Friday, April 24, 2009

The Constant Variable

Look at that bike and check out the parts spec for a minute.

About three weeks ago I took an ISP prototype home for a ride, these were my first impressions: Visual: Stunning, simple, elegant, uncluttered. Off the bike:  Saddle height adjustment is easier, as is saddle tilt and positioning, than on any seat post I have used prior. On the bike:  Feels more race worthy than I was expecting.  Harsher over the potholes, I think I’ll be standing over the bumps in the future.  Feedback from the road feels more accurate and true, I feel more connected. Looking forward to the next ride, I’ll have more feedback to give soon. Karl Borne http://www.sevencycles.com/people/karl_borne.phpHere’s an example of the customer saddle clamp design.  I’ll post the demo bike clamp design later.  - RV

This is Seven's new integrated seatpost bike. It is a cool, custom, unique ride built by people who breath bikes, live bikes. The premise of the bike is "comfortable—like velvet—and stiff for racing". Perfectly normal.

What I don't understand is how bike reviews, like this one, do not account for the variable contact points of a bike in a review. When you include references to its harshness over pot holes, and feeling the direct connection to the road components like the 40mm tall aero clincher wheel need to be mentioned. Wheels like that do not absorb vibrations. They transfer them straight to the bike frame and depending on frame materials, to the rider. I could ride a hundred bikes that would have a many standard deviations of handling quality's become inconsequential because I had the same stiff aero wheels.

I've spent many hours riding a nearly identical pair of wheels, the Mavic Cosmic Carbone, and those wheels at a given PSI were relentless, stiff, and fast. They served their purpose well for racing. Training, however, was on traditional pair of hubs laced 3-cross to a low profile box section rims. Lets just say that is a big difference in handling characteristics.

Given that one variable, my bike had two distinct handling characteristics. Complicate this by an entirely new bike and trying to judge every nuance about the way it rides and you can completely forget a credible answer to how it rides. Its new. Of course it rides great. If you didn't change your cables for a year your bike would feel like new once you did swap them out.

If you want some honest feedback about your next big purchase, and care about what you ride, try one piece at a time. That'll give you a direct comparison. Otherwise just pay attention to something practical like failure rate or maintenance issues. When all else fails and you wouldn't know the difference between a mule and carbon race bike, just get the color that makes you look the coolest.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Useful Book

(Ironic use of a text book.)

Three weeks ago I thought to myself what an uneventful end to the skiing season. Temperature in the mountains had been in the 50's and 60's with rain, while the front range enjoyed June like conditions on the trails with dust in the corners and super dry roads. Most welcomed the spring while I lusted for my winter again.

This has been my first winter in 8 years effectively as I eschewed winter sports in favor of the narrow tires, and perhaps narrow mind, of a road bike. The passion for achievement and mind bending desire to make the next step consumed me and kept me from some diverse adventures. It may sound like I lament the decision, but I do not. I wouldn't trade my experience for anything in the world. Everything you do is benefical to your life and character. Humble in victory and proud in defeat, relishing the opportunity to improve and expand, while honing your goal(s) in life.

So as the storms rolled back through the mountains, dumping feet upon moist flakey feet of spring snow upon us, I grew giddy awaiting the next opportunity to drive my skis through the snow with my body's weight held in the balance by the 5mm steel ski edge. Passing the time preparing for the next adventure.
Posted by Picasa

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Bertoud Before Work


"There are certain moments in life that are called truly stellar, because they are not objects of the mind, but objects of the heart. For the mind will forget, but the heart will not."
Patrick Foster

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Don't Panic


(Courtesy of Jeremy Powers)


I'm pretty content that I don't faint when faced with adversity.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

It Was an Awesome Show

(I swear I heard them say DJ Nightlife...then again I don't hear well)

The last few weeks has seen an increase in activity level which directly correlates to a decrease in time to do things like write. It is unfortunate, but given that I have a lot more work to do at the Slipstream Sports office thanks to Bryan Smith. Otherwise I'm pretty sure I would have a terrible job doing some benign.

Figuring out my next step in life has been on my mind since September, and while some went back to school, I wasn't really ready to commit to it without a better idea of what I wanted to achieve next. Working for the Slipstream crew has been a really good step back into the office world. Considering my office last year was a bike and my couch, its been really hard to get back into sharing space and having people around all the time. It makes me appreciate my solitude so much more. It also makes me realize how out of touch I am to "office" life. I've got a ways to go.


These snowshoe tracks in the snow really had me thinking. I mean, anything that spawns thoughts in the voice of David Attenborough is fantastic...and regal. But my thoughts were how analogous they are to the impressions we leave and how they are shaped. Those snowshoe prints were initially an indentation in the snow below the surface, but now they are rising up to the surface to be their defining characteristic.



...standby...



I've had a pot of bolognese sauce on the stove for two hours simmering and have to keep an eye on the flavor. Its gonna taste goooooood.

...Weller's Log:
Steve, right after I msg'd you I went to Aspen. Hung out with Tim Clement, had drinks on top of a mountain while watching the sun set, hiked three miles up a canyon with my cousin and skinned up a 2500 ft. mountain before 8:30am. (Steve wanted to know what I was up to, and since I haven't had time to yak on the phone with the Right-Coasters I have to give personal shout-outs.)

The Colorado adventure bug has been prevailing strongly and on top of the above, there was a Rubik's Cube party a few weeks ago. Not as nerdy as you think, and way more fun then you could ever imagine. Unfortunately the stomach bug is stronger and took me out of my Jackson Hole trip in the Middle of Nowhere, Wyoming. Next up is mountain bike season. Its funny how I used to barely be able to ride 5 hours on a road bike, but I can ride six on a mountain bike no problem. I guess those years racing mtn bikes when I started out were worth it.

Its amazing what an early impression will become.


Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Happy Hour(s)

I managed to catch up with a friend the other night for a happy hour drink and burger, $5 burger mind you, at The Attic's all day happy hour. So its not really happy hour and I don't think the beers were discounted either, but any burger on the menu for $5 is a deal.

Catching the end of happy hour at 6:30 is impressive considering I've worked until that time for the last three years, taking the evening shift while spending the mornings training in my previous occupation of professional cyclist. I haven't really switched out of that time frame as I moved on from cycling for multiple reasons, most of which involve recreation.


Like the other morning I was up at 3:45AM to drive up to Berthoud Pass for Dawn Patrol. Bryan, Dave, as well as Stu Gillespie 1 and 2 both started hiking the west ridge around 5:30AM and we were back in town by 10:30 after three laps of skiing. Note: there are two Stu Gillespie's in Boulder...at The University of Colorado...in Law School. Weird.


There is nothing like watching the sunrise at 12,000ft. All is right in the world. And the snow was well worth it.