I've heard SRAM Red is phenomenally expensive...
Fixed it.
The story unfolds...
Stole the wheels off the Defy; installed a Cane Creek 10 headset; installed a 73mm threaded Race Face bottom bracket; grabbed a cheap takeoff seatpost for now; had a Fizik saddle lying around (that will get changed out) and put on the 1.8" Kenda Slant Six tires I already had.
Now to decide on Shimano or Sram for RD and shifters. Ordering Cowchipper bars tonight.
Edit: Yeah, I know the rear tire is on backward...dammit.
View attachment 33361
I'm using SRAM 1x and Shimano XTR brakes. No issues at all with the mix unless you want one clamp to hold both.Depends on whether you want Shimano or SRAM Disc Brakes
Put flat bars on it!The issue is going 1x, which is where I'm headed...Shimano needs a wonky workaround on drop bar, road style setup; SRAM doesn't.
Put flat bars on it!
How do you like the slant six? I was running one on the rear, and despite wearing a bit fast.. thought it was decent.
This is great, Mark! Many happy miles ahead of you!Jenson USA called me today and said they had a box for me to pick up in Corona. It was fortunate that I was riding to Modjeska Peak - I was halfway there already.
View attachment 33333
It didn't actually have a complete bike inside. But when I'm done, I'll never get thirsty on a ride again!!!!
View attachment 33334
View attachment 33335
She’s beautiful, but that is a serious steerer tube! Runs with Scissors is now Rides with Stack!Screw it! I bit the bullet and picked up the rear brakes and chain today. Need to adjust derailleur, handlebar height, brakes feel like they need to be bled...but I turned the pedals on it today around the cul-de-sac. I'm psyched!!! Tomorrow after my mtb ride I'll be doing those adjustments.
View attachment 34408
She’s beautiful, but that is a serious steerer tube! Runs with Scissors is now Rides with Stack!
Stability for passengers.She’s beautiful, but that is a serious steerer tube! Runs with Scissors is now Rides with Stack!
I prefer more rebound from the fork; nice cockpit though.Stability for passengers.
Aaaaaaand.....done. I'll be changing tires eventually. I'm really considering picking up a spare set of wheels for an easy swap.
Probably won't get a really good ride out of it until after Christmas. Although next Saturday is a good chance for Mount Baldy Village..
View attachment 34487
I picked myself up an early Xmas present yesterday.
After a few years on Niner I decided to get the new Giant Anthem Advanced Pro 29.
View attachment 34541
According to Franze, this thing is completely redesigned and Giant has been working on the geometry for 2+ years. He's been telling me for a month now how fast that bike is.
Well I got my first ride in on it today, and so far I am very impressed. It is LIGHT and you can really feel that when climbing. The thing just seemed to go charge uphill whether I was sitting in the saddle or standing. I had mixed results on the descents.... I rode my lunch Luge/Whiting loop. On the Luge, it felt a bit sketchy and I was not 100% confident (not surprising on first ride), but my strava times were inline with there they have been the last month or so. And isn't everything a bit sketchy on the Luge this time of year? Heading into Whiting by the stables, I pulled over and took some rebound out of the shock and messed with the fork settings. Descending Sage Scrub and Dreaded was another story.... WOW. It felt great on all of the chatter bumps, stuck in the corners, and handled various g outs and roots with ease.
I do this same loop a couple times a month, so I know my times pretty well. Usually, I am around 1:20 when going a quick pace and around 1:19 when I am pushing it. Today? Well today I was 1:16. That's 5 minutes faster than a week ago when I put forth the same perceived effort on the Niner. Don't know if its all the bike, if my Garmin is messed up, or if its the "New Bike Mojo", but the clocks don't lie!
This was also my first ride on SRAM Eagle.... So far so good! I really like it. Not 100% sold on the SRAM Ultimate brakes and may change them out for Shimano (Franze talked me into giving the SRAM that came on it a try)
I still need to mess with the set up a bit (didn't come close to using full shock travel), but I'm really looking forward to putting the miles on this bike.
As always, the crew at Fullerton Bikes were awesome helping me get the bike and getting it set up and in my hands as quickly as possible. I can't thank them enough.
Wow, she looks ready to drop in on El P!Aaaaaaand.....done. I'll be changing tires eventually. I'm really considering picking up a spare set of wheels for an easy swap.
Probably won't get a really good ride out of it until after Christmas. Although next Saturday is a good chance for Mount Baldy Village..
View attachment 34487
I picked myself up an early Xmas present yesterday.
After a few years on Niner I decided to get the new Giant Anthem Advanced Pro 29.
View attachment 34541
Happy New Bike Day, indeed!!!Santa was a bit late, but finally delivered ... 2017 Intense Tracer factory build through their rider direct program. Intense drove it to my door, which was pretty nice service.
I am keeping it in my office for now. That way I can look over at it whenever my job pisses me off to quickly remind myself why I need the job, lol.
View attachment 35170 View attachment 35171 View attachment 35172
Sorry you had to settle for such a crappy build.... Congratu-damn-lations!Santa was a bit late, but finally delivered ... 2017 Intense Tracer factory build through their rider direct program. Intense drove it to my door, which was pretty nice service.
I am keeping it in my office for now. That way I can look over at it whenever my job pisses me off to quickly remind myself why I need the job, lol.
View attachment 35170 View attachment 35171 View attachment 35172
Sorry you had to settle for such a crappy build.... Congratu-damn-lations!
I would love to see how that bike compares to the previous Tracer, with similar dampers and tires, of course. My hunch is plusher, but less up-hill-y. But maybe that JS-designed version of VPP has some magic up its linkages. Saaaayyy, is that an XL perchance?