Madone is early June, sigh. Just lost a SIDI Genius 5 auction, but I did decide on Shimano pd-6700's. Received my Twin Cities Cycling posters today, they look awesome! - collector's items I tell you. Tweaking Eugene's boy's new bikes on Friday and building a chain tensioner for the tall bike if I have time. G, you got my $65? I feel tired. More coffee or more beer?

Threaded Headset Threadless Headset

Well, I talked to Steve again today, about bikes. Prices and wait times. Parts, colors, specs, choices. As Steve said; Madone is the most popular road bike in the world and I'm sure he's right. It seems to be coming down to three choices. Madone 5.1 in white: 1600 bucks, two months wait. 5.2 in black: 1850 and just over one month. 5.2 + custom paint - pictured previously: 2250, 4 to 5 month wait.

The 5.1 makes sense because I kind of like the white paint better than the 5.2's black. Not a lot better though. 5.2 has a "better" (read: lighter) wheelset and a different fork-spec. Which are things I don't necessarily want, but it's a month quicker, and those are good things, right?

Here's a funny thing, I've never actually ridden one, and aside from Jared's a million years ago, I've never ridden a carbon bike at all. And I'm planning to spend 2K on it. And I hate the - yes tasteful - but still: racer graphics and huge logos. I think I would have paid $600 extra to not have them. but not in four to five months. I don't really want any of them, enough, I guess.

I think what I really want is a white Steamroller with vintage Azonic Doublewalls, Brooks, sweet cranks, wicked wheelset, perhaps new pedals and shoes... these thoughts flame my passion. I think I could ride that as fast as any bike.

Thank you for coming on this journey with me.

Winter is over, Eh.

This paint job, is available on the next model up (5.2), plus a (retail) 600+ custom up-charge. ...I'm going to ask, just to know, what it would cost. The logo could be the same color as the paint behind it too if desired. Plus I could swap parts for size or style at 5.2. Other (solid) frame and graphics color choices are available too starting at about 300. Just gonna ask. To know.

Cause otherwise I'll have to look into matching jerseys and new SIDIs so I look race-ready and that could get sad and expensive. ...New SIDIs would be really nice though.

On that bike, I'd like to get the best road or mountain clipless pedals available, designed for ease and performance - weight-weenie wouldn't hurt, but not-flexi is required, with a lean towards mountain for the grippy shoes. What should I get?