Additional to yesterday’s submit, a lot of you felt I did certainly make a mistake by returning the Litespeed:
Actually, I’m unsure why that’s. Other than driving superbly, being actually mild, wanting prefer it simply got here out of the store yesterday regardless that it’s like 25 years outdated, and naturally boasting maybe the best built-in shifting drivetrains ever produced, it actually had nothing a lot going for it.
Oh shit, I actually did make a mistake, didn’t I?
Fuck it, perhaps there’s nonetheless time, I’m going out to lie in entrance of the UPS truck:
Simply kidding:
No, I’m snug with my resolution. For one factor I’M A BIG BOY AND I DON’T NEED YOUR APPROVAL. (I’m not yelling at you, I’m yelling at myself, as a result of perhaps if I yell loud sufficient I’ll truly consider it.) For an additional, I’ve obtained this:
As a street bike it’s the whole lot the Litespeed is, plus it matches gravel tires. Additionally, to be fully trustworthy, I’m an excessive amount of of a dirtbag for a flowery titanium street bike–even one which’s over 20 years outdated. And once more, I’ll remind you that for those who really need it I’m positive Paul at Traditional Cycle could be joyful to promote it to you. I even upgraded the pawls within the Ksyriums!
There was nothing in any respect mistaken with the outdated ones, however I learn that the reason for the dreaded Mavic Dying Squeal was that the pawls put on down and the particles degrades the bushing or one thing ridiculous, and that to stop it you improve the pawls to the more durable ones from the mountain wheels or one thing. In order that’s what I did, regardless that the bushing was simply fantastic. As a result of I’m neurotic.
As for my brace of Italian street bikes, I stand by these as effectively:
I like the Cervino for the way in which it rides and the way in which it seems to be, however I additionally adore it as a result of the snooty varieties don’t even have a look at it as a result of they see the “Nishiki” decal and the uncovered cables and so they suppose I’m driving an outdated 10-speed I obtained off Craigslist and never an Italian basic with Tremendous File:
On the similar time, I additionally get the satisfaction of being part of a really small and elite group of overenthusiastic Nishiki house owners:
As for the Faggin, not solely is it satisfying to resurrect an outdated bike you’ve had for years, but it surely’s not a type of Italian names everybody fawns over simply because they’re purported to, like Colnago, or Pinarello, or De Rosa, and even Pegorini–I imply Pegoretti:
Talking of stuff that’s not snooty, additional to Friday’s submit, astute readers famous that Mountain Bike Motion apparently revealed “The Stunning Reality!” concerning the Ozark Path mountain bike from Walmart:
Right here’s the bike, which Walmart sells for $398:
Now, I could also be an city sophisticate with a fleet of unique bicycles in metrosexual hues, however I’ve by no means been one to sneer on the big-box shopper. For instance, when the Smugerati had been making enjoyable of Goal bikes, I identified how short-sighted and patronizing that was. I’ve additionally by no means shied from a discount, and in 2019 I rode L’Eroica California on a cheap-ass street bike from Chain Response which I had shipped proper to my lodge earlier than the experience:
The bike was $323.99 and nonetheless got here in at beneath $400 even after the transport prices:
The bike was nice, and I had no downside hanging with the pack of hotshot gravel influencers I used to be staying with in a media home. Right here I’m citing the rear:
That’s Gus Morton, Lachlan Morton’s brother, on the left:
Because the one individual with out a fancy bike or a suntan, they handled me as if I used to be a Walmart bike that had taken human type.
Anyway, given my expertise with that street bike, I suspected THE SHOCKING TRUTH! concerning the Walmart mountain bike was that it was simply fantastic, and this video appears to substantiate that that is certainly the case:
The truth is the reviewer’s solely actual concern with it was the standard of the fork:
I do know I’m purported to be joyful that Mountain Bike Motion is acknowledging an inexpensive bike from Walmart may be good, however I’m principally simply offended that they didn’t level out that it could even be higher–and doubtless cheaper–in the event that they didn’t trouble with the silly suspension fork. Like not a higher suspension fork, however no suspension fork in any respect. I imply why do you want a suspension fork to do that?
Then once more, I’m positive that in 2024 it’s completely unimaginable to promote a mountain bike with out a suspension fork, even in Walmart, and so that you wind up paying extra for a clunky suspension fork that truly makes the bike worse–a phenomenon I’ve additionally written about earlier than.
After all the business has since addressed the issue it created by promoting offroad-capable bikes with crappy suspension forks by inventing a brand new sort of offroad-capable bike you’re allowed to experience with out a suspension fork (effectively, no less than for now, anyway). This new sort of bicycle known as a “gravel bike,” and since no less than 2022 you may as well get these inexpensively at Walmart:
Just like the Ozark Path, it appears to get fairly first rate opinions on-line, although for those who’re keen to spend a bit extra Walmart will provide you with Head:
I’m genuinely fascinated by the Campy-ish L-Twoo shifters:
I could need to get a pair for the Faggin:
And for those who’re a type of contrarian varieties who suppose gravel bikes are simply how the business will get you to overpay for a cyclocross bike, effectively guess what? Walmart will promote you a cyclocross bike too:
When you’re questioning, the reply is sure, you may experience it at your subsequent UCI occasion:
Somebody at “Schwinn” is studying the UCI rule guide.
And whereas everybody is aware of about Allied, it seems to be like now you can even get crabon bikes with GRX immediately from Walmart–or no less than immediately from Walmart’s web site (although I suppose the corporate additionally sells them immediately):
To not point out a street bike–with rim brakes!
Simply as all mountain bikes will need to have suspension forks, quickly all bicycles of any sort should be fabricated from crabon. And if even the Walmart choices totally crabonify then perhaps we’ll get to a bizarre inversion level the place the boutique metal bikes from unbiased corporations will value lower than the Walmart bikes.
Perhaps there may be hope for the longer term.
