Tuesday, August 14, 2018

Crunching the Numbers

Further to yesterday's post, in a fit of extreme dorkitude I delved deeply into the geometry numbers of the Milwaukee and the Renovo to see if they indeed quantified my impressions of how each performed in a race.  Here's the Milwaukee product page:


And here's the Renovo page:


Furthermore, by way of having a full-on Fred racing bike to compare them to, I used a Specialized S-Works Tarmac:


By the way, here's the Milwaukee in its current state, plastic saddle, excessive road grit, and all:


Anyway, here's what I found:
  • The front ends of the Milwaukee and the S-Works are pretty close in terms of geometry, meaning the reach, stack height, etc. are all within a couple millimeters of each other
  • While the front end of the Renovo is more upright than the other bikes, the Milwaukee has the longest chainstays and wheelbase, followed by the Renovo, then the S-works
  • Dr. Pepper is delicious
So what is all this supposed to mean?


("'Supposed to mean?'  'Supposed to mean?'")


Well, to me the Milwaukee felt "racier" than the Renovo when putting the hammer down (by which I mean giving it all I had to keep dangling off the back), which I guess makes sense given the reach and stack height.  In this sense the Renovo's aero profile and demeanor are a bit like the spoiler on a Toyota Corolla, whereas the more sedate-looking Milwaukee is indeed the racier of the two.  (Renovo do describe the Aerowood as an "endurance" bike, so there you go.)

Yet as spirited as the Milwaukee is it's got like two centimeters in wheelbase over the S-Works, plus those mid-reach brake calipers, which accounts for the ample tire clearance and competence on those mixed-terrain rides that are so popular with the millennials today.

All of this is to say I'm kind of falling in love with the Milwaukee all over again--though I'm also waiting for the ground to dry out so I can get back out there on the Jones.  Indeed, between the two bikes I'm like 99.9% covered in terms of all my recreational riding (plus the Milwaukee and the Jones together still cost like half what the Renovo does), which is another way of saying I'm like 500% over-biked.

Oh well, what are you gonna do?

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

IS THERE SOMETHING YOU CARE TO SHARE WITH THE REST OF US AMAZING LARRY

Billy said...

What happened to ol' one bike challenge Ol' Piney? Where does it fit in between the sworks, tenovo, jones, millywaukee?

Some guy from upstate said...


Huh. If I skipped reading the post I might have had a better podium spot.

Anyway, its all about the tires.

wishiwasmerckx said...

Midday podium?

1904 Cadardi said...

Haw, you said dangle like you meant it.

Anonymous said...

I will take the Milwaukee and the cash difference any day.

BikeSnobNYC said...

Billy,

There will be a full accounting at year's end.

--Tan Tenovo

Spokey said...

please, please, please, let me make top tin

pbateman realized he should have measured the fork said...

Snoobs, i hope if you do decide to get back closer to N+0 this year, that its not the Tanovo you decide to axe from the collection. that wood be a shame.

speaking of N+1

i realized the fork for my Rb1 will not in fact clear 32mm tires as i have a 1989 version, and no matter how yellow i've painted it..it still will not clear 32 like the the 1994s.

so, i happen to have a nifty tange chrome fork sitting in the bin which looks pretty dope on my now yellow frame. but i then realized further that that chrome fork is off my schwinn 11.8 which i realized is one of the neat ones made by panasonic and i realized that even though its too big and has been in the attic that i think i now want 2 bikey projects and want to build it up so it can realize its former glory

like this one: http://johns-recycled-bicycle.blogspot.com/2014/06/shellys-schwinn-voyageur-118-chrome.html

i just realized i've nothing more to add at this point.

good say sirs.

Matthew Weigel said...

If you need someone to finish the review of the Renovo, since you're overbiked (overbooked?) at the moment, I can give you helpful shipping details and a strong affirmation that I will write a review.

DR said...

The Milwaukee excludes the 54 and 55cm frame sizes, which is what I ride at around 5'9-10. What size did you go with?

BikeSnobNYC said...

DR,

56. I'm 5'10" soaking wet.

--Tan Tenovo

HDEB said...

The S-Works Tarmac is fugly.

Dirk Montero said...

I’m 165lbs. If I stand up straight!

Dirk

janinedm said...

DR, I'm 5'7" (when dry) and my drop bar bike (I refuse to call it a road bike for some reason) is 54 cm.

Anonymous said...

When soaking drunk I’m 86 proof (and kilos) and the bike won’t stand up straight no matter the size.

What happens if you fail the robot test? Does that mean you're really a robot? Because I'm thinking that might be more useful than blood doping.

Grump said...

That's a really good price for a frame and fork, made with good quality modern lightweight tubing.....Cheaper than Waterford's Gunnar line...…

N/A said...

I'm 6'7", and my goodly-fitting bikes are in the 71cm sizeway. I've got a pile of 64cm on up that all work with embiggened seat posters and Technomics, too. My bike philosophy is "love the one you're with."

Anonymous said...

Why is it that the sight of straight forks always makes me feel a bit sick?

Thrain2 said...

Pbateman: axing the Tanovo would make it a shim, not a shame (DID YOU SEE WHAT I DID THERE)

Schisthead said...

I haven't been reading up well enough on the reviewings and insights contained therein, but I can't help but be concerned by this post.

Are you *absolutely sure* about this Dr. Pepper thing?

I usually believe you, but something doesn't sound right there.

BikeSnobNYC said...

Schisthead,

A cold Dr. Pepper after a hot ride is SO GOOD.

--Tan Tenovo

JLRB said...

I've been meaning to measure and compare my bikes and compare the dimensions. I'm glad you did it so I don't have to.

Unknown said...

Why doesn't anyone else use 650c wheels anymore? They're extremely explosive in the excelleration area, plus good for scranus rubbing. I'm 4'22" tall, and ride a 54cm.4colnagos and 2 ti bikecycles.Thank you, HJ.

Anymouse said...

Crunching the Numbers? Or would most now say Crunching the Amounts? You know, because of the literally insane amount of numbers to be crunched.

bad boy of the south said...

Okay,whose idea was it on trans-alt.to offer a chance to win a venge-schmenge?

Seattle lone wolf said...

I like my numbers crunchy.

Anonymous said...

Better you said it then me - mas