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 ...
I will ask a question:
Anyone with a solution (both to a problem and/or a concoction) to clean the white bits of my bike’s frame? I tried some windex last night but it did nothing. I was going to ride up to the Mercedes-Benz dealer where I work today to see if the boys responsible for cleaning the cars have a magical salve of sorts.
On my bike…there is a sticker at the lower portion of the downtube’s underbelly with the Serial Number on it…I’m removing it even as you read this!
I suspect that the white saddle – black handlebar tape may be an issue. Fizik makes a lovely black/white saddle that I thought of purchasing but my butt really has no issues with this Specialized Romin perch so why roll the dice was my thought?
The stem was very recently and gently slammed as you say and I’m very pleased – both with the look and also with the position it puts me in. Having just taken up the sport last year I’ve found that my body is becoming more pliant over the bike…relaxing down through the hips and taking me closer to the handlebars.
@kixsand
Took me a second – saddle/bar tape match and steerectile dysfunction.
Less kind people will point out its a Specialized but they’re just jealous.
@kixsand
I use industrial wet wipes on the white bits of my frame and they work a treat
@the Engine
Ahhhh….Steerectile Dysfunction – Love It! I will re-visit – not sure if I will require a shorter bolt to remedy or not?
@kixsand
Try WD40 on the white bits, it dissolves grease and oil brilliantly…and if the saddle fits then change the tape after all white tape is pro anyway and it will be cheaper. Fiz’ik microtex tape probably stays clean the best but you cannot be Lizard Skin 2.5mm DSP tape for comfort!
@Ron Funnily enough I’ve recently given up the Bonts in favour of traditional cycling shoes and I’m happier for it.
My feet always felt like they were swimming in them. And while the sole is nice and stiff as a platform, if you’ve been used to fairly tight shoes on top it will be a massive change. I think they best suit people with wide feet who can’t get traditional shoes that work for them.
I’ve picked up some top-end Gaerne and I got them quite small which I’m also happy with. I like the feeling that my feet are held. I alternate them with my (dirty)-yellow princesses. It’s so humid and hot here for the next few months that you need two pairs of shoes – they don’t dry out fast enough to have just one pair.
And that was the downfall of the Bonts. Because there’s so much sweat the screws in the cleat rusted into the thread in the sole so when I pulled it out to change the cleats it left a hole in the shoe. I should have changed them earlier and put some grease on it, so my fault really. The Mavics have done the same but the cleats are in better shape so they should last for a while yet.
@kixsand
Pass – according to the LBS I have the mechanical ability of a Muppet – for all I know you need a piece of celery. Don’t worry someone will be along in a moment to tell you how.
Boo!
Aha, I can finally post again…got spammed and had to change password etc..
@kixsand If it’s an Aluminium steerer you take the cap off put the bolt in a few turns and gently tap it further in before cutting the steerer. If it’s a carbon steerer it should have a removable plug, there are different ones but mine and others i’ve seen you take off the cap and then loosen the allen bolt that tightens the plug, take it out, cut the steerer then replace.
@JohnB
Agreed, been riding them for a couple of years now but hadn’t realised I could get shoes that didn’t give me pain or numb toes.
@snoov
By chance (for those in the UK) I have just had an email from Ribble, Fiz’ik shoes are on clearance..
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/pp/road-track-bike/fizik-fizik-shoes-road/fizizshr
Just found this on the interwebs. Don’t bother asking what I was looking for.
Can I get a Rules compliance check on this?
@scaler911
Let’s just start and stop with the purple crocs. Nuff said.
Huang-k fodder…. stiffness, compliance, cigarette
ChrisO – Good to know. I have very, very narrow feet, a high arch and skinny as heels. Bonts might not be ideal. As I wrote, my Sidi Genius 6.6s have been great, once I added a yellow Superfeet insole and use some mid-thickness Smartwool socks. I can ride all day in them. Same with the Sidi Dominators I use for CX. The Ergo 2s fit even better, but I get numbness on around 1/3 of my rides. I’ve tried different socks, the insoles, double Sidi insoles. Maybe I just need to wiggle my feet more and not tighten them much at all. They’re so snug to start with.
Gaerne has some nice looking shoes as well. And I feel your pain on cleat bolts. I think it took me about six hours to get some out of my CX Crank Brothers cleats.
My feet are so narrow I tend to not use the super thin socks most PROs tend to wear. Maybe I should give it a try though.
I guess I can’t complain, use to have other pains on the bike, especially in my neck, that I thought I’d have for life. That clear up so it’s just down to my feet.
That Specialized is pretty nice. I don’t dig those cages much, but just my opinion. Cleaning. I use dishsoap on a rag, cleans the bike and the tape, from fizik to Deda. Sometimes I’ll use furniture polish. When I’m really feelin’ it I’ll clean my wheels with rubbing alcohol on a rag.
@snoov
Hmmm…was with you up till the bit about “cutting the steerer”. I took it apart again and that would seem to be exactly what one would have to do. Just sitting here imaging all the stuff I could fuck up while quietly observing my resolve for such and undertaking fade away…poof! Gone! LBS it is and will be!
@Ron
I have similar feet, narrow and high arch/instep. My feet move all around in my shoes, I wear through socks really quickly.
The Eagle has landed. Fucking gorgeous, hope to have it on the road this weekend.
Peter Sagan is a good bike handler:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151532755911843&set=vb.88041336842&type=2&theater
@Nate
Nice frame, very exciting. Steel, lugged, not too heavy? That is quite an addition to the quiver.
Sagan is a badass. end of story.
@Gianni
Right, all of the above!
@ped
Is this the new Daft Punk single?
@Ron Narrow feet, high arch, skinny heels sounds like Fizik shoes would fit you well.
@PT Those crazy French guys have the coolest helmets…. Aerodynamic
@DerHoggz
You guys should try some DeFeet Cush socks, cheaper than a new pair of shoes if they help
@Nate
Okay that kicked my ass.
@ped; brilliant work, thank you. Although perhaps we could say: Aerodynamique?
@PeakInTwoYears
If that kicked your ass, what’d this do to you?
This Imaginate video is terrific…really enjoyed that. Going to show it to my boys now…
@the Engine
Definitely Steerectile Dysfunction, unless you are going to use the top of the steerer for this?
So wrong, yet practical!
@PT No, this is better. The new Daft Punk is complete crap.
@seemunkee
Oh good, it’s not just me then.
Every time I hear it I have an overwhelming urge to put my head down and close my eyes. Not good when driving.
Alright, this sounds bonkers, but here goes…
I use latex tubes on some of my wheelsets. No one I ride with, know, and none of the LBSs have any ditched latex tubes. I need to patch two of mine and the best route, it seems folks suggest, it to use a piece of another latex tube.
If anyone has one would they be will to share a piece of an old latex tube with me? I’m reluctant to cut up a $15 tube with one small pinprick hole.
I’m at sirnrg at yahoo. Thank you!
NATE! We’re waiting to see that built up AND a ride report! I rode my nice steel Casati last night on the longest day of the year. Such a nice handling, nice feeling bike. (until I got that puncture and had to individual TT it to the bottle shop before they closed…)
@ChrisO
Are We talking Random Access Memories? I really dig the album.
@kixsand
Frame polish. Builds up after a few applications and makes cleaning easier, finish line makes a good one, most car polishes will do the same thing.
@DerHoggz
I had high hopes for it, but it makes my ears bleed. At least the new Boards of Canada was worth the wait.
@Ron
I more or less finished the build this evening, and did a few laps around the ‘hood to make sure it fit right before cutting the steerer tube. The ride is sweet and feels super solid. Steerer now cut and the headset is installed. Everything went together more or less easily by amateur wrench standards. I took my time and enjoyed the build process, encountering only minor hiccups, such as “losing” the wavy washer in the nondriveside cup (where it belonged all along — I blame the IPA) and a minor snafu running the FD cable thru the lever.
Praise Tulio, dialing in the shifting was easy-peasy.
Haven’t taped the bars yet. That’s because I want to do a shakedown ride tomorow to make sure the levers are in the right place, AND NOT because I had convinced myself I had an extra box of the planned black tape sitting around, when in fact, I only had a half box of black, and a box of white (not in my plans for this build). That’s my story, I am sticking to it.
This is Fucking Gold.
When the relationship with your bike goes bad…
@mouse Brilliant! Great find!
Poor Peugeot, hope you find your soulmate!
Gents, I’ve made something that I think you might be interested in. I needed a way to shift things out of my pockets for really long rides, but an EPMS is unacceptable. Tool rolls secured under the saddle with an old toe strap are to me very legit, but every place seems sold out, so I made one out of a crashed and torn up arm warmer, some fabric store stick on velcro, and an old nylon toe strap (soon to be replaced by a leather one). Total cost was $4.00 and about 15min of work. Arm warmer works a treat since it stretches around the tube and pump.
Can I get a ruling from the Keepers on the rule compliance of this?
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@EricW Is that a Rapha decal or sticker?
@sthilzy It’s a decal. The thing in front of it is a piece of tape to protect the clear from rub.
If it looks like an EPMS, and hangs like an EPMS, it’s an EPMS. All you have in there is a pump and a tube? Should have plenty of extra space in your pockets.
@itburns Ordinarily yes, but the the Colnago only has braze-ons for 1 bottle, so the other goes in the jersey for 120km+ days.
Looks good, if we can roll up tubs and store them that way it looks fine by me.
@EricW
Beautiful bike and clever craftsmanship, and its a nice nod to the toe-straped tubbie to the saddle. All that said, all you did was make yourself a sleek EPMS.
@frank Noted. I will continue to use it only on longer rides then, such as the Bay Area Cogal.
@EricW Nice looking bike and the epms is well crafted but even with a bottle in one pocket there should be space for a tube and a pump in your jersey.
More to the point, though, wtf with the bike with flat tyres? It may be a fixie but that’s a fucking outrageous breach of Rule #65.