Agree that the thigh thread led to an iconic BBM image
I've only been reading C&V for a couple of years, but appreciate that BBM will also take the time to write thoughtful, interesting, evocative, and generous posts like this:
Originally asked by DMNHCAGrandPrix in the "My New De Rosa" thread:
"Beautiful bike. Do you think you detect any difference in the ride of the Columbus EL-OS tubing compared to other DeRosa's you have ridden?"
BBM reply:
"Thank you.
Ride difference between a Primato and a Professional is a good question, and one I'm not really qualified to answer........ yet. I rode OFG's professional for ~20 miles or so, and enjoyed it very much. I rode his white Primato for about 18, before boxing it up and shipping it to him.
Luckily, OFG and Gomango have pretty much covered the finer, detailed points on one vs the other, based on their extensive experience. I hope to have the same, one day. But, I can give my perspective and experience so far, based on ~80 miles or so on this particular bike.
I have four bikes in the rotation, including this new one. The other three have been rotated through my daily riding over the last three years or so. They are, in order of acquisition: 1) a Palo Alto, Columbus SL/SLX tubing, 2) a (newer)Cinelli Super Corsa, Columbus Neuron tubing, and 3) a 1993 Basso-built Pogliaghi, some sort of proprietary Pogliaghi tubing. Because the Palo Alto was my first acquisition, it has the most miles on it (just over 5000) - but the other two have been around long enough to accumulate about a couple thousand each. All have the same wheels, tires, and saddle, and all have been ridden both on short rides as well as all day centuries. In addition, all sport 10 speed Campagnolo drive trains.
As OFG likes to point out over and over again, I'm a slow, heavier rider. Even so, I manage to climb a lot of pretty hellacious stuff, and seldom do a ride where I don't hit at least 30+ mph somewhere along the line. Also, there is no such thing as a flat ride around here. I can't go 20 miles without climbing ~1,000' or so, and there are several muti-mile climbs and descents in the surrounding neighborhoods.
So - how do I rank them? The Palo Alto and Pogliaghi are my favorites, and are tied for 1st place in regards to quality ride experience. Looking at my 2010 logs, I see the Pogliaghi has more mileage than the other two, followed by the Palo Alto and then the Cinelli. That I attribute to a taller gear ratio, making it the preferred bike for longer rides with lots of climbing. Both the Palo Alto and Pogliaghi have similar road feel - they are lively, responsive, and a lot of fun to drive. The Cinelli is no slouch and is a wonderful bike in its own right, but it is a bit smoother and so has a more relatively mild mannered steady feel to it than the other two - they want to be whipped and driven, and scream down descents with abandon. The Palo Alto especially - it feels like it is just itching to carve a turn, and it shoots though corners like sh*t though a goose. The Pogliaghi seems to be a better climber (not that means much to a rider of my abilities), but I couldn't tell you why. The Cinelli likes to run too - but in a more dignified manner than the other two.
Now, for the De Rosa. My initial impression with the Primato was that I was slower on it (if that is possible ), but that is not born out by ride data. I've taken it out on trial runs using well known routes on which I have amassed considerable lap timing telemetry on, and the numbers tell the tale - it gets me where I'm going just as quickly.
Last Saturday was the first big ride (~43 miles) with a big climb and a big descent, and that brought to light additional nuances. 1st, the De Rosa is stiffer than my other bikes. when I stand and jump on the pedals, it moves out more quickly. 2nd, it is an efficient climber - I still suffer, but the climb seemed over a bit quicker than in past attempts. 3rd (and this is huge for me), it descends like a bat out of hell. It's dangerous, really, because it makes you feel like there's nothing you can do to get into trouble. The Palo Alto and the Pogliaghi are live wires and need to be finessed and paid attention to, so you are mindful - and they are exhilarating to descend on. The De Rosa is different - hard to quantify, but very confidence inspiring. I ran it up to 45mph without even thinking about it - very smooth, very stable, very sure in the turns. I can't recall thinking about the bike when I was flying down the backside of the climb.
Does any of that make any sense whatsoever?"
Anybody else have a favorite BBM post, from a list of 10,000 choices?