Velo Vol 

LesterOfPuppets

LesterOfPuppets

I figured out why the ride back home was so hard yesterday. I knew about the headwind of course but didn't realize it was also uphill the whole way back...

bampilot06

It’s more expensive, I can’t use the app becuase Im scared it will turn my groupset into a paper weight. It’s not much lighter if at all. ******g dumb.

Even before this happened, I was already debating if my next bike would have it. I don’t get any benefit from it, but I can’t even trust the stupid ******g lights to tell me it’s good to go.

DougRNS

I won't pay for it so I'll probably never get it. Assuming I ever ride again. Same for tubeless. They are both solutions to a problem I don't have.

bampilot06

Soon you might be forced to get it. If you want more than Tiagra on your next bike purchase.

MoAlpha

I included you and @datlas in the group.

DougRNS

I turn 60 this year and don't know how my surgery will turn out. I just got a new bike before my injury. I rode my last bike 16 years and plan on doing the same with the new one.

tl;dr

I probably bought my last bike.

MoAlpha

Every time I look in my closet, I have the thought that I'll never have to buy another pair of shoes or something.

DougRNS

I've said that about dress shoes. Sad.

datlas 

Took the front tire off and went over it super-carefully and found a sub-mm glass shard which I believe was the culprit.

LesterOfPuppets

I'm just gonna keep running turn-of-the-century 9-speed Shimano.

Might get this 7700 parts bike if they'll take $200. They're asking $300 which I'd gladly pay if I liked the wheels at all.

bampilot06

I have a cool trek 5500 that’s not etap I could sell you.

Eric F 

What do you dislike about the Madone that you prefer about the Emonda or Ritchey?

Eric F 

That saddle probably doubles the weight of the bike.

EDIT: 7700 is still one of my favorite groupsets of all time.

datlas 

In!

I am glad I upgraded the Habanero to Ultegra R8000, that may be the last really good groupset that supports cable shifting and rim brakes.

I am askeered that in 5-7 years if/when this wears out, I may be forced to get an entirely new bike with electronic shifting and disc brakes, or else become a C&V retrogrouch.

The Habanero, which I think of as the Saturn of road bikes, is only 13 years old and maybe has about 75k miles on it. I am hoping it can get to 25 and 200k like the Saturn. Stay tuned.

datlas 

For those that don’t follow my Strava feed, here are pics of my two favorite sculptures from todays ride.

I can guess which one Velo Vol likes better.

bampilot06

The Ritchey is smooth, responds well, climbs the best, and with the carbon wheels is the lightest of the 3. Also seems to get up an go effortlessly, and maintains speed. Did I mention smooth? Above everything else, I think it fits me the best, it’s looks awesome. It’s also a constant reminder of what a bike is, it’s simple and I have some of my best PRs on it, which throws the aero out the window.

The emonda, is fun, but it was only purchased for 2 reasons. Wife said yes, and It replaced an old beat up groupset. I havnt figured this bike out yet. Some days it feels fast and responsive others if feels like a dog. It isn’t as light as I wanted. I wrote to trek about my “crit bike” idea. Havnt heard anything yet.

The madone, feels heavy. Somewhat smooth, and accelerates smoothly while in the saddle. Can’t figure the fit out for me. I havnt cut the steerer tube becuase I can’t try it out with the cockpit that’s on it. Some days this doesn’t bother me but other days I feel like the bars should be dropped. For as expensive as it was I just feel like it should add some thrill and its not there. Ironically, my cheapest bike, The Ritchey brings me the most joy.

MoAlpha

Dress shoes are a dead certainty in my case.

phrantic09

you know- you can use the ap without taking a firmware update.

I’d call bonuses of electronic
1- no frayed shift cables in middle of hilly ride leaving you with either 48-11 or 31-11 as gear
2- shifting is always perfect
3-set and forget

Eric F 

Despite our friend from TN's opinion about emotions related to bicycles...go with your gut. IMO, passion matters, especially for those of us who participate in this sport for the fun of it more so than utility, or pure competition.

rsbob 

What’s a ‘tube’? They still make those?

bampilot06

You know what’s not awesome. When it tells you it’s good to go, and then it dies. I would rather take my chances with cables. If I had gone to Charlottesville I would have been ****ed.

Trsnrtr

Regarding mechanical group sets, Campy still makes 12 speed mechanical groups with rim brakes and it's good stuff. It would be perfect on an old Habanero.

bampilot06

I would love to have a competitive edge in a race, but it doesn’t feel like the madone is offering me any.

genejockey 

Back when I was a ute, with my 40# early 70s Ten Speed, the bar tape got ****ed and I was not able to un**** it.