I rode my new bike. YUM

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: oboeguy
To heck with your fancy aluminum and carbon creation, STEEL IS REAL BABY!!!

(<-- hugs Reynolds 525 frame -- yeah it's not 531 but it's not Al either )

I do have a Reynolds 531 bike, and it is one cushy ride. It's definitely comfier than my primary road bike.

 

[DaShen]

Originally posted by: DonVito

Originally posted by: oboeguy
To heck with your fancy aluminum and carbon creation, STEEL IS REAL BABY!!!

(<-- hugs Reynolds 525 frame -- yeah it's not 531 but it's not Al either )

I do have a Reynolds 531 bike, and it is one cushy ride. It's definitely comfier than my primary road bike.

Is that a Ti bike? :Q

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: DonVito

Originally posted by: oboeguy
To heck with your fancy aluminum and carbon creation, STEEL IS REAL BABY!!!

(<-- hugs Reynolds 525 frame -- yeah it's not 531 but it's not Al either )

I do have a Reynolds 531 bike, and it is one cushy ride. It's definitely comfier than my primary road bike.

Those are nice. :thumbsup:

My LeMond is steel made with Reynolds 853 tubing.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: UTmtnbiker
My biggest beef with Campy is I don't like the thumb shifting on it. I cut my teeth on downtube and then went to STI shifters. Just a matter of preference of course. I think Campy shifts great and of course looks beautiful (especially Record Carbon).

Al is a nice stiff ride, but now that I'm getting older, my lower back just can't take the jarring nearly as much as it used to (also looking to go full suspension on my MTB). I've been looking at a bunch of carbon frame companies like the Felt, Orbea, Look, Scott, Cervelo, Colagno, and BMC. Just deciding which one at this point. I figure it's been almost 9 years since I got my S-Works, which I still argue is as good as current generation Al - although the shaped tubes of today probably give a little bit more compliant ride, so it's time to treat myself.

Have you tried the Campy stuff? One of the things I really like about the Campy shifters is that you can drop from the biggest cog down to the smallest in one motion. To do that on Shimano you have to ratchet that lever side to side 10 times. Granted I don't go from top to bottom frequently (usually after cresting a hill and starting down the other side) but it is nice to be able to drop down 2-3 gears with one click on that thumb lever.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: DaShen

Is that a Ti bike? :Q

Yeah. My MTB is as well. Honestly I think steel has the best ride for a road bike, but ti is a wonderful thing for an MTB. My Serotta is just an incredible ride.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Have you tried the Campy stuff? One of the things I really like about the Campy shifters is that you can drop from the biggest cog down to the smallest in one motion. To do that on Shimano you have to ratchet that lever side to side 10 times. Granted I don't go from top to bottom frequently (usually after cresting a hill and starting down the other side) but it is nice to be able to drop down 2-3 gears with one click on that thumb lever.

Yeah, I love that ability. I've also always found the feel of STI a little disconcerting - it's actually too smooth for my taste. I prefer the mechanical solidity of Ergopower. In all fairness I have only ridden a few hundred miles with STI, however.

 

[DaShen]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: UTmtnbiker
My biggest beef with Campy is I don't like the thumb shifting on it. I cut my teeth on downtube and then went to STI shifters. Just a matter of preference of course. I think Campy shifts great and of course looks beautiful (especially Record Carbon).

Al is a nice stiff ride, but now that I'm getting older, my lower back just can't take the jarring nearly as much as it used to (also looking to go full suspension on my MTB). I've been looking at a bunch of carbon frame companies like the Felt, Orbea, Look, Scott, Cervelo, Colagno, and BMC. Just deciding which one at this point. I figure it's been almost 9 years since I got my S-Works, which I still argue is as good as current generation Al - although the shaped tubes of today probably give a little bit more compliant ride, so it's time to treat myself.

Have you tried the Campy stuff? One of the things I really like about the Campy shifters is that you can drop from the biggest cog down to the smallest in one motion. To do that on Shimano you have to ratchet that lever side to side 10 times. Granted I don't go from top to bottom frequently (usually after cresting a hill and starting down the other side) but it is nice to be able to drop down 2-3 gears with one click on that thumb lever.

But if you are good at shifting, you shouldn't have to do such a large shift. Such a quick shift can wear your cogs down quicker. But I agree Campy's are more ergonomic, comfortable, and traditional. They are easy to fix and have more features as well, although Shimano has the manual shift fine tuning on the road, which is really great!!! And Shimanos are a little lighter and quieter shifting in the long run. But there are so many pros and cons to each.

 

[DaShen]

Originally posted by: DonVito

Originally posted by: DaShen

Is that a Ti bike? :Q

Yeah. My MTB is as well. Honestly I think steel has the best ride for a road bike, but ti is a wonderful thing for an MTB. My Serotta is just an incredible ride.

A Serotta MTB!!!! :Q You must be loaded.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: DaShen

A Serotta MTB!!!! :Q You must be loaded.

Just lucky!

When I was in law school, I was in the market for a new MTB (I had badly dented my wonderful old Bridgestone MB-0). I was actually leaning toward a ~$1,200 production bike. I was (and am) a VeloNews subscriber, and when I read the classifieds, I found that a guy in Philadelphia was selling my Serotta ATi bike frame, secondhand but brand new, with a warranty card, for $1,000 (even then, it retailed for $2,800, and got as high as $3,200 before they quit making them)! I couldn't resist. I bought it and built it up with old parts from my Bridgestone, plus that first-gen Marzocchi Bomber fork.

He actually had two other bikes that were among the coolest ever made (a Calfee-built LeMond road bike, and a CF/ti Specialized Ultimate MTB), each my size and selling for $1K, but I could only afford one.

I also got my Moots secondhand-but-new - I paid only $1,500 for the frame, a Look HSC-3 fork, Chris King headset, and an ITM stem (since replaced with the Moots one). I saved about $1,200 there.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: DaShen

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: UTmtnbiker
My biggest beef with Campy is I don't like the thumb shifting on it. I cut my teeth on downtube and then went to STI shifters. Just a matter of preference of course. I think Campy shifts great and of course looks beautiful (especially Record Carbon).

Al is a nice stiff ride, but now that I'm getting older, my lower back just can't take the jarring nearly as much as it used to (also looking to go full suspension on my MTB). I've been looking at a bunch of carbon frame companies like the Felt, Orbea, Look, Scott, Cervelo, Colagno, and BMC. Just deciding which one at this point. I figure it's been almost 9 years since I got my S-Works, which I still argue is as good as current generation Al - although the shaped tubes of today probably give a little bit more compliant ride, so it's time to treat myself.

Have you tried the Campy stuff? One of the things I really like about the Campy shifters is that you can drop from the biggest cog down to the smallest in one motion. To do that on Shimano you have to ratchet that lever side to side 10 times. Granted I don't go from top to bottom frequently (usually after cresting a hill and starting down the other side) but it is nice to be able to drop down 2-3 gears with one click on that thumb lever.

But if you are good at shifting, you shouldn't have to do such a large shift. Such a quick shift can wear your cogs down quicker. But I agree Campy's are more ergonomic, comfortable, and traditional. They are easy to fix and have more features as well, although Shimano has the manual shift fine tuning on the road, which is really great!!! And Shimanos are a little lighter and quieter shifting in the long run. But there are so many pros and cons to each.

I almost never do the "big shift". I just like the way the Campy levers are laid out with the up and down levers separate and a brake lever than only moves in one plane.

 

[LookingGlass]

Originally posted by: DaShen


My Hard-Ass SMP Strike saddle
.

My, my, my, look at the girth on that thing, nice and long too.

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: DaShen
I rode a 55 mile route this weekend on my new bike. I wasn't able to take any pics of the bike put together yet, but I will post them on an update. The bike has a 3t carbon handlebar, with silver carbon looking handlebar tape. A look carbon stem, with a light stock K2 carbon fork, an easton carbon seatpost, a carbon smp strike saddle (I think I need to adjust it or get a new saddle right now, not sure), easton orion II wheelset (1477 g), ultegra shifters and bottom bracket, all other dura ace grupo, the crankset is a TT 55-42t, cassette Ti 11-23. The frame itself is a K2 Mod 5.0. The bike is a sub 17 lbs., I believe. I am such a weight weenie, now -- although my other bike is a solid 24 lbs by itself, and that is after the wheel upgrade on that bike.

Pic of my bike frame

My Hard-Ass SMP Strike saddle

The ride was good except for my ass as well as other soft fleshy parts. I am hoping to readjust the saddle and hopefully it will be better. Otherwise I am going to sell it with a loss, and get a Fizik Arione and Aliente Ti. The SMP Strike is such a pretty saddle and it is so smooth to ride on high torque that I am hoping it is a seat adjustment thing. I got so many compliments about the bike on the ride and also when I took it into a bike shop for a question. The mechanic thought it was a $4000 bike.

**EDIT**
Actually, I looked up my old bikes specs. It is 24.5 lbs. after the wheelset upgrade. It was around 27 before the upgrade.

that looks like it might hurt..

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: DaShen

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: UTmtnbiker
My biggest beef with Campy is I don't like the thumb shifting on it. I cut my teeth on downtube and then went to STI shifters. Just a matter of preference of course. I think Campy shifts great and of course looks beautiful (especially Record Carbon).

Al is a nice stiff ride, but now that I'm getting older, my lower back just can't take the jarring nearly as much as it used to (also looking to go full suspension on my MTB). I've been looking at a bunch of carbon frame companies like the Felt, Orbea, Look, Scott, Cervelo, Colagno, and BMC. Just deciding which one at this point. I figure it's been almost 9 years since I got my S-Works, which I still argue is as good as current generation Al - although the shaped tubes of today probably give a little bit more compliant ride, so it's time to treat myself.

Have you tried the Campy stuff? One of the things I really like about the Campy shifters is that you can drop from the biggest cog down to the smallest in one motion. To do that on Shimano you have to ratchet that lever side to side 10 times. Granted I don't go from top to bottom frequently (usually after cresting a hill and starting down the other side) but it is nice to be able to drop down 2-3 gears with one click on that thumb lever.

But if you are good at shifting, you shouldn't have to do such a large shift. Such a quick shift can wear your cogs down quicker. But I agree Campy's are more ergonomic, comfortable, and traditional. They are easy to fix and have more features as well, although Shimano has the manual shift fine tuning on the road, which is really great!!! And Shimanos are a little lighter and quieter shifting in the long run. But there are so many pros and cons to each.

I find two situations when I might need to drop down a few gears on the rear.

1) When shifting from the big chainring up front to the small chainring to avoid cross chaining I usually have to drop down to a smaller gear on the cassette.

2) When cresting the top of a hill and I start down the other side I will usually have to drop to a harder gear pretty quickly as my speed picks up (I don't think I've ever had to go from the easiest right to the hardest but you could do it easily with the Campy).

My Felt is all Ultegra/Dura-Ace so I have a lot of experience with Shimano. It's good stuff but having ridden a Campy bike now I can honestly say that the Campy is better.

Nothing is as quiet as the Campy bike I rode recently. Man, that thing was so smooth and quiet. Like butter!

 

[Brutuskend]

Originally posted by: UTmtnbiker
Yeah, but in my head, I can't admit to myself that I'm not a racer anymore!

The mind is willing, but the body is unable!


Tell me about it....

 

[DaShen]

Originally posted by: LookingGlass

Originally posted by: DaShen


My Hard-Ass SMP Strike saddle
.

My, my, my, look at the girth on that thing, nice and long too.

Hehehehe...

But I am definitely bruisy in certain areas right now, because I didn't set the saddle up all that carefully for yesterdays ride.

 

[jlbenedict]

How is biking, for cardiovascular fitness, and cutting bodyfat?

I've been searching for an alternative to burning off some fat, since the old treadmill and stationery bike get boring after about ten minutes..

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: jlbenedict
How is biking, for cardiovascular fitness, and cutting bodyfat?

I've been searching for an alternative to burning off some fat, since the old treadmill and stationery bike get boring after about ten minutes..
[/quote]
It burns a ton of calories. Using two large muscle groups (ass and quads) will do that.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: Brutuskend

Originally posted by: UTmtnbiker
Yeah, but in my head, I can't admit to myself that I'm not a racer anymore!

The mind is willing, but the body is unable!


Tell me about it....

BAH! I know guys in their 50s that can mop the floor with me.

 

[Cheetah8799]

DaShen, that's one hell of a cutout on your seat. Might fall through if you aren't careful.

 

[LookingGlass]

Originally posted by: DaShen

Originally posted by: LookingGlass

Originally posted by: DaShen


My Hard-Ass SMP Strike saddle
.

My, my, my, look at the girth on that thing, nice and long too.

Hehehehe...

But I am definitely bruisy in certain areas right now, because I didn't set the saddle up all that carefully for yesterdays ride.

LOL, on a more serious note, and I am being serious about this. A few months ago, I caught in mid-stream a report, about men that are heavy bike riders. The pressure from the seat, can effect sperm count, and does effect things down there. Seriously, because of the compression, etc. I'll dig around for that report. If you think about it, it does make sense in a way, of what *could* happen.

 

[DaShen]

Originally posted by: jlbenedict
How is biking, for cardiovascular fitness, and cutting bodyfat?

I've been searching for an alternative to burning off some fat, since the old treadmill and stationery bike get boring after about ten minutes..

It one of the best exercises, right next to running and swimming.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: LookingGlass

Originally posted by: DaShen

Originally posted by: LookingGlass

Originally posted by: DaShen


My Hard-Ass SMP Strike saddle
.

My, my, my, look at the girth on that thing, nice and long too.

Hehehehe...

But I am definitely bruisy in certain areas right now, because I didn't set the saddle up all that carefully for yesterdays ride.

LOL, on a more serious note, and I am being serious about this. A few months ago, I caught in mid-stream a report, about men that are heavy bike riders. The pressure from the seat, can effect sperm count, and does effect things down there. Seriously, because of the compression, etc. I'll dig around for that report. If you think about it, it does make sense in a way, of what *could* happen.

I'm about 180, have been riding for 16 years and everything works fine.

If the bike fits properly, this shouldn't be much of an issue.

 

[DaShen]

Originally posted by: LookingGlass

Originally posted by: DaShen

Originally posted by: LookingGlass

Originally posted by: DaShen


My Hard-Ass SMP Strike saddle
.

My, my, my, look at the girth on that thing, nice and long too.

Hehehehe...

But I am definitely bruisy in certain areas right now, because I didn't set the saddle up all that carefully for yesterdays ride.

LOL, on a more serious note, and I am being serious about this. A few months ago, I caught in mid-stream a report, about men that are heavy bike riders. The pressure from the seat, can effect sperm count, and does effect things down there. Seriously, because of the compression, etc. I'll dig around for that report. If you think about it, it does make sense in a way, of what *could* happen.

Yeah, that is why I bought this seat. I heard it was good for that.

It isn't neccessarily the pressure on the actual thingy , that doesn't happen that often. It is the pressure on the perennial (or ass in laymens terms) vein that runs the circulation down there. On heavy riders, it is bad. I am willing to spend $$ to find a seat that will alleviate most of that. Otherwise I will have to go the Angelina Jolie route. Although that isn't neccessarily a bad thing.

Bike fit, including seat/saddle fit is very key to avoiding this problem though.

 

[oboeguy]

The "bike related male impotence" thing has been beat to death, let it rest in peace. It's generally a non-issue if:

1) your bike is properly fit to you,
2) your bike is properly set-up for 1) to be of any use,
3) you're not an idiot.

What I mean by 3) is that doing long rides with adjusting position (e.g. sitting-up no hands, getting out of the saddle, etc) from time to time is asking for trouble whether in the nether regions or elsewhere.