What road bike do you have?
07-28-11, 05:40 AM
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I have been biking for around 4 years now, and I wasn't serious about it until a year or so ago. I am 17 and I do plan on purchasing a better bike eventually, but I didn't think it was neccesary to spend over $700 on a new road bike. So I went with the GMC Denali which was $200 after tax.
https://www.target.com/GMC-700C-Denal.../dp/B000FGI99I
It is inferior compared to the bikes on this forum, and I know I will get shunned for buying a bike from a big box store. However, it is much lighter than my previous bike, and it is very fast. I did however replace the cassette with a higher quality one, and I bought better tires. So in total the bike cost around $300. I haven't gotten a chance to ride a high quality Trek, Specialized, Giant or Fuji, but I do know that this bike rides very well and you can't beat it for the price.
I do plan on replacing basically everything if I don't buy a new bike, mainly because I like building things myself because it makes me feel one with the bike, and I feel more accomplished when I ride. The downside is that the handle bars are pretty heavy, and I will replace those with light weight titanium when I get a chance.
https://www.target.com/GMC-700C-Denal.../dp/B000FGI99I
It is inferior compared to the bikes on this forum, and I know I will get shunned for buying a bike from a big box store. However, it is much lighter than my previous bike, and it is very fast. I did however replace the cassette with a higher quality one, and I bought better tires. So in total the bike cost around $300. I haven't gotten a chance to ride a high quality Trek, Specialized, Giant or Fuji, but I do know that this bike rides very well and you can't beat it for the price.
I do plan on replacing basically everything if I don't buy a new bike, mainly because I like building things myself because it makes me feel one with the bike, and I feel more accomplished when I ride. The downside is that the handle bars are pretty heavy, and I will replace those with light weight titanium when I get a chance.
07-28-11, 06:33 AM
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That's a really great look Madone Chris. The stem, sidewalls, and chainrings should all be black however. That would top it off nicely.
07-28-11, 06:51 AM
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That bike is SEXY! ^^^
Thanks man! I'll take some classes and reshoot my bike for you! On a side note, it is VERY wide open. Purposely. I was comparing my different lenses. I had a 24 f/1.4, the 50 f/1.2, and the 85 f/1.2 all on a 5D. I shot the bike with all the lenses wide open, then shot them with the lenses stopped down. I was curious the sharpness of the lenses wide open / stopped down as it was my first time shooting them. Mostly an experiment. Just so happened the ones i posted where wide open. Actually, they were so wide open, focus was a bit off on all the shots. Although, this probably does not deserve an explanation as I was just sharing photos of my bike, not looking to print these in a magazine or out shooting for a company.
Here is my other rode bike: Trek T1. Or rather a track bike I ride on the road..haha
.Chris
Thanks man! I'll take some classes and reshoot my bike for you! On a side note, it is VERY wide open. Purposely. I was comparing my different lenses. I had a 24 f/1.4, the 50 f/1.2, and the 85 f/1.2 all on a 5D. I shot the bike with all the lenses wide open, then shot them with the lenses stopped down. I was curious the sharpness of the lenses wide open / stopped down as it was my first time shooting them. Mostly an experiment. Just so happened the ones i posted where wide open. Actually, they were so wide open, focus was a bit off on all the shots. Although, this probably does not deserve an explanation as I was just sharing photos of my bike, not looking to print these in a magazine or out shooting for a company.
Here is my other rode bike: Trek T1. Or rather a track bike I ride on the road..haha
.Chris
07-28-11, 08:24 AM
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That Madone is "right". I know that the angle of the hoods and bar level are fit issues and personal, but these just look right. I can't find anything wrong, except maybe your valve stems aren't at 6 o'clock! What seat is that?
07-28-11, 09:14 AM
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i like the contrast. i would add a white saddle if it was my bike. all black everything looks great on mercedes, but not on EVERY bike although it is clearly a violation of rule #8.
07-28-11, 09:45 AM
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For me, that Madone is in a tie for best aesthetic with the Leopard Trek team bikes in black, like AS was riding in Le Tour this year. However, being that your frame isn't a team frame, I like it much more. It's a sexy bike, through and through.
07-28-11, 09:49 AM
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That's really cool. It looks like you are off to a good start.
07-28-11, 10:18 AM
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How do you like the wheels? I'm looking into them as an upgrade over my CXP22's.
07-28-11, 11:21 AM
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That bike is SEXY! ^^^
Thanks man! I'll take some classes and reshoot my bike for you! On a side note, it is VERY wide open. Purposely. I was comparing my different lenses. I had a 24 f/1.4, the 50 f/1.2, and the 85 f/1.2 all on a 5D. I shot the bike with all the lenses wide open, then shot them with the lenses stopped down. I was curious the sharpness of the lenses wide open / stopped down as it was my first time shooting them. Mostly an experiment. Just so happened the ones i posted where wide open. Actually, they were so wide open, focus was a bit off on all the shots. Although, this probably does not deserve an explanation as I was just sharing photos of my bike, not looking to print these in a magazine or out shooting for a company.
Thanks man! I'll take some classes and reshoot my bike for you! On a side note, it is VERY wide open. Purposely. I was comparing my different lenses. I had a 24 f/1.4, the 50 f/1.2, and the 85 f/1.2 all on a 5D. I shot the bike with all the lenses wide open, then shot them with the lenses stopped down. I was curious the sharpness of the lenses wide open / stopped down as it was my first time shooting them. Mostly an experiment. Just so happened the ones i posted where wide open. Actually, they were so wide open, focus was a bit off on all the shots. Although, this probably does not deserve an explanation as I was just sharing photos of my bike, not looking to print these in a magazine or out shooting for a company.
07-28-11, 11:46 AM
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Im trying..im trying..haha
Thank you!
Thanks SA! I'm really torn on going the black route, or the white / black route. Parts are easy and cheap to come buy, so i may go both routes and see which one i like better..haha
Thanks! 5D classic was the body used to shoot. I had a Sigma 30 f 1.4 and LOVED it when I had a crop body!
Seat is a Specialized Romin Expert. I take a lot of heat for rocking it though seeing as how I work for Trek..haha
Now I wouldnt say its as nice as Andy / Franks Leopard tour bikes this year..haha. Those are my favorite Madones ever! When they came into the studio to get shot I stopped everything I was doing and just stared at them. Beautiful in person. Everything just 'works'.
Thanks! As I said, more just 'test' shots to see how the lens's perform wide open. When i'm actually out shooting the bike, i'll take some nicer photos. I shot these while I was waiting for a team to show up for a helmet shoot. Thats why I had all the equipment I had.
.Chris
Not a photog by any means, but i love the look of the 2nd and 3rd pics. the front of the bike is coming into focus and it lends a dynamic, motionlike quality to the shots. focal points are maybe a little off, but i love the aesthetics and i love the bike, the white sidewalls and stem are great accents, and probably look even better in person.
Thanks! As I said, more just 'test' shots to see how the lens's perform wide open. When i'm actually out shooting the bike, i'll take some nicer photos. I shot these while I was waiting for a team to show up for a helmet shoot. Thats why I had all the equipment I had.
.Chris
07-28-11, 12:52 PM
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I would say yes. Although, during this frame year Madone's were classified as "Pro" and "Performance" fit. This would be performance. Which is about the H2 fit today. H1 would be pro, H3 is a very small amount more relaxed than H2, but believe me is no 'townie'..haha. Still decently aggressive.
.Chris
07-28-11, 02:25 PM
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2008 Cannondale Synapse SL with Campy Record 10sp. DT 240 hubs laced to DT RR1.2 rims
07-28-11, 08:21 PM
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tri-color/dura ace equipped. I actually use it on group/club rides, the downtube shifters always get interesting reactions. Also, considering getting a polished aluminum seatpost to match the stem.
Last edited by mazdaspeed; 07-28-11 at 08:25 PM.
07-28-11, 09:18 PM
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Those cranks are amazing. I polished up a pair, around 20 years old and you could still see the milling like they were brand new. Nice Bike
07-28-11, 11:40 PM
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07-29-11, 05:11 PM
Throw the stick!!!!
I've posted it before but I have made a few small changes so here she is again.
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07-29-11, 05:27 PM
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07-29-11, 06:07 PM
Throw the stick!!!!
Thanks. Have you tried the SRAM tape? I am very impressed with it and will probably stick with it for a while.
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07-29-11, 06:57 PM
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love the bike lowcel, besides the dirty bar tape (your team mechanic needs to change it every week thats what i do) and the gold chain.
07-29-11, 08:26 PM
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.
07-29-11, 09:25 PM
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I haven't. All I know is my white microtex stays looking really clean for a long time. When it finally does get dirty even a dry paper towel seems to clean it up pretty good. Dirt just doesn't seem to want to stick to it.
07-29-11, 09:27 PM
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Those are the Psimet wheels? At some point I'll need to upgrade mine, don't think the wife will let me do it this season but maybe for next spring :-)