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.
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#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
#1 - Colnago Master Olympic, Campagnolo Chorus, Campagnolo Eurus Modern Groupset
#2 - Canyon Endurace 9.0 Pro, Campagnolo Chorus, DT Swiss Spline
#3 - Simplon Grid F1 (Winter Bike), Shimano 105, but.... getting Campagnolo Scirocco Wheels
#4 - Trek 1995 MTB
Kids bikes (an excuse to get more bikes)
Daughter #1 - Bianchi Rekord 941 Steel Frame, Campagnolo Veloce (Modern), Campagnolo Khamsin
Son #1 - Casati Steel Frame, Campagnolo Veloce (Modern), Campagnolo Khamsin...
just an aside, no new articles for 3 weeks... did someone allow Frank, Gianni & Co to take vacation?
@Ron
I do the school run by bike (the school is so close that my little boy sits up on my saddle and I push him to school), but it means that on my way out of dropping off I have to deal with the rest of the school run who are mostly in cars. This has two effects: I get held up in the traffic (GRR) and I am genuinely afraid for my life. There is not much more dangerous than a parent in a rush to drop the kids off before getting to work.
However, some of the other mums at school asked my wife if I was a pro cyclist because (apparently) I look so 'sporty' in my kit when I'm doing drop off. Winner.
Got this up on eBay if anyone's interested
http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Holdsworth-Profesionnal-Reynolds-725-Steel-Frame-Road-bike-/262753919420?nav=SELLING_ACTIVE
@Richard
Will it hold its worth?
@1860
Gianni has a couple of fun ones from me on the bench, but I'm assuming they've been considered less than worthy.
@Richard
Ohhh . . . I had a Holsworth back ion the day - a big red mutha it was. Not nearly as nice as this one. If you're going to go Holdsworth, the orange, white and blue is the only way to go.
@wiscot
I am sure that my article on hold is more less worthy than yours....
@1860
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.
@wiscot
The Badger jewelry.... ha! perfect midwinter article! Mine was on something insignificant like the total perspective vortex.