Re: [CR] Now: Makes a difference? Was: To ride or not/fairly short

(Example: Framebuilding:Technology)

From: <GPVB1@cs.com>
Subject: Re: [CR] Now: Makes a difference? Was: To ride or not/fairly short
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Date: Mon, 9 Sep 2002 23:44:28 EDT

Brian:

All I can say is:

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

(My apologies for the "attaboy," post, Dale.... I promise to be less of a PITA now).

Greg Parker A2 MI USA


> Date: Mon, 09 Sep 2002 15:31:53 -0700
> From: Brian Baylis <rocklube@adnc.com>
> Reply-To: rocklube@adnc.com
> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Subject: Re: [CR]Now:Makes a difference? Was:To ride or not/fairly short...
>
> Chuck et all,
>
> Just a little something for us commoners to think about when considering
> the issue of weight. The pros make their living by winning or losing.
> EVERYTHING is important under those circumstances. But we, unlike Lance
> and the boys, have to PAY for our equipment. We also expect to own the
> bike for a long period of time, which these guys don't. If the bike
> makes it through the season, and they sometimes don't, they couldn't
> care less. There's another one to take it's place, free! People in that
> position can afford to obsess over miniscule amounts of weight because
> it's skin off of someone else's behind. If you are a modern racer and
> expect to think and act like the big dogs; the notion leaves as soon as
> you have to pay for everything that doesn't work or breaks in short
> order. Racing ain't cheap, unless you're a trackie; then you might get by
> with a pair or two of tires per season. No one seems overly concerned
> about weight at the track under most circumstances. Old bikes do the
> trick quite well at the velodrome. Any wonder why I raced the track for
> my last few seasons? The insanity of yearly component changes etc. is
> practically not there.
>
> My feeling is if you race or like to ride that way then get one bike for
> that and spend the rest of your cake on classic stuff that is actually
> more practical to own from my view. It will also maintain it's value
> over the years whereas your modern bike is already a loss right out the
> door.
>
> I gave up in disgust with the "bike industry" when 10 speed cassettes
> became a reality. Sure, if you race then you are driven to "keep up with
> the Jones"; but what about the rest of us? The industry has been all
> about marketing ever since Shimano put the pedal to the metal. They (the
> industry) should have stopped at the 7 speed cassette period in my
> opinion. From there it's been all about who comes out with the next
> higher number of cogs and how many times they can use the words "carbon
> fiber and titanium" while pitching their groups, and then jamming it
> down everyone's throat. The industry must survive so that many will have
> jobs; but what's next, electronic shifting???? ;-)!
>
> I like the bicycle mainly because it is a simple and efficient machine
> that is designed to work in harmony with the human being at the
> controls. When the components become so complex, incompatable, and non
> user serviceable and shortlived as they are rapidly becoming; I lose
> interest in them. Might as well have a motorcycle or a car at that
> point. For the bike industry to have come to this is inescapable; but it
> doesn't mean I have to follow along or even like it. If others choose to
> keep pace with the madness then be my guest; it's simply no longer for
> me. I grow more fond of the old ways each passing day. Not on account of
> nostalgia, I'm not really into that; it's only because I like things
> simple and easy to work on. There isn't any bike part I couldn't work on
> if I wanted to; but what's the point when so much good stuff is still at
> hand to use? Modern bikes deserve modern parts. I can even see building
> a classic frame for modern parts, the best of both worlds if you see it
> that way; but I won't be building anything for myself for modern parts.
> Hard to explain, but I just don't like the stuff. If someone wants to
> send me a free modern group to try and change my mind I'll gladly beat
> it up for them; it might even change my mind a little bit. One thing for
> sure though, I will not buy a modern group for myself ever again.
>
> Becomming obsessed with weight as a common man seems a bit over the top
> to me. Not that I pass judgment on those who like to carry on so, but
> I'll pass on it myself. I know what weight consciousness is all about;
> I used to be a time trialer in my early days. It's fun to a point if one
> has a purpose. But to do it to keep pace with your "friends" is what the
> marketing types want from you; not that there's anything wrong with
> that. For you, not for me. I know "the industry" does not benefit from
> our interest in vintage stuff; too damn bad! My priorities are directed
> elsewhere.
>
> Brian Baylis
> La Mesa, CA