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 ...
@kixsand
I think you have your answer then.
@paolo
Oh yes, Neilpryde is out. The only question now is the configuration of the Bianchi:
Oltre or Oltre XR – I really want the XR but the only frame that his has is for Shimano Electronic which means Ultegra Di2.
@kixsand
It’s all about tradition and emotion and you’re considering Di2 ?
@Gianni
Sorry for the delay in responding. Alas, once we get into the 90s my abilities to recognize obscure riders falls off dramatically as I’d moved stateside and wasn’t getting Miroir du Cyclisme and ICS. What is interesting is how different the Z jerseys are with a substantial second sponsor taking prominence. It was the same for Systeme U when they rode in Spain and had Pegaso across the chest.
It is indeed Cipo on the left with Lemond, Fignon and Ballerini in there too. It’s not Millar in the Z jersey, that’s for sure.
@kixsand
Don’t campy have several electronic options? And that’s what that frame really for.
@ChrisO
ah, nicely played sir.
@paolo
Well, all I know is that they list two electronic frames on their site – one Shimano and one Campy.
The perfect N+1 and perhaps a disregard for S-1
http://vimeo.com/75789151
@paolo
my bad. I cant even keep track of where I parked my car or left my wallet at this point.
Just saw this on bike insurance company’s twitter.
Strong work by Velosure.
Coffee out the nose.
^ absolutely awesome!
@Cyclops
Nice. You should roll to PDX where you’ll get some exposure:
^^ That’s the start of just one Cat ^^ The fans (s/o’s, kids and other hangers on are around the corner).
@kixsand
My mistake. Looking at it on the web site it seems the difference might be the battery mounting with the di2 being in the seat post but that’s speculation on my part. If I’m right maybe this could be overcome? just a thought. It will be a wicked ride which ever way you go.
@scaler911
Right but it being Portland, half those guys built their own frame at UBI. Going for the unsaturated market is not a bad strategy!
@Chris
Exactly my point, Ive been using their sailing gear for a long time.
@Weldertron
+1
Late to the discussion, but I would buy the Bianchi. I have a Mono-Q which I adore, and would love an Oltre XR. I may yet spring for one for my mid-life crisis next year. Te only thing stopping me, is that. The is nothing wrong with the Mono-Q.
That said, I had the privilege of meeting Neil Pryde himself, while Ttending the annual NP/JP product launch on Maui a couple of years ago. His involvement in the design and function of the gear was impressive, and as a company, they have broad expertise in carbon fibre technology that goes back as far as anyone’s does. They may not yet be at teh soul-stirring stage, but I’m sure the bikes are good.
Iwould buy the Bianchi. I have a Pista Sei Giormi also.
Not quite sure the best place to post this and only read on if you are UK based and particularly Surrey. There is an anti cycling event petition going on in Surrey and as a result there is a counter pro-cycling petition being raised to prevent a minority nay-sayer group having a solo say at the issue.
If you are Surrey based or cycle in Surrey please take a look at the following link and pass on to other cyclists.
http://www.change.org/petitions/surrey-county-council-interact-and-give-knowledge-to-those-you-represent
Many thanks.
@Teocalli
I thought Americans would be the only bunch to bitch and moan about the inconvenience of not using the road for a day. Why not take a holiday and avoid it all together. Or better yet participate!
@DCR We have a term over here called Chelsea Tractor which is well documented on the internet. I suspect a lot of the “antis” drive them.
@Teocalli
Ah the typical chariot of the American soccer mom. That explains a lot.
@Teocalli
Almost a month gone and I know you’ve sourced some gruppo components. Any news on the regeneration?
@Mike_P That nuisance thing called work with a series of weekend Go Lives has been getting in the way of making a start combined with getting in some late season long rides before winter hits, but have most of the Gruppo of a suitable era to upgrade and plan to strip the frame down this weekend ready to get it off for a respray and strip some other components that need rechroming.
@Teocalli It’s going to be like Christmas for Kids when that frame comes back, fresh and good as new.
I’ve taken your words of wisdom to heart and passed on the Bianchi electronic frame.
I shouldn’t buy the wrong bike just because it is “a good deal”. I’m going to wait for the 2014’s to arrive and then take another look in the spring. I will pay more but have much more flexibility to pick and choose what I want.
@kixsand I am in the same boat. kicking around different bikes as my next +1. I tend to over think the process and ruin the beauty of getting the new bike.
@kixsand Wisdom indeed. The wrong bike is the wrong bike, no matter the price.
@DCR Better to over-think than under-think.
@Optimiste There is a healthy middle ground that must be achieved. I generally find when I am doing research on the composites used and looking at stress mapping of frames I am a little over the edge. I don’t compete on a level to justify it and usually just psych myself out.
@DCR I can appreciate going over the edge like that. It’s part of the reason I’m here. Thank you for your obsessive tendencies.
Woah, I’ve been looking around for awhile for a regular race-fit jersey that is hi viz for fall and winter riding. The NC DOT just published a report that September is the deadliest month to ride a bike in this state. Cyclist make up less than 1% of road users and make up 2% of fatalities and an additional 2% of injuries. Glad that month is over!
Anyway, this jersey is pretty loud…but kind of cool. Thought I’d share it in case anyone else really likes been seen by distracted drivers. I always ride defensively aggressively, but every little bit helps.
http://www.elevengear.com/hi-viz-cycling/coral-snake-jersey/coral-snake-jersey-men-s-fluorescent.html
They also have a pretty funny Traffic Master one that has the road rules printed on the chest.
And, it looks like Mavic makes a hi viz orange jersey with reflective striping. I have a Mavic Espoir jersey and it’s my second favorite jersey, right behind a certain V top…
@Ron Can’t say that I’m a fan of that one, but I don’t mind their hi-viz socks/arm warmers. Although the Defeet hi-viz stuff is more my style if I were to go the neon route.
Ha, yeah…I don’t think it’s awesomely cool either, but is an option instead of just plain ol’ hi viz neon. I too like the Defeet stuff too, and I think the Belgian Booties might do the trick with the movement of your feet helping.
I was actually at the Descent Recovery Drink shop the other night kind of feeling like a douche in my hi viz cycling jacket. In walked a cool frat dude in a brand new fancy parka, also in hi viz. Looks like hi viz is officially cool, at least in my neck o’ the woods.
@Ron there’s always this stuff, http://www.fiascociclismo.com
@Ron yeah, not feelin’ the love for that jersey. Maybe you could talk with @Ken Ho on how to turn your steed into a rolling Christmas tree for late night/early morning rides?
@Ron
“Not awesomely cool”? “Not awesomely cool”?
Did the lobotomy hurt? Did they do a good job covering up the scars?
What the fuck, dude. Seriously.
Don’t post that shit here again. Ever. EV-VAHR.
@Mikael Liddy
@Ron – refer my photo of one of our group rides in the Cogal Section under Fleurieu Cogal.
One of my mates riding in said kit.
Acceptable?
@Barracuda I’ll be getting a closer look on the weekend as they’ve got about 3 different teams entered in the Rapha Gents Race taking place on Saturday, 160k’s of hills, some gravel & plenty of good times!
@Mikael Liddy
Excellent, I got an email inviting me to participate, I emailed straight back and questioned the selection criteria as I thought it was a joke when the email stated “160km” and “race” in same sentence. You must be joking I said, found out later its only because I had bought a fair bit of gear and my postcode matched the ride !
Enjoy, what team you in ?
Yeah I think anyone SA based who’s bought some kit from the website over the last year got an invite. I’m on a team of ring ins after they realised they had a team captain & the obligatory woman but no one else!
@Weldertron
Stop it. You’re polluting a perfectly good section of the site with garish shit that makes me want to shut the site down.
Noted.
My apologies.
I’ve been commuting to work via bicycle a lot lately, I think it gave me a hi viz fever. I do apologize, but my taste in kit has always been questionable, as I love both the Carrera faux denim and the Castorama faux hog washers kit.
Still, this is not an acceptable excuse. I hope to avoid excommunication.
@frank
Tell us what you really think, Fronk.
Weird how straight white blokes pigeon-hole themselves into fashion straits. If a pro was wearing it, you would be having an orgasm.
I’m glad I’m a gay black man.
OK. Since Leman has declared himself a Velominatus, how about somebody post pics of their classic Lemond bike? Preferrably not having been repainted in hi-vis yellow…
Nearly ready to go off to the refurb shop. Big question though, do I have them fit Bidon Cage Bosses of not. Part of me thinks it would be convenient and keep the bars uncluttered but part of me says stay a la mode with a handlebar bidon cage.
@Teocalli
I think you should stay true to the fashion of the time. Especially if you have l’Eroica plans.