Bike porn

http://cdn.mos.bikeradar.com/images/news/2013/03/13/1363172136460-rt8uvrgi8on1-800-75.jpg

"In which case, please continue to use stuff which is inferior in function but pleases your personal aesthetic..."

Think you'll find that you can actually get high performance all black tires and tubes. I acknowledge the possibility of having to, but so far I have never had to compromise aesthetics and personal preference to achieve functionality and performance. Guess fixing lights when riding at night is as close as I get; that and a fixed/fixed Phil Wood rear hub (as oppose to fixed) on my day-to-day wheelset, which I reluctantly live with* for the time being, only because I was offered the wheelset at a reluctantly low price.

*Damn, I hate that hub!

Think you'll find that you can actually get high performance all black tires and tubes.

The dyes used to make the threads and binder black have various negative consequences (extra weight, bulk, weakened fibres, increased hysteresis), which is why the Servizio Corsa lines from Vittoria don't have them.

Here's one.

Is it me or does Tom look far too big for that bike ?

Didn't stop him winning the Tour of Flanders I suppose !

there are a lot of professional riders ridding bikes a bit small for them.
As you can see he's using a long stem...
Some riders prefer to set their bikes like that

flatter back i guess?

Different weight distribution for better handling on cobbles with punctures.

Look fine to me, he is riding in the drop after all.

Black sidewall tires and tubes are all shit, and no one serious in the world of cycling, least of all pros, would ever use them. Glad we got that sorted.

Is it me or does Tom look far too big for that bike ?

Didn't stop him winning the Tour of Flanders I suppose !

shorter wheelbase = quicker acceleration, tighter handling, stiffer?

Is it me or does Tom look far too big for that bike ?

Didn't stop him winning the Tour of Flanders I suppose !

1. he's a big bloke
   
2. he's leaning towards a short camera lens which is also making him look bigger relative to the bike
   
   

but also

1. he's a pro and it's not unusual for pros to ride a size or two smaller than mere mortals, in order to get the bars low enough for a proper racing position (especially with a lot of brands' headtubes getting longer so the MAMILs can have fewer spacers).
   

there are a lot of professional riders ridding bikes a bit small for them.
As you can see he's using a long stem...
Some riders prefer to set their bikes like that

Not wanting to show my age. But in the days of old, pros where crow bared onto the smallest possible frame. It being lighter, stiffer, and offering a more race like low position.

Modern thinking was to get fit more dialled.

Now suddenly the smaller frame fit seems to have come back. Mdcc_tester mentioned how the market is demanding more 'sportive' style bikes. With these changes in bike geometry in mind. Maybe the best way to get an aggressive racing position now. Is to go back to the old small is best way of thinking.

Dunno about you lots but it look like a perfect fit;

Totally normal pro bike. The average sportive rider of the same dimensions would probably take a size larger and a stem at least a couple of cm shorter though.

Or simply come with this to compensate the hood rider;

Christ that S-Works is fucking pretty.. Does anyone really know why the Sram rear mech cable has to be so big?

He puts the carabiner with his keys on there as he's wearing lycra, fucking hipster.

Or simply come with this to compensate

The stem above looks huge.

I have this style headset. But as I no longer have spacers. I consider my stem slammed.

Does anyone really know why the Sram rear mech cable has to be so big?

Someone will, but that's a normal length for SRAM. I think their MTB mechs have a pulley instead of the loop.

I know.. I'd just like to know why is has to be such a big loop as compared the Shimano.

makes the entry angle of the cable into the rear mech flatter and supposedly improves performance

Think you'll find that you can actually get high performance all black tires and tubes. I acknowledge the possibility of having to, but so far I have never had to compromise aesthetics and personal preference to achieve functionality and performance. Guess fixing lights when riding at night is as close as I get; that and a fixed/fixed Phil Wood rear hub (as oppose to fixed) on my day-to-day wheelset, which I reluctantly live with* for the time being, only because I was offered the wheelset at a reluctantly low price.

*Damn, I hate that hub!

Christ. I cant imagine how awful that must be...You bear that cross like a real man though.

Look fine to me, he is riding in the drop after all.

Please explain how this photo demonstrates that, Ed? Would also be curious to know how a photo of riders top half, climbing on the hoods, out of the saddle, could ever tell you anything about the fit of a bike?

^First world problems are problems nonetheless ;)

Is it me or does Tom look far too big for that bike ?

Didn't stop him winning the Tour of Flanders I suppose !

I don't think anyone here needs to worry if Boonen's bike is too small for him.

Please explain how this photo demonstrates that, Ed? Would also be curious to know how a photo of riders top half, climbing on the hoods, out of the saddle, could ever tell you anything about the fit of a bike?

Best one I can find that doesn't make the bike look small really.