Bicycling

I miss my bell, I swapped to 31.8 s while ago and haven't cared to get a new one.

My Madone.

Wheels- Reynolds 66/46 Carbon tubulars not shown Climbing wheels Easton EC90 SLX Tubulars with continental competition
Tire- vittoria cx III
Drive Train/component ultegra 6800 this pic has the Compact 50/34 also have 52/36 and 53/39 cranksets
Stages Power Meter
Handlebars Easton EC90 SLX
Saddle in this Pic bontrager paradigm XXX carbon(saddle should be called butt raper) has since switch to fizik antares with a brief stop with the fizik aliante
Stem this Pic FSA OS99 since changed to 3T ARX LTD
Pedals This Pic Time Iclic Carbons since changed to time xpresso 12 titanium
Garmin Edge 500
Bottle cage Bontrager XXX carbon


Bike Fully dressed 58 CM is 6.9 kg about 300 grams less with the Climbing rims on

A more recent PIC crusing around DC

McCheese_sl said:

Are you talking about Race Pace? I've bought two bikes from them now, and each time I was unimpressed with their customer service, so I haven't had any desire to go back for any sort of maintenance. I'd rather do it myself via Youtube videos than deal with the people there.

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I'm talking about every LBS pretty much. Don't recall getting anything done at RP, but I've bought a couple complete bikes from them. Which is most of what I use LBS's for anyway. Even stuff I don't know how to do I'll figure it out when the time comes. I get my wheels online by hand builders. Other than wheelbuilding and suspension rebuilds I'm pretty self sufficient. I'd probably invest in the parts/set up and do my own suspension rebuilds in the future too, although on the hardtail SS I think I'll go rigid fork whenever my Reba finally blows out.

Beautiful bike, K13R. Did you get a custom made Madone on the Trek website? If so, why didn't you just go with DuraAce?

Did a century today:



With this elevation profile:



Beast of a workout, though right around the 98 mile mark my legs were just like "fuck you, asshole". The last ~5 miles were the longest of my cycling life.

Wow, that is a fast average for a century and all that elevation.

Nice cadence and they say roadies can't spin.

Finally made it toHighland. Holy shit, DH is an absolute blast. Didn't really get any good pics, spent most of the time just riding. Here's the only decent one - not the most interesting but whatever.

I may need a DH bike next season..

Hey Seventh, this is right up your alley. Though I'm tempted to grab a GXP BB since both of mine are kind of done for.

Limited Edition Sour Apple | Chris King Precision Components

fifey_sl said:

Hey Seventh, this is right up your alley. Though I'm tempted to grab a GXP BB since both of mine are kind of done for.

Limited Edition Sour Apple | Chris King Precision Components

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That headset would definitely by pretty snazzy. And by pretty snazzy, I mean of course that it will add speed. I did add some more bling to the fatty, just the collars on the grips and headset spacers.

Is it possible to get a decent beginner bike for $100 - $200? Something to train my calves into riding again? Should I just grab whatever walmart has in stock if it looks like it fits? I feel like I shouldn't throw $1000 at a bike until I am sure on my feet.

Selix_sl said:

Is it possible to get a decent beginner bike for $100 - $200? Something to train my calves into riding again? Should I just grab whatever walmart has in stock if it looks like it fits? I feel like I shouldn't throw $1000 at a bike until I am sure on my feet.

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Don't buy a walmart bike. Just check the hell out of Craigslist - older bikes aren't worth much but are still pretty damn good. I picked up an old Cannondale HT for my girlfriend for $250 and the thing is mint. Dated tech, but BB5 brakes, XT components and it rides/shifts perfectly. A lot of people punt on older bikes because they buy them and they collect dust. A buddy of mine got an older road bike with 105 components for $200. Again it's a little heavy, no carbon fork and no modern trimmings (internal cable routing, etc) but it's miles and miles ahead of anything that you'll find at a big box store.

Are you looking for road or trail? If you can up your budget a bit, a lot of brands have great entry level offerings these days,like this $500 Giant, if you're thinking trail.

Edit - a quick check of Craigslist near me, for example:

Older rockhopper for $225

Or for road:

Trek 1200 w/Sora components for $300

If Craigslist is sparse near you, you can also try to find used bikes at a local bike shop. Last year I found an old Trek mountain bike in great condition for $250.

So I think I'm gonna pick this up tomorrow:Fuel EX 7 29 - Trek Bicycle. My friend is really high on the bike and the shop has got a couple in recently that they're retailing for an awesome price. MSRP is $2629 and they're chopping $500 off. When he went in the owner said he'd sell it for $2k, which would make the Trek Care Plus $150 instead of $360 for over $2k bikes. I'd have to see if I can work them down to that though. I rode it around yesterday and it was a night and day difference between my Trek X-Caliber 8 I've got. Anyone have any experience with one of these, or what do you think of the components? Buddy says it's an amazing bike for the price.

McCheese_sl said:

If Craigslist is sparse near you, you can also try to find used bikes at a local bike shop. Last year I found an old Trek mountain bike in great condition for $250.

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But then you're riding the physical manifestation of someone elses failure and abandoned hopes and dreams. If someone sells their car, there are many reasons. But if someone sells sports equipment, they've given up.

Disp_sl said:

So I think I'm gonna pick this up tomorrow:Fuel EX 7 29 - Trek Bicycle. My friend is really high on the bike and the shop has got a couple in recently that they're retailing for an awesome price. MSRP is $2629 and they're chopping $500 off. When he went in the owner said he'd sell it for $2k, which would make the Trek Care Plus $150 instead of $360 for over $2k bikes. I'd have to see if I can work them down to that though. I rode it around yesterday and it was a night and day difference between my Trek X-Caliber 8 I've got. Anyone have any experience with one of these, or what do you think of the components? Buddy says it's an amazing bike for the price.

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I have a 2011 EX8 (26") and I love it. Contemplated trying out a 29er for a while now though! These new ones look great.

Anyone walk their dog while they go biking? My german shepherd is 6 months old atm and would like to start taking him biking.

Considering trying something like this...
WalkyDog Plus Bike Leash | Walky Dog Bike Leash | Bicycle Dog Leash | Bike With Your Dog | Dog Bike Accessory - The Dog Outdoors