Southern California - What should I buy for my bike next?

For those who dont know I have a new SL 5.2 Madone. I have only changed the cranks so far, from the double to a compact. Ive got the itch to buy some bike stuff, but I dont know what to get. I would like a Giro Atmos, but thats for me not the bike. Any ideas?

This a good excuse to post a pic of your madone (please). :)

This a good excuse to post a pic of your madone (please). :)


Ive since changed the stem by the way, to a 7 deg instead of 17. Not the best pics either, Ill have to take some outside.

Wow, you're post started me thinking of all the riders that go from triple to a compact. I know you went double to compact, but still made me think. Riders say they go from a triple to a compact for better shifting. I have 105 /Ultegra on my Triple Lemond and it's shifts great in the mtns. On the flats, I never leave the 42 ring if I'm doing speeds of 16-22 mph, which is all the time. How much better does it get than that?

I was cleaning up Gina's triple 10 speed Ultegra Pilot this morning. I checked the shifting and it pretty friggin' crisp in every gear, which got me thinking. Just as crisp as my Dura Ace 9 speed on my Cannondale double, which is a lil better than the 105 on my Lemond triple. But once I'm on the bike, I can't tell what I'm riding, it's all good as long as it's tuned.

It's cool that you have to the money to throw around and I would too if I had it. But I still wonder why people go from a triple to a compact! Not in your case though, from double to compact.

Wow, you're post started me thinking of all the riders that go from triple to a compact. I know you went double to compact, but still made me think. Riders say they go from a triple to a compact for better shifting. I have 105 /Ultegra on my Triple Lemond and it's shifts great in the mtns. On the flats, I never leave the 42 ring if I'm doing speeds of 16-22 mph, which is all the time. How much better does it get than that?

I was cleaning up Gina's triple 10 speed Ultegra Pilot this morning. I checked the shifting and it pretty friggin' crisp in every gear, which got me thinking. Just as crisp as my Dura Ace 9 speed on my Cannondale double, which is a lil better than the 105 on my Lemond triple. But once I'm on the bike, I can't tell what I'm riding, it's all good as long as it's tuned.

It's cool that you have to the money to throw around and I would too if I had it. But I still wonder why people go from a triple to a compact! Not in your case though, from double to compact.


Actually my previous bike had a triple, but I rarely used the small ring at all. With the small ring on the compact it gives me better use of all my gears. I can stay in the big ring longer too since its a 50 instead of a 53, and the only time I ever used 53-11 was on downhills. I think both of my bikes shift well, so that didnt really have anything to do with it.

What size is your bike (and cranks)?

Actually my previous bike had a triple, but I rarely used the small ring at all. With the small ring on the compact it gives me better use of all my gears. I can stay in the big ring longer too since its a 50 instead of a 53, and the only time I ever used 53-11 was on downhills. I think both of my bikes shift well, so that didnt really have anything to do with it.

I understand your sit ,but puzzled by the other. I have a 52 on my Lemond triple. Coming down GMR at 38, I was spun out. Maybe a 12 or 13 on the back cassette. Do you have enough to push on a dh if desired? Or just tuck and roll?

What size is your bike (and cranks)?


62cm and 175mm

I understand your sit ,but puzzled by the other. I have a 52 on my Lemond triple. Coming down GMR at 38, I was spun out. Maybe a 12 or 13 on the back cassette. Do you have enough to push on a dh if desired? Or just tuck and roll?


I can pedal myself till I spin out then its tuck and roll.:D

Running a 50/12 max gear, I've spun up to 44.x MPH before. I don't do it regularly, but I was trying to keep in the draft of an SUV for a few extra seconds. Coming down Baldy Rd, I'm spinning at speeds up to about 42 MPH when I really want a fast descent. Much faster than that, and I'd choose to tuck anyway regardless of my gearing.

injured, you could always remove those plastic valve caps to save half a gram. :p

Yeah, that won't work.

Nice bike though. What kind of cages? That's always an easy purchase.

Panniers and fenders? :D

injured, you could always remove those plastic valve caps to save half a gram. :p[/QUOTE]


Yep thats done.

Coming down Baldy Rd, I'm spinning at speeds up to about 42 MPH when I really want a fast descent.

On a compact? I've spun at 46 on the Bear but that was a double 53/39. But usually once I hit 40, it's a tuck. After so much, you burn more energy than making time. Well that's what I read somewhere in an article.:rolleyes:

Panniers and fenders? :D


:eek:

I would like a Giro Atmos, but thats for me not the bike. Any ideas?


NO... it's for the bike! you only wear it ON the bike (i hope, anyways!) and you'll LOVE the atmos! that's what i wear!

More on gearing. Switching the front from 50t to 53t would lower my cadence by 6%. At 42 MPH with my smallest rear cog being a 12t cog, that means 122 RPM instead of 129 RPM. Whatever... neither cadence is a cruising cadence, but both are perfectly attainable. When pedaling downhill, I'm probably faster with the 50t ring since my cadence is higher. My best power comes at stratospheric cadences. YMMV.

NO... it's for the bike! you only wear it ON the bike (i hope, anyways!) and you'll LOVE the atmos! that's what i wear!


I wear it in the bedroom too, but thats a differant story.

I wear it in the bedroom too, but thats a differant story.

TMI! (brandy's rubbing off on YOU, too!)

Beanz and I were composing posts at the same time. Yes, when I'm trying to make really good time on the Baldy descent, I'll spin at up to about 42 MPH on a compact, in my 50/12 gear. Yes, that means a cadence of about 130 RPM. I wouldn't mind an extra gear, but the gearing I have is sufficient.

Yes, much faster than that, and I just tuck. Heck... I usually tuck at around 35-38 MPH since I'm lazy, and on long tough rides, I've been known to tuck at 20 MPH. But when I really want to pedal and descend fast, my gearing isn't really holding me back.

Ive since changed the stem by the way, to a 7 deg instead of 17. Not the best pics either, Ill have to take some outside.


WOW! That looks like a big bike, What size? Or does the camera add on extra inches,er...cm's?

WOW! That looks like a big bike, What size? Or does the camera add on extra inches,er...cm's?


No its big, a 62

Yes, when I'm trying to make really good time on the Baldy descent, I'll spin at up to about 42 MPH on a compact, in my 50/12 gear. Yes, that means a cadence of about 130 RPM. I wouldn't mind an extra gear, but the gearing I have is sufficient.

Yes, much faster than that, and I just tuck. Heck... I usually tuck at around 35-38 MPH since I'm lazy, and on long tough rides, I've been known to tuck at 20 MPH. But when I really want to pedal and descend fast, my gearing isn't really holding me back.


and seriously.... how often are you descending like that when you spin out? i do it on our local hill when i have a tail wind... doesn't mean i want to change my gearing.... yesterday i was actually able to pedal with the strong headwind..... it's all about what you need MOST OFTEN.... and what works for YOU!

Here's what you want: Michelin Pro2 Race tires. They come in a choice of flashy colors. :D

Beanz and I were composing posts at the same time. Yes, when I'm trying to make really good time on the Baldy descent, I'll spin at up to about 42 MPH on a compact, in my 50/12 gear. Yes, that means a cadence of about 130 RPM. I wouldn't mind an extra gear, but the gearing I have is sufficient.

Yes, much faster than that, and I just tuck. Heck... I usually tuck at around 35-38 MPH since I'm lazy, and on long tough rides, I've been known to tuck at 20 MPH. But when I really want to pedal and descend fast, my gearing isn't really holding me back.


Thanx for the answer and WOW! That's pretty fast for a compact, of course that's some serious rpm's. I have no idea of my cadence on dh's. I'm in the high 90's on the flats doing 20 mph'ish in the 39/14. I don't use a fancy comp and not about to count my strokes or watch a clock at 40 mph!:o

Here's what you want: Michelin Pro2 Race tires. They come in a choice of flashy colors. :D

i always liked and had good luck with michelin's! i'd be using them on ruby if they came in all black!!! but alas.... the closest thing is grey/black... ICK for ruby! (gotta stay OCP!)

Here's what you want: Michelin Pro2 Race tires. They come in a choice of flashy colors. :D


Um, that wasnt your tire of choice.;) Actually the tire of choice around here is the Conti GP4000, and they come in blue.:D

Um, that wasnt your tire of choice.;) Actually the tire of choice around here is the Conti GP4000, and they come in blue.:D


michelin's come in blue too! and matched my dolce perfectly!!!!!!

No its big, a 62

I'm guessing/hoping that you must be tall! If you weren't ,I'd suggest buying a step ladder for the bike!:D

I'm guessing/hoping that you must be tall! If you weren't ,I'd suggest buying a step ladder for the bike!:D


Im 6'3, I guess thats tall, atleast copared to Cali. :lol:

So I guess I need a new helmet, and performance has them on sale.:D

Im 6'3, I guess thats tall, atleast copared to Cali. :lol:

So I guess I need a new helmet, and performance has them on sale.:D


there ya go! a new helmet for your bike! (you're 12" taller than me!)

Im 6'3, I guess thats tall, atleast copared to Cali. :lol:

So I guess I need a new helmet, and performance has them on sale.:D

Try amazon. They have the Sweep R for $75 for some colors.

Try amazon. They have the Sweep R for $75 for some colors.


Sizes the same as Giro?

Sizes the same as Giro?

Yup. Some people say the basic shaping is different though. I've worn both at the same size and they seemed fine to me.

Yup. Some people say the basic shaping is different though. I've worn both at the same size and they seemed fine to me.


Their site is sloooooow. I found the Atmos for $110 didnt see the sweep.

http://www.amazon.com/Bell-Racing-Helmet-59-63cm-23-25-24-75/dp/B000BO9QNW/sr=8-1/qid=1158874786/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-5764629-1967910?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods

http://www.amazon.com/Bell-Racing-Helmet-59-63cm-23-25-24-75/dp/B000BO9QNW/sr=8-1/qid=1158874786/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-5764629-1967910?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods


Ive been waiting 5 minutes for it to load. My computer does'nt like amazon.:mad:

Ive been waiting 5 minutes for it to load. My computer does'nt like amazon.:mad:

There's something else you can buy!

There's something else you can buy!


Just bought this one 3 weeks ago. I just have to take my helmet business elsewhere.:D

If you don't mind paying $25 more, Colorado Cyclist has Sweep Rs for $99. You could always print it and bring it to Performance for a price match.

If you don't mind paying $25 more, Colorado Cyclist has Sweep Rs for $99. You could always print it and bring it to Performance for a price match.


thats a good point, but I didnt see the sweep on the performance site.

I was looking to get the Atmos off the site as well but they didn't have my size - called and they won't be stocking any more as it is a discontinued 06. Went into the store, and got the Lone Star 7, but thought about it some more and realized that the color scheme won't match some of my outfits present and future, so I took it back. Called some local LBS's to see if they had the Atmos in the plain white or black, and they ranged from "on sale" at $150 to a cool $190. Ended up getting a Pneumo instead.

I was looking to get the Atmos off the site as well but they didn't have my size - called and they won't be stocking any more as it is a discontinued 06. Went into the store, and got the Lone Star 7, but thought about it some more and realized that the color scheme won't match some of my outfits present and future, so I took it back. Called some local LBS's to see if they had the Atmos in the plain white or black, and they ranged from "on sale" at $150 to a cool $190. Ended up getting a Pneumo instead.


I like the red/white/blue one at performance for $139

No its big, a 62


Wow, I was just going to ask who sold you too small of a frame? However I think the 62 is as large as those come. You must be "Freakishly" tall. :) Well, since you want to buy bike parts, sounds like time for a custom. :)

Well, since you want to buy bike parts, sounds like time for a custom. :)Got a new bike; want some upgrades; get a frame? :D

:lol: What about bar plugs from Zipp? They're carbon. :p

Amazon wasn't loading for me a little while back - but all seems to work now.

That bike is screaming for some handlebar tassles and a white handlebar basket. I'd give you a dollar if you decked your bike out like that and showed up for a group ride. :-)

....and a sprung brooks saddle....

I'll pay for the tassles if you promise to use them all the time.