This is possibly the most offensive piece of gear I have encountered on a bike. Do you really need a little orange wand to tell you what gear you’re in? There is only one gear to be in: the hardest one at which you can still make the pedals go around in something resembling a circle.
These goofy little things were found on the bike I rented last weekend for a benefit ride on the east coast in honor of my late Aunt. It was a wonderful ride and great family time… but really, shift indicators? Further proof that all has been in decline since the advent of indexed derailleurs. What added insult to injury in this case was the quality (or lack there of) in the shifting itself. Tiagra is a far cry from my beloved Dura Ace. I would try to shift and the little orange wand would wobble uselessly back and forth — like a Seattle driver trying to merge on the highway — until, finally, an enormous noise would ripple up the bike and a new gear *might* be achieved. I began to brace myself for the effort…. and…. SHHHHHIIIIIFFFFFFTTTTT. Like passing a gallbladder stone. (Or so I imagine.)
In the end, this Cannondale Synapse was just fine. It even had a sharp paint job. Almost sharp enough to make up for the kiddie shifters.
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@Steampunk
I fully agree with you here - my cross bike is pre-Sora generic Shimano 7spd (for the moment) and its worked fantastically well since I installed it - these lower end groupsets are all pretty good these days provided that they are setup and maintained by someone who knows what they are doing.
The gear shift indicators are pretty stupid though. If you really can't tell what gear you're in by feel, simply look down at your cluster.
@G'rilla
I'm hardly the one to talk to about MTBs, but I did go from hardtail to full squish, and it was like that bird says, "Night-time...DAYTIME!" My VMH still rides a hardtail, largely because she hates spending money on anything, and I do envy the ease with which she climbs on smooth XC trails. If I didn't have a ruptured disk, I'd consider riding a nice light hardtail single-speed like a few of the nutters in this area. (And then I'd blow a kneecap right off my leg...)
@Brian
You know, it's the yellow lenses that really make Walter's character complete. Clear lenses wouldn't work, dark lenses would look stupid and predictable, but the yellow (for heightened visibility and therefore excellent awareness of all that goes on around him) are perfect. It's funny, for a film hat has become a cult (the use of the word Dude, for example) I'm amazed at how few folks have seen the whole thing.
@G'rilla
None taken. Hardtails might be the steel roadie version of the MTB world. And steel, as you well know, is real.
@Matt
Take it down a notch or 10 there little buddy. I didn't read anywhere in the comments that said if you have lower end kit, you're a shit cyclist. Most everyone here has started on lower end gear, and as we've gotten older (see; gotten jobs that allow us to upgrade our whips) or whatever, the upgrade is a nice/ noticeable difference.
If you read through any of the posts, on any of the articles, this is all (mostly) tongue in cheek, and us just fucking with each other.
Also: you can spell FUCK here without moderation. We don't suffer stuck up cunts that think they're better than everyone else because of their Di2 equipped Colnago in Rapha kit either.
@doubleR
I was so jealous of my cousin when he got the Ornge Krate. Even after a almost became a castrati while trying it out.
@wiscot Very good point about the yellow lenses and heightened visi-awareness. I have seen this movie too many times to count and it still never gets old. Like watching the 1994 Paris-Roubaix.
@scaler911
Some more than others. But yeah, it's all in good fun.
A-MERCKX to that, brother!
@Steampunk
not even. they make carbon hardtails. cause hard tails are legit.
@RedRanger
Yes, yes they are.