Conference noted::bicycle

I didn't buy anything that I was especially unhappy with this year (helped by
the fact that I didn't buy much, period!). Of the things that I bought, here
are the highlights:

Bell Cyclone helmet, $65 -- Comfortable and LIGHT compared to my old thick
	hardshell.
Performance Century shorts, $30 -- Comfortable; long-lasting elastic on the leg
	openings.
Ultegra freewheel, $45 -- Better shifts than I had with the no-model-marked
	Shimano freewheel which my bike came with.
RX100 rear derailleur, $37 -- Again better shifts than I had with the bike's
	stock no-model-marked Shimano rear deraileur, and best of all now
	allows indexed read shifting. I used to not want indexed shifting,
	being a die-hard old fogey when it comes to spending money (I only
	bought it because the old deraileur broke when the chain wrapped around
	it one time), but given two months of use, now I'll never go back.
						-- Tom

     Well, I did spend some money this year. I think it'll be very light
     during the actual 1994 season (maybe a few cloths/stockings/etc...).
    
     My wife is no longer working (layed off from DEC) so we'll have to 
     tip-toe around the checking account for a while. It looks like there
     won't be a Christmas list either this year so good luck to the rest
     of you with Santa!
    
     My favorites:
    
                   - NEW TREK 7000 MB!!! (been beatin' it regularly)
                   - Sella Italia Evolution (wicked comfortable)
                   - Bryne Speedplay pedals (awesome)
                   - Giro Ventoux (very nice/cool)
                   - TIME Equipe shoes (wicked comfortable/awesome)
    
     Worst buys:   
    
                   - Boone Technology Ti cogs (Bicycling Magazine must of
                     got a special set from them since they drooled all
                     over 'em in their write up)
    
     New buys, but untried:
    
                   - Specialized/DuPont Tri-Spokes (f/r) 
                   - SCOTT LF drop bar
                   - Profile Airstrykes
    
    

    Howdy,
    
    I managed to jump back into biking this year, mostly for
    conditioning and fun, so I thought I enter a quick note.
    
    Favorite Purchases:
    
    	My new Trek 950 MTB !  With the help of all you veterans 
        in this notesfile, I made the decision to buy this particular
        bike, and could not be more pleased!  It handles well, shifts
        extremely well, and rides like a dream!  Due to a re-injury of
        my knee, I have not been able to give this bike the true 
        thrashing that is seems to need, but the several times I've
        been in the woods, it has performed admirably.  Most of the
        riding this year, however, has been on light trails and the
        street.
    
    Least Favorite:
    
        The seat that came with the above bike!  It is a Trek racing
        saddle that is VERY narrow.  Now, part of the reason for the
        problems is the lack of serious riding on my part, but there's
        gotta be a seat out there that doesn't feel like it's getting
        intimate with my colon!!   
    
    Which leads me to my second favorite purchase:
    
        Bike shorts!!  On a former bike, I never felt the dire need
        to purchase these "Diapers" wrapped in spandex, but a few 
        short trips in the new sled quickly convinced my of their
        utility.  
    
    Also, the award for most useful purchase, goes to the helmet I 
    bought.  I never used to wear one prior to this bike (dumb, I know)
    but the first time I took the Trek off into the wood, I knew it was
    a necessity !  
    
    I guess that's about it for now, more purchase next year I'm sure!
    
    W.
    

    My favorite purchase in 1993:
    
    
    
                       Chip's Fast TT bike
    
    

Two good buys this year, both unfortunately involving enough money to
make me wince:

o  Campag Ergo shifting: truly a step forward in control and safety.
o  Michelin Hi-lite HD folding tyres: ride like a dream and simply float
   over small bumps.


Rod

re -.1

>  o  Michelin Hi-lite HD folding tyres: ride like a dream and simply float
>     over small bumps.

Is this from the man who was raving about Continentals?  By the way, are 
these the bald ones? I have an irrational fear of sliding with those.....

Favourites:
I have a short memory so my 2 major favourites come from the last 2 weeks -
� Michelin 114 (the Var/Gorge du Verdon)
� New Castelli collants (leery colours, very warm and comfortable)

But,
� I have also had the opportunity to test Shimano 600 and Campag new Athena  
 side by side, and I prefer the Campag.
� The modification to change my old Campag Sport double to a triple.

>  Is this from the man who was raving about Continentals?  By the way, are 
>  these the bald ones? I have an irrational fear of sliding with those.....

I still like Contis very much but I find them hard to get hold of here
whereas the Michelins are available round the corner. Secondly, those
Michelins are the most expensive tyres I've yet bought, so they ought to
be good. And yes, they are totally slick.

As for sliding, my belief is that the 'tackiness' of the rubber is more
important for grip than any tread pattern, at least in the dry. I'm not
so sure about wet conditions.


Rod

     Tests have proven that (other than manhole covers and painted lines)
     the balogna skins do provide a better grip. This was written up in
     an article (probably 3-4 yrs. ago) in Bicycling...

This year was the year of the big buck shellout for my bicycling habit.

Favorite buys:

   * Bridgestone RB-1, 8-speed, downtube shifters
      (great all-around bike)
   * Bridgestone XO-3, Moustache handlebars
      (great commuter and trail bike)
   * BOB membership
      (at last, a club where you can get wool jerseys for less)
   * Sidi Revolution II shoes
      (very efficient transfer of power from you to the pedal)
   * Giro Hammerhead SC
      (nice 'n cool)
   * Profile Airstryke
      (great for climbing)
   * JANDD Gabriel Messenger Bag
      (a musette with a capacity to hold lots of things)

Least favorite buys:

   * Specialized Umma-Gumma tires 
      (picks up too much crap from the road)
   * Performance Mini-Pump 
      (doesn't quite do the job, despite what Bicycling says)
   * Avocet tubes
      (went flat on me quickly)

Things I want from Santa:

   * Bar-end shifters
   * Avocet O2 Saddle
   * Wool Jerseys

AAA

this year on the advice of mr crocker i switched from cheap tubulars to high
quality tubulars. the result 5000 miles with 2 flats. i put most of the miles on
continental sprinters which i bought in the winter for $30 a piece at nashbar.in
september i installed a vittoria all weather pro (sticky rubber compound with
kevlar band) which seems to be wearing quite well too.

    I'll add another:
    
    TrailCat 6 watt helmet mounted light with endurance (3 1/2hr) battery
      (about $75).  The helmet mount is nice for peeking into corners,
      checking the computer or what gear you're in, stops dogs dead
      in their tracks, allows you to point at drivers to get them to
      lower their high beams, and the light takes less of a beating than
      handlebar types.  The downside is the (non NiCad) battery weight,
      but that goes in a fanny pack.

    My favorite buys this year were:
    
    Trek 5200 Carbon Fiber Road Bike w/STI 
    
    Trek 8000 Aluminum Mtn Bike w/Rapid Fire Shifters
    
    Shimano 737 SPD pedals
    
    Nightrider Extreme Helmet Mounted lighting system (10watt)