NFR Road Bicycles

Non-fishing related
Tom Butler

Tom Butler

Grandpa, Small Stream Fanatic
Forum Supporter
Haven't ridden much in about 15 years, but since the streams are low and warm and I AM quitting smoking, had the guys at the shop bring my baby back to life.
Rode this morning, figure 8 weeks to get some base and the muscles used to it again. Ski seasons 4 months off.
Anyone else doing the road bike thing? What are you riding? The old Trek felt good.
1000002716.jpg1000002717.jpg
 
Speedplays!!!
Never got the hang of sprinting on those.
I rode and raced on the road for years but no longer do so. Other variables notwithstanding it is my favorite type of riding to do though.
 
Oh, carbon frame no less! I always hear that they ride smooth and soften the road. I have 3 road bikes in my garage, all lugged steel frames. I can't get over my mistrust of plastic bike frames. I don't ride so much any more. While I strive for denial regarding aging, I think I have some deep psyche feeling that a fall these days would be a lot more injurious than in days gone by. My main road ride is a Merckz Corsa with Campy 10 speed (which has become so passe I guess) with 23 mm tires. My more relaxing ride is a Rivendell Ramboulett in 9 speed Campy with compact crank and 28 mm tires. Then I have an ancient lugged Italian 7 speed that I've long intended to convert to a "town bike," but haven't.
 
Trying for 1 1/2 hrs every other day at the moment. Riding a 40 yr old steel frame Tommasini that I upgraded to 11 sp cluster a few years ago. The bike is a lot slower than it used to be in the 80s and 90s for some reason but I'm having a good time.
 
Salmo_g said:
Oh, carbon frame no less! I always hear that they ride smooth and soften the road. I have 3 road bikes in my garage, all lugged steel frames. I can't get over my mistrust of plastic bike frames. I don't ride so much any more. While I strive for denial regarding aging, I think I have some deep psyche feeling that a fall these days would be a lot more injurious than in days gone by. My main road ride is a Merckz Corsa with Campy 10 speed (which has become so passe I guess) with 23 mm tires. My more relaxing ride is a Rivendell Ramboulett in 9 speed Campy with compact crank and 28 mm tires. Then I have an ancient lugged Italian 7 speed that I've long intended to convert to a "town bike," but haven't.
Click to expand...
Those are some cool rigs!
 
I used to ride road bikes a lot 15 years ago. Been running a lot since then, but since I had my 3rd knee surgery this spring i got back in to cycling this summer. Maybe 50/50 road/gravel up in forest park (portland).


Screenshot 2025-08-06 at 9.35.40 AM.png

Some weird foreshortening on this picture but you get the idea.
 
John Svahn said:
Speedplays!!!
Never got the hang of sprinting on those.
I rode and raced on the road for years but no longer do so. Other variables notwithstanding it is my favorite type of riding to do though.
Click to expand...
I love those pedals. Just hate walking in the cleats. I was never a sprinter, my tactic was drop them on a hill in the second half and solo home.
Salmo_g said:
Oh, carbon frame no less! I always hear that they ride smooth and soften the road. I have 3 road bikes in my garage, all lugged steel frames. I can't get over my mistrust of plastic bike frames. I don't ride so much any more. While I strive for denial regarding aging, I think I have some deep psyche feeling that a fall these days would be a lot more injurious than in days gone by. My main road ride is a Merckz Corsa
jeffj said:
Trying for 1 1/2 hrs every other day at the moment. Riding a 40 yr old steel frame Tommasini that I upgraded to 11 sp cluster a few years ago. The bike is a lot slower than it used to be in the 80s and 90s for some reason but I'm having a good time.
Click to expand...

with Campy 10 speed (which has become so passe I guess) with 23 mm tires. My more relaxing ride is a Rivendell Ramboulett in 9 speed Campy with compact crank and 28 mm tires. Then I have an ancient lugged Italian 7 speed that I've long intended to convert to a "town bike," but haven't.
Click to expand...
Steel is real! I've had several. Like some of the glass and boo rods we fish, just rides real nice. The carbon bike is like a carbon rod, well suited to the task and exceptionally well tuned.
 
mcswny said:
I used to ride road bikes a lot 15 years ago. Been running a lot since then, but since I had my 3rd knee surgery this spring i got back in to cycling this summer. Maybe 50/50 road/gravel up in forest park (portland).


View attachment 162477

Some weird foreshortening on this picture but you get the idea.
Click to expand...
That's awesome. I don't have my cross bike anymore, but checked some of those out at the shop. A lot versatile fun there.
 
Confessional, I'm mostly a MTB guy (or zwift trainer). But I have been trying to put more road miles under my wheels.

That said, I cannot for the life of me get along with drop bars. Or perhaps I just haven't been willing to spend the money/time to get the correct frame/cockpit setup. I like the way they feel, like riding on the hoods, etc. But within 10 miles, my hands are numb. Yes, I've tried all the adjustments, switched hand positions, etc. Just doesn't work with the road bikes I've had.

So these days, I just run a flat bar gravel bike for my road adventures. 650b fat tires, 1x gearing, swept back Jones bars, etc. Not roadie cool, but comfy for chewing up the miles.
 
Josh said:
Confessional, I'm mostly a MTB guy (or zwift trainer). But I have been trying to put more road miles under my wheels.

That said, I cannot for the life of me get along with drop bars. Or perhaps I just haven't been willing to spend the money/time to get the correct frame/cockpit setup. I like the way they feel, like riding on the hoods, etc. But within 10 miles, my hands are numb. Yes, I've tried all the adjustments, switched hand positions, etc. Just doesn't work with the road bikes I've had.

So these days, I just run a flat bar gravel bike for my road adventures. 650b fat tires, 1x gearing, swept back Jones bars, etc. Not roadie cool, but comfy for chewing up the miles.
Click to expand...
That's cool, another gravel bike fan. I think fit is part physiology, part bike shop magic. I never felt as comfortable on an MTB as on my road bike.
 
mcswny said:
I used to ride road bikes a lot 15 years ago. Been running a lot since then, but since I had my 3rd knee surgery this spring i got back in to cycling this summer. Maybe 50/50 road/gravel up in forest park (portland).


View attachment 162477

Some weird foreshortening on this picture but you get the idea.
Click to expand...
Ah Forrest Park. Nostalgic for me. I did weekly Wednesday evening rides with PUMP Portland United Mountain Pedelars We did crazy downhill on single track warp speed with No Suspension and rim brakes. Amazing no one died. 35 tears in past. Mansions were built off the paved road above and cut off access to the single track down to main logging road in Forrest park
 
(BigDave) said:
Started going to a spin classes a couple of months ago. A good way to get a quick workout. Getting back out on the bike(s) followed but not looking forward to when the rains come.
Click to expand...
I taught spin class at the Y for a number of years in exchange for pool time. It can be a good workout and way to practice technique.
 
Oh man, bikes have been one of my favorite things since forever. Perhaps my earliest memory is from when my Dad put 2x4 blocks on a tricycle's pedals so that I could reach them, and me riding around the apartment block sidewalks. Wheels!

I've had some nice road bikes, but my old back doesn't like the position much any more, and I traded them in for this. It was a challenge finding just what I wanted during the Covid Kraze, but my nephew was working in a bike shop in Santa Barbara that happened to have one. I ride at least a couple of times a week, and target 50 miles in that time frame. This bike needed a few minor upgrades from stock; pedals, saddle, and grips. Earlier this year my local bike shop had a nice wheelset at 50% off that I couldn't resist. :)

IMG_9245.jpeg

Pardon the dust.
 
Josh said:
That said, I cannot for the life of me get along with drop bars. Or perhaps I just haven't been willing to spend the money/time to get the correct frame/cockpit setup. I like the way they feel, like riding on the hoods, etc. But within 10 miles, my hands are numb. Yes, I've tried all the adjustments, switched hand positions, etc. Just doesn't work with the road bikes I've had.
Click to expand...
Same, frankly I far prefer the heads-up from a flat bar in urban riding, I like the vigilance you get and am not a speed rider anyway. Yesterday dropping off my ballot about three people on electric bikes flew past me to do the same, drop off their ballots. There is a lot of electric bike speed stuff that throws a new wrinkle into it, the non electric riders are way more predictable and safe than the electric folks who don't have years of street ride smarts....
 
Tom Butler said:
Haven't ridden much in about 15 years, but since the streams are low and warm and I AM quitting smoking, had the guys at the shop bring my baby back to life.
Rode this morning, figure 8 weeks to get some base and the muscles used to it again. Ski seasons 4 months off.
Anyone else doing the road bike thing? What are you riding? The old Trek felt good.
View attachment 162463View attachment 162464
Click to expand...
Tom that might weigh less than modern since they're going more after aerodynamics w/ technology. Btw nice dura ace stuff 👍👍
Peg had a Postie/Lance bike that was easily lighter than her new Emonda. I wasn't willing to go Di2 on mine but will say carbon wheels are as close to cheating as you can get.
Daily driver top, Davidson titanium bottom..
IMG_3003.jpegIMG_2447.jpeg
 
I would love to know if my 69 Cinelli SuperCorsa is still around. Full Campy with Prugnat lugs and the iconic Cinelli internal fork crown. Last I knew Jimmie Fadden from The Dirt Band had it. Hope he still does and it is seeing some miles in Sarasota.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top