Rule #12 and the Cascade Effect

Pre-Rules

[rule number=12/]

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, it sits on the bench, always ready. By the time you get to bike #3, there is a good chance old #3 doesn’t get ridden too often, except commuting, but is that any reason not to keep #3 updated, upgraded and ready for action…just in case?

My #3 is my thirty year old steel bike. It was my #1 for many great years and great kilometers. It stayed behind on the mainland, stabled in an unheated space at my parents, waiting for me to visit them and her. And you better have a bike when visiting your parents. Sometimes the #3 has to do this kind of work. But now the Bella is back with the rest of the crew and needs to be reborn hard.

I already upgraded the steel bike whenever I could. It would not be acceptable to show up for the strade bianche granfondo on this machine despite its age. The carbone ergo levers and the 8 speed Jan Ullrich vento wheels would most likely be met with moustache twisting disapproval. I don’t want a classic steel bike with six speeds and downtube shifters, FFS. I want mine with lots of modern gears, fast wheels, better handlebars and a nice new paint job.

Besides Rule #12’s unwritten clause stating your partner needs to be on a slightly more awesome bike than your own, the upgrade-downward cascade effect cannot be left unmentioned. Upgrading your or your partner’s #1 bike’s components can mean a shower of quality components now cascade down the line. When I upgrade my wife’s Campagnolo Chorus 11 speed to Record 11, one, she will be a full gruppo above me, flying overhead in the clouds. That frees up the slightly beaten up Chorus 11 gruppo for my slightly beaten up #3. My wife is happy, I am happy, bikes are happy, the equation balances out.

Gianni

Gianni has left the building.

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View Comments

wiscot says:

Dec 13 2016 at 2:42 pm

@1860

@wiscot

Well, I know one of mine was on a line of jewelry Bernard Hinault endorsed . . . sounds like a perfect off-season, middle-of-winter article to me. The other one? Can’t remember.

The Badger jewelry…. ha! perfect midwinter article! Mine was on something insignificant like the total perspective vortex.

I remember what my other one was on: the lost art of using the pedal/strap/toeclip combo. The kids today have it easy - and I say this from the point of view of learning how to ride rollers again. Too much shit is done these days with a swipe or jab of a finger.Or am I lacking the total perspective vortex?

Now get off my snow-covered lawn and build your snowman somewhere else!
Buck Rogers says:

Dec 13 2016 at 10:27 pm

I believe that Frahnk is locked away somewhere in a sacred cloister finishing writing "The New Testament". As for Gianni, he's probably on an EPMS buying binge for all of his cycling friends for Christmas.

This place has become like that French movie where the Insane Aslyum gets bombed during the war and all the inmates get out and go into the complletely deserted town and start running it!
Buck Rogers says:

Dec 13 2016 at 10:30 pm

@jbaker

#1 – Colnago C-50 SR, Campy Shamal Ultra Tubulars

#2 – Ritchy Swiss Cross Chorus (Silver), Mavic Tubulars

#3 – Colnago C-40 R, Campy \Nemisis Tubulars (Original Mapei team bike)

#4 – Colnago Master SR\Campy Tubulars

#5 – Colnago Master X R\10 Campy Tubulars – Mapei frame

#6 – Colnago Pista – Converted to cruiser. Vintage Campy throughout

#7 – Colnago CT1 – R, Campy\ Nemisis Tubulars

#8 – Colango Dream – R9 Geo Paint

#9 – Colnago Oval CX – SR, Assos Aero Tubulars

#10 – Alan Super Record – SR, Mavic Tubulars

#11 – Colnago Super – SR \ Camp\Mavic — Molteni Team

#12 – Colnago Bi-Turbo Carbon – R10 – MINT

Holy Colnago Dreamland, Batman! THAT is impressive! Do/did you work for a bike shop or Colnago? That is really incredible.
Oski Bear says:

Dec 14 2016 at 9:39 pm

1. 1981 Bianchi Super Leggera, Campy SR, Mavic GEL 280

2. 1981 Gios Super Record, Campy SR, Mavic Argent 10

3. 1983 Gios Professional, Campy SR, Mavic Or 10

4. Early 80s Benotto 3000, Campy SR, Ambrosio Montreal Crono

5. 1982 Guerciotti Record, Campy SR/NR, Ambrosio Montreal Crono

6. 2011 Cervelo R5, Dura Ace 10, Dura Ace C24
the Engine says:

Dec 15 2016 at 3:25 am

@Buck Rogers

I believe that Frahnk is locked away somewhere in a sacred cloister finishing writing “The New Testament”. As for Gianni, he’s probably on an EPMS buying binge for all of his cycling friends for Christmas.

This place has become like that French movie where the Insane Aslyum gets bombed during the war and all the inmates get out and go into the complletely deserted town and start running it!

Frank as Saint Jerome translating the Rules into the vulgate. Now there's a title for a painting...
Buck Rogers says:

Dec 15 2016 at 9:32 am

@Oski Bear

1. 1981 Bianchi Super Leggera, Campy SR, Mavic GEL 280

2. 1981 Gios Super Record, Campy SR, Mavic Argent 10

3. 1983 Gios Professional, Campy SR, Mavic Or 10

4. Early 80s Benotto 3000, Campy SR, Ambrosio Montreal Crono

5. 1982 Guerciotti Record, Campy SR/NR, Ambrosio Montreal Crono

6. 2011 Cervelo R5, Dura Ace 10, Dura Ace C24

Holy Mr Eroica!!! What a Retro-ly Awesome stable!!!
Buck Rogers says:

Dec 15 2016 at 9:33 am

@the Engine

@Buck Rogers

I believe that Frahnk is locked away somewhere in a sacred cloister finishing writing “The New Testament”. As for Gianni, he’s probably on an EPMS buying binge for all of his cycling friends for Christmas.

This place has become like that French movie where the Insane Aslyum gets bombed during the war and all the inmates get out and go into the complletely deserted town and start running it!

Frank as Saint Jerome translating the Rules into the vulgate. Now there’s a title for a painting…

Ha! Where's Michelangelo when you need him!!!
wiscot says:

Dec 15 2016 at 2:58 pm

@Buck Rogers

@the Engine

@Buck Rogers

I believe that Frahnk is locked away somewhere in a sacred cloister finishing writing “The New Testament”. As for Gianni, he’s probably on an EPMS buying binge for all of his cycling friends for Christmas.

This place has become like that French movie where the Insane Aslyum gets bombed during the war and all the inmates get out and go into the complletely deserted town and start running it!

Frank as Saint Jerome translating the Rules into the vulgate. Now there’s a title for a painting…

Ha! Where’s Michelangelo when you need him!!!

I see it as being a job for Caravaggio. Lots of chiaroscuro needed in that painting.
Andrew Tunstall says:

Jan 10 2017 at 7:46 am

I wish my N+1 was 3. Right now S=3.
mark "s_1" westi says:

Jan 13 2017 at 7:06 pm

Right now I have N

1 Centurion Ironman 86'

2 Nishiki Altron Kustom 86'

3 Centurion T/A Track 85' I know it's a track bike and I know that's a rule breaker , but I ride track .

It could change to N+1 , however Ms. westi threatens "one more and you are outta here" and i'm like "dammit woman".