Tom is happy , Mike Sinyard is happier!

I can't wait for the dust to settle so in 10 years I can buy a bike with disc brakes, tubeless tires, and 12 cogs in back.

Brendan Rigby said:

http://www.velonews.com/2017/01/news/tech-milestone-boonen-wins-first-race-with-disc-brake-bike_429063

It's a heavy bike, 7.8kg.  .9kg over the limit is pretty heavy these days.  I know about the benefits of aero and all, but it's a sign you won't see it on climbing stages and a reminder that if the weight minimum goes away, disc brakes might not look as attractive to pro's.  I've also heard that the brakes on the rim-brake Venge Vias, even when perfect are kind of sucky, so that also might be why you're seeing discs on his bike.

Methinks that Specialized really wants this win, probably far more than Tom.

where'd you find the weight?  the only weight i can find in the two minutes i googled is 7.0 kg? http://www.velonews.com/2016/07/bikes-and-tech/first-ride-specialized-venge-vias-disc_414624 . . . i guess that weight is with eTap?

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/news/article/fausto-pinarello-we-dont-think-a-high-performance-bike-needs-disc-brakes-49043/
#resist

people can change their minds!  jeremy clarkson enjoyed driving the i8 more than the m3

from Dec 1st 2016.Pro riders wary of disc brakes according to new survey 

http://www.velonews.com/2016/12/news/pro-riders-wary-of-disc-brakes-according-to-new-survey_425659

// Regardless, expectation is that a few years from now, we will all be riding w/ discs brakes. In fact, this statement is probably true for most people reading this: your next bicycle will have discs brakes.

Brendan Rigby said:

people can change their minds!  jeremy clarkson enjoyed driving the i8 more than the m3

Jeremy Clarkson is also a racist, sexist windbag that looks 20 years older than he actually is because he thinks walking or riding a bicycle or any type of physical activity is beneath him (and his continuously growing stomach).

#fuckthatguy

Brendan Rigby said:

where'd you find the weight?  the only weight i can find in the two minutes i googled is 7.0 kg? http://www.velonews.com/2016/07/bikes-and-tech/first-ride-specialized-venge-vias-disc_414624 . . . i guess that weight is with eTap?

http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/tom-boonens-2017-quick-step-floors-specialized-s-works-venge-vias-disc/

"Total bicycle weight: 7.8kg "

But nearly 2lbs lighter? Would be a stretch, especially if you want to keep the secret motor and battery.

Brendan Rigby said:

people can change their minds!  jeremy clarkson enjoyed driving the i8 more than the m3

Wait, I thought he preferred the M2.

^ will it warm one's taint on frozen winter days?
#askingforafriend

Do we file these under professional dopers or bicycle tech/gear discussions?

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/cbs-60-minutes-to-broadcast-investigation-into-mechanical-doping-on-sunday/

in other news, this is a cheap way to wash your bike on the streets of NYC if your super, like mine, has turned the hose off for the winter: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0039EEN0M

found this quite interesting:

Strava Insights: GPS Cycle Computers Used at Cadel Evans People's Ride (2017)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3wMIY6qg4k

http://gplama.blogspot.com.au/2017/02/strava-insights-gps-cycle-computers.html

After reading/listening about the relatively large marginal gains of a properly clean and waxed chain, I spent an inordinate amount of time last night trying to get my chain spotless using Simple Green and a toothbrush and I still haven't gotten it spotless.

I'm getting a heated ultrasonic cleaner post-haste.

After that, though, I'm trying to figure out if lubes with paraffin wax suspended in a solution/carrier that evaporates (and theoretically only leaves behind the wax) is a close enough approximation to actual waxing.

David Yang said:

After reading/listening about the relatively large marginal gains of a properly clean and waxed chain, I spent an inordinate amount of time last night trying to get my chain spotless using Simple Green and a toothbrush and I still haven't gotten it spotless.

I'm getting a heated ultrasonic cleaner post-haste.

After that, though, I'm trying to figure out if lubes with paraffin wax suspended in a solution/carrier that evaporates (and theoretically only leaves behind the wax) is a close enough approximation to actual waxing.

I got my ultrasonic gear cleaner (sometimes called a jewelry cleaner) for a bit more than $20 on eBay.  My advice is use strong degreaser mixed with water.  Works great.

As for the question about lubes, a few things.  First, waxing a clean, dry chain is really easy.  Wax runs about $5 or so and I melted it in an old coffee can, putting the can in a pot of water brought to boil.  It doesn't last so long in the winter, but you could probably go a month or longer in the summer.  Second, Squirt seems to have the lowest friction of the wax-infused lubes, though it doesn't leave the chain as clean as Rock 'n Roll lubes.

Invest in master links.  clean chains last longer. for the past few chains, I've pulled the chain a few times to clean it, which does seem to lengthen service life.

What wax do you use JP?  

Invest in master links. 

+1...only time ive ever had a chain break while riding it snapped at the quickconnect link

David Yang said:

What wax do you use JP?  

Gulf Wax.  Available in many hardware stores.

btw, as track bikes typically only see dry weather use and limited miles, I degreased and waxed my track bike's chain and it lasted for a few years.  It wasn't squeaking when I re-waxed it this summer.  Considering track chains often come with a re-usable master link, the maintenance is easy.

Ah so plain old paraffin wax. I was thinking of going the whole 9 yards and mixing up the formula the Friction Facts guy came up with.

Edit: Or going with this premixed stuff, which seems expensive https://moltenspeedwax.com/collections/molten-speed-wax

David Yang said:

Ah so plain old paraffin wax. I was thinking of going the whole 9 yards and mixing up the formula the Friction Facts guy came up with.

Edit: Or going with this premixed stuff, which seems expensive https://moltenspeedwax.com/collections/molten-speed-wax

If you do the formula, report back.  I'd be interested to know how it went.

From what I read, plain old paraffin is pretty much better than everything but the FF formula.

JP you're correct, plain old paraffin seems to be nearly as effective according to this thread.  I still want to try to go the whole nine one day, but will start off with plain old wax.

http://www.velonews.com/2013/12/bikes-and-tech/technical-faq/technical-faq-long-term-chain-lube-notes-and-sram-compatibility_311335

Regarding efficiency gains, I just tested Molten Speed Wax for the upcoming Round 2 of the Velo Lube Test. Molten Speed Wax is paraffin with both Teflon and Moly additives. When compared to straight off-the-shelf food-grade paraffin (must be >99.5 percent pure to be labeled “Food Grade”), the MSW paraffin blend with the Teflon and Moly decreases friction by 0.12 watts. The gain from the additives is small, yet measurable.
—Jason Smith
Founder, Friction Facts

https://newyork.craigslist.org/brx/bik/5989945773.html

i've really been wanting a steel frame disc-brake equipped cross / commuting bike, and this seems to fit the bill - thoughts? 

one side of me says, just go for it!

another side says, that bike doesn't look like it's been well taken care of (maybe it'll depend when you take a look)

-- have you talked to redbeard? if steel cx is a must, they can probably hook you up with a steel disc equipped all city.

always keep in mind the redbeard/giant discount.  with the cat 3 discount, you could get this giant for only $200 more

seems like an inexpensive way to get into cross, the wheels are probably boat anchors and getting ones you want would probably cost you $300 or more.  which is about what you'd pay to get that giant which would come with tubeless ready wheels...

as a commuter it would be a no go for me because it doesn't have rack and fender mounts (https://www.bikerumor.com/2013/09/03/civilian-helps-you-get-muddy-with-five-purpose-built-affordable-cyclocross-racers/)

Thanks for the feedback @eloy & @Brendan Rigby!

Might check it out this weekend, hopefully it isn't in too bad shape. 

I was mostly interested in this for the frame, as I was thinking this could be a summer-long project - new wheels would definitely be in the picture (at some point).  

That giant bike would be pretty great motivation to get to cat 3 though...

it was a major motivator for me!  one of the first things i did as a 3 was buy my cross bike/commuter

this video, released today, might be of interest
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boslRs4BfwY