I used to ride lots... a few years back. I find myself again on the bike and realized that my spin is gone. Ok, it's not gone, but it sure has disentigrated. As all intelligent cyclists know, the best way to get into circles is to ride a fix gear. God, I just hope I don't keep trying to coast like the last time.

Is there anyone in the L. A. area with a nice basic one? If you have something like a carbon frame, that would most likely be considered "trick" and pricey, I'm affraid I'm not interested.

I've been away from cycling for a while and I can't believe how people who can't ride out of their shadow seem to think that they somehow need to have the same bikes pro cyclists ride. And they're perfectly willing to choke 7 grand one of these silly looking things.

And what's up with all of the bike weight obsession? People are so anal about it. "How much does this one weigh?..... Really?... How 'bout this one...? Really? Wow, let me try that one...". I advised a guy that was doing this number to save 5 grand by getting a bike that's a few pounds heavier, loose 20 to 30 pounds, bag the idiotic flocked jersey and pick up a good book on cycling instead. I don't think he got my point. Actually, he seemed a bit irritated and let me know it. I suppose it didn't help that I also suggested colonic cleansing to "jump start" his weight loss program. Looking back, I suppose it was none of my business, but it's like a midget buying a "jumbo" condom.

Something else that seems to bother me since getting back into cycling is related to the bike weight thing. The mega-buck bikes I've looked at and picked up don't seem to be perceptively lighter that my 20 year old Colnago, which weighs in at 21lbs. I truly didn't feel the claimed five pound difference between my 21lb 'nago and and the particular bike I lifted. The only thing I could come up with is that the stated weight for these "superbikes" HAS to be based on the smallest size available, without pedals of course. And what's that about. Every shop guy I talk to blurts out the disclaimer: "this bike is the lightest road bike Specialized makes. It weighs 16 pounds without pedals." What's that about? Do they sell the bike without pedals? No? Then maybe they should say: "it weighs 1/2 of a pound without pedals, crankset, frame, wheels, tires, seat post, seat, handlebars, stem, deraillers, cables, levers, and bar tape."?

Next time I go to a bike shop I'm bringing my bike and my bathroom scale,
and I'll do a little comparative.

so you mostly ride by yourself?

"As all intelligent cyclists know, the best way to get into circles is to ride a fix gear"

I don't agree. I have and ride a fixie too.

The best way I found to improve my spin is speedworkouts. I do "sprints" or intervals at a certain predefined cadence. I gradually increase the duration over succeeeding weeks. If you are worried about getting smooth, there's nothing better than rollers.

I don't care who you are, that's funny right there.

Sorry. What? You've got a Colnago, and you want to disrespect other people for buying flash bikes? I've also been out of riding for a few years, and I bought myself a nice 531 Gazelle. It cost me $50 off ebay. What putdown does that earn me?

living in so cal you should be used to fragile egos. the "i don't race yet but have the same bike chris horner rode in the tour" mentality is a testament to the marketing machine of the cycling industry.
btw theres a nice khs aero fg on cl right now here in l.a. 800$
check out the fg/ss forum

yep, that is funny...

awesome.

FYI They measure without pedals since everyone uses a different kind. It seems they could even start doing that with saddles too.

It's "lose", not "loose".

I'm not so sure about that, but get one anyway........it's fun, and chicks dig fixed gear!

God! I forgot about rollers! Do they still make them? I used to have a set. Wow, that's a REALLY long way to fall when your on them. Got to the point where I'd only ride them in a door jam.

Acutally, I'm getting better. I'm doing some indoor training using one leg at a time. I figure if it's good enough for Lance Armstrong it's good enough for me. Really effective.

Uh... as a matter of fact I do. You got a problem with that?

HELLO!!!! I could have sworn that I mentioned that my Colnago is 20 years old and I doubt that most of the people riding the carbon bikes have a clue as to what it is.. I built the bike my self, right down to the wheels, but it might as well be a bike from Target as far as the current breed cycle geeks are concerned.

My point went over your head like you ducked. But you definitely got my respect for getting a cool deal on Ebay for your Gazelle. I never heard the term "flash bike" before, but it's cool. I prefer to call them "pimp bikes", you know... same as cars and the people who buy them. Don't get me started.

Oh, and by the way....On a similar note to you excellent purchase on Ebay.... I happened to walk into a "Play-it-Again Sports store. If your not familiar with them, they buy your really expensive used sporting goods for pennies when your desperate to "upgrade", then turn it around and re-sell it for more than it's worth to some sucker. MOST OF THE TIME. So I walked in to the store and could have sworn I saw a Masi road bike sitting there. After a neck snapping double take, I found myself face-to-face with an absolutely perfect, signed edition, Masi 3Volumetrica. Cobalt blue... not a mark on it, which I purchased so fast that my visa card started to melt. 200 bucks! Once in a while I go back to the store thinking I'll find another Picasso in with the posters, but I think the store owner got hold of the cycling blue book. He gives me the evil eye when I walk in.

Oh, I nearly forgot the down side.... the Masi is a 20" frame and I'm 6'3". Get the picture? Soooo... I anyone here of the proper height would like to have a really nice Masi, drop me an email...

Phil

"Don't ride upgrades... Ride up grades..." Eddy Mercx

Yeah, and seat posts, and stems, and bars, and cranks.....
Anyway, I'm not talking about measurements.... I'm talking about the weight of the bike.


"Don't ride upgrades.... Ride up grades..." Eddy Merckx

Yeah, I have lived in S. Calif. most of my life. Not only am I used to fragile egos, I also have one. But at this point... sticks and stones, etc. I also have a tendency to write things that bug the sh#t out of people, especially if their high in the ego gratification department.

You sound like your in the know stuff about the cycling scene. I've been out of it for a while. Is there such a thing as a bike made ENTIRELY in the U.S.A.? Right down to the screws... I would buy one in a heartbeat. I loath buying 3rd world sweat shop products bolted onto high end products.

Thanks teach, and next time don't reply with a sentence fragment.

See? Everything has changed. When I was into this a roadie was someone who did TONS of miles per week but didn't race because they were waiting to get to "Vets" age cause they didn't wan't to ride with catagory 4 riders, etc. Now a roadie is apparently what we used to call simply a road bike.

"you're the poseur"... are you calling me a *****? That's so not nice...

22 lbs and 32lbs? What's up with the second one? This is the first time I've recommended a diet for a bicycle... I don't know... maybe just shoot it.

Don't ride upgrades... Ride up grades. Eddy Merckx

yeah, different pedals have different weights. If someone uses frogs, it will have a different weight than someone who uses eggbeaters.

Huh?

Now I know the meaning of life, and why you chose the name recursive...

Actually, there's an article in the July 1996 issue of Bicycle Guide about a made-in-USA bike, the Zipp 2001.

What's up with all these ***** LA types who come on BF with profile pictures of themselves trying to look like Chuck Norris, but really look more like Janet Reno?

Go ride your old-ass bike, fruitcake.

- Warren

Dude needs to get laid. My guess is that may not be an option.