I got to this position after getting the standard Slowtwitch critique. So if the Slowtwitch masses don’t like it, they can only blame themselves. Having said that, I’m open to further opinions / ideas / suggestions.
Now, some of you will tell me that I need a new bike but that isn’t going to happen anytime soon. So, I have a few questions:
(1) I have the opportunity to get a certified F.I.S.T. fit for $100 CDN. Would this be worthwhile or (as I’m “stuck” with the bike I have) would it have limited benefit?
(2) seeing as this will be my frame for the next bunch of years, are there any upgrades that would actually increase performance (don’t really care if my bike isn’t the sexiest in transition, just want to go faster)? I’m already sold on getting a powermeter and a wheel cover. Where else do people look for upgrades. Bars? But is that just for looks or for speed?
I’d say an aero fork could save you about 30 secs over 40k, also the bars are slow, visiontech basebars or an integrated visiontech would speed things up too.
Not new here at all. Been here long enough to realize that however much I clean up, ridicule is still certain to follow. In other words, been here long enough to not even care / try anymore.
Then, I will give you a “for real” reply. If you are comfortable, you look great. There is never a reason to change anything for a still photo to “look” faster if you in turn are not as comfortable and can not stay in the best aero position that you can, for the time you need to. Sure, you could get a fork…but if I had to guess you have a 1" steer tube and it will be tough to find one of the new fancy and very costly forks to make you more aero at the cost of a more harsh ride.
A pair of Vision base bars would be your least expensive upgrade. Tests seem to show they are good for 15-25 seconds. The aluminum Vision base bars are the equal of anything out there, which is good because you can pick them up for very cheap off eBay.
If those tires are the 4000s you are good. If not, then a good set of low crr tires with latex tubes will give you a bit of speed.
For the fork, I would try the Argos custom forks from England.
This looks like a solid product, costs less than a good carbon fork and can be made custom to match your current fork so it doesn’t change handling.
Otherwise, maybe shorten those 15-foot long cables and you are as good as you can get with that bike, which is really not a bad machine. With its fairly narrow tubes it is actually better than a number of the current “aero” carbon fiber frames that look aero but were poorly designed.
Chad
lamest tattoo EVER. I’ll leave it for some Slowtwitcher to humiliate me by telling you what it is (bonus marks if he/she can tell you the BIG mistake the tattoo “artist” made when she gave it to me)
You are correct about the Blue Jays tattoo. You are correct about my age (36). You are close about the timing (I got it in 90). I didn’t want the baseball in the tattoo so that’s not the mistake.
But there is something VERY wrong about the logo. Only two people ever noticed without me telling them (the first one broke my heart - I wasn’t aware of the mistake - for a very good reason - until he told me). But everyone who I tell (assuming they have seen the real logo before) says the same thing: “OH yeah! You’re right. It IS ____________”
You are correct about the Blue Jays tattoo. You are correct about my age (36). You are close about the timing (I got it in 90). I didn’t want the baseball in the tattoo so that’s not the mistake.
But there is something VERY wrong about the logo. Only two people ever noticed without me telling them (the first one broke my heart - I wasn’t aware of the mistake - for a very good reason - until he told me). But everyone who I tell (assuming they have seen the real logo before) says the same thing: “OH yeah! You’re right. It IS ____________”
facing the wrong way?
I never realized at first since I was always staring at it in a mirror. The stupid tattoo artist traced a picture I brought into her onto a piece of acetate and then pushed the wet ink onto my arm, thereby reversing the picture.
If I can ever think of something cool to get, I’ll definitely cover it over. Sadly, it’s been almost 20 years and I still can’t think of anything. I, for one, will not be getting the IM sign on my arm so that’s a no-go. Maybe a backwards Slowtwitch logo would be an improvement.
You know, the inks they use now are fabulous…I’ve seen some really good cover-ups done. You could, in theory, get the logo done the RIGHT way over top.
