vvill’s N + 1 Pointless Prize

[Boomer Cycles]

N=2: @Sarahbee’s Titanium LiteSpeed roadie, 54cm, aka “Speedy Gonzalez”, which I rode while chasing #errandonnee points around DC, but found myself wanting to take this fine machine on the open road for a real ride.

This is an older Litespeed with almost touring-like geometry but the only frame marking is the serial number stamped on the bottom bracket, so I dont know what model it is; the seat stays have concave geometry to absorb shock in the rear triangle. The down tube on this thing is BIG. Someone switched out the original Ti fork for carbon, which is a pity, and makes the front end a bit harsher than originally designed. It has a Dura Ace gruppo with a 53/39 crankset, is light as a feather, and fast. Did I say fast?!

Check out my 13.5 mi Ride on Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/509665120

[Boomer Cycles]

N=3: 1991 GT Talera chromoly hybrid w/ 2″ knobby tires on 26″ tires, 7 speed, aka “El Gordito”.

I am the original owner of this classic which I bought when I first started commuting regularly to West End DC from Falls Church in 1992. There were only a handful of us bike commuters back in the day.

It has a 52 tooth large chain ring so this bike can move once it gets rolling…which given its considerable weight, takes a bit of effort to get up to full speed.

I use this for running errands mostly like grocery runs, and it’s my snowmobile when we have blizzards. Most of the components have been replaced at least once, but it has been indestructible and remains a steady performer.

Check out my 4.2 mi Ride on Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/512220197

[Boomer Cycles]

N=4: 2010 (?) custom Ridley Damocles, 54cm, 30K carbon weave frame, with Easton EC90 carbon wheelset, aka “Snow White.” It weighs in at 17 lbs.

This is my project bike from the winter of 2011 that saved me from cabin fever. I bought the frame off of Craigslist and then scavanged or bartered for quality parts for 4 months until I came up with this Frankenbike. It has a mix-match of Sram Rival, Force & Red components, Dura-Ace 7800 brakes, Gore all-weather cable & housing system, FSA SLK-Lite hollow carbon crank w/ white Speedplay Zero pedals, Easton EC70 carbon drop bars and seat post, and a Forte race seat (made by Velo, but at half the price). I forget to add barrel adjusters in the shifter housings, so I have to do the fine cable adjustments at derailleurs. Fortunately that isnt necessary too often. I also recently replaced the MegaXO bottom bracket with the ceramic bearing model since I found it on sale at 60% off on Amazon.com. Damn bike nearly pedals itself now!

I would never have been able to afford a new bike like this, but was able to build it with quality used parts for about half of what it should cost retail.

I originally built it up for racing in the Nation’s Triathlon 40km sprint, complete w/ an aero cockpit and deep dish wheels. But then I got old and stepped down from 52/39 to compact 50/34 chainrings and a shorter, steeper stem (from carbon to Al), and swapped out the wheelset to turn it into a full fledged roadie. It’s pedigree is for racing on Belguim pavee courses with its radical 5- sided pentagon to 3-sided triangle down tube, but it’s a climber, too. This bike is extremely responsive when you stomp on the pedals.

This is my “pride of the pack” bike, and preferred ride for longer distances, anything fast, or when the sun shines (because let’s face it, carbon rim brake wheels suck at stopping when it’s wet)

I rode 40 miles on it this day, but got a flat and had to bail out on the Metro until I could find a shop with a long stem tube, since my spare had a short stem!:-0…so this is just the bail out ride as I had already uploaded the pre-flat portion of the ride in case my day was over.

Check out my 2.9 mi Ride on Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/504833822

[Boomer Cycles]

N=5: 2009(?) Trek Madone 5.2 (Sram Rival), carbon frame/fork with integrated seat post, 54cm, w/ Easton EA90TT wheelset (Al, bought off of Craigslist) …which are the Al version of the EC90 carbon wheel… w/ 25mm tires, aka “Trekky.” It weighs in at 17.2 lbs.

Believe it or not, this is my daily beater which is why it has DeFender i-glow fenders. I’ve racked up over 10K miles commuting alone over the past two years and it has been bullet proof, though I had to rebuild the drive train after last year’s Freezing Saddles season, and replace the bottom bracket (press fit).

The EA90TT wheels habe AL nipples which fatigue, and then “pop” at randomn moments. I sent the wheel back to Easton before they got bought out, and they rebuilt it for me and only charged shipping. However, those Al nipples fatigued, too, and started sheering at rim contact, so I had the rear wheel rebuilt a third time, switching over to brass nipples (w/ electrical grease to dampen the cation exchange between the brass and Al metals where they come into contact). So far, so good.

Trekky climbs like a billy goat, tracks corners confidently (yeah tapered head tubes!) and descents like a rocket. It is a great all round bike, and my go to ride for any and all conditions at any distance.

Lance (whose last name shall never be spoken again) made this the best selling bicycle model in America at one time. I bought it barely used off of Craigslist with 2 wheelsets from a beginner who was afraid of it.

I rode this as lead marshal for this year’s Vasa ride, but I swept on the way back so there was no blueberry soup left by the time that I got back:(
Check out my 59.5 mi Ride on Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/516246207

[Steve O]

I was thinking of bringing my N=3.5 unicycle to tonight’s FSLNHPP for a single lap, but I am so not a rule 9 unicyclist. Maybe next year.

[Boomer Cycles]

N=6, This one was a Cabi ride around the mall when I needed a break from my office, but I came across a rum tasting at a local liquor store, after which I dont remember much about the ride. Whatever. Cabi’s are tanks and can take on about anything in the streets with their 32mm tires, including curbs!

Check out my 5.0 mi Ride on Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/486683844

[vvill]

@Boomer2U 137112 wrote:

N=4: 2010 (?) custom Ridley Domacles, 54cm, 30K carbon weave frame, with Easton EC90 carbon wheelset, aka “Snow White.” It weighs in at 17 lbs.

17lbs? Damn! I think it’s a Damocles, not Domacles btw.

[Boomer Cycles]

@vvill 137273 wrote:

17lbs? Damn! I think it’s a Damocles, not Domacles btw.

You are indeed correct, so I just edited the name correctly. Thank you.

[vvill]

So here is the summary from this Pointless Prize. Thanks everyone for participating! I think this was the most posted thread of BAFS this year, and I heard a lot of good feedback as well.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SUUrjDKd_XW7-Rhzf3FpJnCRQVGcj53cH9T3Vym37j4/

Raymo853 – I have a runner’s up prize for you, since you missed the happy hour.

[Author]

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