Bicycle thread

[zouch]

1923 French Championships, apparently.

Originally Posted by Gummee!

If I had to guess, it'd be 30s. No derailleurs on the bikes that I see.

M

[Flaco]

Funny and cool DIY repair kit instructions.

And sweet CX Worlds Vid

[ducnut]

Originally Posted by 2whl-hoop

I was at the LBS the other day and a leftover C-dale Synapse Carbon Rival caught my eye. Anyone have any experience/opinions on this bike? I read some online reviews, and a few mentioned that standing up and hammering can get the chainstays flexing and bouncing, but only a few reviews mentioned this. Most of the reviews talked about it being lightweight and comfortable, both qualities I'm looking for...

Also, the bike is equpped with Mavic's Aksium Wheel-Tire-System. Anyone know anything about this? If I don't lke the tires can I just swap them out without issue?

My buddy has the exact bike and loves it. The black/light blue combo looks killer.

I wouldn't sweat what the magazines say. Apparently, all the staff can flex anything. If it's compliant, it's unbalanced and doesn't precisely handle. If it's stiff, then, it's harsh. Screw 'em. Jump on that thing and take it for a good long ride. Only you know what you feel and like.

As Gummee! mentioned, there's nothing proprietary about that wheel/tire setup. Wear 'em out.

[ducnut]

Originally Posted by Flaco

And sweet CX Worlds Vid

One page back.

[2whl-hoop]

Originally Posted by Gummee!

Re: that c-dale. The Synapse is C-dale's answer to the Roubaix. Probably not the stiffest thing on the road, but it'll be an 'all-day ride' kind of bike. AFA the wheels, there's nothing proprietary about em. Wear out the tires that come with the bike and get something else if you don't like em.

M

Originally Posted by ducnut

My buddy has the exact bike and loves it. The black/light blue combo looks killer.

I wouldn't sweat what the magazines say. Apparently, all the staff can flex anything. If it's compliant, it's unbalanced and doesn't precisely handle. If it's stiff, then, it's harsh. Screw 'em. Jump on that thing and take it for a good long ride. Only you know what you feel and like.

As Gummee! mentioned, there's nothing proprietary about that wheel/tire setup. Wear 'em out.

Ok, thanks for the comments. I figure it would slot in nicely between my caad 8 and the Vaya, although the caad 8 probably wouldn't see much use anymore if I get the Synapse. The shop offered to set the bike up on a trainer to try it out. Too much white crap on the ground for a real test ride now...

[Gummee!]

Originally Posted by 2whl-hoop

Ok, thanks for the comments. I figure it would slot in nicely between my caad 8 and the Vaya, although the caad 8 probably wouldn't see much use anymore if I get the Synapse. The shop offered to set the bike up on a trainer to try it out. Too much white crap on the ground for a real test ride now...

That's about right. Gonna ride softer than the CAAD and stiffer than the Vaya. As much as the 'laterally stiff, vertically compliant' thing gets pooh-poohed by the 'experts' C-dale and SpecialHuffy have gotten it right with their 'endurance' bikes.

My Roubaix was as stiff side-side as a Tarmac but rode oh so nicely. If I could find a team version with the Tarmac sized head tube, I'd buy another.

M

[Aurelius]

Got the opportunity to test ride the 2013 Specialized Epic S-Works 29er recently. OMG. Handling is razor sharp, and the 'Brain' equipped suspension system makes it feel every bit as rigid as a road bike until a big enough bump activates an inertial valve, allowing the suspension to compress. I must have spent close to an hour riding over various obstacles and making suspension adjustments to see how each one affected the bike. By the time I finally got back to the store I half expected that they'd already called the police to report a theft. At a non-negotiable price of $10,000, it definitely won't be following me home though.

[ducnut]

Originally Posted by Aurelius

the 'Brain' equipped suspension system makes it feel every bit as rigid as a road bike until a big enough bump activates an inertial valve, allowing the suspension to compress.

Which is exactly why my GF and I, both, have brain-equipped MTBs. My only regret is getting a Stumpy instead of the Epic. Oh well.

[Aurelius]

Originally Posted by ducnut

Which is exactly why my GF and I, both, have brain-equipped MTBs. My only regret is getting a Stumpy instead of the Epic. Oh well.

Do these 'brain' equipped suspension systems require any extra maintenance? I wonder why other manufacturers haven't come up with something similar.

[Gummee!]

Originally Posted by Aurelius

Got the opportunity to test ride the 2013 Specialized Epic S-Works 29er recently. OMG. Handling is razor sharp, and the 'Brain' equipped suspension system makes it feel every bit as rigid as a road bike until a big enough bump activates an inertial valve, allowing the suspension to compress. I must have spent close to an hour riding over various obstacles and making suspension adjustments to see how each one affected the bike. By the time I finally got back to the store I half expected that they'd already called the police to report a theft. At a non-negotiable price of $10,000, it definitely won't be following me home though.

The SpecialHuffy dealer in Cheyenne got the trailer o' bikes from SpecialHuffy to come out.

OMG does that Epic S-Works pedal itself up the mountain* or what?! I didn't like the 29er as much as I did the 26er, but I think that had more to do with gearing than anything else.



...and yeah, the price tag threw me off too.

Today: 1:10 easy. Evidently there's a NorEaster coming and my sinuses are jacked. I went anyway, but I'd rather be in bed.

M
*Curt Gowdy State Park has some great riding. Recommended if you're in the area.

[Aurelius]

Originally Posted by Gummee!

The SpecialHuffy dealer in Cheyenne got the trailer o' bikes from SpecialHuffy to come out.

OMG does that Epic S-Works pedal itself up the mountain* or what?! I didn't like the 29er as much as I did the 26er, but I think that had more to do with gearing than anything else.

I've heard it's all about the rider, not the bike.

...and yeah, the price tag threw me off too.

My first car cost me about $7800, brand new. I just can't see spending thousands more than that on a bicycle, no matter how nice it is.

[Gummee!]

Originally Posted by Aurelius

I've heard it's all about the rider, not the bike.

It is. That last tenth of a percent or so is the bike. The first 99.9% is the rider. You may be able to argue that up to maybe the last 5%, but a fast rider is still going to be a fast rider whether he's on a hoopty or an S-Works.

My first car cost me about $7800, brand new. I just can't see spending thousands more than that on a bicycle, no matter how nice it is.

Gotcha beat. Mine cost me $20. ...but then I proceeded to throw $1200 of repairs at it.

M

[Gummee!]

I just did a 'make an offer' thing on ebay and won the seatmast topper, an extra, and the spacers I've been looking for for half price. The guy came back so quickly I'm thinking I should've offered less!

Oh well. New from the Giant dealer the parts are $125-ish. I got what I was looking for and more for $20.

Next step: sell off the extras.

M

[zippy]

Originally Posted by Aurelius

My first car cost me about $7800, brand new. I just can't see spending thousands more than that on a bicycle, no matter how nice it is.

and then what happens when you get it wrong and throw it down a rockly slope ? That's three times what my kdx cost new.

[moodfart]

That S works is beautiful, but I'm with you guys - no way. $2k I dropped last winter on my Reign made me ... until I rode it.


Can someone tell me what the big deal is with Thompson seatposts? Why are they much better (and much more expensive) than the one my bike came with? Not looking to buy one, just curious.