nope blue weinmann dp 18 they were a hundred bucks for the wheelset and I beat the hell out of em my other bikes sport mavics

the weinmanns are heavier than the velocities and the sidewall is thicker so the sidewall doesn't dent as easily but for the money go open pro if you wan to spend it on wheels

Local pickup is an option. Show up with a video camera and a pie for the seller's face.

go with the polished phil cog...most ballinest cog there is...and go 52 or 53 tooth up front, so you can get a bigger cog in the back and shine more

Yes-- a Pista appreciation thread. Whoot. I really like my 2007. I've been considering new cranks and a wheelset myself. Living in Portland, there are too many Pistas on the street so it's fun to personalize to my needs and preferences.

flix. we need flix.

This thread is ridiculous.

Slap together a dependable bike that fits well and spend the remainder on gear you'll need should you decide to, you know, ride it... regularly... over distances...

I know I'm supposed to be stoked about folks building track bikes without the slightest idea of what a track bike is designed for, "because it's one more person on a bike," but cycling as a fashion statement is still painful to witness.

Sure, it's not much different than guys who bling out their sports cars, but that's exactly what bugs-- there's a real sport underneath all the sexy chrome parts, and it mostly involves making improvements to your body instead of your bike.

I think this thread is a troll. What kind of looser starts troll threads about bikes? WTF?

At first I thought so too, but I've changed my mind. I think I've actually gotten some good advice, notably with the decision of chrome vs. alum for my stem/bars. I think I'll probably end up getting the alum at this part. The B-123AAs also are wider than the other ones, which is something I hadn't given much thought to... breathing is nice. As for the hate... it makes me laugh.

I'm sure you are the holiest of holys when it comes to, you know, riding your bike and I could never possibly compare. However, I ride my bike around town an (guestimated) average of 60-70 miles a week. That's just for commuting. I'm also prepping for a century and I'm going 60 miles this weekend. Add to that the 3 or 4 times a week I take a 35 mile ride before work, and 2 other days I do hill intervals or a speed ride (12-15 miles) I know, it's nothing in the world of cycling but I ride my bike more than anyone else I know rides theirs.

I know quite well what a track bike is designed for, and when considering choices for the next town I live in I've been narrowing my choices down to cities with velodromes. I'm sure that there would be some low tier competition I could enjoy. Albuquerque was supposed to build a velodrome, but their bike-park project got bought out by some BMX association and they built a big dirt track instead, leaving the velodrome for some yet unknown date.

Agreed. There is a sport. There is also a project, something I can take pride in, a way about town, something that will last me a long time, and something I enjoy. Sorry that bugs you. Sorry that bugs anyone. I'm just happy I get to do this. Hate on!

That will be a HEAVY pair of wheels.

You're about to throw down nearly a grand to set this thing up. Now... I don't know. Given a grand, I'd probably start from scratch with a nice old track frame (Saw an 80's Raleigh frame go for 200... I could probably snag something awesome at T-Town next weekend) perhaps a Miche drivetrain... used Campy/Cinelli seatpost/stem/bars... Mavic rims... a Rolls or Turbo to sit on.

That would be classy.

Reading through this it reminds me of the guy who takes a 92' Honda Civic DX and spends 20k in getting all "fast and furious" with it. Or the old business men at my work who drop 4k on a set of golf clubs because they played with the guys ONCE. Again, this is my opinion, but DAMN SON, can't you spend half that and build a bike that is just as fast, just as light, just as dependable? Sounds like you got the ego and E-Penis in mind more than the bike. However, I don't know you. If you can truly use all these awesome parts and get them maybe cheaper than the average bear, good for you.

Lock this baby up to your fridge at night, never leave it out doors.

just build the thing with whatever you want don't ask the peanut gallery.

when your done post a picture and THEN let them rip it apart.

no one is going to give you the answer you want to hear on a forum anyway. or not on this one so much Caca
to sift through.

I'm sure Todd won't love you any less if you if you get RX1 over royal nuevos. ;)

But I'm not worried about Tod, I'm just worried about your love, baby.

+1 ride what you want bro. I hope you get the bike of you dreams.

your already cool . you ride the **** outta that bike and thats all that matter. if you want it to be more bling for yourself cool.
but you might find that the quill stem is quite flexy and you might hate it and the other stuff is not everything you wanted it to be and I agree 3/32 chains are silent love compared to super toughness 1/8........ but then you can just sell it to Todd but if thats the case.
keep it under your hat though you don't want the A- hole hippies on this forum to be right or at least think they are right.

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(message is too short)

At least on Ben's, they start one size wider than the B123 ChroMo.

because you just have to get the narrowest size available?

I don't think anyone really cares if you want to waste a lot of money making your bike less ridable but possess as much generic fgg bling as possible. The problem was you gave us some load of **** about these being something more then aesthetic upgrades when from a practical and performance standpoint most of them are probably downgrades or at best lateral moves.

As I have said time and time again if you are going to be a trend chasing hipster fine.... Just don't try and pawn your trend chasing off as practicality.

http://www.hardscrabblefarm.com/imag...wac_salute.jpg
Sir, Yes Sir!

Now that's what I'm also talking about! The frame and the wheels/tires is where most of the "feel" and soul of the bike lives. To tart up a steel Pista is to spend cubic dollars on a very average ride IMHO.

Okay, it wasn't a troll, and my post was pretty dickheaded. I just get sick of the form-over-function bikes, and I think it's a trend that inherently moves people away from learning the important aspects of bike-ridin'. (Yeah, we could argue all day 'bout what's "important," but a bike is only as fast as the rider-- are you in this to get better or look better?).

I know too many kids obsessing over what color their toe straps should be who never make an effort to learn the basics, like where to position your saddle & bars, how to condition your body to ride lower, how to build speed, you know... all the athletic stuff.

Ride the **** out of your bike... I guess my point is you don't really need to deck it out like this until you're fast enough and strong enough to actually notice the difference between certain components-- and at that point, I think your choices in upgrades would be pretty different from your current specs, since they would be based on your own knowledge and experience.

^^ nice post JLF, welcome to the boards

Don't you know? We New Mexicans are what the ordinary Mexicans call "diablos" when it comes to riding. We have the streets and open air to ride the hell out of whatever and fortunately we're so backwater no one gives a hoot. Hip? Pfeh. Animals is more like it.

Oh. And tack a brake on that list. Sure, you're bike won't be as cool, but at least it'll keep you from losing half those parts in an accident. (The 105 side-pull calipers are good and affordable, or you could make it Campy to keep up with the bling theme.)

Has anyone used a B17 extensively then switched to a Team Pro and can with that butt-on experience tell what difference was noted. Yeah I now TP is thicker leather and 1cm wider at end.

I wore out a B17 and need to replace it and think TP is a better choice as it should be more durable and firm. But I like the width of the B17.

Al

Yes, they're noticeably different. The stuff you noted above is all significant. The main thing though is to go easy on the conditioner, or any brooks will lose its firmness. Incidentally, you will probably be able to improve your current b17 quite a bit by tying it up, if firmness is all you're after.

I've used about half a tin of Proofide in the >15k miles I've had it. Its gotten wet 1-2 times, but I've never ridden it until fully dry.

I've 'simulated' tying it up by pulling in sides and holding tight while pushing down on top and it doesn't seem to be enough. I have a 2nd bike it can go on so I'll still probably tie it up anyway. The reason it is saggy in middle is not that the rivet pulled out. They have stretched out an extra 1/8" beyond what you see in this picture taken over 6mo ago:
http://www.optionnz.com/users/afs/CR...-01%20copy.jpg

What do you mean by 'noticeably different'?

Al