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Post by Mike S on Apr 24, 2009 8:44:18 GMT -8
I believe I've purchased a faulty cyclocross frame. I've got all Dura Ace componentry, mavic/shimano tubular wheels, conti tires, carbon fork, carbon brakes (TRP), Thompson seat post, and Fizik saddle. Yet, my performance has been suffering since buying the bike. Everyone else's bike is faster  So I'm assuming I've bought a bad frame. Maybe I should have bought from it NDBS? |
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Post by DaleP on Apr 24, 2009 10:12:54 GMT -8
Mike, I am sincerely sorry to hear that you have purchased a slow bike but am elated that by your posting, I believe I now know why I am always at the back side of the pack. Thank you for making me take a second look at my situation.
I, like you, have spent many dollars on carbon parts, ceramic bearings and on and on and on. After all of that, I now realize that I still have a slow bike. All of this time I thought it was just me!
I owe you a debt of gratitude and would like to buy you a beer at your favorite establishment at your earliest convenience.
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Post by Tom M on Apr 24, 2009 12:19:56 GMT -8
Mike, I think the problem is that your cyclocross bike is your only road bike, so it figures it can just slack off. You need to get your Serotta rebuilt, so your cyclocross bike gets jealous and starts trying harder. This is why I spend so much time riding my "rain bike," is so the Paramount knows it has to be fast if it wants to get ridden.
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Post by lonniemower on Apr 24, 2009 12:37:03 GMT -8
hmm, mike, maybe if our frames were not made in taiwan they would be faster. i have been toying with the idea of a new carbon frame. after the cross bike is finished of course.
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Post by Mike S on Apr 24, 2009 13:39:22 GMT -8
Mike, I think the problem is that your cyclocross bike is your only road bike, so it figures it can just slack off. You need to get your Serotta rebuilt, so your cyclocross bike gets jealous and starts trying harder. This is why I spend so much time riding my "rain bike," is so the Paramount knows it has to be fast if it wants to get ridden. I hadn't thought of that. There's nothing worse than a bicycle that becomes complacent and gets lazy. |
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Post by Mike S on Apr 24, 2009 13:40:22 GMT -8
hmm, mike, maybe if our frames were not made in taiwan they would be faster. i have been toying with the idea of a new carbon frame. after the cross bike is finished of course. Just be careful not to get a slow one. |
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Post by Tom M on Apr 24, 2009 19:37:30 GMT -8
I, like you, have spent many dollars on carbon parts, ceramic bearings and on and on and on. After all of that, I now realize that I still have a slow bike. All of this time I thought it was just me! Dale, I'm afraid that in your case, it's worse than just a slow bike. I overheard your bikes talking to eachother, and they're power pirates  They siphon off power when you ride, and secretly sell it as electricity to California. Every hill you climb, and every pull you take at the front of the paceline, is powering a big-screen TV somewhere  On the bright side, if your bikes play the power market right, they should be able to retire comfortably at the age of 8  |
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Post by goneriding on Apr 26, 2009 4:34:28 GMT -8
Okay, let me make sure I understand this. I just got a new to me, full carbon bike that sits in the house ALL the time except race day. I ride my "old bike" all the time for training and it has been relegated to the garage. My old bike doesn't seem to be getting any faster since it has been replaced as the Alpha dog. Is it just being stubborn or do you think it's actually glad it's not getting the race day pep talks I used to always give it? And what do I do if the "new" bike starts to under-perform? Should I start swapping carbon parts from one to the other? Trade wheelsets? Oh the ramifications are endless.... Does the community college have a course in bicycle psychology 101?
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Post by DaleP on Apr 26, 2009 6:52:58 GMT -8
Tom, I think you have something there...if that's the case, I was powering the entire west coast yesterday against 25mph winds!
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Post by Tom M on Apr 26, 2009 10:11:49 GMT -8
Okay, let me make sure I understand this. I just got a new to me, full carbon bike that sits in the house ALL the time except race day. I ride my "old bike" all the time for training and it has been relegated to the garage. My old bike doesn't seem to be getting any faster since it has been replaced as the Alpha dog. Is it just being stubborn or do you think it's actually glad it's not getting the race day pep talks I used to always give it? And what do I do if the "new" bike starts to under-perform? Should I start swapping carbon parts from one to the other? Trade wheelsets? Oh the ramifications are endless.... Does the community college have a course in bicycle psychology 101? In that situation, you could play them against eachother. If there's a rainy Twilight Series race, you can bring your old bike into the house and make a big show of prepping it for the race, putting on the race number, taking the tool kit off your new bike, etc. Your old bike will be all "LOL, looks like you get to stare at the wall tonight, Princess  " Your new bike will be sulky about it, but it will probably avenge itself with some extra-fast riding when you do pick it. I've also found that bikes can get winter depression, or whatever that's called... where they need exposure to sunlight, you know? And even hills (I think they like the view from the top). If you ride them up lots of hills, and ride them in sunlight consistently 1-3 hours a day, they begin to cheer up and then they get faster. But it seems to take a month or two of therapy before the results really begin to show. |
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Post by Mike S on Apr 27, 2009 5:18:30 GMT -8
I see things in a whole new light now Tom. What has become abundantly clear to me since starting this post on Friday is that bicycles do indeed have feelings. With this in mind I can begin to solve the problem.
But I’ll be honest and say that I'm not sure if I’m comfortable with your passive aggressive tendency when dealing with loved ones (bicycles). That distressed me given that you are the bike mechanic, the bike doctor, in this instructive discussion. I began to wonder if my treatment of my bike was the problem. So I have a slow bike, through no fault of my own; or have I done something to upset my bike? Have I not met its emotional needs? Have I not listened to its needs? Food for thought.
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Post by Tom M on Apr 27, 2009 7:34:15 GMT -8
You're right, I should break the cycle of aggression before one of the bikes flings me over a railing somewhere ;D
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Post by lonniemower on Apr 27, 2009 15:58:56 GMT -8
i pack heat so my bikes dont gang up on me  that keeps em in line. |
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So I'm assuming I've bought a bad frame. Maybe I should have bought from it NDBS? 
They siphon off power when you ride, and secretly sell it as electricity to California. Every hill you climb, and every pull you take at the front of the paceline, is powering a big-screen TV somewhere 
" Your new bike will be sulky about it, but it will probably avenge itself with some extra-fast riding when you do pick it.
that keeps em in line.