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Comments - Book Of Intentions
February 25, 2012
"And for those of you who love playing association games, it's impossible miss Red's tribute to Campagnolo by having the fifth chainring bolt thread into the back of the crankarm. " You know, something about that line is so incredibly irksone. Campy sues people for coming close to their designs, orfor claiming that their crank is lighter (even by a few grams) than Campy's stuff. This is no tribute. Also:
One more vote for staying anonymous. Of course I have a FB account, but I'm not going to log in to it just to comment on your stuff, or anybody else's. Anonymous has benefits. Just delete Mancebo's shit if you have to.
- Patrick, Fruita
February 24, 2012
Jan, I want to Fondo too. I keep getting heckled by dentists on Serottas. It is so disheartening
- Tyler Hamilton, Disgraced PRO
February 24, 2012
I noticed the sweet bike cargo trailer with a multitude of bikes/wheels mounted along the side-walls in an upright position while viewing the CC Team Camp video. I am going to convert an enclosed motorcycle trailer along the same lines (albeit smaller as I only have to transport a crew of 6--8 dudes bikes/gear. Obviously, you utilized the fork mounts for the front fork attachment, but how do you have the rear wheel secured to the trailer wall to lock the bike in from moving? Any tips/comments would greatly be appreciated...thanks bro
- Phil, McKinney, TX
February 23, 2012
The new SRAM Red is even more hideous looking than the original. Showing that Red lever right beside the elegant Chorus one is like putting a silicon-endowed street-whore festooned in fishnets and gold lame next to Grace Kelly. The Tyranny of Anonymity is what gives this stew it's unique flavor. Stay different.
- PawleeWalnutz, NYC
February 23, 2012
“The young riders look for guidance. For me, it’s easy to help them with everything I know, " replied Paco when asked where all the easy podium chicks and best coke could be found in the PRO peloton.
- chuck, wood
February 23, 2012
I love pro shoes-pro clothes-pro compnonents-pro hospitals-pro trolls and even pro level boys on bikes.
- Andy Renner, WI
February 23, 2012
Was Larry T. of Italy being sarcastic or ironic or snarky when he referenced the former VeloNews website and reader comments? Because there are almost no articles there on which one can still comment (even if you’re willing to compromise your privacy by using Facebook) and there is no in-line discussion of any of the stories published there except op/ed pieces. The simple fact is that, except for a bored Mancebo's obvious though sometimes humorous trolling, the critical comments left here under pseudonyms or semi-anonymously are a reaction to what is rightly identified as inapPROpriate douchiness and transparent hucksterism on the part of the blog's author. Sure, it's his site and he's free to ban anonymous comments (especially the ones he finds to be hurtful – poor him – as if it’s a crime to criticize pretentiousness), but then he should perhaps be more honest with himself, his readers and his customers as to why it is that he has this blog in the first place and what purpose does it serve. Will he accept the full spectrum of reactions to his musings, or does he want an echo chamber into which he can propagate wave after PROfound wave of sometimes self-congratulating, industry-insider babble that’s laced with occasional spurts of creative and interesting writing? As Oliver quite rightly pointed out, "Not wanting to leave one's information to you, your corporate paymasters, and Zuckerberg's Facebook (who will sell and profit from it) as a price to pay to express our views does not make us tyrants." Just like Nicolas Roche found out when Podium Café told the truth about his mediocre autobiography, you can’t enjoy the fruits of success and notoriety in your profession without expecting to be called-out on obvious BS. If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen – but don't expect people to feel sorry for you when you use your blog to whine about how your lucrative business is undercut, for once, by off-shore vendors who sell the same stuff as CC, but without the exorbitant mark-up…oh, and Lance didn't "win" 7 Tours.
- James, Mt. Lebanon
February 23, 2012
How come Paco gets to race parking lot crits in the US and I can't even Fondo? alas, cycling is a cruel mistress
- Jan Ullrich, Tour Winner
February 23, 2012
If SRAM really did want to look after their customers, they'd have made the new front derailleur compatible with the old Red levers. In my experience (and maybe A Schleck's), the old Red one has been shite, and it would have been such an easy upgrade.
- diamondjim, Perth, Australia
February 23, 2012
so what's the deal with having a Spanish rider implicated in the Puerto drug circle on the CC team?
- Neil, Washington, DC
February 23, 2012
He even nibbled his crust of bread into the shape of a simple drawing of a bird; no doubt to symbolize the liberty he longs for. With spirit like that, he'll be back in no time.
- Nomduploom, Colorado
February 23, 2012
GWS, Michael Barry. My wife read Michael's book aloud to me when I landed in intensive care (cycling, she _is_ a cruel mistress, indeed). It helped get me through that rather awful and surreal three weeks. // One can say what they will about The Rider Who Sold His Soul (allegedly), but there's one thing I won't argue with: he knows how to spend the spoils.
- Matthew, PRoB
February 23, 2012
First time commenter, here. Don't get rid of them. They suck, but it's a dialogue that makes blogs what they are. If you can't see our opinions of your writing and we can't add anything then this is just another media outlet, not a blog. And I second the posters who revel in their anonymity, I don't have facebook for that very reason. See you at the Rouge Roubaix?
- Pseudonym, Louisiana
February 23, 2012
"rock and republic" rocks and I love shopping at KOHLS! Thanks for info.
- Heather, Camden
February 23, 2012
Blake-You're exactly right! It is a train wreck, but neither you nor myself can avoid "rubbernecking" this horrific crash. I'm a psychiatrist by trade and what Brendan is demonstrating here, by allowing comments section is similar to a domestic violence victim repeatedly going back to her (or his) assailant after an assault. #masochsim or #misery?
- Jonathan, LA
February 23, 2012
I enjoy this blog and usually get something out of reading it. However the comments here are like a train wreck. I just can't help looking, even though I know it will be nothing more than a lot of gore. Brendan, you are under no obligation to have comments at all. Many respected blogs don't. This is the internet; if someone has something to say about the content here, they can create their own forum. You don't have to provide it for them.
- Blake, Denver
February 23, 2012
@paco mancebo Congratulations on your recent 3rd place finish at 2005 TOUR! Maybe you, Ball and Quirk can get together for a little 'pro' blow.
- Harry, met Sally
February 22, 2012
Facebook belongs to Moms and kids. The core cycling buyer of good stuff is a male 40-60 with decent disposable income. Thinking back, have you got more good than bad from anonymous posters? Leave Facebook worship to the 20-somethings that code websites - when they're 40 something and buying good bikes, Facebook will be AOL and you'll have missed a lot of good content.
- Dobbin, Horse Country
February 22, 2012
I really wish one of the posters would stop taking my name in vain, I am trying to forget about the trauma of the whole PRO bike thing
- Micah Rice, former PRO
February 22, 2012
PS: the Facebook is definitely not PRO
- Francisco Mancebo, Domestic Pro
February 22, 2012
I wonder if there would be a way to retroactively use these "stealth rings" on the older cassettes?
- WV Cycling, Buckhannon
February 22, 2012
Who's that Lance guy? Seriously, does anyone know?
- GM, YEG
February 22, 2012
Congratulations on the teams first win - from a neo-pro no less. You'd think that putting your money where your mouth is and sponsoring two cycling teams and underwriting the broadcast of spring classics wouldn't lead to such abuse! I appreciate it, this blogs one of the top 3 in cycling (probably also the longest running), and I'll keep thinking that til someone points me in another direction.
- Adam, Hamilton
February 22, 2012
...second-generation Red brakes is that they accommodate 28c tires. No other top-shelf brake caliper comes close. (Most barely have room for 25's.)
Hold on! OK, maybe not 'top shelf' (but very close) my Ultegra's clear 28c just fine, thank you.
- Mike, Virginia
February 21, 2012
The new team kit is uuuugly.
- Phil, Greenville SC
February 21, 2012
@Richard in Chicago... The day that the term "PRO" (Pretentious Rapha Owners?) is acknowledged - by the proprietor of this blog - to be the douchiest thing one can say in relation to cycling, THEN - and only then - will the discourse on this site return to the appropriate subject matter. One can have reverence for the heros and idols of our sport (and write of the same) without sounding like they hail from the Jersey Shore.
- Chris, Little Rock
February 21, 2012
Just saw the new Pro Team site. Great pics of training camp.
- Bob, Oakland
February 21, 2012
Yes, I also "take some comments with a grain of salt" but I'm tired of the newish personal attacks against the author. It's actually a bummer and how come no one's commenting on this? If you want to make a big splash in the world why don't you do it instead of railing against the people who do? Let's talk shop.
- Richard, Chicago
February 21, 2012
Sweet shout-out to the trolls. Can't wait to see the response from Mancebo....he's out there somewhere, right?
- Big Mikey, socialist TO
February 21, 2012
Yeah, that'll work... Because it's *IMPOSSIBLE* to set up a phony Facebook account under a pseudonym and use that to comment. When buttons such as yours are so easy - and enjoyable - to push, nothing can stop it.
- Ernest P. Troll, The Internet
February 21, 2012
Nice looking Merckx in the first picture.
- Patrick, Columbus, OH
February 21, 2012
Dang it, I'm supposed to be training right now instead of daydreaming about hanging out with João in Italy! You just *had* to put that link to InGamba in there, didn't ya? Argh!
- Chuck, Longville
February 21, 2012
The tyranny of anonymity ?
Not wanting to leave one's information to you, your corporate paymasters, and Zuckerberg's Facebook (who will sell and profit from it) as a price to pay to express our views does not make us tyrants. I guess this comment page was the proverbial kitchen: it got too hot for you, you couldn't stand it: goodbye! And as an aurevoir here's an FYI: from the enlightenment onward people speaking truth to power (be it aristocratic or corporate) have used anonymity. All the way up to Voltaire, who signed with pseudonym most of his writing.
- Oliver, Carrboro
February 20, 2012
I'm not on Facebook, have no intention to. So that rules me out. But as mentioned, who cares what their name is? I just take some comments with a grain of salt. It all adds a bit of colour.
- Carl, Auckland, New Zealand
February 20, 2012
Nice job taking the easy swipe at Fresno there guy. I rode solo today and am going to blow your mind to let you know it was not a life altering event, just miles of rolling hills dotted with cows and new lambs on the hillsides and creeks running with the spring thaw from the Sierras...I know, its horrible...who'd enjoy that?
- Matt , Fresno
February 20, 2012
As an alternative to Ingamba, try M. Michelin, he tells you were the good eats are and where the scenic roads are with little traffic. If you travel outside civilization, aka France, you are on your own.
- Scott G., Cincinnati
February 20, 2012
I live in Acton, MA (USA) , where Evie Stevens is from - it's a great town to live in if you want to ride a bike (Fitchburg is not too far way) but her recent Velo cover unfortunately was not the talk of the town. In time she will be. I wish InGamba luck and know they will do well. I went years after buying a Rapha rain jacket without buying another product - but their Rapha Continental ride series was always awe inspiring for this neophyte (I started riding in 2006). So I did not hesitate to do their tours - I now have two of randonnées under my belt and will do a third in May with them. If InGamba comes close to what Rapha/LaFuga does - they will have a loyal following and a good run. If you look for "The Unofficial Rapha Randonnée Pyrénéenne Movie" on Vimeo you will see my 10 minute "gift" to the Rapha/La Fuga riders and guides after our trip last year to the Pyrenees.
- Bruce, Acton, MA
February 20, 2012
Take a look at Velo's comments if you want to see how civil and friendly things have become with the Facebook program. On another note, since 1998 CycleItalia has been organizing "pedala forte, mangia bene" cycling vacations in Italy, so we wonder about this big void you write about - we've been providing challenging tours for real riders who also crave the "challenge" of enjoying the best food and wine in the world after a tough day of cycling
- Larry T., ITALIA
February 20, 2012
I don't use Facebook, and I don't use the word PRO. I like your writing when you avoid talking about PRO this and PRO that. I know that you're selling the image of the cycling insider (bought and paid for), but it's akin to selling someone Cooper racing slicks for their minivan. Transparent, and kinda hucksterish. I do not intend to be a troll, just explaining why PRO is a little lame ATMO (kidding about using ATMO)
- Phil, Walnut Creek
February 20, 2012
Many people will not comment at all if you go to Facebook only for fear of you or your parent company spamming everyone on our friends list. However, I am willing to sign up by alternative means if that makes you feel safer (maybe twitter?). BTW- repeatedly making fun of you for using "PRO" isn't trolling.
- Oh knowes, Not facebook
February 20, 2012
Are those Merckx shoes really available for sale?
- Sean, Chicago
February 20, 2012
As someone who reads these posts b/c I like them (most of the time) not b/c I want you to know how freakin fantastic I am, I think you're optimism about the facebook plugin is interesting. I don't think it will stop the griping and holier-than-thou comments. If you don't know th guy, who cares what his name is?
- Steve, Miami
February 20, 2012
I don't always agree with you but I really enjoy your blog and your writing. The last observation about Michael's socks was spot-on and really resonated with me. Thanks for that. Oh, and since I'm from Alabama: Nice job adding Mike O. to the pro team. We have long known he was a world-class beast and it's nice to see him getting the chance to do it in a full-time pro capacity.
- Jacob, Birmingham, AL
February 20, 2012
re: Linsanity in cycling
You forget Evelyn Stevens...
- Steven, Los Altos,CA
February 20, 2012
Please do not switch to Facebook comments. That commenting system is awful for a number of reasons: 1. My full name, company, and job title is shown on every post. (Preventing trolling is one thing, but that's insane)
2. There a many people who refuse to use Facebook and many Facebook user who refuse to use Facebook comments
3. The moderation system is awful. Velonews switched and I don't even bother commenting or reading the comments anymore. Honestly I've stopped visiting Velonews as regularly as I did before.
- Alex, Ardmore, PA
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