By Coach Fred Matheny HOT! Versatile Beautiful lugged steel construction Enormous tire clearance Superb handling NOT! Heavy for a road bike Sea-foam green paint job www.rivendellbicycles.com Price: $1,300 frame with fork and headset Sizes: 47-68 cm Source: Rivendell website and dealers How obtained: cold cash RBR advertiser: yes, 12/12/02 to 1/16/03 Tested: 65 hours I…
By Ed Pavelka HOT! Foolproof Bulletproof Budgetproof NOT! Nothing’s really perfect, is it? www.parktool.com Price: $9.95 Source: bike shops, mailorder catalogs How obtained: sample from company RBR advertiser: no Tested: 10 times This one is a no-brainer. The Park CC-3 Chain Wear Indicator could be the perfect tool. it’s so helpful, affordable and easy to…
By Coach Fred Matheny HOT! $70 less than Dura-Ace but nearly as light Cleats interchangeable with Dura-Ace Accepts a regular pedal wrench NOT! Minimal defense against cleat wear Float limited to 6 degrees No “Lance” cachet www.shimano.com https://amzn.to/2H7at8d Price: $140 Weight: 360 g (including cleats at 60 g per pair) Source: bike shops, catalogs How…
By Ed Pavelka HOT! Conforms to your anatomy Wide, supportive sit-bone area The traditional touch to a touring bike NOT! Heavy Needs lengthy break-in period Leather requires special care Looks wrong on hot bikes www.brooksengland.com https://amzn.to/2E58Jch Price: $60-$95 (steel rails), $155 (titanium rails) Weight: 540g (steel), 440g (Ti) Source: bike shops, Rivendell Bicycles, Harris Cyclery…
By Ed Pavelka HOT! Reduces risk of saddle abrasion Not greasy — washes easily from skin and shorts Economical — a tube lasts for months NOT! Disappears in wet conditions www.pacelineproducts.com Price: $11.95 for 8-oz. tube Source: bike shops, catalogs How obtained: cold cash RBR advertiser: no Tested: 8 years We’re not going to…
