Author Topic: The Cycling Thread - 2012 Edition  (Read 40529 times)

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Offline MarquisDeSade

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Re: The Cycling Thread - 2012 Edition
« Reply #250: March 29, 2012, 02:24:32 PM »
You might want to invest in a nice set of wheels and stick with the old bike for the time being.

The next thing to go will be the frame and at that point having $600 wheels and no frame puts me in even werse shape, especially if said wheels are 26" instead of 700s.  I'm working with my bike guy now to see what he can get and built faster -  a Surly CrossCheck, a Bianchi Volpe, or a Salsa Casseroll.  I've wanted a bigger bike for a while and now that I'm biking everyday the undersized MTB just isn't cutting it.

Offline Ali the Baseball Cat

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Re: The Cycling Thread - 2012 Edition
« Reply #251: March 29, 2012, 02:32:55 PM »
Three solid options there.

The next thing to go will be the frame and at that point having $600 wheels and no frame puts me in even werse shape, especially if said wheels are 26" instead of 700s.  I'm working with my bike guy now to see what he can get and built faster -  a Surly CrossCheck, a Bianchi Volpe, or a Salsa Casseroll.  I've wanted a bigger bike for a while and now that I'm biking everyday the undersized MTB just isn't cutting it.


Offline MarquisDeSade

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Re: The Cycling Thread - 2012 Edition
« Reply #252: March 29, 2012, 02:42:52 PM »
Three solid options there.

I'm keeping the Trek and turning it into single speed/fixed gear, but for right now I need a bigger bike.  Besides, the money I don't spend on alcohol and food will pay for this in no time and what's $1,200 in the scheme of things? 

Offline GburgNatsFan

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Re: The Cycling Thread - 2012 Edition
« Reply #253: March 29, 2012, 02:46:29 PM »
Go with this Surley... the Big Dummy. You won't have anymore breakdowns due to your bike being undersized.


Offline MarquisDeSade

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Re: The Cycling Thread - 2012 Edition
« Reply #254: March 29, 2012, 02:50:45 PM »
That's a little too big, I need something somewhat nimble. 

Offline MarquisDeSade

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Re: The Cycling Thread - 2012 Edition
« Reply #255: March 29, 2012, 03:46:59 PM »
Looks like it's going to be a black Cross Check at a pretty decent discount.  :woop:

Offline GburgNatsFan

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Re: The Cycling Thread - 2012 Edition
« Reply #256: March 29, 2012, 04:18:37 PM »
Is that steel? looks like a hella bike.
Looks like it's going to be a black Cross Check at a pretty decent discount.  :woop:


Offline MarquisDeSade

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Re: The Cycling Thread - 2012 Edition
« Reply #257: March 29, 2012, 04:37:31 PM »
Is that steel? looks like a hella bike.

Much like Apple computers, Surlys aren't the best (the tube sets aren't on the level of Bianchi or Salsa), but it's what I wanted and life is way too short not to have what you want (within reason).  I really wanted the Robins Egg blue but if I can get the black at a pretty decent discount, I'm game.  As long as I'm not without a ride for a couple of days, I'll get by.

Offline I can Throw

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Re: The Cycling Thread - 2012 Edition
« Reply #258: March 29, 2012, 04:40:33 PM »
No, Apples are the best.

have you posted a picture?

My buddy has a Surly, loves it.


Offline MarquisDeSade

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Re: The Cycling Thread - 2012 Edition
« Reply #259: March 29, 2012, 04:46:50 PM »
No, Apples are the best.

To you and me, sure.  My point was there are much better frames at the $1k price point, I just wanted a Surly and now it looks like I'm getting one.  When I find something I like I know just to go ahead and get it whether or not there's a better deal.  I guess you could say I'm a sucker in that regard.

have you posted a picture?

Not yet, I still have to find out what they have in stock vs. what they'll have to order in my size (56cm).  It's really too bad I'm tall but have a really short legs - they're got a 62cm in blue ready to go.  I might be picking it up tomorrow so I can ride it to the kite festival on Saturday.  If I do I'll post pictures.

Offline I can Throw

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Re: The Cycling Thread - 2012 Edition
« Reply #260: March 29, 2012, 04:51:09 PM »
Excellent! Pics are the best.



I found out yesterday that Mario Cippolini is now making frames.  I bet those cost and arm and some girls legs.


Offline GburgNatsFan

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Re: The Cycling Thread - 2012 Edition
« Reply #261: March 29, 2012, 05:05:28 PM »
Make sure to take pics. If you are willing to go slow someday, I'll break out one of mine and go ride with you.
To you and me, sure.  My point was there are much better frames at the $1k price point, I just wanted a Surly and now it looks like I'm getting one.  When I find something I like I know just to go ahead and get it whether or not there's a better deal.  I guess you could say I'm a sucker in that regard.

Not yet, I still have to find out what they have in stock vs. what they'll have to order in my size (56cm).  It's really too bad I'm tall but have a really short legs - they're got a 62cm in blue ready to go.  I might be picking it up tomorrow so I can ride it to the kite festival on Saturday.  If I do I'll post pictures.


Offline MarquisDeSade

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Re: The Cycling Thread - 2012 Edition
« Reply #262: March 29, 2012, 05:42:39 PM »
Make sure to take pics. If you are willing to go slow someday, I'll break out one of mine and go ride with you.

I really hope a larger frame, where I'm not running in place, helps me gain a little velocity.  Right now I average between 13-14mph with no gear on the Mt Vernon Trail/DC streets commute and 10-12 (depending) when I've got all of the gear with me.  Hopefully once I get my other work machine I can leave this 10lb desktop replacement at home and save my back some misery.

Offline CALSGR8

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Re: The Cycling Thread - 2012 Edition
« Reply #263: March 29, 2012, 05:57:28 PM »
BTW That Competitor Mag I talked about earlier... Its the March issue.  Lists abot 5 mens and 5 womens bikes.

Offline MarquisDeSade

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Re: The Cycling Thread - 2012 Edition
« Reply #264: March 29, 2012, 06:03:24 PM »
Confirmation - the bike is on the floor and the sales price is too much to turn down.  Going tomorrow to pick it up. 

:woop: :woop: :woop: :woop:

Offline GburgNatsFan

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Re: The Cycling Thread - 2012 Edition
« Reply #265: March 29, 2012, 07:07:47 PM »
You're going to have to change your trademarked wheelz of steel... that bike has to have aluminum alloy rims.
Confirmation - the bike is on the floor and the sales price is too much to turn down.  Going tomorrow to pick it up. 

:woop: :woop: :woop: :woop:


Offline MarquisDeSade

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Re: The Cycling Thread - 2012 Edition
« Reply #266: March 30, 2012, 09:24:35 AM »
Less than an hour until pickup.  Can't wait!!!

Offline Ali the Baseball Cat

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Re: The Cycling Thread - 2012 Edition
« Reply #267: March 30, 2012, 09:32:00 AM »
Frames of steel

I like steel...slightly heavier (and I mean slightly, like who really cares), but a nicer ride than one gets with the really thin aluminum alloy.  My road bike has Columbus Zonal alum alloy tubing, and it's great for flying up hills or accelerating, but it will pound your hands, feet, and nuts to jello on rough pavement.  Never had that problem with my old Colnago that had steel Columbus SL tubing. 

Surly makes a nice bike by all accounts. 
You're going to have to change your trademarked wheelz of steel... that bike has to have aluminum alloy rims.



Offline I can Throw

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Re: The Cycling Thread - 2012 Edition
« Reply #268: March 30, 2012, 10:02:31 AM »
Just saw the new video for Trek's Domane with Fabian Cancellara.   Man that just looks awesome and at $4k it better ride like butter.


Online JCA-CrystalCity

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Offline Ali the Baseball Cat

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Re: The Cycling Thread - 2012 Edition
« Reply #270: March 30, 2012, 01:54:50 PM »
That seat tube sounds pretty whack...

Offline MarquisDeSade

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Re: The Cycling Thread - 2012 Edition
« Reply #271: March 30, 2012, 02:11:53 PM »
So, I just got home with the bike and right off the bat I'm in love with it.  I still need to get the seat height fixed and all of my gear on it, but the test ride was awesome.  Changing gears and breaking is going to take some getting used to, but I totally love the setup. 

Offline Ali the Baseball Cat

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Re: The Cycling Thread - 2012 Edition
« Reply #272: March 30, 2012, 02:14:32 PM »
where are the shifters?

Offline MarquisDeSade

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Re: The Cycling Thread - 2012 Edition
« Reply #273: March 30, 2012, 02:25:35 PM »
where are the shifters?

On the Cross Check they're at the bottom of the drop bars, on the Bianchi they're part of the brake handles.

Offline Ali the Baseball Cat

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Re: The Cycling Thread - 2012 Edition
« Reply #274: March 30, 2012, 02:31:00 PM »
The brake shifters are what I have on my road bike.  Bar end shifters are pretty common on cyclocross bikes, not entirely sure why (never done cyclocross myself).

On the Cross Check they're at the bottom of the drop bars, on the Bianchi they're part of the brake handles.