(trying to) Go fast on an old steel frame - Merckx local race content
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Kingdom of Hawai'i
Posts: 1,269
Bikes: Peugeot, Legnano, Fuji, Zunow, De Rosa, Miyata, Bianchi, Pinarello, Specialized, Bridgestone, Cinelli, Merckx
Liked 570 Times
in
247 Posts
(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
Likes For billytwosheds:
#2
Full Member
Living the dream…
Likes For BMC_Kid:
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 3,046
Bikes: '53/'54 Bianchi CDM, '62ish Altenburger Cinelli Mod B, '69 Rene Herse Competition, '72 Motobecane Grand Record, '73-74 Colnago Super,, '73-74 Cinelli SC, '78ish counterfeit Confente, '82 Medici Gran Turismo, '67ish Mondia Speciale, Eddy Merckx Pro
Liked 354 Times
in
110 Posts
Sweet! Mahalo for sharing, and keep it up!
Likes For bibliobob:
#5
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.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Hotel CA / DFW
Posts: 1,858
Bikes: 83 Colnago Super, 87 50th Daccordi, 79 & 87 Guerciotti's, 90s DB/GT Mtn Bikes, 90s Colnago Master and Titanio, 96 Serotta Colorado TG, 95/05 Colnago C40/C50, 06 DbyLS TI, 08 Lemond Filmore FG SS, 12 Cervelo R3, 20/15 Surly Stragler & Steamroller
Liked 839 Times
in
543 Posts
Nice work and thanks for sharing.
I would love to tri that ride
I would love to tri that ride
#7
Thread derailleur
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Glendora, CA
Posts: 771
Bikes: Croll '94 & Cannondale Supersix '15
Liked 544 Times
in
310 Posts
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!
#8
Crawlin' up, flyin' down
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Democratic Peoples' Republic of Berkeley
Posts: 5,904
Bikes: 1967 Paramount; 1982-ish Ron Cooper; 1978 Eisentraut "A"; two mid-1960s Cinelli Speciale Corsas; and others in various stages of non-rideability.
Liked 2,915 Times
in
1,221 Posts
Chapeau!
__________________
"I'm in shape -- round is a shape." Andy Rooney
"I'm in shape -- round is a shape." Andy Rooney
#10
I don't know.
Join Date: May 2003
Location: South Meriden, CT
Posts: 2,211
Bikes: '90 B'stone RB-1, '92 B'stone RB-2, '89 SuperGo Access Comp, '03 Access 69er, '23 Trek 520, '14 Ritchey Road Logic, '09 Kestrel Evoke, '08 Windsor Tourist, '17 Surly Wednesday, '89 Centurion Accordo, '15 CruX, '17 Ridley X-Night, '89 Marinoni
Liked 1,036 Times
in
529 Posts
dig this.
#11
Likes For Mr. Spadoni:
#12
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Kingdom of Hawai'i
Posts: 1,269
Bikes: Peugeot, Legnano, Fuji, Zunow, De Rosa, Miyata, Bianchi, Pinarello, Specialized, Bridgestone, Cinelli, Merckx
Liked 570 Times
in
247 Posts
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
Likes For billytwosheds:
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Kingdom of Hawai'i
Posts: 1,269
Bikes: Peugeot, Legnano, Fuji, Zunow, De Rosa, Miyata, Bianchi, Pinarello, Specialized, Bridgestone, Cinelli, Merckx
Liked 570 Times
in
247 Posts
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).
#14
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)
Likes For Mr. Spadoni:
#15
"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.
#16
Rider. Wanderer. Creator.
Join Date: May 2007
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 1,312
Bikes: Bike Friday All-Packa & Pocket Rocket, Cinelli Hobootleg, Zizzo Liberte, Ozark Trail G.1 Explorer
Liked 1,606 Times
in
723 Posts
Ha ha - what a franken mashup...lugged steel + deep dish wheels + aero bars + bar end shifters! Love it!
__________________
Rider. Wanderer. Creator.
JohnMFlores.com | YouTube: JohnMFlores
Insta: JohnMichaelFlores | TikTok: @johnnymotoflores
Rider. Wanderer. Creator.
JohnMFlores.com | YouTube: JohnMFlores
Insta: JohnMichaelFlores | TikTok: @johnnymotoflores
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Utah
Posts: 9,007
Bikes: Paletti,Pinarello Monviso,Duell Vienna,Giordana XL Super,Lemond Maillot Juane.& custom,PDG Paramount,Fuji Opus III,Davidson Impulse,Pashley Guv'nor,Evans,Fishlips,Y-Foil,Softride, Tetra Pro, CAAD8 Optimo,
Liked 6,206 Times
in
2,002 Posts
So cool to see you rocking this and a great speed in my book. Well done!
__________________
Steel is real...and comfy.
Steel is real...and comfy.
#19
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Kingdom of Hawai'i
Posts: 1,269
Bikes: Peugeot, Legnano, Fuji, Zunow, De Rosa, Miyata, Bianchi, Pinarello, Specialized, Bridgestone, Cinelli, Merckx
Liked 570 Times
in
247 Posts
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
Likes For billytwosheds:
#20
Let us know if ever want to get rid of that old beater…
Likes For jethin:
#21
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
Likes For Steel Charlie:
#22
Thread derailleur
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Glendora, CA
Posts: 771
Bikes: Croll '94 & Cannondale Supersix '15
Liked 544 Times
in
310 Posts
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.
#23
Your history indicates a spare might be advisable.