Ultimate Bike Thread....

[rattlsnak]

Winter Park, Co. a few weeks ago..! What a blast!

[look 171]

Originally Posted by CurtEgerer

^^^ I was far from rich. Poured every dollar I made into bikes. I couldn't afford a silk tire replacement on that trip so I just kept adding patches! Haven't done any touring since the 70s. These days, 25-35 mile rides are ideal. Although I do have a 60-mile Gran Fondo/Race coming up next year. Racing at 66 ... I must be an idiot

Scandium. Didn't know much about these but I guess they're one of the all-time great frames:

Tell me more about this Merckx. Judging from its size, decal, color, and the parts that are on there as well as the mud, is it Servais Knaven's winning Roubaix bike? I remember seeing him ride away while Museeuw had to block for him with rough company he couldn't shake off.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by rattlsnak

Winter Park, Co. a few weeks ago..! What a blast!

I thought this place is old guys hang out. You are a whippersnapper.

[rattlsnak]

I noticed that.. lol. That's why I wanted to add some MTB content and get away form the 1972 Tour De France motif!!!

This was at Canyonlands, NP in Aug..

[CurtEgerer]

Originally Posted by look 171

Tell me more about this Merckx. Judging from its size, decal, color, and the parts that are on there as well as the mud, is it Servais Knaven's winning Roubaix bike? I remember seeing him ride away while Museeuw had to block for him with rough company he couldn't shake off.

Yeah, it's Knaven's Domo Farms Frites winning bike. If I recall from the article he donated it to some sort of museum right after the race with the mud intact. Ultralight Easton SC7000 Scandium which is an aluminum-like metal. I really want one of these and already have most of the Campy Record groupset to hang on one. It's a full-on doper-era classic and if it can withstand the rigors of blood-transfused, EPO-fueled riders, it's good enough for me! It's almost impossible to find a negative opinion on these frames.

[look 171]

Scandium is suppose have a less harsh ride compare to alum. and lighter too. By how much, I can't tell ya. Easton had the materials for a few frame builders and I wanted one at the time, but alum was just cheap and are throw away frames. Cannondale CADD 3-5 can be had new through clubs for 330-350 bucks. Can't beat that while Ti frames were 1500-1700.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

As usual, got myself into trouble racing roadies after testing my "tweed" run shoe setup.
"But mom... they laughed and told me to 'get out of the way'"

Insert David Banner "Don't make me angry" line-

The roadies lost btw!

[CurtEgerer]

^^^

So Nairoman is back with Movistar for 2024! His so-called 'doping' ban reeked of UCI politics from day 1. Tramadol was not a banned substance at the time Good to see him back.

https://movistarteam.com/en/2023-10-28/nairo-quintana-comeback

[Paul_Heery]

Hi everyone, I’m looking for some guidance on a new bike.

I am currently riding a Specialized Crossroads Hybrid. It is a 1999 vintage with a 22” frame. It fits me well, but it is now 24 years old and it has seen better days.

I ride my bike mostly for exercise almost daily, either 7 or 14 mile runs. Never on public streets as it is far too dangerous. I ride almost exclusively on rail trails in nearby NY State which are paved asphalt.

During the better weather, I do go out on the weekends for some fun excursions with friends which are at a more leisurely pace. It is surprising how many breweries and wineries are accessible from the trails. But, that means occasionally packing some food with me.

For a new bike, I am looking at two possibilities. Each one is available with an XL frame.

Cannondale Quick 6 - Current price is $530 for new
https://www.cannondale.com/en-us/bikes/active/fitness/quick/quick-6

Priority Brilliant L Train - Current price is $562.50 for new. But, there is a used one available near me for $400 which is only slightly used. The owner is selling because of recent back surgery.
https://www.prioritybicycles.com/products/ltrain

Any opinion on the above two, or are there any better alternatives? I’d like to keep it under $600.

Thanks

[herr_oberst]

Hi Paul

Good for you for cycling each day. You're lucky you have a network of paved trails.

I looked at both bikes and I think either would be a good choice for you so my suggestion is to ride both, if possible, and see which one you gravitate towards. If you're uncomfortable on on or the other, you won't ride at all.

If they have a more-or-less equal ride quality, then of the two, I think the L Train is better overall value (good parts, good reviews, easy maintenance) and if you like the used one, you can take the money saved and buy a rack and panniers. The Cannondale will most likely have some free adjustments from the FLBS that you buy it from and the drivetrain will have a somewhat easier parts availability, but the Nexus hub on the L Train doesn't have as many moving parts, and all the greasy bits are internal, which is pretty nice for a commuter bike.

Keep us posted!

[CurtEgerer]

Paul, I had not heard of Priority. But that is an impressive bike - Shimano 7-Spd internal-gear hub and belt drive! Perfect for what you're doing. I would not do the hydraulic disc brakes (you don't need them unless you're doing a LOT of riding in the rain and they're a PITA to adjust/maintain compared to any type of mechanical brake and they ADD 3 lbs to the bike!). The only thing I would change is the handlebars to drop bars - waaaay more comfortable. Maybe not that big a factor on shorter rides. I like Cannondale and they make some really good bikes, but this is a no-brainer

[CurtEgerer]

[CurtEgerer]

I really wish I hadn't seen this 70-tooth chainring Technically, the gated community I live in is a 'Closed Course' ...

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by CurtEgerer

The 801. I could stare at this all day.

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by CurtEgerer

I really wish I hadn't seen this 70-tooth chainring Technically, the gated community I live in is a 'Closed Course' ...

I had to take some ibuprofen for my knees after just LOOKING at that bike.

[CurtEgerer]

^^^^ I know! The funny thing is the video shows 3 guys spinning this thing up pretty good and in an urban setting! So much for 'track and closed course' only.

EDIT: I'm now thinking the drive ratio on these belt bikes is completely different from a chain bike and 70T is not what we are thinking. Sure has the cool look factor though.

[Paul_Heery]

I picked up the used Brilliant L Train. The seller is real close to my house and the bike was in excellent condition, almost new. He bought it back in July and didn't use it too often.

This is a completely different cycling experience. It is extremely quiet and it shifts so smoothly.

It also came with a bell on the handle bar that you can hide an Air Tag inside. I don't know if that will help if it is stolen. But, it could come in handy if I forget where I locked it up.

[herr_oberst]

Paul, that was fast! Better send pictures so we can nit-pick it to death. It's what we do!

[Paul_Heery]

As requested, here are some pics of the new bike. I had not adjusted the seat height yet in the pictures, but you can imagine it being about 3 inches higher.

Overall the bike is in great shape like new. The seller also gave me the toolkit that it came with as well as the touchup paint in case I should ever need it. It doesn't.

So pick it over. I welcome the comments.

I just got back from my first real outing with it after I picked it up. I didn't go out earlier this morning because it was snowing here.

The Priority is much more comfortable than my other bike. The older one needed a new saddle, so that wouldn't be a fair comparison. The gearing on the Priority is much different than the Specialized, but I knew that going in. It will take me a while to get used to it. Overall, I'm pleased with the purchase.

Sideview


Saddle & Handlebar with bell


Chainwheel & hub (sorry I guess it is a beltwheel)

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

Does anyone remember the big catalog after Pedal Pushers and Bike Pro merged? I still have a copy from 1994. A couple hundred pages of 4-color pictures and descriptions of all the bike parts and accessories, not to mention charts of frame sizes and descriptions in the back. This was produced during the very onset of desktop-publishing and it must've taken months and months to do - and was probably mostly obsolete by the time it hit the printers because of the pace of component development at the time! Talk about a labor of love.