For the Bike Geeks

Cyclists like the rain...

Author's Note: Today I'm writing in a lighter tone. I'm on the road from Maryland to Columbus...thinking happy thoughts.

I am convinced—absolutely convinced—that all cyclists are bike geeks.

That's not to say that all who ride are bike geeks. There are riders, and there are cyclists. (If you need to ask, you're a rider; if you're nodding your head vigorously, you're a cyclist.)

I'm a cyclist.

I'm also a geek.

I'm the kind of guy for whom the Competitive Cyclist website is designed. Yes. I admit it. I surf for bike porn.

Hell, I'm the kind of guy who loves videos like this (the bit at 4:35 is jaw-dropping!):



Pathetic, aren't I?

So, in response to someone on Facebook, who recently suggested that Pelotonia riders should consider naming their bikes...

Here is my response...

Introducing Papillon

I call her Papillon. She's my butterfly. She's transformative. She's inspiring.

She doesn't let me down. She never discourages. She supports, and she encourages.

See, if you're a bike geek, not only do you NAME you bike, but you describe her in rapturously (and sometimes in hushed tones). And yes, BCB is aware of how much I love my bikes!

She's 16.5 pounds of Swiss-precision engineering excellence. She's a rocket (when she wants to be), and she's a companion on many of my excursions.

It took two years of collecting, trading, selling, and acquiring parts to build her.

I test-ride more than 20 bikes before buying her.

She's perfect.

And she's going to carry me through Pelotonia this weekend.

I only hope that I am rider enough for her. She need to be ridden by a cyclist.

(Photos below, for all of you who cannot STAND not seeing her!)

What She's Made Of...

Frame	BMC	SLX01 (2009)
Fork	Easton	EC-90 (BMC CUstom Paint)
Seatpost	BMC	Streampost 73.5
Seat	Fizik	Antares VS
Headset	FSA	Integrated
Stem	Deda	Quattro (100mm)
Bars	FSA	K-Force Carbon Compact
Bartape	Fi'zi:k	Microtex (Black)
Shifters	Campagnolo	Record 10
Brakes	TRP	R960
Cables	Campagnolo	-
Bottom Bracket	Campagnolo	Ultra Torque (Record)
Cranks	Campagnolo	Record 11 Compact (50/34)
Front Derailleur	Campagnolo	Record 10
Rear Derailleur	Campagnolo	Record 10
Chain	Campagnolo	Record 10
Pedals	Look	Keo-2 Carbon
Wheels
Tubular
Rim	Zipp	303 (2011)
Front Hub	Zipp	88
Rear Hub	Cycle-Ops	PowerTap Pro+
Cassette	Campagnolo	13-26 (Record)
Tire	Tufo	Elite Ride 23
Clincher
Rim	November	RFSC 38s
Front Hub	Novatec	-
Rear Hub	Cycle-Ops	PowerTap SL+
Cassette	Campagnolo	12-23 (Record)
Tire (1)	Bontrager	RL All-Weather (25mm)

Papillon rests in all her splendor!

That's a clean drivetrain. But, if you're a serious bike geek,
you'll spot a flaw in the build (that will soon be rectified).

PowerTap tells me just how weak I am.

I like the TRP brakes, but they barely fit with the 303s.
Break-in period was needed!

I think I tried 437 saddles before deciding on the Antares VS.
I can finally manage my numb-tush.

I love the lines; and the seat-post adjustment rocks!

Campagnolo Record 11 cranks with a 10-speed system...
because no one had the 10-speed cranks in stock!

I love the tight tolerances among these components.

My mechanic is a bigger geek than me.
He sourced this fork; she's a custom beauty!

Ignore the tire and the dried glue...look at the dimples!

Why—exactly—do they call it a "cockpit"?

Cables routed, cleanly, and she's ready to roll!

Geek-boy has a stickers with his name. He got it from his team.
It's like a customized jersey! Really, how pathetic is that?

I absolutely love this photo.