[James]

Come on folks, yeah, it's the weekend, but let's keep this road forum alive eh?

I'll get it going. How about Damiano taking Lombardy! Maybe this is a return to his form of a couple of years ago?

And way to go Cadel! Probably not the way he wanted to take the ProTour jersey, but he was 6th, so he would have taken it anyway.

I'm glad he got to finally win something, after all of those close calls on the podium...

 

[reflux]

Please see my road-related post in the Mechanics section. It truly is teh suck.

As for my bike, it still needs some work before I can take it out. 1) The Armadillo tires I've been saving are a b1tch to get on the rim. I've already gone through 3 patches for both wheels and I just discovered that the rear must've pinched-flatted because it won't hold air. 2) Kestrel gave me a handlebar that's too wide. It's a status quo alu FSA handlebar, which I hope to replace with a bar of similar quality (read: price). 3) The stem is too long: I hope to get fitted next weekend, or perhaps this week if work isn't too busy. 4) See my thread regarding the shot FD. 5) REI currently has my road peals. This is a fixable problem.

No pics, so STFU.

 

[ire]

Yeah, I was stoked for Cadel as well....too bad he got a bug in his on eye on the last descent

On a similar note, here is an interview with Sven Nys cyclocross god
http://www.velonews.com/race/cyc/articles/13542.0.html

 

[reflux]

6) Also, the headset that came with the bike blows. Seriously, who sells a bike with a loose bearing headset? Yes, I know it was the budget build, but come on. At least they didn't use an old square taper bb and crankset...

I be picking up a King headset this week. Unfortunately, the bolt on my homemade headset press isn't long enough to accomodate the wicked massive long headtube on the Talon, so the LBS will have to indulge me.

Does anyone care for a free FSA headset? It is in new condition, only having been installed once. It will make the perfect addition to your beater bike.

 

[ire]

More news
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2007/oct07/oct22news2

Rasmussen report expected mid-November
After ejecting Michael Rasmussen out of its Tour de France roster while he was wearing the Maillot Jaune, Dutch team Rabobank had announced a full internal investigation of the whereabouts of the rider in June, reason for which the Dane could not pursue on the road to a possible final Tour de France victory. Now, three months later, the report has arrived at a Rabobank consulting council and is expected to be published by mid-November.

"I won't say anything until the report is public," said Rasmussen to Dutch media as he was in the Netherlands last week to appear at the Bike Motion trade show in Utrecht, as well as his team-mate Michael Boogerd's farewell party in Valkenburg on Sunday evening. "I understand that Peter Vogelzang [chairman of the commission - ed.] is still on vacation, which is why we must wait. Of course the tension rises because of this. I don't know what will come out of it, either, as this matter is not in my hands."

Meanwhile, the 33 year-old Dane enjoyed his promotional work at the trade show, responding to a huge fan crowd wanting to take pictures and autographs. "It does me good that there were so many people," said Rasmussen, who maintains that the Tour de France overall victory was stolen from him. He was also happy to attend Boogerd's farewell party. "It was very nice to see everyone again, especially on such a unique occasion," he added.

 

[Heidi]

I was shocked as hell to see Lombardia on tv when I was flipping channels!

 

[James]

Please see my road-related post in the Mechanics section. It truly is teh suck.

As for my bike, it still needs some work before I can take it out. 1) The Armadillo tires I've been saving are a b1tch to get on the rim. I've already gone through 3 patches for both wheels and I just discovered that the rear must've pinched-flatted because it won't hold air. 2) Kestrel gave me a handlebar that's too wide. It's a status quo alu FSA handlebar, which I hope to replace with a bar of similar quality (read: price). 3) The stem is too long: I hope to get fitted next weekend, or perhaps this week if work isn't too busy. 4) See my thread regarding the shot FD. 5) REI currently has my road peals. This is a fixable problem.

No pics, so STFU.

What width bar do you need? 31.6 or 26.0? I might have something...
Sounds like a comedy of errors with your new bike, that sucks! But it'll all be good once you're out on it, just might take a while.
Weird problem with your front der, I don't think I've heard of that happening before, but of course it would happen with your new bike so you can't ride it!

 

[ire]

I'm a bit shocked, his B sample came back negative.
http://www.velonews.com/race/int/articles/13554.0.html

The Spanish cycling federation on Monday cleared Spanish cyclist Iban Mayo, who tested positive for doping during the 2007 Tour de France, after a second test proved negative, his lawyer and the federation said.

The federation informed Mayo "that the B sample had come out negative and for this reason it had ended" its inquiry, Mayo's lawyer, Jose Rodriguez, told AFP.

The cycling federation confirmed the news and said there had been a mistake with the first sample.

Mayo, a specialist climber, tested positive for blood-booster EPO during the Tour on July 24 and could have been suspended for two years if his B sample had proved positive.

 

[James]

I'm a bit shocked, his B sample came back negative.
http://www.velonews.com/race/int/articles/13554.0.html

Yeah, I was too, but honestly, it's kind of good news. I always had a soft spot for those little Spanish climbers.
Hopefully he's "clean."

 

[sanjuro]

6) Also, the headset that came with the bike blows. Seriously, who sells a bike with a loose bearing headset? Yes, I know it was the budget build, but come on. At least they didn't use an old square taper bb and crankset...

I be picking up a King headset this week. Unfortunately, the bolt on my homemade headset press isn't long enough to accomodate the wicked massive long headtube on the Talon, so the LBS will have to indulge me.

Does anyone care for a free FSA headset? It is in new condition, only having been installed once. It will make the perfect addition to your beater bike.

That's more common than you realize. I bought a $3000 bike with a loose bearing headset.

I bet most bikes under the $2000 price range have loose bearings. It has to do with value and salability: a cheap headset keeps the price down and no one ever says "a loose bearing headset, can't buy this bike".

P.S. I replaced it with a Chris King, and when I sell the bike, I will be installing a loose bearing hs.

 

[ire]

Yeah, I was too, but honestly, it's kind of good news. I always had a soft spot for those little Spanish climbers.
Hopefully he's "clean."

Yeah, I like watching him when he's on his game......of course I also liked watching Pantani and we all know he wasn't clean

 

[reflux]

Wow. I just reviewed my prior posts and I sound angry as hell. It was a late night (early morning?) and my frustration over that led to my bitter posts.

First, let me say that the Talon comes with a very solid build. Everything on it is a MAJOR upgrade to my current ride. Let me count the ways... carbon vs. flexy steel; ultegra 10 vs. veloce; Shimano something wheels vs. veloce hubs laced to lopsided open pros; etc.

Just James. How exactly do you measure bar width? I was planning on using armpit length for bar width. At the very least, I know the new bars are too wide because they're larger than my already-too-large bars on the old bike. 31.6 would be teh awesome.

I am a CK snob. I bite my thumb at loose bearing headsets, but only because I'm a snob.

Comedy of errors, I couldn't have said it better myself. If now I could only change a tube...

 

[James]

First, let me say that the Talon comes with a very solid build. Everything on it is a MAJOR upgrade to my current ride. Let me count the ways... carbon vs. flexy steel; ultegra 10 vs. veloce; Shimano something wheels vs. veloce hubs laced to lopsided open pros; etc.

Just James. How exactly do you measure bar width? I was planning on using armpit length for bar width. At the very least, I know the new bars are too wide because they're larger than my already-too-large bars on the old bike. 31.6 would be teh awesome.

Well, hopefully it'll say on there somewhere the width, 40cm, 42cm, 44cm (46cm?), but bars either measure outside-to-outside, or something like that, but it depends on the company.
Is it a 31.6mm bar/stem, or 26.0mm? I have some bars here, if you need a 42cm, possibly, in 31.6mm...

 

[Squeak]

It's pretty un-fair when you test positive for EPO, but then negative on the B-sample. You were suspended for nothing. Sort of makes you wonder about the testing if they can get it wrong as often as they seem too.

 

[ire]

It's pretty un-fair when you test positive for EPO, but then negative on the B-sample. You were suspended for nothing. Sort of makes you wonder about the testing if they can get it wrong as often as they seem too.

Yeah, its not fair but what else would they do? Its not technically a suspension, they just pull you from competition. If they let you race, we run into a similar situation to what we had with Basso (racing while Puerto was sorted out)

 

[gonefirefightin]

guess who i got to ride with all weekend......

 

[ire]

who?? which one is you?? Is that the big vet ride you are doing/did? Hows the ride going?

<edit>post pics of the bikes, and if I'm not out of line...maybe some of the prosthetics (they have come a long way and its killer to see)

 

[gonefirefightin]

that is Frankie andreu on the left and I am on the right, he is also the new team director for rock racing

really cool guy, he rode on discovery for several years with lance and was a major olympic athlete

 

[James]

that is Frankie andreu on the left and I am on the right, he is also the new team director for rock racing

really cool guy, he rode on discovery for several years with lance and was a major olympic athlete

That's awesome man, where were you guys riding?
Also, props to you for rocking the white lycra! I'd hate to see you caught in the rain in those though, white lycra + rain = OH DEAR GOD NO!

 

[gonefirefightin]

That's awesome man, where were you guys riding?
Also, props to you for rocking the white lycra! I'd hate to see you caught in the rain in those though, white lycra + rain = OH DEAR GOD NO!

he came out and rode a metric centuty with us for the soldier ride charity fund rasier. we ended up doing 67 miles and had a blast. for about 20 miles he plowed up front and we all busted our asses trying to hold a draft. the guy has a 1200 watt sprint.

some chick ran into the back of my bike and ended up with her bars in my wheel and totaled my frame.

I guess it is time for a time, look or cervello

by the way, the bibs were castanelli doubles so they dont show chit. they are my cold weather choice since they are so thick.

 

[James]

he came out and rode a metric centuty with us for the soldier ride charity fund rasier. we ended up doing 67 miles and had a blast. for about 20 miles he plowed up front and we all busted our asses trying to hold a draft. the guy has a 1200 watt sprint.

some chick ran into the back of my bike and ended up with her bars in my wheel and totaled my frame.

I guess it is time for a time, look or cervello

by the way, the bibs were castanelli doubles so they dont show chit. they are my cold weather choice since they are so thick.

Dude, holy crap! That sucks! What kind of frame was it?
What about a Colnago?

Just joshin' on the bibs, I did Castelli stuff, and yeah, the cold weather clothing is much in need lately.

I like my Looks, great bikes too.

 

[gonefirefightin]

MY fuji carbon pro. evene if everything was still good to go on the frame the derailuer hanger is busted off.

 

[ire]

Did you guys read this crap? UCI may appeal Mayo being cleared...on another note Cantador signed with Astana
http://www.velonews.com/race/int/articles/13559.0.html

Mayo not out of woods yet

It seems Iban Mayo isn't out of the woods yet after what initially appeared to be a "miracle" B-sample that came back negative and cleared the Spanish climber of doping allegations.

On Monday, the Spanish cycling federation shelved a potential two-year racing ban against the Saunier Duval-Prodir rider, who tested positive for EPO during the 2007 Tour de France. His lawyer and Spanish cycling authorities both confirmed the test results of the second, follow-up "B" sample are negative.

Officials from the UCI on Tuesday, however, insisted that follow-up tests of "B" samples aren't completed yet and there's more to be done before the once-mighty Basque is fully in the clear.

"The second sample is not negative," UCI anti-doping coordinator Anne Gripper told AFP at Tuesday's doping summit in Paris. "The analysis of it has not yet finished."

The Mayo case dragged on for weeks without news of the second test. Mayo tested positive on the second rest day of the 2007 Tour and has been suspended without pay since early August.

There were some reports that labs botched the test, but Gripper insisted that testing methods between labs in France, where the "A" sample was tested, and follow-up tests in Belgium are not the same. Officials now want a second sample to be re-tested at the Chatenay-Malabry lab in France.

She said it would be another "five or six weeks" before the second round of tests is completed. Even if the follow-up tests are negative, the UCI said it might consider an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

On Monday, the 30-year-old Mayo expressed relief when the news initially broke in Spain.

"I wasn't fully calm until my lawyer called me to confirm that the Spanish cycling authorities had closed the case," Mayo told El Correo daily in Bilboa. "I had a clear conscience and I was confident that things would end like that. I've been expecting this for a few days, but I was never satisfied until I got the call. I knew that something had happened because it took so long to settle the case."

This was Mayo's second brush with a doping scandal this season. Earlier this, Mayo was absolved of doping allegations despite showing high levels of testosterone at the Giro d'Italia.

 

[ire]

Contador signing:

Reigning Tour de France champion Alberto Contador has a new home for the 2008-09 seasons. As previously reported on VeloNews.com, the Spanish climber on Tuesday confirmed a two-year contract with Astana.

Contador follows former Discovery Channel sport director Johan Bruyneel to the new-look Astana team, which has been riddled with doping scandals during the 2007 season that saw star riders Alexander Vinokourov and Andrey Kashechkin test positive for blood doping.

Contador, 24, insists that management changes within the Astana team will help assure a new start as he takes the difficult challenge of defending his Tour crown.

"My main objective in 2008 will be to ride the Tour de France and try to confirm the yellow jersey on the Champs Elysées," Contador said. "After considering the different offers, I opted for Astana because it is a completely new project and one that offers the best sporting guarantees that I will have at my disposition a great team for the Tour."

More former Discovery Channel riders are expected to sign with Bruyneel as he takes over management duties at the Kazakh-sponsored team. Contador wants to bring loyal helpers Sergio Paulihno and Benjamin Noval while Bruyneel is expected to tap Janez Brajkovic, Tomas Vaitkus and American champ Levi Leipheimer.