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 ...
a question about latex tubes, do they leak air more rapidly than standard tubes?
@RedRanger
Yes much faster. I run mine at 100 psi and if I leave it two days I have to put in about 40 psi next ride, but oh what a ride!
@snoov great to hear. I was freaking out. I installed a set but have yet to ride em. I keep pumping air in every 2 days just so they sit in my apartment. I just dont want the latex to find a way between the bead.
@Tartan1749
Yes sir. Not the sexiest, raciest tires of the bunch but the Maxxis Re-Fuses have been the best at holding up to road debris. I figure I end up spending more time changing flats than I lose in increased rolling resistance. I’ve tried Conti 4000S’s, Vittoria Roubaix Pros, and Michelin Pro 4 Service Courses and they’re great, but I will save them for special occasions.
@anotherdownunder
And forgot to say Conti Gatorskins for training tyres have lasted very well for me.
Conti Attack and Force set, 22mm front, 24mm rear. I’ve used them for years and they last for 1000’s of Km before they start to cut up. Once that happens, replace. Grippy, even when ridden in the wet. Gatorskins on the winter/ trainer bike. Since I find they work for me I have become very brand loyal (6 bikes and 2 cars…)
I must give latex tubes a go though. Anything that gets the ‘but oh what a ride’ endorsement must be tried.
@DerHoggz
Vredestein Fortezzas and/or Conti GP4000s have made bike and me very happy. I’ve ridden both at 25mm, though. The Fortezzas are probably slicker, but less good in wet conditions (especially after several thousand kilometres in them). I got about 4000 kilometres on the Fortezzas before retiring them. The Contis seems to work fine, too.
WRT Latex tubes, I have been doing a bit of reading and there seems to be a few drawbacks. I would consider them for race / TT use but not general riding / training. Seems they lose pressure fairly quickly, are prone to blow outs if not fitted with great care etc.
Latex tubes are nice if you run thin, supple tires. If your tires are more like a garden hose (e.g., Gatorskins) there is no point.
@JohnB
I don’t understand the philosophy of putting a skinny tire on the front. Aerodynamically, you need to cut a hole into the air for your body to pass through.
Look at the specs on the Enve aero rims. The front wheel is 2mm wider, not skinnier.
http://www.enve.com/wheels/road/3.4clincher.aspx
@strathlubnaig
They do lose pressure, but not so much that you’re losing pressure over the course of a ride. I assume we’re all inflating our tires before each ride, so no harm there. I don’t know what prone to blowouts and/or great care means: I ride them daily, and have lost one tube in 6000+ kms. I put them on the same way I put on butyl tubes. They do roll sweetly, though.
@Steampunk well I was trying to summarize what I had been reading, but I think I may give them a go myself, see if there is a difference. I check pressure with the track pump prior to every ride anyway so no loss there, and I am assuming they go to normal pressures. Worth a punt.
@Steampunk
This.
@JohnB
@strathlubnaig
Sometimes I think I’ve got a slow puncture in the front as even at 100psi (not that hard I know) sometimes I just can’t believe the smooth ride. Since I got them and I’m talking 3000 to 4000 km ago I’ve never had a puncture. In answer to your next question – Vittoria Rubino Pros.
@G’rilla
I never really got it either, 1mm can’t make that much of a difference but that’s how they come and they work for me, back when I did a bit of racing and now when just riding for pleasure and to eat chocolate and drink beer. Maybe just marketing, but they are still around so must have some enduring qualities.
FYI if it applies to your setup, I read somewhere recently that most of the carbon clincher manufacturers do not recommend using latex tubes with their carbon clinchers due to heat dissipation issues.
Just to pile on, I love the GP 4000 as well. I’m on my third set of them, they seem to last me about one year before wearing out to the point that bits of glass and other road debris can work through the tire and start causing flats, so at that point I replace them.
They are a bit on the expensive side, but if you shop around for sales you can find them for around $50. I personally like the 4000s w/ black chili compound in the 25mm size.
@JohnB
Cue the quote — “Races are lost and won on very small differences.” 25mm front and rear is an awesome thing.
@strathlubnaig
They are pricier””I pay $6 for a butyl tube and $16 for a latex tube. But I have no complaints about their endurance. I inflate to 100psi before each ride, which is probably higher than most riding latex might, but you can certainly go much higher. They do roll nicely, and since nobody else can see them, I think of them as my sexy lingerie…
@frank
+1. I’ve only flatted 2 latex tubes in three seasons. The first was user error in pinching the tube under the bead when moving tires/tubes to different wheels. The second, last week, was the result of a thin rim strip tearing at as poke hole, and the tube expanded into the space and flatted. I believe latex tubes are actually less puncture prone than butyl.
my favorite clincher combo is the 320 tpi Open Pave CG with latex tubes on Hed C2s. Almost rivals a nice tubular on my Nemesis — almost.
Another +1 for the latex. In two years I’ve used up one – just like @teleguy57 I pinched the tube under the bead when moving to new wheelset.
They do lose pressure, but I just inflate either right before a ride or the night before an early morning outing. Track pump at 4.45am in a tiny Singapore apartment isn’t a good idea with two little kids.
They feel good and they’re a bit lighter. Nice.
Just tried on this helmet at the LMTBS. Ridiculously comfortable. I wish they made road helmets.
I’m going to ask for one for my birthday next month.
http://www.troyleedesigns.com/bicycle/helmets/a1-helmets
@JohnB
in all honesty i can understand the theory. however my ever increasing tree trunk legs and decreasing upper body is the key to speed. our bodies are the real engines. so im assuming if you arent a pro. just having nice wheels and light tires will do the trick.
@G’rilla
i cant say i love this helmet. i have a giro mtb helmet that i really like and it looks more aero. my specialized road helmet has an mtb brother that is really nice as well.
ok ive updated my bike. yes the bars still need to be slammed. but no more white tyre and tried to make it more “photo” correct. i’ve tried to keep the bike simple with little bling. Shot taken from my blackberry so im sorry its not the best quality.
@thebaron
@thebaron I dont get that, how do you have a Shimano cassette on a Campa hub?
@RedRanger
skills my friend. skills. lol. comes with a small adapter to make it work. honestly these wheels are amazing for the money.
@thebaron huh. I never heard of that. But honestly, I am a huge fan of Shimano so I never looked into it.
@thebaron
i also have an S3 specialized road helmet, so im all over the place. but i tried and researched so many lids and this one was too good to not buy. i was torn because of the cannondale/specialized clashing.
@RedRanger
i have a buddy who owns a lbs and he recommended it. i love them. plus im actually faster after upgrading from the rs10 wheels.
@thebaron I can assure you that I understand. when it comes to my C’Dale I am very particular. Im even contemplating getting new bidons cause I dont like the way the ones I have look on the bike.
I am amazed at the OCD and ADD I have developed as an adult. I woulda never cared even 5 years ago.
@RedRanger
lol ya man. i have to clear and back bidons cause they match the bike. ive also learned that the “cheaper” ones are better cause they squeeze better. screw the camelback bidons.
@thebaron Interesting. I do hate how firm those are, but I like the mouth piece.
@RedRanger
ya, i just use mine when i teach spin classes now.
@thebaron
Damn those blackberrys they always seem to capture the cranks at the 6 o’clock postion! Bike is looking stunning though..and was great to see yesterdays Giro victory was on a Campag equipped bike on their 80th anniversary in their home city….mmmm the way Sean Kelly and his buddies were waxing lyrical about Campag and the way the peloton let that break of one get away, it could almost have been staged…*cough…no conspiracy here…move along….
@Deakus
Well you can have this set if you feel like celebrating the ani as well. http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=106032
@thebaron
Lots of real estate free on that top tube for a V cog & name decals
@thebaron Wow and a whole 10% off….Ill get the remortgage documentation completed and pick up 3 sets!
A great little article: http://velonews.competitor.com/2013/05/commentary/notes-from-the-scrum-the-hornet-rides-again_288246
Well written by a seemingly budding Velominati with great colorful language describing an old friend
@ped you bet there is.
@Deakus that might be the best idea i’ve heard all day.
@Tartan1749
Nice! I passed up a similar-vintage Kestrel not so long ago. It sat in my office, then in my garage. Too much work to make it road-worthy and just a bit too big. More vintage time piece than functional alternative to what was already in the garage.
My favourite new tool, keeps the chain off the frame when cleaning.
@snoov
Me likes. Need a way to properly clean the white chain stays.
@snoov
How could it not?
Ugh…Ultegra has gone not only 11 speed, but also ugly.
http://velonews.competitor.com/2013/04/bikes-and-tech/shimano-trickles-11-speed-down-to-ultegra-6800_284243
i’m so glad I built my ‘cross bike with 10 speed and the better looking ‘cross crank with V crankarms.
The new crank does everything from standard 53-39 to compact to ‘cross 46-36. I fear that means they will phase out the ‘cross-specific crank.
@G’rilla
You aren’t kidding, that crank is awful!