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. @RedRanger Tool recommendations are tricky not knowing how much you like to work on your bike. I’d add a decent screw driver to the list, one that fits your limit screws nicely. There’s nothing worse than trying to use a multi tool when deraileur adjustment is not going to plan.

    That and a decent track pump. And a proper grease gun.

  2. @xyxax I am not familiar with a cow trail, does your sister know the name? So far I have only had a chance to ride a bit of “Robles” on the west side of town.

    @ChrisO  thing is I may be adding another cat and another person. time for a 2 bedroom I think.

    @all  A workstand and torque wrench are in the queue when I get my tax return for sure. Im just looking to get a few basics right now, like a chain whip.

  7. @xyxax

    @RedRanger

    This is from todays attempt to get a ride in before the sun went down. This trail may be a bit above my level and its damn hard to find also.

    I love seeing this terrain; loose scree on the trails, sandy arroyo crossings, needled spectators waiting for a moment of inattention…

    BTW, do you know the “cow trails” circuit out by the Boneyard?

    As for tool ideas, there’ve been many good ones so far (esp. Stand if not yet part of the shop). I am going for a set of individual hex wrenches (like Park Tool handled wrenches) as I’ve been frustrated with manipulating the body of the all-in-one set. More expensive though.

    The only other thought is to get those tools that will work across all 3 bikes first.

    Those cacti give you good incentive to keep the rubber side down…

  8. And yes, I second Marko’s suggestion of a stand. And I live in a two bedroom apartment with a cat, so you have it on good authority that it works in those conditions.

    I have a basic Park Tools stand that folds up when not in use, and I just put it in the back corner of my bike closet. It is really a game changer in the comfort level of bike maintenance if you don’t have one.

  9. @xyxax now I got you . I live clear on the other side of town from golder ranch, but my parents live right down the road . I’ll ride it at some point. I’m planning a bit of back country camping next week down in the Santa Rita mountains. I’m both worried and excited. If I don’t die from exposure or cartel, I should have some pictures to share. I just don’t want to end up with a made for TV movie made about my struggle for survival.

    @mcsqueak

    @Marko

    that’s the one I’m gonna get come tax return, folds up nice.

  10. @mcsqueak

    And yes, I second Marko’s suggestion of a stand. And I live in a two bedroom apartment with a cat, so you have it on good authority that it works in those conditions.

    i have to third the suggestion.  a stand was probably the second thing i bought when i made the decision to do as much of my own wrenching as possible and it’s the first one i’d purchase if i were to start over.  if you’re tight on space/budget, the tacx gem stand is a great first stand.  i can’t find a link to it directly on their site but a google turns up tons of buying options.  they’re about 40USD.  it lifts the back wheel off the ground enough to do light drive train work and general maintenance.  and in the future, when you have room for a full-blown stand, the gem works great as a stand you can leave in the car for last-minute race/ride maintenance to leave outside for bike bike cleaning.  it’s also plastic and light so you can throw it around as you need it.

  12. Blatant rule violations ….   yes ………  looking pro with the Garmin out front …….yes….

    Apologies to the keepers

  13. @Barracuda Although it is indeed a rule violation and that Garmin is fucking ginormous, l’ve kind of warmed to the barfly mount if you indeed must run a Garmin.

  14. On a slightly different topic, while looking up the specs on Trek bikes for a friend, I stumbled upon what is either a hilariously bad photoshop or Jensie is just laying down so much V that the space time continuum is tearing (look at the fifth rider in the paceline…)

  15. Ah, the Velomisanta was in a generous mood this year.  A new pair of Carbon hoops to adorn the bike.  It is quite amazing how noticeably faster they are than they old pair.  Look faster too, and that’s mostly what it’s about, hey?

  16. @mouse

    Ah, the Velomisanta was in a generous mood this year. A new pair of Carbon hoops to adorn the bike. It is quite amazing how noticeably faster they are than they old pair. Look faster too, and that’s mostly what it’s about, hey?

    Very nice!  What’s the size of that stem?  It looks like the brow spit of a spanish galleon…cool looking ride though.

  18. @mouse

    Ah, the Velomisanta was in a generous mood this year. A new pair of Carbon hoops to adorn the bike. It is quite amazing how noticeably faster they are than they old pair. Look faster too, and that’s mostly what it’s about, hey?

    The “pleat” in the top tube puts this ride over the top for me.  Lucky bastard.

  20. @Mikael Liddy

    Core Carbon 38’s. They’re a new wheelset made in Melbourne.

    Website here;

    Very good bang for buck. Light and relatively inexpensive.  I’m very, very impressed.

  21. @mouse

    @Mikael Liddy

    Core Carbon 38″²s. They’re a new wheelset made in Melbourne.

    Website here;

    Very good bang for buck. Light and relatively inexpensive. I’m very, very impressed.

    And hand built by Dan Hale @ Shifterbikes. Meticulous to say the least. keep us posted on your longer term thoughts.

  23. @mouse

    Ah, the Velomisanta was in a generous mood this year. A new pair of Carbon hoops to adorn the bike. It is quite amazing how noticeably faster they are than they old pair. Look faster too, and that’s mostly what it’s about, hey?

    Very Much liking that !!!

    Hubs nice on the new “boots” ??

  24. @VeloVita

    @Barracuda Although it is indeed a rule violation and that Garmin is fucking ginormous, l’ve kind of warmed to the barfly mount if you indeed must run a Garmin.

    Yep ….   the Garmin 800 is fucking huge …  i assume the “800” stands for 800 square feet of surface area ………

    The mount is the new one from K-Edge …  not Barfly

  26. Initial testing of the Café Roubaix climbing wheels are through the roof. My bike is lighter than its ever been – although my new 3T Rotundo LTE’s are helping in that area as well – but the wheels are riding great. Light, responsive, and glorious in their indulgence.

    [dmalbum path=”/velominati.com/content/Photo Galleries/frank@velominati.com/Cafe Roubaix/”/]

    Here are the bars and this wicked new fizik performance bar tape that I spotted at Speedy Reedy by accident and could not resist. Plush, soft, padded – its amazing stuff. And it Looks Fantastic.

  27. OH HOLY SHIT LOOK WHAT COLOR THEY MAKE IT IN! LOOK AT WHAT COLOR THEY MAKE IT IN! LOOK AT WHAT COLOR THEY MAKE IT IN!

  28. @VeloVita

    @Barracuda I didn’t realise K-Edge made a mount. Nice!

    New …. a couple of months old …..  very, very well made and adjustable for all rule violating sizes of Garmins ……   sshhhhhhhhh  ….dont tell anyone I told you …….

    Looks pro even whilst being a huge violation ……..  sits nice and low, flush with stem and out front

  29. @frank

    OH HOLY SHIT LOOK WHAT COLOR THEY MAKE IT IN! LOOK AT WHAT COLOR THEY MAKE IT IN! LOOK AT WHAT COLOR THEY MAKE IT IN!

    Dude, weed may be legal in Seattle but I don’t think it is in Hawaii yet.

  30. @EricW

    On a slightly different topic, while looking up the specs on Trek bikes for a friend, I stumbled upon what is either a hilariously bad photoshop or Jensie is just laying down so much V that the space time continuum is tearing (look at the fifth rider in the paceline…)

    Maybe that’s just Ballan riding in the middle of the group…

  31. Tested the tape’s ability to stay clean in the most torrential downpour I’ve ever ridden in. And remember – I live in Seattle. Rode the road to Hana on Maui and back this morning with Gianni, Dave E, Rob, and a few new friends today and enjoyed a truly epic ride. Also got to meet @mauibike at the illegal coffee shop in the jungle. Great day all around.

    Top marks to this new fizik tape – absolutely amazingly comfy and very grippy in the rain – and most importantly, stayed clean after 5.5 hours in the deluge.

    (That’s a tubular, not an EPMS, before someone gets their dander up.)

    Here is Rob and I plowing our Rule #9 V’s into the rain-sodden road.

     

  32. @frank — Is your’s the regular, soft touch or tacky version of the Fizik Performance?

  35. @frank

    @EricW

    On a slightly different topic, while looking up the specs on Trek bikes for a friend, I stumbled upon what is either a hilariously bad photoshop or Jensie is just laying down so much V that the space time continuum is tearing (look at the fifth rider in the paceline…)

    Maybe that’s just Ballan riding in the middle of the group…

    I’m not getting this, what do you mean?

  36. @Barracuda

    Novatecs, so I’m told. Very smooth and fast; well only as much as you could say after only 2 rides; well one Crit Champs and one ride.  Climb like monkey.

  39. @mouse

    Will be very interested in a longer term appraisal, especially of the wheels. Stuff like Enve and Zipp are big $$ and these are about 40% of the price of those. I assume you did a bit of research on the rims as probably a lot of stuff from China is OK but some, well maybe not….. I would think Shifter Dan would not want to work with sub standard products, especially for his hand builts.Have you had a ride on a windy day if so how did they perform especially in cross winds and what wheels did you have on the bike before? – plenty windy in Melb of late.

    Carbon wheels are on the shopping list for 2013, Enve 3.4 or Zipp 202, unless of course Cafe Roubaix is doing specials or needs to send an evaluation set to Aust !

    Cheers and Happy New Year.

  40. @anotherdownunder

    I can’t really vouch for anything about the rims other than what I’ve read on the website. They are UCI approved and apparently have been tested etc.

    yes, I understand that Dan from Shifter Bikes is a) an incredibly talented wheelbuilder and b) very particular. From those that I’ve spoken to, his involvement in this project is a ringing endorsement. Also, Peter, the business owner is a very personable gent. All around a good experience thus far.

    Now, as to how they go in the wind; I had a good hit out on Christmas Eve afternoon with a decent north wind blowing. I did experience a couple of front wheel pushes but nothing too frightening. The main thing I did notice was how fast they felt. Don’t know if this is a placebo effect or not. My previous wheels were Xero Lite XCR 220’s. I think they were in the order of 1630 grams. The Core 38’s come in at 1430 or so.

    It’s interesting that you mention the ENVES and the Zipp 202’s. I was thinking that I’d like 202’s as well but when I saw the price of the cores as well as the weight similarity for the clinchers, I couldn’t say no.

  41. FNG post. Spinning on the trainer instead of riding in the spitting rain here in Austin. Long time reader and follower of The Rules.

    nothing more to say. Another interval coming up.

  43. @Brian

    FNG post. Spinning on the trainer instead of riding in the spitting rain here in Austin. Long time reader and follower of The Rules.

    nothing more to say. Another interval coming up.

    Home Trainer, $500.

    Convincing the family over a nice dinner that its normal to replace one fo the easy chairs with said trainer and bike so you can watch TV and surf the net while training, $125

    Using a two-minute recovery session between intervals to post on the site for the first time? Priceless.

    @RedRanger

    @frank are those the 24s or 38s?

    If you’re asking about rim depth, I believe they are 24s.

  45. @anotherdownunder

    @mouse

    @anotherdownunder

    I can’t really vouch for anything about the rims other than what I’ve read on the website. They are UCI approved and apparently have been tested etc.

    yes, I understand that Dan from Shifter Bikes is a) an incredibly talented wheelbuilder and b) very particular. From those that I’ve spoken to, his involvement in this project is a ringing endorsement. Also, Peter, the business owner is a very personable gent. All around a good experience thus far.

    Now, as to how they go in the wind; I had a good hit out on Christmas Eve afternoon with a decent north wind blowing. I did experience a couple of front wheel pushes but nothing too frightening. The main thing I did notice was how fast they felt. Don’t know if this is a placebo effect or not. My previous wheels were Xero Lite XCR 220″²s. I think they were in the order of 1630 grams. The Core 38″²s come in at 1430 or so.

    It’s interesting that you mention the ENVES and the Zipp 202″²s. I was thinking that I’d like 202″²s as well but when I saw the price of the cores as well as the weight similarity for the clinchers, I couldn’t say no.

    Core Carbon are UCI approved, which can cost a few more Euros than what I have in the budget for now. To be clear, UCI regulations say that any carbon rim over a depth of 25mm needs to be approved for Mass Start Races. Time trials, all are good to go. So the 24mm hoops Frank is going to ride up Mt. H tomorrow are good to go. This tends to be more of an issue in Australia, as the commis are much more pedantic about the rules in all categories. Here in North America, there are so many non-UCI races – crits, CX, etc, that it is less an issue. Plus in the sport or lower categories, the inspections are less stringent.

    I am one of only two businesses in North America that have access to Core Carbon wheels. I acquired that option until I can afford to send my wheels to Europe for testing. Of course if UCI approval is not an issue, my Café Roubaix wheels are pretty sweet, if I can say for myself…

    Maybe when LeMan takes over it won’t be an issue…

  46. @mouse

    @frank

    Clinchers or Tubbies? And how uch do they weigh including skewers?

    Have fun climbing!

    I supplied them sans skewers, but if my memory serves me, they came out to about 960g.

  49. @the Engine

    Happy New Year from Scotland – I’m drunker than a drunk thing but I WILL be on That Fucking Bike for a ride round the Duke’s Pass at 10.00 – love you all – wibble – sob

    I am not drunk yet, but I am drinking this:

    Guid New Year, and have a great ride.

  50. @frank

    @Brian

    FNG post. Spinning on the trainer instead of riding in the spitting rain here in Austin. Long time reader and follower of The Rules.

    nothing more to say. Another interval coming up.

    Home Trainer, $500.

    Convincing the family over a nice dinner that its normal to replace one fo the easy chairs with said trainer and bike so you can watch TV and surf the net while training, $125

    Using a two-minute recovery session between intervals to post on the site for the first time? Priceless.

    @RedRanger

    @frank are those the 24s or 38s?

    If you’re asking about rim depth, I believe they are 24s.

    They are 24’s.  I bought a set from a certain Velominatus at Cafe Roubaix about three weeks ago.  Waiting.  Waiting.  Waiting.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.