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 ...
@scaler911
You want the used Avanti Quantum featured around page ten of this thread. I don’t care what size you are but you want it and have to send me money. At which point I’ll probably decide to keep it and offer you a refund in the form of aluminium bottle caps.
@scaler911
Those wheels are pretty light, I bet they fly uphill. Love those Wiliers.
@scaler911
You would want my bike, but it isn’t for sale.
@MJ Moquin
Don’t know if you could tell from the photos, but the rental bikes from the guys at Pave Cycling Classics were Cyfacs set up for the cobbles. I thought they rode quite nicely. Then again, the Ambrosios and Pave tubulars helped. I’m sure William and Alex know somebody in the factory…
@Skip
I wonder if there is any chance of renting a bike from William and Alex for my June Paris-roubaix cyclosportif?
LBS are building up an RB1000 for some lucky git. Doing it in the front of the shop rather than the workshoppe – looks like a piece of installation/performance art.
Quick update from the LBS & the insurers, the Fondriest has been written off and is being replaced along with a brand new Lazer Genesis. The insurers also kicked in for a new jersey, baselayer & pair of bibs from Rapha as well as the custom Oakleys shown further up the page (these items may or may not have actually been involved in said accident but I figure it’s best to make hay while the sun shines).
@Mikael Liddy
and use a fake username on teh interwebz so the man can’t track you down.
@minion meh, I work for said man & know their IT capabilities…limited is the word that springs to mind.
Interesting carbon clincher discussion in this podcast, starting at 57 minutes. I’ll stick with aluminium thanks.
http://www.the-spokesmen.com/wordpress/?p=360
@Mikael Liddy
Somehow I knew 2 insurance actuaries in Welly – they scared me. Intelligent in a way that you dont’ come across very often at all, which given I have no idea what they do or how they do it is not surprising.
@minion yeah it’s funny, this is the second claim I’ve done in the last 6 months and both have cruised through.
I think because it was a claim lodged purely under my contents policy there seemed to be a little less scrutiny as opposed to if I was making a claim on someone else’s policy as a result of an accident. Also half a chance that because the policy just treats the bike & my clothing as general contents instead of specialised valuables that they don’t mind paying out as much.
Slight tweak to the sunnies ordered…these puppies should arrive within the week. Annoying thing is that ordering them via the US site would only have been US$335 compared to the AU$510 that the same set up cost on the Australian site.
I have a friend who works in the bike industry. He just got back from two weeks in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Riding with him for a few years has made it quite clear how much cycling stuff (and other) comes from that part of the world. If you care and want to be sure, I’d say just get an older bike made out of metal. I have two & I know they were made by some of my kinfolk.
@frank
I agree with this completely from an aesthetic point of view, but of two bikes with the same handlebar position (the first achieved with a negative degree stem and a stack of spacers and the second with a hardon stem and fewer or no spacers, wouldn’t the bike with the hardon be stiffer (no pun intended) because the stresses on the steerer would be closer to the headset? In fact, the reason that steerers have specifications as to the maximum length allowed when installed is to prevent a long steerer from snapping Hincapie-style, is it not? (Full disclosure – poor flexibility and a recent back injury has left my bike with Rule #45 non-compliant Steerectile Dysfunction)
@VeloVita
Yes, shortest distance is a straight line, less room for deflection and such.
Addressing bike fit, do I have stupid short femurs? With 80.4-82.4cm saddle-BB Competitive Cyclist recommends 4-4.4cm of setback. To get there my reach gets shortened and I get lower back pains, so I have my saddle at like 8cm setback. If I did move it up to 4cm, I wouldn’t be able to get enough seatpost as it is at minimum insertion already.
@DerHoggz
I usually equate more setback with longer femurs but I’m no professional fitter. Usually you’d get the setback dialed first for proper pedaling, then adjust reach by altering the stem length.
@DerHoggz
I’m confused on this. You have a setback at 8cm and everything is “ok”. If you move your saddle closer by 4cm to a 4cm setback, you should also need to raise your saddle to compensate for moving closer to your pedals, not lower it.
Am I missing something?
Your reach to your handlebars will be shortened, but if this saddle position is the “right” one, then look at getting a longer stem.
This is where a bike fit by someone who knows what they are doing is worth every penny.
@itburns, @DerHoggz
Ok, I think I see my mistake – “minimum insertion”, so you can’t raise the saddle anymore? Get a longer post?
@itburns
Yeah, minimum insertion probably better called maximum extension. I know the fit is off, but at this point I can’t justify putting money into my bike. I’m saving for next semester, and hopefully I will have enough to get a more appropriate bike.
@Nate
I was originally just going to live with shorter reach, but the back pain was not going to work so I slid the saddle back.
@VeloVita, @DerHoggz
I think you might have less flex at the headset, but I think you’ll have more flex through the stem itself. No matter how you slice it, Steerectile Dysfunction will give you flexy handling.
@DerHoggz
I can’t see how they are positioned to recommend setback without seeing you pedal and doing an in-person fit session. They’re recommending generalities, and if you get pain, then you’re not positioned correctly. As Nate says, go for your setback first, then adjust the reach so you’re comfortable. As another rule of thumb that should not be taken as law without experimentation, more reach often relieves back pain – to a point. But if you’re sliding forward on your saddle, you’ve gone too far. Play around with it.
Setback has to do with more than just femurs, by the way – also butt strength etc. It comes down to pedaling style which is very much but not entirely influenced by physiology.
I had my saddle at about this setback a while back, but found I was sliding forward too much and getting sore in the nethers. I moved it forward, but the back pain and new shoes with a thicker sole made me move it back again. I have been working on flexibility so I don’t slide forward anymore.
I would prefer the farther forward position, but as I see it, the stem and BB are fixed so I have to move the saddle, since I’m not going to buy a stem.
@DerHoggz
How long is your stem? Angle? Is It to long or short?
@RedRanger
Stem is 90mm, quill, and parallel to the ground. It is too short.
@DerHoggz
What size and length of the stem do you need? Let me know and I’ll see what I have lying around here that can still be used until you are able to buy one.
@DerHoggz
If TommyT doesn’t have what you need let me know. I have a few ‘spares’ as well….
Did anyone notice anything odd about the photo above from the Merckx Factory? I am speaking of the 2nd photo of the frame jig.
Here it is with the ‘interesting bit’ highlighted.
Hmmm..I know there has been a Merckx under ‘One Nut Medicine Cabinet’ in the past. But this looks way too new to have been from the Motorola days?
WTF?
@tomb
The jig probably dates back to when Lance was riding for Motorola. Even though he mostly rode disguised Litespeeds, he also rode actual Merckx frames too.
@Oli
Really? After nearly 20 years they still have his name on a jig? Seems a bit far fetched. But who knows….
@tomb
Not as far fetched as Lance suddenly ditching Trek in favour of an Eddy Merckx, but who knows? I can’t tell how his name is etched/painted on the jig, but the jig itself could easily be 20 years old, so why not?
Took the Trek out again for a much-needed ride, after too long a time on the Felt B2. Man, do I love the looks of the skinny-ish aluminium. Met a guy in full Saxobank 2012 livery going the other way up a climb, who turned out to be, well, Saxobank’s Ran Margaliot.
Apart from Rule #26 compliance (and the fact that a third chainring is, for some reason, still present on this bike), I believe I’ve got most of them.
*cough* saddle tilt *cough*
So I’m swapping my mid 90s 8 speed dura ace for new ultegra 6700
What tools must I have to perform bottom bracket removal? I’ve got a chain whip ; chain breaker ; and the shimano tool for taking off / installing crankset – it can also tighten BB bearing. Anything else ?? Not 100% sure as to how the old DA 7400 crank comes off ……… just going to (gulp) dive in . total virgin so excited / petrified in equal measure. Cheers people. Apologies for moronically dull question ..
@Oli
Actually, the front two thirds (it’s an Arione) are perfectly level, with the rear portion sloping slightly upwards. It’s the bike that’s leaning down a step and at an angle.
@smithers
You will need crank puller for square hole crank arms like Park Tool CCP-22,Park Tool crank and BB wrench HCW-4 to remove adjustable left cup and fixed cup on a right side,HCW-5 wrench to remove lockring from the left cup and Park Tool BBT-19 BB tool to install external bearing cups for new ultegra crankset/chainset.If you look at those tools on Park Tool website there are videos and instructions.You can use other tools of course as I don’t work for PT and used PT web to show you the tools needed.
One thing to remember is that the photo I posted shows BB for Italian thread.Check what thread is on your BB cups as it might be English 1.370×24 tpi.
Good luck and enjoy working on your bike.
@TommyTubolare
A thorough understanding and strict adherence to Rule #58 goes a long way here. You might get this done cheaper than the tools you’re only going to use once would cost you (crank puller, BB socket, x-type BB wrench, etc.) If you keep your mechanic Well Hydrated, you might get it done for free. If you volunteer to help the fixie-kids learn how to change a wIre bead tire on a stupid deep-vee rim, you might earn stand privileges and forever have access to those tools and more
I had a bike epiphany this morning. Whist perusing the latest issue of a random bike magazine, I saw “recommendations” for various levels of bike purchases: dream, race, plush, entry etc etc. “As tested” prices from around $11k to $2k. I dawned on the that *the only difference* between them was essentially the frame set itself. Practically all of any bike’s personality is the components: Gruppo, Group-san, Bro-set, wheels, saddle, pedals etc etc. OK, there is some preference for BB30 types (or whatever the BB design o the month is) and perhaps some room to discuss head tube designs, but really – a $9000 swing? I call bullshit. This is all branding, sales and hype.
Pick a frame. Any frame. Now, make sure you get one that fits. Perfectly. If you like carbone, great. Get one. Steel? Damn straight. It has a different ride quality, and has a fucking soul. Like the looks of aero? Go see your friends at the Cervelo shoppe. And hey – if you dig having The Prophet, LeMan, or Cippo’s name on your down tube – this can be had too. For that matter, you can get one that looks like your favorite pro’s machine too, just so you can look like – well, who ever you most admire. This year at least, until they get a Better Contract Offer.
There is no Better Bike. Each is a customization to an individual’s preferences, and that has nothing to do with the “brand.” The Velominatus’ bike is his/her soul in action, and there is no point in trying to go buy that off the shelf, or from the pages of a magazine. It rather irks me to see some of this sales shitte in action – Di2? Yeah, sure. Spiffy. Wants. But ya know, I don’t need more bike crap….I need to *ride my fucking bike*. Why?
Because. I. Love. It.
@TommyTubolare
Thanks TT – the odyssey begins…
@eightzero
I’m reminded that it costs BMW more to make less powerful straight sixes for some models and markets than it costs them to make much higher rated ones that go in to cars with significantly greater retail prices. It costs Intel more to make a slow chip that retails for less than fast ones that are cheaper to make. Its all about differentiation even within brands.
Somewhere out there is Nirvana – a frame and groupset that are the perfect combination of performance and price. Our job is to see behind the hype and work out which frames and combinations of parts give the most bangs per buck/euro/pound/yen/cowrie shell. Unfortunately we’re all individuals (apart from me obviously) and our perceptions of perfection vary (with the obvious exception of our collective perception of the Prophet).
How do we see beyond fashion and get to the truth?
@the Engine
Indeed. I am reminded that there is “the truth” and there is also “the Truth.”
@eightzero
THIS!
@mtnbikerfred
BIG supporter of my LBS. cost of tools needed is less than two hours labour – but this is irrelevant: I just want to have a go myself for the sheer pleasure of it.
My LBS has embraced realities, and encourages me all the way – infact I bought half the tools I need off him just yesterday. Everyone’s a winner : I’ll invariably cock it up and get him to fix my mistakes any way.
How do we see beyond fashion and get to the truth?
Fashion is irrelevant.
The Truth is you can wear and ride whatever the fuck you want if you dominate.
When you domintate, invariably you are comfortable in your own skin.
Aestheticism is what we’re on about. Innate in the few, devoid in the majority – most of us have a go and can get close, sometimes. Almost.
The truth is if you ride like a wet flannel . . . . neither fashion nor aestheticism are your friend.
I just finished some upgrades to my ALAN. Man I love this bike so much I feel bad not thinking of it as my number 1, then I think of my number 1 and think the same. Fortunate position to be in I suppose. Anyway – big changes. New bars (ditched the K-wings finally), fresh yokozunas, and jockeys. But the revolution is in the V brakes and ditching the can’tis. These are the TRP CX 8.4. They allowed me to ditch the fucking cable hanger on the steerer tube and drop the bars another cm as well as clearing up some weird routing issues with the -17 stem. They also allow me to stop. I’ll never go back. Nice modulation and zero fork shudder. The stopping power is absurd. CX racers may (or may not) like so much braking power especially is they’re used to the mushy slowing lack of power of cantis. But I love it. I can hit corners faster and actually stop in time with no noise, fuss, and lots of consistency. Remember when you switched to clipless pedals? The difference is that good. Tits.
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@smithers
No sir, you cannot.
Comrade Frank has enlightened us on this point before, if memory serves from my thought-correction and self-criticism classes.
The means are not justified by the ends. Applying Rule V, even in hearty measures, does not excuse looking like a douche and breaking The Rules.
We aspire to dominate and dish out the V, but the greatest Hardman is the one who also makes it look good.
@Marko
You’ve got a super Belgian lever position running there. Chapeau.
@ChrisO
edit:
The Truth: if you dominate ( massively ) it could be conscionable to wear and ride whatever you wanted but invariably, Truth dicates that the greatest dominate – in style.
Better?
I still thnk fashion has no place – its all about aestheticism.
Fishing?
should I just shut the fuck up now?
Did Pippi Longstockings chain unship yesterday because:
a – Bio-Pace style chainrings are just ridiculous and it was bound to happen
b – Surplus sideburn hair fell in to the mechanism causing failure
c – His sock slipped down and the resulting bundle of fabric got caught on his chain (this happened to me once when cycling in the 1970’s – my trouser leg came out of the sock in to which it had been placed; went in to the chain with sock and the laces of my boot causing a lost chain and a huge oily laundry problem)
@the Engine
b, though possibly straw
One of the highlights of the TdF is that he cuts that all off, hopefully even by the Dauphine…more Worzel Gummidge than Paul Weller IMHO