05-19-2004, 07:39 PM
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#11 (permalink)
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| | Re: They lied to me (was Goodbye to the Brooks)
On Wed, 19 May 2004 13:02:03 -0700, Dick Durbin wrote:
> "SMMB" <leurre@free.fr> wrote in message news:<c8asv8$69k$1@news.tiscali.fr>...
>> Congratulations for not succumbing to myth.
>
> When I first started riding as an adult, back in the mid 70s, I was
> fed a lot of myths:
> "The only comfortable saddles are leather, preferably Brooks or
> Ideale."
> There are plenty of saddles out there that are comfortable from day
> one, weigh less than a leather saddle and require little or no
> maintenance or protection. After years of putting up with leather
> saddles, I bought a cheap Vetta saddle that is comfortable enough for
> centuries.
>
> "You should repack your headset at least once a year."
> I have used the same Campy headset since 1974 and have only had it
> repacked a few times. The only people I have ever known who have
> problems with headsets are they guys that are constantly tinkering
> with them.
>
> "That synthetic chamois is no good. You have to have the real thing."
> I don't have to do rub any conditioner into the synthetic chamois and
> I quit suffering from saddle sores when I started using the synthetic
> stuff.
>
> "Wool is the only thing to wear when cycling."
> Wool shrinks like crazy unless you wash it by hand and lay it flat to
> dry, and even then it will shrink. I just pitch the modern clothes in
> the washer and dryer and they come out fine. Many people, including
> me, can not wear wool next to the skin. I feel like I just rolled in
> fiberglass when I put it on.
>
> "Wool doesn't stink when you sweat on it."
> Ever notice that no one wants to draft the guy who tells you that?
>
> "The best pump in the world is a Silca."
> Yeah, and the Model T is the best car ever made.
>
> "Sewups last longer and ride better than any clincher."
> When I finally realized that I was spending more time patching and
> resewing my Criterium Setas than I was riding, I figured I would try
> some clinchers. That was in about 1988. I may have a flat every few
> thousand miles on clinchers as opposed to every few hundred miles on
> sewups.
> As for ride quality, I was riding on that leather saddle when I rode
> sewups. Nothing was comfortable.
>
> "You should never have sex the night before a race."
> That kept me from racing. I mighta been a contenda!
>
> Dick Durbin
Funny and agreed! Well, on everything but the Brooks--I'm on my third now,
a Champion Flyer (B17 with springs) which was comfortable on day one, but
brilliant after 1000 miles. Sometimes they'll just not break in right if
you fool with them (no ball peens or water soaking please, just ride
it)--my last b-17 spent 6 months outside before being recovered
(stolen)--I was able to recondition it, but the leather fibers said "no
way!". It was still comfortable, but didn't have the nice tight "spring"
of a proper Brooks. My new one just disappears under me and keeps the bits
nice and dry  The springs add a couple hundred grams and annoy the
wieght weenies (and soak up road buzz) :P
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