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”

  5. @RedRanger Its the anodisation originally on the rim. The HPlus Son SL42’s are Alu, not Carbone, and come completley black to start off with. Once you start braking in the wet the black rubs off the alu bracking track and therefore it turns silver. Sadly it doesn’t scrub off too cleanly, and I don’t fancy taking a brillo to it either. It should in time eventually all bed in.  Below is what the rear looked like before the wet weather hit!

  7. Well, here she is – ready for her virgin ride on DanR’s CR50 tubs. I hope that Miyata tape holds Dan!

    Critique welcome fellas.

  8. @asyax Not sure about wire cages…

    @VeloJello     ….and lace up shoes (though ignore the footbed!)

  10. @geoffrey Those wheels look nice. I have SL23s on my #1, with R45 hubs, and I think they’re the best rims I’ve tried so far*. They build up really well and make for a stiff wheel. I’m saying that and I weigh closer to 100kg, so I think you’ll like them.

    * lots of alloy stuff, including GP4s, MA40s, Open Pros, Archetypes, A23s, but no carbone.

  11. @asyax I like it, including the Rule #45 non-compliance, as I’m a fellow ‘offender’ in that respect.

    Melted saddle matches the melted frame nicely.

  16. I hesitate to declare an early victory against such a foe, but I think I found a Pressfit 30 solution I can be happy with.

    Wheels MFG outboard bearings that fit Shimano cranks without spacers. Hopefully they will always be as silent as they are now.

    And I get to use my Lezyne bottom bracket wrench again!

  17. Its not a road bike and this won’t be to everyone’s taste but I just got back from the LBS where I spent a long time lingering over one of these, a Transition Klunker:


    I would actually use it for riding to the shop for beer and out with the kids on the farm tracks behind our house. Its £400, I might see what I’ve got that I can sell on ebay….

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  22. Just returned from a trip up to my place in Michigan.  While sorting through the garage in search of a bow saw, I came across a machine that made me pause: my first racing frame, purchased in 1988. A Columbus SL tubed Atala.  Ah, the memories.

    Back then, steel was all we had. Since there was no internet, we literally learned the craft from guys who ventured to Belge or Italy to try their hand at making it as a bottom tier euro pro. Sitting around the bike shop, I marveled at the stories, made note of the riding advice, and was hooked.

    This frame was my racing #1 ( and only)  from 1988 to 1995. The Atala paint was so bad that it peeled like an onion skin at the first sign of rain. The rust prevention was a full time job.  I think I remember carrying sandpaper in my jersey pocket. But the ride, on Campy 32/36 mega hardox or Nisi Countach tubs was tremendous. And in the event of a crash?  Simply get up, straighten the bars, and carry on.

    The brown substance on the frame is a rust preventer. When the frame was retired, I remember spraying it in the hopes that one day I would refinish it.

    Today’s carbon wonderbikes are fantastic, but disposable. When the next great thing comes along, the “old” carbon frame  goes up on ebay and is replaced. This old frame, while worth nothing to others, is worth alot to me and will never be sold.

  23. After years of  carbon I’m back racing and  training on steel.  If you are considering steel go  for it, you won’t be disapointed.

  25. @unversio

    @fignons barber It is gorgeous!

    Seconded.  That is a priceless treasure.  To this day, I regret selling my first real road bike over 20 years ago.  Thanks for sharing.  Any plans for restoring it to its former glory?

  31. Gorgeous! The potential to be beyond awesome is immense. Then you need to get your hands on an Atala jersey – the blue and silver striped one . . . might be easier growing an Urs Freuler ‘tache though . . . We expect constant updates and pictures!

  33. @fignons barber

    Just returned from a trip up to my place in Michigan. While sorting through the garage in search of a bow saw, I came across a machine that made me pause: my first racing frame, purchased in 1988. A Columbus SL tubed Atala. Ah, the memories.

    Back then, steel was all we had. Since there was no internet, we literally learned the craft from guys who ventured to Belge or Italy to try their hand at making it as a bottom tier euro pro. Sitting around the bike shop, I marveled at the stories, made note of the riding advice, and was hooked.

    This frame was my racing #1 ( and only) from 1988 to 1995. The Atala paint was so bad that it peeled like an onion skin at the first sign of rain. The rust prevention was a full time job. I think I remember carrying sandpaper in my jersey pocket. But the ride, on Campy 32/36 mega hardox or Nisi Countach tubs was tremendous. And in the event of a crash? Simply get up, straighten the bars, and carry on.

    The brown substance on the frame is a rust preventer. When the frame was retired, I remember spraying it in the hopes that one day I would refinish it.

    Today’s carbon wonderbikes are fantastic, but disposable. When the next great thing comes along, the “old” carbon frame goes up on ebay and is replaced. This old frame, while worth nothing to others, is worth alot to me and will never be sold.

    One more thing. That Atala script/font. Sublime.

  34. Here is a “mate” that won’t be looking for any Rules [ video ]. This is preee-ttt-y fucking awesome!

  35. New stem (120mm vs 100mm), new bar tape (Fizik Performance), new picture…

    Old lameness:

    New hotness:

    And I’m finally Rule #34 compliant… my secret SPD-shame is over!

  36. @andrew

    New stem (120mm vs 100mm), new bar tape (Fizik Performance), new picture…

    Old lameness:

    New hotness:

    And I’m finally Rule #34 compliant… my secret SPD-shame is over!

    Very nice indeed! BTW, how tall are you? 7′? That is what, a 24″/25″ frame?

  38. @wiscot Thanks, and not quite — I had to get my calculator out, but I’m 188cm and the frame is 60cm, so 6’2″ and 23 5/8″.

    @unversio Cheers!

  40. Does anyone have experience with pulling a Crank Brothers Eggbeater pedal off the spindle? Did this last night while out cx riding. Actually bumped into a mechanic from one of the shops at the beer store (still had to stop!) and he said it’s fixable, have to take the end cap off and can put it back on.

    Also looks like they sell a rebuild kit. But, a ton of these pedals on ebay. Wondering if a rebuild is worth it. They’re probably 5 years old, but are the higher-end ones with a Ti spindle.

  41. @andrew

    Totally awesome. I love the Rolls saddle and low quil bars, very classic! I had that 105 group; I loved how it felt and the resounding click on each shift was oddly satisfying!

  42. @Ron

    Does anyone have experience with pulling a Crank Brothers Eggbeater pedal off the spindle? Did this last night while out cx riding. Actually bumped into a mechanic from one of the shops at the beer store (still had to stop!) and he said it’s fixable, have to take the end cap off and can put it back on.

    Also looks like they sell a rebuild kit. But, a ton of these pedals on ebay. Wondering if a rebuild is worth it. They’re probably 5 years old, but are the higher-end ones with a Ti spindle.

    That happens when the bearings are shot, so either rebuild or buy new. I rebuilt a pair of candies for $20 and they are perfect. Its a super easy on-the-bike repair.

  43. @Ron

    Does anyone have experience with pulling a Crank Brothers Eggbeater pedal off the spindle? Did this last night while out cx riding. Actually bumped into a mechanic from one of the shops at the beer store (still had to stop!) and he said it’s fixable, have to take the end cap off and can put it back on.

    Also looks like they sell a rebuild kit. But, a ton of these pedals on ebay. Wondering if a rebuild is worth it. They’re probably 5 years old, but are the higher-end ones with a Ti spindle.

    As Frank says the pedal comes off the spindle when the bearings fail, had that happen on mine.  Rebuild is dead simple and if you have the Ti spindle I’d go for a rebuild as the Ti spindle ones are not cheap!!  Defo worth buying the bearing/rebuild kit I’ve done mine 2 or 3 times since I had them on the MTB.

  44. @Triathlete Thanks!  It’s Columbus Aelle, so nothing special, really, and I’ve always half an eye out for n+1, but it’s done me well for my first year on a road bike, and, at the risk of boring those who’ve seen me say it in other threads, I’m looking forward to taking it out to a couple of Class C/Amateur races this season.

    @frank I set the 105 drive-train up carefully when I got it, and haven’t had to move anything since, despite freezing sleet through to humid sun and thunderstorms, as well as a bit of a slide into a guard-rail.  It seems bomb-proof.  And glad you still like it!  I remember being chuffed when you mentioned it in a radio interview after I first introduced myself here.

  45. Frank & Teo – thanks, mates! I’ll pick up the rebuild kit and have a go.

    Was a fun 1-legged ride home last night! And, I completely forgot I had some Candies sitting in me box. Until I rebuild, I shall be okay.

    Thanks for the advice! I appreciate it.

  47. @Triathlete

     

    After years of carbon I’m back racing and training on steel. If you are considering steel go for it, you won’t be disapointed.

    Loving that! Very nice indeed.

    Steel Is Real!

  48. Advice and opinions folks please.  I have a friend interested in getting a half decent road bike.  My challenge in advising him is that I’m a Shetland Pony and he is a Shire Horse.   So at some 6′ 6” and 17 st (238 lbs) it’s hard for me to advise as some of the stuff I ride is not rated to that weight.  It’s not that he is hugely overweight either – just a big fella.  Budget in the £3K / $4.8K range.  He appreciates that his hybrid is giving him back problems in being too upright on longer rides.

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