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Comments - The Conspicuous Non-Conformist

April 08, 2011

That'd be Eddie Borysewics, the US Cycling team coach in the early 80's. Polish born and trained as a pretty good amateur cyclist as I recall. He wrote Bicycle Road Racing, and you can still get it through Amazon.com. As a training guide, it's way more readable than many others -- good stories about pedaling through corners, eating horsemeat, and being a human anatomy model in class. Nearly every morning I think of this book if I reach for the car keys rather than my bike when I'm off to work.
- Ryan, Little Rock

April 07, 2011

Smith shades... let me know when they bring back the Moab's. Three lenses, affordable Rx insert, and stylish.
- Lindsey, Arcata

April 06, 2011

...and I'm serious about this: who is Eddie B?
- elpataron, Saginaw

April 05, 2011

While disc brakes would stop better. Are they necessary? That's a pretty small tire you are relying on for traction.I Don't think forks will much lighter because the brake torque would be at the bottom and I think the wheel would have to be cross laced instead of radial. The hubs will be heavier to mount the disc. I want them on my commuter but maybe not my weekend bike. With electronic shifting the hydraulic levers would be easier to build.
- Rich, Redding

April 05, 2011

John, you forgot to end your post with "Burn!"
- Stewart, Golden, CO

April 05, 2011

Thankfully, I think the approval by the UCI of disc brakes for cross will lead to the development of a viable road disc brake option. I would love disc brakes on both my cross bike and road bike. I'll gladly take a little weight penalty for the improved performance. I would also think all the companies making carbon fiber rims would be pushing for disc brakes given the design limitations of rim brakes on carbon. Yeah for innovation.
- Steve, Denver, CO

April 05, 2011

As a "roadie" w/ over 20 years' experience from junior to master by way of an int'l peloton or two, I've still never heard of Krabbé's The Rider, or Michael Barry's Le Métier. Can one assume that these texts are only essential for conspicuous consumers of wickedly over-priced high-end, image-driven product? And that you don't sell Eddie B's book, which even now is sufficiently relevant to guide you right up to the point of considering blood doping?
- John, North Hills, PA

April 05, 2011

Canyon have developed a disc braked road prototype, check their website (in German I think)
- Ben, Maidenhead UK

April 05, 2011

SAW AN INTERVIEW WITH JONATHAN VAUGHTER REGARDING VERSUS COVERAGE OF TOUR DE FLANDER - NORTH FACE LOGO ON LEFT SHOULDER OF HIS JACKET.
- GLEN, PORTLAND, OR

April 05, 2011

Yes, disc brakes on road bikes please! Rims become lighter and stronger if they don't need to be made to handle the compression forces of brakes. Tires won't heat up and explode on long descents. And... if there is no need to drill a brake hole through a fork crown, forks could be made lighter, stiffer and safer. Unfortunately for roadies, this battle begins with the UCI. No company will be building nice lightweight hydro STI's, 140mm rotors if the pros can't ride it. And as we all know the UCI are more concerned about not letting a racer with new fangled parts break a record than they are about safety.
- Derrick, New York

April 05, 2011

"Losing that strength: It's the harsher part of growing old." But it's also what protects you from killing or maiming yourself and helps us middle-agers maximize our riding enjoyment. It goes along with that voice inside your head that tells you to ease off when you find yourself embroiled in a 'hammerfest" with kiddies half your age. Hammer on Saturday and you may be crippled until Tuesday. Back off a bit and live to ride tomorrow. My, what gorgeous, inspiring roads and trails you have there. Thanks for sharing.
- PawleeWalnutz, NYC

April 04, 2011

remember when ERT sold their WWDS at theNAHB od XX!? That was when KLB called SDX and bought the whole darn kiboodle. It was only after AGH and FVV were seen at the 1999 TMX that everyone went crazy and piled on. So much GGP for so little RUK!
- GCB, JFK

April 04, 2011

Regarding The North Face's foray into our unwelcoming little world, their parent company recently announced a 5-year, 5-Billion dollar growth plan. Three of that five is to come from TNF and Vans, so I'd expect to see them try to enter a number of new markets, besides cycling. Many outdoor companies covet a presence in cycling, but few succeed. You mentioned Patagonia's flameout, but Kelty's attempt to sell their hydration systems in bike shops died an even quicker death. Brand always seem surprised when new markets don't recognize or care about them. Ask your boys at Smith how much money they wasted trying to penetrate the surf market. Ibex is still trying to nail wool cycling apparel, but their sizing is all over the place. SmartWool periodically tries apparel, too.
- Cinghiale, wayoutwest

April 04, 2011

I've dreamed of a custom road bike with a single chain ring and an internal geared hub in the back (gotta be custom because of the width of the internal hub). Disc brakes to soothe my mind on scary descents. I'd already own one if not for my aversion to living in my backyard, forbidden by my wife from entering our home, being visited by my children and the dogs whenever they decided to get some fresh air.
- Thomas, Jacksonville

April 04, 2011

the "north face track jacket" is made by Castelli... it's just a sponsor logo on their team kit, as such I'm sure Castelli would be glad to accept your credit card right away, no waiting required
- Brent, North Vancouver

April 04, 2011

The benefits of road disc brakes goes well beyond braking performance. Once rim designers no longer have to accommodate a 10mm tall flat section of rim for thebrake pads, rim profiles can be optomized for comfort, aerodynamics and strength. Think something like the Zipp 101 clincher in carbon fiber.
- Chris, LRAR

April 04, 2011

I was playing on my carbon wheels yesterday on some steep descents, and got dropped by guys I can normally stay in front of because the braking is just not as good as my aluminum wheels. The subtle difference then plays tricks on my mind, and the loss of confidence (which more time riding the wheels would help) is what really costs time. Every now and then I wonder about building up some disc specific hubs with Enve rims--that would be a pretty bomber setup, but would require a whole new custom road bike around it to fit the hubs and brakes, which makes for an expensive set of wheels.
- Chris, Marin

April 04, 2011

This isn't the first time TNF has been in cycling. Around 1991 I picked up a long sleeved cycling jersey at a North Face outlet in Michigan. It matched the purple anodized bits on my mountain bike and even had a clever feature for aiding unzipping one-handed.
- Rich, WDC

April 04, 2011

People get dropped on descents because they're poor descenders, not because of their brakes.
- Brian, Denver

April 04, 2011

The answer to the gearing is 12 speeds: 48x 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 21, 23, 26, 30 Thats the same range (or pretty damn close). The real issue is getting the chain to stay on up front. Ask any 'crosser about the lengths they go to in order to keep the chain from popping off the front ring. And with that wide spread in back, you're going to have issues not rubbing on a chainguide. I doubt spartacus is going to risk losing his chain mid-Muur, especially since he recently went back to mechanical shifters for reliability.
- Karl, NY

April 04, 2011

Did you see the big North Face logo on JV's jacket on RVV this weekend?
- Noel, PHill, CA

April 04, 2011

If this amazingly sweet track jacket is any indication of The North Face's cycling future, my credit card's ready. http://bit.ly/g6m4SZ
- DaveStoller, Fairfield, CT

April 04, 2011

TA- Make sense on MTB's because most kids are tube less and flats do not happen as much as they would tubed...still happen but less often. Kids need to move to tube less road first with some sort of sealant. Stans road wheels? any thoughts on those things? gorgeous trails.
- fat chance, nyc

April 04, 2011

I need to use your Haiku for a bit. Hope that's ok? Motivation is motivation.
- Joe, Tucson