Bicycle Addiction

Time for an update...

2011-04-04T16:28:00.000-07:00

I have been away for a while but I am back, and I have some new bikes to show off.

Here is my Casati Ellisse Due...

And here is my new Bianchi 928L... I built this guy perfect just like I like it.

Deda Controls. Campagnolo Record components. Campy Eurus wheels.

The keen eye will notice that I have yet again swapped the stock fork for the SL fork...I love it. And I am not selling

this one no matter how bad it gets.

Finally here is my Fondriest... I have unfortunately sold this frame to a nice gent in the UK... I had to finance

my opportunity to own a De Rosa...Pictures forthcoming on that build...

Alberto Contador

2010-07-19T18:25:00.000-07:00

I cant go without saying it any longer....
Contador is a real Shit...

Merry Christmas!!!

2009-12-08T18:36:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas Bike Fans!!!!

Tommasini Diamante With Mavic Gruppo

2009-08-04T19:21:00.000-07:00

This is a special bike...
Columbus MS (multi shaped) tubing, and the drivetrain like Greg Lemond used in the 89 Tour de' France...I love those cranks...This bike is nearing 20 years old and still looks fresh and clean like it came from the shop last week.

Bianchi EL-OS with Campy C-Record

2009-08-04T19:16:00.000-07:00

Classic Lugged Italian steel in celeste. With full Campagnolo C-Record Ergo, and last gen. Delta brakes...
It doesnt get any better.

Old School Mountain bike build...

2009-03-29T18:55:00.000-07:00

Here is my Montare...I remember the ad in the magazines 20 years ago very fondly...
They depicted the bike going up a near vertical ascent touting the ultra shot elevated chainstay, and the Fisher Evolution system...
I just scored a super sweet set of spinergy wheels for it, and I have a full old school Deore XT thumbshifter drivetrain to go with it. The finishing piece will be the Girvin Crosslink fork...
Dont mind the renovation materials in the background... gotta keep the wife happy....

Colnago Titanium...Lux Oval Master....

2009-03-12T16:45:00.000-07:00

Colnago Titanium...The Lux Oval Master.... Revered as the perfect Classics bike, and made from indestructible 6/4 Titanium...
The beautiful finish is done in TM11 otherwise known as the Landbouwkredeit Team color scheme...
When I first started building the bike I was trying to stay "period specific". After riding the bike I realize I could care less about "period" because this ride is so bad ass it deserves the best I can throw at it....
This bike is a beast... one of the stiffest bikes I have thrown a leg over, and yet surprisingly comfortable.
Yes those are 40mm Shamals, and yes they are clinchers... I dare you to find another set...

Colnago C-40 HP Geo....

2009-02-17T15:22:00.000-08:00

Here it is... the crown jewel of my collection. a 2003 C-40 HP B-Stay in the beautiful, rare Geo paint scheme....

Full Record with Shamal's... sub 16lbs. as shown.
I have a Gold Tiso bolt and pulley kit for it I have not yet installed.

Colnago Master B-Stay

2009-02-17T12:14:00.000-08:00

This is a cool low volume frame called a Master B-Stay (sometimes called a Master Carbon)
Combines the front triangle of a Master X-Light with the rear end of a C-40

I have seen two variations of this frame one like this with a full carbon rear-end, and a few examples with carbon seat stays.

To my understanding this frame was only sent to the US for 2 years....It seems to still be available in Europe...although I don't see it currently listed on the website.

This model was not well received by steel purists, or new gen riders...The ride is typical Colnago... glorious I really appreciate this bike for combining the two worlds of technology
as built it weighs around 17lbs.

new winter projects....

2009-02-16T15:46:00.000-08:00

This winter I have picked up some new plastic....
of course from the usual suspects Colnago and Bianchi.
The first pair is a set of 928's the C2C model is built with full Chorus, and the Lugged unit is done in Record...
I have had a pair of these before but in a smaller size....The builds were not to my liking before either... I am much happier with the way these turned out.
The Lugged is a 59 with a 57.5 effective TT and the C2C is a 58 with a 57.5 effective TT
Bianchi's run small.

I will be posting my New Nago's later...

Italian Steel!!!!!

2008-10-20T18:57:00.000-07:00

Yeah I suck...Italian bikes are Badazz! If you think these are hot you should see what I have in to unveil soon. Winter is coming time to put together some more bikes.

Cannondale John's Memorial ride.

2008-08-24T10:30:00.000-07:00

I cried like a baby when John's bike pulled out of the parking lot on top of Kathy Petersons car to lead the ride... the way John always did.

Thanks to Josh from the '"Virginia Beach Wheelmen" for having the forethought to bring his camera to the ride, and shoot some good photo's

We had about 75 riders show up for the casual 13 mile spin. John's wife, three children, and two brothers rode with us as well.
We had Road, Mtn., and beach cruisers in attendance. The ride was escorted by four Suffolk Motorcycle Cops. We thank them for allowing us to pull this off.

John Taylor... AKA "Cannondale John"

2008-08-16T13:13:00.000-07:00

This is breaking info... 08.16.2008
John Taylor AKA "Cannondale John" passed away today following the Saturday group ride from All About Bikes in Suffolk Virginia.
Apparently John had not been feeling well a for a few days prior to the ride.

Our thought and prayers are with Melissa and they're three children now as they deal with the loss of they're husband, and father.

I will post more info as i receive it.

There will be a memorial ride, and service for John on Saturday.
The ride will depart from All About Bikes in Suffolk, and will be Police Escorted.
John's Wife Melissa, and his oldest daughter are supposed to ride.
Here is the link to the Obituary:
http://www.legacy.com/pilotonline/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=116080281

Colnago Classic....

2008-08-10T17:53:00.000-07:00

Another Beautiful lugged steel Colnago.
I have two of the "Master Series- Gilco Tubed" bikes and this one is a round tube "Classic"
This bike rides awsome.
If I understand correctly the bike uses "Zona" level Columbus Tubes.
It's not light, but it floats down the road and pedals effortlessly!!!
I did 30 miles on it's maiden voyage, and came back with an ear to ear grin.
I was told this frame was Crica 2002 and the decor was "Rabobank"
I am not sure if that is true, but the color scheme is striking.

Bianchi Mega-Pro Steel Cyclocross!!!!

2008-08-05T18:55:00.000-07:00

Here is a mid-90's Bianchi Cyclocross bike.
This is a Steel Mega-Pro...
One hot ride...
With custom laced wheels, and Campy drivetrain the bike weighs 22.5 lbs.
I even kept the threaded fork, and quill stem.

Vintage NOS Suntour XC-Pro Cantilever brakes...

Colnago #3 1996 Master Olympic

2008-07-22T05:44:00.000-07:00

This is the latest Colnago to the collection. A 1996 Master Olympic. My understanding is that this name was a "Euro only" designation, and any that have made it to the states were brought in Privately. That is what I did. This bike was acquired from a contact in Brazil.
It will look nice sitting with the Mapaei Master Light, and the Classic I have.
The collection has been refined on a whole with a focus on steel. Full Carbon "Plastic" is now gone, Aluminum has been limited to one 29'er and my cross bike.

This bike has an interesting feature... A Seat Tube and Head tube lug extension.

The Sickness

2008-07-05T16:01:00.000-07:00

What would be your thoughts if you passed this on the interstate????

There should be a pill or something I could take for this.

Rover...

2008-05-07T20:05:00.000-07:00

This truck is a beast....
Rovertym HD springs. Rovertym steering, and Damper kit, OME Shocks, and Rovertym Bull bar, and rock sliders.
This truck has never gotten stuck, and I rarely use the CDL.
This is the most expensive vehicle I have ever owned in terms of how much I have spent since the initial purchase in '05...
I can honestly say that all the stuff I have had to repair is my fault and not the truck...When you have a rig this capable you end up putting yourself in situations that you would pass on.
It has always gotten me home, save for the time I busted the trans....
I have owned a plethora of jeeps over the years, and there is no comparison.
this rig is built old school like a tank...

Fly GTI !!!!!

2008-04-30T17:34:00.000-07:00

My wife called my Bianchi 928L a "Plastic bike" today....

Seems someone is monitoring me....

Just to throw off her scent here is a teaser pic of something I am working on...That is all I can say for now...

Fly Ass GTI 16v Circa 1992 the last year of the
A2 generation car. I had one the same color...
Montana Green...After I got married we stupidly
traded it for a family car.

Let the questioning begin!!!!!

The Orbea I can't find info on....

2008-04-29T17:45:00.000-07:00

This was a very nice looking Spanish Steel bike (Orbea...Duh!) that I spent months picking out the right combo of parts to build up....
Only to find out that I was too fat to ride this Spanish beauty built with Italian Steel (Columbus Foco)
The bike was very light, and it was very Sexy!!!
But the fist test ride revealed the the tubing spec was more suited to a 150lb (or less) rider!!!

The strange thing about this bike was that it did not have the sloping top tube that Orbea is known for. this was a "Square " bike that had a 55x55 measurement.

Bianchi Italian Steel

2008-04-29T17:37:00.000-07:00

I have a fondness for all things Italian
My stable is full of models from Bianchi, Colnago, Casati, and Fondriest.
I have a hankering for bikes of this color though...There is just something about Celeste

This is the model just before the Very last steel bike produced by Binachi in Italy, The EV Boron gave way to the Pinella Boron, and then Steel Bianchi bikes passed into oblivion...Celeste Steel is dead...Long live Celeste Steel!!!!

Gunnar Rodie... Handcrafted AMERICAN steel

2008-04-29T17:25:00.000-07:00

A bike made in America by the Schwinn family...This is the Waterford/Gunnar heritage.
This is the best riding bike I own period...
This bike was made for my early this year. Painted the color of my choice VW Vortex Blue.
This bike was built conservatively with a combo or Chorus, and Record
I did not try to make the bike super light, and I ended up at just under 18lbs...

I had the finish upgraded to "Waterford level" and it is the best i have ever seen. the paint is like glass.

Bianchi 928 Carbon L... The 15lb. wunderbike!!!!

2008-04-29T17:16:00.000-07:00

Carbon tubes with carbon lugs... Almost looks traditional doesnt it???
A keen eye will note the Carbon SL fork

Full Record 10 speed with bo-bo FSA cranks

Nice shot of the Carbon SL fork

Full ITM control center with celeste accents

Did you happen to see the Shamal Ultras????Hot!!!!

Bianchi 928... My Plastic Bike

2008-04-29T17:11:00.001-07:00

Here is one of the three plastic bikes I own... Bianchi 928 Carbon C2C Chorus...
This is a pretty cool nice riding bike... It does not stir passion in me like my steel bikes do, but I still like it.

Nice vintage Vento 16HPW wheels with Record hubs...Adds a touch of nostalga to the all the technology.

C'Dale 29er 1FG!!!

2008-04-20T07:36:00.000-07:00

While waitng to finish the details of the custom Gunnar (Steel Baby) and having sold all of my Mtn. Bikes. I decided to pick up an 08 C'Dale 29'er single speed. This should have been one of the last bikes produced by the Pegasus run company before the buyout by Dorel (Schwinn/Pacific)
based on the production date...(first week of Feb 08)
I like these bikes... Mainly because I like the lefty fork a whole bunch, Besides the Girvin/Noleen cross link this is the best I have ridden on.
Missing on the 08 model is the Alcoa tubing logo "Alcalyte"
The overall build quality is OK... not as good as Cannondales of old...
The bike is too heavy, and the wheelset sucks... There is no reason for a single speed bike to weigh 27lbs at this price. This bike at $1699.00 is the same price as last years geared version, and the wheelset is identical. The fork has changed... last years fork was 100% locked out, and this years model has a slight amount of stiff travel while locked.

All in all I will probably rock this bike until I get my Gunnar and then pass it on.

If you are looking for Cannondale stuff, and don't want to deal with C-World Go see Mark at Cycle Gallery in Elizabeth City....He took care of me.

Bianchi Pinella Boron

2008-04-20T07:28:00.001-07:00

Here it is... The last Steel frame produced in Italy by the RC "Reparto Corse" division of Bianchi...

This bike has a nice build with Campy Chorus, Deda Control center, and Mavic Open Pro's laced to 36hole Chorus hubs

The bike as pictured weighs in a 18lbs...

Farewell to anything Steel. Celeste, and New as Carbon has nearly taken over...

It's Done!!!!!!

2008-04-11T15:31:00.000-07:00

Colnago Master Light Mapei If a picture is worth 1000 words!!!!
NOS Record 9-Speed carbon kit!!!!
Matching Saddle

3ttt Control center, and Delta Brakes!!!

Enough said.

New Cross Hotness!!!! Bianchi Cross Concept

2008-04-08T16:53:00.001-07:00

It's Green, and it's hot....AND it's got Campy....
Hey Jimmy... Now I can come on the Sunday afternoon ride...

Easter Sunday.

2008-03-23T18:05:00.000-07:00

A Easter Sunday egg hunt... Good times to be had by all. My brother was in town with his new little one Lots of fun... Let's not forget That Easter Sunday is about the resurrection of our savior.

The Tete' or.... Too many projects

2008-03-23T17:58:00.000-07:00

Here is another project in mid-swing...
A 2006 Lemond Tete' de Course
I have had 3 other Spine bikes. This is the keeper unless someone else wants it real bad.
Full 2006 Campy Record save for the cranks. Rolf Vigor's ITM kit... Should fall in the 16lb range when built... Just a little more than my Bianchi 928L that you have not seen yet.

Colnago.... Ohhhh My!!!

2008-03-22T19:25:00.001-07:00

It's hot, and not mine... Yet! I have a Colnago Master X-Light. I haven't posted pictures of it yet because it's not finished.
This one was built by a friend of mine. 100% Campy...Daytona, with Chorus cranks, and Scirocco wheels. I actually supplied the build kit for him. He acquired the frame in Italy while on deployment from a small old shop.
I don't know what year it is, but the tube set is Columbus Altain, and of course its all hand painted.

The Bike as pictured weighs 21.75lbs...It rides like a dream and is a stiff in the BB as you would want it to be. It does not flinch even under my power. Not Carbon, and all the rage. But I bet you this will be around long after that carbon rig is trash.

Super cool graphic on the top tube!

Chrome Lugs!

Columbus Tubing!

Hot!

Project Passat...

2008-03-22T06:11:00.001-07:00

I have had this car for over 5 years... It used to be my Wifes daily driver, when we bought the Rover it became My DD, then we got a van when we had our third little one, and it's use started to slow down. My cousin used it for a year, then it came back home...
Things to do:
Heater Core
Motor Mounts
Brakes
Fuel Pump
Shocks & Springs
Suspension Bushings
New Front Windscreen
Repair or replace rusty hatch
If this was a sedan, or an automatic it would have been parted out already. But because this is a VR6 Wagon with all the options, AND a 5-speed transmission this thing has lasting appeal.
Now that petrol is going higher I am going to be using this to cut my costs a little, and only driving the work van or Rover when necessary.
I of course have some cool kit for it as well including a set of smoked Hella DE headlights, ABT grille, and I have already installed 17" VW Monte Carlo wheel, and aB4 Passat Center console with armrest.
I will post more pictures as the project starts rolling.

Bad Bianchi....

2008-03-21T19:49:00.001-07:00

I sold it, and I should not have ... but at the time I was in a bad mood about Aluminum bikes...
This was a rare Bianchi Freccia Celeste HC Record bike that was a perfect fit, It had full Campy Record, and Eurus Wheels...
I kept the parts, but ditched the frame...
I should have hung on to it. it rode nice, and was beautiful....Oh well there are a lot of nice bikes out there....
The best ones always seem to be Steel.
Any one got a EL-OS in a 56 they want to part with????

Gary Fisher Ferrous 29'er

2008-03-20T14:50:00.000-07:00

This bike is hot, but like so many of my other bikes I have finally learned that I need to be riding something bigger.
I love the ride of steel, and this bike was such a tremendous improvement over my 2006 Paragon...
I need a 19" though and this was a 17.5"
So this has now been sold, and I am looking into ordering a Custom Gunnar, I actually talked to the head of engineering today at Waterford, and have come up with a 29'er version of the Rock Tour, but we will be using the Paragon sliding dropouts so that I can run the bike as a single speed and I will be having it
painted my custom color... VW Vortex blue... After receiving my Gunnar Roadie in mid-January I am a firm believer in what Waterfod/Gunnar produces.

Cannondale F-29

2008-03-20T14:37:00.001-07:00

Alright
So here is my third 29'er... This is a 2007 Cannondale Caffeine 29'er. I waited 6 months to get this bike (I was told that it had been ordered several times)
I bought it in the Medium Size, and these bad boys run small.
I like the geometry of the Fisher 29'ers much better. the top tube is longer, and I much prefer that...This bike has a cool upright feel to it though, and honestly the fork is the best I have ridden since the later versions of the Noleen/Girvin Crosslink.
A word of advice. If you normally ride a 17.5" Fisher, or similar geometry bike. go ahead and buy one of these in a Large...
The bike is too heavy weighing in at 29lbs. with pedals... there is no reason for a bike of this caliber to weigh so much. (it's all in the wheels though)
I just sold this to a guy in Norway... seems Cannondale does not even offer this bike on the other side of the water.

Since the sale of this bike, and my Fisher Ferrous 29'er I am torn between ordering a new Caffeine, Ferrous, or Gunnar in a large or 19" size...
I am probably going to bite the bullett and get the Gunnar, and the Caffeine. Each has it's intended purpose. The GUnnar would be a higher-end steel bike on a better level than the Fisher, So while I like the frame design of the Fisher, I think the Gunnar will be a better bike.

Where are the bikes at ???

2008-03-19T16:47:00.000-07:00

The name of the blog is " Bicycle Addiction" but as of yet I have not posted any pictures or rantings of bicycles.
Soooo... While the bulk of my collection hangs at the Suffolk location of AAB, here are some parting shots of bikes I have recently parted with.

Bianchi Roger Single speed... Just too small
2001 Lemond Zurich...Nice ride, again too small
Lemond Steel Spine... UPS Crushed on the way to it's new owner
Masi 3VC Carbon... Finally the right size (56-57cm)
Sold to a nice fellow up north to fund other projects
I actually kind of miss it.
Mid 90's Bianchi TSX UL Nice bike, but too small
Sold the frame and fork kept the drivetrain and wheels .

More eye candy to come later.

Outer Banks wheeling trip

2008-03-17T17:08:00.000-07:00

My son and I got to get away for the weekend in mid February.
The weather was clear, and the sand was nice...I never had to lock my CDL...and I ran 20lb of pressure in the tires.
The truck is a 96 Disco 1 with a 2" Rovertym lift...
I am one of the lucky few with a Clutch in the USA (yes it's a 5-speed).

Vintage Bianchi Motorcycle

2008-03-16T20:23:00.000-07:00

This is all the hotness.
I know Jimmy will approve.

About Time...

2008-03-16T19:40:00.000-07:00

I have been lurking around Jimmy, Rob, and Steven's blog for some time now...I kept telling myself that I would take the time to make a blog. Well I guess after two years tonight is the night!

I have a severe addiction to cool stuff on 2 wheels...Powered by petrol or two feet and a heartbeat it makes no difference to me.
I intend to make this a spot to share my views, and interesting projects with like minded (or not so) folks.