Re: unabashed plug, Crumpton

On May 10, 2:52=A0pm, Chalo <chalo.col...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:

> That's as it should be. =A0I think the weight budget for most CFRP bikes
> contains an allowance for inattention that probably doesn't apply to
> the work of a single craftsman with his name on the downtube. =A0If the
> level of finish is any indication, all details in Nick's bikes are
> just so. =A0Weight for weight, that would make his bikes at least more
> predictable than factory bikes if not outright stronger.

The weight aspect of Nick's bikes, from talking to him, has been
carefully worked out, partly by experimenting with frames he built for
himself. My dad used to say that it was worth it to pay for extra
finish work because it showed a builder's pride in his work. And he
was not much inclined to spend extra on anything <g>.

> I think of plastic bikes as little airplanes for the road. =A0That is,
> they are both strangely strong and very demanding about what they'll
> tolerate. =A0They are the opposite of old-style steel bikes that may not
> be especially strong but are so tough that small localized failures
> can pass unnoticed.

I enjoyed the "frame test" seen here in the past-- whatever the flaws
in the protocols, the CF Trek was relieved due to boredom <g>, while
steel broke early. However, that Trek was not the one I saw at a race
one night, I'm pretty sure. The rider dumped the chain, kinda wadded
it up, and couldn't wait for met to go get my chain breaker. Yanked it
through the too-tight gap between chainstay and crank arm, and put a
fine deep scratch in that stay, well past the clear coat. Ouch! CF,
not the bike to take on the slammin' dirt road rides of yesteryear,
either.

>=A0I scrounge a lot-- not primarily to save cash but
> mostly to acquire some of the parts that were too good (or heavy, or
> big) to remain on the market. =A0For instance I came up with a handful
> of 185mm Primo Powerbite cranks and BBs for $89/set some years back.
> I bought them because they were my first choice irrespective of
> cost.

I'm trying to think of a kinder, more gentle expression for
intelligent market survey and purchasing.

> Momentum magazine or BCQ should host a shootout like that. =A0I imagine
> the entries would be a bit more inspiring (to me).

Wouldn't hurt anything to ask. Maybe you could participate?  --D-y