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. @piwakawaka

    @wilburrox

    Thanks! Raced this on her on the weekend,

    https://app.strava.com/activities/310400900/segments/7323511662

    1st over 40 and beaten only by the best local guys, unique race as there is a track for the MTB’s and runners so it’s a three way event, MTB won this year.

    It’s a half hour in the red zone, good times.

    Sorry she’s not Sur la plaque, it ‘aint that kinda climb!!

    Your first photo definitely got lost when @bovary1031 showed up with his Benotto, but this photo makes up for it (and the Strava profile of the ride allows for some lenience in the number of minipump lashes for the little ring/big cog placement of the chain)

  2. @DeKerr

    @piwakawaka

    @wilburrox

    Thanks! Raced this on her on the weekend,

    https://app.strava.com/activities/310400900/segments/7323511662

    1st over 40 and beaten only by the best local guys, unique race as there is a track for the MTB’s and runners so it’s a three way event, MTB won this year.

    It’s a half hour in the red zone, good times.

    Sorry she’s not Sur la plaque, it ‘aint that kinda climb!!

    Your first photo definitely got lost when @bovary1031 showed up with his Benotto, but this photo makes up for it (and the Strava profile of the ride allows for some lenience in the number of minipump lashes for the little ring/big cog placement of the chain)

    Didn’t mean to hijack the thread… the BMC is a sweet ride indeed!

  3. @bovary1031

    @DeKerr

    @piwakawaka

    @wilburrox

    Thanks! Raced this on her on the weekend,

    https://app.strava.com/activities/310400900/segments/7323511662

    1st over 40 and beaten only by the best local guys, unique race as there is a track for the MTB’s and runners so it’s a three way event, MTB won this year.

    It’s a half hour in the red zone, good times.

    Sorry she’s not Sur la plaque, it ‘aint that kinda climb!!

    Your first photo definitely got lost when @bovary1031 showed up with his Benotto, but this photo makes up for it (and the Strava profile of the ride allows for some lenience in the number of minipump lashes for the little ring/big cog placement of the chain)

    Didn’t mean to hijack the thread… the BMC is a sweet ride indeed!

    Hijack away if your going to show up with that gear everytime !

    Well played sir !

  4. @wilburrox

    @pistard

    @mouse

    @wilburrox

    @VeloJello

    OK, I need some advice chaps… Has anyone here any experience of purchasing chinese unbranded carbon wheelsets? Aliexpress is offering some VERY competitive options…

    you’re joking right ??

    Why would he be joking?

    You can get awesome wheels from China. I currently have 3 sets. Two for CX and one for the track bike.

    Treat them as consumables. They’re fine.  Also, I have nothing but good things to say about Novatec hubs.  Yes, they’re cheap but they roll extremely well.  They’re also very easy to service and get spare parts from Novatec USA.  Why would you spend $2,500 or so on a pair of Zipps when you could spend $6-700 on a pair of carbon wheels that WILL be lighter?

    Concur. I’ve been riding a set of Chinese carbon tubulars for a couple of years, built a few with generic carbon rims and hubs and trued/tensioned a couple sets for others. Maybe just luck, or limited sample size, but I’ve no complaints with the components per se. Build quality of the complete wheels can be spotty (I had NDS spokes loosen up almost immediately). Check the tension and retension/true if necessary before riding them. Also a good idea to pull the free hub and make sure the pawls are actually lubed…

    Okay folks, I hear ya… hell, they’re probably branded wheels built w/technology provided by a western company that the factory in China chose to produce an overrun on the nightshift and ship out the back door. Why buy Zipps when for much cheaper ya get lighter? I don’t know? Maybe ’cause I appreciate a company standing behind their product when I bomb down a mountainside. One that I’m pretty sure has a reasonable QC program. And I guess I don’t mind paying for someone’s engineering and technology efforts. Just the same, I’m sure ya can get some cheap good stuff as well as some cheap sh**. Just try returning the cheap sh** after the wheel blows halfway down the descent. Just me, I wouldn’t wear cheap unbranded Chinese sox and underwear either.

    No, they’re not trying to be anything other than what they are. No one is suggesting that they’re unbranded Zipp’s or Reynolds’ or whatever.

    What they are is a reasonable product that is available to those who might have less money at their disposal. They are no more unsafe than any other carbon wheel provided you understand the operational limitations of the material.  Enve’s and Zipp’s and Reynolds are just as likely to melt and delaminate if you ride your brakes down a sustained steep gradient, just as Chinese carbon wheels will.

    FWIW, there is a hit and miss quality issue at play.  I’ve bought eBay carbon wheels from Thailand that have run straight and true for more that 3 years primarily on my cyclocross bike, so they’re getting a hiding.

    I’ve also bought wheels from a manufacturer from China that failed after 3 races. They replaced both rims even though only one failed.  You need only contact them and they’ll make it right.  They certainly aren’t as good as other Carbon wheels that I’ve bought from a local distributor who sources his rims from China.  They poorer ones pulse under braking, suggesting a less that perfectly straight braking track.

    Also, before you start flaming Chinese Carbon rims, you might like to ask where @Dan gets his rims for his Café Roubaix builds…

    Your assertion that paying for R&D is noble but the reality is that the differences are negligible day to day, in spite of the fact that they are different products of the same species. Most Chinese Carbon wheels in general don’t profess to be better than or even similar to the big brands. They just are what they are.  An alternative for those who are willing to try them.

    So, if you’re offering advice, best do it based on experience, hey?

    *Prepares for epic flaming…*

  5. @wilburrox

    @Teocalli

    @wilburrox

    Yup – when you are flying through the air after your wheel explodes is a tad too late to be thinking “Oh wait…….”.  Unbranded and light just has to come with some risk inbuilt (pun not intended when I typed that).  I pay my LBS a premium for service and I pay a brand for some assurance.

    I did read an article recently that seemed to show that the “same product nightshift overrun” was a fallacy.

    I’d wager $100 they wouldn’t be fun to ride in rain.

    I also have big brand carbon wheels that were made, if we believe the manufacturers, in Italy and USA. They don’t brake any differently in the wet than the cheap Chinese ones.

  6. Does the “no-name” manufacturer from China sponsor any riders or teams? Do they provide product to developing riders? Do their reps provide product knowledge sessions to the mechanics at our LBSs? Do the wages they pay their workers afford those workers some of the same luxuries we enjoy with all the money we saved buying their product? Or are they just jumping on the bandwagon in a race to the bottom… and are you joining them?

    Yes, there is a degree of manufacturing expertise and capacity that no longer exists in the world anywhere other than mainland China, obliging companies to produce a significant portion of what we consume away from countries where they were first born. And yes, being competitive on price is important.

    But I want to know that when I’ve purchased something, especially something for what is essentially a lifestyle item, I want to know that the greatest number of people have benefited from that purchase; both directly and indirectly.

    Therefore, for me; no-name frame or wheels = No, but @DanR building me a pair of hoops with White Industry hubs and rims sourced in China to put on my “designed in Toronto but layed up in China based on techniques developed in California” Cervelo = Yes.

  7. @DeKerr

    Does the “no-name” manufacturer from China sponsor any riders or teams? Do they provide product to developing riders? Do their reps provide product knowledge sessions to the mechanics at our LBSs? Do the wages they pay their workers afford those workers some of the same luxuries we enjoy with all the money we saved buying their product? Or are they just jumping on the bandwagon in a race to the bottom… and are you joining them?

    Yes, there is a degree of manufacturing expertise and capacity that no longer exists in the world anywhere other than mainland China, obliging companies to produce a significant portion of what we consume away from countries where they were first born. And yes, being competitive on price is important.

    But I want to know that when I’ve purchased something, especially something for what is essentially a lifestyle item, I want to know that the greatest number of people have benefited from that purchase; both directly and indirectly.

    Therefore, for me; no-name frame or wheels = No, but @DanR building me a pair of hoops with White Industry hubs and rims sourced in China to put on my “designed in Toronto but layed up in China based on techniques developed in California” Cervelo = Yes.

    That’s a complex bit of nuanced personal politics you just negotiated with yourself!

  8. @Bespoke

    I may have been hanging around here too long. I’m developing a very dutch capacity for convincingly contrary arguments.

  9. @mouse

    @wilburrox

    @pistard

    @mouse

    @wilburrox

    @VeloJello

    OK, I need some advice chaps… Has anyone here any experience of purchasing chinese unbranded carbon wheelsets? Aliexpress is offering some VERY competitive options…

    you’re joking right ??

    Why would he be joking?

    You can get awesome wheels from China. I currently have 3 sets. Two for CX and one for the track bike.

    Treat them as consumables. They’re fine.  Also, I have nothing but good things to say about Novatec hubs.  Yes, they’re cheap but they roll extremely well.  They’re also very easy to service and get spare parts from Novatec USA.  Why would you spend $2,500 or so on a pair of Zipps when you could spend $6-700 on a pair of carbon wheels that WILL be lighter?

    Concur. I’ve been riding a set of Chinese carbon tubulars for a couple of years, built a few with generic carbon rims and hubs and trued/tensioned a couple sets for others. Maybe just luck, or limited sample size, but I’ve no complaints with the components per se. Build quality of the complete wheels can be spotty (I had NDS spokes loosen up almost immediately). Check the tension and retension/true if necessary before riding them. Also a good idea to pull the free hub and make sure the pawls are actually lubed…

    Okay folks, I hear ya… hell, they’re probably branded wheels built w/technology provided by a western company that the factory in China chose to produce an overrun on the nightshift and ship out the back door. Why buy Zipps when for much cheaper ya get lighter? I don’t know? Maybe ’cause I appreciate a company standing behind their product when I bomb down a mountainside. One that I’m pretty sure has a reasonable QC program. And I guess I don’t mind paying for someone’s engineering and technology efforts. Just the same, I’m sure ya can get some cheap good stuff as well as some cheap sh**. Just try returning the cheap sh** after the wheel blows halfway down the descent. Just me, I wouldn’t wear cheap unbranded Chinese sox and underwear either.

    No, they’re not trying to be anything other than what they are. No one is suggesting that they’re unbranded Zipp’s or Reynolds’ or whatever.

    What they are is a reasonable product that is available to those who might have less money at their disposal. They are no more unsafe than any other carbon wheel provided you understand the operational limitations of the material.  Enve’s and Zipp’s and Reynolds are just as likely to melt and delaminate if you ride your brakes down a sustained steep gradient, just as Chinese carbon wheels will.

    FWIW, there is a hit and miss quality issue at play.  I’ve bought eBay carbon wheels from Thailand that have run straight and true for more that 3 years primarily on my cyclocross bike, so they’re getting a hiding.

    I’ve also bought wheels from a manufacturer from China that failed after 3 races. They replaced both rims even though only one failed.  You need only contact them and they’ll make it right.  They certainly aren’t as good as other Carbon wheels that I’ve bought from a local distributor who sources his rims from China.  They poorer ones pulse under braking, suggesting a less that perfectly straight braking track.

    Also, before you start flaming Chinese Carbon rims, you might like to ask where @Dan gets his rims for his Café Roubaix builds…

    Your assertion that paying for R&D is noble but the reality is that the differences are negligible day to day, in spite of the fact that they are different products of the same species. Most Chinese Carbon wheels in general don’t profess to be better than or even similar to the big brands. They just are what they are.  An alternative for those who are willing to try them.

    So, if you’re offering advice, best do it based on experience, hey?

    *Prepares for epic flaming…*

    Well, I don’t know that I offered advice so much as I offered an opinion. And though I do try a lot of stuff, you’d be right, I haven’t tried off brand Chinese stuff. And for very personal reasons. You are right about >>> an alternative for those who are willing to try them <<<. I do not agree with the opinion that the Enve’s, Zipps and Reynolds are just as likely to melt and delaminate. But hey, maybe I’ve just bought in to the hype and marketing? I don’t think so. Also, I am not at all surprised to hear experience that there is a hit and miss quality at play. That’s really part of the fundemental issue yes? But maybe not a biggie though, putting ’em on my CX bike would be a lot different to me than putting ’em on my daughter’s road bike. Cheers

  10. @mouse

    Also, the “poorer” ones that pulse under braking? Pull ’em out of a hot car and take off down a hill and when they blow it’ll sound like a shotgun. BOOM. That’s based on very real and specific experience. When I touched the wheel it was HOT. I figured was just too hot. My buddy riding ’em noted they’d been pulsing (before, not just that day) and he thought something was funny.

  11. @wilburrox

    @mouse

    @wilburrox

    @pistard

    @mouse

    @wilburrox

    @VeloJello

    OK, I need some advice chaps… Has anyone here any experience of purchasing chinese unbranded carbon wheelsets? Aliexpress is offering some VERY competitive options…

    you’re joking right ??

    Why would he be joking?

    You can get awesome wheels from China. I currently have 3 sets. Two for CX and one for the track bike.

    Treat them as consumables. They’re fine.  Also, I have nothing but good things to say about Novatec hubs.  Yes, they’re cheap but they roll extremely well.  They’re also very easy to service and get spare parts from Novatec USA.  Why would you spend $2,500 or so on a pair of Zipps when you could spend $6-700 on a pair of carbon wheels that WILL be lighter?

    Concur. I’ve been riding a set of Chinese carbon tubulars for a couple of years, built a few with generic carbon rims and hubs and trued/tensioned a couple sets for others. Maybe just luck, or limited sample size, but I’ve no complaints with the components per se. Build quality of the complete wheels can be spotty (I had NDS spokes loosen up almost immediately). Check the tension and retension/true if necessary before riding them. Also a good idea to pull the free hub and make sure the pawls are actually lubed…

    Okay folks, I hear ya… hell, they’re probably branded wheels built w/technology provided by a western company that the factory in China chose to produce an overrun on the nightshift and ship out the back door. Why buy Zipps when for much cheaper ya get lighter? I don’t know? Maybe ’cause I appreciate a company standing behind their product when I bomb down a mountainside. One that I’m pretty sure has a reasonable QC program. And I guess I don’t mind paying for someone’s engineering and technology efforts. Just the same, I’m sure ya can get some cheap good stuff as well as some cheap sh**. Just try returning the cheap sh** after the wheel blows halfway down the descent. Just me, I wouldn’t wear cheap unbranded Chinese sox and underwear either.

    No, they’re not trying to be anything other than what they are. No one is suggesting that they’re unbranded Zipp’s or Reynolds’ or whatever.

    What they are is a reasonable product that is available to those who might have less money at their disposal. They are no more unsafe than any other carbon wheel provided you understand the operational limitations of the material.  Enve’s and Zipp’s and Reynolds are just as likely to melt and delaminate if you ride your brakes down a sustained steep gradient, just as Chinese carbon wheels will.

    FWIW, there is a hit and miss quality issue at play.  I’ve bought eBay carbon wheels from Thailand that have run straight and true for more that 3 years primarily on my cyclocross bike, so they’re getting a hiding.

    I’ve also bought wheels from a manufacturer from China that failed after 3 races. They replaced both rims even though only one failed.  You need only contact them and they’ll make it right.  They certainly aren’t as good as other Carbon wheels that I’ve bought from a local distributor who sources his rims from China.  They poorer ones pulse under braking, suggesting a less that perfectly straight braking track.

    Also, before you start flaming Chinese Carbon rims, you might like to ask where @Dan gets his rims for his Café Roubaix builds…

    Your assertion that paying for R&D is noble but the reality is that the differences are negligible day to day, in spite of the fact that they are different products of the same species. Most Chinese Carbon wheels in general don’t profess to be better than or even similar to the big brands. They just are what they are.  An alternative for those who are willing to try them.

    So, if you’re offering advice, best do it based on experience, hey?

    *Prepares for epic flaming…*

    Well, I don’t know that I offered advice so much as I offered an opinion. And though I do try a lot of stuff, you’d be right, I haven’t tried off brand Chinese stuff. And for very personal reasons. You are right about >>> an alternative for those who are willing to try them <<<. I do not agree with the opinion that the Enve’s, Zipps and Reynolds are just as likely to melt and delaminate. But hey, maybe I’ve just bought in to the hype and marketing? I don’t think so. Also, I am not at all surprised to hear experience that there is a hit and miss quality at play. That’s really part of the fundemental issue yes? But maybe not a biggie though, putting ’em on my CX bike would be a lot different to me than putting ’em on my daughter’s road bike. Cheers

    FWIW, I have it on very good authority from one of the best wheel builders in Melbourne that expensive wheels do indeed melt and delaminate. Surprisingly we have proper HC climbs both locally and within a few hours drive of Melbourne. Long descents on steep gradients whist riding the brakes will melt any carbon wheel.  Anyone that tells you otherwise is just plain being untruthful.

    Concerning your level of trust with regard to the quality, that’s a reasonable assertion.  You would want to be certain that you have the best available gear for your loved ones.  If the money is worth your peace of mind, it’s well spent.

    For myself however, I’m happy with my record thus far. 3 out of four sets of wheels are perfect, whist one is fine for CX and I still have spent roughly what I would have spent on one pair of Enve’s.

  12. @Bespoke

    @DeKerr

    Does the “no-name” manufacturer from China sponsor any riders or teams? Do they provide product to developing riders? Do their reps provide product knowledge sessions to the mechanics at our LBSs? Do the wages they pay their workers afford those workers some of the same luxuries we enjoy with all the money we saved buying their product? Or are they just jumping on the bandwagon in a race to the bottom… and are you joining them?

    Yes, there is a degree of manufacturing expertise and capacity that no longer exists in the world anywhere other than mainland China, obliging companies to produce a significant portion of what we consume away from countries where they were first born. And yes, being competitive on price is important.

    But I want to know that when I’ve purchased something, especially something for what is essentially a lifestyle item, I want to know that the greatest number of people have benefited from that purchase; both directly and indirectly.

    Therefore, for me; no-name frame or wheels = No, but @DanR building me a pair of hoops with White Industry hubs and rims sourced in China to put on my “designed in Toronto but layed up in China based on techniques developed in California” Cervelo = Yes.

    That’s a complex bit of nuanced personal politics you just negotiated with yourself!

    It’s pretty funny really.

    You need to let go of your prejudices man.

  13. @wilburrox

    @mouse

    Also, the “poorer” ones that pulse under braking? Pull ’em out of a hot car and take off down a hill and when they blow it’ll sound like a shotgun. BOOM. That’s based on very real and specific experience. When I touched the wheel it was HOT. I figured was just too hot. My buddy riding ’em noted they’d been pulsing (before, not just that day) and he thought something was funny.

    Braking pulsation is pretty common, and not limited to cheap carbon rims. Variations in rim wall thickness, poorly made clinchers that expand the brake track unevenly, and from the rim bulging around spoke holes. The latter is still an issue with many carbon rims, regardless of brand, and was generally expected with lightweight alloy rims, just less noticeable with 32-36 holes than 20-24. I don’t think you’re actually suggesting that anything less than Zipps = certain death, but it could be an interesting advertising campaign.

  16. Ordered my new bike from Canyon back on the 8th March. Got the email today saying it’s been passed to UPS. The wait is nearly over. 5-7 more days & I have my new #1. A week later than they estimated but hey ho.

    After almost six years my Giant Defy slips into semi retirement as my Rule #9/winter commute/trainer bike.

  18. @Mikael Liddy

    @Chris

    Button pressed. The wait is going to be torturous.

    I’m sorry, that post requires a significant amount of expansion…

    F3 maybe ala Dennis Denuto ?

  21. @rs_sttr

    My newest ride. A Colnago Master from mid 90s.

    Beautiful ride. I am just finishing building up the Master Olympic version of that one also with the Rabobank colors. I am going nuts waiting for the seatpost which is unfortunately subject to italian bike builder time….

  22. @1860

    @rs_sttr

    My newest ride. A Colnago Master from mid 90s.

    Beautiful ride. I am just finishing building up the Master Olympic version of that one also with the Rabobank colors. I am going nuts waiting for the seatpost which is unfortunately subject to italian bike builder time….

    ” italian bike builder time….”  as in light years ?

  23. @Barracuda

    ” italian bike builder time….”  as in light years ?

    It is an undefinable period which is x longer than what you could possibly expect or endure for something to take while you are waiting for it, otherwise known as half of eternity…..

    How long can it take to build and send a stupid seatpost for christsakes! Ok now you got me started again..

  24. @1860

    @Barracuda

    ” italian bike builder time….”  as in light years ?

    It is an undefinable period which is x longer than what you could possibly expect or endure for something to take while you are waiting for it, otherwise known as half of eternity…..

    How long can it take to build and send a stupid seatpost for christsakes! Ok now you got me started again..

    You see there is your mistake – they do not build seat posts, they create art forms in the shape of seat posts and therein lies the difference.

  25. @Mikael Liddy

    @Chris

    Button pressed. The wait is going to be torturous.

    I’m sorry, that post requires a significant amount of expansion…

    eckspanshun? The groupset is green and the wheels are tubular.

  26. Fuzzy photo of #1.

    2005 Steel Specialized Allez, re-painted black.

    Ultegra 10 speed

    Chris King BB & HS.

    Thompson seat post

    PRO Rotundo bars

    Williams C38 carbon wheels

    Horrific, yet comfortable RIDO cycle saddle.

    #1

  29. Last year’s VSP prize is almost ready for her maiden voyage.

  30. @Dean C

    @wiscot

    @Dean C

    Welcome aboard. Don’t be shy about chiming in with more pics/blather.

    wiscot, Gianni; some more pics and blather will be forthcoming, but the model, she is a shy little Irish lass, I am hoping to have her in front of the camera soon, maybe by next week some time, or if the weather and time permits I can grab a few tomorrow.

    ride safe-

    As promised, a few pics for you all, it took me a bit longer than I thought….but I had to find the right background to set the “mood”. Besides if I’m more than a few feet from my bike I like it to feel protected.

    Take care and ride safe

  31. @Dean C

    @Dean C

    @wiscot

    @Dean C

    Welcome aboard. Don’t be shy about chiming in with more pics/blather.

    wiscot, Gianni; some more pics and blather will be forthcoming, but the model, she is a shy little Irish lass, I am hoping to have her in front of the camera soon, maybe by next week some time, or if the weather and time permits I can grab a few tomorrow.

    ride safe-

    As promised, a few pics for you all, it took me a bit longer than I thought….but I had to find the right background to set the “mood”. Besides if I’m more than a few feet from my bike I like it to feel protected.

    Take care and ride safe

    Matt black and high vis Green, now there’s a colour combo I can never have too much of.  Ala ” Monster Energy ” scheme.

    Awesome.

  32. @Barracuda

    Barracuda,  thanks; when the builder said he got in the parts and the frame was in a color scheme he thought I would like, I went over and thought to myself “self, this is it, this is your friggin bike, it might ride like ass and you might cry in agony as you ride down the chipseal roads, but holly shit this thing looks awesome”.

    As it turns out, the bike rides even better than it looks and from the moment I pressed down on the pedals for the test ride, I knew this one was “it”. I was actually experiencing some of the buzzwords that the bike rags use in their descriptions in some of their write-ups on the test bikes they write about.

    Now this one did not come easy, no- this one replaced “Frankenbike”, which I have been cranking on for more than a few years, swapping out a part here and there as I collected newer and “better” parts and always somehow improving Frankenbike, until the time came when I finally had to come to the realization that if I was going to start competing I was going to need a bike worthy of the competition.   Now Frankenbike and I will not part ways anytime soon, like it too much.

    No- when it goes out of my paws it will be to a new rider who like me years ago was wondering “how do I get into this sport, how do I afford a bike?” A bike like Frankenbike can hold no price tag, it will need to be handed and gifted down to the right someone you know that one day- they will do the same. Kind of like the big-wave surf board at the end of “Big Wednesday”

    Take care

  33. @Chris

    Button pressed. The wait is going to be torturous.

    It’s just been delivered to my neighbour.

    Monster, carbone in anticipation. It’s going to be a long couple of hours till I can pick it up.

  34. @Dean C

    Now Frankenbike and I will not part ways anytime soon, like it too much.

    No- when it goes out of my paws it will be to a new rider who like me years ago was wondering “how do I get into this sport, how do I afford a bike?” A bike like Frankenbike can hold no price tag, it will need to be handed and gifted down to the right someone you know that one day- they will do the same. Kind of like the big-wave surf board at the end of “Big Wednesday”

    I feel the same about my bike. It was a simple Trek 1.2, a basic alu frame and shit components. By now every single part (save for those stupid long-reach brakes) has been replaced, and there’s far more sentimental than monetary value in that frame. When I get a proper bike, this one will do Nine Bike duties until I find a Pedalwan who will make good use of it.

    My coach did the same with his old MTB: Even though his sponsors gave him the latest and greatest, he still won’t sell his trusty old hardtail – but he’ll happily lend it to me if I need it.

  35. @Chris

    @Chris

    Button pressed. The wait is going to be torturous.

    It’s just been delivered to my neighbour.

    Monster, carbone in anticipation. It’s going to be a long couple of hours till I can pick it up.

    It’s been more than a couple of hours, I couldn’t give a shit if you’re busy sleeping, I demand an update!

  36. @wilburrox

    @pistard

    @mouse

    @wilburrox

    @VeloJello

    OK, I need some advice chaps… Has anyone here any experience of purchasing chinese unbranded carbon wheelsets? Aliexpress is offering some VERY competitive options…

    you’re joking right ??

    Why would he be joking?

    You can get awesome wheels from China. I currently have 3 sets. Two for CX and one for the track bike.

    Treat them as consumables. They’re fine.  Also, I have nothing but good things to say about Novatec hubs.  Yes, they’re cheap but they roll extremely well.  They’re also very easy to service and get spare parts from Novatec USA.  Why would you spend $2,500 or so on a pair of Zipps when you could spend $6-700 on a pair of carbon wheels that WILL be lighter?

    Concur. I’ve been riding a set of Chinese carbon tubulars for a couple of years, built a few with generic carbon rims and hubs and trued/tensioned a couple sets for others. Maybe just luck, or limited sample size, but I’ve no complaints with the components per se. Build quality of the complete wheels can be spotty (I had NDS spokes loosen up almost immediately). Check the tension and retension/true if necessary before riding them. Also a good idea to pull the free hub and make sure the pawls are actually lubed…

    Okay folks, I hear ya… hell, they’re probably branded wheels built w/technology provided by a western company that the factory in China chose to produce an overrun on the nightshift and ship out the back door. Why buy Zipps when for much cheaper ya get lighter? I don’t know? Maybe ’cause I appreciate a company standing behind their product when I bomb down a mountainside. One that I’m pretty sure has a reasonable QC program. And I guess I don’t mind paying for someone’s engineering and technology efforts. Just the same, I’m sure ya can get some cheap good stuff as well as some cheap sh**. Just try returning the cheap sh** after the wheel blows halfway down the descent. Just me, I wouldn’t wear cheap unbranded Chinese sox and underwear either.

    Thanks all. I understand the reservations some may have. Given the cost savings though, I’m taking the “worth a punt” attitude. Will make sure they are fully checked over first!

  43. @Dean C

    @Dean C

    @wiscot

    @Dean C

    Welcome aboard. Don’t be shy about chiming in with more pics/blather.

    wiscot, Gianni; some more pics and blather will be forthcoming, but the model, she is a shy little Irish lass, I am hoping to have her in front of the camera soon, maybe by next week some time, or if the weather and time permits I can grab a few tomorrow.

    ride safe-

    As promised, a few pics for you all, it took me a bit longer than I thought….but I had to find the right background to set the “mood”. Besides if I’m more than a few feet from my bike I like it to feel protected.

    Take care and ride safe

    Beautiful! And what skewers are those? They appear to match the CK Mango hubs perfectly!

  48. @Rob

    @Barracuda

    I hate to be that guy but light years are units of distance mate

    Im Australian, hence not the sharpest tool in the shed, could’ve let me have my minute in the sun couldn’t you ?

  49. @Mikael Liddy

    @Chris

    @Chris

    Button pressed. The wait is going to be torturous.

    It’s just been delivered to my neighbour.

    Monster, carbone in anticipation. It’s going to be a long couple of hours till I can pick it up.

    It’s been more than a couple of hours, I couldn’t give a shit if you’re busy sleeping, I demand an update!

    Sorry, she’s just a little shy. Not quite ready for you guys yet. I little trim here and maybe a bar and stem swap there…

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