Frame Job

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• @artman

  @Gianni I read that book back when it was first published. Good book, but don't forget that at the time steel frames were lugged and used small diameter tubing. Most were either 531 or Columbus Sl, and the carbon frames of the day were also pretty rubbery when compared to most of today's road racing frames.

  Today's materials have helped to create a whole new game. Today's steel frames as well as carbon ones are much stronger, lighter, and stiffer than what was available then.

  Yeah, you are so right. I'm showing my age with this post. Merckx on a little steel frame and lots of aluminum post wouldn't have helped him.

  @Rowerboy   Yes, you too. We are looking at pros in these photos when we are not pros and can't be pros. No matter how badass we would like to be, we are not them. And as you point out, we can't ride their geometries, well most of us can't.

• Speaking of unique bike fit -

  https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=442246399201004

• @BaltoSteve

  Add 4m of seat post and that's basically the bike I ride.

• @artman

  Look at this guy. He was pretty fast. Little bit o' quill stem showing there.

  And look at this guy who was faster than that guy. Slammed.

  This photo reminds me that most of Indurain, Delgado, and LeMond's bikes were actually built by Gueugneaud, who launched TVT after leaving LOOK and which eventually became Time. Most iconic carbon frames ever, if you ask me.

• @Chris "Marginal difference between the 52 and 54"? Exactly. I brought home a 54 cm SuperSix EVO 5 a few weeks ago and I'm loving my new ride. I'm 5'8" with a 30" inseam and the guy at the LBS went back and forth on the 54 v. 52. We tested both, on the road and in the shop on their CycleOps. He finally said, "I don't think it's going to matter".

  "But it'd be interesting to see how it would affect stability overall and whether it would make those handsfree moments significantly harder." Not a problem, the ride is nicely balanced and very stable. Even on my ride today on Texas (21C and sunny today!) chip-seal, pushing a wind, and stretching, tearing open an energy gel and hydrating.

  Post Script. I do have a long reach, but confess to one spacer on the head tube (hanging my head in shame). That will change soonest. In the meantime I'll say three Hail Merycx.

• @Minnesota Expat Did I just mis-spell Merckx? Gawd. First post and I mucked it all up. That has to put me into negative Velominati status.

• @Minnesota Expat Useful feedback, thanks. The comment regarding stability was aimed more at the difference between the 54 and the 50 where the headtube angle is a whole degree sharper. That's the only aspect of going from a 54 to a 50 that would cause any concern.

  @Minnesota Expat

  @Minnesota Expat Did I just mis-spell Merckx? Gawd. First post and I mucked it all up. That has to put me into negative Velominati status.

  Hill reps. Lots.

• I have two bikes - a steel Giordana and a Ridley Damocles carbone. They live together in the garage and although they are both ridden by the same rider their frame sizes are very different and thus they treat me in different ways vying for my affections. One day I know I will open a garage containing two machines lying on their sides (drive sides up), I'll know what happened and (obviously) I'll write a play about it that will start like this:

  Two frames, both alike in dignity,

  In fair Callander, where we lay our scene,

  From ancient steel bike to new carbone,

  Where oily chain makes civil hands unclean.

  Upon the fatal saddles of these two foes

  A pair of star-cross'd testes take their rest;

  Whose misadventur'd piteous overthrows

  Doth with their sensations bury their owners' zest.

  The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love,

  And the continuance of their owners' rage,

  Which, but their bicycles end, naught could remove,

  Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage;

  The which if you with patient ears attend,

  What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.

• @ChrisO

  Here's my theory... I think people have a tendency to get stuff that is too big for them because it is comfortable and easy. Shoes, jeans, bikes and pretty much anything that comfines our bodies within physical dimensions.

  We demand instant comfort. We* aren't prepared to suffer a little bit, or make some sacrifices or put up with anything that takes getting used to.

  I realised a few years ago I had been buying shoes at least half, maybe a full size too large all my life because they felt right when I put them on in the shop. For various reasons I bought smaller and endured some real pain breaking them in but now they are the most comfortable, best fitting pair I have.

  Bikes are similar - from childhood people are put on too large bikes and get used to that feel. They try it in the shop and it feels OK from the start but with some adjustment and work a smaller size would actually be better for them.

  As for jeans, being able to wear skinny jeans and not look like I've had to be poured into them is one of the reasons I like being a cyclist.

  *I'm talking about Society here, not the Velominati as a whole.

  Interesting theory. I've always been particular about how my clothes fit, needing them to fit well. I'll find myself wearing the same few pairs of pants because they fit the best.

  Being a Follower has only made this worse. Now that I only feel right in perfectly fitting race-fit kit, I need my clothes to be similarly tailored. I can't stand baggy or loose clothes.

  I haven't worn jeans in around 15 years. Slacks, chinos, dress pants, pants. Denim just isn't comfortable to me. Too heavy. I also have a small waist, big thighs, and skinny lower legs. Jeans never fit well.

  And, I have two fears in life: being crushed in the Achilles by an old lady with a shopping cart at the grocery and wet denim.

• FFS stop talking about seat tube sizing like it matters. YOU'RE PART OF THE V. TELL ME OF YOUR EFFECTIVE TOP TUBE. No fitter or frame builder worth their shit gives a damn about your current seat tube.

  I'm 6'3", mine's 585, my stem is 120mm, and my bike fits wonderfully.

  I am working on a custom steel bike with a frame builder now, likely will be a 592-593 ETT built around a 110mm stem for handling.