Christie

I find the goings on in the Landis trial quite interesting. The lawyers for both sides are doing their thing, but in this case, the accused will not be judged by a jury, but a panel of 3 appointed officials. This means that despite all the arguments, the panel may ingnore all the arguments and still decide one way or the other based on they own bias. I think it is a good thing that the hearings are public. I dont doubt that Landis took some nasty dope (like any good pro cyclist), but the fact is that the testosterone test looks unreliable.

I think Zipp wheels are the some of the fastest wheels available. The difference may small, but I think they have the egde in aerodynamic design. Check out these pics of David Milar's TT bike, hes riding Zipps with Fulcrum stickers on: http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/photos/races06/tdf06/tdftech/tt-millabike267.jpg http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/photos/races06/tdf06/tdftech/tt-zippfulcrums.jpgChristie2007-05-15 00:13:20

saw this on cyclingnews.com: CSC's antidoping screens find 'irregularities' Rasmus Damsgaard, the man who is responsible for Team CSC's antidoping programme has discovered irregularities in two of the CSC riders' blood profiles. The programme, which involves frequent examinations of the riders' blood profiles along with screens for doping products and blood transfusions is designed to detect changes in the riders profile which could indicate illegal practices. "I can say that much about my preliminary results of the CSC riders, that by far most of their blood profiles show very little variation and are more or less identical to the normal population, but there are some that display deviations, and these we are keeping a close eye on. If something crops up that I don't like, I discuss it with other experts around. I'm never alone on these decisions," Damsgaard told the Jyllands-Posten. While the names of the riders weren't given, CSC press officer Brian Nygaard told the Danish newspaper, "If Rasmus Damsgaard discovers such results, it is only natural that he takes extra tests, and they have all shown that there is no doping involved. This is what the whole programme is about, to react this way if there is something suspicious, and it shows that Rasmus is doing a good job."

Wiesenhoff deserves much more respect than Slipstream Chipolty The fact that the Felt made it through Roubaix is a great feather in the cap for Felt. I'm convinced, I'll put Felt on my list for possible selection. It is definately not about exactly who rides the bikes. The reason I have this as one of my selection criteria is that it gives an indication that the manufacturer has enough capital to spend, also on R&D, wants to be seen at the top level of the sport, and can build bikes that the pros like to ride, and get input from them for their new designs. Some examples of this is how CSC riders liked the old Soloist alu, asket for a carbon one, and influenced the design of the Soloist carbon. The new Scott Addict has a longer top tube thanks to a request from Saunier-Duval riders. Lance did not like the initial (2004?) Madone, his inputs resulted in the latest model being a much nicer ride.

Im not saying Felts are not nice. There are lots of nice brands out there like Merlin, Javelin, Fuji, Kuota. They just dont meet my personal selection criteria. I dont see Slipstream Chipolte as a prominent team. Like Toyota-United, Navigators insurance & Healt Net they are an American local squad ( & wearing some of the ugliest kit ever in the history of cycling ). I dont think they will be getting wildcard invites to the spring classics soon. Christie2007-05-13 12:03:58

I agree, Felt & Stevens look nice. I like the look of the Felt DA TT bike They do not make my list because neither are ridden by prominent international teams.

Racman, good question. My basic requirements for the last round was that the frame must at least be ridden by a well-known pro squad. This at least ensures a level of engineering and design acceptable to the pros. The second step was to compare weight (easy), price (easy), stiffness (hard to get scientific data), durability (found a list of frames tested by EFBE) and looks. I spent months looking at reviews (Pez has quite a lot ) Last time round the my top 3 was Scott, Giant and Cervelo R2.5. The worst were Trek, Merckx, Colnago C50, Time VRSX because of cost. Currently I would lean towards the BMC SLC or Look 595, subject to price. (I'm not a fan of American brands, I prefer the traditional European bikes, but some are very costly) I would also give a couple of less common frames a look: Argon18 Galium, a De Rosa King, or an Eddy Merckx, if I can find the right colour and price. I agree with 101% on conducting some research. Most helpful is to surf the net for as many bike reviews as you can find. Theoretical knowledge about technology is not all that useful when choosing a bike, because bike manufacturers know the secret of how to use the technology to create a frame. Each manufacturer uses different combinations of materials, different manufacturing techniques, different frame angles to get to what they think is the best frame design. The only way to know if they got it right is to read reviews written by people who have ridden a lot of different bikes. I like Pezcyclingnews.com, because they test each frame with the same components, saddle, wheels and tires. How else would anyone be able to tell if a Beryllium frame is better than a titanium one, or if Boron fibres are better than carbon. The list of high tech materials goes on and on: Kevlar, Spectra, Scandium (actually aluminium with a little bit of scandium), Magnesium etc etc. Rather read the reviews, look at what they liked and what not, decide if that will work for you. Christie2007-05-13 08:35:41

Trisponk, I think the TCR Advanced is a great frame. When I upgraded frames it was at the top of my list with the Scott CR1. I went for the Scott because the Giant was only available in pink, and a lot of people in Pta ride Giants. If I had to go frame shopping again, the Scott would not be at the top of my list anymore. Basically the same frame, with carbon dropouts & ISP, 90 grams lighter, now sells for R10k more? No thanks. Like with Cervelo, the price went up as the brand became better known. I must say I enjoy the CR1 immensly, and I will ride my CR1 till it breaks. Ultra light & very stiff, below the UCI weight limit (weighed with 2 bottle cages & pedals) even with a Chorus bb & aluminium cranks, what more could I want?

Thanks EB. Totalcycling offers a fixed shipping rate of 25 pounds (I think)per shipment regardless of weight or size.

Replacement spokes should be available via J&J. I'm not too concerned about replacement parts, however, I've found the Campy wheels to be pretty bomb proof. I rode a set of Zondas for 2 and a half years, never broke a spoke. The one morning I hit a huge pot hole while riding with a Zonda front and a DT swiss rear. Pinch flatted both tubes, DT swiss rim was a write off, Zonda was not even out of true. BTW, Comobike has the Neutron Ultras for R4700 a set, looks like a good price.

Delivery guy from the post office showed up at the office today with a big box for me . http://www.totalcycling.com/images/large/19004_103209.jpg

I wonder whats up with Tyler Hamilton these days. Hes been suspended due to alleged involvement in Puerto. He can't confess like Basso, because of his whole "I'm innocent thing" Looks like hes between a rock and a hard place!

Reynolds also superb.

Hmm, what about the 120 riders implicated in Puerto? Basso claims that because he was tested repeatedly, this proves that hes clean, and never doped. These labs cant be very good.

LOL

I've got one: Energy drink containing protien does not taste well after 3 weeks in the fridge. Also, taste test it before the ride with a small amount, not with a big gulp 40km from home on a hot day... Christie2007-05-09 02:46:48

What I wonder is how did Basso get to hear of Fuentes, who put them in contact? Riis got a lot of credit from the cycling press for the way he revieved the stalled careers of Hamilton, Julich and Basso... Perhaps Mr 60% showed them some of his old tricks?

Hehe - Simoni will shoot from the hip. Hes not a nice person, but he entertains. I'm not sure if they will take Basso's Giro away. They let Tyler keep his gold.

I think CSC and Tmobile also doing some damage control by anouncing their new anti dope procedures, DNA testing etc. They knew....

I would like to know what happened with his meltdown in the 2005 Giro. Did his dope backfire? Also, his room mates at CSC must have know what he was doing. Still, they said nothing. Is that because they are also doping, or what?

Well, at least he is trying a different approach. Not the "I'm innocent" or the "wrong results" or the "Im getting nailed by the French" lines. He doped, and is performing damage control. Biggest fish to confess so far. Perhaps Lance will confess in his next book?

I agree GoLefty, couple of hundred grams wont make a difference here. But if you have to compare frames, mass is one of the few scientific parameters that you can get info in. With sStiffness etc. one has to guess. Lancelot: Nice machine I like the crank. Stronglight? Christie2007-05-08 07:44:24

Weight for the F4:13 I found on the net is 1220 grams. System six : 1115 grams. (both without the fork) BMC SLC01: 960 grams. Christie2007-05-08 07:00:18

CAADman, given your original list, the Pinarello would be the heavier, more comfortable ride. Has the most style points. I do not know Specialized bikes at all, but they should be good. I would guess the Specialized and Cannondale to be closer in ride & feel. The Cannondale is one of the stiffest bikes around, thanks to those oversized tubes. I would guess the ride will be on the harsh side compared to the Pinarello. The 'Dale will be a sprinters delight, however. If you are looking at the BMC as an outside contender, that would be my choise. Light & very stiff. Won't be as comfortable as the Pinarello, but more responsive than the Pinarello and less harsh than the 'Dale. Slight cons of the BMC is that it is very unconventional looking, sort of "extreme engineering" design. Depends if you prefer a tecnological marvel a above traditional frame. Also not as comfortable as the R3. I agree with raceman about the Cervelo. By some accounts it is the best combination of stiffness, low mass and ride comfort available. Great bike, too much hype. Christie2007-05-08 05:39:40

CAADman, what are you looking for in a bike? Smooth ride? Super stiffness? Low mass? Good looks? Exclusivity? Value for money? Gumpole: Casa rides the Prince. Dogma was the magnesium frame used by Fassa Bortolo. I guess Pinarello decided in the end that full carbon is better than aluminium. no!! did I say aluminium? My brain must be fried! The dogma was magnesium Christie2007-05-07 08:42:15