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. I think I’m actually liking the look of this new Briko helmet:

     

  2. I like the guy sitting in fourth position going into the corner with a bidon in his teeth.

     

    Or as autocorrect would have it “with a bison in his teeth.”

     

     

  3. My young lad being educated in the ways of the V.

    At the age of 4 he’s got the following positive’s

    • matt black and orange bike
    • V decal front and centre
    • loves the road but can dabble in the occasional gravel grind

    Of the negative’s

    • staring at his stem like a light bulbing spider
    • is either flat out or stopped – kids got no stamina

    A copy of the rules will be recited nightly until the negatives are out of his system.

     

  4. @Barracuda

    • is either flat out or stopped…

    I love that about the little whippersnappers when they get started. I see it all the time with young racers on our mtn bike team. Like lighting little firecrackers. I remember coaching my very young daughter how to run to entrance of neighborhood and back. And that sprint – stop – sprint – stop… wasn’t particularly efficient. More kids on bikes! Love the snapshot. Cheers

  5. barracuda – Ha, wife is due in early May and one of the biggest anticipations is teaching him how to ride a bike!

    fignon – there are quite a few helmets in the pro peloton that I really dig, but they’re not easy to get your hands on in the U.S. Oh, and I’m not one to pay the crazy prices of some helmets. I wait for end-of-year sales, can’t stomach $300 for a helmet.

  6. @wilburrox

    @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

    Yeah, so you probably summed it up a little better than I did a few posts prior…

  7. @Ron

    What’s the time difference like for you in terms of Giro viewing? Here in Aus it runs from about 10pm-1am, which meant I could get bonus points for looking after the new bub while mum got some well needed rest, and with the added bonus of beginning his education from birth!

  8. Hey all!

    I’ve been meaning to share my #1 for some time now. A pure crit racer build here… stiff Cinelli aluminum frame, old-school Ambrosio Nemesis wheels, Nitto cockpit…. I’ve got a full review written up on my race team’s blog, The Racing Reds’ Report. Take a look if you have a minute and feel free to ask any questions/offer comments about the bike build. Thanks!

     

     

  9. Don’t forget that today is National Margarita Day. The next best post-ride imbibe after a Negroni.

  10. @Mikael Liddy

    @wilburrox

    @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

    Yeah, so you probably summed it up a little better than I did a few posts prior…

    If I had only one wheel set it’d be the HEDs over the DAs. And if really pressed I’d probably take the JET 4s over the Ardennes +’s. Most the time anyways. The JETs just have this marvelous sound when up to speed. They’re fast. Sure some weight penalty over the Ardennes but for the little extra aero I just really dig em. Now, I’ve used the Ardennes over the JETs for racing or century rides with a lot of climbing. But the JETs for all around good fun? I like ’em. HEDs new black versions of their wheels are super sharp.

    For my daughter? Without any hesitation I’d keep her on the C24’s over all of them. We run ’em skinny with 23’s mounted on ’em at high pressure. Just makes for a super sharp quick bike for her. And she likes the hills. For crits and TTs we use the C35’s. But for all around good fun? The C24’s.

    Cheers

  11. @brad_the_dean

    Hey all!

    I’ve been meaning to share my #1 for some time now. A pure crit racer build here… stiff Cinelli aluminum frame, old-school Ambrosio Nemesis wheels, Nitto cockpit…. I’ve got a full review written up on my race team’s blog, The Racing Reds’ Report. Take a look if you have a minute and feel free to ask any questions/offer comments about the bike build. Thanks!

    sweet ride.  love the ambrosio wheels!

  12. @bovary1031

    I can’t say enough good things about these wheels. Great road feel, spin up great with the Dura Ace 9000 hubs. They really have personality. I’ve ridden all kinds of carbon wheels, both on the road and track, and this wheelset may honestly be my favorite. Not necessarily the absolute fastest, but the most fun (and still plenty competitive).

  13. @brad_the_dean

    @bovary1031

    I can’t say enough good things about these wheels. Great road feel, spin up great with the Dura Ace 9000 hubs. They really have personality. I’ve ridden all kinds of carbon wheels, both on the road and track, and this wheelset may honestly be my favorite. Not necessarily the absolute fastest, but the most fun (and still plenty competitive).

    I have several pairs of box section tubular wheels (2 Ambrosio Crono and Mavic Or 10) and they are my favorite wheels even after 30 years +

  14. Newly installed Wheels Manufacturing outboard bearing bottom bracket (as it should be with Shimano Ultegra crankset) to replace the OEM BB30 with adaptors.

  15. @bovary1031

    @brad_the_dean

    @bovary1031

    I can’t say enough good things about these wheels. Great road feel, spin up great with the Dura Ace 9000 hubs. They really have personality. I’ve ridden all kinds of carbon wheels, both on the road and track, and this wheelset may honestly be my favorite. Not necessarily the absolute fastest, but the most fun (and still plenty competitive).

    I have several pairs of box section tubular wheels (2 Ambrosio Crono and Mavic Or 10) and they are my favorite wheels even after 30 years +

    It’s funny, I honestly wasn’t expecting to like them as much as I do. I figured I would end up using them primarily for training and swap in some deep carbon rims for racing. They are just so lively, I’m willing to sacrifice the aerodynamic benefits of deep rims when racing. Also, if you’re sprinting from the pack versus trying to take the win in a solo breakaway or a small group, I think a wheelset that is stiff and spins up quickly is the most important quality to have. Not that you can’t find that in a carbon wheel too, it just may not be as classy.

  17. @Barracuda

    @chuckp

    Well played on the flag decals

    Appreciate the compliment. I live in Arlington, VA and that’s the flag at the top. The other flags represents Arlington’s sister cities: Aachen, Germany; Coyoacan, Mexico; Reims, France; San Miguel, El Salvador; and Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine.

    I have another set of flags on my top tube: USA, California (where I was born, grew up, and will always be home), Hawaii (where I spent all my summers as a kid), Washington, DC (where I moved to after CA and went to grad school), Virginia (where I live now), Delaware (where my wife is from), and the Philippines (where we adopted our daughter from).

  18. Found this today. Pinstriped with glowy tape. Not sure if I love the design but its done well. Thoughts?

  21. This was posted on FB today by LeMan:

    Here’s my LTD. A noble and elusive white stallion!

    Behold: Greg’s personal LTD. This frame was painted at Time France for the 25th anniversary of his 1989 World Championship in Chambéry, France This item is one-of-a-kind, and as you see, is not for sale.

    Interested in an LTD? Write us at: [email protected]

  22. minion/all – I know this isn’t a commutin’ community, but as many of us ride all types/methods/styles, I thought I’d share this. Check out the Axiom Streamliner if you are looking to fit a rack/panniers on a road bike used for commuting. I have one on a commuter of mine. Mounts at the brake bridge and and the QR with their fancy little tabs. Yep, you can put a rack/panniers on an old road bike and use if for commuting, if you don’t want the rear grill you have or have to wear a back pack.

    http://axiomgear.com/products/racks/streamliner/streamliner-road-dlx/

    That LeMan is AVVesome!

    Brad the Dean – Damn! Something about that bike is just purely slick. Likely the very purpose built and not over-the-top flash build and those awesome low profile classic wheels. To be honest, I can only stomach so many $10,000 Baums and Fireflys and Parlees before I think…who gives a fuck? I’d ride the hell out of that bike. Nice work!

  23. LOVING that LeMan bike!  I own, and absolutely love, a steel CX Leman but that one is truly amazing.

    As for bikes, I have just seriously thrown my hat in the ring for the n+1.

    I just ordered a complete 11 speed 2014 (really do not care for the aesthetics of the 20915 crank) Campagnolo Super Record Groupo with Ti 53/39 crank set and a set of speedplay zero pave’ pedals.

    Now to work on saving the money for the wheelset (it will be an Ambrosio Nemesis tubular set with CKing R45 hubs) and frame.  Still finalizing frame choices but really thinking of going with the Jaegher Ascender, esp now that I will be able to pop over and visit their shop on the odd weekend while living in Germany!  So psyched!!!

  24. Here is a softball for someone: I have two different eras of modern Campa brake calipers. Neither has a small 1.5 mm hex head bolt holding the pad in place (like some Shimano/other brakes). The pad holder is just…smooth on the back/outside.

    How do I swap pads? Do you simply push from front to rear hub and they slide out? (I know someone of the new ones do in fact have a tab, in the skeleton holder versions).

    Thanks!

  25. @Ron

    Here is one trick. Remove the cartridges altogether. Push enough of the used pad out, enough to catch it with vice grips and pull it all out. Spray on some silicon to help the new pad slide in. Wear gloves if you like but no way around the thumbs.    Another method shown to me at the LBS: remove the cartridges. Bolt the cartridge through a hole near the end of a thick steel ruler or lever. Put the pad over the edge of something immovable in front of you (with open end of cartridge pointing away from you of course). Hold everything down and pull the lever towards you (keep it flat as possible). This pushes the pad out while you maintain leverage on the lever. Scary the silicon. Again, no way around the thumbs to install pads.

  26. Scary the silicon. This is important now. No, spray the silicon. Eh, somewhat important.

  27. @Ron

    I use a slim screwdriver and slide between the pad and carrier and just lever it out.  Simples.

  28. The new #2.   Cannondale CAAD 10 Ultegra.  The cages were just lying about but I think I may just go with them.  The cockpit my be upgraded at some point.  The bike came with Mavic Aksium wheels which I’ve swapped to my Cross Bike for the DuraAce C24’s.  Weighs just a hair under 17 pounds – bullet proof aluminum baby!

  29. @kixsand

    One helluva #2 ! Good story on a CAAD10: We’re departing on a 180km ride yesterday and I realize the Di2 battery on my Speshy Roubaix is kaput. Ooops. The ride’s gonna include 50km dirt roads and not what I’d usually ride my CAAD on but with little choice I’m back at house, swapping the wheel set from the Speshy and using 28c Pave’s, and I’m on the race CAAD w/53-39 for the ride. The bike was awesome. It doesn’t matter a whole lot what the frame is made of when running 28’s.

  31. @wilburrox

    @kixsand

    I love the cages too… alloy bikes need metal cages.

    Thanks!

    I just walked in the door from my first outdoor ride on the CAAD.  4 degrees above zero in Toronto and the sun is shining!  Got in 60k.

    All I can say is fuckin’ wow!  I’m so happy with this bike.  It feels way too close to the SuperSix Hi Mod – super smooth and plenty stiff.  I’d forgotten how much I love the DA C24’s.  I spent a good chunk of the ride wondering why I even need a better bike than this one.  If I upgrade the cockpit to carbon and mount something a little cushier like a veloflex tire it’s only going to get better.

    Buying this bike for basically $1700 makes me feel like a fucking genius.  I don’t know why anyone would buy entry level carbon when you can get one of these for less money.

     

     

  32. @kixsand

    I weighed mine today at 17.3 lb for 58cm. That’s with the Jet 4’s – not the lightest. And the Di2 stuff.

  33. @wilburrox


    Mine is a 58 as well but was weighed before pedals and cages and the C24’s.  I bet it’s very similar to yours now.

    My SuperSix Evo Hi Mod with SRAM Red is significantly lighter – 15.1 pounds.  Still though….17 pounds isn’t bad for an aluminum bike.

    CAnnondale claims that the SRAM red version of the CAAD10 weighs 16.3 lbs.

  34. That’s about right for the CAAD10 with SRAM Red. My custom built CAAD 10 with SRAM Red, Rotor 3D+, Zipp finishing kits with Mavic Ksyrium Elites is 7.3kg (16.9 lbs)

  35. @kixsand

    The new #2. Cannondale CAAD 10 Ultegra. The cages were just lying about but I think I may just go with them. The cockpit my be upgraded at some point. The bike came with Mavic Aksium wheels which I’ve swapped to my Cross Bike for the DuraAce C24’s. Weighs just a hair under 17 pounds – bullet proof aluminum baby!

    BEAUTIFUL!!!  I just LOVE Cannondales like someone can only love someone or something who was “The First”.  Bought my first ever race bike in either 1988 or 1989 (first year of their oversized aluminum frame-IIRC).  It was a beauty of a Cannondale.  Still shake my head when I think that I sold here in the late ’90’s.

    I have never developed a love for the Carbon, not sure why but I never see my self owning a carbon frame.  I have two Steel frames now and one Scandium.  Currently shopping a new frame and it will be either new, high-end steel or Ti.

    Just LOVING your ride, man!

  37. Thanks, teocalli. That doesn’t sound too rough.

    First proper road bike was an Al Cannondale that I got used for $500. Rode that thing like crazy, even though it was a size too big. I had no clue about bike sizing when I purchased it. Put about 7 years of riding on that bike, then sold it for…$500. Not bad!

  38. @kixsand

    The new #2. Cannondale CAAD 10 Ultegra. The cages were just lying about but I think I may just go with them. The cockpit my be upgraded at some point. The bike came with Mavic Aksium wheels which I’ve swapped to my Cross Bike for the DuraAce C24’s. Weighs just a hair under 17 pounds – bullet proof aluminum baby!

     

  39. @kixsand

    The new #2. Cannondale CAAD 10 Ultegra. The cages were just lying about but I think I may just go with them. The cockpit my be upgraded at some point. The bike came with Mavic Aksium wheels which I’ve swapped to my Cross Bike for the DuraAce C24’s. Weighs just a hair under 17 pounds – bullet proof aluminum baby!

    D’oh double post! Hey man, sweet rig! As you know I’m “slightly” biased on this one…

  41. Well, I’m new on the site, so I guess it’s fair to share my bikes for ridicule/amusement.

    Domane 5.9

    Crockett Nine Bike

  43. @Buck Rogers

     

    I have never developed a love for the Carbon, not sure why but I never see my self owning a carbon frame. I have two Steel frames now and one Scandium. Currently shopping a new frame and it will be either new, high-end steel or Ti.

    If you want to take a trip down under on your way to Deutschland you could get a custom rig that carries your name… http://www.rogersbespoke.com/

  46. @Teocalli

    Arrived fresh in the post…….

    I just ordered mine!  Like just a few minutes ago, i’m stoked about it.  About how long did it take for you to receive yours?

  47. @hudson

    pretty sure these are from the pre Christmas order, there was apparently a slight delay with some of the other kit options on offer so everything was held up.

  48. @Mikael Liddy

    @hudson

    pretty sure these are from the pre Christmas order, there was apparently a slight delay with some of the other kit options on offer so everything was held up.

    Plus, the bears had to sit in quarantine for 3 weeks.

  50. @Mikael Liddy

    @hudson

    pretty sure these are from the pre Christmas order, there was apparently a slight delay with some of the other kit options on offer so everything was held up.

    Correct

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