BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

« Back to Archive
95

Bike/Gear Set-ups?

I've seen some cool bikes around town and wanted to start a discussion on how people have their bikes/gear set up, to suit their ride.


One particular bike I've been riding a lot lately, is a cross rig I have (steel frame) with a triple 105 chainring up front, and a SRAM cassette with XT derailleur in back. I've got a 45mm knobby in front with a 35mm in back; I weigh about 210 (minus camel bak and extra gear) and have been running 65/70 psi, respectively.


Those gears put me almost but not quite as low as a mtb, and usually handle whatever incline I've been on so far. I have cross-top brake levers that I personally couldn't live without. I love them. And a Brooks saddle that's quite possibly my favorite part of the whole thing. It's really that comfortable.


There are some other things I love about the bike but those are the highlights. Riding this set-up in Frick and Riverview Parks has been a legendary amount of fun, spinning and climbing on the wider paths, and riding downhill on the narrower tracks.


So that's it. Please take the time to discuss what kind of riding or machine is making your inner biker happy...


2012-12-07 03:24:29

Really? A bunch of bike riders don't want to discuss bikes or gear? Is everybody christmas shopping?


2012-12-09 03:26:28
2012-12-09 03:42:27

LOL Tis the season...


Personally, I'm working towards not being a wimp; I have a bad habit of climbing hills sitting down in granny gears.

For a while I was 11-34 in the back and 28-38-48 up front. I'm currently riding 11-32 and 30-42-50. I building up a bike now that will likely be 12-25 rear and 53-39 front, but I think I'd be happier with a compact double 50-34 set up so I might swap the front crankset after a few miles if I can't handle the set up.


headloss
2012-12-09 03:44:37

Too many bikes to even know where to begin. Especially if we are going to start talking about entire bike builds and not just gearing.


cburch
2012-12-09 09:39:44

^what he said. But I will tell you about my favorite bike ever (so far):

It is the 2012 All-City Big Block. 49cm. I didn't switch much out other than the seat tube (had to put a straight instead of laid back because I needed to move the saddle way forward and ran out of rails.. I have short arms and like a short cockpit), the saddle (I had a San Marco Glamour until 2

Days ago, when one of the rails broke while I was riding into work.. Now I have some sort of spare Sette saddle that I think may stay on it..), shamano double-sided Clipless pedals, bullhorns, a front brake, single water bottle cage, clip on fenders when the weather is poop, 25 RIBMOs that I run at near max PSI (110ish). It is a light silver. It weighs around 22lbs. The rest of the components are stock. It is geared at 46-17. It has a beefy drivetrain, and I particularly like that the bottom bracket is a bit higher off of the ground and the crank arms are 165mm. I haven't smacked my pedals off of the ground while cornering yet. I ride it fixed. We are going to put a salmon cool stop brake pad on it.


stefb
2012-12-09 12:48:43

Drewbacca, why is it a bad habit to sit and spin up hills!? It does feel good to get up and hammer at times but as a rule, I'm all about the mechanical advantage.


Cburch, I own several bicycles too, and don't want to hear about every one you own or want to own. I just figured with such an active community, someone just might say something that would give me an idea or two. Thanks for your contribution, we all only have so much to give...


StefB, that's what I was looking for. I just enjoy hearing about the different bikes that people enjoy and love because I know I'll never own them all. I do happen to have a Sette mtb, though, and it's my favorite hard tail I've ever owned. No kidding, it rocks.


2012-12-09 13:49:54

i have a blue bike.


2012-12-09 14:23:19

my favorite road bike - I don't really use road bikes any more, fat tires for me :)


a Graphtek - the first carbon production frame.

The frame is carbon wrapped aluminum tubes which are epoxied into stainless lugs.


As stiff or stiffer then a comparable time period Columbus tubed frame, and due to the dual nature of the materials far nicer to ride.


Vibration from road shock, like potholes etc, that would normally be transmitted by an aluminum frame were dampened by the carbon, and vise verse.


Also the aluminum 'reinforcement' of the carbon reduced the 'Whip' I have seen in many all carbon frames.


'Whip' being the side to side flex of the top/down tubes at the head tube.


2012-12-09 16:08:33

Well I was going to list a few of my favorites from the stable of 8 (i think?) with the complete builds when I had time, but holy shit was that response un-called-for and snarky. Have fun with your thread, jerk.


cburch
2012-12-09 21:25:18

Cburch, try not to wear your heart on your sleeve like that; it's a cruel world, and only more cruel when you're being overly sensitive and inflamed. Likewise, the melodrama only takes away from the whole bicycle-oriented feeling. Midol is available over-the-counter, my crampy friend.


@Been there, I used to have a Trek 2300 (I think) carbon frame bike with 105 parts. I loved that frame and it did seem to dampen a lot of chatter.


Today makes the second time I've posted on here, only to be accosted by someone with nothing better to do than make something out of nothing. So in parting if you're a thin skinned bitch, please just pass this thread and move on. Thanks.


2012-12-09 21:40:11

Dont be an idiot. You got shitty for no reason when I didn't reply the way you wanted. I responded in kind. If you don't want a rude reply, don't be fucking rude in the first place.


cburch
2012-12-09 21:50:42

Lolz. You have no idea.. Thin-skinned is not something that describes cburch. You got the polite response.. I heard what he really wanted to type.


You did come off as condescending in your initial reply, Val. And no one tells my husband to take midol but me.


the reason you didn't get a bunch of replies right way was because it is the weekend. People post here a whole lot more on the weekdays, as you would have seen, had you been patient. As mikhail pointed out, this has also been discussed in other threads. You can click on those links and they will take you to those threads. it would have been something to keep you busy until you got whar you wanted.


You also didn't need to point out to us how to ride safely in the thread I started about ELB. I have yet to be hit, and I do attribute that to using all of my available senses that apply in addition to assuming that I am invisible to divers.


stefb
2012-12-09 22:12:40

Also. The ridiculously sexist insults make you seem totally awesome.


cburch
2012-12-09 22:13:13

Boys, boys, let's not get your testosterone filled panties in a wad.


I have 3 bikes- nothing special. I do love my Brooks saddle.


helen-s
2012-12-09 22:33:29

I thought about a brooks saddle since the demise of one of mine earlier this week. Which kind do you have?


stefb
2012-12-09 22:35:52

"Drewbacca, why is it a bad habit to sit and spin up hills!? It does feel good to get up and hammer at times but as a rule, I'm all about the mechanical advantage."


It's a bad habit for me. I'm entirely too leisurely in my riding and I don't get much of a work out. I have no problem riding for eight hours straight but I wear out quickly when sprinting. I just want to get stronger and get more of a workout from my riding than I currently do.


Of course, that's why I started on a new build. ;) I'll keep the mechanical advantage on the 520.


headloss
2012-12-09 22:48:59

How is pointing out that someone is being a jerk being all testosteroney? This person (I have no idea if they are male, female or other) has been rude, condescending and impatient for absolutely no reason. I simply described why the reply was offensive and that the poster was therefore being a jerk. If more people were willing to do the same and hold people accountable for acting like assholes instead of just passively taking their shit, I think a whole lot fewer people would feel that it's socially acceptable to engage in this type of self centered bullying behavior.


And no pierce I don't want to understand why they do it. I want them to knock it the fuck off.


cburch
2012-12-09 22:52:41

Also my current favorite bike (because I just got it) is a 17" salsa el mariachi ss limited edition:

17" chromoly frame with matching suspension corrected (100mm equivalent) rigid chromoly fork (both disc only)

Cane creek 40 zs44 headset

Thomson elite x4 70mm/0* stem with 40mm of steerer spaced under it (tall top cap ftw!)

Easton havoc carbon bars 1/2" rise, cut to 720mm

ODI Troy Lee signature lock on grips

Swapping to shimano xt brakes (currently avid elixir5s) w180f/160r icetech rotors

Thomson elite seat post

Selle italia SLRxc saddle

SRAM xx1 175mm narrow carbon cranks (156mm Q factor) w/32 tooth x-sync chainring and ceramic GXP external bearings

Shimano XTR clipless pedals, soon to be XT trail

SRAM PC 890 chain

Stan's ZTR Rapid rims (they finally have rims with eyelets!)

Salsa Formula hubs

DT Swiss champion spokes

Salsa skewers

Rear has a singlespeed freehub w/shimano splines, spacers and a lock ring to adjust chainline

18 t surly cog

Sweet sliding dropouts that make working on the rear wheel without haing to reset chain tension a breeze

Continental trail king 2.3" tires

Salsa seat post binder


cburch
2012-12-09 23:11:04

cburch, is it that the Ti one?


I blew my savings on this, I haven't even finished it. Just finished building my rear wheel and just aired everything up, now I'm truing front. I need to ride again, bring my skillset up to my bike's capabilities. Following cburch's format:


16" On-One Whippet frame

Fox RLC Float F120 fork stopped down to 90mm

Cane Creek 40 Campy integrated headset

Hope 50mm -25 stem

Easton EC70 680mm bars

Oury black grips

Shimano XTR trail brakes, Icetech 160mm rotors f/r

Thomson Elite seatpost

Specialized Romin 130mm saddle

RaceFace Deus XC crank (32T chainring w/ bash ring)

Shimano BB92 BB

PD-M520 pedals (need to bring these up to matching spec)

KMC K710SL chain

Pacenti TL28 650b rims

Halo XCD front/XCS singlespeed rear

DT Swiss Revolution spokes laced 3x

15QR front/bolt-on rear

18T Halo Fat Foot cog w/ Wheels Mfg spacer kit and lockring

Not so sweet track ends w/ On-One chaintugs

650b x 2.35 Nobby Nic front, 650b x 2.25 Racing Ralph front

Salsa seatpost binder


rice-rocket
2012-12-09 23:37:03

Nice build man. Sounds like a lot more fun than the old one. No mine isn't ti, the ti frame still had a bunch of stupid cable stops. It's this one, but with nicer parts:

http://www.salsacycles.com/bikes/el_mariachi_ss


cburch
2012-12-09 23:58:13

Oh, you went 29!


I didn't even notice when I first read the specs.


rice-rocket
2012-12-10 00:34:19

ok bike 2, dirt jumper:

ns suburban frame - chromoly, standard length

atomlab trailpimp fork (60mm travel, super stiff, super simple)

fsa pig dh pro headset

thomson elite x4 50mm/0º stem

chromag fubars osx bars, 25mm rise, 5º upsweep, 8º backsweep, cut to 750mm

odi ruffian lock-on grips

avid elixir9 brake (160r only)

coalition/hell on earth pivotal saddle

coalition resto verus pivotal seatpost

profile cranks, 160mm

gusset external bearing bmx bottom bracket (for 19mm spindle)

ns aerial sb pedals

coalition v2 28t sprocket

kmc z chain 1/8

azonic outlaw wheelset, 26", 135mm x 10mm bolt-on rear /110mm x 20mm ta front

gusset twinsix singlespeed adaptor w/12t cog

intense microknobbie 2.1" tires


cburch
2012-12-10 02:27:09

It's nice to see you were able to quell that estrogen surge and make some bike talk. And I appreciate how you countered my sexism, by having your wife take up for you. Clever indeedI


It's interesting to see you're riding 650 rims; I've always wanted to ask someone their impression of that wheel size, as it pertains to trail handling. What are those 'micro-knobbies' all about? Is that similar to something like a small-block eight type of tread?


2012-12-10 03:07:58

Curious how I know all this stuff off the top of my head too.


G/f's bike:


Nashbar CX frame, custom painted pink

Nashbar CX carbon fork

Bob Woodman pink headset

3T ARX Pro 80mm -6 stem

Dimension Short Shallow bars

Ultegra 6500 left shifter, Tiagra 5500 right shifter

Deda foam bar tape - pink

Avid BB7 road brakes f/r

160mm Shimano some old school centerlock rotors

Fizik Aliante gamma saddle

Dimension seatpost

Shimano Sora 53x39x30 cranks, 170mm

Shimano BB-UN55 square taper bottom bracket

Shimano Dura-Ace 7800 triple front derailleur

MKS GR-9 pedals

Deore long cage rear derailleur

KMC X9 chain

Bontrager Ranger 29er wheelset

11-34 Deore HG cassette

Bontrager Race All Weather hard case 700x28c tires


rice-rocket
2012-12-10 03:13:36

Dad's old bike:


Scott CR1 49cm frame

Scott carbon fork/aluminum steerer

Ritchey Pro Logic headset

Truvativ 90mm -10 deg stem

ITM Mantjs 40cm bars

Ultegra 6500 shifters

Deda black tape

Ultegra 6500 brakes

Specialized Romin 143mm saddle

Easton EC90 setback seatpost

Ultegra 6650 compact 50x34 crankset

Dura-Ace 7800 bottom bracket

Shimano 105 5600 front derailleur

MKS Sylvan pedals

105 5600 rear derailleur

105 5600 chain

Rolf Vector Pro wheelset

11-27 SRAM PG-1050 cassette

Continental GP4000 700x23c tires


rice-rocket
2012-12-10 03:22:13

Drewbacca, as much as I love good gear and equipment, I'm really not a techie (cannot intelligently discuss gear ratios or the like). I think it's interesting that your approach to getting more out of your ride/workout is to build a new rig. That is original. So tell me, what's your general scheme for putting this build together? I'll be interested to hear.


I'm thinking of adding a second 45mm knobby to the rear wheel of my Kelly for the winter season, and continuing to ride through the city and hit some good trails in the parks.


2012-12-10 03:30:09

Dad's new bike:


Cervelo RS 50cm

3T Funda Pro fork

FSA IS-3 headset

FSA OS-190 LX 90mm -6 stem

FSA Omega Compact bars

SRAM Rival shifters

Fizik Microtex bar tape

FSA Gossamer Pro brakes

Specialized Romin 143mm saddle

3T Dorico Team setback seatpost

FSA Gossamer 50x34 crankset

FSA Mega EXO bottom bracket

SRAM Rival front derailleur

MKS Sylvan pedals

SRAM Rival rear derailleur

SRAM PC-1071 chain

Shimano R500 wheelset

SRAM PG-1070 11-25 cassette

Vittoria Rubino Pro Slick 700x25c


rice-rocket
2012-12-10 03:34:30

Sister's bike:


Scott Speedster 47cm

Stock carbon fork / alloy steerer

Loose ball headset

Scott stem

Scott Contessa bars

ST-2300 Sora shifters

White foam bar tape

Scott brakes

Scott saddle

Scott seatpost

Truvativ Isoflow crankset 52x42x30

Truvativ 07BB bottom bracket

Shimano 2303 front derailleur

Some OTS platform pedals

Sora 3400 rear derailleur

KMC HG-50 chain

Alexrims wheelset

SRAM PG-830 11-28 cassette

Continental Ultra Sport 700x23c


rice-rocket
2012-12-10 03:42:55

you're still an idiot and i don't control my wife's reactions to stupidity. your reading comprehension sucks too as i wasn't the one who said anything about 650b. keep making stupid sexist cracks though. its a great way to make friends around here.


no the tires arent anything like small blocks. google is your friend, i'm not.


cburch
2012-12-10 03:51:28

Well fine, I'll be sure not to ask you anything else, since Google is my friend and you're not. But thanks for answering the question about the tires, Maude.


Rice Rocket, I meant to direct my question about the 650s to you. How long have you been riding them and how do they stack up? I'm just curious, it's not even important.


cburch, I'll be sure to just Google any other questions I have, like which stretch jeans make my ass look great, etc. Be sure to go to the Emergency Room if you keep hurting inside. You never know, it could be a medical condition...


2012-12-10 04:15:47

bike 3 downhill bike:

small Santa Cruz v10.4c frame (carbon front/aluminum rear triangle), 10"/8.5" adjustable travel, carbon upper link, limited gold aluminum lower link with hidden zerk fittings and sweet, sweet locking collet axels with angular bearings

Cane Creek Double Barrel Air rear shock, h/l compression and rebound adj

Rockshox Boxxer World Cup fork, 200mm travel, h/l compression/rebound and bottom-out adjust

Cane Creek 110 zs49 headset

Thomson 28mm direct mount stem

Easton Havoc carbon bars, 20mm rise, uncut 75mm width

ODI Troy Lee signature lock-on grips

Shimano Saint brakes

Shimano icetech rotors (203f/180r)

Shimano Saint rear shifter

Thomson masterpiece seatpost

Selle Italia SLRxc saddle

Thomson seatpost binder

E13 LG1+ chainguide/bashgaurd

SRAM X0 DH carbon cranks, 160mm

E13 Guidering 36t chainring

Straitline AMP pedals

Truvativ Blackbox GXP DH external bearing bb w/ceramic bearings

SRAM Red 11-23 10spd cassette

SRAM PC 1091 hollow pin chain

Shimano Saint Shadow Plus rear derailleur

DT Swiss fr600 36 hole rims laced to DT Swiss 440 hubs with DT Swiss Alpine 3 spokes, 110mm/20mm ta front 150mm/12mm ta rear

Maxxis Minion DHF 2.75" supertacky front, Minion DHR2 2.5" 3c rear, both with Café Latex tubeless system


total weight 33lbs 13oz - this might go down a LOT if i get a new set of wheels built (Profile Elite hubs laced to Enve DH carbon rims)


also

weight for bike 1: 24lbs 6oz

weight for bike 2: 26lbs 4oz


cburch
2012-12-10 04:31:48

Are the Zerk fittings for the greasing the pivot? I only have ever seen them on rod ends in circle track cars.


Commuter:


Cannondale CAAD9X 50cm

Easton EC90X fork

FSA Orbit X headset

Bontrager RL 90mm -25 stem

3T Ergonova Pro 42cm bars

Dura-Ace 7800 shifters

Fizik microtex glossy red tape (going white soon)

Tektro 926AL BMX mini-V front brakes w/ KoolStop CX pads and holders

Shimano CX50 cantilever rear brakes

Ritchey WCS Wet red seatpost

Specialized Romin 130mm saddle

Campagnolo offset seatpost binder

SRAM Red 53/39 cranks 170mm, Cannondale branded

SRAM BB30 bottom bracket

Shimano 7810 pedals

11-28 Shimano 6700 cassette

6701 Shimano chain

5700 105 front and rear derailleurs

BHS C472W 20-spoke rims F/R laced to BHS SLF78W front and Zipp 188 rear hubs, radial front, radial DS rear, 1x NDS

Sapim CX-ray spokes

Continental GP4000S 700x25c tires (should probably go for something more flat resistant soon)

Schwalbe CX Pro 700x30c tires for when I'm feeling crossy, which hasn't happened yet

Planet Bike Cascadia fenders (needs a LOT of custom modification on this bike, not recommended unless you're handy)


I don't weigh my bikes consistently, I'm guessing this one is around 19, the Scott CR1 is a smidge over 16, the On-One is hopefully near 20, the Cervelo RS is ~17 w/o pedals, the Scott Speedster is ~23, the Nashbar CX is 24 lbs.


rice-rocket
2012-12-10 04:53:53

bike 4 slopestyle/park bike:

15" Transition Bottlerocket frame 5.5"/6" travel adjustable, but oh so slack

Fox DHX 2 rear shock h/l compression, single rebound and boost valve adjust w/500lb spring

Rockshox Lyrik 2-Step Air fork, 135/160mm travel, tapered steerer, h/l compression and rebound adjust, lockout w/adjustable floodgate

Cane Creek 40 zs44/49 headset

Truvativ Hussefelt stem, 50mm/0º

Easton Havoc Aluminum bars 20mm rise, 750mm width

ODI Troy Lee signature lock-on grips

Avid Elixir X0 brakes

Avid HS1 rotors 200f/180/r

SRAM X9 9spd rear shifter

Truvativ Hussefelt seatpost

SDG Patriot saddle

Transition quick-release seatpost binder

E13 SG1 chainguide/bashguard

Shimano Saint cranks, 165mm

E13 Guidering 34t chainring

Deity Decoy pedals

Truvativ GXP Team external bearing bb

SRAM PG990 11-26 cassette

SRAM PC970 chain

SRAM X9 9spd rear derailleur, short cage

Azonic Outlaw wheelset, 110mm/20mm ta front, 135mm/12mm ta rear

Maxxis Ardent 2.5 60a front and rear


total weight 36lbs 2oz - this thing is built for non-stop abuse.


cburch
2012-12-10 04:57:08

i bought a shop scale...


yeah zerk fittings are for greasing the axels. just hook up the grease gun and push until the grease comes out of the ends nice and clean. makes in-season maintenance really straightforward.


cburch
2012-12-10 05:00:50

Zerks sound cool, but I guess you still need to break it down at the end of the season to remove the dirt?


Road bike is...


Litespeed C2 frame/fork

FSA semi-integrated headset

SlamThatStem.com headset bearing cover

3T ARX Team 90mm -17 stem

3T Ergonova Pro 40cm bars

Fizik Microtex glossy white tape

7800 brakes F/R

6700 shifters

Integrated aero seat post

Specialized Romin Team saddle w/ carbon rails

Specialized S-WORKS Gen2 crankset with 50x34 Ultegra rings (52x36 Stronglight CT2s soon)

DA 7810 pedals

SRAM BB30 bottom bracket

Shimano 6700 11-28 cassette

Shimano 6701 chain

7800 front and rear derailleurs

Gore sealed cables

FLO Cycling 90mm clinchers

Continental GP4000S 700x23c tires


This thing was 17 lbs when I had my Flashpoint wheels, I think I'm closer to 18 now w/ the silly deep clinchers.


rice-rocket
2012-12-10 05:11:33

How is that Red cassette on that Santa Cruz? I always heard the CX forums complain that it fills up with dirt b/c the gap between the cogs is too shallow and the slightest bit of mud buildup would make you skip.


rice-rocket
2012-12-10 05:17:37

bike 5 trail/freeride bike:

small Intense Carbine carbon frame, 5.5/6" travel - but a bit steeper geo than the Bottlerocket

Rockshox Lyrik 2-Step Air fork, 135/160mm travel, tapered steerer, h/l compression and rebound adjust, lockout w/adjustable floodgate

Cane Creek 110 zs44/49 headset

Thomson Elite X4 stem 50mm/0º

Easton Havoc carbon bars 20mm rise, 750mm width

ODI Troy Lee signature lock-on grips

Shimano XTR trail brakes

Shimano XTR shifters

KindShock Supernatural adjustable seatpost w/remote (going to be getting the Thomson one when it comes out this spring)

Selle Italia SLRxc saddle

Thomson seatpost binder

SRAM X0 carbon 2x10 cranks, 170mm, 26/39t chainrings

Straitline AMP pedals

Truvativ Blackbox GXP external bearing bb w/ceramic bearings

SRAM PG 1070 cassette, 11-26

SRAM PC 1091r chain, hollow pins, cut out outer plates

Shimano XTR Shadow Plus rear derailleur

Crank Brothers Iodine3 wheelset 110mm/20mm ta front, 142mm/12mm ta rear

Shwalbe Fat Albert (f/r specific) 2.25" snakeskin sidewalls, trailstar compound

Café Latex tubeless system


total weight 27lbs 13oz - not bad for a 6" travel freeride bike.


road bikes tomorrow. i have to actually look at them to remember everything. i also have a cheapo 24" cruiser for bmx racing thats at my friends house being borrowed all winter. its a dk with a couple minor upgrades and its a pig. probably my heaviest bike.


cburch
2012-12-10 05:30:08

i road in the shittiest conditions imaginable all season and never had an issue. clay dust and mud at 7 springs, peanutbutter/clay muck at the always wet snowshoe, even granite sand with mud mixed in up at whiteface didnt phase the shifting. and that was with the X0 stuff thats been taken off and will be passed down to the Bottlerocket. i can't imagine how crisp it will be with the clutched shadow plus on it. of course i also maintain the crap out of my bikes and use sealed cables for all my shifting.


sometimes i miss my old 15 something pound Giant (97 alloy TCR with a modern Dura Ace groupo (replaced the almost modern Campy Record groupo), FSA and Ritchey carbon everything and stupid light FSA wheels) but then i remember i'm not racing and my comfy steel road bike (All-City Mr. Pink w/Ultegra groupo) is perfect for the rare long ride i do on pavement these days and my fixie (SE Premium Brew) is perfect for running around town.


cburch
2012-12-10 05:34:13



2012-12-10 06:00:53

next step, sandwiches.


cburch
2012-12-10 06:02:39

pearmask++


melange396
2012-12-10 06:09:21

exhibit A:

-greyish schwinn frame comprised of some sort of high-tensile strength ferromagnetic material

-headset bearings made of spheres

-bottom bracket made of magic

-hand-grinded (hand-ground?) semi-horizontal dropouts

-fixed and freewheel gears at a ratio too high to climb loretta street

-~78% nitrogen, ~21% oxygen, ~1% argon, <1% trace element-filled tubes

-space-age dupont kevlar belted tires

-green fiks reflective(tm) stickers on alloy wheels

-green chain

-green pedals with black straps

-green seat (aka green saddle for the snobs)

-green bottle cage

-green salsa grip tape

-black profile grip tape tape

-hand-actuated brakes

-angry knees

-something nobody else has yet provided... a picture:



melange396
2012-12-10 06:24:10

oh yes, also:

-vestigial stem-mounted sis shifters

-vestigial derailer hanger (not 'derailleur', ask sheldon)

-reflectors


melange396
2012-12-10 06:34:48

sheldon is dead. and he can suck it anyway.


cburch
2012-12-10 06:36:10

/cue val with the necrophilia jokes


melange396
2012-12-10 06:39:13

Man, i need to step my bike game up. :( Reading this made me want....at least 4 more bikes. Haha.


cpollack
2012-12-10 06:40:12

anytime you want to try a big bike just let me know. happy to lend the bottlerocket out to you to go play on dr j.


cburch
2012-12-10 06:41:44

I was so ready to come Friday, but the weather suuuucked. That's basically my only free day from work. Next Rays trip or ride like that i am in though.


cpollack
2012-12-10 06:42:24

we meet every friday at thick to go ride in the woods somewhere (at night). anytime you want to go to ray's (once we get the car fixed) i'm up for it. and in the meantime if you want to head over to highland or frick during the day on a friday just let me know.


cburch
2012-12-10 06:49:27

"-bottom bracket made of magic"


hahaha that must be the magic metal dust from a neglected bearing? :P


Love the color play... fusion rims?


Why do snobs sit on saddles atop a seat-post... that has always confused me greatly. :p


@Val, and in the spirit of melange's post: My general scheme is to use a wrench. :) Probably a 4mm and 5mm allen wrench, an automotive adjustable wrench, a screwdriver with magic multi-tool properties as well as other metal odds and ends. I'll use some "marine" grease for the various rotating parts that is a lovely bluish-green color. I haven't decided on a wheel set yet, but I suspect that they will be round and true (most likely DT Swiss 465's with Record hubs). I might go with the Fulcrum Quattros (for looks and low price) though.


Aside from that, I'm doing a mixed Campagnolo 10speed build. So far: Chorus shifters and RD, Veloce crankset (ultra-torque with updated bearings from Wheels MFG), campy skeleton brakes, Chris King headset, Brooks saddle, Thomson Elite seat post.. still working out the other details.


Not sure why a new rig sounds original to you? Different bikes with different purposes... I don't currently have a "play bike." My winter commuter is a mostly stock 2005 Kona Dew Deluxe with disc brakes and bottom of the barrel components. The 520 is the work horse, but more for centuries than loaded touring. Most of its parts are going onto my 1977 Motobecane which I'm setting up as a Randonneur (most of its original parts are being hidden in the wall-boards for future archeological discovery or an Edgar Allen Poe novel).


I've got a 2011 Focus Maleta w/ 10spd XT drive train, Shimano Dynamo (with front/rear lights).


The Trek 520 is going to get some mini-v's, Campagnolo 10spd brifters ("shimergo") and FD and I'm going to throw a Shimano XT RD (9 spd) on the back. Sugino Alpina 800D crankset, Mavic A719 wheelset with a dynamo on the front. I just swapped out the original headset for the Cane Creek 40 not too long ago.


I'll probably post more once my builds/re-builds are complete. I'm also in the market for a cross bike to ride on fire-roads and replace my recently sold Gary Fisher mtb as my primary mud-cycle. Cross bikes are better suited to the type of off-road riding that I do. Not sure if I'll go aluminum (Cannondale CADXX or Focus AX2 are the current top choices, as I really like the feel of both) or steel (most likely a Waterford frame but an old Reynolds tubing Jamis is a possibility as is a Salsa Warbird).


headloss
2012-12-10 09:01:13

I was going to say something but I have to check with my husband first to see what he wants me to say.


stefb
2012-12-10 09:59:41

Man, I don't know that much detail about any of my bikes. I feel like I'm not really paying attention.

I did just put some beautiful 40 year old polished aluminum Huret stem shifters on my 1969 Bottecchia, I am liking those a lot. When I was younger I wouldn't have been caught dead with stem shifters with upright bars on a bike (musings regarding time, etc.).


edmonds59
2012-12-10 13:20:30

...I'm bike boring. One bike, and it pretty much is as it came from Trek. I did replace the stem during my bike fitting at Top Gear. And I added speedplay light action pedals. That's it.


sew
2012-12-10 13:27:47

@melange - your rebuild looks sharp!


@edmonds - post pics please!


pseudacris
2012-12-10 13:34:07

melange, i suggest you bring that bike to a certain bike ride that is occurring on friday. i want to meet it.


2012-12-10 13:35:49

@Drewbacca, I simply meant novel, as it pertains to building a new bike expressly for a better workout. Don't read too deeply into it, I was sitting here drinking coffee and watching the baby when I wrote it.


I enjoy among other things Bicycle, hearing people discuss their bikes and different ways they enjoy biking. I started some of these threads to keep my mind on cycling, as we move into the gray months and riding becomes a little more challenging.


It's very interesting to see the detail that some people know about their machines, no doubt. Reading some of those lists tells me I'm not so much a detail-oriented rider as some riders, by far.


Melange, that is a stellar photo. And yes, I have lots of Necrophilia jokes, and even some drinking songs and nursery rhymes, too...


2012-12-10 14:40:25

pearmask, i was already planning on it ;) i might even add some green electroluminescent wire


melange396
2012-12-10 17:27:45

the bike i rode to work today has been more or less tailored to my specific purposes over the years. it started out as a giant ocr3 road bike, but all that's left are the frame, fork/headset/stem, handlebars, and seat post. got a 10-speed 12-28 105 cassette, 28-42-52 triple crank, ultegra derailleurs, and bar end shifters (i do so love my bar end shifters). i built the wheels myself, 32-spoke cross 3, velocity deep v rims, tiagra hubs (i didn't see the point in plopping down that much more for 105s), 28mm ribmo tires. kool stop salmon brake pads. low-end shimano spds. cross/inline/interrupter (whatever you want to call them) brake levers (these in addition to normal shimano brake levers). and a rear rack, because i apparently go anywhere without carrying at least 10 pounds of crap.


the lights i use are a knog boomer rear blinky and a busch and müller battery-powered ixon iq headlight. love them both, especially the headlight.


here it is, in all its glory:



i lied, of course. the brakes (not pads or levers, though), crank set, and saddle are all still original.


hiddenvariable
2012-12-10 19:36:54

my other bike, which is better suited to the conditions, but is in no condition to be ridden, is significantly less tailored, mostly because it hasn't been ridden as much and hasn't need parts replaced as much yet.


nitto north road handlebars, cork grips, trigger shifters (this is the broken part, and i want bar ends, but it's a pain to remove the grips, and the shifters can't be removed without doing that), alex da-16 rims, deore hubs, 32mm ribmos, a new 28/38/48 crank set. sks silver fenders, brooks leather saddle, obviously a rack. this one i ride with toe clips, and usually with flip flops, because that's how i roll (literally). everything else is approximately original (i did replace the rear derailleur and hanger after a crash, but with approximately the same thing).


an image, perhaps:




hiddenvariable
2012-12-10 19:50:00

somewhere i also have a purple bike.


2012-12-10 20:10:49

whoa. pbeaver, i have a blue bike, too. my second bike's red, though.


epanastrophe
2012-12-10 20:16:43

Red + blue = purple. 'Nuff said.


jonawebb
2012-12-10 20:18:48

"Reading some of those lists tells me I'm not so much a detail-oriented rider as some riders, by far."


Details are just a distraction, what matters is that the tires hold air and the wheels go round when we pedal. ;)


But then, I'm just an all around geek like that whether in reference to my car, my bicycles, or musical instruments... I could do more with what I already own, rather than building up another bicycle, but then, I find myself changing too much on a bicycle that already works perfectly well. But, yeah, my "inner bike happiness" is all about details. :p


headloss
2012-12-10 21:23:20

I can get behind this thread. I have a bunch of bikes but the ones I like the most are my two Redline cross bikes. They are almost identical with the only difference being the one frame is scandium and the other is aluminum. I've assembled what I think is the best combo of cost versus function and reliability. I run them 1x10.


Dura-Ace 7800 right brake lever/ shifter

Dura-Ace 7800 172.5, 130 BCD cranks w/ 105 BB on one and Origin 8 ceramic BB on the other

Dura-Ace 7800 Rear Der


Shimano Left hand brake lever not sure the part number


N-Gear Jump stop inner chain keeper

BBG bash guard sized for 42 tooth outer guard


Avid Shorty 6 brakes w/ kool stop salmon pads


Time ATAC pedals


FSA 42 tooth chain ring

12-27 Cassette(I want 11-28 but am waiting for these to wear out)

5700 chain with KMC quick link


Ritchey Logic Curve Handle Bar

Thomson 100mm Stem

Thomson Elite no set back seat post

Specialized Romin Comp gel saddle 143 width


Custom tubular wheels - I laced them and had them finished up at a shop:

Kinlin TB-25 rims 24 hole front radial 28 hole rear 2 cross

Sapim X-Ray bladed spokes

DT 240 hubs

One set has Challenge Grifo's the other set has Clement PDX's


Yokozuna housing and cables w/ nosed ferrels and dust boots on the shift cables.


Cane Creek 110 headset


They are pretty sweet I just bought two November Hot Buns CX carbon frame sets to replace them though. I will probably hold onto the scandium frame set and keep that built up for riding in the woods/ winter. I mainly wanted to replace them because of the geometry, the redlines aren't real aggressive for racing better for trail riding, and because lots of companies aren't making canti frames anymore so I wanted to get a pair of frames while I could.


tetris_draftsman
2012-12-10 23:06:25

@ Mel...

Awesome post ...


Cburch, at least you aren't as pissed at me any more :)


2012-12-11 03:15:53

Road bike much the same as my cross bikes Cannondale CAAD 9


Dura-Ace 7800 shift/ brake levers

Dura-Ace 7800 172.5, 53x39 130 BCD cranks

Dura-Ace 7800 Rear Der

Dura-Ace 7800 Front Der Braze On

Dura-Ace 7800 Brakes F/R w/ Kool stop salmon pads

Thomson Elite no set back seatpost

Specialized Romin Elite Saddle 143 width

Ritchey Logic Curve Handle Bar 40cm

Thomson Elite stem 100mm


Speed Play Zero pedals w/ stainless spindle


Yokozuna Cables and Housing


BB30 bottom bracket w/ wheels adapter to run DA cranks


Stock Head set


Wheels

Front Dura-Ace 7800 hub 32 hole 3 cross laced to Kinlin XR-300

Rear Dura-Ace 7850 hub 32 hole 3 cross

laced to kinlin XR-300


Generally run Vittoria Rubino 25's except in the winter I throw on some blown out tires with tire liners


I race my tubulars I described above w/ Challenge Criterium 23's


tetris_draftsman
2012-12-11 11:35:22

HV, love the classic look of the silver bike.


edmonds59
2012-12-11 11:52:05

i wasnt pissed at you, just annoyed with the extreme amount of airing of personal issues with one particular person at one particular shop. i thought it was in very poor taste and not at all in-line with how you are in person. i was just a bit gruff about how i expressed my annoyance. something that IS right in-line with how i am in person. its not like you were talking shit on my wife or anything.


also the trail/freeride bike (intense carbine) has an error in the spec, its a Truvativ PF30 Blackbox BB, not a GXP external bearing bb.


and links to the bikes, since i don't have decent photos handy:

bike 1 salsa el mariachi ss limited edition

bike 2 ns suburban

bike 3 Santa Cruz v10.4c

bike 4 transition bottlerocket (its discontinued and no longer on transition's site)

bike 5 intense carbine (somebody screwed up at intense and their site is down)


cburch
2012-12-11 13:01:07

Tetris, of all the components you listed, my favorite is the Time ATAC pedals. I love Times! I have always admired those Redlines, too but never owned one. I'm riding a Kelly that I picked up a few years ago, to take with me to Iraq. I've ridden that thing all over a good bit of Anbar Province. I had the good fortune to live in SoCal for a year, and rode it out there in a place called Caspar's Wilderness


It's got a steel frame that I love, too, even though I did replace the fork with a Surly model, due to a front end issue.


2012-12-12 02:15:49

Val the Redlines have treated me well over the years. Time pedals are awesome great for clearing mud and not unclipping. The springs do wear out sort of fast though. I have a steel cross bike as well will write that up soon. Steel cross bikes are much better for doing everything. I have raced, toured, and commuted on my steel cross bike.


tetris_draftsman
2012-12-12 13:11:12

Tetris, I have never heard anyone voice that issue with the springs in the Times but I'll definitely be paying more attention in case. I always thought (since I began using clip less pedals) that the ATACs were the most rugged pedal, and the one that, as you stated, was all about some mud clearance.


I think the Crank Bros pedals were so obviously copied from the Times, it's not even funny.


So you toured on your cross bike? Coolio. I have a bike I put together for touring but I can see how a cross rig would work fine, too. My touring rig is actually my favorite bike, even though I have only done a couple of tours that lasted any time.


I toured for a month in The Smokies, several years ago. And when I lived in California I did a tour from San Francisco to Los Angeles over about two weeks. I had always wanted to tour the PCH and finally got to do it.


Me and my buddy did it up right, drove to China Town for some spicy noodles and cheap electronics, then headed out on the road! Where has some of your favorite tour riding been? I really want to do that ride from here to DC; one of the bartenders in town has done it a few times and had some great photos on a pad-thingy...


2012-12-12 14:24:42

My only notable build:



I "designed" it for the MS150 last year with hills and some rough roads in mind.



As you can see, among other extremely practical features, it has a handmade prototype cable steering setup that no one has any faith in.



It has 322 links of chain and is also height adjustable from about 5'4" to about 6'.



The wheel base was extended about 4.5" to balance it out a bit, but it still wants to wheelie up steep hills. It has a Nexus 7-speed internally geared hub with a roller brake--it was the best cheap internal setup I could find. I absolutely love the roller brake and recommend them for any commuter (if you can find them).


ndromb
2012-12-12 15:25:31

Beautiful paint job, BTW.

I can understand the lack of faith in the cable steering. How did it work?


jonawebb
2012-12-12 15:28:31

It's actually been repainted since those pictures, though it is a very similar colour.


The cable steering has seen about 1000 miles one two sets of cables. It works great, but it does need to be looked after and maintained.


Most of the people who have/had little faith in it are the same people who criticize the weld quality of bicycles without ever having touched a torch.


ndromb
2012-12-12 15:32:15

@ Nick D: I saw you riding that during the MS150. Impressive work on the build! Very cool.


sew
2012-12-12 15:51:13

Anyone who can't see how simple and effective that steering system is should refrain from flying in small airplanes.


cburch
2012-12-12 15:58:03

Nick D, you far surpass me with any technical ability. Did you do the welds on this other-worldly contraption? I'm not a welder but have worked around it a lot, and I can't even see the beads where the top rig is attached to the top tube on the lower machine.


I have to ask, have you been so unlucky as to wreck that thing, yet? It looks like a long way to fall...


2012-12-12 16:01:01

@Val, I did all the welding and fab. Check the build thread here


I have dropped it a few times, once because I couldn't clip out fast enough after some riders, riding four abreast stopped in the middle of a hill, once from goofing off, and during a group ride during an emergency stop.


It is quite a fall, but you are kind of in a mental state to prep for it and you have an extra moment to brace yourself.


ndromb
2012-12-12 16:06:26

"an extra moment to brace yourself"


erok
2012-12-12 16:26:09

The coyote runs off the cliff and, y'know? He's OK for a second or two...


mick
2012-12-12 16:28:34

I'm a fan of the build. I like the pulley construction part, the best. Especially notching them for the 'seamless' look and of course, taking the time to file all those beads.


When are you going to modify it so you can unclip a few parts and snap them back together to make a unicycle, for a fast getaway?


2012-12-12 16:29:47

Thanks. The next build is a four person recumbent quadracycle.


ndromb
2012-12-12 16:38:19

Steel Cross bike setup to tour/ commute

Surly Cross Check w/ Long Haul Trucker Fork


I bought this bike 4 or 5 years ago. At this point I don't think anything on the bike is orginal. I mean not even the frame or fork. I got hit by a car that was going the wrong way down a one way street and that took out the fork. I broke the weld that attached the seat tube to the bottom bracket while riding in sub zero weather(a friend broke his in the same spot in the same week) so that was warrantied.


Shimano Tiagra Brake levers(not hooked to shift)

Shimano 9 speed bar end levers

Shimano Deore Rear der

Shimano LX bottom pull front der

Shimano LX triple cranks 175 48-36-28(I think)

Low end cassette 11-32 951?

Bulk SRAM 9 speed chain 951?

Avid Shorty 4 old style brakes w/ Kool Stop Salmon Pads

Race Face Diablous Stainless Headset

Salsa Short and Shallow 40cm bars

Generic Stem

Orgin 8 No set back seat post

Specialized Romin Comp Gel 143 Saddle

S&M BMX style pedals


Custom Wheels Built by Steve K

Tiagra hubs 32 hole front and rear 3x to Salsa Delgado Rims


I either run Panaracer Tour Guard Tires or Ritchey Speed Max Tires both sets are 32's. I always run tire liners


Planet Bike Hyprid Cascadia Fenders


Topeak Rear Rack


Jannd Front Rack (not currently installed)


tetris_draftsman
2012-12-13 11:57:41

Val the Time ATAC's that wear out are ones that have square bars and springs. The ones with round bars seem to last forever.


I honestly haven't done much touring, you've done far more than myself.


The only real touring I did(it was only 2 days) was from Pittsburgh up through the Allegheny National Forest to my hometown on Smethport PA.


I also had a job that was 25 miles one way and I didn't have a car. The only way for me to work overtime was to ride down with camping gear. I would work a real long day camp close to work and then get up super early to go back to work and ride home at the normal time that night.


tetris_draftsman
2012-12-13 17:10:36

@edmonds59 - HV, love the classic look of the silver bike.


thanks! that's what i was going for, and i think it ended up turning out even better than i'd hoped. i finally got it going again last night and rode it into work today. it's so different from my road bike, but such a great ride.


and ps i've been drooling over that botecchia all along.


hiddenvariable
2012-12-20 04:44:19

motobecane super mirage - steel road frame, nice relaxed geometry, red sparkle paint, gold trim, paint changes to pink when it gets wet (that is a feature... not a problem)


700c super chrome front fork, cane creek s2 headset, kraynicks special weird sized stumpy threadless riser stem


nitto moustache bars, tektro barend brake (right side!), cetma 5 bar front rack.


700c 36h velocity deep v, campy record hub, 28c vittoria rando tire, 105 front brake


some old italian 27" rear wheel, 1 1/4 knobbies, no back brake


40x16 single speed drive train, stupid beefy bmx chain, 105 cranks


red and gold turbo saddle.


planet bike fenders!


imakwik1
2012-12-20 07:08:44

^mmm, that sounds like it needs a picture.


edmonds59
2012-12-20 12:04:23

Tetris, I'd much appreciate hearing about any such short little trips like that, around here. My better half keeps making noises about a short tour and I want to make it a three or four day trip, first time out. That camping commute is funny in a cool kind of way. I had the awesome chance to commute for about six months when I lived in Puerto Rico for a couple of years; that was the best shape of my life! Commuting adds a whole different dimension to the sport, I think.


2012-12-21 14:13:33

Wait - you lived in PR and rode a bike? I visited there, did not bike at all, though I loved it, but it did seem like biking there would be suicidal. Something about the insane Latino driving style combined with the completely roached out 30 year old un-inspected Japanese econoboxes seemed iffy.

I could actually even fantasize about having a little shack someday in the Rincon area, ah, pipe dreams.


edmonds59
2012-12-21 14:31:17

Edmonds, it was PR that taught me: you never know what's around the next turn. But yes, I lived in a house overlooking Luquillo Beach. I attached an issued strobe under my seat, the best rear-facing light you can have, but it was still insane. Common items (the top three) in roadways that posed a major threat were in descending order: burned out cars, sofas, dead cows. My initial route was 17 miles and all flat, I always got to a great section above the local marina as the sun was lighting up the ocean. I eventually had to change to a route through the hills into Fajardo, 23 miles of hills coming and going. Me and some buddies rode along the coast to Isla Verde (near the airport) on the weekends, or up to the top of the Puerto Rican Himalayas (El Yunque Rainforest). I miss the scenery but the traffic was hell and the people were very combative. I was twice in two years, face-to-face with motorists with low IQ scores. If you ever go back, be sure to do some road biking along the spine of the island (La Ruta Panoramica!), if you've got the will to. It's also hairy but loads of fun! Rincon is sweet but did you take the ferry to Culebra? It's your barefoot, expat paradise. Please tell me did some diving in Rincon... Pub crawls in Old San Juan with sangria pitchers and blue cobblestones!


2012-12-21 17:31:57

Holy crap, thanks for the tip on Culebra. Looks freaking awesome. Need to go.

I was in PR with my son, 14 at the time, and a teetotaler friend, so no pub crawling, but old San Juan was awesome nonetheless. The open air bars all over the place were calling to me hard.

We stayed in a house in Isabela, in the north-west, snorkeled on the reef all day long and some nights, it was like swimming in a giant dentists office fish tank. Awesome.


edmonds59
2012-12-21 20:11:29

You're right about the water clarity out west. The river carrying sediment from the rainforest seemed to do a great job clouding the water on the east end of the island. At least they said that's what did it. The hot tip for Culebra is that while you're there, be sure to dedicate an afternoon to spending on one of the empty keys (there is a total of eighteen islets in that cluster) with that special someone, or the family unit. You can have a water taxi drop you off with your snorkeling gear and other gear/food, and pick you up when you're done. They say the bioluminescent bay in the Southwest is supposed to be spectacular. I miss it, sometimes.


2012-12-21 22:40:57

We spent Thanksgiving in PR a few years ago to get away from misbehaving relatives. We spent 11 days, 3 in a really inexpensive B&B butting up against El Yunque, but only 15 minutes drive from the beach which we could see from our balcony.

A lifetime experience was visiting the bioluminescent lagoon in the NW corner. I would go back tomorrow!


helen-s
2012-12-22 16:45:43

Helen, it's been my experience that most people never hear of that lagoon in Fajardo, interesting. The famous one is west of Ponce, I forget the exact name of the place. Fajardo has some fantastic beaches and there's even one place that was a great place to chase bugs at night. Hellz yeah. Did you ever notice the giant white ball, on top of the mountain? That was the highest point on the island and the road was paved all the way to the gate of that listening post, barely over 4,000 feet. It was fifteen miles from the beach to the top, but part of the road was always washed out, so mtn bikes were called for. It would've been brutal on a road bike, I think. Two years of riding in PR motivated me to get my first triple chainring road crank, when I went to North Georgia for a while, right after that.


2012-12-22 17:49:57