UNDERACHIEVING SINCE 1996.
T E A M C O W
  • Home
  • Blog

cross pollination

8/15/2014

0 Comments

 
If you walked into a bike shop in 1981, with no prior thought of what you really wanted, and said; "I'd like to buy a bike" you would have walked out with the bike on the right.

The ubiquitous "ten speed." 

Why?  Because that was the style at the time.

Picture
Raleigh. Maybe. I don't know. It really doesn't matter.
Picture
Cannondale SM1000
And if you walked into a shop in 1991, with no prior thought of what you really wanted, and said; "I'd like to buy a bike" you would have walked out with the bike on the left. 

The Mountain Bike.

Why?  Because it was the hot new thing at the time, and also because people realized that it was a lot more comfortable for just average riding.
Both of these bike are clearly meant for different purposes.  The road bike is for getting from one place to another, on smooth roads, as fast as possible.  The mountain bike is for getting from one place to another, over all manner of obstacles, as fast as possible.  That means that you need to move around on the bike, so it has be more compact, and have the rider more upright.

But, what if you could get the speed on paved trails with the comfort of the mountain bike? 

Read More
0 Comments

operation: strava domination

8/13/2014

0 Comments

 
Recently, I noticed that a local Twitter friend of mine rode the trail through Mill Creek, and completely obliterated my time on Strava.

I'm sure he's a nice guy and all, but if he thinks he can come into my hood, and start riding my trails...  

This will not stand.

I need to take back my trails, with Phase One - Dirt Domination.
Picture
1998 Dekerf Team ST
Because my preferred singletrack shredder is not yet ready to go, I needed to modify my Dekerf for trail duty.  

I've slapped on a used set of Conti Mountain Kings featuring several missing lugs and tubeless sealant residue.  I'll be going 2x9, with a crappy Exage front derailleur, mismatched RaceFace and Shimano rings, and a Grip Shift.

The rear derailleur is unchanged as a SRAM X.7 with a SRAM X.9 trigger shifter.  I've got a Mary handlebar, XTR brakes, and a RockShox SID that needs more air pressure in it.

Even at my fittest, I don't think I could ever run with the guys that are fast on Strava right now, so I know this is a fool's errand.  My goal though is to get Top 10 on at least one segment.

I should mention that I am not above creating my own segment to achieve this.

Stay tuned to this blog for results, and for Phase Two - Pavement Domination.
0 Comments

Irrational dislikes

8/1/2014

0 Comments

 
I have very strong opinions with regards to cycling.  A lot of them have very little basis in reality, most of them don't even matter.

But welcome to the Internet!  Every feeling that everyone has is somehow valid, no matter what.

Enjoy.

1. I refuse to acknowledge Bradley Wiggins' knighthood.  The guy is a jerk, period.  Also, not even born in the UK.

2. I refuse to acknowledge Chris Froome's knighthood.  Oh wait - he doesn't have that.  I just wanted to mention him because he was also not born in the UK.

3. I really don't care about Lance Armstrong.  Wait!  I saw the TV documentary Stop at Nothing, and I see now that he's a clinical psychotic.  This is actually pretty rational, and shouldn't be on this list.

4. Trek's president, John Burke, is a jerk.  He forced Greg Lemond to apologize for claiming that Armstrong was doping.  And yet, when Lemond turned out to be right, what did he do?  Nothing.  He did nothing.

5. Treks are the most boring bikes made on this planet.  Also, Specializeds are the most boring bikes made on this planet.  If I see you riding either one, know that I am secretly judging you.

6. I will not name my bikes nor will I refer to them as "rigs," "steeds," or "whips," because doing so is silly.  (it's cool if you name your bike though, I don't mind) Bicycles are damn cool on their own and do not need to be compared to other vehicles.

Picture
7. This bend in the downtube, which seemingly every current bike has?  I can't stand it.  Yes it saves the downtube from getting smacked by the fork in a crash, but I don't care, it's ugly.

Also, if there is also a bend in the downtube at the bottom bracket, thus creating an S-shaped downtube, that's even worse.
8. The following modem technology is dumb and does not work; lockouts on suspension, tubeless tires, super wide handlebars, press fit bottom brackets, 3D printed frames.

I bet you expected to see Strava on this list didn't you?  I actually like it.  Not because I need to be the quickest on any stretch of road - I know that's not going to happen - but because I love looking at maps of where I've ridden, and where everyone else rides.

That should do for now, but I may need to add things in the future.  Right now, it's beer:30.
0 Comments

    Author

    I'm 80. I wrench more than I ride and I like it that way.

    Archives

    May 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    March 2014

    Categories

    All
    Beer
    Domination
    Meme
    Mountain Bikes
    Road Racing
    Rocky Mountain
    Specialized
    Strava
    Tires
    Vintage
    Wheel Size
    You A Fool

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.