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”

  1. Gonna open a can ‘o’ worms here (thanks @redranger for the link). While perhaps there’s a article in this I just wanted some VM opinion on this post: http://cyclingtips.com.au/2013/10/disc-brakes-and-road-bikes-what-does-the-future-hold/

    Isn’t a lot of what we hold dear as cyclists due to tradition? Isn’t one of the best thing ever to happen in the UCI rulebook banning bikes with I-beams (Softride as a example)?

    Do we really need disc brakes on road bikes, and does the Aussie SRAM guy have to be such a douche about it?

  3. @Ken Ho

    Didn’t push “quote” because I didn’t want to see it again (the posts that followed yours covered that for me). You do know that’s a Bianchi right?

  5. @Puffy

    @Ken Ho

    Mirror is so lI can ride in teh tyre lane which is way smoother than the verge, when there is one, and spot oncoming traffic in plenty of time to make space if I need to. I can no more ride a bike without a mirror than I can ride a motorbike or drive a car.

    Um, but you’re riding at night… so doesn’t the headlights flooding around you and the sound of the engine give them away? You’re lit up like a christmas tree so they can see you and go around… not point in making space as that just gives YOU less space. But you gotta do what you gotta do. FWIW, I too live in a Mining town and ride the roads at night but I’ve never felt the need for more than a single front, single rear lights. Must be something extra special about the drivers where you are.

    I’ve only ever seen those Oz road trains on the TV but if those are thundering along the roads you ride at night then I’d suggest being like a Christmas Tree is a pretty good idea!

  6. @Ken Ho

    …….,. and whatever lies beyond, which can be anything from rough ground, bush, gullies, drop-offs, creek beds, culverts, or in one memorable case, a rain gully that ran up into a cane field, where I suddenly found myself doing 40 kph, still in aero bars thinking “sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet”.

    I guess a similar thought went through these guys head….

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O46HJbbIWlA

  7. Yes, something like that. That was seriously piss funny.

    Th best thing, is that once the shock and awe wore off a bit, the joie de vivre kicked in and they were reveling in their survival and stupidity.   Almost like they wanted to do it again.

  8. I am new to the fold and open to guidance and correction.  In this light I submit #1.  This, my team bike, is hand-built of new Columbus MAX tubing.  It is both thoroughbred and workhorse, and is a joy to ride.

  9. @Optimiste

    That’s a beautiful bike.  @Nate turned me on to Velocipede Salon a short while back and Zank is well represented.  Well done.

  11. @xyxax

    Thank you.  They do turn out some amazing creations at the VSalon.  Oh my, the ever-present V.  Frank wasn’t kidding.

    @G’rilla

    This was my first bespoke build.  There’s no going back to off-the-rack.  And Zank’s guide to gluing is masterful.

  12. @Optimiste Very nice, love the colour and the geometry looks great – fast but comfortable.

    If I may quibble slightly, I think the number of other labels detracts a little from that beautiful and simple paint job. Some people like that sort of thing or simply don’t notice/care, but personally I think it would be enhanced if there wasn’t so much else going on.

    When you say team bike, do you mean your whole team is riding/racing those ? That would be something to see !

  13. @Optimiste Love the blue!

    I too have a handmade Max with Max lugs with Shimano 600 tricolor on Velocity deep V rims weighing in at 11kg.

    Love the ride of steel. Also have a Tange No.1 awaiting a new top tube and repaint. My most favorite to ride.

    Out of curiosity what does your steed weigh in at?

  14. @ChrisO

    Point well taken.  There is a lot going on there with the branding.  The Ritchey seatpost and stem are sponsor bits, so the labels must stay.  Same with the SRM Campa cranks.  But I have wondered about removing the wheel decals.  One teammate has similar tubulars and did just that.  He also had the fork painted to match the frame and omitted that decal as well.  Although it’s from the wrong side, the photo below does show the difference.  Sorry for the poor resolution.

    The entire team is riding Zanconatos.  All of them this same blue, with the exception of two.  They are a sight to behold en masse.  I’ll look for a group photo with better resolution than what I’ve posted so far.

  15. @sthilzy

    @Optimiste Love the blue!

    I too have a handmade Max with Max lugs with Shimano 600 tricolor on Velocity deep V rims weighing in at 11kg.

    Love the ride of steel. Also have a Tange No.1 awaiting a new top tube and repaint. My most favorite to ride.

    Out of curiosity what does your steed weigh in at?

    Fantastic.  Have you posted photos before?  I took a quick look, but didn’t see any.

    8.07kg.  The newer MAX tubing (Niobium) is lighter than the original Nivacrom material.  Our directeur sportif built his up with Super Record and Lightweight wheels.  It comes in at 7.2kg.  Even so, I think his favorite ride is still the entirely MAX lugged frameset he had Mike Z. build for him a few years ago (based on the 1991 Eddy Merckx MAX for Team Motorola).  It was Zank’s first time working with MAX tubing, and it is perfection.

  17. @sthilzy

    Well proportioned.  Loving the Cinelli, and the classic Turbo saddle, and the tires.  Now I’ll definitely need to search for your pics with the new colors.  And that gearing brings back memories – 54/42 13/21.  I had ’92 600 Ultegra 7-speed with downtube shifters.  I swapped the 42 for a 39 and used to climb 17% grades with that.  Not anymore though.

  18. Still working on N+1…

    I have an opportunity to pick up a brand new Neil Pryde for a ridiculously good deal – half price essentially.

    The bike that has always stirred an aching in the loins and a quickening of the heart has been the Cervelo R5.  The Neil Pryde Bura SL, to me, looks very similar and from what I read about it performs similarly as well.  This is a very light frame – just 760 grams in my size large.

    Anyone know anything one way or the other about these frames – good or bad?

  19. @Optimiste

    @ChrisO

    Point well taken. There is a lot going on there with the branding. The Ritchey seatpost and stem are sponsor bits, so the labels must stay. Same with the SRM Campa cranks. But I have wondered about removing the wheel decals. One teammate has similar tubulars and did just that. He also had the fork painted to match the frame and omitted that decal as well. Although it’s from the wrong side, the photo below does show the difference. Sorry for the poor resolution.

    The entire team is riding Zanconatos. All of them this same blue, with the exception of two. They are a sight to behold en masse. I’ll look for a group photo with better resolution than what I’ve posted so far.

    That looks great – a more classical effect.

    Love the sunburst shot… celestial majesty touches the bike !

  21. @ChrisO

    To quote my teammate who shot that majestic photo: “And the cycling Gods said ‘Let there be Bike’. And Bike was made. The Gods were pleased.”

  23. This is annoying me, but one of you will know the answer… who’s the famous fixed-gear film maker, who does those insane videos of NYC alleycats ?

    Louis something ??? I want to say Bruyneel but I think it’s like that but not that.

    Google is useless. Searching for fixed gear films and film makers narrows it down to about 90% of every douchebag who ever put their Vans on a pedal.

  26. Hate when this happens: (from the opening of the World’s largest (and most famous) cross series Cross Crusade)

  30. @Optimiste

    I am new to the fold and open to guidance and correction. In this light I submit #1. This, my team bike, is hand-built of new Columbus MAX tubing. It is both thoroughbred and workhorse, and is a joy to ride.

    That’s a really beautiful whip you have there. I understand the “sponsor” thing. Strip the stickers on the rims though. IMHO.

  31. @kixsand

    Still working on N+1…

    I have an opportunity to pick up a brand new Neil Pryde for a ridiculously good deal – half price essentially.

    The bike that has always stirred an aching in the loins and a quickening of the heart has been the Cervelo R5. The Neil Pryde Bura SL, to me, looks very similar and from what I read about it performs similarly as well. This is a very light frame – just 760 grams in my size large.

    Anyone know anything one way or the other about these frames – good or bad?

    Ive been windsurfing with Neil Pryde gear for years, they are “experts” in carbon layup from what im told and I certainly didnt have any dramas with their carbon masts or any of their sails for that matter,

    I was looking at a Neil Pryde Diablo prior to getting my Fuji SST.

  32. So, I picked all this up for ~$150. Except the front hub. I had that already. 8spd C-Record. Just need to find some mid-90’s Italian steel now…….

  34. @scaler911

    @Optimiste

    That’s a really beautiful whip you have there. I understand the “sponsor” thing. Strip the stickers on the rims though. IMHO.

    Thank you.  Between your feedback and @ChrisO’s, I believe the verdict is in.  Off they go.  Looking more closely, I see they are indeed stickers as you indicate, and not decals.  Even more reason for their liberation.

    Regarding your C-Record find.  Fantastic.  No doubt you will do them justice.

  35. the beauty of being a Velomibachelor is being able to get home at 10pm and throw a bike on a stand in the living room for some TLC(cleaning and lubing drive train and servicing the stans goo)

  38. @Optimiste That is one hawt Zanc.  I had the pleasure of seeing one in the flesh yesterday for the first time.  Agree with the suggestion to unsticker a bit.  I am all for seeing more handbuilt metal bikes on these pages.  I am all for seeing more handbuilt metal bikes on these pages so more pics please!

  39. I thought these shots from Levi’s Gran Fondo with @Nate deserved to be in this thread.  So much bike porn on display, but so many rule infractions.  The Merckx with the bento box on the top tube was definitely up there on the list of violators.  @Nate and I had a fun conversation about what @Frank’s reaction would be.

    [dmalbum: path=”/velominati.com/wp-content/uploads/readers/EricW/2013.10.07.06.36.58/1/”/]

  40. @scaler911

    Hate when this happens: (from the opening of the World’s largest (and most famous) cross series Cross Crusade)

    Discs, obviously the problem.

  41. @Mikael Liddy

    @scaler911 gonna find it hard to pedal with only one crank arm…yeah I’m jealous!

    I noticed after I took the photo that I’d left the other arm in the box. There’s one other problem with the gruppo. Bonus points if anyone but Frank finds it (’cause he and I already talked about it).

  42. @EricW

    I thought these shots from Levi’s Gran Fondo with @Nate deserved to be in this thread. So much bike porn on display, but so many rule infractions. The Merckx with the bento box on the top tube was definitely up there on the list of violators. @Nate and I had a fun conversation about what @Frank’s reaction would be.

    2 / 2
    Slideshow:
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    Almost all of our Womens team was at that ride. This last weekend, right? Notice any kit like this down there?

  43. @scaler911

    @Mikael Liddy

    @scaler911 gonna find it hard to pedal with only one crank arm…yeah I’m jealous!

    I noticed after I took the photo that I’d left the other arm in the box. There’s one other problem with the Gruppo. Bonus points if anyone but Frank finds it (’cause he and I already talked about it).

    Actually, the brakeset is not from the right era; that 8 speed group had Deltas, but these monoplanars that came with Chorus were a good alternate choice. But that isn’t the problem you’re referring to…

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Campagnolo-C-RECORD-Brake-Calipers-in-good-condition-/370906051923

  45. @frank

    @scaler911

    @Mikael Liddy

    @scaler911 gonna find it hard to pedal with only one crank arm…yeah I’m jealous!

    I noticed after I took the photo that I’d left the other arm in the box. There’s one other problem with the Gruppo. Bonus points if anyone but Frank finds it (’cause he and I already talked about it).

    Actually, the brakeset is not from the right era; that 8 speed group had Deltas, but these monoplanars that came with Chorus were a good alternate choice. But that isn’t the problem you’re referring to…

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Campagnolo-C-RECORD-Brake-Calipers-in-good-condition-/370906051923

    I knew that when I picked the set up. BUT, we both know what a set of Delta brakes will set you back.

  46. @scaler911

    So, I picked all this up for ~$150. Except the front hub. I had that already. 8spd C-Record. Just need to find some mid-90″²s Italian steel now…….

    Wow. I just tried to stick my head in my monitor to get a closer look at those beautiful, beautiful components. Fortunately no one sitting near me this morning.

  47. @DeKerr

    @DeKerr

    Click on the image, and when the little box shows up, click on “view full image”. It’s a big file that will get you up close and personal.

  48. @scaler911

    @Mikael Liddy

    @scaler911 gonna find it hard to pedal with only one crank arm…yeah I’m jealous!

    I noticed after I took the photo that I’d left the other arm in the box. There’s one other problem with the Gruppo. Bonus points if anyone but Frank finds it (’cause he and I already talked about it).

    Seems to be missing an 11-23

  49. @scaler911

    So, I picked all this up for ~$150. Except the front hub. I had that already. 8spd C-Record. Just need to find some mid-90″²s Italian steel now…….

    Are those 32 hole? Great reverence for the sq. spindle BB.

  50. @piwakawaka

    @scaler911

    @Mikael Liddy

    @scaler911 gonna find it hard to pedal with only one crank arm…yeah I’m jealous!

    I noticed after I took the photo that I’d left the other arm in the box. There’s one other problem with the Gruppo. Bonus points if anyone but Frank finds it (’cause he and I already talked about it).

    Seems to be missing an 11-23

    There’s a 12-23 in the box as well. It was a bit dirty, so didn’t include it in the photo.

    @unversio

    Indeed they are 32h. Going to order up some hoops, spokes and tubs. Get ’em built.

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