovery at this point.  a half cm here, swap a saddle.  change to 28c tires from 23s, and settle on 25s, etc.

  25. @Cary

    @RobSandy

    Isn’t having a new bike lovely? I keep finding myself in the same room with it, finding something to tinker with.

    indeed it is. especially after the honeymoon is over, you’ve got a few hundred miles in it, and you realize you’re DIALED. it does what you want, and illuminates possibilities previously unimagined.

    i like the process of discovery at this point. a half cm here, swap a saddle. change to 28c tires from 23s, and settle on 25s, etc.

    Hmm, yeah. I’m thinking 10mm extra on the stem, saddle forwards a little. More forward position, flatter back…we’ll see.

  26. I had no intention of picking up a new frameset, but LOVE having it in my workstand as I slowly add parts. Gives me something fun to plan, tinker, and work on.

    fenlander – Thanks! Slowly adding parts, it’s coming along. Only decision I’m still debating is whether or not to spring for a new fork/wheel to put a disc brake on the front. Decided to just shell out for a SRAM Rival 1 crankset, will pair with medium length Shimano RD and a Shimano trigger shifter.

  27. @RobSandy

    If you’re gonna do a bit of track riding, collect a few sprockets and chainrings. If you’re planning on getting faster, you’ll do over-geared and under-geared (strength and speed) work. The most economical place to start is a 47t front chainring, and 13-14-15 sprockets, from memory that gives you a 94, an 86 and a 70-odd inch gear, or a big gear for sprints/over gear work, 86 for endurance events, and a warm-up/cool down/speedwork gear.

  28. @minion

    I’ve got a 18 and a 16 already, with a 50 chainring. Was thinking of getting a 14 in case I race.

    Interested as to what difference using a different sized chainring would make (assuming the total gear inches stayed the same).

  29. @RobSandy

    @minion

    I’ve got a 18 and a 16 already, with a 50 chainring. Was thinking of getting a 14 in case I race.

    Interested as to what difference using a different sized chainring would make (assuming the total gear inches stayed the same).

    I seem to remember Frohnk wrote an article some time back “proving” it was faster…………

  30. @Teocalli

    @RobSandy

    @minion

    I’ve got a 18 and a 16 already, with a 50 chainring. Was thinking of getting a 14 in case I race.

    Interested as to what difference using a different sized chainring would make (assuming the total gear inches stayed the same).

    I seem to remember Frohnk wrote an article some time back “proving” it was faster…………

    If some Dutch guy off of the Internets has proved it, must be true!

    I read somewhere a smaller chainring accelerates faster – but to my mind if they gear inches in total is the same, it should all be the same? Like, 50×16 should feel the same as 48×18?

    Of course I could just get a 56t front and a 12t rear and HTFU…

  31. @RobSandy

    Real science would indicate you should go Bigger/Bigger.  Basically the tighter the bend the greater the power  loss in a pulley system, so you should go with a bigger rear sprocket and to get the inches therefore a corresponding bigger chainring.  Whether the %age marginal gain makes an iota of difference is the real question.

  32. Yeah, the smaller chainrings are supposed to generate more friction with the bend the links have to go through – there “might” be a difference on a road bike but on a track bike with no derailleurs , it won’t be the factor that makes any difference. I’ve been racing track for a few years and over that time I’ve built up a set of rings from 45, 47 to 53, and 13 – 18 tooth sprockets, all 1 1/8th. It really helps to have a warm up and cool down gear to spin on, like a low to mid 70 inch gear, it normally means being able to walk the following day.

  33. @Teocalli

    @RobSandy

    I think you need to fit one of these……

    You already mentioned that real science would dictate bigger/bigger. When I saw this picture I was not initially thinking that it will be impossible to turn the big ring, but rather how can you transfer the power to the small cog in the back, where you have maybe 5 teeth gripping the chain, without the chain skipping. You’d have to be very slow in speeding up.

    This gear ratio set up does work however:

    http://velonews.competitor.com/2016/09/news/ca-woman-rides-her-bicycle-147-mph-a-new-world-record_420507

    Note that the overall world record of fastest cyclist of the universe is still held by Fred Rompelberg, 268 kmph, a Dutch guy. But I chose this time to be less patriotic and give the place to a US female cyclist.

  34. Thinking about N+1: Scandium track frame. Colourpattern dubbed “Nemo” for obvious reasons. Will need some advice on build: wheels, bars, drivetrain/pedals/gear. Most important question: which colour should the bartape have: black, white or orange.

  35. @KogaLover

    Can’t answer any of that apart from bartape – white. Always white.

    However, I just had a google for Koga track frames and one of the pictures that came up was that frame, built up with track bars, single speed, etc etc…and a positive rise stem and a bloody EPMS! My eyes, my two good eyes!

  36. @KogaLover

    *Cat call Whistle sound*. Goodness me. That is a positively drool-worthy frame, that. Wow!

    Agree with @RobSandy on the bar tape. White. As for most of the gear (and in view of the proud tradition of the Koga line, especially during the ‘Miyata’ era), I’d be walking straight towards the Dura Ace shelves, I think (if I could afford to, that is). Couldn’t help thinking that there just might be a lot of good, slightly used D-A stuff to be found on the interwebs, if you look hard/patiently enough?

    I also couldn’t help thinking that such a frame, tricked out with D-A, with white bar-tape, wouldn’t look bad if ridden by a Velominatus decked out in a bright-orange/white Koga jersey with black lettering, and black bibs? (Insert smiley-winkey etc… here)

  37. @ErikdR

    I also couldn’t help thinking that such a frame, tricked out with D-A, with white bar-tape, wouldn’t look bad if ridden by a Velominatus decked out in a bright-orange/white Koga jersey with black lettering, and black bibs? (Insert smiley-winkey etc… here)

    Exactly, my thinking. Would look better than this:

    https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Finding-Nemo-Dress-Cosplay-Costume-Cartoon-Nemo-Golden-Fish-Halloween-Fancy-Suit-Christmas-Halloween/32716090912.html?spm=2114.40010308.4.50.8gOznM

    @RobSandy

    Complete disgrace! You must click the google-option “no EPMS”, then you will not see any pictures with EPMS. I still have my 2 good eyes after I googled Koga track frame.

     

  38. @KogaLover

    Just laughed my head off at the Nemo outfit – that was hilarious (*wipes drops of Danish Lager off keyboard*).

    On a more serious note: have you actually tried riding fixed? I’ve been really curious about it (and have an old, steel Koga Miyata Road Speed SL frame gathering dust in the shed, waiting to be set up as a fixed gear training bike), but to be honest, the concept scares me a bit (as in: shitless). I keep getting these mental images of barrelling down a steep incline at speed, and for a moment forgetting that I cannot freewheel – and getting my legs torn off by my own bicycle.

    On the other hand, rumour has it that riding fixed is very good for developing a smooth pedal stroke. And once upon a time, my motto used to be: “Do something every day that scares you”, so I guess I could (and should) simply HTFU and go for it.

  39. @ErikdR

    @KogaLover

    Just laughed my head off at the Nemo outfit – that was hilarious (*wipes drops of Danish Lager off keyboard*).

    On a more serious note: have you actually tried riding fixed? I’ve been really curious about it (and have an old, steel Koga Miyata Road Speed SL frame gathering dust in the shed, waiting to be set up as a fixed gear training bike), but to be honest, the concept scares me a bit (as in: shitless). I keep getting these mental images of barrelling down a steep incline at speed, and for a moment forgetting that I cannot freewheel – and getting my legs torn off by my own bicycle.

    On the other hand, rumour has it that riding fixed is very good for developing a smooth pedal stroke. And once upon a time, my motto used to be: “Do something every day that scares you”, so I guess I could (and should) simply HTFU and go for it.

    Having taken my new track bike for a little spin outside, I can confidently state that riding a fixie downhill is fucking shit scary.

    Also, make sure you do the sprocket up properly and fit a lockring or the backwards pressure on the pedals as you ‘brake’ can make the sprocket unscrew. This removes all braking function from the bike.

  40. @RobSandy

    Hi Rob; thanks (I guess…)

    Now I’m really worried that I’ll kill myself dead trying to ride fixed. (Naahh – just kidding. The hills here in DK aren’t THAT scary, really – and I’ll be able to start off on very lenient, almost-flat roads if I plan things carefully. I’ll be fine.)

    And I really appreciate the expert and excellent advice on securing the sprocket. Duly noted.

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