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”

  2. Hmm, I’d say I’m up for joining Terraplane but I am already in two (faux) bands, so I’ll have to check with my mates.

    – 3:1, standard, classic boy band formula. 3 lads, 3 voices, 1 soul. Hit single: “Drivin’ in My Car (Listening to a CD)”

    – filterkäst, standard, classic death metal formula. Due to various internal conflicts, the line-up changes. Top album: “Jugular.”

  4. Doing some saddle shopping and wanted to give the ssm regale carbon fx a try, but its such an ugly thing.  do any current arione riders have experience with the regale that could make me look  past its awful aesthetics?

  5. So, just buying some pedals on Ebay for my commuter bike, and gave the spd’s that are on it a flick. I noticed they span about 6 revolutions before grinding to a halt

    Me thinks, surely a pedal that spins 50 times before stopping, will take a lot less energy to turn the cranks, thus making me look like a superstar

    I suppose the easier your pedals spin, the more money you will have just spent – is this a linear equation

    Maybe I should be focusing my hard earned on some super spinny pedals than some 200gm lighter wheelset??

    Discuss (soon, before I am outbid)

  7. @Dr C

    So, just buying some pedals on Ebay for my commuter bike, and gave the spd’s that are on it a flick. I noticed they span about 6 revolutions before grinding to a halt

    Me thinks, surely a pedal that spins 50 times before stopping, will take a lot less energy to turn the cranks, thus making me look like a superstar

    I suppose the easier your pedals spin, the more money you will have just spent – is this a linear equation

    Maybe I should be focusing my hard earned on some super spinny pedals than some 200gm lighter wheelset??

    Discuss (soon, before I am outbid)

    Power overcomes a bit of bearing drag in the pedals.  Also Shimano pedals are generally built like brick shithouses;  you ought to be able to take them apart and overhaul them.

  8. On the MTB under the stars beside a Loch made of obsidian – no traffic for over an hour. Why would I want to do anything else?

  12. @Dr C I have a set of the lower end SPD pedals on my Niner and my impression is that they are set up like that on purpose to make it easier to clip in and out of them while riding off road or during a CX ride.

  13. @the Engine

    On the MTB under the stars beside a Loch made of obsidian – no traffic for over an hour. Why would I want to do anything else?

    Seen any asteroids passing close by?

  14. @RedRanger

    @the Engine

    On the MTB under the stars beside a Loch made of obsidian – no traffic for over an hour. Why would I want to do anything else?

    I for one would love pictures

    Samsung Galaxy doesn’t appear to work in the dark

  15. @JohnB

    @the Engine

    On the MTB under the stars beside a Loch made of obsidian – no traffic for over an hour. Why would I want to do anything else?

    Seen any asteroids passing close by?

    Next time you see me ask about my meteorite exploding story.

    Its amazing what you see when out and about in the dark round these parts.

    Not only the loch tonight but also deer and an owl. Am now on the outside of a Leffe – is this heaven?

  16. @G’rilla

    @RedRanger Raw Ti is beautiful, but a nude Ti bike looks generic and uninteresting, IMHO. And it looks weird if the frame is silver but the fork is black. I’m going for 3/4 paint with the rear triangle unpainted.

    I think Baum does painted titanium well:

    Couldn’t agree more.  My Caad10 is black, but exposed aluminum on the rear 1/3 of the bike.  I really like the idea of showing off some of the material though.

  17. @graham d.m.

    @G’rilla

    @RedRanger Raw Ti is beautiful, but a nude Ti bike looks generic and uninteresting, IMHO. And it looks weird if the frame is silver but the fork is black. I’m going for 3/4 paint with the rear triangle unpainted.

    I think Baum does painted titanium well:

    Couldn’t agree more. My Caad10 is black, but exposed aluminum on the rear 1/3 of the bike. I really like the idea of showing off some of the material though.

    Reminds me of old-school chrome plated rear triangles and fork.  Pure class.

  18. The conversion to tubeless is proceeding satisfactorily. I’ve settled on 105 psi in the 23mm Hutchinson fusion 3s. That’s a lot less than I ran in Vittoria clinchers. Not sure what I want to carry in the tool bag, but certainly no more tubes. Might carry a patch kit and CO2. Probably should add the core removal tool too. Next year I might investigate 25mm tubeless, but I understand not much choice there.

  19. @eightzero I saw you riding by Greenlake but was too slow to react and didn’t want to yell out and cause you to veer into traffic.

    Your timing was better than mine. I got home and kitted up right as it started to pour. My wife said “Get out there! It’s not raining too hard!” So I did.

  20. @G’rilla

    @eightzero I saw you riding by Greenlake but was too slow to react and didn’t want to yell out and cause you to veer into traffic.

    Your timing was better than mine. I got home and kitted up right as it started to pour. My wife said “Get out there! It’s not raining too hard!” So I did.

    Ha! Yep, still trying to get some miles. Mostly dry ride for me; not too cold for February.

  22. Deacon #1 should be done tomorrow.

    [dmalbum: path=”/velominati.com/wp-content/uploads/readers/Cyclops/2013.02.18.23.08.24/1/”/]

  23. BTW,  I don’t know why it looks so orange in the photos.  It’s VERY red.  Ritchey “Wet Red” actually.

  25. @eightzero pack a tube and some sort of tyre boot brother.

    If you ever get a decent-sized cut in your tyre (which happened a number of times to me during my tubeless phase), the only way you will get home is by installing the tube and boot or by calling a taxi.

  31. @Cyclops That looks sweet! What’s the thinking with the rear triangle? I’m curious about the mechanics of it… clearly it looks cool.

  32. @napolinige

    @Cyclops That looks sweet! What’s the thinking with the rear triangle? I’m curious about the mechanics of it… clearly it looks cool.

    I like the way BMCs look with the lower stays and it gave me an opportunity to do some filet brazing and try some intricate work.  I figure since it’s a Cross rig I have a little more leeway to deviate from traditional road bike looks.

    Here’s a few close-ups of the area in question.

    [dmalbum: path=”/velominati.com/wp-content/uploads/readers/Cyclops/2013.02.19.20.14.20/1/”/]

  35. MegaExo BB creaking on every non-driveside stroke.  Is there anything I could possibly do, or does being cartridge mean it is done for?

  37. @Cyclops Well done! I liked the peak on FB, but a few more brings it to life. The stays look great. Little do people know that the seat stays can be the toughest part of alignment. Looking good.

  40. @Simon

    I worked it out by cleaning the spindle and bearings and greasing any contact points.

    Regarding general fit, is having your legs hit the saddle rails, seatpost, and clamp just something you have to deal with?

  41. Finished sorting the fit on my new N1 out. I ended up with a shorter -17 zipp stem.

  42. The recent snow storm made the trails a total mess. Had to take her to a car wash to clean her off. The mud is more like cement around here. after washing, I relubbed the pedal threads and my cleats. I also cleaned and re lubbed the chain I stayed away from spraying the hubs and BB. anything else I should take a look at?

  45. @DerHoggz  it a MTB. I don’t think that rule applies. Not to mention that a 29er tube is about 4 times the size as a road tube. Also the multi tool is a bit more elaborate. plus co2. Just way to much to carry in a jersey.

    Mtbing is a different beast all together.

  47. @motor city thoughts on the cages?  Bored with everyone having mandibles, inhave them too, and looking to change it up.  Those are on the shortlist..

  48. @roger I’m not sure on the cages.

    I bought them because they are cheap and light –  http://www.wiggle.co.uk/tacx-tao-ultralight-bottle-cage/

    They aren’t a snug fit on the bottle so i stuck a thin strip of felt pad (that are designed to go on the bottom of furniture to stop scratches etc) inside the middle of the loop. You can ‘t see this felt pad and seems to have done the job but isn’t ideal.

  49. cyclops – That is one sweet as bicycle! Looks great, very impressive, great work. Sorry if I missed it, but what brakes are those?

    Motor City – is that hockey tape for finishing tape? Hockey tape can get gummy unless on a hockey stick and being used in cold temps.

    Tacx Tao cages. I have a pair that I’ve used for a few years. I like them a lot and they hold camelbak bottles really firmly. And Tacx bottles as well. The only caution I’d give is that the one mounted on the ST of my size small LOOK made it tough to remove the bottle, as the TT is sloping. Not a big deal, just made sure the use the bottle on the DT the most and swap the bottles when that was empty.

    Also of note: you can replace the bottom tab that holds the bottle in/up if it should break off. I had this happen and it was nice to “rebuild” it rather than toss it. Nice cages for the price, I’d say.

  50. @Ron Thanks Ron, I hadn’t considered that other bottles would be a better fit  I thought all water bottles would have the same circumfrance. I will try a camelback (podium?) and see if that makes a difference. If I can get the fit to work then I would agree they are great cages for the price.

    The tape is fabric, which is strange considering the spec of the rest of the bike. Will see how it holds up into spring.

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.