Dick Dastardly Posted September 6, 2012 Report Share Posted September 6, 2012 I have less than $300 in the frame, so ultimately I'm not losing my shirt on it. They seem to be cracks at the joints, typical for these older Madones but I need Calfee's green light to keep riding it into the Spring. I have a spare frame, another Madone that has less than 3000 miles on it. No cracks, nothing, it's basically my back up frame if this one dies. I'm looking at Foundry's stuff. I wasn't sold on disc brakes for the road but after riding a friend's frame, I'm sold. Nice bike. I like the feel of discs IF they are set up properly. I find a lot of "mechanics" do a shitty job and riders just think that's how they feel. Then when they feel hydros that are bled and spaced properly or cable brakes that are adjusted properly its a real eye opener. A lot of cross guys are switching to discs this year..seems to be a big movement going into this season Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fudge_Brownie Posted September 6, 2012 Report Share Posted September 6, 2012 Nice bike. I like the feel of discs IF they are set up properly. I find a lot of "mechanics" do a shitty job and riders just think that's how they feel. Then when they feel hydros that are bled and spaced properly or cable brakes that are adjusted properly its a real eye opener. Probably a lot like the difference between huffy Vbrake brake pads and decent brake pads? That aweful screaming sound and miserable flexible plastic brake lever as shiny plasticized rubber hits the rim as you blow past your desired stop point :cringe: I had a bitch of a time getting my calipers set up for my first time switching to disc. Couldn't get the pad gapping right, they were nearly useless. Finally sprayed them down with brakekleen and I was instally on track to success Guess I just have gross hands. Having disc up front is pretty sweet, but is it just me, or do the rears really not matter in the dirt? At least, I don't feel like I get any more braking power, just better more linear control. It's going to lock up no matter what, I don't magically get better traction with them. Just surprised so many set ups are both disc or both vbrake, figured more budget bikes would be mixed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErikS Posted September 6, 2012 Report Share Posted September 6, 2012 Having disc up front is pretty sweet, but is it just me, or do the rears really not matter in the dirt? At least, I don't feel like I get any more braking power, just better more linear control. It's going to lock up no matter what, I don't magically get better traction with them. Just surprised so many set ups are both disc or both vbrake, figured more budget bikes would be mixed. You asked about disc brakes on road bikes, why are you going back to being on dirt? How you use your brakes depends if you're on the road or trail and on your balance, skill, and terrain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fudge_Brownie Posted September 6, 2012 Report Share Posted September 6, 2012 You asked about disc brakes on road bikes, why are you going back to being on dirt? How you use your brakes depends if you're on the road or trail and on your balance, skill, and terrain. I asked a question earlier about road, you answered. Then scum posted the quoted statement about disc, which was fairly neutral to what bike it is on, though he does mention cross later in the post slightly unrelated to the first half. So I asked a separate, unrelated question from my original one several posts ago. Do I really need to explain this? I feel like a child asked me why I chose a green shirt today and now I have to try and explain. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruecatinat Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 Posing with a media vehicle loaner... My new/old BMX project. Rode this as a kid, when I got a new MTB it was put in a cottage shed and ignored 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mesoam Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 Nice hard tail setup, I could never run a single ring like that w/o a bash guard though. Emeil that first pic is epic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErikS Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 I feel like a child asked me why I chose a green shirt today and now I have to try and explain. No need to call me a child. I guess you just need to get off the huffy and ride more, my bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fudge_Brownie Posted September 8, 2012 Report Share Posted September 8, 2012 No need to call me a child. I guess you just need to get off the huffy and ride more, my bad. Your interpretation of that statement and mine are a bit different. I was not trying to call you a child. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mesoam Posted September 10, 2012 Report Share Posted September 10, 2012 I'm calling you both children...right now...in this broken sentence... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt b Posted September 10, 2012 Report Share Posted September 10, 2012 I agree. Back on topic: emptied a full Mason Jar of water out of my frame after just 1 hour riding in the rain Saturday. WTF.... I'm starting to REALLY dislike Trek. Looking at jumping on the team deal and buying a Scott. The Foil seems like a great bike and I could use it until I'm racing comfortably as a Cat 3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gdizzle Posted September 10, 2012 Report Share Posted September 10, 2012 I agree. Back on topic: emptied a full Mason Jar of water out of my frame after just 1 hour riding in the rain Saturday. WTF.... I'm starting to REALLY dislike Trek. Looking at jumping on the team deal and buying a Scott. The Foil seems like a great bike and I could use it until I'm racing comfortably as a Cat 3. Thats nuts, Matt. Did you find the cracks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt b Posted September 10, 2012 Report Share Posted September 10, 2012 Thats nuts, Matt. Did you find the cracks? I'll post pictures later. The frame looks like death warmed over right now, paint is starting to change colors (WTF ?!), cracks are appearing in all the wrong places, etc.... I had no intention of dropping dough on a frame for another 12 months, so I'm swapping my stuff over to a spare frame. Older Madones are known to suck up water from every spot possible, this one just excels at it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt b Posted September 13, 2012 Report Share Posted September 13, 2012 Retirement came early for the Madone... Crappy pictures but they are there on each side. There are also cracks on the down tube, below the head set, and on the rear triangle. I guess this frame has had enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mesoam Posted September 13, 2012 Report Share Posted September 13, 2012 wasn't this a raced frame? Thankfully on the Bianchi its mostly just gel coated so spotting these cracks should be easier :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt b Posted September 13, 2012 Report Share Posted September 13, 2012 Race and wrecked. Friend T-boned a car, retired the frame and essentially gave it to me last year. I sent it off to calfee in CA who fixed it but warned that the cracks would reappear over time. They came sooner and the discoloration above the BB tells me the carbon or the putty for the joints is shot. Either way, the team discounts kicked in last week. I bought this: Switching all of my SRAM Force components over today and selling the 105 gruppo and wheels on Ebay. I'm trying to recoup some of my money, I really wasn't planning on spending anything on a bike for another 8-12 months. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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