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I'm good at getting things wrong.
Wrong bike, wrong gear, wrong shape!
[url= https://farm1.staticflickr.com/414/19619010959_f22121d91e_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm1.staticflickr.com/414/19619010959_f22121d91e_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/vTEyrD ]Minigaff trip 018[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/jimmygrainger/ ]jimmyg352[/url], on Flickr
I did get a few funny "wrong bike" looks with my road bike (only one) parked in the bike rack at the cafe at the Les Get Nauchets Express next to all the DH rigs.
Most roadies don't ride up the dirt road to the cafe from the Col du Joux Plane.
I buy a larger size than I should in a road frame so that the top of my bars is the same as the height of my saddle, which gives me a more comfortable 1950s position.
Snap! I've detested bicycle discomfort since the early 90s arse-in-air-chin-on-stem fad 8)
I'm on my third MTB in probably 7 years since I discovered it. First was a giant boulder off freeads that I took round cwmcarn on my first ever MTB and went through a set of new (rim) rear brake pads in just one loop. Quickly realised that I was "into it" and bought a banshee frame that I built up. Totally the wrong size and just basically shit. Bought a second hand GT five which, whilst old now, is still waaaaaaaay more bike than I'll ever need. Yes, I'm sure the new stuff is considerably "better" in most conceivable ways but I don't need it. I reckon the key is to just not try that new version and be happy, as I am, with what you've got. Course if you've enough money to make Soloman blush then I guess it's not really an issue.
To sum up: is the new 911 better than last years 911? Technically, yes. Do you, yes you, need that extra % of marginal "betterness"? Probably not.
Like Epicyclo, I converted a 26" HT to race cross. It turned out to be a very nice bike. Rigid, good handling, excellent mud clearance and capable of reasonably technical stuff. Tyre choice is everything off road, and the skinny CX tyres will never inspire confidence on technical terrain.
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I've also ridden my 74 degree head tube track bike on the road for over 100 km rides, and I am happy to say, it is every bit as inappropriate as Ton on his cross bike. It's very light 531, beautifully built, but riding it is nerve-racking. By contrast my other fixed road bikes are a joy.
I'd feel the same taking a downhill bike anywhere off-road too, my [s]riding [/s]mincing will never need such a capable bike and I'd just not enjoy the lumbering weight and handling.
There is a lot to be said for geometry, position and decent tyres.
Ton. Wrong/shit bike - I had a mountain bike tandem for a while...Fun for about 200 yards before you realise its just rubbish. I've also had my fair share of bikes I thought would be just the ticket and end up just not doing it..Niner MCR and Turner Czar were my most disappointing as wanted to love them.. ticked all the research boxes... but just didn't do it for me... As you say, they just get moved on to make room for the next thing. Will get it right one day*
* probably
Have been a serial bike renter for years, buying a new one regularly because the current one wasn't 'just so'.
Last year I bought a cdf on a whim and it's the best, most honest bike I've ever owned. For 80% of my riding it is all I'll ever need. Riding to local trails, towpath bashing and traffic dodging in town it does it all with no fuss.
It was pointed out to me, without a hint of irony, that the least 'sophisticated' bike I've owned is the most suitable. I just sold my HT as a result as it wasn't being ridden.
I'm still going to replace my full sus this year, comfortable in the knowledge I'll lose a wedge on the current frame and it won't ever be used to its full potential because, well, why not?
Two things:
I enjoy having the "wrong bike" on some trails. I've fitted CX tyres to my Amazon tourer and really enjoy the skittishness of it on bumpier trails, the way it picks up speed quickly and there's an enjoyment in finding lines that work better than just hammering over everything. In fact, I like it so much I'm really tempted to get a lighter, sharper handling CX bike (like a CAADX maybe) too.
As for you Ton, I was gobsmacked when I saw you'd been riding a CAADX. From all you've said/written about your bike preferences I thought that would have been way down the list - although I guess a little experimentation can often be worthwhile. I can't understand why you are now converting it to flat bars though. I'd have thought the frame was a million miles away from the "upright, comfy" recommendation that epicyclo made and with which you concurred. Surely what you're really after is what we used to call a hybrid; flat bars, 700c wheels, fattish tyres.
How about we create a whole new niche and call it C+ ??
On the theme of wrong bike, wrong place, here's my Brisbane pics.
these are the low hills outside melbourne. there was a mini goldrush, so the whole place is full of tracks like this.
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Life is too short and riding time too precious to put up with shit bikes.
bigrich - Member
'On the theme of wrong bike, wrong place, here's my Brisbane pics'.
these are the low hills outside melbourne. there was a mini goldrush, so the whole place is full of tracks like this.
An even wronger place. 🙂
[url= https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8328/8107834287_505b8d57ec_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8328/8107834287_505b8d57ec_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
It's a shortcut on the way up to Lake Morris near Cairns - main way was closed for the Croc Trophy - and I wanted to get up there to watch it.
[url= https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8191/8107839156_d0337849b5_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8191/8107839156_d0337849b5_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
Real sketchy coming down... 🙂
As for you Ton, I was gobsmacked when I saw you'd been riding a CAADX. From all you've said/written about your bike preferences I thought that would have been way down the list - although I guess a little experimentation can often be worthwhile. I can't understand why you are now converting it to flat bars though. I'd have thought the frame was a million miles away from the "upright, comfy" recommendation that epicyclo made and with which you concurred. Surely what you're really after is what we used to call a hybrid; flat bars, 700c wheels, fattish tyres.
hoy wee man, I thought you knew about bikes.
I have just put some flat bars and a adjustable stem on the cannondale.
measured it against my comfy mtb and the numbers are pretty similar.
I will post a photo when I have finished the transformation, so that you can all pour scorn and piss take over........... 😆
I'm not a serial bike buyer/changer (4 road bikes and 4 mountain bikes in 35 years) so tend to end up with something close to what I need. A couple of exceptions to this:
1. A Scott FSR full on downhill rig. This was my first mountain bike. Even back then (mid 1990s) it was brilliant for what it was designed for. However it weighed a ton and if it got a sniff of an uphill gradient it threw a paddy. Ended up giving it to my brother.
2. A Specialized Allez road bike. My wife had the Dolce which is the women's version so there was unstated pressure not to get anything "better" than hers 🙄 It was a really harsh ride, going over a matchstick felt like you'd hit a kerb stone. Eventually upgraded to a Spesh Roubaix and sold the Allez.
Some bikes you just click with, others you don't. I don't think there's a science to it, just luck as to whether you swing a leg over the right bike.
Ton, I was thinking more of frame material and construction than angles and numbers - plus room for big tyres I guess?
Tried a CX bike once and didn't really see the point. Wasn't an MTB, wasn't a road bike. I'm sure it's good for some people but not for me.
I used to love blasting my Specialized Langster Monaco around the flat dirt paths in Hertfordshire, I fitted some old Hussefelt Bars and flat pedals and sprinted and drifted that little sucker around on my commute to work(Herts is flat so no need for a real road bike or gear). But I never really got on with Drop bars (never use the drops on my road bike for that matter).
Originally it was the wrong bike when I got it as an impulse buy coz I wanted a fixie (hated fixed wheel) and devon was too hilly for it. But once I moved up there and whacked on some flat pedals and bars it became the right bike. Moved back to the West Country and it became the wrong bike again so bad to say good bye