I see. My bike is disc QR.

Why so ugly? How ugly can they be?

My CX bike is QR disc. No problem.

Ditto, ditto. I'm not scared.

They're bulbous. It's one of those "once you notice it" things. For an 80 dollar difference, I'd go Ultegra. For the $200+ difference when I bought, I'll deal with it not looking quite as nice in photos.

Edited to add: try not to let the garage door handles distract you from the hoods -

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4422/2...f20be396_c.jpg

The housing for the shift mechanism is more prominent than on other models. Some folks don't like the look of it.

http://cdn.mos.bikeradar.imdserve.co...1m-630-354.jpg

That's pretty ugly. Bulbous is a good description.

These are the kinds of sacrifices you have to make when you stray from Campy.

I did fondle the Ultegra levers at the LBS and thought they seemed fine.

I will say that they fit my hands really well and the knobbiness actually makes for a more secure grip, both in normal riding and when quasi-TTing (with the knob in the middle of my palm and wrist/forearm resting on the bars/ramps). Yes, I quasi-TT on a gravel bike. :o

Those Reynolds wheels are hot.

I would buy the Assaults again.

Thanks. I like 'em. They can be had for a little over 1k if you look around and are patient. For that price, I can't think of anything else that I'd rather have.

What's the band on the seatpost?

:eek:

Reported, mister.

Ok 1) it’s rare to get an actual closed course for a tri 2) it’s done routinely on training rides. AG could do that on a (yes, relatively flat) 60-mile training course we have, which is also never “calm winds”. If she ever tried to ride it hard. (TWSS)

And it’s no worse than the old side-exit shifters (like 5600). Just a step back from 5700/ 5800.

Niner logos -

https://gzmyu4ma9b-flywheel.netdna-s...eatposts01.jpg

The TBS announcing of this series has been so bad. Mike Rizzo is a new one.

My definition of "closed course" isn't too rigorous; I mean not having to stop/slow at intersections - that's the biggest obstacle with riding in my area. Coming off of your pace for 9 measly seconds once every mile, which is all too easy to do, is the difference between 20mph and 19mph. With a start and stop at my door, I'm pretty sure that I've averaged 20 mph on a solo ride only once, yet I can hold 20 fairly comfortably.

Also we're talking road bikes vs tri rigs, obv.

I would not mind a pair. Look like they are running more like 1500 from what I can see.

Oh, yeah, that’s why I hate riding in town. Hell I hate running in town. And I hate telling people about 1000-mile drives and managing to average 65mph and them acting as if that’s slow, when that includes 25mph in Texas towns, and bathroom stops, and food, and filling the tank. An average of 65 means huge stretches at 80+. (I am clearly joking if there are any cops in here.)

Average speed is hell, yes. I think you have worse reality on the ground than I’m used to. And I never even managed to be faster on the tri bike.

Jensen has the Assault/Strike combo at $1200 right now - weren't you wanting something a little deeper on the back? Otherwise PBK has the Assault pair for $1185

80 to do 65 isn't too far off the mark, just like I think that you need to be able to do about 23+ to do 20... well, unless you're going to drive to the boonies :mad:

I really have been a little itchy to try out a tri bike. My TGIT friend is roughly the same size as me to I might have to take his (gasp!) Kestrel out for a spin next time we ride.

I have seen them and am considering.

I haven't looked since spring, but the Aero 46 would occasionally pop up at a pretty aggressive price, too.