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 ...
Here’s the same bike in a more modern colour palette.
@kixsand
Marinoni is pretty highly regarded over on the Paceline forums. You could also check out Curtlo, a framebuilder in north-central Washington. By reputation, he’s not always the best at communication, but great fillet-brazed bikes for just under $1000, or S3 steel for a pretty small upcharge.
Sorry; that’s $990 for a frame without fork or headset.
@cognition
Yes, and his “climbing gear” is a 39×23. Fuck compacts, bitches. Sur la plaque was ever thus.
@kixsand not sure of the price but you might want to look up Roland Della Santa.
@kixsand
Marinoni is the real deal.
You can read about his hour attempt here: http://cyclingmagazine.ca/sections/feature/giuseppe-marinoni-hour-record/
I see a Marinoni track bike in my short-term future. Painted gold, Ã la Fausto Coppi Legnano on which the Heron set his own record for the hour. At which point, I figure @frank‘s V-hour record should stand for about another 53 minutes…
@VeloJello
EA50 stem, EC70 post, Monkeylite bars.
@kixsand
We would be remiss if we didn’t mention Velominati’s very own Deacon Bikes:
http://www.deaconbikes.com/home/
…but if Marinoni is in your backyard, I’d say your search is over. Nothing beats being able to go to the factory to get fitted and see the work in person. It’s like an LBS to the nth degree.
@kixsand Forgive me for posting my Marinoni Fango yet again, but just wanted to show your backyard options
Building up a custom stainless steel bike soon. Will be lacing some Chris King hubs to Ambrosio Nemesis rims…should I get FMB Paris Roubaix or Veloflex Arenberg tires? Discuss…
Nemesis=FMB
@Haldy either answer is correct. The veloflex are great. The FMBs are sublime. Note that the FMBs run big the “27s” are gigantic more like 29.
@kixsand
That $200 more will be the best money you spend on that bike, you can upgrade everything else at any time in the future, except the frame, damn fine it looks too.
@Nate
I was thinking of running the 25’s
@freddy
Oh, I like this. I like this very much.
Yes sir! There is a lot a value added when you think about the experience as a whole.
@freddy
That’s a sweet bike @freddy! How was your purchase experience? Did you visit Marinoni in Quebec or deal through one of the local bike stores?
@Steampunk What’s the wait time for a Marinoni frame? Must take a while from when the order is placed, right?
@piwakawaka
After some further research I don’t think I’ll be spending the extra money. This is what it says on the site…
“The Marinoni Piuma Supreme is a bicycle built with a brand new variant of the Columbus Spirit tubing, the Spirit SA, offered to Cycles Marinoni Inc. by Italian manufacturer Columbus. The Piuma Supreme has a very modern look with is oversized tubing and is 1 1/8″ – 1 1/2″ headtube, also compatible with electronic shifting systems; That is why the Piuma Supreme is especially well adapted to big guys or cyclists looking for absolute stiffness. It is available in 3 stock sizes or in optional custom geometry.”
…but there’s no picture on the website. I finally found a picture and the tubing is much larger. The head tube in particular is fat and ugly – proportions of the bike are completely different and not in a good way. This seems to be the bike meant for big fellers.
@kixsand Super important to love the aesthetic of your ride.
@piwakawaka
10-4 to that ! And not a minute of obsession is time wasted.
Submitting my Giant Defy 3. I’m new to Road Biking and started this year. Already put about 2000 miles on this one. Upgraded the wheels recently. I love the bike and was thinking of upgrading to a 105 group set. Any suggestions or advice? Should I just save the cash and upgrade to an entry level carbon?
@PanzerPuss Can the free hub body on the new wheel set handle an 11 speed cassette? If so, a 2015 105 group would get ya 11 speeds and you’d like that move. Going from the 9 speed Sora group w/11-32 cassette to an 11 sp w/11-28 ? You’ll find yourself shifting a lot more frequently I’d guess. If free hub body is only good for 10 speed then maybe look for deals on an 6700 10 speed Ultegra group ?
My bike. Custom Hollands. Reynolds 531. More info here:
http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/readersrigs/readers-rigs-5/#.VE73GL5khSo
@chuckp OOPS! Reynolds 653.
@chuckp Brain fart. It’s Reynolds 653. I used to have a second Hollands that was Reynolds 531.
@wilburrox thanks for the info wilburrox. I checked now and the campy Zonda wheel set can handle 9/10/11 speeds. I had to put in a spacer for my 9 speed sora. I was just wondering if the cost of a new 105 gruppo is justified on this frame or would an entry level carbon bike be a better spend.
@chuckp
Cool bike, cool provenance, shame you won’t be able to put a DT shifter on the Felt! Picture’s when she is built please.
@PanzerPuss $450 and you’re riding an 11 sp 105 group on a bike you already are digging? vs $1800 for a C Defy with a 10 sp Tiagra ? 105 justified on that frame ? Why not ? Sounds like it’s a pretty good fit with 2000 miles + and you love it. Just me, I’d go 11 speed on the new group san. Cheers
@wilburrox thanks. I’m sold. I do like the frame and the new wheels.
@wilburrox AFAIK shimano 11 cassettes don’t fit on 10s freehubs.
@kixsand
I bought it locally from Scott Kelly now running Dundas Speed Shop with Chad Grochowina (above Domestique Cafe). It’s a custom single speed frame (Columbus Zona) originally made for him that just happens to fit me perfectly.
@wilburrox
@PanzerPuss
I have a Defy Advanced (carbon) with upgraded 105 and it’s a sweet ride. I’ve heard the aluminium frame is also very good so upgrading to 105 would be worth it especially if you can get it on sale. This will make your Defy a solid Bike #2/Rain bike and you can start thinking about n+1.
@PanzerPuss
I agree you’ll get more bang for your buck from the groupset upgrade than the frame.
Don’t go to carbon until you can get something more than entry level would be my way of thinking – good-level aluminium is better than crap-level carbon.
I am slightly uneasy with the choice of Campag wheels with a Shimano groupset. Italian beauty or Japanese precision, but make up your mind.
And BTW whoever owns the bike behind yours – the one hiding in shame around the plant pot. Tell them to take off the pie plate, unless they actually want to have ‘FRED’ tattooed across their forehead.
@PanzerPuss Instead of spending $$ on the entry C frame (and I’m with ChrisO on his thoughts there) get the 105 group, some Conti four seasons and a good jacket and then ride the wheels off your bike this winter ! That would be a solid investment in time well spent. Good luck and enjoy.
@freddy Thanks Freddy … I may be making that investment pretty soon. Already got my plans in progress for n+1. May be a Giant Propel as I usually ride flat stuff here in Chicago … hardly any hills.
@ChrisO lol … good spot on the pie plate .. that rider was not in my group but if I do see them in the future will whip out my tattoo gun … also I hear your qualms about Campy with Shimano … if I had the means right now would totally spend on a Campy Athena but its double the cost of a 105 :(
So I have to make this compromise for now as the Zonda wheels are IMHO the best bang for your buck and the Cinelli hubs sounds super sweet when coasting. Also thanks for your feedback on the entry level carbon … pretty new to road biking and the different carbon grade levels are a little confusing.
@wilburrox Thanks … was going to check how the 4000S’ hold up till December in the midwest … I may have to switch to the all seasons to ride in Jan and Feb.
Interesting quandry today: I had a Firstie (Senior) very athletic Cadet ask me about bikes today during an appointment. Said that he wanted to get into cycling. I told him that I commuted to work every day and that I rode a bit and had done a fair amount of racing in the past. He asked to see my bike and I showed him my LeMan steel commuter and my Merckx Scandium Roadbike that were both in my office. He then said, “What should I buy?” I asked him how much he wanted to spend and he said, “Not sure. How much should I? I want a solid commuter and something that I can train on.” I told him that one can spend from a few hundred bucks for a new, kind of crappy bike to $12,000 but for a solid starter bike, I would spend around $2,000. He then asked if it should be steel or what and what namebrand. We talked steel a while, I broke out my tubular tire that I have curing in the office and explained tubs vs clinchers and gave him the names of Colnago/Bianchi/Merckx/Cervelo. But, I was just amazed that I had a hard time with figuring out the best recommendation for him. What would you all say to him?
@freddy
This. I have 105 on my #2 and it’s great. Agree with Freddy, upgrade now and keep your eyes peeled for a new #1. End of season is here. Watch for sales of “last season” models.
@Buck Rogers
Colnago. Steel. Clinchers. Campy. If I had £2000 to blow, that is what I’d get.
As it happens my first road bike in 20 years was a small UK company Moda Echo high modulus carbon frame, 105 group san, with custom H Plus Son SL42 wheels made by a uk wheelbuilder by the name of Dave Hunt. And all in for less than £1400…
@Buck Rogers this reminds me of myself when I started into road cycling. I had no clue how much I should spend or what the differences were. As I did, and as @PanzerPuss has just posted, starting on a decent aluminum frame with a carbon fork that comes in under the $1500CAD new is a solid starting point for anyone. Clincher tires (tyres – you’re british, correct?) just to keep it simple. Then your new Pedalwan will have a solid platform to learn on, without worrying they’re going to trash the Colnago/Bianchi/Merckx/Cervelo.
And give him a copy of the Rules FFS.
@wiscot
Good tip on timing the upgrade. My first road bike was a Giant Defy that I liked a lot. My end of the year find was a great deal on a Pinerello Rokh that I like even more. I”m turning in the keys to the office on Friday and will be turning the Giant into a ride for errands.
@DeKerr
As a someone new to the sport in this sense (commuted on old, abused steel for years), this is the advice I would have wanted to hear, and indeed what I ended up doing, basically. Got a new 2013 Felt Z85 for $1000US and within two weeks had gone from a pointless 65 km/week to ~200 km/week. The shop owner kept trying to put me on carbon, which I would have loved, but the budget wouldn’t allow it, and frankly, the amount I had been riding didn’t justify it. Maybe in a few years I’ll make that step, but I don’t feel rushed because I really love my bike, comparatively lowly though it may be.
@Buck Rogers
I can say this: the CAAD10 or Allez w/105 group san running around US$1600 with deals to be had soon enough on remaining ’14 models I’d guess are as good as anything else available around this cost. These are AL alloy bike frames designed and built with modern production tech using hydroforming. I race a CAAD10 and have a blast and when I built up my daughter’s first full size bike we used an Allez frame set. She loves it (and no, I didn’t put Di2 on it… she needed to learn to operate a legit mech first) And its a beauty. I’ve run the CAAD over some of the worst of chip seal roads and in dirt and ride is fine. Buy the bike, save some cash over time and then get a real deal wheel set. My humble opinion.
@wilburrox
This. I still think the CAAD remains the best and most versatile entry-level bike. Start out with Tiagra to save a few shillings. Serviceable muckabout and commuter, but also fleet if you’re trying to lay down some V.
It should also be mentioned to all Pedalwans and newbies out there that today’s aluminum frames are not those of yesteryear. I recently got rid of my 89 or 90 Trek 1200 alu frame. Man, it was plain gauge crap and as lively as a corpse. My current #4 is a gash alum frame built up with interweb house brand stuff. Comparatively speaking, it’s light years ahead in weight and the molding of the tubes.
I’m not sure I’d use Tiagra except on a dedicated commuter, but 105 has really trickled down tech from Ultegra and Dura Ace. My #3 is a 2007 Giant TCR3 that had 105 brifters and rear mech. The rest was Tiagra with Alex wheels and house brand bars and stem. Worked fine but everything on the bike (except the brifters) has been upgraded to Sram Rival or better. Again, good stuff, works well. In short, look at the frames as the heart of the bike. Upgrade accordingly but don’t overdo it. You wouldn’t put Dura Ace or Red on a crap, low end carbon frame nor should you put Tiagra on a top end carbon frame. Balance the two and you’ll be fine.
I was out for a ride on a local multi-use path this weekend. On the way back, about 10 km from my house there is a downhill s-turn, the right lane of which was covered with tightly packed dead leaves. Long story short: I came around the left hand bend with a little too much speed and at too sharp an angle and my wheels just slipped out from under me. Bruised hip, road rash on the shoulder, cut on left elbow, and whacked the left side of my head on the ground hard enough to crack my helmet in two spots (based on how I’ve felt the last few days, I’m pretty certain I suffered a concussion).
I consider it a sign of my steadfast adherence to Rule #4 that the first thought I had when I was able to think again was “holy shit I hope I didn’t break my bike.” Fortunately, aside from some holes in my kit, the only damage was a minor scuff on the left brake lever and some ripped bar tape–but I’ll be damned if that minor, barely visible scuff doesn’t still annoy the hell out of me.
Have been lurking on this site for at least 2 years. Thought it was time to get a account.
Let the roast begin!