I love how the Campagnolo Super Record Crank is peeking through tall of that aero stuff.

In those days the race leaders skinsuit for time trials was supplied by the race organiser, so often the fit was less than ideal. These days teams will have their own ones custom made, or if the organisers are supplying them they will still be custom fitted – there were pictures of Froome getting his one sized up during this years Tour.

@Nate

@frank

Just proving that not every LOOK bike is beautiful…

I like how the letters get bigger as the downtube gets wider.

But his bibs get shorter, some serious Rule #7 violation going on here.

That is a fine tan line. I reckon he is violating Rule #7 on account of laying down so much V.

@sthilzy

Riding aero as – Sep Vanmarcke!

Not the link above! – this one

@sthilzy

Riding aero as – Sep Vanmarcke!

You gotta love the side door… What was he going to store in there!? Some spare tubes or tyre levers. Looks like a Russian space ship’s escape hatch

@frank

Just proving that not every LOOK bike is beautiful…

I like how the letters get bigger as the downtube gets wider.

But his bibs get shorter, some serious Rule #7 violation going on here.

@sthilzy

Riding aero as – Sep Vanmarcke!

Not the link above! – this one

Ok, impressive.

Riding aero as – Sep Vanmarcke!

Not the link above! – this one

Yes! I would make a point to read this book to draw inspiration, before work begins on an exclusive print focused on Fignon — serigraph. After Pantani though.

“It’s a really sad day. He had a very, very big talent, much more than anyone recognised. We were teammates, competitors, but also friends. He was a great person, one of the few that I find was really true to himself. He was one of the few riders who I really admired for his honesty and his frankness. We talked about a lot of different things outside of cycling and I was fortunate to really get to know him when my career stopped. I believe he was also one of the generation that was cut short in the early nineties because he was not able to fulfill the rest of his career. But he was a great rider.” – Greg LeMond

Embarrassed that I just remembered Fignon died 31 August 2010

What a lovely quote. Note to self – get hold of a copy of We Were Young and Carefree.

That is a fucking SWEET picture.

Embarrassed that I just remembered Fignon died 31 August 2010

@zeitzmar

Based on how that handlebar is mounted so low, I don’t think there would have been room for Deltas on the front. I think he had to go with a regular sidepull to get the cable away from the centerline.

Just stumbled across this front-view of the bike. How awesome is that?! And I think you’re definitely right on why the delta was swapped for a caliper brake.

Just proving that not every LOOK bike is beautiful…

I like how the letters get bigger as the downtube gets wider.

Just proving that not every LOOK bike is beautiful…

I see your ugly LOOK funny bike and raise you this one…

I’d wear Fignon’s helmet on a daily basis. That’s awesome!

Am sure you can still find one somewhere…

Or was the handle at the back of Fignon’s plastic cup rather there not to mess up his pony tail? Let’s ask @Fignon’s barber

Chiropractors dream

Is that one of Frank’s bikes? Judging by the differential betwixt saddle and bars, I suspect so.

Ouch! Need to see a urologist before and after riding that!

Chiropractors dream

I remember hearing someone hypothesizing that the reason why SRAM has taken so long to go electronic in any form was to avoid patent infringement. If Shimano try anything similar, I suspect there will be a lot of scrutiny for similarities.

@Oli

Someone has pointed out that eTap is going to be a pain for mechanics – how can you pedal a bike in the stand and shift between chainrings? It’ll take three hands for one of the most basic adjustments on a bike!

Nope. They thought of that. The deraillurs can be shifted by pressing the “function” button on the shifter itself. It is infact, easier to make adjustments as you don’t need to use the brifter at all.

I’ve posted this before but it’s entirely appropriate to post again.

E tap? Meh, Whilst mechanical gruppo is so good what’s the point? I like the tactile feel of the gears, and whilst most shifts can be achieved with a pinky finger does it really need to be any easier?

@Barracuda

Is this cusp of when the “funny bike” turned into a “aero bike”?

1989, I realise its not in the spirit of the article, but the frame is interesting none the less.

@Matt

@Haldy

And Oregon frame builder Rob English is doing his best to keep the funny bike style somewhat alive in modern form-

Thing reminds me of an F-22 with an atrociously ugly saddle.

I think it’s the saddle that’s the worst part, put a proper looking saddle on there at it would at least look a bit better.

Apart from the saddle, that just looks like a badass go-fast machine. I’m down!

Okay, I missed that detail. Problem solved, good stuff.

Shame that Fignon wouldn’t wear an aero helmet for the 1989 Tour de France TT.

I reckon he’d have rather lost the 89  Tour than wear that lid, it’s a shocker

That Colnago pursuiter is montrously fap-worthy. Yummy.

@Haldy

And Oregon frame builder Rob English is doing his best to keep the funny bike style somewhat alive in modern form-

Thing reminds me of an F-22 with an atrociously ugly saddle.

I think it’s the saddle that’s the worst part, put a proper looking saddle on there at it would at least look a bit better.

And Oregon frame builder Rob English is doing his best to keep the funny bike style somewhat alive in modern form-

Thing reminds me of an F-22 with an atrociously ugly saddle.

@wilburrox

There is a function button on both dérailleurs that will shift both up and down.  You don’t even need to reach up to the bars…  Pretty thoughtful.

Turning the cranks and poking the FD to shift? Hmmm.

I’m thinking a remote key fob kinda thing is in order… Should be pretty straightforward pairing up the signal?

@Mikael Liddy

Was always a fan of the funny bike, especially the “Pinarellos” that Indurain rode

In an interesting tie in to another recent article, have a look at who owns this one now – http://www.vintageluxurybicycles.com/indurain-tt

They were definitely doing some wild and crazy stuff!

@Mikael Liddy

That’s a big ring!

That’s not a big ring; THIS is a big ring!

Thats not real, the fork is ass backwards.

There is a function button on both dérailleurs that will shift both up and down.  You don’t even need to reach up to the bars…  Pretty thoughtful.

Someone has pointed out that eTap is going to be a pain for mechanics – how can you pedal a bike in the stand and shift between chainrings? It’ll take three hands for one of the most basic adjustments on a bike!

Oh crap!

@Oli

@wilburrox

Yeah, the Blip satellite shifter could solve it but without that it’s a two-handed front shift. It’s okay though, it’s like a race car. Just what I want in a bike, for it to be more car-like.

Complete with an airbag!

Was always a fan of the funny bike, especially the “Pinarellos” that Indurain rode

In an interesting tie in to another recent article, have a look at who owns this one now – http://www.vintageluxurybicycles.com/indurain-tt

They were definitely doing some wild and crazy stuff!

@Mikael Liddy

That’s a big ring!

That’s not a big ring; THIS is a big ring!

Awesome post! Why? The 80s are being discussed as well as funny bikes and, most importantly: time trialling. I don’t think I have any pictures any more, but I had a hot pink (80s, remember) Cougar TT bike (made in Liverpool, I think), tiny clearances, Mavic/Modolo/Campag bits, cowhorn handlbars, early Mavic TT bars. Top tube was not straight but curved. 52/42 and 12 straight through at the back. Sweet machine indeed!

I think my article on Charley Mottet had a picture of him riding a similar bike to Fignon’s. Aero Coke bidon, rocket launcher bars. What’s not to love?

Charly was always one of my favorites, and single-handedly ensured I was always a fan of RMO. He ALWAYS looked so damn cool.

@frank

Yeah, that is an interesting choice. Do you have any idea why? I would have guessed the other way around if anything because I thought the Deltas were designed to be aero, or at least 1980s aero.

I have a set at home, Croce d’Aune, not C Record, waiting to be mounted on the right bike.

Croce d’Aune, in my opinion, is the most beautiful name ever given to a groupset. Only an Italian company can come up with something like that.

I believe that’s a bike Fignon had planned to use for his own Hour Record attempt, which he sadly never made.

@Haldy

Can’t explain why..but this has always been a personal favorite-

3Rensho + 10Pitch + purple. no explanation necessary.

That rear triangle and brace from brake bridge to the back of the seat tube just scream “go fast” to me. This baby was made to handle copious amounts of V!

Based on how that handlebar is mounted so low, I don’t think there would have been room for Deltas on the front. I think he had to go with a regular sidepull to get the cable away from the centerline.

I think my article on Charley Mottet had a picture of him riding a similar bike to Fignon’s. Aero Coke bidon, rocket launcher bars. What’s not to love?

Also, is it wrong that I dream of building up a daily commuter with e-shifting but have no interest in putting it on my road bikes? I feel like it is.

And, anyone racing cross on Di2? I could see that being pretty great. Then again, my cx bike has Red shifters and I hate SRAM. Never had so many missed upshifts on Campa & Shimano combined as I do with SRAM. It has never worked well for me.

I like the wireless idea but not the shifting concept (or SRAM). I’ll stick with Di2.

Yeah, the Blip satellite shifter could solve it but without that it’s a two-handed front shift. It’s okay though, it’s like a race car. Just what I want in a bike, for it to be more car-like.

Someone has pointed out that eTap is going to be a pain for mechanics – how can you pedal a bike in the stand and shift between chainrings? It’ll take three hands for one of the most basic adjustments on a bike!

Ooops… Minor detail! I’ll stand at my bike stand spinning pedals and shifting thru the gears even if everything is fine just because it’s fun to do. Especially the big ring shift. And still make endless minor adjustments. Fortunately once a motorized derailleur is set up it doesn’t need a whole lot of attn. But dang, I can’t spin the pedal and watch the big ring shift at eye level as I reach over the bar with my other hand to get at shifter?? That’s not cool. They’ll have to have a junction box mech shift available or something along those lines.

I appreciate that with the e-button shifters all kinds of interesting shift logic options become available since not constrained by leverage necessary for mech’s and cables. I’d note however, my son had never spent a lot of time on a road bike when he jumped on to one of my Di2 bikes and he picked up the shift logic in only moments. It really is simple.

Is this cusp of when the “funny bike” turned into a “aero bike”?

Can’t explain why..but this has always been a personal favorite-

3Rensho + 10Pitch + purple. no explanation necessary.

That’s a big ring!

In an interesting tie in to another recent article, have a look at who owns this one now – http://www.vintageluxurybicycles.com/indurain-tt

I’m a draughtsman, and I manipulate models all day long with a 3D mouse – which when you move it in a direction, the model moves in that direction too. This is kinda back to front. Apparently there was some long internal discussion about it but all they need is a tiny bit of software, or a combination press (eg hold both levels in and press the function button) to swap it.

Yeah, that is an interesting choice. Do you have any idea why? I would have guessed the other way around if anything because I thought the Deltas were designed to be aero, or at least 1980s aero.

I have a set at home, Croce d’Aune, not C Record, waiting to be mounted on the right bike.

Back in 1986 – this was ultra high tech! Even with toe clips.

1986_Kronotech

I wish I had kept the drawings but that photo inspired my youth drawing ridiculously “aero” bikes like that. Great throwback!

Here’s a favorite I spotted in a Berlin shop window a few years ago. Pardon the quality of the photo.

That’s a masterpiece right there!

Diverging a bit, but I love that Fignon chose the delta rear brake and caliper front brake. Suck amazing attention to detail.

@frank

@Haldy

Oh HELLSYEAH

THAT’S WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT!!! Man, I am gonn FLY home from the shop now with that video stuck in my head! The rush of a good team pursuit is amazing!

They flow off the front like water off a branch! So elegant, every modern team would crush the TDF TTT if theY even rode 2/3 that well together. And I’m talking about the LOSING team.

All hail the funny bike!!

That gives me a ragingl funnybone.

@Haldy

Oh HELLSYEAH

THAT’S WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT!!! Man, I am gonn FLY home from the shop now with that video stuck in my head! The rush of a good team pursuit is amazing!

1986_Kronotech

Love me some 80’s Funny Bike action! Skip to 7:10

Tour De France 1988 CBS Intro Day1

Oh HELLSYEAH

Nothing makes me want to get out and lay down some V more than watching an old school team pursuit…four guys at full flight riding millimeters apart from each other( watch footage of the Soviet squad sometime!)…