From Newsgroup: rec.bicycles.tech
AMuzi <
am@yellowjersey.org> wrote:
On 6/15/2026 11:10 AM, cyclintom wrote:
I was looking at an interview of Joe Friel and he was saying that he
couldn't keep up with his group rides so he bought an E-bike. I have a
couple of friends that have done the same thing.
Now, this is something I can't understand. If you cannot keep up, DON'T RIDE WITH THEM.
It isn't as if I expect to keep up with 20 year olds at 81, I am
developing about 140 watts and that gives me an average speed around
10.5 mph. witrh half the ride into the wind.I would rather ride alone
than get an E-bike in order to keep up with a gvoup.
Npt to mention that I get to ride the best bikes in the world even if I am dirt slow.
I know that I promised that I wasn't going to get another bike but I got
a Colnago C-RS for the cost of shipping. It has a funky seat post lock
so I'm trying to get a prototyping machine shop to make a new one for
me. But I think that is possible.
It also has a strange BB30 bottom bracket - it doesn't use the lock
rings but appears to just push the bearings in. I also have to figure
out the cables which all run inside.I assume that there are some guides
inside the bottom bracket. I'm waiting for the BB parts before I worry
about that. And suddenly all of the deliveries have slowed down to turtle mail speed.
"If you cannot keep up, DON'T RIDE WITH THEM."
Works for me!
Kinda depends on the ride? For example the Loopers I meet at the pub,
midweek itrCOs definitely a not a no drop ride, and is fairly quick bringing
a E bike wouldnrCOt be appropriate, on more social cafe type rides sure.
ItrCOs in the uk at least a bit of non starter as the loopers average speed
is well above the cut off point of assistance, so yourCOd be dropped fairly rapidly.
See also folks who do relatively high distance/fast commuting, the speeds
are too high most of the time for the assistance to be of any benefit.
Hence I pass the the E bikes on the occasional training days etc in central London, even the E motos mostly, as they seem to top out at 21/22mph
despite the rumble etc making them appear to be faster!
Regarding your seatpost problem, you might consult a pro
bicycle shop first as modern designs which look odd to you
are relatively standard across brands. You may only need an
off-the-shelf part.
My Gravel bike has a D shaped seat post so fairly funky clamp though not
had to do anything with it, and is noticeable more comfortable, ie has some flex in it, so I look past itrCOs non standard or at least not external
clamp.
Roger Merriman
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