Post # 1

Selling & buying.

At this time last year I was using five bikes. I don’t really need five bikes, but each had its intended usage and reason for being. In April I sold three of the bikes for various reasons.

Sold;



The 1973 Schwinn Road-race Paramount was one size too small. I like a nice vintage bike for local rides with the C&V crowd, but I need a bike that fits.

Sold;



The 1987 Trek 400 Sports/touring bike had seen too many salty & wet road miles and would need a rebuild soon. I decided to sell the bike to a local twenty-something. The bike was never the best winter-bike in any case.

Sold;



The 2008 made-by-Lynskey Planet X titanium road bike was a little small, a little too flex-ey and would need a new fork and cockpit to fit correctly. I decided that I would find a stiffer road bike that fits properly.

Keeper;



This left the do-it-all 2008 Soma Double Cross for 90% of my riding and the 2007 Giant Hybrid for utility needs. The plan is to rebuild the Soma next spring; it might get a new frame. The Giant would continue to be used as a utility bike.

I’ve been seeking a stiff and light road bike for local group rides and hilly century rides. If I could find a stiff road bike that fits, it would share fitness ride duty with the Soma Cyclocross bike. The Cyclocross bike and the utility bike will then both get fenders. Three bikes should cover all my future needs.

This August, I committed to buying a Pedal Force GC2 road bike on a group buy. The geometry of the GC2 is ideal for me with a 59cm virtual top-tube (perfect) and a 210mm head-tube (tall enough). The GC2 also has a few advanced features including an asymmetric head tube (upper 1-1/8" / lower 1-1/4") and a BB30 bottom bracket. I also like the paint free finish.

https://pedalforce.com/online/product...ducts_id=20494

"Designed for tackling fast and hard long days in the saddle, the CG2 features a full carbon frame, tapered head tube, BB30 bottom bracket, internal cable routing, and a balanced geometry for a confidence-inspiring ride. It is available in eight sizes so you won't need to compromise on getting the perfect bike fit.
•High modulus carbon monocoque construction with oversized downtube and bottom bracket junction for optimal torsional and lateral stiffness.
•BB30 bottom bracket - a new standard that is stiffer, lighter and narrower than traditional bottom bracket systems. BB30 shell adaptor available to allow use of a traditional crankset.

•Asymmetric 1-1/8" top & 1-1/4" bottom head tube for extra front-end stiffness
•Internal cable routing for a cleaner look and better aerodynamic efficiency.
•Race proven geometry combined with a slightly taller head tube for a comfortable fit and great handling."


It arrived today;













I'm really impressed by the girth of the down-tube and head-tube, they make the 34.9 seat-tube look undersized. I think you could remove the top-tube and the bike would ride normally. It will get built in the next two weeks.

Oh, no.... you've gone to the dark side!

I am a reluctant convert :-0

I'm not one to hold onto old stuff. However, until recently, I was a hoarder... the last person in the XC ski club to wear wool knickers and use a cable ski binding.

The new frame rocks! I bet it will make a sweet ride.

Yes, you do need 5+ bikes. It is nice to grab a different one everytime you ride. They all give up the pleasure. The new frame is the chit too!!

"The plan is to rebuild the Soma next spring; it might get a new frame."



That reminds me of the old family axe that has been in my family for generations. The handle has been replaced six times and the head, twice. It's a great old axe.

The problem, as barrettscv says, is having five bikes might be great in theory, but if they don't fit and aren't comfortable to ride, it's best to replace them with bikes that will.

My old Fuji Touring (as in only 10 years old, but with 56,000km on the clock) fits, but is getting another iteration with a fork that stops it wandering all over the place, and bar-end shifters to replace the well worn, still-functional but quite tatty Tiagra STI shifters.


barrett, you didn't give us a shot of the full, unclothed frame. Do you know what mould Pedal Force has used for it?

I will not ride anything but oldschool vintage bikes. The downside to this is that when CF frames are old they probably wont be plentiful. But then, there is always aluminum and Cannondale.

Have fun with that frame and let us know how that build goes. Looks like fun.

Yeah, I need a modern road bike but will always miss the vintage steel.

LOL, I'm one to keep updating a bike. In a few years my CX might be Carbon Fiber with digital shifters. It will be a great old bike.

I added a new pics below. At this stage of my life, a bike has gotta fit well.

I wonder about the durability of carbon also, we shall see!

Nobody knows how CF frames will hold up after 30 years, until they have been common for 30 years. I am also sure that as time goes on the technology for CF repair will get better and better. The closest living relative to CF is fibreglass, 40 years ago, repairing a fibreglass boat part, meant replacing it, now repairs are quite common and quite good. I am sure that 40 years from now, CF frame repair will be very common...

Steel bike frames break, too.

Just sayin'...