MasiMoto

I love to get around on my Masi singlespeed. Its probably my favorite bike. Oh yes, riding the Litespeed is a thrill, but you can't toodle around on a Litespeed. Well I suppose you can, but it would be hard.

St. Louis isn't particularly hilly, but it does have some Hills (with a capital "H"). The Speciale Fixed make of Masi is more of a track bike, with the track geometry and spec. It came with a 48T front chainring and a 16T rear cog. That's OK for spinning around the park, but in traffic the gearing is a little steep. There have been times when I needed to Get On It, and even as strong as I've become with the bike, I can't move it fast enough in certain situations to feel safe (and not prevent knee surgery, anyway). It was time to talk to the mechanics at LBS.

LBS employs a few singlespeed affectionados, and we had a lot to talk about. In the end we decided that a 46T chainring would do the trick. They had a few in stock and set about making the swap. A few minutes into the work the mechanic discovered something: the Touro crank will only accept the 48T chainring that comes with it (something about the bevel). This was confirmed by looking through the SRAM catalog, and surfing out to the SRAM site. Of course the Touro doesn't even appear on the SRAM site any more. I surfed a little more and found this post confirming what we already knew. By that time, the mechanics had already suggested the same work-around and swapped the 16T freewheel for a 18T.

Now a new problem: the Masi also comes with some off-brand of chain. Since LBS didn't have the proper links in stock to lengthen my existing chain, I was forced to buy a new one. So, Masiguy: why the Touro crank?

In the end I'm rolling phat. That is to say, toodling with a little more confidence. It cost me a bit more than I expected, but I have just the right amount of Go (<-- is that the right way to say that?) in traffic.

~**~

Other Adjustments
One of the things I love about the Masi is the jump-on-and-go platform pedals, but the shoes I normally wear to ride, lets say I'd be better off bare-footed. I tend to pad around in these. They're comfortable and warm, especially in the winter, but the sole is really floppy. I decided I'd made-do long enough and wanted to replace them with stiffer-soled commuter shoes. Unfortunately, LBS didn't have any in my size, so I was forced to shop around. In the end I found these at Mesa Cycles. They're a bit flashier than I wanted, but they're really comfortable, warm, and feel great on platform pedals. Not to mention that I can wear them in the house and not be threatened with a horrible death.

~**~

I might have been the only rider in St. Louis not on his bike today. Yes, I missed a 60 degree January day. It happens sometimes.

My Winter Bike

What can I say?

I went to the bike shop to look for a heavy jersey/jacket and winter shoes. Instead, I find a 60cm Masi Speciale Fixed in the corner. Its so rare to find a bike in my size sitting on the shop floor - especially something as nice as a Masi. I took it for a test ride and couldn't part with it. Kinda solves the shoe problem, huh? Anyway, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Curse you Masi! Curse you bike shop!!

More Improvements

Saturday morning I went to Maplewood Bike to talk to Tim Ray again. I was really hoping he'd have a Ti bike fixed up for me to try. No such luck. As is the case with any bike shop I visit, really good bikes in my size have to be ordered. Tim did have a few frames to show me. I'll get to that in a minute. Before we talked frames though, Tim went back to work on the last of my "fit" problems.

Cleat position and foot pain have always been a battle. I've tolerated quite a bit of discomfort in my left foot for years. The problem is that my left ankle is off-kilter, forcing my foot out of alignment with my leg. When I ride with effort, the misalignment causes my hip to open which forces my foot to roll off to the outside of the pedal. If I try to compensate, the foot takes a lot of pressure on the ball and the arch. Ouch. My left foot is also a full size bigger than my right foot. But Tim thinks he can fix it.

First I have to stand on a contraption with laser levels that looks like a cross between a protractor and a Ouija board. I squat and alternate my weight from foot to foot. Tim takes a lot of notes. Then Tim attaches a set of pedals to my bike that are set on swivels and have a white and red bars protruding from the sides. I jump on the bike and pedal. Tim takes more notes and looks at each leg through a laser sight, followed by more note taking. After a bit of ciphering and a trip to the stock room, Tim produces a pair of Aline insoles. That's it? Insoles? Yes, insoles (and a slight repositioning of the left side cleat). Lemme tell you: Alines are the shizzle. A couple of revolutions on the trainer and I could tell the difference. A spin around the neighborhood and I knew the problem was fixed. No more numb toes; no more screaming arch. Amazing.

What about the frames? Tim showed me Litespeed Archon, Icon, and Siena frames, as well as Lynskey House Blend R220 and R320. It was nice to be able to handle the Archon frame. I've read so much about it and it really is a work of art. The Icon looks fast just sitting there. The Siena is amazingly light. Both Lynskey frames look and feel incredibly well-built.

Tim discussed the pros and cons of each frame as it applies to my riding style and needs. Then we discussed new build-out prices, and a build-out price using the components from the Cannondale. The bottom line: the R320 and the Icon appear to be the frames for me. The material seems right, the function seems right, the style is right, and the price is right. Either frame should last forever.

I left the shop to give my new insoles a thorough breaking-in. I guess I have to make a decision.