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pigmode

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Posts posted by pigmode

  1. Dropped the Roubaix off for a new rear derailleur cable and adjustment today. While it's in the shop I'm going to try its saddle on the calfee. Here's to hoping.

    I've found Roubaix rear derailleur hangers to bend easily. When I replaced mine it solved those type of niggling issues that tend to irk, and cause loss of rhythm. Unfortunately many mechanics do not know how to use, or are not fully competent with an alignment gauge. The upshot in they can't diagnose the issue.

  2. Finally back after 4+ mo off the bike, and 3 mo with very, very little mileage. This with a MTB trying to resolve a bulged disc between L4-5. Had to let my Serotta go, and not without inner turmoil. Won't be going back to an aggressive racing bike again.

    It's probably too early but I couldn't resist. Have just ordered a new 2013 Spesh Roubaix frameset (tall head tube), a great (1500mi) DT 240s/Comp spoke/32h 440 asym wheelset, and a Veloce gruppo.

    The good news is my fitness, while no where close to last July, is not *too* bad. Not good, but not too bad. Also have lost 17 lb!!! Granted some muscle mass is gone, but a good deal of fat as well.

    Goal is to capitalize on the weight loss (now 161lb @ 5'-10"), adapt properly to road bike riding, and if all goes well transform my climbing. Will miss Cycle to the Sun, again. Last year because I wasn't satisfied with my fitness, this year because I'm betting for a next year.

  3. i got various opinions depending on who i asked. Some said get the bigger bike and tweak it, some said get the smaller bike and tweak it. The 52cm was fun going around the parking lot but i liked it less at the shop that gave me an opportunity for a longer ride on the road. The 54cm was the opposite experience. And considering I rode Jeff's 56cm Calfee for 2.5 hours on my first road ride, and had zero pain the next day, i went w/ the 54, which i think is also easier to sell if i want to change later.

     

     

     

    For you that's probably a good place to be for a first road bike, although you seem to have (like me) a short cycling inseam for your ht. Anyway you need road miles +++ to verify what you want to do with your road cycling, to determine if you need another size.

  4. Do you have a ballpark timeframe for your Kirk yet?

     

     

     

     

    It *would* have been near the beginning of 2014 year, but discussing with Dave its been pushed back to about Fall 2015 more  or less.

     

    I'm currently seeing a Sports Physical Therapist for the bulged disc in my lower back, and will be off the road bike till at least Jan. or maybe a year or longer, the latter which is his assessment.

     

    Anyway the new time table hopefully allows enough time to decide on a new fit, if needed. I'm thinking a hill climb bike with wider tires and discs would be pretty cool.

  5. I am now.

     

    Holland, I'm going with DA9000.  I've only ridden Shimano, and unlike the haters hiding out in this thread, I like it. [snip]  

     

    Last day of work before vacation....new bike arriving tomorrow....if I can get through today, life is good.

     

     

    Congrats and good choice on DA9000. My history is with Campy and my one roadbike currently has Chorus, but if I was doing a ground up build, it would have Shimano.

  6. Yeah... I think I'm done mtn biking for a while. Don't have the cardio base or especially the balance to do it right now. Jeff, time to just work your magic.

     

    (Still haven't watched them, been hanging with the kids instead.)

     

    **BRENT**

     

     

    Why? You did fine. Fitness and bike handling develops on the bike, not off. Learn how to go slow with control down new-to-you descents and other obstacles, and develop a better eye for the terrain ahead, to anticipate fast gear changes.  

  7. I've tried two Specialized saddles, and had rubbing with both right where the leg meets my bum.  I think I'll start with my Brooks just so I can get some miles on.  I have plenty of time to try out saddles.  I have Parris's Rolls to check out still, and I have five saddles I still own that were all close to being good, and still might work on the new bike.  The other one I liked a lot was also leather, a Gilles Berthoud Marie Blanque.  I put the Brooks back on because I got it right when I was starting to do 80 miles + at a time, training for the Miami to Key West ride.  The saddle was comfy, but also hard as a rock, and it needed breaking in, which I didn't have time to do then, as my sit bones were super sore after 60 or so miles, and really really sore the next day, though I had no soft tissue issues, which seems to be the problem with most of the these other saddles I'm trying.  Maybe it's time to try it out again.  

     

     

    Dave's first customer Dave Thompson (and many others) use Brooks on his frames. Waiting for pics. :)

  8. I'm probably gonna get lectured about this but I ran my stem with no headset cover for the past 2 days but with a shim so as not to contact the top bearing directly. This gives me almost .5 more inches of drop for a whopping 1.25 inches total. The extra half inch may not sound like much but I like it better this way. Probably not gonna run it this way for a long time though.

     

     

     

    12mm makes a big difference when you need it. I wonder if this won't work for your set up? I believe they have a height of about 2.5mm. In terms of weather sealing, perhaps you might need to pull the fork and clean/regrease the upper and lower bearings every 6 mo. or so, but that's a simple operation.

     

    Forgot the link.

     

    http://metallicpoutine.com/shop/

  9. Purdy.  My Kirk will also have a good deal of white happening.  

     

    Why did you opt for a Serotta over the Peg?  Just wanting a change or......?

     

     

    Since I'm up for a Kirk Custom which doesn't have the double oversize tubes of the JKS/Peg etc., I thought it a good idea to let the Peg go for something that might give me a better perspective of what I'm getting. The Serotta does not disappoint.  

  10. pigmode, what's with this Serotta Atlanta and posting teaser pics up on paceline, mister I-have-one-bike guy? Uh...at last count you have  three...four...a gorgeous Peg, a CAAD10, a Kirk on order (you did go through with the deposit, right?) and now this Serotta.  Welcome to Team Minimal!  Do post details.

     

     

    Well (lol)....the Peg now lives with a happy owner in So Cal. Deposit for a Dave Kirk custom has rested safely for about a month in Bozeman, Montana.

     

    Hope to take the Serotta out tomorrow, so we'll soon see about the fate of the CAAD 10. :) The Serotta is a size 54 standard geometry 2000 Atlanta, factory refinished two years ago. 

     

     

     

     

     

    Seen first at Headcase--fit (and parts) easily transfered from the Pegoretti

    8980002082_b87bda1563_c.jpg
    IMG_0672 by pigmode, on Flickr

     

    8978830979_77bc85313a_c.jpg
    IMG_0669 by pigmode, on Flickr
    • Like 1
  11. I would love to have a dead flat, 20 mile stretch of road to ride to see what I could cook up for an average speed but there's nothing even close to that around here.  My fastest solo ride (about 30km) is just a tick over 20mph but includes multiple stop signs, stop lights, intersections that I have to slow for, etc.  I do know that I wouldn't really want to push any harder than I did on that ride.  I almost never get to ride in a group or even with a partner so I have no clue what sort of speed I might be able to push in a group setting.  One of these days I'll tag onto the local shop ride and see how fast I get dropped. :)

     

    Na-uh. Based on the ride data you share you will do very well.

  12. Depends on the course profile, but every sec below 24mph needs to be made up right? Throw in a couple of small hills/rises and you're looking at decent stretches above 30mph.

     

    My best 40k avg is 21.5mph, and that includes two 4 mi sections at 24mph avg., with speed ranging from 22-30mph. Its not a ride that can be pulled out of a hat.

  13. I swiped it off a facebook post.  What was nicest about the ride was being with so many strong women.  Over half those in the pic were in the 24 mph+ group, where I'll never be.  There are hundreds of cyclists on A1A every weekend.  Usually you see large groups of men with a woman or two riding with them.  It was just fun to be a part of a mostly women's ride.

     

     

    Believe it or not you don't need the ability to ride at 24mph, to stick with a group riding at that speed. 

  14. That says that you made the right decision. I myself was itching for a new frame but I quickly realized that my position has changed so much in less than a year that I'm gonna try to discipline myself and just focus on getting into better shape and riding the wheels off my current bike first. That'll free up more funds for better riding gear such as bibs, jerseys, supplements, etc.

     

     

    In the 3+ yr since my accident my position has changed a great deal as well. Starting with a brand new Specialized Roubaix, it took a little over a year before the head tube became too long. It took less time actually, but I thought it best to be conservative in moving to a more aggressive position. 

  15. After talking with the wife she gave me the okay to get this.  What do you guys think?  I measured my current bike and compared the numbers. They are almost the same except this has a taller head tube and less drop.  That is exactly what I need right now.  I cut some wood blocks and held them against the bars to simulate the difference that other day and it was almost perfect.  It will take a little time to do the full build up but that would be okay with me.

     

    8698984064_eaa34238ec_b.jpg

     

     

     

    A few thoughts:

    - It will have decent, not fantastic resale value if you decide to sell it, which is important because you are a new rider and don't even know precisely your own fit. Change in flexibility, strength, weight, riding style will almost certainly influence and change future fit. 

    - If it gives you the extra motivation you need to achieve your goals that's a good thing.

    - Does one need that extra motivation, or is it better to set and achieve a few significant benchmarks first? 

  16. John is a cranky wimp.

     

     

    I meant the lavender spray.  :laugh:

     

     

    P.S. Did a hard ride around the island yesterday. Pic of the North Shore of Oahu--not many opps. for some good shots if you get my meaning. At least the sky is blue and the trees green.

     

     

     

    8730741817_d40259da2f_c.jpg
    IMG_0556 by pigmode, on Flickr
  17. I say do it!

     

    So my ride was pretty much as predicted, but I still had fun and met some good people.  It was the first year for the ride and only about 60 riders signed up, with only ten of us doing more than 30.  I ended up riding with a small group of docs and nurses from Broward General Hospital that were raising money for Children's Diagnostic Center.  None of us could read the freaking cue sheets.  It was pretty funny.  We got pounded by the wind and eventual rain of a fast storm that came through, ended up in really heavy traffic down by Broward General and so far off course, we called it a day around mile 52.  Got met at the end by drag queens spraying us with lavender, which I have to say was a first for me.  

     

    John and I are riding tomorrow morning, so hoping for better weather.  

     

     

     

    Wild.

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