General Bike Thread (Desiderata, Questions, Pics)

[Biscotti]

Picked up my fork today; just unmasked it, still a tad tacky. It is a little off the frame, but probably as good as it's gonna get, plus, I really just want to ride the ******* bike at this point.

 

[Biscotti]

The color is rather noticeably off. Can't say I wasn't warned this would probably happen, kicking myself for not keeping life easy and just going black. But at this point I can't really rationalize getting it redone, would be way too much money lost.

 

[sugarbutch]

Put some stickers on it and kept it movin’

?

 

[Biscotti]

Yeah man, it ain't terrible--it's just when you are away and making money, it's easy to dream **** up, but now, I more or less just want to get it going.

 

[Thrift Vader]

Got an update on the $10 Norco build.
(obviously spent more since)
Just sent payment on some custom built Marzocchi Dirt jumper 1 forks. $$$
Pretty psyched to get them.
Parts for other bikes have also arrived. but i'm so wrapped up in these forks as it's been months in the making.

 

[Piobaire]

Opinions on if handlebars are worth upgrading. Here's my current (stock) handlebar:

Bontrager Comp VR-C Road Handlebar - Trek Bikes

www.trekbikes.com

 

[Fueco]

Opinions on if handlebars are worth upgrading. Here's my current (stock) handlebar:

Bontrager Comp VR-C Road Handlebar - Trek Bikes

www.trekbikes.com

My opinion is to only change the bars if they aren’t comfortable for you.

 

[Piobaire]

My opinion is to only change the bars if they aren’t comfortable for you.

What I'm thinking of changing is the stem length. I'm waiting until I get that Fitzik saddle then will decide with that. Also, this current bike will probably end up converted to a gravel set up so I don't want to customize it too much. For sure that new saddle, 95% for sure will have Zipp 303 hoops in the fall, and something to the front end just to make that reach/position more comfy.

ETA: the endurance category, this Domane, I love and is just what I want. Dream bike right now would be a 12k Project One Domane.

 

[Biscotti]

I think those bars are fine; the main difference in bars is the width. I prefer pretty narrow ones myself, but some prefer the stability that wider bars offer. Also, I would experiment with cheap stems and or find local riders who might lend you spares; I mean ****, I have far too much spare ****, and I know a lot of riders do, too. So get involved with some local organizations and figure out what works for you.

 

[Biscotti]

Also, I'm offloading ****:

| eBay

Including my custom painted fork. Interestingly enough, the frame is actually for a 1 1/8" fork; I'm a ******* idiot for not realizing that, the headset was shimmed in there with a reducer, honestly never even seen this before, or why the **** you'd reduce a 1-1/8" to a 1". Oh well, I've got one of those ENVEs on order now, which I prefer the look of anyways.

 

[Piobaire]

I'm built like a lumberjack so narrow bars would probably not be a good choice. When I get my new saddle I'll get the wider version too.

 

[sugarbutch]

Have you had a proper bike fit @Piobaire? I strongly recommend holding off on changing stems or bars or anything else which will alter your position on the bike until you’ve done this. You can probably find someone who offers an outdoor fit, masked, etc.

 

[Piobaire]

Good advice and will follow it. My LBS where I bought the bike is still not doing fits.

 

[Biscotti]

Go somewhere else, you are unemployed after all. ?

Go here: http://www.velovalets.com/bike-fitting

 

[Fueco]

This was the bike Lon Haldeman won 1983 RAAM on. Photo: Ed Goss