Greg's cap looks familiar. Available 2016!
We made it to the new year! Bicycles have not been outlawed so things are looking up. Yet, the state of Cycling could always be much better and here are a few hopes.
Women’s Cycling- If anyone is racing on passion alone it’s women cyclists. God knows they are not doing it for the money as they don’t get any. Professional cyclists need to unite to get more of a share and women need to be there for the wrangling. The Women’s Cycling Association (WCA) is a great beginning. In Europe, another association, Strongher, is here to raise women’s cycling profile. I don’t know enough about women’s racing but I do know they are racing their asses off. They get little press, little money, little respect but anyone who watched the Women’s Worlds in Richmond knows how hardcore the racing is.
Men’s Cycling- The men are making good salaries, the prize money is impressive but the basic professional structure is teetering over a giant pot hole. Teams need more financial stability which will promote longevity and more sponsors. Can’t Gianni Bugno use his abundant Italian charm and good looks to fix all this, FFS? Frankly I’ll never have an informed opinion about this so I just hope someone gets it together. I’m calling for a strike damn it! See, I just said I no informed opinion.
Professional men’s cycling, like most professional sports where money is the driving force, is always going to be imperfect. And by imperfect I mean cheating by degrees will always be there and professional riders have always been negotiating the results while rolling down the road. There is no reason to think any of this will ever change so take your professional cycling with a small glass of skepticism.
UCI’s Technical Changes- It is likely the UCI will lower the weight limit for racing bikes in 2016. There maybe a trickle down effect for us civilians but I hope I can just lose some weight on me in 2016. It would be cheaper.
The disc brake experiments this year will be interesting. A soaking wet Amstel Gold or Roubaix would be a good litmus test. We all know soaking wet carbon rim brakes suck something awful; it’s the only time I fantasize about the discs. And speaking of soaking wet Roubaix, is that not on everyone’s list this year? This has to happen. And a snowy L-B-L while we are praying for miracles. Baby Jesus, make it so.
Velominati Goals- In 2016 I think we all hope for the time and health to train so as to crush our enemies and to hear the lamentation of the women (second part is optional). Getting older is no excuse when Rule #5 is on our crest, so Vive La Vie Velominatus, people. And yes, maybe finalize the V-crest this year too.
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@Owen
Yes we live up in PV/Scottsdale. Go Sun Devils.
@Wilburrox
Yep I love this and can't wait to see where cycle sports are headed in America. Anytime there is only one option there is a lack of responsibility. NICA is a good thing and will force USAC to change if it wants to remain relevant. At least we hope.
@Teocalli
nope straight cable all the way to the control arm. Think BB7 or TRP. No oil and hey - they're lighter than hydro too. Agree w/ many others that it should be easier to shed bodily pounds than weight on the machine - except see, there's this thing called "ale" ........
@DavyMuur
It's a cross bike but I use it all the time for everything since I'd rather train on the bike I race.
@Major VVald
That's fair enough. I automatically assumed we were talking road. I'm sure that disc brakes blow rim brakes out of the water in terms of performance, but I think they make the bike look bottom-heavy, which is unfortunate. Albeit, I'm more and more interested in trying cx. Having spectated my first cx race in 2015 I am intruiged, and impressed by it's all-inclusivity. Looks like my cup of tea.
To honor LeMan and to emulate his casually deliberate style (for he is after all so cool it hurts), I am sometimes tempted to go out for a spin with an old Campy cap on backwards, just so, sans helmet. This is of course politically incorrect, not to mention reckless, behavior, and I cannot go 5 miles without some do-gooder pointing out my folly. Then don't I feel foolish. I'll bet no LBS scolds Greg if he should happen to stop in wearing a La Vie Claire lid!
HAPPY NEW YEAR from me and the rest of the PEZ crew!
http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/features/happy-new-year-from-the-pez-crew-jan-2016/
My wish is for more Peter.
Breath of fresh air.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/peter-sagans-new-years-tribute-to-grease-video/
@DavyMuur
Yeah, I started off feeling the same way, but (spoiler alert: heresy) I'll probably get my next road bike (when VMH lets me since I'm already over n+1 in her mind) with discs too. I've grown to love them and now I really couldn't imagine not having them, esp. on serious downhills.
@DavyMuur
Agreed. Part of the aesthetic of fine road bikes are their delicate lines and in my opinion although I like mechanical things, discs are a clunky abomination. I had the 'opportunity' to ride a 2016 Synapse with discs. Didn't notice anything different except...when putting the front wheel on the bike. So heavy! I predict more accidents as riders (non-pros) become overconfident in a corner or on a descent when their slide is determined not by their new stopping power but the contact point of their tires. My Dura-Ace rim brakes are more than enough.
Disc brakes on road bikes are the answer to a question no one asked, except maybe the bike manufacturer sales department. Pretty sure they are heavier when you consider system complete with things like hub and cross lacing. Discs on my MBs require regular maintenance and adjustment to stay quiet and powerful. Meanwhile, dual pivot side pulls on my RB need almost no service and have plenty of stopping power for the steepest twistiest descents.
The only rim brake downside I can think of is wear eventually forcing wheel rebuild or replacement, but honestly I bet most bikes/wheels are not kept that long.
I'm wishing everyone a great new season. I 've been off the site for awhile, but I'm glad to see my account has remained. Still riding a lot and developed some new loops up here in the Cumberland Gap region. I'm not on STRAVA but some of my ride partners are so there may be maps, etc. FYI. I took a bad hit running over a dog before Christmas so I'm rehabbing my shoulder now while its cold outdoors. Hope to be back on wheels soon. Just wondering how folks perceive this, do you consider the kit you wrecked in jinxed, or will you wear it again although it has a scuff and small tears?
Ride Fast, Ride often, Have fun!
You all see the analysis that Giant Alpecin posted re: their results on descending and who on team was fastest and the why/hows of their technique. From what I gather it all came down to who was most aggressive in braking early, braking hard and for short distance before the turns on descents. And exactly why hydraulic disc brakes will ultimately be better for performance. Especially with C wheels. And heck yea it's sales and marketing... who wouldn't want to have available a superior performance option to market? Disc brakes for road bikes will be refined by leaps and bounds in coming model years and evolve from what's been developed for mtn bikes and being used today.