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 ...
@RedRanger
DerHoggz’ looks to be of the FSA/Campagnolo style (esp given the FSA crank). They do make a low profile one and maybe only requires the top piece to be changed out?
@DerHoggz Those bars look pretty compact. You might want to try some bars with more reach and more drop, in addition to the longer stem.
@DerHoggz
Amen, there.
@DerHoggz any shop can get you a bearing cover that will fit.
Headset is OEM all it says is “CARTRIDGE BEARING INSIDE” which I personally hate. Not sure if it is integrated or internal though. Any way to easily tell?
Using Cane Creek’s headset finder, I think it is internal 44mm, straight 1-1/8″.
@DerHoggz
I’m 1.78m and ride a 52 cm Caad10, I like the geo as well. I’ve heard of people on the interwebz (ie weightweenie.coms) ordering frame only caad10 from their shops. Don’t know for sure, though.
@frank
This page isn’t functioning properly. Guest Article: Bike #2 still shows as having 13 posts, for example, and ‘Older Articles’ just refreshes this page.
@Nate
I agree with that. According to the Focus website, the Varado 1.0 (which is what your bike appears to be) comes with an FSA Vero compact handlebar. It has a 125mm drop and an 80mm reach. A bar like Frank’s favorite 3T Rotundo has a 139mm drop and an 83mm reach. a 3T Ergosum has only a 128mm drop, but an 89mm reach. So you can either get lower or more stretched out or a bit of both. If you’ve already changed stems, I’d look at bars before changing your frame. (Assuming you are still a starving college student. If not, go frame shopping right away, because it looks like you’re at the limits of fit for that frame.)
Having, for various reasons, decided n+1 needs to be a stealth build and following many hours of consideration I have now begun the process of aquiring the chosen components. The first arrived this morning whilst I was at work. The box was so pleasingly light that the VHM barely noticed, with nothing more than a general closed question ‘bike stuff again?’ rather than ‘what the hell’s this?’
I fear the frame may pose the biggest problem. However, with my current target weighing in at 890gms I’m hoping the VHM may think we’ve accidently been sent an empty box – fingers crossed.
@Mark1 I of course meant VMH… is there no edit option or have I missed it?
@Mark1
Sounds like The Shawshank Redemption plan. And betting that many of your components weigh in less than Andy Dufresne’s rock hammer.
You could request that your groupset be shipped inside an Encyclopedia set.
chop chop tomorrow, finish all the rest of the odds and ends, and might need to get longer stem on standby.
and need to get squared away with mr richter now that i think of it.
@Mark1 do report on the tune hubs. i cant find many reviews on them, and most seem to be indifferent at best.
@roger looken good sir, nice choice on the campy. That is the proper way to complement your machine, can’t wait to see it finished.
@roger
Yes, there are a few less than favourable reviews however most, if not all, reference the previous MAG180 that had issues from creaking, durabilty and even complexity of servicing due to the pre-load mechanism. The new 170 from 2012 on appears to have adressed these issues doing away with the pre-load arrangement, different bearings, larger axle and some changes to the flange placing… but we’ll see.
@unversio
Now there’s an idea!
@Mark1 It has been suggested in the past that having packages shipped to your place of work is a very stealthy option.
@roger
Nice work. Do I detect Golden Tickets on the rims?
@Chris
@Chris @Mark1 I hate to sound fearful of the wife’s wrath too but I do the same thing. I am currently working on building up my first carbon road bike and have nearly everything shipped to my office. I don’t go so far as to hide the bike purchases per se….. But I also try not to have everything delivered to the house and anger the wife. Out of sight, out of mind.
@Mark1 Will you post pics of the progress on the n+1 build? I’m curious to see it.
-Dinan
@Mark1
All hail the married man who attempts the Stealth Build. Bold, daring, dangerous but if successful, brilliant. The new bike melts into the stable, all bikes look the same to many humans. You make us all proud.
@roger
You also make us proud Rodger. F’ing Colnago squire! Campy-ed to the tits. Flat NATO green paint, I say god damn! Very well played. What is the Italian name for “Rodger” because you just got one step closer with this bel mezzo.
@roger
Great looking bike. But who would ever need a steer tube that long?!?
@Dinan
@Chris @Dinan Yes, delivery to work is an excellent idea. Ultimately the VMH will become aware of the bike as you suggest @Dinan, frequent deliveries can cause more concern than necessary.
I will indeed post developments. I have pretty much decided on the components and will be picking them up over the year as offers appear, which has the added benefit of spreading the cost, so even I don’t have to think too much about the total outlay.
When the stealth bike is complete you’ll need a bike bunker to keep it safe — and hidden. She’ll wonder “Why does he walk off briskly into the thicket before each ride? Couldn’t he just pee indoors?”
@roger
Gorgeous. What handlebars are those?
DerHoggz – is that the fizik soft touch logo tape? Long been interested in it. While I have some bikes that are busy enough, others might look more PRO with a bit of that. Can you compare it to regular Microtex? Or the glossy?
Tune hubs…and Tune skewers? I’d like to hear more about those. Is there a consensus on extra light skewers that actually work & don’t slip? While I love some of the Campa skewers, and even some Dura Ace, I do dig the look of the skinny as lever on some of the new lighty-light ones. But, not worth it if they don’t clamp well.
A matte pea soup green Colnago? Unique and understated. Those wheels are pure class. Nothing says retrogoddamnsexy like modern carbon with low profile wheels. Superb!
Gianni – “All hail the married man who attempts the Stealth Build. Bold, daring, dangerous but if successful, brilliant. The new bike melts into the stable, all bikes look the same to many humans. You make us all proud.”
Ha ha ha, that’s GREAT! Nice way of putting it. Now that I’m a hitched man I look forward to the day I can try my mischievous hand at such a power play. The only thing is that I’m bad at keeping a secret because I always answer honestly. Not always the best trait, but I blame the NYer in me, which is 100% Brooklyn stock and half of that being my forthright, fearless mother. Don’t hold your breath waiting for a rosy lens view perspective from her.
I’d say I have about a decade or so until I hit Ti frame terrain though, so I have time to work on my skills.
@Ron The modern weight weenie skewers are contraindicated on older frames with horizontal rear dropouts because they simply don’t do as good a job as the traditional article.
@RedRanger
Have a gander at my Seven Alaris. It is the first post in this thread/section. My headtube is 23cm.
@Ron
Pretty sure that is standard Microtex, at least as far as I can remember.
New wheels have arrived – multiple emoticons…
@the Engine I don’t think the picture worked.
@eightzero Are you a giant? Merckx!!!
@Mark1 did you get some of these?
@RedRanger
Want some! Where? How?
@piwakawaka Not sure. that was posted by a local shop via FB. This shop posts a lot of pictures of Tune stuff and seems to use a lot of it for their project bikes.
@the Engine
What did you end up getting?
@piwakawaka
Awesome. Big, big fan of Tune. Got a seat mast topper. Came in the post (mail for you Americans) and I coudn’t believe how light it was.
@Gianni
Sexy Hubs. BH Ultralight frames are around 750g with a 300g fork, or you can go with Sarto Custom and get sub-700g of Italian awesome.
Gianni, I just opened a shop, that way I can ooogle everything I want. I am the stable-master!
@Nate @Ron and, may I say, the skewers are just about the sexiest part made by Shimano. Ever since I got my Ultegra wheels, I’ve got their QRs on every one of my wheelsets. They look sleek, pro and hold the wheel like nobody’s business.
@the Engine
Well?
@Ron I finally got the steerer chopped on the Pegoretti. You were prodding me last fall to post a pick of it, so here you go.
Yes sir! That’s a great looking steed, Nate! Is this your #1?
I really like bikes that aren’t “head turners” at first look. By that I mean the paint or the carbon isn’t so flash that it immediately catches your attention. I love an understated bike that you have to really check to appreciate the fine details. Very sharp.
Did you cut the steerer yourself? I have yet to do that but I feel that if I wade into those waters I should be self-supported. Need to cut my carbon LOOK fork & my Casati steel fork. One day soon.
Nate – what drivetrain are you working with there?
The one thing I’d like to upgrade on my Centaur LOOK setup is the stamped chainrings. And my legs have also never gotten used to the compact setup I have on my Casati. I perpetually feel like I’m in the wrong gear. Future fixins, for now I’ll just ride!
@Nate oh you devil, that is a beauty. And california weather to enjoy her in, im jealous.
@Ron if you need a cutting guide, i can mail you mine. Its the newer park tool one, with dual width guides for steerers and isp’s. shoot me your address and ill get it in the post. 2muchon100@gmail.com
@Ron Thanks!
I had a shop cut the steerer. Didn’t want to eff it up, plus the compression plug in the Reynolds Ouzo Pro fork is a bit complicated. $10 well spent.
It’s my #1 until my custom comes in sometime in May. It’s lightweight alu and I’d like it to last so it’d be better if it’s not the everyday driver.
Drivetrain is Record 10 square taper era. Right now I have the carbon-arm compact crank on. I also have a beautiful alloy Record 10 standard crank, which I’ll probably put on once I get just a bit more fitness. The standard alloy cranks are definitely available especially if you run 172.5. Found mine on ebay for about $150. The compact was much harder to find. If your Centaur is square taper you’ll want to change the BB if you get a Record or Chorus crank. Record/Chorus takes 102mm BB and Centaur takes 111mm.
@roger Thanks! I must say the weather has been very good since January. I have to admit my form is lagging where is should be based on the weather! On the other hand I’m in good position for a nice peak in May. Last year by May I was already on a fitness downslope.
Nate,
A great looking bike.
Recently I missed out on a bargain. I only became aware of it when I was bargaining at my LBS for a modest intro bike for my nephew. Sadly, it was too late. Sold, for the bargain price of $AUD900.
The TITANIUM FRAME LAPIERRE that Brad McGee rode to his Olymoic gold medal. FULLY RESTORED IN ALL ITS GLORY!!!
MMAAGGNNIIFFEENNTT…..
Brad and his family have a very good LBS in my home town, Bowral, in the NSW Southern Highlands.
Secret #453 to a happy relationship. Always make sure the VMH has a bike in every class that meets or exceeds the quality of your own bikes.
@frank Very nice. It’s not brand you see much of over here.
I once managed to persuade Mrs Chris that if I brought a new downhill bike my XC/AM bike could officially become hers. She’s much wiser to devious Rule #12 ploys.
@RedRanger
Was I supposed to get these free with my hubs? I’ll be asking the question.