Practically 100 years in the past, H.B. Reese created the world’s most scrumptious confection:
Little doubt its transcendent deliciousness impressed the engineers at Trek, who in 2003 launched the LeMond Tete de Course:
“You bought your titanium in my carbon!” “You bought your carbon in my titanium!” And a traditional was born:
This engineering marvel was a rolling hedge for the status-obsessed rider: half the bike Lance Armstrong was driving, and half the fabric folks ascribe mystical properties to, the Tete de Course proprietor may roll up on the group experience assured that he wouldn’t be out-biked–except in fact another person rolled up on a much less company carbon-and-titanium surprise bike:
Although the benefit of company bikes over a number of the boutique ones is that they solely are available in inventory sizes so that you’re much less prone to wind up with a wonky freak bike:
Please be aware I mentioned “much less doubtless,” and never that it was unattainable, as a result of clearly any bike will be butchered:
Although not like a wonky customized bike a inventory one can at all times be rescued.
Driving the Tete de Course has been a pleasure, and as I’ve most likely talked about elsewhere it feels precisely like they inform you a carbon and titanium bike is meant to really feel: easy, responsive, blah blah blah. However how a lot does this organized marriage of supplies inform the experience? What about different stuff, such because the wheels?
Other than one experience with the Spinergys, throughout which I used to be preoccupied with their conspicuous look and varied mechanical points, I’ve solely ridden the LeMond with the Rolf Prima wheels with which I obtained it from Traditional Cycle–till this previous weekend, once I eliminated them to do some upkeep. The rear wheel was exhibiting a small quantity of play, and whereas it was fairly minor I figured I’d as nicely modify it, if solely to study the way it labored.
Rolf wheels got here on the scene on the flip of the twenty first century, when Trek licensed the identify and the entire “paired spoke” factor and put them on all their bikes:
[Pic from here.]
Even I briefly had a pair of those wheels on the time, being a sub-mediocre Cat 3 and all, and as I recall again then the hubs have been made by DT Swiss or one thing. Then in 2001 Rolf and Trek parted methods and Rolf grew to become Rolf Prima, which is what the wheels on the LeMond are. Apparently Rolf Prima’s hubs are made by White Industries, which I found whereas researching the way to modify them. In reality, as of 2023, White Industries owns Rolf Prima:
I occur to assume they missed an enormous alternative to rebrand themselves as “White Rolf,” however maybe they have been involved that they may get sued by Rolf White, who a preferred search engine informs me is a monetary planner in Minnesota.
As for the rear hub adjustment, it was in the end quite simple:
Although I did fumble with it for awhile till I learn within the precise on-line directions that you just may need to faucet out the top cap with a fast launch skewer and a hammer.
Anyway, whereas I used to be nonetheless determining the White Rolf hub, I put completely different wheels on the LeMond to see how completely different it felt, if in any respect:
Having ridden the bike simply the day earlier than, I’ll say that it didn’t fairly have the identical spring in its step because it did with the Rolf Whites. Was the bike ruined? Compromised? Besmirched? Not by an extended shot–and the way may you not get pleasure from being out on a elaborate highway bike on a day like this?
Nonetheless, clearly lighter and extra aerodynamic wheels rely for one thing quantifiable…or possibly it was simply the tires, because the Ralph Wiggums have been additionally sporting barely wider and fancier tires too.
Talking of wider, I nearly handed out sucking in my intestine for this Pearl Izumi Fred Swimsuit selfie:
They despatched me this fancy summer time stuff final yr and it’s lastly heat sufficient to put on it once more. Additionally, it’s on tremendous sale:
I do know it’s hypocritical of me to make enjoyable of firms like Pas Regular and MAAP whereas squeezing myself right into a sausage casing and sharing a hyperlink to mentioned casing, however I reserve the best to giggle at PNS hoods:
Don’t fear, if the PNS hood grosses you out it additionally is available in circumcised:
There’s even a PNS sock:
It’s ribbed for her pleasure.
Talking of double entendre, I needed to do one thing of a rim job on the the wheels on the LeMond. I’d gotten two pairs of those wheels awhile again, and I subsequently realized the onerous approach {that a} tubeless suitable rim requires tubeless tape even when you don’t plan to set it up tubeless. The explanation for that is {that a} tubeless rim has a deep channel within the center, and when you use an everyday rim strip like I did it slowly works its approach down into the channel like a thong into an ass crack, ultimately exposing a nipple gap and bursting the tube. (Rims actually are essentially the most suggestive a part of a bicycle, aren’t they?) So earlier than placing the wheels on the LeMond I wrapped them in tubeless tape.
One other subject when utilizing tubeless-compatible rims with tubes is that they match snugly so if you need to repair them out on the highway it’s not at all times attainable to get the tires seated correctly on the rim in case your pump isn’t sufficiently big. (Sorry, for all of the innuendo, however what can I inform you? I blame Pas Regular and their PNS line.) I used to be conscious about this earlier than heading out, however having simply placed on that new tubeless tape together with brand-new tubes and an almost-new pair of tires, I assumed to myself, “What are the chances I’ll get a flat instantly in spite of everything that?”
Apparently they have been fairly good:
This occurred simply earlier than the nicest a part of the experience, and I used to be all aggravated that I’d need to limp house on a wobbly unseated tire, however fortuitously with tons and plenty of massaging and wrist motion I used to be in a position to get the tire seated, even with my tiny pump.
Sorry, I’ll cease now.
In any case, the upshot was that I bought to benefit from the good roads in whole smoothness:
I additionally encountered this analysis facility:
See?
Clearly these have been rooster scientists and I’d simply stepped right into a Far Facet cartoon:
Or possibly the geese have been the scientists:
I sit up for their 5,000 web page paper on crossing the highway.
