As Nick and I enjoyed the relative ease of sitting back in the smoker's section during Pace Bend, The world's longest criterium, I was checking out his fly new ride. Nick was jealous of the fact that my bike was adorned with SRAM Red before, so of course he had to get some for himself. However, I noticed something odd about his brake calipers. Most SRAM Red brakes have a dull sheen finish to them. His, however, sparkled like the ice that usually adorns his wrist and ear lobes. Yes, that's right, from the man that brought you SURFERNICK.COM decals on his crankarms and $400 saddles, Nick Kiernan proudly presents: Polished brake calipers. A new level of vain has been achieved. The bike world staggers as it tries to follow suit. Scott