Pro-team bikes...

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  • teagar
    teagar Posts: 2,100
    vision267 wrote:
    The cannondale is a superb bike,Sean Kelly used it and he really liked it good enough for me.


    Excellent. Some ex-pro opinions!

    We need more of this!
    Note: the above post is an opinion and not fact. It might be a lie.
  • FransJacques
    FransJacques Posts: 2,148
    Some good shots of the Sky Pinarellos. 3 things I noticed:

    Claw-type pedals are converging on design: http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/pho ... 0-1/101476 The new Keo Max II (I have since Nov) and the new DA carbo pedal are really close in overall execution - carbo body, metal cleat bed. Both are sure winners for the likes of us on the forum.

    Pinarellos have low head tubes, no and ifs or buts about it, which is why Cyclefit who espouse the baseball bat for a head tube drive their customers to Serotta. Seems to me Ben Swift is a young guy with a really flexible lumbar region - good on ya Ben! Must come from his years on the track: http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/pho ... 0-1/101479 That stem is slammed - not even a conical spacer - that sucker is right on the top cap of the headset. Wow.

    Lastly, since the rig has all the bells and whistles: power meter, deep wheels, Di2 with battery, sunroof, A/C, full size spare, spoked wheel covers, run flat tires, etc. I'm not surprised it's a porker at 7.7 kgs. The bigger guys like Wiggo who ride 58s/59s would be over 8 kgs maybe?

    This totally backs up Wiggos twitter.
    When a cyclist has a disagreement with a car; it's not who's right, it's who's left.
  • pedro118118
    pedro118118 Posts: 1,102
    Funny how any discussion about 'bike bling' brings out some grouch, who boasts about ripping the legs of some 'poseur on a Pinarello'. Well good for you, I hope your cup of self-esteem runneth over.

    In all honesty, if a ProTour team is prepared to ride it, it is pretty much going to be fit for purpose isn't. Especially when you shod it with the best groupo/wheels on the market.

    For mere mortals like me, it comes down to a combination of weight, stiffness, comfort and looks doesn't it (not necessarily in that order!). Personally, I like the Cervelos, which certainly seem to peform well and look very classy. The again, I happen to like BMWs.

    Italian bikes are too fussy.

    I hear the Canyon bikes that Lotto ride are super light, super stiff and super fast and they also look very classy/understated.
  • liamg
    liamg Posts: 193
    They are also extremely good value for money.
    Blogs:
    http://kinesismorvelo-liam-glen.posterous.com/
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  • sherer
    sherer Posts: 2,460
    calvjones wrote:
    This discussion is over:

    http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/isd-to- ... es-in-2010

    A Snuglife in 56 for me please! :shock:

    Oh Mario, where did it all go wrong?

    they look good, only thing is i'm not sure if it will take two cages based on the curve in the frame.

    jersey looked better last year but anything with Cippo's name on it is a must have
  • paulcuthbert
    paulcuthbert Posts: 1,016
    Goes without saying that Trek have dominated Grand Tours in the last decade. I count 11 GT victories in since 1999...
    The most painful climb in Northern Ireland http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs200.snc1/6776_124247198694_548863694_2335754_8016178_n.jpg
  • FransJacques
    FransJacques Posts: 2,148
    The other significant factor which was oft quoted in the Sheitmano vs Campy debate was that until 1999 Sheitmano had never won a tour.

    Of the last 11, Campy's only won 1 - Oscar's default win.
    When a cyclist has a disagreement with a car; it's not who's right, it's who's left.
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Paul - even Mr Armstrong said it wasnt about the bike.... :-)
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    paulcuthbert wrote:
    Goes without saying that Trek have dominated Grand Tours in the last decade. I count 11 GT victories in since 1999...

    I count 13
    I like bikes...

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  • disgruntledgoat
    disgruntledgoat Posts: 8,957
    redddraggon wrote:
    paulcuthbert wrote:
    Goes without saying that Trek have dominated Grand Tours in the last decade. I count 11 GT victories in since 1999...

    I count 13

    Yup 13

    1999 Tour with Armstrong
    2000. Tour with Armstrong
    2001 Tour with Armstrong
    2002 Tour with Armstrong
    2003 Tour with Armstrong, Vuelta with Heras
    2004 Tour with Armstrong
    2005 Giro with Savoldelli, Tour with Armstrong
    2006 Nowt
    2007 Tour with Contador
    2008 Giro with Contador, Vuelta with Contador
    2009Tour with Contador

    NB, maybe paul wasn't neglecting Heras and ll Falco, he just wasn't counting the 2 tours where Armstrong was riding other peoples bikes repainted.
    "In many ways, my story was that of a raging, Christ-like figure who hauled himself off the cross, looked up at the Romans with blood in his eyes and said 'My turn, sock cookers'"

    @gietvangent
  • teagar
    teagar Posts: 2,100
    But are the trek victories a victory for the bike makers, because their bike was so excellent, or the marketing guys, who backed the right team/rider?
    Note: the above post is an opinion and not fact. It might be a lie.
  • disgruntledgoat
    disgruntledgoat Posts: 8,957
    teagar wrote:
    But are the trek victories a victory for the bike makers, because their bike was so excellent, or the marketing guys, who backed the right team/rider?

    Marketing no doubt. Or Pro-Conti teams with smaller bike sponsors would never win anything. Witness the 2005 Giro where Selle Italia put a guy on to podium, took the mountains jersey and 3 stages.
    "In many ways, my story was that of a raging, Christ-like figure who hauled himself off the cross, looked up at the Romans with blood in his eyes and said 'My turn, sock cookers'"

    @gietvangent
  • teagar
    teagar Posts: 2,100
    disgruntledgoat wrote:
    teagar wrote:
    But are the trek victories a victory for the bike makers, because their bike was so excellent, or the marketing guys, who backed the right team/rider?

    Marketing no doubt. Or Pro-Conti teams with smaller bike sponsors would never win anything. Witness the 2005 Giro where Selle Italia put a guy on to podium, took the mountains jersey and 3 stages.

    So are we throwing out the 13 GT victories for Trek as evidence for being a good bike?

    So far, the 'dale is the only front runner with a Sean Kelly recomendation.
    Note: the above post is an opinion and not fact. It might be a lie.
  • disgruntledgoat
    disgruntledgoat Posts: 8,957
    teagar wrote:
    disgruntledgoat wrote:
    teagar wrote:
    But are the trek victories a victory for the bike makers, because their bike was so excellent, or the marketing guys, who backed the right team/rider?

    Marketing no doubt. Or Pro-Conti teams with smaller bike sponsors would never win anything. Witness the 2005 Giro where Selle Italia put a guy on to podium, took the mountains jersey and 3 stages.

    So are we throwing out the 13 GT victories for Trek as evidence for being a good bike?

    So far, the 'dale is the only front runner with a Sean Kelly recomendation.

    I don't think you're following my argument. I'm saying that frame-wise there is probably little percievable performance diffrerence between any of the Pro Teams bikes at any given time other than personal preference. Hence the Kelly quote.

    On another thread GTTS reckons a titanium Le Mond was the best bike he ever had. I'm sure you could find quotes to heap praise on many different pro steeds.
    "In many ways, my story was that of a raging, Christ-like figure who hauled himself off the cross, looked up at the Romans with blood in his eyes and said 'My turn, sock cookers'"

    @gietvangent
  • neeb
    neeb Posts: 4,473
    Anyone ridden one of the current Lapierres, as used by Française des Jeux? They seem to pretty competitively priced for pro-team level bikes. The frames are very light too, which would make me suspicious if they weren't good enough for the pros...
  • teagar
    teagar Posts: 2,100
    disgruntledgoat wrote:
    teagar wrote:
    disgruntledgoat wrote:
    teagar wrote:
    But are the trek victories a victory for the bike makers, because their bike was so excellent, or the marketing guys, who backed the right team/rider?

    Marketing no doubt. Or Pro-Conti teams with smaller bike sponsors would never win anything. Witness the 2005 Giro where Selle Italia put a guy on to podium, took the mountains jersey and 3 stages.

    So are we throwing out the 13 GT victories for Trek as evidence for being a good bike?

    So far, the 'dale is the only front runner with a Sean Kelly recomendation.

    I don't think you're following my argument. I'm saying that frame-wise there is probably little percievable performance diffrerence between any of the Pro Teams bikes at any given time other than personal preference. Hence the Kelly quote.

    On another thread GTTS reckons a titanium Le Mond was the best bike he ever had. I'm sure you could find quotes to heap praise on many different pro steeds.
    Fair enough.

    I'm just trying to get a consensus! I think we're all in agreement that the bike within reason makes no bloody difference -but that doesn't mean there isn't some kind of hierarchy.

    If all the pros could choose which bike they rode, money no object (ignoring any money they may receive riding it) what would it be?!?!
    Note: the above post is an opinion and not fact. It might be a lie.
  • disgruntledgoat
    disgruntledgoat Posts: 8,957
    At a guess, going on culling my memory of 8 years of buying and reading pro-cycling everymonth, a nerds obsession with interviews with pros and following the sport more than is healthy... The names that seemed to crop up more often (and this is from memory) were custom Colnagos, back when the C40 was king, De Rosa and Cervelo always seem to get a great response even from those who've moved on.
    "In many ways, my story was that of a raging, Christ-like figure who hauled himself off the cross, looked up at the Romans with blood in his eyes and said 'My turn, sock cookers'"

    @gietvangent
  • cswebbo
    cswebbo Posts: 220
    Agree with the above post.
    Colnago's used to be streets ahead of the rest.
    This was clearly the case with their carbon C-40 model.
    I guess working with Ferrari on the c-35 tt model gave them the advantage on carbon over other early carbon frames from the likes of Specialised/Look/Trek.

    This forced other manufacturers to look to Asia, and Giant in particular, then took it further with monocoque designs.

    This brings us up to now, where there is very little in it across many manufacturers/designs. Personally i would still consider Time and Giant as best for quality.
  • teagar
    teagar Posts: 2,100
    cswebbo wrote:
    Personally i would still consider Time and Giant as best for quality.

    Why?
    Note: the above post is an opinion and not fact. It might be a lie.
  • shinyhelmut
    shinyhelmut Posts: 1,364
    cswebbo wrote:
    I guess working with Ferrari on the c-35 tt model gave them the advantage on carbon over other early carbon frames from the likes of Specialised/Look/Trek.

    That'd be the car manufacturer not the Dr I take it? :lol:

    I too would be interested to hear your reasoning for feeling Time & Giant are the best for quality.
  • disgruntledgoat
    disgruntledgoat Posts: 8,957
    ShinyHelmut wrote:
    cswebbo wrote:
    I guess working with Ferrari on the c-35 tt model gave them the advantage on carbon over other early carbon frames from the likes of Specialised/Look/Trek.

    That'd be the car manufacturer not the Dr I take it? :lol:

    I too would be interested to hear your reasoning for feeling Time & Giant are the best for quality.

    I know TIme are one of the few European manufacturers who make their own Carbon Fibre, maybe this allwos to them to produce a higher quality than other manufacturers or, more specifically, a grade better suited for bike manufacture in a quantity of their choosing. Rather than having to buy in standard grades for ecomomies sake.
    "In many ways, my story was that of a raging, Christ-like figure who hauled himself off the cross, looked up at the Romans with blood in his eyes and said 'My turn, sock cookers'"

    @gietvangent
  • dougzz
    dougzz Posts: 1,833
    I'm sure I've read somewhere that LA's first 2 TdFs were won on a LIghtspeed, although it was Trek badged by the team for sponsorship reasons.
    Can't remember where I read this.
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    dougzz wrote:
    I'm sure I've read somewhere that LA's first 2 TdFs were won on a LIghtspeed, although it was Trek badged by the team for sponsorship reasons.
    Can't remember where I read this.

    His TT bike was a Litespeed Blade. His Road bike was a Trek though.
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  • sherer
    sherer Posts: 2,460
    redddraggon wrote:
    dougzz wrote:
    I'm sure I've read somewhere that LA's first 2 TdFs were won on a LIghtspeed, although it was Trek badged by the team for sponsorship reasons.
    Can't remember where I read this.

    His TT bike was a Litespeed Blade. His Road bike was a Trek though.

    yes this is what I read too. The road bike was still a Trek only the TT was a litespeed and think that was only for the first too anyway
  • shinyhelmut
    shinyhelmut Posts: 1,364
    Yep, Trek didn't make a viable TT bike at the time. They do seem to have caught up since though. I might even be persuaded to swap my Isaac Joule for their new speed concept but only if they threw in a di2 groupset :wink:

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