The Bikes

The Bike. It is the central tool in pursuit of our craft. A Velominatus meticulously maintains their bicycles and adorns them with the essential, yet minimal, accoutrement. The Rules specify the principles of good taste in configuration and setup of our machines, but within those principles lies almost infinite room for personal taste.

It seems in some ways like a kind of Stockholm Syndrome, the way we honor our machines. We love them to a point that lies well beyond obsession. Upon these machines upon we endure endless suffering, but also find an unending pleasure. The rhythm, the harmony between rider and machine, the outdoors, the wind in our faces and air in our lungs.

The Bikes is devoted entirely to our machines. Ours, The Keepers, and yours, the Community. It features articles devoted to our bikes, and proves a forum for uploading photos of your own machines for discussion. We will be harsh, but fair; this is a place to enforce and enhance our observation of The Rules.

If you’d like to submit an article about your own beloved bike, please feel free to send it to us and we’ll do our best to work with you to include it.

  • Rule #12 and the Cascade EffectRule #12 and the Cascade Effect
    That is a very reasonable opening salvo for the Rule about bike ownership. Three is good and certainly a minimum, and we are talking road bikes here, if there was any doubt. They naturally become ordered: the #1 is ichi-ban, top dog, go-to bike for every and all rides. #2 was the old #1, ...
  • Guest Article: Black Is Not The New BlackGuest Article: Black Is Not The New Black
     @kogalover is singing my song here. Bikes are beautiful. ’nuff said. VLVV, Gianni With all those posts on riding in winter and being visible, either by putting Eyes of Sauron or other car melting devices on one’s steed, or by even considering a YJA instead of donning plain black kit, it was about time to finally get ...
  • Dialing in the StableDialing in the Stable
    This was going to be an article about Rule #45. It is amazing how much time is wasted and matches burned when professionals stop for that second bike change to get back on their #1. With all the jigs available to team mechanics it would seem they could set up five bikes exactly the same. And ...
  • Matching the drapes to the rugMatching the drapes to the rug
    As a longtime titanium bike owner, I’ve always been jealous of a beautiful painted frame but Ti and carbon frames don’t need paint like a steel frame needs paint. But I want some painted beauty. It’s like buying a white car; I can’t do white, need some color. So between a Ti frame and a ...
  • Festum Prophetae: Waiting for the HourFestum Prophetae: Waiting for the Hour
    Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth. – Mike Tyson The one thing everyone should always plan for is that however well-conceived a program might be, things will never go to plan. The high level plan for my Festum Prophetae Hour Ride was as follows: Have a custom Hour Bike built by Don Walker. Because reasons. Reasons like custom ...

15,871 Replies to “The Bikes”

  2. Seven Deadly Sins

    Why do people do anything? What motivates our actions? Sometimes people do things selflessly, to help others, for the greater good, but the sad truth is that most of our actions are almost entirely self-serving.

    What motivates the actions of a great champion? We are used to hearing about strength of character being a driving force and I think there is truth to this when it comes to inspiring a champion to triumph against the odds. However, if we delve deeper into what motivates someone to compete in the first place, I think there’s a case that it is weakness of character, not strength which holds the reins. Self-doubt, narcissism, inferiority complexes, jealousy and ambition, these things fuel the competitive fires.

    I’m not a religious man but there seems to be a certain truth behind the list of 7 Deadly Sins. There are, after all, only a limited number of ways you can misbehave. Here they are and the cyclists I think represent each best.

    1.    Gluttony

    The Cannibal was always hungry. For success, for wins, for titles and jerseys. But wins in races were not the only things he devoured. He also ate up his competitors; one by one he consumed each one: their spirit, their reputation, the self-belief, their very soul. And if his legs had been willing he would never have sated his colossal appetite.  He would still be eating everything he could today.

    2.       Greed

    If he’d cheated his way to winning a few less Tours De France (because although he’s been erased from history, let’s not forget that by the standards of the times he DID win those races), he might have escaped his antichrist status. But driven by greed he kept coming back; greed for kudos, money and domination over everyone else. And it was Lance Armstrong’s greed that was his downfall, driving him to give the Tour one more shot in 2009. Because for this guy, everything was never enough.

    3.       Sloth

    One of the greatest sprinters of all time? The inventor of the sprint lead out train? World Champion? Yes, all this, and also the guy who turned up the air con in his hotel room to try and make himself ill so he could leave the Tour (it caused an illness, but only to roommate instead of him), started a fight and got himself disqualified from the 2000 Vuelta just before the first mountain stages, and took pictures of himself on the beach after quitting a Grand Tour on several occasions. Cipollini never actually made it as far as Paris despite starting the Tour 5 or 6 times. Undeniably gifted, often a champion, assuredly lazy.

    4.       Wrath

    We all know a guy like this. You ride up next to him and the second your wheel moves a centimetre further up the road than his he responds immediately by pushing his ahead again. They can’t handle being in second place. It drives them to rage, and revenge. Off the bike, the general consensus is that Bernard Hinault is not as much of an asshole as you’d think, but on the bike, in race mode he’s a creature of anger and righteous fury, each ferocious pedal stroke an expression of rage against anyone who would challenge his superiority.

    5.       Envy

    So, you’re the loyal super-domestique of a GC contender. Except, that you think you might be stronger than them. And lots of other people seem to think the same. Half of you wants to attack and see what you can do, the other half wants to be loyal and help your team leader. And then he’s the guy who wins the race overall and stands on top of the podium in the yellow jersey and gives a funny speech, and you smile and clap but all you can feel is envy. And then he’s Sports Personality of the Year and all you can think is it that could be you. Envy.

    Hello Chris Froome.

    6.       Pride

    He watched his friend, rival and former team leader attack again and again. Each attack was futile, and both knew it.  At the last desperate attack, at the foot of Alpe D’Huez, Laurent Fignon laughed at Bernard Hinault. Laughed at the extremes to which the Badger had been driven, out of pride. And laughed with his own pride, pride at his own strength and ability, the pride which drove him on to bring The Badger back and drop him to secure the Mailliot Jaune.

    7.       Lust

    Jaques Anquetil. Don’t think I need to say any more about that.

    So, the question which remains is, what motivates you?

     

  5. @Teocalli

    @RobSandy

    Froome might have proved his point by now though, but there is always the one that got away.

    1

    yeah, anybody that didn’t see how strong Froome was in 2012 surely sees it now..

  6. @RobSandy

    Seven Deadly Sins

    Why do people do anything? What motivates our actions? Sometimes people do things selflessly, to help others, for the greater good, but the sad truth is that most of our actions are almost entirely self-serving.

    What motivates the actions of a great champion? We are used to hearing about strength of character being a driving force and I think there is truth to this when it comes to inspiring a champion to triumph against the odds. However, if we delve deeper into what motivates someone to compete in the first place, I think there’s a case that it is weakness of character, not strength which holds the reins. Self-doubt, narcissism, inferiority complexes, jealousy and ambition, these things fuel the competitive fires.

    I’m not a religious man but there seems to be a certain truth behind the list of 7 Deadly Sins. There are, after all, only a limited number of ways you can misbehave. Here they are and the cyclists I think represent each best.

    1. Gluttony

    The Cannibal was always hungry. For success, for wins, for titles and jerseys. But wins in races were not the only things he devoured. He also ate up his competitors; one by one he consumed each one: their spirit, their reputation, the self-belief, their very soul. And if his legs had been willing he would never have sated his colossal appetite. He would still be eating everything he could today.

    2. Greed

    If he’d cheated his way to winning a few less Tours De France (because although he’s been erased from history, let’s not forget that by the standards of the times he DID win those races), he might have escaped his antichrist status. But driven by greed he kept coming back; greed for kudos, money and domination over everyone else. And it was Lance Armstrong’s greed that was his downfall, driving him to give the Tour one more shot in 2009. Because for this guy, everything was never enough.

    3. Sloth

    One of the greatest sprinters of all time? The inventor of the sprint lead out train? World Champion? Yes, all this, and also the guy who turned up the air con in his hotel room to try and make himself ill so he could leave the Tour (it caused an illness, but only to roommate instead of him), started a fight and got himself disqualified from the 2000 Vuelta just before the first mountain stages, and took pictures of himself on the beach after quitting a Grand Tour on several occasions. Cipollini never actually made it as far as Paris despite starting the Tour 5 or 6 times. Undeniably gifted, often a champion, assuredly lazy.

    4. Wrath

    We all know a guy like this. You ride up next to him and the second your wheel moves a centimetre further up the road than his he responds immediately by pushing his ahead again. They can’t handle being in second place. It drives them to rage, and revenge. Off the bike, the general consensus is that Bernard Hinault is not as much of an asshole as you’d think, but on the bike, in race mode he’s a creature of anger and righteous fury, each ferocious pedal stroke an expression of rage against anyone who would challenge his superiority.

    5. Envy

    So, you’re the loyal super-domestique of a GC contender. Except, that you think you might be stronger than them. And lots of other people seem to think the same. Half of you wants to attack and see what you can do, the other half wants to be loyal and help your team leader. And then he’s the guy who wins the race overall and stands on top of the podium in the yellow jersey and gives a funny speech, and you smile and clap but all you can feel is envy. And then he’s Sports Personality of the Year and all you can think is it that could be you. Envy.

    Hello Chris Froome.

    6. Pride

    He watched his friend, rival and former team leader attack again and again. Each attack was futile, and both knew it. At the last desperate attack, at the foot of Alpe D’Huez, Laurent Fignon laughed at Bernard Hinault. Laughed at the extremes to which the Badger had been driven, out of pride. And laughed with his own pride, pride at his own strength and ability, the pride which drove him on to bring The Badger back and drop him to secure the Mailliot Jaune.

    7. Lust

    Jaques Anquetil. Don’t think I need to say any more about that.

    So, the question which remains is, what motivates you?




    0

    wrath, envy, and pride.  i am not very nice.

  9. @RobSandy

    Seven Deadly Sins

    Why do people do anything? What motivates our actions? Sometimes people do things selflessly, to help others, for the greater good, but the sad truth is that most of our actions are almost entirely self-serving.

    What motivates the actions of a great champion? We are used to hearing about strength of character being a driving force and I think there is truth to this when it comes to inspiring a champion to triumph against the odds. However, if we delve deeper into what motivates someone to compete in the first place, I think there’s a case that it is weakness of character, not strength which holds the reins. Self-doubt, narcissism, inferiority complexes, jealousy and ambition, these things fuel the competitive fires.

    I’m not a religious man but there seems to be a certain truth behind the list of 7 Deadly Sins. There are, after all, only a limited number of ways you can misbehave. Here they are and the cyclists I think represent each best.

    1. Gluttony

    The Cannibal was always hungry. For success, for wins, for titles and jerseys. But wins in races were not the only things he devoured. He also ate up his competitors; one by one he consumed each one: their spirit, their reputation, the self-belief, their very soul. And if his legs had been willing he would never have sated his colossal appetite. He would still be eating everything he could today.

    2. Greed

    If he’d cheated his way to winning a few less Tours De France (because although he’s been erased from history, let’s not forget that by the standards of the times he DID win those races), he might have escaped his antichrist status. But driven by greed he kept coming back; greed for kudos, money and domination over everyone else. And it was Lance Armstrong’s greed that was his downfall, driving him to give the Tour one more shot in 2009. Because for this guy, everything was never enough.

    3. Sloth

    One of the greatest sprinters of all time? The inventor of the sprint lead out train? World Champion? Yes, all this, and also the guy who turned up the air con in his hotel room to try and make himself ill so he could leave the Tour (it caused an illness, but only to roommate instead of him), started a fight and got himself disqualified from the 2000 Vuelta just before the first mountain stages, and took pictures of himself on the beach after quitting a Grand Tour on several occasions. Cipollini never actually made it as far as Paris despite starting the Tour 5 or 6 times. Undeniably gifted, often a champion, assuredly lazy.

    4. Wrath

    We all know a guy like this. You ride up next to him and the second your wheel moves a centimetre further up the road than his he responds immediately by pushing his ahead again. They can’t handle being in second place. It drives them to rage, and revenge. Off the bike, the general consensus is that Bernard Hinault is not as much of an asshole as you’d think, but on the bike, in race mode he’s a creature of anger and righteous fury, each ferocious pedal stroke an expression of rage against anyone who would challenge his superiority.

    5. Envy

    So, you’re the loyal super-domestique of a GC contender. Except, that you think you might be stronger than them. And lots of other people seem to think the same. Half of you wants to attack and see what you can do, the other half wants to be loyal and help your team leader. And then he’s the guy who wins the race overall and stands on top of the podium in the yellow jersey and gives a funny speech, and you smile and clap but all you can feel is envy. And then he’s Sports Personality of the Year and all you can think is it that could be you. Envy.

    Hello Chris Froome.

    6. Pride

    He watched his friend, rival and former team leader attack again and again. Each attack was futile, and both knew it. At the last desperate attack, at the foot of Alpe D’Huez, Laurent Fignon laughed at Bernard Hinault. Laughed at the extremes to which the Badger had been driven, out of pride. And laughed with his own pride, pride at his own strength and ability, the pride which drove him on to bring The Badger back and drop him to secure the Mailliot Jaune.

    7. Lust

    Jaques Anquetil. Don’t think I need to say any more about that.

    So, the question which remains is, what motivates you?

    Well played, sir!

    And since it’s “the BIKES” section, a pic of my Hollands. Actually took it out for a short spin the other day. First time I’ve done that in a long while. Forgotten how steel is real. One of my winter projects will be re-building the wheel set (Sansin hubs, Mavic CXP30 rims). Not that there’s anything particularly “wrong” with the wheels. Just feel like doing it because it’s something to do.

    Cheers y’all1

  10. @chuckp

    @RobSandy

    Seven Deadly Sins

    Why do people do anything? What motivates our actions? Sometimes people do things selflessly, to help others, for the greater good, but the sad truth is that most of our actions are almost entirely self-serving.

    What motivates the actions of a great champion? We are used to hearing about strength of character being a driving force and I think there is truth to this when it comes to inspiring a champion to triumph against the odds. However, if we delve deeper into what motivates someone to compete in the first place, I think there’s a case that it is weakness of character, not strength which holds the reins. Self-doubt, narcissism, inferiority complexes, jealousy and ambition, these things fuel the competitive fires.

    I’m not a religious man but there seems to be a certain truth behind the list of 7 Deadly Sins. There are, after all, only a limited number of ways you can misbehave. Here they are and the cyclists I think represent each best.

    1. Gluttony

    The Cannibal was always hungry. For success, for wins, for titles and jerseys. But wins in races were not the only things he devoured. He also ate up his competitors; one by one he consumed each one: their spirit, their reputation, the self-belief, their very soul. And if his legs had been willing he would never have sated his colossal appetite. He would still be eating everything he could today.

    2. Greed

    If he’d cheated his way to winning a few less Tours De France (because although he’s been erased from history, let’s not forget that by the standards of the times he DID win those races), he might have escaped his antichrist status. But driven by greed he kept coming back; greed for kudos, money and domination over everyone else. And it was Lance Armstrong’s greed that was his downfall, driving him to give the Tour one more shot in 2009. Because for this guy, everything was never enough.

    3. Sloth

    One of the greatest sprinters of all time? The inventor of the sprint lead out train? World Champion? Yes, all this, and also the guy who turned up the air con in his hotel room to try and make himself ill so he could leave the Tour (it caused an illness, but only to roommate instead of him), started a fight and got himself disqualified from the 2000 Vuelta just before the first mountain stages, and took pictures of himself on the beach after quitting a Grand Tour on several occasions. Cipollini never actually made it as far as Paris despite starting the Tour 5 or 6 times. Undeniably gifted, often a champion, assuredly lazy.

    4. Wrath

    We all know a guy like this. You ride up next to him and the second your wheel moves a centimetre further up the road than his he responds immediately by pushing his ahead again. They can’t handle being in second place. It drives them to rage, and revenge. Off the bike, the general consensus is that Bernard Hinault is not as much of an asshole as you’d think, but on the bike, in race mode he’s a creature of anger and righteous fury, each ferocious pedal stroke an expression of rage against anyone who would challenge his superiority.

    5. Envy

    So, you’re the loyal super-domestique of a GC contender. Except, that you think you might be stronger than them. And lots of other people seem to think the same. Half of you wants to attack and see what you can do, the other half wants to be loyal and help your team leader. And then he’s the guy who wins the race overall and stands on top of the podium in the yellow jersey and gives a funny speech, and you smile and clap but all you can feel is envy. And then he’s Sports Personality of the Year and all you can think is it that could be you. Envy.

    Hello Chris Froome.

    6. Pride

    He watched his friend, rival and former team leader attack again and again. Each attack was futile, and both knew it. At the last desperate attack, at the foot of Alpe D’Huez, Laurent Fignon laughed at Bernard Hinault. Laughed at the extremes to which the Badger had been driven, out of pride. And laughed with his own pride, pride at his own strength and ability, the pride which drove him on to bring The Badger back and drop him to secure the Mailliot Jaune.

    7. Lust

    Jaques Anquetil. Don’t think I need to say any more about that.

    So, the question which remains is, what motivates you?

    Well played, sir!

    And since it’s “the BIKES” section, a pic of my Hollands. Actually took it out for a short spin the other day. First time I’ve done that in a long while. Forgotten how steel is real. One of my winter projects will be re-building the wheel set (Sansin hubs, Mavic CXP30 rims). Not that there’s anything particularly “wrong” with the wheels. Just feel like doing it because it’s something to do.

    Cheers y’all1

    0

    damn that bike is sexy

  11. @Cary

    Thanx! I’m debating putting white/black combo bar tape on it. Black on the tops and white in the drops. Would carry over the same color scheme as the saddle.

  12. @gilly

    @chuckp

    Strong sock game there Chuck!

    Not sure which socks you’re referring to, but thanx! I actually tend to be a Rules violator when it comes to socks. I kinda like 5-6″ height socks. And I have a lot of different socks that make a “statement.”

    Although sometimes I do go Full Monty and am matchy-matchy with socks.

  13.  

    The sun was out today in NorCal so I decided to take out the EVO. As you can see Gentullio was shinning approval from above…

  14. @Cary

    So, the question which remains is, what motivates you?

    0

    wrath, envy, and pride. i am not very nice.

    I think, perhaps, this is the point I was trying to make.

    I’m a bastard but I’m not the only one.

     

  15. @chuckp

    Argh! So many colours!

    @Hapsmo

    The sun was out today in NorCal so I decided to take out the EVO. As you can see Gentullio was shinning approval from above…




    0

    There’s something very pleasing about the geo of that bike. Probably the horizontal TT.

    The wheels look badass too. Hope you had a good ride.

  17. Early prezzie to self – hopefully this will help my ageing legs and knackered knees over the Spring challenges…..

  20. @ChrisO

    @Teocalli

    Is that 11-34 – I didn’t know they made such things !

    0

    11-32 – They came out with the Potenza group set but they have now added medium cage RDs across the range.

     

  21. @Teocalli

    @ChrisO

    @Teocalli

    Is that 11-34 – I didn’t know they made such things !

    0

    11-32 – They came out with the Potenza group set but they have now added medium cage RDs across the range.

    0

    I put an 12-30 on my Felt in my early days as a roadie. Still being’s me out in cold sweats thinking about it now.

    Looking for an 11 spd 11-23 for my new race wheels.

  22. @RobSandy

    @Teocalli

    @ChrisO

    @Teocalli

    Is that 11-34 – I didn’t know they made such things !

    0

    11-32 – They came out with the Potenza group set but they have now added medium cage RDs across the range.

    0

    I put an 12-30 on my Felt in my early days as a roadie. Still being’s me out in cold sweats thinking about it now.

    Looking for an 11 spd 11-23 for my new race wheels.

    0

    I remember my first trip out on my first road bike (an alloy 2012 Boardman I picked up on eBay, now my trusty #9), and I blew my lungs out grinding the bottom ratio 34/28 on an incline that can’t have been more than 3% for 200m.

    I love our sport!

  23. @RobSandy

    @Teocalli

    @ChrisO

    @Teocalli

    Is that 11-34 – I didn’t know they made such things !

    0

    11-32 – They came out with the Potenza group set but they have now added medium cage RDs across the range.

    0

    I put an 12-30 on my Felt in my early days as a roadie. Still being’s me out in cold sweats thinking about it now.

    Looking for an 11 spd 11-23 for my new race wheels.

    0

    There are 3 climbs on the Strade Bianche where I’ll need all those………

  25. @Teocalli

    @RobSandy

    @Teocalli

    @ChrisO

    @Teocalli

    Is that 11-34 – I didn’t know they made such things !

    0

    11-32 – They came out with the Potenza group set but they have now added medium cage RDs across the range.

    0

    I put an 12-30 on my Felt in my early days as a roadie. Still being’s me out in cold sweats thinking about it now.

    Looking for an 11 spd 11-23 for my new race wheels.

    0

    There are 3 climbs on the Strade Bianche where I’ll need all those………

    0

    It’s horses for courses innit. I have a triple on one of my bikes so I’m in no position to judge.

    I recently mixed and matched my old 12-25 race cassette with a 11-27 I bought for £5 of the intertubies to create my ideal training cassette – the 12-27. It’s perfect. Don’t know what I’ll do when I wear it out

  26. In Reckless by Fotheringham, Luis Ocana’s Fagor team-mates named him Chepas (Humpy) as they felt his slight hunchback gave him a natural aero advantage when riding a TT bike.  I was reminded of this as I was browsing rider photos in adverts in a magazine and idly flicking through the pages when a thought came to my mind in relation to Rule #45 and the impact of an individual’s morphology.  At that point with a word like that I can hear heads hitting desks already, but bear with me.  I will be brief.

     There are a whole host of parameters that affect how low we might want, or be able, to stack our stems. Age and resultant flexibility not being the least of those but here I want to dwell on a factor over which we have little control, as it is determined by our individual body shapes.

     What struck me in browsing the ads, was that for any individual the form of their back has a significant factor on their resultant shoulder position (height) when riding and so would influence their resultant stem height (stack).  For the sake of consistency, I’m assuming the ability to develop power is delivered with a constant minimum hip angle (lower back to thigh).

     So, in the diagram below, consider someone with an arched back (blue) vs someone with a straight back (red).  For the same hip angle the individual with a naturally arched or rounded back will achieve a lower shoulder position than an individual with a straight back.  All things being equal, they would be able to stack a lower stem.  So perhaps we should be considering what type of back we have when setting a target for our stack height.

  27. I’m building a 80s Casati. I’m going to replace the old campy headset with a Chris King headset and I’m unsure of what color to get. I could get a black one with white lettering to match the black Chris king hubs on the bike but I’m also considering a “Japan” one with the top cup red and bottom cup and cap&bolts polished silver. I think it could look nice with the red cable crimps I have. Thompson bars and brooks tape come in Friday.

    help me decide please

     

    https://ibb.co/cBsZBb

    https://ibb.co/niPQHG

  28.  

    I’m building a 80s Casati up with relatively modern components. I’m going to replace the old campy headset with a Chris King headset and I’m unsure of what color to get. I could get a black one with white lettering to match the black Chris king hubs on the Bike or I could go with a classic silver. I’m also considering a “Japan” one with the top cup red and bottom cup and cap&bolts polished silver. I attached a picture of one I found but imagine it as a threaded headset. I have Thompson’s bars on their way that will be wrapped in brooks tape.

     

    help me decide please

  29. @Hapsmo

    How’s the new saddle? I just bought the Airone R3 Versus EVO but will not have the new bike to mount it on for a few more weeks. I have been riding an Airone large for about 5 months now and like it but still have some general numbness here and there. I am worried the cutout is too wide in the rear.

  30. Part 2 of the above………

    On a more irreverent note, it further struck me that as we try to achieve a minimum hip flex angle there is also another factor that comes into play.  This I have termed the RAR Factor or Recovery Ale Rotundity Factor.  The significance of this factor is that the higher the RAR Factor the more difficult it is to breathe at lower hip angles owing to one’s Rotundity being pressed up against one’s diaphragm.  The diagram below attempts to illustrate this factor. 

     So, whilst we may be able to do something to reduce our RAR Factor to comply with Rule #45 there may be little we can do to influence how the morphology of our backs impacts our riding position. 

     Interestingly, a while after coming up with these thoughts, I was reading an article by a bike fitter who works with some of the Pro Riders and he was talking about body position being influenced by the minimum hip angle at which maximum power can be sustained for an individual.  So maybe the thought that came to me makes some sense.

  31. Just because it’s now my Nr#2 doesn’t mean it can’t be nice and clean and have a sweet new tape job.

  32. Custom Footbeds.  I have very high arches and just got some of these.  They seem pretty good and given I want loads of support I’m starting with them without heating them to quick form and let them bed in and see how they go.  Initial impressions are good and thinking of a second set rather than swap between shoes.

  33. @Teocalli

    Custom Footbeds. I have very high arches and just got some of these. They seem pretty good and given I want loads of support I’m starting with them without heating them to quick form and let them bed in and see how they go. Initial impressions are good and thinking of a second set rather than swap between shoes.

    0

    Let us know how they feel. I’m the opposite – low arches. I have some unused high and extra high Giro arch supports looking for a good home should they be desired.

  34. @wiscot

    @Teocalli

    Custom Footbeds. I have very high arches and just got some of these. They seem pretty good and given I want loads of support I’m starting with them without heating them to quick form and let them bed in and see how they go. Initial impressions are good and thinking of a second set rather than swap between shoes.

    0

    Let us know how they feel. I’m the opposite – low arches. I have some unused high and extra high Giro arch supports looking for a good home should they be desired.

    0

    So yesterday I ran them out of the box on the rollers and they felt pretty good, way better for me than the standard Sidi footbeds.  Today I heated them up in the oven and then put them in the shoes and clamped up. On my afternoon roller session they are noticeably better than yesterday.  So at the moment I can highly recommend these, though of course the real test will be in a long ride.

  35. @Teocalli

    I think you have been spending way too much time figuring out an excuse to keep a high stem simply because you drink too much beer.

    Why have a sixpack when you can have a barrel, right?

  36. @KogaLover

    @Teocalli

    I think you have been spending way too much time figuring out an excuse to keep a high stem simply because you drink too much beer.

    Why have a sixpack when you can have a barrel, right?

    0

    Ha Ha.  I have not quoted my (current) RAR factor………

  37. @Teocalli

    @wiscot

    @Teocalli

    Custom Footbeds. I have very high arches and just got some of these. They seem pretty good and given I want loads of support I’m starting with them without heating them to quick form and let them bed in and see how they go. Initial impressions are good and thinking of a second set rather than swap between shoes.

    0

    Let us know how they feel. I’m the opposite – low arches. I have some unused high and extra high Giro arch supports looking for a good home should they be desired.

    0

    So yesterday I ran them out of the box on the rollers and they felt pretty good, way better for me than the standard Sidi footbeds. Today I heated them up in the oven and then put them in the shoes and clamped up. On my afternoon roller session they are noticeably better than yesterday. So at the moment I can highly recommend these, though of course the real test will be in a long ride.

    0

    I hear ya. I just got a pair of Shimano R9s and basically I took out all the arch support. On rollers they feel pretty damn good, but as you say, the proof will be in a long ride on the road.

  39. My little boy has graduated to a bigger wheeled bike with gears, rode it first time with no problems.

    I’ve discovered, meanwhile, I have clearance for 32mm treaded tyres on my converted commuter mutant bike and so now have an ‘adventure bike’ for holidays and all sorts of riding on and off road.

    Cycling is fun.

  40. @RobSandy

    Il Progetto Finito

    0

    I think I’ve worked out what the score is with your original front mech.  Just doing my CyTech course.  There were two types of Shimano (and other) front mechs Top Swing and Bottom Swing (this is not to be confused with Top Pull and Bottom Pull).  On a Top Swing mech the cable feeds up the inside of the mech and then over the top to the clamp on the outside.  So the line of the cable is further inboard vs a “conventional” Bottom Swing FD.  I’m thinking that that Felt was originally designed around a Top Swing FD.

  41. @RobSandy

    Il Progetto Finito

    This was posted while I was in the middle of moving house, so I totally missed it. Still, better late than never:

    DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANG!

  42. @Teocalli

    @RobSandy

    Il Progetto Finito

    0

    I think I’ve worked out what the score is with your original front mech. Just doing my CyTech course. There were two types of Shimano (and other) front mechs Top Swing and Bottom Swing (this is not to be confused with Top Pull and Bottom Pull). On a Top Swing mech the cable feeds up the inside of the mech and then over the top to the clamp on the outside. So the line of the cable is further inboard vs a “conventional” Bottom Swing FD. I’m thinking that that Felt was originally designed around a Top Swing FD.

    0

    I suspected something of the sort although without knowing there were those distinct ‘types’. It works with a 6700 Ultegra which I wonder if might be a ‘Top Swing’?

    I also wonder if really the bike was designed for Di2 so the cable shouldn’t be an issue.

    I managed to sell both of the other Ultegra mechs I had (6800 and 8000) so I probably ended up evens.

  43. @mulebeatsdrums

    @RobSandy

    Il Progetto Finito

    This was posted while I was in the middle of moving house, so I totally missed it. Still, better late than never:

    DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANG!




    0

    I know, right? It actually looks better than that, it’s not a very good photo. I’ll try and take some better ones.

    I may take it for a run on our 75 mile Reliability Ride on Sunday (RR also stands for road race and they tend to be a bit of a shit kicking exercise), just depends how moist conditions are when I get up on Sunday morning.

  48. Had another comedy mechanical last night – descending a little hill on my way home from work, went to change gear on the back and there was a dull ‘thunk’ in the shift lever and my RD immediately shifted to the smallest sprocket.

    I knew straight way what had happened – the cable had snapped in the shifter. My choices were (with 2 gears available to me, 52×12 or 36×12);

    to ride home by my planned 30km rolling route (with some decent ish climbs)

    to change route and ride home via the flats

    to go to the bike shop and see if they’d fix it for me

    Both of the last two options involved climbing back over the hill I’d just descended. Which I did, doing the full Uran, in the 36×12. And pb’d on it (darn!), and the bike shop sorted it in minutes and let me pay them today.

    South Wales Bicycle Company in Newport, South Wales. I thank you.

  50. @RobSandy

    Had another comedy mechanical last night – descending a little hill on my way home from work, went to change gear on the back and there was a dull ‘thunk’ in the shift lever and my RD immediately shifted to the smallest sprocket.

    I knew straight way what had happened – the cable had snapped in the shifter. My choices were (with 2 gears available to me, 52×12 or 36×12);

    to ride home by my planned 30km rolling route (with some decent ish climbs)

    to change route and ride home via the flats

    to go to the bike shop and see if they’d fix it for me

    Both of the last two options involved climbing back over the hill I’d just descended. Which I did, doing the full Uran, in the 36×12. And pb’d on it (darn!), and the bike shop sorted it in minutes and let me pay them today.

    South Wales Bicycle Company in Newport, South Wales. I thank you.

    0

    That’s exactly the sort of story I tell friends when they ask me about buying a bike online. When you’re in the shit, Wiggle won’t be there to bail you out!

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