Started with that Madone now I'm here...

[CSKeller]

Are you going for 50 bikes this year and a nice $50,000 1099 from paypal?


I hope you have finally gotten your sizing dialed to with a cm or 2 instead of +/- 15 cm.

And I think you have figured out that all your bikes need Campagnolo...nothing else ever comes close!!

[fignon's barber]

Originally Posted by Clean39T

With an annual ride hitting this weekend, I'm remembering it was about a year ago (maybe in Sept/Oct) that I started going bike-buying crazy. Since then, I've had 30 bikes in some form pass through my garage, some for a very short time (unridden), some for a longer time, and with five currently sticking around.

It all started with a vague feeling that my 6.9SSL front end was a wet-noodle descending, not really liking the SRAM Force on it, and thinking it wasn't worth it to upgrade the parts vs. buying a different bike. From there things got weird...and I'm only just now settling into what I think is a good understanding of what fits and what I like/need/want.

It's been a long strange trip, and I like to think some of my madness has resulted in a number of folks here being happy they got good deals on some really nice bikes. Most of the time it's been a fun process. I love wrenching on bikes. But a couple of them have been a PITA due to inaccurate listings. And all that wrenching, boxing, searching, etc. has taken away a bit from my ride time.

Was it worth it? Most of them, yes. Some of them, no.

This next year will be markedly different though. I have some personal-life commitments drawing away some of the hobby time, and I'm not going to sacrifice training/riding for unnecessary wrenching. That may change depending on how some other things go though. Maybe I'll hit the lottery, quit my day-job, and trade in used bike parts full time

I still have quite a few accumulated parts to clear out as I get the couple that are staying built and fine-tuned. Prices will be trending to blow-out as we get into the fall and my time starts running short...

• New ’12 Trek Madone 6.9 SSL (60) – bought NOS, rode 1,500mi, didn’t like the lack of front end stiffness/tracking at time, but wish I’d kept this one
• New ’14 Kestrel Legend SL (59) – bought online, sent back, didn’t think I liked the look and was going to keep the Madone
• Used ’14 Cannondale SS EVO HM (58) – frame only, too small due to cut fork
• New ’14 Cannondale SS EVO HM (58) – complete, bought online, returned, didn’t like the look
• New ’15 Cannondale CAAD10 Black Inc (60) – bought on super-sale, didn’t like ride, found the Tarmac
• New ’15 Niner Air 9 RDO (L) – returned, too small
• Used ’15 Specialized Tarmac Pro (61) – liked it, kinda felt too big, wanted steel
• Used ’07 Yamaguchi Team USA (59) – loved it, raced it, rode it, felt too big, wanted to rebuild w Campy, stripped it, rebuilt twice trying to get it to fit, admitted it doesn’t, passed on
• Used ’12 Lynskey R460 (58) – complete, came as a bit of a basket-case, but a good price, tried it, had other projects in mind
• Used ’04 Merckx MX Leader 25th Anniv (59) – complete, tried it, didn’t like clearance or bar/stem options
• Used ‘90s Fat Chance (19) – frame only, looked too small, had other projects
• Used ‘90s Serotta Colorado III (63) – semi-complete, built it, liked the ride, a bit big, didn’t like bar/stem options
• Used Felt F1 (61) – frame only, wasn’t in described condition, went back to seller
• Used ‘10s Zanconato Sportif (58.5) – frame only, liked ride, but not bar/stem options, and should have tried with a straight post given 72.5* STA, felt like I was way out the back and only realized that was due to a 25+mm setback after I sold it
• Used ‘90s Holland Steel (64) – complete, way too big, not sure why I bought it
• Used ’07 Holland Ti (59) – stripped to rebuild and got confused on measurements, should never have sold, biggest one I regret.. :L
• Used ’05 Merlin XLM (22) – complete off PinkBike, parts were bunk, PayPal complaint process left a bad taste, sold the frame, donated the parts
• Used '00s Serotta Legend/?? (57) – complete, bought for the wheels and fork, passed the frame on to a new owner
• Used ’05 Merlin Extralight (62) – complete, rode great, too big
• Used ‘00s Serotta Legend Ti (62) – complete, rode amazing, too big
• Used ’08 Holland Ti (63) – complete, rode amazing, too big
• New(ish) ’14 Kestrel Legend SL (59) – complete, great price from Amazon Whse, liked it a lot, liked the fit and geometry, wasn’t sure about frame clearance/style or carbon in general, wanted Ti/Steel in same proportions
• Used ’11 Moots Rigormootis (20) – complete, package deal, got chance to get 29’er instead, sold frameset
• Used ’11 Moots Vamoots CR (60) [current] – complete, stripped older DA, rebuilt w DA9100, rides great, fits great
• Used ’03 Litespeed Ultimate (58) – complete, bought locally, guy needed to sell it and I passed on the deal to the forum folks knowing it was too small for me (most likely – could have made it work)
• Used ’15 Moots Vamoots (52) – frameset, wife thought it was “too nice”, passed it on to forum member who wanted it initially
• Used ’93 Keith Anderson (58) [current] – complete, responded to PSA on eBay listing, probably shouldn’t have, donating most of the parts, unsure I’ll keep it even though it has good clearance, but may hold onto it as a rain bike until the custom rando gets built
• Used ’14 Moots MootoX RSL (20) [current] – frameset, discussed over a month or two with seller, decided to try it, unsure I need it vs. a ‘cross bike, going to build and ride while its up for sale
• Used ’06 Merlin Works 6/4Ti (59) [current] – complete, bought locally, likely keeping as training bike until next race season
• Used ’15 Pegoretti Marcelo (58) [inbound] – frame only, responded to PSA on eBay listing, hoping for a good fit and good ride characteristics, may push the Moots CR or the Merlin out the door depending on garage space
• New Custom [maybe] - Thinking about a custom neo-rando road bike…like for the Race Across Oregon…bad roads, but still roads, all day/night riding…deposit in the Fall, delivery in the Winter.

Clean39,

This original post is screaming for an update.

[benb]

This is amazing, I missed it the first time around.

I don't think reading this forum does anyone any favors when it comes to turning riders into the "Princess and the Pea". Everyone here is a huge enabler.

I have had major gremlins in my riding for years but have never fallen into thinking it was the bike's fault. I've been more insane about getting fit data because I've had some odd issues and most of the fitters get confused somehow. In 2016-2017 I had 2 very highly regarded fitters recommend saddle heights 2cm different for example.

I would really echo what others have said about finding a really awesome fitter or 5 in your area. For the amount of churn you're going through go get a whole bunch of opinions. Chances are in your area lots of the fitters are bad and maybe you'll get some bad advice but if you went on a mission to try a bunch of them in one year you'll find the one who really knows his/her stuff and they'll help you end this musical chairs of bikes.

I think you might be blaming "feel" issues on the bike(s) when it's actually that you're not really fit correctly on the bike, and you're also riding so many bikes that you're never becoming so used to one bike that you adapt your riding unconsciously to the point you mesh with that bike perfectly. Look at the way most pros have to operate today. They're getting a bike, and they get told to make that bike work and they can't have a different one. And they make it work every time because they have great fitters/coaches/PTs.

I think this is where the forum is a detriment, there are a lot of posts on here about super esoteric items like rims affecting ride quality and grades of steel. If you're churning through frames like crazy you've got major gigantic things to figure out, the fit issues influence how the bike feels/rides 1000x more than most of the stuff that gets discussed here. (Clincher vs Tubular is another example.)

I am actually amazed you've been through this process without injuring yourself.

[johnniecakes]

I am a total amateur compared to the OP. I may turn 2 or 3 around a year but the core 6 never get swapped out. For me it is another part of the hobby. I understand fit and be dialed in is critical. I just enjoy buying, building, riding, selling and repeating the process. That said I have the 58 Litespeed Ultimate the Clean39T sold, it is not going anywhere.

[Clean39T]

Okay, here's the update, and a bit of parsing - movement since original thread in blue:

2015-17 Bought and Rode Real Miles (over 250) and Sold [7]:

- New ’12 Trek Madone 6.9 SSL (60)
- Used ’15 Specialized Tarmac Pro (61)
- Used ’07 Yamaguchi Team USA (59)
- New ’14 Kestrel Legend SL (59)
- Used ’11 Moots Vamoots CR (60)
- Used ’06 Merlin Works 6/4Ti (59)
- Used ’15 Pegoretti Marcelo (58)
- Davidson Titanium (58)
- Serotta NHX (58)

2016-17 Bought and Rode Some Test Miles (<100) and Sold [13]:

- New ’15 Cannondale CAAD10 Black Inc (60)
- Used ’04 Merckx MX Leader 25th Anniv (59)
- Used ‘90s Serotta Colorado III (63)
- Used ‘10s Zanconato Sportif (58.5)
- Used ‘00s Serotta Legend Ti (62)
- Used ’08 Holland Ti (63)
- Used ’93 Keith Anderson (58)
- Used '12 Felt F1 (61)
- Used ’12 Lynskey R460 (58)
- Used ’05 Merlin Extralight (62)
- Used Salsa Colossal Ti (59)
- Used Trek Boone Disc (61)
- Used Trek Boone Canti RSL (61)

2016/17 Bought and Returned/Sold [11]:

- New ’14 Kestrel Legend SL (59)
- Used ’14 Cannondale SS EVO HM (58)
- New ’14 Cannondale SS EVO HM (58)
- New ’15 Niner Air 9 RDO (L)
- Used ‘90s Fat Chance (19)
- Used ‘90s Holland Steel (64)
- Used ’07 Holland Ti (59)
- Used ’05 Merlin XLM (22)
- Used ’11 Moots Rigormootis (20)
- Used ’14 Moots MootoX RSL (20)
- Used '14 SS EVO HM (60)
- Used '17 Trek Procaliber 9.8SL (21.5) -- currently for sale

2017 Bought for Others (ie. PSA'd/Facilitated) [5]:

- Used ’15 Moots Vamoots (52)
- Used '00s Serotta Legend Ti (57)
- Used Pegoretti Duende
- Used Serotta Rapid Tour
- Used ’03 Litespeed Ultimate (58)
- New Pacenti Road

2018 Currently Built and Being Ridden [1]:

- Used Hampsten La Dolce Vita (59)

2018 Unbuild or On-Deck [4]:

- Used Dave Kirk Disc Crosser/Gravel
- NOS Boulder Road Sport
- NOS Zanconato Alum/Scan Racer
- Used '16 Trek Emonda SLR (62) -- likely for sale

2018 Still Searching [1]:

- Ti roadie -- have talked to Holland a bit, but mostly am hoping to get lucky with one of my sold ones coming back or the right one hitting the classifieds here


At this point I'm very comfortable knowing what will/won't fit and work for me. And with knowing what will work for what application. I know what length stem, width of bars, and type of group I like. Pedals too.

Still experimenting with wheels.

Still have more to try out in terms of different materials and brake options, and have another one I'm considering bringing in.

Within the on-deck, two are either/or for selling once built and tested.

[Ken Robb]

What do you mean when you write "didn't like bars/stems available"?

[Clean39T]

Originally Posted by Ken Robb

What do you mean when you write "didn't like bars/stems available"?

At the time I was being princess-and-the-pea about 1" quill stems and 26.0 bars...I've gotten over that now...

[Clean39T]

Figure I might as well put this here too...


Here’s what I can recall having since I started riding MTBs at age 12 or 13 (so, 1991/2):

1985 Mongoose ATB
1992 Nishiki Pueblo
1993 Giant Cadex ALM1
1994 GT Corrado
1996 Kona Secks Too
1994 GT Zaskar
1993 GT RTS-1
1993 Cannondale R700
1996 Klein Adroit
1992 Trek 2300
1993 Specialized S-Works Steel
1997 Specialized S-Works M2
1992 Yeti FRO
1997 K2/ProFlex 753(?)
1994 Klein Pulse
1995 Ventana El Chiquilo
1994 Trek 970
1993 Mantis Profloater
1995 Diamondback beater
1999 K2 Razorback
1996 Klein Quantum Pro
1997 Redline Cyclocross
1998 CAAD?
1994 S-Works Steel
2000 Bianchi Volpe
1999 Surly Instigator
1996 Klein Adroit
1993 Kona Explosif
1998 Independent Fabrication Deluxe (?)(26er steel)
2002 Cervelo Super Prodigy
2000 Klein Quantum Race
1998 Rock Lobster Team Tig
1994 Trek 950
1990 Trek 720(?)
1999 Dean (steel roadie)
1998 Look (steel roadie)
2004 S-Works E5
2003 Raleigh Grand Prix
2006 Motobecane MTB (touring convert)
2007 CAAD9
1998 Look (same steel roadie)
2005 Voodoo Cyclocross
2008 GT Zaskar LE
2007 Bianchi Volpe
1994 Bianchi (?)
1987 MTB (?)
2009 Cervelo TT
2010 Salsa Fargo
2009 Raleigh One-Way
198? Concorde (?)
2011 Soma Smoothie ES
2010 Jamis Dakota
2013 CAAD10
2013 SE Lager
2014 Foundry Broadaxe
2012 Madone 6.9SSL

And I think that’s where the other infamous list picks up...

And I probably missed a few in there.

So, this isn’t a new disease so much as a rut so deep I don’t know who I’d be without it - and can’t see a good reason to find out

[Louis]

You must have a very good memory.

[pdonk]

Too bad the yeti for is gone I assume it would be my size.

I'll be sending you a PM to see about renting or borrowing a bike when I'm in Portland in july. We are close in size even though I have 30lbs on you.

[Clean39T]

Originally Posted by Louis

You must have a very good memory.

I've filled in a couple - and am realizing there's a few more I might have missed.

Every one of them has a story...

[Clean39T]

Originally Posted by pdonk

Too bad the yeti for is gone I assume it would be my size.

I'll be sending you a PM to see about renting or borrowing a bike when I'm in Portland in july. We are close in size even though I have 30lbs on you.

The Yeti met an untimely demise at the hands of UPS unfortunately.. It's now up on the wall at Velo-Cult in Portland, which you should check out when you're here.

I'll do what I can when you visit - just depends on what I've got built up

[Tickdoc]

Man that is one exhausting list. I admire your tenacity, and as the recipient of one of the pass thrus thank you.

So what is the one thing that is missing, if you could distill it down to just one thing?

[Clean39T]

Originally Posted by Tickdoc

Man that is one exhausting list. I admire your tenacity, and as the recipient of one of the pass thrus thank you.



So what is the one thing that is missing, if you could distill it down to just one thing?

Custom titanium that’s designed to ride like a Serotta Legend. Regular old road bike. And probably from Holland in SD w a ML fork.

[AngryScientist]

While I can not claim the experience of riding many of the modern crop of ti bikes; I think a properly fitting Legend Ti is still one of the best bikes out there; I truly love mine and am not sure how it could be improved upon.