Just in: Rol Race SLR wheelset

Last week, the rear American Classic Carbon 58 on the Green Monster cracked a spoke nipple and is out of commission until I can get a new spoke and nipple from AC.  I've been looking for a lighter wheelset for a few months now, but didn't want to spend a fortune.  Based on several recommendations from friends, I decided to head over to Rol Wheels' website to take a look.  Hit the break for the deetz.

This is awesome.

Casual cyclists ride into a fake mountaintop stage finish, complete with outrider motorcycle, directeur sportif in a chase car, rabid fans, trophy, and interview. No words. Can't breathe. Laughing too hard.

This is amazing.

On the art of bicycle maintenance

The 4mm allen key is the most important tool any cyclist needs to own.  Next to, of course, the 5mm allen key.  It's amazing to me how much of a bike can be built with just those two tools.  Still, as I gradually improved my bike maintenance and building skills, other tools started filling my pegboard: bottom bracket wrenches, chain whips, cassette lockring adaptors, cable cutters and most recently a 32mm flat headset wrench for the King headset on the Colnago.

Old dog, new tricks

Took home the final sprint on an unexpectedly fast shop ride today, and got the KOM on the sprint segment and a couple of PRs.  And it was a crisp 70 degree day.  And the sun was perfect.  And the roads felt like glass.  And I didn't think I had the win, but I was riding the Colnago and so magically had one more kick left in the legs and it was just enough.

Old dog, new tricks.

Il Progetto Colnago è finito or how I learned that some bikes have a soul

Several months ago, I embarked on a project on building my dream bike.  This past weekend, I rode that bike in the Bay Country Century, and it performed flawlessly.  In the process of building my dream bike, I learned a lot about the (almost) lost art of boutique artisanal bicycle making using thin steel tubes, a little about the Italian regard for industry standards, but most importantly, I learned that some bikes--especially old Italian steel bikes made by a man from Cambiago named Ernesto--do have a soul.

Bay Country Century Ride Recap

Yesterday I had the pleasure of riding the Bay Country Century just south of Annapolis, sponsored by the Annapolis Bike Racing Team and Parvilla bike shop.  The event is in its 17th year and judging by the number of people who participated and the smiles along the way, it is not stopping anytime soon.  Hit the break for the full report.

Il Progetto Colnago

I'm now the proud owner of an early 80's Columbus tubed Colnago Super frame.  I have big things lined up for this blue beauty: I could do the period correct Campy Record build, but that just seems so overdone.  Don't get me wrong, I have nothing but respect for history, but those bikes, with their perfect re-sprayed paint and gleaming re-chromed bits and pieces just don't appeal to me. This bike is going to be something very special and very different.  It's worn and used, chipped and scarred.  I'm thinking thinking a rat-rod styled club racer.  The plan is to let the bike wear its scars by leaving the paint exactly as is (sealed under a coat of clearcoat, obviously), with a build kit as modern as it gets:


Chris King 1" threadless headset
Ritchey WCS carbon fork 1" with alloy steerer (for stiffness)
Ritchey WCS 4axis carbon wrap stem
Ritchey WCS carbon bars
Ritchey WCS carbon seatpost or Moots Cinch seatpost
SRAM Red (black) gruppo
Ksyrium SL wheels
Fizik Arione seat (white)
Continental GP 4-Season 700x28c tires
Arundel stainless bottle cages


Finish it off with matching white bar tape and cable housing.  That beautiful matching fork will be going on my wall.  Now I just need to crush some miles so my legs can do this bad boy justice on fast club rides (because it won't be nearly as stiff as the Fuji).  Projected completion date is Summer 2013.


Here's some pictures of the frame.  I'm so excited, I can't even describe it.  I'll keep you updated on the build as it comes together.