Merry Christmas, oppo.

"CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist)" (ccpbb) 12/24/2013 at 21:35 • Filed to: Christmas

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A little NSFW from one of my favorite show, Community. Relax it's not from the 4th season.

JGrabowMSt > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 12/24/2013 at 21:42

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oh hey, is that felt yours?

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > JGrabowMSt 12/24/2013 at 22:12

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Yes, and the sticker is from TheWorldIsFlat

JGrabowMSt > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 12/24/2013 at 22:17

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I ride a bright yellow Motobecane. Just stuck it on the trainer today, I've been far too lazy and haven't ridden at all since early August. I feel incredibly fat because of it.

Tell me more about it! Is it aluminum/carbon/ti? Does it always double as a christmas decoration? How long is your "average" ride?

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > JGrabowMSt 12/24/2013 at 22:37

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It's a 2007 Felt Z80. It says it's an alloy frame (aluminum likely), carbon rear seat stay and fork, and carbon seat post. Had 105 and some FSA cranks. Kinda doubled as a Xmas and Bday present, I paid a little under half of it, for 680 dollars on craigslist. My average ride is 1 hr 30, but I go on these 50 mile team rides every Sunday. And I've ridden on a road bike only since April, and I feel like I have no more muscle mass in my arms.
The Christmas ornament was for a Instagram photo..and that oppo sticker is something I like as my "personal touch" on a bike.

JGrabowMSt > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 12/24/2013 at 23:10

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Might just be the angle of the pic, but either you're a tad on the shorter side, or the frame is a tad on the large side for you, judging by the seat height (unless it's just the picture...My Motobecane is a completely stock 2011 Grand Record. Carbon seat post and front fork. I had to add some spacers for the stem up front so those are carbon as well. I still have my dads old bike, I wouldn't let him get rid of it because it was my introduction to riding a road bike. 1970's Prince, all steel frame, 27" wheels and a 10 speed with cotter pinned pedals. Truly old school, but it was a 60cm frame, and was about 4cm too large for me. The Motobecane is half the weight, the perfect size, 27 gears, and a blast. My average speed shot up, and I feel liberated when I'm on it.

I'll have to dig around for the picture of it I had on my computer, or I'll just take a new one later (tomorrow)...It was a present to myself after I was struggling to get over a bad breakup. I paid similar money for mine, got it new, had to put it all together, had problems with parts, but it was all good, everything got taken care of for free through where I bought it from. It ended up being the best thing I could do for myself. Best alone time I could ever ask for (I avoid group rides typically) and it keeps me in shape.

I have FSA cranks as well IIRC. Eventually I just want to put new front chainrings on it for better gearing, but that's all. I could use a new chain for this coming summer as well, I ride it really hard, and the chain stretch is starting to become noticeable when riding.

How do you like it so far?

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > JGrabowMSt 12/25/2013 at 04:19

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It's not bad, pretty good. This pic was taken a few days before I got a fit from my coach, explains the "comfort position" for the bars and the seat configuration. And I'm 5" 6', the 56 cm sizing. I used to ride a 58 1995 Cannondale tri bike, which had weirder geometry, Fixie bars, and a (kind of dirty and blurry) polished aluminum tubing. Oh yes, it had 2 types of dead standards, 650c wheels and 1 inch stems.
My view on motobecane, I'm indecisive. If I were to get one, I'll save up a lot of money and buy one of their models that have the super high end components that I know I can get for much more on a similar bike with same components. I tend to like group rides, because they motivate me in a way. But there is a zen within going on a bike ride through a neighborhood, and gawking at the interesting cars you see along the way. I once saw a very vintage Volvo sports car and 2 Land Rover Type 3s!
Does the Motobecane ride well?

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > JGrabowMSt 12/25/2013 at 04:22

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But I do love bikes-directs warranty. It's literally magical from what I hear

JGrabowMSt > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 12/25/2013 at 10:22

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The Motobecane rides very well for what it is. Its similar to a new car, where once you get it home, you find things to change. The wheel hubs and fork bearings are the only things I feel compelled to change. The chainrings are showing a lot of wear, but as I said, I ride it hard. Ill average 20-25mph on flat roads, Ive broken 37 down a good hill. I fully expect to go through components doing that, which is why I went with a relatively cheap bike, but the look and feel is far beyond the price tag.
Its a 56cm as well, Im only 1.5" taller than you, but my legs seem a bit short, but the 56 was magic compared to the old 60 frame. I love that Prince, but it doesnt let me fly like the Motobecane. My biggest motivation behind the Motobecane was the classic name. I didnt want a trek or other cheapo name brand from the local shop, and carbon is way out of my each. I do get older riders regularly telling me stories about their old bikes because the vintage name brings back memories, and thats a really cool thing to me, Im all for that.
Around me though, a lot of the older riders are people i know (clients mostly) and the real fun is going to their garages. One has an old Carrera and 560SL, another has a 300SL convertible. Im nowhere near rich, but if I ever get there, I sure hope I can be like them...

JGrabowMSt > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 12/26/2013 at 01:01

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When I first got it (old seat has since been replaced)

potato shot on the trainer. fully cleaned all the road grit off, and re-lubed the chain, derailleur gears and rear hub for friday...

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > JGrabowMSt 12/26/2013 at 01:14

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Wow. That thing looks beautiful. I see some shimano clipless pedals. What tires do you have on yours? I have Vitorra some thing and continental gatorskins..

JGrabowMSt > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 12/26/2013 at 19:12

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I have Conti Ultra Sports front and back. As soon as I run through these, Ill be upgrading to Gatorskins. Everyone complains about weight savings on these, but I dont care, Ive gone through lots of inner tubes because of glass, pinch flats, and all sorts of other road debris because the tires are so soft. I dont carry a spare anything, and I ride with either 1 or 2 liters of water and thats it. I ride for me and thats it, though I have been thinking about putting a small pouch with an inner tube and patch kit and the whole 9 yards, but maybe when it warms up. I need new hubs and chainrings first. Ive been lucky enough to not get stranded too far from home, I can usually make it back or call for a ride without much hassle.

Outside of the stem and seat, its as i bought it. The clipless pedals took some getting used to, but theyre actually pretty comfortable, so I dont mind it. They are hell to have to walk in though...

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > JGrabowMSt 12/27/2013 at 01:19

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Kudos for getting Gatorskins. I have Gatorskins on my Cannondale I used to ride. Never got a flat on them for several hundred miles. I'm getting Continental Grand Prix 4000s to replace the cracking vitorras.. I have a gatorskin on the back and i've only gotten a flat while unclipping and hitting the air valve. It sheared off. They are very durable and very grippy. Touch as hell sidewalls, and pretty much touch ass slicks. I don't use a patch kit but have a spare tube in my saddlebag. A little word of advise, hubs from Mavic are sometimes subject to frequent cleaning. But a spare tube is useful (once on a section of road, 3 people got flats). Looks like you have a mini pump and tektro brakes. Remember to get good pads.. It's good you have clips...helps a lot when bunny hopping. Is yours a triple or double chainring crankset?

JGrabowMSt > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 12/27/2013 at 07:43

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No mini pump here, the spare kit wont happen until it warms up, but a spare tube is a definite. Front is a triple, but Ill likely only replace the outer rings because Im happy with the middle. Beyond that, Ill get some chainstays for safety, but not much else. Its been a great bike to me, so Im really happy with it.