General Bike Thread (Desiderata, Questions, Pics)

[otc]

I've heard good things about those and almost went with them (or the Hy/RD)--but for whatever reason went with the Spyre SLC:

Way better than other mechanical disc options--2 sided engagement, simple adjustment--although not without flaws. Good compressionless housing helps, but not as powerful as a hybrid.

Would love to have gone hydro, but in my case I am running a paul mini-moto in the rear with a disc up front and at least at the time there was no way to get a hydro front lever that had the same look/feel as a SRAM rear lever. Maybe that has changed now?

 

[otc]

I suppose I should just go to a shop and feel the difference between a SRAM hydro lever and a mechanical one. They sell a brake-only 1x lever:

If the hand-rest profile feels the same, I suppose I could tolerate having one brifter stick up taller than the other.

 

[Althis]

The difference between Force hydro and mech levers is pretty big, the hydro feels much more bulky and squarish. If you use Spyres then get compressionless housing like Jagwire Elite and the actuation will feel more crisp. The new Rival and Force AXS levers have much improved ergonomics

 

[otc]

The new Rival and Force AXS levers have much improved ergonomics

Are those closer to the old mechanical shape?

I'm not running a front derailleur, so I'm not really limited to any one system for the left lever.

Or alternatively, are the AXS mechanical and AXS hydro levers similar feel? If I upgraded the rear mech to AXS, would I be able to mix and match a mechanical right and hydro left?

Probably not really worth it though as the spyre feels fine to me with jagwire elite. But I suppose it is an option if I ever tried to push the bike to a 1x12 rear with AXS (or even put a FD back on it) and was thus buying new levers anyways.

 

[Althis]

They only have the new ergonomics for etap so you'd have non functional buttons. It would be more similar to the mech shifter but I'd just stick with mech/spyre till you change your whole drivetrain

Rival eTap AXS HRD Shift-Brake System - ED-RIV-D1 - SRAM

Rival eTap AXS HRD Shift-Brake System, ED-RIV-D1, SRAM. Wireless shifting and the best hydraulic disc braking anywhere, plus revolutionary eTap shift logic. What more could you want? While we could have sto...

www.sram.com

 

[greekgeek]

I went and visited the vintage bike wizard. Wow, just wow. 40 years of bicycle collecting is kind of an amazing sight to take in! At least 80 bikes and box after box of frames, parts, etc.

Really like the Madone 5.2 and 5.5. then he hit me with a wildcard, the Lemond Buenas Aires 2007-8. Never heard of it but sounds like it's a little higher seating position for comfort and speed. Maybe more like a Pilot than a Madone

I think it's a better buy for my purposes, but I had my mind made up on the 5.2.... Brand new, made by Trek. Beautiful paint job

Has some 105 parts and Ultegra.

Any red flags on the components mix?

$700, brand new. Having a hard time deciding between this and the 5.2 Madone.

 

[Fueco]

I went and visited the vintage bike wizard. Wow, just wow. 40 years of bicycle collecting is kind of an amazing sight to take in! At least 80 bikes and box after box of frames, parts, etc.

Really like the Madone 5.2 and 5.5. then he hit me with a wildcard, the Lemond Buenas Aires 2007-8. Never heard of it but sounds like it's a little higher seating position for comfort and speed. Maybe more like a Pilot than a Madone

I think it's a better buy for my purposes, but I had my mind made up on the 5.2.... Brand new, made by Trek. Beautiful paint job

Has some 105 parts and Ultegra.

Any red flags on the components mix?

$700, brand new. Having a hard time deciding between this and the 5.2 Madone.

View attachment 1948339

My first road bike was a 1999 LeMond Tourmalet. They made some nice bikes, though maybe not quite as good as a Madone. For your needs though, the LeMond would be nice.

 

[greekgeek]

My first road bike was a 1999 LeMond Tourmalet. They made some nice bikes, though maybe not quite as good as a Madone. For your needs though, the LeMond would be nice.

Oh nice! Thanks, I think I am going to go for it. Reading online the main complaint is a heavy fork, main compliment is a smooth and very comfortable ride.

 

[patrick_b]

My first road bike was a 1999 LeMond Tourmalet. They made some nice bikes, though maybe not quite as good as a Madone. For your needs though, the LeMond would be nice.

Mine was the Lemond Zurich. Reynolds 853!!

 

[sugarbutch]

Yesterday I learned that Specialized doesn't bond the bottle cage mounts into their carbon frames, they're just rivnuts. One of mine had come loose, and the shop snugged it up with the rivnut tool.

 

[Fueco]

Today is a perfect day for gravel. I’m at the pie stop now. This pic was a few miles ago, with Longs Peak in the background.

 

[greekgeek]

Well, I just went from 0 to 2 Lemond bikes in less than 24 hrs. Rain just stopped and the sun is peaking out. Good times await.

New Old stock Buenas Aires, full carbon.

Garage queen Big Sky SL ca. 2006 in 6061 Al w cf fork.
Should make for a nice runabout. Built for comfort and a high seating position. Found this one very nearby and went to look at it on a whim with no intention to buy it. But I rode it and it just felt so right. and I loved the clear coat over brushed Al.

 

[sugarbutch]

Noticed last week that the spindles for my pedals were a bit loose. This led me down a small rabbit hole to ordering the special tool for servicing them. It arrived this morning, and now my pedals are back to feeling like they did when new.

I am steadily building up a good selection of bike tools to complement the toolbox filled with tools from my days working on cars. Fortunately, my neighbors already have some of the more expensive stuff like a derailleur hanger adjustment tool.

 

[Fueco]

Noticed last week that the spindles for my pedals were a bit loose. This led me down a small rabbit hole to ordering the special tool for servicing them. It arrived this morning, and now my pedals are back to feeling like they did when new.

I am steadily building up a good selection of bike tools to complement the toolbox filled with tools from my days working on cars. Fortunately, my neighbors already have some of the more expensive stuff like a derailleur hanger adjustment tool.

Back when I had my steel LeMond, I’d bend the rear dropout every few weeks. Fortunately, one of my best friends was the head mechanic at the local REI store. I’d pop in and he’d fix it. I eventually figured out how tight to keep the quick release.

 

[Fueco]

New bike day for the kiddo (I bought it used and had to replace a brake cable and do a minor tuneup), and new bars and tape for the cross bike.

For those unfamiliar with the brand, Spawn Cycles is a maker of high end kids’ bikes out of Squamish, BC.