Rides and Races - Toronto Fixed

Easy to service broken Shimano parts? Bwaa ha ha ha. No such thing as servicing busted Shimano parts...especially the shifters. Campy shifters on the other hand are easy to service, and you can actually get small replacement parts...unlike Shimano. Campy hubs and wheelsets are wayyy better quality than the Shimano offerings in the same price range. The new Campy brakes are uber sexy and lighter than previous models. Same goes for the cranksets and with Campys rep for bearing quality, I would take em over Shimano who have had well documented reliabilty issues with their external cup B.B's.
I know guys who race and put 10's of thousands of km's a year on Record and have had zero reliability issues. Many of these guys gave up D.A. for Record and have never looked back. I have one friend/customer who just switched from D.A. to Sram Force and he absolutely loves it. The different shifter action required a bit of getting used to but other than that no complaints thus far.
While I have a personal bias towards Campy for many reasons, the Ultegra/Chorus debate is a no-brainer for me...Chorus wins hands down. Especially with all the improvements and refinements they have made this year.
whats the old adage?..Shimano wears out...Campy wears in.

i consider myself schooled.

perhaps it's just cheaper to replace broken shimano parts? i guess shimano works on more of a 'disposable parts' mantra...

i consider myself schooled.

perhaps it's just cheaper to replace broken shimano parts? i guess shimano works on more of a 'disposable parts' mantra...

Yeah, I think that Sheldon Brown has it detailed on his site somewhere, the timeline of Shimano. Back in the '80s, Shimano changed their "mindset" and went with the disposable-but-cheap idea, marking them as different from Campy in the marketplace.

a reminder to those of you coming to the kensington solstice parade: 5:30 at I Deal. Beer in the backpack optional.

i guess shimano works on more of a 'disposable parts' mantra...
Ding ding ding! We have a winner!

Yeah I definitely think its going to come down to Chorus or SRAM, not sure if I want to get in on the SRAM as I don't know if the product line will last and what the availability of parts will be like in a few years. The Chorus stuff looks really nice and the price isn't that bad (Ok it is but I'm trying to make myself feel better about this)
Lots of shops that carry Campy offer complete bike build kits. These will have options on Hubs/pre-built wheelsets. They will include everything (bar, stem, post, saddle, tires, H.S ) and will save you some dough if you need a complete build. Sram is in for the long haul. They have committed tons of money and r.d. to being competitive with Shimano and Campy. Fears of a quick exit from this market are prolly not worth worrying about. Reliability does remain to be seen tho.

Is the SRAM stuff as repairable as the Campy? I'm a huge fan of being able to repair as opposed to replace parts. So that will likely be the decider.

Yeah I definitely think its going to come down to Chorus or SRAM, not sure if I want to get in on the SRAM as I don't know if the product line will last and what the availability of parts will be like in a few years. The Chorus stuff looks really nice and the price isn't that bad (Ok it is but I'm trying to make myself feel better about this)

hehehe yeah way to live 'frugally'!

Read reviews on the chorus and rival groupsets. SRAM is usually really good at replacement parts and durability in general. Plus you'll be the first kid on the block.

Is the SRAM stuff as repairable as the Campy? I'm a huge fan of being able to repair as opposed to replace parts. So that will likely be the decider.
Not sure. Technically Shimano shifters can be re-built. I did finally (after 6 months wait) get the 2 little tools required to get Shimano shifters apart. They have expolded tech diagrams showing the part #'s. Getting the parts however is another thing entirely. When I did get the tools I took apart 3 right and 1 left busted shifter's to figure out what was needed to get em working. That was 2 years ago and the parts are still on "back order". Back order to Shimano means good luck buddy. With Sram the same possibility for repair exists....its just whether or not they actually make the repair parts available. My guess would be yes.

a reminder to those of you coming to the kensington solstice parade: 5:30 at I Deal. Beer in the backpack optional.

Are we going to have a chance to drink it though?

While helping my friend build his road bike last summer we came to the conclusion. The campy brifters are cheaper than there shimano counterparts.

105 sti's are just slightly more expensive than campys centaurs. But shimano equipped rear wheels are cheaper than the cheapest campy equipped rear wheels. So it came down to which we wanted cheaper - the brifters or the wheel. That or get a shimano wheel on campy brifters with the Jtek shiftmate.

As the entire centaur vs ultegra groupsets were comparable (campy is slightly cheaper). We opted to go campy for the rebuildability of the shifters.

Hey T.J. give me a call at the shop.

^^^^Camel Pak^^^^

I'd like a bushing for a 1979 Campy Parallelogram Rear Der.....and I could get one!!!!
Campy.... you will save money over time.

Are we going to have a chance to drink it though?

i don't know, just a thought...

i don't know if it's any indication, but i saw the bike on tuesday and the guy said all the 105 parts are original, and google says betas came with 105.


I have a 1988 Lupa, was spec'd with 105, cromor tubing. Great frame, and the old 105 certainly worked well enough. Still riding the original brakes, calipers, front wheel and cranks in fact.

OMFG, I'm on the internets!!!!111!!

OMFG, I'm on the internets!!!!111!!

holy crap, a girl! where have you been?

The tubes must have only recently gotten her back into their grasp.

PS: So yeah its looking like Chorus FTW

I joined a cult called graj-oo-ut skoole. Shiznaz, it was nice bumping into you the other night, and Danhalen- you may remember me from a chance meeting on campus earlier this year (I was riding the teeny tiny black bike).

I joined a cult called graj-oo-ut skoole. Shiznaz, it was nice bumping into you the other night, and Danhalen- you may remember me from a chance meeting on campus earlier this year (I was riding the teeny tiny black bike).

nice having you back; glad to hear the cult master let you out of your cage for a few weeks.

On the topic of school, I was asked to instruct a couple of j-school courses, I had to sheepishly admit my lack of any higher educational degree, the look on their faces alone was worth dropping out of school. But I just started the process of going back, Stanford is currently in the lead, far enough from the coast so I don't skip off everyday to surf but close enough that I can....

On the topic of school, I was asked to instruct a couple of j-school courses, I had to sheepishly admit my lack of any higher educational degree, the look on their faces alone was worth dropping out of school. But I just started the process of going back, Stanford is currently in the lead, far enough from the coast so I don't skip off everyday to surf but close enough that I can....

I must admit I do enjoy watching the expressons on the other teachers when they find out I don't have a teaching degree, or a B.A. Priceless.

That was the trippiest parade EVAR.

got to love the non-denominational, random, hippy, festivus thing. still, it's a good way to spend an afternoon in toronto.

That was the trippiest parade EVAR.

Too bad no sacrifices. I was getting hungry.

Damnit, I missed the triple threat Campy/Shimano/SRAM debate ...

Shimano: more comfortable shifting
Campy: can get through gears quicker
Shimano: cheaper
Campy: lasts longer
Shimano: easier to find parts
Campy: easier to find replacement bits for parts
Shimano: hot cranks
Campy: hot brakes
Shimano: has a hot sister who likes you too
Campy: lets you film it

I'm really looking forward to trying out the SRAM stuff next year. My broke ass is never going to touch Force unless someone comes in the door with it, but there'll be a few Rival equipped bikes at the shop that I plan on putting some miles in with.

On the topic of school, I was asked to instruct a couple of j-school courses, I had to sheepishly admit my lack of any higher educational degree, the look on their faces alone was worth dropping out of school. But I just started the process of going back, Stanford is currently in the lead, far enough from the coast so I don't skip off everyday to surf but close enough that I can....

my first year reporting teacher only had his HS diploma, and he still got hired (but ended up getting sacked at the end of the year because he didn't have a B.A.) god bless the ryerson school of journalism. where do you work now?

that parade needed more goat slaying.

Damnit, I missed the triple threat Campy/Shimano/SRAM debate ...
I'm really looking forward to trying out the SRAM stuff next year. My broke ass is never going to touch Force unless someone comes in the door with it, but there'll be a few Rival equipped bikes at the shop that I plan on putting some miles in with.



I think the rival and force groups are pretty much mechanically identical except for weight shaving. Which is pretty cool because it means that rival operates just as well but is more durable because its slightly heavier.

I really didn't get why all those ghosts and big heads were walking around in a circle. Freaked the crap out of me

anyone gonna be around t.dot for the weekend? up for a ride?

HOLLA!!

I tell ya wwwheeeeeeeeeee with the tailwind from the east.
There were special private sacrifices in Kensington.... look for specials on Goat and Goat Roti.

'.....designed to help the god Marduk tame the monsters of chaos for one more year.....
but who knows for sure...ask your local wiccan preist

hehe I think I tasted that tailwind going the wrong way. I almost got stopped by a gust in the middle of the front/spadina intersection.

You know where Shaw splits into two at Dundas? I arrived at that intersection going south well before any cars arrived there, still, I moved to the left enough to let right turners by. The light changes, nobody is next to me so I enter the intersection, and then bias towards the road divider on the left side of the road because there is parking all along the right side of the road (I like to eliminate the chance of dooring). Then up on my right comes some silver hatchback thats about 6 inches from my right leg, so I start madly waving it back. It seems to stop passing me for a short while, but kept sitting about a foot behind my wheel most of the way down to queen before they could zip into some empty parking spaces and pass me to get to the red light. I pull up next to the car and stare in the window expecting some macho jackass and its this diminutive teenage/twenties girl and she won't do anything but look straight ahead of her despite me waving right in front of her window. I didn't bother to knock on her window because she looked kinda scared. I hope maybe she learned a little lesson about intimidation, because I was being forced by her to ride over wet manhole covers and had I gone down she would have run me over with both of her left-side wheels.

When they look frightened it's because they know they've done wrong....that's usually when you can have a conversation with them and school them as to what a safe following distance is and how it change's with the weather. It doesn't need to be an angry conversation. She wouldn't have followed a car that closely why is OK to follow you that closely. With the parking that section of Shaw is sketchy, if the driver isn't a complete ahole I take that section. As it is I don't like driving down that section for the exact same reason.

If you're waving it back, and it doesn't back off. Get right in front of it, so it no longer freaks you out. I hate the corner of the bumper being so close I can see the scratches from the other things they've run over. I don't mind being buzzed but don't shadow me, for exactly the reasons you describe....if I go down ...you hit me guaranteed.

To all my fellow Bike Forumites. Stop by the shop tonite (6ish) for some Holiday cheer. Beverages and snacks will be served with the usual discussion of safety. Any who cant make it, have a great Festivus. Cheers, Keith.

I'd love to come but I've got to be at the airport at 6:30 and have a number of last minute errands to do between when I get off work at 2pm and then. So yes, may we all spread cheer around the festivus rod this year, and be triumphant at any wrestling matches.

The news doesn't stop for holidays unfortunately but a happy holidays to all, think of me working while you watch the queen's speech on Xmas day, I love double time and a half...

The news doesn't stop for holidays unfortunately but a happy holidays to all, think of me working while you watch the queen's speech on Xmas day, I love double time and a half...

Yeah yeah mr. surf holiday. merry kwanza to you too.

To all my fellow Bike Forumites. Stop by the shop tonite (6ish) for some Holiday cheer. Beverages and snacks will be served with the usual discussion of safety. Any who cant make it, have a great Festivus. Cheers, Keith.

Thanks Keith. I'll try and swing by. If I don't make it have a great holiday. That goes for all the rest of you bike nerds too.

I joined a cult called graj-oo-ut skoole. Shiznaz, it was nice bumping into you the other night, and Danhalen- you may remember me from a chance meeting on campus earlier this year (I was riding the teeny tiny black bike).

Hmm, where abouts on campus was it? I remember I think. We rode south for a bit from St. George and Collegeish or around there. Was this "teeny tiny black bike" a black powder coated Fuji Track with flipped/chopped drop bars? And was I riding my black road bike?

Nah Holidays are to be taken when there aren't a bazillion people swarming a place so i work over xmas and then leave usually at the end of jan/start of feb.

Edit: Is campy gear cheaper in Italy the same way/amount NJS/Shimano/Japanese gear in general is cheaper in Japan?

Nah Holidays are to be taken when there aren't a bazillion people swarming a place so i work over xmas and then leave usually at the end of jan/start of feb.

Edit: Is campy gear cheaper in Italy the same way/amount NJS/Shimano/Japanese gear in general is cheaper in Japan?
Just take yer Italian speaking ass to Vincenza with a bottle of good Grappa in hand. Yer In! A swooning description of yer love for Fausto Coppi will help also.

I got no italian skillz but I do know people who live there perhaps they can assist me in my search for components...excellent.

Did anyone bring a lantern?

to all those taking off for the weekend / holidays, have a good one. for those of you staying around TO, shout if you want to go for coffee runs.

if it stops raining later i'll swing by for the festivus safety meeting.

Hmm, where abouts on campus was it? I remember I think. We rode south for a bit from St. George and Collegeish or around there. Was this "teeny tiny black bike" a black powder coated Fuji Track with flipped/chopped drop bars? And was I riding my black road bike?

Correct, sir. Happy 22nd, everyone!

Question regarding the scotch night, I know its American and a blend but will my bottle of Jack Blue be allowed under some sort of "Well it tastes good" clause? Just curious I have a real bottle if so needed as well.

Kon ni chi wa!

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/6158/makino01ox3.jpg

I will use this photo to ascertain where you live and then I shall unleash my cloned vat ninja to steal it for me. Yes...that is the plan. Or you could just post nice closeups so we can all drool.

Keith... loads to do ....doubt I'll make it out there.
Happy festivities to all!!!!
Dominique!!!! so nice to see you post again. Came up for air did you?

Okay... here are some teaser shots...

http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/4710/makino05hv0.jpg

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/4075/makino04ck3.jpg

Question regarding the scotch night, I know its American and a blend but will my bottle of Jack Blue be allowed under some sort of "Well it tastes good" clause? Just curious I have a real bottle if so needed as well.

if you have a real bottle, why are you holding out on us?

Because the real bottle isn't nearly as good as the Johnny Blue (jack blue? am I high? No one answer that) in my opinion. Its "real" as in a single malt, but Johnny Blue is well better even if it IS a blend. I was just wondering how hard and fast the rules are.