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 ...
@mouse
Since all her professors are architects in the Big Apple for their real job, I can understand how she got the notion then. I just want to live somewhere with clean air, places to escape too, a decent job market, and affordable stuff. I’m sure I’ll let you all know if I end up out west anywhere. Gonna need new riding partners.
Question on Merckx steel frames. I have been looking for a little while now and I see the Corsa Extra and the MX-Leader frame sets out there. Is one supposedly a higher end item than the other? My understanding is that both were used at the pro level but I am not sure. I am looking for a high end frame/fork from the ’80’s to early ’90’s. Thanks for any info you have on the frame differences!
@Buck Rogers
Probably loads of advice out there, but the Corsa Extra was the go-to frame before the MX Leader came out. In effect, the MX Leader will be stiffer and should be more comfortable as the tubesets are shaped such that they give stiffness to the BB and give some love to the steer tube. On the other hand, I do believe it’s heavier than the Corsa Extra. I think the Corsa Extra was built with SLX which is a butted, round tube. SLX is a fairly lightweight tube and also a bit flexier.
Both are awesome. If it was me, I’d get the MX Leader because this will never be a lightweight climber. The ride is unbeatable. (Just rode one when I was home visiting my parents.)
This looked interesting, but I’m not sure of it’s credibility: http://www.cadre.org/Merckx/ – if it’s right, it’s hard to say without looking at the stickers on the frame what tubes were used in the Corsa Extra.
@frank
Thanks Fronk! I am interested to hear what every one else has to say as well but your thoughts are spot on to what I have been seeing in what I have been researching. I am going back and forth between the Corsa Extra and the MX-Leader bikes. Probably will have to save up and get one of each! (the whole n+1 thing!).
I have the cadre link saved in my favorites, but, like you say, I have not seen it vetted, biut it seems legit. Thanks and I look forward to hearing from all of you other experts out there as well!
Frank has it right, but I’d just add that a light steel Merckx is an oxymoron – part of their beauty was that they were built for durability over the cobbles and Muurs, as opposed to the lightweight Italian bikes that cracked as soon as they crossed the Belgian border…
@King Clydesdale
KC, if fate or the love of a good VMH bring you to NYC, we welcome you!
If it’s clean air you want, I let this picture of Manhattan, taken today on my ride, speak for itself.
Notice the savage wilderness in the foreground, however.
@Oli
Thank you, Gentlemen! Guess I’ll look for the best deal I can get on either model and go from there!
@xyxax
Well we’ll see what happens. She spent a summer working an internship this summer and I saw plenty of cyclists outside of her apartment on Haven Ave on the Upper West Side on Manhattan. She took advantage of the Greenway a few times. I never got out for a ride during my weekend visits however.
@Sam
Yep. Nice and smooth feeling wheels, not the stiffest wheels I’ve ever ridden. Like em a lot and race/train on them no worries.
@Sam
I has a front and rear on my road bike for a bit, but the rear wouldn’t stay true/stop breaking spokes for the life of me… Eventually replaced by a much stronger but heavy rear. If I ever get a wheelset for racing it will probably be these: http://www.neuvationcycling.com/product53.html . A bit more but not as much as zipps and from the same factory supposedly. Only heard good things.
@Buck Rogers
@Buck Rogers – you should check but I’m pretty sure MX leaders are made using mainly columbus Max tubing (apart from I think the top tube) – you will be able to tell by the shape of the forks which were bladed and the downtube which will look ovalised and thicker near the bottombracket. If so go the MX Leader – they are rarer and columbus Max is hands down incredible to ride – not flexy like some steel tubesets.
Perversely my Merckx is a corsa extra that is fully built from columbus max. Apart from being a thing of beauty in its own right, it rides amazingly well, particularly when I put my old 16 spoke alloy shamals shod in veloflex tires on it. Yes it is a heavy bike compared to crabon but still climbs fine and is a preferred choice if you want to go out for 3 to 4 hrs because the ride is so sublime.
@Kiwicyclist
The incredible thing about Merckxeseseseses is the stability. The way the geometry is laid up, they just track so incredibly. I hear tell that the later Treks – once Lance got his fingers into them – were very much like Merckxeseseseses; apparently he demanded a similar feel as to what he was getting from his old Motorola Merckx days (which were actually Calois which were actually Litespeeds but all used Merckx’s geometry).
It’s the only rumor about Armstrong I don’t hate.
My favorite story about Merckx stability is my Cycling Sensei (dad) descending the Beartooth Pass in Montana. Like an idiot, he’s staring up the hill to try and spot where we were, several hairpins above. He’s looking uphill, twists more until he’s got one hand off the bars, one hand loosely on them, and is not using the brakes, so going 50+ kph. Spoiler alert: he hits a giant rock.
The bike bolts upward, straight into his hands, never deviates from it’s line, and keeps on sailing down the mountain like nothing happened.
Merckx had a massive back problem after his crash in – was it – ’69 and spent the rest of his career futzing with frame geometry to make the bikes maximally comfortable and stable so that his back got as much relief as possible.
These are amazingly fantastic bikes. From where I’m sitting in my armchair, you can’t go wrong with a Merckx, doesn’t really matter which model you get.
@frank
I run sram force on my cross bike – I was recommended sram by a few people in the know and was told a reason why it is so popular for cross is that it works better in the mud than other gruppos even when really clogged up – and it certainly does work really well in that regard – once you get used to the doubletap shifting.
And its pretty Pro if you needed another reason.
@frank
My understanding is that it goes that Caloi bicycles were made by Merckx and licensed to Caloi, a Brazilian bike company trying to make a bit of a push into global markets (especially Europe). Armstrong and some of the Motorola riders rode Caloi-badged Litespeed-made Merckx bicycles (phew!), but many of them rode actual MX-Leaders. I think Corsas were an option too.
@kiwicyclist
I run sram on my CX bike as well. (However, I use shimano sprockets and a Wippermann stainless steel chain.) Three seasons and plenty of water out of the nozzle of high-pressure washer and a couple of nasty crashes, but shifting works still perfect. Never would use anything else but sram (red). … My recommendation on cantilever brakes: Ciamillo GX.
@kiwicyclist
I run ultegra 9 speed on my ALAN cross bike and whoever told you it’s a good choice is spot on. The ultegra group is just that much burlier than lighter DA stuff. And although I love the Red on my road bike it’s hard to imagine it holding up over time in mud and grime with all that carbon and I know many pros ride Force fd’s as the reds are flexier
@Marko
Oh yes, I forgot to mention, I use an Ultegra FD myself. So the only Red parts on my bike are the RD and the DT’s. But I found those very robust. I used to ride the complete Ultegra 10s on my previous CX bike as well. But I would never switch back to STI’s again. I found shifting under extreme conditions to be much more precise and reliable with sram stuff.
@grumbledook
I can see that. My SRAM group clicks in very positively and inspires confidence that it will stay put. I’m glad to hear you’ve found it to be robust as well. I can’t get mine to upshift
…damn phone. Anyway, I can’t get my rd to upshift as cleanly as shimano. Any tips there?
@Marko
Hey Marko, I was just talking to my Minnesotian boss about the Rush DVD I just bought. I said “Minnesota is basically Canada, eh? Hockey and ice fishing, right?” He said, “Oh, we been talking about annexing Canada for years.”
@grumbledook, @Marko
What I fundamentally dislike about Shimano is that the brake lever moves. WTF? Is anyone seeing a problem here? It makes both braking and shifting error prone and squishy. I love being able to pull on the brakes into a stop and downshift at the same time on my Campa, which you should be able to do with SRAM, too. My Shimano works fine, I just think its such a bad design to have a critical part of your bike serve to (opposed) purposes. (Which also could be said about SRAM with one lever that shifts up and down, but the short periods when I’ve used it, it actually seems very easy and works well.)
@frank
I gotta disagree. But I am a huge fan of Shimano. But if I ever got a Wilier Cento Uno then that would be Campa all around.
@Oli
Good point – forgot what the exact relationship was between Caloi and Merckx. Though I’m pretty sure Armstrong always rode titanium and so always was on a Litespeed regardless of what the badging said.
And to your other point regarding the MX Leader verses the Italian steels that cracked when they crossed the border into Belgium – GOLD!
I would say forget about weight when it comes to a steel bike. You’re after something totally different; you’re after a particular ride. Get a good, strong, solid steel frame. Get comfy three-cross spoked wheels, get some tubs…emphasize all the things that that bike will be good at. Being a lightweight climber is not one of those things.
But also let it be said that Gianni Bugno won back-to-back etapes to l’Alpe d’Huez on a 24 pound bike, beating out riders on much lighter bikes (including LeMond on a carbon TVT)
@Marko
I had the same problem. I got a chunk of plastic sleeve that goes over the shifter cables just on the part of the bike where the cable runs thru that bottom bracket cable guide thingy. Works like a charm, for SRAM anyway (still not sold on it). Remind me and I’ll bring some to the Cogal.
@scaler911
I’ll have to check it out.
@frank
Has Ted King become your least favorite rider?
@scaler911
I also did the plastic sleeve thing and shifting became much smoother into the big ring.
For the cross bike, I couldn’t do Campa since there are no hubs that support disc brakes. I went with Van Dessel Gin & Trombones frame, SRAM Rival, Ritchey stem & classic bars. All the pieces should arrive next week sometime.
It’s definitely early for disc brakes on cross bikes (and eventually road?). Only a few 130mm rear hubs are available (many more are 135mm MTB standard). No Campa without hacks. Disc-compatible frames and forks are still rare, too.
@G’rilla
A couple of guys went the disc brake route this winter for the cross series run here in Melbourne. I’m personally not so sold on the need – I run the new avid shorty ultimates and they work really well – plus the slower braking of cantis makes sense to me in the cross context – I don’t see the need to stop on a dime (which I’m guessing discs would provide) in the same way as you need to on the road. Then there are mud clearance and weight issues to consider…
I will be interested to hear how you find them.
@G’rilla
Strong work on the n+1, you move quickly. I’ve been playing Cycling Sensei to a student of mine who’s wrangling for a cross bike. He just told me yesterday he decided on the G & T. He’s not sold on any gruppo yet but seems to be leaning toward Rival or Force. I’ve got brakes, bars, stem, seat post, and other accoutrement to help him save some money. The G & T looks like a great platform.
@Marko
My Cycling Sensei spent all year threatening to build a cross bike and I assumed I wouldn’t be able to afford one. Then I show up at a few races and he’s nowhere to be found. Spending his money on some aluminum aero thing that can’t even use cantilevers. Business had a good year and I’m not buying a Maserati, so it’s n+1.
@frank
Yeah, I’ve used campa and shimano haven’t disliked anything about either group: If I had smaller hands I may have struggled with the paddles on campa but I’m right dead centre of the cyling bell curve: almost everything is designed around my physical dimensions except obviously frames. STI is hard wired in to me though,to the extent new purchases will have to be shimano.
Woooo-Whoooo! Just won the 1992 Motorola Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra 8 spd Dura-Ace auction on E-Bay. Definitely not in mint condition. Has some paint chips, etc but it is supposed to be in good condition with no dents, cracks or rust. Just what I want as I am planning on riding this baby!!! Same bike as in the pic of Andy Hampsten winning the ’92 Alpe D’Huez stage in the book, “The Tour is Won on the Alpe” that I have.
Yeah, yeah, I know. His bike in that pic was most probably just another frame painted to look like the team bike, but I’ll live in my fantasy world and dream of being on the Alpe with Andy that day every time I ride a hill on my new Merckx!!!
There she is! I’m soooo excited. ’92 was one of the last years that I raced USCF and always ahve wanted a steel Merckx. Now I have to explain to the VMH about the whole n+1 thing. Wish me luck, guys.
Very cool!
Beautiful!
Nice catch.
@Buck Rogers
Nice buy! That is a fine looking steed. Man, back in the day, when the first Merckx bikes started to show up in the USA (mid-eighties?). That was the baddest bike to my eye. Good luck with the n+1, it’s in the Rules.
Hello guys,
First post, so please be gentle.
I’ve been holding off posting this as I know there’s several breaches in this photo, but I’d love to hear your thoughts before I get home to it so I have a head start when I start the rectification process.
This is how she looked a year or two ago. The European Posterior Man Satchel is now long gone. So is the stem cap battery mount as I no longer commute. The only other difference is that I’ve put a Thomson Elite in place of the 3T Doric.
So, my questions are:
1. Do I replace the tyres with a new black pair of 4000S, or fit the pair of Michelins I have on hand but which sport a red stripe either side of centre? It would seem a waste for such a minor breach would it not?
2. Do I replace the bar tape with white, or (and this is one that will need some serious consideration on my part) do I fit the brown Brooks Swallow I’ve taken off my MTB and then wrap matching leather on the bars?
I’m pretty torn on both counts. Oh, and as far as the seat post goes, I’m not 100% sure this is the right position for me. If I go set-back do I go for something like the new Palladio, or do I try out something like the new Ritchey Classic in silver, or even search around for an old Campy post?
And my n+1 has started talking to me. Colnago Master in red. It’s a little way off, but I’m thinking that if I do go that way, the Brooks might be better served there, and then I’d keep this (still wonderful) Prodigy as #2.
Help!
By the way, awesome site. I’m newly inspired to get back out on the road. I’ve been pretty lazy of late. Thank you.
@JC
Good God man… a Brooks saddle on a red Colnago Master. And tyres with red stripes !
That’s a Team Pro. I have a Swift on my Ridley Noah which was originally Honey coloured. I think it is fine with black tape – mainly because I don’t think leather tape would do well in Abu Dhabi.
@Gianni
Yeah, I remember when I started racing in New England in the mid-to-late 80’s and when ever I would see a Merckx I would just drool and have a massive case of envy. So excited to get an older one. Should be sooo much fun.
@JC
Welcome JC! We’re not too mean, you’ll be ok.
Thought I’d post an “evolution” photo of bike #1 after after a year of Velominati tutelage (see photo 2 on page 1 of this thread). Majority of spacers out, 100mm stem exchanged for 120mm and flipped, black bar tape, and because I can’t have Marko’s bike, I went for his saddle instead (Fizik Antares). A sub-paragraph of Rule #8 could be match the saddle to the stem!
I was hoping the gritty urban scene would make the 66cm frame geometry seem “edgy”.
It doesn’t.
@xyxax
Man, that is a nice looking ride you’ve got there. Well done indeed.
I also like the choice of backdrop. Very “hard”, very “street”. I’m already assuming you have massive “cred” and that your “peeps” have your “back” if a situation were to go “sideways”. Word.
@mcsqueak
That’s all well and good, but the proper response is “holy fuckety-fuck-fuck how the fuck tall are you?”
@Blah
Nah, He’s probably just 5’6″. He’s just got 16″ wheels on there.
The ‘edgy’ street scene is just camoflage to make it difficult to pick the proper scale.
@mcsqueak
Thanks, yo.
I’m not sure if I have cred, but I do enjoy a warm glass of milk before bedtime.
@Blah
198 cm with a 98 cm inseam. Frank has since learned me good on a tall man’s bike fit; the next one will likely be some bit smaller.
@Buck Rogers
Very nice!
@Buck Rogers
What an awesome score!! Beautiful! So, is it built just like that? Will you leave the DT shifters on there, or are you on an upgrade program?
@xyxax
I grabbed your “before”:
And here’s a repost of your “after”:
Nicely done! It looks way raderified. And great backdrop. I always look for the ugliest wall I can find to photograph my bikes against. I don’t need anyone getting distracted by a scenic backdrop when showing bikeporn.
@xyxax @frank
Very nice””much more ghetto. Of course, I can’t help thinking I’d need to climb a few of those knobbledy things in order to see over the saddle.
@frank
Oh no. I’m not going to touch anything. I want it be EXACTLY as it was in ’92. Leaving all the original equipment, which it supposedly has, and will even try to score some circa ’92 clipless pedals out there. From all the photos it looks like it is in pretty good, to very good, shape and it is all 8 spd DA from ’92. Already so in love with her.
I have my 2007 Scandium Premium SL Merckx frame set and forks to ride with complete ’09 DA and Mavic SL Premium wheelset for my racer (16 pounds flat and stiff as a board–LOVE her too!) but this one is for the days where I want to be 20 years old again racing in my mind with the pro peloton back in the early ’90’s, if you know what I mean.