On bias (NBD)

[feynman]

Rather than a droning novella, just a quick observation on expectation and experience.

Before being presented with an unrefusable offer on this new bike, I held some fairly real biases (even though I knew they were irrational). A couple of rides have killed all of these prejudices.

Things I knew I didn't like:

- SRAM
- Green
- Electronic shifting
- 1X
- Dropped seatstays
- Aggressive bike appearances

I'm sure there are others. Anyway, I love this bike. It's comfortable and beautiful and fast.

I really like the mullet. The 52t saved my butt this weekend. I was able to climb a section I have always needed to partially walk. Electronic shifting is so very nice. The green looks good.

This bike is very hard to photograph in any way that I like. It looks much better in person to me.

Well, you got a droning novella after all. Sorry.

As a fat old beginner, my poseur meter is off the charts at the moment. I'll try to earn this bike in sweat.

Edited to add: I wear my stack of spacers and flat pedals with pride.

Here are some photos. I should have just led with these.

[AngryScientist]

I think many of the old bias (OK what is the plural of bias??) are dead simply because most of the new stuff is really good.

All the current tech is pretty well mature and the kinks have been worked out.

Unless you really NEED something unique for fit needs, it's hard to buy a bad bike on the mid to upper end of the spectrum these days.

This one looks nice. Enjoy the ride!

[Baron Blubba]

Great post, and congrats on getting over your biases and actually trying stuff. It's amazing how good pretty much everything is these days, even the stuff that is less good than other stuff. I have come across exceptions, but it's hard to hate on the fun and function of quality bike components these days, and the frames themselves too.
Customers love to pick my brain on Sram vs Shimano vs Campagnolo, regarding the high-end stuff, and my answer is always this: Each one has a slight edge here or there over the other, but you simply can't complain about riding with any of them.

This is not to confirm that old incorrectly glib idiom that 'all high end bikes these days are pretty much the same.' Very far from it, most high end bikes I've ridden feel distinctly different from one another and I have strong preferences. But most are still *very* good and, if I wasn't spoiled for choice, I wouldn't complain about riding any of 'em.

Anyway, that's a tangent. Summary: Yeah, you're onto something, Feynman. Bias in cycling is often silly, especially bias without hands on experience. Exception: Aesthetics (ie. green) --but that's not really bias, it's preference.

[StressStrain]

That is a gorgeous and super functional bike!

Welcome to the world of 1x SRAM AXS dropped stays. I certainly love this world.

[fourflys]

sweet!

[NHAero]

Cool bike, glad you are digging it!
Curious about the rear tire clearance to the curved seat tube, it looks tight. Not an issue?

[zlin]

Look at you having fun on a bicycle! Enjoy it. I like the color.

[Wolfman]

I don’t think that’s all *that* many spacers, to be fair…

[feynman]

Originally Posted by NHAero

Curious about the rear tire clearance to the curved seat tube, it looks tight. Not an issue?

The photos are deceptive. There's sufficient extra space but I don't think I could go any bigger. I seem to recall 3T specifying 42 max measured width in back (though 650b can go pretty massive). These are 40mm G-Ones that I haven't measured.

[jambee]

If you're having fun it can't be wrong!

What's that computer mount? I like its shape!

[prototoast]

Great looking bike, and double points for making its owner so happy.

[feynman]

Thanks. I really like this bike.

The mount is a Barfly. It seems to be very nice quality (which it should be for the price), and this attachment style is specific to the 3T stem. I became immediately used to the computer mount taking no handlebar space, so now I want that everywhere.

[d_douglas]

I’ve been there. Now I ride olde-timey bikes because it’s what can afford, but budget aside, I would love to ride a bike like this - no doubt it is a blast to ride on.

I played with Di2 in a shop a few days ago and it’s mesmerizing for a newbie to watch! I’ve ridden a bike with it and once the novelty wore off, there is no denying it’s amazingly accurate. Etap is apparently equally as good, so yeah, you cannot go wrong!

[Elefantino]

In my experience, if you enjoy riding a particular bike there is no reason to make excuses for any past bias or current configuration.

[merlinmurph]

Originally Posted by NHAero

Cool bike, glad you are digging it!
Curious about the rear tire clearance to the curved seat tube, it looks tight. Not an issue?

Yup, that was something I'd be concerned about, especially when it gets wet and muddy and the mud builds up.

Anyways, cool looking bike. I've never really given much thought to what other people think if I like something.

Enjoy your ride.