Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Gyrating and Curating: Finding the Centerpiece of your Inner Groupo

(A fixed-gear cyclist sets an example we'd all do well to follow.)

While I try not to trouble readers with the mundane workings of this blog, some of you may have noticed the sudden appearance of advertisements on the right side of the page. (There are also ads on the left hand side of the page, but you almost certainly haven't noticed those, since they're subliminal.) This is actually nothing new; in fact, I used to display ads on the right of this page almost from this blog's inception until a little over a month ago, when I somehow ran afoul of the company which served those ads for reasons which were never disclosed to me (though it did coincide with my posting of this image of a woman urinating on a turtle). As such, the current ads are now being served by a different company which is presumably fine with naked turtle urination, and as such the ads look different as well. If this troubles you, please feel free to avert your eyes. Also, while you're certainly free to blame me, you should also blame society, which persists in charging its members for things like goods and services--an arrangement which ITTET is increasingly difficult for many of us. Not only that, but my ongoing quest to jump the shark requires accessories like leather jackets and mankinis (not to mention costly manscaping sessions) and those things just aren't going to pay for themselves. In any case, as advertisements are arguably the cultural equivalent of herpes, I figured I at least owed readers an explanation.

Moving on, a reader has forwarded me the following photo, which proves that locking fixies up high is more popular than ever:


Awhile back I surmised that fixed-gear owners are locking their bikes up in ascending order of cachet, yet this rider has opted to elevate his or her ride despite the absence of any others. While it's entirely possible that before the photographer stumbled upon this scene there was also a Bikesdirect Motobecane locked duly beneath it, it's also possible that this particular Pista proprietor fancies his or her ride superior to all other bicycles regardless of make or cost, and as such simply elevates it at all times as a matter of course. This in turn begs the question: Does the humble Bianchi Pista warrant the high-lock?

Well, this is not as simple a question as it once was. Long ago (well, only like five years ago, but that's 25 years ago in fixed-gear years) the Bianchi Pista was one of the few inexpensive off-the-rack track bikes you could buy. As such, most other track bikes were bound to be more expensive and rare, so the answer was no, the high-lock was not warranted. But then countless manufacturers rushed into the marketplace with various inexpensive fixed-gears and singlespeeds, which tended not to have "true track geometry" (essential for "street cred," discomfort, and toe overlap), and as such inflated the street value of the humble Pista. This in turn led to the heady days of the soaring Pistadex, when new fixed-gear riders were able to sell their Pistas at a profit and buy rarer bikes, more expensive messenger bags, and costly knuckle tattoos, thus transforming themselves instantly into "OG" fixie riders. Of course, this eventually devalued the Pista and created the fixed-gear culture bubble (which popped back in March with disastrous consequences). On top of this, fixed-gear freestyling became increasingly popular, which decreased the demand for things like tight clearances and lightweight frames. Then, sometime in the last year or so, the Pista quietly lost its "true track geometry," and its headtube angle slackened from 74.5 degrees to 72.5 degrees for a 55cm, though its price increased by $200. But while one would think all of this would conspire to banish the Pistadex to the basement forever along with Cannondale stock, and to keep the poor Pista permanently at the bottom of the lock-up totem pole, it seems some riders still feel they're more valuable than ever:


Custom 2009 Bianchi Pista Fixed Gear - Brand New, Used Twice - $1200 (Lower East Side)
Date: 2009-07-20, 8:22PM EDT
Reply to: [deleted]

Brand new 2009 53cm BLUE BIANCHI PISTA fixie, custom --- $1200

This beautiful bike has been ridden twice - perfect for getting around the city and really fun if you love fixies.
It is in mint condition, there are no problems with this bike, I just don't have the space for it.

Components:
53cm blue frame
AClass SOLO 700x23c wheels
Specialized Pro III tires with dual white stripes
Specialized White Toupe Team Saddle WC with championship stripes
Shimano TEKTRO R530 front brake
2 MKS cages with white straps
Fi'zi:k white microtex handle bar tape

Please respond with any questions.


Whereas once the sight of someone attempting to sell a used bicycle for hundreds of dollars more than they paid for it was infuriating, now it is simply quaint. In a way, the seller's naiveté in thinking that something increases in value the more it's been used is actually charming. After all, if things got more valuable the more someone's ass had touched them then used toilet seats would save our economy. (Though used underwear does seem to be a good investment in Japan.) One Craigslist shopper isn't charmed though, and does in fact have some good questions for the seller:


re: Brand new 2009 53cm BLUE BIANCHI PISTA fixie, custom --- $1200
Date: 2009-07-20, 9:00PM EDT
Reply to: see below

Since when does a bicycle retailing for $750 become a $1200 bike. Check the following prices I got when I googled the 2009 Bianchi Pista:

Shopping results for Bianchi Pista Fixed Gear:

2009 Bianchi D2 Pista Fixed Gear $748.99 new - o2 Gear Shop
Bianchi Pista Fixed Gear Bicycle 57 $749.99 new - eBay
Bianchi Pista Steel Fixed Gear Track Bicycle 2009 $749.80 new - Cycle to Fitness

Another question - When did himano take over Tektro. I was under the impression that they were two different companies.


All of these are legitimate questions, though amazingly another Craiglist shopper is leaping to the seller's defense:



Re: re: Brand new 2009 53cm BLUE BIANCHI PISTA fixie, custom --- $1200
Date: 2009-07-20, 10:10PM EDT
Reply to: [deleted]

problem?
Tax and shipping? that brings it up to over 800 The tires, saddle, brake (in the photo it looks like tektro leaver with Shimano *not himano* brake) take it over 1000. With all that work why didnt he replace the headset? Thats the one weak link in this bike. add the pedals and straps plus installation and its up to_ not the $750 your pushing_ I suppose if I wanted this bike I might offer $800 but going by the indicated price the guy might not go for it. does it include the original parts? The original Pista saddle is quite nice.

As everyone who shops on craigs list (except you) know, the price indicated is a start to a negotiation. His price seems a bit high and he is clearly in no rush to sell. You, on the other hand, have some psychological issue that isnt going to be resolved here. As a wacko avenging policeman you are quite entertaining but I imagine you are groping at a process to express your anger. Doing it here is destructive in many ways and can only lead to problems. Try a therapist, they too advertise on Craigs List but do your homework and make sure he or she is good.


While it's possible that this poster is a shill, it's also possible that there really is still someone in 2009 who "might offer $800" for a used Pista and who (perhaps even more astoundingly) also thinks that "the original Pista saddle is quite nice." Most astounding of all though is that the poster refers to the installation of some new tires, a new saddle, and a brake as "all that work." This could indicate that what we're seeing is not some resurgence in the Pistadex at all; rather, we could be seeing a new overemphasis on the perceived value of the labor involved in fixed-gear customization. Indeed, "curation" may be the new inflated Pistadex.

As we've seen before, fixed-gear riders are willing to expend a tremendous amount of time, energy, and money in order to "curate" a bicycle which will then be ridden around town and locked to poles. It's no wonder then that a bicycle now gains more value through "curation" than it loses through actual use. It's also no wonder that "curators" become apoplectic when, after locking their rolling art exhibition to a pole, they find that the aesthetic centerpiece of their groupo has been stolen:

While I detest thieves as much as anybody, I hardly think that our collective failure to prevent the theft of this person's rare Dura Ace hubs indicates that our society is flawed. I do however think that this person's assumption that we not only care about how special his hubs are but are also paying attention to his bicycle as we go about our daily business represents a level of self-importance on par with that of the twatcrust guy. (Actually, given the colorful prose, they could easily be the same person.) I also think that if you're compelled to "curate" a rare and exotic bicycle you probably shouldn't leave it outside. Of course, that doesn't mean you shouldn't feel free to test society's integrity by doing so; it does, however, mean that you probably shouldn't be surprised when society fails to pass that test and your precious wheels get stolen. It's sort of like wondering if your expensive watch is waterproof, testing it by throwing it in the toilet, and then getting upset when it stops working. If there's one "bulletproof" truth in this world, it's that if somebody can take something then they will, and that your grasp on any material item is tenuous at best.

Still, I shouldn't really blame this person for being upset, because the other "bulletproof" truth is that we all want to feel special. That's why we like things that are rare and curated. (This is true of both bikes and meat.) That's also why people ride fixed-gears. Take this person's encounter with someone wearing "Heinrich Himmler glasses:"


If you're wondering what kind of glasses Heinrich Himmler wore, here they are:


Of course, "Heinrich Himmler glasses" could just as easily be a metaphor for seeing things the wrong way, since while Himmler wore glasses to correct his vision the fact was that his worldview was twisted and skewed. (Actually, that's not an easy metaphor at all--it's pretty strained.) Similarly, while this poster points out someone's "Heinrich Himmler glasses," it is he who is afflicted with "Heinrich Himmler glasses" of the soul:


Me and girlfriend where on fixed gears, it means we keep pedaling.It means we can't pedal four yards, then coast and slow down for twenty yards. We keep a constant speed and overtake a lot of people, it's not racing,but people get upset when they're inadequacies are highlighted.

This was tremendously revealing to me. While I've certainly long understood that some people like to ride fixed-gear bikes because it makes them feel special, I had no idea that they actually also felt as if the very act of fixed-gear riding highlights the inadequacies of others. No wonder I feel demoralized and spiritually gutted when a fixter passes me. Moreover, I had no idea that the many fixters who try to pass me on the bridge and who appear to be extending even more effort than I do when I force out a strained Heinrich Himmler metaphor aren't actually racing me--instead, it's simply the nature of the machine forcing them to do so. Not only can't you coast, but I guess you also can't vary your speed at all. I guess that explains all the skidding and light-running.

It stands to reason then that operating such a complicatedly simple machine would require lessons, and a reader has forwarded me a Craigslist post from Miami which indicates that some would-be riders are already soliciting them:

Want to Learn how to Ride a Fixed Gear - $200 (Miami)
Date: 2009-07-19, 12:21PM EDT
Reply to: [deleted]

I'm interested in fixies. Does anyone have some time to show me how to brake, slow down, and pop a wheelie? You will be compensated. Sorry, I cant offer you 200 but throw some suggestions out there. Maybe some greens? Alcohol? Let me know.

I'm not sure what the poster means by "greens." It could be money, the Wednesday Weed, or just some spinach or a nice side of steamed broccoli. In any case, if you're either looking to get high or you've got an iron deficiency and you're in the Miami area you should probably "hit him up" before Urban Outfitters starts offering a "Fixie Clinic."

105 comments:

-d said...

palped

Mad Jack McMad said...

Sanctioned by the UCI!

rezado said...

bang, bang, bagin on fools

Anonymous said...

CADEL

rezado said...

I am going to name my dachshund firstie

Luck E. Seven said...

Scorched!


A

ser_papa said...

Missed the podium!

mikeweb said...

top 10

streepo said...

Pipped!!

mikeweb said...

I'm tired of being tired.

10,000 Aches said...

Finger bangin'

mikeweb said...

Shimano makes TEKTRO brakes now? Or does TEKTRO make Shimano's brakes?

Hmmm...

hillbilly said...

i hear ya mikeweb, i'm tired of being tired of being tired....

i think rezado might be in green at this point, speaking of which, maybe that was the green in question?

hillbilly said...

oh, what's "tack geometry"?

db said...

My god. Craigslist is surpassing Ebay as the bottom of the gene-pool.

Anonymous said...

BTW, Fingerbang is a great band!

"Fingerbang, bang bang bang bang.
I'm going to fingerbang-bang you into my life, girl you like to fingerbang and that's all right!"

Just don't forget the cucumber in your pants.

GrammarSnobNYC said...

As for the "me and girlfriend were on fixed gears" section, why on eath would someone bother to write something and be so grammatically lacking? Perhaps that is why they choose to be superior to others on their fixies. They have no brains. I can totally understand a typo here and there but wow, it seems correct spelling and grammar is a lost cause.

hillbilly said...

spoiler alert

damn, hope jens is ok, that looked terrible.

Man Missile said...

Now what do I do with my Gumby kit?

Anonymous said...

Snobby:

Great post. This is the kind of content that keeps me coming back. Don't get me wrong: sepia toned, bike-related pictures are etnertaining. However, this post brings back the sort of social commentary that initially attracted me to your blog.

It even made up for the picture of Lance Armstrong (TM) on the side of the page.

--Anon 1:31

grog said...

Urban Outfitters starts offering a "Fixie Clinic." I'm already gyrating.

streepo said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
BadBeard said...

twenty third!

JM Sotiron said...

"I guess you also can't vary your speed at all. I guess that explains all the skidding and light-running."

Nice.

Anonymous said...

inadequacy in cycling is like impotence in bed.

mikeweb said...

I always thought the best way to keep my wheels from getting stolen was to lock them to the same thing that the rest of my bicycle is locked to.

That 8mm Dura Ace hub crybaby needs this speech

Anonymous said...

The pista guy on craigslist dropped his price $200 btw.. Now the follow up posts on CL look even more silly.

Anonymous said...

I want some f*in Heinrich Haussler glasses.

veloben said...

RTMS,

The high locked singular Pista photo is the visual definition of 'pretentious snob'.

Anonymous said...

"No Brakes" tattoo fellow has his belt on backwards.

mikeweb said...

"Jesus H. Christ!! Why aren't your high locked Pista wheels also locked up!!"

Anonymous said...

GrammarSnobNYC...

what is "eath"


what's up with people using old english around here? is it some part of the fixie culture I need palp?

Anonymous said...

I saw some hipster (identified by the tight pants, chucks, and fedora) walking his beautiful, cream-colored fixie yesterday. He was smart to be walking it, because his handlebar was a piece of wood. Not the kind of wood one might use to get out of a tough spot with a broken handlebar out on the trail miles from home. No, this was a superbly cut and polished piece of wood. I hope that cream paint still looks as smart stained with blood after that "authentic" piece of wood snaps when he hits a pothole and knocks out most of his teeth on his stem.

Seanywonton said...

Yep, those tiny U-locks look great in your back pocket, but they don't do much for locking your wheels. Next time get a cable, broheem. Sucks, but what do you expect?

libertyonbikes! said...

logic,
at first you would think,
when a fixie is SOOOO light,
it's easy to put it in some obnoxious place.
no one is going to HEFT a tandem
into a tree or a pole to lock it up.
but NOW,
it's not light weight!
it's being superior! a constant
middle finger to the heavier bike owning crowd. taunting...
"i rode here with NO BREAKS! and now! now you can stare at my bottom bracket you commoner!"

is there some movement of
'how creative you can lock up?'

Anonymous said...

I don't know what the Jay-Z record comment meant in the Craig's List ad of the person with the stolen parts. What did it imply?

Gordon G. said...

I am excited that the fellow who runs this blog lets young children post. Seems like they are in some sort of funny race. Kids do the darndest things!

G. Gordon Liddy said...

Gordon G. stop copying my name or I'll hold your hand over a candle flame.

Anonymous said...

I know that Miami is not the South, but maybe collard greens?

mikeweb said...

I second that hillbilly.

Hopefully Jens can get back in the saddle soon.

Anonymous said...

Ads??? sorry, adblocker here, I see no ads.

Luck E. Seven said...

BURA SERA

The high-locked whip is the new low-hanging fruit.



A

Curate E1 said...

Oink.

innerlighter said...

I believe the "high lock" might be more altruistic than previously thought.
As our thief population ages and faces the double edged sword of rising health care costs and deteriorating bodies, the high lock allows them to steal wheels without having to bend over.
The "victim" then gets to post a snarky, self important "stolen" post on Craigslist.
Everybody wins!

meh

Anonymous said...

Your advertisers are not getting their money's worth because I can't see any ads at all. (Not that I would buy anything from anyone that would advertise on this here blog anyway, but that has more to do with my general cheapness.)

Anonymous said...

Small U-lock won't fit around light pole but fits around walk light bracket. Why not use the empty bus stop sign post right across the street...

Credit for front brake and cable locked seat.

Deductions for not locking wheels and obstructing crosswalk.

Overall fail.

Anonymous said...

Wearing funny glasses and riding a bike with gears makes you a nazi? Talk about hyperbole.

Anonymous said...

"Lance's secret weapon": Is he still with Michele Ferrari or has he moved on to the fine quality hot-sauce that is now available at all the best parties in Girona?

My inner groupo is pegged at a constant 50 -- even after three weeks of pedaling -- it's because I'm so dang fit.

Anonymous said...

I have some "panties" that have been worn by a 44 year old white, American male. $50. Those crazy Japanese will buy anything. I wouldn't call them "soiled" exactly, but definitely not "fresh" as it were. Beats washing them.

Anonymous said...

(The panties, not the Japanese. Sorry for teh unclear antecedent.)

Anonymous said...

The, not "teh". Damn!

Dingle said...

BSNYC/RTMS:

I agree totally with anonymous @1:31; your snobbishness has really shone through today. Keep it up!

Oh, and I didn't even notice the new adds. I'm marketing-numbed. Probably from my new fixation with sepia-toned urine/turtle bike porn or possibly from that new TriTip SL Gel Saddle I installed on my off-road unicycle.

Dingle

GrammarSnobNYC said...

Anon 1:44-

My bad. "Eath" is Earth minus a quick look over prior to hitting "publish your comment". Good thing I included the typo disclaimer.

And as for the ads, hey, Snob devotes a lot of time to this blog so if he can get something back, why not? Except that pic of Lance sucking on the water bottle looks a bit perverse...

Cool The Kid said...

Fixed gear culture, in tandem with American culture (which has recently absorbed Lady Gaga as an icon), continue in its precipitous decline, like a first gear fixed gear rider on a brakeless conversion on the descent of the Williamsburg bridge.

Anonymous said...

GrammarSnobNYC:

Pot, meet kettle.

rezado said...

He should be kicked in the hangy fruit.

WTYM.

Ronsonic said...

FUKKABUNCHAMONKEYS ads on BikeSnob the same damn week that Lileks submits and starts with ads!!!! Some sort of freakish weird "coincidence?" We know there's no such thing. Times being what they are some people might explain it that way. But there's more to it there must be. The truth is out there.

Oh, you mean it's only me and like three other guys who read both Lileks and Snob and nobody else has a clue or a care. Nevermind.

CommieCanuck said...

Craigslisters are maroons. If you want to get $1200 for a $800 bike, use the eBay model and charge $800 plus $400 shipping and handling.

Shipping is like $40, but handling can get really expensive.

go Jens ...he'll be back!

Critical Ass said...

I will teach prospective students how to ride an extremely complicated geared road bike for the low price of 1/4 of AK47/skunk hybrid or an oz of mexi brick. Topics covered include:
1. Continuing to pedal while actuating downtube or bar end shifters.
2. Track standing at a stop light by putting one foot on the ground and keeping the other on the pedal.
3. Fashion tips on Spandex clown drag from Primal to Assos.
4. How to politely overtake slower riders on a multi-use path.
5. Descending steep hills by utilizing a tool called a freewheel.

Russ said...

*abandonné*

CommieCanuck said...

I'm enjoying the ads. I'd buy the MINO camcorder, but I really don't want my camcorder saying anything about me. I caught my toaster talking behind my back, it wasn't pretty, the legal fees for the slander suit were horrendous.

Disgruntl Ed. said...

Nice ride-like post. Watch out for tacks.

I'm having side effects of apathism.

kale said...

A mountain of a post today Snob, and I don't think that metaphor was too contrived. It's kinda the Nazi version of the one's Rowdy Roddy Piper wore.

Now that you mention it, that character was kinda racist. The angry kilted Scotsman? I bet Himmler had something to do with that.

Maybe they should have given Jens some glasses today...

ajw_93 said...

when they're inadequacies are highlighted

Such as being unable to distinguish between homonyms?

They're, Their, There...don't cry.

Anonymous said...

..groping at a process to express..my groping..

Just say no to manscaping. These nipples point forward for a reason.

(Also, I really don't want them to accidentally turn gay. I have a dreadful fear of twatcrusts.)

Anonymous said...

Your blog is gettign a little boring. Time to do something else for a change?

leroy said...

Goodness, the things one learns on the internet.

I used to think only art exhibits and ham could be curated.

leroy said...

Anon 4:09 --

I'm sure BSNYC will offer you a refund.

Do you like curated cold cuts?

Doug V said...

Thanks! Always great writing that leaves me wondering if there's anything witty to say........there usually isn't.

theshepherdsdog said...

im running a fixed gear conversion now with a front brake; I've been riding faster and harder then ever. and as a plus I don't have to get involved in the "why no brakes?" discussion.

theshepherdsdog said...

as for the dura ace hub dude; bens cycles has those in stock right now

Surly Bastard said...

Some one has to explain that Himmler post to me v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y ... I think I may have suffered some kind of brain damage from listening to Cadel's post race "helium voice" interview ... it made me high, it did ...

Anonymous said...

Poor fixters... the 2nd law of thermodynamics is so all over your tight denim-clad asses.

Anonymous said...

Maybe the fixers are reading BSNYC and locking high so their bikes don't get pee'd on by dogs?

Eddy Burkes said...

Please be advised: the current state of the beggin'dex is already at a hundred-year high:

http://begthequestion.info/

How could the so-called "grammar snob" miss that, assuming grammar knowledge extends to usage?

Slow Factory said...

Re: Spinach, the iron amount was exaggerated in some health book a long time ago -- one extra zero, i.e. it actually has ten times less than the urban myth.

Jim said...

Don't knock the guy who is upset about losing the high flange Dura Ace hubs. They are super hard to get, requiring your local bike shop parts guy to make a lengthy, arduous and possibly dangterous trip (across the shop floor) to the QBP catalog, or perhaps a difficult phone call to Jensens. And we all know how they are to deal with.

The effort level required to get these rare hubs made by that tiny Asian boutique bike part manufacturer Shimano is not to be sneezed at. I can't believe you are mocking that guy out.

bikesgonewild said...

...heart goes out to jens voight w/ best recovery wishes...one of THE good guys in the peleton & an indefatigable & selfless team rider when it's required...

...& props to lipstrong for coming back & rejoining on today's climb...nice interview w/ pedro delgado in v-news about shared team leadership & putting the lance-sters return to the peleton in perspective...

sufferist said...

Uhhmm...about the ads, it like going to the fake dive bar that you've been going to for the past 25 fixie years only to find that it is populated by guys in Dockers with nice teeth and full heads of hair. They buy drinks and invite you to snap towels at their posteriors, so at least that has not changed, but the mood is definitely different. Not that there's anything wrong with that....just different....Snobby Uber ALLES!!!!

bikesgonewild said...

...craigslist personal:- girl w/ "betty davis eyes" looking for boy wearing heindrich himmler's...
...objective:- to fixate together & see what we can see...

Jake Jarmel said...

where did you get those glasses?!?!? i don't want anyone else to have them. give them to me!!!!

newkid said...

bsnyc,

Not to get too off topic but there's a new Primal wear on the block, minus the sexual innuendo and plus urban styling.

http://www.deathrowvelo.com/


-newkid

Anonymous said...

There's a cycling team on death row? I guess their motto could be: "nothing to lose" or "no one gets out alive". I wonder if they did the Death Ride this year?

Bike Rider Guy said...

The "simplicity" of fixed gears is labour intensive? That makes the use of derailleurs akin to sorcery and witchcraft. Or requires a team of Frenchmen from Mavic.

Pulverized Concepts said...

"This in turn begs the question: Does the humble Bianchi Pista warrant the high-lock?"
************
To beg the question does not mean "to raise the question." (e.g. "It begs the question, why is he so dumb?") This is a common error of usage made by those who mistake the word "question" in the phrase to refer to a literal question. Sadly, the error has grown more and more common with time, such that even journalists, advertisers, and major mass media entities have fallen prey to "BTQ Abuse."

While descriptivists and other such laissez-faire linguists are content to allow the misconception to fall into the vernacular, it cannot be denied that logic and philosophy stand to lose an important conceptual label should the meaning of BTQ become diluted to the point that we must constantly distinguish between the traditional usage and the erroneous "modern" usage. This is why we fight.

kale said...

sufferist-

The big difference is that, here, the yuppies palping the Dockers are commando.

And yes, they are stain-resistant.

bikesgonewild said...

...thank you, pulverized concepts...any input of worthwhile erudition & proper grammatical conceptualization is always appreciated here...
...i'm sure "grammarsnob" is over the moon w/ that...

...but i do hope, & please, don't take this too personally, that you are aware to those of us "great unwashed" that it rather sounds like you were mumbling w/ yer head up yer ass...

...not criticizing but just sayin'...

Anonymous said...

Snob, I love you, but the "as such" index is through the roof today. Is it not okay to just say "so"?

TheTye said...

I personally think your new adds add a nice touch of colorway to the page

Anonymous said...

Tite post, brah...customizing often does represent how much time the owner/custodian wastes/labors doin' interweb research.

PANTS said...

Does anyone else think jens voight was a victim of one of those exploding wheels Snobby has been going on about?

He went down like a fixter who's toe had been caught in his overlap.

sufferist said...

Dearest Kale:

I did not know that about my new fellow redone fake dive bar denizens. But that does put all their, "I'd like to push in your stool", comments into perspective.

Much appreciated....

I Rub Commando said...

i lock my recumbent trike up high. that way, it usually falls on the would-be thief, thwarting their attempt to steal it through severe injury (chainring cuts like a saw).

tommy fixterelli said...

my riding has reached a state of nirvana. i transend you petty mortals and pedal 10 feet above your heads. i have to reach down low to unlock my ride.

Anonymous said...

"I think I was very lucky not getting severely hurt. It's just a fractured face and a concussion, what, are you calling me a pussy?" Voigt said in the statement, "By the way, now that I'm forced out of the Tour, I've got a lot of free time to search for that coward spectator that made Kurt-Asle Arvesen wreck."

cyclingdip said...

Perhaps more offensive than the attempt to sell a $750 bike for $1200 is the completely horrendous fit. There's a good six inches of seatpost exposed, what look likes at least an 11cm stem length, and a positively precipitous stem angle. Is buying a bike that doesn't fit you at all "hip"?

CommieCanuck said...

Statement from Saxo Bank's Bjarne Riis:

"If you think Jens looked bad yesterday, ...you should see the pavement."

Looks like "il Killer" Di Luca doped at the Giro, which makes the world's thinnest book a double volume of Italian war heros and clean Italian bike riders.

Luck E. Seven said...

Nice one CC.

Jens may have broken his cheekbone in his stage 16 face plant, but the section of road where he crashed on the Col du Petit-Saint-Bernard broke away and slid off the fucking mountain.

Get well soon, JV.



A

mikeweb said...

Wow, CC, pretty bad when you dope and still can't ride away in the mountains from the eventual winner.

A winner who's having a decidedly ho-hum TdF on top of that.

Yes, Jens will definitely be back.

K-Ro said...

I want to puke. "The inadequacies of others"? What a fucking douchebag tool fixie assclown. The guy expects everyone else around him to chip in so that his experience is exactly the way he wants it. Typical.

Anonymous said...

Oh man what a bummer. So you've been showing LA's FRS ads too on the side I see? Looks like we lost another human being to the Second Coming's 'payroll'.

Troy Allen Coleman said...

"Custom 2009 Bianchi Pista..." I love how these guys all somehow manage to obtain 'custom' bikes. Unless you flew your sorry ass to Milan, and Mauri Giacomo took your measurements before designing your frame, your Bianchi is not custom.

Sorry. Pink grips + toptube pad ≠ custom.

Eric Lowe said...

I am surprised an aesthete member of the "fixieazzi" would pass up the opportunity to invoke the name of Le Corbusier when mentioning circular glasses.

Anonymous said...

Design,

Nice -- I, too, was wondering what gave that Pista it's "custom built" status. I think I may head on over to wal-mart here and purchase me one of them fancy Magna full suspension bikes they've got on the cheap, swap out the pedals for some old and worn out SPDs I've got lying around, maybe hit it with a can of spray paint, then sell it on craigslist as a fancy "custom" build. Bet I could get $800 (or maybe that's just my starting price and I'll negotiate up/down accordingly.)

jascef422 said...

That's messed up,the guy must have been harassing the bike messenger