It’s good to see something from racing that might trickle down into consumer bikes and also be good for those consumers. Most of the time, the racing innovations aren’t actually that good a thing for regular folks.
Aluminum frames, for example. Awesome for racing, maybe not so great for recreational (road) cyclists (though, if we’re really all going to be riding 28mm tires, a rigid aluminum frame may be just fine).
Still: fat tires are awesome. And I welcome this future.
And it means I was ahead of the curve when I slapped 28’s on my fixie all those years ago…
Trendsetter!
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Grant Petersen approves!
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Have you seen the new ones? They’re getting better with clever shaping and design. A far cry from the ass-hatchet ‘criterium stiffness’ planks from the 90s that gave them a reputation for unforgiving harshness.
I’ll bet in a blind test (don’t ask me how) of a modern high-end alu Canyon or Cannondale most people would find no difference in ride quality and comfort from a carbon equivalent.
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What the hell is he next to there? Shouldn’t Grant be recoiling in horror from that… Bridgestone?
God, nearly everything on it is an affront to his mantras. Carbon rims, clipless pedals, high (tiny) seat + low bars, carbon frame, carbon cranks, etc etc etc…
MY Bridgestone is a lovely lugged steel mountain bike with the original rigid fork setup as a single speed. My clipless pedals aren’t Grant’s thing, but the streamers that bike has might be. Also: Bridgestone.
I wish steel would come back a bit. Steel bikes are so lovely- heck, most of my bikes have steel stems, too. They’re great!
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I live in a city where it’s impossible to own a bike. It’s just not practical to take it inside everywhere you go, and impossible in most businesses and establishments. So until bike security tech improves enough that I can leave my bike locked up anywhere with less than a 50% chance it will get stolen, I’m tapped out. It is literally that bad where I lived. These days, I will only buy a bike if I see a complete piecer at a garage sale for under $15. Even then, even locked up, it gets stolen within a month.
Edit: I’m sure this post is totally a non-sequiter in this discussion, as people don’t leave bikes like that locked up outside the library anyways.
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I’ve ridden all manner of old/new aluminum and carbon. Starting with Vitus (remember those?) all the way through the new-school bikes with carbon stays and weirdly shaped tubes. Yes, they’re better- but they’re still not steel (or, better still, titanium). They don’t (and, effectively, can’t) have that spring to them.
Carbon is troublesome for me, too, feel-wise. The very best all-carbon bike I’ve ever ridden is a Colanago C40 from a bunch of year ago- it came closest to having the lively feel I dig in bikes. Most carbon bikes feel pretty dead to me.
Titanium, though. Ah… my favorite.
I’d kill for a custom built Serotta Colorado Legend Ti. They’re not around any more, but the shaping on that tubeset was about as good as it’s ever gotten for me. My dad has a pair (!) of them. Lucky bastard.
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I have no idea, actually. Found it in a blog that found it in a forum that found it in (where else?) Sheldon Brown’s website).
Considering his history with the brand I can only assume it’s fully ironic. Sort of a “Steve Jobs would never have allowed this” kind of thing, maybe. I laughed.
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Have you considered a folding bike? They can be quite nice, and sounds like “always taking it inside” might be your best bet under the circumstances.
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This seems like it would still be a lot of trouble. Are they small enough to take with you into the grocery store or a bank? I’ll have to look into this. I was really hoping that there would be a solid security solution forthcoming in the next few years (or the 100% eradication of meth, that’d work too), as I really miss biking, and I would much rather travel that way than by car or walking.
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Bromptons (the gold standard for folders, with gold price to match) are quite practical, and about this big:
Cheaper models may fold larger, and possibly be heavier than they look. Some designs allow for rolling behind you like a suitcase.
Only you can say how much trouble is worth it, but I’d look into those, or a cheap-but-good beater with a couple of reliable bike locks and good security technique.
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preeeach.
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What I see is a man with a pristine white shirt and a pristine new bike…let’s see what that shirt looks like after his first ride and then carry!
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Good eye! Maybe that’s why so many images I found were of darker-clad Bromptonites.
Or, you know, wearing something a little more “wipe clean”.
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Folding bikes have never done anything for me.
There could be a couple of reasons for this:
- Most of the crazy old guys I know who used them were… crazy.
- Those small wheels and the huge potholes up here are a shady combination
- They never seem to fold up enough
- I’m just not sure I can handle the compromises inherent in the design.
- Many (but not all) of the folding bikes I’ve been around were low-ish end junk
I’d put most of the blame squarely on #1. I’m looking at you, John.
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I’ve always thought mini-velos are cuter than folders, and probably more fun to ride. Provided, of course, no actual folding is required. Never rode one though.
I mean, just look at it. Adorable.
Or, in honor of Grant Petersen, check this baby out.
Vroom.
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I’m getting back on two wheels after a few years stuck slowly ambling, and I just happen to be getting a folding bike. (it has to fit into my smart car) My first attempt years back had smaller wheels and didn’t work at all for my 6’2" self. (retrospec speck)
More recently, I landed on the full-sized (700c) Montague bikes. I’m sticking with fixed gear, since my last one was a hoot and a good workout, and because I want something simple I can neglect a little. Can’t wait to make up my mind on a couple details and pick one up during my lunch break.
edit - except I can get a deal on last year’s model, though I managed to repeatedly unlatch it with my shorts while pedaling. So maybe not.
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I ran across this folding bike design when i was looking for something else on sheldon’s site. I don’t really want or need a folder, but I just think the concept of how it folds is neat. You’d think it would be reintroduced with modern updates but haven’t seen anything else like it yet
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Speaking of mini, I found this for sale:
http://budgetbicyclectr.com/1975-motobecane-nomade-kids-road-bicycle.html
I had one of these growing up. It. Was. Awesome.
Heavy as hell and whatever, but it was a tiny road bike. 18" wheels, with a double chainring and a three-speed freewheel. Proper handling, too. Loved that thing.
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I can only add to what @telecinese has said. Bromptons are one excellent solution for exactly your situation. One advantage of folders not discussed very often is that due to their low center of gravity, hauling groceries is even easier than on a regular bike.
If you’re much taller than 1.75m (~5’9"), expect some flex in the handlebars. A minor downside, but worth noting.
Still, I agree with @telecinese’s conclusion: get a single-speed, everything-Torx-bolted, Pitbull-skewered beater and a Kryptonite NYC chain and then, true to the lock’s name, fahgettaboudit.
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I live right at the base of the Rockies, so I can get into the steeps pretty quick. That being said, I’m not really a big fan of the extended cassettes, especially with the compact 50 / 34 chainrings that are common on roadies these days.
I started riding back around when you did I think, when a 10 speed was a 10 speed, and you treated it like 8 because there was overlap in the ratios, and you didn’t want to put undue wear on the chain.
