For those of you who haven't heard it, there is a downloadable interview with Grant on Sheldonbrown.com/podcasts/. Grant puts forth his philosophy (for those that are not familiar with it) that the skinny tired, clipped in race bike discourages bike use because people don't need that equipment unless they're pros. I suppose this is true for most people and it is true that in Europe where bikes are transport and not just recreation, the bikes resemble what Grant would like Americans to experience. BUT ... this is somehow not true for many list members and some aging friends of mine who are not currently racing and/or have splotchy racing pasts. I think we, (taking the liberty for speaking for others) love our racy bikes and for us, the small discomforts are worth the thrills. I personally love to fantasize that I am in a gritty, hell for leather, bicycle competition, even if it's just three guys sprinting for the next stand of trees. I love to see how much I can lean the bike into the turns, and I marvel at a fine race bike's ability to follow the line intuitively. The old steel street racers performed wonderfully on day trips and in race duty. It was bred into those PX-10's and the like. Steel makes harsh skinny tires bearable and they won't sting your hands or cripple you either. Without even resorting to 650 tires and longer reach brakes you can stick on 700x25 tires and enjoy some of the best of both worlds, comfort and raciness. A bike can be as much about having a boy racer fantasy as taking a picnic lunch into the country. Maybe it isn't coincidence that the popularity of full suspension bicycles came about at the same time that aluminum frames became the norm. Without a springy frame to absorb the blows, you need some fancy mechanicals underneath you. Grant understands a lot, but he doesn't get all of it - not me, and not my ready for retirement friends.
Garth Libre in Miami fl USA