I have often been called a curmudgeon but I'd rather think of myself
as a realist and anytime something achieves the status of icon (as do
the K'sOF) I get nervous.
In that spirit, and at the risk of being flamed (especially by
Chuck) some thoughts about this interesting topic. First let me note
that one of my favorite bikes ever was a Tom Kellogg (whose name has yet
to come up as a KOF) built specifically for the Master's national
criterium championships in Allentown, PA. It was a beautiful crit bike
that handled like it was supposed to -- like a quarter horse. It didn't
go down hills so good. I've also owned a number of Marinoni's (also a
name yet to be mentioned). They were beautiful to look at also, but
varied in how they "fit." Just because a bike is built by a KOF does
not mean it is built by the G-d's. Some are good, some have down hill
wobbles, some don't fit, etc. Over the years I have known guys who have
taken delivery of their new custom ride only to find they just cannot
get used to them and end up quickly selling them to someone more
tolerant. A lot of them are, excuse me on this, heavy. Even if you
don't race but go out with the guys on the weekend for a nice ride, when
the hills come and the #2%& hits the fan I know I am, as they say, on
the rivet, and want as little weight as I can safely get by with (and no
I cannot loose any more weight). Pure ego....I don't want to get
dropped so, heaven forbid, I ride my Colnago C40 with Campy carbon
wheels. But, ss was done earlier, to dismiss the guy who hefts the
custom KOF bike and says how great it looks but a bit too heavy, is
patently unfair. We can't also dismiss the pros as only driven by money
and sponsorship demands when they ride the lightest bike they can. As
has been talked about on this list before, the bike may say one thing on
it but underneath it may very well be something else. None of them
would climb on anything but the lightest machine they could get their
hands on. Some of them (and I've interviewed a lot of them, reporters
included) climb the cols on one bike and switch at the top to a heavier
machine because the light one is just to dangerous on the rounds and
downs. Light, for them, does count.....and don't say well you can
always loose a few lbs because they, at any rate, have no lbs to loose.
So, I very much appreciate that group of guys known as the KOFs but,
on the other hand......some of this ugly stuff works very well for the
purpose that it was made for -- usually going fast.
And to further dig myself into a hole. I love Campy Record
equipment. But, on a day to day basis, I ride Shimano or Campy 9/10
speeda with brakelever shifting. Have you ever tried to shift your
downtube levers while you are climbing a hill out of the saddle. If you
have, and succeeded without falling over, you're a better man than I.
That, oftentimes carbon equipment, allows you shift into a bigger or
smaller gear without ever sitting down. Again, an amazing advantage
when you are already on the edge of blowing up and are terrified that
the wheel in front of you is slowly moving away .......forever.
Conclusion........This is the CR list but perspective and a little
balance nice.
Edward Albert
Chappaqua, NY