Recent content by Rice Daddy

+1 Horner, no question.

Pros often ride a smaller frameset than one ridden by a similar-sized civilian. For instance, I am 6' 4" tall and have a size 48 foot. I ride a 61 cm frame with the seat pillar nearly maxxed, 130 mm stem, 175 mm cranks. Tom Boonen, who has almost precisely the same dimensions as me (except for...

Find a mentor (or two) Check out local racing clubs. The best clubs (I don't mean the ones that necessarily win most of the local races) will have experienced veteran riders, some of whom will no doubt have older bikes to sell or will at least be plugged in to the local 2nd-hand market. Find a...

Does a Yank really have to explain to a Pom how odds are set? Odds reflect money already bet -- the bookies want to lay off possible losses. So these numbers reflect crazy Pommie wagers as much as they do likelihood to win. Frankly (no pun intended), those guys at 40-1 look like better bets than...

Or, Armstrong, or a healthy VDV, or . . .

Or Lance's, for that matter, and I'm one of those dreaded LA-haters . . .

Better chance of making the pursuit team and winning gold than getting a whiff of the top step of the TdF podium . . .

Not to dampen anyone's over-the-top enthusiasm, but that lineup at Sky doesn't exactly strike fear in the hearts of any of the established teams. At best, they resemble Garmin somewhat: marginal GT podium challenger surrounded by up-and-comers. That squad doesn't frighten Radio Shack, doesn't...

Did Bicycling Magazine buy a controlling interest in cyclingnews.com? They publish "reviews" all the time and get all orgasmic over marginally lighter stuff of questionable practicality. If it costs more and weighs less, it must be great. If it never breaks and takes literally years to...

I don't think you have to . . . That's the point!

Still on occasion trot out a 63 cm 1978 Colnago Super with a mixture of Nuovo Record and Super Record components (the "Super Record Appearance" gruppo). Shimano Ultra-7 freewheel (13-19) and chain, 36-hole Super Champion tubular rims laced to Record LF hubs with DT 2.0 stainless spokes and...

Lack of due process leaves the door open for cheaters One of the worst aspects of the ongoing doping problem in sports in general and cycling in particular is the chronic inability (unwillingness?) of the various authorities to get on the same page regarding protocol and the concept of due...

Male Cyclo-crosser - Niels Albert Female Cyclo-crosser - Katie Compton Male Mountain Biker - Nino Schurter Female Mountain Biker - Irina Kalentieva Product - Crumpton SL frameset Team Bike - Specialized Tarmac Most Improved Rider - Phillipe Gilbert Stage Race - Giro D'Italia One Day...

I assume you're running 7800 derailleurs, too. The Shimano DA 7800 will handle up to a 28-tooth cog, but I think you'll have to go with a cassette other than Shimano. See this as an alternative: http://www.interlocracing.com/cassettes_steel.html Don't think you'll have shifting issues, but if...

In the San Francisco Grand Prix through the mid 00's, riders commonly rode triples. Saw Horner, Vino, some of the Postals sporting Shimano triples.