This dead horse is back on all fours. As I remember a thread a year or two ago that had the same issues were being discussed.
As you watch this years Tour as Lance does his beautiful out of the saddle climbing think about him having to seat down everytime he would shift gears. I don't think he would even consider that as an option after riding STI.
Now for the Cost of repairs:
Tom: 1972 Gitane with Weinmann centerpulls and bar cons: $5 Weinmann lever at swap meet, $6 bottle of touch up paint. Maybe $25 at LBS to check alignment, if crash is really bad. (Band aids not included).
Lance: 200x Trek Carbon fibre with Dura Ace 10 Speed: Brake levers $269, Frame $2,500+. Plus the fork may be toast too. We'll assume band aids are the same in both cases. Even if only the brake levers are damaged, I'm too cheap to ride something that can cost 2 C notes if you break an exposed part.
Me on my Rauler, the only one of it's kind to have been seen by list members, along with it's Campagnolo 50th grouppo #0652. I think I would rather replace a Trek because I can. It might not be so special to some of you, but think of some of the rides that you all own.........can they be replaced, or fixed in their condition, as they are now..not new condition, I don't think so.
Mark Poore, thinking replacing a Carbon Trek is easier than replacing a Chevy. Got a 6 mile climb in today in preperation for watching this years Tour.
Slatyfork, WV
---------------------------------
Do you Yahoo!?
Win a $20,000 Career Makeover at Yahoo! HotJobs