I started thinking this morning about how much during the day I actually think about mountain biking….Turns out it is A LOT! [Thumbsup] So at what point does passion turn into obsession?? When I’m not riding…I am at work posting to forums, posting to my blog, contemplating the next parts purchase, etc. At least the other half thinks it’s ok because at least my obsession/addiction keeps me in shape and healthy!
The winter riding season has ended for the 07/08 season, so I thought I would share my favorite picture from the year. This one was taken at Rich Mountain during the last of the cold rides. We started off the ride in the low 30’s with several inches of snow that was left over from several days before. It really made for a beautiful landscape to start the climb up Stanley Gap. This ride included over 25 riders that included a lot of veteran racers.
That’s right…I finally said it. I really do miss my singlespeed. Now, to clarify, I don’t particularly miss the Curtlo as much as singlespeeding itself. The Curtlo was an incredible bike built by Doug Curtis. It rode beautifully and one of the best rides I have ever been on was a ss ride on this bike at Tsali with Jason. It was just one of those days where everything was on. I think we did somewhere around 33 miles that day if I remember correctly.
The Sultan is one of the most lusted after 29er full suspension bikes. With 4″ of travel, this bike feels like it has 5″. Made out of 5 Spot tubing, this bike is a great all around machine. With the introduction of the 20mm 29er Reba coming soon, there should be some great AM styled Sultan’s in the near future.
Honestly…how many different wheels sizes do we need? With the introduction of the 650B (27.5″) wheel size, we are now up to 3 different available wheel sizes for mountain bikes if you don’t include the 24″ variety. The idea is that you get the same rolling power seen in 29″ wheels with the agility of 26″. I am not jumping on the bandwagon that fast for several reasons.
It was only a matter of time before I blogged my sled. I am actually surprised it took this long quite honestly. Built by Sherwood Gibson of Ventana Mountain Bikes USA, this in one of the highest quality bikes I have ever owned. As my riding style started to change…so did my bikes. I ended up needing something that could handle more of a beating than what I had been riding previously. Apparently large drops to flat aren’t a good idea on 4 and 5 inch bikes…who knew?
So what does a 650.00 headset look like? Here it is…the Cane Creek Reserve 110 headset. So what do you do with a handmade, precision-machined titanium, inlaid with maple or mahogany headset?
Another incredible ss 29er. This Independent Fab belongs to Jason up in Asheville, NC. The component list ranges from Phil Wood, Eno, Fox, Brooks and Chris King. Independent Fabrication makes some of the best steel hardtails on the market and this one is no exception. The midnight blue against the white of the Fox F29 is a perfect mix.
What a ride! Fred Cuthbert makes a killer ride. By far the best 29er I have ever been on. The geometry is a close resemblance of what you see out of Jeff Jone’s stable. It eems to put you in the perfect stand and hammer climbing position that you are often forced into with rigid singlespeeding. The bike almost felt like it had suspension with the large volume tires and compliant rear end. Nothing quite beats the feeling of a custom steel ride.