RogueMechanic

How did this happen?!?!

2009 Colnago CX-1

Just in case you were wondering... This is what a $7800 bike looks like... Oh, and if you want it with Campy 11 instead of SRAM Red, then it's more like $8300.... holy cow...

Campy 11 Speed Chain Tool

You know, one of the many things that I LOVE about everything Campagnolo is having to spend $169USD on the new chain tool that is required to install their new 11 speed chains.... God, I love that... really.

Lebron buys into Cannondale

Here's a link to the story... I guess that he has plenty of money to lose.

Easton follow-up

I finally got to the bottom of this mess a few hours ago by calling Easton Sports directly (all calls are usually routed to Veltec Sports).  After speaking with one person who was very kind but read verbatum from the installation sheet, I was forwarded to Michael M., an engineer who had his hands in the design of the bars.  He let me know the max torque spec.  This is the info that I've been looking for.  We also had a good conversation about the issues that I have been experiencing in my quest for a solution.  Needless to say, he wasn't too happy about what I was told by Veltec Sports.  I also made a suggestion that they add a PDF file to their website that lists all of the torque specs of all of their products.  He ended the conversation by letting me know that if I have any more questions/concerns I should call him directly.  That was cool.  Now I have a go-to guy at Easton.  Problem solved.... Thanks Mike.

"Just set aside the torque wrench, dude..."

I just got off the horn with Troy at Veltec Sports, the US distributor of Easton cycling products.  I called to get a final and definitive max torque spec for Easton's AeroForce Carbon Aero bars because the torque that is specified in the instructions and on the bars still allow the extensions to move.  I need to know the max that I can tighten the bolts without causing and damage... I guess that I'm funny like that.  Anyway, this is what I was told...

"Just torque it 'til it's tight... You'll know when you've gone too far...".  "I've been a mechanic since the mid 80's and I've never used a torque wrench".  "Dude, you just need to set the torque wrench aside and just grab a plain old 5mm and start crankin'...just make sure that you tighten the bolts evenly..." 

I $hit you not.  This was exactly what he said!  I didn't even know what to say!  I was able to get out a few questions while I was picking myself up off of the floor.  I asked him if the bars would be replaced if they get crushed or if the threaded inserts pull out.  He said that they'd take care of it (I HIGHLY doubt that they would).  I also stated that this has to be a common problem because both of the sets that I installed had the same issue.  He denied that there's a problem.  I don't believe it.  I bet that the folks at Easton would be thrilled to hear about this. 

So if anyone out there has problems installing these aero bars onto the Easton DeltaForce bars and possibly damages the bars, just call Troy and Veltec Sports.  He'll take care of it...  Unbelievable.

How to be DQ'ed at Masters Nationals

This is a true story about a client of mine.  First, let me paint a picture...  You decide that your main focus for this year will be the Masters National Time Trial.  You hire a coach from the west coast, plot out your training, and work your butt off in training and prep for the big event.  You  not only spend a load of $$$ on equipment, you also have to get out there ("there" is Park City, Utah).  I think that you get the picture. Now comes to good part...

Fast forward to the morning of the event.  Just so happens that there's a traffic backup on the way to the race venue, putting a serious squeeze in his warm-up routine.  Out about 3 miles from nowhere, while on the road warming-up with about 20 minutes to his scheduled start time, he realizes that natures calling and that he really has to go (he can partially thank Starbucks for that!).  Wanting to be as discreet as possible, he finds a bridge and makes his way underneath it.  Let me remind you that he was in the middle of nowhere...  While "equalizing", he is approached by a Park Ranger.  This ranger proceeded to read him the riot act which included his disqualification from the race.  There was no getting through to this guy.  Reasonable and logical pleas fell on deaf ears.  The ranger drove off to find the chief race official and threatened to pull the plug on the entire race if the guy who was taking a pi$$ (under a bridge, in the middle of nowhere I must add) was not disqualified.  Not wanting to risk having the whole event shut down, he was disqualified.  Unbelievable.... Now you wonder why the sport of bike racing here in the US will always be fringe sport.  I'm sure that the Utah department of tourism as well as the Governor would LOVE to hear a story like this!  To have an employee completely go off on a visitor of their State I'm sure gives them a warm feeling inside.  Quite frankly, this schmuck should not have a job, let alone one that reflects the image of the state of Utah OR has any exposure to people.  I think that it's safe to say that my client will not be making a trip back to Utah and spending money at hotels and restaurants anytime soon.  That's for sure.  So, the bottom line is if you gotta go, don't (in Utah at least!), unless you want to be tossed from the race that you trained all year for...  The funny thing about all of this is that in today's day and age, when athletes are being tested for unnatural performance enhancing drugs, someone actually gets busted for doing something that's completely natural...