Your latest bike purchase?
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@Emm 175625 wrote:
A few new-to-me updates on my main commuter:
I replaced the handlebar tape and bottle cages with new hot pink ones (and by “I replaced”, I mean I asked Steve O nicely and he wrapped my handlebars for me while I fiddled with the bottle cages) a few weeks ago. I regretted using blue handlebar tape right after I did it last time, so I’m glad my bike has been returned to it’s rightful hot pink.
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And on Saturday I finally gave up and had a kickstand installed on this bike, and my other flat bar commuter. I moved a week ago, and to get out of my home I need open my front door, prop it open, carry my bike down 4-5 stairs to get outside, set it down on the sidewalk, and then go back up the stairs to lock my door and grab my bags. Same thing for going in–I need to leave my bike, get up the stairs, unlock and prop open the door, and then go back and get my bike. There are no trees or poles to lean the bike against anywhere near my entrance, so it’s been a daily annoyance of watching my bike tip over when whatever I tried to prop it up against fails, or laying it on the ground. So as much as I didn’t want to add a kickstand, it seemed like the only solution short of breaking the condo association rules and planting a giant tree or pole in the ground by my stairs.
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I’ve used it for the past few days and I will say it’s totally worth it, even if it causes me to lose the few cool points I had left. It’s made my life a ton easier.I am so glad there is both a tree and a pole outside my place!
But I have actually been wanting to add a kick stand to my commuter for a while now. Once I move and will not have to carry the bike up and down a flight of stairs every time I want to go for a ride, I think I will add one.
@Harry Meatmotor 177060 wrote:
Cool – I think I’m going to grab something in the 40-44mm range, probably compass, eventually. I do intend to not try to beat the p*ss out of this bike like i did my last commuter bike. Also trying the new cool sh*t for long wearing chain/lube: KMC DLC + Silca NFS lube. Also, the reflective clear coat on the frame is insane!
I am enjoying my 38mm Barlow Pass. They are fast tires (certainly feel faster than the Schwalbe G-One speed or the Roubaix Pro 2BR), especially at low speeds. I am just using standard casing — and have no burning desire to go to the extralite. No flats yet — knocking on wood. Though a couple of punctures (e.g. a thorn in sidewall) that were sealed by sealant. I have ridden these on a fair bit of gravel now; I think I am brave enough to even make these gravel race tires, if the course isn’t too rocky (e.g. not HBR, nor Iron Cross).
Compass makes a 44mm option. Can you fit 44mm under fenders on that bike ?!
Did you do that paint job? It is very bling — and very distinctive.
The brakes are a nice complement too. Too bad Paul doesn’t make those in flat-mount (yet).
Actually, I am really surprised you didn’t do the new Campy hydro.
My midlife crisis bike might be a steel road disc bike, I think — Campy hydro. Maybe even CK hubs
@hozn 177067 wrote:
I am enjoying my 38mm Barlow Pass. They are fast tires (certainly feel faster than the Schwalbe G-One speed or the Roubaix Pro 2BR), especially at low speeds. I am just using standard casing — and have no burning desire to go to the extralite. No flats yet — knocking on wood. Though a couple of punctures (e.g. a thorn in sidewall) that were sealed by sealant. I have ridden these on a fair bit of gravel now; I think I am brave enough to even make these gravel race tires, if the course isn’t too rocky (e.g. not HBR, nor Iron Cross).
Compass makes a 44mm option. Can you fit 44mm under fenders on that bike ?!
Did you do that paint job? It is very bling — and very distinctive.
The brakes are a nice complement too. Too bad Paul doesn’t make those in flat-mount (yet).
Actually, I am really surprised you didn’t do the new Campy hydro.
My midlife crisis bike might be a steel road disc bike, I think — Campy hydro. Maybe even CK hubs
I think 38 plus fender is as big as I can go, 44 w/o fender. But very interested to try some compass tires. You know I’m a huge fan of not-very-durable-but-super-comfy cotton tires like the Turbo Cottons. I picked up the 28mm Hell of the North version for this racing season. 28 is the new 25!
Paint is stock from Spec – it’s crazy; really well executed off-white to black fade, with a reflective clear coat. See pic.
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I was tempted to go H11 disc, but pricing is not very competitive. You’re basically stuck paying Super Record prices for Athena-level shifter guts. I did grab the H11 rotors, with the new rounded edges, kind of a neat trick to idiot-proof the rotors. I’ve only ridden it enough to bed the pads, but Campy Chorus is noticeably more Campy-feeling than the Athena. Athena shifts more like 105/Ultegra – Chorus more like/better than Dura Ace mechanical.
@Harry Meatmotor 177073 wrote:
I think 38 plus fender is as big as I can go, 44 w/o fender. But very interested to try some compass tires. You know I’m a huge fan of not-very-durable-but-super-comfy cotton tires like the Turbo Cottons. I picked up the 28mm Hell of the North version for this racing season. 28 is the new 25!
Paint is stock from Spec – it’s crazy; really well executed off-white to black fade, with a reflective clear coat. See pic.
I was tempted to go H11 disc, but pricing is not very competitive. You’re basically stuck paying Super Record prices for Athena-level shifter guts. I did grab the H11 rotors, with the new rounded edges, kind of a neat trick to idiot-proof the rotors. I’ve only ridden it enough to bed the pads, but Campy Chorus is noticeably more Campy-feeling than the Athena. Athena shifts more like 105/Ultegra – Chorus more like/better than Dura Ace mechanical.
The reflective clearcoat is money! I want my next painted bike to be reflective. These damn titanium “forever frames” are making that n+1 a ways off, I think
I suppose I could paint titanium, but that kinda defeats the point.Good to know re: H11 disc. I’ll probably wait for that to settle down in a couple years.
My rear Schwabe Pro One rear tire has pretty much worn out at this point (lots of cuts), and my front is pretty worn too. But 3k miles on these according to Strava, so I consider that a decent run. I ordered a set of the Specialized Turbo 2Bliss 28mm tires to try them out. At $55 and 15% off it was comparable to ordering Schwalbe from the UK; I’m excited to give their “fastest tire in the world” a try.
Yeah, I don’t see any reason to run less than 28mm anymore. With wide rims the profile on my 28mm road tires (which measure 30mm) is great and the ride is fantastic.
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