Friday, August 8, 2008

The Classic Way

"The very worst aspect of the modern cycle trade, is the infestation by the authorised distributor and agent. Business execs chasing profit, having no passion for the sport, or the purity of bikes - most of these people have never even sat on a bike in anger, it is just a commodity to sell... this is reflected in the cynical way that they have forced compact bikes onto us, for their own benefit, very few sizes, only a few colours, very easy to stock, cuts costs and makes more money, but fit hardly anyone. Just take a long look at them, and the puppet journalists sitting on them who rave about how good they are, RUBBISH!!!

There is no compromise in the Maestro shop, a race bike in the classic way, is still the only way, and nothing has really changed."

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Compact certainly doesnt satisfy my tastes either. I look at the Litespeed line of bikes and keep missing the traditional geometries they used to have once upon a time.

Now I want to look at the Litespeed Ghisallo and puke on it. Seems to me as if they lost their flair.

Anonymous said...

There are so many non-compact frame options out that your complaints are really pointless.
You guys want a traditional bike? Go buy one!

You want carbon? Colonago, Pinarello, Bianchi, ect . . . .
Ti? Lynskey, Moots, Seven, ect . . .
Al? Cannondale, some of those mentioned above and on and on and on.

Really, you are complaining about a bunch of nothing.

Anonymous said...

Recently at a three race series near Pittsburgh, the previous race winner commented that on a steep downhill section, he went to his familiar tuck on a his sponsored Bike (sloping tube) and there wasn't a tube to squeeze with his knees and legs, only the saddle. So a slopping tube is a compromise there in a descending situation.

Anonymous said...

It was only a problem because he grew up riding a standard geometry. If the racer had started on compact and had to ride a standard he would certainly have problems with it.

Kid Wonder said...

My compact frame fits me better than any standard frame ever has. Due to the length of my torso etc. I either have to ride a super long top tube and show only a couple inches of seatpost (iffy standover), or a shorter top tube with a ridiculously long (140mm+) stem. Now I ride a compact frame with a 110mm stem, am able to pinch the top tube with my knees on descents, and am a happier cyclist.

Anonymous said...

Kid-Guess you're one of the lucky ones. Good for you.

Anonymous said...

Our road bike geometry is a little different than most companies', but the important thing is that it works. Before Team CSC rode on Cervélos, it used a frame that came in 12 sizes yet several riders needed custom-made frames because none of the 12 fit. Now, they use five sizes (there is no CSC rider who needs the 61cm frame) and there isn't a single rider on the roster who needs a custom-made frame. - Cervelo regarding geometry http://www.cervelo.com

- Ryan