Yesterday marked my long ride ever, coming in at approximately 139 miles as a part of the Rapha Gentlemen’s Race. We headed out to the beach (Lincoln City) on Friday evening and stayed in a suite at the Inn at Spanish Head thanks to team president Jim who served as sugar daddy for the evening. [...]
Archive for January, 2010
Build-A-Bike
Posted By Adam Edgerton on January 29th, 2010
My current do-it-all bike has served me well for four years now (including surviving two Oregon winters), but it’s about time to retire it to full-time rain bike status. It still has original components – a mix of 9-speed Dura Ace and Ultegra. It’s been crashed, spokes broken, 5-gallon bucket handles wrapped around the fork, scratched, scraped, and yet somehow it has persevered mostly the better for wear.
So here’s to you, Leader Bike USA for making affordable only-semi-crappy bikes that perform admirably and hold up really well. That affordable part was a life-saver in college.
Now, on to the new.
I’ve been saving for the past 8 months and I’m finally acquiring everything to put together a bike that will put everything I’ve ever ridden to shame. Thanks to some great Team Oregon sponsors this year, I’ll be on a bike that would cost upwards of $5,000 retail. When everything is acquired, it will cost me significantly less. This year is also the first year where I’ve truly hit my stride in training, and my form this year should be deserving of a fast bike.
I’m also replacing some old gear that probably outlived its expected life by several years:
New Shoes: Specialized BG Pro Carbon road shoes
New Glasses: Rudy Project Rydons
Here’s what the bike will consist of. You’re going to have to use your imagination for now to put everything together. Pictures coming once everything gets here and it’s built.
Frame/Fork/Seatpost: Blue AC1
Component Groupo: SRAM Force
Wheels: Rol Race SL (these are from last season, but still in great shape. Depending on budget later in the season, I’ve got my eye on a set of American Classic Carbon 58s for crits and flatter races.)
Bars: Ritchey Pro Logic II
Stem: TBD after custom fitting. Something stiff and alloy (not carbon).
Saddle: Fizik Arione CX Kium
Tires: Schwalbe Ultremo
Pedals: Speedplay Zero
Bottle Cages: Something not carbon that looks cool (that’s what it’s all about, right?)
With all that newness, I’m probably going to have to drop it in the parking lot before I race it for the first time to get the first scratch out of the way early to make sure it’s not a big one.
Posted in Cycling