Picking up my replacement frame tonight. Which means I either spend tomorrow afternoon, after the TT, putting it together, or I race the Gunnar Saturday. Both approaches are sub-optimal.

If it were me, I would build up the new frame. The Gunnar, IMHO, is fugly.

Now there's an understatement!

This seems like an excellent argument for N+1. Find a relatively inexpensive frameset and build it up for emergencies. I was going to suggest it could be your rain bike, but in AZ it wouldn't get much use. ;) Still, it could be useful for times like these.

Now, now. I know you'll put the Trek together, and I know you really won't mind doing it. ;)

Hows this for fugly?

http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1bb1010a.jpg

Looks fine to me even with the dog whacker. The 650 wheels make the frame look like a 58cm.

I am still dialing the fit in on my "replacement" frame. I shortened the stem to 10cm -17* and dropped the saddle 2mm. I have not been able to ride it outside this way as the roads up here are still a mess, but on the trainer, when I get into the drops or the speed bars it feels better than before. I may have to start the racing season swapping stems between races.

And here is how you make 700c wheels LOOK like 650.
http://i537.photobucket.com/albums/f...y/IMG_0037.jpg

Steerer tube is cut now, but I'll have to ride this (with my Zipps, which is a truly odd combo) in the VOS RR. Work requirements mean I can't get the new frame put together in time, and still sleep tomorrow night. I'm skipping the crit.

A friend offered me his bike (same model and size as what is coming), but I decided just not to go there.

I did a ride with Bill Walton a few years ago. I don't think even his head tube was that tall.

Ummm...those ARE 700c wheels! It's a 61cm frame. It belongs to the Tall Russian (who is only SLIGHTLY shorter than AzT....) :rolleyes:

These are some tall people... oh my.

Isn't herb's head tube about that long? ;)

Hi AJ, I've pretty much followed the old school approach of shorter cranks. All of my road bikes including the TT bike have 170 mm cranks. My Bianchi TT bike had 172.5 mm. All of my track bikes have had 165 mm cranks.

One of our sponsors, who is a cycling coach with a bunch of degrees and certifications, says almost everyone should use 170 mm cranks on the road. According to him, really tall people should be on 175 mm.

Leonaard Zinn advocates for really long cranks (>180 mm) for tall people.

Y'know, that would fit me... ;)

FIFY.

Switched the tires on the Allez last night from the 700x23s that were on it to 700x28 Conti Grand Prix in preparation for Rouge-Roubaix. I also removed the fenders. It badly needs a washing, don't know if I'll have time for that today or if I'll do that this weekend.

I emailed my coach to tell her about my cold, and she told me to skip the fast group ride Saturday unless I'm feeling better. The temperature at the start is predicted to be 30 degrees. I feel slightly better, but I'll see how it goes today.

So RevChuck, how was Mardi Gras for you this year? We host a party every year (Sat); gumbo was good, but not quite what I was shooting for. Sigh...

The Russian must have a really big head

It rained three days out of four. I was home (north of Lake Charles) for it, but crowds were reportedly down in NOLA except on Mardi Gras afternoon, when the rain ceased. I only got one ride out of four days.

Moss Bluff?

...now that you mention it... :lol:

Sara - Farther north another 20 miles, in the sticks. You've been around here?

I have. I flew in the Gulf for 23 years. My old employer's HQ is at LCH airport.

Anyone think it's worth it going with anything other than standard (in my case Shimano 7900) cables?

Are you happy with the shifting and braking performance with OEM cables and housing? Can you route the cables without any problems? If you answer 'yes' to both of those questions, stick with the stock stuff. :)