The Bikes of PBP [Archive] - The Paceline Forum

goonster

08-30-2007, 08:39 PM

Apologies up front for the lack of Serottas. I can recall at least four, including a rather rando-specific yellow CdA that passed me somewhere on the way to Fougeres.

I like what I like, and took pictures of things that either runs to my tastes, or interested me in particular. These bikes are not really representative of the "average" PBP bike, as that is something like a garden-variety Trek or Bianchi with clamped-on bits.

http://www.picpile.net/ims/pic_264UD99M/23435.jpg

Seen parked at the pre-ride meal. Looks to be recent vintage, with Ergo and GB bags. Nice.

http://www.picpile.net/ims/pic_264UD99M/23393.jpg

I was very impressed with the Berthouds, and there seemed to be a ton of them. They were definitely in their element. I understand that Gilles builds a set range of models to measure, and there is relatively little customization for the customer. If you order a particular model, that's what you get and, no, you can't have brazed-on centerpulls or cantilevers. Still, this is world-class work. All were filet brazed and had the trademark semi-hellenic seatstay attachment.

http://www.picpile.net/ims/pic_264UD99M/23394.jpg

This is Jim the Oregonian-from-Texas' bike. He bought this frame from a guy who crit raced it. The fancy DT rear hub failed and Jim soldiered on with a replacement wheel before DNF'ing.

http://www.picpile.net/ims/pic_264UD99M/23395.jpg

This Kogswell P belongs to Noel from Seattle. British Airways lost his bike in transit, and botched several attempts to deliver. The bike arrived three hours before departure, and I'm told Noel wrenched on it while waiting in line. These frames are sometimes maligned for their unmodified Pacenti lugs, but the bike performed well, and Noel rolled across the finish line with me.

http://www.picpile.net/ims/pic_264UD99M/23396.jpg

Another Berthoud, as seen in Villaines La Juhel. No downtube logo is visible, but the filets and seatstay attachments give it away.

http://www.picpile.net/ims/pic_264UD99M/23397.jpg

http://www.picpile.net/ims/pic_264UD99M/23398.jpg

Front rack details. Check the headtube logo, and the gorgeous chromed steel rackage.

http://www.picpile.net/ims/pic_264UD99M/23399.jpg

A Bianchi with an interesting front rack. The rack attaches to the brake bolt, arches over the caliper and clamps to the bottom of the fork legs. It's not terribly elegant, but might be an excellent solution for many production road bikes. Anybody know who makes these?

(More photos tomorrow)

Sandy

08-30-2007, 08:49 PM

If I might ask, what bicycle ride characteristics do you, and others who participate in rides like PBP, desire in your bikes?

In addition, what personality characteristics do you find (if you do) such riders possess that might be different than other road cyclists who never do such marathon events?

The photos are great. Thanks for sharing them.

Sandy

Fixed

08-30-2007, 08:50 PM

bro nice pics good job ....hey bro do you still love your bike after all that?
cheers :beer:

duke

08-30-2007, 09:16 PM

Outstanding pictures of Oustanding bikes.
Thanks,
duke

sg8357

08-30-2007, 10:34 PM

The rack on the Bianchi is an ESGE, mine is marked made in West Germany.
It comes with a complicated rubber & steel rack strap.

Notice how low the lights are mounted on the SON equipped bikes,
makes it easier to spot potholes.

If you order your PBP bike today, delivery should be just in time for '11
training.

Scott G.

coylifut

08-31-2007, 12:10 AM

those bikes are all so smartly equiped. i didn't realise riders carried such large bags, but I guess you really have to prepare for everything. I just received word today that my one friend who entered pbp this year did indeed finish in 80 hours. so, he's now finished it 2x. thanks for the photos - looking forward to more.

rnhood

08-31-2007, 04:45 AM

Those are really nice photo's there - great looking bikes. I like that water bottle that looks somewhat like a wine bottle on the Berthoud. Very neat. I would be interesting to hear specifics from the owners on why they picked their particular bike and, what characteristics they look for (I think Sandy has already asked this).

I just looked at the PBP website and, find it both interesting and encouraging that America has the second best showing of participants in this event, behind only the French - though well behind.

Pete Serotta

08-31-2007, 05:26 AM

Thanks for sharing the great pictures. AS long as we ride - It DOES NOT make a difference what we ride as long as it puts a smile on our face.

Have a good long weekend.

LETS RIDE.

Pete

rwsaunders

08-31-2007, 06:45 AM

Great post. It looks like Brooks has the saddle market kicked and I love the can of Red Bull breakfast drink in the last photo.

Steelhead

08-31-2007, 06:51 AM

Hey! That Rivendell, third one down -- That belongs to a guy from my local shop ride, I think his name is Jay. What a small world!

Steelhead

08-31-2007, 06:53 AM

This is Jim the Oregonian-from-Texas' bike. ooops - yeah thats him, Jim is his nam, not Jay.

dauwhe

08-31-2007, 08:28 AM

One of the most interesting bikes I saw was a Nick Crumpton carbon randonneur. It had a custom titanium front rack in the "pointy" style of Bruce Gordon's rando show bikes (attached to a Wound Up fork). Also had carbon fenders! I got to hold the rack for a moment, and it weighed nothing. Interesting combination of new materials in service of a proven design.

I too saw quite a few Berthouds, which looked very nice. And I may be biased, but the various Tournesols (including one in Carbon, two in Titanium, and at least two in Steel) were among the more pleasing bikes.

Sadly, I didn't see any Alex Singers up close. I did get a glimpse of a Curt Goodrich Randonneur going by. Would have liked to get a better look at that!

And of course there was the "Onion Johnny" retrodrive bike (http://www.bikeradar.com/beginners/news/article/back-pedalling-onion-man-attempts-paris-brest-paris-11932) where you get a lower gear if you pedal backwards.

Dave

jimcav

08-31-2007, 09:19 AM

And of course there was the "Onion Johnny" retrodrive where you get a lower gear if you pedal backwards.

Dave[/QUOTE]
i can't imagine pedaling backwards for 7 minutes, let alone 770 miles

goonster

08-31-2007, 12:02 PM

http://www.picpile.net/ims/pic_264UD99M/23405.jpg

http://www.picpile.net/ims/pic_264UD99M/23403.jpg

Typical UK Audax bike. I thought the pump peg was mildly interesting.

http://www.picpile.net/ims/pic_264UD99M/23403.jpg

Richard Moon. Very pretty.

http://www.picpile.net/ims/pic_264UD99M/23408.jpg

My friend Greg's bike. This is a coupled and repainted Jamis Nova. Don't laugh, this bike has finished PBP and BMB, and its owner knows what he's doing.

http://www.picpile.net/ims/pic_264UD99M/23409.jpg

My rig in Carhaix. I was travelling with what I thought was the minimum for a four-day event without drop bags. The weight distribution was far from ideal (especially up front, way too much wheel flop), but the ability to access food and gear while riding was worth the compromises.

http://www.picpile.net/ims/pic_264UD99M/23410.jpg

A Pierre Perrin. I'd never heard of this builder, but I saw a few at PBP and they all impressed me. Paint scheme is a little busy for my liking, but there you are.

http://www.picpile.net/ims/pic_264UD99M/23411.jpg

http://www.picpile.net/ims/pic_264UD99M/23412.jpg

Shifter behind seattube is to actuate the bottom bracket generator.

http://www.picpile.net/ims/pic_264UD99M/23415.jpg

There's the generator. I'm hugely sold on hub generators, but I love seeing stuff like this.

goonster

08-31-2007, 12:21 PM

http://www.picpile.net/ims/pic_264UD99M/23418.jpg

http://www.picpile.net/ims/pic_264UD99M/23419.jpg

Paul Donaldson's Riv. Paul, aka "World's Greatest Randonneur" is a fixture on the DC series, and I'm told he rides to and from most brevets in the northern VA and MD area from his home in Richmond. Yes, those are Wald baskets. Check out the generator, kickstand, lumberjack shirt and $20 plastic pedals. Paul rode in "reg'lar clothes" (as far as I could tell) and Teva sandals, and you really get the sense that brevets are an intrinsic part of his "normal" life. He's a bona fide randonneuring hero of mine.

I keep forgetting who built this frame. It's not any of the usual suspects (i.e. Waterford, JS, CG, RS or MN).

http://www.picpile.net/ims/pic_264UD99M/23420.jpg

http://www.picpile.net/ims/pic_264UD99M/23421.jpg

http://www.picpile.net/ims/pic_264UD99M/23422.jpg

http://www.picpile.net/ims/pic_264UD99M/23428.jpg

Bilenky tandem, completed mere weeks before the event. Bilenky are true constructeurs, and I'm hugely impressed by their work and all-around coolness.

http://www.picpile.net/ims/pic_264UD99M/23429.jpg

Spotted outbound in Sizun, a little town and popular refueling spot between Carhaix and Brest. Can't go wrong with one of these!

72gmc

08-31-2007, 12:49 PM

great pictures, thank you. A lot of ingenuity and personal taste, i.e. placement of the box in front of the seatpost on that Pierre Perin, and the way-down-low Ixon light on that Sachs (either one looks like it would drive me crazy). All of these bikes really are reflections of their particular riders.

nicrump

09-02-2007, 09:38 AM

willy in pacifi

09-06-2007, 01:58 PM

Someone took a picture of me on day one on "La Vanilllllla". It got a lot of attention at the start and lots of pictures. It was almost imbarassing since I did not build the thing. I think the painted fenders got their attention then they noticed thing like the light rack and the disc brakes.

Considering the rainy conditions it was the perfect bike for this years PBP. I heard lots of grinding brakes and I had to grin.

I was raining when the picture was taken so had a plastic bag over the Berthoud bar bag to protect the picture of my three girls which I figured I would need later on.

willy in pacifica

fiamme red

09-06-2007, 02:11 PM

If you order your PBP bike today, delivery should be just in time for '11
training.

Scott G.Yes, the queues are getting longer and longer.

Thanks so much for the great photos, goonster.

dauwhe

09-06-2007, 02:50 PM

Thanks for the photo of the Crumpton, Mr. Crumpton! That's a very nice bike! I had a very poor photo of it in the bike room at the hotel (interestingly, leaning against a titanium Tournesol).

Dave

Fixed

09-06-2007, 02:56 PM

bro i love nothing better (almost) than work bikes and those look like a workin man's bike imho
cheers :beer:

znfdl

09-06-2007, 02:58 PM

Thanks for the marvelous pictures.

e-RICHIE

09-06-2007, 02:59 PM

bro i love nothing better (almost) than work bikes and those look like a workin man's bike imho
cheers :beer:

...and don't forget the fairer sex atmo -

http://www.grapids.lib.mi.us/site_images/collections/grhsty_spcoll/photocoll/125-932.R-35142.jpg

Fixed

09-06-2007, 03:02 PM

sweet pic bro
cheers bro the one is hard core banged her knee and keeps on goin imho

e-RICHIE

09-06-2007, 03:07 PM

sweet pic bro
cheers bro the one is hard core banged her knee and keeps on goin imho
it's the appetite suppressant; she can't feel a thing atmo.

ps
arrange disorder
:D :D :D
:D :D :D
:D :D :p

goonster

09-06-2007, 03:19 PM

Here are the last ones I have . . .

http://www.picpile.net/ims/pic_264UD99M/23430.jpg

Another Gilles Berthoud, seen in Brest.

http://www.picpile.net/ims/pic_264UD99M/23431.jpg

A humble Long Haul Trucker, on a noble mission. QBP in tha house!

http://www.picpile.net/ims/pic_264UD99M/23432.jpg

Quickbeam at Brest. Fixed. That's a Ghisallo medallion on the seatpost. Who rode this? I tried to take a picture of the number tag, but it turned out illegible. (I'm curious because I also ride the occasional brevet on a QB)

http://www.picpile.net/ims/pic_264UD99M/23433.jpg

Holdsworth in Sizun, on the return leg. At the time, in person, I thought it looked perfectly proportioned and set up with elegant simplicity. This photo does not do it justice.

http://www.picpile.net/ims/pic_264UD99M/23434.jpg

Fairly typical example of a British audax rig.

http://www.picpile.net/ims/pic_264UD99M/23435.jpg

Green Riv seen before the ride.

RABikes2

09-06-2007, 03:46 PM

Ray

09-06-2007, 04:17 PM

http://www.picpile.net/ims/pic_264UD99M/23435.jpg

Green Riv seen before the ride.

That's green? Looks like their classic metallic blue to me. Nice, regardless.

-Ray

goonster

09-06-2007, 04:22 PM

That's green? Looks like their classic metallic blue to me.

It was definitely not the classic metallic light blue, but it may have been on the blueish side of turquoise.

Forgive me. I was hungry. And also a bit distracted. :)

e-RICHIE

09-06-2007, 04:30 PM

http://www.frameforum.net/forum2/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=2805

is this rack style considered spongeworthy among the PBP set atmo?

wren

09-06-2007, 04:47 PM

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1101/1266592073_08b12313ba_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1220/1266350563_e45aad8f42_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1149/1175112832_a856112119_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1212/1175108176_6038f0afcd_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1268/1175105774_a3abc65e91_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1394/1175104380_89163b638c_o.jpg

dauwhe

09-06-2007, 04:50 PM

is this rack style considered spongeworthy among the PBP set atmo?

I did drool, although I have a few concerns:

[1] relatively narrow base to the rack. This can lead to the sides of the bag drooping down past the edge of the rack.

[2] no provision for decaleur, or other method of bag stabilization. I actually put a small hole in the bottom of the bag (towards the front) and run a bolt up from the rack into the bag. This prevents any side-to-side sway.

[3] no provision (that I can see) for routing the wire for the generator light. Seems a shame to have zip-ties on this bike!

[4] hard to tell from the picture, but it looks like the only light mount is on the right? I prefer a single light to be on the left, even though it complicates the wire routing. Seems like you'd get better visibility from cars approaching from ahead.

Of course, I haven't used this rack (or looked closely when the bag and lights were installed), so it's quite possible that none of my concerns are valid.

Love the style and the weight!

Dave

dauwhe

09-06-2007, 04:51 PM

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1394/1175104380_89163b638c_o.jpg

That's my bike behind the Bike Friday!

Dave

goonster

09-06-2007, 05:06 PM

is this rack style considered spongeworthy among the PBP set atmo?

Hard to say without the bag.

Also hard to say without a rigorous definition of "spongeworthy". ;) (I'll assume it is a good thing)

Bonus points for being custom fab, and for there even being a rack on a bike like this at all.

Bonus points for light and fender mounts. (Contrary to the esteemed Dauwhe I prefer my light on the right side)

As Dauwhe said, above all the rack needs to work well with the bag. I talked to some owners of very nice rack and decaleur setups, whose bags flew off midride. The builders have been notified, and future rigs will benefit from this feedback.

e-RICHIE

09-06-2007, 05:17 PM

Hard to say without the bag.

Also hard to say without a rigorous definition of "spongeworthy". ;)
yes it is atmo. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qpSFXzlKYw)

dauwhe

09-06-2007, 06:52 PM

yes it is atmo. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qpSFXzlKYw)

Ah, now I remember!

Definitely spongeworthy. But I couldn't say if it would be worth a second sponge without, um, going for a ride.

Peter B

09-06-2007, 07:41 PM

Here are the last ones I have . . .

http://www.picpile.net/ims/pic_264UD99M/23432.jpg

Quickbeam at Brest. Fixed. That's a Ghisallo medallion on the seatpost. Who rode this? I tried to take a picture of the number tag, but it turned out illegible. (I'm curious because I also ride the occasional brevet on a QB)

That was Eric 'Campy Only' Norris from Davis, CA. He and I rode fixed together. I was on this:

Brons2

09-06-2007, 07:46 PM

heh...my bike is more famous than I am. (big Rivendell, 3rd from the top)

I have to say though...it was much shinier at the start.

And...I really drooled over that Crumpton Randonneur!! Crumpton is here in Austin...maybe I should give him a call! ;) That would be about the most possible polar opposite of my Rivendell.

Brons2

09-06-2007, 07:51 PM

Brons2

09-06-2007, 08:00 PM

I did drool, although I have a few concerns:

[1] relatively narrow base to the rack. This can lead to the sides of the bag drooping down past the edge of the rack.

[2] no provision for decaleur, or other method of bag stabilization. I actually put a small hole in the bottom of the bag (towards the front) and run a bolt up from the rack into the bag. This prevents any side-to-side sway.

[3] no provision (that I can see) for routing the wire for the generator light. Seems a shame to have zip-ties on this bike!

[4] hard to tell from the picture, but it looks like the only light mount is on the right? I prefer a single light to be on the left, even though it complicates the wire routing. Seems like you'd get better visibility from cars approaching from ahead.

Of course, I haven't used this rack (or looked closely when the bag and lights were installed), so it's quite possible that none of my concerns are valid.

Love the style and the weight!

Dave

It looked pretty normal when fully loaded. The gentleman was from Kentucky but I can't remember his name. Met him in front of the Mercure also. So many cool bikes...

big shanty

09-06-2007, 10:31 PM

That Potts is dope.

big shanty

09-06-2007, 10:32 PM

No fenders?!?

Grant McLean

09-06-2007, 11:26 PM

I like the shot of the couple on the 'opposing pedals tandem recumbent'.
Is that so they don't have to look at each other after too long?

-g

Brons2

09-07-2007, 09:20 AM

I like the shot of the couple on the 'opposing pedals tandem recumbent'.
Is that so they don't have to look at each other after too long?

-g

yeah that thing is pretty neat! One thing I noticed about it...they are each driving a separate wheel! They each have their own drivetrain! Interesting.

willy in pacifi

09-07-2007, 10:31 AM

yeah that thing is pretty neat! One thing I noticed about it...they are each driving a separate wheel! They each have their own drivetrain! Interesting.

I was riding with a french rider and we talked to them quite a bit. They were boyfriend girlfriend but I had to ask them because it was inapropriate for him to ask that question.

At one of the controls I saw a younger woman that looked all of 20 in white shorts and a pink jersey. Looked just like and angle or the centerfold out of the Colorado Cyclist catalog. It ended up being the back half of the tandem.

You have to wonder what it was like when they started dating and he invited her to go for a ride and he pulls that thing out of the garage.

willy in pacifica

fiamme red

09-10-2007, 12:59 PM

Report and photos from Joel Metz:

http://www.blackbirdsf.org/randonneuring/2007_pbp.html.

I like the Bilenky jersey on Pat, but where's the Gauloise? :confused:

http://www.blackbirdsf.org/randonneuring/2007_pbp/2007_pbp_08.jpg

jbay

09-10-2007, 09:59 PM

I'm almost scared to ask, but what's sticking out of his trousers???

-- John

e-RICHIE

09-10-2007, 10:13 PM

I'm almost scared to ask, but what's sticking out of his trousers???

-- John
can we get close to a 3mm measurement tolerance here atmo?

Steelhead

09-10-2007, 10:24 PM

yes it is atmo. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qpSFXzlKYw)

I just watch old Seinfeld clips for a hour ! :D :)

nicrump

09-18-2007, 07:57 AM

crumpton pbp pic snip
is this rack style considered spongeworthy among the PBP set atmo?

the sponge is dead. this is the morning after pill!

Fixed

09-18-2007, 08:00 AM

bro the fotos are great ever see so many bros at one place
my kind of folks imho
cheers

Fixed

09-18-2007, 08:02 AM

bro are these any good ?
http://www.biketiresdirect.com/productdetail.asp?p=SKSKS&tn=11331054
cheers thanks

sg8357

09-18-2007, 08:15 AM

bro are these any good ?
http://www.biketiresdirect.com/productdetail.asp?p=SKSKS&tn=11331054
cheers thanks

The back one is OK, the front one is way too short.
You need to get the front fender with mud flap within 4-6in of the
ground, so your feet don't get soaked from spray off the front tire.

Scott G.

goonster

09-18-2007, 09:37 AM

bro are these any good ?
http://www.biketiresdirect.com/productdetail.asp?p=SKSKS&tn=11331054

In some cases* they are better than nothing.

(* = bike won't permit any other fenders, there's nothing else to keep spray off your Brooks, your rainy rides are relatively short, ymmv, etc., atmo)

dauwhe

09-18-2007, 09:46 AM

I do see a lot of race blades at brevets. "Better than nothing" sounds reasonable.

I tried to put a pair on my Serotta Fierte, and couldn't. There wasn't enough clearance between the front fender and the down tube--the fender would hit the shifter cables. I was using 27mm tires, which were really pushing the clearances on that bike...

Dave