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 ...
Got a bike fit question. I may be in the market for a fresh new bike(new to me bike). I am 5’10 with a 32 inch inseam. What is the smallest size frame I could go with? I would rather have a longer stem and seat post, I just like that look better.
I may have $2800 bucks to play with and may consider getting an older Look frame and doing an Ultegra build with some Mavic wheels. or maybe I might go with a C’dale. Right now its just initial thoughts.
@redranger
Extreme pro with a 52. 53 may be Goldilocks. 54 is probably the comfy cyclo-sportif end of the distribution. Medium is the answer when numbers are not provided by the manufacturer.
@pmoll
There are some fantastic shops in the Bay Area – though I would hope that someone who lives there would offer some better advice than I am able to.
Bike Nüt on Filbert near Cow Hollow in San Francisco is fantastic, with a great fitting program. Seriously high end stuff, but the staff is pretty pretentious and, while I’m sure much of the staff is well-informed, the two guys I talked to there were full of shit. Be that as it may, the stuff available through the shop was impressive.
Citizen Chain over on Powell is an amazing shop slanted more towards the vintage. I wandered by the shop by accident the fist time and spent 45 minutes peering through the windows as all the gear while I waited for them to open. Amazing stuff, and really nice staff.
@pmoll
Studio Velo in Mill Valley are fantastic. They know their stuff with no attitude at all. Super service and fits. They are very much high end, and Mill Valley s a pretty long way from Silicon Valley, where you will be. There are loads of serious cyclists in Silicon Valley and there are quality shops down there but I don’t know them offhand. If there are particular brands you are interested in you might try looking for their Bay Area dealers on the company websites.
A little off topic, but it fits in with Rules #4, #12, #25, & 26. I’m talking beauty in motion, here. There are a ton of reasons, engineering or perceived engineering that many may debunk this bike, but I just came across it and love the style. If I were to ever have a track bike or a Single Speed, this would be it: Vuelo Velo.
While breaking a few rules, the girl in their video is obviously becoming one wither her bike and loves to ride. Great capture of the essence of cycling.
Seth
@Jeff in PetroMetro
Yup. That’s along the lines of what I’m thinking.
From the London Riots, courtesy of the Guardian
Take events in Chalk Farm, north London. First the streets contained people of all backgrounds sprinting off with bicycles looted from Evans Cycles. Three Asian men in their 40s, guarding a newsagent, discussed whether they should also take advantage of the apparent suspension of law.
“If we go for it now, we can get a bike,” said one. “Don’t do it,” said another. Others were not so reticent; a white woman and a man emerged carrying a bike each. A young black teenager, aged about 14, came out smiling, carrying another bike, only for it be snatched from him by an older man.
Who steals a bike off a child who just stole a bike? Won’t anybody think of the Children?
@frank
Super, much appreciated! I’m looking for a new bike but I don’t mind drooling over some Vintage stuff.
Cheers,
Patrick@Nate
Thanks, precisely the type of advice I’m looking for, should be no problem to go there on a weekend.
Cheers,
Patrick
@pmoll
No worries. Take a bike with you. Check about Above Category too, and make sure you are well hydrated because you will be drooling all over the place.
@pmoll
Not quite the same, but this might be worth a visit…
@nate / @steampunk
Googled both and they are now entered in my ToVisit.kml
Note on hydration also considerd :)
Cheers guys,
Patrick
Ok gang of gears. A question….
Looking to build a rear wheel to go with my Mavic Classic Elite front. Don’t really like direct pull spokes for the rear and the Mavic cassette bodies don’t have as many pawls as I like. So I picked up a 32 hole Dura Ace 8 speed hub (cheap,steel freehub,classy) and I am trying to decide what rim to lace it up to.
Nothing Mavic really tickles me at the moment. I am debating between a HED Belgium or a Ambrosio Excellight SSC. Or maybe a DT Swiss.
Anyone got any strong opinions on either? Or another option I have overlooked. The only real requirements are 32 holes, eyeleted and preferebly black. I am a big hoss so something wider than 19 or 20 mm would be better.
Let me hear ’em.
@TomB
I run HED Bastognes which have the Belgium rims. They seem plenty sturdy (and would be all the more so with 32h) and the ride quality is superb. Depending how big you are you might see if they have a rim for beefier riders. I know their standard in-house wheels on the Belgium rims top out at about 80 kgs but they have a clydsedale option for bigger guys. The difference might just be the spokes, but the rim might also be tougher.
DT Swiss are pretty narrow rims. Never ridden Ambrosios but I hope that changes one day.
TomB: DT Swiss absolutely. Built training set on Ultegra hubs two years ago. Absolutely bullet-proof. Still true after 2 yrs on Western NY’s moon-scaped, cratered roads. Great value. These replaced my Mavic Cosmic set, which were ok but started moaning and groaning. Mavic was less than helpful in helping me to get new rims. Just a thought. TheBuoy
Hey everyone,
Long time lurker here, for cycling articles and conversation this site is unbeatable. I love the way that Frank and all of the other contributors can articulate everything that we feel on the bike. For example, the phantom menace is something that I have loved watching the pro’s do and copied myself, of course your article on this recently was brilliant and summed up the feeling that this style of riding provides.
I have been cycling myself for just under a year now after buying an entry level…. Trek… Yeah, how little I knew then. Naturally I have broken many of the rules, however, self corrected through the help of the Velominati.
My love for this great sport has gone further than I ever thought it would and a bike upgrade seems a must. I thought I would come to the Velominati community for an opinion on the Jamis brand. So what do you think of firstly, the brand? and secondly this bike The comp? Would it be worth upgrading to the race model for an extra $600 Australian dollars?
Any help would be much appreciated, Thanks.
Pommy-git
@pommy-git
Hi, Welcome!
Jamis is ok as a brand. The point is that they make affordable bikes by speccing them up well for the cost. Looks like a decent enough frame, I like semi compacts if only ’cause i’m a midget.
One thing that I had read about them was that they tend to have a geometry suitable for criteriums as that’s what the Jamis Team spend most of thier time doing on the domestic US circuit. This translates to a slightly higher BB, and a slightly steeper head angle (read twitchy ?) for high speed cornering.
Looks good I say.
I’m heading into my first season of cross racing this autumn here in the U.S. Picked a bike far nicer than my skills, will be riding 5/C. Have some Ksyrium wheels, Hutchinson tires, all is tubeless ready, just need the Stan’s kit.
I’m wondering if ya’ll think it would be worth it for me to go tubeless. My cx skills aren’t so hot (yet) and a few friends think I should go for it, but these guys have been racing for years and are far superior to me. Currently just using tubes. Wonder if I should give tubeless a shot or not bother. The tubeless kit does cost a few bucks, nothing outrageous, but surely more expensive than a tube.
Tubeless or not worth it for a beginner?
Spotted this machine locked up by a convenience store on my ride yesterday. Aside from the obvious Rules Violations (though it’s clearly a commuter’s bike), this is a machine that belongs to a Velominatus, whether the owner realizes that it flows through their veins or not.
@frank
I like the brown bar tape and saddle combo a lot. I thought about doing that to my red Schwinn if I ever start to ride it more, as I though the brown would go nice with the red.
@grumbledook
Hey G – I am based in Stuttgart but have reason to work out of Territoirre de Belfort on occasion – if that shop is your local we are not too far. It looks like a really nice place – I already want some of their cake …
There is one awesome shop here in Stuttgart (amongst many chains) – it’s website doesn’t do it justice (I’ll try and get some pictures up) but Herr Wolbold has been racing forever and owned this shop for 37 years.
http://www.radologe.de/team.php
I do fancy that wunderbar tho … mmmm
A question for riders of Specialized carbon bikes: how long did your frame last? I warrantied mine last year when the bottom bracket shell (?) broke free of the frame. That frame had about 15000kms on it. Jump to this year and cracks have formed along the interface of the carbon part of the frame with the shell (I may have all my terminology wrong here), after, again about 15000km.
Anybody else experienced this problem? The guys at the shop weren’t surprised to see it happen.
At this point, I’m abandoning Specialized road bikes. The new frame search is beginning. The SuperSix EVO gives me Carbone.
I am about to become Rule #12 compliant in the next few days. I cant wait!
@RedRanger
Whatcha gettin’?
@Jeff in PetroMetro
A C’Dale Super Six. I have been working OT this summer to get this and pay for school. School has started so now its time for a new bike :)
@Collin
Look no further than LOOK. Just ask Marcus, Cyclops, Ron, (Who else am I missing?), and me. Pure awesomeness.
@RedRanger
Cooool. Which one? I’m looking at their webpage maintenant.
@Jeff in PetroMetro
Just the 105 version. I’m getting the 2011 version for well under msrp.
Very nice! Which color scheme?
@Jeff in PetroMetro
Black. I spent a while at the shop after school today. I forgot to bring shoes and pedals. So we have yet decided on size. I think 54 the owner thinks 56. But no real way of knowing till they see me on the bike.
I kinda surprised him when I told him I didn’t go on test rides.
Good stuff, RR! Great bikes, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
Yes, congratulations RR. photos please, when available.
@RedRanger
Excellent color choice. Black goes with every kit.
Even though I haven’t seen you on the bike, you said you were about 177-178cm with about an 82cm inseam. I’d think 54. You can always adjust a smaller frame with seatpost, setback, stem length, crankarm length, et al. And smaller is PRO.
If you go too big, it’s not like you can start hacking away at the frame.
Thanks guys. I am pumped to start riding this bike. pictures coming for sure.
@Jeff in PetroMetro
I hear you. I think I need to express to the guy that I want a lower position. His main concern is there will be to much drop on the 54.
@RedRanger
Be sure to give both a good ride. I went with a 56 (Cannondale) and I sometime wonder if I wouldn’t be more comfortable on the 54 (I’m 177ish cm). But this sounds like the best way to start a new school year.
@Steampunk
This semester has been awesome. Unlike most schools I didn’t spend to much on text books but I had to spend several hundred dollars on craftsman tools. I cant resist a excuse to buy tools.
@RedRanger
Nice dude!
That’s a sweet ride right there. Not the old aluminum tuning fork that they used to build. Congrats!
@Steampunk
Nice one! In grade school I was given the definition of an inanimate object as being something that didn’t have life. I said corpse. It pretty much met with the same reaction.
Alright, finally loading my bike: 2007 Eddy Merkcx Premium SL with 2009 Dura-Ace STI groupo, Mavic Premium SL wheelset, Selle San Marco saddle and Cinelli stem and . My dream bike for a “modern” bike. Still would love to get an old steel Merckx from the ’80’s with index shifting and Campy groupo. Maybe someday when I am king of the world and have all the money I want!
@Buck Rogers
Sweeeeeet. Looking forward to seeing it in person.
@Jeff in PetroMetro
Are there any centuries coming up this Fall anywhere near us? I would love to ride one but it will probably be in OCT or NOV before we are settled enough to allow me to escape! I’ll look into it!
@RedRanger
His concerns are valid for most weekend warriors. But you are a Velominatus. If you go with the 56, you won’t have room for adjustments. Of course, you can always use spacers on the 54 to compensate for a big drop. But then you may fall out of compliance with Rule #44, Rule #45, and Rule #46. And if that happens, you have to catch shit from all of us. ;) Go with the 54. Merckx would be proud.
@RedRanger, @Jeff in PetroMetro
Agreed totally; go as small as you can reasonably go. American fitting processes tend towards bigger frames; fight the urge.
That said, as @Steamie says, ride them both because you don’t want to be TOO small, either. But smaller gives you way more options than does bigger.
@Buck Rogers
Buck, I somehow missed that you rode a Prophet. Fantastic. Is the frame scandium? Considering scandium for my cross bike, which hopefully will come my way this Fall…
@Buck Rogers
There’s a bunch of stuff around that time. Fundraisers mostly. There’s an MS 150 from San Antonio to New Braunsfels and back. Gotta raise some money for it. And it’s Saturday and Sunday. And it sounds like it’s at the very front end of your window of opportunity. Hmmmmm. Nevermind. I’ll find something else a little more convenient.
@frank
Yes, scandium frame. Absolutely love it. Never got on the carbon bus. I love the stiffness and “rough” ride. Let’s you REALLY feel the road! :)
@Jeff in PetroMetro
Need to find out what weekend I can sneak away for a day without getting killed by the VMH and then we’ll plan something. Are there any weekends that are better for you than others?
@Buck Rogers
@Jeff in PetroMetro
I see one in Waco on the 17th of SEP and one in Austin on the 15th of Oct. Both of those are a LONG drive for you and might be too soon to try to get away for me. Anything in Houston or Galvaston area? Might be able to sell the wife with a Galvaston trip!
@Buck Rogers
Driving distance isn’t an issue for me. It’s just part of the fun of living in Texas. September 17–can’t go, kid has a horse show. October 15–can’t go, kid has another horse show.
As for Galveston, you may wanna reconn before dragging the Missus down there. If you’re used to attractive vacation beach communities, Galveston’s a bit of a stretch.
I have maps of different rides in the Hill Country. I may be able to put something together if we can’t find a metric century or a mile century that lands on the right weekend. Email Frank and he can give you my email address.
@Jeff in PetroMetro
Will do, Brother. Looking at that MS ride here in SA that you mentioned in mid-OCT. That might be a keeper. Love the idea of working out a ride in the Hill Country sometime this Fall together. I’ll ask Frank for the email. Thanks, man.
Apple of my eye is the Spesh Roubaix Pro 2012 with Ui2 (Ultegra Di2) – I am perplexed that in the UK and Ireland we can only get a different coloured Roubaix Pro with SRAM red gearset, unless you go to S-Works, which I’d feel like a tosser riding due to being so far from peaking and TFTC properlike
Any of you in NL, USA or AUS able to get this as per website promises? – if you can I am going to ask some questions of my local Spesh dealer…. me wants!!!