True story of an arrogant ass
11-03-13, 05:05 PM
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True story of an arrogant ass
So, I was in the closing miles of ride this weekend, astride an old, steel framed Lemond Buenos Aires, a bike I now use as my winter/spring training steed. I hadn't ridden it in months.
I'd just cruised around a turn, and as I rose out of the saddle to jam back up to speed over a rough patch of pavement, I thought to myself, "Man, I feel sorry for anyone who hasn't experienced the magic ride of a good steel bike!"
Turned out was just getting a flat tire!
As I was on the side of the road pumping up, I couldn't help but feel like a big d**k, although it was kinda funny in light of all the frame material wars we have around here!
Anyway, my overdue shot of humility.
I'd just cruised around a turn, and as I rose out of the saddle to jam back up to speed over a rough patch of pavement, I thought to myself, "Man, I feel sorry for anyone who hasn't experienced the magic ride of a good steel bike!"
Turned out was just getting a flat tire!
As I was on the side of the road pumping up, I couldn't help but feel like a big d**k, although it was kinda funny in light of all the frame material wars we have around here!
Anyway, my overdue shot of humility.
11-03-13, 05:11 PM
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it's often been said that PSI and tire size determine ride quality more than frame or fork material. i've found that to be true.
11-03-13, 05:22 PM
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I saw the thread title and at first assumed it was about BDop, but then realized it would have said arse, not ass.
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11-03-13, 06:11 PM
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11-03-13, 06:38 PM
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My real first thought was that it was a parody thread, but alas.
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11-03-13, 06:43 PM
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11-03-13, 06:45 PM
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11-03-13, 07:00 PM
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11-03-13, 07:06 PM
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I went back to a CF frame after a few years on Al and for the first week I'd keep looking down expecting to see a flat tire.
11-03-13, 07:10 PM
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I should hasten to add that tire pressure and width does not obviate the benefits of a sweet riding frame, especially as rider effort and ability increase.
I mean, if you ride at 110psi, dropping to 60psi ain't gonna work, and probably dropping to 100psi won't either; can't have your junk all soft when it's time to lay it down, now can you?
I mean, if you ride at 110psi, dropping to 60psi ain't gonna work, and probably dropping to 100psi won't either; can't have your junk all soft when it's time to lay it down, now can you?
11-03-13, 08:41 PM
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11-04-13, 07:31 AM
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11-04-13, 01:32 PM
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I've ridden CF frames like that too. I've also ridden CF frames that where teeth shattering. Material alone does not make a good riding bike. There a good and bad frames on the market made out of every material.
11-04-13, 07:30 PM
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11-05-13, 09:15 AM
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Yes, you can mask bad ride quality with fatter tires and lower pressure, but why would you want to when you can have an inherently better riding frame (and then add even more comfort if you desire through softer tires).
11-05-13, 09:24 AM
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I want a bike made from alu cf and steel so that any thoughts of comparison would be neutralized
11-05-13, 12:56 PM
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True. My comment was really more about the Al frame I'd been riding: Cervelo Soloist. The stiffness made it an awesome crit bike, but it would really beat me up on any ride over 2hrs. 25mm Vittoria tubulars made a big difference, but still.
