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”

  7. Anyone ride a Fizik Aliante? I’ve seen perhaps more of those in the peloton than any other saddle. They look comfy. I really like my two Antares’ but the Aliante has me wondering.

  9. Ugh, snapped the FD on my bike the other night. First major thing I’ve broken on it in 3,500+ km. It’s been giving me issues recently with dropped chains, and I’ve been tweaking it myself plus have had a shop mechanic look it over. Perhaps it was being fussy because it was about to give up the ghost. Or maybe I fucked it up, who knows. My other theory is it couldn’t handle my massive guns anymore and just gave up.

    Luckily I was only a few km from home and had no more hills to go over, because when it broke I was on the big ring and attempting to shift back to the small ring, and it stuck me with the chain on the big ring.

  10. @mcsqueak

    … because when it broke I was on the big ring and attempting to shift back to the small ring, and it stuck me with the chain on the big ring.

    I think your front derailleur was giving you a lesson in Rule V.

  11. @Marko

    Yeah, probably. I did wind up doing my fastest time ever on a specific section of my ride, so it was just helping me along!

  12. Riddle me this: Campag Chorus 9-speed.

    Small ring (not that I’m ever in it)=silent as a church on Monday through all cogs.

    Big ring, smallest 3 cogs=silent; 4, 5 & 6=chain noise; 7, 8 & 9 (largest cog)=silent. WTF?

    One would think the extreme outer cogs would be the noise makers, but it’s the dead-center ones in which the chain is the straightest which is the noisiest. Any suggestions? I’ve adjusted as much as I can, but to no avail. Shifts up and down great; just noisy.

  13. Middle sprockets are where riders spend the most time, hence they wear the fastest. People like to think their climbing gears would wear the fastest but they don’t get used THAT much unless you live up a mountain, and there are more teeth per sprocket to spread the load. AKAIK. Oli might know better?

  15. @Minion

    Middle sprockets are where riders spend the most time, hence they wear the fastest. People like to think their climbing gears would wear the fastest but they don’t get used THAT much unless you live up a mountain, and there are more teeth per sprocket to spread the load. AKAIK. Oli might know better?

    Interesting but I am getting noises over a similar range on my almost new 10 speed 105. Quiet apart from 6, 7 & 8. Any thoughts?

  16. So happy right now, just found a pinarello veneto of year circa 2000 but sadly with shimano 105 and not campa. All steel lugged bike with 8 for not very much. I will post picture tommorow of the steed and the matching helmet i got for it.

  17. @Minion
    @Oli

    Thank you, guys. Makes sense; however (new to wrenching, so bear with any ignorance on my part), would worn-outedness still be the case if cogs 4, 5 & 6 only make noise when I’m in the big ring? There could be chain interplay dynamics that I am unaware of. It’s silent all the way through the cassette when I’m in the 39.

  18. I think it’s a resonance thing, perhaps caused by the greater load you’ll be putting on the sprockets when you’re in the big ring. I’m not saying it’s definitely your problem, but I have had the same thing before on clients bikes.

  19. @Chris

    @Minion

    Middle sprockets are where riders spend the most time, hence they wear the fastest. People like to think their climbing gears would wear the fastest but they don’t get used THAT much unless you live up a mountain, and there are more teeth per sprocket to spread the load. AKAIK. Oli might know better?

    Interesting but I am getting noises over a similar range on my almost new 10 speed 105. Quiet apart from 6, 7 & 8. Any thoughts?

    You’re using a sram chain with a Shimano drive train and should be hung by your thumbs for doing so. (Nah just kidding!) But seriously brand new? And all 105 or a mix? If brand new it’ll be bedding in. Try lube. If a new chain on an old cassette, same thing unless your cassette is flogged. Someone once told me there are some machining edges and flaws that would need to be taken off, and that could be it with new cassettes. Again lube.
    I’m also assuming its not gear tuning that is required, that the plates of the chain aren’t rattling on the next sprocket, or the chain rubbing on the front derailleur when you go into the smaller sprockets. Again that is a gear tune issue. Park Tool website (repair help section) has step by step instructions.

  20. @Godsight
    Pic please! And I’m desperately seeking a pair of 8 speed shimano STI that work, where the indexing isn’t flogged. If they are looking for a home, Im ight have somewhere for them…(currently have 8 speed 2200 with the thumb shifter, not so good if I wanna race on it…)

  22. What would be folks thoughts on using a SRAM quick connect link with a Shimano Ultegra chain? That’s what my shop set me up with when my bike was in recently and I had them throw a new chain on because it was about time.

    I had never considered that before, but I wanted to be able to easily remove my chain for drivetrain servicing (mostly because getting the jockey wheels clean is a PITA with the chain on).

    Any thoughts on durability of that setup? I just trusted the mechanic’s opinion to use it.

  23. just wait a little bit minion, i always lusted at your bike porn on FGF so i will give you something back by posting pic of mine.

  24. I’ve nicked bike porn from Fixed Gear fever, but I’ve never posted there. THAT place is scary. Nothing like a World Champion sprinter telling you you’re doing it wrong.

    @frank
    Oh Really….I may need to order some V kit to get a package from the States sent here, methinks.

  26. @Oli

    Much obliged!

    I was going to embed a video of “breaking a wine glass using resonance” as an audio-visual aid in describing what’s going to happen to my brain if this chain noise keeps up, but I decided blowing up speakers and/or ear drums is a bad way to show my appreciation for everyone.

  28. Here we go guys. My new old pinarello veneto that had 40km on it from the first owner who bought it new in circa 2000.
    Pinarello veneto 51cm
    And as you will see i am quite at the other end of the height spectrum compared to guys like Frank

  30. @minion

    @Chris

    @Minion

    Middle sprockets are where riders spend the most time, hence they wear the fastest. People like to think their climbing gears would wear the fastest but they don’t get used THAT much unless you live up a mountain, and there are more teeth per sprocket to spread the load. AKAIK. Oli might know better?

    Interesting but I am getting noises over a similar range on my almost new 10 speed 105. Quiet apart from 6, 7 & 8. Any thoughts?

    You’re using a sram chain with a Shimano drive train and should be hung by your thumbs for doing so. (Nah just kidding!) But seriously brand new? And all 105 or a mix? If brand new it’ll be bedding in. Try lube. If a new chain on an old cassette, same thing unless your cassette is flogged. Someone once told me there are some machining edges and flaws that would need to be taken off, and that could be it with new cassettes. Again lube.I’m also assuming its not gear tuning that is required, that the plates of the chain aren’t rattling on the next sprocket, or the chain rubbing on the front derailleur when you go into the smaller sprockets. Again that is a gear tune issue. Park Tool website (repair help section) has step by step instructions.

    Thanks Minion, it’s 105 for the deraileurs, shifters, chain and sprocket. The chainrings are FSA Gossamer. The whole lot, and the bike, has done 326, largely dry, miles. I’d say it could probably do with a decent clean down but it’s not over or under lubed.

    As fr as tune goes, would I be right in thinking that, because the undesired noises are occuring in 6,7 & 8, it is not a tune issue. If it were, would it not continue or get worse going into 9 & 10?

    Fine adjustment of gears has never been my strong point – coming from the more gravity oriented end of mountainbiking, there has always been a load of other noises that drown out anything coing from the deraileurs. I’ll have nose round the park tools website. There is much to learn.

  31. Cassette lockring is tight? There’s no play when you grab the cassette and wiggle it side to side? FSA rings tend to shift “not quite as well” as shimano because of the different ramps, but that shouldn’t have anything to do with cassette rattle? I’m stumped.
    One thing that might help is to start tuning your rear derailleur from the second smallest sprocket, rather than the smallest for chain tension.

  32. @Minion

    Cassette lockring is tight? There’s no play when you grab the cassette and wiggle it side to side? FSA rings tend to shift “not quite as well” as shimano because of the different ramps, but that shouldn’t have anything to do with cassette rattle? I’m stumped.One thing that might help is to start tuning your rear derailleur from the second smallest sprocket, rather than the smallest for chain tension.

    I will have to go and have a play with it tonight but I’m pretty sure it’s all tight. I’ll give it a good clean down and relube then start with the tunning. I think I’ll also pop a quick connect in as it’s a pain not being able to whip the chain off quickly, not only for cleaning but I prefer to unbolt the deraileur when the bike goes into the bag for trips away.

    @Oli I assume that if you can put a Sram quick connect into an Ultegra chain, you can also do ith with a 105 chain? Is a quick connect the same as a SRAM powerlink cinnector?

  33. @Chris

    Yeah, it’s the powerlink. Sorry, I just called it a quick connect because I was lazy and couldn’t remember the name or be bothered to Google it. I’d imagine it would work fine. I went with the Ultegra chain because the mechanic said it was just slightly higher quality and would run quieter than the 105. My old chain was a KMC but they didn’t have that brand in stock when I was in.

  34. @mcsqueak

    I’ll pick one up at the lbs tomorrow – I’ve got to pop in to pick up a full face for my six year old, he’s beginning to follow is elder brother’s exploits!

  35. @Godsight

    Here we go guys. My new old pinarello veneto that had 40km on it from the first owner who bought it new in circa 2000.Pinarello veneto 51cmAnd as you will see i am quite at the other end of the height spectrum compared to guys like Frank

    I don’t often say this because I’m definietely a Shimano fanboi, but that bike needs more Campy. Athena or Centaur in silver with silver Cranks. Even older Dura Ahhchhee, something a bit more nicely finished than that grey 105. Don’t wanna harsh your buzz, cos it is beautiful.

    Internet fashion police out.

  36. Alright! Just scored this Bianchi on Craigslist for $130. Columbus tubing, made in Italy, Ambrosia wheelset, Suntour 7000 shifters/derailleurs, Modolo brakes, aluminum classic-bend bars (excellent!). The paint’s not in great shape in some spots, but the size is perfect, and I’m completely excited.

    From my quick perusal of The Google, I’m thinking it’s an ’88 Giro model, which was a mid-level frameset. Anyone feel free to correct me if I’m mistaken.

    Here’s the situation, then. My current #1 is a late-80s/early 90s Cannondale aluminum frame, full Campag Chorus 9-speed group (ergo), carbon fork and Mavic wheels laced to Chorus hubs. However, this frame has never felt like “home” to me because it’s too big. I’ve never felt like I can just settle into my saddle with a sigh of pleasurable comfort. I’m too stretched out, feel beat to crap, and my lower back ends up with quite the ache with any ride over 1.5 hours.

    I hopped on this Bianchi for a few minutes after getting the stem down and the seat up as high as it’ll go (I’ll need a new seat post to get a bit higher), and it was immediately and wonderfully magical. I rode over some our Columbus “cobbles” in Old Town East, and it was like heaven. I’m so excited.

    All that being said, the real question: do I swap over everything from my #1 over to the Bianchi and make that my new #1, relegating the Cannondale to my errand bike w/platform pedals/straps, etc. (grocery-getting, short commutes)?

    The reason it’s even a question is that the Bianchi frame needs some cosmetic work to bring it up to an official #1 status. I’m leaning to go ahead and do the swap over tomorrow just because it’s already so much more comfortable, allowing an as-low-as-Cadel position (which is where I like to ride), and feeling perfect in the process. My Cannondale, even in as V-Lotus of a position as I could find, was never quite right.

    Our bank account can’t be Rule #5’d much more, so I have to be wise with my builds right now. Would I like to get a 10-speed Record group for the Bianchi, sandblast the frame, re-paint and -decal it? Yes. Can I? Not right now. Want to get the most bang for my buck w/the current gear I have. The definite needs no matter which parts go on which frame: new seat post, brake pads, bar tape, hoods, cables, chain.

    Either way, I’m so stoked for this! Had to share.

  37. @earnest
    Gorgeous. Nicely done, bro. That thing screams Oakley shades, Mario-curl, and day-glow. What a beautiful bike. And since you’ve asked, I’d say leave it the way it is for now and ride it a bunch before you decide. Give it at least 500k and then see what you want to do. That thing is so put together for the times the way it is, changing it, instead of adapting yourself, may not be the answer. That said, the Chorus from the ‘whale is the same vintage too so would work. Fun.

  39. @earnest
    Deeewwww eeeettt.

    Seriously paint that thing and slap the Chorus on it, if people rag on Shimano on a Colnago then Campy on a Cannondale? Then ebuy the Cannondale back to life.

  40. @earnest

    All that being said, the real question: do I swap over everything from my #1 over to the Bianchi and make that my new #1, relegating the Cannondale to my errand bike w/platform pedals/straps, etc. (grocery-getting, short commutes)?

    Yes. Yes. Yes. The frame that’s too big should be relegated to townie use with lesser equipment hung on it. Campy Chorus belongs on a Bianchi. Nice acquisition.

  41. @Godsight
    Your bike is gorgeous. The frame is more like 1990-1992. I’d have guessed 1989 if I hadn’t seen the 1990 World Champion decal. The components may be newer, but the frame is definitely very early 90’s. Having said all that, Oli would know better than I.

    Fantastic!

  42. Arg – my bike developed its first annoying sound this weekend, some sort of click. It seems to happen with every one revolution of the pedal, i.e. when my right pedal passes the 4/5 o’clock position, roughly. SO ANNOYING.

    Cleaned and lubed the chain, so I don’t think it’s that. It doesn’t seem to matter what gear I’m in, though I need to test and see if it happens in both the big and small ring – the times I was in my big ring yesterday I wasn’t thinking about the clicking, I was thinking about going 50-55 kph downhill with cars behind me and making sure I didn’t fuck up and get run over.

    I’ll also check my quick-releases, just in case. But I’m afraid it’s coming from the bottom bracket/chainring. It didn’t seem to make the noise when I picked the bike up and turned the pedal with my hand.

  43. @mcsqueak
    what kind of pedals do you ride with? I was getting a noise, that I thought was coming from my BB or crank set. turns out I needed to re lube the threads on my pedals.

  44. @mcsqueak
    I just had the same thing a few weeks back. On my front derailer the extra cable sticking up got bent sideways and “clicked” every time the crank arm went around and touched it on the chain side. Took forever to figure out something so simple and easy to fix. It drove me crazy. So give that a look if it only happens while pedaling..

  45. @pakrat

    @mcsqueak
    I just had the same thing a few weeks back. On my front derailer the extra cable sticking up got bent sideways and “clicked” every time the crank arm went around and touched it on the chain side. Took forever to figure out something so simple and easy to fix. It drove me crazy. So give that a look if it only happens while pedaling..

    Ha. after recabaling the same thing happened to me. it was driving me nuts. took my crank apart trying to figure out what was going on.

  46. @pakrat @RedRanger

    Ha, I just had a new FD put on last week because I had snapped the old one. The sound started after that. I’ll check when I get home and make sure the extra cable isn’t being hit each time I rotate the pedal. I can only hope the problem is that simple.

  47. @Jeff in PetroMetro

    @earnest

    All that being said, the real question: do I swap over everything from my #1 over to the Bianchi and make that my new #1, relegating the Cannondale to my errand bike w/platform pedals/straps, etc. (grocery-getting, short commutes)?

    Yes. Yes. Yes. The frame that’s too big should be relegated to townie use with lesser equipment hung on it. Campy Chorus belongs on a Bianchi. Nice acquisition.

    Yes, that. Chorus to the Steel. Just don’t make any changes that can’t be reversed – and all those changes should be reversible. Fantastic work, what a beauty. That Turbo brings back memories.

  48. @mcsqueak

    Arg – my bike developed its first annoying sound this weekend, some sort of click. It seems to happen with every one revolution of the pedal, i.e. when my right pedal passes the 4/5 o’clock position, roughly. SO ANNOYING.
    .

    my money is on your BB bearing having gone, or needing re-greased

  49. Question for those who may know: I gotta buddy/ teammate that has a set of power cranks that he uses for training. Not Powermeter, but the ones that spin independently of each other making you pull up with the hammies. I’ve tried his, and they made me hurt in places I didn’t know I had. I understand Basso used them while on his probation.
    I’m going to pick up a set for a super cheap price (they normally retail for around $1000). Anyone else here try and like them? ( Well no one I’ve heard likes them. Just the results.)

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