Nothing to lose, nothing to prove
Wed, March 30, 2011 When it comes to bikes and the bike business, I have nothing to lose. You see I already lost it all 18 years ago in 1993, when everyone decided the Mountain Bike was where it was at.
Bicycle dealers stopped selling road bikes and I was out of business. I felt like a deserted spouse whose wife had found a new lover; there was a lot of disappointment and anger at the time.
I wanted nothing more to do with bikes; I moved on to find a new love of my own, namely writing and songwriting. I found a good paying job to support my new love. I had a new circle of friends that were not cyclists, but other writers and songwriters. This is still the case today.
I disappeared from the bike scene for ten years, it was even rumored that I was dead. Then in 2003 my book was published and I put up a websiteto promote it; initially there was no mention on that site of my previous career as a framebuilder, although there was brief mention of it on the book jacket.
People who owned bikes that I had built found my website and contacted me. I learned I had a loyal following of people who owned bikes I had built. Many were original owners who still derived pleasure from my previous work.
They sent me pictures of their bikes which I then added to my website. In 2005 I started this blog; I felt I had a great deal of knowledge that I could share with others, because when I am gone the knowledge will be gone with me.
When I came back to bikes through this blog everything had changed in the ten or so years I had been away. Road bikes bore no resemblance to the bikes I built. There is still some residual anger towards the mountain bike; remember it was the MTB that stole my love. I could forgive, but I didn’t have to love my ex-spouse’s new beau.
I hated the way the mountain bike had influenced road bikes, with fat tubes, sloping top tubes and compact frames in S,M, L, tee-shirt sizing. I got over it, I could see the modern road bike had a certain form and style of its own; I even bought my wife a CF compact bike last year.
However, when I see a compact road bike with a long handlebar stem that shoots skyward at 45 degrees to somewhere above saddle height, only to then plunge downwards again in the form of dropped handlebars, the residual anger bubbles to the surface again. It looks plain stupid.
I said as much in my last post, and did that ever kick open a rotting carcass full of maggots. The set up does not even give the rider the best position, and I offered suggestion for an alternative. Remember, I used to build frames, I do know a little about the subject.
Some took it as a personal attack, or an attack on the homeless; because I dared to say that a bike set up in this manner looked like one a homeless person would ride. Another thought it was a direct attack on Grant Peterson. (Where the fuck did that come from?)
When the dust settled, a few others came to my defense, (Thank you.) and it turned into an interesting discussion. Another blogger even picked it up and ran with it, and gave an interesting perspective from the point of view of a bike store mechanic.
I cannot understand the hostility and nastiness; you can disagree with me, but please be civil. And if you disagree with what I say, then at least give a valid counter argument. If you hate me this much as a person, why do you even bother to visit this site?
Remember this: I have nothing to sell. I also have nothing to prove; I have achieved all I want to do as far as bikes are concerned.
I give out stuff that may or may not be useful; take what you can use and ignore the rest. I try to entertain, or sometimes act as Devil’s Advocate and promote discussion. I refuse to be a “Yes” man and write only that which is popular, or that I think cyclists want to hear.
One comment suggested I was the opposite of a cycling advocate and had become an automobile apologist. My readers are the cycling congregation, what is the point of preaching that all motorists are bastards, and all cyclists are saints? This is not the truth or the reality.
I often despair that I will never reach the few rotten apples that screw things up for the rest of us, but I have to try.
As far as the bike business is concerned, I have paid my dues and have nothing left to lose. If this blog went away it would free up an awful lot of time to do other things, including ride my own bike.
However, this blog now affords me the luxury of writing to please myself, and as I do so the readership just keeps on increasing; I can tell you it is extremely satisfying. As satisfying as any other creative endeavor I have undertaken
Reader Comments (24)
If the person who owns that specialized is more comfortable on the bike set up that way and is riding it more as a result, then who cares?
Mark,
I care, because maybe I can steer someone else in a direction where they make a different choice that improves their cycling pleasure. So many people buy these high end bikes and don't stick with it, and they are lost to cycling for ever.
Dave
It read as an attack on Grant because he is widely known as a proponent of two things: handlebars above the seat if you want 'em there, and cycling in socks and sandals.
I still feel that the bikes of homeless people have nothing whatsoever to do with the topic and the reference was mean spirited: "oh, those uninformed homeless people with their zany, inefficient cycling set-ups." keep in mind that the homeless use their bikes in a manner very different than you, and for very different purposes. Perhaps bars hiked up high serves them well.
Jason, (Rotten Carcass Dweller)
Thanks for informing me on Grant; I did not know that.
I have seen many a homeless person on an old steel ten speed with the handlebars turned upside-down. Nothing wrong in this case, they are making do with what they have. However, when someone spends $3,000 or more on a CF bike, then sets it up to look like one owned by an unfortunate homeless person??? This was my meaning, I am not criticizing the homeless or their bicycles.
The other post you mentioned in Monday's comment about "The aging hipster who had his dog euthanized." You may or may not remember that the post was only up one day and I realized it was mean spirited and I deleted it and replaced it with an apology http://davesbikeblog.squarespace.com/blog/2009/12/22/i-was-wrong.html
I will not remove the reference to the "Homeless," that was not intended to be mean spirited although I'm sorry you read it as such.
Dave
Dave,
Great follow up. I think people get uncomfortable when someone they admire has a differing view point than their own. Then the arrows come out in an attempt to get you to think like them. Never mind the peanut gallery and please keep up the good work, your blog has become a tremendous resource.
Thank you,
Mike
I can't believe how crazy people get. I thought that post was pretty inoffensive. People are nuts. Keep doing what you do Mr. Moulton
You go, man. Don't let the bastards get you down.
Keep on keepin on!
Dave,
You rock. You always make a good argument, and I happen to think you're pretty much correct all the time. That's just me. Sorry for not jumping in and saying RIGHT ON more frequently.
There are idiots and dumbasses out there. People are stupid. Computers and blogs are no longer the realm of the few, they now reflect the population. Plenty of ignorance to go around.
This reminds me a bit of the quote that Bittman pulled on his blog
"“You can’t be a critic by simply being a griper . . . One has also to . . . search out the examples of good work.”"
That's from Wendell Berry. (bittman blog link)
Ignore the gripers. Hell delete their idiotic comments, this is your blog you don't have to tolerate their attempt to fest their opinions from your pulpit.
keep up the good work man.
Peace
G
I started to comment yesterday but after a particularly grueling day I was too weary to solve the cycling world's problems and slog down cheap wine at the same time so I waited until today. First of all what's the fuss? You illustrate a racing bike set up as a leisure world hybrid, then go on to state how that image upsets you. Understandable. You follow with a rather textbook explanation of how all this works, or is supposed to work. Thanks, it is why I come here. The homeless comment was perhaps a little off the mark. All the homeless guys I know would take one look at that thing, take it to the nearest pawn shop and come back out on a beat down Schwinn. A can of flat black spray paint and a set of high rise bars to set things right.
Me. my bar tops are about an inch below the seat. I ride there while day dreaming and knocking off miles. The drops are my combat buddies, that's where you will find me while grinding through a headwind, negotiating traffic or while in pursuit of some nu-phred on a carbon fiber comfort bike. The height of my bars is going down incrementally, oddly matching the notches on my belt.
I ride the hoods when I want to remind myself to be alert. I really LOVE my old steel bike and my Sakae Randnner Road Champion handlebars. I wear socks with sandals only in the colder months, and only with long pants. A very comfortable combination, much like my handlebar set up. And sometimes I drink wine that comes in a jug with a screw on cap. In fact, that sounds good right about now...keep up the good work Dave, some of us get it.
March 30, 2011 | Tim Joe Comstock
Ultimately the negative people are commenting on themselves.
Dave,
Glad I found your blog and glad you care to share you thoughts with us. There are some that will always take the path of arguing/blame no matter what your stance. I just found that out when I came across as Condescening and Trivial when I said the only logical reason to not wear a helmet is to keep your hair neat.
If you help someone make a wise decision based on credible information instead of a bike shop salesperson looking to move a bike instead of fitting the person with the best type of bike possible in hopes of more riding and future purchases, then you are a ok in my book!
Keep it up Dave!
Glad to hear that this blog is "extremely satisfying" as I look forward to reading much more from you.
Guitar Ted's musings on drop bars strike a chord with me as I've set up some old steel bikes with wider tires and moustache-tourer-porteur bars for more casual cycling - - and definitely enjoy them. And I do have some steels set up for speed.
Keep up the good work Dave. I've never been a roadie. My main interest is touring but many of your ideas apply to the traditional drop bar flat top tube steel framed tourers I like. Needless to say I don't agree with everything you write but I'm always willing to listen to other opinions that are eloquently put forward.
Great follwo up. never understand why people have to be abusive. It's like watching tv. If you don't like the programme, swith the damned thing off. Dave, I for one enjoy reading your articles even when I disagree because they remind me that there is always more than one way to skin the same cat. As one of the above said, 'Don't let the b......s' grind you down. Keep up the good work
Dave, as you may recall, you and I have disagreed in the past. Despite that, I have enormous respect for you, and I will support your right to state your mind no matter what.
In this case, I read the supposedly offensive post, and the ONLY thing it brought to mind was the set-up of my bike: was it right, and efficient enough?
I have learnt so much from you, and I have learnt some more again from that post. I don't see why anybody would to offense to it!
Just keep doing what you're doing! You're bloody good at it, you know, and there's a lot of us that read every one of your posts.
Dave, I had no idea that last post sparked such controversy (don't often read the comments). What a bunch of crap. I value your opinion and advice on things cycling and enjoy this blog (have done for some years now).
I also like the way you stick to your guns! Keep up the good work.
Many moons ago, I used to race and ride centuries - all of my bikes were set up with the seat at least an inch proud of the stem.
I stopped riding in college.
Twenty years later, me and my fat ass start riding again. I get an old school steel frame that was my size many moons ago and kit it up as close as I could to the old bikes. Too painful to ride. And I spent two months slowly trying to "toughen up". Even a 5 miler hurt.
Then I put a stem extender on there and boom - I've ridden a couple of metrics.
There's theory - and then there's what works.
And, yes, everytime I look at my bike as it sits there I think ("God, that is ugly.")
Wait, people are objecting to the qualified opinion of a guy who has an extensive history of manufacturing custom racing bikes? Seriously?!!?
Further, Dave is a guy who I can't remember making an ill-spirited comment about anyone on this blog. Brutally honest, perhaps, but all offered as opinion.
Don't sweat the peanut gallery, Dave. It's your blog, you say what you like.
I honestly don't see why everyone is getting torqued up about the two posts. Dave is just putting out an educated observation and attacking that opinion isn't constructive.
Ride the bike that fits both physically and mechanically. Every brand has their version of touring, race, MTB, crusier, comfort that fits a need. If it doesn't then do some customer service and research that solution.
I agree pretty much completely with your previous post. Im surprised there's so much resistance to trying a diiferent position. And the topic is a road bike, not a commuter or cyclocross bike or radonneur or something else.
The other thing I notice is that "compact" drop and reach bars are in style -- because athletes use them to get their hand positions on the top or hoods closer to the one in the drops. Funny thing is, people are setting them up just the opposite, to take the position in the drops up closer to level with the saddle.
Well said.
Hi Dave, I just wanted to echo the suggestion not to sweat the peanut gallery.
-Andrew
Dave, Computer based criticizing or flaming is nothing more than hiding behind relative anonymity, a coward's way.Keep up the good work and the message.
Dave,
thanks for the posts. I found the former post very informative. I'm nearly 50, cycle quite a bit and hold the notion that raising the seat above the bar would be hard on my back. I ride a touring rig with a drop bar, and am usually on the hoods. (My other rides are flat bars - mountain and cargo, one for horrible weather, the other for shopping for the kids and dogs)
I'm a commuter, so I'm usually loaded.
I've also found that despite mainly riding just to get things done, rather than training, I'm usually fit enough to ride a few centuries and even ride with roadies every now and again. I realized after reading your post that I have not really thought through relative seat height, so I'm going to experiment a bit.
I've an older 27" Lotus road frame - picked up used for a song - I've been intending to switch out the crankset and cassette, and think I'll see what the different set ups feel like this summer. A small change can make a big difference, and after reading your post I'm quite curious about how I'll feel on those longer rides.
Thanks again.