If You had $15,000 to Spend on a Bike...

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Originally Posted by 908/930

Anybody else here try building a frame? Here is mine, started this about 30 years ago just when suspension started for mountain bikes.

I made (or converted) several frames to full suspension at the same time. The first was a low pivot, it worked ok, but then made a high pivot (what yours appears to be in the picture, at least as the rear triangle is positioned).

Tell you what- not that you were gonna ever get around to it, but don't even bother finishing it as a high pivot. It was a bad concept and never worked worth a darn. You'd essentially have to max out the spring rate so it wouldn't inchworm, and if you tightened the spring up that much, it was ineffective as a suspension. I tossed mine out with the trash!

[908/930]

Leakyseals951, The swingarm started out as a low pivot but I changed to high, there is a pivot point for bearings there now. If I ever get back to it will reconfigure the back of the swingarm and set the pivot low again, and use the pivot point for a link. Thanks for confirming that. I could get back to finishing it someday, lol.

[David]

Since my motorcycle days are over I’d go for the Dogma. At 57, my cycling is on the decline and I will never be able to fully utilize a modern super bicycle but I’m sure I’ll buy at least one more in my lifetime. My Emonda SLR is more than I need but with rim brakes and manual shifting, I’m sure it will make way for something else in a year or two. Like Porsches, I just really enjoy a nice tool for whatever driving or riding I do.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Originally Posted by 908/930

Leakyseals951, The swingarm started out as a low pivot but I changed to high, there is a pivot point for bearings there now. If I ever get back to it will reconfigure the back of the swingarm and set the pivot low again, and use the pivot point for a link. Thanks for confirming that. I could get back to it, lol.

That is some nice work there, but, Sometimes holding off on a project works out for the best!
If I had to do it again, I'd mount the pivot as high under the front derailleur as possible to get it to line up with the front chainring drive as close as could be. Mongoose Amplifier frames had a slightly higher than BB pivot, which wasn't high enough, but doable with your frame design. I ended up with san andreas mtn cycle pivots (my fav), but necessitate a complex swingarm construction outside my fabrication skills. Of course in this day/age, I'd go all in on a 29er geometry, but I've got too many other projects going than to get into framebuilding- but I wish I could!

I will try to get myself back on topic, and just say, for 15k, I would buy a lot of different things. even as a bicyclist- I can't justify a 15k new bike. I'd much rather have the motorcycle, but my wife would kill me before I could kill myself on it, and I really have enjoyed looking at used classifieds over the last day or two imagining what I'd buy with 15k sitting in the wallet.

[dw1]

If I was spending 15K, the bike better have one heck of a motor. That Duc looks sweet.

I've been building and maintaining road bicycles for many years and I admit I still have a soft spot for the classic metal frame bikes, and how robust they are. If I need to reduce the riding weight of my chosen bicycle, it's much easier and cheaper for me to loose a few pounds than to spend big bucks.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by David

Since my motorcycle days are over I’d go for the Dogma. At 57, my cycling is on the decline and I will never be able to fully utilize a modern super bicycle but I’m sure I’ll buy at least one more in my lifetime. My Emonda SLR is more than I need but with rim brakes and manual shifting, I’m sure it will make way for something else in a year or two. Like Porsches, I just really enjoy a nice tool for whatever driving or riding I do.

I bought my kid an Emonda SLR and I built it out with Ultegra Electronic 12 spd with disc brakes and Enve deep dish wheels couple years ago when he was doing a bit of riding with me. Since, he wouldn't ride my old Ridley or the steel Colnago Master anymore instead, says that's an old man bike. Volleyball took my training partner away as it took up a lot of his free time. That's a nice bike.

What are you thinking of buying for yourself next? I know you did some racing. Do you still go on those hammer rides with all the hot dog racers or ex-racers?

[CurtEgerer]

Jeff, I would buy an ex-World Tour Team bike for sure. I've looked at several of these over the years but always seem to miss out. Some of the teams sell them directly but it's tough to track when and where those come up for sale. There are other sources like BikeRoom. The problem? It would be very difficult to spend $15K! Most are under $5K. The depreciation on bikes in general is incredibly steep. Brand? De Rosa, no question

BikeRoom - World Tour Team Bikes

[David]

Originally Posted by look 171

I bought my kid an Emonda SLR and I built it out with Ultegra Electronic 12 spd with disc brakes and Enve deep dish wheels couple years ago when he was doing a bit of riding with me. Since, he wouldn't ride my old Ridley or the steel Colnago Master anymore instead, says that's an old man bike. Volleyball took my training partner away as it took up a lot of his free time. That's a nice bike.

What are you thinking of buying for yourself next? I know you did some racing. Do you still go on those hammer rides with all the hot dog racers or ex-racers?

I’m looking hard at the Madone with SRAM Red.

I haven’t been on a group ride in almost a year and my current solo average speed shows I’m not ready now but hopefully in a few weeks. The group I ride with started sending out the 23’s and warp group together. First couple miles was warm up and then a long straight away would separate everyone into the speed group they could handle that day. Motoring along at 30 mph in a pack will quickly let you know what your legs are up for that day!

When I join a group ride next I’ll try to hang with the 21 group. For those of y’all not familiar with group rides at least the way we do it, the group speed is what speed you’re comfortable holding for a minute or two during your pull before you fall to the back of the pack and rest in the draft until you rotate back to the front for another pull. Invariably a rider or two will stay at the back and not rotate through so they don’t take a pull at the front which we’re ok with.

[herr_oberst]

Here's my anecdotal observation; If you mostly ride solo you'll be pretty happy with older technology for a long time, once you get comfort and utility locked in. But when you start riding a lot with groups, you can see the benefits of modern technologies.

Disc brakes are a good example. There's some really fast descenders in a couple of the groups I ride with. I can't compete, but it's nice to at least keep them in sight.

Those Campy Record brakes on Bryans' bike are lovely to look at, and certainly can be made to stop, but are not really much better than single pivot Weinmans if we're being honest, and just as fussy. A dual pivot 105 will shame them, and hydraulic disc brakes with effortless grip and modulation make them feel like caveman technology.

[icemann427]

Originally Posted by Racerbvd

You gotta love it when people tell you what to spend the money you earned on.

Jeff can spend his money as he sees fit. I could care less. Why would I even care? I just know EVERYTHING bicycles (and a heck of a lot about motorcycles) and was just offering my two cents of knowledge and wisdom on them, offering an option for Jeff to buy a great used bike AND the Ducati.

I know the ride and performance difference between a used carbon (like a Specialized Allez) and a new(er) uber expensive bike is minimal unless the rider is a semi-pro/pro riding races. Just add disc brakes to that good used carbon bike and you'll have one hell of a bike and that Ducati.

I didn't mean to hurt your feelings, Racer, but I can tell looking at that ham bone of a leg, you get every ounce of benefit from that Pinarello.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by David

I’m looking hard at the Madone with SRAM Red.

I've never had a high end bike. The bike that I did the MS150 on was a heavy $800 gravel bike. I did in the process test ride a nice bike that had SRAM gear, and I REALLY liked the SRAM compared to most of the shimano stuff that I rode, and the bike was awesome, but I think it was 3x the cost of the one that I bought. It just didn't make sense for me at the time to spend that much, but it would have been awesome.

I can't imagine there REALLY expensive bikes.

Einar's has got a Porsche bike in his shop for sale for $2k. It looks like a REALLY small frame.

[JavaBrewer]

Cyclists hate nothing more than some dude on a cheap bike destroying them on a climb. Especially more if the dude has hairy legs. HAHA.

I posted a new topic here about the price of good bicycles many years ago when I was thinking of riding again. Instead, I bought a couple used mountain bikes for the wife and I and we actually used them. Now that the e-bike thing has taken off, and I will be 63 this year, pedaling up hill (used to be where I would break folks other than REAL climbers) is less attractive. YMMV

[gregpark]

If you buy a quality bicycle you'll ride it more often. And I don't know why but losing 2 lbs on a bike is like losing 20 lbs on your body

[JavaBrewer]

Originally Posted by gregpark

If you buy a quality bicycle you'll ride it more often. And I don't know why but losing 2 lbs on a bike is like losing 20 lbs on your body

Agree, a quality bike is always appreciated by the 7 day week riders. I would only point out that yes 2 lbs less on a bike are noticeable when the weight comes off the rotating mass, wheels and drivetrain. Frame eh...I could just skip the breakfast burrito and there is the 2 lbs weight loss HAHA.

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

Oh, and Byron, I forgot to ask - I would love to hear the story behind that bike. I readily admit that I don't know. It's beautiful, though. My idea of what would be, for me, the ultimate road bike.

50th Anniversary Schwinn Paramount with 50th Anniversary Campy Groupon, a very good friend built it and a few other cool bikes. We may let some of the bikes go, but that one is a keeper for several reasons beyond the bike stuff. He was also IMSA crew chief of the year, sadly passed a few years back
These are what we may eventually sell











One of the most surprising things Jim did after he retired was get a big Campy tattoo on his calf, since he didn’t have any other tattoos.

I didn't mean to hurt your feelings, Racer, but I can tell looking at that ham bone of a leg, you get every ounce of benefit from that Pinarello.

Didn’t hurt my feelings, I hate it when people tell me what to spend my hard earned money on. Anytime you want to throw some elbows on a dirt track, let me know.
I miss my friend Jim and would prefer it if he was still here instead of the bicycles. Sorry, but you touched a nerve as being the weekend of Amealia, and Jim was a big part of that in the selection and judging process and after he moved out west, it was the only time I was able to see him, hear some great racing stories and enjoy a few refreshing beverages. But, there is no amount of money that will but the double 50th, the other, at some point,maybe. But when I look at them, it brings a smile to my face and a warm spot in my heart.

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by JavaBrewer

Cyclists hate nothing more than some dude on a cheap bike destroying them on a climb. Especially more if the dude has hairy legs. HAHA.

I posted a new topic here about the price of good bicycles many years ago when I was thinking of riding again. Instead, I bought a couple used mountain bikes for the wife and I and we actually used them. Now that the e-bike thing has taken off, and I will be 63 this year, pedaling up hill (used to be where I would break folks other than REAL climbers) is less attractive. YMMV

So true, back in the 80s, there was a guy who did the cross Florida ride every year on a beach cruiser and flip flops, but it was hard to laugh at him because he rode a fast pace and did the entire ride:
Thy also hated the guys on single speed 20” BMX bikes that were keeping pace with them and occasionally passing them.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by gregpark

If you buy a quality bicycle you'll ride it more often. And I don't know why but losing 2 lbs on a bike is like losing 20 lbs on your body

Its actually the other way around. If 2 ounces is lost on the outer circumference of a wheel with the added benefit of deep dish, say 50 mm and weight saving of carbon, you can go so much faster

[look 171]

Originally Posted by JavaBrewer

Agree, a quality bike is always appreciated by the 7 day week riders. I would only point out that yes 2 lbs less on a bike are noticeable when the weight comes off the rotating mass, wheels and drivetrain. Frame eh...I could just skip the breakfast burrito and there is the 2 lbs weight loss HAHA.

Disgusting as it may sound, but our method was 5-10 min before our race, we forced ourselves to crap out anything that's in us and pee for sure to save that few ounces for speed. Anything to save unnecessary weight.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by JavaBrewer

Cyclists hate nothing more than some dude on a cheap bike destroying them on a climb. Especially more if the dude has hairy legs. HAHA.

I posted a new topic here about the price of good bicycles many years ago when I was thinking of riding again. Instead, I bought a couple used mountain bikes for the wife and I and we actually used them. Now that the e-bike thing has taken off, and I will be 63 this year, pedaling up hill (used to be where I would break folks other than REAL climbers) is less attractive. YMMV

You are only 63 young. I sometimes run into some of the older guys (knew them when I was a kid when they were in their prime, mid 20s putting serious hurt on us during training rides) riding down the road along the foothills of Pasadena on Sundays. Some of them ride almost daily and are still tough nuts to crack. They stay on including those annoying 2-3% grades that go on for miles. Once the hills get steeper, then they bet blasted off the back. That's just old age, and I feel it too and have to really work at it during my rides along. Off the saddle uphill sprints are the worst but I am getting older and those out of the saddle hills really hurt me on training rides.

I am scaling back with work after next year. This will allow me more time to ride instead of just couple times a week. I tried the indoor interactive trainer. Its a no go, sucks. My plan is to get out and ride the track couple nights a week where people are experienced unlike the road, there are lots of inexperience riders who do not know simple group ride etiquette.

You have the know how and the time now, so why not, even for an hour or two.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by David

I’m looking hard at the Madone with SRAM Red.

I haven’t been on a group ride in almost a year and my current solo average speed shows I’m not ready now but hopefully in a few weeks. The group I ride with started sending out the 23’s and warp group together. First couple miles was warm up and then a long straight away would separate everyone into the speed group they could handle that day. Motoring along at 30 mph in a pack will quickly let you know what your legs are up for that day!

When I join a group ride next I’ll try to hang with the 21 group. For those of y’all not familiar with group rides at least the way we do it, the group speed is what speed you’re comfortable holding for a minute or two during your pull before you fall to the back of the pack and rest in the draft until you rotate back to the front for another pull. Invariably a rider or two will stay at the back and not rotate through so they don’t take a pull at the front which we’re ok with.

Man, that Madone is a pretty bike. I hate Sram even though I have it on my bike now. Its never miss a shift I just dislike the way the lever feels. I hear great things about the latest version of Specialized but I feel that Madone is a prettier bike.

Our saturday ride is known as the Montrose Ride that's been going on since the early 70s, I think. I have done it for the past 30+ years. It use to be one group and don't get drop because you will go home by yourself. The speed varies depending on who's up front but it is guarantee to make me breath like hell. It all work itself out on the road. We hits over 30-33 on the flats or those PITA 2% grades. For weaker riders like myself, I sit in like an armchair. But our avg. spd is about 21-24 for the whole of 45 miles, last 15 miles is between 3-9% uphill.

Pulling at 23-25mph for 2 min up front with a little wind is no joke.