WHAT'S NEW
Comments - The Instinct to Shill
May 07, 2011
Regarding those who profess the superiority of lugged steel vs other materials, saying that the bike market has "...fickleness of sentimentality...." is nonsensical. Those that profess the superiority of lugged steel - or braised steel for that matter - are in no way fickle, they are truly steadfast! they are the immovable rock, and typically they are expressers of an affection for the steel frame that borders on Luddite. A custom designed steel frame using the finest tubing available is a lovely thing to have in ones bicycle collection. But with the choice of superior materials that have been available for some time now, one is not going to be breaking out the old lugged steel museum piece if comfort and performance are required for a long ride or a race. The world moved on quite some time ago and steel framed bikes are an archaic technology. Anyone who really has ridden steel framed bikes knows this to be true. And when I say ridden this means really ridden, raced and trained on steel framed bikes - and not someone who has only seen a picture of one, read about one, only sat on one or taken one 'round the block for a quick spin, or is completely ignorant of steel frames and has accepted steel frame Luddite propaganda at face value. Those who have had the opportunity to compare even the very best steel frames with other materials (Titanium, Aluminium, Carbon) will understand that steel is just 'old school' and not better, it is an anachronism in terms of both performance and comfort, particularly when compared to a properly designed carbon frame - noting that carbon (Le moderne) is the preferred target of the steel Luddite camp's criticism when comparing steel (L'antique) to other frame materials.
- Dr T, Canberra, Aus
April 23, 2011
And that attractive girl at the end of the latest BTP MSR video? Ashley Gruber. She is a really decent photog, too.
Jered is on it. Good on Pez for recognizing it.
- Longdaddy, Bagram, Afghanistan
April 23, 2011
A Campy down tube shifter belongs where it was designed to go, not as a decoration around someones neck. Something like my '84 Bianch Campione d'Italia with Campy Super Record. The Brooks B17 saddle though gathers dust on the shelf, replaced by something more modern; and the cloth tape has long since been resigned to the dust bin, replaced by Cinelli cork.
- Chris, Shalimar FL
April 21, 2011
Regarding shift lever necklaces:
Totally tasteless! Not one Campagnolo shift lever in sight. There are so many beautiful Campa ones compared to these ugly utilitarian examples. Think form and function! I expect much more of SF "designers". He clearly never used a down tube shifter in his life! I wouldn't stoop to pick up one of these off the sidewalk.
- Alex, Doylestown
April 21, 2011
"The first person who can find or otherwise upload the final kilometer and post a link to our Facebook page, will get a $100 Competitive Cyclist gift card in the mail."
Ask and ye shall receive. Just posted to your FB page.
- Christopher Smith, Minneapolis
April 21, 2011
How long do you think your iPhone battery would last if you were reading a live race feed through an app? And do you think Cyclingnews would benefit from all of the complaints they would probably receive from people once their battery did die from reading the live updates through their app?
- John, Boulder
April 21, 2011
Un-killable lugged steel with a modern drivetrain, integrated shifters, and clipless pedals. It really doesn't get much better than that for us non-racer types. And, no Brooks saddle required either...modern saddles and quality bibs are the bees-knees. Boutique custom-fit clothing? Why not. I'll never pop for any of it but I'm sure the perfectionists and optimizers (of which there are many) would make it a worthy market.. Almost 40 years now and still nothing compares to La Course en Tête. I love the music and the glimpses into the life of Merckx at his peak.
- PawleeWalnutz, NYC
April 21, 2011
Strange that a young John Doman is apparently head mechanic for Vittoria neutral support ...
- Andrew, Philadelphia
April 21, 2011
Jered is getting there, just needs to stop bringing Ashley into everything.
- Hung Low, Killadelphia
April 20, 2011
A "Princess Bride" reference and portion of La Course on the same page? Inconceivable!
- Prest-o, Vancouver, BC
April 20, 2011
CE, how often are you watching that VHS tape? Costco will convert to DVD for $20, so you get to watch it often and make $80.
- Bryan, Proem
April 20, 2011
How about the mechanic in the Vittoria car with dropouts from different frames to get the rear wheel spacing correct! Nice..
- jim, Troy,NY
April 20, 2011
How about the mechanic in the Vittoria car with dropouts from different frames to get the rear wheel spacing correct! Nice..
- jim, Troy,NY
April 20, 2011
I will state again...Vittoria CG Pave tubulars and Open are an AWESOME way to keep your fillings in you teeth with a crisp yet plush ride!! I dig Jered's stuff. He brings a different perspective on the race action.
- Dave, CheeseheadLand
April 20, 2011
Definitely better photog's than Jered...just being honest. As Lance once said, "He has a lot to learn." His photos are definitely better than the stuff he writes though...I would rather see him quit the writing bit (It's BAD) and just do photo's.
- Chris, Cincinnati
April 20, 2011
"I do not think that word means what you think it means..."
Desiccated: dried out thoroughly.
After five hours? If only.
- Mark, Draper, UT
April 20, 2011
Correction - the Pave TUBULAR is the most PRO item not a Ambrosio Nemesis - the open tubular - meh
- Me, Earth
April 20, 2011
Alfredo Binda straps, outstanding. You forgot to mention the Detto shoes, hard as a rock
- Dale A, Chicago
April 20, 2011
You want clothing improvement, start by adding cordura strips to the hip and shoulder area.
- DMM, Little Rock
April 20, 2011
Kristof Ramon is also where it's at on flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kristoframon/
- Matt, Portland
April 20, 2011
I totally agree on the clothing. I have a really long torso and arms that, relative to the torso are short. Jerseys and jackets are sliding up above my navel while the sleeves on my jacket are somewhere around my knuckle. Don't get me started on bib straps.
- Ron, Cincinnati
April 20, 2011
Jered Gruber is the sh*t, indeed. // Agree 100% on the idea of tailored cycling clothing. I've been in-between sizes my entire adult life and it's the bane of the garment-side of my existence. That said, I've always known the path to stuff that fits is paved in $. Lots of it. // TGF bikes, and I'd add the ubiquitous HD camera to that list (along with the Internet). I l.o.v.e. watching the Being There variety of cycling footage.
- Matthew, PRoB
April 20, 2011
I've got the rock the baby moment on VHS, but no way to convert to web-friendly content. Sorry.
- CE, AV, MN
April 20, 2011
Gruber takes nice race pics, but they have nothing on Chris Milliman.
- Stretch, VT
April 20, 2011
Agree re. shoes, but if Rocket 7 couldn't stay in business, is there really that much demand? (I still have my pair when CC closed our its Rocket 7 inventory.) As far as clothing is concerned, the solution really would be for the high-end brands to have a second line with an "American" fit - Same quality, just a lot wider. Maybe have Primal Wear make it.
- JohnK, Washington, DC
April 20, 2011
Grubers pictures are in a league of their own- they are fine photos amidst a sea of Watsons "meh" pictures.
- fat chance, nyc
April 20, 2011
As faar as clothing. Start with tailored shoes and work up.
- Rob, Charlotte,NC
Twitter
Facebook
YouTube
Flickr
RSS
