Naturally, as I am cycling more, I see these fantastic new two wheeled machines on the roads and in the bike shops. Naturally, I try to justify buying one of these sleek new bikes. My angular racing frame probably seems a bit outdated compared to these new carbon frames and surely it is not as stiff as it was 24 years ago when I first raced it. I’ve wondered how much extra effort I have to put into my ride to overcome those 64 steel spokes whipping through the headwind like egg beaters. My SLX steel tubing flexing at the bottom bracket every time I lunge into a sprint across an intersection is costing me precious speed. But this isn’t an excuse, this is an opportunity; an opportunity to buy a new bike.
Being a fast rider is a numbers game. For just $12,000 I could sport the most sophisticated road machine out there. It is just enough to make me look as serious as I know I really am. If I calculate my wind resistance, rolling resistance, wheel drag and rotational Inertia I can determine how efficient I can be with just the right equipment. Of course, I still have conquer the other 95 percent of the equation — me. I still have to put in 150 miles a week of “worthwhile” riding.
What does that mean? In a word, sprints. And lots of sprints. That way, I can take advantage of the 0.4 percent overall efficiency gain realized by trading up to that new equipment. Of course, my old DeRosa is a beauty. Maybe I should keep it and just say I’ve gone “retro.”