Random Thought Thread, aka The RTT (**possible spoilers**)
07-08-14, 06:11 PM
Batüwü Creakcreak
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Random thoughts and kind of "tech" related and 41 thoughts, but whatever.
So, for some reason, I have 5 bikes. Not sure why, not sure how, but I do (hope to only have 2 in the near future). It's amazing how different each one feels. I have been riding a Giant TCR Advanced for most of this season and recently picked up a Scott Foil. I took the Foil out for a ride last night and was surprised at how much more stiff the Giant is. I think I stopped halfway up each little climb to make sure I didn't have a flat tire when riding the Foil (same wheels on both bikes). Everyone said the Foil was a rigid uncomfortable bike, but it's kind of a comfort bike in comparison. It won't be a hindrance by any means, but I was just surprised at how noticeable the difference was.
So, for some reason, I have 5 bikes. Not sure why, not sure how, but I do (hope to only have 2 in the near future). It's amazing how different each one feels. I have been riding a Giant TCR Advanced for most of this season and recently picked up a Scott Foil. I took the Foil out for a ride last night and was surprised at how much more stiff the Giant is. I think I stopped halfway up each little climb to make sure I didn't have a flat tire when riding the Foil (same wheels on both bikes). Everyone said the Foil was a rigid uncomfortable bike, but it's kind of a comfort bike in comparison. It won't be a hindrance by any means, but I was just surprised at how noticeable the difference was.
07-08-14, 06:15 PM
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07-08-14, 06:16 PM
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Weird you both have such different thoughts on the foil. I like that bike and would consider it in the future but have not ridden it.
07-08-14, 07:25 PM
OMC
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Congrats, Gramercy!
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Chuck
Demain, on roule!
Regards,
Chuck
Demain, on roule!
07-08-14, 07:26 PM
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You're right, I might be an idiot.
But my score expires this year so this is an all eggs in this basket situation. Realistically, I might add just a couple more reaches which are likely to reject me outright.
I'm honestly hoping for an acceptance at a school that's reasonable in my hierarchy relatively early on, that way I can just decline interviews. My schools are concentrated in Boston/NYC/Philly/Chicago, and I live in boston, have friends in NYC, and have parents that live in the philly burbs. Chicago will be expensive if there are a few repeated trips.
I'll figure it out. If I am lucky enough to get more than one acceptance, the potential of just pitting schools against each other for financial aid/merit will hopefully make up the difference (and then some) 5 years from now.
But my score expires this year so this is an all eggs in this basket situation. Realistically, I might add just a couple more reaches which are likely to reject me outright.
I'm honestly hoping for an acceptance at a school that's reasonable in my hierarchy relatively early on, that way I can just decline interviews. My schools are concentrated in Boston/NYC/Philly/Chicago, and I live in boston, have friends in NYC, and have parents that live in the philly burbs. Chicago will be expensive if there are a few repeated trips.
I'll figure it out. If I am lucky enough to get more than one acceptance, the potential of just pitting schools against each other for financial aid/merit will hopefully make up the difference (and then some) 5 years from now.
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07-08-14, 08:04 PM
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Same saddle, bars, wheels, pedals, crank, etc.
The Foil is a larger size which may be creating longer lever arms leading to a softer feel. It's not a noodle, but it does feel softer.
07-08-14, 08:08 PM
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07-08-14, 08:09 PM
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Don't get me wrong, I think it'd be a fine race bike. I have a Leopard bike I've raced (crashed, cracked, then repaired), that feels softer than both. But is one hell of a bike and I think it feels faster than both the Giant and Foil. It's all on personal feel and whatnot, but don't let my comments steer you away from the Foil.
07-08-14, 09:30 PM
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I crashed... cross bike, overcooked a sharp turn on an off camber gravel descent and washed out. I had floated a bit on the previous two turns and finally just lost it. The only way to know where the edge of the envelope is, is to cross over it, I guess. Shredded my forearm pretty good, gravelly road rash on hip and shin. No broken bones or broken bike parts.
I ride the cross bike a bunch on gravel carriage roads with some singletrack mixed in. I like a big tire but I need something with more bite than the Kenda Happy Mediums I've been running. Any recommendations for a relatively fast but not file-tread cross tire that comes in the 36-40c range?
I ride the cross bike a bunch on gravel carriage roads with some singletrack mixed in. I like a big tire but I need something with more bite than the Kenda Happy Mediums I've been running. Any recommendations for a relatively fast but not file-tread cross tire that comes in the 36-40c range?
07-08-14, 11:00 PM
**** that
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sorry to hear about the crash.. been a crashy few weeks around here!
07-09-14, 05:08 AM
These Guys Eat Oreos
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I crashed... cross bike, overcooked a sharp turn on an off camber gravel descent and washed out. I had floated a bit on the previous two turns and finally just lost it. The only way to know where the edge of the envelope is, is to cross over it, I guess. Shredded my forearm pretty good, gravelly road rash on hip and shin. No broken bones or broken bike parts.
I ride the cross bike a bunch on gravel carriage roads with some singletrack mixed in. I like a big tire but I need something with more bite than the Kenda Happy Mediums I've been running. Any recommendations for a relatively fast but not file-tread cross tire that comes in the 36-40c range?
I ride the cross bike a bunch on gravel carriage roads with some singletrack mixed in. I like a big tire but I need something with more bite than the Kenda Happy Mediums I've been running. Any recommendations for a relatively fast but not file-tread cross tire that comes in the 36-40c range?
I know nothing about fat tires so I'll pass on the second part.
07-09-14, 06:25 AM
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Dang, GC, heal up quick! Glad no body or bike parts were broken.
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Chuck
Demain, on roule!
Regards,
Chuck
Demain, on roule!
07-09-14, 07:16 AM
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In 1990 I had a Prestige tube Landshark size 63. It was so whippy that when I stood on the pedals people would tell me they thought my frame was broken because the bb would swing from side to side so much. I was about 210# then and I sold it to a friend who was 170# and it was perfect for him.
After that I went to the other extreme and got a Tesch s-22. That thing is made from bridge girders and is so stiff it made me wince every time I saw a little crack in the road. Made my Cannondale feel plush by comparison.
After that I went to the other extreme and got a Tesch s-22. That thing is made from bridge girders and is so stiff it made me wince every time I saw a little crack in the road. Made my Cannondale feel plush by comparison.
07-09-14, 07:23 AM
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I crashed... cross bike, overcooked a sharp turn on an off camber gravel descent and washed out. I had floated a bit on the previous two turns and finally just lost it. The only way to know where the edge of the envelope is, is to cross over it, I guess. Shredded my forearm pretty good, gravelly road rash on hip and shin. No broken bones or broken bike parts.
I ride the cross bike a bunch on gravel carriage roads with some singletrack mixed in. I like a big tire but I need something with more bite than the Kenda Happy Mediums I've been running. Any recommendations for a relatively fast but not file-tread cross tire that comes in the 36-40c range?
I ride the cross bike a bunch on gravel carriage roads with some singletrack mixed in. I like a big tire but I need something with more bite than the Kenda Happy Mediums I've been running. Any recommendations for a relatively fast but not file-tread cross tire that comes in the 36-40c range?
07-09-14, 08:20 AM
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Got on an upright trainer several times a week in the past few weeks. That's it ... the itch started.
No, not that one. The cycling itch.
No, not that one. The cycling itch.
07-09-14, 09:11 AM
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Welcome back!
07-09-14, 09:18 AM
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07-09-14, 09:34 AM
Making a kilometer blurry
07-09-14, 09:35 AM
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Yeah, that's what I'm aiming for. To at least watch a race without getting winded.
I told a lady friend of mine we should go watch at least one of the races. So we will see.
I told a lady friend of mine we should go watch at least one of the races. So we will see.
07-09-14, 09:45 AM
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That's my training plan
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07-09-14, 09:55 AM
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I checked my BB a couple times on a couple frames (Specialized Allez Epic bonded carbon, Panasonic Tange Prestige tubed frame) because I was convinced the frame was broken. In those instances I was normally on a Specialized M2 frame or a Cannondale 3.0 frame respectively.
07-09-14, 09:56 AM
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in case anyone was wondering, I got a letter from USADA stating they were pleased to inform me that my reported test results did not indicate the presence of any prohibited substance and/or method. signed by Travis Tygart.
07-09-14, 10:03 AM
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07-09-14, 10:04 AM
out walking the earth
Thread Starter
