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 ...
@Buck Rogers
Yeah those downtube shifters are sweet. My old bike has friction shifters up at the stem, and while it’s certainly not as convenient as our fancy integrated shifters are these days, they are fun to use as a nice change of pace! My only problem is that if I stand to climb, I can bump them with my knees, which results in a not fun at all shift…
@frank @Steampunk
Truly appreciated, gentlemen. As are all the pointers along the way.
And low-cost See the Saddleâ„¢ helicopter rides are available, cloud ceiling permitting.
Buck – Nice pick-up! Sweet bike.
xyxax – I’ve seen your steed before, but my goodness you’re a tall dude! Cycling is the first sport I’ve “played” that doesn’t make me wish I was taller. Being my size ain’t such a penalty in this one.
Since there has been some discussion of this frameset lately (and I think someone just picked one up?) I thought I’d share my cx bike.
Here it is:
A Van Dessel Gin & Trombones, Ksyrium wheelset run tubeless, Sram Force/Red mixture, FSA-made Cannondale badged cranks, other parts are over labeled & thus easy to discern. Happy with it, could use some round bars, will switch some over when I get a new set for one of my road bikes.
Having of lot of fun cx riding & training, still being squeamish about jumping into the cx racing pool.
@Ron
It’s great to see your Van Dessel. Very nice. (I am really interested in their road bike) Is it full white (hard to tell in the shadow)? And is that a single 46 up front?
And yes, often picked first for the playground basketball games in my youth and likely last for the peleton in my oldth.
@Ron
Nice bike; don’t be squeamish about racing. Jump in with both feet, and don’t plug your nose. While it’s not fun to get shelled, racing with people faster than you will only make you faster sooner.
And because this stays funny no matter how many times I watch it:
@Ron
NIce ‘cross bike there sir.
@xyxax
I’m going to have to use that.
@Ron
NICE bike! When I move back to Vermont and have some extra time in 8 to 9 years, I plan on getting into CX racing. Fast and painful. Totally agree with Fronk, race, even if you get dropped every time. As Teddy said, “The credit belngs to the man who is actually in the arena, …”!
@mcsqueak
I love downtube shifters. That’s how I was raised and learned to race.
But, that being said, I have definitely done the “fast jump out of the saddle, knee shifts inadvertently, loose all momentum and go backward” manuever before!
Thanks, lads! It actually fell into my lap when a cycling pal who works in the bike industry upgraded, via insider deal, to a full carbon Fuji. I happen to be the same size. Yeehaw! (I considered turning down the great deal since it violates a Rule to buy a built-up bike, but went for it.)
That clip is priceless, Frank!
I actually have a few friends to ride with & train me up for cross. Plus there is practice twice a week in a local park, and numerous races within an hour or so of me, most of which I can get to with a shared ride. No excuses.
xyxax – Thanks, pal! It is indeed white, but has this crazy greenish sparkle coat, only shows up in the oddest light angles. I haven’t seen it in weeks but the VMH passed the bike the other day & said, “It’s a special treat when I can see that green in it!”
Double ring up front, 42/38, with the inner hidden by the outer.
@Ron
If I remember right you live in/around DC? DCCX on 10/23 has a rookie race (i.e., not even cat 4) on the schedule. Bonus points as it isn’t until 4:15 so you don’t have to wake up early. I’m toying with doing it low stress way back in to racing after tearing my calf.
I just read a Huang review of the Parlee Z5 on BikeRadar. His description of the ride quality:
“Lusciously creamy but still surprisingly sharp”
FFS is he describing cheese or a bike?
@frank
That clip demands multiple viewings! GOLD. Love the audio,
“Woohoo, go Joey!”
“oooooooh”
“Joey?”
“You alright Joey?”
“Medic!”
@marcus
The sound of his close friends laughing hysterically is classic too.
@itburns
As he lies on the ground, rolling in agony, his friends laughing and the woman says, “I think Joey’s okay.” WTF?!?!? The guy’s dying on the ground and she’s all non-chalant. Totally kills me.
Apparently Joey was OK though. Seriously.
There’s an article about it here:
http://bikehugger.com/post/view/joeys-ok-and-the-new-hotness
P.S. Doesn’t stop me watching it over and over again though. Someone should make T shirts.
@xyxax
How freakin’ tall are you? Seriously. 7′? It’s pretty amazing how many big bikes are posted on here.
@Buck Rogers
Yeah, I’ve said it before: by “OK” she must mean “Not dead” or “Not paralyzed” because he’s moving. Gold!
@ChrisO
That’s the only reason it stays funny.
@ChrisO
So amazingly funny. I set the cursor over the 4 sec mark on the timer and just keep hitting it. KILLS me everytime!
@frank
Yeah, I’ve seen a few dudes do the “Kickin’ Chicken” for a few moments before they die.
Just b/c they are still moving does not mean that death is not at the door.
LOVE that clip!
@wiscot
6’6″ (I lost an inch somewhere). Like most frame sizing, Gunnar has their own peculiarities, and the 66cm basically refers to their “Fitmaster head tube height” which is approximately the stack. The top tube for example is 61cm and the “seatmast” is 63cm.
The head tube is 25cm, which I now find quite ugly from an aesthetic point of view.
Ironically, the bike has said the same thing about me, cheeky bastard.
I didn’t know that Lezyne makes shop tools. What a beautiful chain rod:
Lezyne Chain Rod
Star nuts – they must come in different sizes huh? This one measures 26mm and it has to go in a 22.5mm steerer tube made of carbon? Will it go? Do I have the wrong size?
@G’rilla
That’s a nice tool, I think they do them with wooden handles too.
@snoov
NEVER put a star nut into a carbon steerer!! You will damage it irreparably, and create two perfect stress risers designed to cut your steer off clean when you least expect it. Get yourself a carbon steerer-specific compression plug in the vein of this.
@Oli
Thank you very much I knew someone would keep me right. I’d never have tried to get the star nut into the carbon steerer, there’s no way it would go in without a sledge hammer. Really appreciate the response.
Here’s a little something I prepared earlier.
Picked up the frame brand new believe it or not! Budget has been a bit limited for the build due to single income at the moment (newish bub, mortgage and having to eat. Though as the youngest is still breast feeding I was able to justify the purchase – Rules #4 & #11) but it will do nicely for now. Hardest thing was finding the 25mm seatpost BTW. Luckily Thomson still have them, admittedly for BMX (I think?). Had to cut it down but it does the trick. Took it for the first ride this morning and I have to say….unbelievably good. I am one happy chappy.
@il ciclista medio
LOOK is the official bike of awesomeness. I like how you matched the saddle and bars with white tires. And I really appreciate how you partially budgeted for your bike with breast-feeding. Chapeau.
@il ciclista medio
THAT is a beauty! Very nice!
@Jeff in PetroMetro
Yes, I did think of you, Cyclops and Marcus during the build! The breast feeding has helped, but the mum is eating enough for two, possible three anyway, so in reality no money was saved.
@Buck Rogers
Yes, she is a beauty. Second ride this morning. >3hrs and I felt like it had been custom fitted. It is so fantastically good to ride.
@il ciclista medio
Very cool bike. My Pedalwan has the Ja Ja version. I will, however, call into question your adherence to Rule #48.
@il ciclista medio
That is one beautiful bike! Nicely done. It seems as though LOOK is becoming the official bike of this site. Maybe we should try to parlay that into some kind of sponsorship gig and see if we can get LOOK bikes handed out all around…
@il ciclista medio
For your sake, I sinserly hope she doesn’t read the site. For our sake, I hope she does, and that she likes to publicly raise hell.
@xyxax
A+1
@il ciclista medio
Ahh, welcome to the LOOK fold.
@Marko
The Ja Ja version is pretty cool. It was my attempt at being a little capricious a la Rule #48. I can assure you the bubble measure was out immediately after the photo was taken.
@frank
It is a running joke in our household. At sub 50kg, she can and does eat what she likes especially now that she is breast feeding. Now if only she could learn to cook as well…..
@Cyclops
and joining some esteemed company I might add
@Steampunk
Yes, yes and yes. I would be happy to be the Antipodes representative/recipient when they do. At the very least some pedals or forks or kit or whatever they wish to outlay.
Hi Guys, Thought it was about time that I posted a pic of my bike that I have just finished building.
Do we have the same VMH?
@Xponti
Merckx, another tall mofo. Cool bike. Well done!
@Xponti
Very nice!
@Jeff in PetroMetro
I’m seeing some bunches forming here. We have the tall mofo’s, the follicly challenged, the Look owner’s, the short arses and quite probably those that fit into all categories!
I posted about buying an EPS a while ago. This is The Bike. Also pictured, the Boat Anchor in errands-mode.
[album: http://filemanager.dutchmonkey.com/photoalbums.php?currdir=velominati.com/wp-content/uploads/readers/Davidxvx/2011.10.23.06.41.06/|width=595|height=512]
@Xponti
Hey, I’d be keen to hear your Huangisms.
I’m about 5 days away from taking delivery of the very same frame (in midget size mind) built up in much the same fashion and want an idea what I’m in for.
Piccies to follow.
@Davidxvx
Cool bikes, but I think a couple of old school style steel or alloy cages on the Masi would look much better. The red/orange combo just isn’t working.
@wiscot
I’m not sure about cages on a fixed gear at all.
@JiPM and @icm Thanks guys. Yes I am in the Tall Mofo brigade. (6″3′ or 190cm) A climber I am not.
@Mouse. Rides quite well, but has taken a bit to get used to. It feels a little skittish in the front end in terms of steering, but not in a bad way. I feel like I am getting more power and riding quicker, but that may be the better running gear (SRAM Force V Shamano 105) and the lower weight (7.8kg v 9.2kg)
The more I ride the better it feels. Crit season is on us down under so will be giving it a good workout over the summer. (are you jealous all you northerners heading into the cold and dark…Bwahahahahaha)
@wiscot
That’s actually an old photo – the Masi now has no cages and the Elite cages are (as you can see) on the Colnago.
I don’t really need water bottles on my running-errands-about-town bike. Though my ultimate plan is to build up another track bike for around town and run the Masi as a winterbike, with fat tires, a five speed Sturmey Archer internal hub and full fenders (which may take a little bit of jury rigging).
@Xponti
Not me sunshine, i’m in Melbourne, which, well kinda qualifies with the cold and dark comment in any case. I’ve been waiting for spring for the past 18 months.
Thanks for the ride report. That sounds great. I’m keen to see how much faster I can climb The Wall than on the Yeti.
Built up a Van Dessel Gin & Trombones cross bike. I’ve only ridden it a few times but building from parts was definitely the way to go. Every part is just perfect, to me.
SRAM Rival, Ritchey Classic bend bars, handbuilt wheels with lightweight Sapim CX Ray spokes, Avid BB7 disc brakes, Fizik saddle and tape.
@G’rilla
Excellent! Very well appointed and handsome. I look forward to your musings on the discs.
@G’rilla
That’s a beautiful bike! Great build and i’m sure it will perform as good as it looks. I’m riding Sram Rival on my cross bike as well and it’s been great for me.
That color combo has always been one of my favorites, and that classic paint scheme and matching bar tape make it even more striking.
Great job!