e-RICHIE wrote:
> the next race you're in that has an attack on a climb,
> or a hilltop group finish, i hope you're on some
> good juice. there is NO WAY to be competitive on
> an ascent when all around you are standing and shifting
> as you decide to shift gears and realize that you must sit
> first to activate the gear levers. ergopower and sti rule.
Hmm, I used to shift while standing, won some sprints that way, and I have never used STI or Ergo. Actually have never ridden a bike with them even around the block. My crit bike had one bar-end for the rear (can't remember why I left the front on the downtube); my road race bike had two bar-ends. I can remember two sprints I won probably mostly because I could shift standing and the guys next to me couldn't, both hill-tops.
Did you never use bar-ends back in the day, or do you feel they too are uncompetitive?
I vote with those who say a thoughtfully set up old bike needn't hinder a competitor today in any important way, if you fit a 12 cog and bar-ends. I know it's bad for business to talk like that, but I'm not in the business anymore.
Though there is that pesky psychological factor - if you think your bike is slow, then it will be. If you think you need an 18 cog and all you've got is 17 or 19, then your legs start hurting, where they wouldn't if you *thought* you had a straight block. Affects some people more than others, but probably nobody is completely immune.
Mark Bulgier
Seattle, Wa
USA