Bike porn

i might

oh rly ? wanna marry me or should we do it the dirty & ugly way :D ?

no seriously, ur bikes are fucking awesome. big compliment for your great collection.

I hate to be "that guy" who moans about other people's porn - and I've tried to hold back - but... That "stealth" Trek is awful! It looks like someone poured chalk paint over it?

+1

55mm deep fork blades, I wouldn't want to ride any further than from the railway station to the velodrome on this:

They put a hole in it so nutters who will ride anything on the road can subsidise the production of hardcore track frames.

There are 2 versions of the 464, one comes in a road spec, and the other in a track spec.

There are 2 versions of the 464, one comes in a road spec, and the other in a track spec.

As built up bikes maybe. As bare frames, there's just the one and it's got a hole in it. I know it's sometimes sold as a road bike, I know people will ride it on the road, but that doesn't detract from its being a proper track bike. kerley's suggestion that a Visp is not a proper track bike simply because it has a hole in it doesn't stand up to scrutiny; in the current market, a brake drilling is not an indication of the primary purpose of a frame, it's an indication that the manufacturer is wise to the foolishness of mugs who will ride completely inappropriate bikes and pay handsomely for the displeasure.

MT
stop typing - get building
i need to see that LOOK complete soon!

i want a carbon trek district (please)

As built up bikes maybe. As bare frames, there's just the one and it's got a hole in it. I know it's sometimes sold as a road bike, I know people will ride it on the road, but that doesn't detract from its being a proper track bike. kerley's suggestion that a Visp is not a proper track bike simply because it has a hole in it doesn't stand up to scrutiny; in the current market, a brake drilling is not an indication of the primary purpose of a frame, it's an indication that the manufacturer is wise to the foolishness of mugs who will ride completely inappropriate bikes and pay handsomely for the displeasure.

The point I was trying to make (very badly) is that the Visp was not designed for pure track use and was designed to be ridden on the road as per many other frames the same. I don't find anything wrong with that, I was just questioning that it may not be built with track stiffness in mind.

this^

things got good around 1993 when hardtails went to 125-130 up front. full sussers got sorted (most. not all, still some dodgy ones about) forks lasted well and had damping that worked (rc2/3 in bombers and then motion control with rockshox) disk brakes were no longer shite and tempremental.

now with tubeless flow rims, rockshox (marzocchi have fallen by the wayside since production moved to suntour) numerous disk brake systems that work, sticky fast rolling tyres and 6in full suss bikes that weigh less than hardtails of yore mtb'ers really are spoiled for choice.

those old bikes are shite apart from the hardtails. the bouncy ones are all full of fail for various technical/mechanical/aesthetic reasons.

You mean 2003 (the start of the Cove Stiffee, Hope Minis + as you've pointed out decent forks) don't you Gary? 1993 was utter shite, good fun at the time but still shite.

sorry. yes got my dates mixed up.

Stop using the aluminium pans, the onset of Alzheimers is no laughing matter.

those rims look like them Velo Oranges. nice...

You mean 2003 (the start of the Cove Stiffee, Hope Minis + as you've pointed out decent forks) don't you Gary? 1993 was utter shite, good fun at the time but still shite.

awesome bike the 2003 stiffee. Here's one that I made earlier (for my girlfriend cos I got a Cove Hustler :)

1 Attachment

What? Long stems, narrow bars, crap brakes, 1 inch suspension, bear traps, colour coordinated bar,stem,bullbars,cranks,seatpost,chainring bolt, QRs,wheels,dust caps,brake levers....

Most of the things you mentioned are fucking awesome.

Bear traps! Om nom nom.

As built up bikes maybe. As bare frames, there's just the one and it's got a hole in it. I know it's sometimes sold as a road bike, I know people will ride it on the road, but that doesn't detract from its being a proper track bike. kerley's suggestion that a Visp is not a proper track bike simply because it has a hole in it doesn't stand up to scrutiny; in the current market, a brake drilling is not an indication of the primary purpose of a frame, it's an indication that the manufacturer is wise to the foolishness of mugs who will ride completely inappropriate bikes and pay handsomely for the displeasure.

I was in a Look dealership in Normandy (one of the biggest in France) and they had 2 built up versions on sale, one for road, and one for track.

I see what your saying, but they told me in there that the 464 was designed knowing that a lot of potential users would take it nowhere near a velodrome, and this was backed up by the Look rep who was in the shop at the time!

The track version was undrilled and had no idication that it could be drilled, and the road version had a factory drilled fork.

They also came with a pretty cool cover, and this spares/build kit

As for the Visp, i doubt any design went into it other than copying bits off other designs and chosing the cheapest materials so it could be sold on Ebay

I think its more likely that a company commisioned a prototype then went bankrupt/changed their min/changed the designed and the factory went ahead and made them anyway. Its a chinese company and they don't believe in patents.

As for the Visp, I think part of the reason some people hate them so much is because it makes them realise they could have had a better looking and equally performing bike for less money than they currently have.

I don't hate the Visp, just don't pretend that it is anything other than some generic knock off frame from the far east, plus it uses a 27.4 seatpost, and their are various reports on the internet of the rear spacing being out.

Still for 100 quid you cant complain

Knock off I don't know, is it a 1 on 1 copy of any one particular frame by a renowned brand? Other than that, I agree. Generic far east like a so many other frames (Bianchi Pista for example). But that doesn't mean it's not as good as a higher end model for the purposes it's being used for by most people who buy either.

But you don't actually know it is as good as a higher end model any more than I don't.
I know it can't be that great if it weights close to 2kg for an alu alloy frame as a higher end alu alloy frame weighs around 1.5kg so that rules out the fact that they are even similar.

being heavier means that it has more material. More material is stronger thus meaning that it could be better than a supposed high end frame.

I plus it uses a 27.4 seatpost, and their are various reports on the internet of the rear spacing being out.

Still for 100 quid you cant complain

really? My 27.2 seatpost fits rather nicely. I even measured the frame to make sure. Rear spacing could be out, but my wheel fits and stays central so I don't care.
Thats the crux of the point for me. For under £100, there's no better deal. And even if you do manage to break it it's quick and easy to get an identical replacement.

Quite a nice paint job, like foil stamping or metal leafing.
http://cgi.ebay.com/1983-Chesini-X-UNO-cromovelato-Campagnolo-Mavic-SSC-53c-/360298264500?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53e37337b4

http://www.speedbicycles.ch/bikes/377/bigPic/speed_001.jpg