Irked by Design

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This irks me

Because no one is a "real" cyclist unless they race.

I'm still not quite able to elucidate why this annoys me so much. Perhaps it's simply my nature to denigrate that which I do not understand. Nah, that can't be it.

Git yer spandex, girls. Oh, I mean chicks. Chicas. Gals. Ladies.

You know you want to check it out.

This irks me too. Not really. I am actually amused. Maybe I would have been irked in return sometime ago, but I have bigger fish to fry these days. Perhaps being a mother has mellowed my response to this sort of thing. Being the curious cat that I am, I at least had to ask the question, "why so bothered?".

The answer was simple, that velochicks.com is supposed to encourage new women to enter the sport. With the race photo's and race emphasis, the site can be perceived as intimidating for newbie's. And, the website appears, at least to one, that if you don't race, you are not a "real" cyclist. OK. I'll buy that, but I'll dispel it too.

Biking is a good thing, no matter what form it takes. Yes, I used to race. I started out as a "cyclist" who rode for pleasure and commuted to work. I quickly fell in love with riding my mountain bike and got into racing as something fun to do. I traveled the country (and Canada) competing in NORBA national cross country and downhill race events. From there, I raced on the road, track and yes, cyclocross. Racing for me, was a way to push myself to the limits and see what kind of personal best I could accomplish.

When we traveled to races, we camped, we raced and we met some great people whom I still know today. (Yo, Team Brooklyn!) Racing afforded me this experience. Sure, I could have done group rides and fund raisers, and had the same experience. It is simply the road I took. Now, I still ride for fun and enjoy the sheer pleasure of being on my bike, and I am still a "cyclist".

My goal is to promote women's cycling in a way that highlights all aspects of women's cycling, from the beginner to professional. Seeing bike racers is intimidating. Yes, it's true. However, it is important to see that if this is your goal or dream, it's attainable. These women had to start somewhere. They were once "cyclists" too, of the non-competitive type. As they got stronger and faster, for whatever reason, decided to try racing.

Does this mean you're not a real cyclist if you don't race? Of course not. Hindsight and experience tell me it's easy to be reactionary to that which you don't know. If you know me, then you know my intentions. I have spent numerous amounts of my free time leading beginner rides for women, just for the sake of cycling. My commitment is to the sport, at all levels.

The second item that irked this writer is that some cycling websites objectify women. While I am no super left wing feminist, I am highly aware and in tune with women's issues. This is exactly why I started the velochicks website; to give women their full credit in the sport, not just the bike racer, but the casual rider as well.

Most cycling websites are dominated by men. Written by men, for men. Recently, several women specific websites have sprung up on the internet. While racing is their main focus, the sites are written by women, for women. Awesome. The world needs to see how accomplished, strong and amazing these female athletes are, on every level. That is the very reason I ask for your stories. They should be shared so that other women who may be entertaining the sport will perhaps be inspired.

Biking, on any level, is freedom. It's an empowering feeling to conquer a tough climb, technical single-track or even to complete your first long distance ride. If you are strictly a commuter, kudos for being green! You can ride your bike anytime, anywhere...and anyone can do it. So get on your bike and ride. No offense, we should be banning together and supporting our endeavors, not hindering them. We have bigger fish to fry!

The business plan: solving needs and wants

Consumers want the pricing, the selection and the convenience of the Internet and the community, service and support of the local IBS. The IBS wants the relationship with the customer, the option to compete with the Internet and a manageable and current inventory. The problem is that an IBS cannot compete with price and selection of the Internet: the IBS has overhead costs, labor and only so much space and capital for inventory. Meanwhile, the consumer is unable or unwilling to address maintenance issues for a bicycle and will always want to have an IBS nearby to provide support service and community. 

This condition is a function of the industry’s “push” model of production: bikes are made in very high volumes in Asia and pushed out into the distribution network each year. The IBS ties up working capital in inventory buying bikes and gear that may not be sold and that is at risk of becoming dated or obsolete as it sits on the floor. The company seeks to solve this problem by allowing the IBS to act as an agent for the company’s frames. This means that the IBS orders the frame from the company when there is a consumer who would like to buy one on hand; this is the “pull” model (Please see this post and others on frugal innovation). The IBS takes a percentage of the price and then works with the customer on choosing component groups and wheels. Ultimately, the IBS builds the bike for the consumer.  This develops the relationship between IBS and customer and it minimizes the IBS investment in inventory, which improves their cash flow. Meanwhile, the consumer obtains a high quality frame at a lower price point than what can be found at the IBS, the consumer chooses the exact components and wheels he wants or he uses his existing components and wheels; and, the consumer maintains a relationship with the local IBS. 

Geometry comparisons to other manufacturers

Brand	F&W	Felt	Parlee	Serotta	Cervelo	Giant
Model	MCR-01	F1	Z4	HSG GS	S Series	TCR
Size	47	50	S	47	48	S
Seat tube	47.0	48.0	45.0	n/a	48.0	46.5
Top tube (e)	51.5	51.3	52.5	50.8	51.5	53.5
Head tube length	10.5	11.0	12.3	10.1	10.0	13.5
Chain stay length	41.0	41.0	41.0	n/a	39.9	40.5
Wheelbase	97.3	99.0	96.4	n/a	96.0	97.4
Head tube angle ⁰	71.0	72.0	73.0	71.0	72.5	72.0
Seat tube angle ⁰	74.5	76.0	74.0	74.0	na	73.5
BB drop	68.0	70.0	70.0	75.0	68.0	na
Stack	42.5	n/a	n/a	55.0	50.2	na
Reach	36.0	n/a	n/a	34.0	36.1	na
Stand over	n//a	73.4	74.4	74.0	70.9	74.2
Trail	n//a	n/a	n/a	n/a	na	na
BB height	n//a	n/a	n/a	n/a	20.7	na
Fork rake	4.5	4.5	4.3	5.2	na	na

Frames and Wheels compares the geometry of the MCR-01 to the geometry of some other manufacturers. The wheel base of MCR-01 is 97 cm and is comparable to the Giant TCR. Only the  Felt F1 has a longer wheelbase. The head tube angle and seat tube angle of the MCR-01 is 71 and 74.5 degrees, respectively. and the chain stay length is 41 cm and comparable to the other manufacturers. These figures imply that the frame has a slack geometry which improves stability and comfort. The head tube length is 10.5 cm and comparable to the other manufacturers except Parlee. 

The business plan: is the timing right?

I do not know the answer to this question, but I can offer the following observations: the Internet is changing the way the consumer makes purchases; consumers want the price and selection of the Internet, but the service and community of an independent bike store (IBS); the consumer is facing an extended period of slow economic growth and is more focussed on obtaining value; and, the bicycle industry is ripe for a new business model.  

The timing of this venture is right, but if anything it is too early: consumers buy their bicycles when they want them, and rarely do they buy them like they would buy a car. This is certainly true for the low and middle part of the market because the sums of money are much lower and the consumer does not really care too much about fit, components and wheels; they “want it now” because the weather is nice, their old bike is falling apart and they are satisfied with what the bike store has on the floor. However, it is even true for the high end segment of the market: the consumer is pressed for time and has a race or a triathlon coming up and they want to start training right away; they sacrifice choice and selection for immediate delivery (which is rarely  very immediate). 

The result is that the consumer buys what the IBS has on the floor which might be good enough, but not exactly what they are looking for or they order something on line, which is closer to what they want, but not necessarily right or good value. The "want it now" buyer can suffer buyer’s remorse because he spends thousands of dollars on something that is not exactly what he wants and he believes that he could have obtained a better price if he had bought it on line or at the end of the year. The "want it now" buyer can also suffer feelings of guilt and awkwardness if he buys a bicycle for thousands of dollars on line and then asks his local IBS to service it for him. The "want it now" buyer perpetuates the risky and high cost of business for the IBS: large pre-season orders of bikes that may or may not be sold; high inventory costs, high overhead costs for large spaces, etc. This model is inefficient, risky and in neither the interests of the IBS or the consumer.

Thus the challenge is educating the consumer to plan their purchase in advance and change their mind set from “want it now” to “want it right”.  It is going to take some time: the sole respondent to the poll on the blog about ordering a bicycle six months in advance was “Maybe”. Nevertheless, the Internet is moving the consumer in this direction: the consumer is bipolar and wants the best of the Internet and the local IBS. The cannot have it all, but they can have a little bit of both. Frames and Wheels believes that the high end of the market is likely to be the easier market to convince given that these consumers are more informed about what they want for components and fit.

The fact is that few if any bicycle companies sell just a frame to an IBS: they sell built up bikes because most consumers “want it now”, they have the infrastructure and the relationships to do so profitably and most IBS perhaps do not want to spend that much time building up bikes from scratch (even though they spend a lot of time preparing them once they come out of the box). Additionally, bicycle manufacturers want to be perceived as “adding value” to their frames by building them up with components of their choice (these choices are how the manufacturers segment their market into high end and middle end and low end) . They also have insights about which components will work well and safely with their frames. 

Bicycle manufacturers are not going to change their existing model in the immediate future because they have already invested so much in huge operations that generate large economies of scale and low costs per unit. In this context, the timing of the venture is again too early, but that is a good thing: existing manufacturers are beholden to the existing model and are too big to try something new. 

Frame and Wheel in Thailand

Frame and Wheel was in Thailand for two weeks doing some training and is only recently back on track posting the plan on the blog. Frame and Wheel hopes to post a more detailed story of the trip at some point, but for now will put up some pictures and get back to posting the plan.

Lehigh Gorge Trail

Hell is paved with good intentions and so is the gorge...the Lehigh Gorge, which is not actually paved at all. It is a graded railroad bed that is hard pack gravel with a few loose sections along the way. The trail runs along the Lehigh River and the old railroad from Glen Onoko to White Haven located in the Pocono area of Pennsylvania. The trail is a 45 mile round trip ride with a stop in Rockport about halfway through. This ride can easily be done on a road bike, but I opted to pull out my cross bike which I sorely miss riding. Besides, why chew up those pricey road tires?

photo by Rob Erbeau

The trail itself winds and meanders along the beautiful Lehigh, nestled amongst the lush green mountains of PA. It is of course, a gorge, so you can feel the envelopment surround you as pedal along taking in the steep walls that rise out of the river.

Typically, I see the gorge from a birds eye view. Some of the best mountain biking in the area hovers just above on Broad Mountain. There are 3 overlooks that are a required pit stop along the way which allow for incredible views of the gorge down below. Today was another ball of wax.

photo by Rob Erbeau

When I think of gravel trails that are flat, I am usually not all too enthused. Lets face it, sitting in the saddle for a few hours in one position leaves you with an aching butt and stiff back. Even the seasoned rider will feel it and so will your legs.

Because this is graded railroad bed, you are quickly fooled into thinking it is flat. Indeed, it is not. The trail actually climbs for 22 miles. It is hard to tell because it is so gradual. However, as you head deeper along the trail, you can see the Lehigh River begin to slip away beneath you. Before you know it, you are basking in the shade of trees.

As much as I loathe rides that don't give much out of the saddle time, this is a great trail. Beginners and experts alike can get a great workout or simply enjoy a nice ride with friends. Invite a friend and you'll have the best of both. (Thanks Rob and Tracey!)

You can start in either direction, but I recommend Glen Onoko to Whitehaven and back. Get the climbing out of the way. Your ride back will be a breeze. Once you reach White Haven, stop for Pizza at Antonio's. The best around! And, they have glass bottles of Coke! Once you had your fill, spin on back downhill.


Don't forget to take pictures. There are some pretty waterfalls that spill down a cascade of rocks and neat little nooks and crannies that are pleasing to the eye. Look up and see the massive peaks of the PA mountains. If the sun is blazing, jump in the Lehigh when you are done or take a hike up to the Glen Onoko falls. Appropriate shoes are highly suggested, as it can be slippery. Flip flops are NOT considered appropriate just in case you were wondering.



This area is filled with coal mining and rail road history. It's worth the day trip or camping weekend. Take the time and explore.

Here's the map: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/lehighgorge/lehighgorge_mini.pdf