I try not to complain, but the life of a Classic Cycle Old Crap Test Pilot is a busy one. Sure, you may think you envy me, getting to ride exotic bicycles like this all day…
[Photo: Classic Cycle]
…but the truth is most of you probably couldn’t hack it.
Consider this very morning, when I was just about to head out for a ride on the Cervino. As I was waiting for the elevator, out stepped a gentleman in the uniform of a well-known private parcel delivery service with a box bearing the label “Bianc:”
Now there is only one person in this building who would receive a box marked “Bianc,” so without even looking at the label I relieved him of it, signed his futuristic space-pad, and retreated with both the box and the Cervino back to my abode. Once inside, I opened the box, and cast my eyes for the first time upon the latest test-cycle:
I knew immediately this would be a far more contemporary bike than those to which I’ve become accustomed to testing, for in addition to the modern saddle complete with scranial relief channel, I noted the presence of what appeared to be paired spokes:
As well as the fiber of crabon:
And not just any fiber of crabon, but the OCLV fiber of crabon:
At this point it was pretty obvious what I was dealing with:
Or was it?
Wait a minute. Carbon? Titanium? What was going on here? Had Paul managed to squeeze two bikes into that tiny box?
Bewildered, I turned my attention to detaching the derailleur from the rear brake:
For this, I enlisted the assistance of a rubber band expert:
Adding some grease to the derailleur hanger threads, I noted the sculped appearance of the dropouts, which offered a crucial clue:
By now, you’ve probably figured out what you’re looking at:
At least if you remember the heady days of the early 21st century:
Yes, it’s a so-called “spine” bike, when Trek took a titanium bottom half, grafted it to a crabon top half, and put the LeMond name on it:
What I had here was clearly an immaculate specimen, featuring some of the most coveted components of the aughts:
This was arguably the Great Trek Bicycle Making Company at its most decadent, when Armstrong was still dominant, they hadn’t shitcanned Greg LeMond yet, and they owned like a thousand different names and brands–though I think these are post-Trek Rolfs:
So how does a ticrabium Fred Sled like this compare to an antique Vinershiki?
Well, I’ll be sure to let you know when I get back from my ride.