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. @kixsand

    With all respect, it’s a fucking bike.  Doubtful that there is much discernible or meaningful difference.  They may have moved a piece of carbon fabric around though.

  2. @xyxax

    @kixsand

    I’m still partial to those BMCs and with the C24s, rowrrr. White saddle?

    I’ve been shopping DA9000 mechanical parts separately, and with a C-Bear bottom bracket, was able to get it all relatively cheaply. Look forward to the final build.

    I accidentally ended up with a DA9000 BB and I guess they reduced the OD of the bearings, it came with an adapter so you could use normal tools.

  3. @kixsand FWIW I never rode 2013 SLR, my LBS is the NZ importer their take was the SLR01 & RM01 from ’13 were very similar the difference being a mere 80gms, so compared to my RM01, the ride is direct and immediate, the shorter head tube giving a more aggressive front end, i.e. lower, which shifts your weight forward a little over the front axle, I run 25mm tyres and think this is a big improvement in ride quality/comfort, had #1 out in almost all conditions including 4hrs and 133km on Sunday and the 2014 is stunning and does seem a big improvement on #2, I understand your dilemma with the deal on offer, you will not be disappointed, it’s a great frame and excellent group-san the wheels are fast and light but the 2014 is better, how much I don’t know.

  4. @kixsand Black and white bikes are tits. I like an understated bike myself. I want the flash to be when you look closer and see the lines and details. Bike #1 is still a work in project but I think she looks pretty darn angry. Im partial to 3T so I would run that bike with a full matching stem, post and bars set up, buts that just me.

  5. @DerHoggz

    @kixsand

    With all respect, it’s a fucking bike. Doubtful that there is much discernible or meaningful difference. They may have moved a piece of carbon fabric around though.

    @DerHoggz with all respect, snap out of it! You sound like the VMW, course it’s a fuckin’ bike what else are we talking about?

  6. @piwakawaka

    @DerHoggz

    @kixsand

    With all respect, it’s a fucking bike. Doubtful that there is much discernible or meaningful difference. They may have moved a piece of carbon fabric around though.

    @DerHoggz with all respect, snap out of it! You sound like the VMW, course it’s a fuckin’ bike what else are we talking about?

    Rule #4!

  7. @kixsand

    @xyxax

    I’m a bit torn on the saddle colour. BMC does a black saddle and white tape when they sell you a complete bike in this frameset. White saddle and tape would look good too though. I have matte white CF Blackburn cages that I’d be using too, so maybe..

    @Barracuda

    I’ve been riding with the C24″²s on my current bike all summer and I love them! Terrific multi-purpose wheel that flies under the radar and that’s just fine by me. They’re light enough. They’re aero enough. They’re strong enough.

    I have a 2012 RM01 and upgraded to DA 7900 C24. Had issues with braking surface on the front where the weld is causing the braking to be grabby. Supplier replaced it with a 9000 series front and had the same issue. Now on the second 9000. Nice wheels otherwise, but aero?

    White bikes are awesome. Thinking about getting the ’83 Giessauf (531 SL) in white come the rebuild.

  8. @Rom

    I do believe that I said “aero enough”; with me as an engine the aero requirement is really quite minimal.

    That and I seem to recall reading this about the DA C24’s…

    “The rims feature a 24mm depth that, at once, provides wind-cheating aerodynamics and fierce rigidity. In fact, for the first time, Shimano has fully committed itself to achieving a superior level of aerodynamic advantage. As a result, the C24 was engineered in accordance with the newly developed Blade and Accelerating SPEED concepts. After extensive wind tunnel research, both of these development platforms gave way to Shimano’s most aerodynamic wheel profile. The designs are hinged on the front and rear wheel having two different depths — 21mm at the front and 23mm at the rear. This creates an even smoother airflow then varied front and rear rim depths. Additionally, when coupled with the 20.8mm rim width, the wheels promote an increased stability in crosswinds, as well as higher levels of lateral rigidity and vertical compliance when compared to the WH-7900 C24”.

  9. @DerHoggz

    To complicate matters, the frame builder recommended bb86, so I will require a special tool just to speak of it.  I may be old, but I’ll still likely live long enough to regret this decision.

    @kixsand
    On slo-motion replay, the back of the frame is black-dominant, so the black saddle is entirely appropriate.  I have a couple of fizik white saddles with black rear “bumpers” but this is a bit of over-thinking on my part.  Carry on.

  10. @pistard

    @Puffy Dangling an EPMS from your stem is no better than from your saddle.

    Oi! It’s a battery not an EPMS…

    yes, ok, I hear you; get a light that doesn’t require an external battery.

  11. @Puffy

    @pistard

    @Puffy Dangling an EPMS from your stem is no better than from your saddle.

    Oi! It’s a battery not an EPMS…

    yes, ok, I hear you; get a light that doesn’t require an external battery.

    Ha! I realized that after chiding you about it, and can’t fault anyone for wanting more and longer lasting candlepower. I’ve been shopping for both as the days get shorter. Looking for something self-contained for quickly moving between bikes, but that’s the tradeoff.

  12. @pistard

    @Puffy

    @pistard

    @Puffy Dangling an EPMS from your stem is no better than from your saddle.

    Oi! It’s a battery not an EPMS…

    yes, ok, I hear you; get a light that doesn’t require an external battery.

    Ha! I realized that after chiding you about it, and can’t fault anyone for wanting more and longer lasting candlepower. I’ve been shopping for both as the days get shorter. Looking for something self-contained for quickly moving between bikes, but that’s the tradeoff.

    Ive got the Ay-Ups also.

    http://www.ayup-lights.com/systems/lighting-systems/v-twin-sports/

    Love them and easily moved between bikes !

  13. My #1. 2000 Litespeed Ultimate with Dura-Ace Team group. This year it got the shiny treatment on nearly every part within reason.

    For everyday riding… group rides, bad roads, the trainer, wet or cold weather. Spuds are on due to CX season. #2 comes out on race day due to the 6 pound weight difference.

    Shiny wheels are seldom seen these days.

  15. @Thursday love nearly every aspect of that, the bars not so much, but if they work for your hands why change them.

  16. @RedRanger

    @piwakawaka

    @DerHoggz

    @kixsand

    With all respect, it’s a fucking bike. Doubtful that there is much discernible or meaningful difference. They may have moved a piece of carbon fabric around though.

    @DerHoggz with all respect, snap out of it! You sound like the VMW, course it’s a fuckin’ bike what else are we talking about?

    Rule #4!

    If we were talking aesthetics or pedigree I would agree.  But I was taking issue with the more lighter and stiffer part.  Buy what you like and want of course.

  18. My track frame project is coming along nicely. Welded the front triangle this morning, stays should be on next weekend. (The seat tube will be cut to size and all that upon completion.)

  19. @xyxax

    @DerHoggz

    To complicate matters, the frame builder recommended bb86, so I will require a special tool just to speak of it. I may be old, but I’ll still likely live long enough to regret this decision.

    @kixsand
    On slo-motion replay, the back of the frame is black-dominant, so the black saddle is entirely appropriate. I have a couple of fi’zi:k white saddles with black rear “bumpers” but this is a bit of over-thinking on my part. Carry on.

    I may be old, but I’ll still likely live long enough to regret this decision…beautiful. I’ve been off this page for a while. What is being constructed for the Great White Hope? New custom bikes, what could be more exciting?

    My wife’s Madone had to have some trek bullshit glued into the BB90 to make it campy worthy. A LBS did it with a lot of cursing and hammering. I’ve taken the cranks off and reinstalled and it was fine. Let us hope the BB86 is as user friendly. Still, let’s stop with all the “new standard” BB’s, FFS.

  21. @Gianni

    @xyxax

    @DerHoggz

    To complicate matters, the frame builder recommended bb86, so I will require a special tool just to speak of it. I may be old, but I’ll still likely live long enough to regret this decision.

    @kixsand
    On slo-motion replay, the back of the frame is black-dominant, so the black saddle is entirely appropriate. I have a couple of fi’zi:k white saddles with black rear “bumpers” but this is a bit of over-thinking on my part. Carry on.

    I may be old, but I’ll still likely live long enough to regret this decision…beautiful. I’ve been off this page for a while. What is being constructed for the Great White Hope? New custom bikes, what could be more exciting?

    My wife’s Madone had to have some trek bullshit glued into the BB90 to make it campy worthy. A LBS did it with a lot of cursing and hammering. I’ve taken the cranks off and reinstalled and it was fine. Let us hope the BB86 is as user friendly. Still, let’s stop with all the “new standard” BB’s, FFS.

    BB86 is pretty easy. Uses the same tools as a headset. Punch out, press in, and very cheap to replace.

  22. So the 30th birthday present that started out on the day as this…

    has finally been finished off care of Treadly Bike Shop, have to say the VMH did an amazing job with the majority of the choices herself…most of the things that I ended up choosing she had in her head anyway.

    Focale 44 single speed with Brooks B-17 saddle & matching tape. V-cufflinks eschewed for a pair of wine corks from the other LBS (local bottle shop) & a beautiful mix of black, tan & shiny bits.

  26. @Teocalli Funnily enough this popped up on a friends FB page today.  It certainly puts things in to perspective!

  28. @Gianni

    Ah Gianni… The frame was supposed to arrive today, but Sinter Klaas’s apple-crapping pony is late.

    As for the bb, the CBear American distributor is a guy who crosses into Texas from Ciudad Juarez and mails it to the LBS (seriously). It looked like it had spent some time being stashed in a wheel well.

    And now I have helicopters flying over our apartment. I am fucked in so many ways.

  32. @Weldertron

    My track frame project is coming along nicely. Welded the front triangle this morning, stays should be on next weekend. (The seat tube will be cut to size and all that upon completion.)

    This got lost in the shuffle. Beauteous! Cant wait to see more.

  34. @RoubaixInTwoYears

    @pistard

    @Weldertron

    Looks like SRAM is jumping on the electronic bandwagon.

    http://www.bikerumor.com/2013/12/10/prototype-electronic-sram-red-drivetrain-spotted/#more-70675

    In the tech world everyone watches patent and trademark registrations to see what’s coming: iPad, iWatch, etc. What’ll the electronic Bro-Set be called? eTap, digiTap, SpinalTap? e11even?

    Ebro?

    Think Frampton. Or don’t.

    Pneumatic shifting? Why not? I generally rate Hollis before Peter, so I may have missed your reference.

  36. @xyxax

    Oh sweet jesus, carbone! Is that a glossy black paint or glossy carbon? Either way, your steel bike shall be sitting in the stall, a lot. You will climb like a big angel.

  38. @Gianni

    @sthilzy

    Thanks guys.  It is supposed to be a glossy black paint, but in the light you can see the carbon wrapping around the tube junctions.  1340 gm frame plus headset on a pretty big frame.  Alchemy recently started making their own tubes rather than buying from ENVE (fork is ENVE, though) so the whole thing was baked in Denver. I was just re-heating.

  42. A slight update on my No.2 … the bike was originally planned for a “use-all-year” ride since my Enigma / Super Record / Enve No.1 does not like shitty roads in shitty weather where the rider is shitting himself about falling off.

    Also, some of my rides take me down some cow-shit covered farm tracks and that shit just does not wash out of my bibs, so this one had to have mudguards (fenders for my cousins across the pond). The fender hardware had gotten lost somewhere between Japan and Yorkshire so another set was procured from the good ole’ US and now that the sun has gone south for the winter I thought it best to get them fitted.

    The bike was built so that I could still use the standard drop Campy brakes so when the bike is sans fenders it is hard to tell that it is a fender-able bike, notice also the front attachments on the inside faces of the fork legs, i.e. not as usual on the dropouts.

    Anyway, not sure if this violating any rules but here is my winter bike.

    [url=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/14/qqv4.jpg/][img]http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/6273/qqv4.jpg[/img][/url]

    [url=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/826/g36i.jpg/][img]http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/225/g36i.jpg[/img][/url]\

    [url=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/837/vs0b.jpg/][img]http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/2636/vs0b.jpg[/img][/url]

    [url=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/7/6syo.jpg/][img]http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/3967/6syo.jpg[/img][/url]

    [url=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/19/9tnq.jpg/][img]http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/8987/9tnq.jpg[/img][/url]

  43. Bugger !!! Should work now … also forgot to add wheel are changed to accomodate 23mm clichers to fit fenders under standard drop brakes. H Plus Sons Archetype, laced 28 hole 3 cross with CX-Rays to Royce hubs ( I heart Royce hubs, also only 10 miles from where I work)

  44. Stunning.

    Feather = Jealous.  Out there on my future dream plan (along with winning the lottery).

  46. So scaler has added #3 to the stable. Before you start judging, I’ll be swapping out stem (sit up and beg isn’t going to work), and the pedals stayed at the shop (really, flatty’s on a ‘cross rig?). It’s in perfect shape. No dents, not a scratch. 10speed groupsan. I’ll be in the shop this weekend getting her “dialed in”

  47. @SimonH

    Bugger !!! Should work now … also forgot to add wheel are changed to accomodate 23mm clichers to fit fenders under standard drop brakes. H Plus Sons Archetype, laced 28 hole 3 cross with CX-Rays to Royce hubs ( I heart Royce hubs, also only 10 miles from where I work)

    Truly stunning. That is, I think, the sweetest winter bike I’ve ever seen. You should teach a master class on how to fit mudguards.

  48. @wiscot Thanks man, they do take a while to get right, it was a good 3-4 hours to get the arc right and have them sitting so that I did’nt need to use the stays to pull them into alignment.

    If anything is under tension that the alloy will eventually crack.

    I used Peter Wiegles article in Bicycle Quarterly (Vol 9 No.2) for guidance, some great info in there.

  50. @SimonH Did Feather make up the mudguards or are they stock sprayed up to match the bike?  Where did I file that feature list of wants I’m prepping for when I have the budget to speak with them…….

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