Montaque
new member
Reged: 09/14/04
Posts: 24
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My 60 cm Tetra Pro was ordered with rear rack mounts. The rack I was going to use is the Tubus "LUNA".
Two issues:
FIRST, the seat stays over sizes the dropout. The rack supports would have laid across the seat stays, unless, as the LBS suggested, the rack supports were BENT outward and a BUNCH of washers were used as a standoff to take up the SPACE between the rack and the dropout.
SECOND, I talked to Craig about weight limitations on a rear rack. This was after placing my Calfee order, however, prior to considering which rack. My impression is he does not favor a rear rack and a practical weight limit would be 15 or so lbs MAX.
The “LUNA” would have worked as far as the weight factor, but, the rattling washers or anything used as a standoff would have been abominable, vile, detestable, revolting and, needless to say, abhorrent. Wouldn’t look good either.
Craig's suggestion was a seat post mounted rack. Which I now use - small, light weight clamp on rack with a small bag. I have to agree it doesn't look great on a CALFEE, however, as you know in the Sacramento area it comes in handy, i.e. for those days which start cold and foggy and end up much warmer. Maximum weight I have carried, including bag and rack has been < 11 lbs (my STUFF is X-Large). And it works very well as a rear FENDER. And it comes off readily.
I have a Thompson Elite seat post. I consulted with Thompson PRIOR to purchasing the seat post rack. Thompson customer service assured me the rack clamp would not be detrimental to the seat post. However, they cautioned some of the seat post mount CLAMPS could/would cause problems.
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Insightdriver
captain
Reged: 03/07/04
Posts: 472
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Hi Montaque,
Thanks for the information. I want the rack so I can put on a bike bag for carrying my lunch to work. I can also use the bike for errands to the local store for whatever instead of taking my car. The rack will be also for carrying a Kryptonite New York lock for when I am in a store with my bike outside. That said, for riding for pleasure I won't likely carry much load with me.
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Insightdriver
captain
Reged: 03/07/04
Posts: 472
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Hi Skuke,
I am interesterd in what you have to say. I would like to point out that I am getting a full-custom road bike set up for commuting. Now if it were to rain, just what would you reccommend that I do? Drive my car instead? I know what a difference fenders make in the rain and when going through puddles. I would also like to point out that Calfee makes a lot more than just fast racing bikes. If one were to want a full touring bike, Craig would gladly engineer the right bike for such a purpose.
It was suggested by my LBS that I get a rack primarily to carry my lock and he knows I want the bike to commute with and he knows the distance I will be traveling. I've tried alternatives, using a backpack to commute with. I would prefer the load be on the bike rather than on my back.
Remember, too, I'm not some young guy on a bike any more. I'm over 50 and I ride to stay fit and for pleasure. I don't race and don't intend to.
Does anyone else on this forum use their Calfee for commuting, and if so, how many miles, in what kind of weather and what would you reccommend?
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Dave_Thompson
prophet
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 717
Loc: Spokane, Washington
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Quote:
Insightdriver wrote:
Hi Lon,
On another tack, I'm going to get a rack mount and fenders on my new Calfee. A Tubus Cargo rack and Jitnesha Honosho fenders. These are reccomendations from my LBS. I'm not familiar with different brands of racks and fenders. I do think, however that the fenders look to be a high enough caliber to go on a Calfee. 
Mounting Honosho fenders on a bike built for fender clearances is a tedious job due to the mounting hardware. How do you plan mounting those fenders on your Calfee? If you are going to use the full fenders, not cutting them, it requires a fork with the clearances and as well as brakes to accommodate them.
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Steel lover, but then I like Ti with carbon too.
Licensed bike geek.
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Insightdriver
captain
Reged: 03/07/04
Posts: 472
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Hi Dave,
My bike shop is going to build up my bike. Being that my bike shop is an authorized Calfee dealer and my LBS guy talks with Craig on a regular basis be he and Craig are discussing my bike build and the options I want. I believe I'll defer to them for their opinion on mounting of the fenders. Frankly I'm not all that keen on having fenders, but I do know that fenders make riding in the rain a lot more tolerable. What I don't understand is the sense I get that there is a prejudice against fenders on a Calfee bike.
From the information I've gotten, the Honosho fenders are about the highest quality fenders you can get for a bike, bar none. A local custom steel bike builder here endorses them for anyone who wants fenders on their bike. He is such an elitist builder that I would think he would disdain fenders if they weren't really high-quality ones. I also believe the fenders would be off my bike most of the time since it only rains here in Sacramento in the winter season.
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skuke
captain
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 323
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Quote:
Insightdriver wrote:
I am interesterd in what you have to say. I would like to point out that I am getting a full-custom road bike set up for commuting. Now if it were to rain, just what would you reccommend that I do? Drive my car instead?
I am in no position to tell you how to commute. If you choose to ride instead of drive or take public transit... that is strictly your decision.
But since you're interested in what I have to say, I'll comment further. I've commuted/trained/toured/pleasure(?) rode my bike in the rain too, it sucks. But you already knew that. I dislike not been seen by drivers. I dislike the "cages" splashing me with even more water (I guess wet is wet and it really doesn't matter.) I dislike not being able to see others as well. I dislike getting more flats. I dislike fixing flats in the rain. I dislike having my bike filthier than it already is. I dislike wearing out brake pads, chains, cogs... faster. I dislike getting to my destination soaking wet (I've rain gear but no fenders). I dislike the grundgy water running into my eyes. I dislike removing my tires to dry out the tape and innards. I cringe at all my poor bearings being eaten alive! I'm sure I dislike a few other things about commuting in the rain, but it doesn't come to mind at the moment. Anyhow, I think you understand my opinion.
I'm a fair weather rider! ...and I'm not ashamed to admit it!
But like I said, To each his own. If you choose to endure, then you are a better person than I. You are more committed and enviromentally conscious than I, especially if you drive a Honda Insight as your username implies. For me, the rewards of fitness and non-renewable energy conservation do not outweigh the negatives of rain riding.
Quote:
I would also like to point out that Calfee makes a lot more than just fast racing bikes. If one were to want a full touring bike, Craig would gladly engineer the right bike for such a purpose.
You didn't order a custom touring bike. You ordered a custom Tetra Pro. Calfee describes the TP: "Tetra Pro Our super high quality road racing frame..." I realize yours is custom because of your unique anatomical requirements, fine. None the less the TP is not marketed as a touring or commuting bike. I also realize marketing often has little to do with reality. I'm just commenting on your statement.
Quote:
I've tried alternatives, using a backpack to commute with. I would prefer the load be on the bike rather than on my back.
I do agree with you here. Backpacks get all yucky with sweat etc. They're hotter, more restrictive and cumbersome. I use a fanny pack (Mountain Smith) for carrying stuff to work that I need to transport daily (stuff not carried in the car method described below.) The fanny pack is cooler (temperature) and quickly self limiting in what I can carry easily. ...self limiting is a benefit!
Quote:
Remember, too, I'm not some young guy on a bike any more. I'm over 50 and I ride to stay fit and for pleasure. I don't race and don't intend to.
I'm coming up on 50 in a few years. I don't race (anymore) and I probably won't. I can't afford the crashes :-) I congratulate you on your chosen method to remain fit and enjoy life! However, I'm not sure what those statements have to do with my disagreeing with your choice (yes, it's your choice) to run fenders.
Quote:
Does anyone else on this forum use their Calfee for commuting, and if so, how many miles, in what kind of weather and what would you reccommend?
I used to use my mtn bike (with knobbies) (great workout) to commute 12 miles one way to work. I now use the Moser to commute to school 5 miles (OW) and drive to work. With work, I'd drive in at least once a week. During that drive, I'd bring in clothes, food etc. for the week. I can also bring home the previous weeks dirty clothes. I'd try to plan the driving day with other errands I might have to make that was easier with a car.
FWIW, I don't have an aversion to rain. I've lived in Hawaii. You gotta learn to do EVERYTHING in the rain or it ain't gonna get done. I do have more respect for those in the Pacific NW though. They do everything in the rain AND it's cold to boot! I also ski patroled in Tahoe for many years, I've skied and worked in some of the crappiest weather Tahoe had to dish out. Maybe for me, it's a case of "been there, done that."
I guess what it comes down to is this; you, like us, paid a truckload of money for a very nice lightweight bike. But then you decide to increase the weight with fender, rack, Kryptonite... That sorta defeats the purpose of the weight reduction you paid handsomely for and will be a detriment to the handling.
In my world, it seems to me that you should ride your TP, sans fender, etc. for your long pleasure rides when the custom fit will benefit you well. You won't be sore, or whatever, after your long rides. You should also then have a commuter bike decked out as you see fit. This bike would be cheap and non-custom fit to you. You said your store (grocery, I presume) is a few blocks away. I can't believe you can't ride an ill fitting bike for several blocks to pick up groceries. I don't think you ever said how far the work commute is, but the same reasoning applies. Also, you won't worry so much if your cheapo bike gets stolen outside the store or if it gets trashed in the rain. I realize money is a factor and two bikes cost more and takes more room, but hey, I said "In my world."
Anyhow, thanks for reading this far. :-) ...my boss said I was too verbose. Hmmrrgh
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Skuke
95 Carbonframes Tetra Pro
92 Bridgestone MB-1
90 Moser 51.151
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skuke
captain
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 323
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Quote:
Montaque wrote:
the seat stays over sizes the dropout. The rack supports would have laid across the seat stays, unless, as the LBS suggested, the rack supports were BENT outward and a BUNCH of washers were used as a standoff to take up the SPACE between the rack and the dropout.
<snip>
the rattling washers or anything used as a standoff would have been abominable, vile, detestable, revolting and, needless to say, abhorrent. Wouldn;t look good either.
What hack bike shop wanted to pile up a bunch of washers? They should not rattle either!
I hate hack work more than the fenders on a Calfee so open offer to any Calfee owner who needs standoffs to make their rack fit: Send me the internal diameter (ID), outside diameter (OD) and length. I'll machine the standoffs for you out of Aluminum for the cost of shipping and a coupla bucks or so for material. This offer stands until I retract it.
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Skuke
95 Carbonframes Tetra Pro
92 Bridgestone MB-1
90 Moser 51.151
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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I just mounted a Topeak rack on my commuting bike. The capacity is 15 pounds and it is very light. The bag designed for it can go to 1700 cubic inches. I am using my own bags and bungee cords so far.
Do some searches on fenders. I have been and found out a lot...unfortunately I don't remember it all. I had clearance problems so I ended up with SKS Race Blade. I have a pair of Planet Bike I'll sell cheap. They cleared racing tires but not bomb proof tires.
Two suggestions. There is a company that makes carbon fiber fenders. They are gorgeous, light and oh so cool. They are also expensive.
The second alternative is a trip to Portland. There is a shop that makes a hardwood fender that is to die for gorgeous. I'd visit there since they install them. They have hardware to deal with clearance problems. I was told that commuters use them all over Portland.
A Google of fender carbon fiber or Portland fender wood etc. should get the information. Otherwise go the easy way. Don't forget your first easy way was a bike you didn't really want. Why rush a bike you will have a ride for a VERY long time? Shopping parts is half the fun.
By the way the Topeak mounts on the post is super clean and light. I also like that it is not quick release. I figure that is a good way to have someone take it.
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Insightdriver
captain
Reged: 03/07/04
Posts: 472
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Skuke,
I appreciate very much all the thoughtful comments you have made. I wish to give you a description of my mindset and the reasoning I used in making choices.
First thing, Calfee Design cannot customize the geometry of a Luna or Dragnonfly in the same way it can a Tetra Pro. There is enough adjustment in the Tetra Pro molds to ajust angles that they can't do with pre-made lugs. For this reason, alone, I am getting a Custom Tetra Pro rather than a Luna or another Manufacturer's carbon bike. My LBS has looked into other custom makers to see if they could make the bike to the dimensions that fit me and no other can do so and at the same quality level that Calfee Design can.
Calfee Design also can make any highly-customized frame anyone could desire. I already had the riding experience on my first Tetra Pro to convince me to buy another one. I could buy a full Dura-Ace, top-of-the-line bike from any other major manufacturer, but I could not get the custom geometry that has me dialed in idealy as a full-custom frame can give. I could go with a steel or titanium frame, and for that matter get the same geometry more easily from any number of frame builders.
Forget the marketing message of a "racing frame." It is marketing only, after all. I want a bike I will love riding every day, in spite of the weather. Speaking of weather, my wife and I both experimented and learned some things about foul weather riding. For one thing, fenders keep the spray off and that makes riding more comfortable. The right clothing and layering makes a world of difference. We could ride in comfort in spite of it being cold enough to cause our breaths to steam while rain beat steadily down.
It was fun for us to ride a trail that is usually busy but was nearly deserted. We go appreciative nods from the few other cyclists we saw who also, "get it." To do anything outdoors we need the right equipment. The right equipment makes all the difference.
I don't fit in with the, "in crowd," as far as being a cyclist is concerned. I like the high I get from cycling. I want to commute when the round trip is only 20 miles. It would be 16 by car, part of the time stuck in stop-and-go traffic. I can ride mostly dedicated bicycle trail to work and can avoid most streets by going the long way around. I need the practicality of a rack on my bike. The fact that I want a custom carbon fiber bike with a rack and fenders is not a strange idea to me. I'm a practical person, or at least I like to think so.
I do drive a Honda Insight. I'm not an environmental tree-hugger. I'm a technologist and know we are using up a finite resource and polluting our planet with oil use. Future generations will have to deal with it. I am only riding my bike because I want to because it makes me feel good. I take my lunch to save money. A bag on a bike rack is the convenient way to carry things on a bike, in my opinion.
I am looking forward to getting my new bike in 6 to 8 weeks. This is the second time in my life I will be getting a dream bike for myself. I'm a pretty lucky guy.
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Mike
contributor
Reged: 12/25/03
Posts: 101
Loc: Oregon
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I have a luna rack on my tetra tandem. The aluminum standoffs you need are readily available at any hardware store that sells fasteners and the like. They cost about a dime apiece. Its impossible for the standoff to rattle since it is "squeezed" between the rack and the dropout with a 4mm bolt.
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Insightdriver
captain
Reged: 03/07/04
Posts: 472
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Quote:
Lon wrote:
I just mounted a Topeak rack on my commuting bike. The capacity is 15 pounds and it is very light. The bag designed for it can go to 1700 cubic inches. I am using my own bags and bungee cords so far.
I haven't looked at the Topeak rack yet. I'll get around to it soon, though.
Quote:
Lon wrote:
Do some searches on fenders. I have been and found out a lot...unfortunately I don't remember it all. I had clearance problems so I ended up with SKS Race Blade. I have a pair of Planet Bike I'll sell cheap. They cleared racing tires but not bomb proof tires.
I did some searching and will continue as time permits
Quote:
Lon wrote:
Two suggestions. There is a company that makes carbon fiber fenders. They are gorgeous, light and oh so cool. They are also expensive.
Yeah, I looked at the carbon fiber fenders. Yup, they are expensive.
Quote:
Lon wrote:
The second alternative is a trip to Portland. There is a shop that makes a hardwood fender that is to die for gorgeous. I'd visit there since they install them. They have hardware to deal with clearance problems. I was told that commuters use them all over Portland.
A Google of fender carbon fiber or Portland fender wood etc. should get the information. Otherwise go the easy way. Don't forget your first easy way was a bike you didn't really want. Why rush a bike you will have a ride for a VERY long time? Shopping parts is half the fun.
By the way the Topeak mounts on the post is super clean and light. I also like that it is not quick release. I figure that is a good way to have someone take it.
Lon, thanks for the suggestions. I did some searching and am continuing to do so. I don't know if I could get up to Portland within the next couple of months, though. I intend to get around a bit and see some of the fenders I can find.
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NoBrakes
new member
Reged: 06/08/05
Posts: 19
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In case you're considering carbon fenders, one of my riding partners uses them. This guy rides a custom Steve Rex bike, and does 1200K rides. So rides in all kinds of weather. He loves the difference they make wet weather, and tells me are easy to remove and install. Your new dream machine sounds like it's going to be a great bike.
Best Wishes,
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Insightdriver
captain
Reged: 03/07/04
Posts: 472
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Thanks for letting me know. Steve Rex works downtown just a few miles from me. If I was ever to decide on getting a custom steel or titanium bike, I'd go to him in a heartbeat. I'm leaning toward the Honjo fenders:
http://www.jitensha.com/eng/fndrs_e.html
I think they will look really good on a cabernet red Calfee Tetra Pro.
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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Here is a link. The key is having words that it searches for...fenders, Portland, bicycle, hardwood and it came right up. They are neat.
You can buy everything or your shop can to install them.
Hardwood Fenders from Portland
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NoBrakes
new member
Reged: 06/08/05
Posts: 19
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That's a good choice for fenders, and they will nicely compliment a cabernet red paint job and protect it from chipping. If you know for sure these are the fenders you will installing on your bike with you concisely conveying that to Calfee for him to build your bike with the correct clearances and mounting points for these fenders. I am sure you'll be very happy with your new bike. Have you chosen a solid color paint, fade, or dye?
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nhm
new member
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 4
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I commute in and out of NYC year round and choose between a Tetra or a Serotta Ti.The Tetra usually gets the nod in the warmer months with its racier setup.I use a clip on rear fender when using the Tetra and full SKS fenders mounted with rubber pipe clamps on the Serotta.Neither bike has fender eyelets.The front fender is attached with safety breakaways in case of a stick getting jammed.You may want to use these with the Honjos if you go that route.I also fabricated a mudflap for the front which keeps all the water off my feet.Rivercity Bicycles sell a kit for putting fenders on a bike with no clearance under brakes http://www.rivercitybicycles.com/product_info.php?cPath=130&products_id=613 I can fit Michelin Pro Race2 25's on either bike with just enough clearance on the AlphaQ fork.
I personally dont like racks on either of these bikes due to handling issues.I also once lost a bag off the back seatpost rack when I hit some rough pavement.I use a Vaude backpack which has a mesh back that keeps the pack off my back,its good for 10-15lbs.You might want to consider longer chainstays,lower BB,and a more relaxed headtube when designing a bike for fenders and rack.Check out this carbon offering at http://cyclestournesol.com/tlc.htm This bike has some really good ideas behind it.Maybe borrow a few and see what Craig Calfee can come up with.
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Dave_Thompson
prophet
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 717
Loc: Spokane, Washington
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Lickton Bikes also sells the River City wood fenders: http://www.lickbike.com/productpage.aspx?PART_NUM_SUB='3439-00'
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Steel lover, but then I like Ti with carbon too.
Licensed bike geek.
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Insightdriver
captain
Reged: 03/07/04
Posts: 472
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Thanks for the comments. I am assuming you are talking about thge Honjo fenders. I like the way they look and the fact they are metal. If I got a bug up my butt and wanted to, I could paint the fenders to match my bike or in a contrasting color that complements it. I'm lucky to be married to a woman who is a painting contractor and knows more about colors and matching them than I will ever be able to learn.
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Insightdriver
captain
Reged: 03/07/04
Posts: 472
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Hello Dave and Lon,
Not to dissapoint you but the wood fenders, looking very good just don't float my boat. I do apprecaite, though, that you guys are kind enough to point them out to me. I am impressed with the quality of the wood fenders, no doubt, I just am not interested in wood fenders, nor carbon fenders either. I like the look of the metal fenders.
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Insightdriver
captain
Reged: 03/07/04
Posts: 472
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Hello NHM!,
Thanks for posting. I've been to the Tournesol site before and admired the bike and the concept behind it. I noticed that the smooth fenders on the Tournesol bike are just the ones I want on my bike. Guess that actually helps me be even happier with my decision to go with such fenders.
The geometry on my new Custom Tetra Pro will have a more relaxed head tube angle and more fork rake than I originially had on my first Calfee. It's not so much for greater stability but to eliminate the toe overlap that I had before. The effect, though, will be a more stable bike suitable for commuting and errands with a rack on the back. I doubt I'd ever carry more than 15 pounds ever.
My bike will have a lot in common with the Tournesol bike. I'll have a lower bottom bracket and more relaxed geometry. It's all for my custom fit, though, not so much with a go-fast touring bike idea. I am that kind of rider, though, because I like to go fast and I want to commute with my bike as well. I have no intentions to go touring so I don't need a long wheelbase to give me heel clearance for rear panniers; I won't have any. I'm leaning toward a Ortlieb Bike Box on top of a Tubus Cargo rear rack.
I have time to figure out what bits I'll get on my bike while the frame is being built. Craig will be informed on all the details like the fenders and rack as well. I'm already set on Shimano Ultegra rear end and brakes. I'm going with the FSA Gossamer front crank with an FSA Compact Crank front derailleur. Wheels will be Mavic Kysirum Elites shod with Vittoria Rubino Tech 700 X 25 rubber. I'll sit on a Fizi:k Arione saddle for a while to see if I am happy with it; it has the features I want in a saddle, wider nose, longer for more seating positions, flexible on the rear sides and no sagging in the middle.
I want the paint job to be the straight Cabernet Red, not the fade job. I'm imagining the bike will look really sweet and will ride like a dream.
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Dave_Thompson
prophet
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 717
Loc: Spokane, Washington
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Well then, there's always Berthoud stainless fenders: http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fenders.asp and scroll down.
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Steel lover, but then I like Ti with carbon too.
Licensed bike geek.
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Insightdriver
captain
Reged: 03/07/04
Posts: 472
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Hi Dave,
Yes, I've already looked at Berthoud fenders as well. I'll let you know when I finally reach a decision.
Cheers,
Ed
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vaxn8r
contributor
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 222
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Wow, My two main rides are a Tetra Pro and a Legend. However, neither of those will ever see fenders. That's for the OCLV, maybe the 'dale...then again, either bike will handle the rain and elements with ease.
Nice combo!
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NoBrakes
new member
Reged: 06/08/05
Posts: 19
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For The Insightdriver,
I am glad to hear you are going with a straight cabernet red, because the fade is awful when needs to be touch up. Metallics are hard to touch-up, and when it's a fade, it's impossible to touch up. I brought my cabernet red fade Tetra Pro in Feb. 2004. My LBS had suggested I order the bike nude, and allow him to have it paint by a local custom bike painter. I did not take his suggestion, instead I went with Calfee. When it came in, it had a flaw (about 1/4" crater) in the paint right on top of the top tube. Calfee said they would repaint it, and they agreed to do it at the end of the season.
So, last Nov. I sent my bike back to Calfee for it to be repainted. The paint had chipped in 11 other places by now. When I got my bike four weeks later, it has one of the worse touch up jobs I have ever seen on a bike. Calfee changed their mind without a reason about honoring to repainting my bike, and would do whatever they could with only the touch-up, unless I wanted to pay $450 to have it stripped and repainted. So my LBS say no matter what Calfee will or will not do, that he would honor what he told me, therefore he would pay to have my bike repainted. I accepted his gracious offer, and changed the color my bike to a solid bright Ferrari Red and changed to the local custom bike painter. The local painter stripped it down to the carbon, and filled in all the imperfections, sanded, prepped, and finished it with glassiest red paint I've ever seen.
One of my riding partners brought a Calfee Ferrari Red Luna in May, and when our two bikes are next to each you would believe the difference in the paint. It's like looking at the paint on a Ferrari compare to a Fire Truck. Both are shinny, but the quality of the look is so much higher on one than the other. My LBS sells about 90 Calfees a year, so he sees about two new Calfee frames every week go through his shop. I should have taken his suggestion in the first place. It would have saved me some frustration, and three months of riding a couple of loaners from my LBS. However, the best thing is after riding my bike a whole season with this new paint job, it has only one chip. That's a huge improvement in durability of the paint.
I learned a good lesson here, and that's to take the advice of someone who works a lot with the product your considering purchasing. If I were buying my second Tetra I would be checking with LBS on the quality of paint he is currently seeing from Calfee, and depending on what I heard I would not hesitate on having another party that specializes in painting bikes do the paint on my dream machine. So you may want to consider thinking about if you should leave the bike building to the bike builder and the painting to the painter.
Enjoy your second chance.
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Insightdriver
captain
Reged: 03/07/04
Posts: 472
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Hi Fly,
I got to look at the Fizik Arione tonight and I am going to try it out. I'll be able to test it for a while and I'll change it out if it isn't wide enough in the nose area. It certainly is long like I prefer. By the way, I put my down payment on the bike tonight and the order went into Calfee. In 6 to 8 weeks I'll have my new ride, I'll post pics and I'll tell about my ride experiences.
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Nev
captain
Reged: 05/03/04
Posts: 375
Loc: Never where I want to be
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Quote:
Insightdriver wrote:
Hi Fly,
I got to look at the Fizik Arione tonight and I am going to try it out. I'll be able to test it for a while and I'll change it out if it isn't wide enough in the nose area. It certainly is long like I prefer. By the way, I put my down payment on the bike tonight and the order went into Calfee. In 6 to 8 weeks I'll have my new ride, I'll post pics and I'll tell about my ride experiences.
I hated mine, badly. And I tried it many times, with long periods inbetween. Feels like I'm sitting on my perineum--and it's not pleasant. Also not wide enough for my sit bones. Horrible.
Mmmmmmm...a new Calfee...{*homer gurgling sounds*}
I just got a new job, and it came with a signing bonus. My wife said I should blow it, you deserve it, get a new bike! Wow. Oh so very tempting...to join this club. Many ideas about moving parts around and repurposing the current stable...ah but belongs in other threads.
Good luck on the Arione. I think they suck and have heard the same. I think it's an anatomy thing though. You need a long ride on it if you can. My discomfort kicks in, hard, at about 40 miles, and won't go away. Then sooner thereafter.
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NoBrakes
new member
Reged: 06/08/05
Posts: 19
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I feel the same way about Fizik Saddles. I used an Aliante for about a year. It would started the numb thing with me at about 30 miles. The leather on the saddle was real smooth to run your hand over, but sit on it for long periods of time was murder. The leather start coming off in couple places, so I just threw in the trash. Then, I switch to a Terry Fly, and it works fine for half the price.
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skuke
captain
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 323
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Quote:
NoBrakes wrote:
...he would honor what he told me, therefore he would pay to have my bike repainted. I accepted his gracious offer, and changed the color my bike...
Now that is a bike shop that is selling customer service!!! Where is this shop? Name?
BTW, did you offer the LBS some money for the repaint? Yeah, they offered, but he lost his a** on that deal. You're gonna have to buy you a whole lot of stuff for the LBS to make any money from you after that paint job. Remember, the LBS doesn't have a large margin on selling bikes. Their money comes from selling all the other stuff.
Who is the painter?
Quote:
NoBrakes wrote:
If I were buying my second Tetra I would be checking with LBS on the quality of paint he is currently seeing from Calfee,
Calfee now paints in-house. I've seen their paint booth, it's HUUUGE! ...of course that doesn't mean that it's good, just large.
When I bought my Tetra, it was from the old facility in Santa Cruz. A third party was painting the frame and forks. I'm very happy with my paint and no complaints. Ten years old and when I actually clean it, it still looks great. Of course there are chips now, but it's seen it's share of debris being thrown at it.
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Skuke
95 Carbonframes Tetra Pro
92 Bridgestone MB-1
90 Moser 51.151
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NoBrakes
new member
Reged: 06/08/05
Posts: 19
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I feel the same way about Fizik Saddles. I used an Aliante for about a year. It would started the numb thing with me at about 30 miles. The leather on the saddle was real smooth to run your hand over, but sit on it for long periods of time was murder. The leather start coming off in couple places, so I just threw in the trash. Then, I switch to a Terry Fly, and it works fine for half the price.
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Limace
journeyman
Reged: 03/09/05
Posts: 54
Loc: Oregon
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Regarding hand made wooden fenders, which truly are gorgeous.
Go to River City Bicycles website, a Portland LBS. I think they are the store Lon referred to and have a full description up.
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Insightdriver
captain
Reged: 03/07/04
Posts: 472
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If you actually read the material on the site you understand why it is the Portland-based River City Bicycles because it is the owner of said shop that makes the fenders.
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Insightdriver
captain
Reged: 03/07/04
Posts: 472
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