Where'swaldo will recognize the Jersey ;)

I took "Black Beauty" out for a romp today, the weather was so beautiful! Nice little 30 mile ride, and got so into the ride that I forgot to get the camera out at all! I did stop by my school though and drafted a cameraman to get this shot for me, to show off the bike and the jersey a bit ;)

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o260/TomStormcrowe/CopyofMyNewBike001.jpg
photo by Jason Lundt

Now that I have a few more miles under me, I can give a real ride report! All I can say is WOW! Where have brifters been all my life? This bike is smooth, handles crisply and responsively, and Mr Beanz, thanks for the good words on the Deep V's! I can't believe the difference 20 years of technology advance has made! Total time on the ride was 1:37 and felt like I was sandbagging.

Here is my route, below!
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/in/lafayette/877956008

Sweet!

What hubs do you have on there again?

Sweet!

What hubs do you have on there again?

Tiagra, 36 spoke laced in a 3 across to Deep V's

Tom you are looking great, I'm glad to see that your shoulder hasn't stopped you.

Lookin' good: Both you and the bike. (Those Deep-Vs and colour combo are very stealthy!) Glad that your shoulder is doing better.

And how 'bout that Specialized saddle? Is that the Avatar or the Alias? I found them both surprisingly comfortable.

Tom - am I suffering from memory loss or did you not recently submit a picture with a clean shaved face? That looks like more than a couple weeks of growth:D

Great looking ride by the way! Brifters are a thing of beauty - both form and function.

Tom - am I suffering from memory loss or did you not recently submit a picture with a clean shaved face? That looks like more than a couple weeks of growth:D

Great looking ride by the way! Brifters are a thing of beauty - both form and function.

I went from a Full beard to a Goatee.....My beard grows FAST, by the way, but not that fast ;)

Very cool. We'll see how much you "actually" ride the old bike now.

Tom - am I suffering from memory loss or did you not recently submit a picture with a clean shaved face? That looks like more than a couple weeks of growth:D

Great looking ride by the way! Brifters are a thing of beauty - both form and function.

I was thinking the same thing. I was sure you shaved the whole face completely.

I was thinking the same thing. I was sure you save the whole face completely.
Nope, I had trimmed the goatee down to 1/4 inch after removing the rest of the full beard. That's just how fast my beard grows :eek:

And how 'bout that Specialized saddle? Is that the Avatar or the Alias? I found them both surprisingly comfortable.

Alias Saddle

Glad the shoulders better - What are brifters - some kind of gear mechanism?

Glad the shoulders better - What are brifters - some kind of gear mechanism?

Shifters are built into the brake levers. Move them sideways to shift or use the thumb triggers for the other direction. Squeeze in for the brakes ;)

Brake lever+shifters, unitized= Brifters

Cheers Tom - never knew they were called brifters! - obvious really (when you know!):)

It is amazing was a road bike will do.....I completely agree....and shaving thr beard had to make you a WHOLE lot more aero....congrads on you shoulder getting better....

The huge difference is in the weight of the bike! I went from a 30 pound + steel frame touring bike to an 18 pound road racing bike. The difference is...........just plain unbelievable!

I keep telling everyone that the Deep Vs are for us! thanks for making me sound like I know at least a little...

Looking good Tom, you and the bike! Now don't those V's feel nice and stiff? I've always thought what I lose in weight savings ( a few grams), I regain in stiff responsiveness! :D

Looking good Tom, you and the bike! Now don't those V's feel nice and stiff? I've always thought what I lose in weight savings ( a few grams), I regain in stiff responsiveness! :D

Yeppers, I love 'em! Actually, for my type of riding, the few extra rotational grams are an advantage since I concentrate on endurance and consistency over ridiculously long distances rather than snappy acceleration ;)

Flywheel effect.

Yeppers, I love 'em! Actually, for my type of riding, the few extra rotational grams are an advantage since I concentrate on endurance and consistency over ridiculously long distances rather than snappy acceleration ;)

Flywheel effect.

Yup! Once they're rolling,...they are rolling!:D

Hey Tom, are you going to stick with that saddle or move your Brook's over?

Hey Tom, are you going to stick with that saddle or move your Brook's over?

Well, so far, the saddle is very comfortable. I'd like to leave the leather on the Old School and stay with the alias for a while, see how it does on distance. If 30 miles is an indication, I'll likely stay with it as it's equipped. It's as comfortable as the Leather, much to my surprise!:eek:

hmmm, might have to check that out then. I've been looking for a new saddle as the one I am riding is starting to get uncomfortable once I hit the 25-30 mile mark. Which size saddle did you get?

hmmm, might have to check that out then. I've been looking for a new saddle as the one I am riding is starting to get uncomfortable once I hit the 25-30 mile mark. Which size saddle did you get?

Narrow, 135 MM.

Glad to see you're back in the saddle, Tom.

Glad to see you're back in the saddle, Tom.

So am I! :eek: I was going NUTS!

Glad to hear the shoulder is good enough to ride!

Lookin' really good Tom. Welcome to.. uhh.. Now ;)

I've noticed the same advancement of material when I upgraded from my 14 year old steel racer with a 105 set to my new Madone with the Ultegra group. Huge difference in shifting and gear engagement.
The same problem tho still persists, the engine on both of my bikes plain sucks.

Looking good, Tom! Where on campus was the pic taken? I haven't been back to Purdue in a long time!

When can I take it for a spin? :D

Looking good, Tom! Where on campus was the pic taken? I haven't been back to Purdue in a long time!

Actually, that's Ivy Tech campus.

By the way, Keith says hey back!

Well, so far, the saddle is very comfortable. I'd like to leave the leather on the Old School and stay with the alias for a while, see how it does on distance. If 30 miles is an indication, I'll likely stay with it as it's equipped. It's as comfortable as the Leather, much to my surprise!:eek:

I've been riding an alias for over a year now, and it has been by far and away the best saddle that I have ridden. They are also nice since you can get one that comes in the correct width for your sitbones.