General Bike Thread (Desiderata, Questions, Pics)

[Cantabrigian]

Thanks again for the recommendations before.

Think I have it narrowed down to two options - similar specs / prices. I've ridden both and they both feel nice. Think the final decision may be made on looks--

Any thoughts--

Genesis - Croix de Fer

Specilized - Tricross Elite Disc

 

[otc]



Thanks again for the recommendations before.

Think I have it narrowed down to two options - similar specs / prices. I've ridden both and they both feel nice. Think the final decision may be made on looks--

Any thoughts--

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

Genesis - Croix de Fer

Specilized - Tricross Elite Disc

(Assuming those photos represent the exact models you are considering)
The Genesis is better looking, but I'd prefer riding SRAM Apex over Shimano Tiagra.

Although, the Specialized (with apex) is running both a compact crank and a pretty wide cassette so the gear range is going to be huge. I don't know...do you need really low gears to climb hills while carrying a heavy load? Otherwise the gearing on the genesis looks better suited to actual city riding instead of cyclocross racing (although a cassette isn't hard to change if its an issue).

If the pictures lie and those are both tiagra (I know they sell it with tiagra too), then I guess its probably the genesis unless the other one fits/rides better.

 

[Cantabrigian]

Both Tiagra and both feel good.

I don't think they sell a Tricross with SRAM, at least not in the UK.

 

[acidboy]



Nice hardtail. What kind of riding do you do?

Is anybody around here eyeing the new crop of disc-brake road bikes? I love the discs on my mountain bike, I live in a hilly area for road riding, and it does rain a lot here. All pluses for discs. On the other hand, maintenance, weight and price are all minuses, plus it might be overkill?

thanks. I do cross country and trail rides... this is my first 29er bike (been riding 26ers since I started mtbiking and there is a world of difference on the wheel size, specially the handling and how the bigger wheels just roll over roots and rocks. I'm still keeping my 26" full suspension bike for rougher terrain but this bike definitely kills it on xc trails.

hydraulics, i've heard, are a LOT easier to install and maintain these days, but I've never tried them.

fwiw, my bikes' hydraulic brakes have very little maintenance. except for the brake pads, the only time I had to replace something was the time the end of the hydraulic hose was hit by a rock and I had to replace the hose and adapters. and I've used and transferred that brake set on different bikes for 3 years.

 

[LawrenceMD]



Both Tiagra and both feel good.

I don't think they sell a Tricross with SRAM, at least not in the UK.

I vote the geneisis !!!

because Steel is REAL! and its a good steel frame too (better than my redline) with BB7's (a great upgrade because they are so easy to set up/adjust), and full Tiagra 2012 (10speed) is great.

The tiagra brifters still have the outboard cable routing, but you can easily just swap in 105 brifters (they are all cross compatible if 10speed) to get that streamlined under the handlebar tape look.

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

my redline came with a tiagra group with fsa triple crank. i've heard nothing but good things about the new 10spd tiagra, but I got such a good deal on an apex group it was only a little more to sell off the tiagra group and put on the apex myself (I wanted to try building a bike for the first time anyway). i did swap out the BB5's for BB7's myself too. my apex has the midsize cage with the super pie plate 11-32 cassette in the back and a compact crank (its excessive, but sometimes I actually do use the 32t when hauling groceries.

its just a prettier bike too.

the previous iterations white frame is gorgeous i bet the gloss black is as well:

after doing a quick image search of the genesis - it seems like its a true all around-er often with panniers, or racy on a xcross race, or the ultimate commuter with fenders and a brooks saddle.

 

[Cantabrigian]

Thanks, guys.

The Genesis it is.

Lawrence, I've gotta say, the photos you posted earlier of your Redline makes me want to get it repainted / powdered to that same color. Will hold off on that until it needs it though.

Interesting about the 105 shifters. Also something to think about for later.

 

[LawrenceMD]



Thanks, guys.

The Genesis it is.

Lawrence, I've gotta say, the photos you posted earlier of your Redline makes me want to get it repainted / powdered to that same color. Will hold off on that until it needs it though.

Interesting about the 105 shifters. Also something to think about for later.

^thanks, my wicked orange bike looks ridiculously orange when I ride it naked (without fenders/rack/ect ) but when it's fully outfitted it turns into a regular commuting bike.

I think the only issue with the genesis (as well as the tricross) is that the placement of the disc brake bracket is on the seat stay instead of the chain stay (the horizontal tube). Its just makes installing multiple things like rear rack, fenders a little cumbersome (because you have to use bolt extenders to clear the brake). When the bracket/brake is on the chain stay there's no clearance issues.

But having seen some pictures of that genesis with rack/pannier/fenders installed its only a minor thing a bike shop can figure out easily. I'm jealous about the discounts you get for it - it sounds like a great program to utilize.

 

[otc]

Here are some pictures of the cleaned up raleigh-built hercules for the GF. Still needs new pedals and saddle but it is nice little city bike. Will probably give it a little more wax before I hand it over as some spots got marred during the last few tune up steps.

For the grips, I wrapped with some leather strips from a thrift-store woven belt. She didn't like the twine-whipped ends that are on my city bike, so I cut a **** in the bottom of the bar to hold the tail end and clamped the other end down in the brake lever. There are strips of double-sided tape underneath to keep it from moving around if the leather stretches and then the whole thing was treated with Obenauf's LP. The patina should even out over time and the edges should smooth out (and the excess LP inbetween wraps will melt away).
The original fluted cable housings cleaned up nicely with a magic eraser, so I don't have to switch to new smooth-white housing.

 

[Fang66]

^ Nice looking bike.

 

[Luddite]



ermahgerd!

dat Fuji track bike is teh secks!

Thanks!

Nice collection. Kind of surprised at the lack of fenders on the Masi daily ride though.

The Masi is a bit of a mongrel - I could fit either fenders and 28mm tires or no fenders and 35mm tires. I'll probably drop down to 28s over the winter and add fenders.

My Colnago EPS has also been written off with a minor crack, and replaced with a black C59 and the same groupset etc. I'll post photos when I have some.

 

[Luddite]

As promised, photos of my new C59:

 

[Biscotti]

My ride:

Weighs in at 7.95 kg. Chris King hubs n' headset. All bolts titanium or alloy. Heading out Friday to compete for the first time in eight years.

 

[otc]

Looks uncomfortable to sit on

 

[Cantabrigian]

Anybody have an opinion on these pedals?

Shimano M324 Combination Pedals

Would be nice to be able to ride clipped in sometimes but be able to hop on the bike without cycleshoes for running quick errands, etc.

 

[otc]

Not a fan of the low end shimano SPD pedals.

the TIME pedals might be a good option but I would hate only being able to clip in to one side of the pedal:
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/ti...&utm_campaign=PCGOOGLEP3&codes-processed=true

Or maybe some downhill pedals if you want to be able to get in on both sides ( http://www.cycleclubsports.com/p-11...&cagpspn=pla&gclid=CJaZwK3k67cCFWKCQgod1hQAeQ )

Honestly, I sometimes just ride my TIME Aliums without cycling shoes for short distances and its not so bad unless the shoes have a really thin sole. Road pedals are also pretty easy to ride on with normal shoes.

They also sell little "pedal" pieces that clip into a pedal.
speedplay: http://www.performancebike.com/bike...=1009374059&catargetid=1630495894&cagpspn=pla
Shimano: http://www.bicyclebuys.com/pedals/p...aign=Froogle?gclid=CK2flIbl67cCFcR_QgodNjUAiQ

That way you can remove them if you want to use the pedal at its fullest potential.