Competing on 10-year-old carbon technology

weisan · #1 05-05-2010, 08:16 PM

I couldn't believe what I saw in this picture on the cyclingnews website. A Chinese national team rider competing on a LOOK KG 281 in the Tour of Chongming. It caught my eye almost immediately because it's the exact same bike I am riding on now. Don't get me wrong, I love my LOOK carbon bike, it's smooth, stable and everything else...but riding at that level on a ten-year-old technology (circa 1999) ???

I would think the Chinese riders these days would have no problem getting whatever latest, high zoot carbonated contraption in the market, why settle with this? Am I missing something? Here's the link to the full story:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tou...tage-1/results

thegunner · #2 05-05-2010, 08:24 PM

not to mention a previous gen shimano octalink crank. old school for sure.

ergott · #3 05-05-2010, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegunner

not to mention a previous gen shimano octalink crank. old school for sure.

Ultegra no less.

Logos on the shorts are upside down.

Doesn't look like it's slowing her down much.

Lifelover · #4 05-05-2010, 09:04 PM

Most of us on this forum like to believe that a great bike can be made out any material. 10 year old Carbon Included.

I suspect there is no real disadvantage.

I certainly hopes that the case because I don't think I own a bike that's much less than 10 years old.

Jack Brunk · #5 05-05-2010, 09:35 PM

My 10 year old Colnago C40 that was part of the Mapei team rides as good as any carbon frame I've been on. It can hang with the best.

weisan · #6 05-05-2010, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ergott

Ultegra no less.

Logos on the shorts are upside down.

Doesn't look like it's slowing her down much.

And mismatching tires to boot. One of her team mates on the other hand is riding what looks to me a pinarello in another picture:

I guess trade teams or personal bikes are allowed while donning the national colors.

Agreed. It's more about the rider than the machine.

SoCalSteve · #7 05-05-2010, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Brunk

My 10 year old Colnago C40 that was part of the Mapei team rides as good as any carbon frame I've been on. It can hang with the best.

Has carbon technology really gotten THAT much better in the last 10 years? Maybe more shaped, wider diameter tubing, a bit more swoopy, and a few grams lighter...

But, its all carbon fiber in the end...

weisan · #8 05-05-2010, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalSteve

Has carbon technology really gotten THAT much better in the last 10 years?

Steve-pal, I think it depends on who you ask. I think someone like Crumpton or Cees who are at the cutting edge might think so.

Ken Robb · #9 05-05-2010, 09:52 PM

didn't some decent cyclist write "it's not about the bike" or words to that effect?

weisan · #10 05-05-2010, 10:04 PM

Really? After all the training and personal sacrifice, you would ride on a 10-yr-old bike? We are talking about competitive sports here and for cycling, equipment is a major part of the equation.

WickedWheels · #11 05-05-2010, 10:18 PM

Let me try to interpret this picture...

The Chinese clothing (Chinese-made, no doubt) is defective because the writing is upside down. And the Chinese rider would prefer to ride a 10 year old french frame rather than a brand new Chinese-made one. I'm sure if that rider was so inclined she could replace that bike with a fairly light/stiff new Chinese-made carbon frame for what that Look would fetch on ebay.

Maybe the Chinese know something about their frames that the rest of the world does not?

Quote:

Originally Posted by weisan

I couldn't believe what I saw in this picture on the cyclingnews website. A Chinese national team rider competing on a LOOK KG 281 in the Tour of Chongming. It caught my eye almost immediately because it's the exact same bike I am riding on now. Don't get me wrong, I love my LOOK carbon bike, it's smooth, stable and everything else...but riding at that level on a ten-year-old technology (circa 1999) ???

I would think the Chinese riders these days would have no problem getting whatever latest, high zoot carbonated contraption in the market, why settle with this? Am I missing something? Here's the link to the full story:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tou...tage-1/results

#12 05-05-2010, 10:20 PM

Weisan-Pal, unfortunately, even exceptional women cyclists don't always get sponsorship that matches their skill and dedication. The bike may be NOS for all we know, and looks like it fits...

130R · #13 05-05-2010, 10:33 PM

hmmmmmm.....

a wise man once said: "it's not about the bike"

nbrewste · #14 05-05-2010, 11:17 PM

I never did understand the advantage of a carbon race bike -- maybe a hair more comfortable and stiff, but it is surely not going to make you a race winner.

Take a look at the Spooky/Kenda Team on 6061 Skeletors -- those guys still ride plenty fast and carbon doesn't enter into the equation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by weisan

Really? After all the training and personal sacrifice, you would ride on a 10-yr-old bike? We are talking about competitive sports here and for cycling, equipment is a major part of the equation.

Jack Brunk · #15 05-05-2010, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nbrewste

I never did understand the advantage of a carbon race bike -- maybe a hair more comfortable and stiff, but it is surely not going to make you a race winner.

Take a look at the Spooky/Kenda Team on 6061 Skeletors -- those guys still ride plenty fast and carbon doesn't enter into the equation.

I'm missing your point. Most people here just love to ride. What's winning got to do with it?