Can't figure out where to put this, but I wanted to say that I used my panniers today in sympathy with Perlberg who I guess is somewhere between here and Montreal. I went grocery shopping! Big adventure on the 2nd ave bike lane (the killing zone). It will also be interesting to see which topic this ends up under.

dstokes said:

2) you don't need a 28 unless you follow Ryan up the Malibu hills

Um. 26?

I disagree with Stokes at my own peril. The 28 is nice. It's not a problem to switch in and out. I do it all the time.

The other thing, I noticed about my 27 tooth pie plate cluster...is that the only difference between it and the 12x25 which should be standard equip for anyone who cares about their knees and rides around here, is that it's only missing the 23 or 21...otherwise it's the same. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19. I raced that cluster at the ToAD crits and had no problem, because I'm not really using the 27, 25, 23. Except, I will say, that in some cases, it is nice to crank a 53x23 and not worry about cross-chaining, which you can do if you have a 27/28 low cog.

why all the hating on the 28?  sure, it looks a little silly; but calling out the aesthetics of a cassette when we're all dressing in rainbow lycra seems a little shortsighted. 

like i said: it's a comfort thing. 

you're not alone, mr. clifford.  if i were to buy a climbing cassette it would be a 12-28 (or larger!) for my 53 39.  it includes a 26!  i take the PP hill in the little ring.  i subjectively feel that i have more endurance and potential to accelerate if needed when i spin spin spin vs. bigring manlyman it.  one day i might switch to a compact, who knows.

I have a 11-28 cassette on my neuvation wheels. I've never used the 28 cog, but I like that its there if needed. You should have no problem with the chain length or any other adjustments. I switch between this and a 12-25 on my Reynolds.

Another good use of the 28 tooth cassette can be found in PP. Up the climb, you want to chill, but you want to be ready to rock too. So you climb it in the 53 x 23 or 25 and then you just have to click, click click on the right when the smack goes down.

In contrast, being a Weaky McWeakster, I rarely use the 11t cog.  At least with the 26t I use it when riding beyond the GWB.  I used to use a 28t, but my old crankset was the oldschool 52/42 variety.

No hate for the 28

I got an 11-28 recently for a hilly trip and it was great. I used both ends of the cassette regularly. Chainrings were 53/38 (and I could have used a 36 at times, had I a compact). The only real issue with it is the gaps in the gearing, but you can get used to that too.

This is such a stupid and boring 'non-conversation'.

@Adam: Get Red.

you're right, adam.  this conversation has diverted us from the high-minded discussions located everywhere else on this forum. 

@Adam, bartape is for wussies.  Get some calloused man-hands, son, and let your jagged flesh grip the soft alloy/carbon bars.

But remember to use bar ends.  Because otherwise you're a fred.

Mark Clifford said:

you're right, adam.  this conversation has diverted us from the high-minded discussions located everywhere else on this forum. 

CLASH OF THE BRITONS

I missed the boat on the red bar tape thing. looks cool on malcolmson and stokes' bikes though, must be a status thing.

I'm in the market for a 'cross bike and I was looking at the Specialized Crux Elite.  Anyone have experience with this bike?  Compared to the CAADX, is the geometry more aggressive?  

Caadx or van Dessel.

I rode a couple laps at Nittany last year on a Crux while my Giant was in the pit getting the freshly ripped-off derailleur reattached. I almost sold my Giant and bought a Crux that week. The geometry really worked for me. It was very, very stable through the turns; just felt like it went through them better.

I had a CAADX and felt the head tube was too tall, and the geometry made me feel really upright.  I want a bit more aggressive geometry.  

Phil. You're wrong.http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=140938920018

that leaves you $1000 for components to build it up. I think that is well with in your budget.

I've heard good things from a couple people re the Focus Amares...the head tube is a lot shorter than both the CAADX and Crux at 125mm vs 160mm and 155mm for the other two respectively for 56cm frames

I'm about to pull the trigger on a CAADX... need to confirm the size-down from Van Dessel first though.

@Jules - why a CaadX versus another Van Dessel?

@Eric - I've seen those van dessel frames on eBay. I wasn't sure they were real or Chinese copies. If they're real then that's great!

I may rock one by cross season.

I think Ragot is suggesting that you buy one directly from Edwin at van Dessel. They are nice bikes and the price of the Gin & Trombones is very reasonable (ask for Kissena Discount). Unfortunately, I have heard rumor of a lack of stock for the upcoming 'cross season. Like maybe no bikes at all. But call van Dessel to find out what the story is. They are a small company with a relationship with Kissena and will be happy to discuss your options.

And may very well have demos around to sell. Call...

dstokes said:

I think Ragot is suggesting that you buy one directly from Edwin at van Dessel. They are nice bikes and the price of the Gin & Trombones is very reasonable (ask for Kissena Discount). Unfortunately, I have heard rumor of a lack of stock for the upcoming 'cross season. Like maybe no bikes at all. But call van Dessel to find out what the story is. They are a small company with a relationship with Kissena and will be happy to discuss your options.

During Saturday's rainy ride up to Alpine my right crank started clunking in the same spot in the rotation.  Got home and did some minor mechanical mystery sleuthing and found that the crank bolt was tight and the left side was secure, but the right crank had lateral play.  Weird.  It happened some time ago, coincidentally during another rainy ride, but it went away by itself after a few days.

SRAM Rival w/stock GXP BB cups.

I'm assuming a change of BB will cure it, but I'm annoyed that it was only installed last year and didn't put it to much use until joining Kissena.  The old Suntour square tapered BB on my other road bike never had any issues.  Bah.