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 ...
@Sparty
So, you just built this up from some bits and bobs you had kicking around? Nice! And this is N+6? Wow!
@Sparty
Beautiful! Wireless is how I’m building my next bike. I have zero interest in fishing wires through a frame. Right now, Shimano says they’re not interested in going wireless. But we’ll see. If SRAM is successful with eTap, it’s hard to see Shimano staying on the sidelines.
@PantaniForever
Well, the Black Inc. 58 with SRAM Red that I had found over the weekend is gone – error on the website – damn fools.
I have found a 2015 CAAD 10 (3) Ultegra though in the black version for $1900 at a bike shop north of Toronto. I might have them build it up and go take a look at it.
Kixsand- DO IT!
@universo
Holy SHIT this is amazing!!! You own this??? Fuck, just beautiful!!! I’ve never seen that colour green on a Merckx before.
@Buck Rogers
I’ve only rescued this same frame and color from un-use in Australia. Building all-road machine #2 and #9 in one shot. This posted image is pulled from quick research and one good way to visualize the machine as a whole. Sprinter green is getting into my bloodstream.
@Buck Rogers
At first, I thought you were being facetious. Then realized it must be a genuine Buck Rogers *fuck* !! response.
@universo
Oh no, I am completely FUCKING serious! LOVE that bike and that colour!!! Great stuff!!!
@Buck Rogers
Imagine Campagnolo ultra-low friction RED cables and RED hoods to use for this build – with YELLOW Shimano PRO bartape. All else BLACK!
@universo
Does not compute. You can’t put on Gruppo with Group-san tape. Sorry just not on.
@chuckp
Is that your home shop? Damn, looks mighty pro. Strong work!
@Teocalli
Please, o please let me know when Campagnolo start manufacturing bartape. I may use Newbwaum’s cotton.
Neubaums. Neobaums. Newbaums.
@chuckp
Han Solo can eventually figure out how to jam that transmission.
@chuckp
From what I’ve read somewhere on the inter webs (must be true yes?) the smaller batteries used in the SRAM wireless means 1) recharge sooner vs Di2 and 2) shift speeds of RD are set up at slower rate vs what can be realized with Di2 to help preserve life of batteries. I could envision having a third battery charged and always ready. Also, need to keep the pesky little cell batteries on hand for the shift levers too. Four individual batteries used the Red eTap.
I’ve played around with different algorithms on my Di2’s. Setting RD shift speeds and also, the continuous vs single shift function. Interesting, though my RD shifter right now is set up to continuously shift thru the block when holding in the button, I still find myself shifting with individuals pops of the button. Holding it down and getting multiple shifts doesn’t calibrate well with me. I’ll reprogram back to single shift. And also, I get feeling that the shift speed has slowed down over time. So will also reprogram that.
I agree. I love the idea of wireless.
@wiscot
Is that your home shop? Damn, looks mighty pro. Strong work!
Yes, this is my home shop. Bicycles and motorcycles, I am a two wheeled fanatic. The shop also doubles as my indoor winter training room.
@wilburrox
I have some friends in the industry who have hinted to me that the eTap system can be updated for faster shifting if desired. I tested the Red 22 shifting before removing it to see if I could notice a speed difference. I can not. The largest difference is that eTap is spot on precise up and down the block and quiet. The coin cell batteries in the shifters will last 24 months with daily use and there is a LED indicator to let you know when they should be replaced. The batteries on the mechs charged is under an hour. They too have LED warning lights as reminders.
@Sparty
I view the SRAM derailleur batteries like re-charging your phone battery. I mean, how hard is it to unplug them, re-charge overnight, and then plug back in? Do it maybe once a week, depending on what your weekly mileage is like. Not a PITA, but more like a minor inconvenience. If you’re paranoid about the shifter batteries, just keep a couple with your spare inner tube. No big deal.
@chuckp
Agreed. Plus, anyone associated with Velominati is ultra-meticulous with their equipment and kits, therefore complaining about charging a battery should be a non-issue.
@Sparty
Not to mention the fact that as none of us (as far as I know) are actual pro’s, we tend not to have the luxury of only riding during daylight hours. How many of us complain about having to charge lights?
I really need to try the Red wireless —- I have a Red 20 mechanical now and I really like it but the posts describing no cable shifts are just too much to pass by —-
This is going to be appreciated by those with a close eye for the details. Double wrap tape. Garmin everything. Will update when I fit the fenders
Stupid fucking iPhone. I spend about 150 kms a week on this pos, which is pertinent given the current discussion on ageing, riding and managing injuries. This bike has the shittiest seat post to clamp that horrid bag to, and if I commute I can’t ride with a backpack.
Feast yer eyes
@minion
I like it. I might put up a picture of my commuter machine to see what general horror it causes.
That saddle bag is something else though – ever thought about panniers?
@RobSandy
Saddle bag? I thought it was the top off an outboard motor complete with pull starter.
@minion
This bike is awesome.
@Oli
Any bike that won’t get stolen is an awesome bike!
@minion
I’ve never seen an Apollo bike. Is that an Aussie company?
Also need a close up shot of that seat post and saddle bag. Is that duct tape holding it on???
@Oli
It’s my ongoing ode to bad taste. I make sure to only wear mismatched kit and hipster sunglasses when I’m on it.
@Buck Rogers
It is an Aussie brand, a bit like Fuji- unexciting but solid and good value. This thing is actually really nice to ride, for reasons I just can’t fathom.
The bag is a topeak dynapack, with a clamp on bracket. No mounts for a pannier or fenders on this bad boy though I could use a Ruby’s qr. mounted rack.
And speaking of Fuji, the crit bike.
@PantaniForever
Did it.
Picked it up today. The guys at the bike shop were super nice and easy to deal with. They also gave me 10% on the $1900 as a store credit so I used it to buy a set of DA9000 pedals that will go on the #1. The Ultegra pedals that I was using go down the the CAAD 10. With the credit it really makes the purchase price $1700ish – pretty good for a full Ultegra bike if I do say so myself!
The CAAD came with a 52/36 11/28 but I also picked up an 11/25 to put on the trainer and to have as an option as we don’t have a lot of climbing around Toronto. When I got home I put it on the trainer and did two laps of the UCI Ricmond Course on Zwift and I don’t know if I was just jazzed to be riding something different or if the position is just a bit better for me on the CAAD cause I killed it! Posted my two fastest laps ever out of more than 30 and took 30 seconds off my previous best lap.
The only issue is the handlebars which are 44. I am more comfortable with 42’s. I may upgrade the cockpit later – fine for now though.
I will likely move a pair of DA C24’s over to the CAAD from my CX bike and put the Mavic Aksiums that came on the CAAD on the cross bike.
Now, how long before the wife notices and is this S-1?
@Teocalli
Hibachi. You know how Aussie’s are with shrimpand all that. This is what they’re talking about. I think they call it a “Barbi”.
@kixsand
Awesome! Glad you like that bike. I thought you may dig the frame they did with the Ultegra group-san. DA C24 wheels are something I’d consider at some point (or C35s, the more I research the DA wheels the more I’m a fan) so I’m curious to hear how you like that setup.
@kixsand
Ha Ha, yes that makes more sense!
@minion
I dont know about the Fuji = unexciting bit. Love my Fuji SST
@PantaniForever
Shimano make good wheels. They don’t look the coolest but they work as advertised and run true year after year. I’ve gotten a lot of use out of my C24’s and am delighted to be putting them back to work in a role somewhat more suitable than doing duty on a CX bike.
@kixsand
I used to build all my wheels, but I bought Shimano RS81 C35s wheels when I built up my Felt FC. Very happy with them. Mid-depth so semi-aero. Alloy braking surface with a carbon fairing. Not heavy, but also not light. Pretty much the definition of an all-arounder. And they don’t look half bad.
@minion
Ha! Well look at that! Learn something new everyday!
@kixsand
It’s a rack mounted webber
@Barracuda
The crit bike’s my third Fuji, and it’s great. It is outrageously stiff in a very unsophisticated way, which makes it perfect – the 40 minute ride to and from the crit track smacks the shingles out of me, but it’s built for that. I love it.
@kixsand
Was running C24s on my R3 until the front one met an untimely end after an introduction to the front corner of a car. Have been on HED Ardennes LTs since getting the replacement R5 (thank the insurance gods), and while they’re bitching wheels in their own right, I do kinda miss the lightning quick acceleration of the Shimanos.
One thing to keep an eye out for (@Barracuda will attest to this too) is the laminate cover around the spoke/rim junctions, has a tendency to blister & peel a bit, which can expose the rim underneath.
@Mikael Liddy
@Barracuda
@Sparty
Very nice;was looking at a Fenix last year but my Helium SL frame came up at a too good to miss price.
Belgian guy in our club has a Fenix sl on order in Belgium and is getting it built up with Ultegra group-san,he’s got to wait a few weeks for it though.
@UK base Velominati I’d appreciate it if you’d keep your eyes peeled for a Cervelo S3 that was stolen from the Wiggle No Excuses sportive at Huntingdon race course this morning. It belongs to a friend and fellow club member/go-ride coach. Details as below:
* * STOLEN BIKE * * reward offered
My 2016 Cervelo S3 di2 was stolen this morning from Huntingdon Racecourse signing on for the Wiggle No Excuses.
It is black / red with non standard 40mm Cosmic Carbone wheels and continental GP 4000 tyres.
2 vehicles leaving the scene at speed shortly after were a black plumbers van with orange sign writing and a black Audi A6.
A picture of the bike is here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRfCjhNe9wA
It’s very rare as its one of less than a handful in the country that have an internal battery. There is a chunky reward for the person who finds it.
@PantaniForever
We have both C24’s and C35’s in the garage as well as a couple of HED + wheel sets. Big diff in vibe between the two brands and type of wheel. The DA’s have that whip sharp kinda classic thing going on vs the wide rim bed HED’s that have the modern sure footed buttery smooth ride with low pressures. I can go back and forth and never tire of either. DA hubs are sweet. Mostly the DAs reside on my daughter’s 49 cm frame and she’s sub 100 lbs so the C24’s and her are imo made for each other. Cheers
@fenlander
I also have the Helium SL. Lovely bike. Extremely light for the climbs. It is my stage racer. Last year, I found it a bit too light for training (6.57 kilos). That is why I built up the Fenix. Now when I ride the Helium SL it disappears beneath me.
@Sparty
Just need a Noah fast then!
I wondered if the Helium would be a bit flighty on the bumpy roads around here but it’s been fine and seems to float over any imperfections,hope the tubeless ready wheels and Schwalbe pro ones I have on order will help even more.
The Helium certainly is kept indoors at this time of year although it’s not going to move much at the moment with no wheels;the ally Icarus is used as the winter bike(as well as a Planet X cross bike for commuting)so I certainly notice the difference going back to the Helium.