dubya

iTrader: (1)

What, you have your own support car to follow behind you?

Thanks! It is a great frame, definitely lives up to its hype.

Savington

iTrader: (31)

Spares belong in the jersey pocket. Saddle bags fall off all the time. If it doesn't fit in your jersey pocket, you don't need it.

DNMakinson

iTrader: (3)

I use an under saddle bag. Leaves pockets open for extra bottles and food for self- supported rides over 4 hours.

Also, it takes less time to get ready because I don't have to pack spares in the jersey. They are on the bike, ready to go.

Never had a bag fall off, but sometimes leave zipper open after a stop. Maybe age related. Never had anything fall out, though.

dubya

iTrader: (1)

This ain't no fashion contest. Function over form. I use a quality saddle bag with a minimalistic design capable of holding two tubes, a couple of tire levers, and a few small tools. It has never fallen off, and I primarily ride on rough farm roads. I couldn't imagine having to carry all of that in my jersey pockets. I keep the pockets free for phone, food, and any clothing I might remove during a ride, especially this time of year.

Oh, and a frame pump. It's hidden on the NDS of the bike. Wouldn't be caught without it.

mgeoffriau

iTrader: (7)

Saddle bags fall off all the time? How?

Leafy

iTrader: (1)

Hard to attach them tightly after you have a hand cramp from shaving your legs like a girl.

hustler

iTrader: (6)

Clank clank clank, bull *****, take the same "pack" every time. I don't care, if you want your bike to look like ****, make noise, and dishonor the bicycle, go for it. It's a shame to see such a spectacular frame like that Gaulzetti, marred by *********.

hustler

iTrader: (6)

I've seen at least three laying in the road in the last year. I also saw a bottle cage lying in the gutter last week. lol

hustler

iTrader: (6)

We do those in the Texas summer, without floppy bags, carrying a phone in the left pocket, tube-wallet in the center, bananas/cliff block/chapstick in the right pocket. We stop once or twice for water and live to tell about it. Andrew and I carry epic tube-wallets so maybe that's another factor.

mgeoffriau

iTrader: (7)

Yeah, can't believe anyone uses bottle cages, those things fall off all the time.

Savington

iTrader: (31)

I carry a single ~80g tube, one tire lever, two glueless patches, two CO2s, $21 in cash, and a Lezyne SV7. All goes into a fabric pouch with a zipper and slides perfectly into a jersey pocket. If I get more than two flats in a single ride, it's clearly not my day. For said days, the cell phone goes in the same pocket if you are hurting for space. Food on the left, bottle on the right if you must carry three. Clothing goes in with the spares pouch if you're carrying three bottles (I rarely do).

I switch between multiple bikes and got tired of having to re-fasten the saddlebag. Also got tired of the velcro strap working its way loose and having to listen to it clunk around down there, or better yet, having to hunt for the damn thing on the side of the road.

With my logical, function-driven explanation of why you should ditch your saddle bag done, I can move on to the task of teasing you incessantly about your frame pump

kotomile

iTrader: (24)

Anyone use a helmet mounted light? My afternoon commute went from broad daylight to nearly pitch black in the span of two weeks.

I use this combo on the bike itself: Flea 2.0 Front & Rear USB Combo - Blackburn Design

and it's plenty bright, strobe-y, and USB chargeable. I wonder if there's a better option for a supplementary helmet light other than another Blackburn Flea headlight strapped to it.

dubya

iTrader: (1)

Thankfully, this was a custom frame designed just for me, not anyone else. It looks just fine (IMO) and is quiet over the roughest of roads. Not trying to look PRO, here (although, many pros do use saddle bags during winter training months...). A bike/frame is simply a tool used for transportation, training, racing, etc. The fact that Gaulzettis look so nice is down to their well thought out design and build process.

Oh no, not mah frame pump! Frame pump > no pump. More reliable than CO2, possibly cheaper, easier to use in my experience. Just personal preference. I ride the 'zetti 90% of the time. I have a backup bike that I use if its unavailable at the time, or for bad weather.


Man, I feel like I'm back on weightweenies...

hustler

iTrader: (6)

Negative, it's art as well.

We are nowhere near as bad as the Weight Weenie ------ry.

emilio700

iTrader: (3)

I never had good long term experiences with seat bags. Stuff rattling drives me nuts. Also had to protect tubes with heavy vinyl bags to keep them from chafing through. Occasionally would use a tool, patch kit or something and forget to replace/replenish, leaving me without the tool I though I was carrying. Bags just failing and dumping contents on road or worse, in big fast training peloton. Zipper coming open or being left open with same result. I gave up on them in the 90's. Besides, stuffing your pockets, sitting up on 5hr rides to fish snacks out looks more preaux.

In the end, I can fit everything I need for a 6hr ride in mixed weather conditions in my pockets. I always carry two large bottles on training rides. Extra drink powder in a zip loc.

My normal pile:

1x tube, long valve
1x presta to schraeder adapter
1x CO2 cartdridge with compact nozzle
1x plastic tire lever
1x new patch kit (never a used one)
$20 bill
Phone in plastic bag
oakley micro fiber for glasses packed in with phone
key on lanyard
compact multi tool

Room leftover for lightweight jacket, arm/knee warmers, long finger gloves, etc.

Mini pump on downtube. I always carry my tube in the center pocket to cushion my spine better if I fall. Pointy bits (key) packed in outboard pockest on top of other stuff.

Landrew

iTrader: (2)

SL-8001 900lm 4-Mode White Bicycle Light & Headlamp w/ Cree XM-L T6 - Dark Brown (4 x 18650) - Free Shipping - DealExtreme

I've used this on a bicycle and as a back-up on a motocross bike. I just used it for a winter camp as well with the head lamp attachment. Very well built for china, in fact it looks like anything from the major brands as far as thread quality, machining, wire suppleness and battery pack/pack holder. Li batt packs. It has a glass lens. Very bright and it a spot beam with some flood areas lit up. 3 mode - full, half & strobe.

I picked it for price 1st and then read the reviews. DX has so many varieties of these so pick wisely based on feedback. I've had it for over 3 years and its still going strong. Once the first one arrived I bought another right after. I'd buy another and probably will this season.

Savington

iTrader: (31)

Negative, sir. Bikes are art, a masterful blend between the allure of a bygone era combined with the elegant implementation of the finest technologies known to man, all bundled into a machine that can take you to places many only dream of going. Tools are what I use to work on my bike (and even then, a good tool like a Campy PB wrench can blur the line between tools and art).

I had a frame pump ten years ago and don't miss it one bit. CO2 cartridges are about $0.80/ea if purchased in bulk, plus a decent dispenser (about $15). Assuming you bought a cheap frame pump, use it a couple times a year, and keep it for several years, you'll save a few bucks over CO2, yes. Buy an expensive frame pump and you'll need to keep it for a decade to make your money back on saved consumables.

A good CO2 dispenser makes all the difference WRT ease of use and reliability - I carry my dispenser installed on a cartridge and it takes me about 10 seconds to loosen the valve stem and fill the tire to full pressure (not "get me home" pressure, but the full 115psi they left the garage with). You may not think the time matters, but the 7 guys who are standing there waiting for you to fix your bike definitely do. That the aesthetics of a frame pump are not desirable to some of us is just the icing on the cake - IMO, CO2 is a far superior solution.

Leafy

iTrader: (1)

Thats the one I have. This battery pack lasts surprisingly long, and it hasnt burst into flames yet.

dubya

iTrader: (1)

Completely agree. I fondled and photographed tons of bikes that could be considered art at NAHBS this year. But, you have to keep in mind the true purpose of a bicycle and not get too caught up in placing it on a pedestal. Believe me, it was not a good feeling when I scratched my frame when building it up. I've gotten over it though, and just ride the **** out of it instead of worrying about keeping it in showroom condition.

I actually visited the WW forum recently after ignoring it for a while. Not as bad as it used to be. A lot of the trolls are gone. Plus, they've got a decent wheelbuilding subforum with some good info in it.

hustler

iTrader: (6)

We all use the **** out of our bicycles.