Your century bicycle(s)
#26
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Machak is 49.5 cm (just the right size) and weighs 27 lbs with racks and fenders.
By comparison, my Giants were/are 50 cm, and weigh about 25 lbs ... and the Venture is 57 cm and weighs about 40 lbs. I did my first half dozen or so centuries on that Venture, plus thousands of kilometers of touring, commuting, and other riding ... despite the fact that it is WAY too big for me. I've done around a dozen centuries, and my first 200K brevet, on the Mongoose, which weighs in at 40 lbs as well ... it wasn't bad, just a little slow.
By comparison, my Giants were/are 50 cm, and weigh about 25 lbs ... and the Venture is 57 cm and weighs about 40 lbs. I did my first half dozen or so centuries on that Venture, plus thousands of kilometers of touring, commuting, and other riding ... despite the fact that it is WAY too big for me. I've done around a dozen centuries, and my first 200K brevet, on the Mongoose, which weighs in at 40 lbs as well ... it wasn't bad, just a little slow.
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#27
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Join Date: Dec 2003
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Bikes: SOMA Grand Randonneur, Gunnar Sport converted to 650B, Rivendell Rambouillet, '82 Trek 728, '84 Trek 610, '85 Trek 500, C'Dale F600, Burley Duet, Lotus Legend
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'72 Peugot UO8
'79 Lotus Legend
'01 Novara Gran Fondo (my current randonneuring bike)
'79 Lotus Legend
'01 Novara Gran Fondo (my current randonneuring bike)
#28
Senior Member
Unless really really hilly I prefer to use the bent: Rotator Ti Pursuit. It is far more
comfortable and not enough slower to make me want to switch. I do ride a DF
bike on certain group rides. The Cheaha Challenge has cerca 10kft of climbing,
but I skipped about 2500 of this by omitting the central 12miles of the 102 and
doing only 89mi. That is the R side pix. The other pix is from the Leaves of
Lincoln century in south central Tn, very scenic century.
comfortable and not enough slower to make me want to switch. I do ride a DF
bike on certain group rides. The Cheaha Challenge has cerca 10kft of climbing,
but I skipped about 2500 of this by omitting the central 12miles of the 102 and
doing only 89mi. That is the R side pix. The other pix is from the Leaves of
Lincoln century in south central Tn, very scenic century.
#29
hell's angels h/q e3st ny
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stripped for nice weather if makes a great all around machine.
i always gotta give dap to bmike for his beautiful IF whip as it is my whip's twin! (virtually identical but mine has hammered fenders for a little extra bling and i rock the IF team color decals cuz i'm down with the IF crew. thems my homies as i live about a quarter mile away from the IF world headquarters!) i just don't know how to post pics!! but that ti club racer is ALL DAT for rollin' off some miles (or kilometers for our canadian friends!!!!
#30
Edited: I used a Xootr Swift on my last century.
Aluminum frame, bar-ends, SPD pedals, an added water bottle cage. I doubt I'd do another century on it though.
Aluminum frame, bar-ends, SPD pedals, an added water bottle cage. I doubt I'd do another century on it though.
Last edited by Bacciagalupe; 05-13-07 at 04:57 PM.
#31
No centuries yet, as it is brand new! Waterford RST-22, made to measure. Now, assuming I will have more comfort, am thinking of trying some brevets, as well. A century was all I could take before on my titanium, race oriented bike.
#32
Bye Bye
Originally Posted by Zonker
No centuries yet, as it is brand new! Waterford RST-22, made to measure. Now, assuming I will have more comfort, am thinking of trying some brevets, as well. A century was all I could take before on my titanium, race oriented bike.
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#33
Senior Member
Originally Posted by Machka
Machak is 49.5 cm (just the right size) and weighs 27 lbs with racks and fenders.
By comparison, my Giants were/are 50 cm, and weigh about 25 lbs ... and the Venture is 57 cm and weighs about 40 lbs. I did my first half dozen or so centuries on that Venture, plus thousands of kilometers of touring, commuting, and other riding ... despite the fact that it is WAY too big for me. I've done around a dozen centuries, and my first 200K brevet, on the Mongoose, which weighs in at 40 lbs as well ... it wasn't bad, just a little slow.
By comparison, my Giants were/are 50 cm, and weigh about 25 lbs ... and the Venture is 57 cm and weighs about 40 lbs. I did my first half dozen or so centuries on that Venture, plus thousands of kilometers of touring, commuting, and other riding ... despite the fact that it is WAY too big for me. I've done around a dozen centuries, and my first 200K brevet, on the Mongoose, which weighs in at 40 lbs as well ... it wasn't bad, just a little slow.
All my bikes that are too big for me give a more comfortable ride.
#35
hell's angels h/q e3st ny
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hey zonk! what happened to the rivendell SS? didn't you have one. duder! i dig the waterford!! nice!!
#36
Originally Posted by brunop
hey zonk! what happened to the rivendell SS? didn't you have one. duder! i dig the waterford!! nice!!
#38
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A few days ago a couple of friends and I had nothing much to do so on the spur of the moment we decided to go for a quick century. At the end of it I wished I had my lights and another 5 hours free because I was ready for another one.... if I were single and no kids, I would have
I know most of you would look at this bike thinking how uncomfortable it must be for long distance. the frame is extremely stiff, its a very agressive riding position, and it has no cargo carrying capacity at all - not even water bottle cages!. Yes true, but as they say, whatever works for you, and this bike with my 100oz hydration pack I find works great for me.
I know most of you would look at this bike thinking how uncomfortable it must be for long distance. the frame is extremely stiff, its a very agressive riding position, and it has no cargo carrying capacity at all - not even water bottle cages!. Yes true, but as they say, whatever works for you, and this bike with my 100oz hydration pack I find works great for me.
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#39
Bye Bye
Originally Posted by lemurhouse
I've ridden this frame for 22 years and with several different build configurations. I've got fancier bikes but this is still the one I like best for long rides.
What frame is under there?
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So long. Been nice knowing you BF.... to all the friends I've made here and in real life... its been great. But this place needs an enema.
So long. Been nice knowing you BF.... to all the friends I've made here and in real life... its been great. But this place needs an enema.
#40
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Originally Posted by 2manybikes
What type and size tires does Machak Have?
All my bikes that are too big for me give a more comfortable ride.
All my bikes that are too big for me give a more comfortable ride.
Actually it's the same story for the entire bicycle. Machak is very compact, and everything just fits with no extra room!
Sounds like you need a new bicycle!!
.
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#41
carpe napum
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Thanks. Its a Trek 600 from 1985. Its not fancy, but has Reynolds 531 steel and a nice geometry. Too flexy for racing but very comfy and stable. It was starting to develop some some rust so I had it powdercoated a couple of years ago. I removed most of the braze-ons at the same time.
#42
Originally Posted by Zonker
I did indeed have a Rivendell Quickbeam, but sold it...it just wasn't working for a 46 year old with two surgeries on each knee. I did enjoy the Rivendell experience, however...and started thinking about a lugged steel bike with more gears. I considered their Rambouillet (wasn't crazy about the blue, green ones were not expected til mid-year). Then they debuted the A. Homer Hilsen...I'm not too crazy about the name or the decals, but saw they were being made for them by Waterford. So, I went surfing, and then called them. Found I could get a made to measure frame for not much more than the A.H.H. and any color I wanted (British Racing Green). Ended up buying the Nitto bits (seatpost, handlebar, and stem) as well as the tires and cork wrap from Rivendell. Thanks for the kind words!
#43
Originally Posted by zowie
"A. Homer Hilsen" really is a horrendous name for a bike.
#44
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Originally Posted by atomship47
(...)
so how do you know if a particular bike is going to be comfortable on a century if you've never tried it? also, how does relaxed vs. aggressive geometry enter into the picture? some of the bikes pictured appear to be set up for more aggressive riding.
so how do you know if a particular bike is going to be comfortable on a century if you've never tried it? also, how does relaxed vs. aggressive geometry enter into the picture? some of the bikes pictured appear to be set up for more aggressive riding.
One advantage of these highish bars is that I can ride on the drops without feeling too cramped.
#47
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My first century was done on a Trek Pilot 5.0. Very nice riding bike but sold it because I wanted a more durable frame. Another bike I have been riding long distances on is my '93 Trek 520. Very stable and enjoyable ride. Heavy as hell though. I think with the fenders and rack it is like 34 lbs. My newest build is a Eddy Merckx Titanium AX. It's a light one at 17 lbs and doesn't take fenders or racks, but damn it's fast. Very comfortable over the long distances. Will be doing a majority of my centuries on this bike this year.
Question: My Eddy Merckx has a compact double (50/36) with a 13/26 cassette. I haven't ridden it on any long rides yet or over any large hills. Most of the centuries that I've got planned are mountain centuries this year. Does this gearing make sense? I've also got a triple (53/42/28) that I could put on, but because of the bottom bracket the granny can only be used on the large cog on the cassette. I loved the 520 gearing (48/36/22) (12/34), I could climb anything on it.
Eddy Merckx
Trek 520
Trek Pilot 5.0 (regret selling this)
Question: My Eddy Merckx has a compact double (50/36) with a 13/26 cassette. I haven't ridden it on any long rides yet or over any large hills. Most of the centuries that I've got planned are mountain centuries this year. Does this gearing make sense? I've also got a triple (53/42/28) that I could put on, but because of the bottom bracket the granny can only be used on the large cog on the cassette. I loved the 520 gearing (48/36/22) (12/34), I could climb anything on it.
Eddy Merckx
Trek 520
Trek Pilot 5.0 (regret selling this)
#49
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Have done imperial centuries on my current three bikes. The Tandem and MTB have been offroad and the Giant SCR and the MTB have been on the road. Can't compare the three bikes as the routes are different but If it was a road ride- then the Giant with no suspension, thin saddle and harsh aluminium frame has been the easiest on the body. Then again- On or Offroad- I would not give up my Thudbuster Suspension post and wide saddle on the Tandem.
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#50
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Originally Posted by knobster
Question: My Eddy Merckx has a compact double (50/36) with a 13/26 cassette. I haven't ridden it on any long rides yet or over any large hills. Most of the centuries that I've got planned are mountain centuries this year. Does this gearing make sense? I've also got a triple (53/42/28) that I could put on, but because of the bottom bracket the granny can only be used on the large cog on the cassette. I loved the 520 gearing (48/36/22) (12/34), I could climb anything on it.
My Giant has a triple and on our hills I would not contemplate any thing else but When I do road rides on the MTB I have a crankset of 44/32/22 and I can assure you that I do use the lowest gear of 22/32 at some point. So why is it that on the same hills on the road bike- I can sail up hills in 30/26? I think it is a mental thing- It starts hurting so change down- but when you run out of gears- you have to put up with the pain.
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