(trying to) Go fast on an old steel frame - Merckx local race content
05-05-24, 07:34 PM
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(trying to) Go fast on an old steel frame - Merckx local race content
For the last few years I've managed the bike coop at my university, and today I took the opportunity to jump in and do a race on my Merckx.
I wouldn't say I went all that fast (1:11ish in the 40k TT) but under the circumstances I'm just fine with my performance, and that of the Merckx. I picked up some Zipps a couple weeks ago, put some old clip on aero bars, and went for it. The race was an out-and-back with pretty tough headwinds on the way out, and lots of pot holes and speed bumps. I lost the right aero bar pad at the turnaround point, so my right forearm is pretty beat up. With some better training and a few more modifications to the bike, I'm going to chip away at the time. But until I totally hit a wall, I'm gonna stick it out with my steel frame. More than 30 years old (the bike, not me) and it's still going strong.
Cheers,
Billy
I wouldn't say I went all that fast (1:11ish in the 40k TT) but under the circumstances I'm just fine with my performance, and that of the Merckx. I picked up some Zipps a couple weeks ago, put some old clip on aero bars, and went for it. The race was an out-and-back with pretty tough headwinds on the way out, and lots of pot holes and speed bumps. I lost the right aero bar pad at the turnaround point, so my right forearm is pretty beat up. With some better training and a few more modifications to the bike, I'm going to chip away at the time. But until I totally hit a wall, I'm gonna stick it out with my steel frame. More than 30 years old (the bike, not me) and it's still going strong.
Cheers,
Billy
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05-05-24, 09:06 PM
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Sweet! Mahalo for sharing, and keep it up!
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05-06-24, 09:02 AM
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Eh, got long sleeve? How cold was it? In any case, excellent bike choice.
05-07-24, 07:52 AM
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EXCELLENT ! !
I suspect that it will be quite some time before the bike becomes the weak link in your efforts. (I mean, lace up shoes?)
I suspect that it will be quite some time before the bike becomes the weak link in your efforts. (I mean, lace up shoes?)
Last edited by Steel Charlie; 05-07-24 at 07:56 AM.
05-07-24, 10:07 AM
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Nice work and thanks for sharing.
I would love to tri that ride
I would love to tri that ride
05-07-24, 10:26 AM
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Headwinds = time trialist's biggest enemy! Nice result despite that.
With those Zipps, your bike gives off that co-op frankenbike vibe.
Hopefully that pad found its way back to you.
I once lost one and Scott made me buy a pair to replace it!
With those Zipps, your bike gives off that co-op frankenbike vibe.
Hopefully that pad found its way back to you.
I once lost one and Scott made me buy a pair to replace it!
05-07-24, 10:36 AM
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Chapeau!
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05-07-24, 10:39 AM
#9
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Sorry but the 'stache has to go
#aero
cheers -mathias
#aero
cheers -mathias
05-07-24, 10:42 AM
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dig this.
05-07-24, 11:02 AM
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05-07-24, 11:23 AM
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Thanks for the comments lol.
The Merckx does give off frankenbike vibes (hey! I run a coop) and the bar end shifters get a laugh on group rides.
But when I'm only a handful of minutes behind the carbon/tubeless/disc/aero boyz with their $5k bikes, who gets to laugh?
Our university doesn't have a cycling team, so we're scrappily just doing it. Aiming to have 5-10 more students join the local circuit next year, riding steel and the occasional alu or carbon that gets donated to us. Maybe they'll take us seriously and give us some funding.
I owe most of what I know and teach to the late Sheldon Brown, and to the C&V forum. Seriously.
It's supposed to be fun, after all
The Merckx does give off frankenbike vibes (hey! I run a coop) and the bar end shifters get a laugh on group rides.
But when I'm only a handful of minutes behind the carbon/tubeless/disc/aero boyz with their $5k bikes, who gets to laugh?
Our university doesn't have a cycling team, so we're scrappily just doing it. Aiming to have 5-10 more students join the local circuit next year, riding steel and the occasional alu or carbon that gets donated to us. Maybe they'll take us seriously and give us some funding.
I owe most of what I know and teach to the late Sheldon Brown, and to the C&V forum. Seriously.
It's supposed to be fun, after all
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05-07-24, 12:28 PM
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Oh, and those are sun sleeves with SPF 50+ protection, not arm warmers. Years of sun exposure has already done its damage, and these actually cool you down when they get wet (which is essentially every ride).
05-07-24, 01:28 PM
#14
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Thanks for tithe clarification. Shoulda known that. And a bit more skin protection is something everybody ought to consider even in the Pacific North Wet. ( 50 and raining at the moment)
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05-07-24, 02:51 PM
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"Limits" are a squishy thing. I rode for myself. If I shaved 5 minutes in my good old bike, I got better. If I shaved 5 minutes because I got me a titanium bike with the best parts in the planet, I didn't really improve a thing. I mean 5 minutes, better bike, but me? I would be in the same spot and shape as I was before.
Obviously this doesn't apply to competitive riders but in my case I enjoyed my rides in my Merlin Extralight as I enjoyed the ones in my '71 Schwinn Paramount.
Obviously this doesn't apply to competitive riders but in my case I enjoyed my rides in my Merlin Extralight as I enjoyed the ones in my '71 Schwinn Paramount.
05-07-24, 03:47 PM
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Ha ha - what a franken mashup...lugged steel + deep dish wheels + aero bars + bar end shifters! Love it!
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05-07-24, 04:10 PM
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What model Zipp wheels?
Asking for a friend...
Asking for a friend...
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05-07-24, 04:37 PM
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So cool to see you rocking this and a great speed in my book. Well done!
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Steel is real...and comfy.
Steel is real...and comfy.
05-07-24, 05:46 PM
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I believe they are a 303 front with a 404 rear. Picked them up off Craigslist from a retired triathlete, said they were about 10 years old. I tossed around the idea of getting a knock off pair from China, or some Hunt wheels...but these came at a price too good to pass up.
Thanks Jim! Appreciate your side chat w/me about how to go a little faster with lighter gear 
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05-07-24, 07:16 PM
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I believe they are a 303 front with a 404 rear. Picked them up off Craigslist from a retired triathlete, said they were about 10 years old. I tossed around the idea of getting a knock off pair from China, or some Hunt wheels...but these came at a price too good to pass up.
Thanks Jim! Appreciate your side chat w/me about how to go a little faster with lighter gear
Thanks Jim! Appreciate your side chat w/me about how to go a little faster with lighter gear
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05-07-24, 08:08 PM
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Out of idle curiosity, I spent a few minutes hunting around there. Cheapest came to $25 for the ones I use.
Granted, I needed eBay twenty-eight years ago when I lost a pad. Although, maybe I paid about $25. lol
Haven't used my aero bar in ages. Wonder if somebody would buy a single pad.
Granted, I needed eBay twenty-eight years ago when I lost a pad. Although, maybe I paid about $25. lol
Haven't used my aero bar in ages. Wonder if somebody would buy a single pad.
