Anatomy of a Photo: Bike Love
I got new wheels last week and got them mounted with tires by the weekend. Then @Haldy had to help me with a clearance problem on Sunday (27mm FMB Paris-Roubaix’s get to be more like 29mm tires after Francois finishes his lunchtime bottle of wine). When I wasn’t looking, @Haldy put orange cable ends on all the cables. A Velominatus can’t resist doing that sort of thing, you see.
Between the new wheels and orange bits, I feel like I have a new bike. I brought her up into the dining room and have spent yesterday evening and today morning working from the dining room table so I can gaze at her while “thinking”.
I’m tempted to bring her to work today, but I’ve got a few client meetings and I’m afraid my customers might think it a bit strange if I walk into the conference room wheeling my bike. The key thing that separates us from the rest of the world is that we think its normal to stare lovingly at an inanimate object.
We are Cyclists; the rest of the world merely rides a bike. Vive la Vie Velominatus.
@KogaLover
I just went to a hobby supply store and bought some orange paint. Usually take a few coats but looks just fine when done.
@KogaLover
Here: they have whatever you need. https://www.purelycustom.com/c-86-headset-spacers.aspx
@RobSandy
What a hoot. And a video too ! 1st class effort on Trek’s part. And the s-works selfie stick ? Another classic. The cycling industry/community takes 1 April to another level. Why not? It’s all about riding bikes and how can that be taken too seriously? This is good stuff. What a fun day. Cheers
@wilburrox
I’m a bit pissed off. All I’ve ever wanted is to smell like Faboo.
@frank
I wouldn’t get any work done… at all…..
@wilburrox
Would Monument be regarded as a “Classic” fragrance?
I’ll get my coat . . .
@Haldy
All I found was Shimano PTFE shift and brake cable and housing *sets* on Amazon. I’m curious to know what you’d use.
I do this all the time, which proves to be a huge distraction as well as making me late for where ever I am supposed to be. I looked up from my morning coffee a few hundred times to longingly admire my gleaming Hampsten MAX. Today is a good day…
@max columbus
Every day you have that bike is a good day. What a stunner!
I had forgotten what day it was when I got that email from Trek. I knew it was BS right away though, then I remembered it’s 4/1.
The selfie stick from Specialized…sorry, that whole craze is so fucking stupid I don’t even have the energy to laugh. Obesity and narcissism are going to be the modern health plagues that kill off humans in large numbers.
@Ron
It’s actually 1/4.
The worrying part about the selfie stick is that you just know there are people out there who will think it’s a good idea.
@PeakInTwoYears
Shimano is what I would use, but I have access to the D/A level brake and shift kits, and that’s what is going to be installed on @frank ‘s machine when he gets back.
@Haldy
Better be high-quality shit. I’ll bring the beers.
@Haldy
Cool, thanks.
@RobSandy
I’ve never done any of my bikes the indignity of putting them in the shed. Basement, garage, yes, but the shed feels like putting a dog in a dog house.
@frank
I’m slightly insulted you think I would put inferior quality on your steed. While I can make no guarantees about the quality of the riders to the bikes i tune..I always treat them well with quality parts!
@wilburrox
Solid, 24 carat gold.
@Haldy
Hey, setting expectations is not the same as flinging insults. Is that stuff compatible with Campa? I always strayed from the Shimano/Sram stuff for the road stable.
@KogaLover
This is still my wallpapaer.
@max columbus
I have it high on my list to get over to Steve’s workshop and talk custom. So in love with those bikes.
@Ron
Yeah but the selfie stem puts a great note on that point, doesn’t it? I thought that might have been the funniest of the lot, were it not for the “crushing it in the boardroom” remark which takes the cake.
@wiscot
Chris King makes orange spacers – Mango is a pretty close match to the V-Orange and is the color my hubs are.
http://chrisking.com/parts/spacers
@frank
Well..if we are setting expectations…I like my beer dark…insult duly retracted…your steed has a worthy rider. I look forward to another opportunity to lay some V down with you.
Mrs Chris
Often heard when I’ve been working from home.
She’s in South Africa at the moment, though, so the bikes is getting a good spring clean tomorrow night in the comfort of my study rather tan the garage.
@frank
I’ve slightly misused the word ‘shed’ there. My bike ‘shed’ is actually a precast concrete panel garage, not a rickety garden shed. Please, I’m not a savage.
I don’t call it a garage because there is no garage door. So you can’t waste space by putting a car in it. .
@Flatlander
No; it was designed after this one — just with wood arms to cradle the top tubes.
I’ll probably pick one of these up some day to replace the original rack. Unfortunately one of the top pieces went missing when I moved to start grad school; I gave the other pieces to an acquaintance who wanted to take a shot a making a replacement. I’ve now got something similar in black metal that has the benefit of being able to handle sloping top tubes — but doesn’t have as much soul behind it…
@Barracuda
Hi,
i’ve just seen this bike rack at Velo House, Tunbridge Wells. Called Bull Horns – and cost £135.
David
@cognition
Had never thought very much about stands…. But it makes a lot of sense. Bikes deserve a good place to rest.
I miss my Raleigh. How is it I loved one of my cheapest bikes more than everything that came since?
@SteelCamp
Wow, that looks really similar to the one I had; I wish you had a bigger photo!
@frank
Well sorry to say it’s not my photo. Downloaded the pic just to show what I had. Raleigh Competition Gran Sport. The last year they were made in England. The next year they were made in Japan and the price went from about $550 to $750. I bought it in 1980 or there about. Here’s a clearer pic
Does this ever happen?