BikeSnobNYC's Blog, page 5

Would you look at that, it's Friday already, where did the time go, etc.

Many exciting things are awheel here at Tan Tenovo headquarters!

Firstly, today's your last day to enter the Jones SWB Giveaway Contest:


I'm not even linking to the contest rules because I can't handle any more entries.  Just know that if your entry is e-postmarked after 11:59pm today (my time obviously) then I won't consider it.  Flipping through, I will say there are some worthy potential recipients so it's going to be a difficult decision on my part.  Then again, a lot of you are selfish people who don't deserve a bike, so that does make things a bit easier for me.

Secondly, the Tresca came yesterday!


Not to be confused with the soft drink:


Oh, Tresca's in London, and they also threw in some local delicacies:


As soon as the bike arrived I put it together, and this morning I took it out for a ride:


I should point out that my crappy photos don't do the bike justice.  Specifically, while it may look like it's painted grey and black, the "grey" is in fact raw aluminum, which looks really cool.  (At least I think it does, and you've probably noticed I like my bikes either black or metal color.)  Anyway, you can see it better on their Instagram.

As for sweeping pronouncements, I'm not going to make any after only one ride, but let's say for now that I enjoyed that ride very much and I'm looking forward to many more.

Then, if all that wasn't exciting enough, when I got home from my ride two (2) packages were waiting for me.  One of them was this package of brake pads:


See, I'm tuning the braking on my new-to-me "forever" bike (I love this bike and want everything about it to be perfect) and for reasons I won't bore you with I wanted to try these somewhat hard-to-find brake pads.

The other package contained something else for my "forever" bike:


As you may recall, I received the bike with a pair of Mavic Scaryums, which bike dorks know have a bushing in the freehub that can eventually wear out and shriek loudly.  While the freehub in mine is working just fine, there is some play in there, and even though it's extremely easy to open the whole thing up and lube it preemptively from time to time I'm much more the "set it and forget it" type.  So what you see above is an aftermarket kit, available on eBay, that replaces that bushing with a bearing.  I find all of this tremendously exciting, which should give you a good idea of where I'm at in life.  We'll see if it works.

And with that I'm going to sequester myself and spend all weekend reading Jones essay submissions.  Ride safe, ride safely, and above all, ride safe this weekend.

Love,


--Tan Tenovo

I Ride Bikes On Weekdays So You Don't Have To

So the Tresca I was expecting yesterday...

...didn't come.  Not sure what happened but I think it has something to do with customs or something like that (it's coming from the UK), so I'm just going to go ahead and blame Donald Trump and Boris Johnson for it all.  Anyway, Tresca have been very attentive throughout the process, and I'm confident it will arrive soon.  Rest assure I'll let you know the moment I've thrown a leg over it.

Meanwhile, yesterday I mentioned I'm going to miss the Jones SWB once I've given it away, but having spent this morning aboard the Jones LWB I'm feeling much better about it:


Today's ride was a plainclothes ramble featuring mostly dirt and some token singletrack, and it was so pleasant I'd probably have gone even further if only I hadn't spent the first part of the morning finally converting the wheels to tubeless, which is something I should have done as soon as I took the bike out of the box, but which I didn't, because I'm lazy.  The tube-ectomy was a fairly straightforward affair--the bike comes with tubeless-rated tires and taped rims so all you've got to do is supply the valves and the sealant and that's it--but one of the tires was a bit more snug than the other so getting it seated properly took a little bit of doing.  However, you should bear in mind I was using just a regular old-fashioned floor pump, and I'm sure if I had been using one of those tubeless-compatible pumps I'd have shaved a good 15 minutes off the process.  (I really should get one of those already, I don't know why I create the extra work for myself.)

Anyway, theoretically a tubeless setup has less rolling resistance, and there's no doubt that dispensing with two massive 29+ inner tubes nets you some weight savings (can you net an absence of something?), so between that and the smugness that comes with completing a tubeless setup with an old-fashioned floor pump I was feeling positively buoyant--until I rolled through a great big pile of crap roughly 10 minutes into my ride:


This was a tremendous distraction and it mocked me with every wheel revolution, so I stopped at the first available water source in order to wash it off:


This may look bucolic, but it's basically a litter-strewn stream in Yonkers that comes out of a pipe:


First I gave it a little soaking, then I placed the wheel between two rocks where a little eddy was forming.  This sort of served as a spin cycle, and after a few moments of agitation aided by my judicious application of a stick my tire was clean again.
The rest of the ride was blissfully feces-free:

Though I did, despite giving plenty of auditory warning as I approached, scare the absolute crap out of someone walking on the trail.  I'm talking actual terror.  Like the memory of her screams will probably keep me awake tonight.
I think I just need to wear a cowbell from now on.

New Outside Column, Jones Giveaway Update, And More!

If you haven't heard, here in New York City our goofball mayor suggested he'd consider a law forcing Citi Bike riders to wear helmets for some reason, so my latest Outside column is about why this is completely stupid:



In fact, I was so annoyed that I dedicated my radio show yesterday to the same subject, and you can listen here.

My guest was Charles Komanoff, who's like really smart.  Also, he's in his "80th decade," he had just ridden the NYC Century the day before, and he rode me off his wheel through downtown Brooklyn after the show.

Of course, what you're really here for is to find out what's going on with my Jones SWB giveaway, which you've still got time to enter.  So far I've received numerous applications, and I must say I wish I could give each and every one of you a bike.  (Well, okay, not all of you, some of you clearly don't deserve a free bike.)  Alas, I've only got one to give, and choosing a winner will easily be the hardest decision I've had to make since choosing my breakfast this morning.  (Froot Loops with avocado slices in case you're wondering.)  Anyway, I'll keep you posted.

I'll also say that I took a look at the SWB yesterday and two things happened:

1) I got a shot of "gifters' remorse" because it hit me that I really am going to miss that bike;
B) I noticed the chain is in seriously bad shape, which means I may have to replace it--or, more likely, give it to you as is and let you deal with it.

Still, despite number 1, there's no way around the fact I've gotta make room.  In fact, assuming we don't miss each other somehow, today a well-known private package delivery service should be arriving at my door with a new test bike from a new bike company in London called Tresca:


I'm looking forward to trying it as I'm a fan of aluminum race bikes.  In fact, when I was looking for a new park racing bike I figured that's the way I was going to go, but then a nice plastic bike with Dura Ace practically fell into my lap and how could I say no?  Now not only will I get to ride the plastic bike and the aluminum bike back-to-back, but I'll also have one road bike in every flavor (steel, titanium, carbon, and aluminum)--though to be honest I'm sort of worried about that because once that happens you've officially attained a state of uber-Fredness from which there is no return.

Anyway I'll let you know how I like it.

I'm Giving Away My Jones SWB! Here's How To Get It!

I don't have the time, energy, or professionalism to link to the prior posts, but if you've been paying attention you know that Jeff Jones has generously authorized me to give away--yes, give away--the Jones Plus SWB Complete I've been riding (and adoring!) for the past year:


So if I love it so much why am I giving it away?  Well, Jones recently launched the LWB Complete (it comes in knobby and smooth tire version), and sent me one to try:


And after riding both back-to-back I've decided the LWB suits me ever so slightly more:


Therefore I told Jeff Jones I was ready to send the SWB back to him--or I could give it away to one (1) lucky reader, and being the magnanimous fellow he is he opted for the latter.

Okay, so how do you get the bike?  Well, it's simple.  All you have to do is apply, and here's the form:
Instructions
Download the form, print it out, fill it out by hand, and then email it to me.  If you can't find my email YOU DON'T DESERVE THE BIKE.  Supplementary materials (to wit: the essay) may be typed and included in the email as an attachment.  You have until Friday, September 13th to apply, and I can take as long as I want to decide the winner.

Legal, Disclaimers, Etc.
I've ridden this bike a lot so I make no warranties as to its condition, safety, etc.  You will receive it in "as-is" condition.  This bike has been ridden by the world's greatest living cycling writer, which means it is incredibly valuable.  Therefore, if you sell the bike within 90 days of receiving it ("flip") the bicycle I am entitled to 100% of the profit plus a 20% surcharge for attempting to monetize my greatness for your personal gain.  By submitting you allow me to reproduce the entirety of your entry materials on this blog with no compensation to you.  You also acknowledge I have no burden of fairness, and that while I do not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, etc. I will ultimately pick a winner based on all manner of completely subjective and meaningless criteria, including but not limited to your failure to address me with the appropriate level of respect, and/or your my own disgust at your transparent sycophancy.  Also, if I decide to award you the bike, we meet in person, and I decide I don't like you, I am well within my rights to take it back.  (If we meet in person, I decide I don't like you, and I take the bike back, you will be assessed a $50 convenience charge.)

The Bicycle
It's a size medium.  It is black.  I keep my pedals, bottle cage, saddle bag, saddle, and Jones handlebar purse.  (I will include the stock saddle.)  If I award the bicycle to someone who cannot pick it up I will ship the bike to you at your expense.  However, inasmuch as this is a completely unfair contest (see above), you're in a much better position to win the bike if you're able to come get it.  Plus, if the circumstances are right, and it's a nice day and all that, maybe you can bring your pedals and we can do some sort of inaugural ride.  (Though I also wouldn't rule out your throwing it in the bed of your pickup and fucking right off.)

So there it is! 

On an unrelated note, recently I shared my Outside column about department store bikes, and a commenter commented thuswise:
Well I looked up said bike, and on paper anyway I'm not sure how it's any better than this, which is available at a certain gigantic mom-and-pop-smothering retail behemoth:
It even lets you "concur the hills"!

Though admittedly it doesn't come with a titium stem:

Hey, no bike is perfect.

New Outside Column, And More!

As a semi-professional bike blogger and semi-competent parent I'm in a strange place at the moment: summer is, practically speaking, over, and yet school has not yet begun, which means I'm in a sort of limbo.  This is by way of explaining why I have not yet formally announced the rules for my upcoming Jones SWB Bike Giveaway Extravaganza.  But I will be doing so shortly.

In the meantime, here's my latest column for Outside, which is about why you shouldn't ride like an asshole:

Sure it's annoying when people step out into the bike lane, but shouting "Bike lane!" at them instead of, like, feathering your brakes and altering your path slightly is really the pinnacle of douchery.

Speaking of summer, as I mentioned I ended up bringing my new-to-me "forever bike" along with me on vacation, and I'm pleased that I did:


Not only was it ideal for this sort of thing:

But was also sufficient for bacon portaging:


And for some gravel road exploration:


Though at one point I did get in over my head and had to turn around:


We've been vacationing in this same spot for the past four years, but we're never there for very long so while I'm learning my way around it's a slow process akin to picking up "Moby Dick" once a year and reading it for a few hours.  Certainly the Jones would have allowed me to press further, and the more familiar I become with the area the more likely it is I'll choose that bike to accompany me.

Still, as I mentioned, I've grown extremely fond of my vintage Fred sled, and our time away together only served to strengthen the relationship.  Indeed, my only regret is not replacing the worn Campagnolo Ergo hoods before I left, as they were beginning to hang off the levers like oversized hoodies.  Instead, I installed new ones immediately upon my return, and it's like riding a new bike.  So I guess what I'm saying is, if you've been pining for a new bike, just get some new brake hoods and you'll be 90% of the way there.

Of course, the ultimate would have been taking both the Fred sled and the Jones, but I was on vacation and I wanted to keep it simple.  Also, I brought the kids' bikes with me, even though they invariably (and understandably) choose lake time over saddle time.  The Saris SuperClamp EX handled two bikes out back with no problem:


And the runt of the litter rode up top:


Getting the roof rack to work with the tiny bike wasn't as straightforward as it looks, but by reversing a few things I made it happen--though the two (2) bells and the penguin horn made mincemeat of my fuel economy.

I should also mention that on one rainy day we did take a day trip to the New York State Museum in Albany, our glorious capital, which was even more interesting than I expected it to be--and it even had some token bike content!


I actually set off the alarm when I leaned in for a closer look:


Hey, it's no Classic Cycle, but what New Yorker wouldn't dork out over a historical century ride rest stop list?


Here's a closer look:

Roughly five seconds of popular search engine jockeying reveals what at least one of those establishments looked like at the time:


And just think, they did it all without gravel bikes.

And that wasn't the only museum we visited, either.  Did you know there's a replica of the Star Trek set in Ticonderoga?  Well we didn't, but we stumbled upon it while availing ourselves of the local laundromat:


I'm not even remotely a Trekkie, but my elder son and I took the tour anyway, and we both thoroughly enjoyed it:


Sure, I could have taken my son to visit Fort Ticonderoga right down the road, but Star Trek is obviously a more significant component of our national identity.

Anyway, upon returning to the city I pivoted to my plastic bike and partook in the final club race of the season, which I'm pleased to report I passed:


This bike has just a fraction of the personality of the "forever bike" (though that could be because, apart from a longer stem, it's set up exactly the way it emerged from the box), and when I'm setting out for a road ride I choose the latter almost exclusively.  Nevertheless, the plastic bike is a truly stupendous park racer.  I doubt that it's meaningfully faster than the "forever bike," but when you hop onto a bike that's probably four pounds lighter it sure feels that way.  Also, while I adore the ker-THUNK of Campagnolo 10 speed (not sure the 11 and 12 speed groups have the same ker-THUNK, I have yet to try them), batting at a brand-new Dura Ace shifter is so fast and smooth it leaves you wondering what the point of electronic shifting is.  (I loved the Di2 on the Tan Tenovo, but I also don't miss it at all.)

Then, after reading James Huang's story on Engin in CyclingTips, I hopped aboard my own:


Apart from the builder, this bike has virtually nothing in common with the bike in the story.  Also, what with its primitive 135mm spacing and QR axles, "narrow" tires, rigid fork, and one-speed drivetrain, it's hopelessly dated and wildly off-trend.

In other words, it's perfect.

New Outside Column!

Still not done with vacation.  Hard to form words.  I did make an Outside thing though and here it is:

There are no crappy bikes, just crappy people. 

Even so, I did not take a department store bike on my vacation.  Instead, after much deliberation, I decided to take my vintage new-to-me "forever bike" instead of the Jones:


Overall, I'm very pleased with my choice.  For one thing, I must confess I've grown to positively adore this (almost) 20 year-old hunk of titanium and I'm relishing riding it on a daily basis.  For another, this is a family vacation and realistically I wasn't going to be undertaking the sorts of all-day explorations for which the Jones is best suited anyway.  Instead I'm waking up early, undertaking short jaunts, and then spending the rest of the day swimming and grilling--and when you're carefully rationing your leisure time a road bike is the way to go.  (Indeed, carefully rationing your leisure time is the very essence of being a roadie, a default state that, for all my be-jorted ramblings, I seem unable to escape.)

Finally, speaking of the Jones, as I mentioned I will be giving away the SWB:


Rest assured I've been meditating on how best to do so during my vacation, and you can expect a formal announcement as to how you can put forth a claim on this bike in the coming days.

Okay, that's enough mental effort from me.  Getting hard to think and type.  Back to vacapaoierapais,,,,,,apdse

This Just In: I'm Giving Away A Bike!

I am an extremely selfish individual.  See, since 2007, I've been providing you with free content on this blog and elsewhere, only occasionally asking you cheapskates to, you know, buy a book or maybe some coffee.  And fine, there was that one time I asked you to donate to my radio show.  (This past Monday's show is available here, by the way.  For free.)

Wait, did I say selfish?  What I meant was extraordinarily fucking gracious.

Nevertheless, you're no doubt sitting there thinking, "Big deal.  What the hell have you done for me lately?  I want free stuff!"  And it's true, there was a time when I gave away free bikes, and free Knog lights at my book signings signings, and even free beer back when I could be bothered to throw together a (free) group ride.

Well, guess what?  For the first time in years, I'll be giving away a free bike again!  (Unless of course you count the fact that I gave away both the Univega and the Chain Reaction bike I rode at Eroica California this past spring--which, come to think of it, you totally should, you ungrateful schnorrers.  And let's also remember that I've donated not one but two of my bikes to the Classic Cycles bicycle museum.)

I'm not giving away just any bike, either.  I'm giving away yet another piece of cycling history, and here it is:


That's right, what you're looking at is my Jones SWB Plus Complete.  So why am I giving away one of the best bikes I've ever owned?  Because now that I've got the long wheelbase version I've decided I like it ever so slightly better, and as an apartment-dwelling urbanite it's kind of absurd for me to be hanging onto both bicycles.  So I let Jeff Jones know that I was ready to return it, though I also suggested giving it away in some sort of contest if he was open to that, and one of you people is very lucky because he graciously agreed.

So how will the contest work?  Well, here's an FAQ:

How will the contest work?

I have no idea yet, but I plan to come up with something.  I think it should go to someone who, unlike me, will use the bike to its fullest by putting bags on it and stuff.  Maybe I'll require an essay about the first ride you plan to do on it or something like that.  I'm open to suggestions.

Who will be eligible to enter?

I guess technically anybody, though I don't see myself shipping the bike internationally, and I'd love to not have to ship the bike at all, so I imagine you'll be at a considerable advantage if you live in or around New York City or you're willing to come get the bike.

Will the contest be fair?

No, see above.

What's the size and condition of the bike?

This is the medium-sized Jones SWB Plus Complete.  I have ridden it quite a bit so it could no doubt use some attention, and it's probably getting close to new chain and tires time, but it's completely rideable as is.  I keep my pedals, bottle cage, and saddle.  (I'll reinstall the stock saddle.)  It does not come with the Jones handlebar purse, either.  

When will you formally announce the rules of the contest?

Maybe tomorrow, or else after my vacation.  Don't go sending me any essays yet.  I don't even know if I'm going to go that route anyway.  I could just as easily make everybody race up an area Strava segment and determine the winner that way. 

Can I request a different color?

NO!  You're actually getting my bike, don't you understand that?  You don't get to make any choices.  Anyway, it only comes in black.  The LWB comes in black or red.  If you want a red bike and you hate getting stuff for free then buy yourself a LWB in either smooth or knobby tire configuration.

So there it is!  Stay tuned for details!  And feel free to offer your input and suggestions in the comments, bearing in mind of course that I'll feel free to disregard it if so inclined!

New Outside Column!

Yeah, that's right, I rode my bike to the airport recently and I totally can't get over myself:
So obviously I'm getting a dedicated airport bike now; I'm just deliberating over which material. 

Casting Call Part III

After auditioning the Plastic Fred Sled yesterday for vacation duty, today I headed out on the New-To-Me "Forever" Bike:


There's just something about this bike that really works for me.  I don't know if it's the mystical properties of the titanium, or some accident of geometry and components, or the fact that it's the bike I wished I had when I was in my 20s, or what.  Whatever the reason it immediately knocked the Plastic Fred Sled out of the running.

So do I bring this or the Jones?  Well...

Pros:
You can't go wrong with a road bikeThis will cover me for everything save for full-on trail ridingI really like this bikeCons:Not really any good for t-shirt-and-jorts-type ramblesI guess I'll next week will be a showdown between this and the Jones.  Then again, in past years I've always brought a road bike (my Milwaukee, usually) and never regretted it.  As for why I'm not bringing the Milwaukee, the short answer is it's in commuter mode and it needs a fair amount of work to be vacation-worthy.  And for those of you who suggested some sort of gravel or cyclocross bike, the reason I'm not going that way is: A) I currently don't own a gravel or cyclocross bike (unless you county my Surly Travelers Check, which is currently a singlespeed, and also currently packed away in its case); 2) The reason I don't own either kind of bike is that for my purposes they don't really offer that much more utility than a road bike, and if I'm doing a ride that a road bike can't handle I'd rather just ride the Jones.
So there it is.  I've got plenty of time to decide, or I could always take two vacations, one for each bike.

Casting Call Part Deux

As I mentioned yesterday, I'm currently auditioning bikes for a chance to accompany me on my vacation this year.  Yesterday it was the Jones Plus LWB, and today it's my plastic Fred Sled, upon which I just took a quick spin:


Pros:

You can't go wrong with a road bikeEverything's practically brand new so all the moving parts are smooth and snappyI don't particularly care about weight, but there is definitely something fun about very light road bikes, especially on climbs, of which there are plenty where I'm goingI pretty much only use this bike for racing (using the same bike for riding and racing is like totally gauche), so it would be good to spend some more time together for a changeCons:Using the same bike for riding and racing is like totally gaucheI don't particularly care about weightI'm not crazy about the ergonomics of the cockpit, though I can't be bothered to do anything about it until the tape needs to be replaced, which at this rate will probably be neverIt's a really nice bike, though because I only use it for racing it feels kind of like packing a pair of Banana Republic slacksSo much to ponder!  Good thing I don't have a real job.