NomadVW 

What better way to start the off season with a new bike!

Actually, I just wanted to start another thread so I could show off the frameset. It'll be in the stable "officially" on Monday or Tuesday. Ordered on Monday, $$ already in the bank. I test rode it Sunday on those wheels/duraace build. Those HED wheels are sweet, for sure. Seat post as steep as 80° on it's furthest forward setting, I think I'd feel like I was tipping over the front wheel.

I've got the gruppo and cockpit already. I'm going to continue to run the wheelcover on the open pro/PT SL rear. I'm thinking of buying the HED tri-spoke clincher in December for the front.

YMCA

You know those forward positions won't cut it at any national championships in the USA anymore.
We go by UCI rules of the tip of the saddle being 5cm behind the center of the BB.
That goes for masters as well.
You can easily set it up right at 5cm behind though, if you plan on anything more than local stuff.

NomadVW 

I'm not too worried about nat'l championships setup quite yet. Unless I find me some DrWJO speed. Getting set up 5cm behind the BB shouldn't be an issue. One of the things I liked about the Blue TT frame was it's saddle adjustability, though.

CaseLawZ28

That's what I thought too. But the wife told me otherwise.

FatguyRacer

Nice! One of the guys on ABRT has a Blue TT bike he uses for tri's. He loves his, you will too. Kudos to the local rep, the guy is out there at the races trying to sell his product. He's been to so many he came up to ME at Turkey Day to say hello and compliment my motor.

kukusz

That's a beautiful bike Nomad, I'll enjoy seeing it at some TTs next season.

On a side note, did you make your goals this season?

NomadVW 

I'll let you know on the MAP increase in a month. Though, some of those increases will be due to weight increase. I fell short of 5.0 w/kg. I squeezed 4.8 at peak, but that's up from 4.6 last year.

So far, my peak MAP for '07 was 452 and peak MAP for '08 is 471. I'll MAP test at the end of October, but expect it'll be closer to 470 than 480.

If I do things right, I might make the 482 MAP by the end of the calendar year though, which will set me up well for 5.0 w/kg in the spring.

kukusz

Good deal, 5 Watts/kg will be a huge milestone. I'm shooting for 4.75 by spring, but I'm a lot lighter so that is not that impressive.

oneradtec

That has to be one of the sweetest looking TT bikes I've seen. Have fun!

kukusz

I just put in an order for one of these. The color scheme is what did it for me.

kudude

wait. what?

ldesfor1@ithaca

Nomad,

I have that wheelset (Hed Jet 60/90 H2 with pr3's in blue) and think they're sweet. They're the ultimate rolleur wheelset as they hold high speed super well. Un-real in corners too and very comfy, too.

They climb like poo, though!! That heavy rear is very noticable.

I'll be looking for a condition specific rear (the ardennes hopefully) for hilly races.

I'm pshyched to hear how you like them and if they seem to be fast for you.


congrats!

-L

NomadVW 

Fork - steerer tube uncut






Will get the headset this week and have the steerer tube chopped. Everything else is in the inventory and ready to put on.

DrWJODonnell

I cannot wait to hear about how big the bag of souls is when Nomad leaves his first race with this bike. Sweet ride nomad!

patentcad

Stop weighing things Nomad.

kukusz

Make sure you post what TT you are going to hit first with that thing, if you work on your flexibility and aero position over winter you will make grown men cry.

botto 

correct.

NomadVW 

First I have to get a headset for this thing. Blue OEM's the Cane Creek integrated 1", but I can't find a 1" from Cane Creek anywhere.

I'm clueless on the front end of the bike. I'd like to be spinning on the bike on Thursday, but my hopes aren't high.

NomadVW 

Reports from the deep recesses of Tom's "Bike Room":

On a few cold and dreary nights in northern Virginia, whilst the country about him seems to be falling apart, Tom sets to work. The economy is tanking, presidential candidates are politicking, but Tom is not deterred. He gnashes with the local Blue dealer to acquire the necessary headset to commence assembling the machine. Day by day, Tom puts on another part.. crankset... front brakes... rear brakes. Then finally, the awaited arrival of the headset.

A trip to the LBS is required to assemble the headset with the tools not available in the lowly peasant bike room. After returning with headset installed and food for the mongrel hoards, Tom returns to his dismally lit room to finish assembly of "The Machine." Two days are required with much gnashing of cables too short and finicky internal routing, but the assembly takes shape. Then comes the Powertap receiver installation, and Tom nearly tosses the bike at the disgust of cable routing gone horribly wrong.

But in the end, victory is had. With the addition of some uber-sexy Mavic Open Pro wheels, "The Machine" is rideable.






I've planned a recovery week this week with my parents in town, down from the Adirondacks. Conveniently placed and I will ride the snot out of this Tues-Thurs to hopefully fine tune the position.

ridethecliche

I'll give you a dollar for it!!!



























All jokes aside, that's a sweet looking bike. How does it ride? How does the position feel? Are you going to take it to a wind tunnel?

NomadVW 

I'll tell you how mine rides tomorrow. The one that I test road was fantastic, but the test ride was also sitting on HED wheels that were very nimble. This will be a "refining the position" week on the bike, both on the road and the trainer. I'm looking now to swap out the TT bars for straight bars. The test ride bike had straight bars and I found them much, much more comfortable.

I won't be in a wind tunnel any time soon.