Does this make it right?
I kind of like the fact that I still have to look up what number certain Rules are. Some stick in my mind, usually due to their relevance to my everyday riding and living situation. That’s how I could justify hairy legs over a ride-barren winter, loose-fitting (I refuse to call them baggy) shorts for gravé rides, and a frame pump on my road bike. I can hear the howls of derision now. And even after Gianni’s public flogging for using a saddle bag, I’m still gonna go there, girl.
It occurred to me while watching the Tour that the main reason we eschew the EPMS, like most things, is that they don’t look good. Fair enough. Yes, they are functional, and while that usually doesn’t sit high on our list of priorities, it has been making a bigger blip on my personal radar of late. I guess that’s what happens once the floodgates are opened by the likes of a frame pump; “shit, this works really well, and you know what, no-one else is running it, so I’m kinda unique. Maybe even a trendsetter.” OK, maybe not, but justification comes in many forms. Anyway, from watching the Tour and not being able to avoid the fact that every bike was running the electronic timing GPS device under the saddle, I had to ask the question: do they make the EPMS acceptable?
Probably not, and those howls of derision are hitting peak decibels now, I’m sure. But there is a new crop of bags out there which are swaying me to the dark side. Stop howling! Maybe not on my road bikes, but with a new gravé machine imminent, I’ve been looking at all manner of add-on carrying devices. Frame bags, TT bags, handlebar bags, and even the EPMS. My good friend the Bike Bag Dude has been commissioned to customise a camera bag for the bars that can handle an SLR, and a slim frame bag that can also accomodate my Silca Impero. And those purveyors of the pump that has its own Rule caveat may have just released another Rule-breaker with their new Seat Roll Premio. See, it even sounds cool. It uses the BOA system to secure it to the rails and looks more like a wallet than a small piece of carry-on luggage dangling under your arse.
Now that Frank has turned 40 and Gianni and I are well north of that, could there be a softening of the Rules going on? Shit no, we’re not completely senile just yet. But there are increasing ways to gently skirt some of them, while others are sacrosanct. And when our colostomy bags turn up, you know they are going to be Rule compliant. Otherwise, it’s just a shit time, and no-one wants that.
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Wait, the Impero pump is $165? Get the fuck out. I just bought a new frameset for less. That's insane.
@Ron
I think commuter bikes are partially or entirely Rules exempt.
Commuting has its own rules, anyway. Or Rule. Never, ever let yourself be overtaken by another cyclist.
The Seat Roll Premium is gorgeous.
Stay tuned for the next article: "Why recumbents are awesome".
(I'm just faking outrage here, admittedly. I actually happen to think that (some) recumbents can be pretty awesome, and have never really been able to grasp while they are (or seem) so vilified around here. I'll get my coat and will try not to let the door slam on my way out...)
On another note: @Frank, congrats on the big Four-Oh and many happy returns.
And on yet another note: my namesake @Erik: agreed; that Seat Roll thingy looks mighty fine to me, too.
Well there is one way of getting me to pop back in for a scoot around the site. Have this article pop up on my FB page next to the adverts for bio luminescent ball bags dangling from saddles.
My only comment is. No. No. and thrice NO!
@RobSandy
Rules loosened, but not abandoned, for commuters. For example saddle and bar tape might not match, but only if the saddle is a Brooks leather. It is still critical to Look (as) Fantastic (as possible) while commuting, and to check oneself out in shop windows.
@RobSandy
On a recumbent. With an orange flag (but of course).
Come on guys, try to get your head around this it shouldn't be that difficult.
Don't base what your training bike ( especially your winter bike ) should look like from a picture of a bike on the start line at a race.
Put a saddle bag on and leave it on.
@Ron
Seat tube, then?
I have this exact bike in the shed (just with a higher frame; 63 cm instead of the 60 shown here). The matching frame pump works like a dream, doesn't rattle, never falls off, etc... 15 or so blasts with this puppy and I'm on my way again. Old school cool.
Now't wrong with the top tube.......though if the pump actually worked.......