Longing for a race bike
11-18-15, 10:50 AM
#1
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Longing for a race bike
I have a Specialized Tricross btw. But I often feel like I need a race bike.
You know, to go fast. I dream of a super light carbon or titanium frame without anything else, with a super aero position.
Then of course I'd add fenders to that bike you know, in case I hit water or rain.
If the road is rough or I want to do a bit of trails I'd better put on 32C tires too. Good for comfort too and peace of mind.
And heavy puncture proof tires!! I hate changing a tire during a hard training ride.
I can't really go on a ride without a repair kit, a change of clothes and food, at least. So I think I'd add panniers.
Oh and bottle holders.
A good set of lights is essential of course, for riding at night.
And of course I need a cellphone mount & barfly for the GPS thing. If you don't record it there's no proof that you ride fast as you do.
...
ah **** it, I'm taking the commuter.
You know, to go fast. I dream of a super light carbon or titanium frame without anything else, with a super aero position.
Then of course I'd add fenders to that bike you know, in case I hit water or rain.
If the road is rough or I want to do a bit of trails I'd better put on 32C tires too. Good for comfort too and peace of mind.
And heavy puncture proof tires!! I hate changing a tire during a hard training ride.
I can't really go on a ride without a repair kit, a change of clothes and food, at least. So I think I'd add panniers.
Oh and bottle holders.
A good set of lights is essential of course, for riding at night.
And of course I need a cellphone mount & barfly for the GPS thing. If you don't record it there's no proof that you ride fast as you do.
...
ah **** it, I'm taking the commuter.
11-18-15, 12:36 PM
#3
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I have a Specialized Tricross btw. But I often feel like I need a race bike.
You know, to go fast. I dream of a super light carbon or titanium frame without anything else, with a super aero position.
Then of course I'd add fenders to that bike you know, in case I hit water or rain.
If the road is rough or I want to do a bit of trails I'd better put on 32C tires too. Good for comfort too and peace of mind.
And heavy puncture proof tires!! I hate changing a tire during a hard training ride.
I can't really go on a ride without a repair kit, a change of clothes and food, at least. So I think I'd add panniers.
Oh and bottle holders.
A good set of lights is essential of course, for riding at night.
And of course I need a cellphone mount & barfly for the GPS thing. If you don't record it there's no proof that you ride fast as you do.
...
ah **** it, I'm taking the commuter.
You know, to go fast. I dream of a super light carbon or titanium frame without anything else, with a super aero position.
Then of course I'd add fenders to that bike you know, in case I hit water or rain.
If the road is rough or I want to do a bit of trails I'd better put on 32C tires too. Good for comfort too and peace of mind.
And heavy puncture proof tires!! I hate changing a tire during a hard training ride.
I can't really go on a ride without a repair kit, a change of clothes and food, at least. So I think I'd add panniers.
Oh and bottle holders.
A good set of lights is essential of course, for riding at night.
And of course I need a cellphone mount & barfly for the GPS thing. If you don't record it there's no proof that you ride fast as you do.
...
ah **** it, I'm taking the commuter.
If you can't imagine going for a ride without a cellphone, food, and a change of clothes, there is no helping you.
11-18-15, 12:45 PM
#4
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I have a Specialized Tricross btw. But I often feel like I need a race bike.
You know, to go fast. I dream of a super light carbon or titanium frame without anything else, with a super aero position.
Then of course I'd add fenders to that bike you know, in case I hit water or rain.
If the road is rough or I want to do a bit of trails I'd better put on 32C tires too. Good for comfort too and peace of mind.
And heavy puncture proof tires!! I hate changing a tire during a hard training ride.
I can't really go on a ride without a repair kit, a change of clothes and food, at least. So I think I'd add panniers.
Oh and bottle holders.
A good set of lights is essential of course, for riding at night.
And of course I need a cellphone mount & barfly for the GPS thing. If you don't record it there's no proof that you ride fast as you do.
...
ah **** it, I'm taking the commuter.
You know, to go fast. I dream of a super light carbon or titanium frame without anything else, with a super aero position.
Then of course I'd add fenders to that bike you know, in case I hit water or rain.
If the road is rough or I want to do a bit of trails I'd better put on 32C tires too. Good for comfort too and peace of mind.
And heavy puncture proof tires!! I hate changing a tire during a hard training ride.
I can't really go on a ride without a repair kit, a change of clothes and food, at least. So I think I'd add panniers.
Oh and bottle holders.
A good set of lights is essential of course, for riding at night.
And of course I need a cellphone mount & barfly for the GPS thing. If you don't record it there's no proof that you ride fast as you do.
...
ah **** it, I'm taking the commuter.
Fenders, lights, saddlebag, bottle cages, Garmin, frame pump. Clothes and food in a backpack, cellphone in jersey pocket. Only thing not on your list is 32mm tires. These are 25mm Serfas Secas, heavy but very tough. 32 spoke training wheels. Again, heavy but very tough.
11-18-15, 02:19 PM
#5
born again cyclist
i occasionally commute on my lean and mean titanium road bike (i hesitate to call it a "race" bike as i don't race) when the weather allows.
sure, my CX commuter with its fenders, rack, panniers, lights, etc. is more practical for most of my commuting/utility cycling needs, but from a fun standpoint, the lightweight stripped-down road bike with a back pack is a lot more fun to commute on than any other bike in my stable.
most days it's not my 1st choice, but it's always a fun day when i do choose it.
sure, my CX commuter with its fenders, rack, panniers, lights, etc. is more practical for most of my commuting/utility cycling needs, but from a fun standpoint, the lightweight stripped-down road bike with a back pack is a lot more fun to commute on than any other bike in my stable.
most days it's not my 1st choice, but it's always a fun day when i do choose it.
11-18-15, 03:08 PM
#6
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to keep a light bike light, one needs discipline and a willingness to do without. as exemplified, humorously 
, by the OP.
, by the OP.
11-18-15, 04:35 PM
#7
aka Tom Reingold
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I built myself a nice racing bike a few weeks ago, and I've commuted on it a few times. Putting fenders on it would be pretty tricky, and the weight is an obvious downside. Since it's light and rides pretty harshly, I don't want it to get weighed down, because that adds to the harshness. Rather than adding a rack and using panniers, I carry my stuff in a backpack or messenger bag. Currently, I'm using lightweight battery powered lights, but I'm giving serious thoughts to adding dynamo lighting. I just love the convenience it offers, and maybe the weight penalty won't bother me. But that is probably all I will add. I still have my very heavy and well equipped Bianchi Volpe which I call my SUV.
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Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
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11-19-15, 08:35 AM
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I have a crabon fibre bike. Then I put a B-17 N saddle on it. I will occasionally commute on it (now that I have a Carradice Barley, I can throw it on the night before and can take a change of clothes with me). but not very often. I use it mainly for group rides.
It's pretty bare bones...two bottle cages, a pump and small saddle bag. Of course, I took off the reflectors to save weight.
It's pretty bare bones...two bottle cages, a pump and small saddle bag. Of course, I took off the reflectors to save weight.
11-19-15, 11:28 AM
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Ha! I resemble these remarks.
I bought a 2013 Foundry Auger (CF, disc brake cyclocross) this summer. Light (~20 lbs) and fast!
So, of course, I turned it into a commuter!
I added:
fenders (it has fender eyelets and bridge mounts, kinda unique for a CF frame/fork),
Brooks B17
riser stem
mirror
frame bag
handlebar bag
dynamo hub and headlight
It's still fast, but not quite as light (~25 lbs). Still, it's almost 15 lbs lighter than the steel MTB ('88 KOM) I've been riding on gravel.
I kept lightweight 38 mm tires on it, though. I hate the ride of heavy puncture proof tires.
I bought a 2013 Foundry Auger (CF, disc brake cyclocross) this summer. Light (~20 lbs) and fast!
So, of course, I turned it into a commuter!
I added:
fenders (it has fender eyelets and bridge mounts, kinda unique for a CF frame/fork),
Brooks B17
riser stem
mirror
frame bag
handlebar bag
dynamo hub and headlight
It's still fast, but not quite as light (~25 lbs). Still, it's almost 15 lbs lighter than the steel MTB ('88 KOM) I've been riding on gravel.
I kept lightweight 38 mm tires on it, though. I hate the ride of heavy puncture proof tires.
11-19-15, 11:28 AM
#10
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I have a crabon fibre bike. Then I put a B-17 N saddle on it. I will occasionally commute on it (now that I have a Carradice Barley, I can throw it on the night before and can take a change of clothes with me). but not very often. I use it mainly for group rides.
It's pretty bare bones...two bottle cages, a pump and small saddle bag. Of course, I took off the reflectors to save weight.
It's pretty bare bones...two bottle cages, a pump and small saddle bag. Of course, I took off the reflectors to save weight.
11-19-15, 11:30 AM
#11
Banned
Winter will do that to You. longing for sun and easy riding.
Optimize Your Tri cross for the weather now and till spring, then you can take those months to decide
which of the many dozens of brands you like to get in the spring..
Optimize Your Tri cross for the weather now and till spring, then you can take those months to decide
which of the many dozens of brands you like to get in the spring..
Last edited by fietsbob; 11-19-15 at 11:34 AM.
11-19-15, 12:34 PM
#12
GATC
This is my race bike. CF frame. I have probably 9-10cm of bar drop so I can get a pretty flat back in the drops. I stopped for a nature break on a long detour to work one morning.
Fenders, lights, saddlebag, bottle cages, Garmin, frame pump. Clothes and food in a backpack, cellphone in jersey pocket. Only thing not on your list is 32mm tires. These are 25mm Serfas Secas, heavy but very tough. 32 spoke training wheels. Again, heavy but very tough.
Fenders, lights, saddlebag, bottle cages, Garmin, frame pump. Clothes and food in a backpack, cellphone in jersey pocket. Only thing not on your list is 32mm tires. These are 25mm Serfas Secas, heavy but very tough. 32 spoke training wheels. Again, heavy but very tough.
11-19-15, 12:59 PM
#13
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11-19-15, 01:05 PM
#14
aka Tom Reingold
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When I was in high school, I put strapping tape or something similar between a pair of parallel spokes on each wheel of my bike. On that, I put reflective tape. Thus, I had wheel reflectors that probably worked well and weighed virtually nothing. I'm thinking of doing the same on my light bikes. I see no downsides to it.
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New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
11-19-15, 04:39 PM
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