flythebike
captain
Reged: 08/26/04
Posts: 272
Loc: N. Virginia, USA
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Hey ya'll I just wanted to say I've gotten a 3rd and a 2nd in the last two races I finished (I flatted on Saturday). As many of you know, I'm riding a Calfee Luna fixed gear 100-125 miles a week commutting about 30 miles r/t, and doing a long ride or race(s) on the weekends on the Dragonfly. Although many if not most people don't race their Calfees, and pros aren't riding them, I can tell you that Craig makes a very fine race bike (I'm sure Greg Lemond would agree).
Nearly had the win today - group of twelve left on the last lap of a selective crit with rain and a corner that went straight downhill - turn - uphill: tricky! Unfortunately I missed a great solo attack about 700 meters out and I couldn't catch him, but took the field sprint for 2nd. That puts me into the top ten in the area's best area rider competition in my category. My goals this year are to upgrade, win the BAR (best area rider), and win the District Criterium as well (which would pretty much clinch the BAR win as well). Keep me in your thoughts and/or your prayers!
I'm representing!
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Insightdriver
captain
Reged: 03/07/04
Posts: 472
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Kudos to you and keep up the good work in your racing. That's something to be very proud of. 
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Pintsized
journeyman
Reged: 02/27/05
Posts: 90
Loc: Corvallis OR
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Why do you think many people don't race Calfees these days? Is it simply that people who race don't especially think of Calfee for their race bike? And if that is so, why do you all suppose that might be?
I think the handling on mine is super. I gather I'm not alone here.
My Luna is having its first race this weekend. A crit of all things, but hey why not? Stay tuned. All wide right turns, so maybe doable.
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Insightdriver
captain
Reged: 03/07/04
Posts: 472
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I suspect that those of us who can afford a Calfee tend to be older and past racing days. I simply am a recreational rider who had a dream of getting a full custom carbon fiber bike one day and it became my Calfee Custom Tetra Pro. I'm not a racer and do not have a desire to get involved in racing. My desire is to go on centuries and tours in the near future.
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Limace
journeyman
Reged: 03/09/05
Posts: 54
Loc: Oregon
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We had this old and decrepit Calfee riders discussion a few weeks ago. After doing a charity century this weekend my thoughts have changed some. (Note to those doing Calfee demographics, the only other Calfee I saw was being ridden by an obnoxiously fit well under forty meat package.)
I think the reputation for smoothing out road jitters may be a big part of the carbon mojo and Calfee benefits from being a forerunner in the area and having had a lot of time to establish a reputation without relying on marketing dollars. (Everyone who knows they just feels better after a long ride on their Calfee raise their hands.)
Getting older hurts enough anyway without being into some aluminium s&m thing, and does anyone else ever think how nuts it is to read an article on racing and see quotes like "and racers are used to pain anyway so they don't care about dislocating their shoulders as long as they can generate more power/ be more aerodynamic/get a contract for next year/ etc."
I've heard the "Calfee is an expensive bike" theory. Don't buy it. Looked at Pegoretti, Pinorello, Merlin, etc. prices lately?
I'm putting my vote in the box for a lot of bike's go fast, but many rider's who ride because they just really like riding want other things too. I think this group includes just about everyone who does charity centuries just because it's so interesting to see how bad all those other people can look in bike clothes.
I know my theory will be validated when Style Guy says that you got to ride Calfee to be cool.
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flythebike
captain
Reged: 08/26/04
Posts: 272
Loc: N. Virginia, USA
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Eh, a couple of people around here race Calfees. One guy has a Tetra that he's had for like 10 years. There is another (purple) one around on the Reston bike club rides, and I've seen another Cabernet Red Calfee at a road race and a nude tetra or d-fly at a recent crit. So, they're around, one guy with a Calfee on Sunday walked past mine and said 'nice bike.' He was the guy with the nude one, I think.
But I gather from this forum that most people don't use them as race bikes...nothing wrong with that, I just wanted to say, clearly, that they make great race bikes. Light, strong, handle well, what's not to like?
Pintsized, I have had two great results on the D-fly in crits. They handle quickly, yet they are stable, just what you want.
Good luck!
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flythebike
captain
Reged: 08/26/04
Posts: 272
Loc: N. Virginia, USA
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Quote:
Limace wrote:Getting older hurts enough anyway without being into some aluminium s&m thing, and does anyone else ever think how nuts it is to read an article on racing and see quotes like "and racers are used to pain anyway so they don't care about dislocating their shoulders as long as they can generate more power/ be more aerodynamic/get a contract for next year/ etc."
That is fun-ne!
And I figure one reason why I'm racing better is I'm not cringing every time I hit a bump.
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Pintsized
journeyman
Reged: 02/27/05
Posts: 90
Loc: Corvallis OR
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Well, I did the Cat 4 crit and came in 5th. Which I am reasonably happy with, esp since you'd have to add two to three of those girls' ages to add up to mine. The Luna did great. Like Mr. Flysaid, its quick but stable. Gives me a lot of confidence to see it go so hard and right where it's pointed. Wheels accelerated great, too. The only weakness was the driver, i.e. yours truly...lapsed attention meant I missed the initial break. Sat up after the prime, can you believe it ? The oldest mistake there is, and I made it. Can't blame the bike for that 
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flythebike
captain
Reged: 08/26/04
Posts: 272
Loc: N. Virginia, USA
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Yeah, this weekend I feel prey to the old too close to the front on the last lap and got surged around with no time to re-pass. Won't let that happen anytime soon. Still 9th from 100 registered riders is a decent result, but you know I was gunning for the win.
Resting up for a few days, two races this weekend. Saturday it is all about me then Sunday a mental brake as I will ride for my teammate - I'm a 4, he's a 3 and its a 3/4. I'll try to keep him ahead of the surge on the last lap.
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homsie
new member
Reged: 12/31/03
Posts: 23
Loc: San Ramon, CA
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I've got a Tetra Pro that I've been racing for the last couple of years. It's been a great race bike and I've had some success (couple of wins, numerous top 10s). I just raced in my last cat 4 race in support of my teammates...and will begin racing as a cat 3 this month.
Here are some action pics:
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/AltoVelo/message/5015
Click on the link to Ronde Van Brisbeen, Cat 4 race.
James
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